JPH11275070A - Connection device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To connect a conventional telephone call to the Internet. SOLUTION: A telephone set control means 2a conducts processing, in response to a control signal outputted from a telephone set 1 and gives a prescribed control signal to the telephone set 1 to control it. A telephone number conversion means 2b converts a telephone number outputted from the telephone set 1 into a corresponding IP address. An A/D converter means 2c converts a voice signal outputted from the telephone set 1 into a digital signal. A TCP/IP conversion means 2d converts the digital signal obtained by the A/D converter means 2c into a data stream, corresponding to a TCP/IP and sends the data stream to an IP address of a speech opposite party which is obtained by the telephone number conversion means 2b and converts the data stream sent from the speech opposite party into a digital signal. A D/A converter means 2e converts the digital signal resulting from the analog signal sent from the speech opposite party, the is converted by a TCP/IP conversion means 2d into a corresponding voice signal, and gives the voice signal to the telephone set 1.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a connection device, and more particularly, to a connection device that enables a telephone to connect to the Internet.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, with the expansion of services provided by providers for connection to the Internet, information transmission via the Internet has become active.

[0003] There are two types of Internet connection services: a pay-as-you-go system, which is charged according to the amount of use of the Internet (mainly the usage time), and a fixed-charge system, which can be used without limitation only by paying a predetermined fee. Are roughly divided into

[0004] Recently, connection services that adopt the above-mentioned fixed fee system and that are always connected to the Internet have become widespread. By the way, when using such a fixed-rate connection service, a fixed fee is charged regardless of the amount of use of the Internet. It is more desirable to transmit information.

For this purpose, it is conceivable to transmit not only computer data but also information such as facsimile and voice. As a method of transmitting the latter voice, for example, a system called an Internet telephone has been proposed, in which a microphone and a speaker are connected to a personal computer and “Internet telephone” is used.
By installing the dedicated software, it is possible to make a telephone call using a personal computer in the same manner as a normal telephone.

[0006]

However, in such an Internet telephone, the IP (Intern) of the other party is called.
et Protocol) Since it is necessary to input an address, there is a problem that the operation is complicated for a person who is not used to operating the personal computer.

[0007] The present invention has been made in view of the above points, and an object of the present invention is to provide a connection device that connects a normal telephone to the Internet and can provide a service equivalent to that of a conventional telephone. And

[0008]

According to the present invention, in order to solve the above-mentioned problems, a process according to a control signal output from a telephone is performed, and a predetermined control signal is supplied to the telephone so as to be processed. Telephone control means for controlling; telephone number conversion means for converting a telephone number output from the telephone to a corresponding IP address; analog / digital for converting a voice signal output from the telephone into a digital signal Converting means for converting the digital signal obtained by the analog / digital converting means into TCP
/ IP, and transmits the data to the IP address of the other party obtained by the telephone number conversion means.
TCP / IP conversion means for converting a data sequence corresponding to CP / IP into a digital signal; and converting a digital signal transmitted from the communication partner and obtained by the TCP / IP conversion means into a corresponding audio signal. Digital / analog conversion means for converting and supplying to the telephone;
There is provided a connection device having the following.

Here, the telephone control means performs a process according to the control signal output from the telephone and supplies a predetermined control signal to the telephone to control the control signal. The telephone number conversion means converts the telephone number output from the telephone,
A process for converting to a corresponding IP address is performed. The analog / digital conversion means converts a voice signal output from the telephone into a digital signal. The TCP / IP conversion means converts the digital signal obtained by the analog / digital conversion means into a data string corresponding to TCP / IP, and converts the IP address of the other party obtained by the telephone number conversion means.
While transmitting to the address, the data string corresponding to TCP / IP transmitted from the other party is converted into a digital signal. The digital / analog conversion means converts a digital signal transmitted from the communication partner and obtained by the conversion by the TCP / IP conversion means into a corresponding voice signal and supplies it to the telephone.

For example, the telephone control means performs processing according to a control signal such as a call signal output from the telephone, and supplies a control signal such as a calling signal to the telephone to control it. The telephone number conversion means transmits the telephone number output from the telephone to a server storing a correspondence table of telephone numbers and IP addresses, and
A process for converting to a P address is performed. The analog / digital conversion means converts a voice signal output from the telephone into a digital signal. The TCP / IP conversion means converts the digital signal obtained by the analog / digital conversion means into a data string corresponding to TCP / IP, and transmits the data string to the IP address of the other party obtained by the telephone number conversion means. , T sent from the other party
A data string corresponding to CP / IP is converted into a digital signal. The digital / analog conversion means converts a digital signal transmitted from the communication partner and obtained by the conversion by the TCP / IP conversion means into a corresponding voice signal and supplies it to the telephone.

[0011]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a principle diagram for explaining the principle of the present invention. In this figure, a telephone 1 is a normal telephone, which is a push button or a dial for inputting a telephone number of a communication partner, and converts a user's voice into a voice signal and converts a voice signal sent from the communication partner. It is composed of a handset that converts to voice.

The connection device 2 includes a telephone control means 2a, a telephone number conversion means 2b, an analog / digital conversion means 2
c, TCP / IP conversion means 2d, and digital /
It is constituted by analog conversion means 2e.

The telephone control means 2a is a control signal output from the telephone 1 (for example, a call signal for calling a local exchange, a selection signal for selecting a communication partner, etc.).
And transmits a predetermined control signal (for example, a call signal indicating that a call has been made from a call partner or a dial tone indicating that an off-hook operation has been performed) to the telephone 1 to control the telephone 1. I do.

The telephone number conversion means 2b determines whether or not the input of the telephone number has been completed when the telephone number of the other party is inputted by operating the push button or the like of the telephone 1, and the input is made. If it is determined that the process has been completed, an IP address corresponding to the obtained telephone number is obtained, and the
It is supplied to the P / IP conversion means 2d.

The analog / digital converter 2c converts a voice signal (analog signal) corresponding to the voice input from the microphone of the telephone receiver of the telephone 1 into a digital signal and supplies the digital signal to the TCP / IP converter 2d.

The TCP / IP conversion means 2d converts analog /
The digital signal supplied from the digital conversion means 2c is transmitted to a TCP / IP (Transmission Transfer Protocol / I
data sequence (IP packet) according to the Internet Protocol)
And output it to the router 3. Further, it converts the data sequence (data sequence transmitted from the other party) supplied from the router 3 into a digital signal and outputs it to the digital / analog conversion means 2e.

The digital / analog conversion means 2 e
The digital signal supplied from the CP / IP converter 2 d is converted into a corresponding analog signal and supplied to the telephone 1. The router 3 connects the connection device 2 to the Internet 4 so that data can be exchanged between them. The Internet 4 is a collection of computer networks that span almost the entire world, and is a huge communication infrastructure next to the telephone network.

Note that the router 6, the connection device 7, and the telephone 8 have the same configuration as the router 3, the connection device 2, and the telephone 1, respectively, and the description thereof will be omitted. The server 10 stores a correspondence table of telephone numbers and IP addresses. For example, when the telephone 1 calls the telephone 8 as a call partner, the server 10 stores the IP address corresponding to the telephone number of the telephone 8 input from the telephone 1. It is configured to search and supply.

Next, the operation of the above principle diagram will be described. When the receiver of the telephone set 1 is off-hook and the telephone number of the other party is input from the push button, the telephone number is supplied to the telephone control means 2a. Telephone control means 2a
Is a push button (or dial) for more than a predetermined time
If is not operated, it is determined that the input of the telephone number has been completed, and the obtained telephone number is supplied to the telephone number converting means 2b.

The telephone control means 2a determines that the input of the telephone number has been completed also when the button "#" or the button "*" is operated. Telephone number conversion means 2
b supplies the supplied telephone number and the IP address of the server 10 to the TCP / IP conversion means 2d.

The TCP / IP conversion means 2d converts the supplied telephone number into a data string corresponding to TCP / IP,
The IP address of the server 10 is added as the IP header and transmitted to the server 10 via the router 3.

The server 10 acquires the data string supplied from the connection device 2 and extracts the telephone number from the data string. Then, an IP address (IP address of the telephone 8) corresponding to the extracted telephone number is searched, and the obtained data is connected to the connection device 2 via the Internet 4 and the router 3.
Return to.

The telephone number conversion means 2b of the connection device 2 extracts the IP address (IP address of the telephone 8) included in the returned data string. Next, the TCP / IP conversion means 2d obtains the IP address extracted by the telephone number conversion means 2b, and applies this I / O address to a control code for causing the telephone 8 as a communication partner to generate a ringing tone.
The P address is added as an IP header and transmitted to the Internet 4 via the router 3.

The connection device 7 that has received the data string containing such a control code via the router 6 controls the telephone 8 to generate a ringing tone. When the user of the telephone 8 puts the receiver off-hook, the line between the telephone 1 and the telephone 8 is closed.

As a result, the voice signal input from the telephone 1 is converted into a digital signal by the analog / digital converter 2c, and the IP address of the telephone 8 is added as an IP header by the TCP / IP converter 2d. Sent to the side.

The connection device 7 receives the data string transmitted from the telephone 1, converts it into a digital signal, converts it into a voice signal by digital / analog conversion means (not shown), and supplies it to the telephone 8. I do. As a result, the user of the telephone 8 can hear the voice of the user of the telephone 1 via the speaker of the receiver.

The voice input from the telephone 8 is converted into a digital signal by an analog / digital signal converter (not shown) of the connection device 7 and then converted into a digital signal by a TCP / IP converter (not shown). Is converted into a data string added as an IP header, and transmitted to the connection device 2.

The connection device 2 converts the data string input via the router 3 into a digital signal by the TCP / IP conversion means 2d, and then converts the data string into a digital / analog conversion means 2.
e.

The digital / analog conversion means 2 e
The digital signal supplied from the CP / IP converter 2 d is converted into an analog signal (voice signal) and supplied to the telephone 1.

The telephone 1 converts the voice signal supplied from the connection device 2 into the original voice by supplying the voice signal to the speaker of the receiver, and outputs the original voice. You can hear

With the above operation, the user of the telephone 1 and the user of the telephone 8 can have a conversation. Next, a configuration example of an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. In this configuration example, only parts related to the connection device 2 are shown for simplification of the drawing.

The correspondence between the embodiment shown in this figure and the principle diagram shown in FIG. 1 is shown below. That is, the telephone controller 2a shown in FIG. 1 corresponds to the telephone controller 20d and the controller 20a.

The telephone number conversion means 2b includes a control unit 20a,
Memory 20b, timer 20c, switch 20e, DP signal decoding unit 20f, and PB signal decoding unit 20
g. Analog / digital conversion means 2c
Corresponds to the A / D converter 20h,
The analog converter 2e corresponds to the D / A converter 20i.

The TCP / IP conversion means 2d provides a TCP / I
It corresponds to the P interface unit 20k. In this figure, a control unit 20a includes a CPU (Central Processing).
Unit), and controls each unit of the device. The memory 20b has a RAM (Random Access Memo).
ry), a ROM (Read Only Memory), etc., which stores a program to be executed by the control unit 20a, and stores data in the middle of calculation when the control unit 20a executes a predetermined calculation process or the like. Store.

The timer 20c measures a reference time when the control unit 20a processes the PB signal and the DP signal input from the telephone 1, and determines whether or not the input of the signal is completed.

The telephone control section 20d includes an off-hook detection circuit for detecting that the receiver of the telephone 1 is off-hook, a call signal generation circuit for generating a call signal (± 75 V / 16 Hz signal), a dial tone and a ring tone. A control signal supplied from the telephone 1 is input to execute a predetermined process, and a control signal is supplied to the telephone 1 to perform a predetermined operation. Is executed.

When the telephone 1 is a push button type (or when the signal output from the telephone 1 is a PB signal), the switch 20e sets the connection to the right side.
If the telephone 1 is a dial type (or if the signal output from the telephone 1 is a DP signal), the connection is changed to the left side. The connection of the switch 20e is as follows.
It is changed by the control unit 20a.

The DP signal decoding unit 20f includes a switch 2
A DP signal supplied from the telephone 1 is input via 0e and converted into a corresponding code. PB signal decoding unit 2
0g receives the PB signal supplied from the telephone 1 via the switch 20e and converts it into a corresponding code.

The A / D converter 20h converts the audio signal output from the telephone 1 into a corresponding digital signal,
It is supplied to the audio signal processing unit 20j. D / A converter 20i
Converts the digital signal supplied from the audio signal processing unit 20j (transmitted from the other party) into an audio signal,
Output to telephone 1.

The audio signal processing section 20j includes an A / D conversion section 2
0h, for example, an ADPCM (Adaptive Differential Pulse)
e Code Modulation)
The digital signal (compressed digital signal) supplied from the TCP / IP interface unit 20k is expanded.

The TCP / IP interface unit 20k
The digital signal supplied from the audio signal processing unit 20j is converted into a data string corresponding to TCP / IP and sent to the Internet 4 via the router 3, and the data string transmitted via the router 3 Is converted into a digital signal and supplied to the audio signal processing unit 20j.

Next, an overall configuration of the system including the embodiment shown in FIG. 2 will be described with reference to FIG. In this figure, personal computers 5 a to 5 c are connected to the Internet 4 via a router 3. The telephone 1 is connected to the Internet 4 via a connection device 2 and a router 3. The computers 5a to 5a
5c and the telephone 1 form a LAN (Local Area Network).

The router 3 is a personal computer 5a
5c and the telephone 1 and the LAN constituted by the personal computers 9a to 9c and the telephone 8 are connected to each other. In other words, the router 3 uses an ISO (Inrernatin)
al Organization for Standardization: OSI (Open System Interconnection) defined by the International Organization for Standardization
: Open system interconnection), the lower three of the seven layers
Processing corresponding to the layers (physical layer, data link layer, and network layer) is performed.

Note that hubs (concentrators) may be used instead of the routers 3 and 6. Router 6, connection device 7, telephone 8, and personal computer 9a
9c are a router 3, a connection device 2, a telephone 1, and
The configuration is the same as that of each of the personal computers 5a to 5c, and a description thereof will be omitted.

In the example of this figure, the server 10 is the telephone 1
The telephone number of the telephone 8 and its IP address are stored in association with each other. When the telephone number is transmitted from the connection device 2 or 7, the corresponding IP address is searched and returned. Of course, it is possible to cope with a case where there are three or more telephones. In that case, the telephone number and the IP address of each telephone are stored in association with each other.

Next, the operation of the above embodiment will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG. FIG.
5 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a process performed in the connection device 2 of the embodiment illustrated in FIG. This process is executed when the receiver of the telephone 1 is set to the off-hook state. When this flowchart is started, the following processing is executed. [S1] The telephone controller 20d outputs a dial tone signal to the telephone 1. As a result, a dial tone is output from the speaker of the receiver of the telephone 1. [S2] The DP signal decoding unit 20f or the PB signal decoding unit 20g inputs the telephone number (the telephone number of the other party) output from the telephone 1.

The connection of the switch 20e is previously switched by the control unit 20a in accordance with the type of signal output from the telephone 1, so that the telephone number output from the telephone 1 is transmitted to the corresponding decoding unit. Supplied. [S3] The control unit 20a outputs the DP
Signal decoding section 20f or PB signal decoding section 20g
Then, it is determined whether or not the input of the telephone number is completed.

The details of this process will be described later with reference to FIG. [S4] The control unit 20a acquires the IP address of the server 10 stored in the memory 20b, and supplies this IP address and the input telephone number to the TCP / IP interface unit 20k. The TCP / IP interface unit 20k adds the IP address of the server 10 as an IP header to the supplied telephone number, and transmits it to the server 10 via the router 3 and the Internet 4.

As a result, the server 10 extracts a telephone number from the received data, obtains an IP address corresponding to the telephone number, and returns it to the connection device 2. [S5] The control unit 20a acquires the IP address of the communication partner returned from the server 10 via the TCP / IP interface unit 20k. [S6] The control unit 20a transmits the ringing tone generation control code to the acquired IP address of the other party.

For example, when the other party is the telephone 8 shown in FIG. 3, a ringing tone generation control code is transmitted to the telephone 8. As a result, in the connection device 7 on the telephone 8 side, the TCP / IP interface unit receives this data, and the control unit controls the telephone control unit according to the control code, so that the telephone 8 generates a ringing tone. Will be. [S7] The control unit 20a refers to the signal output from the telephone control unit 20d to determine whether or not the telephone 1 is in an on-hook state (disconnected state). Is completed, and if the connection has not been disconnected, the process proceeds to step S8.

For example, since the other party does not answer the telephone, the process is terminated when the user of the telephone 1 puts the receiver on-hook. [S8] The control unit 20a determines whether or not there is a response from the other party. If there is a response, the process proceeds to step S9. Otherwise, the process returns to step S7 to repeat the same process.

In other words, when the user of the telephone set 8 which is alerted to the ringing tone puts the receiver off-hook, the control unit of the telephone set 8 receives the telephone 1 via the TCP / IP interface unit. , And transmits a predetermined control code indicating a response to the IP address. The transmitted control code is received by the connection device 2 on the telephone 1 side, and YES is determined in step S8. [S9] The control unit 20a performs communication processing by appropriately controlling each unit of the device.

That is, the audio signal output from the telephone 1 is converted into a digital signal by the A / D converter 20h, then subjected to a compression process by the audio signal processor 20j, and is transmitted through the TCP / IP interface 20k. To the telephone 8 side. The data string transmitted from the telephone 8 is stored in the TCP / IP interface unit 20k.
, And subjected to an expansion process by the audio signal processing unit 20j. The decompressed digital signal is converted into an analog signal by the D / A converter 20i, and then supplied to the telephone 1 for reproduction. [S10] The control unit 20a refers to the data received by the TCP / IP interface unit 20k and determines whether or not the communication partner has transmitted a disconnection code indicating that the line has been disconnected. As a result, if it is determined that the disconnection code has been received, the process is terminated, otherwise, the process proceeds to step S.
Proceed to 11.

That is, when the user of the other party puts the receiver on-hook to hang up the telephone, the control unit of the connection device 7 transmits a disconnection code. Is received, the process ends. [S11] If the handset of the telephone set 1 is in the on-hook state, the control unit 20a proceeds to step S12, otherwise returns to step S9 and repeats the same processing as described above.

That is, if the user of the telephone 1 puts the receiver of the telephone 1 on-hook in order to hang up the telephone, the process proceeds to step S12. [S12] The control unit 20a transmits a disconnection code to the telephone 8 via the TCP / IP interface 20k.

Next, the details of the "data end determination process" shown in FIG. 4 will be described with reference to FIG. When this flowchart is started, the following processing is executed. [S31] The control unit 20a determines whether or not the time is over with reference to the timer 20c. If the time is over, the process proceeds to step S36; otherwise, the process proceeds to step S32.

That is, the control unit 20a determines whether or not a predetermined time (for example, 3 seconds) has elapsed since the last operation of the push button or the like of the telephone 1, and when the predetermined time has elapsed, Goes to step S36.

For example, if three seconds have elapsed after the input of the telephone number has been completed, the process proceeds to step S36. [S32] If a telephone number (data) has been input from the telephone 1, the control unit 20a proceeds to step S33, otherwise returns to step S31 and repeats the same processing as described above. [S33] The control unit 20a converts the telephone number (data) input from the telephone 1 into the DP signal decoding unit 20f or P
The data is obtained from the B signal decoding unit 20g, and it is determined whether or not the data is a numeral.
Go to step S34, otherwise go to step S36.

For example, if a symbol "#" or "*" is input to indicate that the input of the telephone number has been completed, the process proceeds to step S36. [S34] The control unit 20a stores the input data in a buffer secured in a predetermined area of the memory 20b. [S35] In order to store the next input data, the control unit 20a increments the storage position of the buffer by a predetermined value, returns to step S31, and repeats the same processing as described above. [S36] The control unit 20a determines whether the input telephone number is normal. As a result, when it is determined that it is normal, the process proceeds to step S37, and otherwise, the process ends.

For example, if the number of input telephone numbers is 5 or less, or if it is 11 or more, it is determined to be abnormal and the process is terminated. [S37] The control unit 20a performs a process of determining the telephone number input from the telephone 1.

That is, the control unit 20a supplies the input telephone number to the TCP / IP interface unit 20k. [S38] The control unit 20a clears the contents of the buffer secured in a predetermined area of the memory 20b. Then, the process returns to the process of FIG.

According to the above processing, the telephone number of the telephone number is input by operating the push button or the like of the telephone 1 and subsequently operating the button "#" or the button "*". The controller 20a of the connection device 2 can recognize that the input has been completed. A similar result can be obtained by not performing an operation for a predetermined time after inputting a telephone number.

According to the above-described embodiment, a normal telephone can be connected to the Internet, and a conversation can be performed with the other party by the same operation as the normal telephone. In addition, the area code of the area where the telephone 1 is installed is stored in the memory 20b, and if "0" is not added to the head of the telephone number input from the telephone 1,
The memory 20b determines that the telephone number is in the same area.
May be transmitted to the server 10 after adding the area code stored therein. In this way, when a telephone in the same area is a communication partner, it is possible to omit the area code like a normal telephone.

In the above embodiment, the correspondence table between the telephone number and the IP address is stored in the server 10. For example, such a correspondence table is stored in the connection device 2 or the personal computers 5a to 5c. May be stored.

According to such a configuration, although the number of registrations is limited, it is possible to make a call by notifying a telephone number or an IP address to only some users and notifying them.

[0066]

As described above, according to the present invention, the telephone control means performs processing according to the control signal output from the telephone, and supplies a predetermined control signal to the telephone to control it. The telephone number converting means converts a telephone number output from the telephone into a corresponding IP address, and the analog / digital converting means converts a voice signal output from the telephone into a digital signal,
The TCP / IP conversion means converts the digital signal obtained by the analog / digital conversion means into a data string corresponding to TCP / IP, and transmits the data string to the IP address of the other party obtained by the telephone number conversion means. The digital / analog conversion means converts a data string corresponding to TCP / IP transmitted from the communication partner into a digital signal, and converts the digital signal transmitted from the communication partner and converted by the TCP / IP conversion means. ,
Since the audio signal is converted into a corresponding audio signal and supplied to the telephone, a normal telephone can be connected to the Internet.

Further, according to the present invention, when a normal telephone is connected to the Internet, the end of the telephone number input from the telephone can be easily detected.

[Brief description of the drawings]

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

FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration example of an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an overall configuration of a system including an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a process executed when the telephone receiver is off-hook in the embodiment shown in FIG. 2;

FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating details of a “data end determination process” illustrated in FIG. 4;

[Explanation of symbols]

1 telephone 2 connection equipment 2a telephone control means 2b telephone number conversion means 2c analog / digital conversion means 2d TCP / IP conversion means 2
e: Digital / analog conversion means

Continued on the front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁶ Identification code FI H04M 11/00 303 H04L 11/20 102Z

Claims (3)

[Claims] 1. A telephone control means for performing a process according to a control signal output from a telephone, supplying a predetermined control signal to the telephone and controlling the same, a telephone number output from the telephone To a corresponding IP address, a telephone number converting means for converting a voice signal output from the telephone into a digital signal, and a digital signal obtained by the analog / digital converting means. A signal is converted into a data string corresponding to TCP / IP, and transmitted to the IP address of the other party obtained by the telephone number conversion means, and data corresponding to TCP / IP transmitted from the other party. TCP / IP conversion means for converting a sequence into a digital signal; The digital signal obtained is converted by the IP conversion unit, and a digital / analog converting means for supplying said converted into corresponding audio signals telephone, characterized in that it has a connection device. 2. The telephone number conversion means determines that the input of the telephone number has been completed when a PB signal or a DP signal output from the telephone has been in a non-signal state for a predetermined period or more. The connection device according to claim 1, wherein: 3. When the PB signal or the DP signal output from the telephone includes a code other than a numeral, the telephone number conversion means accepts a previously input PB signal or DP signal as a telephone number. The connection device according to claim 1, wherein: