JPH07170329A - Communication system - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To prevent available communication service from being restricted for each exchange device by requesting a control means able to execute the requested service to perform service control by selecting the means when an exchanging means receives the service request from a subscriber. CONSTITUTION:In this communication system, when an exchanging means 2 receives the service request from each subscriber, relevant one among plural control means 1 is selected based on that service request by using a selecting means 14 to request that selected control means 1 to perform the service control. According to this request, that control means 1 executes the service control to that exchanging means 2 so that the exchanging means 2 executes the communication service requested from the subscriber. Thus, since the control means able to execute the requested communication service is selected to request it to perform the service control when the means 2 receives the service request from the subscriber, it is not necessary for all the control means to be provided with functions for executing the service control for each communication service.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a communication system for providing subscribers with various communication services.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, as network functions have advanced, it has become possible for communication systems to provide various convenient communication services such as toll-free services and conference telephone services.

A communication service involving such an exchange process is provided to a subscriber by the control device provided for providing communication services performing service control according to various communication services on the exchange device.

By the way, in a conventional communication system having a communication service providing function, correspondence between a switching device for performing a switching process and a control device for controlling a service is fixedly determined in advance, and each switching device is a subscriber. When a service request was received from a customer, a specific control device was requested to perform service control. Further, in the conventional communication system, the service type to be provided is uniquely designated by the service identification number given from the subscriber side.

The conventional communication system as described above has the following problems in providing various communication services. (I) Communication services available in a specific switching device are limited depending on the capability of a specific control device that fixedly supports the specific switching device, and communication services that are not in the corresponding control device. Even when another control device has the control capability of, the communication service cannot be used from the switching device. Therefore, in order to make a certain communication service available to all the switching devices, it is necessary to provide all the control capabilities for the communication services necessary for the control devices corresponding to all the switching devices. There was a problem that increased the amount of hardware and caused hardware redundancy for the same communication service in the entire system.

(Ii) Even if the service specific number given in the service request from the subscriber is the same, the service request from the subscriber having different attributes (for example, presence or absence of a special contract) has different contents. When attempting to build a communication system with more advanced functions capable of providing the above services, the control device corresponding to the switching device may have the ability to execute different communication services depending on the attributes of the subscriber. Although necessary, it was extremely difficult to dynamically change the correspondence between the attributes of the subscribers and the service content to be provided in the control device according to the service request.

(Iii) The load of a certain control device becomes high,
When it becomes necessary to distribute the load to other control devices, the allocation of control devices can only be changed in units of switching devices.Therefore, make the load distribution more detailed than in the units of switching devices. It was difficult to realize a flexible communication system.

(Iv) Since the service identification number from the subscriber and the service type uniquely correspond to each other, for example, the same service identification number is used by the subscribers having different attributes accommodated in the same exchange. It was not possible to independently set information indicating service types, such as specifying different types of services.

[0009]

As described above, in the conventional communication system, the problem that the communication service available from each switching device is restricted by the capability of the control device corresponding to each switching device, and the service There is a problem that the information indicating the contents cannot be independently set among subscribers having different subscriber attributes.

The present invention has been made in consideration of the above circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to provide a communication system in which the communication services available for each switching device are not restricted.

[0011]

(A) In order to achieve the above object, a communication system according to the present invention includes at least one exchanging means for exchanging communication information transmitted from a subscriber, and the joining. Interconnecting the exchange means and the control means with at least one control means provided for each communication service, which provides the communication service by controlling the exchange means according to the procedure according to the communication service designated by the person And a selecting means for selecting a control means corresponding to a communication service designated by a subscriber from the control means.

In (b) a, the exchange means is provided with the identification information of the communication service given by the communication service request from the subscriber and the information indicating the control means to request the service control corresponding to the identification information. A correspondence table may be provided, and the exchange means may be configured to search the correspondence table and select the corresponding control means when receiving a service request from a subscriber.

For example, the correspondence table includes a service type that represents a major classification of communication services, additional information about a service that represents detailed information such as a subclassification and a destination of the service type, and a classification of subscribers related to the service type. Represents a key item consisting of a subscriber attribute for identifying a subscriber who requested a service such as a telephone number and a telephone number, and a control means to request service control specified by a combination thereof. You may comprise from a control means identifier. Also, as the key item, a part of the above four pieces of information may be used, or a plurality of pieces of information of the same type (for example, additional information of service) may be provided.
Other information such as a time zone for providing the service (for example, daytime or nighttime) may be added.

[0014] In (c) b, the communication system further has a correspondence table of the same kind as the correspondence table held for each of the exchanging means, for all the exchanging means and the control means in the communication system. An address server means is provided for holding a correspondence table containing information and notifying a corresponding control means identifier in response to an inquiry from the exchange means, the exchange means accepting a service request from a subscriber, When the corresponding control means identifier is not obtained as a result of searching the table, the identification information of the communication service and the exchange means identifier representing the exchange means are sent to the address server means, and from the address server means. It is also possible to receive the notification of the corresponding control means identifier and update the correspondence table held by itself based on the notification.

In (d) c, when the correspondence table held by the address server means is changed due to a change in a device in the communication system, the changed contents are stored in the communication system. The correspondence table held by each exchanging means may be updated by notifying each of the exchanging means.

[0016] In (e) c, when the exchanging means selects the request according to the correspondence table held by itself and requests the control, the exchanging means of the request source cannot change the control means. In response to the notification that the service has failed to start, the exchange means sends the information necessary for specifying the control means to the address server means, and the address server means controls the change of the device. The correspondence table held by itself may be updated while receiving the notification of the means identifier.

(F) In b to e, the exchange means is
There may be provided a service type determining means for determining a service type from the service identification information from the subscriber, the attribute information of the subscriber who requested the service, the identifier of the subscriber, and the like.

(G) In a to f, the identification information of the communication service (service type, service additional information, subscriber attribute and subscriber identifier, etc.) sent from the exchange means, one or both of a call and a connection. Status,
It is configured to determine the service logic executed by the control means or the data used for the service logic based on detailed information such as all or part of information necessary for service control such as call identifier. Is also good.

(H) In a, the communication system is
It is a correspondence table of the identification information of the communication service given in the communication service request and the information indicating the control means that should request the control corresponding to the identification information, and shows information about all the exchange means and the control means in the system. The communication means is provided with an address server means for holding the contents and notifying the control means identifier in response to an inquiry from the exchange means, the exchange means being provided by the subscriber at the time of accepting a service request from the subscriber. Service identification information (service type,
Additional information about the service, subscriber attributes, subscriber identifiers, etc.) may be sent to the address server means to be notified of the corresponding control means identifier.

[0020]

(A) When the exchange means receives a communication service request from a subscriber, the exchange means uses the selection means,
The control means corresponding to the communication service designated by the subscriber is selected from the control means, and the selected control means is requested to control through the communication means. The exchange means is controlled in accordance with a procedure according to the communication service. Therefore, it is possible to provide a desired communication service without providing all the control means with the ability to execute service control for each communication service.

(B) When the exchange means receives a service request from a subscriber, it selects the appropriate control means for the requested service from the correspondence table held by itself and requests service control. You can

As a result, the service type can be indirectly designated by the information from the subscriber. Also,
Different services can be provided according to subscriber attributes in response to a service request with the same service type and service additional information.

(C) By providing the address server means in the communication system, when the exchange means does not have information corresponding to the requested service in the correspondence table held by itself, the address server means is provided. Can be inquired about the appropriate control means identifier.

Further, by changing the control means identifier of the correspondence table held by the address server means, the processing load can be distributed in a unit smaller than that of the exchange unit.

(D) When the correspondence table held by the address server is changed due to a change of the device in the communication system, the address server notifies each exchange means of the changed contents. The correspondence table held by each exchanging means can be updated according to the change.

(E) When the control means selected according to the correspondence table held by the exchange means cannot activate the service control, the exchange means inquires of the address server about an appropriate control means identifier, thereby exchanging each exchange. Even by the method of updating the correspondence table held by the means, it is possible to deal with the case where the correspondence table held by the address server is changed due to a device change in the communication system.

(F) Considering the subscriber attribute, the exchange means has means for determining the service type based on the information such as the service identification information, the subscriber attribute, and the subscriber identifier when the service is requested by the subscriber. It is possible to determine the service type.

(G) In the control means selected by the exchange means, the service logic executed by the control means or the data used for the service logic can be finely distinguished and selected based on various kinds of detailed information. it can.

(H) By not providing the correspondence table in each exchanging means but by providing the address server means, when each exchanging means receives a service request from a subscriber, the address An appropriate control means can be selected by inquiring the control means identifier of the server means.

[0030]

Embodiments will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 shows a conceptual diagram of a communication system according to the present invention. As shown, a plurality of exchange means 2 and a plurality of control means 1
And are connected to each other via the communication means 3. In this communication system, when the switching means 2 receives a service request from each subscriber, the switching means 2 uses the selecting means 14 to select the corresponding one from the plurality of control means 1 based on the service request, and the selection is made. The service control unit 1 is requested to control the service. In response to this request, the control means 1 executes service control on the exchange means 2 so that the exchange means 2 executes the communication service requested by the subscriber.

As described above, according to the embodiment, when the exchange means receives the service request from the subscriber, it selects the control means capable of executing the requested communication service and requests the service control. It is not necessary for all control means to have the ability to perform service control for each communication service.

The communication system of this embodiment will be described in more detail below. FIG. 2 shows an embodiment in which a correspondence table 4 for a service request from a subscriber and a control means 1 for requesting service control according to the service request is provided inside each switching means 2 of FIG. In this case, each control means 1
Shall be given a unique control means identifier.

FIG. 3 is a correspondence table 4 held by each exchange means 2.
Is an example. This correspondence table 4 is a service type that represents a major classification of communication services, additional information about a service that represents detailed information such as a minor classification and destination of the service type, and subscriptions for classifying subscribers related to the service type. Each key item of the subscriber identifier for identifying the subscriber attribute and the subscriber who has requested the service, and the control means identifier representing the control means for requesting the service control specified by these.

In the above configuration, the exchange means 2 has a service type and a service as information (hereinafter referred to as communication service identification information) which is a key item for identifying the control means included in the service request from the subscriber. , Additional information, subscriber attributes, and subscriber identifier are sent.

The exchange means 2 searches for the control means 1 requesting service control using the communication service specifying information as a search key from the internal correspondence table 4, and the control means 1 of the control means identifier obtained as a result is used as the control means 1. On the other hand, the service control is requested via the communication means 3.

The control means 1 applies a predetermined service control to the exchange means 2 via the communication means 3 in response to a service control request from the exchange means 2. As described above, in the present embodiment, when the exchanging means receives a service request from a subscriber, the exchanging means selects a control means capable of executing the requested service and requests service control. It is not necessary for every control means to have the ability to perform control.

Further, according to this embodiment, when the service type given by the subscriber is a free dial service as shown in FIG. 3, the service control for the destination logical number 2 (additional information of the service) is performed. , Subscriber attribute is at
The identifier cid for a request from a subscriber of tr1 (for example, one that does not have a contract for the called party logical number 2)
The control means of the identifier cid3 may be requested by the control means of No. 2 and the request from the subscriber of the subscriber attribute attr2 (for example, the one having a contract for the destination logical number 2). It will be possible.

As described above, in this embodiment, it is possible to provide services having different contents depending on the subscriber attribute with respect to the service request with the same service type and service additional information.

In this embodiment, as the communication service specifying information which is a key item for specifying the control means sent from the subscriber to the exchanging means, the service type, the additional information of the service, and the subscriber attribute are provided. And the description is made using a combination of four pieces of information of the subscriber identifier,
Not limited to this, a part of the above four pieces of information may be used, a plurality of pieces of information of the same type (for example, additional information of the service) may be provided, and a time period for providing the service (for example, day or night). Other information such as () may be added. Further, the communication service specifying information is not limited to these, and various other information can be considered.

Next, FIG. 4 shows an embodiment in which the address server means 13 is added to the embodiment shown in FIG. In this case, each exchange means 2 is given a unique exchange means identifier.

FIG. 5 shows the function of the address server means 13, and FIG. 6 shows an example of the correspondence table held by the address server means 13. That is, the address server means 13
Based on the communication service specifying information and the exchange means identifier sent from any one of the exchange means 2, the correspondence table of FIG. 6 is searched and the exchange means 2 is notified of the control means identifier representing the corresponding control means 1. is there.

FIG. 7 shows a processing flow of the exchange means in the communication system of the embodiment of FIG. When each exchange means 2 receives a service request from a subscriber (step 1), it retrieves communication service specifying information contained in the service request, such as service type, service additional information, subscriber attribute and subscriber identifier. The correspondence table 4 held by itself is searched as "-" (step 2). When the control means identifier for requesting service control is obtained by this search (YES in step 3), the control means 1 corresponding to the control means identifier is requested for service control.

On the other hand, when the corresponding control means identifier does not exist in the correspondence table 4 in the above retrieval and the control means 1 to request the service control cannot be determined (NO in step 3), the address server By inquiring the server means 5 (step 4), an appropriate control means identifier is obtained from the address server means 5 operating as described above, and the correspondence table 4 is updated by the obtained control means identifier (step 4). 5) Request service control from the corresponding control means 1.

Thus, by providing the address server means in the communication system, when the exchange means does not have the control means identifier corresponding to the service requested by the subscriber in the correspondence table held by itself, The address server
It is possible to inquire the control means identifier for the appropriate control means.

According to this embodiment, when the correspondence table 12 held by the address server means 13 is as shown in FIG. Assuming that there is a control means 1 having an identifier cid5 as an appropriate control means 1 having the same function in FIG.
Free dial service destination logical number 2 in the correspondence table
By changing the control means identifier corresponding to the above to cid5, the processing load of the control means cid2 can be reduced by the processing load for the free dial service for the destination logical number 2.

As described above, in this embodiment, the processing load can be distributed in units smaller than the units of the exchanging means. Here, when the contents of the correspondence table 12 inside the address server means 13 are changed,
It is preferable to provide a change content notification function for notifying each exchange means 2 of the change content. That is, as shown in FIG. 8, when the correspondence table 12 held by the address server means 13 is changed, for example, when a new control means 1 is added or a device in the communication system is changed (step 1
1), the address server means 13 notifies each exchange means 2 in the communication system of the changed contents (step 12).

According to this structure, the correspondence table 4 of each exchanging means 2 can be collectively changed, and
Since the information is updated accurately, the reliability of the entire communication system is improved.

On the other hand, the exchange table 2 has the correspondence table 4
It is also effective to provide an inquiry function for inquiring the address control means 13 of FIG. 4 for the corresponding control means identifier when the search error occurs.

That is, as shown in FIG. 9, when the correspondence table 12 held by the address server means 13 is changed, for example, by adding a new control means 1 or changing a device in the communication system, the exchanging means is changed. When 2 requests service control from the control means 1 related to the changed contents based on the search result of the correspondence table 4 held by itself (step 21), the service may not be activated. If the service cannot be started (in the case of NG in step 22), the communication service specifying information, for example, the service type, the additional information about the service, the identifier of the subscriber and the identifier of the exchange means are sent to the address server means 13. Acquire an appropriate control means identifier (step 23), update the correspondence table 4 held by itself (step 24), and request the appropriate control means 1 for service control again (step 2).
1).

With this configuration, it is possible to easily deal with the case where the correspondence table 12 held by the address server means 13 is changed. Of course, at the same time that the address server means 13 is provided with the change content notification function, the exchange device 2 may be provided with the inquiry function.

On the other hand, instead of providing the correspondence table 4 inside each switching device 2 as described above, each switching device 2 may always inquire of the address server means 13 about the control means identifier. In this case, as shown in FIG. 10, when the exchange means 2 receives a service request from each subscriber (step 31), the given communication service specifying information and its own exchange means identifier are sent to the address server means 13.
To receive a notification of an appropriate control means identifier (step 32), select the control means 1 according to the notification, and request service control (step 33).

In this case, since the address server means 13 centrally manages the correspondence table of the communication service specifying information and the control means identifier for each exchange means 2, it is extremely easy to manage the correspondence table.

In any of the cases described above, the control means 1 is provided with a correspondence table of communication service specifying information and service logic for executing service control,
The service logic may be determined based on the communication service specifying information provided when receiving the service control request from the exchange unit 2.

That is, as shown in FIG. 11, the control means 1
Receives a service control request from the exchange means 2, the communication service specifying information given in the request, such as service type, service additional information, subscriber attribute and subscriber identifier, is held as a search key by itself. The table is searched (step 41). Then, when the corresponding service logic is obtained by this search (when it is determined in step 42), the service control for the exchange means 2 is executed by the service logic (step 43). On the other hand, if the corresponding service logic is not obtained (NO in step 42), the exchange means 2 is notified that the service control activation has failed (step 44).

With such a configuration, the control means selected by the exchange means uses the information used for specifying the control means such as the service type described above, the attribute information of the subscriber who requested the service, and other information. Based on this, the service logic executed by the control means or the data used for the service logic can be finely distinguished and selected.

Next, FIG. 12 shows an example in which the exchange means 2 has a correspondence table for determining the service type from the service identification information and the subscriber attribute given by the subscriber. In this case, even if the service identification information is the same AAA, service 1 is selected when the attribute of the subscriber is attr1 and service 2 is selected when the attribute of the subscriber is attr2. Also, even if the service identification information is different such as AAA and BBB, the subscriber attributes are attr2 and attr, respectively.
If 3, the same service 2 is selected.

As described above, by providing the means for determining the service type from the service identification information and the subscriber attribute in the exchange means 2, as the service identification information indicating the service type, the subscribers having different attributes have independent values. Can be used. Further, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications can be carried out without departing from the scope of the invention.

[0058]

According to the present invention, when the exchange means receives a service request from a subscriber, it selects a control means capable of executing the requested service and requests service control. Therefore, the service control for each service is performed. It is not necessary for every control means to have the ability to perform.

Further, by providing a correspondence table for deciding the control means for requesting the service control to the exchange means or the address server means, the contents of the communication service can be determined based on various information given by the subscriber. Can be specified.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a conceptual diagram showing a communication system of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a main configuration of a communication system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of a correspondence table held by the exchange means of FIG.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a main configuration of a communication system according to another embodiment of the present invention.

5 is a diagram showing the function of the address server means of FIG.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of a correspondence table held by the address server means of FIG.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing a processing flow of the exchange means of FIG.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing a processing flow of an address server means in a communication system according to still another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing a processing flow of a switching means in a communication system according to still another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing a processing flow of an exchange means in a communication system according to still another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing a processing flow of a switching means in a communication system according to still another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 12 is a diagram showing an example of a correspondence table held by a switching means in a communication system according to still another embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 ... Control means, 2 ... Exchange means, 3 ... Communication means, 4, 12
... Correspondence table, 13 ... Address server means, 14 ... Selection means

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. At least one exchange means for exchanging communication information transmitted from a subscriber, and a communication service by controlling the exchange means according to a procedure according to a communication service designated by the subscriber. At least one provided for each communication service provided
One control means, a communication means for interconnecting the exchange means and the control means, and a selection means for selecting a control means corresponding to a communication service designated by a subscriber from the control means. Characterized communication system.