JP5222974B2 - Communication system and communication method - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a communication system and a communication method.

  A communication system that enables mobile communication of a mobile station mainly includes a radio access network (RAN) that performs radio access control and a core network (CN) that performs mobility management, call control, service control, and the like. The RAN includes at least a radio base station that performs radio communication with a mobile station. The CN is composed of a circuit-switched (CS) network and a packet-switched (PS) network. In general, the CS network provides voice services such as voice calls and videophones, and the PS network provides data communication services such as web browsing. The CS network includes a mobile service switching center (MSC), and the PS network includes a serving GPRS support node (SGSN). This type of conventional communication system is described in Non-Patent Document 1.

  By the way, in the event of a disaster or congestion, there is a case where normal communication is regulated in order to secure resources for emergency communication and important communication. For example, when the CS network is restricted, voice transmission from a general calling user device to a called user device is rejected by an exchange or the like. The conventional regulation method is described in Non-Patent Document 2.

3GPP TS23.002 v6.10.0 (2005-12) Katsuhiro Noguchi et al., “FOMA Access Control Circuit Switching / Packet Switching Separation Function”, NTT DoCoMo Technical Journal, Vol. 14, No. 4, January 2007

  However, when the CS network cannot be used due to restrictions, the PS network cannot always be used. Rather, the CS network cannot be used, but the PS network may be usable. In such a case, it is technically possible to perform some kind of communication by using the PS network. However, it is not easy for a user who does not have enough ability to use a communication terminal, for example, to check safety or transmit a message using an appropriate communication network according to the situation.

  The problem of the present invention is that a message from a calling user device reaches the called user device by a simple operation even when transmission from the calling user device to the called user device is rejected due to restrictions of the circuit switching network. Is to do so.

A communication system according to one embodiment comprises:
An originating user device;
A circuit switched network;
A packet switched network;
A communication system having at least a user device on the called side,
When transmission from the calling user device to the called user device is rejected due to restrictions on the circuit switching network, the calling user device creates a voice file representing a user message,
The originating user device notifies an email containing the audio file as an attached file to a mail server together with the number used for the outgoing call,
The mail server refers to a predetermined correspondence relationship between a number used for transmission to the user device and a user's mail address of the user device, and sets the number used for the transmission to the destination user device. If the associated destination e-mail address can be found, the e-mail destination is corrected to the destination e-mail address, and the corrected e-mail is transmitted through the packet switching network.
The user device of the called party receives an e-mail after the modification, including the voice file as an attachment through said packet switched network is a communication system.

  According to one embodiment, even when a call from a calling user device to a called user device is rejected due to restrictions of the circuit switching network, a message from the calling user device is transmitted to the called user device by a simple operation. Can be delivered.

The figure which shows the outline | summary of a communication system. The figure which shows the operation example in case a mail server carries out address conversion in a mail attachment system. The figure which shows an example of the correspondence memorize | stored in the mail server. The figure which shows the operation example in case sender | calling UE carries out address conversion in a mail attachment system. The figure which shows the operation example in case a mail server or origin side UE carries out address conversion in a mail attachment system. The figure which shows the operation example in case a file server notifies a callee UE in the operation example of a combination. The figure which shows the operation example in case the origination UE notifies a destination UE in the example of a combination operation. The conceptual diagram in the case of providing the option of the method by an Example, and the existing method to a user. The functional block diagram of a user apparatus. Functional block diagram of the mail server. The functional block diagram of a file server.

  In this embodiment, when a call from the calling user to the called user is rejected due to restrictions on the circuit switching network, an audio file representing the message of the calling user is created. Thereafter, the calling side or mail server searches for a mail address previously associated with the number used for calling, and the called-side user receives an e-mail including a voice file through the packet switching network. In this embodiment, even if the circuit switching network is restricted, if the packet switching network is not restricted, a message is sent from the calling side to the called side, and the operation is simple for both the calling side and the called side users. Can be delivered. For this reason, even a user who is not familiar with the operation of the user device can enjoy the benefits of this embodiment.

  Examples will be described from the following viewpoints.

1． Communications system
2． E-mail attachment method
2.1 Mail server converts address
2.2 Originating UE converts address
3 combinations
3.1 File server notifies destination UE
3.2 The originating UE notifies the terminating UE
Four. Modified example
Five. User equipment
6． Mail server
7． file server

<1. Communication system>
FIG. 1 shows an example of a communication system assumed in the embodiment. The communication system includes a calling user equipment (calling UE) 11, a called user equipment (calling UE) 12, a circuit switching network (CS network) 13, a switch 14, and a packet switching network (PS network). ) 15 and server 16 at least. For simplification of illustration, only one each of the originating UE 11, the terminating UE 12, the exchange 14, and the server 16 is depicted, but the specific number is arbitrary.

  The calling-side user apparatus (calling-side UE) 11 and the called-side user apparatus (called-side UE) 12 are generally any suitable user apparatus UE capable of communicating through the CS network 13 and the PS network 15. But you can. The user apparatus may be a mobile terminal or a fixed terminal. Specifically, the user device is a mobile phone, an information terminal, a high-performance mobile phone, a smartphone, a tablet computer, a personal digital assistant, a portable personal computer, a desktop computer, a fixed phone, or the like, but is not limited thereto. However, the called-side user apparatus (called-side UE 12) may be a user apparatus that cannot execute communication using the CS network 13, that is, a user apparatus that can execute only communication using the PS network 15.

  The circuit switching network (CS network) 13 is a communication network for providing voice system services such as a voice phone and a video phone.

  The exchange 14 is a node of the core network CN that controls communication in the CS network. The exchange 14 performs, for example, subscriber information management, mobility management, outgoing / incoming control, charging control, QoS control, and the like.

  The packet switching network (PS network) 15 is a communication network for providing a data communication system service such as web browsing. Although omitted for simplification of illustration, there is actually an exchange in the PS network, and processing such as subscriber information management, mobility management, outgoing / incoming control, charging control, QoS control, etc. is performed for packet communication. Do.

  The server 16 is provided in the PS network 15 and corresponds to a mail server or a file server described later.

  In general, in the communication system shown in FIG. 1, when transmission from the originating UE 11 to the terminating UE 12 is rejected due to restrictions on the CS network 13, the originating UE 11 creates an audio file representing the user's message. Thereafter, the calling UE 11 or the server 16 searches for a mail address previously associated with the number used for the call, and the called UE 12 receives an e-mail including a voice file through the PS network 15. The regulation is performed by the exchange 14 at the time of disaster or congestion. The CS network of the originating UE 11 and the CS network of the terminating UE 12 may be the same or different. If they are different, there is a possibility that the restriction is imposed on both or one of the CS network of the originating UE 11 and the CS network of the terminating UE 12. In this embodiment, in any case, if the PS network is not restricted, a message is delivered from the originating UE 11 to the terminating UE 12 by a simple operation for both the originating and terminating users. Can do. For this reason, even a user who is not familiar with the operation of the user device can enjoy the benefits of this embodiment. Even if the PS network is regulated, the method according to this embodiment can be used effectively even when the probability of successful communication is higher in the PS network than in the CS network. In this case, transmission in the PS network may fail, but in such a case, retransmission from the user apparatus may be performed. The communication method such that the retransmission method such as the retransmission interval and the number of retransmissions can be determined from broadcast information received from the network side, an error message, a cell broadcast service (CBS) message (for example, area mail), or the like. May be constructed.

  For the sake of simplicity, the example shown in the figure shows a case where the exchange is restricted. However, a control device such as a radio access control device (RNC) uses the base station as a notification information on the restriction rate or the like. By notifying the user device, the restriction status may be notified.

<2. E-mail attachment method>
Hereinafter, an operation example performed in the communication system as shown in FIG. 1 will be described.

<< 2.1 Mail server converts address >>
FIG. 2 shows an operation example when the mail server performs address conversion in the mail attachment method.

  In step S201, the originating UE 11 tries to communicate with the terminating UE 12 via the circuit switched network (CS network 13). The communication transmitted from the originating UE 11 is typically voice communication addressed to a mobile terminal or a fixed terminal, but this embodiment is not limited to such a specific example, and is applicable to any communication using the CS network 13. Is possible. For example, the present embodiment can be applied to transmission to a specific telephone number such as a disaster message board.

  In step S203, when the communication is restricted, the exchange 14 performs processing for rejecting normal transmission. Specifically, an error message is created for the originating UE 11.

  In step S205, an error message reaches the originating UE 11. For the sake of simplicity, the example shown in the figure shows a case where the exchange is restricted. However, a control device such as a radio access control device (RNC) uses the base station as a notification information on the restriction rate or the like. By notifying the user device, the restriction status may be notified. This applies not only to FIG. 2 but also to other figures.

  In step S207, the calling UE 11 confirms from the received error message that the call has been rejected due to restrictions. If the error message includes information on the cause of the restriction, the originating UE 11 determines what the cause is. For example, the cause of the regulation may be due to a disaster, due to congestion at the beginning of the year, congestion due to ticket sales, congestion due to concerts or events, and the like. Among these, in this embodiment, it is confirmed whether or not regulation is made due to a disaster. When the cause of the restriction is due to a disaster, the originating UE 11 switches the operation mode from the normal mode to the NW congestion avoiding mode, and executes the processes after step S207. In the normal mode, the processes after step S207 are not performed. As will be described later, in the NW congestion avoidance mode, even if the CS network is restricted, if the PS network is not restricted, the message of the originating user can be delivered to the called side by a simple operation.

  Note that the timing at which the originating UE 11 switches the operation mode to the NW congestion avoidance mode may be the timing at which the error message of step S205 is received or before that. For example, even if the operation mode is switched to the NW congestion avoidance mode in response to the notification of the cell broadcast service (CBS) message (for example, area mail) from the core network CN (exchange) to the user equipment in step S200 Good. As an example, the switching of the operation mode may be performed by starting or stopping an application that executes the operation in the NW congestion avoidance mode. The CBS message (for example, area mail) in this case is a notification signal that can be notified to the user device by designating a specific area, and urges the user device to change the operation mode. As a means for prompting the user apparatus to change the operation mode, a message service in which a destination (for example, a telephone number) is specified, such as a short message, may be used. For example, it is conceivable that the core network CN (switch) at the time of a disaster transmits such a CBS message (for example, area mail) to a specific area or area such as a disaster area. Alternatively, a CBS message may be transmitted nationwide. If it is not possible to distinguish whether the cause information of the restriction included in the error message is due to a disaster, the operation mode cannot be switched to the NW congestion avoidance mode based on such information. In contrast, the CBS message can prompt the switching of the operation mode directly. However, although CBS messages need to be transmitted all at once in a region, when using information on the cause of regulation, notification can be made individually only for user devices that truly need to switch operation modes.

In step S207, the originating UE 11 operating in the NW congestion avoiding mode prompts the user to input a message to the originating UE 11 by voice to the user of the terminating UE. For example, the user may be prompted to input voice along with the following guidance voice or display:
“The phone is busy right now. We will send you a message addressed to 090xxxxxxxx by e-mail. Please enter the message after the dial tone.”
In response to this, the user of the originating UE 11 inputs the following message by voice, for example.

“Xxx. It ’s safe. Are you?”
The originating UE 11 creates an audio file representing the message input in this way.

  In the case of congestion caused by a cause that is not caused by a disaster, after the step S205, guidance that “the phone is busy and cannot be connected” flows. However, when the operation according to the present embodiment is performed, communication through the CS network cannot be connected, but a message can be delivered by a method described later. For this reason, in the case of the present Example, it is prohibited to give the guidance that it cannot connect. In this case, the reproduction of the guidance voice may be stopped, or the volume at the time of reproduction may be set to zero.

  In step S209, the originating UE 11 creates an e-mail. The voice file created in step S207 is included as an attachment file of this e-mail.

  It is preferable that the processes in steps S207, S209, and S211 are automatically performed without any user operation.

  In step S211, the e-mail is transmitted from the originating UE 11 to the mail server 16 through the packet switching network (PS network). As shown in the figure, this e-mail includes an audio file and is transmitted together with the number of the called UE 12. The number of the called UE 12 is the number that was sent in step S201, and is typically the telephone number of the called UE 12. This number may be described in the text of the e-mail or may be described in an attached file.

  In step S213, the mail server 16 receives the email and extracts the number of the called UE 12. The mail server 16 accesses a database (not shown) and searches for a mail address associated with the number of the called UE 12.

  FIG. 3 shows an example of data stored or stored in the database. The database includes a correspondence relationship between the contact information of the user apparatus UE and the mail address. The contact information of the user apparatus UE is typically a telephone number. The e-mail address is an e-mail address owned by the user of the user apparatus UE. The e-mail address may or may not be the e-mail address of the user apparatus UE. For example, the mobile phone number 090AAAAAAAA and the email address aaa@aa.aa. aa may be associated. Or mobile phone number 090BBBBBBBB and desktop computer email address bbb@bb.bb. bb may be associated. It is not essential that a UE contact address and a mail address correspond one-to-one, and a plurality of mail addresses may be associated with one or more contact addresses. In the case of the illustrated example, the fixed telephone number 03CCCCCCCC is associated with two mail addresses. When a plurality of mail addresses are associated with the contact information of the UE, the mail server 16 selects a mail address according to a predetermined priority order or arbitrarily. In any case, in step S213, it is determined whether or not the mail address associated with the number of the called UE 12 exists in the database. If it exists, the mail address is specified. The case where it does not exist will be described with reference to FIG.

  In step S215 of FIG. 2, the mail server 16 corrects the e-mail by setting the destination of the received e-mail to the e-mail address specified in step S213. In the modified e-mail, the destination is the destination UE 12, the transmission source is the source UE 11, and the audio file created in step S207 is included as an attached file.

  In step S217, the email modified in this way is transmitted from the mail server 16 to the destination UE 12 through the PS network.

  In step S219, the mail server 16 notifies the originating UE 11 that the electronic mail has been transmitted. However, such notification is not essential. If the mail server 16 cannot properly send the e-mail, it is retransmitted.

  In step S221, the callee UE 12 plays back the audio file attached to the received e-mail. Since the callee UE 12 has received the e-mail, it normally opens the e-mail just received from the e-mail inbox, selects the attached file, and starts the reproduction process. However, from the viewpoint of considering a user who is not familiar with the operation of the destination UE 12, it is preferable to do the following. In other words, the reception of the e-mail in step S217 operates as if it is an incoming call (ringing tone sounds), and an operation in response to the “incoming call” plays an audio file, and a series of automatic It is desirable to be performed as a simple process. In this case, the operation by the user of the called UE 12 is only to respond to the apparent “incoming call”. However, the operation mode of the callee UE 12 needs to be switched to a mode for performing such operation. As an example, the switching of the operation mode may be performed by starting or stopping an application that performs such an operation. There are at least three options for switching modes.

  The first timing is when the callee UE 12 has made a call or the like in the past and found that it is a disaster, and it is possible to switch the operation mode accordingly. The second timing is when the called UE 12 receives a CBS message (for example, area mail) that prompts switching of the operation mode from the network. In the third timing, a predetermined flag (disaster flag) is provided in the e-mail received in step S217, the flag is set to a predetermined value (for example, 1) at the time of a disaster, and the destination UE 12 This is the case when a flag is detected.

  In step S221, instead of or together with playing the voice file, the callee UE 12 may convert the voice file into text and display the characters converted to text on the callee UE 12.

  In step S222, although not essential to the present embodiment, when the destination UE 12 acquires or reproduces an audio file, a notification to that effect may be transmitted to the source UE 11. This notification may be performed by user intervention, or may be automatically performed by the destination UE 12.

  In step S223, the originating UE 11 switches the operation mode from the NW congestion avoidance mode to the normal mode. For example, the originating UE 11 may switch the operation mode in response to receiving a CBS message (for example, area mail) that prompts switching of the operation mode. Alternatively, after receiving a CBS message that prompts the user to operate in the NW congestion avoidance mode, the originating UE 11 may transition to the normal mode after a certain period. Alternatively, when a network-side device such as an exchange is operating in the normal mode, access from the user device in the NW congestion avoiding mode to the network can be restricted. In such a case, if the number of times that access by the user device is denied due to restrictions exceeds a predetermined value, or if the number of consecutively denied access exceeds a predetermined value, the user device changes the operation mode to NW congestion. You may switch from avoidance mode to normal mode.

  As described above, the mail server 16 searches for the mail address from the number of the callee UE 12, and transfers the e-mail to the mail address. Such an operation is useful in the event of a disaster, but is an unnecessary operation otherwise. Whether or not the mail server 16 should perform the processes of searching for a mail address and correcting and transferring an e-mail can be determined by at least three methods.

  The first method is to provide a predetermined flag (disaster flag) in the e-mail that the originating UE 11 in the NW congestion avoiding mode transmits in step S211. When the originating UE 11 operates in the NW congestion avoidance mode and transmits an e-mail, it sets the disaster flag to a predetermined value (for example, 1) and transmits it. The mail server 16 can determine whether or not a process such as a mail address search is necessary by checking the disaster flag of the received electronic mail.

  The second method is to define the normal mode and the non-normal mode as the operation mode of the mail server 16. A series of processes of step S213 (mail address search), step S215 (e-mail correction), and step S217 (transmission of e-mail after correction) are not performed in the normal mode, and in the non-normal mode, the received electronic It can be considered to be done for all emails.

  The third method is a combination of the first and second methods. In other words, the above-described series of processing is performed only when the operation mode of the mail server 16 is the non-normal mode and the email with the disaster flag having a predetermined value is received. In other cases, the above-described processing is performed. I will not. As a result, the above processing can be performed only when it is really necessary.

  In this way, when a CS network is regulated but a PS network is usable in the event of a disaster, etc., NW uses the PS network to deliver messages from the originating UE 11 to the terminating UE 12 with a simple operation. The congestion avoidance mode ends.

<< 2.2 Originating UE converts address >>
FIG. 4 shows an operation example when the originating UE performs address conversion in the mail attachment method. The processes described with reference to FIG. 2 are given the same reference numerals and will not be described in detail. For simplicity of illustration, step S200 is not depicted in FIG. 4-7, but a CBS message (for example, area mail) that prompts the user to change the operation mode may be transmitted before step S201.

  The originating UE 11 attempts to make a call through the CS network (S201), but is rejected due to restrictions (S203) and receives an error message (S205). In response, the originating UE 11 prompts the user to input the message by voice, creates a voice file (S207), creates an email containing the voice file as an attached file (S209), The mail is transmitted to the mail server 16 together with the number of the called UE 12 (S211).

  In step S401, the mail server 16 searches for a mail address corresponding to the number of the called UE 12 using the database. If the e-mail address corresponding to the number of the called UE 12 is found, the flow proceeds to step S215 and is corrected by setting the e-mail destination to the e-mail address found (S215), and the mail server 16 is corrected. An e-mail is transmitted (S217). Further, the sending UE 11 is notified that the transmission of the e-mail by the mail server 16 is completed (S219).

  On the other hand, if a mail address corresponding to the number of the called UE 12 is found in step S401, the flow proceeds to step S403.

  In step S403, in response to the notification that the mail server 16 has not found an appropriate mail address, the calling UE 11 sets the mail address corresponding to the number of the called UE 12 to its own phone book. Search in. If such a mail address is found, the flow proceeds to step S405, and the case where it is not found will be described later.

  In step S405, the originating UE 11 modifies the email by setting the destination of the email created in step S209 to the email address found in step S403. In the modified e-mail, the destination is the destination UE 12, the transmission source is the source UE 11, and the audio file created in step S207 is included as an attached file.

  In step S407, the e-mail modified in this way is transmitted from the originating UE 11 to the terminating UE 12 through the PS network. When this e-mail does not properly reach the callee UE 12, retransmission is performed.

  In step S221, the callee UE 12 plays back the audio file attached to the received e-mail.

  In step S222, when the destination UE 12 acquires or reproduces the audio file, a notification to that effect may be transmitted to the originating UE 11.

  In step S223, the originating UE 11 switches the operation mode from the NW congestion avoidance mode to the normal mode.

  In the case of the operation example shown in FIG. 4, when the mail server 16 cannot find the mail address of the called UE 12, the calling UE 11 is searching (NO in S401, S403). However, such an order is not essential. Before the mail server 16 retrieves the mail address, the originating UE 11 may retrieve the mail address.

  FIG. 5 shows an operation example in such a case. The processes described with reference to FIG. 2 are given the same reference numerals and will not be described in detail.

  The originating UE 11 attempts to make a call through the CS network (S201), but is rejected due to restrictions (S203) and receives an error message (S205). In response to this, the originating UE 11 prompts the user to input a message by voice and creates a voice file (S207).

  In step S501, the originating UE 11 searches the telephone directory for the mail address corresponding to the number of the terminating UE 12. If the e-mail address corresponding to the number of the called UE 12 cannot be found, the flow proceeds to step S209 to create an e-mail including an audio file as an attached file (S209), and the e-mail is sent together with the number of the called UE 12 Send to the mail server 16 (S211). The mail server 16 uses the database to find the mail address corresponding to the number of the called UE 12 (S213), sets the e-mail destination to the found mail address (S215), and sends the corrected e-mail. (S217). Further, the sending UE 11 is notified that the transmission of the e-mail by the mail server 16 is completed (S219). The called UE 12 plays the received audio file.

  In step S501, if the originating UE 11 has found a mail address corresponding to the number of the terminating UE 12, the flow proceeds to step S503.

  In step S503, the originating UE 11 creates an e-mail with the found mail address as the destination and the attached file as an audio file.

  In step S505, an e-mail is transmitted from the originating UE 11 to the terminating UE 12 through the PS network.

  In step S221, the callee UE 12 plays back the audio file attached to the received e-mail.

  In step S222, when the destination UE 12 acquires or reproduces the audio file, a notification to that effect may be transmitted to the originating UE 11.

  In step S223, the originating UE 11 switches the operation mode from the NW congestion avoidance mode to the normal mode.

<3 combinations>
As described above, the search for the mail address may be performed by the mail server 16 or the originating UE 11. However, there is a concern that the e-mail address still cannot be found after both have been done. In this case, it is impossible to specify the mail address and transmit the voice file to the destination UE 12 by e-mail. The operation example described below can cope with such a case.

<< 3.1 File server notifies destination UE >>
FIG. 6 shows an operation example when the file server notifies the callee UE in the combination operation example. The processes described with reference to FIG. 2 are given the same reference numerals and will not be described in detail.

  The originating UE 11 attempts to make a call through the CS network (S201), but is rejected due to restrictions (S203) and receives an error message (S205). In response to this, the originating UE 11 prompts the user to input a message by voice and creates a voice file (S207).

  In step S601, the originating UE 11 searches the telephone directory for the mail address corresponding to the number of the terminating UE 12. When the mail address corresponding to the number of the called UE 12 can be found, although not drawn for the sake of simplification, the calling UE 11 sends the audio file in the same manner as in steps S503 and S505 in FIG. An e-mail including the attached file is created, and the e-mail is transmitted to the callee UE 12. The called UE 12 then plays back the received audio file (S221), and the calling UE 11 is notified accordingly.

  In step S601, when the calling UE11 cannot find the mail address corresponding to the number of the called UE12, the flow proceeds to step S209, and creates an email including an audio file as an attached file (S209). The e-mail is transmitted to the mail server 16 together with the number of the called UE 12 (S211).

  In step S603, the mail server 16 searches for a mail address corresponding to the number of the called UE 12 using the database. If the e-mail address corresponding to the number of the called UE 12 is found, the flow proceeds to step S215 and is corrected by setting the e-mail destination to the e-mail address found (S215), and the mail server 16 is corrected. An e-mail is transmitted (S217). Further, the sending UE 11 is notified that the transmission of the e-mail by the mail server 16 is completed (S219). The called UE 12 then plays back the received audio file (S221), and the calling UE 11 is notified accordingly.

  If the mail server 16 cannot find the mail address corresponding to the number of the called UE 12 in step S603, the mail address cannot be specified and the voice file cannot be transmitted to the called UE 12 by e-mail. Therefore, in the present operation example, the processes after step S605 are performed.

  When the mail server 16 cannot find the mail address corresponding to the number of the called UE 12, the error message reaches the calling UE 11 in step S605.

  In step S607, when the originating UE 11 receives the error message, the voice file created in step S207 is uploaded to the file server through the PS network together with the numbers of the originating UE 11 and the terminating UE 12 (typically telephone numbers). . The file server may be the same as or different from the mail server 16 described above. When they are different, it is preferable that the file server and the mail server are connected so as to be communicable. It is preferable that the file server and the mail server are different from the viewpoint of ensuring many options that the user can communicate in a disaster or the like. The file server stores the received audio file in the database together with the number of the originating UE 11 (typically a telephone number).

  In step S609, the file server notifies the destination UE 12 that an audio file addressed to the destination UE 12 from the originating UE 11 is stored. Any method may be used for the notification to the callee UE 12, but as an example, the call to the callee UE12 may be performed by a short mail using the telephone number of the callee UE12 specified by the caller UE11. Short mail is an e-mail that can be exchanged with a mobile phone number. The destination of the short mail may be only the destination UE 12 or a destination registered in advance in association with the destination UE 12. For example, a group such as a family or a friend of the user of the callee UE 12 may be registered as such a plurality of users. In this case, the file server needs to be able to refer to the correspondence relationship between the called UE 12 and the group as necessary. Alternatively, the call to the callee UE 12 may be performed by the file server calling the phone number of the callee UE 12 specified by the caller UE 11. The contents notified to the callee UE 12 when a short mail or phone call arrives are the location where the audio file is stored (for example, universal resource locator (URL)), the caller UE11 number, the callee UE number, etc. .

  In step S611, the destination UE 12 uses the notified URL or the like to access the audio file stored in the file server and download the audio file.

  In step S221, the callee UE 12 plays the downloaded audio file.

  In step S222, when the destination UE 12 acquires or reproduces the audio file, a notification to that effect may be transmitted to the originating UE 11.

  The called UE 12 needs to receive a short mail or an incoming call in step S609 and access the file server accordingly. From the viewpoint of considering the user who is not familiar with the operation of the called UE 12, the notification in step S609 operates as if it is an incoming call (ringing sound), and an operation responds to the incoming call. It is desirable that the audio file is downloaded and played as a series of automatic processes so that the audio file is reproduced. In this case, the operation performed by the destination UE 12 is only to respond to the apparent “incoming call”. However, the operation mode of the callee UE 12 needs to be switched to a mode for performing such operation. There are at least two options for switching modes.

  The first timing is when the callee UE 12 has made a call or the like in the past and found that it is a disaster, and it is possible to switch the operation mode accordingly. The second timing is when the called UE 12 receives a CBS message (for example, area mail) that prompts switching of the operation mode from the network.

  In step S613, the file server notifies the originating UE 11 that the terminating UE 12 has downloaded the audio file. As a result, the user of the originating UE 11 can confirm that the voice message has arrived at the user of the terminating UE 12. This is different from the notification that the transmission of the e-mail is completed in step S219 in FIG. This is because it is not known whether or not a voice message has arrived at the user of the called UE 12 simply by completing the transmission of the e-mail.

  In step S223, the originating UE 11 switches the operation mode from the NW congestion avoidance mode to the normal mode. As a result, the NW congestion avoidance mode for delivering a message from the originating UE 11 to the terminating UE 12 using the PS network ends when the CS network is restricted but the PS network is usable in the event of a disaster, etc. .

  Note that the file server may not only store the audio file, but also convert the audio file into text and save the text file converted into text characters. Then, such a text file may be transmitted in response to a download request from the callee UE 12.

<< 3.2 Originating UE notifies destination UE >>
By the way, in step S609 in FIG. 6, notification to the called UE 12 using the telephone number of the called UE 12 using short mail or the like can also be performed by the calling UE 11. Therefore, instead of or in addition to the notification from the file server to the called UE 12, the calling UE 11 may notify the called UE 12 that the audio file is stored.

  FIG. 7 shows an operation example in the case where the calling UE notifies the called UE. In general, the operations from step S201 to step S607 are the same as those shown in FIG. 6, and are given the same reference numerals.

  In step S701, the file server notifies the originating UE 11 via the PS network of the location (for example, URL) where the originating UE 11 audio file is stored.

  In step S703, the originating UE 11 notifies the destination UE 12 of the storage location (URL) of the audio file, the originating UE 11 number, and the terminating UE 12 number via the PS network by, for example, short mail.

  In step S611, the destination UE 12 uses the notified URL or the like to access the audio file stored in the file server and download the audio file.

  In step S221, the callee UE 12 plays the downloaded audio file.

  In step S222, when the destination UE 12 acquires or reproduces the audio file, a notification to that effect may be transmitted to the originating UE 11.

  In step S223, the originating UE 11 switches the operation mode from the NW congestion avoidance mode to the normal mode.

<4. Modification>
By performing the operations described above, when the CS network is restricted but the PS network is usable in the event of a disaster, a voice message can be easily transmitted from the originating UE 11 to the terminating UE 12 using the PS network. Can be delivered by operation. Such a method according to the present embodiment can be used alone or in combination with an existing method for transmitting a message.

  FIG. 8 is a conceptual diagram in the case where options of the method according to the embodiment and the existing method are provided to the originating user.

  In step S81, the calling UE 11 tries to make a call through the CS network, but is rejected due to the restriction, and the process proceeds to step S82. On the screen displayed on the originating UE 11 in step S82, guidance as shown is displayed.

  In step S83, options for inputting a message are displayed. A user who is familiar with the operation of the communication terminal can select any option from this screen and continue the process. However, such processing is not easy for a user who is not familiar with the operation of the communication terminal. In this case, a screen as shown in step S84 is displayed after a predetermined time has elapsed.

  In step S84, the calling UE 11 prompts the user to input a message addressed to the number for which the call is rejected by voice.

  In step S85, the user inputs voice and an audio file is created. This operation corresponds to step S207 in FIG.

  In step S88, the audio file is transmitted to the mail server or file server. This step corresponds to step S211 in FIG. 2 or step S607 in FIG.

  On the other hand, a user who can perform a certain operation or more on the communication terminal can input a message by an intended method in step S83. For example, by selecting the button P, access to the disaster message board is selected, and the website of the disaster message board is connected in step S86. Further, by selecting button Q, the user inputs a text message, and in step S87, the input text is transmitted by a short mail. The text input by the user may be input character by character or selected from predetermined options. For example, standard text options “safe” and “I need help” are prepared, and the user may select one of them. When the button R is selected, a voice is input as in step S85, and a voice file is transmitted to the mail server or file server in step S88.

  Thus, this embodiment can be used in combination with an existing method as appropriate.

<5. User device>
FIG. 9 shows a functional block diagram of the user apparatus. This user apparatus can be used for the originating UE 11 and the terminating UE 12 in FIG. FIG. 9 shows various functional units or processing units provided in the user device that are particularly relevant to the embodiment. The user device includes at least a reception unit 91, an error message analysis unit 92, a user interface 93, a voice file creation unit 94, an email creation unit 95, a transmission unit 96, a voice file extraction unit 97, and a control unit 98.

  The receiving unit 91 receives a radio signal transmitted via the CS network or the PS network and converts it into a baseband signal.

  The error message analysis unit 92 analyzes the error message received when the call is rejected, and analyzes the cause of the rejection. Such causes include congestion caused by disasters, new years, events, and the like.

  The user interface 93 functions as a visual, audio and / or tactile (mechanical) interface to the user. Specifically, the user interface 505 is a visual interface such as a display, a control panel with a keypad, a cathode ray tube (CRT), a liquid crystal display (LCD), an organic EL panel, a touch screen, a keyboard, a mouse. , A mechanical interface such as a trackball, an audio interface such as a microphone, a speaker, and the like, and a combination thereof. In one embodiment, the user interface 93 includes a display unit covered with a touch-sensitive transparent panel, and detects the movement of the user's finger to control the operation of the user device.

  The voice file creation unit 94 creates a voice file from a voice message input by the user through the user interface 93.

  The e-mail creating unit 95 creates an e-mail including a voice file, a short mail message, and the like.

  The transmission unit 96 transmits a transmission signal, electronic mail, and the like.

  The audio file extraction unit 97 extracts an audio file attached to the received electronic mail. The extracted audio file is reproduced by the interface 93.

The control unit 98 controls operations of various functional units in the user device, and particularly enables the user device to execute the operations of the above-described embodiments.
<6. Mail server>
FIG. 10 shows a functional block diagram of the mail server. This mail server can be used for the server 16 in FIG. FIG. 10 shows various functional units or processing units included in the mail server that are particularly relevant to the embodiment. The mail server includes at least a reception unit 101, a storage unit 102, a mail address search unit 103, a correction unit 104, and a transmission unit 105.

  The receiving unit 101 receives a signal via the PS network.

  In addition to storing and managing e-mails, the storage unit 102 stores a correspondence relationship between a user's contact information and the user's mail address as shown in FIG.

  The mail address search unit 103 extracts the number of the called UE from the email received from the calling UE, and searches for a mail address corresponding to the number of the called UE. When such a mail address can be found, the found mail address is notified to the correction unit 104. If it cannot be found, an error message is created and notified to the transmission unit 105.

  The correction unit 104 corrects the email by setting the destination of the email received from the originating UE to the email address found by the email address search unit 103.

  The transmission unit 105 transmits the electronic mail modified by the modification unit 104. Further, when the e-mail corresponding to the number of the called UE 12 cannot be found, the transmitting unit 105 notifies the calling UE of an error message indicating that fact.

<7. File server>
FIG. 11 shows a functional block diagram of the file server. This file server can be used for the server 16 in FIG. FIG. 11 shows various functions or processing units provided in the file server that are particularly relevant to the embodiment. The file server includes at least a reception unit 111, a notification signal generation unit 112, a storage unit 113, and a transmission unit 114.

  The receiving unit 111 receives a signal via the PS network. For example, the receiving unit 111 receives an audio file uploaded by the originating UE.

  The notification signal generation unit 112 creates a notification signal using the number of the called UE notified from the calling UE. The notification signal is typically a short mail.

  The storage unit 113 stores and manages the audio file uploaded by the calling UE along with the number of the calling UE.

  The transmission unit 114 notifies the destination UE of a notification signal. Further, the transmission unit 114 transmits an audio file in response to a request from the callee UE.

  Although the present invention has been described with reference to particular embodiments, they are merely exemplary and those skilled in the art will appreciate various variations, modifications, alternatives, substitutions, and the like. For example, the present invention may be applied to any appropriate communication system using a CS network and a PS network. Although specific numerical examples have been described in order to facilitate understanding of the invention, these numerical values are merely examples and any appropriate values may be used unless otherwise specified. The classification of the examples or items is not essential to the present invention, and the items described in two or more items may be used in combination as necessary, and the items described in one item may be combined with other items. It may be applied (as long as it is not inconsistent) to the matters described. For convenience of explanation, an apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention has been described using a functional block diagram, but such an apparatus may be realized by hardware, software, or a combination thereof. The software is available on random access memory (RAM), flash memory, read only memory (ROM), EPROM, EEPROM, registers, hard disk (HDD), removable disk, CD-ROM, database, server and any other suitable storage medium May be. The present invention is not limited to the above embodiments, and various modifications, modifications, alternatives, substitutions, and the like are included in the present invention without departing from the spirit of the present invention.

11 Calling user equipment (calling UE)
12 User device on arrival side (UE side)
13 Circuit switching network (CS network)
14 Switch
15 Packet switching network (PS network)
16 servers
91 Receiver
92 Error message analyzer
93 User interface
94 Audio file creation part
95 Email creation department
96 Transmitter
97 Audio file extractor
98 Control unit
101 Receiver
102 Memory unit
103 Email address search part
104 Correction
105 Transmitter
111 Receiver
112 Notification signal generator
113 Memory
114 Transmitter

Claims (11)

An originating user device;
A circuit switched network;
A packet switched network;
A communication system having at least a user device on the called side,
When transmission from the calling user device to the called user device is rejected due to restrictions on the circuit switching network, the calling user device creates a voice file representing a user message,
The originating user device notifies an email containing the audio file as an attached file to a mail server together with the number used for the outgoing call,
The mail server refers to a predetermined correspondence relationship between a number used for transmission to the user device and a user's mail address of the user device, and sets the number used for the transmission to the destination user device. If the associated destination e-mail address can be found, the e-mail destination is corrected to the destination e-mail address, and the corrected e-mail is transmitted through the packet switching network.
The user device of the called party receives an e-mail after the modification, including the voice file as an attachment through said packet switched network, communication system. When the mail server cannot find the mail address associated with the number used for the outgoing call to the called user device, the calling user device is called the called user. If you can discover destination side mail address of the device in the telephone directory, the user equipment of the calling side, to modify the e-mail address to the called party email address, the packet switching network e-mail after correction 2. The communication system according to claim 1 , wherein the communication system is transmitted through. Wherein the mail server can send e-mail after the correction by the packet switching network, the notified from the mail server to the user device the calling side, claim 1 communication system according. User equipment of the calling side, If you can find a destination side mail address of the user device of the called party in the telephone directory, the user equipment of the calling side, the e-mail after the correction, the packet-switched network 3. The communication system according to claim 2 , wherein the communication system is transmitted through. If the user equipment of the calling side did not able to discover the adhesive side mail address the e-mail server, user equipment of the calling side, and upload the voice file to the file server along with the number of user equipment of the calling side,
Downloading the audio files the user equipment of the called party from the file server, the communication system according to claim 1, wherein. 6. The communication system according to claim 5 , wherein the file server notifies the destination user device that the audio file has been uploaded to the file server. 6. The communication system according to claim 5 , wherein the user device notifies the destination user device that the audio file has been uploaded to the file server. 6. The communication system according to claim 5 , wherein the calling user device is notified from the file server that the callee user device has downloaded the audio file.   In response to the outgoing call from the calling user device to the called user device being rejected due to restrictions of the circuit switching network, the calling user device creates a voice file representing the user's message. 2. The communication system according to claim 1, wherein whether or not to enable the function to be operated is determined.   In response to the originating user device receiving a message from the network, the originating user device determines whether to enable a function to create a voice file representing the user's message; The communication system according to claim 1. A communication method in a communication system having at least an originating user equipment, a circuit switching network, a packet switching network, and a terminating user equipment,
When transmission from the calling user device to the called user device is rejected due to restrictions on the circuit switching network, the calling user device creates a voice file representing a user message,
The originating user device notifies an email containing the audio file as an attached file to a mail server together with the number used for the outgoing call,
The mail server refers to a predetermined correspondence relationship between a number used for transmission to the user device and a user's mail address of the user device, and sets the number used for the transmission to the destination user device. If the associated destination e-mail address can be found, the e-mail destination is corrected to the destination e-mail address, and the corrected e-mail is transmitted through the packet switching network.
The communication method , comprising: a step in which the user device on the called side receives the modified electronic mail including the audio file as an attached file through the packet switching network.

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