JP2019036813A - Communication device, voice communication device, and control method thereof - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide a communication device, a voice communication device, their communication methods that can continue communication between communication devices even if abnormality occurs to an exchange.SOLUTION: According one standpoint of the present invention, there is provided a voice communication device that has a health check function to monitor abnormality of an exchange connected via a communication path and stops the health check function during peer-to-peer communication without going through the exchange. In addition, according to another standpoint of the present invention, there is provided a communication device that has a health check function to monitor abnormality of an exchange connected via a communication path and stops the health check function during data communication without going through the exchange.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

  The present invention relates to a communication device, a voice communication device, and a control method thereof having a function of monitoring whether or not an exchange is operating normally.

  Some voice communication apparatuses have a health check function for monitoring an abnormality of a private branch exchange (hereinafter referred to as “exchange”) connected via a communication path. For example, the IP telephone terminal described in Patent Document 1 transmits a health check signal to a partner terminal via a switch and a communication path at regular intervals, and detects an abnormality in the switch and the communication path based on the presence or absence of a response. ing. By performing such a health check, the voice communication apparatus can resume communication by switching the connection to an alternative exchange even when an abnormality occurs in the exchange or the communication path.

JP 2009-089901 A

  When the conventional voice communication apparatus detects that an abnormality has occurred in the exchange or the communication path, it performs autonomous restart in order to attempt connection to an alternative exchange.

  However, as a voice communication method, there is a method in which communication can be performed without going through the exchange after the connection between the voice communication devices is once established by the exchange, such as peer-to-peer (P2P) connection. When the health check function is performed during such a peer-to-peer call, even if there is no failure in communication between the voice communication apparatuses, the voice communication apparatus is autonomously restarted when an abnormality of the exchange is detected. Therefore, there is a problem that the peer-to-peer call is disconnected.

  According to one aspect of the present invention, a voice communication apparatus having a health check function for monitoring an abnormality of a switch connected via a communication path, the health check function is stopped during a peer-to-peer call without using a switch. A voice communication device is provided.

  According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a communication device having a health check function for monitoring an abnormality of an exchange connected via a communication path, and the health check function is stopped during data communication not via the exchange. A communication device is provided.

  According to still another aspect of the present invention, in a voice communication device having a health check function for monitoring an abnormality of a switch connected via a communication path, the health check function is stopped during a peer-to-peer call without using a switch. There is provided a method of controlling a voice communication apparatus including the step of:

  According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a communication device, a voice communication device, and a control method thereof that can continue communication between communication devices even when an abnormality occurs in the exchange.

It is a figure which shows roughly the structure of the communication system provided with the audio | voice communication apparatus which concerns on 1st Embodiment. 1 is a block diagram schematically showing the configuration of a voice communication device according to a first embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the control method of the audio | voice communication apparatus which concerns on 1st Embodiment.

  Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In addition, this invention is not limited to the following embodiment, In the range which does not deviate from the summary, it can change suitably. In the drawings, the same or equivalent functions are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof may be omitted or simplified.

(First embodiment)
FIG. 1 is a diagram schematically illustrating a configuration of a communication system including a voice communication device 100 according to the first embodiment. The communication system shown in FIG. 1 includes a plurality of voice communication apparatuses 100 and an exchange 200. The exchange 200 that is a host device and the voice communication device 100 that is a lower device are connected to each other via a communication path 300. The communication path 300 is configured by an analog line, a digital line, a LAN (Local Area Network), or a combination thereof.

  In the following description, an IP-PBX system is assumed in which the communication path 300 is an IP network and the voice communication apparatuses 100 communicate with each other using VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol), but the present invention has such a configuration. It is not limited. The exchange 200 controls call processing (outgoing call, incoming call, hold, etc.) of the voice communication apparatus 100. Further, the exchange 200 transmits time information (current time, call time, etc.) and control information such as LED display and ringing sound to the voice communication apparatus 100. The voice communication device 100 controls itself according to the received control information and displays the received time information on the display.

  Thus, since the exchange 200 plays an important role for the voice communication device 100, the voice communication device 100 periodically performs a life / death check (health check) as to whether or not the exchange 200 is operating normally. Yes. When an abnormality of the exchange 200 is detected, autonomous restart is performed, and connection to the alternative exchange 200 is attempted.

  FIG. 2 is a block diagram schematically showing the configuration of the voice communication device 100 according to the first embodiment. The voice communication apparatus 100 includes a control unit 110, a storage unit 120, a call device 130, a communication interface 140, and a display interface 150. The voice communication apparatus 100 may further include known devices and functions in addition to those shown in FIG. For example, an input interface for the user to operate the voice communication apparatus 100 may be further provided.

  The control unit 110 is a processor such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit) that executes a program recorded in a storage medium (not shown) and performs control and calculation of the voice communication apparatus 100 of the present embodiment. The control unit 110 periodically transmits a health check signal to the exchange 200 and detects an abnormality in the exchange 200 or the communication path 300 based on the presence / absence of a response from the exchange 200. When an abnormality in the exchange 200 or the communication path 300 is detected, autonomous restart is performed and connection to the alternative exchange 200 is attempted.

  The storage unit 120 is a memory such as a DRAM in which a program executed by the control unit 110 and data necessary for executing the program are temporarily stored. The storage unit 120 of the present embodiment stores call state information 121 indicating whether the voice communication device 100 is in a call with another voice communication device 100 and is updated by the control unit 110. The call state information 121 is referred to when the control unit 110 performs a health check process. The health check process will be described later with reference to FIG.

  The call device 130 is a handset such as a microphone or a speaker for a user of the voice communication apparatus 100 to make a call. The call device 130 mutually converts physical sound vibration and digital information. The display interface 150 is a display device such as a liquid crystal display (Liquid Crystal Display). On the display interface 150, the above-described time information and control information received from the exchange 200 are displayed together with the state of the voice communication apparatus 100.

  The communication interface 140 is connected to the communication path 300. The voice communication device 100 receives time information and control information from the exchange 200 via the communication interface 140. In addition, the voice communication device 100 performs a peer-to-peer call with another voice communication device 100 via the communication interface 140.

  Here, in the peer-to-peer (P2P) connection method as described above, once the connection between the voice communication apparatuses 100 is established by the exchange 200, a peer-to-peer call can be performed without going through the exchange 200 thereafter. For this reason, even if an abnormality occurs in the exchange 200 during a peer-to-peer call, the peer-to-peer call once connected can be continued regardless of the abnormality of the exchange 200.

  However, if the health check function is performed during a peer-to-peer call, even if there is no failure in communication between the voice communication apparatuses 100, the voice communication apparatus 100 is autonomously restarted when an abnormality of the exchange 200 is detected. As a result, the peer-to-peer call is disconnected.

  Therefore, the voice communication apparatus 100 according to the present embodiment is characterized in that the health check function is stopped during a peer-to-peer call not via the exchange 200. The health check function is resumed when the peer-to-peer call ends.

  Further, when an abnormality occurs in the exchange 200 and time information (current time, call time, etc.) and display information (LCD display, LED display, ringing sound, etc.) are not transmitted from the exchange 200, the voice communication device 100 itself To display. However, the line button LED display, ringing sound, etc., which cannot be performed without receiving information from the exchange 200, are not performed.

  FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing a control method of the voice communication apparatus 100 according to the first embodiment. In the present embodiment, it is assumed that the health check signal is transmitted at the timing when the periodic timer of the control unit 110 times out. When the periodic timer times out (step S1), the control unit 110 refers to the call state information 121 stored in the storage unit 120 and confirms whether the voice communication device 100 is busy (step S2). ).

  When the voice communication apparatus 100 is busy (“Yes” in step S2), the control unit 110 ends the health check process without transmitting a health check signal. On the other hand, when the voice communication device 100 is not in a call (“No” in step S2), the control unit 110 transmits a health check signal to the exchange 200 (step S3).

  Thereafter, the control unit 110 waits for a response from the exchange 200 to the transmitted health check signal (step S4). If there is a response from the exchange 200 within a certain period (“Yes” in step S4), the control unit 110 determines that the exchange 200 is normal and ends the health check process. On the other hand, when there is no response from the exchange 200 within a certain period of time (“No” in step S4), the control unit 110 repeats steps S3 to S5 up to a predetermined number of times (for example, 5 times) (“ No ").

  If there is no response from the exchange 200 for a predetermined number of times (“Yes” in step S5), the control unit 110 determines that an abnormality has occurred in the exchange 200 and autonomously restarts the voice communication apparatus 100. (Step S6).

  As described above, in this embodiment, the health check function is stopped during a peer-to-peer call that does not go through the exchange 200. According to such a configuration, it is possible to provide a communication device, a voice communication device, and a control method thereof that can continue communication between communication devices even if an abnormality occurs in the exchange. In particular, the present invention provides an excellent effect when applied to a facility in which a serious problem occurs when a call such as a call center, a hospital, a police station, or a fire department is cut off.

(Other embodiments)
The above-described embodiments are merely examples of implementation in carrying out the present invention, and the technical scope of the present invention should not be construed in a limited manner. That is, the present invention can be implemented in various forms without departing from the technical idea or the main features thereof.

  For example, in the first embodiment, the health check function is stopped during a peer-to-peer call not via the exchange 200, but the present invention is not limited to such a configuration. The present invention may be, for example, a communication device that stops a health check function during data communication not via the exchange 200. As an example, the health check function is not performed when data is being browsed by the browser function without using the exchange 200. According to such a configuration, it is possible to provide a communication device that can continue browsing the browser even if an abnormality occurs in the connection with the exchange 200 during browsing the browser.

  The present invention supplies a program that realizes one or more functions of the above-described embodiments to a system or apparatus via a network or a storage medium, and one or more processors in a computer of the system or apparatus read and execute the program This process can be realized. It can also be realized by a circuit (for example, ASIC) that realizes one or more functions.

  A part or all of the above-described embodiment can be described as in the following supplementary notes, but is not limited thereto.

(Appendix 1)
A voice communication apparatus having a health check function for monitoring an abnormality of an exchange connected via a communication path, wherein the voice check apparatus stops the health check function during a peer-to-peer call not via the exchange.

(Appendix 2)
The voice communication device according to appendix 1, which performs autonomous restart when an abnormality is detected in the exchange.

(Appendix 3)
The voice communication apparatus according to Supplementary Note 1 or 2, wherein the communication path is an IP network, and performs peer-to-peer communication using VoIP through the IP network.

(Appendix 4)
Any one of appendices 1 to 3, in which a health check signal is periodically transmitted to the switch, and when there is no predetermined number of consecutive responses from the switch, it is determined that an abnormality has occurred in the switch. The voice communication device according to 1.

(Appendix 5)
A communication apparatus having a health check function for monitoring an abnormality of an exchange connected via a communication path, wherein the health check function is stopped during data communication not via the exchange.

(Appendix 6)
The communication device according to appendix 5, wherein the health check function is stopped when data is being browsed by a browser function without going through the exchange.

(Appendix 7)
The voice communication device according to any one of appendices 1 to 4, or the communication device according to appendix 5 or 6,
The exchange;
A communication system comprising:

(Appendix 8)
A voice communication apparatus having a health check function for monitoring an abnormality of an exchange connected via a communication path, comprising: a step of stopping the health check function during a peer-to-peer call not via the exchange. .

(Appendix 9)
A program for causing a computer to function as a means for stopping the health check function during a peer-to-peer call not via the exchange in a voice communication apparatus having a health check function for monitoring an abnormality of the exchange connected via a communication path.

(Appendix 10)
A computer-readable storage medium storing the program according to appendix 9.

100: Voice communication device (communication device)
110: Control unit 120: Storage unit 121: Call state information 130: Call device 140: Communication interface 150: Display interface 200: Switch (private branch exchange)
205: Display interface 300: Communication path (IP network)

According to one aspect of the present invention, a voice communication apparatus having a health check function for monitoring an abnormality of a switch connected via a communication path, the health check function is stopped during a peer-to-peer call without using a switch. In addition, a voice communication device is provided that resumes the health check function when a peer-to-peer call is terminated .

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a communication device having a health check function for monitoring an abnormality of an exchange connected via a communication path, and the health check function is stopped during data communication not via the exchange. In addition, a communication device is provided that resumes the health check function when data communication ends .

According to still another aspect of the present invention, in a voice communication device having a health check function for monitoring an abnormality of a switch connected via a communication path, the health check function is stopped during a peer-to-peer call without using a switch. And a method of controlling the voice communication apparatus, comprising the step of resuming the health check function when the peer-to-peer call is terminated .

Claims (10)

  A voice communication apparatus having a health check function for monitoring an abnormality of an exchange connected via a communication path, wherein the voice check apparatus stops the health check function during a peer-to-peer call not via the exchange.   The voice communication apparatus according to claim 1, wherein an autonomous restart is performed when an abnormality is detected in the exchange.   The voice communication apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the communication path is an IP network, and performs peer-to-peer communication using VoIP through the IP network.   The health check signal is periodically transmitted to the exchange, and when there is no predetermined number of consecutive responses from the exchange, it is determined that an abnormality has occurred in the exchange. The voice communication device according to item.   A communication apparatus having a health check function for monitoring an abnormality of an exchange connected via a communication path, wherein the health check function is stopped during data communication not via the exchange.   The communication device according to claim 5, wherein the health check function is stopped when data is being browsed by a browser function without going through the exchange. The voice communication device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, or the communication device according to claim 5 or 6,
The exchange;
A communication system comprising:   A voice communication apparatus having a health check function for monitoring an abnormality of an exchange connected via a communication path, comprising: a step of stopping the health check function during a peer-to-peer call not via the exchange. .   A program for causing a computer to function as a means for stopping the health check function during a peer-to-peer call not via the exchange in a voice communication apparatus having a health check function for monitoring an abnormality of the exchange connected via a communication path.   A computer-readable storage medium storing the program according to claim 9.

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