JPH09130429A - Communication system - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an in-premises communication system with a simple configuration by which real time communication with high quality is realized by connecting subscriber lines and extensions to a computer network and connecting a computer terminal to other communication terminal via an extension line network. SOLUTION: A computer network 16 is connected to a public network and an extension terminal 14 via a private branch of exchange(PBX) 10. In the PBX 10, a simultaneously line trunk 20, an extension trunk 22, and a channel/ packet converter 24 connecting to a LAN interface 30 between a time switch 26 and the computer network 16 are connected via plural channels of highways. Furthermore, the trunks 20, 22, the converter 24 and the time switch 26 are connected to a CPU 28. A computer terminal included in the network 16 sends/ receives a call control packet to/from the PBX 10, and the converter 24 converts a form of transmission data for a channel highway of the network 16 and one system allows to conduct various communication.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a communication system that uses a computer terminal such as a personal computer to perform telephone communication and facsimile transmission.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art As a conventional example of such an apparatus, a PCMCIA (Personal Computer) of a personal computer is used.
(Memory Card International Association) Connect a fax card, modem card, etc. to the card slot,
Some connect the computer directly to the subscriber line.

In the case of this device, it is necessary to prepare a card for each function such as facsimile transmission and data communication, and to change the function, the PCMCIA card must be replaced, and it can be said that this system is a single function. There is also a drawback that one computer monopolizes the subscriber line.

On the other hand, there is also one that connects a plurality of computers to a local area network (intranet) and connects them to a public network (PSTN) via a gateway having a facsimile function or a gateway having a data communication function. Here, since a plurality of terminals are connected to the gateway, calls can be separately transmitted from these terminals and the subscriber line can be apparently shared. However, since a telephone number is not assigned to each computer, it is not possible to directly communicate from the public network to each computer, and the sharing of subscriber lines in the true sense is realized. Absent. Further, the gateway also needs to be prepared for each function like the PCMCIA card, and this system is also a single function.

As described above, in the conventional communication system, in order to use various communication functions possessed by the computer via the subscriber line or the extension line, a large-scale complicated facility is required, and the computer has the computer. The various communication functions being carried out have not been fully utilized.

[0006]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made to address the above-mentioned circumstances, and its purpose is to connect a computer network to a subscriber line or an extension line, and a computer terminal to a public network or an extension line. An object of the present invention is to provide a communication system capable of communicating with other communication terminals via a network.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a communication system in which a subscriber line can be shared by a plurality of computer terminals and one computer terminal can be used as a plurality of types of communication service terminals.

Still another object of the present invention is to connect a computer network to a communication path highway housed therein so that a switching operation for a computer terminal can be performed, and the computer terminal is connected to the communication path highway. It is an object of the present invention to provide a private branch exchange that can be treated in the same manner as an extension terminal of the above or another communication terminal connected to a communication path highway via a public network.

[0009]

In order to achieve these objects, a communication system according to the present invention controls a switching means which accommodates a plurality of communication lines including a communication path highway composed of a plurality of channels, and the switching means. An exchange control means, a computer network connected to the exchange control means and having at least one computer terminal, and a data conversion means connected between the computer network and the communication path highway are provided, and the computer terminal is a computer. Control information communication means for transmitting and receiving call control information to and from the exchange control means via the network,
Data conversion means for transmitting and receiving data to and from the data conversion means via the computer network, the data conversion means converting the format of the transmission data between the computer network and the communication path highway. Means are provided.

Another communication system according to the present invention is a computer terminal connected to a computer network,
A conversion means connected to a digital line of a computer network and a public network, and the conversion means via the computer network when the computer terminal communicates with another communication terminal connected to the public network. Control information communication means for transmitting and receiving a call control signal to and from the conversion means, and data communication means for transmitting and receiving data to and from the conversion means via a computer network. A call control signal transfer means for transferring a call control signal between the digital network of the public network and the public network, and a data conversion means for converting the format of transmission data between the computer network and the digital circuit of the public network. To do.

Another communication system according to the present invention is a communication system which is connected to a computer network and can communicate a plurality of types of data, and a plurality of communication path highways in which a plurality of time slots are time-division multiplexed. An exchange including a time switch for exchanging a plurality of call path highways, each time slot of the call path highway is assigned to one of a plurality of types, a computer network and one of the call path highways Interface means for connecting one computer terminal in the computer network to a time slot according to the type of data in the communication path highway.

According to the present invention, in a private branch exchange connected to a computer network having computer terminals capable of communicating a plurality of types of data, a plurality of speech path highways in which a plurality of time slots are time-division multiplexed. , Each time slot of this channel highway is assigned to one of several types,
A time switch that exchanges multiple call path highways,
Interface means connected between the computer network and one of the plurality of communication path highways, and connecting one computer terminal in the computer network to a time slot according to the type of data in the communication path highway. Private branch exchanges are also provided.

[0013]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Embodiments of a communication system according to the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. (First Embodiment) FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of the first embodiment. Here, a medium / large-scale private branch exchange 10 is used, through which a computer network 16 is connected to a public network 12, Alternatively, a system is shown in which a plurality of computers are connected to the extension terminal 14 so that a plurality of computers share a subscriber line and various data communication is performed by one system. The computer network 16 is a local area network (hereinafter referred to as L
(Referred to as AN), or may be configured by connecting a plurality of LANs over a wide area via the Internet. That is, a plurality of computers may be connected in a narrow area by an intranet or may be connected in a wide area by the Internet.

The private branch exchange 10 has a LAN interface 30 for exchanging signals between the time switch 26 for realizing the exchange function and the computer network 16.
And a subscriber line trunk 20 connected to the public network 12,
An extension trunk 22 connected to the extension terminal 14 and a LAN
The line / packet converter 24 connected to the computer network 16 via the interface 30, each trunk circuit 20, 22, the converter 24, and the time switch 2
CPU (built-in ROM, RAM) connected to 6 2
8 is provided. The ROM of the CPU 28 has a table 1 to be described later.
Table 3 is stored. However, LAN interface 3
0 and the line / packet converter 24 may be provided not in the housing of the PBX 10 but separately.

The trunk circuits 20 and 22 and the converter 24 are connected to the time switch 26 via the communication path highway. Therefore, the line / packet converter 24 is as if P
A computer terminal included in the computer network 16 is regarded as one trunk circuit in the BX 10, and is regarded as one extension terminal and one communication terminal connected to the public network. The communication path highway has a plurality of channels, for example, 32 channels (timeslots) of data of 64 kbps each are time-division multiplexed and have a transmission capability of 2 Mbps.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing in detail the parts of the public network and the extension line network of FIG. A telephone 32, a facsimile machine 34, a data transmission modem 36 connected to a personal computer, and the like are connected to the public network 12. Public network 12
Is an ISDN (Integrated Services Digital Network) subscriber line trunk 20a and an analog subscriber line trunk 20.
It is connected to the time switch 26 via b. Telephone 3
2 includes a standard telephone, a digital telephone, and the like.
A personal computer having a communication function (built-in modem) is directly connected to the public network 12.

The extension terminal 14 includes a telephone set 14a, a facsimile machine 14b, a PHS base station 14c and the like. The base station 14c wirelessly communicates with the PHS terminal 14d. Telephone 14a as an extension terminal, facsimile machine 14b, PH
The S base stations 14c are respectively ISDN extension trunks 22.
a, the analog extension trunk 22b and the PHS extension trunk 22c are connected to the time switch 26.

FIG. 3 is a detailed view of a portion of the computer network of FIG. The computer network 16 includes, for example, the Internet 46 in which optical transmission lines or coaxial transmission lines are connected in a loop, and the Internet 46.
LANs (here, two) connected to the LAN via routers / gateways 44a, 44b ,.
(Intranet) 42a, 42b. In the present invention, an Ethernet system is adopted as the LAN, and each computer terminal uses TCP (Transmission Control).
rol Protocol / IP (Internet Protocol) communication is performed. However, unlike traditional computer terminals,
It is assumed that, in addition to the IP / TCP address, it has a subscriber number (telephone number) like an ordinary telephone.

Each LAN 42 has a plurality of computer terminals (personal computers, workstations, etc.) 5
0 is connected. The LAN 42 is connected to the line / packet converter 24 via the LAN interface 30.
The number of line / packet converters 24 connected to the LAN is not limited to one. Further, the number of line / packet converters for each LAN is not limited to one, but may be plural. Here, there are two line / packet converters 2 in the LAN 42a.
4a and 24b are connected. Hereinafter, for convenience of explanation, the line / packet converters 24a and 24b will be referred to as first and second converters CV1 and CV2, and the line / packet converters 24a and 24b will be connected to the LAN 42b.
The packet converter 24c is referred to as a third converter CV3.

Line / packet converters 24a, 24b, 2
4c PBX packet data transmitted from the computer terminals 50a to 50f via the LANs 42a and 42b.
It is converted into HW data to be transmitted on the communication path highways HW1, HW2 and HW3 in the PBX 10 and is also transmitted via the communication path highways HW1, HW2 and HW3.
The data (line data) transmitted from the LAN 42a,
It has a function of converting into packet data for transmission on 42b.

FIG. 4 shows one line / packet converter 24i.
FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing the details of. A 2 Mbps speech path highway HWi connected to the time switch 26 is connected to the multiplexer / demultiplexer 60. Therefore, the data of 2 Mbps supplied from the communication path highway is separated into the data of 64 kbps for every 32 time slots. FIG. 5A is a timing chart showing the time slots of the communication path highway, and FIG. 5B is a timing chart showing the data of each time slot.

The data of each time slot is supplied to the bearer circuit and packetized. Here, the data of the time slots TS00 to TS07 is stored in the voice bearer circuit 62, and the data of the time slots TS08 to TS15 is stored in the V.V. 110 data bearer circuit 64, data in time slots TS16 to TS19 to PHS data bearer circuit 66, data in time slots TS20 to TS23 to modem data bearer circuit 68, and time slot TS2.
The data of 4 to TS27 are supplied to the G3 fax data bearer circuit 70, and the data of time slots TS28 to TS32 are supplied to the LAPB G4 fax data bearer circuit 72, respectively. These bearer circuits 62, 64, 66,
68, 70, and 72 are some of those specified by the bearer service (circuit switching mode bearer service) of ISDN, and the voice bearer is a 64 kbps voice bearer service, V.V. 110 data bearer is called 64 kbps unrestricted bearer service, PHS bearer is called 32 kbps unrestricted bearer service, modem data bearer, and G3 facsimile data is called 64 kbps / 3.1 kHz voice bearer service, and G4 facsimile data is called 64 kbps unrestricted bearer service. It

Bearer circuits 62, 64, 66, 68, 7
0 and 72 are connected to the LAN driver 74, a destination header and the like are added to the packet, and the LAN interface 30
supplied to i. The CPU 28 is connected to the LAN driver 74.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram of the voice bearer circuit 62,
FIG. 7 is a block diagram of the modem bearer circuit 68 or the G3 fax bearer circuit 70. Voice bearer circuit 62
Is a serial / parallel converter 80 connected to the multiplexer / demultiplexer 60, and 8-bit serial data output from the serial / parallel converter 80 is supplied to the LAN driver 74 via a buffer 82a and a packetizing circuit 84a. . On the other hand, the packet data supplied from the LAN is converted into serial data by the packet separation circuit 84b and then supplied to the serial / parallel converter 80 via the buffer 82b. Serial / parallel converter 80
The parallel data output from is supplied to the multiplexer / demultiplexer 60.

The modem bearer circuit 68 or the G3 fax bearer circuit 70 is a digital / analog converter 86 connected to the multiplexer / demultiplexer 60.
And a data modem or fax modem 88. The data modem or fax modem 88 is connected to the LAN driver 74.

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing the structure of a transmission packet on the computer network 16. In the case of voice data, as shown in (a) of the figure, a header composed of a UDP address is followed by a time stamp indicating a transmission time, a voice data packet, and a CRC for error correction. In the case of data other than voice, for example, in the case of character data, a character data packet and a CRC for error correction follow a header composed of a TCP address, as shown in FIG.

FIG. 9 is a block diagram of one computer terminal 98i. The terminal 98i is a main body 98i connected to the LAN 42i, a microphone 114i for inputting voice data for telephone communication, a speaker 112i for reproducing transmitted voice data, and a high resolution video display for fax and TV telephone functions. 122i. Main body 98i is CPU 100, ROM / BIO
S102, RAM 104, hard disk device 106,
A floppy disk device 108, a voice interface 110, a mouse interface 116, a keyboard interface 118, a high resolution video interface 120, and a LAN interface 124 are provided.
However, it is not necessary that all terminals have the above-mentioned voice communication function, facsimile communication function for inputting / outputting still image data, and television conference function for inputting / outputting moving image data.
The function is appropriately selected for each terminal.

The operation of the first embodiment will be described. As described above, the Ethernet system is adopted as the LAN, and each computer terminal performs TCP / IP communication. There is UDP (User Datagram Protocol) as a supplement to TCP. IP establishes a transmission path and logically manages a network by defining a network address and a host address. A 32-bit IP address is assigned to each terminal. The notation of the IP address is converted into a decimal number with 1 byte (8 bits) as a unit, and the decimal number is separated by a period and expressed. TCP and UDP are managed by port numbers.

In this embodiment, the CPU 28 in the PBX 10
Stores an extension number of each computer terminal and a correspondence table (Table 1) of IP addresses for each call type (communication data type). Here, the same IP address is assigned to each terminal, but a different port address is assigned for each call type, and a different address is assigned for each type of communication data. As mentioned above, the IP address A,
B, C, D, etc. each represent a decimal number.

In the present invention, the line / packet converter 24 and the computer terminal 50 connected to the line / packet converter 24 are assigned to the same LAN. However, the converter 24 can be used as long as communication such as transmission delay does not occur. And a computer terminal connected via the Internet 46, and a computer terminal on another LAN may be allocated as an extension and housed.

[0031]

[Table 1]

Further, as shown in FIG. 3, a plurality of lines /
Since the packet converter may be connected to one LAN, the CPU 28 also stores Table 2 showing which computer terminal (IP address) is connected (stored) to which line / packet converter. .

[0033]

[Table 2]

The operation of this embodiment is performed in two cases, that is, when the computer terminal becomes the calling terminal and when the computer terminal becomes the called terminal.
In some cases, first, one of the computer terminals connected to the LANs 42a and 42b (here,
50a) and a telephone 1 connected to the ISDN extension
A case will be described in which a call is made to 4a and voice communication is performed between them.

Computer terminal 50a (extension number 30
When the user performs a call origination operation in 1), the computer terminal 50a first generates a call origination packet equivalent to Q931 in the call control procedure defined in layer 3 of ISDN. The calling packet has information indicating the calling terminal, the destination, and the call type. This calling packet is a LAN
42a to LAN interface 30a, converter (C
V1) PBX1 via LAN driver 74 in 24a
It is supplied to the CPU 28 within 0.

The CPU 28 uses Table 1 to search for an IP address / port address from the telephone number and call type (here, voice) of the calling terminal included in this calling packet. Here, A. B. C. D1 / TCP1 is detected. Next, the CPU 28 uses Table 2 to determine this I
Search for the line / packet converter that stores the P address. Here, CV1 and CV2 are detected.

Further, the CPU 28 has a connection status table for each line / packet converter, and as an example, the converter C
Table 3 shows the connection status table for V1. The connection status table describes the connection status for each time slot number TS00 to TS31 of the communication path highway connected to the converter.

[0038]

[Table 3]

The CPU 28 is capable of voice communication from the connection status table of the converter CV1, finds a vacant time slot (here, time slot TS00), and in the connection column the IP address of the calling computer terminal 50a / Enter the port address (ABCCD1 / UDP1),
Call path highway HW1 to line / packet converter CV1
To connect the time slot TS00 with the voice packet. Therefore, the line / packet converter CV
1, the audio data can be converted between the time slot of the communication path highway, TS00 and the calling computer terminal 50a according to the connection status table (Table 3).

Further, at this time, the CPU 28 specifies the IP address (for example, A, B, C, D6) of the line / packet converter CV1 as the destination of the voice packet to the calling computer terminal 50a. , Instruct to send and receive voice.

If all the time slots TS00 to TS07 for voice communication of the converter CV1 are already connected,
The calling terminal 50a can use another converter CV2 as shown in Table 2. Table 3 shows that of the 32 time slots of the converter CV1, the computer terminal 50a performs voice communication using the time slot TS00, the computer terminal 50b performs voice communication using the time slot TS01, and the time slot TS08. Computer terminal 50a 110 data communication is performed, and the computer terminal 50a uses the time slot TS16 to perform PHS.
Communication, the computer terminal 50c performs PHS communication using the time slot TS17, and the time slot T
The computer terminal 50a performs modem data communication using S20, the computer terminal 50a performs G3 fax communication using the time slot TS24, and the computer terminal 50a uses G4 fax communication using the time slot TS28.
Indicates that fax communication is in progress. Connection destination is "NON
Slots marked "E" indicate that they are vacant. In this way, since different port addresses are assigned to each terminal for each function (call type), the same terminal can communicate with multiple types of communication at the same time. Further, a plurality of terminals housed in the same converter can simultaneously perform time division multiplexing communication.

If all the time slots of the corresponding call type of all the converters to which the terminal is connected are closed, a disconnection packet corresponding to Q931 is issued to request disconnection, and the computer terminal 50a of the calling source. It will be returned to the standby state.

Thus, the calling computer terminal 50a
Is connected to the communication path highway HW1 via the line / packet converter CV1, the private branch exchange 10 sends a calling signal to the digital telephone 14a of the called party. Further, to the calling computer terminal 50a, a ringing tone is produced via the time switch 26.
Is sent. This ringing tone is sent to the line / packet converter CV1 through the communication path highway HW1, then converted into a voice packet by this converter CV1 and sent to the calling computer terminal 50a, and output from the speaker in a loud voice. The caller is notified.

Now, in this state, when the user off-hooks and answers the incoming call at the digital telephone 14a,
The time switch 26 of the private branch exchange 10 is the digital telephone 14a of the callee and the computer terminal 50 of the caller.
The communication path highway HW1 to which a is connected is connected.
Therefore, thereafter, the LAN 42a, the line / packet converter CV1, the communication path highway HW1, the time switch 26 of the private branch exchange 10, the IDSN extension trunk 22a, and the ISDN extension are connected between the computer terminal 50a and the destination digital telephone 14a. Bi-directional transmission of voice data is possible via this. That is, the voice data is
It is transmitted through a transmission line that is a high-speed transmission line called a communication line highway.

When the call ends, for example, the digital telephone 1
When the disconnection process is performed at 4a, the digital telephone 14
A disconnection signal is output from a. Upon receiving this disconnection signal, the CPU 28 erases the IP / port address of the calling terminal described in the connection column of the corresponding time slot of the connection status table of the corresponding converter as shown in FIG. (Enter NONE) The time switch 26 is released, and the time slot of the communication path highway to which the computer terminal 50a is connected (time slot TS00 of HW1)
Send a busy signal. In response to this, when a disconnection packet equivalent to Q931 is received from the computer terminal 50a via the LAN 42a, the line / packet converter CV
1 is instructed to disconnect the communication path highway HW1 to stop the data conversion between the communication path highway HW1 and the LAN 42a.

Similarly, when the disconnection process is performed by the computer terminal 50a, the data conversion of the line / packet converter CV1 is stopped and the communication path highway HW1 is disconnected.

The case has been described above where the computer terminal 50a makes a call to the extension telephone 14a to perform voice communication between the two. Next, conversely, from the telephone 14a connected to the ISDN extension to the LAN 42a. A case will be described in which a call is made to the computer terminal 50a connected to and the voice communication is performed between the two.

From Table 1, the CPU 28 determines the port address (A.B.C.D1 / UDP) for voice communication of the called terminal 50a.
1) is searched, and the stored converter (CV) from Table 3 is searched.
1, CV2). Then, the incoming call destination computer terminal 50a is notified of the incoming call packet corresponding to Q931 via the LAN driver 74, the LAN interface 30a, and the LAN 42a in the converter (CV1) 24a.

After the response of the computer terminal 50a, it is the same as the case of the call from the terminal to the telephone set described above, and based on the connection status table of Table 3, the line / packet converter CV is used.
1 and CV2 are instructed to convert the data, and then the call becomes possible.

In the above description, the case of voice communication is taken as an example. However, not only voice communication but also image data communication by a facsimile machine and data communication using a modem are performed.
Line / packet converters CV1, C according to the type of call
G3 FAX bearer circuit 70 and modem bearer circuit 68 (corresponding time slot) provided for V2, ...
It can be similarly realized by selecting.

As described above, in the first embodiment, the LAN to which the computer terminals 50a, 50b, ... Are connected.
42a, 42b, ... Are line / packet converters CV1, C
Highway HW1, HW2, ... via V2, ...
, And transmits call control information to and from the CPU 28 of the private branch exchange 10 via the LAN when the computer terminals 50a, 50b ,. The LANs 42a, 42b, ..., Line / packet converters CV1, CV2 ,.
, HW2, ... Are set up so that data transmission between the computer terminals 50a, 50b ,.

Therefore, according to this first embodiment,
Since the transmission data of the computer terminal such as voice data is transmitted through the transmission path formed by the high-speed transmission path such as the communication path highway, the computer terminal on the LAN directly makes a call only through the LAN. It is possible to minimize the influence of packet delay and fluctuation as compared with the case of performing communication. Thus, by using the computer terminals 50a, 50b, ... Connected to the LAN, it is possible to perform high-quality bidirectional communication such as voice communication, facsimile communication, and modem communication while sufficiently maintaining real-time property.

At this time, the computer terminal 50a,
Since the data transmission of 50b, ... Is performed from the LAN via the converter, the other LAN is not used via the router or the bridge, so that the traffic of the LAN becomes large and affects other data communication. There is nothing.

Further, each computer terminal 50a, 50
.. need only be connected to the LAN, and there is no need to pull in other communication lines such as ISDN extensions. Therefore, only the LAN interface board needs to be provided in each computer terminal 50a, 50b, ..., It is not necessary to incorporate another interface such as an ISDN interface board, so that the computer terminals 50a, 50b ,.
The configuration of can be made simple and small, and the burden on the user can be reduced.

As for the private branch exchange 10, the time switch 26 is connected to the line / packet converters CV1 and CV.
Since the communication path highways HW1, HW2, ... In which a plurality of time slots are time-division multiplexed are directly extended to V2, ..., no special interface is required on the time switch unit 26 side. For this reason, interface cards such as various trunk circuits and line circuits conventionally provided for each office line and each extension line are not required for the communication path highway, and as a result, the line interface section of the private branch exchange 10 can be downsized. Is possible.

Furthermore, since different port addresses are assigned to each terminal for each function (call type), the same terminal can simultaneously perform a plurality of types of communication. Also, a plurality of terminals connected to the same converter can simultaneously perform time division multiplexing communication.

Next, another embodiment of the present invention will be described. In the following embodiments, parts corresponding to those in the first embodiment are designated by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof will be omitted. (Second Embodiment) In the first embodiment, since the private branch exchange 10 is arranged at a position close to the computer network 16, the CPU 28 of the PBX 10 can also control the converter 24, the line / packet converter 24, and the LAN interface 30. Could be stored in the housing of the exchange 10,
A case where the computer network 16 and the private branch exchange 10 are separated from each other will be described as a second embodiment. FIG. 10 is a diagram schematically showing the entire second embodiment, and is a diagram corresponding to FIG. 1 of the first embodiment. FIG. 11 is a detailed block diagram of a portion of the computer network of the second embodiment, and is a diagram corresponding to FIG. 3 of the first embodiment. The configuration of the public network portion of the second embodiment is the same as that of the first embodiment and is the same as that of FIG.

As shown in FIG. 10, the private branch exchange 210 includes a time switch 26 for implementing a switching function and a public network 12
To a subscriber line trunk 20 connected to the extension terminal 14, an extension trunk 22 connected to the extension terminal 14, a repeater 212 connected to the computer network 16, a LAN interface 220 connected to the computer network 16, and a CPU (ROM, 28 which has a built-in RAM). Table 4 described later is stored in the ROM of the CPU 28 in place of Tables 1, 2, and 3 described above.

The repeater 212 is connected to the time switch 26 via the communication path highway, and is also connected to the line / packet converter 216 via the repeater 214 arranged near the computer network 16 via the communication path highway. It The line / packet converter 216 is connected to a CPU (built-in ROM, RAM) 218. Table 5 described later is stored in the ROM of the CPU 218. The line / packet converter 216 is connected to the computer network 16 via the LAN interface 30. The computer network 16 is a PBX 210
It is also connected to the internal LAN interface 220.

FIG. 11 is a diagram showing in detail a part of the computer network shown in FIG. The computer network 16 includes an Internet 46, a plurality of LANs (intranets) 42 connected to the Internet 46 via a router / gateway 44, and a control packet transmission connected to the Internet 46 via a router / gateway 224. It is composed of a LAN (Intranet) 226. LAN226 is L of PBX210
It is connected to the CPU 28 via the AN interface 220.

Similar to the first embodiment, a plurality of computer terminals (personal computers, workstations, etc.) 50 are connected to each LAN 42. The LAN 42 is connected to the line / packet converter 216 via the LAN interface 30. Line / packet converter 216
Is repeater 214, highway, repeater 21
2. Connected to the time switch 26 via the communication path highway.

FIG. 12 shows one line / packet converter 21.
It is a block diagram which shows the detail of 6i. Time switch 2
The 2 Mbps speech path highway (consisting of time slots TS00 to TS31) connected to the repeater 21
It is connected to the line concentrator switch 230 via 4i. The line concentrator switch 230 is connected to multiplexers / demultiplexers 232a to 232f for each call type, and distributes a 2 Mbps speech path highway to each multiplexer / demultiplexer 232a to 232f. For convenience of explanation, the time slots of the multiplexer / demultiplexer 232a are set to TS000 to TS031, and the time slot of the multiplexer / demultiplexer 232b is set to TS032.
To TS063, the time slots of the multiplexer / demultiplexer 232c are TS064 to TS095, the time slots of the multiplexer / demultiplexer 232d are TS096 to TS127, and the time slot of the multiplexer / demultiplexer 232e is T.
S128 to TS159, and the time slots of the multiplexer / demultiplexer 232f are TS160 to TS160.
191.

Multiplexer / Demultiplexer 232
a to 232e are 2Mb supplied from the communication path highway
The ps data is separated into 32 time slot data of 64 kbps each. However, it is not necessary for each multiplexer / demultiplexer 232a to 232e to use data of 32 channels. Only the channel corresponding to the frequency of use of each function may be used (bearer circuit is connected).
That is, in the multiplexer / demultiplexer 232a for the voice bearer, 16 channels of TS000 to TS015 are V.70. The multiplexer / demultiplexer 232b for 110 data bearers is 8 of TS032 to TS039.
Channel is a multiplexer for PHS data bearers /
The demultiplexer 232c has 8 channels of TS064 to TS071, and the multiplexer / demultiplexer 232d for the modem data bearer has TS096 to TS103.
8 channels of the G3 fax data bearer multiplexer / demultiplexer 232e are TS128-T.
8 channels of S135 are multiplexer / demultiplexer 232 for LAPB G4 fax data bearer
For f, only 8 channels of TS160 to TS167 are used. Therefore, the multiplexer / demultiplexer 2
32a has 16 voice bearer circuits 234 and multiplexer / demultiplexer 232b has 8 V.V. 11
0 data bearer circuit 236, 8 PHS data bearer circuits 238 in multiplexer / demultiplexer 232c, multiplexer / demultiplexer 232d
Is connected to eight modem data bearer circuits 240, the multiplexer / demultiplexer 232e is connected to eight G3 fax data bearer circuits 242, and the multiplexer / demultiplexer 232f is connected to eight G4 fax data bearer circuits 244. .

These bearer circuits 234, 236 and 23
8, 240, 242, 244 are the same as the bearer circuits 62, 64, 66, 68, 70, 72 of the first embodiment.
Bearer circuits 234, 236, 238, 240, 242,
244 is connected to the LAN driver 246, and a destination header or the like is added to the packet so that the LAN interface 30
supplied to i.

The operation of the second embodiment will be described. Here, the case where the telephone set 14a connected to the ISDN extension makes a call to the computer terminal 50a and performs voice communication between them will be described first.

When the user performs a call operation on the telephone set 14a, a call packet having information indicating a caller telephone number, a destination telephone number, and a call type is sent to the CPU of the PBX 10.
28.

The CPU 28 has the same table 1 as in the first embodiment.
Is used to search the IP address / port address of the called terminal, and Table 2 is used to search for the line / packet converter that stores this IP address. That is, from Table 1, the voice call to the computer terminal 50a with the extension number 301 is A. B. C. Knowing to connect to D1 / UDP1, from Table 2 A. B. C. D1 / UDP1 knows to use CV1 or CV2. Also, the CPU 28
Has a connection status table for each communication path highway of each line / packet converter as shown in Table 4.

[0068]

[Table 4]

It is decided to use a vacant slot (here, TS00) among the time slots of the converter CV1, and the type (voice communication) is entered in the call type column of the time slot of Table 4.

The CPU 28 uses the time slot TS00 for the converter CV1. B. C. D1 / UD
Instruct P1 to connect 64 kbps AUDIO. Table 4 uses the time slot TS01 of the converter CV1 to B. C. V.V. for D1 / TCP1 110
It indicates that data communication is being performed.

As described above, the converter is the concentrator switch 2
30 and has a highway time slot TS0
0 to TS31 is the time slot TS000 inside the converter
~ Since it is distributed to TS191, C of converter CV1
The PU 218 stores the connection status table of the concentrator switch as shown in Table 5, and the empty time slot (here, TS000) of the time slots in the converter to which the 64 kbps AUDIO is connected is set to the communication path highway. The concentrator switch 230 is controlled so as to be connected to the time slot TS00. After connection, enter the IP / port address of the computer terminal 50a in the connection column of Table 5.

[0072]

[Table 5]

Table 5 shows that the converter CV1 has a time slot T
The voice bearer circuit 23 is transmitted through S00 via the time slot TS000 of the multiplexer / demultiplexer 232a.
4 and connects the time slot TS01 to the time slot TS03 of the multiplexer / demultiplexer 232b.
2 via V. 110 shows connection with the bearer circuit 236.

After the concentrator switch 230 is connected in this way, the telephone 14a and the computer terminal 50a are connected via the converter CV1 as in the first embodiment. When making a call from the computer terminal 50a to the telephone set 14a, the procedure is the same as that of the first embodiment except for the connection control of the concentrator switch 230.

As described above, according to the second embodiment, even if the exchange 210 and the computer network 16 are at a long distance, the communication path highway and the computer network can be connected, and the same effect as that of the first embodiment can be obtained. Can be presented.

(Third Embodiment) This is a modification of the second embodiment, and an overall outline is shown in FIG. The line / packet converter 216 receives the PBX 10 via the repeaters 214 and 212.
It is connected to the time switch 26 inside and is the CPU 2 of the PBX.
8 and the CPU 218 of the converter are the same as in the second embodiment, but a dedicated LAN for call control packet transmission
226 is not provided, and the call control packet is transmitted via the same LAN as the communication data to the computer network 1
6 and the PBX 10 are communicated with each other, which is different from the second embodiment. Therefore, the line / packet converter 252 for control packets is also provided in the PBX 10.

Line / packet converter 2 in PBX250
Details of 52 are shown in FIG. The converter 252 includes a multiplexer / demultiplexer 262 connected to the communication path highway from the time switch 26, and a multiplexer / demultiplexer 262.
Time slots TS08 to T of the demultiplexer 262
V. connected to S15. 110 bearer circuit 264,
V. An 110 bearer circuit 264 and an interface 266 connected between the CPU 28. Converter 25
A call control packet 2 converts the call control packet in the form of packet data from the CPU 28 into the call control information in the form of line data and sends it to the call path highway, and the call control information in the form of line data from the call path highway To the CPU 28. In this way, the third embodiment is the same as the second embodiment except that the call control packet enters the CPU 28 in the PBX 250 via the converter and the communication path highway via the same LAN as the communication data. is there.

As described above, according to the third embodiment, even if the computer network 16 and the private branch exchange 250 are separated, the computer network 16 and the private branch exchange 2 are separated.
There is an advantage that 50 can be connected only by the communication path highway.

(Fourth Embodiment) Next, as a fourth embodiment, an embodiment in which the present invention is applied to a system using a small capacity private branch exchange or a key telephone device will be described. FIG.
5 is a schematic diagram showing an example of the configuration.

In the second embodiment, the line / packet converter is realized as a part of the function of the ISDN terminal adapter TA. That is, the ISDN terminal adapter TA is provided with the functions of the line / packet converters CV1, CV2, ... And the functions of the CPUs 28, 218 described in the above-described first to third embodiments.

This ISDN terminal adapter TA is
For example, an ISDN public network (PS) via an ISDN office line 400 using an ISDN primary interface line.
TN) 402, and is connected to another telephone TEL, G4 facsimile apparatus FAX, and other communication terminals via this PSTN. Also, it is connected to another computer network (not shown) via the public network 402. ISDN terminal adapter TA is also ISD
It also has a role as an N router.

On the other hand, ISDN terminal adapter TA
Is a computer terminal 406 including a personal computer or a workstation via the LAN 404.
a, 406b, ... Each of these computer terminals 406a and 406b is provided with a microphone and a speaker for voice communication, and is further provided with a display unit for a television conference or the like. Further, the computer terminals 406a and 406b are provided with various control functions as circuit switching terminals necessary for performing the voice communication and the television conference communication.

The ISDN terminal adapter TA is also provided with a B channel converter 408 for converting voice data packets and a D channel call controller 410 for converting call control packets. In the D channel call control unit 408, when a call relating to the computer terminals 406a and 406b occurs, the call control packet is analyzed, converted, and the like.
A communication path is connected between 406b and the public network 402. When a call relating to the computer terminals 406a and 406b occurs, the B-channel conversion unit 408 selects the line / packet conversion function according to the call type, thereby converting the data between the ISDN office line and the LAN. The connection is made.

Also in such a system, each computer terminal 40 is similar to the first to third embodiments described above.
6a and 406b can perform high-quality voice communication and image communication using the ISDN office line 400, and it is not necessary to pull in an ISDN line to each computer terminal 406a and 406b, and an interface board therefor can be unnecessary. , Computer terminals 406a, 406
b can be simplified, downsized, and priced.

The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments. For example, types and configurations of LANs and communication path highways, configurations and installation positions of line / packet converters, configurations of private branch exchanges, and computer terminals. Needless to say, the types and functions thereof can be modified in various ways without departing from the scope of the present invention. For example, also in the first embodiment, a multiplexer / demultiplexer may be provided for each call type, and a concentrator switch may be provided between the communication path highway and a plurality of multiplexers / demultiplexers.

[0086]

As described above in detail, according to the present invention, the computer network to which the computer terminal is connected is connected to the communication path highway of the exchange through the line / packet converter, and at the time of call setting relating to the computer terminal. ,
A communication path is set between the computer terminal and the private branch exchange via the computer network, the line / packet converter, and the communication path highway, and thereafter, the data transmission between the computer terminal and the terminal of the communication partner is the above communication path. Through. Therefore, it is possible to provide a local communication system which has a simple configuration without the need to draw a line other than a computer network such as a LAN into a computer terminal and which can perform high-quality real-time communication regardless of the transmission distance.

Further, the computer terminal need only be connected to the computer network, and the ISDN of the public network is required.
There is no need to pull in other communication lines such as lines. Therefore, it is not necessary to provide the computer terminal with an ISDN interface board or the like in addition to the interface for LAN, whereby the computer terminal can be simplified and downsized, and the economical burden on the user can be reduced. .

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram schematically showing a first embodiment of a communication system according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a detailed block diagram of a portion related to the public network of FIG.

FIG. 3 is a detailed block diagram of a portion related to the computer network of FIG.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a detailed configuration of the line / packet converter shown in FIG.

FIG. 5 is a timing chart showing the operation of the line / packet converter.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram of a voice bearer circuit in a line / packet converter.

FIG. 7 is a block diagram of a modem / G3 fax bearer circuit in the line / packet converter.

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a format of packet data on a LAN according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 9 is a block diagram showing a detailed configuration of the personal computer of the first embodiment.

FIG. 10 is a block diagram schematically showing a second embodiment of a communication system according to the present invention.

11 is a detailed block diagram of a portion related to the computer network of FIG.

FIG. 12 is a diagram. The block diagram which shows the detailed structure of the line / packet converter of 10.

FIG. 13 is a block diagram showing the outline of a third embodiment of a communication system according to the present invention.

14 is a block diagram showing a detailed configuration of a line / packet converter in the private branch exchange of FIG.

FIG. 15 is a block diagram showing the outline of a fourth embodiment of a communication system according to the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 10 ... Private branch exchange 12 ... Public network 14 ... Extension terminal 16 ... Computer network 20 ... Station trunk 22 ... Extension trunk 24 ... Line / packet converter 26 ... Time switch 28 ... CPU 30 ... LAN interface

Claims (33)

[Claims] 1. A switching means accommodating a plurality of communication lines including a communication path highway composed of a plurality of channels, a switching control means for controlling the switching means, and at least one computer terminal connected to the switching control means. And a data conversion unit connected between the computer network and a communication path highway, wherein the computer terminal has call control information with the exchange control unit via the computer network. Control information communication means for transmitting and receiving data, and data communication means for transmitting and receiving data to and from the data conversion means via the computer network. Format of data transmitted to / from the above-mentioned communication path highway Communication system comprising a format converting means for converting. 2. The exchange control means includes an address for a computer network attached to a computer terminal,
A first table representing a correspondence relationship between the computer terminal and a data converting means connected via a computer network, the data converting means, and a correspondence relationship between a communication path highway connected to the data converting means. The communication system according to claim 1, further comprising a second table and means for performing exchange control relating to the computer terminal based on the first and second tables. 3. The data conversion means uses a third table showing a correspondence relationship between an address for a computer network attached to a computer terminal and a time slot number of a communication path highway, and the third table. 2. The communication system according to claim 1, further comprising means for controlling data transmission between the computer network and the communication path highway. 4. The data conversion means is a data of a format that can be processed by the destination computer terminal according to the function and the type of the data of the destination computer terminal of the data coming from the exchange means via the communication path highway. 2. The communication system according to claim 1, further comprising means for converting into the form and transmitting it to a computer terminal. 5. The data conversion means converts data that has arrived from the computer terminal via a computer network into a format suitable for transmission by a communication path highway according to the function of the destination computer terminal and the type of data. A means for transmitting the data to the exchange means by means of
A communication system as described. 6. The computer terminal includes a microphone for inputting voice data, a unit for transmitting voice data input by the microphone to the data converting unit via a computer network, and a voice transmitted from the data converting unit. A data output speaker is provided, and the data conversion means converts the voice data into a format suitable for a communication path highway and sends it to the exchange means, and at the same time, converts the voice data coming from the exchange means via the communication path highway. The communication system according to claim 1, further comprising means for converting the format into a format suitable for a computer network and transmitting the format to a computer terminal. 7. The computer terminal means for inputting still image data, means for transmitting still image data input by the input means to the data converting means via a computer network, and transmission from the data converting means. And a display for outputting the still image data, wherein the data conversion means converts the still image data into a format suitable for a communication path highway and sends it to the exchange means, and the exchange means via the communication path highway. The communication system according to claim 1, further comprising means for converting the received still image data into a format suitable for a computer network and transmitting the converted still image data to a computer terminal. 8. The computer terminal has means for inputting moving image data, means for transmitting moving image data input by the input means to the data converting means via a computer network, and transmission from the data converting means. The data conversion means converts the moving picture data into a format suitable for a communication path highway and sends it to the exchange means, and the moving image data arrived from the exchange means via the communication path highway. The communication system according to claim 1, further comprising means for converting the data into a format suitable for a computer network and transmitting the converted data to a computer terminal. 9. The data conversion means, if the calling terminal and the called terminal are two computer terminals connected via a common computer network, between the two computer terminals after the call is established. The communication system according to claim 1, wherein data transmission is directly performed via a computer network. 10. The communication system according to claim 1, wherein the computer network comprises a plurality of local area networks and the Internet connecting the plurality of local area networks. 11. A computer terminal connected to a computer network, and a conversion unit connected to a digital line of the computer network and a public network, wherein the computer terminal is another communication connected to the public network. When performing communication with a terminal, a control information communication unit for exchanging a call control signal with the conversion unit via the computer network, and the computer network between the conversion unit. Data communication means for transmitting / receiving data via the call control signal transfer means for transferring a call control signal between the computer network and a digital line of the public network, Transmission of data between the computer network and the digital line of the public network Communication system comprising a data conversion means for converting the expression. 12. The conversion means, when the calling terminal and the called terminal are two computer terminals connected via a common local area network, data between the two computer terminals after the call is established. 12. The communication system according to claim 11, further comprising an extension exchange means for transmitting the transmission of the data via the local area network. 13. A communication system capable of communicating a plurality of types of data, which is connected to a computer network, and comprises a plurality of communication path highways in which a plurality of time slots are time-division multiplexed and a plurality of communication path highways. A switch including a time switch to be exchanged, each time slot of the call path highway being assigned to any of the plurality of types; and connecting between the computer network and one of the call path highways. And a interface means for connecting one computer terminal in the computer network to a time slot according to the type of data in the communication path highway. 14. The interface means includes a plurality of interface circuits having a communication function according to the type of data to be communicated, and each interface circuit is connected to one of a plurality of time slots of a communication path highway. 14. The communication system according to claim 13, further comprising means for connecting an empty time slot to the computer terminal according to the type of data to be stored. 15. The plurality of interfaces includes a voice data bearer circuit, V. 110 data bearer circuit, PHS data bearer circuit, modem data bearer circuit, G3 fax bearer circuit, G4 fax bearer circuit, the voice data bearer circuit, 14. The communication according to claim 13, comprising a 110 data bearer circuit, a PHS data bearer circuit, a modem data bearer circuit, a G3 fax bearer circuit, a G4 fax bearer circuit and a multiplexer / demultiplexer connected between the speech path highway. system. 16. The communication system according to claim 13, wherein the interface means is provided in a housing of the exchange. 17. The computer terminal has one telephone number and an address for each type of data to be communicated, and the interface means has a first table showing an address for each type of data of the computer terminal, and a time table. 17. The communication system according to claim 16, further comprising a second table showing addresses of connected computer terminals for each slot. 18. The communication according to claim 17, wherein the computer network comprises a plurality of local area networks and the Internet connecting the plurality of local area networks, and the address includes an IP address and a TCP / UDP address. system. 19. The computer network comprises a plurality of local area networks and the Internet connecting the plurality of local area networks, and the computer terminal has one telephone number and an address for each type of data to be communicated. The interface means has a first table showing addresses for each type of data of the computer terminal, a second table showing connected interfaces for each address of the computer terminal, and a time slot for each interface. 17. The communication system according to claim 16, further comprising a third table showing an address of each connected computer terminal. 20. The address is an IP address and TCP
20. The communication system of claim 19, including a / UDP address. 21. In a private branch exchange connected to a computer network having computer terminals capable of communicating a plurality of types of data, a plurality of communication path highways in which a plurality of time slots are time-division multiplexed, and this communication path Each time slot of the highway is assigned to one of the plurality of types, a time switch for exchanging a plurality of communication path highways, and a connection between the computer network and one of the plurality of communication path highways. A private branch exchange, comprising: interface means for connecting one computer terminal in the computer network to a time slot corresponding to the type of data in the communication path highway. 22. The interface means comprises a plurality of interface circuits having a communication function according to the type of data to be communicated, and each interface circuit is connected to one of a plurality of time slots of a communication path highway. 22. The private branch exchange according to claim 21, further comprising means for connecting an empty time slot to the computer terminal according to the type of data to be stored. 23. The plurality of interfaces includes a voice data bearer circuit, V. 110 data bearer circuit, PHS data bearer circuit, modem data bearer circuit, G3 fax bearer circuit, G4 fax bearer circuit, the voice data bearer circuit, 23. A premises according to claim 22, comprising a 110 data bearer circuit, a PHS data bearer circuit, a modem data bearer circuit, a G3 fax bearer circuit, a G4 fax bearer circuit and a multiplexer / demultiplexer connected between the speech path highway. switch. 24. The computer terminal has one telephone number and an address for each type of data to be communicated, and the interface means has a first table showing an address for each type of data of the computer terminal, and a time table. 22. A private branch exchange according to claim 21, further comprising: a second table showing addresses of connected computer terminals for each slot. 25. The premises according to claim 24, wherein the computer network comprises a plurality of local area networks and the Internet connecting the plurality of local area networks, and the address includes an IP address and a TCP / UDP address. switch. 26. The plurality of interface circuits are connected to one multiplexer / demultiplexer for each communication function, and one of these multiplexers / demultiplexers is connected to the communication path highway via a concentrator switch. Item 21. A private branch exchange. 27. The plurality of interface circuits are a voice data bearer circuit, a V.V. 110 data bearer circuit, P
HS data bearer circuit, modem data bearer circuit, G3
22. The private branch exchange according to claim 21, comprising a fax bearer circuit and a G4 fax bearer circuit. 28. The computer terminal has one telephone number and an address for each type of data to be communicated, and the exchange has a first table showing an address for each type of data of the computer terminal, and a time slot. A second table showing addresses of computer terminals connected to each of the multiplexers, and the interface means has a third table showing types of communication data assigned to each time slot, and each multiplexer / demultiplexer. 4th, which indicates the address of the connected computer terminal for each time slot
The private branch exchange of claim 26, further comprising: 29. The premises according to claim 28, wherein the computer network comprises a plurality of local area networks and the Internet connecting the plurality of local area networks, and the address includes an IP address and a TCP / UDP address. switch. 30. The computer network comprises a plurality of local area networks and the Internet connecting the plurality of local area networks, and the computer terminal has one telephone number and an address for each type of data to be communicated. The exchange has a first table showing an address for each type of data of the computer terminal, and a second table showing a connected interface for each address of the computer terminal,
A third table showing the address of the connected computer terminal for each time slot of each interface, and the interface means has a fourth table showing the type of communication data assigned to each time slot; Fifth indicating the address of the connected computer terminal for each time slot for each multiplexer / demultiplexer
27. A private branch exchange according to claim 26, wherein: 31. The address is an IP address and TCP
31. The private branch exchange of claim 30 including a / UDP address. 32. The interface means is connected to the communication path highway via a repeater, and control information for data communication is communicated between a computer terminal and a time switch via a computer network. Private branch exchange. 33. The interface means is connected to the communication path highway via a repeater, and control information for data communication is communicated between the computer terminal and the time switch via the PMC highway. Private branch exchange.