JP7115299B2 - Relay device and system switching method - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a relay device and a system switching method.

2. Description of the Related Art In a communication system such as VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol) that performs voice communication via an IP (Internet Protocol) network, noise (hereinafter referred to as voice noise) may occur during a call. The occurrence of voice noise is a factor that hinders voice communication.

As a device for detecting audio noise, an audio noise detection device has been proposed that detects noise generated by dividing audio data into video frame cycles and inserting samples of known values at the boundaries of the divisions (for example, , Patent Document 1). This audio noise detection device detects a known value at the boundary portion, and determines volume for each frame based on samples other than the frame boundary. Then, counting is performed in frames in which the determined volume exceeds a predetermined value and a known value is detected, and noise is detected based on the count value.

WO2017/099123

In order to improve the reliability of communication networks, redundant communication systems are being used. For example, in a communication system such as VoIP, there is known a configuration in which a relay device for relaying voice communication is provided with an active interface unit and a standby interface unit. In such a relay device, when a failure occurs in the active interface section, the connection is switched from the active interface section to the standby interface section.

When a failure occurs in the interface section, voice noise may occur during a call. However, in such a communication system, it is difficult for a relay device or the like that performs voice processing to automatically detect voice noise. The conventional audio noise detection apparatus described above detects noise caused by inserting samples of known values at boundaries of divided audio data. Therefore, in normal voice communication without such preconditions, voice noise cannot be detected by a similar method.

For this reason, when communication problems such as voice noise occur, the maintenance personnel who maintain the communication system and the relay device cannot detect it immediately, and switching between the active system and the standby system can be performed smoothly. There was a problem that it was not possible to

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned problems. intended to provide

A relay device according to the present invention is a relay device for relaying transmission and reception of voice signals between telephone terminals, one of which is set as an active system and the other as a standby system, and performs voice processing for relaying the voice signal. A first audio processing unit and a second audio processing unit that each execute, and a switching control unit that switches between an active system and a standby system of the first audio processing unit and the second audio processing unit, Each of the first audio processing unit and the second audio processing unit includes a tone detection unit that detects a tone signal generated during a call between the telephone terminals connected in a call, and the switching control unit detects the tone When a tone signal of a specific pattern is detected by the detection unit, switching between an operating system and a standby system of the first audio processing unit and the second audio processing unit is performed while maintaining the call connection. .

A system switching method according to the present invention includes a first audio processing unit and a second audio processing unit, one of which is set as an active system and the other is set as a standby system, and the first audio processing unit and the second audio processing unit. and a tone signal detection unit included in each of the first voice processing unit and the second voice processing unit, and a voice signal between telephone terminals A system switching method executed by a relay device that relays transmission and reception of the above, wherein one of the first audio processing unit and the second audio processing unit that is set as an active system is configured to transmit the audio signal a step of performing voice processing for relaying; a step of the tone signal detection unit detecting a tone signal emitted during a call between the telephone terminals connected to the call; and switching between the active system and the standby system of the first voice processing unit and the second voice processing unit while maintaining the call connection based on the detection of the tone signal.

According to the present invention, it is possible to quickly detect the occurrence of a problem in voice communication between telephone terminals and switch between the active system and the standby system.

1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a communication system including the media gateway device of Example 1 and call paths for voice communication; FIG. 5 is a flow chart showing a processing routine of noise detection processing in the communication system of the first embodiment; FIG. 10 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a communication system including the media gateway device of Example 2 and call paths for voice communication; 10 is a flow chart showing a processing routine of noise detection processing in the communication system of the second embodiment;

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In the following description of each embodiment and the attached drawings, substantially the same or equivalent parts are denoted by the same reference numerals.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the communication system of this embodiment. The communication system of this embodiment includes a media gateway device 100 as a relay device for relaying voice communication via an IP (Internet Protocol) network and PSTN (Public Switched Telephone Networks) lines. Although a plurality of telephone terminals are connected to the IP network, one of them is shown as telephone terminal T1 in FIG. Similarly, a plurality of telephone terminals are connected to the PSTN line, one of which is shown as telephone terminal T2 in FIG.

Media gateway device 100 is connected to a PSTN line. Also, the media gateway device 100 is connected to an IP network via a switching hub SH. The switching hub SH is a switching hub such as an Ethernet (registered trademark) switch. The destination of the audio data is sorted by reading the destination MAC address in the packet.

The media gateway device 100 includes a controller section 11 , a first media gateway section 12 , a second media gateway section 13 and a TDM interface section 14 . The first media gateway unit 12 and the second media gateway unit 13 are audio processing units that perform audio processing for relaying transmission and reception of audio signals between telephone terminals. One of the first media gateway unit 12 and the second media gateway unit 13 is set as an active media gateway unit, and the other is set as a standby media gateway unit. FIG. 1 shows an example in which the first media gateway section 12 is set to the active system and the second media gateway section 13 is set to the standby system.

The controller unit 11 is a control unit that controls each unit of the media gateway device 100 . The controller unit 11 switches the first media gateway unit 12 and the second media gateway unit 13 between active and standby systems, switches the selector of the TDM interface unit 14, and sets other functional units. In the following description, the switching of the first media gateway unit 12 and the second media gateway unit 13 between active system and standby system is also simply referred to as "system switching".

The first media gateway unit 12 converts a digital voice signal (hereinafter simply referred to as voice data) transmitted from the telephone terminal T1 connected to the IP network and a voice signal from the telephone terminal T2 connected to the PSTN. do the conversion. The first media gateway section 12 has an IP interface section 21 , a VoIP processing section 22 , a tone detection section 23 and a TDM processing section 24 .

The IP interface unit 21 is a terminal device that terminates the IP network. The IP interface unit 21 is connected to the IP network via the switching hub SH. Also, the IP interface unit 21 is connected to the VoIP processing unit 22 .

The VoIP processing unit 22 has a function of codec conversion of voice data. For example, the VoIP processing unit 22 performs RTP (Real-time Transport Protocol) and TDM (Time Division Multiplexing) codec conversion.

The tone detection unit 23 has a function of detecting a DTMF (Dual-Tone Multi-Frequency) tone signal included in 64 kbps voice data transmitted and received between terminals and determining the type thereof. That is, the tone detection unit 23 determines the type of tone button (that is, the "*" button and the subsequently pressed push button) pressed on the telephone terminal T1 or T2. Based on this function, the tone detector 23 is configured to be able to detect that voice noise has been heard in the telephone terminal T1 or T2.

Specifically, a caller who makes a call using the telephone terminal T1 or T2 presses a tone button in a predetermined pattern (hereinafter referred to as a specific pattern) when listening to voice noise. The pattern of the tone signal corresponding to pressing of the tone button in the specific pattern is registered in the tone detection unit 23 as a pattern indicating hearing of voice noise.

For example, in this embodiment, the caller who hears the voice noise continuously presses "*" and "2" among the buttons 0 to 9, *, and # of the telephone, which is the telephone terminal. The tone detection unit 23 detects a tone signal from voice data, and detects the tone signal when the detected tone signal presses "*" and "2" continuously (for example, at an interval of less than 1 second). By determining whether or not the pattern matches, it is detected that voice noise is heard at the telephone terminal T1 or T2.

The TDM processing unit 24 is connected to the PSTN line via the TDM interface unit 14 and performs conversion (interface conversion) for terminating the PSTN line and adapting the interface for transmission and reception of 64 kbps voice data.

The second media gateway section 13 has the same configuration and functions as the first media gateway section 12 . The second media gateway section 13 has an IP interface section 31 , a VoIP processing section 32 , a tone detection section 33 and a TDM processing section 34 . The IP interface unit 31 corresponds to the IP interface unit 21, the VoIP processing unit 32 corresponds to the VoIP processing unit 22, the tone detection unit 33 corresponds to the tone detection unit 23, and the TDM processing unit 34 corresponds to the TDM processing unit 24, respectively.

The TDM interface section 14 is connected between the first media gateway section 12 or the second media gateway section 13 and the PSTN line. The TDM interface section 14 has a selector 41 and an interface section 42 .

The selector 41 switches the connection destination of the TDM interface unit 14 to either the first media gateway unit 12 or the second media gateway unit 13 under the control of the controller unit 11 . The interface unit 42 is connected to a PSTN line and performs physical interface conversion such as electricity and light.

As indicated by the thick solid line in FIG. 1, a call path is established between the telephone terminals T1 and T2 so as to pass through the media gateway unit 12, which is an active system, and a call is made between the terminals. Voice from the telephone terminal T1 is supplied to the media gateway device 100 via the IP network and switching hub SH. Inside the media gateway device 100, the selector 41 and It reaches the telephone terminal T2 from the interface unit 42 via the PSTN line. Also, the voice from the telephone terminal T2 follows the reverse route and reaches the telephone terminal T1.

Next, a processing routine for noise detection processing executed by the communication system of the present embodiment will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. Here, it is assumed that the telephone terminals T1 and T2 are already in a call-connected state. In addition, as described above, when a caller who makes a call using the telephone terminal T1 or T2 hears voice noise, he/she presses "*" and " 2” continuously at intervals of less than 1 second.

The tone detector 23 detects a tone signal from 64 kbps voice data transmitted and received through the first media gateway 12 (STEP 101).

The tone detector 23 determines whether or not the detected tone signal matches a specific pattern (STEP 102). Specifically, the tone detection unit 23 determines whether or not a tone signal having a pattern corresponding to the successive pressing of the push buttons "*" and "2" is detected. If it is determined that the tone signal does not match the pattern (STEP 102: No), the process returns to STEP 101 to detect the tone signal again.

When it is determined that the tone signal matches the pattern (STEP 102: Yes), the tone detection section 23 notifies the determination result to the controller section 11 (STEP 103).

The controller unit 11 maintains the call connection of the telephone terminals T1 and T2, and switches the systems in response to the notification from the tone detection unit 23. is set as a standby system (STEP 104).

As described above, the media gateway device 100 of this embodiment detects the occurrence of voice noise based on the tone signal included in the voice data from the telephone terminal T1 or T2, and switches between the active system and the standby system. According to such a configuration, it is possible to quickly detect a problem in voice communication such as voice noise and switch the system.

Next, a communication system according to the second embodiment will be explained. FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the communication system of this embodiment. The communication system of the present embodiment has a maintenance server 200 and is different from the communication system of the first embodiment in that the media gateway device 100 is switched between the active system and the standby system according to the control of the maintenance server 200 .

The maintenance server 200 is a server device that maintains the communication system of this embodiment. The maintenance server 200 transmits and receives information data to and from the controller unit 11 of the media gateway device 100 . For example, the maintenance server 200 receives a trap notification from the controller unit 11 indicating that voice noise has been heard at the telephone terminal T1 or T2.

In addition, the maintenance server 200 determines whether or not switching between the active system and the standby system in the media gateway device 100 is necessary in response to the reception of the trap notification, and instructs switching of the system when determining that switching is necessary. A switching instruction signal to switch is transmitted to the controller unit 11 of the media gateway device 100 .

For example, the maintenance server 200 has a storage unit (not shown) that accumulates trap notifications received from the controller unit 11, and the number of receptions of trap notifications indicating that audio noise has been heard exceeds a predetermined threshold. If so, it determines that system switching is necessary, and transmits a switching instruction signal to the media gateway device 100 .

Next, a processing routine for noise detection processing executed by the communication system of this embodiment will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. As in the first embodiment, when a caller who makes a call using the telephone terminal T1 or T2 hears voice noise, he/she selects the "*" and "2" in succession at intervals of less than 1 second.

The tone detector 23 detects a tone signal from 64 kbps voice data transmitted and received through the first media gateway 12 (STEP 201).

The tone detector 23 determines whether or not the detected tone signal matches a specific pattern (STEP 202). Specifically, the tone detection unit 23 determines whether or not a tone signal having a pattern corresponding to the successive pressing of the push buttons "*" and "2" is detected. If it is determined that the tone signal does not match the specific pattern (STEP 202: No), the process returns to STEP 201 to detect the tone signal again.

When it is determined that the tone signal matches the specific pattern (STEP 202: Yes), the tone detection section 23 notifies the determination result to the controller section 11 (STEP 203).

Controller section 11 transmits to maintenance server 200 a trap notification indicating that voice noise has been heard in telephone terminal T1 or T2 based on the determination result notified from tone detection section 23 (STEP 204).

When the maintenance server 200 receives the trap notification and the cumulative number of receptions exceeds a predetermined threshold, it determines that switching of the system in the media gateway device 100 is necessary, and sends a switching instruction signal to the media gateway device 100. Send to

The controller unit 11 determines whether or not a switching instruction signal has been received from the maintenance server 200 within a predetermined period after transmitting the trap notification (STEP 205). If it is determined that the switching instruction signal has not been received (STEP 205: No), the process returns to STEP 201 and the tone signal is detected again.

When it is determined that the switching instruction signal has been received (STEP 205: Yes), the controller unit 11 switches the system according to the switching instruction signal while maintaining the call connection of the telephone terminals T1 and T2, thereby switching to the second media gateway. The section 13 is set as the active system, and the first media gateway section 12 is set as the standby system (STEP 206).

As described above, the media gateway device 100 of this embodiment detects the occurrence of voice noise based on the tone signal from the telephone terminal T1 or T2 and notifies the maintenance server 200 of it. According to such a configuration, it is possible for the maintenance person who operates the maintenance server 200 to perceive the occurrence of audio noise.

Also, the media gateway device 100 of this embodiment switches between the active system and the standby system in response to a switching instruction signal from the maintenance server 200 when the number of voice noise detections reaches or exceeds a predetermined threshold. According to this configuration, since it is determined whether or not to switch the system based on the number of times voice noise is detected, only when there is a high probability that a failure has occurred in the active media gateway unit, the operating system/standby unit is switched. It is possible to switch the system.

In addition, embodiment of this invention is not restricted to what was described in the said Example. For example, in the above embodiment, when the caller hears voice noise, he/she presses the push buttons "*" and "2" continuously, and the tone detector 23 detects the tone signal of the corresponding pattern. The case is explained as an example. However, the pattern indicating hearing of audio noise is not limited to this. That is, it is sufficient that the caller presses the tone button in a predetermined specific pattern, and the tone detector 23 detects the tone signal of the corresponding pattern.

Further, in the second embodiment, the controller unit 11 issues a trap notification to the maintenance server 200 indicating that noise has been detected by voice, and based on the switching control signal from the maintenance server 200, the first media gateway unit 12 and the second media gateway unit 13 are switched between the active system and the standby system. However, system switching does not necessarily have to be performed automatically based on a switching instruction signal from the maintenance server 200 . For example, a maintenance person who knows that the maintenance server 200 has received the trap notification may operate the controller unit 10 of the media gateway device 100 to switch the system at an arbitrary timing.

Further, in the first embodiment, a case has been described in which system switching is performed in response to detection of a tone signal of a specific pattern. However, as in the second embodiment, the system may be switched when the number of times the tone signal of the specific pattern is detected exceeds a predetermined threshold value.

Further, in the second embodiment, the maintenance server 200 transmits the switching instruction signal to the media gateway device 100 when the trap notification indicating that the tone signal of the specific pattern has been detected has been sent the number of times equal to or greater than the threshold. A case of executing switching of is explained. However, as in the first embodiment, every time a trap notification indicating that a tone signal of a specific pattern has been detected is issued, the maintenance server 200 transmits a switching instruction signal to the media gateway device 100 to cause switching of the system. It may be a configuration.

Further, in the first and second embodiments, the case where the telephone terminal T1 is connected to the IP network and the telephone terminal T2 is connected to the PSTN line has been described as an example. However, the form of connection of each telephone terminal to the communication network is not limited to this. For example, both telephone terminals T1 and T2 may be connected to the IP network. Also, both of the telephone terminals T1 and T2 may be connected to the PSTN line. In these cases, instead of the media gateway device 100 of each of the above embodiments, a relay device that relays the transmission and reception of voice signals between telephone terminals has similar functions of detecting tone signals and switching systems based on the detection. It is good if there is

Further, in the above-described embodiment, a case has been described in which a caller who makes a call using a telephone terminal presses the tone button in a specific pattern when voice noise is detected. However, even if the caller detects a communication failure other than voice noise, such as a silent portion in the call voice, the tone button may be pressed in a similar pattern. Even in such a case, the tone detector 23 detects the tone signal in the same manner as in the case of voice noise, thereby making it possible to more flexibly detect the occurrence of trouble in voice communication and switch the system.

100 media gateway device 11 controller unit 12 first media gateway unit 13 second media gateway unit 14 interface unit 21 IP interface unit 22 VoIP processing unit 23 tone detection unit 24 TDM processing unit 31 IP interface unit 32 VoIP processing unit 33 tone detection unit 34 TDM processing unit 41 selector 42 interface unit SH switching hub T1 telephone terminal T2 telephone terminal 200 maintenance server

Claims (5)

A relay device for relaying transmission and reception of voice signals between telephone terminals,
a first audio processing unit and a second audio processing unit, one of which is set to an active system and the other to a standby system, and which respectively execute audio processing for relaying the audio signal;
a switching control unit that switches between an active system and a standby system of the first audio processing unit and the second audio processing unit;
has
each of the first audio processing unit and the second audio processing unit includes a tone detection unit that detects a tone signal emitted during a call between the telephone terminals connected in a call;
When the tone detection unit detects a tone signal of a specific pattern, the switching control unit switches between an operation system and a standby system of the first audio processing unit and the second audio processing unit while maintaining the call connection. A relay device characterized by performing switching. The switching control unit is connected for communication with a server device located outside the relay device, and transmits a detection notification indicating that the tone signal of the specific pattern has been detected by the tone detection unit to the server device. The relay device according to claim 1, characterized by: The switching control unit receives a switching control signal from the server device, and switches between an operating system and a standby system of the first audio processing unit and the second audio processing unit according to the switching control signal. 3. The relay device according to claim 2. Of the first voice processing unit and the second voice processing unit, the voice processing unit set as the active system is used for VoIP communication between a telephone terminal connected to an IP network and a telephone terminal connected to a public switched telephone network. converting audio data transmitted and received in communication as the audio processing;
The tone detection unit detects the tone signal of the specific pattern included in the voice data of the VoIP communication.
4. The relay device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that: A first audio processing unit and a second audio processing unit, one of which is set as an active system and the other is set as a standby system, and switching between the active system and the standby system of the first audio processing unit and the second audio processing unit and a tone signal detection unit included in each of the first voice processing unit and the second voice processing unit, and a relay device that relays transmission and reception of voice signals between telephone terminals. A system switching method for
a step in which one of the first audio processing unit and the second audio processing unit, which is set as an active system, performs audio processing for relaying the audio signal;
a step in which the tone signal detection unit detects a tone signal emitted during a call between the telephone terminals connected in a call;
a step in which the switching control unit switches between an operating system and a standby system of the first audio processing unit and the second audio processing unit while maintaining the call connection based on detection of a tone signal of a specific pattern;
A system switching method comprising:

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