JP2014023052A - Voicemail server device, voicemail method, and voicemail program - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a multicarrier compatible voicemail service which is usable for a caller without having to be concerned about which carrier network is the transmission destination.SOLUTION: A voicemail server device comprises: a receiving unit which receives a request for recording a voice message; a transmission destination carrier network identification unit which acquires and identifies transmission destination carrier network information in order to identify a carrier network 292 to which a voicemail transmission destination terminal 202 belongs on the basis of the telephone number of the voicemail transmission destination terminal 202 included in the received recording request; and a notification unit which generates a message ID table composed of information on a transmission source carrier network to which a voicemail transmission source terminal belongs and a transmission source telephone number and information on a transmission destination carrier network and a transmission destination telephone number which are correlated to a voice message ID per voice message and notifies the voicemail transmission destination terminal 202 stored in the message ID table to the effect that a voice message is held.

Description

  The present invention relates to a voice mail server device, a voice mail method, and a voice mail program, and in particular, a voice mail server device, a voice mail method, and a voice mail program for performing processing related to a voice message recorded using a mobile phone terminal such as a mobile phone terminal. About.

  In recent years, it is called a gateway exchange between a mobile telephone network (hereinafter also referred to as a carrier network) owned by each telecommunications carrier (hereinafter also referred to as a carrier) and an Internet network different from the carrier network. By mediating the server, communication such as voice call, voice message, image, e-mail, data, etc. is possible across different networks. Note that, as described above, different carrier networks are connected for communication by an intermediary such as a gateway exchange. On the other hand, the Internet network is connected by the TCP / IP protocol throughout the world. In addition, for the purpose different from the above-described voice message, the authentication server authenticates authentication information based on text information, image information, voice information, or biometric information such as a fingerprint according to a request from each communication device, Based on the result, an intermediary server that determines whether or not intermediary communication is possible and executes it is known. (Patent Document 1).

  The intermediary server receives a communication request message for requesting start of communication with the authentication server from the SIP client, and communication between the SIP client and the authentication server in response to the received communication request message. A communication mediating unit that mediates the authentication status, an authentication status receiving unit that receives the authentication status of the SIP client from the authentication server, and a determination unit that determines whether or not the SIP client can be authenticated based on the received authentication status. In addition, there is SIP (Session Initiation Protocol) as a protocol that is the basis of an IP telephone. This SIP is a protocol for calling a partner and deciding a framework of a process for matching a data format for information communication so that applications can start communication with each other.

  The components of a system that uses SIP can be broadly divided into two types: a SIP client (SIP UA: User Agent) and a SIP server. The SIP client is an IP telephone or soft phone used by a user. The SIP server centrally manages the correspondence between telephone numbers and IP addresses, and is also responsible for processing accounting information. Softphone is software that allows a general computer to make a call via the Internet without using a dedicated device, and may include a video conference system. In the SIP standard, the type of SIP server is (1) “register” for accepting use registration from a SIP client or authenticating whether it is a correct terminal, and (2) accepting a connection request from a SIP client. “Proxy” that forwards packets to the other party's SIP client, (3) “Redirect” that tells the sender's SIP client the destination address of the other party, (4) Four types of basic server functions called “location” for receiving inquiries from the server are defined.

  Then, the mediation server receives text information, image information, audio information, biometric information such as a fingerprint, and the like as authentication information from the SIP client. The SIP client sends voice images, biometric information, and the like to the authentication server and authenticates with the received authentication server. Whether authentication is possible may be sent back directly from the authentication server to the client, or may be notified via a proxy. Further, the communication mediation unit of the mediation server sends the received INVITE request, that is, a call request, sends a request for starting a session to the authentication server, and in accordance with the response returned from the authentication server, the SIP client and the authentication server Establish communication with. In addition, when establishing communication, the communication mediation unit stores connection information regarding the established communication in the connection information table.

As described above, Patent Document 1 discloses an intermediary server that performs packet transfer and the like requested by a SIP client using an IP phone. On the other hand, the following (1) and (2) are conceivable as methods for realizing voice mail across different carrier networks.
(1) E-mail method (method to specify the telecommunications carrier to which the receiver belongs at each use, at the expense of the user)
It is defined as an ID for identifying a communication carrier by a character string below @ of the mail address, and is transmitted after the caller specifies the called communication carrier to which the callee belongs. In order to realize voice mail across different carrier networks by diverting this method, the calling user grasps the destination communication carrier by the ID for identifying the communication carrier, and then the destination communication carrier Call the specified server phone number. The telephone number of this server is prepared as a dedicated telephone number for receiving a voice message for each communication carrier.

  When the above method (1) is used to realize a voice mail service capable of transmitting a voice message without calling the other party's mobile phone, the following process is performed. That is, when recording a voice message, the voice message is sent to a specific number for use of a voice mail service from another carrier prepared by the carrier of the other party (sending destination) to which the voice mail is to be sent. This specific number is a unique number for each mobile telephone network (carrier network) operated by a communication carrier (carrier). For example, in the case of the voice mail service described in Non-Patent Document 3, “090-XXXX-XXXX” is added to the head, and then the telephone number “090-CDEF-ZZZ” of the recording partner is input by PB operation according to the guidance ( Z is an arbitrary number). In the case of the voice mail service described in Non-Patent Document 2, if the other party to whom the voice mail is to be sent and the user belongs to the same communication carrier, the mobile telephone network (carrier network) operated by the carrier (carrier) ), A unique number is prepared as an abbreviated number. Therefore, “1612” is added to the head and “1612-090-CDEF-ZZZ” is transmitted (Z is an arbitrary number). By making such a call, the call is connected to the voice mail server device, and a voice message can be recorded.

In this way, when a voice message is recorded, a notification to that effect is sent to the destination. Select the specific part (for example, the part displayed as "Play") included in the notification at the destination that received this notification or specify it differently from when recording a voice message A voice message can be reproduced by adding a number (for example, “* 2021” in the case of Non-Patent Document 1) to the beginning and making a call.
The method (1) for designating the communication carrier to which the receiver belongs is assumed to be a burden on the user, so the following method (2) for reducing the burden on the user is also conceivable.
(2) Method by using general voice call / SMS (method of associating the telecommunications carrier to which the receiver belongs without any burden on the user)

JP2008-83859

"Voice Delivery Service" NTT DoCoMo, [Search May 31, 2011], Internet <URL: http://www.nttdocomo.co.jp/service/communication/koe_no_takuhaibin/> “Voice Mail” Au KDDI Corporation, [Search May 31, 2011], Internet <URL: http://www.au.kddi.com/voice_mail/index.html> "How to use answering machine" SoftBank, [Search May 31, 2012], Internet <URL: http://mb.softbank.jp/mb/support/3G/voice_mail/06-02.html> “3GPP TS 23.040” 3GPP [searched on July 10, 2012], Internet <http://www.3gpp.org/ftp/Specs/html-info/23040.htm> “3GPP TS 29.328” 3GPP [searched on July 10, 2012], Internet <http://www.3gpp.org/ftp/Specs/html-info/29328.htm>

However, the technique of Patent Document 1 does not include means for solving the following problems corresponding to (1) the method using E-mail and (2) the method using general voice call / SMS.
(1) That is, in the case of a method of adding a specific number for using the voice mail service to the head of the telephone number of the callee that is the other party to whom the voice mail is to be sent, It is necessary to grasp the person accurately and lacks convenience. The voice mail service described above is provided for each carrier network. For this reason, when using voice mail, it is necessary to specify a destination network, that is, a carrier network to which a message is sent, and perform a call operation. For example, if the transmission source and the transmission destination are the same carrier network, a specific number specific to the carrier network is added to perform transmission.

  Further, if the transmission source and the transmission destination are different carrier networks, the transmission is performed by adding a specific number specific to the carrier network used by the other party to be recorded, that is, the transmission destination carrier network. In the case of the answering machine service described in Non-Patent Document 3, a voice message can be recorded from a mobile phone in another carrier network. You need to enter the phone number manually.

(2) The method using the general voice call / SMS is a method in which the telecommunications carrier side associates the telecommunications carrier to which the receiver belongs without burden on the user.
Here, a user who has a contract with a certain communication carrier may be transferred (ie, ported out) to a contract with another communication carrier using MNP (Mobile Number Portability). In such a case, before the introduction of the MNP, the telecommunications carrier to which the user has a contract can be grasped from the telephone number. However, after the introduction of the MNP, the user of the source mobile phone terminal is the destination carrier network. It is often the case that the carrier network of the destination is unknown. Without knowing what the carrier network of the destination is, it is unclear which specific number should be added when making a call, which leads to the problem of poor usability of the voice mail service.

  Also, in the above method (2), if a multi-carrier compatible voice mail system is specified in which the carrier network of the destination is specified by automatic processing on the telecommunications carrier side without burdening the sender, the technology and development costs Problem arises. In the above method (2), it is also necessary to determine standardized specifications regarding the connection between communication carriers such as SMS and general voice telephone. However, there is currently no such specification. Therefore, it is necessary to define a unique connection condition between the connection providers and to develop a voice mail system for each communication provider in accordance with the unique connection condition. That is, in transmission / reception over a plurality of carrier networks, there is a problem that special consideration is required in order to match an interface (hereinafter abbreviated as IF). Further, in order to make the consideration unnecessary, it is necessary to provide a server facility for voice mail service for each of a plurality of carrier networks, which causes a problem in terms of facility efficiency. As described above, there is a problem that special considerations are required or extra server facilities need to be constructed in order to match the dedicated interface for voice mail among a plurality of communication carriers.

  The present invention has been made for the purpose of solving the above-mentioned problems of the background art, and makes it easy for a caller to make multi-carrier compatible voice mail without being aware of the destination carrier network. Provide a voicemail server device, voicemail method, and voicemail program that can be used and does not require special considerations or construction of extra server facilities in order to match the interface between multiple carriers. That is.

  A voice mail server device according to an aspect of the present invention includes: a receiving unit that receives a recording request for a voice message from a voice mail transmission source terminal belonging to the first carrier network; and a received recording request from the first carrier network. Extracts the telephone number of the voice mail destination terminal to be transmitted, and acquires the destination carrier network information for specifying the carrier network to which the voice mail destination terminal belongs based on the extracted telephone number of the destination terminal A destination carrier network specifying unit for specifying to which carrier network the voice mail destination terminal belongs, and a source carrier to which the voice mail source terminal belongs to the voice message ID for each voice message Message in which network information and transmission source telephone number are associated with the transmission destination carrier network information and transmission destination telephone number A message table generation unit for generating and storing a D table; a voice message storage unit for storing the voice message; and the voice mail transmission destination terminal belonging to the second carrier network stored in the message ID table. And a notification unit for transmitting voice mail notification information indicating that the voice message is held.

  If such a voice mail server device is configured, the transmission destination carrier network identification unit identifies the carrier network to which the voice mail transmission destination terminal belongs based on the telephone number of the transmission destination terminal. The message ID table generation unit generates and stores a message ID table in which the transmission destination carrier network information and the transmission destination telephone number are associated with the voice message ID. The notification unit transmits voice mail notification information indicating that the voice message is held to the voice mail transmission destination terminal stored in the message ID table. In this way, the user can easily record a voice message. That is, since the voice mail server device specifies the destination carrier network, the caller can comfortably use the multi-carrier compatible voice mail without being aware of what the destination carrier network is. At this time, it is not necessary to match the dedicated interface for voice mail by making an inquiry in accordance with the IF already provided by each communication carrier. Therefore, when the voice mail notification information is notified between the voice mail server and the communication carrier, special considerations or extra server facilities are not required. In addition, as IF which each communication carrier already has, for example, SMS for SC (Service Center), that is, GMSC (Gateway MSC for Short Message Service) is preferable. It is known that this IF for short message transmission prepared by GMSC is used when a message is transmitted from a voice mail server device to a user (Non-patent Document 4).

  Further, in the voice mail server device according to an aspect of the present invention, the transmission destination carrier network specifying unit indicates the transmission destination telephone numbers to a plurality of carrier networks, and based on answers obtained by sequentially inquiring, The carrier network to which the transmission destination terminal belongs is specified. If the voice mail server device is configured in this manner, the transmission destination carrier network identification unit can identify which carrier network the transmission destination terminal belongs to.

  Further, in the voice mail server device according to one aspect of the present invention, the destination carrier network specifying unit determines an inquiry destination carrier network to be inquired first based on the CDEF code included in the extracted telephone number of the destination terminal. It is characterized by doing. The CDEF code refers to the remaining numbers excluding the leading 0 of the telephone number, numbered ABC˜ in order from the beginning, and the third to sixth numbers are particularly called CDEF codes. However, this CDEF code is sometimes called a CD code or a CDE code by convention. If the voice mail server device is configured in this way, the destination carrier network can be efficiently identified from the CDEF code of the destination telephone number, which is convenient for the user.

Further, in the voice mail server device according to one aspect of the present invention, the transmission destination carrier network specifying unit includes an MNP (Mobile Number Portability) source carrier network and an MNP destination carrier network in an answer obtained by inquiry. When MNP information to be associated is included, an inquiry destination carrier network to be inquired next is determined based on the MNP information. At this time, by making an inquiry in accordance with the IF already provided by each communication carrier, each carrier does not need special considerations or extra server facilities in order to match the dedicated interface for voice mail. In addition, as an IF that each communication carrier already has, for example, a sh interface that an HSS (Home Subscriber Server) has to an AS (Application Server) is known as a protocol used for inquiring subscriber information. (Non-patent document 5).
If the voice mail server device is configured in this way, the destination carrier network can be automatically specified from the MNP information, which is convenient for the user.

  The voice mail server device according to one aspect of the present invention includes a reproduction request receiving unit that receives a reproduction request and extracts a telephone number of a voice mail transmission destination terminal, and the transmission destination terminal extracted by the reproduction request reception unit. Based on the telephone number, the message ID table is referred to, a voice message specifying unit for specifying the voice message stored in the message ID table, and the voice message specified by the voice message specifying unit for the voice mail destination And a voice message providing unit provided to the terminal.

  If the voice mail server device is configured in this way, the voice message storage unit is associated with the destination telephone number stored in the message ID table by the telephone number of the voice mail destination terminal based on the received reproduction request. Provide a voice message to the voice mail destination terminal. In this way, the user can easily reproduce the voice message. In other words, the receiver can comfortably receive multi-carrier compatible voice mail without being conscious of what the carrier network of the transmission source is. In order to match the dedicated interface, no special consideration is required, and no extra server equipment is required.

  The voice mail server method according to an aspect of the present invention includes a receiving unit that receives a voice message recording request from a voice mail transmission source terminal, and a carrier to which a voice mail transmission destination terminal to be transmitted from the received recording request belongs. A destination carrier network specifying unit for specifying a network, source carrier network information and source telephone number to which the voice mail source terminal belongs to the voice message ID of each voice message, destination carrier network information and destination A message ID table generating unit that generates and stores a message ID table in which a telephone number is associated; a voice message storage unit that stores the voice message; and the voice mail transmission destination stored in the message ID table Voicemail notification information to the terminal that the voice message is retained A voice mail method using a voice mail server device comprising: a notification unit for transmitting a voice message recording request from a voice mail transmission source terminal belonging to the first carrier network from a first carrier network Receiving the telephone number of the voice mail destination terminal to be transmitted from the received recording request, based on the destination terminal telephone number extracted by the destination carrier network specifying unit, Identifying the carrier network to which the voice mail destination terminal belongs by acquiring destination carrier network information for identifying the carrier network to which the voice mail destination terminal belongs; and the message ID table The transmission unit to which the voice mail transmission source terminal belongs to the voice message ID for each voice message Generating a message ID table in which the carrier network information and the transmission source telephone number are associated with the transmission destination carrier network information and the transmission destination telephone number, and the message ID table generated by the message ID table generation unit. Storing the voice message, the voice message storage unit storing the voice message, and the notification unit stored in the message ID table to the voice mail destination terminal belonging to the second carrier network, Transmitting voice mail notification information indicating that the voice message is held.

  According to such a voice mail server method, the user can easily record a voice message. In other words, the caller can comfortably use multi-carrier compatible voice mail without being conscious of what the carrier network of the destination is, and for multiple carriers, in order to make the interface consistent In addition, no special consideration is required and no extra server facilities are required.

The voice mail method according to an aspect of the present invention includes a reproduction request receiving unit that receives a reproduction request, and the voice message based on a telephone number of the destination terminal that is received and extracted by the reproduction request receiving unit. A voice mail method using a voice mail server device comprising: a voice message specifying unit to be specified; and a voice message providing unit for providing the voice message specified by the voice message specifying unit to the voice mail destination terminal. The reproduction request receiving unit receiving the reproduction request and extracting a telephone number of a voice mail transmission destination terminal, and the voice message specifying unit is configured to extract the destination terminal extracted by the reproduction request reception unit. The message ID table is referred to based on the telephone number of the voice message stored in the message ID table. Identifying a said voice message providing unit, voice mail method characterized by comprising the steps of: providing a voice message the voice message identifying unit has identified, to the voice mail destination terminal.
According to such a voice mail server method, the receiver can comfortably receive the multi-carrier compatible voice mail without being aware of what the carrier network of the transmission source is, and moreover, a plurality of communication businesses. For those skilled in the art, in order to match the interfaces, no special consideration is required and no extra server equipment is required.

  A voice mail program according to an aspect of the present invention includes a receiving unit that receives a voice message recording request from a voice mail transmission source terminal, and a carrier network to which a voice mail transmission destination terminal to be transmitted from the received recording request belongs. A destination carrier network specifying unit for specifying the source, the source carrier network information and source telephone number to which the voice mail source terminal belongs to the voice message ID for each voice message, the destination carrier network information and the destination phone A message ID table generating unit that generates and stores a message ID table in which numbers are associated, a voice message storage unit that stores the voice message, and the voice mail transmission destination terminal that is stored in the message ID table Voice mail notification information indicating that the voice message is held A voice mail program executed by a voice mail server device comprising: a notification unit for transmitting a voice message recording request from a voice mail transmission source terminal belonging to the first carrier network; Based on the process of receiving, the process of extracting the telephone number of the voice mail destination terminal to be transmitted from the received recording request, the telephone number of the destination terminal extracted by the destination carrier network specifying unit, Processing for identifying the carrier network to which the voice mail transmission destination terminal belongs by acquiring transmission destination carrier network information for identifying the carrier network to which the voice mail transmission destination terminal belongs; and the message ID table The generation unit adds a voice message ID for each voice message to a transmission source key to which the voice mail transmission source terminal belongs. Processing for generating a message ID table in which rear network information and a transmission source telephone number are associated with the transmission destination carrier network information and a transmission destination telephone number, and the message ID table generated by the message ID table generation unit. A process of storing, a process of storing the voice message by the voice message storage unit, and a process of storing the voice message to the voice mail destination terminal belonging to the second carrier network stored in the message ID table, And a process of transmitting voice mail notification information indicating that the voice message is held.

  According to such a voice mail program, the user can easily record a voice message. In other words, the caller can comfortably use multi-carrier compatible voice mail without being conscious of what the carrier network of the destination is, and for multiple carriers, in order to make the interface consistent In addition, no special consideration is required and no extra server facilities are required.

  Further, the voice mail program according to an aspect of the present invention includes a reproduction request receiving unit that receives a reproduction request, and the voice message based on the telephone number of the destination terminal that is received and extracted by the reproduction request receiving unit. A voice mail program that is executed by a voice mail server device comprising: a voice message specifying unit to be specified; and a voice message providing unit that provides a voice message specified by the voice message specifying unit to the voice mail destination terminal. The reproduction request receiving unit receives the reproduction request and extracts the telephone number of the voice mail transmission destination terminal, and the voice message specifying unit is the transmission destination terminal extracted by the reproduction request reception unit. The message ID table is referred to based on the telephone number of the message number and the message ID table stores the message ID table. A process of identifying a voice message, the voice message providing unit, a voice message the voice message identifying unit has identified, characterized in that it comprises a, a process of providing the voice mail destination terminal.

  According to such a voice mail server program, the recipient can comfortably receive multi-carrier compatible voice mail without being aware of what the carrier network of the transmission source is, and more than one communication business. For those skilled in the art, in order to match the interfaces, no special consideration is required and no extra server equipment is required.

  According to the present invention, a caller can comfortably use multi-carrier compatible voice mail without being aware of what the destination carrier network is, and moreover, for a plurality of communication carriers, In order to match the interfaces, no special consideration is required and no extra server equipment is required.

It is a schematic explanatory drawing of the voice mail service system in this embodiment. It is a schematic explanatory drawing of the voice mail server apparatus in this embodiment. It is a block diagram of the voice mail server apparatus in this embodiment. It is a sequence diagram which shows the processing content at the time of recording in the voice mail server apparatus in this embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows simply the voice mail method and its program in this embodiment only at the time of recording. It is a flowchart which shows simply the voice mail method and its program in this embodiment only at the time of reproduction | regeneration. It is a flowchart which shows the inquiry process to another carrier network in the voice mail server apparatus in this embodiment. It is a message ID table in the voice mail server apparatus in this embodiment. It is a sequence diagram which shows the processing content at the time of reproduction | regeneration in the voice mail server apparatus in this embodiment. It is a block diagram of the voice mail system implemented with a single carrier network. It is a schematic explanatory drawing of the voice mail server apparatus in related technology.

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. In the drawings referred to in the following description, the same parts as those in the other drawings are denoted by the same reference numerals. Hereinafter, a case where the voice mail server device according to the present embodiment is provided in a mobile telephone network will be described.
Although an actual mobile telephone network is provided with devices such as a radio base station device and a base station control device, these devices are not shown and will not be described for the sake of simplicity. In addition, the mobile telephone terminal that appears in the following description is an apparatus that has a telephone number and can perform a voice call. This mobile phone terminal includes a smartphone as well as a known mobile phone terminal.

(Overview of voice mail service system)
An outline of a voice mail service system (hereinafter referred to as the present system) 100 in the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 1 is a schematic explanatory diagram of a voice mail server in the present embodiment. A multi-carrier compatible system 100 shown in FIG. 1 includes a voice mail server device (hereinafter also referred to as a VM server) 10, an A company switch (hereinafter also referred to as an A switch) 211 connected to the VM server 10, and its A The user of the mobile telephone terminal 201 that can be connected to the exchange 211 (hereinafter also referred to as “A user”), and these B company exchanges that are connected to the VM server 10 (hereinafter also referred to as “B exchange”) as well as the facilities of Company A 212 and a user of the mobile telephone terminal 202 that can be connected to the B exchange 212 (hereinafter also referred to as B user). Note that the VM server 10 in this embodiment is managed by a company D as an example. The company D may provide the VM server 10 belonging to its own carrier network 294 so that it can be shared with other communication carriers. Further, the management of the VM server 10 is not necessarily limited to the company D, and may be managed by other companies other than the joint management of each company, the company A, the company B, or the company D.

In addition, the A exchange 211 and the B exchange 212 are all connected to the VM server 10 if they recognize a call that desires voice mail, that is, a call with a special number, regardless of whether the communication is across communication carriers. To do. The setting for connecting all outgoing calls with special numbers to the VM server 10 is preferably based on an agreement relating to special numbers by carriers participating in the system 100. It should be noted that the call with special number includes all cases where the call is automatically handled by a simple operation to request voice mail by the function of the mobile telephone terminal used by the user. The function of the VM server 10 is set so as to support cross-carrier communication. The call with special number includes a call to a telephone number held by the VM server 10 as one number of a general public telephone network.
By making such a call with a special number, the A user of the mobile phone terminal 201 and the B user of the mobile phone terminal 202 are not conscious of the cross-carrier communication. Note that “multi-carrier support” means support for cross-carrier communication, and any one of them is used as appropriate in the following description.

  Further, the VM server 10 has a function including both a company A message box 51 and a company B message box 52. The company A message box 51 and the company B message box 52 are subordinate to the VM servers belonging to their own carrier networks. For example, it is the same as the B company message box 52 subordinate to the B company VM server 42 belonging to the carrier network 292 shown in FIG. However, in the present embodiment, since all the calls with special numbers are set to be connected to the VM server 10, it is configured to be subordinate to the VM server 10 shared by each company. In FIG. 1, the message boxes 51 and 52 of each company are shown as physically separate devices, but may be integrated. Furthermore, the message boxes 51 and 52 of each company need only have a relationship corresponding to the independent access from the VM server 10, and need not be included in the VM server 10.

  As described above, the multi-carrier system 100 includes the A switch 211 and the A user of the mobile phone terminal 201 belonging to the A switch 211, and similarly, the B switch 212 and the B user of the mobile phone terminal 202 belonging thereto. ing. Here, if it is a call with a special number that desires voice mail, all communication including carrier crossing communication is connected to the VM server 10 corresponding to multicarrier.

  In FIG. 1, communications between users A and communications between users B are communications within the same carrier network, but the intervening VM server 10 is a voice mail system implemented in a single carrier network shown in FIG. With almost the same processing, it is possible to handle the voice mail service as usual from the viewpoint of each user. On the other hand, since the communication between the user A of the mobile phone terminal 201 and the user B of the mobile phone terminal 202 is carrier-crossing communication, multi-carrier compatible voice mail is realized by the new function of the intervening VM server 10. doing.

  Here, the specific number used when the calling user uses voice mail will be described. That is, the user who records the voice message adds “* 2020” in front of the telephone number of the other party, and transmits the call with the number “* 2020-090-CDEF-ZZZ” (Z is an arbitrary number). Alternatively, “1612” is added to the head instead of “* 2020”, and a call is made with the number “1612-090-CDEF-ZZZ” (Z is an arbitrary number). By making such a call, the call is connected to the voice mail server device, and a voice message can be recorded.

  In this way, when a voice message is recorded, this is notified to the destination. Select the specific part (for example, the part displayed as "Play") included in the notification at the destination that received this notification or specify it differently from when recording a voice message For example, a voice message can be reproduced by adding “* 2021” to the head of the number and making a call.

  In addition, the specific number described above is assigned a unique number for each mobile telephone network (carrier network) operated by a communication carrier (carrier). However, in the present system 100 shown in FIG. 1, the A user of the mobile phone terminal 201 and the B user of the mobile phone terminal 202 are in common VM server 10 even though their communication is cross-carrier communication. If a common specific number is used, it is possible to comfortably use voice mail without being aware of the communication carrier (carrier) to which the other party belongs. In addition, it is preferable that a function for rereading the specific number designated for each carrier network into a new common specific number is added to each company exchange. Hereinafter, in the use of the voice mail service in the present embodiment, the description that the source and destination users use the above-described specific numbers is common and will be omitted.

  FIG. 2 is a schematic explanatory diagram of the VM server in the present embodiment. As illustrated in FIG. 2, the VM server 10 includes functions of a company A message box 51, a company B message box 52, a company C message box 53, and a company D message box 54. The total number of message boxes 51 to 54 shown in FIG. 2 is four, but these are merely examples, and any number may be used. In FIG. 2, each company message box 51 to 54 is shown to be a physically separate device, but may have a single configuration as described above. Further, the message boxes 51 to 54 of each company may be in a relationship corresponding to the independent access from the VM server 10, and need not be included in the VM server 10. In addition, the A user of the mobile phone terminal 201 passes through the A carrier network 291, the B user of the mobile phone terminal 202 passes through the B carrier network 292, and the C user of the mobile phone terminal 203 passes through the C carrier network 293. 204 D users can connect to the VM server 10 via the D carrier network 294. The A switch 211 belongs to the A carrier network 291, and the D switch 214 belongs to the D carrier network 294. Similarly, exchanges not shown belong to the B carrier network 292 and the C carrier network 293, respectively.

  Here, the recording call (S 101) and the reproduction call (S 501) originated from the user A of the mobile telephone terminal 201 using voice mail are connected to the VM server 10 by the voice route 219 via the A exchange 211. . The VM server 10 makes a subscriber information inquiry (S106 to S108) from the path 229 to the subscriber information section (company A recording availability inquiry server shown in FIG. 3 and also referred to as a subscriber information server) 220. Further, the VM server 10 sends a recording notification (S121) or a reproduction notification (S521) to the user A of the mobile phone terminal 201 via the notification unit 230 from the route 239. Note that it is preferable that the path 239 and the notification unit 230 divert the functions that each carrier already has, such as existing SMS communication equipment.

  Similarly, the B user of the mobile phone terminal 202 using voice mail is connected to the VM server 10 by the route 231 via the B switch 212 omitted from FIG. Is done. The C user of the mobile phone terminal 203 connects to the VM server 10 in the same manner as the A user of the mobile phone terminal 201 through a route 232 via a C company exchange (not shown). The D user of the mobile telephone terminal 204 connects the recording call (S101 shown in FIG. 4) and the reproduction call (S501 shown in FIG. 9) to the VM server 10 through the voice route 241 via the D company exchange 214. The VM server 10 performs a recording notification (S121) and a reproduction notification (S521) to the D user of the mobile phone terminal 204 through the route 242.

  FIG. 3 is a block diagram of the VM server in this embodiment. As illustrated in FIG. 3, the VM server 10 includes a call processing unit 1, a call processing scenario 2, an inquiry destination table 3, a media processing unit 4, a media storage unit 5, a guidance scenario 6, and file property management. A section 7, a recording file management section 8, and a user notification control section 9. The call processing unit 1 has functions of a receiving unit and a reproduction request receiving unit in the present invention. The call processing unit 1 and the call processing scenario 2 have the function of the transmission destination carrier network specifying unit in the present invention. Further, the file property management unit 7 and the recording file management unit 8 have functions of a message ID table generation unit and a voice message identification unit in the present invention. The media processing unit 4 and the media storage unit 5 have the functions of a voice message storage unit and a voice message providing unit in the present invention. The user notification control unit 9 has a function of a notification unit in the present invention.

  The call processing unit 1 has a server interface function that realizes signal transmission / reception between an external device and an unillustrated HLR (Home Location Register). The HLR is a database that manages user information such as a mobile phone number and a terminal identification number, and manages information on the entire mobile phone network. The VM server 10 includes external devices, that is, an A switch 211 (see FIGS. 1 and 2, omitted in FIG. 3), a company A notification server (also referred to as an SMS transmission server) 30, and a company B notification server 31. , Company X notification server 32, VM server belonging to another carrier network (hereinafter referred to as another company VM server) 50, MNP-DB (DataBase) 40, Company A recording availability inquiry server (also referred to as subscriber information server) 220 And B company subscriber information server 221 and X company subscriber information server 222, respectively. The call processing unit 1 also has a media processing unit interface function for notifying the media processing unit 4 of a guidance scenario 6 that is activated when guidance is output. Furthermore, the call processing unit 1 has a call processing scenario interface function for transmitting a notification indicating an MNP destination (port-out destination) in addition to activating the call processing scenario 2 when a call signal is received (that is, when an incoming call is received). ing. In addition, it is preferable that the company A recording availability inquiry server (also referred to as a subscriber information server) 220 diverts the functions already provided by each carrier, such as an existing communication facility for inquiry of subscriber information.

  The call processing scenario 2 is a program group activated by the call processing scenario interface function of the call processing unit 1. That is, it is a function group, and these functions can be realized by a program. In the call processing scenario 2, a program for accessing the inquiry destination table 3, mapping with the CDEF code, etc., and identifying the communication carrier network based on the telephone number band, and the carrier network of the transfer destination (connection destination carrier network) , A program that receives a notification from the MNP destination, a program that transmits a connection instruction to the MNP destination, and a program that activates the guidance scenario 6 when outputting voice guidance.

  The CDEF code is a specification indicating the correspondence between the CDEF code indicated by, for example, a three-digit number after 090 or 080 indicating the telephone number of the mobile telephone terminal and the carrier network determined by the CDEF code. A CDEF code table (not shown) is provided so that it can be referred to. As described above, the call processing scenario 2 accesses the inquiry table 3 as appropriate, performs mapping with the CDEF code, etc., and identifies the carrier from the telephone number band. In the call processing scenario 2, the carrier network can be specified by referring to this CDEF code table for the CDEF code of the telephone number of the destination mobile telephone terminal included in the outgoing signal. However, for users who have transferred to a contract with a carrier network of another company using the MNP system, the carrier network to which the destination mobile telephone terminal currently belongs belongs to the CDEF code table. It cannot be completely specified. In other words, there is a possibility that the carrier network that can be determined by confirming the telephone number band is ported out to another carrier network. Therefore, the current carrier network is completely specified only by referring to the CDEF code table. It does not lead to.

  The media processing unit 4 sends a control signal for outputting a voice guidance message to the mobile telephone terminal to the A exchange 211 shown in FIG. 1 and a request from the call processing unit 1 by the user. In order to record and reproduce a voice message, it has a call processing unit interface function for starting a media control scenario (not shown). The media storage unit 5 has a function of storing a voice message by the user. The media control scenario includes a program for recording in the media storage unit 5 and a program for reproducing a voice message stored in the media storage unit 5. The guidance scenario 6 is a program group activated by the media processing unit 4. In the guidance scenario 6, a program is set so that the operation guidance voice for guiding the voice message recording operation method to the user is appropriately reproduced.

  The VM server 10 is connected to the A exchange 211 via a network. In this example, the C-plane (Control plane) side (control side) including the call processing unit 1 and the U-plane (user plane) side (user side) including the media processing unit 4 are shown in FIG. It is connected to the exchange 214. In this example, the protocol on the C-plane side is SIP (Session Initiation Protocol) and the protocol on the U-plane side is RTP (Real-time Transport Protocol).

  By the way, the VM server 10 can be connected to an external device by the function of the call processing unit 1. As external devices, for example, company A notification server 30, company B notification server 31, company X notification server 32, other company VM server 50, MNP-DB 40, company A subscriber information server 220, company B It can connect to the subscriber information server 221 and the X company subscriber information server 222. The company A notification server 30 also serves as an SMS transmission server, and is also referred to as an SMS transmission server 30 hereinafter. The SMS transmission server 30 is a server that transmits a message by a well-known SMS. By sending a message transmission request to the SMS transmission server 30, an SMS message is transmitted. That is, by sending a message transmission request from the call processing unit 1 to the SMS transmission server 30, an SMS message notifies that the voice mail has been recorded, or an SMS message indicates that the voice mail has been reproduced. Or can be notified.

  The B company notification server 31 and the X company notification server 32 have the same functions as those of the A company notification server 30 and thus will not be described. The VM server 50 of the carrier network of another company is provided in the carrier network managed by the other company. When the call processing unit 1 transmits a transmission signal, the transmission signal is input to the other carrier network VM server 50 via a gateway switch (not shown) or a switch provided in the other carrier network. In this example, the transmission signal regenerated by the redirect response is also input to the VM server 50 of the other carrier network via the gateway exchange or the exchange provided in the other carrier network.

  The MNP-DB 40 is a database indicating the correspondence between the telephone number and the carrier network to which the port is ported out by the MNP. By referring to this MNP-DB 40 for the telephone number, it is possible to specify the carrier network to which the port has been ported out. In this example, the call processing unit 1 refers to the MNP-DB 40 for the telephone number included in the outgoing signal, and identifies the carrier network to which the portout has been performed.

  Note that the VM server 10 may be configured as an apparatus in which the above-described units are collectively provided in a single housing, or may be configured in which the above-described units are distributed and provided in a plurality of housings. In the case of a configuration in which the above units are distributed and provided in a plurality of cases, the units may be connected via a network. When voice mail is realized in a mobile telephone network, C-plane and U-plane are often separated. In this case, the call processing unit 1 and the media processing unit 4 are physically separated by separate devices. Often realized. Therefore, not only when each unit is realized by a single device, but also when each unit is realized by a plurality of devices and each device is connected via a network, the term "VM" Corresponds to "Server".

(Processing contents of VM server)
Next, the processing contents of the VM server will be described with reference to the drawings. 4 and 9 are sequence diagrams showing the processing contents of the VM server in this embodiment. In FIG. 4, the user of the mobile telephone terminal 201 sends a recording special number from the mobile telephone terminal 201 to the A exchange 211 belonging to the carrier A network (A network) 291 (step S101). Note that the recording special number transmission is called a recording call. In response to this recording call, the A exchange 211 recognizes the special number (step S102), and establishes communication with the VM server 10 belonging to the company D and shared with each partner carrier by the SIP Protocol INVITE Command (step S102). S103). When receiving the recording call, the VM server 10 recognizes the destination telephone number (step S104).

  In step S103, if the VM server 10 uses an ASP type service, the VM server 10 transfers it to an external ASP server. An ASP (Application Service Provider) is a business operator that rents business applications to customers via the Internet, starting with mail distribution. In step S103, Request-URI (Uniform Resource Identifier) = * xxxx + destination telephone number may be used for transmission from the A exchange 211 to the VM server 10.

  When the VM server 10 determines that the called party is not a user of the company D (step S105), the VM server 10 gives information about the caller telephone number and the recording destination telephone number included in the recording call of the step S101 to the company B facility 250. A pre-inquiry is started as to whether or not it is provided (step S106). In response to the inquiry in step S106, the company B facility 250 performs callee determination (step S107) and recording availability determination (step S108). The called party determination is, for example, determination of the voice mail service subscription status of the B user of the mobile phone terminal 202 or the like. The recording permission / inhibition determination is, for example, that the user A of the mobile phone terminal 201 who is the caller is registered in the voice mail playback refusal setting or the like set by the user B of the mobile phone terminal 202 for an individual partner. It is a judgment of whether there is no.

  As a result, if it is found from the recording destination telephone number that none of the D user of the mobile phone terminal 204, the A user of the mobile phone terminal 201, or the B user of the mobile phone terminal 202 is used, Contact the operator. On the other hand, as a result of the inquiry, if it is found that the user is the B user of the mobile phone terminal 202, the B company facility 250 returns a message indicating that the recording is OK to the VM server 10 (step S109). In steps S105 to S109, there is no restriction on the order setting of the inquiry destination, and in particular, “determination of whether the called party is a user of company D” in step S105 need not be the first. However, in terms of efficiency, it is preferable to make an inquiry in the order of carriers with the highest frequency of use of the voice mail service. This sequential inquiry will be described later with reference to FIG.

  After step S109, the VM server 10 starts recording (step S110). Meanwhile, the connection state is maintained between the A user of the mobile phone terminal 201 and the VM server 10 (step S111). Then, a guidance voice “This is a voice mail center. Please give me a message after the dial tone” is transmitted from the company B facility 250 to the VM server 10 (step S112). Next, a voice message and # at the end of recording are transmitted from the user A of the mobile telephone terminal 201 to the VM server 10 (step S113). Then, the VM server 10 performs a recording completion process (step S114), and the user A of the mobile phone terminal 201 and the VM server 10 are disconnected (step S115).

  Next, a notification process for notifying the completion of recording from the VM server 10 to the user B of the mobile telephone terminal 202 is started (step S116). The VM server 10 notifies the recording completion to the company B facility 250 (step S117). The contents of the recording completion notification in step S117 are a caller (sender) telephone number, a recording destination (sender) telephone number, a recording date and time, and a message ID. Then, the company B facility 250 prepares a recording notification to be described later from the company B facility 250 to the user A of the mobile telephone terminal 201 (step S118). Then, the B company facility 250 sends a reply to the VM server 10 that it has been accepted (step S119). Then, when the company B facility 250 starts the notification process (step S120), a recording notification “message is kept” is sent from the company B facility 250 to the user B of the mobile phone terminal 202 (step S121). ).

  Next, a voice mail method and its program in the system 100 will be described mainly with reference to FIG. FIG. 5 is a flowchart schematically showing the voice mail method and its program in this embodiment only during recording. A process in which the VM server 10 executes a process at the time of recording by a voice mail program stored therein will be described with reference to FIG. Note that the step S numbers used in FIGS. 4, 5, 7, and 9 are given the same number for each figure to simplify the description even if they are the same process.

  First, voice from a first carrier network (for example, the A carrier network 291 shown in FIG. 1) from a voice mail transmission source terminal (for example, the A user of the mobile phone terminal 201 shown in FIG. 1) belonging to the first carrier network. The message recording request is received by the receiving unit (call processing unit 1 shown in FIG. 3) (step S201). Next, based on the recording request received from the first carrier network, the receiving unit (call processing unit 1) determines the telephone number of the voice mail transmission destination terminal (for example, user B of the mobile telephone terminal 202 shown in FIG. 1). Extract (step S202). Based on the extracted telephone number of the destination terminal, the destination carrier network specifying unit (call processing unit 1 and call processing scenario 2 shown in FIG. 3) obtains the destination carrier network information, so that voice mail is obtained. A carrier network (for example, the B carrier network 292 shown in FIG. 1) to which the transmission destination terminal belongs is specified (step S203). That is, the transmission destination carrier network specifying unit specifies whether the transmission destination terminal belongs to the first carrier network or a different second carrier network. Note that the first carrier network in the present invention is a carrier network to which a transmission source terminal belongs, and need not be limited to the A carrier network 291 in this embodiment. The second carrier network in the present invention is a carrier network to which a transmission destination terminal belongs.

  Next, the message ID table generation unit (file property management unit 7 and recording file management unit 8) generates the message ID table 70 shown in FIG. 8 (step S204). The message ID table 70 includes transmission source carrier network information for specifying a carrier network to which the voice mail transmission source terminal belongs, a transmission source telephone number, transmission destination carrier network information, transmission, and voice message ID for each voice message. It is a table associated so that various information including the destination telephone number can be managed. The message ID table generator stores the message ID table 70 (step S205). Note that there is no strict distinction between the file property management unit 7 and the recording file management unit 8, and these may be integrated. In addition, as long as each part demonstrated by this embodiment has an equivalent function, what kind of name may be sufficient as it.

  Next, the voice message storage unit (recording file management unit 8, media processing unit 4 and media storage unit 5) acquires and stores the voice message (step S206). Since the voice message itself has a larger amount of data than the voice message ID, it is stored in the media storage unit 5 capable of storing a large amount of information separately from the recording file management unit 8 and the media processing unit 4. If the voice message is held in this way, the notification unit (user notification control unit 9) transmits the voice mail notification information indicating that the voice message is held to the voice mail transmission destination terminal (step S1). S207). The voice mail transmission destination is specified with reference to the message ID table because the transmission destination carrier network information and the transmission destination telephone number are stored in association with the voice message ID.

  A voice mail program for causing the VM server 10 to execute these series of processes is stored in the call processing scenario 2 and the guidance scenario 6 shown in FIG. Note that the configuration and program of the VM server 10 may be in other forms as long as it is a voice mail method that is executed including the processing steps shown in steps S201 to S207.

  Next, with reference to FIG. 6, a process at the time of reproduction by the VM server 10 executing a voice mail program stored therein will be described. FIG. 6 is a flowchart schematically showing the voice mail method and its program in the present embodiment only at the time of reproduction. First, the reception unit (call processing unit 1) in the VM server 10 receives a reproduction request (step S301). Based on the received reproduction request, the receiving unit (call processing unit 1) extracts the telephone number of the destination terminal of the voice message to be reproduced (step S302). At this time, when a voice message ID indicating a voice message to be reproduced is given, the voice message ID is also extracted. In this case, when the same user receives a plurality of messages, it is possible to select and reproduce an arbitrary message. That is, the receiving unit (call processing unit 1) recognizes the telephone number of the transmission destination terminal that has made a call for reproduction request and the voice message ID as appropriate.

Next, the voice message storage unit (call processing unit 1, media processing unit 4, and media storage unit 5) specifies a voice message based on the voice message ID (step S303). At this time, the voice message storage unit specifies a voice message based on the voice message ID associated with the destination telephone number stored in the message ID table 70 shown in FIG. Thus, the voice message storage unit provides the specified voice message to the voice mail transmission destination terminal (step S304).
A voice mail program for causing the VM server 10 to execute these series of processes is stored in the call processing scenario 2 and the guidance scenario 6 shown in FIG. As long as the voice mail method is executed including the processing steps shown in steps S301 to S304, the configuration and program of the VM server 10 may be in other modes.

  FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing an inquiry process to another carrier network in the voice mail server apparatus according to this embodiment. As shown in FIG. 7, first, the VM server 10 acquires the transmission destination carrier network information by some method when the received recording call does not include the transmission destination carrier network information or is not fixed information, and transmits it. It is necessary to specify the destination carrier network. For this purpose, first, the first carrier network to which the VM server 10 belongs, that is, the first inquiry candidate is inquired (step S401). Whether or not the destination carrier network designated by the recorded call that the VM server 10 has just received via the first carrier network, for example, the A carrier network 291 shown in FIG. 1, is the first carrier network, for example, FIG. Inquires of the subscriber information unit 220 shown in FIG.

  Here, whether or not the transmission destination carrier network designated by the recording call is the first carrier network is determined by the subscriber information unit 220 that has received the inquiry as a result of information retrieval based on the transmission destination telephone number, If the corresponding telephone number is found, the transmission destination carrier network designated by the recording call is determined to be the first carrier network (Yes in step S402). In this case, the VM server 10 can refer to other determinations in the voice mail service by acquiring the subscriber information of the destination terminal. This subscriber information includes the carrier to which the destination terminal belongs, the carrier network, the telephone number of the destination terminal, the contract content, for example, whether to receive voice mail, and the individual setting content, for example, reject incoming calls for unwanted calls It is convenient to include settings. The determination logic in step S402 is not necessarily performed in the subscriber information unit 220, and may be determined on the VM server 10 side based on the subscriber information acquired from the subscriber information unit 220.

  On the other hand, if the subscriber information unit 220 does not find the telephone number of the destination terminal as a result of the information search, the destination carrier network specified by the recording call is not the first carrier network, that is, the first inquiry candidate. It becomes clear (No in step S402). Thus, in the case of No in step S402, an inquiry is similarly made to the second carrier network to which the VM server 10 does not belong, that is, the second inquiry candidate (step S404). Also, whether or not the destination carrier network designated by the recorded call that the VM server 10 has just received via the A carrier network 291 is the second candidate second carrier network, for example, the B carrier network 292 shown in FIG. Is inquired to the subscriber information unit 221 (FIG. 3) of the B carrier network 292 (step S404).

  As a result of the inquiry in step S404, if the second carrier network is determined (Yes in step S405), the VM server 10 acquires subscriber information of the destination terminal belonging to the second carrier network (step S406), The subscriber information can be referred to other judgments in the voice mail service. For example, if the voice mail service is not subscribed, the voice mail is stopped. In the case of cancellation, appropriate voice guidance is provided.

  On the other hand, if the subscriber information unit 221 belonging to the second carrier network refers to an inquiry table (not shown) and the like, and the telephone number of the destination terminal is not found in the inquiry table, the recording call designates. It turns out that the destination carrier network is not the second carrier network (No in step S405). As described above, in the case of No in step S405, an inquiry is similarly made to the Nth carrier network that is the Nth inquiry candidate to which the VM server 10 does not belong (step S407).

  As a result of the inquiry in step S407, if it is determined that the network is the Nth carrier network (Yes in step S408), the VM server 10 acquires the subscriber information of the destination terminal belonging to the Nth carrier network (step S409), The subscriber information is referred to for various decisions in the voice mail service. In this way, until the destination carrier network designated by the recording call is identified, the VM server 10 sequentially inquires each carrier network and specifies the destination carrier network by acquiring the subscriber information of the destination terminal. The query ends when it can be identified. If you are not sure even if you contact all of the carrier networks, we will cancel your voicemail. In the case of cancellation, appropriate voice guidance is provided. The order of inquiry candidates is determined based on the CDEF code described by the destination carrier network identification unit (for example, call processing unit 1 and call processing scenario 2 shown in FIG. 3) described in the extracted telephone number of the destination terminal. The carrier network to be inquired first is determined. In addition, when the reply obtained by the inquiry includes MNP information for associating the carrier network of the MNP source with the carrier network of the MNP destination, the transmission destination carrier network specifying unit, based on the MNP information, Determine the carrier network to inquire about.

  FIG. 8 is a message ID table in the voice mail server apparatus according to the present embodiment. The message ID table 70 shown in FIG. 1, 2, 3,... 1 includes the telephone number 090 of the transmission source terminal 202, the transmission source carrier information B to which the transmission source terminal 202 belongs, the telephone number 080 of the transmission destination terminal 204, and the transmission destination carrier to which the transmission destination terminal 204 belongs. Information D and information indicating the recording date and time of 9:30 on June 1, 2012 are associated with each other and stored. In addition to the items shown in FIG. 8, various information is preferably recorded in the ID table 70 according to the service content to be added to the voice mail service.

  FIG. 9 is a sequence diagram showing the processing contents at the time of reproduction in the voice mail server device in the present embodiment. In FIG. 9, the B user transmits a reproduction special number from the mobile telephone terminal 202 to the B exchange 212 belonging to the B company carrier network (B network) 292 (step S501). Note that the reproduction special number transmission is called a reproduction call. In response to this replay call, the B exchange 212 recognizes the special number (step S502), and transmits it to the VM server 10 belonging to the company D and shared by each partner carrier (step S503). When receiving the replay call, the VM server 10 refers to the message ID table 70 (step S504) and recognizes the destination telephone number (step S505). And a prior inquiry is started with respect to A company equipment 249 (step S506). In step S506, the VM server 10 refers to the message ID table 70 and recognizes the caller (sender) telephone number and the reproduction destination (send destination) telephone number in advance.

  In response to the inquiry in step S506, the company A facility 249 determines the recipient, that is, the user's voice mail service subscription status (step S507), and the playback permission determination, for example, the user A of the mobile phone terminal 201 Whether or not the voice mail reproduction refusal setting or the like set for the other party is not satisfied (step S508). The called party determination is, for example, determination of the voice mail service subscription status of the A user of the mobile phone terminal 201 or the like. In addition, the reproduction permission / inhibition determination is, for example, a determination as to whether or not the voice mail reproduction rejection setting or the like set by the user A of the mobile phone terminal 201 for each individual partner is applicable. Note that steps S507 and S508 may be omitted assuming that they are OK. If there is no problem in steps S507 and S508, the fact that the reproduction is OK is returned from the company A facility 249 to the VM server 10 (step S509). Then, the VM server 10 starts reproduction (step S510). Meanwhile, the connection state is maintained between the B user of the mobile phone terminal 202 and the VM server 10 (step S511).

  Then, a guidance voice “This is a voice mail center. A message is delivered. The sender is ...” is transmitted from the VM server 10 to the user A of the mobile telephone terminal 201 (step S512). Next, a voice message and a signal to end reproduction are transmitted from the VM server 10 to the user B of the mobile telephone terminal 202 (step S513). Then, the VM server 10 executes a reproduction completion process (step S514), and the call state between the user B of the mobile phone terminal 202 and the VM server 10 is disconnected (step S515).

  Next, a notification process for notifying the reproduction completion from the VM server 10 to S201 is started (step S516). Reproduction completion notification is sent from the VM server 10 to the company A facility 249 (step S517). The contents of the reproduction completion notification in step S517 are the telephone number of the transmission destination terminal, the telephone number of the transmission source terminal, the reproduction date and time, and the message ID. Then, the company A facility 249 prepares for notification from the company A facility 249 to the user A of the mobile telephone terminal 201 (step S518). Then, the A company equipment 249 returns a notice of consent to the VM server 10 (step S519). Then, by starting the notification process (step S520), the A company equipment 249 notifies the user A of the mobile phone terminal 201 that the message has been delivered (step S521).

  Note that, unlike the recording described with reference to FIG. 4, each process may be largely omitted during reproduction. For example, even if steps S506 to S509 and steps S516 to S521 are omitted, the voice mail service can be implemented without any trouble. Although omitted in FIG. 9, it is preferable to delete the voice message upon completion of reproduction in step S513. However, there may be a service in which a voice message after the end of reproduction is stored for a predetermined period and can be repeatedly reproduced as required. On the contrary, it is preferable that the voice message that has not been played and a predetermined period has elapsed is set to be automatically deleted from the VM server 10.

  Next, a voice mail service system when the multi-carrier-compatible VM server 10 is not used will be described. FIG. 10 is a configuration diagram of a voice mail system implemented in a single carrier network. The single carrier here is a telecommunications carrier that has established its own voice mail before tie-up with D company. In the voice mail system 99 shown in FIG. 10, it is necessary to install an individual VM server 41 for each single carrier.

  The single carrier shown in FIG. 10 is, for example, company A, and the A switch 211, the notification unit 230, the A user of the mobile phone terminal 201, and the VM server 41 belong to the A network 291. A subscriber information unit 220 is connected to the VM server 41 via a dedicated line 499. The subscriber information unit 220 notifies the subscriber information in response to a request from the VM server 41, as shown as function (2) in FIG. The subscriber information is subscriber information of A users of the mobile telephone terminal 201 belonging to the A network 291. When the subscriber information includes incoming call rejection information for a nuisance call, the VM server 41 reflects it in the notification process to the user for the recorded call. In other words, if the user A of the mobile phone terminal 201 has set rejection of incoming calls to nuisance calls, the voice mail service can be rejected automatically in response to the setting. The subscriber information is set to be searchable by the telephone number regardless of which of the sender telephone number and the receiver telephone number is input.

  The A exchange 211 is connected to the VM server 41 via the Internet 500 by a dedicated line 498. The point that the A exchange 211 performs appropriate communication with each part in the VM server 41 using SIP and RTP is as described with reference to FIG. 3. The A exchange 211 has a function of determining a special number and connecting to the VM server 41 as shown as function (1) in FIG. Further, as shown as function (4), a function for generating a call charge billing building is included. The notification unit 230 has a function of transmitting an SMS to the user in response to a request from the VM server 41, as shown as function (3) in FIG.

  In the voice mail service, the A exchange 211 is equivalent to the recording call special number recognition shown in FIG. 4 (steps S102 and S103) and the reproduction call special number recognition shown in FIG. 9 (steps S502 and S503), respectively. By executing the process, the A user of the mobile telephone terminal 201 and the VM server 41 are connected. In addition, the A exchange 211 performs the voice mail service after performing the same processing for the recording notification (step S121) shown in FIG. 4 and the reproduction notification (step S521) shown in FIG. The recording and playback phases of the service are terminated.

Next, in the presence of a plurality of carrier networks, a usage form of a voice mail service based on a combination of the first pattern to the fifth pattern will be described below.
(First pattern: When delivering from the own carrier network to another carrier network)
Here, referring to FIG. 2, FIG. 3 and FIG. 5, a voice message is sent from the D user of the mobile telephone terminal 204 belonging to the D carrier network 294 to the A user of the mobile telephone terminal 201 belonging to the A carrier network 291. Processing for delivery will be described. Note that the own carrier network is the D carrier network 294 to which the VM server 10 belongs, and other carrier networks are called other carrier networks. Further, the first carrier network in the present invention does not need to be the D carrier network 294 in the present embodiment. The second carrier network in the present invention is not limited to the A carrier network 291 in the present embodiment.

(1) The VM server 10 belonging to the D carrier network 294 receives a recording call for recording a voice message from the D user of the mobile telephone terminal 204 by the reception function of the call processing unit 1 shown in FIG. 3 (FIG. 5). Step S201).
(2) Based on the recording request received by the call processing unit 1 from the D carrier network 294 (first carrier network), the telephone number of the user A of the mobile telephone terminal 201 that is the voice mail transmission destination is extracted (S202).
(3) The destination carrier network specifying function according to the call processing scenario 2 is for specifying the carrier network to which the A user of the mobile telephone terminal 201 belongs based on the extracted telephone number of the A user of the destination mobile telephone terminal 201. Transmission destination carrier network information is acquired from the subscriber information unit 220, and the A user of the transmission destination terminal mobile telephone terminal 201 is the D carrier network 294 (first carrier network) or another A carrier network 291. Whether it belongs to (second carrier network) is specified (S203).

(4) The message ID table generation function by the file property management unit 7 and the recording file management unit 8 is a transmission source for specifying the carrier network to which the D user of the voice mail transmission source terminal 204 belongs to the voice message ID for each voice message. The message ID table 70 shown in FIG. 8 in which the carrier network information and the transmission source telephone number are associated with the transmission destination carrier network information and the transmission destination telephone number is generated (S204).
(5) The file property management unit 7 and the recording file management unit 8 store the generated message ID table 70 (S205).
(6) The recording file management unit 8, the media processing unit 4, and the media storage unit 5 acquire and store the voice message (S206).
(7) The user notification control unit 9 transmits the voice mail notification information indicating that the voice message is held to the voice mail destination terminal S201 stored in the message ID table 70 (S207).

  When the voice message is delivered from the own carrier network to the other carrier network, the VM server 10 specifies the destination carrier network and executes the VM (voice mail) notification through the processing steps shown in steps S201 to S207 described above. . Therefore, it is possible for the caller to easily record a voice message without being aware of the destination carrier network. That is, multi-carrier compatible voice mail can be used comfortably.

Next, the process in which the transmission destination user S201 listens to the voice message held by the VM server 10 is as follows.
(1) The reception function of the call processing unit 1 receives a reproduction call (S301).
(2) The telephone number of the destination terminal S201 of the voice message to be reproduced is extracted from the reproduced call (S302).
(3) The media processing unit 4 identifies a voice message based on the voice message ID associated with the telephone number of the destination terminal S201 stored in the message ID table 70 (S303).
(4) The voice message specified by the media processing unit 4 is provided to the destination terminal S201 (S304).
When the voice message is delivered from the own carrier network to the other carrier network, the VM server 10 executes the processing steps shown in steps S301 to S307 described above, so that the voice message associated with the telephone number of the destination terminal S201 is received. Reproduce and provide. In other words, you can comfortably use multi-carrier compatible voice mail.

(Second pattern: When sending from the own carrier network to another carrier network and then to another carrier network that has been MNP-converted)
Here, with reference to FIG. 2, FIG. 3 and FIG. 5, the B carrier network that is MNP-converted from the D user of the mobile telephone terminal 204 belonging to the D carrier network 294 to the A user of the source mobile telephone terminal 201 A process for delivering a voice message to the user will be described.
(1) The VM server 10 belonging to the D carrier network 294 receives a recording call for recording a voice message from the D user of the mobile telephone terminal 204 by the reception function of the call processing unit 1 shown in FIG. 3 (FIG. 5). Step S201).
(2) Based on the recorded call received by the call processing unit 1 from the D carrier network 294 (first carrier network), the telephone number of the B user of the mobile telephone terminal 202 that is the voice mail transmission destination is extracted (S202).

(3) If the destination carrier network specifying function according to the call processing scenario 2 is determined only by the CDEF code of the telephone number of the B user of the destination terminal 202 extracted, it is erroneously determined as the A user. That is, even if the person who was the A user of the destination mobile telephone terminal 201 became the B user of the destination mobile telephone terminal 202 by performing MNP conversion, from the CDEF code, the A user at first glance It is because it is determined. However, in the transmission destination carrier network information acquired from the subscriber information unit 221, the B user of the mobile phone terminal 202 is the A user of the mobile phone terminal 201 of the transmission source, and the B user of the mobile phone terminal 202 is changed to MNP. It is specified that the user belongs to the transmission destination B carrier network. Therefore, the destination carrier network identification function can determine that the B user of the mobile telephone terminal 202 belongs to the B carrier network based on the extracted telephone number of the B user of the destination mobile telephone terminal 202 (S203).

  Subsequent steps S204 to S207 and S301 to S304 are the same as the above-described first pattern, and thus description thereof is omitted. As described above, when delivering from the own carrier network to the other carrier network and further to the other carrier network subjected to the MNP conversion, the VM server 10 executes the processing steps shown in steps S201 to S203 described above, thereby Since the carrier network is specified, it is possible for the caller to easily record the voice message without being aware of the destination carrier network. That is, multi-carrier compatible voice mail can be used comfortably.

(Third pattern: When delivering from another carrier network to your carrier network)
Here, with reference to FIG. 2, FIG. 3, and FIG. 5, the process in the case of delivering a voice message from the A user of the mobile telephone terminal 201 belonging to the A carrier network 291 to the D carrier network 294 will be described.
(1) The VM server 10 belonging to the D carrier network 294 receives a recording call for recording a voice message from the user A of the mobile telephone terminal 201 by the reception function of the call processing unit 1 shown in FIG. 3 (FIG. 5). Step S201).
(2) Based on the recording request received by the call processing unit 1 from the D carrier network 294 (first carrier network), the telephone number of the D user of the mobile telephone terminal 204 that is the voice mail transmission destination is extracted (S202).

(3) The destination carrier network specifying function according to the call processing scenario 2 specifies the carrier network to which the D user of the mobile telephone terminal 204 belongs based on the extracted D user telephone number of the mobile telephone terminal 204 of the destination. 3 is acquired from the subscriber information of company D included in the decision logic 11 for each company shown in FIG. 3, and the user D of the mobile telephone terminal 204 of the destination is connected to the D carrier network 294. It belongs (S203).
Subsequent steps S204 to S207 and S301 to S304 are the same as the above-described first pattern, and thus description thereof is omitted.

  Thus, when delivering from the own carrier network to the other carrier network, the VM server 10 identifies the carrier network of the transmission destination by executing the processing steps shown in steps S201 to S203 described above, so This makes it easy to record voice messages without being aware of the destination carrier network. That is, multi-carrier compatible voice mail can be used comfortably.

(4th pattern: When sending from another carrier network to the same carrier network)
In the case of delivery from another carrier network to the same carrier network, the operation using the VM server 41 belonging to the single carrier network shown in FIG. 10 is as described. Also in this case, the VM server 41 identifies that the A carrier network 291 as the transmission destination is the same A carrier network 291 as the transmission source (S203 in FIG. 5), and is directed to the identified A carrier network 291. Until the VM notification (S207 in FIG. 5) is executed. Therefore, it is possible for the caller to easily record a voice message without being aware of the destination carrier network. That is, multi-carrier compatible voice mail can be used comfortably.

(Fifth pattern: When sending from another carrier network to another carrier network)
The case of delivery from another carrier network to another carrier network other than that is as described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 4, for example. That is, when the VM server 10 belonging to the D carrier network is used to deliver from the A user of the mobile telephone terminal 201 belonging to the A carrier network 291 to the B user of the mobile telephone terminal 202 belonging to another B carrier network 292 It corresponds to. That is, since the VM server 10 specifies the destination carrier network, the caller can comfortably use the multi-carrier compatible voice mail without being aware of the destination carrier network.

  FIG. 11 is a schematic explanatory diagram of a VM server in the related art. As shown in FIG. 11, company B has a carrier network (hereinafter also simply referred to as B carrier network) 292 including an exchange dedicated to company B, a company B VM server 42 belonging thereto, and a company B message box 52 belonging thereto. The user 202 of company B is voice-mailed. The company C includes a carrier network (hereinafter also simply referred to as a C carrier network) 293 including an exchange dedicated to the company C, a company C VM server 43 belonging thereto, and a company C message box 53 belonging thereto. The voice mail is carried out to the C user of the mobile telephone terminal 203 of the user. That is, a voice mail service system has already been established so as to provide voice mail only to users belonging to the company carrier network.

  However, it is complicated and technically difficult to support an existing voice mail service system that is serviced independently by the company as a multi-carrier. First, it is necessary for each operator to develop additional functions that are indispensable to support multi-carrier for existing voice mail service systems. For example, in order to carry out voice mail across different carrier networks of Company B and Company C, unique communication indicated by the route 49 is required between Company B VM server 42 and Company C VM server 43. It is. Thus, considerable technical development is required just to ensure unique communications between operators.

  Furthermore, unlike a telephone or SMS, a voice mail service does not simply transfer communication between users. Specifically, in addition to storing the voice message file, the process of sending the guidance to the user, the process of notifying the recording, the process of notifying the playback, etc. are executed, and then the communication between the user and the server is terminated. To do. For all of these, additional development on the premise of multi-carrier is required, so the development scale becomes excessive. In particular, for a carrier with a small communication scale, supporting a complex system such as a voice mail system with multiple carriers involves a considerable burden in terms of cost effectiveness.

  As described above, there is room for rationalization and optimization for the excessive development scale of the voice mail service system corresponding to the multi-carrier. For example, the VM server 42 and the B company message box 52 dedicated to the B company, and the VM server 43 and the C company message box 53 dedicated to the C company have the same function, and therefore, they can be integrated. As described above, in this embodiment, it is also possible to consolidate overlapping facilities or eliminate waste of newly adding new facilities in a plurality of communication carriers.

  In addition, in the voice mail system that does not place a burden on the caller and handles multi-carriers exclusively by the automatic processing of the telecommunications carrier side, not only the problem of technology and development cost, but also the telecommunications carrier like SMS and general voice phone. There is no standardized specification for the connection between. Therefore, it is necessary to define unique connection conditions between the connection providers and to expand each other's voice mail systems according to the unique connection conditions. That is, in transmission / reception over a plurality of carrier networks, there is a problem that special consideration is required in order to match the interfaces. Moreover, in order to make the consideration unnecessary, it is necessary to provide a server facility for voice mail service for each of a plurality of carrier networks, which causes a problem in terms of facility efficiency. As described above, the present embodiment can realize that special considerations or extra server facilities are not required in order to match the interfaces among a plurality of communication carriers.

In this system 100, as shown in the following (1) to (4), a telecommunications carrier connected to a common VM server 10 does not need to prepare a new interface, and can send voice mails across different telecommunications carriers. It becomes possible to provide.
(1) By using the VM server 10, an interface for a new entrant is not necessary.
(2) Further, it is not necessary to expand the interface between the existing VM server being used by each carrier and the exchange. For example, it is between the B company VM server 42 and the B carrier network 292 shown in FIG. Similarly, the situation between the C company VM server 43 and the C carrier network 293 is the same.
(3) Furthermore, it is not necessary to expand the interface between an existing VM server being used by each carrier and an unillustrated HLR (Home Location Register).
(4) Further, it is not necessary to expand the interface between the existing VM server being used by each carrier and the notification unit described above.

  It should be noted that the scope of the present invention is not limited to the illustrated and described exemplary embodiments, but includes all embodiments that provide the same effects as those intended by the present invention. Further, the scope of the invention is not limited to the combinations of features of the invention defined by the claims, but may be defined by any desired combination of particular features among all the disclosed features. .

  The present invention can be used when a voice mail service is provided so that voice mail can be recorded and reproduced smoothly even if the source carrier network and the destination carrier network are different.

1 Call processing unit (receiving unit, reproduction request receiving unit, destination carrier network specifying unit)
2 Call processing scenario (destination carrier network specific part)
4 Media processing unit (voice message storage unit, voice message providing unit)
5 Media storage unit (voice message storage unit, voice message provider)
7 File property management section (message ID table generation section, voice message identification section)
8 Recording file manager (message ID table generator, voice message storage)
9 Notification unit (user notification control unit)
10, 41, 42, 43 VM server 70 Message ID tables 201-204 Mobile phone terminal 291 A carrier network (for example, first carrier network)
292 B carrier network (eg, second carrier network)

Claims (9)

A receiving unit for receiving a voice message recording request from a voice mail transmission source terminal belonging to the first carrier network from the first carrier network;
The telephone number of the voice mail destination terminal to be transmitted is extracted from the received recording request, and the transmission for specifying the carrier network to which the voice mail destination terminal belongs is based on the extracted telephone number of the destination terminal. A destination carrier network specifying unit for specifying which carrier network the voice mail destination terminal belongs to by acquiring destination carrier network information;
A message ID table in which the voice message ID for each voice message is associated with the source carrier network information and source telephone number to which the voice mail source terminal belongs, and the destination carrier network information and destination telephone number. A message ID table generator for generating and storing;
A voice message storage unit for storing the voice message;
A notification unit configured to transmit voice mail notification information indicating that the voice message is held to the voice mail transmission destination terminal belonging to the second carrier network, which is stored in the message ID table. Voice mail server device. The transmission destination carrier network identification unit is
2. The carrier network according to claim 1, wherein the destination telephone number is indicated for a plurality of carrier networks, and the carrier network to which the transmission destination terminal belongs is specified based on responses obtained by sequentially inquiring. The voice mail server device described. The transmission destination carrier network identification unit is
3. The voice mail server device according to claim 2, wherein an inquiry destination carrier network to be inquired first is determined based on a CDEF code included in the extracted telephone number of the destination terminal. The transmission destination carrier network identification unit is
If the inquiry obtained includes MNP information for associating the carrier network of the MNP (Mobile Number Portability) and the carrier network of the MNP destination,
The voice mail server apparatus according to claim 2, wherein an inquiry destination carrier network to be inquired next is determined based on the MNP information. A playback request receiving unit that receives the playback request and extracts the telephone number of the voice mail destination terminal;
A voice message identifying unit that identifies the voice message stored in the message ID table by referring to the message ID table based on the telephone number of the destination terminal extracted by the reproduction request receiving unit;
The voice mail server device according to claim 1, further comprising: a voice message providing unit that provides the voice message specified by the voice message specifying unit to the voice mail transmission destination terminal. A receiving unit for receiving a request to record a voice message from a voice mail source terminal;
A destination carrier network specifying unit for specifying a carrier network to which a voice mail destination terminal to be transmitted from the received recording request belongs;
A message ID table in which the voice message ID for each voice message is associated with the source carrier network information and source telephone number to which the voice mail source terminal belongs, and the destination carrier network information and destination telephone number. A message ID table generator for generating and storing;
A voice message storage unit for storing the voice message;
A voice mail server device comprising: a voice mail server device comprising: a notification unit that stores voice message notification information indicating that the voice message is held to the voice mail destination terminal stored in the message ID table; Email method,
Receiving a voice message recording request from a voice mail transmission source terminal belonging to the first carrier network from the first carrier network;
Extracting the telephone number of the voice mail destination terminal to be transmitted from the received recording request;
Based on the telephone number of the destination terminal extracted by the destination carrier network specifying unit, the voice mail is obtained by acquiring destination carrier network information for specifying the carrier network to which the voice mail destination terminal belongs. Identifying to which carrier network the destination terminal belongs;
The message ID table generating unit includes, in the voice message ID for each voice message, the source carrier network information and source telephone number to which the voice mail source terminal belongs, the destination carrier network information and destination telephone number, Generating a message ID table in which
Storing the message ID table generated by the message ID table generation unit;
The voice message storage unit storing the voice message;
Transmitting the voice mail notification information indicating that the voice message is held to the voice mail destination terminal belonging to the second carrier network stored in the message ID table. A voice mail method characterized by that. A playback request receiver for receiving a playback request;
A voice message specifying unit for specifying the voice message based on a telephone number of the destination terminal received and extracted by the reproduction request receiving unit;
A voice mail method using a voice mail server device comprising: a voice message providing unit that provides a voice message specified by the voice message specifying unit to the voice mail destination terminal;
The reproduction request receiving unit receiving the reproduction request and extracting a telephone number of a voice mail transmission destination terminal;
The voice message identification unit refers to the message ID table based on the telephone number of the destination terminal extracted by the reproduction request reception unit, and identifies the voice message stored in the message ID table; ,
The voice message providing unit includes the step of providing the voice message specified by the voice message specifying unit to the voice mail destination terminal. A receiving unit for receiving a request to record a voice message from a voice mail source terminal;
A destination carrier network specifying unit for specifying a carrier network to which a voice mail destination terminal to be transmitted from the received recording request belongs;
A message ID table in which the voice message ID for each voice message is associated with the source carrier network information and source telephone number to which the voice mail source terminal belongs, and the destination carrier network information and destination telephone number. A message ID table generator for generating and storing;
A voice message storage unit for storing the voice message;
A voice mail server device comprising: a notification unit that stores voice message notification information indicating that the voice message is held to the voice mail destination terminal stored in the message ID table; An email program,
A process of receiving a voice message recording request from a voice mail transmission source terminal belonging to the first carrier network from the first carrier network;
A process of extracting the telephone number of the voice mail destination terminal to be transmitted from the received recording request;
Based on the telephone number of the destination terminal extracted by the destination carrier network specifying unit, the voice mail is obtained by acquiring destination carrier network information for specifying the carrier network to which the voice mail destination terminal belongs. A process for identifying the carrier network to which the destination terminal belongs,
The message ID table generating unit includes, in the voice message ID for each voice message, the source carrier network information and source telephone number to which the voice mail source terminal belongs, the destination carrier network information and destination telephone number, , A process for generating a message ID table in which
Processing for storing the message ID table generated by the message ID table generation unit;
The voice message storage unit stores the voice message;
Processing in which the notifying unit transmits voice mail notification information indicating that the voice message is held to the voice mail transmission destination terminal belonging to the second carrier network, which is stored in the message ID table. Voice mail program characterized by that. A playback request receiver for receiving a playback request;
A voice message specifying unit for specifying the voice message based on a telephone number of the destination terminal received and extracted by the reproduction request receiving unit;
A voice mail program that is executed by a voice mail server device comprising: a voice message providing unit that provides a voice message specified by the voice message specifying unit to the voice mail destination terminal;
The reproduction request receiving unit receives the reproduction request and extracts a telephone number of a voice mail transmission destination terminal;
The voice message specifying unit refers to the message ID table based on the telephone number of the destination terminal extracted by the reproduction request receiving unit, and specifies the voice message stored in the message ID table; ,
9. The voice mail program according to claim 8, wherein the voice message providing unit includes a process of providing the voice message specified by the voice message specifying unit to the voice mail transmission destination terminal.

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