JPH11177631A - Gateway device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To start a communication state as the incoming destination of an internet telephone parallelly with data communication at a data terminal accommodated in a circuit switched network concerning a gateway device arranged between a data exchange network or network connected to that data exchange network and the circuit switched network to perform repetition between both the networks. SOLUTION: Concerning a message transmitted or received while opposing a data terminal 12 accommodated in a circuit switched network 11 through a first speech path formed on that circuit switched network to a node 14 of a message exchange network 13, this gateway device performs the repetition between these first speech path and message exchange network. In this case, the gateway device is provided with an incoming reporting means 15 for showing the occurrence of a call to be terminated from the transmission source accommodated in the circuit switched network to the data terminal and sending a calling request applied from any specified network different from that circuit switched network to this data terminal as the message.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a gateway device which is disposed between a data switching network or a network connected to the data switching network and a circuit switching network and relays data between the two.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, many information processing apparatuses such as personal computers have become multimedia, and the Internet and intranets are used as relay lines, so that long-distance or international telephone services are provided at low cost. Internet telephones are becoming popular.

[0003] Further, such an Internet telephone is called L
As routers and bridges connecting ANs become cheaper and more widely used, terminals connected to many LANs are becoming available. FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of a network that provides Internet telephone services. In the figure, a personal computer 82 to which a handset 81 is connected is accommodated in a subscriber line exchange 83 of a circuit switching network, and a specific route of the subscriber line exchange 83 is connected to a gateway 84. Further, the other route of the subscriber line exchange 83 is CT
It is connected to an Internet telephone gateway 85 via an I (Computer Telephony Integration) link. Further, the gateway 84 and the Internet telephone gateway 85 are both connected to the Internet 86, and the telephone exchange 87 to be subjected to telephone-based call service is connected to the local exchange 83.

In a conventional example of such a configuration, the personal computer 82 designates a dial number indicating an access point of a desired provider and makes a call, for example, so that the subscriber line exchange 83 and the gateway 8
4 to access the access point. Further, the personal computer 82 appropriately executes communication software such as a browser installed in advance in accordance with an instruction of the operator, thereby enabling the gateway 8 to operate.
4 to access the Internet 86, and mutually transmit / receive data to / from a server or the like via the Internet 86.

[0005] For example, when the telephone set 87 sends a call to the personal computer 82 as a destination, the subscriber line exchange 83 changes the attribute set as station information for the subscriber line connected to the personal computer 82. refer. Further, when the subscriber line exchange 83 recognizes that the destination is not an ordinary telephone but an Internet telephone terminal based on the attribute, the subscriber line exchange 83 connects to the personal computer 82 connected to the destination. A "call setup request" including the line dial number is provided to the Internet telephone gateway 85.

When recognizing the "call setting request", the Internet telephone gateway 85, together with the incoming call to the personal computer 82, which is the destination of the Internet telephone, sets up the call necessary for the corresponding call to become a completed call. Through the Internet 86, the gateway 84, and the local exchange 83. When the personal computer 82 responds based on the call setting procedure, the Internet telephone gateway 85 gives a "response notification" to that effect to the circuit exchange 83, and the circuit exchange 83
Between the telephone 87 and the personal computer 82, two communication paths connected to the Internet telephone gateway 85 and the gateway 84, respectively, are formed.

In such a state, it is assumed that the Internet telephone gateway 85 is a speech signal to be transmitted / received by the telephone 87 (here, for simplicity, an analog voice signal or a PCM signal indicating the voice signal). )
And a call signal transmitted / received by the handset 81 via the personal computer 82 (here, for simplicity, it is assumed that the signal is an analog signal modulated by a sequence of IP packets or a PCM signal indicating the analog signal). Is performed in both directions.

Therefore, a telephone signal is transmitted and received between the telephone set 87 and the handset 81. When the telephone 87 makes a call by setting a dial number indicating a subscriber line connected to the personal computer 82 as described above, for example, as shown by a dotted line in FIG. Telephone 89 via converter 88
Is connected, the attribute of the subscriber line is set to indicate "general telephone", and the subscriber line exchange 83 determines the general type based on the attribute and the call processing procedure. Circuit switching may be performed.

The subscriber line exchange 83 is not limited to the one connected to the personal computer 82 or the telephone 87 via an analog subscriber line, but is, for example, a digital subscriber such as ISDN. These personal computers 82 and telephones 87 are connected via a line.
May be connected.

[0010]

By the way, in such a conventional example, the personal computer 82 is
As described above, an incoming call is generated when the telephone 87 receives data transmitted from a server or the like facing the Internet 86 or transmits data to the server while data is being transmitted to the server. In such a case, the subscriber line laid between the subscriber line exchange 83 and the subscriber line exchange 83 is already occupied.

Therefore, the local exchange 83 sends a busy tone to the telephone set 87, which is the source, and notifies the personal computer 82, which is the destination, of the occurrence of the corresponding outgoing call. Did not. However, although the transmission and reception of the above-mentioned data is generally not required to be performed in real time as compared with the telephone call signal of the telephone system, since it is performed continuously for a long time, It is highly probable that the caller who made the call will frequently retry the call, and the personal computer 82 could not start talking as an Internet telephone terminal unless the above-mentioned data transmission and reception were completed. .

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the present invention to provide a gateway device which enables a data terminal accommodated in a circuit switching network to transition to a call state as a destination of an Internet telephone in parallel with data communication.

[0013]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a first embodiment of the present invention;
It is a principle block diagram of the invention described in 6.

According to the first aspect of the present invention, a circuit switching network
The data terminal 12 accommodated in the message exchange network 13 transmits and receives the message via the first communication path formed in the circuit exchange network 11 to the node 14 of the message exchange network 13 with respect to these messages. A gateway device for relaying between a communication path and a message switching network 13 indicates the occurrence of a call to be received by a data terminal 12 from a source housed in the circuit switching network 11 and is different from the circuit switching network 11. An incoming call notifying means 15 for sending a call request given from a specific network as a message to the data terminal 12 is provided.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the gateway device according to the first aspect, a response is given as a message from the data terminal 12 via the circuit switching network 11 and indicates a response of the data terminal 12 to the call. The information is monitored, and when the response information is given, the circuit switching network 11 is requested to form a second communication path connecting the transmission source and the specific network, and the request is sent via the second communication path. A communication signal relay means 16 for relaying a communication signal to be transmitted / received between the specific network and the first communication path is provided.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the principle of the third aspect of the present invention. The invention according to claim 3 is a circuit switching network 1
1 includes a source and a destination, and the destination is a data terminal 12 that transmits or receives a message facing the node 14 of the message switching network 13 and is transferred from the circuit switching network 11. Monitor incoming calls,
A call transfer means 21 for transferring the call to a specific network different from the circuit switching network 11; and a second means formed in the circuit switching network 11 in association with the transfer performed by the call transfer means 21 and reaching the source. And a communication signal relay unit 22 for relaying a communication signal to be transmitted / received via the communication path between the second communication path and a specific network.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the principle of the present invention. According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, the data terminal 12 accommodated in the circuit switching network 11 is
1 for relaying a message to be transmitted or received by opposing the node 14 of the message exchange network 13 via the first communication path formed between the first communication path and the message exchange network 13. When the data terminal 12 is transmitting or receiving a message, the source is accommodated in the circuit switching network 11 and transferred from the circuit switching network 11 and the data terminal 12 transmits the message. A call transfer means 31 for transferring a call to be received to a specific network different from the circuit switching network 11;
For a call signal to be transmitted / received via a second call path formed in the circuit switching network 11 in association with the transfer performed by the call transfer means 31 and connecting a source and a specific network,
First call signal relay means 32 for relaying between these second call paths and a specific network, and a call request given from the specific network and indicating that a call has been generated by the call transfer means 31 From the data terminal 12 as a message via the circuit switching network 11;
And monitors response information indicating the response of the data terminal 12 to the call, and when the response information is given, requests the circuit switching network 11 to form a second communication path. And a second call signal relay unit 34 for relaying a call signal to be transmitted / received via a specific network between a specific network and a first call path.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the gateway device according to the fourth aspect, the call transfer means 31 and the first call signal relay means 32 comprise an incoming call notifying means 33 and a second call signal relay means 34. And connected to the circuit switching network 11 via different routes. According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the gateway device according to any one of the second, fourth and fifth aspects, the response information is provided based on a man-machine interface taken in response to the call request in the data terminal 12. It is characterized by being able to.

In the gateway device according to the first aspect of the present invention, the data terminal 12 accommodated in the circuit switching network 11 is connected to the message switching network 13 via the first communication path formed in the circuit switching network 11. Relaying between the first communication path and the message exchange network 13 is performed for messages transmitted or received in opposition to the node 14.

The incoming call notifying means 15 transmits or receives the message in this manner to the data terminal 12.
When a call to be received by a call originating from the circuit switching network 11 originates from a specific network different from the circuit switching network 11 and a call request indicating the call is given, The call request is sent to the data terminal 12 as the message described above.

That is, the data terminal 12 is notified that a call to be received has occurred, even in a state where data communication is being performed with the node of the message exchange network 13 facing the node. Therefore, for both or one of the data terminal 12 and the operator of the data terminal 12, the question "Which of continuation of the data communication and response to such a call should be given priority?" Judgment is prompted.

In the gateway device according to the second aspect of the present invention, in the gateway device according to the first aspect, the communication signal interruption means 16 is provided as a message from the data terminal 12 via the circuit switching network 11, and The response information indicating the response of the data terminal 12 to the call is monitored, and when the response information is given, the circuit switching network 11 requests the circuit switching network 11 to form a second communication path connecting the source and the specific network. At the same time, a call signal to be transmitted / received via the second call path is relayed between this specific network and the first call path.

That is, the data terminal 12 performing data communication is used to transmit and receive a call signal between the data terminal 12 and the source of a call to be received by the data terminal 12 via the circuit switching network 11 and a specific network. Since the transmission path is formed, a call service is provided in parallel with the data communication.
In the gateway device according to the third aspect of the present invention, the call transfer means 21 includes the circuit switching network 11 in which the caller and the receiver are accommodated, and the receiver is the message switching network 13.
The data terminal 12 transmits or receives a message opposite to the node 14, and monitors a call transferred from the circuit switching network 11. Further, the call transfer means 21 transfers the call to a specific network different from the circuit switching network 11.

The call signal relaying means 22 is formed in the circuit switching network 11 in association with the transfer performed in this manner, and the call to be transmitted / received via the second call path to the caller. The signal is relayed between the second communication path and a specific network. That is, a call signal of this call is transmitted between the above-mentioned call source and a specific network which is a transfer destination transferred by the call transfer means 21 and is different from the circuit switching network 11 in which the call source is accommodated. Are relayed to each other.

Therefore, for example, as in the gateway device according to the second aspect of the present invention, a call signal provided via a specific network is bidirectionally converted into a message and these messages are converted via the circuit switching network 11. By applying the relay device to be transferred to the destination data terminal 12,
The data terminal 12 is provided with a call service in parallel with the data communication.

In the gateway device according to the fourth aspect of the present invention, the data terminal 12 accommodated in the circuit switching network 11 is connected to the message switching network 13 via the first communication path formed in the circuit switching network 11. For messages transmitted or received in opposition to the node 14, relaying is performed between these first communication paths and the message exchange network.

The call transfer means 31 transmits a message in this manner, or when a call to be received by the receiving data terminal 12 is generated by a call originator of the circuit switching network 11, the call is transmitted. It monitors calls transferred from the switching network 11. Further, the call transfer means 31 transfers the call to a specific network different from the circuit switching network 11.
The incoming call notifying means 33 sends a call request given from the specific network and indicating the occurrence of the above-mentioned call to the data terminal 12 as the above-mentioned message.

The second call signal relay means 34 is provided as a message from the data terminal 12 through the circuit switching network 11 in response to such a call request, and the data terminal 12 responds to the above-mentioned call. And when the response information is given, requests the circuit switching network 11 to form a second communication path, and calls to be transmitted / received via the second communication path. The signal is relayed between a specific network and the first communication path.

Further, the first call signal relay means 32
For a call signal to be transmitted / received via the second call path formed in the circuit switching network 11 in association with the transfer performed by the call transfer means 31 and connecting the above-mentioned source and the specific network, Is relayed between the second communication path and the specific network. That is, between the source terminal and the destination data terminal 12 accommodated in the circuit switching network 11, together with the first communication path and the second communication path formed in the circuit switching network 11, The call signal is bi-directionally relayed via the first call signal relay means 32, the specific network and the second call signal relay means 34, and the call signal is transmitted between the data terminal 12 and the node 14 of the message exchange network 13. The above-mentioned message is transmitted and received in both directions.

Therefore, the data terminal 12 is provided with a call service in parallel with the data communication. In the gateway device according to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the gateway device according to the fourth aspect, the call transfer means 31 and the first call signal relay means 32 include an incoming call notification means 33 and a second call signal relay means. 34 and is connected to the circuit switching network 11 via a different route.

That is, the gateway device according to the present invention is individually connected to one of the exchanges in which the transmission source is accommodated in the circuit switching network 11 and the other exchange in which the data terminal 12 is accommodated. It is configured as two devices connected to a network. Therefore, even when the above-mentioned two exchanges are installed in different offices, the data terminal 12 is provided with the call service in parallel with the data communication.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the gateway device according to any one of the second, fourth and fifth aspects, the response information is transmitted to the data terminal 1
2 based on the man-machine interface taken in response to the call request. That is, in the data terminal 12, the necessity of responding to the incoming call generated during the data communication is determined by the operator, so that one or both of the data communication and the response to the incoming call are appropriately selected. As a result, it is possible to flexibly operate according to the time zone, the importance of data (messages) transmitted in the course of data communication, and other factors.

[0033]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the drawings. FIG.
FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an embodiment corresponding to the invention described in FIG. In the figure, components having the same functions and configurations as those of the conventional example shown in FIG. 11 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof is omitted here.

The difference between this embodiment and the conventional example shown in FIG. 11 is that the subscriber line exchange 60 is provided in place of the subscriber line exchange 83, the gateway 61 is provided in place of the gateway 84, and the Internet is provided. Telephone gateway 8
5 in that an Internet telephone gateway 62 is provided, and these gateways 61 and the Internet telephone gateway 62 are connected via a LAN 63.

The correspondence between the present embodiment and the block diagrams shown in FIGS. 1 to 3 is such that the subscriber line switch 60 corresponds to the circuit switching network 11 and the handset 81 and the personal computer 82 correspond to the data terminal 12. , The Internet 86 corresponds to the message exchange network 13, the server or information terminal directly connected to the Internet 86 corresponds to the node 14, and the gateway 61 corresponds to the incoming call notification means 1.
5, 33, the call signal relay means 16 and the second call signal relay means 34, and the Internet telephone gateway 62 corresponds to the call transfer means 21, 31, the call signal relay means 22, and the first call signal relay means 32. I do.

FIG. 5 is a diagram for explaining the operation of the present embodiment. FIG. 6 is an operation flowchart of the local exchange in the present embodiment. FIG. 7 is an operation flowchart of the Internet telephone gateway according to the present embodiment. FIG. 8 is an operation flowchart of the gateway in the present embodiment.

FIG. 9 is an operation flowchart of the personal computer in the present embodiment. Hereinafter, FIGS.
With reference to FIG. 9, the operation of the present embodiment corresponding to the first to sixth aspects will be described. In the following, messages exchanged between the subscriber line exchange 60 and the gateway 61 and the Internet telephone gateway 62 are formed via a route corresponding to the subscriber line exchange 60. It is assumed that the communication is performed via a communication link (including the CTI link described above).

When the telephone 87 sends a call to the personal computer 82 (FIG. 5 (1)), the subscriber line exchange 60 determines that the personal computer 82 is 60, whether data transmitted from any server or the like facing through the gateway 61 and the Internet 86 has been received, or data has been transmitted to the server. "
(2)) If the result of the determination is false, a communication path is formed by linking with the Internet telephone gateway 62 in the same manner as in the prior art, and the subscriber of the personal computer 82 is connected to the Internet. A telephone call service is provided (FIG. 6 (1)).

However, if the result of the above-described determination is true, the local exchange 60 is registered as the station information without interruption if the incoming call to the destination is not possible as in the conventional example. Of the Internet telephone gateway,
At this time, a call that has not been captured by any call (here, for the sake of simplicity, it is assumed to be indicated by reference numeral 62) is captured (FIG. 6 (2)) and addressed to the Internet telephone gateway 62. Then, a "transfer request" indicating this is transmitted (FIGS. 5 (3) and 6 (3)). When recognizing the "transfer request", the internet telephone gateway 62 sends a "transfer request response" to the subscriber line exchange 60 (FIG. 5 (4), FIG. 7 (1)).

When the subscriber line exchange 60 recognizes such a "transfer request response", the caller number indicating the telephone 87 as the caller and the personal computer 82 as the receiver are addressed to the Internet telephone gateway 62. "Transfer call identification information" including the subscriber number (dial number) indicating the connected subscriber line is transmitted (FIGS. 5 (5) and 6 (4)).
On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 10, the Internet telephone gateway 62 is provided in advance for each terminal, such as a personal computer 82, to which an Internet telephone call service is to be provided, among terminals accommodated in the local exchange 60. "Internet telephone gateway identification information (hereinafter, referred to as" TGID ") indicating the Internet telephone gateway to be applied to the provision of the call service, together with the allocated" subscriber number "and" IP address ". "Gateway identification information (hereinafter referred to as" gateway identification information ") indicating a gateway to be provided for connection to the Internet 86.
It is called "GWID". ) ”Is registered in the Internet telephone subscriber information table (hereinafter, referred to as“ ITS table ”) 71.

The internet telephone gateway 62
When recognizing the above-mentioned "transferred call identification information", the caller ID and the subscriber number included in the "transferred call identification information" and the IP registered in the ITS table 71 in association with the subscriber number are transmitted. Address (hereinafter, “specific IP address”), TGID (hereinafter, “specific TGI”).
D ". ) And GWID (hereinafter, “Specific GWI”
D ". ), And obtains these caller numbers, subscriber numbers, specific IP addresses, specific TGIDs and specific GWs.
"Call request" including ID is sent to gateway 61
It is transmitted via the AN 63 (FIG. 5 (6), FIG. 7 (2)).

When the gateway 61 recognizes the above "call request", the caller number, subscriber number, specific IP address, specific TG included in the "call request" are included.
A "call message (configured as an IP packet)" in a predetermined format including the ID and the specific GWID is generated, and the "call message" is transmitted to the personal computer 82 indicated by the specific IP address (FIG. 5). (7), FIG. 8 (1)). It should be noted that such a "call message" is transmitted by the subscriber line exchange 60 via a communication path formed between the gateway 61 and the personal computer 82.

Further, after transmitting the "call message", the gateway 61 indicates to that effect, and sends a "call start notification" including the caller number included in the "call message" to the subscriber line exchange 60. (FIG. 5 (8), FIG. 8 (2)). The personal computer 82
When the above-mentioned “call message” is recognized, “incoming notification (here, for simplicity, it is assumed to be configured as a dialog box including an icon to be clicked by the operator in response)” indicating that fact is not shown. Output to the display screen (FIGS. 5 (9) and 9 (1)).

When recognizing the above-mentioned "call start notification", the subscriber line exchange 60 is connected to the subscriber line (telephone 87) indicated by the caller number included in the "call start notification". ) Is transmitted (FIG. 5 (10), FIG. 6 (5)).

Further, the personal computer 82
Upon recognizing that the above-mentioned icon has been clicked by the operator, this is indicated, and a "response" including the above-mentioned caller number, subscriber number, specific IP address, specific TGID and specific GWID is generated as an IP packet. Then, the IP packet is transmitted to the gateway 61 via the subscriber line exchange 60 (the communication path described above) (FIG. 5).
(11), FIG. 9 (2)).

When the gateway 61 recognizes this "response", it gives a "response notification" including the caller number included in the "response" to the subscriber line exchange 60 (FIGS. 5 (12) and 8 (3)). )). When recognizing the "response notification", the subscriber line exchange 60 stops sending the ring back tone to the subscriber line corresponding to the caller number included in the "response notification" (FIG. 6 (6)). A communication path is formed between the subscriber line and the Internet telephone gateway 62 (FIG. 5 (13), FIG. 6 (7)).

Further, the personal computer 82
After transmitting the above-described “response” IP packet, by driving a sound card (not shown), the audio signal given from the handset 81 is converted to the IP packet (the above-mentioned caller number or the caller number corresponding to the caller number). ID information is included as a destination) and sent to the gateway 61 while transmitting it to the gateway 61. Conversely, of the IP packet sequence given from the gateway 61, a sequence indicating a telephone call signal of an Internet telephone (in a predetermined format) ) Is given to the transmitter / receiver 81 while being sequentially converted to an audio signal via a similar sound card (FIG. 5 (14), FIG. 9 (3)).

On the other hand, the Internet telephone gateway 62
Converts a communication signal provided from the telephone 87 through the above-described communication path into digital signals of a format adapted to the transmission system and communication procedure of the LAN 63, and converts these digital signals to the gateway 61 via the LAN 63. To the LAN 6 from the gateway 61.
The digital information given via the communication line 3 is sequentially converted into a communication signal and transmitted to the telephone 87 via the same communication path (FIGS. 5 (15) and 7 (3)).

Also, the gateway 61 continues processing related to data transmission / reception previously performed between the personal computer 82 and a server or the like, which is opposed via the Internet 86, and applies the processing to the LAN 63 in parallel. By performing protocol conversion and other processing suitable for the transmission method and communication procedure thus performed, the above-described two-way relay of the call signal is performed (FIGS. 5 (16) and 8 (4)).

As described above, according to the present embodiment, for a personal computer 82 transmitting and receiving some data via the Internet 86, when an incoming call of an Internet telephone having the personal computer 82 as a destination is generated. Is notified to the operator of the personal computer 82 that the incoming call has occurred, and a call service is provided while continuing transmission and reception of this data.

Therefore, the personal computer 82
The quality of service provided to all the subscribers who can transmit to the personal computer 82 together with the subscriber who operates. In addition,
In each of the embodiments described above, the gateway 61 and the Internet telephone gateway 62 are connected via the LAN 63. For example, an intranet is used instead of the LAN 63, or the Internet 86 is used as a network replacing the LAN 63. You may.

Further, in each of the above-described embodiments, the subscriber line exchange 60 and the Internet telephone gateway 62 are connected via the CTI link. If transmitted, a communication link of any transmission method may be applied. Further, in each of the above-described embodiments, the telephone set 87 is accommodated in the circuit switching network or the subscriber line exchange 60 of the circuit switching network. However, for example, the telephone set 87 is accommodated in the message switching network and provides a telephone service of the Internet telephone. May be possible.

In each of the above-described embodiments, the personal computer 82 is connected to the subscriber line switch 60 of the circuit switching network.
The personal computer 82
May be, for example, a data terminal accommodated in a private branch exchange or another node provided in a circuit-switched LAN. Further, in each of the above-described embodiments, a telephone-based call service is provided to the personal computer 82 in parallel with the data communication. However, if hardware and software essential as an Internet telephone terminal are provided, , A workstation, an information tool or any other information terminal is a personal computer 8
It may be applied instead of 2.

In each of the above-described embodiments, the personal computer 82 is connected to the subscriber line exchange 60 via a subscriber line, but the personal computer 82 is connected to a mobile terminal such as a PHS. Alternatively, the call may be connected to the subscriber line to which the call forwarding is forwarded via the local exchange 60 or a private branch exchange (not shown) connected to the local exchange 60.

Further, in such a case, the gateway 61 and the Internet telephone gateway 62 are
If they are interconnected via AN 63, leased line, Internet 86 or some other network or communication link, the switch housed telephone 87 and the nearest subscriber line switch or mobile station connected to personal computer 82. It may be arranged in only one of the physical exchanges, or if it is required that the decrease in the utilization efficiency of the line, which is a resource of the circuit switching network, be suppressed, it may be arranged in a distributed manner on both sides. Is also good.

In each of the above-described embodiments, the subscriber line exchange 60 and the Internet telephone gateway 62 have the station information and the ITJ table 71, respectively. For example, it may be provided in a signal relay station STP, a home memory station, or another higher-rank station connected via a common channel signal link, and may be appropriately referred to via the common channel signal link.

[0057]

As described above, according to the first aspect of the present invention, the data terminal and / or the operator of the data terminal are notified of "continuation of data communication and data terminal operation. Which should be given priority to the response to an incoming call that has occurred halfway? "

According to the second to fourth aspects of the present invention, a call service is provided to the data terminal in parallel with the data communication. Further, according to the invention described in claim 5, even when the destination data terminal and the transmission source are accommodated in exchanges having different circuit switching networks or these exchanges are installed in different offices, The data terminal is provided with a call service in parallel with the data communication.

According to the sixth aspect of the present invention, one or both of the data communication and the response to the incoming call generated during the data communication are appropriately selected, so that the time zone and the data communication can be selected. A flexible operation adapted to the importance of the data transmitted in the process and other factors becomes possible. Therefore, in the message exchange network to which these inventions are applied, data and voice communication services are provided in parallel to data terminals connected via the circuit switching network, and provided to the data terminals. Service quality is surely enhanced.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a principle block diagram of the invention according to claims 1, 2 and 6;

FIG. 2 is a principle block diagram of the invention according to claim 3;

FIG. 3 is a principle block diagram of the invention according to claims 4 to 6;

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an embodiment corresponding to the invention described in claims 1 to 6;

FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating the operation of the present embodiment.

FIG. 6 is an operation flowchart of the local exchange in the present embodiment.

FIG. 7 is an operation flowchart of the Internet telephone gateway according to the embodiment.

FIG. 8 is an operation flowchart of a gateway in the present embodiment.

FIG. 9 is an operation flowchart of the personal computer in the embodiment.

FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a configuration of an Internet telephone subscriber information table.

FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of a network that provides Internet telephone services.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 11 Circuit switching network 12 Data terminal 13 Message switching network 14 Node 15,33 Incoming call notifying means 16,22 Call signal relay means 21,31 Call transfer means 32 First call signal relay means 34 Second call signal relay means 60, 83 Subscriber Line Switch 61,84 Gateway 62,85 Internet Telephone Gateway 63 LAN 71 Internet Telephone Subscriber Information Table 81 Handset 82 Personal Computer 86 Internet 87,89 Telephone 88 Converter

 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued from the front page (72) Inventor Masaaki Kitaguchi 1-13-3 Higashisakura, Higashi-ku, Nagoya-shi, Aichi Fujitsu Nagoya Communication System Co., Ltd.

Claims (6)

[Claims] A data terminal accommodated in a circuit switching network transmits and receives a message to or from a message switching network node via a first communication path formed in the circuit switching network. A gateway device for relaying between a first communication path and a message exchange network, wherein a call originating from a source accommodated in the circuit exchange network is received by the data terminal, and the circuit exchange network A call request sent from a specific network different from the above-mentioned network as the message to the data terminal. 2. The gateway device according to claim 1, wherein response information provided as a message from the data terminal via the circuit switching network and indicating a response of the data terminal to the call is monitored, and the response information is provided. Requesting the circuit-switched network to form a second communication path between the source and the specific network when the call signal is to be transmitted and received through the second communication path. A gateway device comprising: a communication signal relay unit for performing a relay between a network and a first communication path. 3. A circuit switching network in which a source and a destination are accommodated, and the destination is a data terminal which transmits or receives a message facing a node of the message switching network, and the circuit switching network A call transfer means for monitoring a call transferred from the network and transferring the call to a specific network different from the circuit switched network; and forming the call switched network in association with the transfer performed by the call transfer means. And a call signal relay unit for relaying a call signal to be transmitted / received via a second call path to the transmission source between the second call path and the specific network. A gateway device characterized by the above-mentioned. 4. A message transmitted or received by a data terminal accommodated in a circuit switching network to a node of a message switching network via a first communication path formed in the circuit switching network. A gateway device for relaying between the first communication path and the message switching network, wherein the data terminal transmits or receives the message, a source is accommodated in the circuit switching network, And a call transfer means for transferring a call to be received by the data terminal to a specific network different from the circuit switched network while being transferred from the circuit switched network, and in cooperation with the transfer performed by the call transfer means. For a call signal to be transmitted and received via a second call path formed in the circuit switching network and connecting the source and the specific network, these second call paths A first call signal relay unit for relaying between a fixed network and a call request given from the specific network and indicating that the call has been transferred by the call transfer unit as the message; Incoming notification means for sending to the terminal; monitoring the response information provided as the message from the data terminal via the circuit switching network and indicating a response of the data terminal to the call; Requesting the circuit-switched network to form the second communication path, and for the communication signal to be transmitted / received via the second communication path, the specific network and the first communication path A second call signal relay unit for relaying between the gateway device and the communication device. 5. The gateway device according to claim 4, wherein the call transfer means and the first call signal relay means are separated from the incoming call notification means and the second call signal relay means, and are different from the circuit switching network. A gateway device connected via a road. 6. The gateway device according to claim 2, wherein the response information is provided based on a man-machine interface taken in response to the call request in the data terminal. Gateway device to do.