JP3002667B2 - Call system - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a telephone communication system using the Internet, and more particularly to a technology that enables a user to make a telephone call by dialing in the same manner as a normal telephone.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, with the spread of personal computers and the development of communication infrastructures, individual users have come to be able to easily access the Web around the world under the name of "net surfing". The fact that the digital and global aftermath of the Internet has reached the telecommunications industry has become a major topic. This is because a service called "Internet telephone" has appeared.

[0005] The mechanism of the Internet telephone will be described with reference to FIG. In the configuration shown in FIG. 9, a gateway server (abbreviated as GW in the figure) 4A owned by an operator (Internet service provider; referred to as a provider) connected to the Internet 5 includes:
The public telephone network 2A to which the subscriber telephone 1A is connected and the UNI (U
ser-Network Interface) 3
Connected by A. Similarly, the gateway server 4B
And the public telephone network 2B to which the subscriber telephone 1B is connected
They are connected by I3B. In the Internet, the gateway servers 4A and 4B connect.

[0004] The analog voice signal of the subscriber telephone 1A is digitized and compressed by the gateway server 4A. When this is transmitted to the access point of the other party through the Internet 5, the other party uses the same hardware (gateway server 4B) to perform the reverse process, that is, converts the digitized and compressed voice signal into analog voice and converts it into a public telephone network. Calls can be made by sending to 2B.

[0005] The user dials the telephone number of the access point of the contracted provider from the telephone 1A. Then, the voice guidance is played, and the user is prompted to input the user ID and the password by the push button. When the user inputs these with push buttons, authentication as to whether or not the user has subscribed to the Internet telephone service is performed. After passing this authentication, dialing the telephone number of the other party connects to the telephone 1B via the Internet 5 and makes a telephone call.

[0006] Such an Internet telephone communication service has an advantage that a low-priced call service can be received regardless of the distance because an inexpensive Internet network is used instead of a general public line as an intermediate communication line. . In addition, there is also a merit that a company that provides an Internet telephone service requires less initial investment than a conventional network.

In an advanced configuration, there is also an Internet telephone that connects a telephone by continuously dialing the telephone number of the partner after the telephone number of the access point of the provider. In this case, the caller ID (calling ID) is acquired by the gateway 4A, and based on this ID, authentication is performed as to whether or not the user has made a contract with the provider, and the user is recognized as a regular user. Only in this case, the routing is performed via the Internet 5 and the line is connected to the other party.

[0008]

As described above, when using a conventional Internet telephone, the user must first dial the telephone number attached to the gateway server and then dial the telephone number of the intended party. is there. In addition to the telephone number dialing, there has been troublesome dialing of member numbers and passwords. Therefore, the number of times of dialing is inevitably increased, and there is a high possibility that a push button is mistakenly pressed due to troublesome input. At the same time, the gateway server receives the outgoing call signal, performs authentication, and performs the operation of calling again to the other party's telephone number.
There was a slight time lag before the call became available compared to a normal telephone.

Accordingly, the present invention has been made in view of such a conventional problem, and provides a communication system that allows an Internet telephone user to make a telephone call as smoothly as a normal telephone. The purpose is to do so.

To achieve the above object, a communication system according to a first aspect of the present invention provides a communication system in which a first communication network to which a first terminal is connected and a second communication network to which a second terminal is connected via the Internet. In a communication system in which a call can be made between the first terminal and the second terminal by being used in a network system connected by the network, the communication system is connected to the Internet, and a common line is connected from the first communication network. Faith
No. receives control signals and audio signals under the scheme, sends out the data corresponding to the control signal and the audio signal to the Internet with a predetermined protocol, the control signal supplied via the Internet Oyo
And a first gateway server that converts data corresponding to the voice signal into data of the common channel signaling method and sends the data to the first communication network; and the second communication network connected to the Internet. Under common line signaling
Control signal and the control signal to the Internet to receive data corresponding to the audio signal by a predetermined protocol
And data corresponding to the audio signal ,
A second gateway server for converting the data supplied via the Internet into the control signal and the voice signal of the common channel signaling method and transmitting the converted signal to the second communication network; A first interconnection point for connecting a network to the first gateway server;
And a second interconnection point connecting the second gateway server and the communication network.

[0011] A communication system according to a second aspect of the present invention is a communication system in which a first terminal connected to a communication network and a second terminal are connected via the Internet, thereby enabling communication. Receiving a control signal and a voice signal from the telephone network under a common channel signal system, and transmitting data corresponding to the control signal and the voice signal to the Internet according to a predetermined protocol. And before being supplied via the Internet
A gateway server for converting data corresponding to the control signal and the voice signal into a control signal and a voice signal of the common channel signaling method and transmitting the control signal and the voice signal to the telephone network; and a gateway server for connecting the telephone network and the gateway server. A connection point, and an IP address supply means for converting the called number directed to the second terminal into an IP address for connecting to the terminal, and supplying the IP address to the gateway server; Means for connecting the first terminal and the second terminal via the Internet by issuing a connection request to the second terminal by designating the IP address supplied by the IP address supply means. It is characterized by having.

[0012] In a communication system according to a third aspect of the present invention, in the communication system according to the second aspect, the second terminal is connected to the Internet via an intranet.
The IP address supply means supplies an IP address for the gateway server to access the second terminal via the intranet.

The communication system according to a fourth aspect of the present invention is the communication system according to the first aspect.
In the telephone communication system, an Internet special number determination is made to determine whether or not the telephone number dialed at the time of calling from the first terminal is an Internet special number obtained by adding a specific number to the telephone number of the second terminal. Means, when the telephone number dialed from the first terminal at the time of calling by the Internet special number determining means is determined to be an Internet special number, the first terminal and the second terminal are connected to each other. Connection means for connecting via the Internet.

In a communication system according to a fifth aspect of the invention, in the communication system according to the fourth aspect, the Internet special number determining means determines that the telephone number dialed from the first terminal at the time of calling is an Internet special number. In this case, there is provided a mobile phone number determining means for obtaining a called number from the telephone number and determining whether or not the called number is a mobile phone number.

[0015] In a telephone system according to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the telephone system according to the fourth or fifth aspect, the Internet special number determining means determines that the telephone number dialed at the time of calling from the first terminal is an Internet special number. If it is determined, an international telephone number determining means is provided for acquiring a called number from the telephone number and determining whether or not the received number is an international telephone number.

The communication system according to a seventh aspect of the present invention is the communication system according to the fourth aspect.
Of the call system, the Internet access code determination unit telephone number dialed during a call from the first terminal is determined not to be the Internet access code by the, dial a particular service in such called party billing services are provided A specific service dial number determining means for determining whether the number is a number, and the specific service dial number determining means determining that the telephone number dialed at the time of calling from the first terminal is a specific service dial number. The first terminal and the second terminal
Connection means for connecting the terminal to the terminal via the Internet.

The telephone system according to an eighth aspect of the present invention is the telephone system according to the seventh aspect, wherein the telephone number dialed at the time of calling from the first terminal is the specific service dial number by the specific service dial number determining means. If it is determined that the telephone number is converted to a telephone number associated with the telephone number in advance, a specific service dial number converting unit, and the telephone number converted by the specific service dial number converting unit is the Internet special number. Determining means for determining whether or not there is, and means for determining whether or not to make an IP connection to the second terminal when the determination is made that the Internet special number is present. It is characterized by the following.

The communication system according to a ninth aspect of the present invention is the communication system according to any one of the first to eighth aspects, wherein a user assigns a specific number assigned from the first terminal to the Internet service provider who has made a contract. By adding to the telephone number of the second terminal and dialing
The first terminal and the second terminal are connected via the Internet, and a domestic call or an international call can be made.

The communication system according to a tenth aspect of the present invention is the communication system according to the first aspect.
In the case where the telephone number dialed at the time of calling from the first terminal is a dial number for providing a specific service such as a receiving side billing service, the telephone number is A specific service dial number conversion means for converting to a corresponding telephone number;
If the telephone number converted by the specific service dial number conversion means is an Internet special number obtained by adding a specific number to the telephone number of the second terminal, the first terminal and the second terminal And connection means for connecting via the Internet.

The call system of the eleventh invention, the first 10
In the call system of the invention , the connection to the Internet is provided.
With the connection, and connected to the gateway server to the call network, if the converted telephone number is an Internet access code for a specific number is added to the called number by the particular service dial number conversion means, the called party number Is converted into an IP address and supplied to the gateway server, and the gateway server issues a connection request to the second terminal by designating the IP address supplied by the IP address supplying means. Connection means for connecting the first terminal and the second terminal via the Internet.

[0021]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

A. Configuration of Embodiment FIG. 1 shows a network configuration of a call system according to this embodiment.
It mainly expresses the connection via. The general subscriber telephones (telephones) 1A, 1B, 1C, 1D, the computers 12B, 12C, and the mobile telephones 14A, 14B are call terminals, and can be connected to each other by being connected via the Internet 5. It has become.
In the following description, telephones 1B, 1C, 1D, computer 1
2B, 12C, and the mobile phone 14B are used as receiving terminals.

1. Configuration of Calling Party 1.1. General Subscriber Telephone The telephone 1A is connected to the public telephone network 2A, and is a gateway server (hereinafter simply referred to as "gateway server") employing the No. 7 common channel signaling system.
4A (abbreviated as S7-GW) is connected to the Internet 5 (gateway servers 4B, 4C, 4).
D and 4E are also connected to the Internet 5). Then, the public telephone network 2A and the gateway server 4
A is POI (Point Of Interface) 6A
And voice signal data from the telephone 1A is transmitted to the Internet 5 through the public telephone network 2A, the POI 6A, and the gate server 4A.

Here, SCP (Service Control Point)
(t: service control point) 7 is connected to the public telephone network 2A, and performs a function of converting a telephone number dialed from the telephone 1A into a telephone number registered in a number conversion database when the telephone number is a free dial number. The gatekeeper 8 is connected to the gateway server 4A, for example,
Conversion from the telephone number of the call center 9B to an IP address for accessing the intranet 13 of the call center 9B is performed.

1.2. Similarly to the mobile phone, the mobile communication network 15A and the gateway server 4C are connected via the POI 6C, and the voice signal data transmitted from the mobile phone 14A is transmitted to the mobile communication network 15A, POI.
6C, and is transmitted to the Internet 5 through the gateway server 4C.

2. Configuration of called side 2.1. General subscriber telephone The telephone 1B is similar to the telephone 1A in that the public telephone network 2B, P
It is connected to the Internet 5 via the OI 6B and the gateway server 4B. Then, the voice data transmitted to the Internet 5 is transmitted to the gateway server 4B, P
The data is transmitted to the telephone 1B through the OI 6B and the public telephone network 2B.

2.2. Call center having private branch exchange A PBX (private branch exchange) 1 in a call center (for example, a customer support center serving as a consultation service for a manufacturer's consumers, a telephone shopping order reception center, or the like where a large number of telephones and their operators are arranged) 9A.
0 is connected to the public telephone network 2B, and a telephone 1C and a CTI (Computer Telephony Integration) server 11 are connected to the PBX 10. Further, a computer 12A is connected to the CTI server 11.

2.3. A call center 9B having an intranet The call center 9B has a plurality of computers 12B and 12B connected to an intranet 13 without a PBX.
Are connected to the Internet 5 via an intranet 13 built on the premises.

3. FIG. 2 shows a configuration of the gateway server 4. The gateway server 4 includes a line interface 41 for connecting to a public network, a voice compression / decompression / packet unit 42, and a data communication unit 43, which are connected on a bus 40. This gateway server 4
, A protocol conversion process is performed on the audio signal and the control signal of the No. 7 common line signal, a routing process is performed by the router 44, and the ITU. H. Recommendation T. Voice signals and various control signals are transmitted to the Internet 5 based on the H.323 protocol (including TCP / IP).

B. Operation of the embodiment Operation Sequence of POI Connection FIG. 3 shows an operation sequence of the POI connection from the calling telephone 1 to the gateway server 4. In FIG. 3, the originating telephone 1, exchange 17 and IG
S (Interconnected Gateway Switch) 1
8 and a gateway server 4 connected to the Internet 5 are connected in this order to each other on the transmitting side. The configuration on the receiving side is also a gateway server, IG
S, an exchange, and a telephone set on the receiving side are connected in this order, and are arranged just symmetrically with the configuration on the transmitting side with the Internet 5 interposed therebetween. As for the detailed network configuration including these, as shown in FIG. 7C, the voice signal and the control signal from the telephone 1 are exchanged by the exchange 17, the IGS 18,
The transmission is performed in the order of the transmission device 19A, the POI 6, the transmission device 19B, and the gateway server 4.

1.1. Operation sequence at the time of line setting From the telephone 1, which is the calling terminal, the called telephone number (called number)
The exchange 17 that has detected the call request including the call request returns DT (dial tone) to the telephone 1. Then, the exchange 17 receiving the dialed number from the telephone 1
An "address" message (IAM: Initial Address Message) indicating a communication line connection request is transmitted to the server 18. This message includes information such as the number of the selected line and the called number. IGS1 that received this IAM
8 transmits the IAM to the gateway server 4. IA
M is transmitted to the Internet 5 by a predetermined protocol by the gateway server 4, and reaches the receiving-end exchange accommodating the destination terminal via the receiving-side gateway server connected to the Internet 5.

The receiving exchange that has received the IAM transmits a call request to the destination terminal when the terminal indicated by the destination number is idle, and receives information necessary for receiving a call to the destination terminal. In order to indicate to the originating exchange, the "address complete" message (ACM: Address complete me)
ssage) to the caller. This message is
Gateway server 4 and IG via Internet 5
It is transmitted to the exchange 17 via S18.

When the terminating exchange receives the call-in-progress indication from the called terminal, a "call progress" message (CPG: Call Progress Message) indicating that the called terminal is calling.
e) to the calling side, and also transmits a ring back tone (RBT: Ring Back Tone) to the calling terminal. This CP
G is transmitted to the gateway server 4 via the Internet 5 and transmitted to the exchange 17 via the IGS 18. The originating exchange notifies the originating terminal that it is calling by receiving the CPG.

When the answering switch receives the response display for the incoming call request from the receiving terminal, it stops the ringing tone transmitted to the calling terminal and connects the line with the called side to connect the calling line to the caller. A "response" message (ANM: Answer Message) is sent to the caller to indicate completion. The ANM is transmitted to the gateway server 4 via the Internet 5 and transmitted to the exchange 17 via the IGS 18. When receiving the ANM, the exchange 17 notifies the telephone 1 of the fact. This enables a call between the calling user and the called user.

1.2. Operation Sequence at Line Release When the exchange 17 receives a line disconnection request from the calling telephone 1, it sends a "disconnect" message (REL: Release message) to the IGS 18 to release the call line. Upon receiving the REL, the IGS 18 sets the line to an idle state and makes it available for another call (RLC: Release complete message).
ge) is returned to the exchange 17, and the REL is transmitted to the gateway server 4. The gateway server 4 that has received the REL returns the RLC to the IGS 18.
In this way, exchanges of REL and RLC are performed one after another between the exchange, the gateway server, and the exchanges, and the communication line to the exchange to which the called telephone is connected is released.

1.3. FIG. 4 shows a signal flow and a routing state when a line is connected in the telephone system according to the present embodiment. When dialing from the subscriber A on the calling side to the subscriber B on the receiving side with an Internet special number, a control signal (IAM already described) for line connection is sent from the exchange 17 to an STP (Signaling Transfer Point: signal relay station). ) Is transmitted to the gateway server 4A via 21A. In this IAM, the called number (telephone number of the subscriber B) is at level 4 of the functional configuration model of the No. 7 common channel signaling system.
And the calling number (telephone number of the subscriber A) are recorded, and the point code X of the gateway server 4A is recorded at level 3 of the functional configuration model of the No. 7 common channel signaling system.

In response to this, the originating gateway server 4A authenticates the called number and calling number, and connects to the subscriber B from the received called number (telephone number of the subscriber B) in the received IAM. An IP address and a point code (DPC: destination point code) Y of the destination gateway server B to be performed are obtained. And the called number, calling number,
The information of the common line signal including the destination IP and the destination-side point code Y is transferred to TCP / I which is a standard protocol of the Internet 5.
P and sends it to the gateway server B via the Internet 5.

The receiving-side gateway server B reproduces a common channel signal based on the information received from the gateway server A. Then, the point code Z of the exchange 17B to which the telephone of the subscriber B is connected is obtained from the called number in the IAM of the reproduced common channel signal. Therefore, the called number, calling number,
The IAM in which the point code Z is recorded is transmitted from the gateway server B to the exchange 17B via the STP 21B.

As described above, in the conventional Internet telephone, the called number is converted into the IP address of the called-side gateway server, and the calling-side gateway server specifies the IP address and sends the IP packet to the called-side gateway server via the Internet. The receiving side gateway server performs processing such as acquiring the telephone number (the above-mentioned called number) in the IP packet and automatically calling the called party. By adopting the POI method which is an inter-interface, the exchanges are connected with each other and the exchange and the gateway server at the point code level which is the address of the exchange, so that the telephone can be connected smoothly as if it were a normal telephone. .

2. Relationship between Dialed Number and Routing at the Time of Calling FIGS. 5 to 7 summarize, in a flow format, a situation where different routings are performed depending on the telephone number dialed by the user at the time of calling and a line is connected. .

When using the telephone system of the present embodiment, the user places a special number (the same special number in the following description) assigned to each provider of the Internet telephone service before the telephone number of the destination. "001
2 "), and dialing (the telephone number to which this special number is added is called" Internet special number "). For example, if the called number is 06-21-1111,
Add special number 0012 and add 0012-06-211-
You may dial 1111. However, when calling a toll-free number, you do not need to set a special number and just dial it normally.

[0042] Therefore, the cases are classified into the case of calling an Internet special number and the case of calling a toll-free number, and the cases of calling the Internet special number are further divided into domestic calls, international calls, and mobile phones. Explains the routing situation by dividing the items into a total of five cases: a case where a call is made to a dial, a case where a call is made to a call center having a private branch exchange, and a case where a call is made to a call center having an intranet without a private branch exchange. I do.

2.1. Internet special number 2.1.1. Domestic Telephone For example, if the destination number is 06-21-11111, dial 0012-061-211111. When the call is made in this manner, the process proceeds to step S1 as shown in FIG. 5, and the call is detected.
Next, when the process proceeds to step S2, it is determined whether or not the dialed number is an Internet special number. Here, the determination is "YES", and the process proceeds to step S3 (the flow of such a process is appropriately described as S1 → S2 → S3), and the Internet special number routine shown in FIG. 6 is called.

In the Internet special number routine, first, in step S30, a called number obtained by removing the special number from the Internet special number is obtained (in the above example, 0012-0).
From the number of 6121-1111 to 06-211-1
A called number of 111 is acquired). Then, it is determined whether or not the called number is a mobile phone number (S3).
1). Here, “NO” is determined, and then it is determined whether or not the number is an international telephone number (S33). Here, the determination is also “NO”, and normal routing is performed (S
35).

That is, in FIG. 1, when a call is made from telephone 1A, voice signal data is transmitted in the order of public telephone network 2A, POI 6A, gateway server 4A, Internet 5, gateway server 4B, POI 6B, and public telephone network 2B. Then, the telephone 1A and the telephone 1B are connected via the Internet 5 to enable a telephone call.

2.1.2. International Call In this embodiment, routing is performed by using the Internet instead of the international network when making an international call through a POI connection. When the user uses the Internet telephone according to the present embodiment to call an overseas call destination, a special number may be added before the international telephone number and dialed. That is, when calling 01-123-456-789 in the United States, for example, 0012-01-123-456
Dial -789.

When a call is made in this manner, the process proceeds to S3 via S1 and S2 in sequence as shown in FIG. 5, and enters the Internet special number routine. In the Internet special number routine, as shown in FIG. S30 → S3
The process proceeds from 1 → S33 → S34 to perform international telephone routing.

That is, in FIG. 1, when a call is made from the telephone 1A, the public telephone network 2A, the POI 6A, the gateway server 4A, the Internet 5 and the voice signal data are transmitted to enter the gateway installed in the provider in the United States. . And the gateway server 4E, POI
The voice signal data is transmitted in the order of 6E, the international telephone network 16, and the telephone 2D, so that an international call can be made via the Internet 5.

2.1.3. Mobile Phone In the present embodiment, when making a long-distance call with a mobile object, routing is performed using the Internet instead of using a long-distance line. When a user dials a mobile phone, the user may dial an Internet special number before the mobile phone number. That is, if the callee number is 010-123-456, 0012-010-
Dial 123-456. When the call is made in this manner, the process proceeds from S1 to S2 to S3 as shown in FIG. 5, and enters the Internet special number routine. In this Internet special number routine, as shown in FIG.
The process proceeds from 31 to S32, and the mobile phone is routed. For example, when a call is made from a mobile phone to a mobile phone, in FIG. 1, when a call is made from the mobile phone 14A, the mobile communication network 15A, the POI 6C, the gateway server 4C, the Internet 5, the gateway server 4D,
The voice signal data is transmitted between the POI 6D, the mobile communication network 15B, and the mobile phone 14, and a call between the mobile phones via the Internet 5 becomes possible.

2.2. Toll free 2.2.1. In the case where a switch is provided in the call center In the present embodiment, free dialing using an Internet telephone is realized by performing a number conversion from a free dial number to an Internet telephone special number at an SCP (Service Control Point). When the user dials 0120-123-456 from the subscriber's telephone 1A to make a call, the number is converted by SCP7 and converted to an Internet telephone special number, for example, 0012-123-4567. After that, in the same manner as when dialing using the Internet telephone special number, call center 9A
Is routed toward. That is, as shown in FIG. 5, the process proceeds to S1 → S2 → S4 → S5 to enter the free dial routine. In this free dial routine, the process proceeds to S50 → S51 → S52 → S54 as shown in FIG. Routing is performed toward the exchange 10 (S54).

2.2.2. In the case of having an intranet in the call center In this embodiment, the number is converted from a toll-free number to an Internet telephone special number by SCP, and furthermore, routing is performed via the Internet by converting the special number into an IP address by a gatekeeper in a provider. Things. This allows CTI (Computer Telephoney Integration) even without a private branch exchange (PBX)
Various services using the server become possible. And
As in the case where the private branch exchange is provided in the call center, when a user places a call by calling a toll free number, as shown in FIG. 5, S1 → S2 →
The process proceeds from S4 to S5 to enter the free dial routine. In this free dial routine, as shown in FIG.
The process proceeds from 0 → S51 → S52 → S55, and is converted into the IP address of the call center 9B by the gate keeper 8, and routing is performed to the intranet 13 of the call center 9B (S56). In this way, the call center 9B
Computer 12 connected to intranet 13 within
The operator can talk with the user through the microphones and speakers attached to B and 12C.

C. Modifications The present invention is not limited to the above embodiment, and various modifications are possible as follows, for example. 1. Modified Example of Network Configuration FIG. 8 shows a network configuration from the telephone 1 to the gateway server 4. FIG. 2C shows a configuration in which the audio signal and the control signal reach the gateway server 4 via the same transmission path as described with reference to FIG. 1, and such a network configuration is called a corresponding network configuration. .

On the other hand, in the network configuration shown in FIGS. 8A and 8B, a transmission path for control signals is separately secured, and such a network configuration is called a semi-compliant network configuration. In the configuration shown in FIG. 8A, the signal transmitted from the exchange 17 is STP2
1A, S-POI (SignalingPoint Of Interface) 2
0, and transmitted to the gateway server 4 via the STP 21B. The configuration shown in FIG. 8B differs from the configuration shown in FIG. 8A in that there is one STP. The configuration of these semi-compliant networks is illustrated in FIG. 1 by lines (for example, telephone 1A, public telephone network 2A, POI 6A,
(The line of the gateway server 4A).

2. Modification of Public Telephone Network In the above embodiment, public telephone lines are used, but ISD
N lines may be used. If you do this,
Further, a call using the Internet telephone according to the present embodiment can be performed quickly and smoothly.

3. Modified Examples of Each Terminal In the above embodiment, a subscriber telephone, a mobile telephone, and a computer are assumed as terminals, but a facsimile, a PHS, a pager, a portable information terminal, and other mobile communication terminals can be used. For example, by using the telephone system according to the present embodiment, it is possible to perform FAX transmission at low cost in Japan and overseas simply by dialing using the Internet special number.

4. Modified Example of Dialing Using Internet Special Number In the above embodiment, a special number was added before the general subscriber's telephone number and dialed. A circuit may be incorporated in the telephone such that a special number is automatically prefixed to the telephone number (excluding predetermined numbers including a toll-free number) and dialed. In this way, an Internet telephone can be used with exactly the same operation as a normal telephone.

5. Modified Example of Converting Phone Number to IP Address In the above embodiment, the gatekeeper was used to convert the called number to the IP address of the called terminal. It may be performed in the gateway server.

6. Modified Example of Specific Service Dial In the above embodiment, the case of a toll-free number was introduced as a dial number for which a specific service is provided. However, the present invention is not limited to this. Applicable to numbers.

7. Modification of Exchange In the above embodiment, the D17 exchange is described as a specific example in FIGS. 3, 4, and 8 with respect to the exchange 17,
The invention is not limited to this, and various exchanges such as a D60 exchange can be used.

D. Effects of the Embodiment According to the call system of the present embodiment, a user can use an Internet telephone simply by dialing by adding a specific number assigned to a contracted provider before a telephone number of a called party. . Therefore, a telephone call can be made smoothly with the same feeling as a normal telephone, and a telephone call can be made only with a charge caused by a contract with a provider and a telephone charge to an access point of the provider or an ISDN usage charge. Therefore, it is possible to make long-distance or international calls at very low rates. In the case of toll-free dialing, users need only dial the same as normal dialing (there is no need to be conscious of whether or not they are Internet phones), while companies that provide toll-free services do not. In addition, the toll-free service can be provided to the user at a low communication fee, which is a source of expanding business opportunities.

[0061]

As described in detail above, according to the present invention, the POI connection employing the common channel signaling method enables
The user can use the Internet telephone only by dialing the Internet special number before the telephone number of the call destination.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a network configuration diagram of a call system according to an embodiment.

FIG. 2 shows a gateway server (SS)
7-GW) is shown.

FIG. 3 shows an operation sequence of a POI connection using the No. 7 common line signal system.

FIG. 4 shows a flow of signals when a line is connected in the communication system according to the embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an outline of an operation flow from a call origination to a connection of a line to enable a telephone call in the above-mentioned communication system.

FIG. 6 shows the flow of an Internet special number routine shown in FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 shows a flow of a free dial routine shown in FIG. 5;

FIG. 8 shows a modification of the call system according to the present embodiment, showing a network configuration from a telephone to a gateway server.

FIG. 9 shows a mechanism of an existing Internet telephone.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 (1A, 1B, 1C, 1D, 1E) Telephone 2 (2A, 2B) Public telephone network 3 (3A, 3B) UNI 4 (4A, 4B, 4C, 4D, 4E) Gateway server (SS7-GW) 5 Internet 6 (6A, 6B, 6C, 6D, 6E) POI (interconnection point) 7 SCP 8 Gatekeeper 9 (9A, 9B) Call center 10 PBX (private branch exchange) 11 CTI server 12 (12A, 12B, 12C) Computer 13 Intranet 14 (14A, 14B) Mobile phone 15 (15A, 15B) Mobile communication network 16 International telephone network 17 Exchange 18 IGS 19 Transmission device 20 S-POI 21 STP

Continuation of the front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁷ Identification symbol FI H04M 11/00 303 (72) Inventor Kaoru Okuyama 1-9-1, Konan, Minato-ku, Tokyo NTT Communicationware Corporation ( 72) Inventor Tetsuyoshi Shibata NTT Communicationware, Inc. 1-9-1 Konan, Minato-ku, Tokyo (56) References JP-A-10-93629 (JP, A) JP-A-10-98494 (JP, A) JP-A-10-98495 (JP, A) JP-A-10-155034 (JP, A) JP-A-10-178503 (JP, A) JP-A-11-68851 (JP, A) Registered Utility Model 3029827 (JP, U) Nikkei Communication, No. 271, June 1, 1998, p. 76-101 Nikkei Communication, No. 260, December 15, 1997, p. 83 Nikkei Communications, No. 270, May 18, 1998, p. 94-97 Nikkei Communication, No. 257, November 3, 1997, p. 104-111 (58) Field surveyed (Int.Cl. ⁷ , DB name) H04M 3/00 H04L 12/00-12/66 H04M ⁷ /00-7/16 H04M 11/00-11/10

Claims (11)

(57) [Claims] The first communication network to which a first terminal is connected and the second communication network to which a second terminal is connected are used in a network system connected via the Internet, so that the first communication network is connected to the first communication network. In a communication system in which communication is possible between a first terminal and the second terminal, the communication system is connected to the Internet, and is connected to the first communication network.
A control signal and an audio signal are received under a common channel signal system, data corresponding to the control signal and the audio signal are transmitted to the Internet by a predetermined protocol, and the control supplied via the Internet is performed.
A first gateway server that converts data corresponding to a signal and the voice signal into data of the common channel signaling method and sends the data to the first call network; and a second call that is connected to the Internet and is connected to the Internet. From the net
Supports control and audio signals under common line signaling
And transmits data corresponding to the control signal and the audio signal to the Internet by a predetermined protocol to the Internet, and controls the data supplied via the Internet by the control of the common line signaling method. Signal
And a second gateway server for converting the voice signal into the voice signal and transmitting the converted signal to the second communication network; a first interconnection point for connecting the first communication network and the first gateway server; And a second interconnection point for connecting the second telephone network and the second gateway server. 2. A first terminal connected to a telephone network and a second terminal connected to the second terminal.
In a call system in which a call can be made by being connected to the terminal via the Internet, the terminal is connected to the Internet, and a common line is connected from the call network.
Receives control signals and audio signals under signaling ,
While transmitting the control signal and data corresponding to the audio signal to the Internet with a predetermined protocol,
The control signal and the control signal supplied via the Internet .
And data corresponding to the audio signal by the common line signaling method.
A gateway server that converts the signal into a control signal and a voice signal and sends the signal to the communication network; an interconnection point connecting the communication network and the gateway server; and a terminal based on a called number directed to the second terminal. IP address supply means for converting the IP address to an IP address for connecting to the gateway server, and supplying the IP address to the gateway server. The gateway server specifies the IP address supplied by the IP address supply means, and A communication system, comprising: means for connecting the first terminal and the second terminal via the Internet by issuing a connection request to a second terminal. 3. The communication system according to claim 2, wherein the second terminal is connected to the Internet via an intranet, and the IP address supply unit is configured such that the gateway server is connected via the intranet. A telephone system for supplying an IP address for accessing the second terminal. 4. The telephone system according to claim 1 , wherein the telephone number dialed at the time of calling from said first terminal is an Internet special number obtained by adding a specific number to the telephone number of said second terminal. An Internet special number determining means for determining whether or not the telephone number dialed at the time of calling from the first terminal is an Internet special number; And a connection means for connecting the second terminal and the second terminal via the Internet. 5. The telephone system according to claim 4, wherein said Internet special number determining means determines that the telephone number dialed from said first terminal at the time of calling is an Internet special number. A call system comprising: a mobile phone number determining unit that obtains a called number from a number and determines whether the called number is a mobile phone number. 6. The call system according to claim 4, wherein the Internet special number determining means determines that the telephone number dialed at the time of calling from the first terminal is an Internet special number. A communication system comprising: an international telephone number determining unit that obtains a called number from the telephone number and determines whether the received number is an international telephone number. 7. A telephone system according to claim 4, wherein the telephone number dialed at the time of calling from said first terminal determined to be not an Internet special number by said Internet special number determining means includes a receiving side billing service. A specific service dial number determining means for determining whether or not the number is a dial number for which a specific service is provided; and the specific service dial number determining means determines whether a telephone number dialed at the time of calling from the first terminal. A connection means for connecting the first terminal and the second terminal via the Internet when it is determined that the number is a specific service dial number. 8. The telephone system according to claim 7, wherein the specific service dial number determining means determines that the telephone number dialed when calling from the first terminal is a specific service dial number. A specific service dial number converting means for converting the telephone number into a telephone number associated with the telephone number in advance; and determining whether the telephone number converted by the specific service dial number converting means is the Internet special number. Determining means for determining, and when the determining means determines that the Internet special number is used, determining whether or not to make an IP connection to the second terminal. Call system. 9. The communication system according to claim 1, wherein a user assigns a specific number assigned to a contracted Internet service provider from said first terminal to said second terminal. A telephone system wherein the first terminal and the second terminal are connected via the Internet by dialing the telephone number in addition to the telephone number. 10. The telephone system according to claim 1 , wherein the telephone number dialed at the time of calling from said first terminal is a dial number for providing a specific service such as a receiving side billing service. A specific service dial number converting means for converting the telephone number into a telephone number associated with the telephone number in advance; and the telephone number converted by the specific service dial number converting means is specified as the telephone number of the second terminal. A connection means for connecting the first terminal and the second terminal via the Internet when the number is an Internet special number added with the number. 11. The telephone system according to claim 10 , wherein a gateway server connected to said Internet and connected to said telephone network, and a telephone number converted by said specific service dial number conversion means are converted into a called number. An IP address supply unit that converts the called number to an IP address and supplies the IP address to the gateway server when the specific number is an Internet special number; and the IP address supplied by the gateway server by the IP address supply unit. When a connection request is issued to the second terminal by designating an address, the first terminal and the second terminal
Connection means for connecting the terminal to the terminal via the Internet.