JP3708656B2 - Communications system - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a communication system that performs telephone communication, facsimile transmission, and the like using a computer terminal such as a personal computer.
[0002]
[Prior art]
As is well known, devices such as personal computers of recent times connect a PC card directly to a subscriber line by connecting a fax card, modem card, etc. to this PCMCIA (Personal Computer Memory Card International Association) card slot. There is something to connect. In the case of this apparatus, it is necessary to prepare a card for each function such as facsimile transmission and data communication. When the function is changed, the PCMCIA card must be replaced each time, and it can be said that this is a single function system.
[0003]
In addition, there is a disadvantage that one computer monopolizes the subscriber line. On the other hand, some computers are connected to a local area network (Internet) and connected to a public network (PSTN) via a gateway having a facsimile function or a gateway having a data communication function. Here, since a plurality of terminals are connected to the gateway, they can be transmitted separately from these terminals, and the subscriber line can be apparently shared.
[0004]
However, since a telephone number is not assigned to each computer, communication cannot be performed directly from the public network to each computer, that is, sharing of subscriber lines is not realized. Also, the gateway needs to be prepared for each function in the same manner as the PCMCIA card, that is, this system is also a single function.
[0005]
That is, in the above communication system, in order to use various communication functions possessed by a computer via a subscriber line or an extension, a large and complex facility is required, The communication function is not fully utilized. In addition, there is a private branch exchange system as a system that accommodates a large number of subscriber lines or extensions, and makes effective use of the lines, but the problem is that mutual communication between computer terminals on the computer network and subscriber lines and extension telephones is not possible. Has occurred.
[0006]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
As described above, the conventional communication system has a problem that, when communicating between terminals of different data types, the user needs a troublesome work of replacing the gateway or PCMCIA card for each function on the terminal side. . Furthermore, there is a disadvantage that the terminals cannot communicate with each other using a computer network.
[0007]
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to provide a communication system that does not require manpower and can perform mutual communication between terminals of different data types or the same type of terminals using a computer network.
[0008]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
The communication system according to the present invention accommodates a public network or a dedicated line that accommodates a plurality of terminals, a first communication device that accommodates an extension terminal, and one end connected to the first communication device, A computer network accommodating a plurality of computer terminals, and a second communication device connected to the other end of the computer network and having the same function as the first communication device;
The first and second communication devices accommodate a plurality of communication lines including a communication path highway composed of a plurality of channels to which a public network, a dedicated line and an extension terminal are connected, and an exchange means for connecting each communication line, and a computer Data format conversion that connects the network and the communication path highway, converts the format of the transmission data between the computer network and the communication path highway, and transmits / receives data to / from the other communication device via the computer network And sending and receiving call control information including information on at least a call origination and an incoming call response to the counterpart communication device via the computer network, and according to the data type of the terminal on the call origination side and the terminal on the call destination, Exchange means and data format conversion means for connection using a computer network Comprising an interchangeable control means Gosuru,
When a call is made from a public network or a terminal having a dedicated line or an extension terminal accommodated in the first communication device to a public network or a terminal having a dedicated line or an extension terminal accommodated in the second communication device, the computer network is It is characterized in that the extension terminals are connected via each other.
[0009]
According to this configuration, the connection to the computer network can be automatically realized on the side of the communication device without any manual intervention, and the connection is made by the exchange control means in the known communication device. A device for connection is not required, and the facility is not increased in size. In addition, terminals having different data types can be connected via a computer network to allow mutual communication.
[0010]
A communication system according to the present invention includes a first communication device that accommodates a public network that accommodates a plurality of terminals, an extension terminal, and a computer network that connects at least one computer terminal. The second communication device having the same function as the other communication device and the first communication device are connected to one end side and the second communication device is connected to the other end side to exchange information between them. Interconnected communication lines
The first and second communication devices accommodate a plurality of communication lines including a communication path highway consisting of a plurality of channels connected to at least a public network and an extension terminal, and exchange means for connecting the communication lines, a computer network, A data conversion means for connecting a speech path highway to convert the format of transmission data between the computer network and the speech path highway, and an interconnect communication line interface for connecting the interconnect communication line and the speech path highway The interconnection communication line includes at least one of a digital telephone line and a computer network.
[0011]
According to this configuration, when a call is transmitted from a terminal accommodated in the self-communication device to a terminal accommodated in the counterpart communication device, or when an incoming call is received from the terminal accommodated in the counterpart communication device, the exchange control means is connected to the counterpart communication device. Alternatively, by specifying the IP address of the self-communication device, it is possible to connect the terminal accommodated in the self-communication device and the terminal accommodated in the counterpart communication device using an interconnection communication line without human intervention. it can. Furthermore, it is possible to promptly send data to the partner terminal and to quickly handle connection processing with the partner terminal.
[0012]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 1 shows a system overview of the present invention.
The system shown in FIG. 1 includes a telephone 11 arranged in a service area, a public / private network 12 that accommodates the telephone 11, and communication devices 13 and 14 that accommodate the public / private network 12. The communication devices 13 and 14 are composed of LANs (Local Area Networks) 15, 16 and 17 and a communication device 19 connected via the Internet 18.
[0013]
The communication devices 13, 14, and 19 accommodate standard telephones, digital telephones, facsimile machines, PHS (Personal Handy Phone System) base stations, and the like as extension terminals 20 to 25. Among these, the PHS base station is accommodated by wireless communication with the PHS terminal. The communication devices 13, 14, and 19 accommodate computer terminals PC1 to PC3 via LANs 15 to 17, respectively.
[0014]
The LANs 15, 16, and 17 that connect the communication devices 13, 14, and 19 are one or a plurality of LANs using, for example, ATM, and the Internet 18 is a wide area network. The LANs 15 and 16 are connected by a gateway 26. However, the LANs 15 and 16 can be configured by one network without the gateway 26. In this case, in order to reduce the congestion of the LANs 15 and 16, it is conceivable to configure a network by connecting a switching hub or the like instead of the gateway 26.
[0015]
The gateways 27 and 28 are gateways for connecting the LANs 15 and 17 and the Internet 18 and may be configured by routers. Further, the lines between the gateways 27 and 28 and the Internet 18 are directly connected to the public / private network 12 from the gateway, but directly to the public / private network 12 with the communication devices 13 and 14 as extensions. You may make it accommodate.
[0016]
FIG. 2 shows details of the communication device according to the embodiment of the present invention.
In FIG. 2, reference numeral 31 in the drawing is a computer network composed of a LAN and the Internet. A communication device 32 is connected to one end of the computer network, and a communication device 33 is connected to the other end.
[0017]
The communication device 32 accommodates an extension terminal 34, a station line 35, and a dedicated line 36. That is, the communication device 32 selectively connects between the extension terminal 34 and the office line 35 and between the extension terminal 34 and the dedicated line 36 in accordance with the outgoing / incoming call of the extension terminal 34. Further, the office line 35 and the dedicated line 36 are alternatively connected.
[0018]
In addition, the communication device 32 connects a time switch 321 that realizes an exchange function, a LAN interface that transmits and receives signals to and from the computer network 31, a trunk circuit 323 that connects the office line 35, and a dedicated line 36. Trunk circuit 324, line circuit 325 for connecting extension terminal 34, line / packet conversion device 326 connected to computer network 31 via LAN interface 322, trunk circuits 323, 324, line circuit 325, line / packet The conversion control device 328 is connected to the conversion 326 and the time switch 321 via the control highway 327. In addition, call voice between the circuits is connected by a call path highway 329.
[0019]
The exchange control device 328 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a ROM (Read Only Memory), and a RAM (Random Access Memory), and controls each circuit in the communication device 32.
[0020]
The line circuit 325 performs interface operations such as detection of a transmission signal from the extension terminal 34 and transmission of an incoming signal to the extension terminal 34.
The trunk circuits 323 and 324 perform interface operations such as detection of incoming calls from the office line 35 and the dedicated line 36 and capturing of the office line 35 and the dedicated line 36 at the time of transmission.
[0021]
The time switch 321 connects the respective communication paths of the trunk circuits 323, 324, the line circuit 325, and the line / packet conversion device 326 with a control signal from the exchange control device 328.
[0022]
Here, the number of line / packet conversion devices 326 connected to the computer network 31 is not limited to one, and may be plural. Further, the line / packet conversion device 326 is regarded as one line / trunk circuit in the communication device 32, and the computer terminal accommodated in the computer network 31 is as if one extension terminal, one communication connected to the public network. Considered a terminal.
[0023]
The speech path highway 329 has a plurality of channels. For example, data of 32 channels (time slots) of 64 kbps is time-division multiplexed and has a transmission capability of 2 Mbps. The 64-kbps line data transmitted / received from the time switch 321 via the speech path highway 329 is converted into a packet transmitted by the computer network 31 by the line / packet conversion device 326.
[0024]
On the other hand, the communication device 33 accommodates an extension terminal 37, a station line 38 and a dedicated line 39. The communication device 33 includes a line circuit 331, trunk circuits 332 and 333, a LAN interface 334, a line / packet conversion device 335, a time switch 336, and an exchange control device 337. Note that each component circuit of the communication device 33 has the same function as each component circuit of the communication device 32, and thus the description thereof is omitted.
[0025]
In the following description, an embodiment using Ethernet as a LAN will be described. Assume that each computer terminal on the LAN performs TCP (Transmission Control Protocol) / IP (Internet Protocol) communication. However, unlike a conventional computer terminal, it has a subscriber number (telephone number) other than an IP / TCP address in the same manner as a normal telephone. A personal computer having a communication function (with a built-in modem) is directly connected to the line circuit.
[0026]
FIG. 3 shows details of the line / packet converter 326.
In FIG. 3, a speech path highway 329 connected to the time switch 321 is connected to the multiplexer / demultiplexer 326a. Therefore, 2 Mbps data supplied from the speech path highway 329 is separated into 64 kbps data for every 32 time slots, and the data in each slot is packetized thereafter. Here, it is assumed that the line data of the time slots TS00 to TS07 is transmitted / received to / from other communication devices via the computer network 31.
[0027]
The multiplexer / demultiplexer 326a is connected to the serial / parallel converter 326b, and outputs packetized data to the serial / parallel converter 326b. The serial / parallel converter 326b is connected to the buffer circuit 326c, converts the packetized data into 8-bit parallel data, and outputs the parallel data to the buffer circuit 326c.
[0028]
The buffer circuit 326c stores the parallel data from the serial / parallel conversion device 326b and outputs it based on the instruction signal from the exchange control device 328. The data output from the buffer circuit 326c has a destination header added to the packet by the packetizing circuit 326d and is supplied to the LAN driver 326e. At this time, the packet circuit 326d also performs data conversion based on the instruction signal from the exchange control device 328.
[0029]
On the other hand, the packet data supplied from the LAN is deleted from the destination header and the like by the packet separation circuit 326f via the LAN driver 326e and generated as serial data, and then the serial / parallel conversion device 326b via the buffer circuit 326c. To be supplied.
[0030]
The serial data output from the serial / parallel converter 326b is supplied to the multiplexer / demultiplexer 326a and sent to the time switch 321 via the speech path highway 329. Here, when the line data is voice data, the packetizing circuit 326d compresses the line data to 16K or 8K voice data, and sends it to the LAN driver 326e. Also, the packet separation circuit 326f expands 16K or 8K voice data to 64K voice data for voice packets received by the LAN driver 326e, removes silence packets, reduces network load, and transmission delay. May be reduced.
[0031]
Here, the operation of the communication device 32 in the above configuration will be described.
That is, as described above, the Ethernet system is adopted as the LAN, and each computer terminal and communication device on the computer network 31 performs TCP / IP communication. As a supplement to this TCP, there is UDP (User Datagram Protocol). IP performs logical management of a network by establishing a transmission path and defining a network address and a host address.
[0032]
As shown in FIG. 4, the exchange control devices 328 and 337 store the telephone numbers assigned to the extension terminals connected to the communication system and the computer terminals on the computer network 31 and the terminals. A terminal management table 41 in which addresses of communication devices 32 and 33 that perform communication processing are associated is stored.
[0033]
On the other hand, as shown in the terminal management table 42 of FIG. 5, the terminal management table 41 registers the first number of telephone numbers of the terminals accommodated in each communication device or the first number of area codes. By using the first digit registered in the search, it is possible to reduce the amount of memory required to record the correspondence table 42 and improve the search speed.
[0034]
Further, the exchange control devices 328 and 337 store in their ROM or RAM the time slot numbers TS00 of the speech path highways 329 and 339 connected to the line / packet conversion devices 326 and 335, respectively, as shown in FIGS. Connection status management tables 43 and 44 for each TS07 are provided. Among these, the connection status management table 43 shown in FIG. 6 is transmitted from a terminal or communication line accommodated in the self-communication device to a terminal or communication line accommodated in another communication device accommodated via the computer network 31. This is a table when a call number is assigned when an incoming call to a terminal or communication line accommodated in a self-communication device from another communication device via a call or a computer network occurs.
[0035]
Also, the connection status management table 44 shown in FIG. 7 is a table using a different UDP port or TCP port for each call connected to another communication device and using this port number.
[0036]
In both cases in the connection status management tables 43 and 44 of FIGS. 6 and 7, NONE signifying “unused” is written in the corresponding column of the unused TS.
[0037]
FIG. 8 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the exchange control device 328 of the communication device 32. Here, a case where an incoming call is received from the extension terminal 34 accommodated in the communication device 32 to the extension terminal 37 accommodated in the communication device 33 will be described.
[0038]
That is, when the user performs a call operation at the extension terminal 34 (extension number 3000) and inputs 5001 as the telephone number of the destination (step S11), the exchange control device 328 in the communication device 32 receives the terminal at step S12. The management table 41 is searched to search for a communication device that accommodates the destination terminal.
[0039]
Then, the exchange control device 328 detects in step 13 whether or not the destination terminal is registered in the terminal management table 41, and if not registered (NO), in step S14, the time switch 321 is instructed to connect to the station line 35 or the dedicated line 36. If it is detected that the destination terminal is accommodated in the communication device 33 (YES), the exchange control device 328 performs a calling procedure for the communication device 33 in step S15.
[0040]
As this calling procedure, a call packet equivalent to Q931 in the call control procedure defined by Layer 3 in ISDN is used. This call packet has information indicating the call terminal, the destination, and the call type, and via the computer network 31 via the LAN interface 334 of the communication device 33 and the LAN driver in the line / packet conversion device 335. The data is supplied to the exchange control device 337 in the communication device 33 through the control highway 338.
[0041]
Next, the exchange control device 328 searches the connection status management tables 43 and 44 in step S16, and if all the communication path highways 329 are in use in step S17 (NO), in step S18, the calling terminal. Alternatively, the communication line is disconnected or the communication device 33 connected via the computer network 31 is disconnected. After performing the disconnection process, the exchange control device 328 issues a connection instruction to the office line 35 or the dedicated line 36 in step S14.
[0042]
If there is an empty time slot in the connection status management tables 43 and 44 (YES), the exchange control device 328 determines in step S19 whether or not a response packet from the destination communication device 33 has been received. Do.
[0043]
On the other hand, when receiving a call packet from the communication device 32, the exchange control device 337 in the communication device 33 searches the connection status management tables 43 and 44, as in the exchange control device 328 in the communication device 32, and free time slots. Is detected, the voice packet of the destination extension terminal 37 is connected to this empty time slot, and the response from the destination extension terminal 37 is sent as a response packet to the communication device 32.
[0044]
When the response packet from the communication device 33 is received in step S19 (YES), the exchange control device 328, in step S20, the empty time slot (here, the time slot TS03 in the connection status management tables 43 and 44). The IP address / port address (AB.C1.D0 / UDP3) of the communication device of the communication destination is written in the address and port of the communication device of the connection destination of Instruct to connect to time slot TS03.
[0045]
Thereafter, in step S 21, voice data transmitted / received between the extension terminal 34 and the extension terminal 37 is packetized by the line / packet conversion devices 326, 335 and sent / received to / from the communication device 33 through the LAN interface 322 and the computer network 31. The telephone call between the extension terminal 34 and the extension terminal 37 becomes possible.
[0046]
Further, when the extension terminal 34 of the communication device 32 and the computer terminal accommodated on the computer network 31 are connected, the above operation can be performed. In the case of a computer terminal, a single device can perform a plurality of types of bearer services such as G3 FAX data and G4 FAX data in addition to voice data. For this reason, when a connection request is made from another communication device via the computer network 31, data conversion with a computer terminal is required.
[0047]
Therefore, the exchange control device 328 is provided with a data conversion management table 45 in which the telephone number, IP address, TCP / UDP port number, and call type are associated with each other in the ROM or RAM as shown in FIG. That is, the switching control device 328 refers to the data conversion management table 45 and instructs the line / packet conversion device 326 to perform data conversion according to each data type. As a result, the line / packet conversion device 326 converts the outgoing call from the extension terminal 34 into a packet format corresponding to the computer terminal, and sends the received packet to the destination computer terminal.
[0048]
When communicating between computer terminals, the computer terminals can directly send and receive data via the computer network 31. Therefore, the communication processing is performed on the communication device 32, and the destination is received. After obtaining the IP address of the terminal, it is also possible to send and receive line data without passing through the communication devices 32 and 33 by sending and receiving line data to each other.
[0049]
Furthermore, when the computer network 31 is connected to the Internet, it is possible to construct a communication system with a low communication cost by transmitting line packets transmitted and received between communication devices via the Internet. However, in the case of communication in which communication quality is significantly deteriorated due to transmission delay, it is necessary to deal with the public network or the dedicated line with priority.
[0050]
Therefore, depending on the terminal number of the destination, the terminal number of the caller, the terminal number of the callee and the terminal number of the caller, whether the computer network 31 is used or the call is sent via the public network / private line A correspondence table is required.
[0051]
Therefore, as a second embodiment of the present invention, a computer network priority table 46 for preferentially connecting the computer network 31 is provided in the ROM or RAM in the exchange control devices 328 and 337 as shown in FIG. Yes.
[0052]
The computer network priority table 46 is a table that communicates via the computer network 31 at the time of outgoing or incoming call with respect to the telephone number registered therein. Contrary to this example, a configuration may be adopted in which outgoing or incoming calls for telephone numbers described are communicated using a public network / private line. The telephone number registered in the computer network priority table 46 is assumed to be a FAX terminal or a terminal that performs data communication, but a voice terminal may be registered. Further, even when data communication is performed, the communication may be deleted from the registration of the computer network priority table 46 in order to communicate without going through the Internet from the viewpoint of confidentiality.
[0053]
FIG. 11 is a flowchart for explaining the operation at the time of transmission of the exchange control device 328 in the second embodiment.
That is, when the user makes a call from the extension terminal 34 (extension number 3000) to the destination extension terminal 37 (extension number 5001) (step S31), the exchange control device 328 in the communication device 32 performs terminal management in step S32. The table 41 is searched to search for a communication device that accommodates the destination terminal. Here, the terminal of the incoming call destination that is not accommodated in the self-communication device is searched.
[0054]
In step S33, the exchange control device 328 searches for the communication device 33 that accommodates the destination extension terminal 37 (YES). In step S34, the exchange control device 328 searches the computer network priority table 46, and in step S35, the calling side. It is determined whether or not the telephone number or the destination telephone number is registered. Here, when it is determined that it is not registered (NO), the exchange control device 328 instructs the trunk circuits 323 and 324 to connect to the public network or the dedicated line 36 that is the office line 35 in step S36. Then, a call is made using the office line 35 or the dedicated line 36, and the circuit is switched.
[0055]
If it is determined in step S35 that the registration has been made (YES), the exchange control device 328 sends a call packet to the destination communication device 33 via the computer network 31 in steps S37 and S38. At the same time, the connection status management tables 43 and 44 are searched.
[0056]
In steps S39 and S40, when there is an empty time slot on the speech path highway 329 and a response packet is received from the communication device 33 that is the destination (YES), the exchange control device 328 determines in step S41. The time switch 321 is instructed to connect the extension terminal 34 to the time slot, whereby the line data is converted into a packet and transmitted / received to / from the communication device 33.
[0057]
If there is no empty time slot and no response packet is received from the destination communication device 33 in steps S39 and S40 (NO), the exchange control device 328 disconnects the calling terminal or communication line in step S42. Processing or disconnection processing for the communication device 33 connected via the computer network 31 is performed, and communication is performed using the office line 35 or the dedicated line 36 in step S36.
[0058]
The exchange control device 328 performs the same operation as described above even when an incoming call is received.
A case will be described in which the number of the calling terminal is sent from the public network or a dedicated line when a call is sent from a terminal accommodated in the self-communication device or a call is received from a communication line accommodated in the self-communication device.
[0059]
That is, the exchange control device 328 in the communication device 32 searches the terminal management table 41 for a communication device that accommodates the destination terminal when the extension terminal 34 transmits to the destination using a public network or a dedicated line, When the destination terminal is accommodated in another communication device, first, it is searched whether the number of the calling terminal is registered in the computer network priority table 46. Then, when registered, it communicates with another communication device via the computer network 31, and when it is not registered, a call is made using the office line 35 or the dedicated line 36 to perform circuit switching. The same applies when an incoming call is made to the extension terminal 34.
[0060]
Next, an example in which the data type is sent from the transmission side terminal will be described.
Here, the exchange control devices 328 and 337 are provided with a data type management table 47 in their RAM or ROM as shown in FIG. Data types registered in the data type management table 47 include, for example, PHS data, MODEM data, G3 FAX data, and the like.
[0061]
That is, the exchange control device 328 first sets the destination terminal or the other party's outgoing terminal to the terminal management table when making a call from a terminal accommodated in the self-communication device or an incoming call from a communication line accommodated in the self-communication device. Search from 41. As a result of the search, when the destination terminal or the other party's calling terminal is accommodated in another communication device and the data type information is sent from the self-calling terminal or the other party's calling terminal, the exchange control device 328 It is searched whether the data type requested from the management table 47 is registered.
[0062]
When the requested data type is registered, the exchange control device 328 converts the call packet and line data into a packet via the computer network 31 according to the above procedure, and exchanges data with other communication devices. Send and receive with. If it is not registered, a call is made using a public network or a dedicated line to exchange the line. Note that this may be performed in combination with a method using a telephone number as well as a data type.
[0063]
In the above method, if a number is registered in the computer network priority table 46 in the exchange control device 328, when a terminal having this number makes or receives a call, it automatically connects via the computer network 31. are doing.
[0064]
On the other hand, there is a method of restricting connection using the computer network 31. This is because a table for restricting the use of the computer network 31 is provided in the RAM or ROM in the exchange control device 328, and the terminal having the number registered in this table is accommodated in the self-communication device. When calling from the terminal or receiving from the public / private line, connection with other communication devices via the computer network 31 is prohibited. In addition, information that prohibits connection via the computer network 31 may be simultaneously transmitted when the terminal side makes a call.
[0065]
In the second embodiment, the outgoing / incoming call for the extension terminal 34 accommodated in the communication device 32 is described. However, for the terminal accommodated in the office line 35 or the dedicated line 36 which is a public network. However, it can be similarly implemented.
[0066]
For example, when a terminal accommodated in the station line 35 sends a call to a terminal accommodated in the communication device 33, transmission data from the originating terminal is transmitted to the communication device 32 located in the vicinity. . Then, the exchange control device 328 of the communication device 32 searches the terminal management table 41 for the calling party number and the called party number, and if both are registered, searches the computer network priority table 46 or the data type management table 47. To do.
[0067]
Here, when either one is registered, the exchange control device 328 issues an instruction to the line / packet conversion device 326 to send a call packet to the communication device 33, An instruction is issued to the line / packet converter 326 to connect the computer network 31. Thereafter, the calling terminal transmits data to the receiving terminal via the computer network 31. Further, the same operation can be performed when the destination terminal is accommodated in the office line 38 near the communication device 33.
[0068]
As described above, according to the first and second embodiments, the terminal management table 41 and the connection status management tables 43 and 44 are provided in the exchange control devices 328 and 337 in the known communication devices 32 and 33. Therefore, the extension terminal 34 accommodated in the communication device 32 makes a call to the office line 35, the dedicated line 36 or the extension terminal 37 of the communication device 33, or receives an incoming call from the station line 35, the dedicated line 36 or the extension terminal 37. At this time, the CPU in the exchange control device 328 searches the terminal management table 41 and the connection status management tables 43 and 44, and when there is an available time slot, the extension terminals 34 and 37 are connected via the computer network 31. Can be connected.
[0069]
For this reason, the connection to the computer network 31 can be automatically realized on the side of the communication device without human intervention, and since the connection is made by the exchange control device 328 in the known communication device 32, the computer network 31 is separately provided. There is no need for a device for connecting the devices, and the facility does not increase in size.
[0070]
Further, since the data conversion management table 45 is provided in the exchange control devices 328 and 337 in the communication devices 32 and 33, the extension terminal accommodated in the communication device 32 is transmitted to the computer terminal accommodated in the communication device 33, or When an incoming call is received from a computer terminal, the CPU in the exchange control device 328 searches the data conversion management table 45, and gives the search result to the line / packet conversion device 326, so that the line / packet conversion device 326 performs data conversion. .
[0071]
For this reason, it is possible to connect terminals having different data types via the computer network 31 to perform mutual communication.
Further, the exchange control devices 328 and 337 in the communication devices 32 and 33 are provided with a computer network priority table 46 and a data type management table 47, and the CPUs of the exchange control devices 328 and 337 have a computer network priority table 46 and a data type management table 47. And based on the search result, the caller terminal and the callee terminal are connected via the computer network 31, so that a communication system with a low communication cost can be constructed. Become. Furthermore, based on the computer network priority table 46 and the data type management table 47, a flexible communication system is constructed by selecting whether to connect through the computer network 31, or through a public network or a dedicated line. It becomes possible to do.
[0072]
FIG. 13 shows the entire system according to the third embodiment of the present invention. Here, a system for performing various data communication between computer terminals on a computer network connected to each of a plurality of communication devices is shown.
[0073]
The system shown in FIG. 13 includes communication devices 51 and 52 and a connection line 53 that connects the communication devices 51 and 52. A computer network 54, a public network 55, and an extension terminal 56, which are LANs, are connected to the communication device 51.
[0074]
The communication device 51 includes a time switch 511 that implements an exchange function, a LAN interface 512 that transmits and receives signals to and from the computer network 54, a subscriber line trunk circuit 513 that is connected to the public network 55, an extension An extension line circuit 514 connected to the terminal 56 and a LAN connected to the computer network 54 via the LAN interface 512, and HW data for transmission on the speech path highway 515 in the communication device 51 and for transmission on the LAN A line / packet converter 516 for converting packet data, a connection line interface 517 for accommodating a connection line 53 for connection to another communication device 52, a subscriber trunk circuit 513, an extension line circuit 514, a line / Packet converter 516, connection line interface 5 With 7, exchange control device connected via a control highway 518 to the time switch 511 (CPU, ROM, a built-in RAM) and 519.
[0075]
Each circuit in the communication device 51 has the same function as each circuit in the communication device 32 shown in FIG.
FIG. 14 shows a case where VDN is used as a speed conversion method between the 64 kbps transfer speed of the ISDN B channel and the asynchronous data transfer speed from a computer terminal (not shown) when ISDN is used for the connection line 53. The details of the connection line interface 517 for ISDN adopting the 110 system are shown.
[0076]
First, the asynchronous data sent from the asynchronous interface is added with a stop bit by the speed converter 517a in the connection line interface 517 for ISDN, and is close to one of 600 bps, 1200 bps, 2400 bps, 4800 bps, 9600 bps, and 1920 bps. Converted to speed. Subsequently, the data converted into the synchronous speed is embedded in an 80-bit frame by the speed converter 517b to be converted into any one of 8 kbps, 16 kbps, and 32 kbps (intermediate speed). Finally, the 80-bit frame data converted to the intermediate speed is divided into 1, 2, and 4 bits respectively when the intermediate speed is 8 kbps, 16 kbps, and 32 kbps by the speed converter 517c. By inserting into the cradle, the speed is converted to 64 kbps.
[0077]
FIG. 15 shows an OCN network configuration including a connection line interface 517 for 1.5 Mbps access to the OCN when an OCN (Open Computer Network) is used for the connection line 53.
[0078]
In other words, the connection line interface 517 for 1.5 Mbps access is connected to a high-speed OCN network (accommodating 1.5 Mbps and 6 Mbps access lines) 58 via the router 57. The high-speed OCN network 58 is connected to a low-speed OCN network (accommodating dial-up lines such as 128 kbps access lines and ISDN lines) 60 via an ATM network 59 and is connected to the Internet 62 via a relay router 61. The Both the high-speed and low-speed OCN networks 58 and 60 have a basic configuration of a subscriber router that accommodates an access line and a relay router that bundles the subscriber routers.
[0079]
FIG. 16 shows a system configuration when the communication device and the computer terminal in the system of FIG. 13 have IP addresses and telephone numbers. FIG. 17 is stored in the RAM or ROM of the exchange control device 519. The terminal management table 71 is shown.
[0080]
Here, Ethernet is used as a computer network, and each computer terminal performs TCP / IP communication. Also, unlike conventional computers, the computer terminal has a subscriber number in addition to an IP address, just like a normal telephone.
(Extension number). The communication device also has an IP address.
[0081]
Therefore, the exchange control device 519 in the communication device 51 includes the telephone number of the computer terminal on the computer network accommodated in the other communication device 52 connected by the connection communication line 35 and the IP address of the other communication device 52. FIG. 17 shows the correspondence between the telephone number of the computer terminal on the computer network 54 connected to the self-communication device 51 and the IP address for each data type of the computer terminal. As shown, a terminal management table 71 is stored.
[0082]
Each terminal is assigned a single IP address, and a different port address is assigned for each call type, and a different address is assigned for each type of communication data.
[0083]
First, as an operation of the third embodiment, a case where data is transmitted from another communication device 52 to a computer terminal on the computer network 54 connected to the self-communication device 51 will be described.
[0084]
The communication device 51 is connected to the V.D. The destination address indicated in the data by the control of the switching control device 519 is sent to the time switch 511 via the connection line interface for ISDN adopting the 110 system or the connection line interface 517 for accessing the 1.5 Mbps OCN from OCN. The address of the destination computer terminal is specified from the telephone number and the terminal management table 71, and this address is assigned to the data and sent to the line packet / converter 516. In this case, the destination computer terminal is a computer terminal accommodated in the self-communication device 51.
[0085]
The line / packet converter 516 converts the data into a format that can be processed by the destination computer terminal according to the type of data. The converted data reaches the destination computer terminal via the LAN interface 512 and the computer network 54.
[0086]
Subsequently, as an operation of the third embodiment, a case where data is transmitted from the computer terminal on the computer network 54 connected to the self-communication device 51 to the other communication device 52 will be described.
[0087]
The switching control device 519 is converted into HW data to be transmitted on the speech path highway 515 in the communication device 51 by the line / packet converter 516 via the LAN interface 512 from the computer network 54 and arrives at the time switch 511. The data is detected, the IP address of the other communication device 52 to which the destination computer terminal is connected is specified from the destination telephone number indicated in the data and the terminal management table 71, and the IP address of the other communication device 52 is specified in this data. Is granted.
[0088]
The data given the IP address is V. The communication system 52 reaches the other communication device 52 through the ISDN connection line interface 517 and the ISDN line adopting the 110 system, or through the 1.5 Mbps OCN access connection line interface and OCN.
[0089]
Further, when the exchange control device 519 detects data arriving at the time switch 511 from the computer network 54 and identifies the IP address of the destination computer terminal itself from the destination telephone number and the terminal management table 71, the exchange control device 519 identifies the destination computer as the data. Assign the IP address of the terminal. Then, the time switch 511 sends the data to which the IP address is assigned to the line / packet converter 516.
[0090]
The line / packet converter 516 converts the data to which the IP address is assigned into data in a format that can be processed by the destination computer terminal according to the function of the destination computer terminal and the type of data. The data is sent to a destination computer terminal accommodated in the counterpart communication device via the computer network 54.
[0091]
As described above, according to the third embodiment, the connection line interface 515 is provided in the communication device 51 and the terminal management table 71 is provided in the exchange control device 519. Since it is connected to the communication device 52 using the ISDN line, when a call is sent from a terminal accommodated in the communication device 51 to a terminal accommodated in the communication device 52 or an incoming call from a terminal accommodated in the communication device 52, When the CPU in the exchange control device 519 searches the terminal management table 71 and the IP address of the counterpart communication device or the self-communication device is specified from the terminal management table 71, it is accommodated in the communication device 51 without human intervention. And the terminal accommodated in the communication device 52 can be connected using an ISDN line. In addition, it is possible to promptly send data to the partner terminal and to quickly handle connection processing with the partner terminal.
[0092]
Further, when the exchange control device 519 retrieves the IP address of the computer terminal from the terminal management table 71 for the data arriving from the computer terminal accommodated in the self-communication device 51 via the computer network 54, the computer network 54. Is used to communicate with a computer terminal accommodated in the counterpart communication device, and when the IP address of the communication device accommodating the computer terminal is searched, the interconnection line 53 is used to accommodate the computer terminal. It is possible to communicate with the computer terminal, which makes it possible to respond quickly and flexibly to the connection process with the other computer terminal according to the search situation.
[0093]
Furthermore, since it is connected to another communication device 52 using the OCN via the connection line interface 515, communication with a low communication cost is possible even for a terminal that is accommodated in the communication device 51, for example, with a low usage frequency. A system can be provided.
[0094]
【The invention's effect】
As described above in detail, according to the present invention, it is possible to provide a communication system that does not require manual labor and that can perform mutual communication between terminals of different data types or similar terminals using a computer network.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a system overview of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 3 is a block configuration diagram showing details of the line / packet conversion device of the communication device in the embodiment.
FIG. 4 is an exemplary view for explaining a terminal management table provided in the exchange control device for communication equipment in the embodiment;
FIG. 5 is an exemplary view for explaining another example of a terminal management table provided in the communication device exchange control apparatus according to the embodiment;
FIG. 6 is a view for explaining a connection status management table provided in the exchange control device for communication equipment in the embodiment;
FIG. 7 is a view for explaining another example of the connection status management table provided in the communication device exchange control apparatus according to the embodiment;
FIG. 8 is a flowchart shown for explaining the operation of the communication device exchange control apparatus according to the embodiment;
FIG. 9 is an exemplary view for explaining a data conversion management table provided in the communication device exchange control apparatus according to the embodiment;
FIG. 10 is a diagram for explaining a computer network priority table provided in a communication device exchange control device in the second embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 11 is a flowchart shown for explaining the operation of the exchange control device in the communication device in the second embodiment;
FIG. 12 is a view for explaining a data type management table provided in the communication device exchange control apparatus according to the second embodiment;
FIG. 13 is a system configuration diagram showing a third embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 14 is a block configuration diagram showing details of a connection line interface of a communication device when an ISDN line is used as the connection line in the third embodiment.
FIG. 15 is a system configuration diagram when OCN is used for a connection line in the third embodiment;
FIG. 16 is a system configuration diagram when addresses are assigned to communication devices and computer terminals according to the third embodiment;
FIG. 17 is a view for explaining a terminal management table provided in the communication device exchange control apparatus according to the third embodiment;
[Explanation of symbols]
31, 54 ... computer network,
32, 33, 51, 52 ... communication equipment,
34, 37 ... extension terminals,
35, 38 ... Bureau line,
36, 39 ... dedicated line,
321,336,511 ... Time switch,
322, 334 ... LAN interface,
326, 335 ... line / packet converter,
327, 338 ... control highway,
328, 337, 519 ... exchange control device,
329, 339 ... Call path highway,
41, 42 ... terminal management table,
43, 44 ... connection status management table,
45. Data conversion management table,
46: Computer network priority table,
47 ... Data type management table,
517 ... Connection line interface,
53: Connection line.

Claims (7)

A first communication device that accommodates a public network or a dedicated line that accommodates a plurality of terminals, an extension terminal, and a computer that is connected at one end to the first communication device and accommodates a plurality of computer terminals A network and a second communication device connected to the other end of the computer network and having the same function as the first communication device;
The first and second communication devices are:
Exchange means for accommodating a plurality of communication lines including a communication path highway composed of a plurality of channels connected to the public network, dedicated line and extension terminal, and connecting each communication line;
The computer network and the speech path highway are connected, the format of transmission data is converted between the computer network and the speech path highway, and data is exchanged between the computer network and the other communication device via the computer network. Data format conversion means for sending and receiving;
The computer transmits / receives call control information including at least information related to a call origination and an incoming call response to the other communication device via the computer network, and the computer according to the data type of the caller terminal and the callee terminal An exchange control means for controlling the exchange means and the data format conversion means so as to make a connection using a network,
When a call is made from a terminal or extension terminal having a public network or a dedicated line accommodated in the first communication device to a terminal or extension terminal having a public network or a dedicated line accommodated in the second communication device, A communication system characterized by connecting extension terminals to each other via a computer network. The exchange control means includes
A first management table storing a number for uniquely identifying a call connected to another communication device via the computer network, and associating at least the call number and the time slot number of the speech path highway When,
The exchanging means and the data format converting means are controlled so as to control connection with a counterpart communication device using the computer network and data transmission with the speech path highway with reference to the first management table. The communication system according to claim 1, further comprising a control unit. The exchange control means is composed of an IP address and a TCP port or a UDP port as a communication device identification address for the computer network attached to the communication device, and is connected to another communication device via the computer network. A second management table that associates a TCP port number or UDP port number assigned to each call and a time slot number of the speech path highway when a different port is assigned for each call;
The exchanging means and the data format converting means are controlled so as to control connection with a communication apparatus on the other side using the computer network and data transmission to the speech path highway with reference to the second management table. The communication system according to claim 1, further comprising a control unit. The exchange control means includes the telephone number assigned to the extension terminal accommodated in the communication device and the computer terminal on the computer network, and the communication accommodating the extension terminal and the computer terminal on the computer network. A fourth management table associating a communication device identification address for the computer network of the device;
If the destination terminal when calling from the public network, the dedicated line or the extension terminal and the computer terminal accommodated in the self-communication device is not accommodated in the self-communication device, the fourth management table is stored. The communication system according to claim 1, further comprising means for searching and transmitting / receiving communication information obtained by performing call control information and data conversion between the communication devices using the computer network.   2. The communication system according to claim 1, wherein the computer network comprises a local area network using a plurality of Ethernets or ATMs and the Internet connecting the plurality of local area networks. In the state where the computer network is accommodated in the Internet, the exchange control means includes a communication line accommodated in a self-communication device or an extension terminal accommodated in the self-communication device and a computer terminal not accommodated in the self-communication device. When making a call to a terminal, select whether to connect via the computer network, the public network or a dedicated line, depending on the telephone number of the calling terminal and the telephone number of the destination terminal The communication system according to claim 1, 4 or 5 , further comprising means.   The exchange control means, when the call control information is transmitted via the computer network, detects information prohibiting the relaying of the incoming call to the communication line, the transmission from the terminal accommodated in the self-communication device, or the 2. The communication system according to claim 1, further comprising means for prohibiting connection with another communication device via the computer network when an incoming call is received from a public network or a dedicated line.

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