JP5877040B2 - Connection control apparatus, communication system, and connection control method - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a connection control device, a communication system, and a connection control method.

  The Internet Protocol (IP) Multimedia Subsystem (IMS) is suitable for individual users by starting one or more application servers (AS) of various application servers (AS) that provide various services. Services can be provided flexibly. Specifically, when the radio signal processing device (RNC) receives a call connection request from the calling terminal, the RNC operates as a call processing device or a serving call session control function unit (CSCF, S-CSCF, P-CSCF, etc.). Notify a functioning server to that effect. In response, the call processing device (CSCF) establishes a session with one or more application servers (AS). CSCF starts one or more application servers (AS) by individually inquiring multiple application servers (AS) using a function called SiFC (Shared initial Filter Criteria). Establish a session between. Such an IP multimedia subsystem (IMS) is described in Patent Document 1, for example.

Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2008-131086

  In a conventional IP multimedia subsystem (IMS), the order in which a server functioning as a CSCF makes an inquiry to a plurality of application servers (AS) using SiFC is fixed in advance. For this reason, inquiries and responses related to application servers (AS) that do not need to be started must be repeated before starting the application server (AS) required to provide services to the user. It is not always an efficient method. Further, since an inquiry is made to an application server (AS) other than the application server (AS) that actually needs to be activated, there is a concern that it takes a long time to establish all necessary sessions. Thus, in the case of the conventional technology, there is a problem that the method for establishing a session with one or more application servers by the call processing device (CSCF) is not necessarily efficient.

  An object of the present invention is to enable a call processing apparatus that receives a call connection request to efficiently establish a session with one or more application servers for providing a service suitable for a user.

The connection control device according to an embodiment is:
A receiving unit that receives an inquiry about an application server from a call processing device that has received a call connection request;
Based on the subscriber information of the user, the setting information set in advance by the user and the status information of each of the plurality of application servers, information on one or more application servers for providing a service suitable for the user, An information generation unit that generates connection instruction information including timing information for accessing one or more application servers;
And a notification unit that responds to the inquiry by notifying the call processing device of the connection instruction information.

  According to an embodiment, a call processing apparatus that has received a call connection request can efficiently establish a session with one or more application servers for providing a service suitable for a user.

The figure which shows a communication system. The detailed functional block diagram of AS connection control server. The figure which shows the operation example by one Embodiment of this invention. The figure for demonstrating the operation example by one Embodiment of this invention.

  Embodiments will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the figures, similar elements are given the same reference numbers or reference signs. Examples will be described from the following viewpoints.

1． Communications system
2． AS connection control server
3． Example of operation

<1. Communication system>
FIG. 1 shows a communication system used in one embodiment. The communication system includes a transmitting terminal 101, a receiving terminal 111, a transmitting-side radio signal processing device or radio network control device (RNC) 103, a receiving-side radio signal processing device or radio network control device (RNC) 113, a calling-side call It includes a processing device (CSCF) 105, a call processing device (CSCF) 115 on the receiving side, a home location register (HLR) 107, application servers (AS) 1, 2, and 3 and an AS connection control server 130. FIG. 1 shows various nodes, elements, processing units, function units, and the like included in the communication system that are particularly relevant to the description of this embodiment. For example, the base station between the originating terminal or terminating terminal and the RNC is not shown for the sake of simplicity.

  The transmission terminal 101 is a communication terminal on the caller side that transmits a transmission signal to some communication partner. The outgoing signal is a signal requesting some kind of call connection, for example, a signal representing a connection request for voice communication. Similarly, the receiving terminal 111 is a communication terminal on the called party side that receives an incoming call from some communication partner. The communication terminal on the caller side and the callee side may be a mobile terminal or a fixed terminal. Such communication terminals are specifically user devices, mobile phones, information terminals, high-performance mobile phones, smartphones, tablet computers, personal digital assistants, portable personal computers, palmtop computers, laptop computers, desktops. Although it is a computer etc., it is not limited to these.

  The originating radio signal processor (RNC) or radio network controller 103 receives a call connection signal from the originating terminal 101 and notifies the call processor (CSCF) 105 of the call connection signal. The incoming-side radio signal processor (RNC) or radio network controller 113 routes the incoming signal received by the call processor (CSCF) 115 to the incoming terminal 111. A transmitting-side radio signal processing device (RNC) 103 manages radio resources necessary for radio communication performed with the transmitting terminal 101. A receiving-side radio signal processing device (RNC) 113 manages radio resources necessary for radio communication performed with the receiving terminal 111.

  The call processor (CSCF) 105 on the caller side establishes a session with one or more application servers AS1, AS2, AS3 in response to receiving the call connection signal received by the caller RNC. To do. The call processing device (CSCF) 115 on the called side also establishes a session with one or more application servers AS1, AS2, AS3 accordingly. The call processing devices (CSCF) 105 and 115 on the caller side and the callee side not only establish a session but also perform session termination processing, billing processing, and the like.

  The home location register (HLR) 107 is a database that stores predetermined user information such as subscriber information of various users and setting information set in advance by the user. Note that the name of the home location register is merely for convenience, and a node with a different name may be used. For example, instead of the home location register (Home Location Register: HLR), a home subscriber server (Home Subscriber Server: HSS), an authentication center (AUUC) or the like may be used. In any case, it suffices if predetermined information predetermined by the user can be provided as needed. The predetermined information is, for example, a determination criterion used when selecting a plurality of application servers (AS). Such a criterion is, for example, “if the user of the receiving terminal answers, perform incoming processing, otherwise send an email first and then record a voice message”. It is a standard.

  The application servers (AS) 1, 2, and 3 perform processing necessary for providing a service to the user accompanying the call connection. Usually, there are different application servers (AS) for each service to be provided, and one or more application servers (AS) are started depending on the service provided to the user. By establishing a session between one or more activated application servers (AS) and a call processing device (CSCF), a service suitable for the user is provided. The services provided along with the call connection enable, for example, a service for transferring a call connection signal, a service for transmitting an e-mail, a service for recording a message, and a conference call in addition to a service for receiving an incoming call. Although it is a service etc., it is not limited to these. The number of application servers (AS) that can be used in the communication system is arbitrary.

  The AS connection control server 130 includes information on one or more application servers (AS) to be activated in response to an inquiry about the application server from the call processing device (CSCF), and information on timing to access them. Generate connection instruction information. The connection instruction information is generated based on the subscriber information of the user, setting information preset by the user, and status information of each of the plurality of application servers. The generated connection instruction information is notified to the call processing device (CSCF). As a result, the call processing device (CSCF) can establish a session in an optimal order with one or more application servers (AS) that need to be activated among a number of application servers (AS). The configuration and operation of the AS connection control server 130 will be described later.

  Incidentally, in the case of the conventional IP multimedia subsystem, there is no node, function unit or element corresponding to the AS connection control server 130. For this reason, it is difficult for a call processing device (CSCF) to establish a session in an optimal order with one or more application servers (AS) that need to be activated among a number of application servers (AS). .

<2. AS connection control server>
FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram of the AS connection control server 130 that can be used in the communication system as shown in FIG. FIG. 2 shows elements, function units, or processing units necessary for the AS connection control server 130 that are particularly relevant to the description of the present embodiment. AS connection control server 130, service subscription information holding unit 21, service subscription status determining unit 22, service activation information holding unit 23, service activation determining unit 24, connection timing information holding unit 25, AS connection timing determining unit 26, connection instruction It has at least an information generation unit 27 and a connection instruction information holding unit.

  The service subscription information holding unit 21 acquires user subscriber information from the home location register (HLR), and stores information (subscription information) about what service each user subscribes to. The user's subscriber information corresponds to so-called service contract information. The user can arbitrarily determine and change the contents of the contract information when or after purchasing the communication terminal. For example, the user may decide to subscribe to the answering service at the time of purchase of the terminal, or may decide as necessary after purchase. Further, it may be decided to stop the service once subscribed.

  In response to an inquiry request from the call processing device (CSCF), the service subscription status determination unit 22 determines what service the user on the calling side and / or the receiving side is based on the subscription information in the service subscription information holding unit 21. Determine whether you are subscribed to. Information indicating the application server (AS) corresponding to the determined service is notified to the service activation determination unit 24.

  The service activation information holding unit 23 determines whether each of a number of application servers (AS) existing in the IP multimedia subsystem (IMS) is properly activated (that is, whether or not a session with the AS can be established), Holds the status information shown. The status information is obtained from individual application servers (AS) regularly or irregularly. For example, whether the AS connection control server 130 can normally start each application server (AS) by simultaneously sending inspection signals to a plurality of application servers (AS) and collecting and analyzing response signals for the inspection signals. It is possible to determine whether or not a failure has occurred.

  The service activation determination unit 24 determines whether or not one or more application servers (AS) corresponding to one or more services notified from the service subscription status determination unit 22 are appropriately activated based on the state information. To do. For example, it is assumed that the application servers (AS) 1, 2, and 3 are notified from the service subscription status determination unit 22 to the service activation determination unit 24. The service activation determination unit 24 extracts status information about the application servers (AS) 1, 2, and 3 from the status information of various application servers (AS), and confirms whether or not they are properly activated. . The AS connection timing determination unit 26 is notified of what is one or more application servers (AS) to be properly activated. For example, the AS connection timing determination unit 26 is notified that the application servers (AS) 1 and 2 that are properly started out of the application servers (AS) 1, 2, and 3 are notified.

  The connection timing information holding unit 25 acquires user setting information set in advance by the user, and holds judgment criterion information (or connection timing information) used when selecting a plurality of application servers (AS). To do. Such a criterion is, for example, “if the user of the receiving terminal answers, perform incoming processing, otherwise send an email first and then record a voice message”. It is a standard. Such a criterion may not be determined by the user.

  The AS connection timing determination unit 26 determines the timing or order of accessing one or more applications (AS) notified from the service activation determination unit 24 based on the information of the determination criteria determined by each user. If the originating and / or terminating users have not determined such criteria, the timing or order of access to one or more applications (AS) may be determined by any appropriate method or order. It can be. For example, a default order may be used, an application server (AS) identifier number order, a round-robin order, or the like may be used.

  The connection instruction information generation unit 27 generates connection instruction information indicating the timing or order determined by the AS connection timing determination unit 26. The connection instruction information includes information indicating what one or more applications (AS) should be started by the call processing device (CSCF), and what timing or order of those one or more application servers (AS). And at least information indicating whether to start (access).

  The connection instruction information holding unit 28 holds connection instruction information.

  The AS connection control server 130 responds to the inquiry from the CSCF by transmitting a notification signal including connection instruction information to the CSCF via a transmission unit (not shown).

<3. Example of operation>
3 and 4 show an operation example performed in the communication system as shown in FIG. FIG. 3 shows an operation example from the viewpoint of the operation sequence. FIG. 4 shows the same operation example from the viewpoint of the system configuration diagram. Therefore, in FIG. 3 and FIG. 4, processes indicated by the same numbers (1 to 9) indicate the same processes.

  1． Transmission request: First, a terminal 101 on the transmission side transmits a signal for requesting a call connection, which reaches a radio signal processor (RNC) 103.

  2． Transmission request: The radio signal processing device (RNC) notifies or routes a signal requesting a call connection to the call processing device (CSCF).

  3． Connection inquiry: The call processing device (CSCF) inquires of the AS connection control server 130 about the application server (AS). The AS connection control server 130 generates connection instruction information based on user subscriber information, user setting information, and status information of each application server (AS). The connection instruction information includes information on one or more application servers for providing a service suitable for the user on the calling side and / or the called side, and information on timing or order of accessing the one or more application servers. Including. For convenience of explanation, as an example, it is assumed that the connection instruction information indicates that the application server (AS) 1 should be connected after the application server (AS) 1.

  Four. Connection inquiry response: The AS connection control server 130 responds to the inquiry by notifying the call processing device (CSCF) of the connection instruction information.

  Five. Connection request: The call processing device (CSCF) issues a connection request to the application server (AS) indicated by the connection instruction information at the timing or order indicated by the connection information. In the case of the current example, the call processing device (CSCF) first makes a connection request to the application server (AS) 1. The application server (AS) 1 activates a service in response to a connection request from the call processing device (CSCF).

  6. Connection response: The application server (AS) 1 returns a response signal to the call processing device (CSCF). As a result, a session is established between the call processing device (CSCF) and the application server (AS) 1, and an application server is provided to the caller and / or callee user specified by the call processor (CSCF). (AS) 1 service will be provided.

  7． Connection request: In the case of the current example, the call processing device (CSCF) next makes a connection request to the application server (AS) 2. The application server (AS) 2 activates the service in response to a connection request from the call processing device (CSCF).

  8. Connection response: The application server (AS) 2 returns a response signal to the call processing device (CSCF). As a result, a session is established between the call processing device (CSCF) and the application server (AS) 2, and the application server is provided to the calling side and / or receiving side users specified by the call processing device (CSCF). (AS) 2 service will be provided.

  9. Calling side connection request: After the call processing unit (CSCF) establishes a session with the application servers (AS) 1 and 2, the call processing unit (CSCF) sends an incoming call signal to the receiving side communication terminal. Request to connect. Thereafter, a procedure for connecting the calling terminal and the receiving terminal is performed. Since this procedure itself is the same as the conventional one, its description is omitted.

  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 suitable communication system using an IP multimedia subsystem (IMS). 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. The boundaries between functional units or processing units in the functional block diagram do not necessarily correspond to physical component boundaries. The operations of a plurality of functional units may be physically performed by one component, or the operations of one functional unit may be physically performed by a plurality of components. 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.

1, 2, 3 Application server (AS)
101 Calling terminal
111 Incoming terminal
103, 113 Radio signal processor (RNC)
105, 115 Call processing unit (CSCF)
107 Home location register (HLR)
130 AS connection control server
21 Service subscription information holding unit
22 Service subscription status judgment section
23 Service activation information holding part
24 Service activation judgment part
25 Connection timing information holding unit
26 AS connection timing decision section
27 Connection instruction information generator
28 Connection instruction information holding unit

Claims (5)

A receiving unit that receives an inquiry about an application server from a call processing device that has received a call connection request;
Information on two or more application servers for providing a service suitable for the user based on subscriber information of the user, setting information set in advance by the user, and status information of each of the plurality of application servers, an information generation unit that generates a connection instruction information including the order in which to access two or more application servers of information,
And a notification unit that responds to the inquiry by notifying the call processing device of the connection instruction information. The setting information which the user has set in advance indicates the criteria for selecting the two or more application servers, the connection control device according to claim 1.   The information generation unit determines a plurality of application servers for providing a service suitable for the user from the subscriber information and the setting information of the user, and connects from the status information of each of the plurality of application servers. The connection control apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the connection instruction information is generated for an application server that has been confirmed to be capable. Receive an inquiry about the application server from the call processing device that received the call connection request,
Information on two or more application servers for providing a service suitable for the user based on subscriber information of the user, setting information set in advance by the user, and status information of each of the plurality of application servers, It generates a connection instruction information including the order in which to access two or more application servers of information,
A connection control method comprising a step of responding to the inquiry by notifying the call processing device of the connection instruction information. A call processing device that receives a call connection request from a calling terminal;
A connection control device that receives an inquiry about an application server from the call processing device, the connection control device comprising:
Information on two or more application servers for providing a service suitable for the user based on subscriber information of the user, setting information set in advance by the user, and status information of each of the plurality of application servers, an information generation unit that generates a connection instruction information including the order in which to access two or more application servers of information,
A notification unit that responds to the inquiry by notifying the call processing device of the connection instruction information.

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