JP4624323B2 - IP communication relay device, network system, relay processing program, and relay method - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an IP telephone relay device. More particularly, the present invention relates to a relay device that performs a call termination process without causing discomfort to a call partner when a communication abnormality occurs on a line between an IP telephone relay device and a telephone device connected to the relay device.

  In recent years, with the spread of broadband communication, the number of cases where an IP (Internet Protocol) network is used and a network is built in a home is also increasing. The IP network is a communication network such as the Internet or LAN that uses IP as a communication protocol.

FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram showing an example of an IP telephone system.
A general IP telephone system will be described with reference to FIG. The IP telephone system 800 is configured by connecting IP telephone apparatuses 82 and 84 and a SIP (Session Initiation Protocol) server 80 via an IP network 30. In the IP telephone system, a call control procedure is required to establish a connection between IP telephones prior to a call. In the IP telephone system 800 of FIG. 8, the SIP protocol is used as a protocol for call control.

FIG. 9 is a sequence diagram showing basic processing in IP telephone system 800.
Referring to FIG. 9, a series of procedures from making a call from IP telephone apparatus 82 to IP telephone apparatus 84, establishing a call, and thereafter ending the call will be described.

  First, the IP telephone device 82 as a transmission source transmits a connection request message (INVITE) to the SIP server. This connection request message (INVITE) is a data packet including an IP telephone number specifying a destination IP telephone device 84 or a URI (Uniform Resource Identifier). The SIP server 80 checks the IP address of the IP telephone device 84 from its own database, and transmits this connection request message (INVITE) to the IP telephone device 84. In addition, a message during trial (Trying) is returned to the IP telephone device 82.

  Upon receiving the connection request message (INVITE), the IP telephone device 84 immediately notifies the user of the incoming call by ringing a ringing tone or the like. Then, a calling message (Ringing) is transmitted to the SIP server 80. This ringing message (Ringing) is transmitted to the IP telephone device 82 via the SIP server 80.

  In this calling state, if the user of the IP telephone device 84 performs an off-hook operation, a success response message (OK) is transmitted to the IP telephone device 82 via the SIP server 80.

  The IP telephone apparatus 82 that has received the success response message (OK) transmits a final response message (ACK) to the IP telephone apparatus 84 via the SIP server 80, and a call is established. This completes the procedure for making a call.

  Thereafter, by transmitting data packets destined for the other IP address between the IP telephone devices 82 and 84, a call can be made. Note that the RTP (Real-time Transport Protocol) protocol or the like is used during a call.

  When an on-hook operation is performed in IP telephone device 84 during a call, IP telephone device 84 transmits an end request message (BYE). The IP telephone apparatus 82 that has received the end request message (BYE) via the SIP server 80 returns a success response message (OK), and the call between the IP telephone apparatuses 82 and 84 ends normally.

  In an IP telephone system that performs such an operation, when an abnormality occurs in the IP network, the call cannot be terminated normally because the end request message cannot be exchanged from the other party. As a result, there is a problem that time management using the IP network cannot be performed accurately and inconvenience occurs in billing management.

  As means for solving these problems, Patent Document 1 discloses the following method. When a call is established between the telephones via the IP network, the calling-side relay device periodically transmits a monitoring packet to the called-side relay device. The called relay device transmits a response packet to the calling relay device. If this periodic packet exchange does not reach the predetermined number of times, an abnormality in the IP network is detected, and the relay apparatus notifies the monitoring apparatus of the abnormality. The monitoring device performs call termination processing on the telephone through the public network.

As another solution, Patent Document 2 discloses the following method. In a communication system using an IP network, there is a relay device that monitors voice communication data between terminals. If the voice communication data of the terminal is not monitored even after a certain time has elapsed, the relay apparatus performs a communication test on each terminal. Here, when a communication abnormality is detected, the relay apparatus notifies the connection monitoring apparatus to perform a voice communication end process between the terminals.
JP 2002-271399 A JP 2005-86337 A

  The methods disclosed in Patent Document 1 and Patent Document 2 are methods for normally performing a call termination process when an abnormality occurs in the IP network during a call.

  However, in these methods, when the IP telephone apparatus is connected to the IP network via a relay apparatus such as a home gateway, and an abnormality occurs in the line between the relay apparatus and the IP telephone Cannot handle. In addition, since these methods are methods for terminating a call when an abnormality occurs, there is a case where the call partner side is uncomfortable during a sudden call termination process.

  The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a case where an IP telephone apparatus is connected to an IP network via a relay apparatus. When an abnormality occurs in communication with the telephone device, an IP telephone relay device, an IP telephone device, and an IP phone that perform predetermined processing in accordance with the content of the abnormality that has occurred so as not to cause discomfort to the calling party To provide a telephone system.

  According to one aspect of the present invention, a first communication unit for transmitting / receiving a communication packet to / from a connected telephone device, and a second for transmitting / receiving a communication packet via a call destination of the telephone device and an IP network. A communication unit, a detection unit for detecting that the first communication unit has not normally received a communication packet from the telephone device, and a detection unit that communicates IP telephone relay including a communication control unit that performs predetermined control after maintaining a call to the first communication unit and the second communication unit when it is detected that a packet is not normally received Providing equipment.

  Preferably, the communication control unit includes a termination processing means for controlling the second communication unit so as to request the termination process of the call to the call destination, and a second so as to maintain the call with the call destination. A communication maintaining unit for controlling the communication unit, and the communication control unit controls the termination processing unit in response to an instruction from the telephone device after the second communication unit starts a call between the telephone device and the communication destination. , When the call termination process is not performed, and the detection unit detects that the communication packet has not been received for the first predetermined time as not having received the communication packet normally, Control is performed to maintain the call with the call destination by the call maintaining means.

  Preferably, the call maintaining unit generates a dummy communication packet and maintains the call by transmitting the dummy communication packet to the call destination via the second communication unit instead of the communication packet.

  Preferably, the IP telephone relay device further includes a storage unit storing at least one of audio data and video data, and the call maintaining unit reads a packet including at least one of the audio data and video data read from the storage unit. The communication is generated by generating a dummy communication packet and transmitting the dummy communication packet to the call destination via the second communication unit.

  Preferably, the communication control unit is configured such that after the call between the telephone device and the call destination is started, the second communication unit is not performing a call termination process under the control of the termination processing means according to the instruction of the telephone device. If the call maintaining means determines that the call has been maintained for the second predetermined time, the end processing means performs a call end process with the call destination.

  Preferably, when the communication control unit determines that the call is maintained for the second predetermined time by the call maintaining means, i) at least one of the audio data or the video data different from the audio data or the video data described above. And the second communication unit is controlled to transmit the substitute packet instead of the dummy communication packet to the call destination, and ii) the end processing of the call with the call destination is performed by the end processing means. Do.

  Preferably, the communication control unit is a case where the call is maintained by the call maintaining means, and when the first communication unit determines that the communication packet is received from the telephone device, the communication received from the telephone device The second communication unit is controlled to transmit the packet.

  Preferably, the IP telephone relay apparatus is connected to a first telephone apparatus and a second telephone apparatus that communicate via the first communication unit, and the communication control unit is configured to: i) the first telephone apparatus When the call maintaining means determines that the call has been maintained for the third predetermined time with respect to the call destination, the second communication unit is controlled to maintain the call with respect to the call destination of the first telephone device. And ii) controlling the first communication unit to control the second telephone device to ring, and iii) determining that the first communication unit has detected an off-hook of the second telephone device. If so, the communication packet from the second telephone device is transmitted to the destination of the first telephone device, and the communication packet received from the destination of the first telephone device is transmitted to the second telephone device. .

  Preferably, when the detection unit detects that the error notification from the telephone device is received by the first communication unit as not receiving the communication packet normally, the communication control unit notifies the telephone device. Judge that an abnormality has occurred.

  Preferably, when the detection unit determines that an abnormality has occurred in the telephone device, the communication control unit performs a call termination process on the call destination.

  Preferably, when the detection unit determines that an abnormality has occurred in the telephone device, the communication control unit controls to maintain the call.

  Preferably, when the detection unit detects that the communication packet is not normally received by the detection unit, the communication control unit determines whether the communication packet is transmitted to the first communication unit and the second communication unit. To determine whether to keep the call or end the call.

  Preferably, the IP telephone relay device is connected to an electronic device different from the telephone device that communicates via the first communication unit, and the communication control unit determines that the call is maintained. The first communication unit is controlled to notify the electronic device that the communication packet from the telephone device has not been received.

  According to another aspect of the present invention, an IP telephone apparatus connected to an IP telephone relay apparatus, wherein a data conversion unit for compressing and encoding communication data, and communication packets communicate with the IP telephone relay apparatus wirelessly And a control unit for controlling the data conversion unit and the wireless communication unit. The control unit determines the communication speed of the wireless communication with the IP telephone relay device according to the state of the communication path. The data conversion unit is controlled to perform conversion by a conversion method according to the communication speed adjusted by the speed adjustment unit.

  According to still another aspect of the present invention, there is provided an IP telephone system including an IP telephone apparatus and an IP telephone relay apparatus to which an electronic device different from the IP telephone apparatus is connected. The first communication unit for transmitting / receiving data to / from the connected electronic device, the second communication unit for communicating via the IP network, and the allocation of the communication amount of the electronic device and the IP telephone device are adjusted. And a control unit for controlling the first communication unit so as to notify the electronic device and the IP telephone device of the communication amount allocation, and the IP telephone device includes the notified communication amount. Means for converting data to be transmitted to the IP telephone relay device by a conversion method according to the allocation of the IP telephone.

  According to still another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a relay processing program for causing a computer to execute relay processing for relaying communication between a connected telephone device and a telephone call destination of the telephone device via an IP network. Transmitting / receiving communication packets to / from the telephone device, transmitting / receiving communication packets via the IP network with the telephone device's call destination, and after starting communication between the telephone device and the call destination, The relay process is executed on the computer, comprising: detecting that the communication packet is not normally received; and performing a predetermined control after maintaining the call when the communication packet is not normally received. A relay processing program is provided.

  According to still another aspect of the present invention, a computer-readable recording medium storing the relay processing program is provided.

  According to the present invention, a call can be maintained when an abnormality occurs in communication between the call relay device and the IP phone. Thereby, in order to prevent sudden termination of the call, it is possible to prevent the call partner from being uncomfortable.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In the following description, the same parts are denoted by the same reference numerals. Their names and functions are also the same. Therefore, detailed description thereof will not be repeated.

[Embodiment 1]
FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing IP telephone system 100 according to the first embodiment.

  The IP telephone system 100 will be described with reference to FIG. The IP telephone system 100 uses the SIP protocol as a protocol for call control. In this IP telephone system 100, an IP telephone apparatus 40 connected to the relay apparatus 10, an IP telephone apparatus 50 that is a call destination of the IP telephone apparatus 40, and the SIP server 20 are connected via the IP network 30. It is composed of that.

  IP telephone devices 40 and 50 are user terminals called UA (User Agent). In either case, a request message can be transmitted as a client (UAC: User Agent Client) to the IP network 30 and a response message can be transmitted as a server (UAS: User Agent Server). That is, the IP telephone devices 40 and 50 are digital communication terminals capable of transmitting and receiving IP packets, and are not only cases where they are independent telephones themselves, but also VoIP (Voice over IP) gateways to which analog telephones are connected. Alternatively, a PC (Personal Computer) capable of voice input / output may be used. As for the IP telephone device 40, an analog telephone device may be used instead of the IP telephone device as long as the relay device 10 has a VoIP gateway function.

  The SIP server 20 is a device that relays SIP messages transmitted and received between the IP telephone devices 40 and 50. Note that the SIP message of the IP telephone device 40 is transmitted to the SIP server 20 via the relay device 10. The SIP server 20 relays a request message to the UAS and a response message to the UAC when call connection control is performed between the IP telephone devices 40 and 50. After the call is established, communication data packets are transmitted / received between the IP telephone devices 40 and 50. In an actual network, call connection control is rarely performed through the same SIP server, but in the present embodiment, it is performed through the SIP server 20 as an example.

  The relay apparatus 10 sends the SIP message from the IP telephone apparatus 40 to the SIP server 20 and the communication data packet from the IP telephone apparatus 40 to the IP telephone apparatus or the like that is the destination of the IP telephone apparatus 40 via the IP network 30. Send. Further, the SIP message from the SIP server 20 and the communication data packet received via the IP network 30 are transmitted to the IP telephone device 40.

FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram of the relay device 10.
With reference to FIG. 2, the relay apparatus 10 which is this invention is demonstrated.

  The relay apparatus 10 includes a control unit 200, a WAN (Wide Area Network) side IP communication control unit 210, a LAN side IP communication control unit 220, a data control unit 240, and a display control unit 250 controlled by the control unit 200. And the sound control part 260 is comprised as a main part.

  The WAN side IP communication control unit 210 is connected to the IP network from the WAN side IP communication interface unit 212 via an ADSL (Asynchronous Digital Subscriber Line) modem and an ONU (Optical Network Unit) for Hikari connection. Note that the WAN side IP communication control unit 210 transmits and receives SIP packets and audio / video packets via the WAN side IP communication interface unit 212.

  The LAN side IP communication control unit 220 controls communication with the IP telephone device 40 installed on the LAN side via the LAN side IP communication interface unit 222. The packet received from the IP telephone device 40 is sent to the WAN side IP communication control unit 210 via the control unit 200.

  The call information determination unit 202 detects an incoming call by receiving a connection request message from the SIP server 20 or the like.

  The control unit 200 controls the entire relay device 10. The control unit 200 generates a SIP message for call control. If an audio / video packet is received from the WAN-side IP communication control unit 210 or the LAN-side IP communication control unit 220, the packet missing is confirmed from the sequence number of these packets. If it is confirmed that the packet from the LAN-side IP communication control unit 220 is missing, it is determined that an abnormality has occurred in the line or telephone device. Depending on the content of the anomaly, processing is performed to maintain or end the call. Details will be described later.

  The data control unit 240 accesses alternative audio and video data stored in the memory 242. These controls are executed according to instructions from the control unit 200.

  The display unit 252 and the sound output unit 262 display and notify various information regarding the relay device 10 to the user. These are controlled by the display control unit 250 and the sound output unit 262, respectively.

  The IP telephone device 10 may have a function capable of analog communication. In this case, the control unit 200 performs processing for digitizing a voice signal from an analog telephone and processing for converting voice data into analog.

  FIG. 3 is a sequence diagram showing processing during a call between IP telephone apparatus 40 and IP telephone apparatus 50. 3A shows processing when an abnormality occurs in the line between the IP telephone device 40 and the relay device 10, and FIG. 3B shows processing when abnormality occurs in the IP telephone device 40. Is shown.

  With reference to FIG. 3A, processing performed by the relay device 10 according to the present invention when an abnormality occurs in the line between the IP telephone device 40 and the relay device 10 will be described. FIG. 3B will be described in a modification of the first embodiment.

  In the present embodiment, the relay device 10 maintains the call when an abnormality occurs on the line between the IP telephone device 40 and the relay device 10, and calls again when the line abnormality is recovered. Perform the process to resume. Here, “line abnormality” means that a failure has occurred in a call due to deterioration of the communication state between the IP telephone device 40 and the relay device 10. For example, a cable for communication between the IP telephone device 40 and the relay device 10 may be disconnected. In addition, when the IP telephone device 40 and the relay device 10 can perform wireless communication, it may be considered that the IP telephone device 40 has left the area where communication with the relay device 10 is possible. In these cases, communication temporarily becomes difficult, but communication can be resumed by reconnecting the cable or returning to a communicable area.

  In the present embodiment, audio / video signal data is packed into RTP packets and exchanged between IP telephone apparatuses during a call. IP telephone devices 40 and 50 and relay device 10 determine that the call is maintained by receiving the RTP packet. Confirmation of call continuation may be performed by a session timer function for confirming a call by sending and responding to a packet between the relay device and the other party telephone device or between the relay device and the SIP server.

  In FIG. 3A, the RTP packet from the IP telephone device 40 is transmitted to the IP telephone device 50 via the relay device 10. Here, an abnormality occurs in the line between the IP telephone device 40 and the relay device 10 (S10). If the control unit 200 of the relay device 10 does not receive an RTP packet from the LAN side IP communication control unit 220 even after a predetermined time, the control unit 200 has an abnormality in the line between the IP telephone device 40 and the relay device 10. Judge. It should be noted that the missing packet is confirmed by the sequence number of the RTP packet, and if the packet has not been sent even after a certain period of time, it may be determined that an abnormality has occurred. It may be determined that an abnormality has occurred by notifying a higher-level application.

  The relay device 10 that has determined that an abnormality has occurred performs control for maintaining a call with the IP telephone device 50. First, the control unit 200 generates a dummy RTP packet. Then, the WAN side communication control unit 210 transmits to the IP telephone apparatus 50 instead of the RTP packet from the IP telephone apparatus 40 (S12). When transmitting a dummy RTP packet, the sequence number of the immediately preceding RTP packet is taken into consideration. Thereby, when recovering from an abnormality, a call can be resumed by assigning a number that takes into consideration the immediately preceding sequence number.

  As the dummy RTP packet, for example, a silent audio RTP packet or a true black video RTP packet is transmitted. Also, voice or video that notifies the call destination that an abnormality has occurred, such as “a fault has occurred in the home network”, may be packetized and transmitted. These alternative audio and video are stored in the memory 242, and the control unit 200 instructs the data control unit 240 to acquire audio / video data from the memory 242. Note that the alternative sound and video may be set in advance at the time of manufacture or may be set by the user. For example, a PC or the like is connected to the LAN-side IP communication control unit 220, and the user sets what kind of audio and video is to be played through the PC.

  The IP telephone device 50 continues to transmit the RTP packet without determining that a line abnormality has occurred because the dummy RTP packet is received from the relay device 10 (S13, S14, S15). While determining that the RTP packet from IP telephone apparatus 40 has not been received, control unit 200 continues to transmit a dummy RTP packet.

  When communication between IP telephone apparatus 40 and relay apparatus 10 becomes possible, relay apparatus 10 receives the RTP packet from IP telephone apparatus 40 (S16). The control unit 200 notifies the IP telephone device 40 of the sequence number of the dummy RTP packet that has been transmitted so far to maintain the call (S18). As a result, transmission of the dummy RTP packet is stopped, and the WAN-side communication control unit 210 is controlled to transmit the RTP packet from the IP telephone device 40 again.

  Note that when the RTP packet is transmitted / received, the relay apparatus 10 may always renumber the sequence number of the RTP packet. In this case, it is not necessary to consider the sequence number of the RTP packet immediately before transmitting the dummy RTP packet in S12 and S18.

  In the present embodiment, the relay apparatus determines a line abnormality by not receiving a packet for a certain period of time. However, it may be determined by another method. For example, when a communication cable for communication with the IP telephone apparatus is disconnected, an abnormality can be determined by detecting that the cable is not connected by the communication device. Also, when the IP telephone terminal leaves the area where it can wirelessly communicate with the relay device, an abnormality can be determined based on the radio wave intensity from the wireless device.

  By performing the processing as described above, the relay device 10 can maintain a call even if an abnormality occurs on the line between the IP telephone device 40 and the relay device 10. In addition, when the abnormality is recovered, the call can be resumed.

  Therefore, it is possible to prevent the call partner from being uncomfortable due to the sudden disconnection of the call.

[Modification of Embodiment 1]
Hereinafter, modifications of the first embodiment will be described. In the present embodiment, relay device 10 can detect an abnormality occurring in IP telephone device 40 in IP telephone system 100. The relay device 10 performs a process of terminating the call when the abnormality continues for a certain time.

  Here, “device abnormality” means that communication between the relay device 10 and the IP telephone device 40 is established, but a software failure occurs in the IP telephone device 40 or the battery of the IP telephone device 40 This is a case where it becomes difficult to make a call due to a drop in the voice. Such an abnormality can be detected by receiving a notification command for notifying an error from the IP telephone device 40.

FIG. 3B shows processing when an abnormality occurs in the IP telephone device 40.
With reference to FIG. 3 (B), processing performed by the relay device 10 according to the present invention when an abnormality occurs in the IP telephone device 40 will be described. During a call, the IP telephone device 40 transmits / receives an RTP packet packed with audio-video data to / from the IP telephone device 50 via the relay device 10.

  During a call, an abnormality occurs in the IP telephone device 40 (S20). The IP telephone device 40 transmits a notification command for notifying an error to the relay device 10 (S21). The control unit 200 of the relay device 10 determines that an abnormality has occurred in the IP telephone device 40 based on the notification command, and generates an end request message (BYE) to end the call. The WAN-side IP communication control unit 210 transmits to the SIP server 20 (S22). The SIP server 20 transmits an end request message (BYE) to the IP telephone device 50. The IP telephone device 50 stops sending the RTP packet that has been sent by the end request message (BYE), and sends a success response message (OK) (S23). The relay device 10 receives the success response message (OK) from the IP telephone device 50 via the SIP server 20, and the call termination process is completed.

  In the present embodiment, when an abnormality is detected in the IP telephone device 40, a process for terminating the call is performed. As described in the first embodiment, the call is maintained for a certain period of time by using a dummy RTP packet. If the communication with the IP telephone device 40 becomes possible again during the maintenance, the relay device 10 can resume the call by the same processing as described in the first embodiment.

  Further, the control unit 200 determines whether the line between the IP telephone apparatus and the relay apparatus is abnormal, an abnormality that has occurred in the IP telephone apparatus, and the cause of the abnormality based on a command notification or a packet dropout. Can do. It is determined whether to end or maintain the call depending on the content. Control of what kind of abnormal content is used to end or maintain a call may be set in advance when the relay device is manufactured, and the user may set the alternative voice as described above. May be set.

  As described above, when the relay apparatus 10 detects that the packet is not normally received, it is not always necessary to maintain the call. It is also possible to control whether the call is maintained or terminated depending on the content of the abnormality.

  In the first embodiment, the relay device 10 can also perform the call termination process performed in the modified example of the first embodiment after transmitting a dummy RTP packet for a certain period of time. When determining that the dummy RTP packet has been transmitted for a certain period of time, the control unit 200 transmits an end request message (BYE) to the SIP server. The time for transmitting the dummy RTP packet may be set at the time of manufacture or may be set by the user. Furthermore, before performing the call termination process, a message notifying the call partner of the termination of the call may be transmitted instead of the dummy RTP packet that has been transmitted so far. For example, a message such as “The call will be terminated because the failure cannot be recovered” is transmitted.

  As described above, the relay device 10 detects an abnormality that has occurred in the IP telephone device 40. Thereby, it is possible to notify the other party of the reason why the call cannot be made.

  Further, the relay device 10 performs a process of terminating the call after a predetermined time has elapsed in response to detecting an abnormality between the IP telephone device 40 or the line between the IP telephone device 40 and the relay device 10. This can prevent an increase in billing for communication charges.

  Further, the relay device 10 receives the IP telephone device 40 or the abnormality between the lines of the IP telephone device 40 and the relay device 10 and then performs the process of terminating the call before the IP telephone device 50. Send audio / video packets to Thereby, the reason for ending the call can be notified to the call partner, and the call can be ended without causing discomfort.

  In addition, the relay device 10 can perform a process of maintaining a call in response to detecting the abnormality of the IP telephone device 40. As a result, the call does not end even when the call cannot be made for a short time. Therefore, it is possible to save the trouble of making another call.

  Also, the relay device 10 determines whether to maintain or end the call depending on whether the line between the IP telephone device 40 and the relay device 10 is abnormal or the IP telephone device 40 is abnormal. To do. Thereby, the process according to a user's utilization condition can be performed.

[Embodiment 2]
FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram showing IP telephone system 400 in the second embodiment.

  The IP telephone system 400 will be described with reference to FIG. In the IP telephone system 400, the relay apparatus 12 is connected to the IP network 30 in place of the relay apparatus 10 of the IP telephone system 100. Relay device 12 communicates wirelessly with IP telephone device 60. Other configurations are the same as those of the IP telephone system 100. Here, it is assumed that a call is made between IP telephone devices 50 and 60.

FIG. 5 is a functional block diagram of the relay device 12.
The function of the relay device 12 will be described with reference to FIG. The relay device 12 includes a wireless LAN side IP communication control unit 224 in addition to the components of the relay device 10. The wireless LAN side IP communication control unit 224 controls wireless communication with a device installed on the LAN side via the wireless LAN side IP communication interface unit 226. In the present embodiment, wireless LAN communication is performed with IP telephone device 60.

FIG. 6 is a functional block diagram of IP telephone device 60.
With reference to FIG. 6, the function of IP telephone apparatus 60 will be described. The IP telephone device 60 is a digital communication terminal capable of IP packet communication. The IP telephone apparatus 60 includes a control unit 600, a wireless LAN side IP communication control unit 630 controlled by the control unit 600, a key operation unit 650, a display control unit 660, and a sound control unit 670 as main units. Has been.

  The wireless LAN side IP communication control unit 630 controls wireless communication with the relay device 12 installed on the LAN side via the wireless LAN side IP communication interface unit 632. For example, the wireless LAN side IP communication control unit 630 adjusts the communication speed of the wireless LAN according to the radio wave intensity and the like.

  The data control unit 640 accesses data stored in the memory 642. These controls are executed according to instructions from the control unit 600.

  The key operation unit 650 is an operation unit for the user to perform dial operations and various settings.

  The display control unit 660 controls the display unit 662 to display the received video data converted by the video data conversion unit 661. Moreover, it controls so that various information regarding the relay apparatus 12 is displayed.

  The sound control unit 670 digitizes the analog voice from the handset 674 given through the sound input / output unit 672 by the sound data conversion unit 671 and gives the sound data to the control unit 600. In addition, the digital reception voice given from the control unit 600 is converted into an analog signal by the sound data conversion unit 671, and the voice is given to the handset 674 via the sound input / output unit 672.

  The sound data conversion unit 671 adopts a compression / decompression method according to an instruction from the control unit 600. The control unit 600 acquires the speed of communication with the relay device 12 from the wireless LAN side IP communication control unit 630. The control unit 600 instructs the sound data conversion unit 671 to switch the compression / decompression method according to the change in the communication speed.

  For example, the sound data conversion unit 671 transmits the audio data at 64 Kbps. It is assumed that the data is compressed at 711. The wireless LAN side IP communication control unit 630 sets the fastest communication speed at which stable communication is possible depending on the radio wave condition with the communication partner. When the set communication speed decreases, the control unit 600, for example, transmits the G.G. 729 to instruct the sound data conversion unit 671 to switch the compression method. In response to an instruction from the control unit 600, the sound data conversion unit 671 The compression method is switched to 729.

  The call information determination unit 602 receives a message from the relay device 10 and detects an incoming call. If an incoming call is detected, the control unit 600 is notified. The control unit 600 instructs the sound control unit 670 and the display control unit 660 to notify the user of an incoming call by sound or display.

As described above, control unit 600 controls IP telephone device 60 as a whole.
When the IP telephone device 60 has a function such as a videophone and transmits video data to the relay device 12, the video data conversion unit 661 can switch the image size according to an instruction from the control unit 600.

  As described above, the IP telephone device 60 switches the communication data transfer rate in accordance with the communication rate with the relay device 12. Therefore, the IP telephone device 60 performs communication according to the amount of communication that can be used, so that stable communication can be performed.

[Embodiment 3]
FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram showing IP telephone system 700 in the third embodiment.

  The IP telephone system 700 will be described with reference to FIG. In IP telephone system 700, IP telephone apparatus 60, IP telephone apparatus 70, and PC 72 are connected to relay apparatus 12. The other configuration is the same as that of the IP telephone system 400. Here, it is assumed that a call is made between IP telephone devices 60 and 50. The IP telephone device 70 has a function of performing wired LAN communication in addition to the function of the IP communication device 60. In this embodiment, IP telephone device 70 communicates with relay device 12 by wire, but may communicate wirelessly.

  The LAN-side IP communication control unit 220 of the relay device 12 can observe the communication data amount of devices connected via the LAN-side IP communication interface unit 222. In addition, the wireless LAN side IP communication control unit 224 can observe the communication data amount of devices connected via the wireless LAN side IP communication interface unit 226.

  The control unit 200 of the relay device 12 can communicate the total amount of communication data notified from the LAN side IP communication control unit 220 and the wireless LAN side IP communication control unit 224, and the WAN side IP communication control unit 210 can communicate with the IP network side. Compare the amount of data.

  If the control unit 200 determines that the sum of the notified communication data amounts exceeds the communicable data amount, the LAN side IP communication control unit 220 and the wireless LAN side IP communication control so that communication can be performed within the communicable band. The communication amount is allocated to the unit 224. Based on this assignment, it instructs the IP telephone apparatus that is in a call to switch the compression / decompression method of the voice data.

  For example, when the IP telephone device 60 is busy, when the PC 72 downloads a large amount of data, the control unit 200 of the relay device 12 determines that the amount of data that can be communicated with the WAN side has been exceeded. The control unit 200 reassigns the traffic allocated to the PC 72 and the IP telephone device 60 so that there is no failure in the IP telephone device 60 call. Then, the IP telephone device 60 is instructed to switch to the data compression / decompression method according to the allocated traffic. The control unit 600 of the IP telephone device 60 receives the instruction from the relay device 12, and instructs the sound data conversion unit 671 to switch the compression / decompression method of the audio data as described in the second embodiment.

  Further, when detecting a communication abnormality between IP telephone device 60 and relay device 12, control unit 200 transmits a dummy RTP packet to IP telephone device 50 to maintain the call. If the control unit 200 determines that the call has been maintained for a predetermined time, the control unit 200 continues to transmit a dummy RTP packet to the IP telephone device 50, generates a connection request message, and the LAN side IP communication control unit 220. To the IP telephone device 70. The IP telephone device 70 receives the connection request message and informs the user of the incoming call by sound or display. In response to this, the user can resume the call with the IP telephone device 50 by the IP telephone device 70. At this time, the control for transmitting the dummy RTP packet is as described in the first embodiment.

  In addition, when the control unit 200 detects a communication abnormality between the IP telephone device 60 and the relay device 12 during a call as described above, the control unit 200 may notify the device connected to the relay device 12 in a network manner. it can. For example, the control unit 200 notifies the PC 72 that a communication abnormality has occurred via the LAN-side IP communication control unit 220.

  As described above, the relay device 12 reassigns the communicable data amount to each device according to the communication amount of the connected device. The IP telephone device 60 can switch the compression / decompression method of communication data in accordance with the communication amount assigned to the relay device 12. Accordingly, since IP telephone apparatus 60 performs communication according to the allocated traffic, stable communication can be performed.

  Further, if the relay device 12 detects an abnormality in the line with the IP telephone device 60 during a call, the relay device 12 can make a call to another IP telephone device connected to the relay device 12. Therefore, the user can make a call again with the IP telephone apparatus having a normal line with the relay apparatus.

  Further, if the relay device 12 detects an abnormality on the line with the IP telephone device 60 during a call, the relay device 12 can notify the communication abnormality to a device connected to the relay device 12 in a network. Therefore, the user can take measures against the cause of the communication abnormality. For example, if a failure occurs in a call because a large amount of data has been downloaded by the PC, it is possible to take measures to normalize the communication by canceling the download.

  The embodiment disclosed this time should be considered as illustrative in all points and not restrictive. The scope of the present invention is defined by the terms of the claims, rather than the description above, and is intended to include any modifications within the scope and meaning equivalent to the terms of the claims.

1 is a schematic diagram showing an IP telephone system 100 according to Embodiment 1. FIG. 3 is a functional block diagram of the relay device 10. FIG. 6 is a sequence diagram showing processing during a call between IP telephone apparatus 40 and IP telephone apparatus 50. FIG. FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram showing an IP telephone system 400 in a second embodiment. 3 is a functional block diagram of a relay device 12. FIG. 3 is a functional block diagram of an IP telephone device 60. FIG. FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram showing an IP telephone system 700 in a third embodiment. It is the schematic which showed an example of the IP telephone system. 3 is a sequence diagram showing basic processing in IP telephone system 800. FIG.

Explanation of symbols

  10, 12 relay device, 20, 80 SIP server, 30 IP network, 40, 50, 60, 70, 82, 84 IP phone device, 72 PC, 100, 400, 700, 800 IP phone system, 200, 600 control unit 202, 602 Call control determination unit, 210 WAN side IP communication control unit, 212 WAN side IP communication interface unit, 220 LAN side IP communication control unit, 222 LAN side IP communication interface unit, 224, 630 Wireless LAN side IP communication control Unit, 226, 632 Wireless LAN side IP communication interface unit, 240, 640 Data control unit, 242, 642 Memory, 250, 660 Display control unit, 252, 662 Display unit, 260, 670 Sound control unit, 262 Sound output unit, 650 Key operation unit, 661 Video data conversion unit, 671 Sound data Data conversion unit, 672 sound input / output unit, 674 handset.

Claims (14)

A first communication unit for transmitting and receiving communication packets to and from the connected first and second communication terminal devices;
A second communication unit for transmitting and receiving the communication packet to and from the communication destination of the first communication terminal device via an IP network;
Detection for detecting that the first communication unit has not normally received the communication packet from the first communication terminal device after the communication between the first communication terminal device and the communication destination is started. And
The second communication unit when the detection unit detects that the first communication unit has not normally received the communication packet from the first communication terminal device for a first predetermined time. Via the communication control unit for requesting the end of communication to the communication destination,
The communication control unit
Even when the first communication unit does not normally receive the communication packet from the first communication terminal device, the communication with the communication destination is maintained until the first predetermined time elapses. Control,
i) A second predetermined time with respect to a communication destination of the first communication terminal device in a state where the first communication unit has not normally received the communication packet from the first communication terminal device. When the communication is determined to be maintained, the second communication unit is controlled to maintain the communication with respect to the communication destination of the first communication terminal device,
ii) controlling the first communication unit to control the second communication terminal apparatus to ring a ringtone;
iii) When it is determined that an off-hook of the second communication terminal device has been detected via the first communication unit, a communication packet from the second communication terminal device is transmitted to the first communication terminal device. An IP communication relay device , which transmits to a communication destination and transmits a communication packet received from the communication destination of the first communication terminal device to the second communication terminal device. The communication control unit generates a dummy communication packet, and maintains the communication by transmitting the dummy communication packet to the communication destination via the second communication unit instead of the communication packet. Item 2. The IP communication relay device according to Item 1 . The IP communication relay device further includes a storage unit storing at least one of audio data and video data,
The communication control unit generates a packet including at least one of the audio data or the video data read from the storage unit as the dummy communication packet, and transmits the dummy communication packet via the second communication unit. The IP communication relay device according to claim 2 , wherein the communication is maintained by transmitting to the communication destination. When the communication control unit determines that communication is maintained for the first predetermined time in a state where the first communication unit has not normally received the communication packet from the first communication terminal device. Is
i) A substitute packet including at least one of audio data and video data different from the audio data or the video data is generated, and the substitute packet is transmitted to the communication destination instead of the dummy communication packet. Controlling the second communication unit so that
The IP communication relay device according to claim 3 , which performs a process for terminating communication with the communication destination. The communication control unit maintains the communication with the communication destination in a state where the first communication unit has not normally received the communication packet from the first communication terminal device. When the first communication unit determines that the communication packet is received from the first communication terminal device, the communication packet received from the first communication terminal device is transmitted to the communication destination. It controls the second communication unit, IP communication relay apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4. The communication control unit detects that the error notification from the first communication terminal device is received by the first communication unit as not receiving the communication packet normally. The IP communication relay device according to claim 1 , wherein it is determined that an abnormality has occurred in the first communication terminal device. The IP communication relay according to claim 6 , wherein when the detection unit determines that an abnormality has occurred in the first communication terminal device, the communication control unit performs a communication termination process on the communication destination. apparatus. The IP communication relay device according to claim 6 , wherein the communication control unit controls to maintain the communication when the detection unit determines that an abnormality has occurred in the first communication terminal device. When the communication control unit detects that the communication packet is not normally received by the detection unit, the communication control unit, according to the detected content, the first communication unit and the second communication unit The IP communication relay device according to claim 6 , which determines whether to maintain the communication or to end the communication. The IP communication relay device is connected to an electronic device different from the first communication terminal device, which communicates via the first communication unit,
When determining that the communication is maintained, the communication control unit notifies the electronic device of information that the communication packet is not received from the first communication terminal device. It controls the communication unit, IP communication relay apparatus according to claim 1. A first communication terminal device;
A second communication terminal device;
A relay device connectable to the first and second communication terminal devices;
A third communication terminal device connectable to the first communication terminal device via the relay device and the IP network;
The relay device is
A first communication unit for transmitting and receiving communication packets to and from the first communication terminal device;
A second communication unit for transmitting and receiving the communication packet to and from the third communication terminal device via the IP network;
After the communication between the first communication terminal device and the third communication terminal device is started, the first communication unit detects that the communication packet from the first communication terminal device has not been received normally. A detection unit for performing,
The second communication unit when the detection unit detects that the first communication unit has not normally received the communication packet from the first communication terminal device for a first predetermined time. through, and a communication control unit for requesting the termination of the communication to the third communication terminal device,
The communication control unit
Even when the first communication unit does not normally receive the communication packet from the first communication terminal device, until the first predetermined time elapses, the first communication unit communicates with the third communication terminal device. Control to maintain communication,
i) In a state where the first communication unit has not normally received the communication packet from the first communication terminal device, communication is performed for the third predetermined time with respect to the third communication terminal device. When it is determined that the second communication unit is maintained, the second communication unit is controlled to maintain the communication with the third communication terminal device.
ii) controlling the first communication unit to control the second communication terminal apparatus to ring a ringtone;
iii) When it is determined that the off-hook of the second communication terminal device is detected via the first communication unit, the communication packet from the second communication terminal device is transmitted to the third communication terminal device. A network system for transmitting to the second communication terminal apparatus a communication packet transmitted from the third communication terminal apparatus . A relay processing program for causing a computer to execute relay processing for relaying communication via an IP network between the connected first and second communication terminal devices and a communication destination of the first communication terminal device,
Using the first communication unit to send and receive communication packets to and from the first communication terminal device;
Transmitting and receiving the communication packet to and from the communication destination of the first communication terminal device via the IP network using a second communication unit;
After starting communication between the first communication terminal device and the communication destination, detecting that the communication packet from the first communication terminal device is not normally received via the first communication unit When,
When it is detected that the communication packet is not normally received from the first communication terminal device via the first communication unit, the first predetermined time and the second communication unit via the second communication unit Maintaining the communication with a communication destination;
After the first predetermined time elapses, the computer is caused to execute a step of requesting the communication destination to end communication via the second communication unit,
In the step of maintaining the communication with the communication destination,
i) A second predetermined time with respect to a communication destination of the first communication terminal device in a state where the first communication unit has not normally received the communication packet from the first communication terminal device. Controlling the second communication unit to maintain the communication with the communication destination of the first communication terminal device when it is determined that the communication is maintained;
ii) controlling the first communication unit to control the second communication terminal device to ring a ringtone;
iii) When it is determined that an off-hook of the second communication terminal device has been detected via the first communication unit, a communication packet from the second communication terminal device is transmitted to the first communication terminal device. A relay processing program for causing the computer to execute a step of transmitting to a communication destination and transmitting a communication packet received from the communication destination of the first communication terminal device to the second communication terminal device . A computer-readable recording medium storing the relay processing program according to claim 12 . A relay method in a relay apparatus for relaying communication via the IP network with the communication destination of the first and second communication terminal apparatuses first communication terminal device,
Using a first communication unit to send and receive communication packets to and from the first communication terminal device connected to the relay device;
Transmitting and receiving the communication packet to and from the communication destination connected to the relay device via the IP network using a second communication unit;
Detecting that the communication packet is not normally received from the first communication terminal device via the first communication unit after starting communication between the first communication terminal device and the communication destination; ,
When it is detected that the communication packet is not normally received from the first communication terminal device via the first communication unit, the first predetermined time and the second communication unit via the second communication unit Maintaining the communication with a communication destination;
Requesting the end of communication to the communication destination via the second communication unit after the first predetermined time has elapsed,
Maintaining the communication with the communication destination comprises:
i) A second predetermined time with respect to a communication destination of the first communication terminal device in a state where the first communication unit has not normally received the communication packet from the first communication terminal device. Controlling the second communication unit to maintain the communication with the communication destination of the first communication terminal device when it is determined that the communication is maintained;
ii) controlling the first communication unit to control the second communication terminal device to ring a ringtone;
iii) When it is determined that an off-hook of the second communication terminal device has been detected via the first communication unit, a communication packet from the second communication terminal device is transmitted to the first communication terminal device. Transmitting to a communication destination, and transmitting the communication packet received from the communication destination of the first communication terminal device to the second communication terminal device .

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