JP3998541B2 - Voice communication system - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
[Technical field to which the invention belongs]
The present invention relates to a voice communication system, and is suitable for application to voice communication using, for example, VoIP (Voice over IP) technology.
[0002]
[Prior art]
When performing an IP telephone service using the VoIP technology, the network configuration is as shown in FIG. 2, for example.
[0003]
In FIG. 2, IP telephones (for example, 25 and 27) installed in a user use place 12 such as a home or office are directly connected to a LAN (local area network) of the user use place 12. However, in the case of a general telephone (for example, 26, 28) that does not support VoIP, it cannot be directly connected to the LAN, so the VoIP gateway devices (media conversion devices) 23, 24 and a PBX (private branch exchange) (not shown) ).
[0004]
A user who uses the IP telephones (IP telephone terminals) 25 and 27 and the general telephones 26 and 28 in the user use place 12 uses the IP network 10 as a backbone and the fixed telephone 29 and the mobile telephone 30 via the VoIP gateway devices 21 and 22. Talk to a user who uses etc.
[0005]
The VoIP gateway devices 21 and 22 that connect the IP network 10 and the public telephone network 11 are called under the control of the IP telephone exchange (the IP telephone exchange is a component corresponding to a so-called call agent (CA)) 14 and 15. Perform operations such as setting. Note that only the control signals necessary for call setting and the like are transmitted to and received by the IP telephone exchanges 14 and 15 and processed by the IP telephone exchanges 14 and 15. The IP packet containing the voice data flows through the backbone constituted by the routers 16 to 18, the switches 19 and 20, the gateway devices 21 and 22, and the like.
[0006]
The IP network 10 is a network that is configured by network devices such as a large number of routers (for example, 16 to 18) and switches (for example, 19 and 20) and supports the IP protocol. The Internet can be used as the IP network 10, but a dedicated IP network constructed by a communication carrier is often used to provide a VoIP service.
[0007]
Under such a network configuration, for example, a network management system using SNMP (Simple Network Management Protocol) or the like can be constructed in the form shown in FIG.
[0008]
In FIG. 3, SNMP agents are arranged in peripheral devices such as the VoIP gateway devices 21 and 22, the switches 19 and 20, and the routers 16 to 18, and an SNMP manager is arranged in the illustrated monitoring system 25. Each SNMP agent has various management information related to the management target (for example, the gateway device 21 in the case of the SNMP agent arranged in the gateway device 21) (the status of the management target itself and the management target). Information indicating the state of the connection interface between them) and stored in a predetermined database (MIB). Basically, when there is a read request from the SNMP manager, the contents of the MIB are read and sent to the SNMP manager. It is a mechanism to send.
[0009]
Therefore, if the read request is periodically transmitted, the management information can be periodically collected in the SNMP manager.
[0010]
Further, if necessary, the contents of the MIB can be transmitted from the SNMP agent to the SNMP manager even if there is no read request.
[0011]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, in such a network management system, the range in which the SNMP agent can collect management information is limited to the devices and apparatuses to be managed. For example, the SNMP agent arranged in the gateway apparatus 21 passes through the gateway apparatus 21. Even acquiring communication traffic as management information is quite difficult, and it is necessary to use RMON or the like.
[0012]
Even if RMON is used, for example, a large number of network devices and gateway devices between a telephone (25, 26, etc.) in the user usage location 12 and a telephone (eg, 29) on the public telephone network 11 side. Alternatively, it is almost impossible to inspect and manage the state of a long communication path set via a circuit switch or a base station on the public telephone network side.
[0013]
Furthermore, it is difficult to manage the states of the IP telephone exchanges 14 and 15 that control the setting of such a communication path by cooperative operation.
[0014]
In addition, the misconfiguration may cause various kinds of information that causes call control or communication path abnormality (misconnection, connection failure, one-way communication, etc.), such as IP telephone exchanges (for example, 14, 15), gateway devices (21 23), address information set in the routers 16-18, etc., routing information set in the routers 16-18, etc. can be collected as management information in the SNMP manager. It is usually not easy for an administrator to predict a future call control or communication path abnormality based on a huge number of numbers composed of the above information.
[0015]
Note that degradation of communication quality such as voice delay is a phenomenon that occurs when communication traffic in any network device or device on the call path is excessive and congestion occurs. Even if communication traffic is obtained for the device by the RMON, it is not easy to predict the occurrence of voice delay in advance when the number of network devices or devices on the communication path is large.
[0016]
In addition, regarding an IP network, even if any telephone (IP telephone, general telephone) requests call setting, it takes a long time until call setting is actually performed and a communication path is established (for example, A phenomenon (connection delay) that requires about 8 seconds may occur. Such a connection delay may occur when the call setup request frequency required is higher than the processing capacity of the IP telephone exchanges 14 and 15 or the like, but it is a dynamic factor such as the call setup request frequency. Is difficult to predict.
[0017]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to solve this problem, in the first invention, a plurality of bases are connected. De In a voice communication system that performs voice communication on a network for data communication, (1) each site has Each call contact section that performs call path inspection Provided, (2) At least some of the above The call contact unit is a call setting request unit that automatically requests a call setting with a call contact unit at another location. (3) Each of the call contact parts is (4) a call setting response unit that automatically responds to a call setting request supplied from a call contact unit at another site and establishes a communication path between the other call contact units. Said call setting A speech path state determination unit that automatically determines the state of the speech path is provided.
[0018]
In the second invention, Connecting multiple locations Data communication network Of which network part In the voice communication system in the base that performs voice communication above, (1) the base Inside Is Perform a call path check A plurality of call contacts are provided, (2) At least some of the above The call contact unit is a call setting request unit that automatically requests call setting between other call contact units. (3) Each of the call contact parts is (4) a call setting response unit that automatically responds to a call setting request supplied from another call contact unit and establishes a call path between the other call contact unit; Said call setting A speech path state determination unit that automatically determines the state of the speech path is provided.
[0019]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
(A) Embodiment
Embodiments of a voice communication system according to the present invention will be described below.
[0020]
A feature common to the first to fourth embodiments is that a call contact unit having an automatic call function, an automatic response function, etc. is arranged at each base, and then automatically communicated between the call contact units, When a user actually makes a call from an IP telephone or the like, the actual call setting by the user is performed by simulating the operation that occurs inside the backbone IP network, etc., and monitoring the state of the call control or the communication path In other words, it is possible to detect in advance a failure or quality degradation that may occur in a telephone call.
[0021]
By comprehensively selecting combinations of call contact units that communicate with each other and periodically executing the communication, it becomes possible to detect failures and quality deterioration in advance when any telephone user makes a call.
[0022]
(A-1) Configuration of the first embodiment
An example of the overall configuration of the VoIP network 40 of this embodiment is shown in FIG.
[0023]
In FIG. 1, the VoIP network 40 includes an IP network 10, IP telephone exchanges 41 to 44, call contact units 45 to 48, and a monitoring system 49.
[0024]
Of these, the IP network 10 is substantially the same as the IP network 10 of FIG. 2, and the IP telephone switches 41 to 44 are also substantially the same as the IP telephone switches 14 and 15 of FIG. To do.
[0025]
However, the IP network 10 of FIG. 2 is connected to the public telephone network 11 via the VoIP gateway devices 21 and 22, but the IP network 10 of this embodiment shown in FIG. 1 is not connected to the public telephone network. .
[0026]
A VoIP network having such a network configuration is called an extension telephone network type VoIP network. Since the telephone number system assigned to IP telephones is not global at present, a VoIP network that is not connected to a public telephone network is, for example, an extension telephone that can be used only within one organization (such as a company). Become a net.
[0027]
If the Internet is used as the IP network 10 for the extension telephone network type VoIP network, it becomes a so-called Internet telephone, but here, a dedicated IP network is used. Unlike the Internet, whose quality is not guaranteed, it is easy to obtain relatively good communication quality in a dedicated IP network. The IP network 10 as a dedicated IP network may be constructed for one company to use by itself, but may be constructed by a communication carrier and provided to another company. Here, it is assumed that the IP network 10 is constructed by a communication carrier.
[0028]
In many cases, it is not only one company that uses the IP network 10 constructed by a telecommunications carrier, so an IP-VPN is installed so that one company can connect between its bases while maintaining confidentiality. It is normal to use.
[0029]
Therefore, FIG. 1 shows only components related to one company among a plurality of companies that use the extension telephone network service (extension telephone network type VoIP network) provided by the telecommunications carrier and share the IP network 10. Is. Routers, switches (not shown in FIG. 1), etc., which are facilities on the IP network 10 are shared by each company that uses this extension telephone network service.
[0030]
The call contact parts 45 to 48 are components applying CTI technology, and are arranged for each company base ST1 to ST4. Each base ST1 to ST4 of one company may be distributed over a wide area, for example, may be distributed in a plurality of countries. Although the illustrated bases are four of ST1 to ST4, it is natural that this number may be less than four or more.
[0031]
Each base (for example, ST1) is an aggregate of a large number of information processing devices having communication functions. Become The internal configuration may be as shown in FIG. 11 as an example. Although the internal configuration of each site may be substantially the same, the following description will be given assuming that the internal configuration of the site ST1 is mainly shown in FIG.
[0032]
(A-1-1) Example of internal structure of base
In FIG. 11, the base ST1 includes a router 60, a VoIP gateway device 61, IP telephones 62 and 63, a personal computer 64, a PBX (private branch exchange) 65, and general telephones 66 and 67.
[0033]
Among these, the router 60 is a device for connecting the LAN transmission line L1 and the transmission line L2 in the base ST1 to the IP network 10. The transmission line L1 is connected to the LAN interface (LAN port) LF of the router 60, and the transmission line L2 is connected to the PBX accommodating interface PF. When the IP-VPN is used, the encryption and decryption functions necessary for the IP-VPN may be installed in the router 60.
[0034]
A gatekeeper function or the like can also be mounted on the router 60.
[0035]
A gatekeeper is a type of server that manages the correspondence between telephone numbers and IP addresses, and has a function of returning an IP address in response to an inquiry from an IP telephone or the like. When making a call, the IP telephone user (for example, U3) inputs only the telephone number of the communication partner to the IP telephone (for example, 62), but on the IP network 10 that performs communication according to the IP protocol. Since the only identifier effective for identifying the communication partner is an IP address, it is necessary to inquire the gatekeeper and obtain the IP address corresponding to the telephone number.
[0036]
The IP telephones 62 and 63 are telephones having a function corresponding to VoIP, and are directly connected to the transmission line L1.
[0037]
The personal computer 64 can be used as a VoIP telephone equipped with a microphone, a speaker, and the like, but can also be used as a data communication terminal that transmits and receives data other than voice data.
[0038]
In addition, various servers and groupware can be connected to the transmission line L1 as necessary.
[0039]
The VoIP gateway device 61 connects general telephones 66 and 67 under the control of the PBX 65 to the transmission line L2. Unlike the IP telephones 62 and 63, the general telephones 66 and 67 do not have a function corresponding to VoIP, and therefore, the VoIP function provided by the VoIP gateway device 61 is required.
[0040]
The function of the VoIP gateway device 61 may be installed in a router instead of a dedicated device. This router may be the router 60 or a new router provided under the router 60.
[0041]
Various methods are possible as to how the above-described call contact portion 45 is arranged in the base ST1 having such a structure. For example, the function of the call contact unit 45 may be mounted on any of the illustrated or non-illustrated components connected to the transmission line L1, but here it is mounted on the router 60.
[0042]
Since the call contact unit 45 periodically communicates with a call contact unit (for example, 46) of another base (for example, ST2), it is preferable not to provide the call contact unit 45 on the transmission line L1. Communication between other components is unimpeded and efficient.
[0043]
The function of the call contact unit 45 may be realized by hardware, but in the present embodiment, it is realized by software. In general, when a certain function is realized by software, the processing speed is slower than when it is realized by hardware, but it is flexible and much cheaper.
[0044]
An example of the internal configuration of the call contact unit 45 is shown in FIG.
[0045]
The internal configurations of the call contact portions 45 to 48 arranged at the respective bases ST1 to ST4 may be substantially the same. However, in the following description, the call contact portion 45 is mainly illustrated in FIG. .
[0046]
(A-1-2) Internal configuration example of call contact unit
In FIG. 12, the call contact unit 45 includes a call control unit 50, a PB transmission / reception unit 51, a call level analysis unit 52, a failure notification unit 53, and a contact information unit 54.
[0047]
The call control unit 50 is a part that performs call control such as automatic call (call setting), automatic response unit, and automatic disconnection.
[0048]
These call controls are executed by the call control unit 50 exchanging a predetermined call control message (control signal) with the IP telephone exchange 41 or the like.
[0049]
For example, when the call control unit 50 requests call setting for a call contact unit at any other site (for example, the call contact unit 46 of the site ST2), an identifier (designating the other party call contact unit 46 that is the destination) For example, a control signal (call setting message) requesting call setting accommodating the telephone number NB2) is transmitted from the call control unit 50 to the IP telephone switch 41.
[0050]
The IP telephone switch 41 controls the call control unit (corresponding to 50) of the partner call contact unit 46 via another IP telephone switch (for example, 42) (or, if possible, the IP telephone switch 41 itself). Thus, a call is established between both call contact parts (45 and 46 in this case).
[0051]
When the call control unit 50 establishes a call with the target call contact unit (in this case, 46) and the communication path is set, the PB transmission / reception unit 51 establishes a PB (push button) via the communication path. ) The part that transmits and receives signals. Since there are many routers and switches on the IP network 10 on the communication path, this PB signal is transmitted or received via these routers and switches.
[0052]
Here, the PB signal is used, but this PB signal is a signal for checking whether or not an actual human conversation can be normally performed through the communication path, and so on. It can be replaced with other sound signals or sound signals such as synthesized sound. Although it is necessary to consider the ease of analysis, it can be said that it is desirable to inspect using sound (or speech) having characteristics as close as possible to the actual human conversational speech.
[0053]
The call contact unit 45 including the call control unit 50 and the PB transmission / reception unit 51 is a telephone having exactly the same function as a normal IP telephone (for example, 62) when viewed from the IP telephone exchange 41 or the IP network 10 side. The IP telephone 62 and the like are processed without distinction.
[0054]
The call level analysis unit 52 determines whether or not the PB signal is received from the other party call contact unit (here, 46) by the PB transmission / reception unit 51, or if received, This is the part that analyzes the degree of delay.
[0055]
Similarly to the call contact unit 45, the PB transmission / reception unit (corresponding to 51) also sends and receives PB signals in the other party call contact unit 46. It can be inferred that call control such as the above or a communication path abnormality has occurred.
[0056]
Further, when reception is performed, it is possible to determine whether or not the above-described audio delay occurs by analyzing the received PB signal in detail. For example, if the result of the analysis shows a voice delay of a level exceeding a preset threshold value (voice delay threshold value), it is determined that the communication quality of the speech path has deteriorated. It may be. Communication quality degradation due to voice delay can occur when communication traffic is excessive in one of the network devices or devices on the communication path and congestion occurs.
[0057]
Further, the call level analysis unit 52 measures the time until the call is established after the call control unit 50 transmits the call setting message, and the measurement result is a predetermined threshold value (for connection delay use). When the threshold value is exceeded, it may be determined that a large connection delay has occurred. The large connection delay is caused by the IP telephone switch 41, 42 This may occur when the call setup request frequency required is higher than the processing capability.
[0058]
The call level analysis unit 52 also has a function as a control unit of the entire call contact unit 45.
[0059]
The contact information part 54 is a part that stores an identifier of the other party call contact part that the call contact part 45 should request call setting according to a predetermined inspection procedure. The call level analysis unit 52 as the control unit reads out the identifier from the contact information unit 54 in a predetermined procedure, thereby calling the other party call contact unit to which call setting should be requested next and the other party call contact unit. The timing for requesting the setting can be recognized.
[0060]
As an identifier stored in the contact information unit 54, either a telephone number or an IP address can be used. When an IP address is used, it is advantageous in that the time and processing for making an inquiry to the gatekeeper can be omitted. However, if the telephone number is used as an identifier, the arrangement of the other party's call contact unit is changed in the base However, it is not necessary to change the contents stored in the contact information section 54, management is easy, and interoperability (interoperability) is improved. In the present embodiment, telephone numbers are used with emphasis on ease of management and high interoperability.
[0061]
The failure notification unit 53 is a part that transmits a failure notification to the monitoring system 49 in response to an instruction from the call level analysis unit 52.
[0062]
The erroneous connection, poor connection, one-way call, etc. are clear failures, but a large degree of voice delay or connection delay is not necessarily a failure. However, if the degree is too high, it may be better to classify the fault and notify the fault.
[0063]
Various processes can be considered when the monitoring system 49 receives this failure notification. For example, when a program such as the SNMP agent is arranged in a router or switch on the IP network 10, an instruction is given to execute an automatic recovery process that can be performed by the function of the program. When it is confirmed that the restoration cannot be performed only by the restoration process, a predetermined maintenance person or the like may be notified and a maintenance operation may be requested.
[0064]
Also, a user such as an IP telephone (for example, U3 or U1) may be informed that he cannot make a call until he / she recovers by listening to a busy tone. This is because it is inconvenient not to make a call, but even if it is allowed to make a call, if the call quality is poor, the user is more likely to feel uncomfortable.
[0065]
In FIG. 1, the IP telephone exchanges 41 to 44 are provided in one-to-one correspondence with the bases ST1 to ST4, but this is not always necessary. For example, the number of IP telephone exchanges 41 to 44 may be smaller than the number of bases ST1 to ST4.
[0066]
In addition, the IP telephone exchanges 41 to 44 may be components of the respective bases ST1 to ST4, but are usually provided as equipment on the telecommunications carrier side that constructs the IP network 10.
[0067]
Further, the IP telephone exchanges 41 to 44 are not necessarily components of the IP network 10. For example, the IP telephone exchanges 41 to 44 can be regarded as being independent of the IP network 10 in the same meaning as that the telephone network and the common line signal network are independent within the ISDN network.
[0068]
The operation of the present embodiment having the above configuration will be described below with reference to FIG. FIG. 4 shows the components corresponding to the pair of caller base and callee base necessary for explaining the operation of the call contact section from FIG. Has steps.
[0069]
The calling site refers to a site having a call contact unit that requests call setting to any other call contact unit using the call control unit 50, and conversely, the called site is This refers to a base having a call contact portion for receiving a call in response to a call setting request.
[0070]
In principle, any of the bases ST1 to ST4 shown in FIG. 1 can be the originating base, and any base can be the destination base. Now, a case will be described in which the base ST1 having the call contact part 45 is a calling base and the base ST2 having the call contact part 46 is a destination base.
[0071]
In order to distinguish the constituent elements of the call contact portions 45 and 46 on the caller side and the callee side, the reference numerals given to the constituent elements of the call contact portion 45 in FIG. The code given to the element has “B” at the end.
[0072]
That is, the call contact unit 45 includes the components 50A to 54A, and the call contact unit 46 includes the components 50B to 54B.
[0073]
At this time, if the call contact portion 46 that is the called side may also be the calling side, it is necessary to equip the contact information portion 54B corresponding to the contact information portion 54 as a component, The contact information part 54B can be omitted if it functions only as the wearer side. Whether or not the call contact unit 46 may be the calling side depends on the specific contents of the inspection procedure.
[0074]
(A-2) Operation of the first embodiment
In the call contact unit 45 in the calling site ST1, the call level analysis unit 52A reads the content of the contact information unit 54A, and according to the inspection procedure, the telephone number of the call contact unit that should request call setting this time Search for. Assuming that the telephone number to be set this time is the telephone number NB2 pointing to the call contact unit 46 in the destination site ST2, the call level analyzing unit 52A sends a call setting message containing the telephone number NB2, The data is transmitted to the call setting unit 50A.
[0075]
The call setting unit 50A transmits the call setting message to the IP telephone exchange 41 (S1), the route is determined in the IP telephone exchange 41, and the call setting is made to the IP telephone exchange 42 as a result of the route determination. A message (for example, an IAM (Initial Address Message) message) between the requested exchanges is transmitted (S2). In the IP telephone exchange 42 that has received this message, the same route determination is performed, and as a result of the route determination, the destination telephone contact section from the IP telephone exchange 42 46 A call setting message is transmitted to the call setting unit 50B, and a call setting is requested (S3).
[0076]
If the IP telephone exchanges 41 and 42 are in a state where the load on the processing capacity is high due to call control for calls between IP telephones, etc., the reception, transmission and route determination of these call setting messages are performed. However, it takes a long time to generate a large connection delay. Usually, since the call setup message is received and transmitted in a sufficiently short time and the route is determined, the start of step S1 and the end of step S3 are performed. The time until is short enough.
[0077]
The call setting unit 50B that has received the call setting request in step S3 automatically responds, and follows the route of steps S1 to S3 in the opposite direction, that is, the call control unit 50B → IP telephone exchange 42 → IP telephone exchange. The response is transmitted through steps S4, S5, and S6 along the route 41 → call control unit 50A.
[0078]
The call contact unit 45 at the calling site measures the time from the start of the step S1 to the end of the step S6, and checks whether the measurement result exceeds the connection delay threshold value. It can be determined whether or not a delay has occurred.
[0079]
Regardless of the connection delay, when step S6 ends, the call level analysis unit 52A transmits a PB signal from the originating PB transmission / reception unit 51A (S7). The voice data corresponding to the PB signal is accommodated in an IP packet and transmitted through a communication path constituted by devices on the IP network 10 (for example, routers 16A and 16B and switches 19A and 19B). The PB transmitter / receiver 51B is reached and received by the PB transmitter / receiver 51B (S8).
[0080]
With this reception or before and after reception, the PB transmission / reception unit 51B transmits a PB signal (S9). The voice data corresponding to the PB signal is accommodated in an IP packet and transmitted in the opposite direction to the steps S9 and S10 on the IP network 10 as in step S7. Normally, this IP packet reaches the PB transmission / reception unit 51A on the originating side and is received by the PB transmission / reception unit 51A (S10).
[0081]
Within the communication contact unit 46 on the called side, the call level analysis unit 52B determines whether or not the arrival (reception) of the PB signal in step S8 has been performed. Check whether the threshold is exceeded.
[0082]
Similarly, in the call contact unit 45 on the calling side, the call level analysis unit 52A determines whether or not the arrival (reception) of the PB signal in step S10 has been performed. Check whether the voice delay threshold is exceeded.
[0083]
If the above-described call control or communication path abnormality (misconnection, poor connection, single call, etc.) is present, both or one of the call level analysis units 52A and 52B determines that the PB signal has not been received.
[0084]
When such a communication path abnormality or a large voice delay exceeding the voice delay threshold is detected, the call level analysis unit 52A and / or 52B sends the fault notification unit 53A and / or 53B to the monitoring system 49. Make the failure notification addressed. Of course, the specific contents of the failure notification may differ from each other when a large audio delay is detected, when a communication path abnormality is detected, or when a large connection delay is detected.
[0085]
When such a failure notification is received, the monitoring system 49 executes corresponding processing such as the above-described automatic recovery processing and maintenance work request in accordance with the specific contents of the failure notification. In addition, IP telephone users (for example, U3, U1, etc.) who are trying to make a call before restoration cannot make a call by listening to the busy sound as necessary. May be communicated.
[0086]
Thus, before the user makes a call, if the call control and the state of the communication path are automatically inspected and the corresponding processing according to the inspection result is executed, when the user actually makes a call, Since there is a high possibility that the failure has been recovered and the communication quality has been recovered, it is possible to provide a higher quality and more comfortable VoIP service.
[0087]
Note that a transmission path for failure notification units 53A and 53B to notify the monitoring system 49 of a failure may be provided in the IP network 10, but a transmission path separate from the IP network 10 is prepared. May be. Further, when a failure notification transmission path is provided in the IP network 10, it is desirable to secure a bandwidth dedicated to failure notification in advance. This is to avoid a situation in which the failure notification itself cannot be executed due to congestion of the IP network 10 or the like.
[0088]
Here, the base ST1 is selected as the originating base and the base ST2 is selected as the destination base. However, the originating base and the destination base can be selected regularly and comprehensively in other combinations.
[0089]
For example, it is possible to request the same call setting from the call contacts 47 and 48 of the call stations ST3 and ST4 from the call station ST1 to check the call control and the state of the call path.
[0090]
(A-3) Effects of the first embodiment
As described above, according to the present embodiment, it is possible to automatically check the call control and the state of the communication path, which have been difficult in the past.
[0091]
Moreover, if a predetermined response process is executed in accordance with the inspection result, a high-quality and more comfortable VoIP service can be provided to the user (for example, U3).
[0092]
(B) Second embodiment
Below, only the point from which this embodiment is different from 1st Embodiment is demonstrated.
[0093]
In the first embodiment, the communication path is closed inside the IP network 10, but the communication path in the present embodiment can be set from the IP network 10 to the public telephone network 11. Accordingly, transmission / reception of a call control message (control signal) for call control also reaches the public telephone network 11 side.
[0094]
(B-1) Configuration and operation of the second embodiment
An example of the overall configuration of the VoIP network 70 of this embodiment is shown in FIG.
[0095]
In FIG. 5, the same reference numerals 10, 41 to 44, 45 to 48, 49, ST1 to ST4 as those in FIG.
[0096]
The public telephone network 11 may be a network such as a mobile telephone network, but in this embodiment, is assumed to be an ISDN network. The ISDN network 11 is connected to the IP network 10 via VoIP gateway devices 21 and 22. For the extension telephone network service, the VoIP service connected to the public telephone network in this way is called a public network service (IP relay telephone service).
[0097]
The bases ST1 to ST3 in this embodiment are bases accommodated in the IP network 10 as in the first embodiment, but the base ST4 is accommodated in the ISDN network 11.
[0098]
Therefore, in the case of this embodiment, the internal configuration of the base ST4 is different from that shown in FIG. However, the call contact section 48 is also provided at the site ST4.
[0099]
In the present embodiment, the operation when performing call control between the call contact units 45 to 47 of the bases ST1 to ST3 accommodated in the IP network 10 is exactly the same as that of the first embodiment. When the call control is performed between any one of the call contact units 45 to 47 and the call contact unit 48 of the base ST4 accommodated in the ISDN network 11, the common line signal of the ISDN network 11 is used to transmit the call control message. The point that the net intervenes is different.
[0100]
Since all the telephones in the base ST4 are accommodated in one subscriber exchange (not shown) in the ISDN network 11 including the telephone contact section 48, any one of the telephone contact sections 45 to 47 can connect to the base ST4. When a call setting request is made to the call contact unit 48, the call setting message is delivered to the IP telephone switch 44 via the IP telephone switch 41 and the signal relay station (not shown) from the IP telephone switch 44. It is delivered to the subscriber exchange via (STP) or the like, and reaches the call control section 50 of the call contact section 48 from the subscriber exchange.
[0101]
When the call control unit 50 of the call contact unit 48 responds to the call setting message, the response message is transmitted through the opposite path.
[0102]
In addition, the transmission / reception of the PB signal is different in that the telephone network of the ISDN network 11 is interposed.
[0103]
That is, when a PB signal is transmitted from any of the call contact units 45 to 47 to the call contact unit 48 of the base ST4, an IP packet containing voice data corresponding to the PB signal is transferred to a switch or router on the IP network 10. Is transmitted to the VoIP gateway device 21 or 22, and the VoIP gateway device 21 or 22 From The extracted voice data is converted into a signal corresponding to ISDN and transmitted to the ISDN network 11. From the subscriber exchange to the PB transmission / reception unit 51 of the call contact unit 48 via the ISDN network 11 communication network. Delivered.
[0104]
When a PB signal is transmitted from the PB transmission / reception unit 51 of the call contact unit 48, the PB signal is transmitted through the opposite path. Of course, in the VoIP gateway device 21 or 22 in the middle, the PB signal is converted into voice data, and processing for accommodating it in the IP packet is performed.
[0105]
In this case, the communication path set between any of the call contact units 45 to 47 and the call contact unit 48 extends from the IP network 10 to the ISDN network 11.
[0106]
However, excluding these points, in this embodiment as well, it is possible to automatically inspect the call control and the state of the speech path as in the first embodiment.
[0107]
Here, all the telephones of the base ST4 are accommodated in the ISDN network (public telephone network) 11, but some telephones of the base ST4 are accommodated in the public telephone network 11 and other telephones are accommodated in the IP network. Needless to say, it can be accommodated in 10.
[0108]
If the operation of the present embodiment as described above is expressed in the same format as that of FIG.
[0109]
However, in FIG. 6, the reference numerals given to the components of the call contact section 48 have “D” at the end instead of “B”.
[0110]
(B-2) Effects of the second embodiment
As described above, in this embodiment, the same effect as that of the first embodiment is obtained under the condition that the bases are distributed on the public telephone network (11) side and the IP network (10) side. be able to.
[0111]
(C) Third embodiment
In the following, only the differences of the present embodiment from the first and second embodiments will be described.
[0112]
In the present embodiment, a specific example preferable for carrying out an exhaustive inspection is proposed for the above-described inspection procedure that was not necessarily clear in the first and second embodiments.
[0113]
If there are multiple bases that can be the calling site, and the call contact section of each calling site sends a call setup message asynchronously, an incoming call collision occurs. There is a possibility that this inspection cannot be performed normally.
[0114]
Therefore, in the present embodiment, only one calling site (calling side call contact unit) is selected simultaneously according to the inspection procedure, and the selected calling site (calling side call contact unit) is cyclically selected. By making changes, comprehensive inspection is realized.
[0115]
(C-1) Configuration and operation of the third embodiment
As the overall configuration of the VoIP network of the present embodiment, the VoIP network 40 of the first embodiment shown in FIG. 1 can be used, but here, the VoIP network of the second embodiment shown in FIG. 5 is used. Assume that the network 70 is used.
[0116]
Further, in the present embodiment, in order to select the calling side call contact part, each of the contact information parts 54 of the call contact parts 45 to 47 that can be the calling side call contact part includes, for example, as shown in FIG. A number correspondence table TB1 in which identifiers (in this case, telephone numbers are assumed) of the call contact units 45 to 47 and circulation numbers (1 to 3) are stored in association with each other is accumulated.
[0117]
In FIG. 7, the circulation number of the call contact unit 45 of the telephone number NB1 is 1, the circulation number of the call contact unit 46 of the phone number NB2 is 2, and the circulation number of the call contact unit 47 of the phone number NB3 is 3.
[0118]
A certain calling side call contact unit (for example, 45) requests all the called side call contact units (46 by requesting call setting one by one from other call contact units (here, 46 to 48). To 48), the call control and the state of the speech path are inspected. When this inspection is completed, the calling side call contact unit (here 45) searches the number correspondence table TB1 and corresponds to the telephone number associated with its next circulation number (here, corresponding to circulation number 2). A predetermined circulation notification is transmitted to the call contact section (46) of the attached telephone number NB2).
[0119]
The circulation notification is a message that informs the call contact unit that has received the notification that the authority to become the calling side call contact unit has been transferred.
[0120]
Accordingly, when the circulation notification is received, the call contact unit 46, which was one of the called side call contact units last time, operates as the calling side call contact unit this time, and requests call setting one by one. Thus, the call control and the state of the communication path are inspected with all the other call contact units 45, 47, and 48.
[0121]
When the call contact unit 46 finishes this inspection, the same operation is repeated cyclically as shown in FIG.
[0122]
If such an operation is repeated cyclically, an abnormality in the call control or communication path may be detected for any of the call contact units.
[0123]
For example, in the inspection when the call contact unit 45 with the circulation number 1 is the calling side call contact unit, the call control or the communication path abnormality may be detected with respect to the call contact unit 46 with the circulation number 2. In this case, even if the circulation notification is simply sent to the call contact unit 46 according to the number correspondence table TB1, it is unlikely that the call contact unit 46 can normally perform the inspection as the calling side call contact unit. In some cases, there is a possibility that the cyclical delegation of authority to be the calling side call contact unit may stagnate in the call contact unit 46, and as an example, no call control or abnormality in the call path is detected. The call contact part corresponding to the circulation number (here, circulation number 3) closest to the call contact part 46 from the call contact parts Here, the 47), may be transmitted circulation notification.
[0124]
Further, the transmission path for transmitting the circulation notification may be provided in the IP network 10 as with the transmission path for performing the failure notification, but a transmission path separate from the IP network 10 is prepared. May be. In addition, when providing a transmission path for transmitting the circulation notification in the IP network 10, it is also desirable to secure a dedicated band for the circulation notification in advance. This is to avoid a situation in which the circulation notification cannot be transmitted due to congestion of the IP network 10 or the like.
[0125]
In the present embodiment, as described above, the reason why the call contact unit 48 of the base ST4 accommodated in the public telephone network 11 does not become the calling side call contact unit is as follows. Since the system of telephone numbers assigned to the contact part (including 45 to 47, for example) is not global, the telephone on the public telephone network 11 side (here, the call contact part 48 is pointed) to the telephone on the IP network 10 side. This reflects that it is difficult to make a call.
[0126]
Therefore, for example, when the VoIP network 40 of the first embodiment shown in FIG. 1 is used, all the call contact units 45 to 48 can be calling side call contact units, and global telephones assigned to IP telephones When the number system is prepared, the call contact unit 48 can be a calling contact unit in the VoIP network 70 shown in FIG.
[0127]
(C-2) Effects of the third embodiment
According to the present embodiment, it is possible to obtain the same effect as that of the first and second embodiments.
[0128]
In addition, in this embodiment, it is possible to guarantee efficient and exhaustive execution of call control and communication path state inspection for the entire VoIP network.
[0129]
(D) Fourth embodiment
Below, only the point from which this embodiment differs from the 1st-3rd embodiment is explained.
[0130]
In the present embodiment, each call contact unit 45 to 48 accumulates the result of inspection regarding the call control and the state of the call path as log information, and responds to a request from the monitoring system 49 (or spontaneously). ), And the log information can be transmitted to the monitoring system 49.
[0131]
(D-1) Configuration and operation of the fourth embodiment
The overall configuration example of the VoIP network of this embodiment may be the overall configuration of the first embodiment shown in FIG. 1 or the overall configuration of the second embodiment shown in FIG.
[0132]
An example of the internal configuration of the call contact portions 45 to 48 of the present embodiment is shown in FIG.
[0133]
In FIG. 9, the same reference numerals 50, 51, 52, 53, and 54 as those in FIG. 12 are given to the components corresponding to the communication contact portions 45 to 48 of the first to third embodiments, and detailed description thereof is omitted. .
[0134]
In the log information section 55, for example, log information is accumulated in a format such as a log table TB2 shown in FIG. In the log table TB2, a record of communication such as outgoing call, incoming call, transmission of PB signal, and reception is accumulated as log information together with time information (time information) when the operation is performed.
[0135]
Specifically, in FIG. 10, the log table TB2 includes, as outgoing call logs, each of a transmission destination number (calling destination telephone number), transmission time, PB signal transmission time, transmission PB signal type, and disconnection time. Accumulate data items.
[0136]
Further, as incoming call logs, data items such as a caller number (caller's telephone number), incoming time, PB signal reception time, received PB signal type, and disconnection time are stored.
[0137]
When the communication interface unit (communication I / F unit) 56 receives a log information acquisition request (read request) from the monitoring system 49, the communication interface unit (communication I / F unit) 56 reads the specific value of each data item of the log table TB2 and transmits it to the monitoring system 49 It is.
[0138]
Since the values of the log table TB2 stored in each of the call contact units 45 to 48 are only the result of the inspection as seen from each call contact unit, a plurality of call contact units are necessary to accurately capture the overall image of the abnormality. There is a high possibility that it is necessary to comprehensively analyze the values of the log table TB2. When the necessity of such comprehensive analysis is recognized, the log information acquisition request may be transmitted from the monitoring system 49 to a plurality of corresponding call contact units.
[0139]
The transmission path for transmitting the log information acquisition request and the specific value of the log table TB2 transmitted to the monitoring system 49 in response to the log information acquisition request is similar to the IP network 10 as in the case of the failure notification. It is also desirable to use a separate transmission line or secure a dedicated band in the IP network 10.
[0140]
If necessary, even if the log information acquisition request is not received, it is natural that the specific values of the log table TB2 may be voluntarily transmitted to the monitoring system 49 based on the determination of the call contact unit. .
[0141]
(D-2) Effects of the fourth embodiment
According to this embodiment, an effect equivalent to that of the first and second embodiments can be obtained.
[0142]
In addition, in the present embodiment, it is possible for the monitoring system (49) to accurately capture the whole image of the abnormality based on the value of the log table (TB2) supplied from each call contact unit.
[0143]
As a result, for example, it is possible to calculate a delay time in the VoIP network by specifying a corresponding (departure / arrival) call log from the callee number and caller number and comparing the contents of the log information. .
[0144]
In addition, the monitoring system can execute a more appropriate response process by accurately capturing the entire image of the abnormality.
[0145]
(E) Other embodiments
In the first embodiment, the contact information unit 54 stores a telephone number (or IP address) as an identifier. However, other identifiers may be used as necessary. For example, a domain name (FQDN) can be used.
[0146]
In the first to fourth embodiments, after the call is established, the quality of the communication path such as voice delay is also inspected. However, until the establishment of the call is confirmed, the inspection for one destination call contact unit is performed. May be terminated.
[0147]
Furthermore, in the first to fourth embodiments, one call contact unit is arranged at each site and the call control between the sites and the state of the call path are inspected. It is possible to inspect the call control and the state of the communication path. However, in that case, naturally, it is necessary to arrange a plurality of call contact portions in one base. In the case where the scale of the base is large, it is effective to arrange a plurality of call contact portions in one base in this way.
[0148]
In the call contact unit of the first to fourth embodiments, as shown in FIG. 12, the call control unit (50), the PB transmission / reception unit (51), the call level analysis unit (52), and the failure notification unit (53) However, this shows a logical function, and does not limit the hardware / software configuration on implementation.
[0149]
Similarly, in the third embodiment, two data items of a circulation number and a telephone number are provided as data items of the number correspondence table TB1 stored in the contact information unit 54. This is an example of a schema. Yes, it does not limit the software configuration on implementation. Further, it is possible to use a database other than the relational database for the contact information unit 54.
[0150]
Note that the network configuration of the second embodiment shown in FIG. 5 can be easily extended to a public and public network configuration.
[0151]
The IP networks of the first to fourth embodiments can be replaced with other data communication networks. As an example, it can be replaced with a frame relay network or the like.
[0152]
Furthermore, since the characteristic part of 3rd Embodiment and the characteristic part of 4th Embodiment are not in a contradictory relationship, it is also possible to coexist both in the same VoIP network.
[0153]
In the above description, the present invention is realized mainly by hardware, but the present invention can also be realized by software.
[0154]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the present invention, it is possible to automatically determine the state of a speech path that has been difficult in the past.
[0155]
Thereby, for example, it becomes easy to provide a high-quality VoIP service.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing an example of the overall configuration of a VoIP network according to a first embodiment.
FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing an example of the overall configuration of a conventional VoIP network.
FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram showing a configuration example of a network management system in a conventional VoIP network.
FIG. 4 is an operation explanatory diagram of the first embodiment.
FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram showing an example of the overall configuration of a VoIP network according to the second and third embodiments.
FIG. 6 is an operation explanatory diagram of the second embodiment.
FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram showing an example of the overall configuration of a VoIP network according to a third embodiment.
FIG. 8 is an operation explanatory diagram of the third embodiment.
FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram illustrating a configuration example of a main part of a call contact unit used in the fourth embodiment.
FIG. 10 is an operation explanatory diagram of the fourth embodiment.
FIG. 11 is a schematic diagram showing an example of the internal configuration of a base used in the first to fourth embodiments.
FIG. 12 is a schematic diagram illustrating a configuration example of a main part of a call contact unit used in the first to third embodiments.
[Explanation of symbols]
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 ... IP network, 11 ... Public telephone network, 14, 25, 41-44 ... IP telephone exchange, 45-48 ... Call contact part, 21, 22, 61 ... VoIP gateway apparatus, 40, 70 ... VoIP network, 49 ... Monitoring system, 25, 27, 62, 63 ... IP telephone, 50, 50A, 50B ... call control unit, 51, 51A, 51B ... PB transmission / reception unit, 52, 52A, 52B ... call level analysis unit, 53, 53A, 53B ... failure notification part, 54, 54A, 54B ... contact information part, 60 ... router, ST1 to ST4 ... base.

Claims (7)

In a voice communication system that performs a voice communication over a plurality of connecting bases Lud over data communication networks,
Each of the bases is provided with a call contact unit for performing a call path inspection ,
At least some of the call contact units include a call setting request unit that automatically requests call setting with a call contact unit of another base ,
All the call contacts are
A call setting response unit that automatically responds to a call setting request supplied from a call contact unit at another site and establishes a call path between the other call contact unit and the call related to the call setting. A speech communication system comprising: a speech path state determination unit that automatically determines a path state. The voice communication system of claim 1.
Each of the call contact units has a PB transmission / reception unit for transmitting / receiving a PB signal to / from a call contact unit facing each other through an established call path. The voice communication system according to claim 1 or 2 ,
The speech path status determination section, wherein by monitoring the operation of the call setting request unit or the call setting response unit determines the normality of the establishment of the communication path, or is received by the PB transmitting and receiving part of the call the contact portion quality of PB signals or to monitor whether or not a PB signal is received, a voice communication system, wherein the benzalkonium to determine the state of the communication path. The voice communication system of claim 1.
A gateway device for connecting the data communication network to an existing public telephone network;
The voice communication system, wherein the communication path is set so as to cover the data communication network and the public telephone network through the gateway device. The voice communication system of claim 1 .
Wherein provided in each site, the one call contact section selects the call contact portion with a call setting request unit from within to that current if the element, and a call contact portion on the side that requests the call setting,
When the call contact unit on the side requesting the selected call setting finishes the determination of the state of the call path established with another call contact unit defined inside, the call contact unit belonging to the set A voice communication system characterized by notifying another specified call contact section and shifting the notified call contact section to a state selected as a call contact section on the call requesting side . The voice communication system of claim 1 .
Each call contact section is
A log information accumulating unit for accumulating log information related to the determination result of the speech path state determining unit;
A voice communication system comprising: a log information providing unit that transmits log information stored in the log information storage unit in response to a request from a predetermined monitoring center device. In a data communication network connecting a plurality of bases, in a voice communication system in a base that performs voice communication on the network part in any base ,
In the base , a plurality of call contact units for performing a call path inspection are provided,
At least some of the call contact units include a call setting request unit that automatically requests call setting between other call contact units ,
All the call contacts are
To request other supplied call setting from the call contact portion, automatically a call setting response unit to establish a call path between the calling contact portion of oneself and others in response, the speech path of the call setting A speech communication system comprising: a speech path state determining unit that automatically determines a state.

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