JP3916239B2 - Multi-party call system and multi-party call method - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a multi-party call system and a multi-party call method.
[0002]
[Prior art]
In the ITU-T I series recommendation, the following three-party call service is defined as one of the additional services related to multi-party calls.
[0003]
During a call between user A and user B, either user presses the hold button to place the call on hold. Next, a call is made to the user C, and during a call with the user C, the hold button is pressed to release the hold state, and the two calls are connected to enable a call between the three parties. Actually, there are actually multi-party call services such as “three-party call service”, “multi-call service”, and “trio de call” which are mainly performed by mobile phone carriers.
[0004]
As a public technical document, a multicall technique described in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2001-309432 is known.
[0005]
[Patent Document 1]
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2001-309432 [0006]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, with this conventional multi-party call service, it can only be used between the same carriers and cannot be used between other carriers, or it can be applied as an optional setting in advance and a separate basic charge is required, or up to three people can talk. As shown in Fig. 7, there is a problem that the call charge is biased to one caller and the charge varies depending on the caller, resulting in unfairness. There is no current situation.
[0007]
Therefore, an object of the present invention is to connect an IP conversion device such as a VoIP gateway to a public line network to which a mobile phone, PHS, or fixed telephone currently used is connected, and further to establish an IP relay center via the Internet. By introducing a connection system, the call charge is divided by each caller as shown in Fig. 4 to make the charge fair, there are no restrictions on the number of people, and there is no need for registration or application in advance. To provide a call service.
[0008]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
According to the first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a multi-party call control device for providing a multi-party call service connected to a public line network accommodating a plurality of call terminals via an IP network, When the request is received through the station of the public line network that has received the line switching information including the telephone numbers of the two call terminals in a busy state and the telephone number of the multi-party call control device from one call terminal during The means for notifying the other call terminal of the occurrence of a call charge via the IP network and the public line network, and when receiving a reply from the other call terminal that the call charge is accepted Means for switching from line connection in the public line network to line connection via the IP network by controlling an IP conversion device for connecting the line connection of both call terminals in the middle state to the public line network and the IP network; IP Means for instructing the switching device to start charging the call terminal that is busy after the line switching and participation of a call terminal other than the busy partner from one of the call terminals in the busy state A means for requesting participation of a call terminal that is a target of participation through the IP network and the public line network, and a response indicating participation from the call terminal are received in the busy state. Means for controlling the IP conversion device to connect the line connection between the call terminal and the call terminal to join via the public line network and the IP network, and the IP when the call ends. And a means for receiving the billing information transmitted from the conversion device.
[0009]
According to the second aspect of the present invention, a plurality of call terminals, a public line network that accommodates the call terminals, an IP conversion device that connects the public line network and the IP network, and the IP network are connected. In a multi-party call method comprising a multi-party call control device, a telephone number of each call terminal that is busy from one of call terminals that are busy with line connection only in the public line network and the plurality of call terminals When the line switching information including the telephone number of the party call control device is sent to the line, when the station of the public network receives the line switching information, the station is transmitted to the IP conversion device corresponding to the station, and the IP conversion device Transmits the line switching information to the multi-party call control device, and the multi-party call control device sends the IP conversion device designated for line connection with the other call terminal in the busy state and the station. Corresponding one Instructing the IP conversion device to connect the line of the busy call terminal corresponding to each IP conversion device, and to instruct line switching via the public line network and the IP network and to instruct charging processing, Based on the instruction, the IP conversion device performs line switching and billing processing of the corresponding call terminal, and then one of the call terminals in the busy state specifies the telephone number of a call terminal other than the other party who is busy. When the multi-party call is requested, the IP conversion device corresponding to the call terminal requesting the multi-party call receives the request and transmits the request to the multi-party call control device. The IP conversion device designated for line connection with the call terminal added by the request is instructed to connect the line of the call terminal, and the IP conversion device performs the response of the corresponding call terminal based on the instruction. The IP conversion device corresponding to the call terminal that performs connection and participates in a multi-party call transmits billing information for the call to the multi-party call control device when the multi-party call is terminated. Can be obtained.
[0010]
According to a third aspect of the present invention, the charging process in the IP conversion device charges the call terminal that the device itself performs in line connection as a call charge from the call terminal to the device itself. The multi-party call method according to claim 2 can be obtained.
[0011]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, exemplary embodiments of the invention will be described with reference to the drawings. However, the dimensions, materials, relative arrangements, and the like of the components described in this embodiment are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention only to those unless otherwise specified.
[0012]
FIG. 1 shows a block diagram of a multi-party call system according to an embodiment of the present invention. Various communication carriers exist in the public line network 4, and user terminals 1 to 3 are accommodated, and a multi-party call control device 10 that provides the multi-party call service of the present invention is connected. The user terminals 1, 2, and 3 include various communication terminals such as mobile phones, PHS, and fixed telephones that can perform voice calls.
[0013]
Next, the operation of this embodiment will be described. Hereinafter, a case where the user terminal 3 participates in the call when the user terminal 1 and the user terminal 2 are in a call will be described as an example. It is assumed that both calls are calls made from the user terminal 1 and the user terminal 1 is charged.
[0014]
First, before the user terminal 3 participates in the call, the connection line between the user terminal 1 and the user terminal 2 is switched to a line via the multi-person call control device 10. That is, the owner of the user terminal 1 presses the hold button, and then inputs his own telephone number, the other party's telephone number, and the telephone number of the multi-party call control device 10. At this time, since the station side (not shown) of the public line network 4 recognizes the call state between the user terminals 1 and 2, special number dial information is transmitted as the line switching information transmitted from the user terminal 1. May be. At this time, the station of the public line network 4 transmits a line connection request to the multi-party call control device 10 based on the special number dial information.
[0015]
The multi-party call control device 10 transmits a guide to the user terminal 2 that the call charge is incurred due to line switching, and when the user terminal 2 obtains the consent for the call charge, Switch the call line and resume both calls. In addition, the billing process is managed so that the call charge is shared by both parties.
[0016]
After the line is switched, the user terminal 1 requests the multi-party call control device 10 to join the call of the user terminal 3. That is, the user terminal 1 transmits the hold and the telephone number information of the user terminal 3 to the multi-party call control device 10. Moreover, you may make it request | require a multi-party call service by a special number dial in the said request | requirement.
[0017]
The multi-party call control device 10 transmits a guidance to the user terminal 3 that the service from the user terminal 1 is requested by a notification means such as a voice message or character information. When there is a response from the user terminal 3 to accept the participation, a line is connected between the user terminals 1 to 3 to resume the call. The billing process at this time may be split between the three parties, or the call charges may be split in half at the user terminals 1 and 2 on the side requesting participation. The call charges collected from each user are charged on behalf of the call charges charged by the carrier. Therefore, the charge for each user is obtained by the corresponding carrier. FIG. 2 shows the status of the accounting process according to this embodiment.
[0018]
Next, an example according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. In the present embodiment, the system configuration of the multi-party call control device 10 includes at least a relay center 9 connected to the public line network via the Internet. At this time, IP converters 5 to 7 are provided as an interface between the public network 4 and the Internet 8.
[0019]
Each user terminal 1, 2, 3 has a function of holding a line during a call and a function of inputting the IP relay center 9 and the telephone number of the user terminal to be added and transmitting the information during the call. Yes. The hold method is realized by pressing a call button during a call on a mobile phone, and by pressing a hold button on a fixed phone. Further, the user terminal switches the line via the IP conversion device and the IP relay center 9 when using the multi-party call service, and this allows the user to be charged for the call charge, and the IP conversion device 5. , 6 and 7, the function of receiving the CM transmitted from the IP relay center 9 and the disconnection of the line at the end of the call are made via the IP converters 5, 6 and 7. It has the function to transmit to.
[0020]
The IP conversion devices 5, 6, and 7 are devices that convert voice data such as a VoIP gateway into IP. A function of selecting the nearest device from each user terminal connected to the public line network 4 and connecting the device to the IP relay center 9 via the communication network 8 such as the Internet; and the user terminal 1 , 2, 3 and a function for transferring information from the IP relay center 9 and a function for charging a call charge to each user terminal.
[0021]
The IP relay center device 9 transmits a CM to each of the user terminals 1, 2 and 3 during the holding period or at the start of the service, and a function for switching the line to connect between the users via the IP relay center 9 using IP. A function for connecting a plurality of lines, and a function for collecting accounting information from each IP converter.
[0022]
Hereinafter, description will be given based on the sequence charts shown in FIGS. FIG. 4 shows a sequence chart when switching the communication lines of the user terminals 1 and 2 connected to the normal public line network 4 to lines via the IP relay center 9.
[0023]
When the user 1 and the user 2 are busy, when one of them presses the hold button (hereinafter referred to as user 1), a hold request is transmitted (step a1) and the line is put on hold (step a2).
[0024]
Next, the user 1 inputs and transmits the access numbers of the IP relay center device 9 and the user terminal 2 from the user terminal 1 (step a3). The station of the public network 4 receives the access numbers of the terminal 2 and the IP relay center 9 received from the user terminal, and transmits them together with the number of the user terminal 1 to the IP conversion apparatus closest to the station. Here, it is assumed that the IP conversion device 5 is the closest, and the IP conversion device 5 that has received the number transmits it to the IP conversion device 9.
[0025]
The IP conversion device 5 closest to the user terminal 1 receives the access number of the user terminal 2 together with the transmitted access number of the user terminal 1 (step a4), and sends it to the IP relay center device 9 via the Internet 8. Transmit (step a5).
[0026]
The IP relay center device 9 switches the line to the user terminal 2 via the Internet 8 and the IP conversion device 6 that is closest to the user terminal 2 and incurs a call charge to the user terminal 2 as well. To be charged (steps a7 to a10). When the user 2 consents to the line switching, the user terminal 2 performs a designated operation and transmits a switching request to the IP relay center 9 (steps a11 to a14). In this way, each user is always checked for billing, and notification and confirmation are made so that the user is not charged without his / her knowledge.
[0027]
Next, the IP relay center 9 transmits a line switching request to each user terminal in order to switch the line via the IP relay center 9 via the IP conversion device in the vicinity of each user terminal (steps a15 to a19). ). When the switching is completed, each IP converter notifies the opposing IP converter and IP relay center 9 of the switching completion (steps a20 to a22). When the switching is completed, charging of the call charge to the user terminal 2 that has been charged to the user terminal 1 is terminated.
[0028]
Next, the IP relay center 9 transmits a CM to each user terminal via the Internet 8 and each IP converter before starting the multi-party call service (steps a23 to a29). As the CM to be transmitted at this time, a CM common to each user and an individual CM can be selected on the IP relay center 9 side so as to maximize the effects of the CM. For example, in the individual CM, local information such as a special product or a CM of a store in the area may be transmitted together with the local environment of each IP conversion apparatus.
[0029]
Next, the IP relay center 9 transmits a line connection command for the user terminal 1 and the user terminal 2 to the IP conversion apparatus 5 and the IP conversion apparatus 6 (steps a30 to a32), and the line connection state is established. And the user 2 can talk (steps a35 and a36). At this time, each IP conversion apparatus starts charging for each user terminal (steps a33 and a34). As described above, line switching via the IP relay center 9 is performed.
[0030]
Next, an operation for adding a user will be described. Referring to FIG. 5, when a hold button on the user terminal 1 is pressed, a hold request is transmitted (step b1) and notified to the IP relay center 9 and the IP conversion device 6 via the IP conversion device 5, Is put on hold (steps b2 to b7). The CM transmitted at the time of line switching (step a25) is retransmitted to the user terminal 2 on hold.
[0031]
Next, the user 1 inputs and transmits the access number from the user terminal 1 to the user terminal 3 to be called (step b8). The IP relay center 9 receives the access number of the user terminal 3 via the IP conversion device 5 and the Internet 8 (steps b9 to b11).
[0032]
Next, the IP relay center 9 notifies the user terminal 3 of the access number of the user terminal 1 and the multi-party call service guide information to the user terminal 3 via the Internet 8 and the IP conversion device 7 closest to the user terminal 3. (Steps b12 to b15). With current mobile terminals, the access number of the other party can be displayed on the screen, and each user can call from an uninformed or unknown party (unknown access number) as a countermeasure against annoying calls or one-off calls. Therefore, the user 3 is notified of the access number of the user terminal 1.
[0033]
When the user 3 confirms the access number of the user terminal 1 and responds, the user 3 presses the reception button in the same manner as the normal call start (step b16). The IP relay center 9 confirms reception of the user terminal 3 via the IP conversion device 7 and the Internet (steps b17 to b19).
[0034]
Next, the IP relay center 9 transmits a line connection command between the user terminal 1 and the user terminal 3 to the IP conversion apparatus 5 and the IP conversion apparatus 7 (steps b20 to b22), and the line connection state is set to the user 1 And the user 3 can talk (steps b23 and b24).
[0035]
The user 1 confirms whether or not to participate in a multi-party call in a call state with the user 3 (step b27). When the user 3 starts the multi-party call service, the user terminal 3 performs a specified operation and transmits a start request to the IP relay center 9 and the IP conversion devices 5 and 6 (steps b30 to b33). . In this way, each service is always confirmed for service start, and notification and confirmation are made so that the user is not charged without his / her knowledge.
[0036]
Next, the IP relay center 9 transmits a CM to each user terminal via the Internet 8 and each IP converter before starting the multi-party call service (steps b34 to b43). As the CM to be transmitted at this time, a CM common to each user and an individual CM can be selected on the IP relay center 9 side so as to maximize the effects of the CM. For example, in the individual CM, local information such as a special product and a CM of a store in the area is transmitted together with the local environment of each IP conversion apparatus.
[0037]
Next, the IP relay center 9 transmits a line connection command for the user terminals 1, 2 and 3 to the IP conversion devices 5, 6 and 7 (steps b44 to b47) to set the line connection state, A multi-party call can be performed between the user 2 and the user 3 (steps b49 to b51). At this time, the IP conversion device 7 starts charging the user terminal 3 (step b47). As described above, a user for a multi-party call is added. When further increasing the number of calling users, steps b1 to b51 are repeated. At this time, if there is a multi-party call by more than a certain number of users, only one user who participates by random lottery will be offered free call charges, discounts, etc. Many users may use a multi-party call.
[0038]
Next, an operation in which the user stops the multi-party call and deletes the line will be described. Referring to FIG. 6, when a call button on the user terminal 1 is pressed, a line disconnection request is transmitted (step c1) and notified to the IP relay center 9 and each IP converter via the IP converter 5 ( Steps c2 to c6).
[0039]
Next, charging of the user terminal 1 in the IP conversion device 5 is terminated (step c7), and charging information for the user 1 is transmitted to the IP relay center 9 (steps c8 and c9).
[0040]
Next, the IP relay center 9 transmits the call termination guidance and CM of the user terminal 1 to each user terminal via the Internet 8 and each IP conversion device (steps c10 to c16). As the CM to be transmitted at this time, a CM common to each user and an individual CM can be selected on the IP relay center 9 side so as to maximize the effects of the CM. For example, in the individual CM, local information such as a special product and a CM of a store in the area is transmitted together with the local environment of each IP conversion apparatus.
[0041]
Next, the IP relay center 9 transmits a line connection command for the user terminals 2 and 3 to the IP converters 6 and 7 (steps c17 to c19) to establish a line connection state between the user 2 and the user 3. To enable multi-party calls (steps c20 to c21). As described above, the line of the multi-party call is deleted when the user's call ends. If the number of users further decreases, steps c1 to c21 are repeated. Finally, after all calls are completed, the IP relay center 9 performs billing calculation for each user.
[0042]
【The invention's effect】
The first effect is that a user's call charge using a multi-party call service is charged fairly for each user. Also, there is no limit on the number of people, up to 3 people, and only the number of people who want to talk can talk. The reason is that by making a multi-party call via the IP conversion device and the IP relay center, billing according to the call time for each user can be performed, and this can be applied not only to the caller but also to the receiver. This is because the bill can be charged fairly in the manner of the collect call. In addition, when the user is charged centrally, when the user ends the call, the other user cannot be charged, so the multi-party call is also ended. There are no restrictions on the addition / deletion of users because all lines are charged via the IP relay center.
[0043]
The second effect is that a highly effective CM can be transmitted. The reason is that the number of users who can transmit a CM increases because the call is a multi-party call compared to the case of two-party communication.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a system block diagram of a multi-party call service according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of a billing process according to the present embodiment.
FIG. 3 is a system block diagram of a multi-party call service showing an example of the present embodiment.
FIG. 4 is a flowchart of line switching according to the embodiment.
FIG. 5 is a flowchart when adding a user according to the embodiment;
FIG. 6 is a flowchart when deleting a user according to the embodiment.
FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating an example of billing processing in the prior art.
[Explanation of symbols]
1, 2, 3 User terminal 4 Public network 5, 6, 7 IP conversion device 8 Internet 9 IP relay center 10 Multi-party call control device

Claims (3)

A multi-party call control device for providing a multi-party call service connected to a public line network accommodating a plurality of call terminals via an IP network,
When the telephone terminal is busy, the telephone line of the public line network that has received the line switching information including the telephone number of both the telephone terminals in the busy state and the telephone number of the multi-party call control device from one of the telephone terminals Means for notifying the other call terminal of the occurrence of a call charge via the IP network and the public line network upon receiving the request;
Controlling an IP conversion device that connects a public line network and an IP network with respect to the line connection of both call terminals in the busy state when a reply to accept the call charge burden is received from the other call terminal Means for switching from line connection in the public line network to line connection via the IP network;
Means for instructing the IP conversion device to start charging the call terminal that is busy after the line switching;
Participation of a call to a call terminal subject to participation via the IP network and the public line network when a call terminal other than the call partner is accepted from one of the call terminals in the busy state A means of seeking
When a reply to the effect of participation is received from the call terminal, line connection between the call terminal in the busy state and the call terminal that is to participate is controlled by controlling the IP converter and the public line network and the Means for connecting via an IP network;
Means for receiving billing information transmitted from the IP conversion device when the call is terminated;
A multi-party call control device comprising: A plurality of call terminals, a public network that accommodates the call terminals,
In a multi-party call method comprising an IP conversion device for connecting the public line network and the IP network, and a multi-party call control device connected to the IP network,
Line switching information including the telephone number of each calling terminal that is busy and the telephone number of the multi-party call control device from one of the calling terminals that are busy with the line connection only within the public line network to the line When sent, the station of the public network receives the line switching information and transmits it to the IP conversion device corresponding to the station, and the IP conversion device sends the line switching information to the multi-party call control device. The multi-party call control device performs IP conversion for the IP conversion device designated for line connection with the other call terminal in the busy state and the one IP conversion device corresponding to the station. The line connection of the busy call terminal corresponding to the device is instructed to switch the line through the public line network and the IP network, and the charging process is instructed, and the IP conversion device responds based on the instruction. After performing the switching and accounting process line call terminal that,
When one of the call terminals in the busy state specifies a telephone number of a call terminal other than the other party who is busy and requests a multi-party call, an IP conversion apparatus corresponding to the call terminal requesting the multi-party call is The request is received and transmitted to the multi-party call control device, and the multi-party call control device transmits the call to the IP conversion device designated for line connection with the call terminal added by the request. Instructing the terminal line connection, the IP converter performs line connection of the corresponding call terminal based on the instruction,
The IP conversion device corresponding to the call terminal participating in a multi-party call, when the multi-party call ends, transmits billing information for the call to the multi-party call control device;
A multi-party call method characterized by: The charge processing in the IP conversion device charges the call terminal that the device itself performs in connection with the line as a call charge from the call terminal to the device itself. Multi-party calling method.

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