JPH10136102A - Multi-point communication system provided with channel integration device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To relieve the load on the system manager and the operator by automating management of line number information in the case of connecting a plurality of communication channels of an integrated services digital network as a bundle. SOLUTION: When a 1st line control means 4 receives a call request from a communication terminal equipment by a common prescribed line number, the control means 4 always assigns a specific channel of a specific line of a channel integration device not in use to a communication terminal equipment making a request. As to the connection from a 2nd channel till a final channel, a 2nd line control means 5 allows a 1st communication terminal equipment 3 to use remaining channels except a specific channel among all channels contained in the prescribed channel integration device 1a similarly to the case with a conventional system.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a multipoint communication system provided with a channel aggregation device, and more particularly, to a multipoint communication system provided with a channel aggregation device for connecting a plurality of communication channels of a digital integrated network to a line. .

In recent years, with the spread of the digital integrated network (ISDN), multipoint communication services such as a multipoint video conference and a multipoint audio / graphic conference have been realized. In order to realize such services, a communication capacity of several times to several tens times the basic channel (B channel) of the digital integrated network is required between the center device, which is the multipoint communication central control device, and the communication terminal. It is. Therefore, a plurality of basic channels are bundled between the center device and the communication terminal for line connection. A channel aggregation device is used to perform this line connection, which compensates for the network delay time occurring between each basic channel.
In this way, the communication terminal or the center device can obtain a communication channel having a communication capacity equivalent to a bundle of several to ten to several times the basic channels.

A plurality of channel aggregation devices are provided in one center device, a plurality of lines are accommodated for each channel aggregation device, and the plurality of lines are bundled into one to provide various communication services. Note that one line includes a plurality of channels (usually two channels, but sometimes 23 to 30 channels).

[0004]

2. Description of the Related Art A conventional procedure for bundling a plurality of lines using a channel aggregation device will be described with reference to FIGS.

FIGS. 37 and 38 are sequence diagrams showing the operation of bundling a plurality of lines in a multipoint communication system using a conventional channel aggregation device. FIG. 37 shows the first half and FIG. 38 shows the second half.

First, when trying to receive a communication service that requires a bundle of a plurality of lines, the subscriber line numbers to be transmitted by each communication terminal are separately set in advance for each communication terminal.

In sequence S101, when the communication terminal (A) makes a transmission request by designating this number as a destination number, the communication terminal (A) transmits the channel aggregation information to a specific channel aggregation device of the center device. It is connected via channel 1 of line 1 housed in the device. This allows
First, a first channel from the communication terminal (A) to the specific channel aggregation device is set.

In sequence S102, the communication terminal (A) notifies the specific channel aggregation device of the ID number via the call control communication channel (path) in channel 1. The notified specific channel aggregating device notifies the communication terminal (A),
A line number corresponding to the second channel to the last channel accommodated in the specific channel aggregation device is notified.

In sequence S103, the communication terminal (A) having received the notification first designates the line number of the line 1 as the destination number, and establishes the outgoing connection of the second channel with the channel aggregation device.

In sequence S104, sequence S1
In a manner similar to 03, the outgoing connection from the third channel to the last channel is performed with the channel aggregation device. In this manner, a plurality of lines corresponding to the first channel to the last channel are bundled, and in sequence S105, an actual communication service is performed.

[0011]

However, in the conventional multipoint communication system using such a channel aggregation device, it is important to manage the line number information of the digital integrated network. There is a problem that the burden on operators and operators is great. In particular, in a situation where the number of communication terminals participating in the communication service increases and the communication terminal tends to be unspecified, the amount of work becomes extremely large, and the feasibility of the service is becoming dangerous.

That is, in the conventional multipoint communication system, before starting communication, the system administrator decides beforehand which communication terminal should transmit to which channel aggregation device of the center device so that there is no overlap, and the respective systems are determined so as not to overlap. It is necessary to inform the channel number of the channel 1 of the channel aggregation device to the operator of the corresponding communication terminal.

[0013] Further, the system administrator checks in advance the identification code viewed from the digital integrated network for each line corresponding to the second channel to the last channel accommodated in each channel aggregation device of the center device, and checks each channel. It must be registered in the aggregation device.

Further, when a specific communication terminal is located overseas or located in another heterogeneous digital integrated network,
In order for that particular communication terminal to make a call to the channel aggregation device, it is not possible to simply use the specified line number as the destination number, but to add a special number such as an international number or a calling number to another network. There is. That is, when making outgoing connection of each line from the second channel to the last channel notified from the channel aggregation device of the center device, the operator on the communication terminal side must add this special number.

The present invention has been made in view of the above points, and has been made in consideration of the above circumstances, and provides a multipoint communication system having a channel aggregation device that automates the management of line number information and reduces the burden on system administrators and operators. The purpose is to provide.

[0016]

According to the present invention, in order to achieve the above object, as shown in FIG. 1, a plurality of lines are accommodated, and each line is provided with a plurality of channels. The monitoring devices 2 for monitoring the current use states of the aggregation devices 1a to 1n, the plurality of channel aggregation devices 1a to 1n, and the common predetermined line number from the first communication terminal 3a. The specific channel of the specific line of the predetermined channel aggregation device 1a certified as
First line control means 4 used by first communication terminal 3a
And the remaining channels excluding the specific channel among all the channels accommodated in the predetermined channel aggregation device 1a
And a second line control means 5 for use by the communication terminal 3a of the multi-point communication system provided with the channel aggregation device.

In the above-described configuration, first, a common predetermined line number is set in advance for each communication terminal that intends to receive a communication service that provides a service after bundling a plurality of lines. When the first communication terminal 3a of the plurality of communication terminals 3a to 3n makes a call request using the common predetermined line number, the first line control means 4 receiving the request makes the monitoring means 2 , A plurality of channel aggregation devices 1
An inquiry is made about the current use state of a to 1n.
As a result, the predetermined channel aggregation device 1 is
a is determined to be unused, the first line control means 4
Causes the first communication terminal 3a to use a specific channel of a specific line among the lines accommodated in the predetermined channel aggregation device 1a. That is, the first line control means 4
Receives a call request using a common predetermined line number from a communication terminal, and always allocates a specific channel of a specific line of an unused channel aggregation device to the requesting communication terminal. As a result, any communication terminal may use the same line number when making a call request, and furthermore, specifies an unused channel aggregation device in response to a call request with a common predetermined line number from any communication terminal. A specific channel of the line is allocated.

This specific channel is the conventional first channel. As for the connection from the second channel to the last channel, as in the conventional case, the second line control means 5 sets the remaining channels excluding the specific channel among all the channels accommodated in the predetermined channel aggregation device 1a, The first communication terminal 3a is used.

Thus, there is no need for the system administrator to decide in advance which communication terminal should make a call to which channel aggregating device of the center device, or to notify the operator of the corresponding communication terminal of the communication terminal. The burden on the administrator is reduced.

In FIG. 1, the monitoring means 2, the first line control means 4, and the second line control means 5 are independent of the channel aggregation devices 1a to 1n and the digital integrated network 6 for convenience of explanation. Although depicted at the location, the multipoint communication system of the present invention is not limited to this, and may be provided inside the channel aggregation devices 1a to 1n or the digital integrated network 6.

[0021]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. First, the principle configuration of the first embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. In the first embodiment,
A plurality of channel aggregating devices 1a to 1n each accommodating a plurality of lines, each line having a plurality of channels set therein.
A monitoring unit 2 for monitoring the current use state of the plurality of channel aggregation devices 1a to 1n; and a predetermined communication line number received from the first communication terminal 3a. The first channel control means 4 for causing the first communication terminal 3a to use the specific channel of the specific line of the channel aggregation device 1a, and the specific channel of all the channels accommodated in the predetermined channel aggregation device 1a are excluded. The remaining channel is constituted by the second channel control means 5 used by the first communication terminal 3a.

FIGS. 2 to 6 show such a first embodiment.
This will be specifically described with reference to FIG. The correspondence between the specific configuration shown in FIGS. 2 to 6 and the configuration shown in FIG. 1 will be described after the description of the specific configuration.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a network configuration of the digital integrated network. The digital integrated network 10 includes the trunk line 1
1a to 11d, a trunk exchange 12a to 12e, a public network including user's subscribed lines 13a to 13e, a private exchange (PBX) 14a to 14c installed by a user, and the like. The communication terminals 15a to 15h and the center devices (multipoint communication central control devices) 16a and 16b are connected via the digital integrated network 10. Center device 16
A number of channel aggregating devices are provided between a and 16b and the digital integrated network 10, but are not shown in FIG.

FIG. 3 is a configuration diagram of a multipoint communication system of a type in which a basic subscriber line is directly accommodated in a channel aggregation device. FIG. 3 shows a portion related to one center device 16a of the network shown in FIG. In FIG. 3, channel aggregation devices 17a to 17x are installed between the digital integrated network 10 and the center device 16a. Each of the channel aggregation devices 17a to 17x absorbs a propagation delay difference between a plurality of basic channels, bundles the basic channels, and provides the single data channel to the center device 16a.

The center device 16a is a device that realizes communication services such as a multipoint video conference and a multipoint personal computer conference, and performs communication processing of signals such as voice, video, and data. The line interface units 18a to 18x constituting the center device 16a have a physical / electrical interface with the channel aggregating devices 17a to 17x.
It receives channel data aggregated by 7a to 17x or transmits channel data to channel aggregation devices 17a to 17x. Communication processing units 19a to 19
x is the audio, video, transmitted by the channel data
Processing such as code conversion, audio mixing, and image synthesis is performed on signals such as data. The control unit 20 is a center device 16a
The details of the operation will be described later with reference to an operation sequence.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing the internal configuration of the communication terminals 15a to 15x. The communication terminals 15a to 15x all have the same configuration. Line interface unit 21
Has a physical / electrical interface with the user's subscription line. The communication processing unit 22 performs code conversion and reproduction processing on signals such as audio, video, and data transmitted by channel data. The operation unit 23 provides the user with various user interfaces such as an outgoing connection operation to the center device 16a and switching of a communication mode. Control unit 24
Receives an instruction from the operation unit 23 and controls the communication processing unit 22 to perform request processing such as outgoing connection. Such request processing is performed by transmitting and receiving various call control messages to and from the exchange of the digital integrated network 10 via a call control communication channel on a line.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a configuration of the exchange included in the digital integrated network 10. As shown in FIG. Line interface 2
5a to 25x take a physical / electrical interface with the trunk line. User interface units 26a to 26x
Has a physical / electrical interface with the user's subscription line. The line switch unit 27 switches between the trunk line and the user's subscribed line in units of basic channels in accordance with an instruction from the control unit 28. The control unit 28 is a control unit of another exchange, a control unit of the channel aggregation devices 17a to 17x,
Alternatively, various kinds of call control messages are transmitted / received to / from the control unit 20 of the center device 16a via a call control communication channel on a line.

The digital integrated network 10 is connected to the line 1 (line number a in FIG. 3) of each of the channel aggregation devices 17a to 17x.
1, b1. . Assign a representative line number M to channel 1 of x1). Each line contains two channels, the first of which (shown in black squares in Figure 3)
Is channel 1. That is, the communication terminals 15a to 15a
When an outgoing request is sent by designating the representative line number M as a destination number sequentially from x, the digital integrated network 10 searches for an unused channel aggregating device every time the request is received, and Channel 1 of line 1 is used by the communication terminal that has sent the call request. Such processing is realized by the control unit 28 of the exchange.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing the internal configuration of the channel aggregation devices 17a to 17x. Channel aggregation devices 17a-1
7x have the same configuration. The line interface units 29a to 29n take a physical / electrical interface with the user subscribed line. Line switch / delay adjuster 30
The internal buffer adjusts the delay time of each signal transmitted / received on the basic channel of each line to match the phases, and outputs the data as a single data channel to the outside. The control unit 31 controls the operation of the channel aggregation device, and its detailed operation will be described with an operation sequence described later.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing various call control messages transmitted on the call control communication channel. (A) shows an outgoing call request message transmitted when the communication terminal makes an outgoing call request, and the items include message type, call number, and called number information. “Call request” is described in the message type, and the connection destination number is described in the called number information. The call number is a parameter used to distinguish to which channel a message transmitted / received between the exchange and the channel aggregation device or between the exchange and the communication terminal belongs. (B) shows an incoming information message transmitted from the digital integrated network (exchange) receiving the outgoing request message to the center device (channel aggregating device), and includes message type, call number, source number information, and called number information as items. Exists. The source number information describes the identification number of the communication terminal that has requested transmission. (C) shows a connection response message, and there are a message type and a call number as items. (D) indicates a disconnection response message, and includes a message type, a call number, and a reason display as items.

The channel aggregation devices 1a to 1a shown in FIG.
1n corresponds to the channel aggregation devices 17a to 17x in FIG. 3, and the monitoring means 2 shown in FIG.
8, the communication terminals 3a to 3n shown in FIG. 1 correspond to the communication terminals 15a to 15x in FIG. 3, and the first line control means 4 shown in FIG. Correspondingly,
The second line control means 5 shown in FIG. 1 corresponds to the control unit 28 of the exchange shown in FIG. 5 and the control unit 31 of the channel aggregation device shown in FIG. 6, and the digital integrated network 6 shown in FIG. It corresponds to the integrated network 10.

The operation of the first embodiment configured as described above will be described with reference to FIGS. 8 and 9 are sequence diagrams showing the operation of the first embodiment. FIG. 8 shows the first half, and FIG. 9 shows the second half.
In this sequence diagram, communication terminals (A to X) 15a to 1
5x shows a case where a transmission request is simultaneously made using the representative line number M.

In the sequence S1 shown in FIG. 8, the communication terminals (A to X) sequentially enter the channel 1 of each line 1 (line numbers a1 to x1) of the channel aggregation devices (a to x) 17a to 17x.
X) Each first channel from 15a to 15x arrives.

In the sequence S2, each communication terminal (A to A)
X) When the ID numbers are notified from 15a to 15x, the channel aggregation devices (a to x) 17a to 17x notify the corresponding communication terminals of the line numbers from the second channel to the last channel. For example, the channel aggregation device (a) 1
The communication terminal (A) 15a is notified of the line number a1 (channel 2) as the second channel from the communication terminal (A) 15a, and similarly, the line number b1 (channel 1) is transmitted as the third channel.
Channel number b1 (channel 2) as a channel, line number c1 (channel 1) as a fifth channel,. . . Notified. These notifications are made using channel 1 of line 1.

In the sequence S3 shown in FIG. 9, each of the communication terminals (A to X) 15a to 15x makes a transmission request from the second channel to the last channel based on the notified line number, and transmits a request from the second channel to the last channel. Make a line connection to the channel. For example, if the communication terminal (A) 15a
Making a call request for the second channel with 1 as the destination number;
The channel aggregation device (a) 17 a
Is set as the second channel, and similarly, the communication terminal (A)
15a makes a transmission request for the third channel using the line number a2 as the destination number, and issues a request to the channel aggregation device (a) 17a.
Sets channel 1 of line 2 as the third channel. Further, a transmission request for the fourth channel is made using the line number a2 as the destination number, and the channel 2 of the line 2 is set as the fourth channel. . . . Thus, finally, the first terminal is provided between each of the communication terminals (A to X) 15a to 15x and each of the channel aggregation devices (a to x) 17a to 17x.
A bundle of lines from the channel to the last channel is completed. Then, each channel aggregation device (a-x) 17a-1
At 7x, the propagation delay time difference between the channels is absorbed, and with this completion, a single data channel is formed and the actual communication service is started.

As described above, in the first embodiment, when a transmission request using the representative line number M is made to the digital integrated network 10, the digital integrated network 10 searches for an unused channel aggregation device, Channel 1 of line 1 of the unused channel aggregation device is used by the communication terminal that has sent the transmission request. This eliminates the need to preset a line number to be specified for each communication terminal when receiving a communication service that requires a bundle of a plurality of lines, and any communication terminal can specify a common line number as a destination number. Simply by making a call request, the above communication service can be automatically received.

Next, a second embodiment will be described. FIG.
0 is a configuration diagram showing a second embodiment of the multipoint communication system. Since the configuration of the second embodiment is basically the same as the configuration of the first embodiment, the same components are denoted by the same reference numerals and description thereof will be omitted.

In the second embodiment, the center device 16a
A channel aggregation device management table 32 is provided therein.
The channel aggregation device management table 32 stores the current used / unused status of each of the channel aggregation devices (a to x) 17a to 17x. The used / unused state indicates whether the line accommodated in the corresponding channel aggregation device is used or not, and the state where only the channel 1 is used is also regarded as the used state. These used / unused states are constantly updated when the control unit 20 in the center device 16a inquires the control units 31 (FIG. 6) in each of the channel aggregation devices (a to x) 17a to 17x. The channel aggregation device management table 32 describes the first subscriber line number. This first subscriber line number is the number of the line to be used by the communication terminal of the transmission request when a transmission request by the representative line number M is made when the corresponding channel aggregation device is not used, in other words, Is the number (a1 to x1) of the line 1 of the channel aggregation device. FIG. 11 shows an example of the channel aggregation device management table 32.

In the second embodiment, for example, the communication terminal 1
When there is an outgoing request by the representative line number M from 5a,
If the channel 1 of the line 1 (a1) of the channel aggregating device (a) 17a is free, the channel 1 is set to the communication terminal 15
a, and the column of the channel aggregation device (a) 17a in the channel aggregation device management table 32 is updated to the use state. Next, when there is an outgoing call request from the communication terminal 15b using the representative line number M, if the channel 2 of the line 1 (a1) of the channel aggregating device (a) 17a is free, the channel 2 is transmitted to the communication terminal 15b. Let me use it. Therefore, the channel aggregation device (a) 17a refers to the channel aggregation device management table 32 and recognizes that the channel aggregation device (a) 17a is in use and the channel aggregation device (b) 17b is not in use. Then
An incoming call from the communication terminal 15b is sent to the digital integrated network 10 by the line 1 (a) of the channel aggregation device (a) 17a.
A call transfer request message is sent to switch from channel 2 of 1) to channel 1 of line 1 (b1) of channel aggregation device (b) 17b. Thereby, the communication terminal 15
b is the line 1 (b1) of the channel aggregation device (b) 17b
Channel 1 will be used.

FIG. 12 shows a call transfer request message.
The line number to be transferred is described in the transfer destination number information column. FIG. 13 is a sequence diagram illustrating the operation of the second embodiment.

In sequence S4, the communication terminal (A)
When an outgoing request by the representative line number M is sent from 15a, the digital integrated network 10 sets the channel aggregation device (a)
Since the channel 1 of the line 1 (line number a1) of 17a is vacant, the communication terminal (A) 15a is connected to this channel 1. Therefore, the channel aggregation device (a) 17a in the channel aggregation device management table 32 of the center device 16a
Is updated to the use state. The ID number is sent from the communication terminal (A) 15a to the channel aggregation device (a) 17a,
Channel aggregation device (a) 17a to communication terminal (A) 15
a is notified of the line numbers (a1, a2, a2,..., an, an) corresponding to the second channel to the last channel.

Next, in the sequence S5, when the communication terminal (B) 15b sends a transmission request using the representative line number M, the digital integrated network 10 sets the line 1 (line number a1) of the channel aggregation device (a) 17a. Channel 2 is still vacant, so the communication terminal (B)
15b.

Thereafter, as shown in the sequence S6, the ID number is sent from the communication terminal (B) 15b to the channel aggregation device (a) 17a.
The control unit 7a refers to the channel aggregation device management table 32 via the control unit 20 of the center device 16a. It is assumed that the channel aggregating device (a) 17a is in use, the channel aggregating device (b) 17b is not in use, and the channel aggregating device (b) 17b has a line number b1 to be used by the communication terminal. recognize. Therefore, the channel aggregation device (a) 17a sends the
A call transfer request message in which the line number b1 is described in the transfer destination number information column is transmitted. Thereby, the channel 1 of the line 1 (line number b1) of the channel aggregation device (b) 17b
Is connected to the communication terminal (B) 15b. Then, the column of the channel aggregation device (b) 17b in the channel aggregation device management table 32 of the center device 16a is updated to the use state.

Next, in sequence S7, the communication terminal (B) 15b sends the ID number to the channel aggregation device (b).
To the communication terminal (B) 15b from the channel aggregation device (b) 17b to the communication terminal (B) 15b, the line numbers (b1, b2, b2,.
n, bn).

Hereinafter, although not shown, the communication terminal (C)
Outgoing requests from the communication terminal 15c to the communication terminal (X) 15x are similarly processed. The processing of the sequence S8 is the first processing shown in FIG.
Since the processing is the same as that of the sequence S3 of the embodiment, the description thereof will be omitted.

As described above, in the second embodiment, even when the digital integrated network 10 performs the same operation as that of the conventional system shown in sequence S5, the communication terminal (B) 15b Is finally connected to the channel 1 of the line 1 (line number b1) of the channel aggregating device (b) 17b.

Next, a third embodiment will be described. Third
The configuration of this embodiment is the same as that of the second embodiment, and only the operation is different. FIG. 14 and FIG.
FIG. 14 is a sequence diagram showing the operation of the third embodiment, FIG. 14 shows the first half, and FIG. 15 shows the second half.

In sequence S9, the communication terminal (A)
When an outgoing request by the representative line number M is sent from 15a, the digital integrated network 10 sets the channel aggregation device (a)
Since the channel 1 of the line 1 (line number a1) of 17a is vacant, the communication terminal (A) 15a is connected to this channel 1. At this time, the control unit of the channel aggregating device (a) 17a refers to the source number information column of the incoming information message [FIG. 7 (B)] and recognizes that the calling number is aa. The originating number in the originating number information column is the digital integrated network 10 that notifies the identification code of the originating communication terminal for the purpose of notifying the destination device of the origin.

Next, in the sequence S10, when the communication terminal (B) 15b sends a transmission request using the representative line number M, the digital integrated network 10 sets the line 1 (line number a1) of the channel aggregation device (a) 17a. Channel 2 of
Are available, so that the communication terminal (B) 1
5b is temporarily connected. At this time, the control unit of the channel aggregation device (a) 17a refers to the source number information column of the incoming information message and recognizes that the calling number is bb. As a result, since the calling number bb is different from the calling number aa of the communication terminal (A) 15a that previously sent the call request using the representative line number M, the channel aggregation device (a) 17a
Transmits a call transfer request message in which the line number b1 is described in the transfer destination number information column to the digital integrated network 10. Thereby, the channel aggregation device (b)
Channel 1 of line 1 (line number b1) of 17b is connected to communication terminal (B) 15b.

As shown in the sequence S11, when the communication terminal (C) 15c sends a call request using the representative line number M, a process similar to the process shown in the sequence S10 is performed.

In the sequence S12, the communication terminal (A) 1
5a sends the ID number to the channel aggregation device (a) 17a, and from the channel aggregation device (a) 17a to the communication terminal (A) 15a, sends the line numbers (a1, a2, a2) corresponding to the second to last channels. , ... an, a
n) is notified. Similar processing is performed between each of the communication terminals (B) 15b to 15 (x) and the channel aggregation device (a) 17b to the channel aggregation device (x) 17x.

Since the sequence S13 is the same as the process of the sequence S8 of the second embodiment shown in FIG.
Description is omitted. In the third embodiment, the sequence S
As shown at 10, the incoming call transfer is performed immediately after the control unit of the channel aggregating device (a) 17a refers to the source number information column of the incoming information message. Thereby, the processing for bundling the lines can be performed at a higher speed than in the second embodiment.

Next, a fourth embodiment will be described. 4th
The configuration of this embodiment is basically the same as the configuration of the second embodiment. However, the internal configuration of the exchange of the digital integrated network 10 is different. In the following description, the same components as those of the second embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof will be omitted.

FIG. 16 is a configuration diagram showing the internal configuration of the exchange according to the fourth embodiment. The exchange according to the fourth embodiment is provided with a management table 33 for the first subscriber line of the channel aggregation device. The management table 33 stores the current used / unused state of each of the channel aggregation devices (a to x) 17a to 17x. Further, the channel aggregation device management table 33 describes the first subscriber line number.
As described above, the first subscriber line number is a line number (a1 to x1) to be used by the communication terminal when a call is requested by the representative line number M when the channel aggregation device is not used. It is. FIG. 17 shows an example of the channel aggregation device management table 33.

The operation of the fourth embodiment is basically the same as the operation of the second embodiment shown in FIG. However, in sequence S6, the ID number is sent from the communication terminal (B) 15b to the channel aggregation device (a) 17a,
The control unit of the channel aggregation device (a) 17a refers to the channel aggregation device management table 32 via the control unit 20 of the center device 16a. At that time, the channel aggregation device (a) 17a sets the channel aggregation device (a It recognizes only that 17a is in use and does not recognize the transfer destination. Therefore, the channel aggregation device (a) 17a
Transmits a call transfer request message to the digital integrated network 10, but the call transfer request message does not have the transfer destination number information column (FIG. 12) as in the second embodiment.

The control unit of the exchange of the digital integrated network 10 which has received the call transfer request message refers to the management table 33 of the first subscribed line of the channel aggregation device, and the aggregation device (b) 17b is in an unused state. The channel aggregation device (b) 17b recognizes that the line number to be used by the communication terminal is b1. Therefore, the control unit of the exchange connects the channel 1 of the line 1 (line number b1) of the channel aggregation device (b) 17b to the communication terminal (B) 15b. Then, the column of the channel aggregation device (b) 17b in the management table 33 is updated to the use state.

As described above, in the fourth embodiment, the second
As compared with the embodiment, the processing load on the channel aggregating device associated with the call transfer is reduced. Next, a fifth embodiment will be described.

FIG. 18 is a block diagram showing a fifth embodiment of the multipoint communication system. The fifth embodiment is a multipoint communication system of a type in which a basic subscriber line is connected to a channel aggregation device via a line switch unit, except for a part related to that point. The configuration of the embodiment is basically the same as the configuration of the first embodiment. Therefore, the same components are denoted by the same reference numerals and the description thereof will be omitted.

In the fifth embodiment, the center device 16a
Is provided with a channel aggregation device management table 34. The channel aggregation device management table 34 stores the current used / unused status of each of the channel aggregation devices (a to x) 17a to 17x. Further, the channel aggregation device management table 34 includes the respective channel aggregation devices (a to x) 17a to 17
Individual line numbers aaa to xxx that are unique identification codes for x
Is stored. FIG. 19 shows an example of the channel aggregation device management table 34. The control unit 20 of the center device 16a
The current use / unused state of each of the channel aggregation devices (a to x) 17a to 17x is constantly grasped, and the contents of the channel aggregation device management table 34 are updated to the latest state.

Returning to FIG. 18, a large-capacity user subscription line 36 is provided between the digital integrated network 10 and each of the channel aggregation devices (a to x) 17a to 17x. A large number of basic communication channels (first to Z-th channels) as shown in FIG.
FIG. 20 is a diagram showing a channel configuration set for a line existing between the digital integrated network 10 and each of the channel aggregation devices (a to x) 17a to 17x. Channel) and a call control communication channel. The maximum number of channels Z is generally about 23 or 30.

Returning to FIG. 18, such a large-capacity user subscribed line 36 and each channel aggregating device (a-x) 17a-
17x, a line switch unit 35 is provided. The line switch unit 35 is controlled by the control unit 20 of the center device 16a, and the user subscribed line 36 and each of the channel aggregation devices (a to x) 17a to 17x for each basic communication channel.
A switching connection is realized with each line input / output unit. The control unit 20 of the center device 16a realizes call control such as channel connection by transmitting and receiving various call control messages to and from the digital integrated network 10 via a call control communication channel.

The user subscribed line 36 has a subscribed line number M1
Is assigned. The operation of the fifth embodiment thus configured will be described with reference to FIGS. 21 and 22.

FIGS. 21 and 22 are sequence diagrams showing the operation of the fifth embodiment. FIG. 21 shows the first half and FIG. 22 shows the second half. In sequence S14, each of the communication terminals (A to X) 15a to 15x designates the subscriber line number M1 as a destination number and makes a call request. Upon receiving this, the digital integrated network 10 transmits the incoming information message to the center device 16a without writing anything in the called number information column of the incoming information message (FIG. 7B). When the control unit 20 of the center device 16a receives the incoming information message in which nothing is entered in the called number information column, the control unit 20 refers to the channel aggregation device management table 34, controls the line switch unit 35, and does not use it. Channel 1 of line 1 of each channel aggregation device (a to x) 17a to 17x
(Shown by a black square in FIG. 18) is set to each communication terminal (A
To X) 15a to 15x, respectively. At the same time, the control unit 20 of the center device 16a rewrites the column of the corresponding channel aggregation device in the channel aggregation device management table 34 to the use state.

In the sequence S15, the center device 16a
Of the communication terminals (A to X) 15a to 15x
Receives the ID number notification from the channel aggregation device management table 34, and refers to the corresponding individual line number (aaa).
To xxx) to the communication terminals (A to X) 15a to 15x.

In the sequence S16, each communication terminal (A) is connected to connect the line from the second channel to the last channel.
~ X) 15a ~ 15x make outgoing calls with the transmitted individual line numbers attached. For example, the communication terminal (A) 15a
Make a call request with the individual line number aaa. The digital integrated network 10 receives the incoming information message [FIG.
(B)], aaa is entered as a destination number in the destination number information column, and sent to the control unit 20 of the center device 16a. When the control unit 20 of the center device 16a receives the incoming information message in which aaa is entered in the called number information column, the control unit 20 controls the line switch unit 35 with reference to the channel aggregation device management table 34, and (A) Line 1 of 17a
Is connected to the communication terminal (A) 15a. Thereby, the connection of the second channel of the communication terminal (A) 15a is completed. Next, when the communication terminal (A) 15a makes a call request with the individual line number aaa, the center device 1
The control unit 20a controls the line switch unit 35 so that the channel 1 of the line 2 of the channel aggregation device (a) 17a is connected to the communication terminal (A) 15a. Thereby, the connection of the third channel of the communication terminal (A) 15a is completed. By such repetition, the communication terminal (A) 15a
Is completed up to the last channel. Next, the communication terminal (B) 15b makes an outgoing call request with the individual line number bbb. As in the case of the communication terminal (A) 15a, the digital integrated network 10 transmits the incoming information message [FIG.
In the (B)] destination number information field, bbb is entered as the destination number and sent to the control unit 20 of the center device 16a. When the control unit 20 of the center device 16a receives the incoming information message in which bbb is entered in the called number information column, the control unit 20 refers to the channel aggregation device management table 34 to control the line switch unit 35, and the corresponding channel aggregation device (B) Line 1 of 17b
Is connected to the communication terminal (B) 15b. Thereby, the connection of the second channel of the communication terminal (B) 15b is completed. Through such repetition, the communication terminal (B)
The connection to the last channel of 15b is completed. Further, the connection to the final channel of the communication terminal (X) 15x is completed.

As described above, in the fifth embodiment, when a transmission request is made with the representative line number M1, the control unit 20 of the center device 16a refers to the channel aggregation device management table 34 to 35, and connects the channel 1 of the line 1 of the unused channel aggregation device to the communication terminal. This eliminates the need to preset a line number to be specified for each communication terminal when receiving a communication service that requires a bundle of a plurality of lines, and any communication terminal can specify a common line number as a destination number. Simply by making a call request, it is possible to automatically receive this communication service.

Next, a sixth embodiment will be described. FIG. 23 is a configuration diagram showing a sixth embodiment of the multipoint communication system. The configuration of the sixth embodiment is basically the same as that of the fifth embodiment.
Since the configuration is the same as that of the first embodiment, the same components are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof will be omitted.

In the sixth embodiment, in addition to the large-capacity user subscription line 36 (line number M1), large-capacity user subscription lines 37 to 38 (line numbers M2 to Mn) are provided. Then, a common representative line number M is assigned to these lines.

FIGS. 24 and 25 are sequence diagrams showing the operation of the sixth embodiment. FIG. 24 shows the first half and FIG. 25 shows the second half. In sequence S17, each of the communication terminals (A to X) 15a to 15x makes a call request by designating the subscriber line number M as the destination number. The other operations are the same as those of the fifth embodiment, and operate as if the subscriber line number M1 was simply changed to the subscriber line number M.

The sequence S18 and the sequence S19 are
Sequence S15 and sequence S1 of the fifth embodiment
Same as 6. In the sixth embodiment, since a plurality of large-capacity user subscription lines are provided, the line switch unit 35 is provided.
Is complicated, but except for this point, even if a plurality of large-capacity user subscribed lines are provided, a common single subscribed line number is used as in the fifth embodiment. , You can bundle the lines.

Next, a seventh embodiment will be described. The configuration of the seventh embodiment is basically the same as that of the first embodiment. Therefore, the same reference numerals are given to the same components as those in the first embodiment, and the description thereof will be omitted.

FIG. 26 is a diagram showing the internal configuration of the channel aggregation device according to the seventh embodiment. FIG. 26 shows a line number management table 39 in the channel aggregation device. Although the line number management table 39 originally exists in the first embodiment, it is particularly shown in the seventh embodiment for convenience of explanation. In the line number management table 39,
A line number assigned from the digital switching network 10 is entered for each basic subscriber line accommodated in the channel aggregation device. FIG. 27 is a diagram showing an example of the line number management table 39.

In the seventh embodiment, the control unit 31 of the channel aggregating device automatically inquires the control unit of the exchange of the line numbers allocated to the respective basic subscriber lines of the channel aggregating device. The control unit 31 of the channel aggregation device stores the line number in the line number management table 39 based on the response from the control unit. The line number request message shown in FIG. 28A is used for this inquiry, and the line number response message shown in FIG. 28B is used for the answer.

FIG. 29 shows a sequence of line number inquiry and reply for each channel aggregation device. Here, processing is performed for each line from the channel aggregation device (a) 17a to the channel aggregation device (x) 17x.

The information stored in the line number management table 39 is used when each channel aggregating device notifies the corresponding communication terminal of the line numbers of the second to last channels in the sequence S2 shown in FIG. .

Conventionally, the contents stored in the line number management table 39 have been investigated and registered in advance by an operator. Therefore, when the number of lines accommodated in the channel aggregation device increases, the amount of work becomes enormous, and the seventh embodiment can reduce such work by the operator.

Next, an eighth embodiment will be described. The configuration of the eighth embodiment is basically the same as that of the fifth embodiment. Therefore, the same components as those of the fifth embodiment shown in FIG. 18 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof will be omitted.

FIG. 30 is a diagram showing the configuration of the eighth embodiment. FIG. 30 shows the individual line number management table 40 in the center device 16a. Although the individual line number management table 40 originally exists in the fifth embodiment,
The eighth embodiment is particularly illustrated for convenience of explanation.
In the individual line number management table 40, individual line numbers corresponding to the respective channel aggregation devices 17a to 17x are entered.
FIG. 31 shows an example of the individual line number management table 40.

In the eighth embodiment, the center device 16a
Automatically inquires the digital integrated network 10 of the individual line numbers allocated to each channel aggregation device, and based on the answer from the digital integrated network 10, the control unit 20 of the center device 16a The individual line number is stored in the individual line number management table 40. The inquiry uses the individual line number request message shown in FIG. 32A, and the answer uses the individual line number response message shown in FIG. 32B.

FIG. 33 shows a sequence of an individual line number inquiry and reply. Here, all the individual line numbers are answered by one inquiry. The information stored in the individual line number management table 40 is shown in FIG.
Is used when each channel aggregating device notifies the corresponding communication terminal of the line numbers of the second to last channels in the sequence S15 shown in FIG.

Next, a ninth embodiment will be described. The configuration of the ninth embodiment is basically the same as that of the first embodiment. Therefore, the same reference numerals are given to the same components as those in the first embodiment, and the description thereof will be omitted.

FIG. 34 is a diagram showing a network configuration according to the ninth embodiment. In the ninth embodiment, the digital integrated network 10 is provided in Japan, whereas the digital integrated network 41 is provided overseas, and the digital integrated network 10 and the digital integrated network 41 are connected. ing. Alternatively, it is assumed that the digital integrated networks 10 and 41 are both provided in Japan, but the digital integrated network 41 is a different type of network from the digital integrated network 10. The communication terminal (B) 15b is connected to the digital integrated network 10, and the communication terminal (A) 15a is connected to the digital integrated network 41. In such a case, a special number storage unit 42 is provided inside the communication terminal (A) 15a as shown in FIG. The special number storage unit 42 stores special numbers such as international numbers (country codes) and transmission numbers to other networks.

FIG. 36 is a sequence diagram showing the operation of the ninth embodiment. In sequence S20, the communication terminal (B) 15b specifies the representative line number M on the side of the center device 16a as it is, and makes a call request.

On the other hand, the communication terminal (A) 15a refers to the special number storage unit 42 to obtain the special number OOO, and adds the special number OOO to the representative line number M on the side of the center device 16a as shown in sequence S21. Outgoing request by specifying the destination.

The sequences S22 and S23 are substantially the same as the sequences S2 and S3 in FIG. However, in the sequence S24, the communication terminal (A) 15a
Line numbers a1, a2, a2, a3, a notified in 2
3,. . , A request for transmission of the second to final channels is made.

Thus, in the ninth embodiment, it is possible to automatically make a call request from a communication terminal belonging to an overseas digital integrated network or a heterogeneous digital integrated network, thereby reducing the burden on the operator on the communication terminal side. In addition, the reliability of international connections and connections with other networks is improved.

[0087]

As described above, according to the present invention, when the first line control means receives a transmission request using a common predetermined line number from a communication terminal, the first line control means always specifies the specific line of the unused channel aggregation device. Channels are allocated to requested communication terminals. As a result, any communication terminal may use the same line number when making a call request, and furthermore, specifies an unused channel aggregation device in response to a call request with a common predetermined line number from any communication terminal. A specific channel of the line is allocated. This specific channel is the conventional first channel. As for the connection from the second channel to the last channel, as in the conventional case, the second line control means transmits the remaining channels excluding the specific channel among all the channels accommodated in the predetermined channel aggregation device to the communication Let the terminal use it.

Thus, there is no need for the system administrator to decide in advance which communication terminal should make a call to which channel aggregation device of the center device, or to notify the operator of the corresponding communication terminal of the communication terminal. The management of the number information is automated, and the burden on system administrators and operators is reduced.

The present invention provides a multipoint communication system of a type in which a basic subscriber line is directly accommodated in a channel aggregation device.
The present invention is also applicable to a multipoint communication system of a type in which a basic subscriber line is connected to a channel aggregation device via a line switch unit.

Further, the line numbers corresponding to the second to last channels of each channel aggregating device are automatically investigated and registered in advance. Thereby, the work load of the system administrator is reduced.

Further, there is provided means for adding a special number to a communication terminal belonging to an overseas or heterogeneous digital integrated network requiring an international number. As a result, an international connection or a connection with another network is automatically connected with high reliability, and the burden on the operator on the communication terminal side is reduced.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating the principle of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a network configuration of a digital integrated network.

FIG. 3 is a configuration diagram of a multipoint communication system of a type in which a basic subscriber line is directly accommodated in a channel aggregation device according to a first embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an internal configuration of a communication terminal.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a configuration of an exchange included in the digital integrated network.

FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an internal configuration of a channel aggregation device.

FIG. 7A is a diagram showing a call request message;
(B) is a diagram showing an incoming call information message, (C) is a diagram showing a connection response message, and (D) is a diagram showing a disconnection response message.

FIG. 8 is a sequence diagram illustrating an operation of the first exemplary embodiment, and is a diagram illustrating a first half thereof;

FIG. 9 is a sequence diagram illustrating an operation of the first exemplary embodiment, and is a diagram illustrating a latter half thereof.

FIG. 10 is a configuration diagram illustrating a second embodiment of the multipoint communication system.

FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating an example of a channel aggregation device management table.

FIG. 12 is a diagram showing a call transfer request message.

FIG. 13 is a sequence diagram illustrating an operation according to the second embodiment.

FIG. 14 is a sequence diagram illustrating an operation according to the third embodiment, and is a diagram illustrating a first half thereof;

FIG. 15 is a sequence diagram illustrating an operation of the third embodiment, and is a diagram illustrating a latter half thereof.

FIG. 16 is a configuration diagram illustrating an internal configuration of an exchange according to a fourth embodiment.

FIG. 17 illustrates an example of a channel aggregation device management table.

FIG. 18 is a configuration diagram of a multipoint communication system of a type in which a basic subscriber line is connected to a channel aggregation device according to a fifth embodiment via a line switch unit.

FIG. 19 is a diagram illustrating an example of a channel aggregation device management table.

FIG. 20 is a diagram showing a channel configuration set for a line existing between the digital integrated network and each channel aggregation device.

FIG. 21 is a sequence diagram showing an operation of the fifth embodiment, showing the first half thereof.

FIG. 22 is a sequence diagram showing an operation of the fifth embodiment, and is a diagram showing the latter half thereof.

FIG. 23 is a configuration diagram illustrating a sixth embodiment of a multipoint communication system.

FIG. 24 is a sequence diagram showing an operation of the sixth embodiment, showing the first half thereof.

FIG. 25 is a sequence diagram showing an operation of the sixth embodiment, showing the latter half thereof.

FIG. 26 is a diagram illustrating an internal configuration of a channel aggregation device according to a seventh embodiment.

FIG. 27 is a diagram illustrating an example of a line number management table.

FIG. 28A is a diagram showing a line number request message, and FIG. 28B is a diagram showing a line number response message.

FIG. 29 is a sequence diagram showing an operation of the seventh embodiment.

FIG. 30 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of an eighth embodiment.

FIG. 31 is a diagram showing an example of an individual line number management table.

FIG. 32A is a diagram showing an individual line number request message, and FIG. 32B is a diagram showing an individual line number response message.

FIG. 33 is a sequence diagram showing an operation of the eighth embodiment.

FIG. 34 is a diagram showing a network configuration according to a ninth embodiment.

FIG. 35 is a diagram illustrating an internal configuration of a communication terminal.

FIG. 36 is a sequence diagram showing an operation of the ninth embodiment.

FIG. 37 is a sequence diagram showing an operation of the conventional system, and is a diagram showing the first half thereof.

FIG. 38 is a sequence diagram showing an operation of the conventional system, and is a diagram showing the latter half thereof.

[Description of Signs] 1a to 1n Plural channel aggregation devices 2 Monitoring means 3a to 3n Plural communication terminals 4 First line control means 5 Second line control means 6 Digital integrated network

Claims (9)

[Claims] 1. A multipoint communication system having a channel aggregation device that bundles and connects a plurality of communication channels of a digital integrated network to accommodate a plurality of lines, each of which is provided with a plurality of channels. A plurality of channel aggregating devices, monitoring means for monitoring the current use state of the plurality of channel aggregating devices, and receiving a common predetermined line number from the first communication terminal,
A first channel control unit for causing the first communication terminal to use a specific channel of a specific channel of a predetermined channel aggregation device that is determined to be unused by the monitoring unit; and a first channel control unit accommodated in the predetermined channel aggregation device. The remaining channels except for the specific channel among all the channels are referred to as the first channels.
And a second line control means to be used by the communication terminal. A multipoint communication system comprising a channel aggregation device. 2. The first line control means, upon receiving the predetermined line number from the first communication terminal, temporarily assigns an unused channel to the first communication terminal to use it. A first means, and if the certain channel assigned by the first means is not a specific channel of a specific line of a channel aggregation device that has been recognized as unused by the monitoring means, the first communication terminal 2. A multipoint communication system comprising a channel aggregation device according to claim 1, further comprising: a second unit for changing a channel to be used from the certain channel to the specific channel. 3. When the first line control unit receives the predetermined line number from the first communication terminal, the first line control unit extracts source identification information included in the received signal. From the extracted source identification information, a determination unit that determines whether the communication terminal that has transmitted the predetermined line number is the same as a communication terminal that has already transmitted the predetermined line number, As a result, if they are not the same, the specifying means for specifying the specific channel of the specific line of the channel aggregating apparatus which is determined to be unused by the monitoring means, and the specific channel specified by the specifying means to the first communication terminal. 2. A multipoint communication system provided with the channel aggregation device according to claim 1, further comprising: a line connection unit to be used. 4. When the first line control unit receives the predetermined line number from the first communication terminal, the first line control unit extracts source identification information included in the received signal. From the extracted source identification information, a determination unit that determines whether the communication terminal that has transmitted the predetermined line number is the same as a communication terminal that has already transmitted the predetermined line number, As a result, if they are not the same, the transfer instructing means for instructing the call transfer, and when the call transfer is instructed from the transfer instructing means, the specific channel of the specific channel of the channel aggregating device that is recognized as unused by the monitoring means, The multipoint communication system provided with the channel aggregation device according to claim 1, further comprising: line connection means used by the first communication terminal. 5. The second line control means includes: a line number corresponding to a remaining channel excluding a specific channel among all channels of the predetermined channel aggregation device;
Notification means for notifying the first communication terminal; and line connection means for connecting each line in accordance with a line connection request sent from the first communication terminal based on the notification from the notification means. A multipoint communication system comprising the channel aggregation device according to claim 1. 6. The communication terminal according to claim 5, further comprising a transmission unit provided in each of said communication terminals for transmitting a line connection request by adding a special number to a line number transmitted from said notification unit. A multipoint communication system comprising the channel aggregation device according to any one of the preceding claims. 7. The second line control means includes: a notifying means for notifying the first communication terminal of a code unique to the predetermined channel aggregation device; and a code notified from the notifying means. Line connection means for connecting, to the first communication terminal, the remaining channels except for a specific channel among all the channels of the predetermined channel aggregation device, according to a line connection request sent from the first communication terminal; A multipoint communication system comprising the channel aggregation device according to claim 1. 8. A multi-point communication central control device provided in the multipoint central control device connected to the plurality of channel aggregation devices, for storing the code unique to each channel aggregation device, and the multipoint communication central control device. 8. The channel aggregation device according to claim 7, further comprising: a writing unit that automatically inquires of the digital integrated network about the code and writes the code into the storage unit based on a response to the inquiry. Multipoint communication system with devices. 9. A multipoint communication system comprising a channel aggregation device for connecting a plurality of communication channels of a digital integrated network by bundling the channels, wherein the channel aggregation device accommodates a plurality of lines each having one end connected to the digital integrated network. Storage means provided in the channel aggregation device for storing an identification number in a digital integrated network of a line connected to the own channel aggregation device; and storage means provided in the channel aggregation device to automatically perform the identification. Writing means for inquiring a number to a digital integrated network and writing the identification number in the storage means based on the answer; and a multipoint communication system equipped with a channel aggregation device.