JP3206460B2 - Network communication system - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

The present invention relates to an Internet telephone and an Internet VPN (Virtual Private Network).
) Is related to a network communication system.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art As one of communication means, an analog telephone line or ISDN (Integrated Services Digital Network) is used.
The public telephone line network has been widely used.
In this public telephone line network, prior to communication, the network side establishes a connection (logical communication path) between the calling side and the called side.
And call the called party. In such a connection-type communication system, the longer the communication path, the more difficult it is to establish a connection. Therefore, the public telephone network generally adopts a fee system according to the communication distance. For this reason, in the case of a normal telephone which is directly connected to the other party via the public telephone line network, there is a drawback that a telephone charge for a long-distance call becomes high. On the other hand,
In the case of a direct connection via a public telephone network, it is possible to connect by a simple operation of entering a telephone number, and to ring the bell to call the other party and start talking immediately when the other party answers it. is there. If the other party does not respond, it can be determined that the user is absent. In this case, no communication fee is required.

Further, a terminal such as a personal computer (hereinafter referred to as a personal computer) is connected to a public telephone network using a modem or a terminal adapter, or a LAN.
(Local Area Network) to connect a terminal on a public telephone line using a router for remote connection,
The same applies to a case where a computer is directly communicated with a distant partner terminal via a public telephone network.

On the other hand, recently, as a new communication means,
The Internet is rapidly spreading. In the case of the Internet, when transmitting data, a transmission-side communication device creates a datagram (packet) by dividing a data sequence into predetermined sizes and transmits the datagram to a nearby communication device. Each datagram is provided with the Internet address (IP address) of the receiving communication device.
When a datagram is received, the destination (reception side) I
Based on the P address, the communication device sends data to a communication device closer to the receiving side among the communication devices in the vicinity.
As a result, the data on the transmission side is delivered to the reception side without establishing a connection. In such a connectionless communication system, neither the communication device on the transmission side nor the communication device on the reception side knows the communication path between them.
Therefore, in the case of the Internet, a charge system according to a data amount (communication time) or a fixed charge system for a predetermined period such as every year is often adopted.
Since such a fee structure is not affected by the communication distance between the transmitting side and the receiving side, the communication is performed by using the Internet, especially for long-distance communication such as overseas communication. It is likely that costs can be reduced.

[0005] The Internet has been used for character-based data communication such as e-mail in the past. In recent years, however, with the increase in line bandwidth, communication between communication devices such as Internet telephones and video conferencing systems has been developed. It is also used for real-time two-way communication. In addition, the Internet is also used to construct an Internet VPN by connecting a LAN to the Internet via a router for remote connection or the like.

[0006]

In the case of Internet telephone, it is basically possible to make a telephone call only to a nearby Internet connection provider (provider), and when making a long-distance call, a public telephone line network is required. Call charges can be greatly reduced compared to direct connection via the Internet. However, the call cannot be made unless the other party is connected to the Internet, and there is a disadvantage that the absence of the call cannot be confirmed. In particular, in the case of an Internet telephone using a personal computer and incorporating Internet telephone software into it, it is impossible to answer a call from the other party unless the personal computer or the like is always activated.
In O (small office, home office) and the like, the personal computer is not activated all day.

[0007] Also, in the case of other connections via the Internet such as the Internet VPN, it is possible to make a call only with a call charge with the provider in the same manner as described above.
However, if the communication partner is always connected to the Internet and does not have a fixed IP address, communication with the desired partner cannot be started at any time.

By the way, methods for connecting various communication devices (telephone devices, personal computers having communication functions, etc.) to the Internet can be broadly classified into two types: connection using a dedicated line and dial-up connection. The connection method using a dedicated line is a method in which a dedicated communication line is prepared between a communication device and a provider, and each communication device is constantly connected to the Internet. In this case, since the communication device is constantly connected to the Internet, a unique IP address is assigned to the communication device. This method is adopted by a relatively large company or university, and the user usually pays a fixed cost to a telephone company or the like as a maintenance cost of a communication line (dedicated line).

On the other hand, dial-up connection is a method of connecting a communication device to the Internet only when it is desired to connect to the Internet. The connection to the Internet is made by communicating with the provider using a public telephone network or the like, and the provider relays this communication. When a communication device is connected, the provider assigns a free IP address as the IP address of the communication device. This allows IP communication between multiple communication devices.
Address can be shared. Also, in this system, a dedicated communication line between each communication device is not required. As a result, when the communication volume is small, the Internet can be used at a lower cost than in the case of a dedicated line. Therefore, the dial-up connection method is often employed when the communication volume is relatively small, such as in a relatively small company or private home.

However, if the called communication device employs the dial-up connection method, the calling communication device cannot determine in advance whether or not the called device is connected to the Internet. If the called communication device is connected to the Internet at the time of calling, the calling communication device can communicate with the called device, but if not, both communication devices can communicate with each other. Can not. Therefore, there is a problem that the connection is not always secure and lacks responsiveness. This problem can be catastrophic, especially when trying to communicate in real-time, such as in Internet telephony and video conferencing systems. Also, during times when dial-up connections to the provider are concentrated,
It may not even be possible to connect to the provider.

[0011] Such a problem occurs not only in the case of the Internet but also in a case where each communication device connects to a network as necessary, such as in the case of personal computer communication. A further problem arises when dialing up.

[0012] Specifically, each communication device constituting the Internet communicates with a destination IP address included in the datagram.
The datagram is transmitted to a predetermined destination based on the address. Therefore, when communicating, the transmitting side needs to know the IP address of the receiving side.
However, in the dial-up connection method, the IP address of each communication device is not determined until connection with each provider. Therefore, the transmitting side cannot grasp the IP address of the receiving side in advance unlike the leased line connection method.

Therefore, conventionally, in order to solve this problem, in order to relay communication between communication devices, a fixed I
A server having a P address is installed on the Internet. In this case, each communication device first starts communication with the server after connecting to the Internet. When each communication device starts communication, the server relays communication with one to the other. In this case, since the datagram sent to the IP address of the server is transferred to the communication device of the partner, each communication device does not need to know the IP address of the partner. As a result, communication can be performed without any problem even between communication devices that are dial-up connected.

However, when a server is provided, it is necessary to maintain the server, which causes a new problem that maintenance cost is required. Further, when the servers are crowded, a problem arises that communication is not possible even when the communication device of the own device and the communication device of the other party are free. Furthermore, since a method for searching for a communication partner has not been established in the server, it is difficult to find a desired communication partner. For example, at the present time, in many cases, a partner is searched for by the following search method.
That is, each communication device registers its own name in the server. The server displays the received name list, and each communication device selects a desired partner from the list. In this method, as the number of connected users increases, the time and effort required for searching increases.

Further, even if a server is installed, the problem that communication cannot be started unless the communication device of the other party is connected to the network has not been solved yet.

[0016] Therefore, in the case of a small company or individual who does not own a fixed IP address, even if the communication fee is high, even if the communication fee is high, it is necessary to start communication with a desired partner at any time. It must be in the form of a direct connection via a telephone network.

[0017] In the case of an Internet telephone, it is not possible to notify a caller of the time of making a call in advance, connect to a provider at a predetermined time, activate telephone software, and designate a caller on the software. Calls are possible. As described above, the Internet telephone requires a complicated operation as compared with a normal telephone using a public telephone line network, and therefore, it is difficult for a general user to use the Internet telephone on a daily basis.

Note that an Internet telephone that can be called even when the other party is not connected to the Internet has been developed. Even in this method, servers are arranged on the Internet. In this method, after the calling side logs in to the server and connects, the telephone number of the other party is input and transmitted to the server. Then, the server receiving the telephone number of the other party transmits a message to the effect that an Internet call has been received to the other party via the telephone network, and if the other party accepts the message, it becomes possible to talk. However, even with this method, connection is impossible if the other party's personal computer is not always in a power-on state.

Also, in the case of the Internet telephone of each of the above methods (especially in the case of using a server), a longer waiting time is required before calling the other party than in a normal telephone using a public telephone network. There is also a problem.

As described above, in the related art, the form of directly connecting with the other party via the public telephone line network and the form of connection via the Internet exist independently, and each of them has advantages and disadvantages. Is currently unsatisfactory. There is no system that has the advantages of both connection modes described above.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above, and a main object of the present invention is to provide an Internet telephone or an Internet VPN with a long distance (communication) charge without a user's complicated operation. An object of the present invention is to provide a network communication system that can be used without a long waiting time.

[0022]

Means for Solving the Problems] network communication system according to a first aspect of the invention, in order to solve the above problems, a direct connection to a communication partner by public telephone line, Lee
The communication device includes a calling side and a called side communication device provided to be connectable to at least two lines so that connection with a communication partner via a communication network which is an Internet can be performed simultaneously. At least one of the communication devices on the calling side and the called side includes a connection time monitoring unit that monitors a direct connection time with a communication partner and detects that the direct connection time has reached a set time. And when the connection time monitoring means detects that the direct connection time exceeds the set time, when the communication device on the called side is directly connected between the two using one line. , While maintaining the current direct connection and continuing communication between them,
A communication network connection means for connecting to a communication partner via the communication network using the other line, and after successful connection via the communication network, switching to communication via the communication network to use for direct connection Switching means for disconnecting the line.

The above-mentioned lines include public telephone lines (digital lines or analog lines such as ISDN), wireless lines of mobile communication systems, cable television (CATV) lines, and dedicated lines. Examples of the communication network include a connectionless network such as the Internet, and personal computer communication.

In the above configuration, the communication devices on the calling side and the called side can be connected to at least two lines. The user on the calling side makes a direct connection that is easy to operate using one certain line. Thus, if the direct connection is made first, the connection can be made by a simple operation (usually, only a dial operation), and the communication can be started immediately when the called party answers it.

When the communication by the direct connection is started,
At least one of the calling and called communication devices monitors the direct connection time. If the direct connection time exceeds the above set time, the connection with the communication partner via the communication network such as the Internet using another line is maintained while maintaining the current direct connection and continuing the communication. Do. Further, after the connection via the communication network succeeds, the communication is switched from the direct communication to the communication via the communication network, and the line of the direct connection is disconnected. As described above, the switching from the direct communication to the communication via the communication network is performed in a state where both the direct connection and the connection via the communication network are established, so that the communication is not interrupted. Then, by simply performing the simple operation for direct connection as described above, communication is automatically switched to communication via a communication network, which is cheaper than direct connection, and complicated operations and waiting associated with communication via the communication network. No time is required.

If the communication time is short, the communication fee may be higher via the communication network (because the other party also needs a local communication fee).
In this system, switching to the connection via the communication network occurs only when the direct connection continues for a preset time, and the communication is set by appropriately setting the setting time according to the billing system. If the time is relatively short, the above switching does not occur, and as a result, the communication system with the lower communication fee is automatically selected according to the communication time. In other words, the user uses a communication method in which the user only performs a direct connection operation (such as a dial operation) without being conscious of the communication network, and as a result, the communication fee is reduced.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a network communication system according to the first aspect.
The communication devices on the calling side and the called side are telephone devices having a call function. The one line is used for a direct call (ordinary telephone), and the other line is used for a call via a communication network (Internet telephone). Or a computer telephone service via personal computer communication). The above-described telephone device can be realized not only with a telephone having a handset but also with a computer having a microphone and a speaker.

As described above, by applying the above-mentioned communication device as a telephone device, it is possible to make a telephone call via a communication network such as an Internet telephone or the like by just dialing a telephone number as if it were a normal telephone call. ,
The same operation and effect as the first aspect of the invention can be expected.

[0029] In the network connection apparatus for connecting the communication device of the upper Kihatsuko side and called side <br/> single terminal device (PC, etc.) or local area network (LAN) to a communications network In some cases, the network connection device is built into the terminal device when a single terminal device is connected to a communication network (for example, realized as personal computer software or realized as an intelligent communication board). When a LAN is connected to a communication network, it can be configured as a router.

[0030] Thus, by applying the above communication device as a network connection device, only a simple operation of a direct connection, Ru can be configured like easily Internet VPN.

[0031] The network communication system according to the invention of claim 3, in order to solve the above problem, a public telephone
Direct connection with the communication partner via the network and the Internet
Connection with a communication partner via a communication network
At least two times so that
Calling and called communication devices provided to be connectable to a line
Wherein the data to detect that at least one of the calling and the called communication device, that monitors the communication data amount of the direct connection after the start of the communication partner, the data amount reaches the set amount The communication between the calling side and the called side.
The device uses one line to make a direct connection between the two.
The amount of data has reached the set amount
Is detected by the data amount monitoring means, the current direct connection
While maintaining the connection, the communication between the two
With a communication partner via a communication network using
A communication network connection means for making a connection, and a communication network
Network connection is successful, and then
Switch to communication of the same and disconnect the line used for direct connection
And switching means for switching .

As described above , first, the public telephone network is used.
If you make a direct connection and the called party answers it
Communication can be started immediately. Furthermore, contact performs data amount monitoring instead of connection time monitoring, when the communication data amount of direct connection after the start of the communication partner has reached the set amount, while continuing the communication by maintaining the current direct connection , it intends line a connection with a communication partner via the through <br/> signal network (Internet) using a different line. Here, from direct communication to communication network
Switching to communication via a network requires direct connection and a communication network.
Connection with the connection via the network
Connection, without interrupting communication
Automatically communicates via communication networks with low fare charges
Switching with the
No complicated operation or waiting time is required.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the network communication system according to the first, second or third aspect , at least one of the communication devices on the calling side and the called side includes a communication network. It is characterized in that it is provided with a notifying means for notifying the communication partner of the self identification information added to the passed communication data during the direct connection with the communication partner. The above-mentioned identification information is an Internet address (IP address), a personal computer communication identification code, or the like.

As described above, at least one of the communication devices on the calling side and the called side notifies the communication partner of its own identification information such as the IP address during the direct connection. Even if the identification information of the other party is not known at the start of the (call), the connection via the communication network is possible during the direct connection.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the network communication system according to the fourth aspect ,
The communication device on the called side obtains an address as identification information each time by making a dial-up connection to the Internet, which is a communication network.

As described above, when the called party has a dial-up connection, communication via the communication network other than relaying a server provided on the communication network (Internet) was conventionally not possible. Since the IP address of the communication partner can be known by the notification means described in Item 5, the communication network (Internet)
There is no need to relay the server provided above. Therefore, the cost required for communication can be further reduced, and communication can be reliably performed regardless of server congestion.

[0037]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

[Embodiment 1] FIG. 1 shows an embodiment of the present invention.
This will be described below with reference to FIG.

In this embodiment, an Internet telephone device will be described. The Internet telephone device (communication device of the network communication system) according to the present embodiment has various forms as described later. First, an Internet telephone (Internet telephone) having an ordinary telephone with an Internet telephone function is provided. Integrated with Internet phone)
An example will be described below.

FIG. 1 shows the above Internet telephone 1.1.
1 shows a communication system that uses. Here, in order to distinguish between the calling side and the called side, the reference numeral of the Internet telephone 1 as the calling side is described as 1a and the reference numeral of the Internet telephone 1 as the called side is described as 1b as necessary. I do. Each Internet telephone 1 has functions of both a calling side and a called side, and both can be the calling side and the called side.

Each Internet telephone 1 can make a call to a public telephone network (hereinafter simply referred to as a telephone line) by inputting a telephone number of a destination by a dial operation, and notify a telephone number of a telephone line to an exchange of the telephone line. . This allows
The Internet telephones 1 can call each other using a digital line or an analog line such as an ISDN, and can directly communicate with each other.

Each Internet telephone 1 shown in FIG. 1 has subscribed to an Internet connection provider (provider) 3 and can use the Internet 4 as a communication network by dial-up connection.
Since each Internet telephone 1 may be a calling side or a called side, the same function is required for the provider 3 to which the Internet telephone 1 subscribes.

Specifically, when receiving a connection request from the Internet telephone 1 via the telephone line, the provider 3 inputs an ID indicating an account (qualification for use) and a password set in advance for each ID. Let it. After checking the account against the password, the provider 5 sets one of the vacant IP addresses among the plurality of addresses (IP addresses) owned by the provider 5 as the temporary IP address of the Internet telephone 1. assign.
Thereby, the Internet telephone 1 can recognize its own IP address at the time of the current connection. As a result, the Internet telephone 1 creates a data string (datagram) delimited for each predetermined size and sends it to the provider 3 or, among the datagrams received from the provider 3, sends the datagram addressed to itself. Can be identified. Provider 3
Transfers the datagram from the Internet telephone 1 to the Internet 4 and sends the datagram from the Internet 4 to the Internet telephone 1. Thus, the Internet telephone 1 can connect to the Internet 4 without having a unique IP address.

As described above, the provider 3 shares an IP address, a connection line with the Internet 4 and the like with the subscriber through the dial-up connection. Therefore, the connection fee for the dial-up connection in the provider 3 is higher than that in the case where the Internet telephone 1 holds a unique IP address and is always connected to the Internet 4 via a dedicated communication line, that is, in the case of the dedicated line connection. It is often set cheaply.

The provider 3 has one or a plurality of access points for communicating with the Internet telephone 1 via a telephone line, a cable television (CATV) line, or the like. The subscriber to the provider 3 selects an access point provided in the vicinity, for example, within a range where a call can be made with a local area code, and thereby the provider 3
The use fee (call fee) of a telephone line or the like when communicating with the user can be reduced.

At present, the Internet 4 is becoming widespread, and many providers have started services.
Many of these providers support dial-up connections, and have an Internet telephone 1
Is installed so that both direct communication via a telephone line and communication via the Internet 4 are possible, the communication system according to the present embodiment can be easily constructed.

Next, the configuration of the Internet telephone 1 will be described.

The Internet telephone 1 connects at least two communication lines simultaneously so that direct communication with the communication partner via the telephone line and communication via the Internet 4 can be simultaneously performed for a predetermined period. Can be done. A plurality of line connection forms for realizing this can be considered as described later. Here, as shown in FIG. 2, ISDN, which is a digital line that can simultaneously use two lines (B channels), is Used as a telephone line and its digital line termination (DSU: Digi
(Tal Service Unit) 2 to which the Internet telephone 1 is connected will be described as an example.

The Internet telephone 1 has a TA (Terminal Adapter) function as shown in FIG.
An S / T point interface (I / F) 11 is provided.
The Internet telephone 1 has a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 12 for controlling the entire telephone and a ROM (Read Only Memory) storing an operation program and the like.
ry) 13 and a RAM (Random) serving as a work storage area.
access memory), a transmitting and receiving unit 15 having a microphone and a speaker, an amplifier 16 for amplifying input / output signals from the transmitting and receiving unit 15, and converting an analog input from the amplifier 16 to digital and to the amplifier 16. An A / D / D / A converter 17 for converting the output of the
An input / output unit 18 such as an operation button and an indicator is provided, and an input / output control unit (I / O) 19 for performing input / output control on the input / output unit 18 is provided. Further, the Internet telephone 1 is also provided with a rewritable nonvolatile memory for storing various setting values such as the telephone number of the access point of the provider 3.

The S / T point I / F 11 controls call setting / disconnection (line connection / disconnection) based on a command from the CPU 12, and controls a data sequence processed by the CPU 12 and an electric signal transmitted on the ISDN. And has the function of mutually converting Further, the CPU 12 executes a predetermined program in the ROM 13 based on input of an operation button of the input / output unit 18 or received information input through the S / T point I / F 11 to execute various communication control processes. I do.

In the present embodiment, the CPU 12 for executing a predetermined program in the ROM 13 implements the connection time monitoring means, the communication network connection means, the switching means, and the notification means described in the claims. ing.

Next, the schematic operation of the communication system using the Internet telephone 1 will be described with reference to FIGS. 1, 4 to 6.

First, as shown in FIG. 4, by a normal dial from the calling Internet telephone 1a, a normal telephone, that is, a telephone line (here, one of ISDNs) is connected between the calling side and the called side. A direct call via the B channel is performed (“1. voice” in FIG. 1).

When the direct call time reaches a preset time, during the direct call, the calling Internet telephone 1a is switched from the called Internet telephone 1b.
, A dial-up start request signal is transmitted. In response to this, the called Internet telephone 1b sends a dial-up start OK signal to the calling Internet telephone 1b.
(a. "2. Dial-up request, response" in FIG. 1).

Next, as shown in FIG. 5, both the calling side and the called side Internet telephones 1a and 1b are connected to a vacant line (here, ISDN) while continuing the direct telephone call by the ordinary telephone. Dial-up connection is made to each provider 3 using the other B channel ("3. Dial-up" in FIG. 1). This allows
Both the calling side and the called side Internet telephones 1a and 1b acquire IP addresses from the respective providers 3 ("4. IP address" in FIG. 1).

Then, while continuing the direct telephone call by the normal telephone, the calling party and the called party each communicate the IP address obtained respectively on the voice to the other party. If a confidential conversation is necessary on the subsequent Internet telephone, the encryption key is also sent to the other party along with the IP address ("5. IP address, encryption key" in FIG. 1). By this operation,
Since both the calling side and called side Internet telephones 1a and 1b are connected to the Internet 4 and recognize the other party's IP address, Internet telephone is possible.

Therefore, as shown in FIG. 6, both the calling and called Internet telephones 1a and 1b automatically switch to the Internet telephone and disconnect the normal telephone during a direct telephone call. Then, the call is continued by the Internet telephone ("6. Voice" in FIG. 1). In this case, it is possible to have a secret talk on the Internet by using an encryption key or the like that is usually contacted during a telephone call.

As described above, in the communication system using the Internet telephone 1, the user automatically switches to an Internet telephone with a long-distance call charge only by making a normal dial, and the operation associated with the Internet telephone and the Internet telephone There is no need for the waiting time required for connection.

If the call time is short, it is conceivable that the Internet telephone will be higher in the telephone charge (because the other party also needs a local telephone charge). Switching from normal telephone to Internet telephone occurs only when the direct telephone call on the line continues for the preset time, and the call can be set by appropriately setting the set time according to the billing system. If the time is relatively short, switching to the Internet telephone does not occur, and as a result, a call method with a lower call charge is automatically selected according to the call time. In other words, the user is performing a normal telephone operation (dial operation) without paying attention to the Internet telephone, so that the user is talking in a call system in which the call charge is reduced.

Next, a more detailed operation of the communication system using the Internet telephone 1 will be described with reference to FIGS.
A description will be given based on the flowchart of FIG.

Before starting to use the Internet telephone 1,
A telephone number of an access point of the provider 3, an account and a password for verification with the provider 3,
The area code of the area where the Internet telephone 1 is used (own area code) and the time until switching from the normal telephone to the Internet telephone are set in the Internet telephone 1. This set value is stored in the nonvolatile memory of the Internet telephone 1, and is referred to during the communication operation. It should be noted that once the above set values are set, there is no need to set them each time a call is made unless there is a change thereafter. Of course, some or all of the set values, such as the password, can be changed as needed.

First, the user of the calling-side Internet telephone 1a in which the above settings have been made in advance dials the other party's telephone number and makes a call (step 1a in FIG. 7). 1b is called via a telephone line (here, one B channel of ISDN) (step 1b). In the following, step 1a
Is abbreviated as S1a. In addition, the processing performed by the calling side Internet telephone 1a includes “a” at the end as in S1a.
In the processing performed by the called-side Internet telephone 1b, b is added to the end as in S1b to distinguish the operations of the two.

In the above, when the user of the called Internet telephone 1b responds to the call, a direct telephone call by a normal telephone is started.

In the calling side Internet telephone 1a, the CPU 12 shown in FIG. 3 includes the dialed telephone number up to the area code (and the country code).
In addition, it is determined whether or not the area code is not the own area code (S2a). If the determination here is NO, it means that it is a local call, so that it is not necessary to switch to the Internet telephone, and thereafter the normal telephone is continued.

On the other hand, in the case of YES in S2a, since the call is a toll call or an overseas call, measurement of the call time is started to switch to an Internet telephone according to the call time (S3a). Here, the calling Internet telephone 1a directly monitors the talk time, but the present invention is not limited to this, and the calling and called Internet telephones 1a are not limited to this.
At least one of 1b may directly monitor the talk time. Here, if the call ends before the preset time has elapsed, switching to the Internet telephone does not occur. On the other hand, when a predetermined period of time elapses after the start of the call time measurement, the following switching operation to the Internet telephone is started.

That is, the calling Internet telephone 1
a confirms the availability of another line (here, the other B channel of the ISDN) other than the line used for the current direct call, and converts the dial-up start request signal to the voice signal of the current call. Put on the called Internet telephone 1b
(S4a). For example, a dial-up start request signal is transmitted in a frequency band of a line that does not cause annoyance when superimposed on voice.

Alternatively, a transmission / reception sound of a signal for switching operation to the Internet telephone such as the dial-up start request signal may be heard from a speaker of the receiver. In this way, the user can recognize that the switching operation to the Internet telephone has started.

On the other hand, the called-side Internet telephone 1b
Also, after confirming the availability of a line (here, the other B channel of ISDN) other than the line used for the current direct call, responds to the dial-up start request signal from the calling side. Then, a dial-up start OK signal is sent back to the calling Internet telephone set 1a on the voice signal during the current call (S2b).

Note that the calling side Internet telephone 1a is
If the dial-up start OK signal cannot be received, it is determined that the called party is not an Internet telephone (or another line of the called party is not available), and the subsequent switching to the Internet telephone is not performed. (NO in S5a). On the other hand, when the dial-up start OK signal is returned from the called side (S5).
(YES at a), the calling Internet telephone 1a makes a dial-up connection to the provider 3 using another available line while continuing the current direct call (S).
6a).

The called Internet telephone 1
After the dial-up start OK signal is returned in S2b, a dial-up connection is made to the provider 3 using another available line (S3b).

Thereafter, if either the calling side or the called side Internet telephones 1a and 1b cannot connect to the provider 3, the unconnected side notifies the other party of the fact and continues the current normal telephone. (NO in S7a and / or S4b). On the other hand, both the calling and called Internet telephones 1a and 1b connect to the provider 3 and
If the P address is obtained (YE in S7a and S4b)
S), and transmit their own IP address and, if necessary, the encryption key to the other party on the voice signal during the call (S8a and S5b in FIG. 8).

Thereafter, the calling and called Internet telephones 1a and 1b acquire the IP address and encryption key of the other party, respectively (S9a and S6a). Next, the calling-side Internet telephone 1a transmits the test data to the called-side Internet telephone 1b via the Internet 4 (S10a). Return test data to Internet telephone 1a (S7)
b). Here, if test data is not returned from the called party within a predetermined time (NO in S11a), the calling Internet telephone 1a determines that the line state via the Internet 4 is bad, and Disconnect,
The called party is also informed of the fact via the line during the direct call. In this case, the called-side Internet telephone 1b also disconnects from the provider 3, and thereafter continues the normal telephone call.

In step S11a, if test data is returned from the called party within a predetermined time, the calling Internet telephone set 1a superimposes the Internet switching signal on the currently-talking voice and transmits it to the called party. (S12a).
Then, the calling-side Internet telephone 1a switches the voice input / output to / from the transmission / reception unit 15 in FIG. 3 from the ordinary telephone to the Internet telephone (S13a). Similarly, the called-side Internet telephone 1b that has received the Internet switching signal from the calling side (S8b) also switches the voice input / output to / from the transmission / reception unit 15 from the normal telephone to the Internet telephone (S9b). As a result, a call by the Internet telephone is started between the calling side and the called side.

When switching from the ordinary telephone to the Internet telephone, the input / output of the transmission / reception unit 15 is switched in a state where both the ordinary telephone and the Internet telephone are possible. Switching can be performed smoothly and does not significantly affect calls.

When the telephone call by the Internet telephone is started as described above, the calling Internet telephone 1
a disconnects the connection of the normal telephone (S14a), and thereafter continues the telephone call on the Internet telephone.

Thereafter, when ending the telephone call on the Internet telephone, a signal of call termination is output to the other party via the Internet 4 (S15a or S10b), and the calling and called Internet telephones 1a and 1b are connected to the provider 3
Is disconnected (S16a and S11b).

After switching to the Internet telephone, it is desirable to encrypt information using an encryption key in order to prevent eavesdropping. At the time of encryption, the calling side and the called side need to know the encryption key to be used. It is possible that both parties have already recognized the encryption key before the call, but if this is not the case or if the encryption key is to be changed, it is necessary to notify the encryption key between the calling and called parties. is there. Therefore, as described above, during a telephone call using a normal telephone in which confidentiality of the telephone call can be expected, the encryption key can be transmitted relatively securely to the other party by transmitting the encryption key along with the voice.

Here, the encryption method used may be either a method in which a public key and a secret key such as RSA are separated, or a method using a common secret key (common key) for both. Also, in the above description, both the calling side and the called side notify the other party of the encryption key, but especially when both use a common secret key, only one of the two uses the encryption key. May be notified to the other. Of course, if the call does not require confidentiality, encryption is not necessary, and the processing can be expected to be faster, and communication of the encryption key is unnecessary.

In the above description, the IP addresses are exchanged on both the calling side and the called side. However, a call on the Internet 4 can be made even if one of them only informs the other about the IP address. It is. That is, the IP
If the side receiving the address sends an IP packet to the other party via the Internet 4, the source (source) address and the destination (destination) address are set in the header of the IP packet. ,
This is because the other party receiving the IP packet can acquire the source IP address at that time.

Further, at present, there is also a method of acquiring the IP address of the other party by an IP address inquiry system using an IP address management server installed on the Internet 4, and therefore, as described above, the voice is added to the voice. This system may be used instead of exchanging the IP address by using the system.

In the above description, the Internet 4
Communication test (S10a, S11a in FIG. 8)
And S7b) are executed, but this is not essential and can be omitted.

The following two operations can be performed during a call. One is an operation for forcibly starting switching to an Internet telephone during a telephone call. This is an operation performed when the user makes a telephone call from the beginning while conscious of the long telephone call, and can be performed by a predetermined operation in the input / output unit 18 in FIG. The other is a forced switching operation from an Internet telephone to a normal telephone. This is an operation performed when the user determines that there is a problem with the voice quality of the Internet telephone, and is also possible by a predetermined operation in the input / output unit 18 in FIG.

Further, in the above description, the integrated embodiment shown in FIG. 2 has been described, but as other forms, the forms shown in FIGS. 9 to 12 can be considered.

First, the embodiment shown in FIG. 9 is a combined type of a normal analog telephone 10 and an Internet telephone BOX 11 (also serving as a DSU), and the Internet telephone BOX 11 is connected to ISDN. In this case, the Internet telephone BOX 11 performs the above-described communication control such as switching between a normal telephone and an Internet telephone.

The embodiment shown in FIG. 10 is an execution type in a computer 12 having a microphone and a speaker, and the computer 12 such as a personal computer is connected to a terminal adapter (TA).
13 to a DUS 14 of ISDN. In this case, the above-described communication control such as switching between a normal telephone and an Internet telephone is realized by the computer 12 executing software stored in a memory of the computer 12.

The embodiment shown in FIG. 11 is also an execution type in the computer 12 having a microphone and a speaker.
In this embodiment, the analog telephone line is connected to the computer 12 by two.
This connection is made. The one analog telephone line uses the modem 15 because it is for connecting to the Internet 4 as described above. The other analog telephone line is
Since it is for direct telephone calls, the modem 15 and the like are not particularly required. still,
An apparatus (not shown) having a function of superimposing a dial-up start request signal or the like on voice and a function of separating a dial-up start request signal or the like from voice can also be directly connected to an analog telephone line for telephone communication ( Of course,
The function can be provided in the computer 12).

The embodiment shown in FIG. 12 is an example of a hybrid connection between a cable television (CATV) line and a telephone line (analog or digital line), and can be realized by either an Internet telephone or a computer with a microphone and speakers. . To connect the Internet telephone or computer to each line, a cable modem 16 for a CATV line and a modem (or DSU) 1 for a telephone line.
7 is used.

As a matter of course, a CATV line can be used as a line for a normal telephone and a line for an Internet telephone.

Although not shown, a portable telephone (or a computer) having a plurality of wireless communication units may have the same function as the Internet telephone 1 described above. Further, a portable computer with a microphone and a speaker (such as a notebook computer) may be connected to an ISDN port of an ISDN public telephone.

The dial-up connection timing and I
As a method of contacting the P address to the other party, there are various methods as described below, in addition to superimposing information necessary for voice during a call as described above.

One of them is that when using ISDN,
This is a method of performing information notification using D-channel packet communication. By using this method, it is possible to transmit an IP address or the like via a route different from the line connection using the currently used B channel without affecting the communication.
In this case, both the calling side and the called side require a contract with the ISDN carrier to use the D-channel packet.

At present, a three-party call service called ISDN flexphone or analog telephone line triophone (both service names of NTT (Nippon Telegraph and Telephone Corporation)) is provided, and this service is used. Then, an IP address or the like can be transmitted. The above-mentioned three-party call service is a service that allows simultaneous communication with two parties, such as an ISDN flexphone, or another call with another party while holding a call with the other party, such as a triophone. It is a service that can be set. If a line other than the line for direct call (that is, a line for dial-up connection to the provider 3) has a three-party call function, call the other party directly on the line having the three-party call function, While maintaining the connection with the provider 3, information such as an IP address can be transmitted to the other party.

Further, an IP address can be notified to the other party via the Internet 4 using an electronic mail. The provider 3 is also a mail server of the Internet telephone 1 in FIG. Specifically, provider 3
An e-mail address is assigned to the Internet telephone 1 in advance, and a storage area (mail box) (not shown) corresponding to the e-mail address is provided. The e-mail addressed to the Internet telephone 1 is delivered to the provider 3, and the provider 3 receives the e-mail addressed to the Internet telephone 1 and stores it in the corresponding mailbox. Provider 3 is always connected to Internet 4,
The IP address is always constant. Therefore, regardless of whether or not the Internet telephone 1 is connected to the Internet 4 and the IP address at the time of connection,
Emails are delivered reliably. Each of the Internet telephones 1 can read an e-mail addressed to itself from the mailbox when dial-up connected.

Then, the IP address is transmitted as an electronic mail to the electronic mail address of the other party.
In this case, the Internet telephone 1 monitors its own mailbox provided in the provider 3 at a predetermined cycle, for example, every 5 seconds, and when an email from the other party arrives, the internet phone 1 sends the email from the mailbox. Read to obtain the IP address. Note that this method cannot be used for notification of dial-up connection timing.

The above description is for the case where both the calling side and the called side make a dial-up connection.
The automatic switching operation from the ordinary telephone to the Internet telephone described above is effective even in a connection mode in which the telephone is connected to a dedicated line. In the case of the dedicated line connection, it goes without saying that the step of dial-up connection to the provider 3 becomes unnecessary.

Therefore, the automatic switching method from the ordinary telephone to the Internet telephone according to the present embodiment can be applied to any of the following four embodiments. (1) A form in which the calling side has a dial-up Internet connection and the called side has a dial-up Internet connection. (2) A form in which the calling side has a dedicated line Internet connection and the called side has a dial-up Internet connection. (3) A form in which the calling side has a dial-up Internet connection and the called side has a dedicated line Internet connection. (4) A form in which the calling side has a dedicated line Internet connection and the called side has a dedicated line Internet connection.

Of the above four modes, the method of this embodiment is particularly effective in the modes (1) and (2) in which the called party has a dial-up Internet connection. This is because if the called party has a dial-up Internet connection, the calling party cannot know the IP address of the called party before starting the telephone call, and even in such a state, if the method of the present embodiment is applied. This is because, as described above, simply dialing the other party normally does not require the operation associated with the Internet telephone or the waiting time required for the Internet telephone, resulting in lower telephone charges.

Also, in the embodiments (3) and (4) in which the called side is a dedicated line Internet connection, the method of the present embodiment is effective only by making a normal dialing to the other party to the Internet telephone. This is because the same effect as in the modes (1) and (2) can be obtained. Also, even if the called party has a dedicated line Internet connection, the calling user does not always know the called party's IP address, and if he does not know the called party's IP address, By simply dialing, the user is switched to the Internet telephone, and the same effects as in the embodiments (1) and (2) can be obtained.

When a fixed IP address is obtained in advance from a public organization, the step of obtaining an IP address from the provider 3 can be omitted. It is also possible to specify by "domain name" instead of the IP address. This is because an IP address corresponding to a domain name can be obtained from a domain name by using a domain name system (DNS) including a domain name server provided on the Internet 4. .

In the above description, switching to the Internet telephone via the Internet 4 has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to the Internet 4 but can be applied to a computer telephone service through personal computer communication. That is,
In the case of using the personal computer communication instead of the Internet 4, the switching from the ordinary telephone to the computer telephone service using the personal computer communication may be performed in the same manner as the automatic switching from the ordinary telephone to the Internet telephone described above.

If the calling side and the called side have subscribed to the personal computer communication, by calling a nearby access point, both the calling side and the called side can log in to the personal computer communication server. The personal computer communication server described above can communicate with the calling side and the called side to provide a predetermined service such as, for example, a database search, and also relay the communication between the calling side and the called side. . As a result, the calling side and the called side can communicate bi-directionally via the personal computer communication server instead of via the Internet 4.

Generally, a personal computer communication server manages subscribers by identification codes (IDs) and the like. When a subscriber connects via a telephone line, the personal computer communication server collates the ID and password to check each subscriber. Identify. Therefore, when using the personal computer communication instead of the Internet 4, an identification code (ID) of the personal computer communication is used instead of the IP address.

[Embodiment 2] Another embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIGS.

In the present embodiment, an Internet VPN connection device (hereinafter, referred to as an example of a network connection device)
Internet connection device) will be described. The Internet connector is a device for connecting computers via the Internet, and has various forms as described later. First, a terminal on a LAN is used as a router for remote connection for connecting to the Internet. Internet connection device will be described.

FIG. 13 shows the Internet connection device 21.
A communication system using 21 is shown. here,
In order to distinguish between the calling side and the called side, the reference number of the Internet connecting device 21 as the calling side is changed to 21 if necessary.
a, the reference number of the Internet connection device 21 as the called side is described as 21b. Each Internet connection device 21 has functions of both a calling side and a called side, and both can be the calling side and the called side.

The Internet connection device 21 is connected to the computer 22 on the LAN 22. LA
When the computer 20 on the N22 communicates with the other party outside the LAN 22 by inputting the other party's telephone number,
The Internet connector 21a on 22 can make a call to the telephone line and communicate directly with the other party's Internet connector 21b. Also, the Internet connection device 21 has subscribed to the provider 3 and can use the Internet 4 by dial-up connection.

Next, the configuration of the Internet connection device 21 will be described.

[0107] The Internet connection device 21 is used for direct communication with a communication partner via a telephone line and for communication with the Internet 4.
And at least two communication lines can be connected at the same time so that communication with the communication line can be simultaneously performed for a predetermined period. A plurality of line connection forms for realizing this can be considered as described later.
As shown in FIG. 0, an ISDN capable of simultaneously using two lines (B channels) is used as the above-mentioned telephone line,
An example in which the Internet connection device 21 is connected to the SU 2 will be described.

[0108] The above-described Internet connection device 21 is configured as shown in FIG.
As shown in FIG. 4, the transmission / reception unit 15, the amplifier 16, and the A / D converter of the Internet telephone 1 according to the first embodiment.
The difference is that a LAN interface (I / F) 23 is provided instead of the D / A converter 17 (see FIG. 3).
The other basic hardware configuration is the same as that of the Internet telephone 1. However, Internet connection device 21
It goes without saying that the CPU 12 has various functions that the Internet telephone 1 does not have, such as a routing function. The Internet connection device 21 also includes a rewritable nonvolatile memory for storing various setting values such as the telephone number of the access point of the provider 3.

Next, the schematic operation of the communication system using the above-described Internet connection device 21 will be described with reference to FIG. 13, FIG. 15 and FIG.

In the following description, the calling side LAN
The IP address of the Internet connector 21a on the LAN 22 is "a0.a1.a2.a3", and the IP address of the computer 20 on the LAN 22 is "a0.a1.a2.a4". These IP addresses are not official IP addresses acquired from public organizations, but are local informal IP addresses valid only on the calling LAN 22.

The IP address of the Internet connector 21b on the called LAN 22 is set to "b0.b1.b2.b3",
The IP address of the computer 20 on the LAN 22 is “b0.b1.b2.b4”. These IP addresses also
Local informal I valid only on the called LAN 22
P address.

First, as shown in FIG. 15, the calling side LA
The computer 20 of IP: a0.a1.a2.a4 on N22 is
IP on the called side LAN 22 at a remote location: b0.b1.b2.b
4 sends a frame requesting communication with the computer 20 to the LAN 22 on the calling side, the calling Internet connection 21a calls the called Internet connection 21b by a normal dial, and the telephone line (here). Then ISD
1 through a direct connection through one of the N B channels (FIG. 1).
In “1. data"). Thereby, IP: a0.a1.a
Data communication by direct connection is possible between the computer 20 of 2.a4 and the computer 20 of IP: b0.b1.b2.b4.

When the direct communication time reaches a preset time, during the direct communication, the calling Internet connection 21a is switched from the calling Internet connection 21a to the called Internet connection 21a.
b, a dial-up start request signal is transmitted. In response, the called-side Internet connection device 21b returns a dial-up start OK signal to the calling-side Internet connection device 21a ("2. Dial-up request, response" in FIG. 13).

Next, as shown in FIG. 16, while continuing the above-mentioned direct connection, both the calling side and called side Internet connectors 21a and 21b connect to a free line (here, the other side of the ISDN). A dial-up connection is made to each provider 3 using the “B channel” (“3. Dial-up” in FIG. 13). As a result, both the calling side and called side Internet connectors 21a and 21b
An IP address is obtained from each provider 3 (“4. IP address” in FIG. 13).

While continuing the direct connection, the calling side and the called side respectively obtain the IP addresses (here, the calling side IP: c0.c1.c2.c3, the calling side IP: d0.d1.d2). .d3
) To the other party. If encrypted communication is necessary for subsequent communication via the Internet 4,
The encryption key is also communicated to the other party together with the IP address obtained from the provider 3 ("5. IP address, encryption key" in FIG. 13). With this operation, both the calling side and called side Internet connectors 21a and 21b are connected to the Internet 4 and recognize the official IP address of the other party, so that communication via the Internet 4 (Internet VPN) ) Is possible.

Therefore, as shown in FIG. 17, both the calling side and called side Internet connectors 21a and 21b
During the above direct connection, the state is automatically switched to the Internet VPN state, and the direct connection is disconnected. Then, the communication via the Internet 4 is continued (“6. Data” in FIG. 13). In this case, encrypted communication on the Internet can be performed using an encryption key or the like notified at the time of direct connection.

When performing communication via the above-mentioned Internet 4, the calling side and called side Internet connection devices 21a
21b is the data received from the computer 20 (IP
When transmitting the packet to the Internet 4 and when receiving data from the Internet 4, the source (source) address and the destination (destination) address included in the header of the IP packet are converted as follows. Here, for example, the source address is IP: a0.a1.a
2.a4, an IP packet whose destination address is IP: b0.b1.b2.b4 is expressed as [IP: a0.a1.a2.a4 → IP: b0.b1.b2.b4].

That is, at the time of sending data to the Internet 4, the calling-side Internet connector 21a sets [IP:
The IP packet of a0.a1.a2.a4 → IP: b0.b1.b2.b4] is converted to [IP: c0.c1.c2.c3 → IP: d0.d1.d2.d3] and converted to the Internet 4 Send to On the other hand, the called-side Internet connection device 21b sets [IP: b0.b1.b2.b4 → I
P: a0.a1.a2.a4] with the IP packet [IP: d0.d1.
d2.d3 → IP: c0.c1.c2.c3] and sends it to the Internet 4.

When data is received from the Internet 4, the calling-side Internet connector 21a sets [IP: d
The IP packet of 0.d1.d2.d3 → IP: c0.c1.c2.c3] is converted to [IP: b0.b1.b2.b4 → IP: a0.a1.a2.a4], and is converted on the LAN 22. Send to

On the other hand, the called side Internet connection device 21b
Is the I of [IP: c0.c1.c2.c3 → IP: d0.d1.d2.d3]
The P packet is written as [IP: a0.a1.a2.a4 → IP: b0.b1.b
2.b4] and sends it out to the LAN 22.

Even if the connection is switched from the direct connection to the Internet VPN by the IP address conversion of the Internet connection device 21, the communication can be continued as it is.

As described above, the Internet connection device 21
In a communication system using the Internet connection, the computer 20 connected to the Internet connection device 21 only specifies the other party's telephone number and performs direct communication, and automatically switches to a connection via the Internet 4 where long-distance call charges are low. ,
The operation associated with the connection via the Internet 4 and the waiting time required for the connection are unnecessary.

If the call time is short, the communication fee may be higher via the Internet 4 (because the other party also needs a local communication fee).
In the Internet connection device 21, switching to the connection via the Internet 4 occurs only when the direct connection is continued for a preset time, and the set time is appropriately set according to the billing system. Accordingly, if the communication time is relatively short, the switching to the Internet 4 does not occur, and as a result, the communication method with the lower communication fee is automatically selected according to the communication time. In other words, the user communicates in a communication method in which the communication fee is reduced as a result of only making a direct connection with the other party without any awareness of the connection to the Internet 4.

A more detailed operation of the communication system using the above-described Internet connection device 21 will be described with reference to FIGS.
Is shown in the flowchart of FIG. In the processing performed by the calling-side Internet connector 21a, a is added to the end as in S21a, and in the processing performed by the called-side Internet connector 21b, b is added to the end as in S21b. The two operations are distinguished.

As in the case of the Internet telephone 1, the telephone number of the access point of the provider 3, an account and password for collation with the provider 3, and the area code of the area where the Internet connection device 21 is used, before starting communication. It is necessary to set in the Internet connection device 21 the (own area code) and the time until switching from the direct connection to the Internet 4 (LAN)
Except for the setting on the 22 side). This set value is stored in the non-volatile memory of the Internet connection device 21, and is referred to during the communication operation. It is to be noted that, once the above-mentioned set values are set, it is not necessary to set the set values every time communication is performed, unless otherwise changed, as in the above case.

Processing S21a to S21a of the calling-side Internet connector 21a shown in the flowcharts of FIGS.
36a and the processes S21b to 31b of the called-side Internet connector 21b are basically performed by the processes S1a to S16a on the calling side of the Internet telephone 1 and the process S1b on the called side shown in the flowcharts of FIGS. 11b, and a detailed description thereof will be omitted. The main difference between the two is that the Internet connection device 21 uses a local (unofficial) IP address at the time of direct connection, and performs IP address conversion when switching to communication via the Internet 4 (S33a and S29b). ) That is.
In the Internet telephone 1, a dial-up start request signal or an IP address is added to a voice signal during a direct call.
The transmission is carried on the voice of the call, but the Internet connector 21 does not sneak into the communication data between the calling and called computers 20 during direct communication, but uses IP: a0.a1.a2. A dial-up start request signal and IP between the calling side Internet connection device 21a of IP address .a3 and the called side Internet connection device 21b of IP: b0.b1.b2.b3
Sending and receiving addresses.

[0127] The internet connection device 21 can measure the amount of data flowing through the communication line.
Instead of the process in S23a of FIG. 8 (that is, the measurement of the communication time), the communication data amount may be measured (generally, the communication duration and the communication data amount are in a proportional relationship,
The same result as the measurement of communication time can be expected). In this case, if the amount of communication data after the start of the direct connection with the communication partner reaches the set amount (user can set), the process proceeds to S24a. This data amount monitoring function (data amount monitoring means)
Suffices if at least one of the calling side Internet connection device 21a and the called side Internet connection device 21b is provided.

By the way, like the Internet telephone, after switching to the communication via the Internet 4, it is desirable to encrypt the information using an encryption key in order to prevent eavesdropping. As described above, the encryption key used for encryption is transmitted to the other party during the direct communication where confidentiality of the call can be expected, so that the encryption key can be notified relatively safely.

Here, the encryption method used may be either a method in which a public key and a secret key such as RSA are separated, or a method using a common secret key (common key) for both. Also, in the above description, both the calling side and the called side notify the other party of the encryption key, but especially when both use a common secret key, only one of the two uses the encryption key. May be notified to the other. Of course, if the call does not require confidentiality, encryption is not necessary, and the processing can be expected to be faster, and communication of the encryption key is unnecessary.

In the above description, the IP addresses are exchanged on both the calling side and the called side. However, a call on the Internet 4 can be made even if one of the two parties simply informs the other about the IP address. Is as described above.
In addition, a method of acquiring the IP address of the other party can be used by an IP address inquiry system using an IP address management server installed on the Internet 4.

In the above description, the Internet 4
When a connection is established, a communication test (S30a, S31 in FIG. 19) is performed.
a and S27b) are executed, but this is not essential and can be omitted.

In the above description, as shown in FIG. 20, the embodiment of the router type connected to the ISDN has been described.
Can be considered.

First, the embodiment shown in FIG. 21 is a router type, but the line used is a hybrid molding of a CATV line and a telephone line (analog or digital line).
A cable modem 16 is used for connection to the V line, and a modem (or DSU) 17 is used for connection to the telephone line.

The embodiment shown in FIG. 22 is an execution type in a single computer 20 not connected to the LAN.
A computer 20, such as a personal computer, is connected to the ISDN DUS 14 via a terminal adapter (TA) 13. In this case, the above-described communication control such as switching between the direct connection and the connection via the Internet 4 is performed by using software stored in the memory of the computer 20.
0 is executed.

The embodiment shown in FIG. 23 is also an execution type using a single computer 20. In this embodiment, two analog telephone lines are connected to the computer 20 via two modems 15. I have.

The embodiment shown in FIG. 24 is also an execution type in the computer 20, but the line used is a hybrid molding of a CATV line and a telephone line (analog or digital line). A cable modem 16 is used for connection to a CATV line, and a modem (or DSU) 17 is used for connection to a telephone line.

As a matter of course, a CATV line can be used as a line for direct connection and a line via the Internet.

Although not shown, a portable computer (such as a notebook personal computer) having a plurality of wireless communication units may be provided with the same function as the above-described Internet connection device 21. Further, a form in which a portable computer is connected to an ISDN port of an ISDN public telephone is also conceivable.

The dial-up connection timing and I
As a method of notifying the P address to the other party, other than transmitting and receiving the IP address and the like between the calling side and the called side using the directly connected line during the direct connection as described above. , The method described in the first embodiment,
When ISDN is used, a method of notifying information using D-channel packet communication, a method of using a three-party call service, and a method of using e-mail (only e-mail cannot be used for notification of dial-up connection timing) There is.

Although the above description has been made on the case where both the calling side and the called side make a dial-up connection, even in the connection mode where the Internet connection device 21 is connected to the Internet 4 by a dedicated line, the above description is applicable. The automatic switching operation from the direct connection to the Internet 4 is effective. In the case of the dedicated line connection, it goes without saying that the step of dial-up connection to the provider 3 becomes unnecessary.

That is, in any of the four modes (1) to (4) shown in the first embodiment, the automatic switching method to the Internet 4 of the present embodiment can be applied. Also, in particular, in the modes (1) and (2) in which the called party has a dial-up Internet connection, the method of the present embodiment is also very effective. This is because if the called party is a dial-up Internet connection, the IP address of the called party cannot be known by the calling party before the communication starts, and even in such a state, if the method of the present embodiment is applied. As described above, simply dialing the other party normally does not require any operation associated with the connection via the Internet 4 or the waiting time, resulting in lower telephone charges. Also, in the embodiments (3) and (4) in which the called side is a dedicated line Internet connection, the method of the present embodiment is effective only by making a normal dialing to the other party to establish a connection via the Internet 4. Switch,
This is because effects similar to those of the embodiments (1) and (2) can be obtained. Further, even if the user on the calling side does not know the IP address of the called side, the connection is switched to the connection via the Internet 4 by simply dialing the other party, and the same as in the forms (1) and (2). The effect is obtained.

In the case where a fixed IP address has been obtained in advance from a public organization, the step of obtaining an IP address from the provider 3 can be omitted. Also, IP
It is also possible to specify by "domain name" instead of the address.

Also, the system of the present embodiment can be applied not only to the Internet 4 but also to a computer telephone service through personal computer communication, similarly to the Internet telephone 1 of the first embodiment.

For the communication system of the present embodiment, various application software such as a network conference, data search, data update, and file transfer can be used. For example, in the case of a network conference, after switching to the Internet VPN communication for the first time, another party is called one after another over an available communication channel (the line that has been used for direct connection), and the user is allowed to participate in Internet VPN communication. According to the method, many-to-many communication can be easily realized.

As described above, the communication apparatus of the network communication system according to the first and second embodiments provides a direct connection means for making a call to a communication terminal via a public line and directly connecting to a communication partner. And connection time monitoring means for monitoring a direct connection time with the other party, and when the direct connection time exceeds a preset time, communication is continued while maintaining a direct connection with the other party via a public line. A communication network connecting means for communicatively connecting to a partner via a communication network such as the Internet 4 or a personal computer communication network, and disconnecting the connection via a public line after successful connection via the communication network; Means for switching to via communication.
This allows the user to automatically connect to the other party via a low-cost communication network simply by making a direct connection with the other party, and does not require any operation or waiting time for connection via the communication network. It is.

Further, the communication method according to the first and second embodiments includes a step of connecting a calling communication device directly to a called communication device via a public line so as to communicate with the called communication device. When the direct connection time via the line exceeds a preset time, the direct connection is maintained via the communication network while the communication between the calling side and the called side is continued. Communicatively connecting the calling side and the called side; and disconnecting the direct connection via the public line to switch to communication via the communication network after the connection via the communication network is successful. And the same effects as above can be obtained.

[0147]

As described above, the network communication system according to the first aspect of the present invention establishes a direct connection with a communication partner via a public telephone line network and a connection with a communication partner via a communication network which is the Internet. A calling side and a called side communication device provided so as to be connectable to at least two lines so that they can be performed simultaneously, and at least one of the calling side and called side communication devices is a communication partner. And a connection time monitoring means for detecting that the direct connection time has reached a set time, wherein the calling side and called side communication devices use one line. When a direct connection is established between the two and the connection time monitoring means detects that the direct connection time exceeds the set time, the current direct connection is maintained and the communication between the two is continued. Ma Communication network connection means for connecting to a communication partner via the communication network using the other line, and switching to communication via the communication network after successful connection via the communication network to use for direct connection. And a switching unit for disconnecting the line in use.

Thus, by simply performing a simple operation for the direct connection, the communication is automatically switched to the communication via the communication network, which is cheaper than the direct connection, and the complicated operation and waiting associated with the communication via the communication network. No time is required. In addition, by appropriately setting the time until communication switching occurs according to the charging system of the line in use, the user can perform a direct connection operation (such as a dial operation) without being aware of the communication network. In addition, there is an effect that it is possible to use a communication method that reduces the communication fee.

As described above, in the network communication system according to the second aspect of the present invention, in the configuration of the first aspect, the communication devices on the calling side and the called side are telephone devices having a call function. The one line is used for a direct call, and the other line is used for a call via a communication network.

Thus, only by dialing a telephone number, a call can be made via a communication network such as an Internet telephone as if a normal telephone call was made.
The same effect as the first aspect of the invention is obtained.

[0151]

[0152]

As described above, the network communication system according to the third aspect of the present invention provides a communication system using a public telephone network.
Direct connection with hands and communication network
Connection with the communication partner via the network
So that it can be connected to at least two lines
It was includes communication apparatus of the calling side and the called side, at least one of the calling and the called communication device, to monitor the communication data amount of the direct connection after the start of the communication partner, the data A data amount monitoring means for detecting that the amount has reached a set amount, wherein the calling and called communication devices are connected to one line
If a direct connection is established between the two using
Monitoring the data amount that the data amount has reached the set amount
When means detect, maintain the current direct connection between the two
Communication is continued using the other line.
A communication network that connects to a communication partner via a network
Network connection means and a connection via a communication network.
After successful, switch to communication via communication network
Switching means for disconnecting the line used for direct connection
It is a Eteiru configuration.

[0154] If such communication device is a network connection device, since it is possible to monitor the communication data, the line to monitor the communication data amount in place of the monitoring of the direct connection time Ukoto
Therefore, a direct connection via the public telephone network can be performed first.
If the called party responds to it, communication starts immediately.
Communication network that is cheaper than long-distance calls
Automatically switches to communication via
No complicated operations or waiting time associated with communication via the work
It is important.

As described above, in the network communication system according to the fourth aspect of the present invention, in the configuration of the first, second or third aspect , at least one of the communication devices on the calling side and the called side includes: The communication device includes a notification unit that notifies the communication partner of the identification information added to the communication data via the communication network during the direct connection with the communication partner.

Thus, in addition to the effects of the first, second, or third aspect of the present invention, there is an effect that a connection via a communication network becomes possible even if the identification information of the other party is not known at the start of communication (call). Play.

As described above, in the network communication system according to the fifth aspect of the present invention, in the configuration of the fourth aspect , the communication apparatus on the called side establishes a dial-up connection with the Internet, which is a communication network. By doing so, the address is acquired as identification information each time.

[0158] While the conventional could not communication via the communication network other than to relay server provided on the Internet as a communication network, the billing
According to the configuration of the fifth aspect of the present invention, this can be performed without relaying the server, and in addition to the effect of the fourth aspect of the invention, the cost required for communication can be reduced and communication can be reliably performed regardless of server congestion. It also has an effect.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 illustrates one embodiment of the present invention, and is a block diagram illustrating a main configuration of an entire communication system.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing one embodiment of an Internet telephone device of the communication system.

FIG. 3 is a schematic block diagram showing an internal configuration of the Internet telephone device of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating an initial operation of the communication system.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram for explaining the subsequent operation of the communication system (after the operation in FIG. 4).

FIG. 6 is a block diagram for explaining the subsequent operation of the communication system (after the operation in FIG. 5).

FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing a part of the operation of the communication system.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing a part of the operation of the communication system.

FIG. 9 is a block diagram showing another embodiment of the Internet telephone device in the communication system.

FIG. 10 is a block diagram showing still another embodiment of the Internet telephone device in the communication system.

FIG. 11 is a block diagram showing still another embodiment of the Internet telephone device in the communication system.

FIG. 12 is a block diagram showing still another embodiment of the Internet telephone device in the communication system.

FIG. 13 shows another embodiment of the present invention, and is a block diagram illustrating a main configuration of an entire communication system.

FIG. 14 is a schematic block diagram showing an internal configuration of an Internet connection device of the communication system.

FIG. 15 is a block diagram for explaining an initial operation of the communication system.

FIG. 16 is a block diagram for explaining the subsequent operation of the communication system (after the operation in FIG. 15).

FIG. 17 is a block diagram for explaining the subsequent operation of the communication system (after the operation in FIG. 16).

FIG. 18 is a flowchart showing a part of the operation of the communication system.

FIG. 19 is a flowchart showing a part of the operation of the communication system.

FIG. 20 is a block diagram illustrating an example of an Internet connection device in the communication system.

FIG. 21 is a block diagram showing another embodiment of the Internet connection device in the communication system.

FIG. 22 is a block diagram showing still another embodiment of the Internet connection device in the communication system.

FIG. 23 is a block diagram showing still another embodiment of the Internet connection device in the communication system.

FIG. 24 is a block diagram showing still another embodiment of the Internet connection device in the communication system.

[Explanation of symbols]

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Internet telephone (communication device, telephone) 3 Provider 4 Internet (communication network) 12 CPU (connection time monitoring means, communication network connection means, switching means, notification means) 20 Computer 21 Internet connection device (communication device, network connection device) 22 LAN

──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on the front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁷ Identification code FI H04M 3/00

Claims (5)

(57) [Claims] An apparatus is provided so as to be connectable to at least two lines so that a direct connection with a communication partner via a public telephone line network and a connection with a communication partner via a communication network such as the Internet can be simultaneously performed. The communication device of the calling side and the called side, at least one of the communication device of the calling side and the called side,
A connection time monitoring means for monitoring a direct connection time with a communication partner and detecting that the direct connection time has reached a set time, wherein the communication apparatuses on the calling side and the called side use one line. When the connection time monitoring means detects that the direct connection time has exceeded the set time, the current direct connection is maintained and the communication between the two is performed. Communication network connection means for connecting to the communication partner via the communication network using the other line while continuing, and switching to communication via the communication network after successful connection via the communication network, for direct connection Switching means for disconnecting a line used in the communication system. 2. The communication device according to claim 1, wherein said calling side and called side communication devices are telephone devices having a telephone call function, wherein said one line is used for direct telephone calls and said other line is used for telephone calls via a communication network. 2. The network communication system according to claim 1, wherein: 3. A direct connection with a communication partner through a public telephone line network.
Via a communication network that is the Internet
Communication with the other party at the same time
, A call provided to be connectable to at least two lines
Side and a called side communication device, at least one of the calling side and called side communication device,
Monitors the amount of communication data after starting direct connection with the communication partner,
Data amount to detect that the data amount has reached the set amount
A monitoring unit, the communication apparatus of the calling side and the called side, use one line
If the direct connection is established between the two,
The data amount monitoring means reports that the amount has reached the set amount.
When detected, maintain the current direct connection and communicate between the two
Communication network using the other line.
A communication network that connects to a communication partner via a network
Connection means and the connection via the communication network were successful.
Later, switch to communication via the communication network and connect directly.
Switching means for disconnecting the line used for connection.
A network communication system, comprising: 4. The method according to claim 1, wherein the number of communication devices on the calling side and the called side is reduced.
On the other hand, communication data transmitted via a communication network
During the direct connection with the communication partner, the added self identification information
In particular, it is noted that the communication
4. The network communication system according to claim 1, 2 or 3, wherein
Stem. 5. The communication device on the called side, comprising: a communication network;
Dial-up connection to the Internet
By doing so, each time the address is used as identification information
5. The method according to claim 4, wherein
Network communication system.