JPH11284667A - Multimedia communication network system, and router device and server device thereof - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To enable a user to make a call without any feeling of incongruity even when having a voice communication. SOLUTION: While IP addresses are assigned to terminal devices Ta1 to Tan and Tb1 to Tbm at offices A and B, a multimedia domain name which has not the user names, but the telephone numbers of the terminal devices inserted into the bottom layer is given. Further, DNS(domain name system) server functions are added to the router devices Ra and Rb by intra-netowrk systems to provide a multimedia communication control function and its multimedia data base, wherein the correspondence between the multimedia domain name of the respective terminal devices and the IP addresses is stored. When a signal including the multimedia domain name arrives from a terminal device, the said signal is transferred to the terminal device having the corresponding IP address according to the multimedia data base.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a multimedia communication network system that accommodates a plurality of types of terminal devices and enables multimedia information communication with (Local Area Network) as a core, and particularly relates to a router device used in a multimedia information communication system.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In a conventional private network system, a voice communication terminal such as a telephone is connected to a private branch office (PBX).
Exchange) or key telephone equipment as extension terminals, and exchanges between these extension terminals and an external communication network such as a public network and between extension terminals by means of a PBX or key telephone equipment to enable communication. Or a data terminal such as a personal computer connected to a LAN (Local Area Network).
rk), and electronic mail and data are transmitted between personal computers via the LAN. In addition, a system has been proposed in which a voice communication system using a PBX or a key telephone main unit and a data communication system using a LAN are linked by using a gateway.

[0003] However, in such a conventional private network system, it is necessary to lay separate communication infrastructures for the voice communication system and the data communication system. In addition, since the voice communication system is of a centralized control type using a PBX or key telephone main unit, the system is likely to be down. To avoid this, it is necessary to duplicate the PBX or key telephone main unit. For this reason, there has been a problem that the system configuration becomes large and the investment burden on the user increases.

Accordingly, the present inventors have disclosed in Japanese Patent Application No. 9-1617.
In No. 22, a plurality of media terminals are accommodated in a LAN as a core through a communication interface device,
We have proposed a system that enables multimedia information communication between multiple types of media terminals and between each media terminal and an external communication network by performing protocol conversion and data format conversion in a communication interface device.

[0005] In this system, a network address such as an IP address is used as an identifier of each media terminal, and a domain name system (DNS) used in the Internet and the like is used.
m) is being considered. DNS is the IP assigned to each media terminal on the network.
In this system, the correspondence between addresses and domain names is managed by a name server, and the name server replies an IP address to an inquiry from a terminal based on the domain name. The domain name has a hierarchical structure so as to be compatible with a large-scale wide area network, and correspondingly, name servers scattered on the network are also hierarchized.

[0006]

However, such a D
When the NS is applied to the system as it is, the domain name is used even when voice communication is performed using a telephone terminal. For this reason, a general user who is accustomed to a conventional telephone system for making a call using a telephone number has an uncomfortable feeling and is not easy to use.

[0007] It has also been considered to configure a system so that call control is performed by a server device. In this case, it is necessary to register the correspondence between the telephone number as the terminal identification information of each terminal device and the IP address as the variable network address in the server device for call control.
However, the registration of the IP address is performed by accessing the call control server device from the terminal device to which the IP address has been assigned. For this reason, if the terminal device does not register or change the IP address to the call control server device, the call control server device cannot perform correct call control.

It has also been proposed that a plurality of gatekeepers be provided in a system, and that these gatekeepers control call control for client devices such as terminal devices and router devices in an integrated manner. However, no countermeasures have been established when a failure occurs in the gatekeeper.

A first object of the present invention is to provide a router device of a multimedia communication network system in which a user can make a smooth call without any discomfort even when performing voice communication. It is to provide.

A second object of the present invention is to provide a multimedia communication network system capable of appropriately managing a variable network address of each terminal device and enabling accurate call control when the server device performs call control, and a server device thereof. It is to provide.

A third object is to allow a plurality of gatekeepers to cooperate with each other to manage a client device when the client device starts up or a gatekeeper failure occurs, thereby improving the reliability of the multimedia device. It is to provide a communication network system.

[0012]

The invention according to claim 1 is a multimedia communication network system in which a plurality of terminal devices establish a call on a computer network and then perform multimedia communication. Address assigning means for assigning a variable network address; managing means for managing the variable network address assigned by the address assigning means in association with terminal identification information given to each of the plurality of terminal devices in advance; When a plurality of terminal devices send out the call setting signal, the management means is searched based on the terminal identification information of the partner terminal device included in the call setting signal to specify a corresponding variable network address, Call control for executing call control for a partner terminal device using an address It is characterized in that a stage.

According to the present invention, the variable network address assigned to each terminal device can be appropriately managed in association with the terminal identification information, and thereby accurate call control can be executed.

According to another aspect of the present invention, the first object is achieved.
The invention according to the present invention comprises a plurality of routers hierarchized in accordance with a hierarchical structure of a domain name system, and after a plurality of terminal devices establish a call on a computer network using the domain name system. In the router device used in a multimedia communication network system for performing multimedia communication including voice communication, a network address assigned to each of the terminal devices, a telephone number assigned to each of the terminal devices, a host name and A database storing a correspondence relationship with a multimedia domain name including at least an identification name of an organization attribute, and a call setting signal including the multimedia domain name from each of the terminal devices; Based on the above database Locate and is characterized in that and a first communication control means for transferring the call setup signal to the terminal device having a corresponding network address.

Therefore, according to the present invention, since a multimedia domain name in which a telephone number is given to the lowermost layer instead of a user name is used, when voice communication is performed using a telephone terminal, the conventional telephone Like the communication system, the terminal device can be managed by the telephone number. For this reason, the telephone communication can be performed without the user feeling great discomfort.

The invention according to claim 3 is characterized in that, when a plurality of terminal devices sharing the same multimedia domain name exist in the plurality of terminal devices, the same multimedia domain name is used. In response to the arrival of the call setting signal including the second, a plurality of terminal devices having the multimedia domain name are searched by searching a database, and the second terminal device transfers the call setting signal to these terminal devices. A communication control means is further provided.

With this configuration, for example, in the case where mail data or facsimile data is broadcast-transmitted to a plurality of terminal devices, the transmission operation can be completed only by designating one multimedia domain name. Can be.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a router device used in a multimedia communication network system for performing multimedia communication including voice communication after a plurality of terminal devices establish a call on a computer network, A database storing a correspondence between a telephone number and a network address assigned to each of the terminal devices, and searching the database based on the telephone number when an inquiry about a network address by a telephone number arrives from the terminal device. Means for returning a corresponding network address to an inquiry source; and when a call setting signal including a telephone number arrives from the terminal device, the database is searched based on the telephone number to find a corresponding network address. Transfer the call setup signal to a terminal device having That it is characterized in that and a first communication control means.

Therefore, according to the present invention, a user can make a call using a telephone number in exactly the same manner as a conventional telephone communication system without using a domain name, whereby the user can input a network address such as an IP address. Despite the system using the identifier, telephone communication can be performed without feeling any discomfort.

The invention according to claim 5 further comprises a plurality of router devices hierarchized in accordance with the hierarchical structure of the domain name system, and a plurality of terminal devices utilize the domain name system to provide a computer network. In the router device of the multimedia communication network system for performing multimedia communication including voice communication after establishing a call, the router device is located at a lower position in each of the plurality of router devices located at a lower position in a hierarchical structure. A first database for storing the correspondence between telephone numbers and domain names assigned to each router, and a second database for storing correspondence between telephone numbers and network addresses assigned to terminal devices belonging to the own device. Database and terminal devices belonging to the device Means for converting the telephone number to a domain name of a lower-level router to which a destination terminal having the telephone number belongs based on the first database when an inquiry of the address arrives; Means for sending a query for a network address based on the domain name converted by the means to a router device located above the hierarchical structure in order to query the domain name system, and call setting including a telephone number from the terminal device First communication control means for, when a signal arrives, searching the second database based on the telephone number and transferring the call setting signal to a terminal device having a corresponding network address. It is a feature.

Therefore, according to the present invention, when the terminal device transmits a network address inquiry by telephone number, the telephone number is automatically converted into a corresponding domain name by a router device located at a lower level, and An inquiry about a network address is made to a higher-level router device by a name. Therefore, it is not necessary to assign a hierarchical telephone number to the upper router device, so that the upper router device can configure a conventional DNS. This is extremely effective in improving affinity with the existing Internet environment.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, when a plurality of terminal devices sharing the same telephone number exist in the plurality of terminal devices, the network address corresponding to the same telephone number is transmitted to the destination. When a call setting signal arrives, a second communication control means for searching a database to identify a plurality of terminal devices having the same telephone number, and transferring the call setting signal to these terminal devices, respectively. It is characterized by having.

With this configuration, for example, when broadcasting facsimile data, the transmission operation can be completed only by designating one multimedia domain name.

On the other hand, to achieve the second object, the invention according to claim 7 comprises a plurality of terminal devices, and a server device to which these terminal devices are connected via a computer network. In the server device of the multimedia communication network system, which establishes a call on a computer network by call control of the device and enables multimedia communication between the plurality of terminal devices, the server device is provided to each of the plurality of terminal devices in advance. And a table for storing the correspondence between the terminal identification information, the fixed network address, and the variable network address that is assigned as needed. When the plurality of terminal devices start up, the terminal identification information and the fixed network address of the terminal identification information are read from the terminal devices. Assignment of a variable network address that includes at least one An address assignment control unit for assigning a variable network address to the terminal device of the assignment request source when the request is sent; and a table in which the variable network address assigned by the address assignment control unit is associated with a fixed network address. Address registration control means for registering the call setting signal, and when a call setting signal is sent from the plurality of terminal devices, the table is searched based on the terminal identification information of the partner terminal device included in the call setting signal to respond It is characterized by comprising address specifying means for specifying a variable network address, and call control means for executing call control for a partner terminal device using the variable network address specified by the address specifying means.

According to the present invention, when the variable network address is assigned to the activated terminal device, the assigned variable network address is automatically registered in the table in the server device. Therefore, it is not necessary to register the variable network address by accessing the server device from the terminal device, thereby making it possible to perform address management in the server device reliably.

The following two types of tables can be considered. That is, one of them is as in claim 8.
A first table for storing a correspondence between a fixed network address and a variable network address, and a second table for storing a correspondence between the terminal identification information and the fixed network address. is there.

In this case, when the call setting signal is sent from a plurality of terminal devices, the address specifying means first searches the first table based on the terminal identification information of the partner terminal device included in the call setting signal. Then, the corresponding fixed network address is specified, and then the second table is searched based on the fixed network address to specify the corresponding variable network address.

Another structure of the table includes a third table for collectively storing the correspondence between the terminal identification information, the fixed network address, and the variable network address.

In this case, when a call setting signal is sent from a plurality of terminal devices, the address specifying means searches the third table based on the terminal identification information of the partner terminal device included in the call setting signal. To specify the corresponding variable network address.

According to a tenth aspect of the present invention, there are provided a plurality of terminal devices, and first and second server devices connected to the terminal devices via a computer network, and at least one of these server devices is provided. In a multimedia communication network system that establishes a call on a computer network by a call control function of the first terminal device and enables multimedia communication between the plurality of terminal devices, the first server device includes a plurality of terminal devices. A first table for storing the correspondence between a fixed network address given in advance to a variable network address assigned as needed, and a request to assign a variable network address from the terminal devices when the plurality of terminal devices start up. Fixed network included in this assignment request, if sent Address assignment control means for identifying a requesting terminal device based on the address and assigning a variable network address to the terminal device; and assigning the variable network address assigned by the address assignment control device to a fixed network address. First
Address registration control means for registering the variable network address of the second server device, the variable network address assigned by the address allocation control means, and the variable network address corresponding to the variable network address. Address transfer means for transferring the fixed network address to be transferred to the second server device using the variable network address acquired by the address acquisition means.

The second server device stores a correspondence between terminal identification information given to each of a plurality of terminal devices, the fixed network address, and a variable network address assigned as needed. 2
Address storing means for storing, in the second table, a variable network address transferred from the first server device to the own device and a fixed network address corresponding to the variable network address; When a call setting signal is sent from a plurality of terminal devices, an address specifying the variable network address by searching the second table based on the terminal identification information of the other terminal device included in the call setting signal A configuration is provided that includes a specifying unit and a call control unit that executes call control for the partner terminal device using the variable network address specified by the address specifying unit.

According to the present invention, when the variable network address is allocated to the terminal device in the first server device for address allocation, the information is directly transmitted from the first server device to the second server for call control. The data is transferred to the server device and registered in the second table. Therefore, even in the system having such a configuration, it is not necessary to register the variable network address by accessing the second server device from the terminal device, whereby the address management in the second server device can be performed reliably. It becomes possible.

[0033] In the invention according to claim 11, in the first server device, when the variable network address of the second server device has not been obtained, the fixed network address of the terminal device which has transmitted the variable network address assignment request is provided. Further comprising means for broadcasting the inquiry signal including
In addition, when an inquiry signal arrives from the first server device, the second server device receives the inquiry signal from the first server device based on the fixed network address of the terminal device included in the inquiry signal.
Means for retrieving a signal including a variable network address of the own apparatus to the first server apparatus and storing the signal in the first table when the corresponding fixed network address is stored as a result. Further provided.

With this configuration, even when the first server device has not acquired the variable network address of the second server device, the variable server address of the second server device can be changed using the allocation request from the terminal device. The network address can be obtained, so that the variable network address assigned to the terminal device in the first server device can be reliably transferred to the second server device and registered.

According to a twelfth aspect of the present invention, in the second server device, an address obtaining means for obtaining a variable network address of the first server device, and the variable network address of the partner terminal device by the address specifying device. If the fixed network address cannot be specified, the fixed network address corresponding to the terminal identification information of the partner terminal device is searched from the second table, and a notification request of the variable network address including the fixed network address is sent to the variable network address obtained by the address obtaining means. Means for transmitting to the first server device using the address, and when the first server device receives a notification request for a variable network address from the second server device, Variable network corresponding to the included fixed network address Ship towards the second server device retrieves the click address from the first table, is characterized in further comprising a means for storing in a second table.

With this configuration, even if the variable network address of the partner terminal device included in the call setup signal cannot be specified in the second server device,
A corresponding variable network address is acquired from the server device of the above, and call control can be reliably performed on the partner terminal device based on the acquired variable network address.

According to a thirteenth aspect of the present invention, when the second server device has not obtained the variable network address of the first server device, the terminal identification information of the partner terminal device included in the received call setting signal is provided. Means for broadcasting an inquiry signal including a fixed network address corresponding to the first server device, and when the inquiry signal arrives from the second server device, the first server device includes a terminal included in the inquiry signal. The first table is searched based on the fixed network address of the device. As a result, when the corresponding fixed network address is stored, a signal including the variable network address of the own device is returned to the second server device. It is characterized by further comprising means for storing in the second table.

With this configuration, even when the second server device has not acquired the variable network address of the first server device, the variable setting of the first server device is performed using the call setting from the terminal device. The network address can be obtained, so that the second server device can reliably obtain the variable network address of the partner terminal device from the first server device.

According to a fourteenth aspect of the present invention, when the variable network address of the counterpart terminal device cannot be specified by the address specifying means, the second server device stores the fixed network address corresponding to the terminal identification information of the counterpart terminal device. A notification request transmitting unit that searches the second table and broadcasts a notification request of a variable network address including the fixed network address is further provided. Each terminal device receives a variable network address notification request addressed to itself. Means for returning a variable network address corresponding to the fixed network address included in the notification request to the requesting second server device.

With this configuration, when the variable network address of the partner terminal device cannot be specified in the second server device, a notification request of the variable network address is sent from the second server device to each terminal device. The second server device can obtain a variable network address from the partner terminal device. Therefore,
It is possible to reliably perform call control on the partner terminal device.

According to a fifteenth aspect of the present invention, in the second server device, it is determined whether or not the variable network address has been obtained by the broadcast transmission of the variable network address notification request by the notification request transmitting means. In this case, the other terminal device determines that the terminal device is not connected to the computer network and executes a predetermined call processing service control.

With this configuration, when the partner terminal device is not connected to the network, a service process of notifying the information to that effect to the terminal device on the transmitting side can be performed.

Further, in order to achieve the third object, the invention according to claim 16 provides a plurality of client devices including at least a plurality of terminal devices, and a call control by managing information on the plurality of client devices. In a multimedia communication network system in which a plurality of gatekeepers are connected to a computer network, priority setting means for setting a priority to the plurality of gatekeepers, and wherein the priority is set when the client device is newly started up. The highest priority gatekeeper set to the first priority by the setting means recognizes the newly started client device and manages information on the client device, and also transmits information on the client device from the highest priority gatekeeper to the other. Notify gatekeeper of It is characterized in that a client management control unit.

According to the present invention, since each gatekeeper is managed with priority, it is possible to perform orderly management. Further, since the management information of the client device managed by the highest-priority gatekeeper is transferred to and managed by other gatekeepers, the processing is also performed when the management of the client device is transferred from the highest-priority gatekeeper to another gatekeeper. It can be done smoothly.

The priority setting means may include:
As shown in (1), it is conceivable that a priority is set for a gatekeeper to be set at any time and / or at least when a new gatekeeper starts up.

As a means for setting the priority when a new gatekeeper starts up, the priority is set only for the new gatekeeper without changing the priority of the existing gatekeeper. It is conceivable that the priority is reset for all the gatekeepers including the new gatekeeper.

The following can be considered as priority setting means. That is, one of them is claim 20
As shown in, each of a plurality of gatekeepers is provided with a priority input means for a system administrator or the like to input a priority value,
The priority value input by the priority input means is exchanged between the gatekeepers, and the priority is set for each gatekeeper in accordance with each priority value obtained by this exchange and a predetermined algorithm.

In another aspect, each gate keeper is provided with a generating means for generating a numerical value as an index of priority in each gate keeper, and the numerical value generated by this generating means is exchanged between the gate keeper. Priority is set for each gatekeeper in accordance with each numerical value obtained by this exchange and a predetermined algorithm.

According to a twenty-second aspect of the present invention, the client management control means determines whether or not the management of the client device can be performed by the highest priority gatekeeper when the client device is newly started up. If it is determined that the management is impossible by this determination means, the information to that effect is notified from the highest priority gatekeeper to the other gatekeepers, and in response to this notification, the client device in which the other gatekeeper newly starts up It is configured to manage information about

The determination means may determine that the management is impossible when the number of client devices that can be managed by the highest priority gatekeeper is exceeded, as set forth in claim 23; When the number of calls that can be accepted by the user exceeds a predetermined number, it is conceivable that the management is determined to be impossible.

According to the present invention, for example, when the capacity of the highest-priority gate keeper is exceeded, the management of the newly started client device is automatically taken over by another gate keeper.

As means for notifying the information that management is impossible, the other highest-priority gatekeeper whose priority is set to the first priority among other gatekeepers or the priority is the other. It is conceivable to select a gatekeeper set as the second place and notify the selected gatekeeper of information indicating that management is impossible.

Further, in the priority setting means,
When the client management control means determines that a newly started client device cannot be managed by the highest priority gatekeeper as shown in (1), the priority of each gatekeeper may be reset.

According to a twenty-seventh aspect of the present invention, a plurality of client devices including at least a plurality of terminal devices and a plurality of gatekeepers for managing information relating to the plurality of client devices and performing call control are connected to a computer network. In a multimedia communication network system, a failure detecting means for detecting a failure of the plurality of gatekeepers, and when the failure detection means detects that a failure has occurred in any gatekeeper, the arbitrary gatekeeper manages the failure. Management transfer control means for transferring the management information relating to the first client device to the substitute gatekeeper, and allowing the gatekeeper to take over the management of the first client device; and Inherited management processing If it, is characterized in that it has and a takeover notifying means for notifying the information to that effect to the first client device and other gatekeepers.

According to the present invention, when a failure occurs in an arbitrary gatekeeper, the occurrence of the failure is detected, and the management of the client device managed by the gatekeeper is automatically taken over by another gatekeeper. For this reason, even if one of the gatekeepers goes down, call control of the client device cannot be performed due to the influence, and the reliability of the system can be kept high.

As the failure detecting means, an operation confirmation signal is transmitted and received between the gatekeepers as described in claim 28, and each of the gatekeepers receives signals from other gatekeepers based on the operation confirmation signal received from another gatekeeper. Some detect faults. In this case, the transmission and reception of the operation confirmation signal may be performed between gatekeepers having the same priority or between gatekeepers having similar priorities.

In the case where each gate keeper is provided with a means for shutting down its own operation state as the failure detecting means, information on the shutdown is sent to another gate keeper. In this way, it is conceivable to recognize the occurrence of a failure in the gatekeeper of the notification source when the information indicating that the shutdown has been performed is notified from another gatekeeper. In this case, the notification of the information indicating that the shutdown has occurred may be performed between gatekeepers having the same priority or between gatekeepers having similar priorities.

The following two configurations can be considered as the takeover notification means. That is, one of them is that the gate keeper that detects the occurrence of the failure is managed by the gate keeper that has failed.
The client device and other gatekeepers are notified of information indicating that the management handover process has been performed. The other one is that, as set forth in claim 33, the failed gatekeeper sends information to the effect that the management handover process has been performed to the first client device and the other gatekeeper managed by itself. Notify.

The management handover control means may include:
As shown in FIG. 4, when it is not possible to obtain management information on the first client device managed by the gatekeeper from the failed gatekeeper, a function of inquiring the first client device to obtain the management information is provided. It is better to further prepare. In this way, even if the failed gatekeeper cannot send management information,
The takeover destination gatekeeper can acquire management information from the corresponding client device and take over the management.

According to a thirty-fifth aspect of the present invention, when the failed gatekeeper is recovered after the management takeover processing by the management takeover control means, the management of the first client device held by the gatekeeper taking over the management is performed. Management recovery control means for transferring the information to the gatekeeper recovered from the failure and restoring the management of the first client device by the gatekeeper, and processing for recovering the management of the first client device by the management recovery control means. And a recovery notifying means for notifying the first client device and the other gatekeepers of the information to that effect in the event that the request has been made.

According to the present invention, when the gate keeper recovers from the failure, the management of the client device which has been taken over by another gate keeper is automatically returned to the restored gate keeper.

The management / restoration control means broadcasts, to the computer network, information to the effect that the gatekeeper recovered from the failure has recovered using its own identification information. When the gatekeeper that has taken over the management of the device receives the information indicating the recovery, the management information of the first client device is transferred to the gatekeeper recovered from the failure.

As the above-mentioned recovery notifying means, the following two configurations can be considered. One of them is that the gatekeeper recovered from the failure notifies the first client device and other gatekeepers of information indicating that the management recovery processing has been performed. The other one is
The gatekeeper taking over the management of the first client device notifies the first client device and other gatekeepers of information indicating that the management restoration process has been performed.

[0064]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS (First Embodiment) FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing a first embodiment of a multimedia communication network system according to the present invention.

In this system, a premises network system is constructed at each of two offices A and B of a company,
These local network systems are connected to the upper router device R.
In addition to the mutual connection via R, it is also connected to the public network INW.

Each local network system is L
ANLa and Lb are the core. This LANLa, L
b is configured by, for example, Ethernet having a transmission capacity of 100 Mbit or 1 Gbit. Each of the LAN La and Lb has a plurality of hub devices Ha1 to Ha3 as communication interface devices for extension connection.
Han and Hb1 to Hbm are connected. These hub devices Ha1 to Han and Hb1 to Hbm respectively include a terminal device T such as a telephone or a personal computer.
a1 to Tan and Tb1 to Tbm are connected. Although not shown in FIG. 1, PHS (Personal Handy) is used as another communication interface device in LANLa and Lb.
phone System) Wireless hub device with base station function,
A communication server or the like having an e-mail storage / delivery function can also be connected.

Further, routers Ra and Rb are connected to the LANs La and Lb, respectively. Router device R
a and Rb each perform an interface process between the higher-level router device RR and the local network system, and have a multimedia communication control function on the LAN La and Lb and a DNS server function. The upper router RR is connected to each local network system and the public network INW.
And a DNS server function.

By the way, the multimedia communication network system according to the present embodiment includes a terminal device Ta1.
An IP address as an identifier and a multimedia domain name unique to this embodiment are assigned to 〜Tan, Tb1１〜Tbm. Router device R
IP addresses and domain names are assigned to a, Rb, and RR as identifiers.

The multimedia domain name of this embodiment is the same as the conventional domain name in that it has a hierarchical structure, except that the telephone number of the terminal device instead of the user name is inserted in the lowest layer. There are features. FIG. 4 shows an example of the structure.

That is, jp, uk, etc., which are identification names of countries, are inserted in the first hierarchy, and co, go, ac, etc., which are identification names of organization attributes, are inserted in the second hierarchy. The name of the organization is inserted in the third hierarchy, and the name of the host is inserted in the fourth hierarchy. Furthermore, the telephone numbers assigned to the terminal devices Ta1 to Tan and Tb1 to Tbm are inserted in the lowest layer delimited by 第 with respect to the fourth layer. FIG. 4 shows a case where the number 3000 is inserted.

The routers Ra, R of each local system
b, the terminal devices Ta1 to Tan, Tb under the umbrella, respectively.
Multimedia storing correspondence between multimedia domain names and IP addresses assigned to Tbm.
There is a database. FIG. 5 shows an example of the configuration of a multimedia database provided in the router device Ra. The router devices Ra and Rb are connected to the terminal devices Ta1 to Ta1.
When an inquiry about an IP address based on a domain name arrives from an, Tb1 to Tbm, the DNS server function searches the database to find a corresponding IP address.
Determine whether there is an address. If the IP address for the DNS server is found, the answer is given. If the IP address for the DNS server is not found, an inquiry about the IP address by the domain name is sent to the upper router RR.
Send to

The routers Ra and Rb are connected to the terminal T
When a call setting message arrives from a1 to Tan and Tb1 to Tbm, the multimedia database functions to search the multimedia database based on the destination information inserted in the call setting message to respond. The IP address is read, and call control is performed on the destination terminal device to which the IP address is assigned.

On the other hand, the upper router RR is also provided with a DNS server database. In this database, the domain names and the IP addresses assigned to the routers Ra and Rb of each of the local network systems are stored in association with each other. When an inquiry about an IP address based on a domain name arrives from the routers Ra and Rb, the router RR searches the above-mentioned database by its DNS server function and answers the corresponding IP address.

Next, the operation of the system configured as described above will be described. 2 and 3 are a main part configuration diagram and a sequence diagram, respectively, of the system used for explaining the operation.

Here, the terminal device Ta1 (3000@tama.nihon.co.jp) belonging to the business office A is different from the terminal device Tb1 (3000@chiba.nihon.co.jp) of the business office B.
Description will be made assuming that a call is made to perform voice communication.

In the terminal device Ta1, the user sets the multimedia domain name "3000 @ chib" as the destination.
a.nihon.co.jp "and the terminal device Ta
1 sends an inquiry about the IP address by the domain name "chiba.nihon.co.jp". This inquiry is transferred from the hub device Ha1 to the router device Ra via the LANLa. Upon receiving this inquiry, the router device Ra accesses its own DNS server database to determine whether or not the IP address corresponding to the domain name "chiba.nihon.co.jp" to be inquired is registered. Is determined. At this time, since the domain name “chiba.nihon.co.jp” is not a management target, the router Ra sends the above inquiry to a further higher-level router RR.

The router device RR accesses its own database and checks the domain name “chib
a.nihon.co.jp "is registered. If the IP address “100.100.1.1” corresponding to the domain name “chiba.nihon.co.jp” to be queried is registered,
The IP address “100.100.1.1” is read from the database and responds to the router Ra. This response message is sent from the router Ra to the LAN
It is transferred to the terminal device Ta1 of the inquiry source via La and the hub device Ha1.

The terminal device T receiving this response message
a1 sends a call setup message with the destination address being "3000@chiba.nihon.co.jp". This call setting message is sent from the hub device Ha1 to the router device Ra via the LANLa, and further transferred to the router device Rb of the business office B via the upper router device RR. Router device R
b is the destination information “3000 @ ch” inserted in the call setup message by the multimedia communication control function.
Search the multimedia database based on “iba.nihon.co.jp” and find the corresponding IP address “100.10
0.1.2. " Then, based on the IP address “100.100.1.2”, the multimedia communication control function performs call control on the terminal device Tb1 at the destination.

Thus, the terminal device Tb1 is called,
When the terminal device Tb1 responds to this call, a response message is returned to the calling terminal device Ta1.
As a result, a communication link is set between the calling terminal device Ta1 and the called terminal device Tb1. Thereafter, voice communication becomes possible between the terminal devices Ta1 and Tb1.

The multimedia domain name “3000@chiba.nihon.co.jp” is assigned to a plurality of terminal devices T.
b1, Tb2, ..., the router device Rb
Sends a call setup message to each of the terminal devices Tb1, Tb2,. That is, a broadcast call is performed.

When a plurality of multimedia domain names are assigned to each of the terminal devices Tb1 to Tbm, the plurality of multimedia domain names are respectively associated with the IP addresses of the terminal devices Tb1 to Tbm in the database of the router device Rb. Is registered, the incoming call is made to the same corresponding terminal device even if any of the assigned plurality of multimedia domain names is specified as the destination information. .

As described above, in this embodiment, the terminal devices Ta1 to Tan, Tb1 of each private network system are used.
... Tbm are assigned IP addresses, and the lowest layer has a multimedia domain name in which the telephone number of the terminal device is inserted instead of the user name. For each local network system, a router Ra, Rb is provided with a multimedia communication control function and a multimedia database for the same in addition to the DNS server function, and the multimedia database of each of the terminal devices is provided in the multimedia database. -The correspondence between the domain name and the IP address is stored. When a call setting message including a multimedia domain name arrives from the terminal device, call control is performed for the terminal device to which a corresponding IP address is assigned based on the multimedia database.

Therefore, according to the first embodiment, the users of the terminal devices Ta1 to Tan and Tb1 to Tbm use the multimedia domain name when making a call, but can designate the destination by the telephone number. it can. Therefore, when voice communication is performed using a telephone terminal, the PB
It is possible to make a call without feeling much uncomfortable when using a conventional telephone communication system using X.

(Second Embodiment) In a second embodiment of the present invention, an IP address and a telephone number are assigned to each terminal device, and the correspondence between these IP addresses and the telephone numbers is stored in a database of the router device. to manage. When the terminal device makes a call by designating the telephone number of the called party, the router device searches the database for the IP address corresponding to the telephone number of the called party, and replies. .

That is, the terminal devices Ta1 to Tan, Tb
1 to Tbm include office numbers for identifying the offices A and B, and terminal devices Ta1 to Tan and Tb in each office A and B.
A telephone number including a terminal number for identifying 1 to Tbm is assigned. For example, as shown in FIG. 6, the terminal device Ta1 belonging to the business establishment A has “7343-300
"0" is assigned, and "7344-3000" is assigned to the terminal device Tb1 belonging to the office B.

On the other hand, the routers Ra, R of the offices A, B
b, as the identifier, the identification number "7
343 ”and“ 7344 ”. The routers Ra and Rb are provided with databases, and these databases have terminal devices Ta1 to Tan and Tb1 to Tbm belonging to the offices A and B, respectively.
The correspondence between the telephone number and the IP address is stored.
These databases are stored in the terminal devices Ta1 to Tan, T
When an inquiry about an IP address based on a telephone number arrives from b1 to Tbm, it is used to answer the corresponding IP address. FIG. 8 shows an example of the configuration of these databases.

The upper router RR is provided with a system identification number “7”. The router device RR is also provided with a database, and the database stores the router devices Ra and Rb of each of the offices A and B.
The correspondence between the telephone number and the IP address is stored.
This database is used for responding to the inquiry of the IP addresses of the other offices B and A from the router devices Ra and Rb with the corresponding IP addresses.

Next, the operation of the system configured as described above will be described. 6 and 7 are a main part configuration diagram and a sequence diagram, respectively, of a system used for explaining the operation.

Here, the terminal device Ta1 (telephone number 7343-3000) belonging to the business establishment A calls the terminal device Tb1 (telephone number 7344-3000) of the business establishment B to perform voice communication. It will be described as if it were.

In the terminal device Ta1, when a user designates a telephone number "7344-3000" as a destination and makes a call, the terminal device Ta1 sends an inquiry about the IP address corresponding to the above-mentioned "7344". This inquiry is transferred from the hub device Ha1 to the router device Ra via the LANLa. Upon receiving this inquiry, the router Ra accesses its own database and determines whether the IP address corresponding to the inquiry target "7344" is registered. At this time, "73
Since “44” is not a management target, the router Ra sends the above inquiry to a higher-order router RR.

The router RR accesses its own database and determines whether or not the IP address corresponding to the inquiry target “7344” is registered. If the IP address “100.100.1.1” corresponding to the inquiry target “7344” has been registered, the IP address “100.100.1.1” is read from the database, and the inquiry source Router Ra
Respond to This response message is transferred from the router device Ra to the terminal device Ta1 of the caller via the LANLa and the hub device Ha1.

The terminal device T receiving this response message
a1 sends a call setup message with the destination of the call being “7344-3000”. This call setup message is sent from the hub device Ha1 to the router device Ra via the LANLa, and further transmitted to the business office B via the higher-order router device RR.
To the router device Rb. The router device Rb transmits the destination information “7” inserted in the call setup message.
344-3000 "and search the database.
The corresponding IP address “100.100.1.2” is obtained. Then, the IP address “100.100.
Based on “1.2”, call control is performed on the terminal device Tb1 at the destination.

Thus, the terminal device Tb1 is called,
When the terminal device Tb1 responds to this call, a response message is returned to the calling terminal device Ta1.
As a result, a communication link is set between the calling terminal device Ta1 and the called terminal device Tb1. Thereafter, voice communication becomes possible between the terminal devices Ta1 and Tb1.

In this embodiment, if the same telephone number is shared by a plurality of terminal devices Tb1, Tb2,...
Call setting messages are sent to b1, Tb2,. That is, a broadcast call is performed.

When a plurality of telephone numbers are assigned to each of the terminal devices Tb1 to Tbm, the router device R
b in the database of each terminal device Tb1 to Tbm.
By registering the plurality of telephone numbers in association with the addresses, even if any of the allocated plurality of telephone numbers is designated as the destination information, an incoming call is made to the same corresponding terminal device. Done.

As described above, according to the second embodiment, a user of a terminal device can make a call using a telephone number as an identifier, similarly to a conventional voice communication network system having a PBX as a core. Even an unskilled user can make a call for voice communication smoothly without any confusion. That is, this embodiment is very effective in a network system whose main purpose is telephone communication.

(Third Embodiment) In a third embodiment of the present invention, an IP address and a telephone number are assigned to each terminal device. On the other hand, an IP address, a telephone number and a domain name are given to the lower router device,
In addition, an IP address and a domain name are assigned to the upper router device. The correspondence between the telephone number of the terminal device and the IP address and the correspondence between the telephone number of the router device and the domain name are managed in a database of the router device. When the terminal device makes a call by designating the telephone number of the called party, the router device uses the part of the phone number of the called party to change the telephone number of the router device to which the called terminal device belongs to the domain. This is converted into a name, and an IP address is searched using this domain name to make a reply.

That is, the terminal devices Ta1 to Tan, Tb
Phone numbers are assigned to 1 to Tbm. For example,
As shown in FIG. 10, the terminal device Ta1 belonging to the office A
Is assigned to the terminal device Tb1 belonging to the office B, and “7344-3000” is assigned to the terminal device Tb1 belonging to the business establishment B.

On the other hand, the router Ra of the office A has the identification number “7433” of the office A and the domain name “ta”.
ma.nihon.co.jp ", and the identification number" 7344 "of the above-mentioned office B and the domain name" chiba.nihon.co.jp "are given to the router Rb of the office B, respectively.

The routers Ra and Rb include:
First and second databases are provided, respectively. The correspondence between the telephone number of the router device and the domain name is stored in the first database. The first database stores the telephone number of the router device to which the destination terminal device belongs by a part of the telephone number when an inquiry about the IP address by the telephone number arrives from the terminal devices Ta1 to Tan and Tb1 to Tbm. Used to convert to the corresponding domain name. FIG. 9 shows an example of the configuration of the first database.

In the second database, each of the terminal devices Ta1 to Tan, Tb1 to Tbm belonging to the offices A and B is stored.
The correspondence between the telephone number and the IP address is stored. The second database is used to obtain an IP address corresponding to a destination telephone number included in the call setting message when the call setting message arrives. The configuration of the second database is the same as that shown in FIG.

The higher router RR is given a domain name “nihon.co.jp”. The router device RR is also provided with a database, and the database stores the router devices Ra and Rb of each of the offices A and B.
The correspondence between the domain name and the IP address is stored. This database stores the router devices Ra and Rb.
Is used to reply to the inquiry of the IP addresses of the other offices B and A.

Next, the operation of the system configured as described above will be described. FIGS. 10 and 11 are a main part configuration diagram and a sequence diagram, respectively, of a system used for explaining the operation. Here, the description will be made assuming that the terminal device Ta1 belonging to the business establishment A calls the terminal device Tb1 at the business establishment B to perform voice communication.

In the terminal device Ta1, when a user designates a telephone number "7344-3000" as a destination and makes a call, the terminal device Ta1 sends an inquiry about an IP address corresponding to the above-mentioned "7344". This inquiry is transferred from the hub device Ha1 to the router device Ra via the LANLa. Upon receiving this inquiry, the router Ra accesses the first database and reads the domain name "chiba.nihon.co.jp" corresponding to the telephone number "7344". That is, the telephone number is converted into a domain name. Then, an inquiry about the IP address based on the converted domain name is transmitted to the upper router RR.

The router device RR accesses its own database and accesses the domain name “chib
a.nihon.co.jp "is registered. If the IP address “100.100.1.1” corresponding to the domain name “chiba.nihon.co.jp” to be queried is registered,
The IP address “100.100.1.1” is read from the database and responds to the router Ra. This response message is sent from the router Ra to the LAN
It is transferred to the terminal device Ta1 of the inquiry source via La and the hub device Ha1.

The terminal device T that has received this response message
a1 sends a call setup message with the destination of the call being “7344-3000”. This call setup message is sent to the hub device Ha.
1 is transmitted to the router Ra via the LANLa, and further transferred to the router Rb of the business office B via the higher router RR. The router device Rb transmits the destination information “7344-300” inserted in the call setup message.
A database is searched based on “0” to obtain a corresponding IP address “100.100.1.2”. Then, based on this IP address “100.100.1.2”, call control is performed on the terminal device Tb1 of the destination.

Thus, the terminal device Tb1 is called,
When the terminal device Tb1 responds to this call, a response message is returned to the calling terminal device Ta1.
As a result, a communication link is set between the calling terminal device Ta1 and the called terminal device Tb1. Thereafter, voice communication becomes possible between the terminal devices Ta1 and Tb1.

In the third embodiment, the telephone number “7344-300” is used in the same manner as in the second embodiment.
Is assigned to a plurality of terminal devices Tb1, Tb2,... From the router device Rb.
, Tb2,... Are sent respectively. That is, a broadcast call is performed.

If a plurality of telephone numbers are assigned to each of the terminal devices Tb1 to Tbm, the router R
b in the database of each terminal device Tb1 to Tbm.
By registering the plurality of telephone numbers in association with the addresses, even if any of the allocated plurality of telephone numbers is designated as the destination information, an incoming call is made to the same corresponding terminal device. Done.

As described above, according to this embodiment, the lower routers Ra and Rb convert the telephone number relating to the called party into a domain name, and then send an IP address inquiry based on the domain name to the upper router RR. Therefore, the higher level router apparatus RR can use the conventional DNS as it is. Therefore, unlike the second embodiment, it is not necessary to assign a hierarchical telephone number to all router devices, and as a result, the affinity with the existing Internet environment can be improved.

(Fourth Embodiment) In a fourth embodiment of the present invention, an IP address is assigned to each terminal device and a domain name is assigned. At this time, the same domain name is shared by a plurality of terminal devices. Then, the correspondence between the IP address and the domain name is managed in the database of the router device, and when the terminal device specifies the domain name of the called party and makes a call, the extension D of the router device is performed.
The NS server function reads all of the plurality of IP addresses of the called party from the database and answers them.

That is, each of the terminal devices Ta1 to Tan, T
A domain name is assigned to each of b1 to Tbm. The same domain name is commonly assigned to some of the terminal devices. For example, as shown in FIG. 12, "3000.chiba.nihon.co.jp" is assigned to both the terminal devices Tb1 and Tb2 belonging to the office B.

Further, the router R of the office B is
The database for the extended DNS server provided in b stores the correspondence between the same domain name and the IP addresses of the plurality of terminal devices Tb1 and Tb2 to which the domain name has been assigned.

Next, the operation of the system configured as described above will be described. FIG. 12 is a block diagram of a main part of a system for explaining this calling operation, and FIG. 13 is a signal sequence diagram thereof.

In the terminal device Ta1, when the user designates the domain name “3000.chiba.nihon.co.jp” as a destination and makes a call, the terminal device Ta1 calls the domain name “3000.chiba.nihon.co.jp”. jp "is sent out. This inquiry is sent from the hub device Ha1 via the LANLa first to the router device Ra.
Is forwarded to Upon receiving this inquiry, the router device Ra accesses its own database using the DNS server function and accesses the inquiry target domain name “30”.
00.chiba.nihon.co.jp ”is determined. At this time, the above multimedia domain name "3000.chiba.nihon.co.jp"
Is not registered, the router Ra sends the above inquiry to the upper router RR.

When the above inquiry arrives, the router device RR accesses its own database using the DNS server function and accesses the inquiry target domain name “3000.c”.
hiba.nihon.co.jp "is registered. As a result of this determination, the domain name “3000.chib
Since “a.nihon.co.jp” is not registered, the domain name “3000.chiba.nihon.co.jp” is further transferred to the router Rb of the office B.

The router Rb is connected to the upper router RR.
From above the domain name "3000.chiba.nihon.co.jp"
When an inquiry arrives, the database is accessed by its own extended DNS server function and the corresponding IP
It is determined whether an address is registered. As a result of this determination, since the corresponding IP address is registered in the router device Rb, the router device Rb determines that the IP address “100.
"100.1.2" and "100.100.1.3" are read from the database, respectively, and respond to the upper router RR. This response message is sent to the router R
From R, it is sent to the router Ra of the office A, and
The data is transferred to the terminal device Ta1 of the inquiry source via the ANLa and the hub device Ha1.

The terminal device T that has received this response message
In a1, a call setting message whose destination is "3000.chiba.nihon.co.jp" is transmitted to each of the IP addresses "100.100.1.2" and "100.100.1." .3 ”corresponding to the terminal device Tb
1 and Tb2. That is, a broadcast call is performed.

Thus, the terminal devices Tb1 and Tb2 are called, respectively.
When b1 responds, the response message is returned to the calling terminal device Ta1, whereby the calling terminal device T1 is returned.
A communication link is set between a1 and the called terminal device Tb1, and the call to the terminal device Tb2 is canceled. Thereafter, voice communication becomes possible between the terminal device Ta1 on the calling side and the terminal device Tb1 on the called side.

As described above, according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention, by assigning the same domain name to a plurality of terminal devices, a plurality of terminal devices can be broadcast.

The first to fourth embodiments described above can be modified as follows. For example, a part of the DNS server function may be provided in a communication server or a hub device in addition to the router devices Ra and Rb of each office. In addition, the configuration of the multimedia communication network system, the configuration of the multimedia domain name, the calling communication procedure, and the like can be variously modified without departing from the gist of the present invention.

(Fifth Embodiment) In a fifth embodiment of the present invention, one server device is provided, and this server device collectively manages the assignment of an IP address to a terminal device and the call control to the terminal device. In this system, an IP address for call control in a server device is automatically registered when the server device assigns an IP address to a terminal device.

FIG. 14 is a schematic configuration diagram of a multimedia communication network system according to the fifth embodiment of the present invention. This system has a core communication network L composed of a LAN. This core communication network L
Is configured by, for example, Ethernet having a transmission capacity of 100 Mbit or 1 Gbit.
A plurality of terminal devices T1, T2, T3 positioned as extension terminals are connected to the core communication network L. These terminal devices T1, T2, T3 are composed of telephone devices and personal computers.

A router RR1 is connected to the core communication network L. The router device RR1 performs an interface process between the public network INW and the private network system, and has a communication control function between the core communication network L and the public network INW.

Further, a server device SV1 is connected to the core communication network L. The server device SV1 is
It has an IP address assignment function for the terminal devices T1, T2, and T3, a call control function for the terminal devices T1, T2, and T3, and a management function for the addresses assigned to the terminal devices T1, T2, and T3. ing. This address management function includes a telephone number assigned as terminal identification information and a MAC (Media Access Control) assigned as a fixed network address, which are assigned to the terminal devices T1, T2, and T3 in advance.
ol) Manages addresses and IP (Internet Protocol) addresses as variable network addresses assigned to the terminal devices T1, T2, and T3 at the time of startup.

For example, each of the terminal devices T1, T2, and T3 is provided with an Ethernet card, and each Ethernet card has M as a fixed network address.
AC address (00: 00: 00: 00: 00: 01, 00: 00: 00: 00: 00: 0)
2, 00: 00: 00: 00: 00: 03). At the same time, telephone numbers 7343-0001, 7343-0002, and 7343-0003 are assigned to the terminal devices T1, T2, and T3 as terminal identification information. As described above, the IP address is used as the variable network address, and is assigned from the server device SV1 at startup.

The server device SV1 comprises terminal devices T1 and T1.
2. Assignment of an IP address to T3 is performed by using a Dynamic Host Configuration (DHCP) which is widely used at present.
Protocol). In addition, I
It has a first table for P-address assignment and owns a second table for multimedia call control.

FIG. 15 shows the structure of the first table, in which IP addresses are stored in association with the MAC addresses of the terminal devices T1, T2, T3. In the drawing, an example is shown in which the terminal devices T1 and T2 have already been started up and assigned an IP address, and the terminal device T3 has not been started up and has not been assigned an IP address yet. FIG. 16 shows the configuration of the second table.
The correspondence between the MAC address and the telephone number is stored for each terminal device T1, T2, T3.

Next, a call control operation in the system configured as described above will be described. FIG. 17 is a sequence diagram showing the procedure. For example, assume that the terminal device T2 has started up. Then, an IP address assignment operation is performed by the DHCP sequence between the terminal device T2 and the server device SV1.

That is, first, the terminal device T2 broadcasts a DISCOVER signal. The MAC address (required) and the request IP address (optional) are included in this DISCOVER signal.
Is included. On the other hand, the server device SV1 has the DISC
When an OVER signal is received, I
The P address is determined, and an OFFER signal is returned to the requesting terminal device T2.

(1) The IP address previously assigned to the terminal device T2 (the terminal device is identified by the notified MAC address) (2) The IP address requested by the terminal device T2 (3) The new IP address.

When receiving the OFFER signal, the terminal device T2
Broadcasts a REQUEST signal including the ID of the transmission source server device SV1. The REQUEST signal includes a MAC address (required) and an assigned IP address (required). On the other hand, upon receiving the REQUEST signal, the server SV1 confirms its own ID and returns an ACK signal. Thus, an IP address is assigned to the terminal device T2. FIG. 17 shows a case where “100.100.100.5” is assigned as the IP address. When the IP address is assigned, the server SV
1 stores the assigned IP address in the first table as M
It is stored in association with the AC address.

Now, it is assumed that the terminal device T1 originates a call to the terminal device T2 in this state. In this case, the calling terminal device T1 sends a call setting signal including the telephone number (7343-0002), which is the terminal identification information of the partner terminal device T2, to the server device SV1.

The server SV1 searches the second table based on the telephone number (7343-0002) included in the received call setting signal, and retrieves the M corresponding to the telephone number (7343-0002).
Specify the AC address (00: 00: 00: 00: 00: 02). Next, the specified MAC address (00: 00: 00: 00: 00: 0)
The first table is searched based on 2) and the MAC address (0
0: 00: 00: 00: 00: 02) IP address (100.100.
100.5). Then, using the specified IP address (100.100.100.5), a call setting signal is transferred to the partner terminal device T2.

When receiving the call setting signal, the terminal device T2
The call response signal is returned to the server SV1. This call response signal is transferred from the server device SV1 to the terminal device T1 of the caller. Thus, a communication path is established between the terminal device T1 and the terminal device T2, and thereafter, communication can be performed between the terminal devices T1 and T2.

As described above, in the fifth embodiment, when the server device SV1 assigns an IP address to the activated terminal device T2, the IP address is automatically registered in the first table. Then, the first table is used for searching for an IP address when a call setting signal arrives from the terminal devices T1 and T3. For this reason, IP
It is no longer necessary to perform the operation of registering the IP address from the terminal devices T1 and T3 that have acquired the address to the server device SV1, and as a result, the server device SV1 can always appropriately manage the IP address, thereby enabling call control. Can be performed reliably.

(Sixth Embodiment) In a sixth embodiment of the present invention, in the system shown in FIG. 14, the server SV1 stores the telephone numbers of the terminal devices T1, T22 and T3,
A third table for storing a MAC address and an IP address in association with each other is provided, and address information necessary for IP address assignment and call control is collectively managed in the third table.

FIG. 18 shows an example of the configuration of a third table provided in the server device according to the sixth embodiment. Each of the terminal devices T1, T2. The telephone number, MAC address and IP address are stored in association with each other for each T3.

With such a configuration, the call control operation is performed as follows in the system of the present embodiment. FIG.
Is a sequence diagram showing the procedure. Terminal device T2
Start up, the terminal device T2 and the server device SV1
And the above-described DHCP sequence is executed.
As a result, the IP address is assigned to the terminal device T2. This IP address is registered in the third table in the server SV1 as shown in FIG.

In this state, if the terminal device T1 makes a call to the terminal device T2, the terminal device T1 of the calling source
Sends a call setting signal including the telephone number (7343-0002), which is the terminal identification information of the partner terminal device T2, to the server device SV1.

Upon receiving the call setting signal, server SV1 receives the telephone number (7343-000) contained in the call setting signal.
The third table is searched based on 2), and the telephone number (734
3-0002) IP address (100.100.100.5)
To identify. Then, the specified IP address (100.
100.100.5), the call setting signal is transferred to the partner terminal device T2.

When receiving the call setting signal, the terminal device T2
The call response signal is returned to the server SV1. This call response signal is transferred from the server device SV1 to the terminal device T1 of the caller. Thus, a communication path is established between the terminal device T1 and the terminal device T2, and thereafter, communication can be performed between the terminal devices T1 and T2.

As described above, in the sixth embodiment, similarly to the fifth embodiment, when the server device SV1 allocates an IP address to the terminal device T2, the IP address is assigned to the terminal device T2.
The P address is automatically registered in the third table. The third table is used for searching for an IP address when a call setting signal arrives from the terminal devices T1 and T3. This eliminates the need for the terminal device that has acquired the IP address to register the IP address in the server device SV1, and as a result, the server device SV1 can always appropriately manage the IP address.

Since the database is unified,
When the call setting signal arrives, the time for searching for the IP address based on the telephone number can be reduced, and the time required for the call setting control can be reduced.

(Seventh Embodiment) The seventh embodiment according to the present invention will be described.
An embodiment of the present invention provides a server device for IP address assignment,
A server SV2 for call control is provided, and information relating to the IP address assigned by the server for IP address assignment to the terminal is transferred to the server SV2 for call control and registered in the table. , For use in subsequent call control.

FIG. 20 is a schematic configuration diagram of a multimedia communication network system according to the seventh embodiment of the present invention. 14, the same parts as those in FIG. 14 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed description is omitted.

[0147] Two server devices SV1 and SV2 are connected to the core communication network L. Each of these server devices SV1 and SV2 has an IP address 10
0.100.100.1 and 100.100.100.2 are assigned.

First, the server device SV1 is connected to the terminal device T1,
A function of assigning an IP address to T2 and T3, and a registration request for the assigned IP address to the server device S
V2, and has the first table shown in FIG. 15 for the IP addresses.

On the other hand, the server device SV2 is connected to the terminal device T1,
A function of performing call control on T2 and T3, and a server SV
1 when an IP address registration request arrives from
A function of registering the P address in a table.
As the table, the third table shown in FIG. 18 is used.

Next, the call control operation in the system configured as described above will be described. FIG. 21 is a sequence diagram showing the procedure. The server device SV1 is a terminal device T
When the IP address is assigned to the server SV2 according to the DHCP sequence, the IP address of the server SV2 is obtained. The acquisition of this IP address is performed as follows.

That is, when the IP address of the server SV2 has not been obtained, the MAC address (00: 00: 00: 00:
00:02) is broadcast to the core communication network L. Upon receiving the inquiry signal, the server SV2 determines whether or not the MAC address (00: 00: 00: 00: 00: 02) included in the signal is registered in the third table, and is registered. If so, a response signal including the IP address (100.100.100.2) of the own device is returned to the server device SV1. The server device SV1 extracts and registers the IP address (100.100.100.2) of the server device SV2 included in the received response signal.

Upon acquiring the IP address of the server SV2, the server SV1 obtains the IP address (100.100.100.5) and the MAC address (00: 00: 00: 0) of the terminal device T2.
0:00:02) to generate a terminal device address notification signal,
This notification signal is transmitted to server device SV2. Based on the MAC address (00: 00: 00: 00: 00: 02) of the received notification signal, the server SV2 assigns a third IP address (100.100.100.5) newly assigned to the terminal device T2 to the third terminal.
In the table.

Now, it is assumed that a call is made from the terminal device T1 to the terminal device T2 in this state. In this case, a call setting signal including a telephone number (7343-0002), which is terminal identification information of the destination terminal device T2, is transmitted from the terminal device T1 to the server device SV2. The server SV2 searches the third table 3 based on the telephone number (7343-0002) included in the received call setting signal, and finds the IP address (100.100.100.5) corresponding to the telephone number (7343-0002). Identify.
Then, the specified IP address (100.100.100.5)
Transfers the call setting signal to the terminal device T2.

When receiving the call setting signal, the terminal device T2
The call response signal is returned to the server SV2. This call response signal is transferred from the server device SV2 to the calling terminal device T1. Thus, a communication path is established between the terminal device T1 and the terminal device T2, and thereafter, communication can be performed between the terminal devices T1 and T2.

As described above, according to the seventh embodiment, the IP
When an IP address is assigned to the terminal device T2 in the server device SV1 for address assignment, the notification information of the newly assigned IP address is transferred from the server device SV1 to the server device SV2 for call control. The IP address is stored in the table No. 3. That is, the server SV for IP address assignment
When the IP address is assigned to the terminal device in step 1, this IP address is automatically transferred to the call control server device SV2 and registered in the call control table.

For this reason, the server SV2 can always register and manage the latest IP addresses of the terminal devices T1, T2, and T3 in the table without fail, and as a result, call setting from the terminal devices T1, T2, and T3 can be performed. Call control can always be performed accurately in response to requests.

(Eighth Embodiment) An eighth embodiment according to the present invention.
The third embodiment is a further improvement of the seventh embodiment. A call setting signal destined for a terminal device arrives at a call control server device SV2, and the server device SV2
When the user does not know the IP address of the destination terminal device, the IP address and the MAC address of the terminal device are transferred from the server device SV1 for IP address assignment to the server device SV2 for call control. is there.

FIG. 22 is a sequence diagram for explaining a call setting operation in the eighth embodiment. In the figure, when a call is generated from the terminal device T1 to the terminal device T2, a call setting signal including the telephone number (7343-0002) of the destination terminal device T2 is transmitted from the terminal device T1 to the server device SV2. The server device SV2 searches the third table based on the telephone number (7343-0002) included in the received call setting signal. However, the above phone number (73
If the IP address corresponding to (43-0002) is not registered in the third table, the server SV2 executes a procedure for acquiring the IP address of the partner terminal of the server SV1.

The acquisition of the IP address is performed, for example, as follows. That is, when the IP address of the server device SV1 has not been obtained, the MAC address (00: 00: 00: 00: 00: 02) of the destination terminal device T2 included in the call setting signal.
Is generated and broadcast to the core communication network L. Upon receiving the signal, the server SV1 receives the MAC address (00: 00: 00: 00:
00:02) is stored in the first table. And the MAC address (00: 00: 00: 00: 00: 02
) Is stored, the IP address (100.1
00.100.1) is returned to the server SV2. The server SV2 extracts and sets the IP address of the server SV1 included in the received signal.

When the IP address of the server device SV1 is obtained, the server device SV2 transmits a terminal device address request signal including the MAC address (00: 00: 00: 00: 00: 02) of the destination terminal device T2. And sends this request signal to the server device SV1. Server device SV1
Receives the request signal, searches the first table based on the MAC address (00: 00: 00: 00: 00: 02) included in the received request signal, and searches for the corresponding IP address (100.100 .100.5) and read out this IP address (10.
0.100.100.5) is returned to the server SV2. Server device SV2 stores the IP address included in the returned signal in the third table.

Subsequently, server SV2 searches the third table based on the telephone number (7343-0002) included in the previously received call setting signal, and retrieves the IP address corresponding to the telephone number (7343-0002). Specify the address (100.100.100.5).
Then, the specified IP address (100.100.100.5)
Transfers the call setting signal to the destination terminal device T2. The terminal device T2 that has received the call setting signal addressed to the own device returns a call response signal to the server device SV2. This call response signal is
The data is transferred from the server device SV2 to the terminal device T1 of the caller. Thus, a communication path is established between the terminal device T1 and the terminal device T2, and thereafter, communication can be performed between the terminal devices T1 and T2.

As described above, according to the eighth embodiment, in the server device SV2, the IP address corresponding to the telephone number (7343-0002) included in the received call setting signal is changed to the third address.
Is not registered in the table of the terminal device between the server device SV2 and the server device SV1.
A procedure for acquiring the P address is executed. Then, the obtained IP address is registered in the third table, and a call setting signal is transmitted to the counter-party terminal device T2 using this IP address.

Therefore, even if the IP address corresponding to the telephone number (7343-0002) of the destination terminal device is not registered in the third table at the time of receiving the call setting signal, the call to the destination terminal device T2 is made. Control can be performed.

In the above description, the server SV2
When acquiring the IP address of the destination terminal device T2, the IP address is acquired from the server device SV1, but may be acquired from the destination terminal device. This is from the server SV2 to the destination terminal T2.
A terminal device address request signal including the MAC address (00: 00: 00: 00: 00: 02) of the terminal device T2 is broadcast to the core communication network L, and the terminal device T2 responds to the IP address ( 100.100.100.5) is returned to the requesting server device SV2.

(Ninth Embodiment) In a ninth embodiment of the present invention, when a call setting request for a terminal device not connected to the core communication network L occurs, the terminal device is connected to the server device. By recognizing that the call has not been made, a call service such as notifying a message to that effect to the terminal device of the caller is provided.

FIG. 23 is a sequence diagram for explaining a call control operation in the system according to the present embodiment. For example, in the system shown in FIG. 14, it is assumed that the terminal devices T1 and T2 have already started up and the terminal device T3 has not started up yet. That is, at this time, an IP address has not been assigned to the terminal device T3 among the terminal devices T1, T2, and T3 as shown in FIG.

In this state, it is assumed that a call is made in the terminal device T1 to the terminal device T3. Then, a call setting signal including the telephone number (7343-0003) of the destination terminal device T3 is transmitted from the terminal device T1 to the server device SV1. Upon receiving the call setting signal, the server device SV1 searches the third table based on the telephone number (7343-0003) included in the received call setting signal, and retrieves the IP corresponding to the telephone number (7343-0003). Try to identify the address. However, at this time, the telephone number (7343-00
The IP address corresponding to 03) cannot be obtained because it has not been registered.

Therefore, server device SV1 determines that destination terminal device T3 is not connected to core communication network L, and executes a corresponding general call service. For example, a response signal is returned to the calling terminal device T1.
Guidance such as "the other terminal is not turned on or is not connected to the network" in a state where a communication path has been formed with the calling terminal device T1.
A message is sent to the terminal device T1, and this guidance
The message is output by voice or displayed on a display.

Therefore, according to this embodiment, when a call is made to the terminal device T3 not connected to the network, a guidance message to that effect is sent to the caller. For this reason, the caller can clearly grasp the state of the called terminal device.

The operation described above can be similarly performed in a system in which a server SV2 for call control is provided separately from the server SV1 for IP address assignment as shown in FIG.

In the fifth to eighth embodiments described above, the terminal device T1, T2, or T3 transmits an IP address assignment request signal transmitted at the time of startup to the terminal device T1,
Server device S including the MAC addresses of T1, T2 and T3
V and SV1 assign the IP address by specifying the requesting terminal device based on the MAC address included in the request signal. This method is very useful because it can ensure compatibility with DHCP which is widely used as a dynamic IP address assignment protocol.

However, the method of allocating the IP address is not limited to this. For example, the telephone number of the own device is inserted into the IP address allocation request signal and transmitted from the terminal device. The terminal device of the request source may be specified based on the telephone number included in, and an IP address may be assigned.

Further, when the telephone number of the terminal device is used as the option information of the IP address assignment request signal, the server device receives the normal assignment request signal not including the terminal device telephone number and the assignment request signal including the telephone number. The effect is achieved that the processing can be shared as much as possible.

(Tenth Embodiment) In a tenth embodiment according to the present invention, a priority is given to a plurality of gatekeepers, and these gatekeepers cooperate with each other in accordance with the priority. That is, management and call control for the terminal device and the gateway are performed.

FIG. 24 is a schematic configuration diagram of a multimedia communication network system according to the tenth embodiment of the present invention. The system of this embodiment contains a plurality of client devices. The client device includes a plurality of terminal devices T1 to Ti and a plurality of gateways GW1 to GW
Wj.

Each of the terminal devices T1 to Ti is an information terminal such as a personal computer for performing multimedia communication including telephone communication by a user, and is connected to a core communication network L composed of a LAN. This core communication network L
Is configured by, for example, Ethernet having a transmission capacity of 100 Mbit or 1 Gbit.
The gateways GW1 to GWj are network devices for interconnecting multimedia communication between the public network INW and the core communication network L.
And the core communication network L.

The system according to the present embodiment includes a plurality of gatekeepers GK1 to GK3. These gatekeepers GK1 to GK3 manage client information (correspondence between telephone numbers and IP addresses, etc.) and perform call control based on the client information, and are connected to the core communication network L.

FIG. 25 shows the gatekeepers GK1 to GK.
9 shows an example of the configuration of a management client table held by each of K3. The management client table stores the communication status of the client device and the IP address assigned to the client device at the time of startup, in association with the telephone number of each client device under management.
The address and the client device are the user's terminal device T1
... Ti and gateways GW1 to GWj, and identification information of the old gatekeeper. Of these, the identification information of the old gatekeeper is information stored when the management of the client device is taken over from another gatekeeper.

Next, the operation of the system configured as described above will be described. FIG. 26 shows a sequence for determining a priority between gatekeepers when a new gatekeeper starts up.

It is now assumed that gatekeeper GK3 has risen. Then, the gatekeeper GK3 generates a priority random number and broadcasts a priority determination request signal including this priority random number to the relay communication network L. Here, the priority random number generated by the gatekeeper GK3 is “200”. Note that the gatekeepers GK1 and GK2 have already been started, and the gatekeeper GK2 and the gatekeeper GK
The priority is determined in the order of Kl.

The gatekeeper GK1 which has received the priority determination request signal from the gatekeeper GK3 generates a priority random number and returns a priority determination confirmation signal including the random number to the gatekeepers GK3 and GK2. Here, the priority random number of the gatekeeper GK1 is “50”. Similarly, upon receiving the priority determination request signal, the gatekeeper GK2 generates a priority random number (for example, “400”), and returns a priority determination confirmation signal including this priority random number to the gatekeepers GK3 and GK1.

Then, each gatekeeper GK1, GK2, G
K3 is determined by the gatekeepers GK1 and GK according to an algorithm in which the smaller the priority random number is, the higher the priority is.
3, a priority order of GK2 is determined. That is, when the gatekeeper GK3 newly starts up, all the gatekeepers GK1, GK2, GK3 generate priority random numbers and exchange them, and determine the priority again based on the random numbers.

In this state, for example, the client device C1
When (phone number 1000, IP address 100.100.100.10, client type: user terminal) starts up, the client device C1 broadcasts a gatekeeper request signal. Gatekeepers GK1, GK2 and GK3 all receive this gatekeeper request signal. However, in this case, since the gatekeeper GK1 is the highest priority gatekeeper with the first priority, only this highest priority gatekeeper GK1 returns a response signal, and the other gatekeepers GK2 and GK3.
Does not respond.

Upon receiving the response signal from the top-priority gatekeeper GK1, the client device C1 receives the telephone number,
A registration request signal including the IP address and the client type is returned to the highest priority gatekeeper GK1. The highest priority gatekeeper GK1 registers these pieces of information in the management client table shown in FIG. Then, a registration confirmation signal is returned to the client device C1.

Also, a registration notification signal including the telephone number of client device C1 is transmitted to gatekeepers GK2 and GK3. Gatekeepers GK2 and GK receiving the registration notification signal
3 stores the information included in the registration notification signal in the gateway table.

Thus, the priority is determined again when the new gatekeeper GK3 starts up, and the highest priority gatekeeper G when the new client device C1 starts up.
Registration of management information in K1 and other gatekeepers GK
2. The GK3 is notified of the information to that effect.

In the above description, the gatekeeper GK
Although the determination of the priority between GK1, GK2 and GK3 is performed when a new client starts up, it may be performed periodically.

In the example of FIG. 26, when a new gatekeeper GK3 starts up, all the gatekeepers GK3 are activated.
Although the priorities for K1, GK2, and GK3 are re-determined, the priorities for the existing gatekeepers GK1 and GK2 may be determined without changing the priorities between the existing gatekeepers GK1 and GK2.

Further, in the example of FIG. 26, a random number (a random number between 1 and 1000) is generated as a priority index, and the priority is determined by exchanging this random number with another gatekeeper. The priority value may be determined by exchanging the priority value input and specified by the user or the system administrator with another gatekeeper.

In addition, the priority is determined using an algorithm in which the smaller the random number which is an index of the priority, the higher the priority is. However, the algorithm is determined by another algorithm such as an algorithm in which the smaller the random number, the lower the priority. Is also possible.

Next, the operation when the highest priority gatekeeper GK1 cannot manage the client C1 when a new client C1 starts up will be described. FIG. 27 is a sequence diagram showing the procedure. That is, it is assumed that the registration sequence of the client C1 has been completed and the number of registered clients in the gatekeeper GK1 has reached the maximum number. Then, the gatekeeper GK1 sets the priority random number “10” indicating the lowest priority.
00 "and sends a priority change request signal including the priority random number" 1000 "to the gatekeepers GK2 and GK3. On the other hand, the gatekeepers GK2 and GK3 which have received the priority change request signal return a priority change confirmation signal to the gatekeeper GK1.

Then, each gatekeeper GK1, GK2, G
k3 resets the priority on the basis of the respective pieces of priority information obtained by the transmission and reception of the priority change request signal and the priority change confirmation signal. In the example of FIG. 27, the priorities after the change are in the order of the gatekeepers Gk3, GK2, and GK1.

As an algorithm for determining whether or not the newly standing client device C1 can be managed, an algorithm for determining whether or not the number of managed client devices exceeds a predetermined number is used. FIG.
Example 5 shows a case where the maximum number of management clients is four. As another algorithm, an algorithm for determining whether or not the number of calls related to the client device under management has exceeded a predetermined number of calls may be used.

Next, the operation when the client device originates a call will be described. FIG. 28 is a sequence diagram showing the procedure. That is, for example, the gatekeeper GK
It is assumed that the client device C2 under the management of No. 2 makes a call to the client device C1. At this time, the client device C2 transmits a call signal including the telephone number “1000” of the destination client device C1. Upon receiving the call signal from the client device C2, the gatekeeper GK
2 first refers to the management client table and checks whether the client device C1 having the telephone number “1000” is managed. As a result, since the client device C1 does not exist on the management client table, the IP address of the gatekeeper that manages the client device C1 having the telephone number “1000” is obtained by referring to the gatekeeper table. Then, a call signal is transmitted to the gatekeeper GK1 using this IP address.
Transfer to

When the above call signal is received, gatekeeper G
K1 refers to the management client table, acquires the IP address of the client device C1 having the telephone number "1000", and transmits a call signal to the client device C1. When the client device C1 sends a response signal, the response signal is transferred from the client device C1 to the calling client device C2 via the gatekeeper GK1 and the gatekeeper GK2 sequentially, and as a result, the client devices C1 and C2 A communication path is established between them, and the two client devices C1 and C2 are in communication thereafter.

On the other hand, if an arbitrary gatekeeper goes down during the operation of the system, the following operation is performed.
FIG. 29 is a sequence diagram showing the operation procedure. That is, for example, the priority of each gate keeper is GK1, G
K3 and GK2 are set in this order, and it is assumed that the client device C1 is managed by the gatekeeper GK1.

In this state, each gate keeper GK1, GK
2 and GK3 transmit and receive an operation confirmation signal at predetermined time intervals between gatekeepers having adjacent priorities. For example, the gatekeeper GK1 exchanges an operation confirmation signal with the gatekeeper G2. Then, every time the operation confirmation signal is received, the reception monitoring of the next operation confirmation signal is performed, and if the next operation confirmation signal cannot be received within a predetermined time, the operation confirmation signal is transmitted. It is determined that the existing gatekeeper has gone down. For example, if the in-operation confirmation signal from the gatekeeper GK1 cannot be received even after a predetermined time has elapsed, that is, if a timeout occurs, the gatekeeper GK3 determines that the gatekeeper GK1 has gone down. Then, in order to acquire information on the client device managed by the gatekeeper GK1, a client information request signal is broadcast.

On the other hand, upon receiving the client information request signal, the client device C1 managed by the down gatekeeper GK1 receives the client number "1000", its IP address (100.100.100.10) and client type. A client information response signal including (user terminal) is generated and transmitted.

Upon receiving the client information response signal, the gatekeeper GK3 stores information on the client device C1 in the management client table. At this time,
The client device C1 in the management client table
In the row, the gatekeeper GK1 is stored as the old gatekeeper.

Subsequently, the gatekeeper GK3 transmits a gatekeeper change request signal to the client device C1, thereby notifying that the gatekeeper managing the client device C1 has been changed from GK1 to GK3. Further, the gatekeeper GK3 transmits a registration change signal to the gatekeeper GK2, thereby notifying that the gatekeeper managing the client device C1 has been changed to the gatekeeper GK3. The gatekeeper GK2 that has received the change notification updates the contents of the gatekeeper table.

In the above example, the gatekeeper GK
1 periodically monitors the down state of the other party's gate keeper by periodically transmitting and receiving an operation confirmation signal to and from the gate keeper GK 3 having the next priority. However, when the gate keeper can perform a normal shutdown, instead of transmitting and receiving the operation confirmation signal, a down notification is sent from the gate keeper GK1 to the gate keeper GK3, whereby the gate keeper GK3 recognizes that the gate keeper GK1 is down. Good. Even in this case, it is possible to take over the management of the client device managed by the gatekeeper GK1.

Further, the gate keeper GK1 that has gone down
When the operation state is recovered, the following recovery operation is performed. FIG. 30 is a sequence diagram showing the procedure. That is, when the gatekeeper GK1 that has gone down is restarted, the priority determination sequence is executed among the gatekeepers GK1, GK2, and GK3. The procedure described above with reference to FIG. 26 is used for this priority determination sequence. When the priority of each gatekeeper GK1, GK2, GK3 is determined, the restarted gatekeeper GK1 broadcasts a restart notification.

In contrast, each gatekeeper GK2, GK3
Receives the restart notification, refers to its own gatekeeper table, and checks whether or not the information of the client device managed by the gatekeeper GK1 exists in the area where the old gatekeeper is described. In this case, the gatekeeper GK3 stores this information. For this reason, the gatekeeper GK3 includes the information of the client device C1 in the client information notification signal and the gatekeeper GK3.
Return to K1.

Upon receiving the client information notification signal addressed to the own device, gatekeeper GK1 returns a client information confirmation. The gatekeeper GK3 receiving the client information confirmation deletes the information of the client device C1 from the gatekeeper table.

Further, the gatekeeper GK3 transmits a gatekeeper change request to the client device C1, whereby the gatekeeper managing the client device C1 transmits the request to the client device C1.
From GK1 to GK1.

Further, gatekeeper GK3 transmits a registration change notification to gatekeeper GK2. Upon receiving the registration change notification, the gatekeeper GK2 updates the gatekeeper table according to the content of the notification, and changes the gatekeeper managing the client device C1 from GK3 to GK1. Thus, the gatekeeper GK that was down
When the device 1 restarts, the management mode of the client device is automatically restored.

As described above, in the tenth embodiment,
Priorities are assigned to the three gatekeepers GK1, GK2, and GK3, and when the client device starts up, when a management request exceeding the capacity of the gatekeeper is issued, when the gatekeeper goes down, and when it is restored, each gatekeeper GK1 is given a priority. , GK2, and GK3 manage each client device while maintaining an order according to the priority and mutually cooperating.

Therefore, according to the present embodiment, efficient and highly reliable client management can be performed using a plurality of gatekeepers GK1, GK2, and GK3.

As a method of setting the priority for each gatekeeper, a plurality of top-priority gatekeepers may be prepared by giving a first priority to a plurality of gatekeepers.
In this way, it is possible to maintain the order of the gatekeeper as a whole and to reduce the burden on the top-priority gatekeeper. Further, when a plurality of highest-priority gatekeepers are prepared as described above, it is preferable that the client device can select and designate which gatekeeper the client device belongs to.

In addition, the number of installed gatekeepers, the communication procedure between the gatekeepers, the communication procedure between the gatekeeper and the client device, and the like can be variously modified without departing from the gist of the present invention.

[0211]

As described above in detail, the router device according to the present invention stores a network address assigned to each of a plurality of terminal devices, and a telephone number, a host name, and an identification name of an organization attribute respectively assigned to each of the terminal devices. A database for storing a correspondence relationship with at least the multimedia domain name is provided, and a first communication control unit is further provided. When the first communication control unit receives a call setting signal including a multimedia domain name from each terminal device, the first communication control unit searches the database based on the multimedia domain name and responds. The call setting signal is transferred to a terminal device having a network address.

When a plurality of routers hierarchized in accordance with the hierarchical structure of the domain name system are provided, each of the routers located below the hierarchical structure among the routers has a lower order. The first database stores the correspondence between telephone numbers and domain names assigned to each router device located in the network, and stores the correspondence between telephone numbers and network addresses assigned to terminal devices belonging to the own device. A second database to be accessed and a terminal device belonging to the own device, when an inquiry about a network address based on a telephone number arrives from the terminal device belonging to the own device, the telephone number is converted to a terminal device having a telephone number based on the first database. Conversion means for converting to the domain name of the lower router device to which the device belongs, and the domain converted by this conversion means Means for sending an inquiry of a network address by a router to a router device located above the hierarchical structure in order to query the domain name system, and when a call setting signal including a telephone number arrives from the terminal device. And first communication control means for searching the second database based on the telephone number and transferring the call setting signal to a terminal device having a corresponding network address.

Therefore, according to these inventions, it is possible to provide a multimedia communication network system in which a user can smoothly make a call without discomfort even when performing voice communication.

A multimedia communication network system and a server device according to another invention are characterized in that the correspondence between terminal identification information given in advance to each of a plurality of terminal devices, a fixed network address, and a variable network address assigned as needed. A table for storing a variable network address including at least one of the terminal identification information and the fixed network address when the plurality of terminal devices start up. Address assignment control means for assigning a variable network address to the original terminal device; address registration control means for registering the variable network address assigned by the address assignment control means with the fixed network address in the table; Address specifying means for, when a call setting signal is sent from a plurality of terminal devices, searching the table based on the terminal identification information of the partner terminal device included in the call setting signal and specifying a corresponding variable network address; Call control means for executing call control for the partner terminal device using the variable network address specified by the address specifying means.

Therefore, according to such another invention, when performing call control in a server device, a multimedia communication network system capable of appropriately managing a variable network address of each terminal device and enabling accurate call control. And its server device.

A multimedia communication network system according to still another aspect of the present invention includes a priority setting means for setting a priority to a plurality of gatekeepers and a priority setting means for setting a priority when a client device is newly started up. A client management for recognizing a newly started client device and managing information on the client device by the highest priority gatekeeper set as the first place, and notifying the information on this client device from the highest priority gatekeeper to other gatekeepers. Control means.

Further, a failure detecting means for detecting a failure of a plurality of gatekeepers is provided, and when the failure detecting means detects that a failure has occurred in an arbitrary gatekeeper, the failure is detected by the arbitrary gatekeeper. When the management information on the first client device is transferred to an alternative gatekeeper and the gatekeeper takes over the management of the first client device, and when the management process of the first client device is performed, the fact is described. Is notified to the first client device and other gatekeepers.

Further, when the failed gatekeeper is restored after the management takeover processing by the management takeover control means, the management information of the first client device held by the gatekeeper taking over the management is restored from the failure. By transferring the information to the gatekeeper, the management of the first client device by the gatekeeper is restored, and when the management restoration process of the first client device is performed, information to that effect is transmitted to the first client device and the first client device. It is configured to notify other gatekeepers.

Therefore, according to these other inventions, when the client device starts up or when a gatekeeper failure occurs, a plurality of gatekeepers can manage the client device in cooperation with each other, thereby improving reliability. A possible multimedia communication network system can be provided.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of a multimedia communication network system according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a main part configuration diagram used for explaining the operation of the system according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a sequence diagram used to explain the operation of the system according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of the structure of a multimedia domain name.

FIG. 5 is a view showing a configuration example of a database for a DNS server according to the first embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 6 is a main part configuration diagram used for explaining the operation of the system according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a sequence diagram used to explain the operation of the system according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a configuration example of a database according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a configuration example of a first database according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a main part configuration diagram used to explain the operation of the system according to the third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 11 is a sequence diagram used to explain the operation of the system according to the third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 12 is a main part configuration diagram used to explain the operation of a system according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 13 is a sequence diagram used to explain the operation of the system according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 14 is a schematic configuration diagram of a multimedia communication network system according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 15 is a diagram showing a configuration example of a first table according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 16 is a diagram showing a configuration example of a second table according to the fifth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 17 is a sequence diagram used for explaining the operation of the system according to the fifth embodiment of the present invention. FIG.

FIG. 18 is a diagram showing a configuration example of a third table according to the sixth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 19 is a sequence diagram used to explain the operation of the system according to the sixth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 20 is a schematic configuration diagram of a multimedia communication network system according to a seventh embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 21 is a sequence diagram used to explain the operation of the system according to the seventh embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 22 is a sequence diagram used to explain the operation of the system according to the eighth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 23 is a sequence diagram used to explain the operation of the system according to the ninth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 24 is a schematic configuration diagram of a multimedia communication network system according to a tenth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 25 is a diagram showing a configuration example of a management client table according to the tenth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 26 is a sequence diagram used to explain the operation of the system according to the tenth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 27 is a sequence diagram used to explain the operation of the system according to the eleventh embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 28 is a sequence diagram used to explain the operation of the system according to the twelfth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 29 is a sequence diagram used to explain the operation of the system according to the thirteenth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 30 is a sequence diagram used to explain the operation of the system according to the fourteenth embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

L, La, Lb: Core communication network (LAN) RR1, Ra, Rb: Router device Ha1 to Han, Hb1 to Hbm: Hub device T1, T2, T3 to Ti, Ta1 to Tan, Tb1 to Tb
bm: Terminal device RR: Upper router device INW: Public network SV, SV1, SV2: Server device GW1 to GWj: Gateway GK1 to GK3: Gatekeeper

──────────────────────────────────────────────────の Continued on the front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁶ Identification symbol FI H04M 11/00 303 (72) Inventor Shuichi Sato 3-1-1 Asahigaoka, Hino-shi, Tokyo Inside the Toshiba Hino Plant Co., Ltd.

Claims (38)

[Claims] 1. A multimedia communication network system in which a plurality of terminal devices perform multimedia communication after establishing a call on a computer network, address assigning means for assigning a variable network address to the plurality of terminal devices, Managing means for managing the variable network address assigned by the assigning means in association with terminal identification information previously given to each of the plurality of terminal devices; and when the plurality of terminal devices send out a call setting signal Then, the management means is searched based on the terminal identification information of the partner terminal device included in the call setting signal to specify a corresponding variable network address, and call control for the partner terminal device is executed using the variable network address. And a call control unit that performs Media communication network system. 2. A system comprising: a plurality of routers hierarchized according to a hierarchical structure of a domain name system, wherein a plurality of terminal devices establish a call on a computer network using the domain name system. The router device used in a multimedia communication network system that performs multimedia communication including voice communication, wherein the network address assigned to each of the terminal devices, a telephone number assigned to each of the terminal devices, and a host. A database storing a correspondence relationship with a multimedia domain name including at least a name and an identification name of an organization attribute; and when a call setting signal including the multimedia domain name arrives from each of the terminal devices, Based on the domain name the database And search,
A first communication control unit for transferring the call setting signal to a terminal device having a corresponding network address. 3. When a plurality of terminal devices sharing the same multimedia domain name exist among the plurality of terminal devices, a call setup signal including the same multimedia domain name arrives. In this case, the apparatus further comprises a second communication control means for searching the database to identify a plurality of terminal devices having the multimedia domain name, and transferring the call setup signal to these terminal devices, respectively. The router device of the multimedia communication network system according to claim 2, wherein: 4. A router device used in a multimedia communication network system for performing multimedia communication including voice communication after a plurality of terminal devices establish a call on a computer network, wherein the router device is assigned to each of the terminal devices. A database storing a correspondence relationship between the telephone numbers and the network addresses, and when an inquiry about a network address based on a telephone number arrives from the terminal device, searching the database based on the telephone numbers to find a corresponding network address. Means for returning a call setting signal including a telephone number from the terminal apparatus, and when the call setting signal including the telephone number arrives from the terminal apparatus, the database is searched based on the telephone number and the call setting is performed to the terminal apparatus having the corresponding network address. First communication control means for transferring a signal. A router device for a multimedia communication network system, comprising: 5. A communication system comprising a plurality of routers hierarchized according to a hierarchical structure of a domain name system, wherein a plurality of terminal devices establish a call on a computer network using the domain name system. In the router device of the multimedia communication network system for performing multimedia communication including voice communication, each of the plurality of router devices located at a lower level of the hierarchical structure is assigned to each lower router device. A first database for storing a correspondence between a telephone number and a domain name, a second database for storing a correspondence between a telephone number assigned to each terminal device belonging to the own device and a network address, Inquiry of network address by telephone number from terminal device to which it belongs A converting means for converting the telephone number into a domain name of a lower router device to which a destination terminal device having the telephone number belongs based on the first database; and a domain converted by the converting means. Means for sending a query for a network address by name to a router device located above the hierarchical structure in order to query the domain name system, and when a call setting signal including a telephone number arrives from the terminal device, A first communication control means for searching the second database based on the telephone number and transferring the call setting signal to a terminal device having a corresponding network address; System router device. 6. When there are a plurality of terminal devices sharing the same telephone number among the plurality of terminal devices, a call setting signal destined to a network address corresponding to the same telephone number is provided. A second communication control means for searching the database to identify a plurality of terminal devices having the same telephone number when the call arrives, and transferring the call setting signal to these terminal devices, respectively. The router device of the multimedia communication network system according to claim 4 or 5, wherein 7. A communication system comprising: a plurality of terminal devices; and a server device to which the terminal devices are connected via a computer network, wherein a call is established on a computer network by call control of the server device, and the plurality of terminal devices In the server device of the multimedia communication network system that enables multimedia communication between the devices, a terminal identification information and a fixed network address previously given to each of the plurality of terminal devices, and a variable network address assigned as needed A table for storing the correspondence, when the plurality of terminal devices start up, when a request for assigning a variable network address including at least one of the terminal identification information and the fixed network address is sent from the terminal device, Terminal identification information included in the allocation request Specifies the requesting terminal device based on the fixed network address and assigns a variable network address to the terminal device. The variable network address assigned by the address allocation control device corresponds to the fixed network address. Address registration control means for attaching and registering in the table, when a call setting signal is sent from the plurality of terminal devices,
An address specifying unit that searches the table based on the terminal identification information of the partner terminal device included in the call setting signal and specifies a corresponding variable network address; and using the variable network address specified by the address specifying unit. A server device for a multimedia communication network system, comprising: call control means for executing call control for a partner terminal device. 8. A table for storing a correspondence between the fixed network address and the variable network address, and a table for storing a correspondence between the terminal identification information and the fixed network address. A second table, wherein the address specifying means, when a call setting signal is transmitted from the plurality of terminal devices, based on terminal identification information of a partner terminal device included in the call setting signal, Search the table for the corresponding fixed network address,
8. The server device for a multimedia communication network system according to claim 7, further comprising searching the second table based on the fixed network address and specifying a corresponding variable network address. 9. The table includes a third table that collectively stores a correspondence relationship between the terminal identification information, a fixed network address, and a variable network address, wherein the address specifying unit is configured to store the correspondence between the plurality of terminal devices. When a call setting signal is sent, the third table is searched based on the terminal identification information of the partner terminal device included in the call setting signal to specify a corresponding variable network address. Item 8. A server device of the multimedia communication network system according to Item 7. 10. A computer comprising: a plurality of terminal devices; and first and second server devices connected to the terminal devices via a computer network, wherein at least one of the server devices has a call control function. In a multimedia communication network system that establishes a call on a network and enables multimedia communication between the plurality of terminal devices, the first server device includes a fixed terminal provided to each of the plurality of terminal devices in advance. A first table for storing a correspondence between a network address and a variable network address that is assigned as needed; , Based on the fixed network address included in this allocation request Address assignment control means for specifying an original terminal device and assigning a variable network address to the terminal device; and assigning the variable network address assigned by the address assignment control means to a fixed network address in the first table. Address registration control means for registering, an address acquisition means for acquiring a variable network address of the second server device, a variable network address assigned by the address assignment control means, and a fixed network corresponding to the variable network address Address transfer means for transferring an address to a second server device using the variable network address obtained by the address obtaining means, wherein the second server device is provided in advance to each of the plurality of terminal devices. End A second table for storing a correspondence relationship between identification information, the fixed network address, and a variable network address assigned as needed; a variable network address transferred from the first server device to its own device; Address storage means for storing a fixed network address corresponding to a network address in the second table; and when a call setting signal is sent from the plurality of terminal devices,
Address specifying means for searching the second table based on the terminal identification information of the partner terminal device included in the call setting signal and specifying the corresponding variable network address; and the variable network address specified by the address specifying means And a call control means for executing a call control on the partner terminal device by using the multimedia communication network system. 11. The first server device, when the variable network address of the second server device has not been obtained,
Means for broadcasting an inquiry signal including the fixed network address of the terminal device which has transmitted the variable network address allocation request, wherein the second server device receives the inquiry signal from the first server device The second table is searched based on the fixed network address of the terminal device included in the inquiry signal, and if the corresponding fixed network address is stored as a result, a signal including the variable network address of the own device is searched. 11. The multimedia communication network system according to claim 10, further comprising: means for returning to said first server device and storing it in a first table. 12. The second server device, comprising: an address acquisition unit for acquiring a variable network address of the first server device; and an address acquisition unit, when the variable network address of the partner terminal device cannot be identified by the address identification unit. Searching for a fixed network address corresponding to the terminal identification information of the partner terminal device from the second table, and sending a notification request of a variable network address including the fixed network address
Means for transmitting to the first server device using the variable network address obtained by the address obtaining means, wherein the first server device sends a notification request for a variable network address from the second server device. Means for retrieving the variable network address corresponding to the fixed network address included in the notification request from the first table, returning the variable network address to the second server device, and storing the variable network address in the second table. The multimedia communication network system according to claim 10, further comprising: 13. The second server device, when the variable network address of the first server device has not been acquired,
The apparatus further comprises: means for broadcasting an inquiry signal including a fixed network address corresponding to the terminal identification information of the partner terminal device included in the received call setting signal, wherein the first server device transmits the inquiry signal from the second server device. When the inquiry signal arrives, the first table is searched based on the fixed network address of the terminal device included in the inquiry signal. If the corresponding fixed network address is stored as a result, the variable 11. The multimedia communication network system according to claim 10, further comprising means for returning a signal including a network address to said second server device and storing the signal in a second table. 14. The second server device, when the variable network address of the counterpart terminal device cannot be specified by the address specifying unit, stores the fixed network address corresponding to the terminal identification information of the counterpart terminal device from the second table. A notification request transmitting unit that searches and broadcasts a notification request of a variable network address including the fixed network address, wherein at least one of the first server device and the plurality of terminal devices includes the second server Means for returning a variable network address corresponding to the fixed network address included in the notification request to the requesting second server when a notification request for the variable network address arrives from the device. The multimedia communication network system according to claim 10, wherein 15. The second server device, when the variable network address of the partner terminal device cannot be specified,
11. The multimedia communication network system according to claim 10, further comprising: means for determining that the partner terminal device is not connected to the computer network and performing a predetermined call service control. 16. A multimedia communication network system in which a plurality of client devices including at least a plurality of terminal devices and a plurality of gatekeepers for managing information related to the plurality of client devices and performing call control are connected to a computer network. A priority setting unit that sets a priority to the plurality of gatekeepers; and a highest priority gatekeeper that is set to the first priority by the priority setting unit when the client device is newly started up. Client management control means for recognizing a newly started client device and managing information on the client device, and notifying the information on the client device from the highest priority gatekeeper to other gatekeepers. Multimed A communication network system. 17. The apparatus according to claim 16, wherein said priority setting means sets a priority for a gatekeeper to be set at any time and at least one of when a new gatekeeper starts up. Multimedia communication network system. 18. The priority setting means, wherein when a new gatekeeper starts up, the priority of the existing gatekeeper is not changed, but the priority is set only for the new gatekeeper. Item 18. The multimedia communication network system according to Item 17. 19. The multimedia according to claim 17, wherein said priority setting means resets the priorities of all the gatekeepers including the new gatekeeper when the new gatekeeper starts up. Communication network system. 20. The priority setting means, wherein the priority input means inputs a priority value to each of the plurality of gatekeepers, and the priority value input by the priority input means is exchanged between the gatekeepers. 17. The multimedia communication network system according to claim 16, further comprising means for setting a priority for each gatekeeper in accordance with each priority value obtained by said exchange and a predetermined algorithm. 21. The priority setting means, comprising: generating means for generating a numerical value as an index of priority in each gatekeeper; exchanging the numerical value generated by the generating means between the gatekeepers; 17. The multimedia communication network system according to claim 16, further comprising means for setting a priority for each gatekeeper in accordance with each of the obtained numerical values and a predetermined algorithm. 22. A determining means for determining whether or not the management of the client device can be performed by the highest priority gatekeeper when the client device is newly started up, and the determining means. Notification means for notifying the information from the highest priority gatekeeper to the other gatekeepers when it is determined that the management is impossible by the client, and the other gatekeepers are newly activated clients in response to the notification by the notification means. And means for managing information on the device.
7. The multimedia communication network system according to claim 6. 23. The multimedia communication network system according to claim 22, wherein said determination means determines that management is impossible when the number of client devices that can be managed by the highest priority gatekeeper is exceeded. 24. The multimedia communication network system according to claim 22, wherein said determining means determines that the management is impossible when the number of calls that can be accepted by the highest priority gatekeeper exceeds a predetermined number of calls. . 25. The notifying means selects, from among other gatekeepers, another highest-priority gatekeeper whose priority is set first or a gatekeeper whose priority is set second. 23. The multimedia communication network system according to claim 22, wherein information to the effect that management is impossible is notified to a gatekeeper. 26. The priority setting means resets the priority for each gatekeeper when the client management control means determines that a newly started client device cannot be managed by the highest priority gatekeeper. The multimedia communication network system according to claim 22, wherein: 27. A multimedia communication network system in which a plurality of client devices including at least a plurality of terminal devices and a plurality of gatekeepers for managing information related to the plurality of client devices and performing call control are connected to a computer network. A failure detecting means for detecting a failure of the plurality of gatekeepers, and a first client managed by the arbitrary gatekeeper when the failure detecting means detects that a failure has occurred in an arbitrary gatekeeper. Management takeover control means for transferring management information relating to the device to an alternative gatekeeper so that the gatekeeper can take over the management of the first client device; and the management takeover control means performs the process of taking over the management of the first client device. If you do, A multimedia communication network system comprising: a handover notifying unit that notifies information to the first client device and other gatekeepers. 28. The failure detecting means transmits and receives an operation confirmation signal between each gatekeeper, and detects that each gatekeeper detects failures of gatekeepers other than itself based on an operation confirmation signal received from another gatekeeper. 28. The multimedia communication network system according to claim 27, wherein: 29. When a priority is set for the plurality of gatekeepers, the failure detecting means transmits and receives an operation confirmation signal between gatekeepers having the same priority or between gatekeepers having similar priorities. 29. The multimedia communication network system according to claim 28, wherein the mutual failure occurrences are detected by each other. 30. The failure detecting means includes means for shutting down its own operating state in each gate keeper, means for notifying information of the shutdown to another gate keeper, and information of shutdown from another gate keeper. 28. The multimedia communication network system according to claim 27, further comprising: means for recognizing the occurrence of a failure in the gatekeeper of the notification source when is notified. 31. In the case where priorities are set for the plurality of gatekeepers, the failure detecting means notifies information indicating that shutdown has occurred between gatekeepers having the same priority or between gatekeepers having similar priorities. 31. The multimedia communication network system according to claim 30, wherein each other detects the occurrence of a failure. 32. The takeover notifying means, wherein the gatekeeper that has detected the failure has performed a management takeover process with respect to the first client device and another gatekeeper managed by the failed gatekeeper. 28. The multimedia communication network system according to claim 27, wherein said information is notified. 33. The takeover notifying means notifies the first client device and the other gatekeepers managed by the failed gatekeeper of information indicating that the management takeover process has been performed. 28. The multimedia communication network system according to claim 27, wherein: 34. The management handover control means makes an inquiry to the first client device when the management information on the first client device managed by the gatekeeper cannot be obtained from the failed gatekeeper. 28. The multimedia communication network system according to claim 27, further comprising a function of acquiring the management information by using the communication device. 35. When a failed gatekeeper is recovered after the management takeover control unit takes over the management, the management information of the first client device held by the gatekeeper that has taken over the management is recovered from the failure. Management recovery control means for transferring the data to the gatekeeper that has been managed and restoring the management of the first client device by the gatekeeper; and when the management recovery control means performs the management recovery processing of the first client device, 28. The multimedia communication network system according to claim 27, further comprising: recovery notifying means for notifying the first client device and other gatekeepers of the information to the effect. 36. The management / restoration control means broadcasts information indicating that the gatekeeper recovered from the failure has recovered using its own identification information to the computer network, and has taken over the management of the first client device. 36. The multimedia communication network system according to claim 35, wherein when the gatekeeper receives the information indicating the restoration, the management information of the first client device is transferred to the gatekeeper restored from the failure. 37. The recovery notifying means, wherein the gatekeeper recovered from the failure notifies the first client device and other gatekeepers of information indicating that management recovery processing has been performed. Item 36. The multimedia communication network system according to Item 35. 38. The recovery notifying means, wherein the gatekeeper which has taken over the management of the first client device,
36. The multimedia communication network system according to claim 35, wherein information indicating that management restoration processing has been performed is notified to the client device and another gatekeeper.