JP3337617B2 - Voicemail storage method - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

The present invention relates to a LAN (Local Are)
a) During real-time data communication within a network, voice data such as messages
Those related to the voice mail storage how to accumulate in the apparatus in the N.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art With the recent development of computer and communication technologies, LANs for performing data communication between computers have become widespread. In addition, the Internet, which is a global network connecting LANs, has become widespread. In computer communication such as the Internet and a LAN, data is divided into small units called packets and transmitted, and after reception, they are combined to restore the original data. For this reason, it has been considered unsuitable for communication of audio data that is real-time data. However, recently, an application of the type called an Internet telephone for exchanging voice data packets in real time in the Internet or a LAN has begun to appear.

[0003] Internet telephone is a network interface.
It can be used by connecting a microphone, a speaker, and a sound source board to a general-purpose personal computer with the Internet and installing Internet phone software. However, in order to talk with the other party using the Internet phone software, the same Internet phone software must normally be running on the other party's PC. If the other party's Internet phone software is not running, or if the other party's PC If the power is not turned on, there is a problem that a call cannot be made.

[0004] As a method of enabling communication when the other party is absent, a general analog telephone is equipped with a recording device and a recording medium (such as an analog tape recorder and an analog tape) on the telephone body, and the user can use the telephone. There is a method of automatically receiving a call received when the user is absent and recording the message as a message by setting the recording mode to the recording mode. By applying the above method, the Internet telephone terminal also has an answering machine function, and if the other person is absent, it is possible to leave the message as data on the personal computer, but even in this case, After all, the PC and Internet phone software must be running on the other party, and if the Internet phone software is not running on the other party or the PC of the other party is not turned on, the message data is left There was a problem that it was not possible.

In order to solve this problem, it is basically necessary to always turn on the power of the personal computer and start up the Internet telephone software. It is common to turn the power off when you have finished using it, and it is not practical to drive your PC 24 hours a day to receive Internet calls. Therefore, this problem must be solved by another means.

[0006]

FIG. 1 shows a telephone / FA.
1 shows a terminal connection device having a function of connecting a terminal for an analog telephone network such as X and transmitting / receiving a signal of the analog terminal to / from the network. A case in which the terminal connection device is used will be described with reference to FIG.

In FIG. 1, 1 is a LAN / Internet, 2 is a terminal connection device, 3 is an analog telephone, 4 is an analog fax, and 5 is a general-purpose personal computer having Internet telephone software.

In the case of the terminal connection device 2, since it is a dedicated terminal device, it is considered that it is possible to use the terminal connection device 2 by always turning on the power. However, even in this case, it is impossible to talk with the other party when the other party is absent, so a method of leaving a message is considered necessary. In the case of the terminal connection device 2,
Since the power can be always turned on, it is effective to have a recording device for leaving message data in the device 2. However, when this means is used, there is a problem that the device 2 itself is large and expensive.

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the present invention realizes a function of storing voice data as voice mail data without having a voice recording device in the client terminal itself. The purpose is to enable voice communication even when the connection is disconnected. Another object of the present invention is to simplify the configuration of the client terminal and to reduce the size and cost of the client terminal device by not providing the client terminal with a voice recording device and method.

[0010]

According to the present invention, there is provided a data communication terminal capable of converting an analog voice signal into a packet signal for data communication with respect to voice mail storage.
A terminal connection device (TA) having a function of converting an analog terminal signal into a packet signal for data communication and transmitting it to a network, and converting a received packet signal for data communication into a signal for an analog terminal; A gateway (GW) for converting an analog telephone network signal into a data communication packet signal and converting data communication packet data into a general analog telephone network signal is provided, and the data communication terminal and the terminal connection device (GW) are provided. TA) and / or an address server having a terminal management table for giving a unique terminal identification number to each terminal with the gateway (GW) and managing the correspondence between the terminal identification number and the terminal identifier inherent in the network of the terminal Executed in an Internet telephone system provided with: Responding to the address inquiry of the destination terminal by the unique terminal identification number from the terminal, and responding to the network original terminal identifier of the corresponding destination terminal, and receiving a voice mail mode setting request from the terminal. Setting in the terminal management table that the state of the terminal is the voice mail mode, and, if the state of the terminal in the terminal management table is the voice mail mode, as a response to the address inquiry, Notifying that the terminal is in the voice mail mode instead of the terminal identifier inherent in the network of the destination terminal, and recording voice mail data transmitted from the inquiry source terminal when the state of the terminal is the voice mail mode Process
When receiving a voice mail mode setting release request from the terminal, a process of setting the status of the terminal on the terminal management table to the normal mode and a process of receiving a voice mail playback request from the terminal are recorded. Performing a step of reading and transmitting voice mail data, wherein the terminal transmits a message requesting that the state of the terminal be set to a voice mail mode to the address server; Inquiring the address of the destination terminal based on the terminal identification number of the terminal, receiving a reply of the network-specific terminal identifier of the destination terminal from the address server, creating voice mail data, If the response from the server indicates that the other terminal is in voice mail mode, the address server Transmitting a voice mail mode setting request to the address server, transmitting a voice mail reproduction request to the address server, and transmitting the voice mail reproduction request to the address server. The voice mail data is received and reproduced.

[0011]

In order to specify a communication partner on an Internet telephone, the communication destination is usually specified using a terminal identifier called an IP address. When the IP address is represented by a decimal number, 3 separated by “.” Such as “xxx.xxx.xxx.xxx”
It is represented by four digits (“xxx” is 0 to 255). In addition, when the head of the three-digit number “xxx” is “0”, the “0” may be omitted.

FIG. 2 shows an example in which an IP address is given. I
The P address is a professional number and is not familiar to ordinary users. The IP address is a number that is important in the system, and is a number that should be hidden from general users as much as possible. Therefore, the Internet telephone terminal has a unique terminal identification number (terminal management number) such as a telephone number for designation of a destination, records correspondence information between the terminal management number and the IP address in a server, and stores the information at the time of calling. It is effective to input a terminal management number, query the address server for the IP address of the partner terminal, and make a call to the obtained IP address.

FIG. 3 shows a configuration example in which an address server having a terminal management table exists. In the figure, reference numeral 5 denotes a client terminal, 6 denotes an address server, and 7 denotes a terminal management table.

FIG. 4 shows an example of correspondence information (terminal management table) between the terminal management number and the IP address which the address server has. FIG. 5 shows a calling sequence when the terminal management number and the address server are used.

The calling client 5-i inputs a terminal management number to designate a communication partner. The input terminal management number is sent to the address server 6. The address server 6 searches the terminal management table 7 in its own device, finds out the IP address value of the destination client 5-j, and returns the IP address to the calling client 5-i. The calling client 5-i uses the received IP address of the destination client terminal 5-j to make a new call and, after connection, performs voice communication. This type of server is used by an unspecified number of users. In order to access irregularly, it is often turned on overnight and operated 24 hours a day.

Accordingly, the present invention provides a correspondence table (terminal management table) between a terminal management number of a client terminal in a LAN and an IP address, which the address server has, to determine whether the client terminal is currently in the voice mail mode. It shall have a means for recording whether or not.

FIG. 6 shows an example of a terminal management table to which a field for the voice mail mode is added. When the user turns off the client terminal that he or she is using, quits the Internet phone software on the client terminal, or when the terminal (and software) is running but does not want to answer the phone, Register voicemail mode.

FIG. 7 shows a registration sequence of the voice mail mode. The client terminal 5-j sends a registration request command for the voice mail mode to the address server 6. The address server 6 is connected to the client terminal 5
-J receives a voice mail mode registration request from
The client terminal 5- in the terminal management table in the terminal itself.
The voice mail mode field of j is changed to voice mail mode ON.

FIG. 8 shows a sequence when the voice mail mode is registered. Another client terminal 5
When a call is made from -i to the destination client terminal 5-j set to the voice mail mode, the calling user inputs the telephone number in the LAN of the destination client terminal 5-j. The calling client terminal 5-i first inquires the address server 6 of the IP address of the destination client terminal 5-j using the telephone number in the LAN. The address server 6 searches the correspondence table in its own terminal, and checks the current voice mail mode of the destination client terminal 5-j.

When the voice mail mode is ON, the client terminal 5-i of the inquiry source is notified of the voice mail mode instead of the IP address.
The client terminal 5-i of the inquiry source that has received the notification,
The user is notified by voice or text message that the other party is in the voice mail mode. When the user records a voice mail, the client terminal 5-i of the caller performs the same communication start processing as that of the normal communication with the address server 6 instead of the destination client terminal 5-j. After the connection, the audio data is transmitted. The address server 6 receives the voice data sent from the calling client terminal 5-i and stores it in a storage device such as a hard disk. At this time, if the audio data has been compressed, the server does not decompress the compressed data,
Record as compressed.

When the user requests the address server to release the voice mail mode from his client terminal, the address server 6 searches for voice mail data addressed to the client terminal 5-j. If there is, the voice mail data is read out and transmitted to the client terminal 5-j. The client terminal 5-j receives the sent voice mail data, converts it into analog data, and allows the user to hear it as voice. If the voice mail data is compressed, it is expanded at the client terminal, converted to analog data, and made available to the user.

Then, the address server 6 turns off the field of the voice mail mode of the client terminal 5-j in the terminal management table in the terminal itself. By performing such processing, the power of the client terminal 5-j of the partner is turned off, or the client terminal 5-j of the partner is removed.
Even if the Internet telephone software has not been activated, it is possible to record voice data addressed to the client terminal 5-j via the server 6 and communicate with each other.

Further, by providing the voice mail data recording function in the server instead of the client terminal, the configuration of the client terminal can be simplified, the price of the client terminal can be reduced, and the apparatus can be downsized. It becomes possible.

Also, by providing the voice mail function record in the address server that notifies the IP address, a normal IP address inquiry sequence can be used as a voice mail mode notification method. The response at the time of voice mail recording can be made faster than when a server is provided.

Further, by recording the voice mail data to be recorded on the server in a compressed state, the processing of the server can be made lighter than when the server is provided with a compressed data decompression function. Further, the data amount of the voice mail data that can be recorded on the server can be increased accordingly.

[0027]

FIG. 9 shows a first embodiment of the present invention. Terminal connection device 901, PC 90 in network
2. There is an address server 903, a telephone 904 is connected to the terminal connection device 901, an Internet telephone software is installed in the personal computer 902, a microphone 905 and a speaker 906 are connected, and a terminal management device is connected to the address server 903. There is a table 907. FIG. 10 shows an example of the terminal management table 907. Also, the IP address of the terminal connection device 901 is “129.60.10.11”, the terminal management number is “2001”,
It is assumed that the IP address of the personal computer 902 is "129.60.10.12", the terminal management number is "2002", and the IP address of the address server 903 is "129.60.10.1".

At this time, it is assumed that the personal computer 902 having the terminal management number "2002" is set to the voice mail mode. For the setting, a voice mail mode setting request command is transmitted from the personal computer 902 to the address server 903 by the mode setting communication software. The address server
After receiving this, the 903 changes the voice mail field of the terminal management number "2002" of the terminal management table 907 in the own device to ON as shown in FIG.

In this state, an Internet telephone call is made from the telephone set 904 connected to the terminal connection device 901 to the personal computer 902. First, the receiver is picked up by the telephone 904, and the terminal management number "2002" of the destination is dialed. The terminal connection device 901 sends the terminal management number “200” to the address server 903.
Inquire about the IP address of the client terminal of "2". Upon receiving this inquiry, the address server 903 receives
In the terminal management table 907 in the server, the terminal management number “20
02 ”. At this time, the server first checks whether the voice mail field is ON or OFF.

Since the voice mail mode is ON for the terminal management number "2002", the address server 903 sends the terminal connection device 901 of the inquiry source the IP address "129.60.10.12" of the terminal having the terminal management number "2002". And that the terminal with the terminal management number "2002" is currently set to the voice mail mode. The terminal connection device 90 of the calling source
1 receives the notification from the server and receives the terminal management number "2002"
The terminal transmits a voice mail registration request command to the address server 903 instead of the terminal.

The address server 903 returns to the voice mail registration request command and then enters a voice mail data reception mode. Upon receiving a command from the server, the terminal connection device 901 of the calling source transmits voice mail data to the address server 903. The address server 903 receives the voice mail data sent from the caller and records it on a recording device (such as a hard disk) in the device. At this time, if the voice mail data from the calling side is compressed, the address server 903 records the data in a compressed state. The voice mail registration command contains the terminal management number, IP address, and the like of the terminal 902 of the terminal management number “2002” to which the voice mail is registered. The address server 903 manages to whom the sent voice mail data is addressed, based on the information of the voice mail registration request command. Thus, the terminal having the terminal management number "2002"
If voice mail mode is set for 902, the terminal
Since 902 is not directly accessed, the terminal 90
Even if the power of 2 is off, the terminal 90
2 It is possible to record / store voicemail data addressed to.

The terminal 902 of the terminal management number "2002" in which the voice mail mode is registered is sent from the address server 90.
In order to cancel the voicemail mode registration for 3,
Send voice mail mode setting release command. After receiving the address, the address server 903 changes the voice mail field of the terminal management number “2002” of the terminal management table 907 in the server to OFF. Further, at this time, it is checked whether voice mail data addressed to the terminal management number "2002" is recorded. If the voice mail has been recorded, this data is read out, packetized, and transmitted to the terminal 902 of the terminal management number "2002".
The terminal 902 of the terminal management number “2002” receives this, converts it into analog voice, and lets the user hear it. If no voicemail has been recorded, this is notified by voice or signal.

The recorded voice mail data can be deleted by the user sending a delete command from the client terminal or the like. Data that has not been deleted can be reproduced at any time from the client terminal. Also, in order to manage the disk capacity of the server, it also has a function of, for example, forcibly deleting data after a certain period of time.

Further, in the present embodiment, the user registers / cancels the voice mail mode by sending a command from the client terminal. However, when the software is terminated at the client terminal, the voice mail mode is automatically set to the server. It is also possible to register and automatically cancel the voice mail mode when restarting.

Similarly, the power supply OF is connected to the terminal connection device.
It is also possible to automatically register the voice mail mode in the server at the time of the F operation and automatically cancel the voice mail mode at the time of restart.

FIG. 11 shows a second embodiment of the present invention. This embodiment is an example of a case where a server that manages a terminal management number is different for each network. LAN
-1 and LAN-2 are connected by a router 1101. LAN-1
, A terminal connection device (TA) 1103 to which a general analog telephone 1102 is connected, a personal computer 1106 having a microphone 1104 and a speaker 1105, and an address server 1 1107 are connected. The address server 1 1107 has a server management table 1108 and a terminal management table 1109 therein. LAN-2
Is connected to a terminal connection device (TA) 1111 to which a general analog telephone 1110 is connected and an address server 2 1112. The address server 21112 has a server management table 1113 and a terminal management table 1114 therein.

The terminal management number of the client terminal 1 composed of the telephone 1102 and the terminal connection device 1103 is "2001",
The IP address is “129.60.10.11”, the terminal management number of the client terminal 2 of the personal computer 1106 is “2002”, the IP address is “129.60.10.12”, the server management number of the address server 1 1107 is “9100”, and the IP address is “ 129.60.10.1
". The terminal management number of the client terminal 3 including the telephone 1110 and the terminal connection device 1111 is “2001”,
The P address is “129.60.20.11”, address server 2 111
2, the server management number is `` 9200 '' and the IP address is `` 129.
60.20.1 ”.

Here, the terminal management numbers of the client terminal 1 and the client terminal 3 are both "2001", but the client terminal 1 is under the control of the address server 1 1107 and the client terminal 2 is under the control of the address server 2 1112. Therefore, they are clearly distinguished. The server management table 1108 of the address server 1 1107 and the server management table 1113 of the address server 2 1112 are the same. FIG. 12 shows an example of the server management table 1108/1113, and FIG. 13 shows an example of the terminal management table 1114 of the address server 2 1112.

Next, an outline of the operation will be described. First, LAN
-2 client terminal 3 has its own address server 2 111
Set the voice mail mode for 2. LAN
When a call is made from the -1 client terminal 1 to the client terminal 3 , it is assumed that a call is made with "server management number + terminal management number". That is, "92002001"
Dial. At this time, the terminal connection device 1103 of the client terminal 1 first sends an inquiry packet of the IP address of the terminal “92002001” to its own address server 1 1107. Address server 1 1107 which received this
Since the first four digits "9200" are the server management number and not the server management number "9100" of the own server, the server management table in the own server is searched, and the server management number "9200" It knows that the IP address of the address server is "129.60.20.1", and returns this value to the terminal connection device 1103 of the inquiry source.

Since the returned IP address is that of the server, the terminal connection device 1103 sends the IP address of the terminal "92002001" to the server (address server 2) having the IP address "129.60.20.1". Is transmitted. Address server 2 1112 that received this
Since the first four digits "9200" are the server management number and the server management number of the own server "9200", the terminal management table in the own server is searched, and the terminal management number "2001" Search for an item.

At this time, the address server 2 1112 first checks whether the voice mail field is ON or OFF.
Since the terminal management number “2001” has the voice mail mode turned on, the address server 2 1112 sends the inquiring client terminal 11103 the IP address “129.60.” Of the client terminal 3 1111 having the terminal management number “2001”. 20.
11 "and that the client terminal 3 1111 of the terminal management number" 2001 "is currently set to the voice mail mode.

The client terminal 1 1103 of the call source receives the notification from the address server 2 1112 and, instead of the client terminal 3 1111 of the terminal management number “92002001”,
The voice mail registration request command is transmitted to the “own” address server 1 1107.

The address server 1 1107 returns a command acceptance in response to the voice mail registration request command,
Enter the voice mail data reception mode. Upon receiving the command from the address server 1 1107, the client terminal 1 1103 of the calling source receives the command from the address server 1 1107.
Send voice mail data to. The address server 1 1107 receives the voice mail data transmitted from the calling client terminal 1 1103 and records it on a recording device (such as a hard disk) in the device. At this time, if the voice mail data from the calling client terminal 11103 is compressed, the address server 1 1107 records the data in a compressed state.

Also, during the voice mail registration command,
Along with the terminal management number and the IP address of the client terminal 3 1111 of the terminal management number “92002001” to which the voice mail is registered, the server management number “9200” of the address server 2 1112 managing the client terminal 3 1111 and the address server The IP address of 2 1112 is also included.
The address server 1 1107 determines from the information of the voice mail registration request command that the transmitted voice mail data is not addressed to a terminal under its own control and that the voice mail data is addressed to a terminal under which server. Address server 2 1112
To send the received voice mail data.

The address server 2 1112 that has received the voice mail data transmits the voice mail data to the terminal management number “200” under its own control by the server management number “9200”.
The voice mail data is found to be addressed to the terminal of "1", and the voice mail data is recorded on a recording device (such as a hard disk) in the apparatus. As described above, in the address server 2 1112 of the server management number “9200”, if the client terminal 3 1111 of the subordinate terminal management number “2001” is set to the voice mail mode, the client terminal 3 1111 cannot be directly accessed. Therefore, even when the power of the client terminal 31111 is turned off, it is possible to record / store voice mail data addressed to the client terminal 31111 from a terminal having a different address server.

Further, in this embodiment, the client terminal 11103 of the calling source has temporarily recorded the voice mail data in the "own" address server 1 1107. By doing so, it is possible to reduce the risk of voice mail data being lost due to the load situation in the network. However, depending on the setting, the voice mail data is directly sent to the "other party" address server 21112. It is also possible.

FIG. 14 shows a third embodiment of the present invention. This embodiment is an example in which a voice communication gateway (GW) for connecting a general telephone network to a LAN is used. In the network, a terminal connection device 1401, an address server 1402,
There is a gateway (GW) 1403, and the terminal connection device 1401
Is connected to the telephone 1 1404 and the address server 1402
Has a terminal management table 1405. Terminal management table 14
FIG. 15 shows an example of 05. In addition, I of the terminal connection device 1401
The P address is “129.60.10.11” and the terminal management number is “200.
1 '', and the IP address of the address server 1402 is `` 129.60.
10.1 "and the IP address of the gateway 1403 is" 129.6
0.10.2 ", it is assumed that the gateway 1403 is connected to both the LAN and the general analog telephone network.

At this time, it is assumed that the terminal connection device 1401 of the terminal management number "2001" is set to the voice mail mode. In this state, an example is shown in which the telephone terminal 2 1406 connected to the general analog telephone network calls the client terminal with the terminal management number “2001” via the gateway 1403. First, the telephone number of the gateway 1403 is dialed from the telephone set 2 1406 connected to the general analog telephone network, and the gateway 1403 is called. The gateway 14
03 requests the calling party to enter the number of the connection destination when an incoming call is received. The calling user inputs the destination terminal identification number “2001” from the telephone set 2 1406. Upon receiving this, the gateway 1403 sends it to the address server 1402 in the LAN.
Is inquired about the IP address of the terminal having the terminal identification number "2001". It is assumed that the IP address of the address server 1402 to which the gateway 1403 should make an inquiry is set in the gateway 1403 in advance. The address server 1402 that received the inquiry stores a terminal management table in its own device.
Search for 1405. As a result, the terminal having the terminal management number "2001" knows that the terminal is currently set to the voice mail mode, and the terminal having the terminal identification number "2001" is in the voice mail mode with respect to the gate face 1403 of the inquiry source. Notify that.

The gateway 1403 that has received this transmits a voice mail registration request command to the address server 1402. The address server 1402 returns to a command acceptance request for the voice mail registration request command, and then enters a voice mail data reception mode. Upon receiving the command from the server, the gateway 1403 of the caller transmits voice mail data to the address server 1402. The address server 1402 receives the voice mail data sent from the caller and records it on a recording device (such as a hard disk) in the device. At this time,
If the voice mail data from the calling side has been compressed, the address server 1402 records the data in a compressed state.

Also, during the voice mail registration command,
The terminal management number "2001" to which the voice mail is registered, IP
Contains the address etc. The address server 1402 manages to whom the sent voice mail data is based on the information of the voice mail registration request command. Thus, if the terminal connection device 1401 of the terminal management number “2001” is set to the voice mail mode, the terminal connection device 14
01 is not directly accessed, so the terminal connection device
Even when the power supply of the terminal 1401 is turned off, the voice mail data addressed to the terminal connection device 1401 can be recorded / stored. That is, by giving the function of the present invention to the voice communication gateway connecting the general analog telephone network and the LAN as in this embodiment, voice mail data can be transmitted from a telephone of the general analog telephone network to an Internet telephone in the LAN. Can be left.

Although the first to third embodiments describe the case where Ethernet is used, the present invention can be similarly applied to a case where FDDI or ATM is used as a network. .

Further, in this embodiment, the terminal identification number and the server identification number each use a four-digit number, but the number of digits can be changed according to the number of terminals connected to the network.

[0053]

As described above, according to the present invention,
In the Internet telephone, a function of storing voice data as voice mail data without having a voice recording device and method in the client terminal itself is realized,
Even if the power of the client terminal of the other party is turned off, etc., by enabling voice communication, and by not having a voice recording device and method in the client terminal, to simplify the configuration of the client terminal, It is possible to reduce the size and cost of the client terminal device.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 shows an example of a terminal connection device.

FIG. 2 shows an example of an IP address.

FIG. 3 shows a unique terminal identification number and a management server.

FIG. 4 shows an example of a terminal management table.

FIG. 5 shows an example of a calling sequence using a terminal management number.

FIG. 6 shows an example of a terminal management table to which a voice mail mode field has been added.

FIG. 7 shows an example of a voice mail mode registration sequence.

FIG. 8 shows an example of a calling sequence when the voice mail mode is registered.

FIG. 9 shows a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 10 shows an example of a terminal management table 907.

FIG. 11 shows a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 12 shows an example of a server management table 1108/1113.

FIG. 13 is a terminal management table of the address server 2 1112.
An example of 1114 is shown.

FIG. 14 shows a third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 15 shows an example of a terminal management table 1405.

[Explanation of symbols]

 901 Client terminal 1 (terminal connection device) 902 Client terminal 2 (PC) 903 Address server 904 Telephone 905 Microphone 906 Speaker 907 Terminal management table 1101 Router 1102 Telephone 1103 Client terminal 1 (Terminal connection device) 1104 Microphone 1105 Speaker 1106 Client terminal 2 (PC) 1107 Address server 1 1108 Server management table of address server 1 1107 1109 Terminal management table of address server 1 1107 1110 Telephone 1111 Client terminal 3 (terminal connection device) 1112 Address server 2 1113 Server management table of address server 2 1112 1114 Terminal management table 1401 of address server 2 1112 Terminal connection device 1402 Address server 1403 Gateway (GW) 1404 Telephone 1 1405 Terminal management table 1406 Telephone 2

Continuation of the front page (56) References JP-A-7-170288 (JP, A) JP-A-8-111692 (JP, A) JP-A-6-189,000 (JP, A) JP-A-10-290264 (JP) , A) IEICE Technical Report, CQ97-51 1997 IEICE General Conference, A-16-8 (58) Fields surveyed (Int. Cl. ⁷ , DB name) H04L 12/56 H04L 12/66

Claims (2)

(57) [Claims] A data communication terminal capable of converting an analog voice signal into a packet signal for data communication, converting a signal from the analog terminal into a packet signal for data communication, transmitting the packet signal to a network, and receiving the data communication signal. A terminal connection device (TA) having a function of converting an analog packet signal into a signal for an analog terminal and / or converting a signal of a general analog telephone network into a packet signal for data communication and converting packet data for data communication into a general analog signal. A gateway (GW) for converting to a signal for a telephone network is provided, and a unique terminal identification number is given to each terminal of the data communication terminal and the terminal connection device (TA) and / or the gateway (GW). A terminal management table for managing the correspondence between the terminal identification number and the terminal identifier inherent in the network of the terminal. Executed in an Internet telephone system having an address server having the address server, the address server responds to an address inquiry of the destination terminal by the unique terminal identification number from the terminal, and a corresponding network original terminal identifier of the destination terminal corresponding thereto. Replying, receiving a voice mail mode setting request from the terminal, setting the status of the terminal to the voice mail mode in the terminal management table, When the state is the voice mail mode, a step of notifying that the other terminal is in the voice mail mode instead of the terminal identifier inherent in the network of the destination terminal as a response to the address inquiry; and If there is, record the voicemail data sent from the querying terminal. Recording the voicemail mode setting request from the terminal, and setting the terminal status in the terminal management table to the normal mode, and receiving a voicemail playback request from the terminal. Performing a step of reading and transmitting the recorded voice mail data, wherein the terminal transmits a message requesting that the state of the terminal be set to a voice mail mode to the address server; Making a query to the server for the address of the destination terminal using the unique terminal identification number, receiving a reply from the address server of the network terminal identifier of the destination terminal, and creating voice mail data If the reply from the address server describes that the other terminal is in the voice mail mode, Transmitting a voice mail data to the address server, transmitting a voice mail mode setting release request to the address server, transmitting a voice mail reproduction request to the address server, Receiving the voice mail data sent by the user and playing back the voice mail data. 2. The method according to claim 1, wherein said plurality of address servers are provided in an Internet telephone system, and each address server manages each address server. a server identification number, along with being to have a server management table for managing the correspondence between the network origin server identifier of the address server, the address server, the destination terminal to the destination address inquiry from the end edge voicemail de but in the case was a voice mail mode is the destination terminal and a process to respond that it is a voice mail mode, in which the inquiry source terminal has sent
A step of storing a over data, is adapted to perform a process of transferring the stored voice mail data to the address server that manages the destination terminal, the terminal, to the address server partner terminal addresses
Transmitting the address inquiry message, and if the reply message received from the address server indicates the voice mail mode , the voice mail data is transmitted to the address server in which the terminal is registered. Sending a voice mail.