KR20020011586A - Method and Apparatus for providing virtual IP phone number for internet telephone - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: A device and a method for assigning a virtual phone number for an Internet phone are provided to enable a user to make a call easily and conveniently by using the Internet. CONSTITUTION: A Web server(200) receives information on an IP terminal(100) through a terminal(50), to set up a security ID and a virtual phone number in the IP terminal(100) and IP addresses of gatekeepers to be linked with the IP terminal(100). Site gatekeepers(300) assuming charge for a dialing code have a first DB(320) that links and stores the security ID and virtual phone number of the corresponding IP terminal(100), an interface for communication with an external, and a controller. Regional gatekeepers(400) assuming charge for an area code are linked with the many site keepers, and have a second DB(420) that stores information on the IP addresses of the linked site gatekeepers, an interface and a controller. National gatekeepers(500) assuming charge for a national code are linked with the many regional gatekeepers, and have a third DB(520) that stores information on the IP addresses of the linked regional gatekeepers, an interface and a controller. Center gatekeepers(600) are linked with the many national gatekeepers, and have a fourth DB(620) that stored information on the IP addresses of the linked national gatekeepers, an interface and a controller. And if each controller of the gatekeepers does not have a second virtual phone number in its own DB, the each controller performs routing to the IP terminal(100) that has the second virtual phone number by inquiring into another linked gatekeepers.

Description

Apparatus and method for providing virtual phone number for internet phone call {Method and Apparatus for providing virtual IP phone number for internet telephone}

The present invention relates to telephony communication using an internet network, and more particularly, to a method and apparatus for assigning and relaying a virtual telephone number to a telephony communication performed on an internet network.

Recently, due to the development of communication technologies and routers, voice calls using cheap internet networks are gradually expanded in place of conventional landline telephones.

Client software for Internet calling includes Microsoft's net meeting, IBM's Internet Connection Phone, Freetel's free tell, Netscape's Cool Talk, and Intel Intel Internet Phone, Cosmo Bridge's web2phone (etc.).

In addition, the user uses the above software to communicate via a gateway. The gateway used here is an internet telephony server of Lucent Technology, a phone / fax IP gateway of Mycom Communications. (Phone / Fax IP gateway), Vienna Systems' thruway, Cosmo Bridge's CTG series (Cosnobridge Telephone Gateway), other vocal techs, and Loqual International Netspeak.

The outline | summary of the communication which uses these products is demonstrated.

end. Terminal to terminal

It is a method of supporting a call on the Internet between terminals equipped with client software for Internet telephony. First, the user runs the Internet telephony software and registers the user's IP (Internet Protocol) address with the Internet gatekeeper. The user selects a call target from the connection list provided by the server for dial-up connection, calls the other party with the acquired IP, and then talks. If you know the IP address of the other party in advance, you can talk directly to the other party without going through the Internet gatekeeper.

I. Terminal-to-phone

It is a method to make a call by calling a regular telephone from a terminal equipped with Internet telephony software. This method essentially uses an Internet gatekeeper. If the terminal is always connected to the Internet on a LAN, it is possible to make a call by calling from the telephone to the terminal. The user runs the Internet telephony software to access the Internet gatekeeper and enters the other party's telephone number. The Internet gatekeeper who receives the phone number calls the other party's phone in conjunction with the public telephone network. When connected to the other party, the PC user and the telephone user can talk to each other through an Internet gatekeeper.

All. Phone-to-phone

This is a way to enable voice calls between ordinary telephones through the Internet. The calling party calls the Internet gatekeeper closest to him and enters the phone number. The Internet gatekeeper searches for the Internet gatekeeper closest to the phone number entered, and the Internet gatekeeper on the receiving side makes the call. When the connection is established, voice calls are made between telephone users through two Internet gatekeepers.

Internet voice communication between terminals in the above-described manner is performed using IP addresses as information, and there is a problem in that the IP addresses between the parties are stored or stored in their own PCs.

Alternatively, the server shows a connection list in a state in which each party to communicate with the server is connected, and a call is made by selecting a party to which one party is connected.

On the other hand, some companies provide limited services using unique telephone numbers or simple telephone numbers such as extension numbers, instead of IP addresses, between branches located in other countries. There is a problem that is limited, and when expanded to the global level, there is a problem that this number system cannot accept.

On the other hand, H.323, a protocol for Internet voice communication, has a telephone number protocol called E.164. In the same way as the extension number described above, the central server is used to map IP and E.164. Recently, the concept of home gatekeeper, which is connected to an individual terminal and maps IP and E.164, has been introduced. It is becoming.

However, this also has the advantage of simplifying the IP address, but there is a problem that can not be applied to the network at the global level because there is a risk of collision between the phone numbers when expanding to the national or global level.

The present invention has been made to solve the problems of the prior art as described above, an object of the present invention is to provide a network that can easily and conveniently make voice calls using the Internet on a global level.

Other purposes of the present invention may be various, but will be understood through the detailed description and drawings described below.

1 is a schematic view showing the overall configuration of a system according to the present invention.

2 briefly illustrates the components of the recognition module of the present invention.

3 is a flowchart illustrating a process of connecting from a terminal to a terminal as a first preferred embodiment according to the present invention.

4 is a flowchart illustrating a process of connecting from a terminal to a telephone as a second embodiment according to the present invention.

5 shows a call flow of the system according to the invention.

Explanation of symbols on the main parts of the drawings

100: IP terminal 200: Web server

300: sight gate keeper 400: regional gate keeper

500: National Gatekeeper 600: Center Gatekeeper

800: gateway

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides a phone numbering device and method for applying to a voice call made through a Internet network between a general telephone or an IP terminal, by which the global network network It will be constructed.

The core of the present invention is to provide a system and method for assigning a specific unique number to each IP terminal so that there is no duplicate number anywhere in the world, and manages the assigned unique number.

The present invention uses a scheme of assigning a unique number to a top-down hierarchical structure like a conventional PSTN telephone number, and suggests a number system that is familiar to a user using a conventional PSTN telephone. And an advantage of facilitating overall management of the system.

The first gatekeeper of the present invention is associated with a plurality of second gatekeeper groups, which are subordinate concepts, and the second gatekeeper group is associated with a plurality of third gatekeeper groups, each of which is a lower concept. The lowest N-th gatekeeper is associated with multiple IP terminals. Each IP terminal is assigned a unique telephone number according to the present invention, the IP of the lowest gatekeeper is set, and the Internet gate finds the lowest gatekeeper associated with it.

The second gatekeeper associated with the first gatekeeper is divided into country units.

Specifically, the network to which the present invention is applied is a network for a user to perform voice communication with another IP terminal having a second virtual phone number through an IP terminal having a first virtual phone number, and to operate the system on the Internet. A web server configured to receive a member registration through a user's terminal or an IP terminal, and to set a unique virtual phone number, a security ID, and an IP address of a gatekeeper to be associated with the IP terminal; A plurality of first gates each having a first database having associated with a corresponding security ID and a corresponding virtual telephone number of an IP terminal having its own gatekeeper IP address, an interface unit for communicating with the outside, and a controller; Keeper; A second database associated with the plurality of first gatekeepers and storing information on an IP address of the associated first gatekeeper, an interface unit for communicating with the outside, and a plurality of second gates having a controller; Keeper; Each of the plurality of third gates has a third database associated with the plurality of second gatekeepers and stores information on an IP address of the associated second gatekeeper, an interface unit for communicating with the outside, and a controller. Keeper; Each of which includes a fourth database associated with the plurality of third gatekeepers, a fourth database storing information on an IP address of the associated third gatekeeper, an interface unit for communicating with the outside, and a central gatekeeper having a controller; Each control unit of the gatekeeper, if there is no second virtual phone number in its database, contacts the other gatekeeper associated with it to the IP terminal having the second virtual phone number. Provides an internet communication system for routing.

The present invention also provides a method for relaying a virtual telephone number for Internet telephony, comprising: a plurality of transmission and reception IP terminals capable of making a telephone call over the Internet network, and a plurality of top-down hierarchical structures for routing the IP terminals. An Internet virtual phone number assignment and relay method for a system consisting of a gatekeeper and a web server for assigning a virtual phone number to the IP terminal and managing members, wherein the web server is systematically grouped by region and country in each IP terminal. Assigning a unique virtual telephone number separated by a classification code form and an address of a gatekeeper to be in charge of each IP terminal; Storing, by the gatekeeper in association with the assigned virtual telephone number of the region in which the gatekeeper is responsible, and the respective IP terminals; Transmitting the virtual telephone number of the receiving side input through the transmitting IP terminal to the corresponding gatekeeper through the gatekeeper address set in the transmitting IP terminal; through the gatekeeper having a hierarchical structure; Routing to a gatekeeper in charge of the receiving IP terminal; The present invention provides a method for relaying an internet telephone by assigning a virtual telephone number including a step of connecting a call between the transmitting IP terminal and a receiving IP terminal.

When classifying the virtual phone number into a group classification code format, the international Telecommunications Union (TU) standard is used to assign the current general phone number.

Hereinafter, exemplary embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

1 is a block diagram of a network for an Internet telephone to which the present invention is applied, the network for voice communication with another IP terminal having a second virtual telephone number through an IP terminal having a first virtual telephone number. will be.

As shown in FIG. 1, the network is a tree structure having a top-down hierarchical structure, and is configured in the same manner as a plurality of lowest gatekeepers and an upper gatekeeper associated with the plurality of lowest gatekeepers. In the embodiment according to the present invention, a case in which the gatekeeper is configured in four steps will be described as an example.

In the embodiment according to the present invention and the web server 200 for member application and virtual phone number assignment; A terminal (50) for accessing the web server and registering a member, and a plurality of IP terminals (100) capable of calling through a virtual telephone number provided from the web server (200); A lowest site gatekeeper 300 in charge of the plurality of IP terminals; A regional gatekeeper 400 associated with the plurality of lowest gatekeepers; A national gatekeeper 500 connected to the plurality of regional gatekeepers 400; Provided is an internet relay system including a center gate keeper 600 connected to the plurality of national gate keeper 500.

The web server 200 receives member information through a terminal 50 such as a computer, stores it in the fourth database unit 620, and inputs information about the IP terminal 100 through the terminal 50. Receiving the security ID in the IP terminal 100, a virtual telephone number unique to the IP terminal 100, and an IP address of a gatekeeper to be associated with the IP terminal 100, and setting the fourth database unit. The information is stored in association with the member information stored in 620. The web server serves as a kind of home page server that manages the virtual phone number of the IP terminal.

The virtual telephone number given according to the present invention is applied to the IP terminal 100 using the network as described above, and is composed of at least 14 digits, which is the same as the number system of a general telephone number using a wired line under the PSTN system. It is characteristic to give. That is, it consists of at least 3 digits of the country code, 3 digits of the area code, 4 digits of the country code, and 4 digits of the number.

Each code digit means the maximum number of available digits. If the digit is less than the expected number of digits, the calling number is processed using the token recorded in the DB of the gatekeeper of each layer. Each layer's gatekeeper has the region or country code of each region, and compares the calling number with the stored number, and if it matches, routes to the gateway or gatekeeper connected to the token.

When the web server 200 assigns the virtual phone number to the IP terminal 100, the web server 200 does not overlap with the previously given virtual phone number. To this end, the web server 200 may store the information of all members in the database unit 620, and may use a method of searching the database unit in the web server at the time of numbering, or the gate in charge of the corresponding member IP terminal 100. It is also possible to use a method of distributing and storing information in the database portion of the keeper and checking whether or not the information is duplicated with information distributed in each gatekeeper when numbering. At this time, the virtual phone number to be given is preferably given the same or similar to the application number by receiving the application number of the user. The virtual telephone numbering method used in the present invention is easy to classify and has good extensibility so as to use a group classification code method used when assigning a student ID or social security number.

The IP terminal 100 refers to a terminal telephone having a normal IP address, in the present invention has a security ID, such as H.323 ID assigned to each of the IP terminal 100 different, these security ID The method of assigning the security ID is not a feature of the present invention. Preferably, the security ID may be configured by a combination of a plurality of numbers and alphabets so that the user does not know the security ID. Make sure that ID is assigned and not known to the public.

This security ID corresponds to the virtual telephone number assigned to each IP terminal 100 in one-to-one correspondence and encryption according to the present invention. Correspondence and encryption may be various. For example, a symmetric encryption method may be used.

When the registered IP terminal 100 accesses the system according to the present invention and transmits a signal, the site gate keeper corresponding to the set gatekeeper IP address regardless of where the IP terminal 100 is located ( 300).

When a user registers and downloads a recognition module from the web server 200 and installs it on his IP terminal 100, the installation method of the recognition module includes a manual installation method and an automatic installation method. There is a method of setting the security ID notified by e-mail, etc. in the server 200 to the IP terminal, when the IP terminal 100 supplier manufactures the IP terminal 100, installs a recognition module given a serial number, There is a method of activating the user of the IP terminal 100 upon first use.

On the other hand, as an automatic installation method is a method that is automatically installed in the terminal upon membership registration, the web server 200 has a method of determining the protocol and then deliver it to each member, the same as the manual installation method It may be.

The recognition module includes a tracking program for tracking a gatekeeper of a corresponding area. As shown in FIG. 2, the recognition module includes a security ID, a gatekeeper IP address to which the IP terminal 100 belongs, It basically consists of communication module with gatekeeper, terminal characteristic module collection, error processing module / execution module.

The site gatekeeper 300, which is the lowest level of the gatekeepers, is a gatekeeper that plays a role in serving a station number among the virtual phone numbers, and a security ID and a virtual phone of the IP terminal 100 in charge of the gatekeeper. The first database unit 320 stores the numbers in association with each other, and has an interface for communicating with the outside. The site gate keeper 300 checks whether the IP terminal 100 is in charge of the current connection and stores the IP address 100 of the IP terminal 100 in a connected state.

The next step, the regional gatekeeper 400 is a gatekeeper in charge of the area code of the virtual phone number, which is associated with the plurality of site gatekeepers 300 and of the associated site gatekeeper 300. The second database 420 stores information on the IP address, an interface unit for communicating with the outside, and a control unit.

The next higher level, the national gatekeeper 500 (national gatekeeper) is a gatekeeper in charge of the country code of the virtual phone number, associated with the plurality of regional gatekeeper 400, the associated regional gatekeeper ( And a third database 520 storing information on the IP address of 400, an interface unit for communicating with the outside, and a controller.

A center gatekeeper, which is the highest level, is associated with the plurality of National Gatekeepers 500 that manage all virtual phone numbers, and includes a fourth database that stores information on IP addresses of the associated National Gatekeepers 500. 620, an interface unit for communicating with the outside, and a control unit. As described above, the fourth database unit 620 stores member information registered through the web server 200 and is shared with the web server.

Each control unit of each gatekeeper is finally transferred to the IP terminal 100 having the second virtual telephone number through a process of transferring to the other gatekeeper associated with the second virtual telephone number if there is no second virtual telephone number in its database. Provides an internet communication system that routes to To this end, each gatekeeper stores not only a plurality of IPs and virtual phone numbers which are in charge of the database, but also the IPs of the paths to which they belong.

For example, the center gatekeeper 600 stores all national gatekeeper 500 IPs and country codes of virtual phone numbers assigned to each national gatekeeper 500.

Each of the National Gatekeepers 500 is associated with a plurality of Regional Gatekeeper 400 IPs and an area code assigned to each of the Regional Gatekeepers 400 and stored in association with each other. The IP of the center gatekeeper 600, which is an upper path, is stored.

Each of the regional gatekeepers 400 is stored in association with IPs of the plurality of sitegatekeepers 300 in charge thereof and station numbers and numbers assigned to the respective sitegatekeepers 300. In addition, the IP of the center gate keeper 600, which is the upper path of the regional gate keeper 400, the IP of the national gate keeper to which the regional gate keeper 400 belongs, and the virtual telephone number of the path are stored in association.

Each of the site gate keeper 300 stores security IDs of a plurality of IP terminals 100 in charge of the site gate, a virtual telephone number assigned to the IP terminal 100, and an IP when the IP terminal 100 is connected. . In addition, the IP of the center gatekeeper 600, which is the highest path of the site gate keeper 300, is stored in association with the virtual phone number and IP address of the upper path to which it belongs, and the stored IPs are National Gate IP, The IP of the journal gatekeeper 400 belongs.

The gatekeeper may be connected to each terminal phone or web phone or a general telephone to communicate with the gatekeeper, and the communication with the general telephone is made through an ITU-T standard such as GW or SIP. Software that supports H.323 includes CU-SeeMe v3.x, CU-SeeMe Pro, Picture Tel LiveLan, Intel Proshare, web2phone, and especially Microsoft's NetMeeting.

3 is an operation process of the system to which the call is connected when the first IP terminal 100 requests a call to the second IP terminal 100 to input a second virtual telephone number of the second IP terminal 100. Is a flow chart illustrating.

First, the calling party's first IP terminal 100 registers as a member in the web server 200. (S100) The member registration process will be described in more detail, and the user can access the web through the terminal 50 such as the computer. When the user accesses the server, requests personal information by inputting personal information, the web server classifies the information into the fourth database unit 620 and stores the information. At this time, the input information includes the IP address of the IP terminal to be registered. As described above, an indirect method of registering an IP terminal as a member through a terminal such as a computer may be used, or a direct method of registering as a member through an IP terminal may be used. Since this is not an important matter of the present invention, it will be referred to as being included in the membership registration process through the IP terminal for convenience of explanation.

The IP terminal registers as a member, downloads a recognition module, and obtains a first security ID, a first virtual phone number, and an IP address of the first site gatekeeper 300 that will be in charge of the first IP terminal 100. The receiving process should be preceded, and the receiving side second IP terminal 100 should also receive the second security ID, the second virtual phone number, and the IP address of the second site gatekeeper 300 in the same process. (S102)

The virtual phone number is composed of 1 to 3 digits: country code, 4 to 6 digits: area code, 7 to 10 digits: station number, 11 to 14 digits: number. It is preferable to omit the country code input under the number system and to omit the area code input under the same area code system. These country codes, area codes, and country codes are processed by comparing them with the tokens recorded in the gatekeepers for each country's characteristics.

When the first IP terminal 100 inputs the second virtual telephone number of the second IP terminal 100 to receive a call through the recognition module (S104), the first IP terminal 100 is set to the first IP terminal 100. According to the IP of the site gate keeper 300, the first site keeper with the second virtual telephone number, the first security ID and the first security ID to the first site gate keeper 300 in charge of the first IP terminal 100, The virtual telephone number and the IP address of the current connection state are transmitted (S106).

On the other hand, the IP of the IP terminal 100 to be transmitted is fixedly assigned to the IP terminal 100 in the case of a dedicated line, but in the case of a modem, it is dynamically allocated every access, even if dynamically allocated once The number has the characteristic of not changing until the connection is terminated. After requesting a call through the IP terminal 100, in order to receive a response signal for the request, since the IP terminal 100 is connected to the corresponding IP terminal 100 through the IP terminal 100 given in the call request connection state, the IP terminal 100 Only to be given to each virtual telephone number, and to match the IP terminal 100 IP in the current connection state, which can be implemented through those skilled in the art.

The first site gate keeper 300 authenticates the membership through the transmitted security ID (S108), and transmits to the second site gate keeper 300 through the transmitted second virtual phone number, the database unit. The path of the stored first site keeper, that is, the first national gate keeper 500 to which the first site gate keeper 300 belongs and the first regional gate keeper 400 correspond to the path of the second virtual telephone number. Will be compared.

For convenience of description, 7-10 digits of the country number is 1000-2000 through the route called Seoul of Korea with the country code of 1 to 3 digits and area code 02 of the 4 to 6 digits. An example of a first site gatekeeper 300 in charge of a virtual telephone number belonging to the above will be described.

The gatekeeper's IP stored in the database unit 700 of the site gatekeeper 300 is the center IP, the IP of the national gatekeeper 500 in charge of the country code 82 of its route, and the region of its route. It includes the IP of the regional gatekeeper 400 in charge of the number 02. In addition, the security ID, the virtual telephone number, and the IP of the IP terminal 100, the IP of the plurality of IP terminals 100 in charge so that the database unit 700 is also stored.

First, the first site gatekeeper 300 compares 1 to 3 digits of the transmitted second virtual phone number, that is, the country code matches the country code 82 to which the first site gatekeeper 300 belongs. (S110) In the case of another country number that does not match the first national gatekeeper 500 belonging to the first sitegatekeeper 300, the centergatekeeper 600 stored in the first sitegatekeeper 300 is stored. Transfer to the center gatekeeper 600 through the (S112) The center gatekeeper 600 is a second virtual phone to the corresponding second national keeper responsible for the country code of 1 to 3 digits through the transmitted virtual phone number The second national keeper transmits the number to the corresponding second regional gatekeeper 400 corresponding to an area code of 4 to 6 digits among the regional gatekeeper 400 in charge of the second national keeper 400. The virtual telephone number is transmitted (S116) and the second regional gatekeeper 400 has 7 to 10 digits. The second virtual phone number is transmitted to the second site gate keeper 300 in charge of the station number. (S118) The second site gate keeper 300 determines the connection state of the second IP terminal 100. The second IP terminal 100 connects to the second IP terminal 100 through an IP address of the IP terminal 100 in a connected state associated with the virtual phone number of the second IP terminal 100. In the same manner, the first IP terminal 100 is transmitted, and a call is connected.

If the country code of 1 to 3 digits of the second virtual phone number is the same as the country code 82 to which the first site gatekeeper 300 belongs, or the same country is omitted, the second virtual phone number is omitted. It is determined whether the area code of 4 to 6 digits is the same as the area code to which the first site gatekeeper 300 belongs.

If the area code inputted by the number is not the same as the area code of the route to which the number belongs, the first site gatekeeper 300 is the IP of the first national gatekeeper 500 which is its path stored in the database unit. Transfer to the first National Gatekeeper 500 through (S124), and after the transfer, to the corresponding Regional Gatekeeper 400 through the National Gatekeeper 500, the Regional Gatekeeper from the corresponding SiteGatekeeper At 300, the routing process from the site gate keeper 300 to the second IP terminal 100 is the same as the above-described process S116, S118, S120.

If the area code of the second virtual phone number matches the area code 02 to which the first site gatekeeper 300 belongs, that is, if the entered area code is the same, the 6 to 10-digit station number is the first site gatekeeper. The first regional gatekeeper inputted to the database unit of the first site gatekeeper 300 when it is determined to exist between the station numbers 1000 to 2000 in charge of the 300 and does not match the corresponding station number; Transfer to the first Regional Gatekeeper 400 through the IP address of 400. (S128) After transferring to the first Regional Gatekeeper 400, the second IP terminal ( 100) (S118) (S120).

When the station number of the second virtual phone number belongs to the first site gatekeeper 300, a second corresponding to the second virtual phone number through the database unit 700 stored in the first site gatekeeper 300. To determine whether the IP terminal 100 is currently connected, the call is possible only when the second IP terminal 100 is activated. If activated, the second IP terminal 100 is connected to the first IP terminal 100 through an IP address connected to a virtual phone number of the second IP terminal 100 to enable a call. In this case, the first IP terminal 100 transmits a response signal for a call connection to the first IP terminal 100 through the IP address 100 associated with the virtual telephone number of the first IP terminal 100. 100) and the call between the second IP terminal 100. (120) The call is made directly between the first IP terminal and the second IP terminal period without passing through the gatekeeper through the IP address obtained through the above-described routing process. You lose.

In order to add a fee for the call, a signal to which the call is connected and a signal to which the call is terminated are checked for the first site gate keeper 300, the second site gate keeper 300, and the center gate keeper 600 respectively. Call Detail Recorder) can be set to record the talk time, but the method for toll collection is not limited to the present invention.

In this way, by assigning and managing non-overlapping virtual telephone numbers around the world and using user-friendly numbers, it can play a role of providing a standard of call relaying using the Internet network which adds low call charges. have.

In the above-described case, as an embodiment according to the present invention, a case in which the call is connected to the IP terminal 100 through the IP terminal 100 has been described. Of course, the terminal, telephone-to-phone call can be made.

As shown in FIG. 1, the general telephone 900 may be connected through a separate gateway 800 and a public switched telephone network (PSTN). That is, each regional gatekeeper 400 may manage the plurality of gateways 800 to make a call with the general telephone 900. In the second database unit 420 of each regional gatekeeper 400, IP addresses of a plurality of gateways 800 that the regional gatekeeper 400 is in charge of are stored. Although the gateway 800 may be connected to the site gate keeper 300, it is preferable to connect the gateway 800 to the regional gate keeper 400 because the gateway 800 may be maintained in a wider local calling zone to maintain a low call rate. .

In addition, to give a prefix number that can be identified whether the receiving side is a normal phone, IP terminal 100. For example, to set the prefix number 0099 and enter the prefix number in front of the general telephone number to distinguish it from the IP terminal 100, the first site gatekeeper through the telephone number starting with the prefix number 0099 Recognizing that the receiving side is a general telephone, the 300 may use a method of calling the corresponding gateway 800 connected to the corresponding second site gate keeper 300.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating a telephone call method from the IP terminal 100 of the second embodiment to the general telephone 900 according to the present invention. Since the procedure is similar to that of FIG. 3, the descriptions thereof will not be repeated. Shall be. In addition, as described above, in order to distinguish between the phone 900 and the IP terminal 100, a case in which the prefix number 0099 is attached to the front of the general telephone number will be described.

Enter the phone number you want to call through the authenticated IP terminal 100, since the receiving side is a general telephone (900), the user enters the prefix number 0099 preset in front of the general telephone number through the IP terminal (100) (S2)

The input general telephone number is transmitted to the first site gatekeeper 300 in charge through the IP address of the site gate keeper 300 set in the IP terminal 100 and transmitted to the first site gate keeper 300. The information is a security ID, IP terminal 100, IP, the general telephone number entered through the IP terminal 100 and the like. (S4)

The first site gatekeeper 300 authenticates the membership through the security ID (S6), and if not, transmits an error message to the IP terminal (S8).

If it is authenticated, the prefix number 0099 is recognized in front of the transmitted telephone number, and a telephone connection path for connecting with the corresponding general telephone 900 is found.

At this time, if the corresponding gateway 800 exists in the area of the first site gatekeeper 300 (S10), immediately sends the IP of the gateway 800 to the IP terminal 100 (S14), otherwise Next, send the phone number to the gatekeeper to be routed (S12) and receive the IP of the corresponding gateway 800 and send it to the IP terminal 100. (S14)

The IP terminal 100 transmits a setup message to the gateway 800 through the transmitted gateway IP. (S16) When the phone is connected, the call is made. When the call is over, the corresponding gateway 800 is terminated. Transmitting and storing a colllog to the gatekeeper (S20), the gatekeeper receives the colllog signal, stores it in the CDR, and the service is terminated (S22).

As a third embodiment of the present invention, a process for enabling a call from the general telephone 900 to the IP terminal 100 connected to the gateway 800 will be described. Since the third embodiment according to the present invention proceeds in a similar manner to the above-described embodiment, the drawings will be omitted.

Since the general telephone 900 is different from the IP terminal 100 in which a security ID related to member authentication is automatically transmitted, a process of receiving a specific pin number for authenticating the use right must be preceded. The user inputs the gateway number, the pin number, and the receiving-side virtual phone number to which the user wants to make a call to the general telephone 900 in the order of the announcement.

The gateway number is transmitted to the gateway 800 through the PSTN network through the input gateway number, and the user is authenticated by the regional gatekeeper 400 managing the gateway 800. The user authentication is authenticated through the transmitted pin number, and the regional gatekeeper 400 determines whether the input telephone number is a virtual telephone number or a general telephone number and does not start with the prefix number 0099. It will be recognized that, to be routed to the IP terminal 100 of the virtual number. The routing process proceeds in the same manner as in FIG. 3, where the corresponding IP terminal 100 should be activated.

As a fourth embodiment according to the present invention, a method of making a call from a general telephone 900 to a general telephone 900 through an internet network, wherein the input number is a general telephone number instead of a virtual telephone number. Is the difference.

That is, after the user accesses the gateway 800 by the gateway access number through the general telephone 900, the user inputs the pin number previously given and the general telephone number of the receiving party who wants the call. Since the number 0099 is entered in front of the general telephone number, the gatekeeper recognizes that the receiving party is a general telephone through the prefix number in front of the transmitted telephone number, and may use a method of routing to the corresponding gateway 800. . Routing and call to the gateway is the same as step S10 below in Figure 4 will be omitted.

FIG. 5 illustrates a call flow according to the present invention, which transmits a setup message to a first gatekeeper through a first gateway or a first IP terminal (C1), and the first gatekeeper performs standard settlement. Authorization request (C2) by the protocol (C2), the standard settlement protocol confirms the authentication and sends an authorization response signal (authorization response) signal to the first gatekeeper (C3) The first gatekeeper The setup signal is transmitted to the second gatekeeper (C4), the second gatekeeper transmits a setup signal to the second gateway or the second terminal (C5), and a call is connected. (C6) A communication time is transmitted from the first gatekeeper to the standard settlement protocol (C7), and the standard settlement protocol signals a verification certification signal. (C8) In addition, a talk time is transmitted from the second gatekeeper to the standard settlement protocol (C9), and the standard settlement protocol is a maintenance certification signal. Is transmitted to the first gatekeeper. (C10) The talk time is used for bill settlement.

In the exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the prefix number is input in front of the general telephone number, but is not limited to the position, and the general telephone number may be used instead of the virtual telephone number. That is, it is only necessary to be able to distinguish between a virtual phone number and a general phone number through the prefix number.

In addition, in the embodiment of the present invention, a method of storing an IP address of a gatekeeper in charge of the upper gatekeeper except for the lowest gatekeeper is used. However, the gate of each upper gatekeeper is different. In addition to the IP address of the keeper, a method of storing the database unit including information on the virtual telephone number in charge of the lower gatekeeper may be used. In such a case, the center gatekeeper 600 corresponding to the top gatekeeper is stored with information about all the user IP terminals 100 so that central management is easy, but it is preferable to add a separate management system due to the large capacity. Of course.

Although the embodiment according to the present invention has been described above, this is merely an example, and various changes and modifications may be made without departing from the spirit of the present invention. However, it will be apparent from the appended claims that such changes and modifications fall within the scope of the present invention.

The present invention has the advantage of providing a relay system and method for providing easier and simpler telephone call service through an inexpensive Internet network.

It is a system to give a user a familiar virtual phone number instead of an IP address that is difficult for a user to call for an IP terminal, and to press a number less than that of the prior art. It provides advantages that users familiar with the telephone system can use.

In addition, the provided virtual telephone number is provided in a group classification code format, so that the number resources are rich and easy to classify, so the service is not limited to the number of subscribers, thereby providing a base for providing worldwide services.

That is, the present invention uses the Internet phone terminal, the user has a disadvantage compared to the low call cost due to the disadvantages of the unfamiliar number system, the quantitative burden of the number to be entered, and the number system that can be used worldwide. It provides the effect of overcoming the problems you wrote down.

Claims (3)

A network for a user to perform voice communication with another IP terminal having a second virtual phone number through an IP terminal having a first virtual phone number, Register a user's IP terminal to operate the system on the Internet, and in the IP terminal, a unique virtual phone number of a group classification code method such as a general telephone of a PSTN network, a security ID, and a gatekeeper to be associated with the IP terminal. A web server for setting an IP address of the web server; A plurality of first gates each having a first database having associated with a corresponding security ID and a corresponding virtual telephone number of an IP terminal having its own gatekeeper IP address, an interface unit for communicating with the outside, and a controller; Keeper; A second database associated with the plurality of first gatekeepers and storing information on an IP address of the associated first gatekeeper, an interface unit for communicating with the outside, and a plurality of second gates having a controller; Keeper; Each of the N-1 database is associated with the plurality of N-2 gatekeepers and stores information on IP addresses of the N-2 gatekeepers, an interface unit for communicating with the outside, and a controller. A plurality of N-1 gatekeepers; Each of which is associated with the plurality of N-1 gatekeepers, an N-th database storing information on IP addresses of the associated N-1 gatekeepers, an interface unit for communicating with the outside, and a central gate having a controller; Contains a keeper, If each of the gatekeepers does not have the second virtual phone number in its database, the controller finally routes the IP to the IP terminal having the second virtual phone number through a process of contacting another gatekeeper associated with the gatekeeper. Giving Internet virtual phone numbering and relaying system. The method of claim 1, The virtual telephone number assigned to the IP terminal is given in the form of a group classification code, and is composed of at least 14 digits, which is the same as the number system of the general telephone number using a wire under the PSTN system. Internet virtual phone numbering and relay system, characterized in that consisting of digits, area code 3 digits, station number 4 digits, number 4 digits. IP terminal capable of making a telephone call through the Internet network, a plurality of gatekeepers in a top-down hierarchical structure that routes the IP terminal, and a web server that assigns a virtual telephone number to the IP terminal and manages membership. Internet virtual phone number assignment and relay method of the configured system, The web server assigning each IP terminal a unique virtual telephone number organized in regions and countries, divided into group classification codes, and an address of a gatekeeper to be in charge of each IP terminal; Storing, by the gatekeeper in association with the assigned virtual telephone number of the region in which the gatekeeper is responsible, and the respective IP terminals; Transmitting the virtual telephone number of the receiving party inputted through the transmitting IP terminal to the corresponding gatekeeper through the address of the gatekeeper set in the transmitting IP terminal; Routing the gatekeeper to a gatekeeper in charge of a receiving IP terminal through a gatekeeper having a hierarchical structure; Connecting the call between the transmitting IP terminal and the receiving IP terminal; How to relay an internet call by giving a virtual phone number containing a