KR20200034962A - Quality control of access network for VOIP - Google Patents

Abstract

It provides access network quality management technology for VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol). In the network quality verification method according to embodiments of the present invention, in response to a user interface associated with a call using an electronic device being provided, it is connected to the electronic device to provide a VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol) service. obtaining network quality information indicating the quality of the network) and displaying the obtained network quality information on a screen of the electronic device before the start input for the call occurs through the user interface. You can.

Description

Quality control of access network for VOIP

The following description relates to access network quality management technology for VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol), a network quality verification method and system, and a computer capable of providing users with information on the quality of the access network at the current location for VoIP. It relates to a computer program and a recording medium stored in a computer-readable recording medium in order to execute the network quality verification method in combination with the computer.

VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol) is a technology that converts and transmits voice into digital packets through a network using an IP address. There exist technologies for measuring the quality of these VoIP services. For example, Korean Patent Publication No. 10-2010-0052626 relates to an apparatus and method for guaranteeing VoIP call quality, measures delay values of packets for a first IP network to which a VoIP terminal is connected, and measures the measured delay value. When this reference value is exceeded, a technique of connecting a VoIP terminal to a second IP network is disclosed.

However, such a VoIP service has a problem in that from the user's point of view, there is no means to guarantee the quality of the access network until the user actually attempts a voice call or a video call. For example, because there is a variation in quality for each access network, when a user of a terminal currently connected to a low-quality access network tries a VoIP service and has an unsatisfactory quality, the user enjoys the usefulness of the VoIP service. You will have a bad preconception about the VoIP service before, you may remember the VoIP service as an inconvenient service, and there is a possibility that you do not want to use the VoIP service again. In the prior art described above, even if the VoIP terminal is connected to the second IP network because the quality of the first IP network is low (the measured delay value exceeds the reference value), the quality of the second IP network accessible at the current location is the standard. Below, the user will still have an unsatisfactory experience.

By providing users with predictable information about the quality of the access network related to the VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol) service before attempting the VoIP service, it induces users to select the VoIP service according to the network quality information, and at the same time, the VoIP service. A network quality verification method and system capable of improving satisfaction for a computer and a computer program stored in a computer-readable recording medium and a recording medium in combination with a computer to execute the network quality verification method on a computer are provided.

In response to a user interface associated with a call using an electronic device being provided, obtaining network quality information indicating a quality of an access network connected to the electronic device and capable of providing a Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) service; And displaying the obtained network quality information on a screen of the electronic device before the start input for the call occurs through the user interface.

Collecting quality information measured in connection with an access network capable of providing a Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) service from a plurality of electronic devices; Generating network quality information for each access network using the collected quality information; Storing and managing the generated network quality information in a database; Receiving a request for network quality information of the first access network from the first electronic device; And retrieving first network quality information corresponding to the request from the database and transmitting the first electronic device to the first electronic device, wherein the request includes a user interface associated with a call using the first electronic device. It is generated in the first electronic device in response to being provided by the device, and before the start input for the call is generated in the first electronic device through the user interface, the first network quality information is used to generate the first It provides a network quality verification method characterized in that the network quality information of the first access network is displayed on the screen of the electronic device.

It provides a computer-readable recording medium, characterized in that a computer program for executing the network quality verification method in a computer is recorded.

In combination with a computer, a computer program stored in a computer-readable recording medium is provided to execute the network quality verification method on the computer.

And at least one processor that is implemented to execute computer readable instructions, wherein the at least one processor is connected to the electronic device in response to a user interface associated with a call using an electronic device, and VoIP (Voice over) Internet Protocol) acquires network quality information indicating the quality of an access network capable of providing a service, and before the start input for the call occurs through the user interface, obtains the obtained network quality information from the electronic It provides a computer device characterized in that it is displayed on the screen of the device.

And at least one processor implemented to execute computer readable instructions, wherein the at least one processor is a quality measured in connection with an access network capable of providing a Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) service in a plurality of electronic devices. Collects information, generates network quality information for each access network using the collected quality information, stores and manages the generated network quality information in a database, and uses the first electronic device for network quality information of the first access network. A request received, the first network quality information corresponding to the request is retrieved from the database and transmitted to the first electronic device, and the user interface associated with a call using the first electronic device is the first electronic Generated in the first electronic device in response to being provided by the device, the user interface The network quality information of the first access network is displayed on the screen of the first electronic device by using the first network quality information before the start input for the call occurs in the first electronic device through It provides a computer device.

By providing users with predictable information about the quality of the access network related to the VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol) service before attempting the VoIP service, it induces users to select the VoIP service according to the network quality information, and at the same time, the VoIP service. Satisfaction can be improved.

1 is a diagram showing an example of a network environment according to an embodiment of the present invention.
2 is a block diagram illustrating an internal configuration of an electronic device and a server in an embodiment of the present invention.
3 to 5 are diagrams illustrating examples of providing network quality information in an embodiment of the present invention.
6 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a network quality verification method of an electronic device according to an embodiment of the present invention.
7 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a process of automatically selecting one of a call using a VoIP service and a normal call according to a quality level set by a user in an embodiment of the present invention.
8 is a diagram illustrating a first example of a process for obtaining network quality information in an embodiment of the present invention.
9 is a view showing a second example of the process of obtaining network quality information in an embodiment of the present invention.
10 is a flowchart illustrating a network quality verification method of a network verification server according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Best mode for carrying out the invention

Hereinafter, embodiments will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

The network quality verification method according to the embodiments of the present invention may be performed through a computer device such as an electronic device or a server, which will be described later. At this time, a computer program according to an embodiment of the present invention may be installed and driven in the computer device, and the computer device may perform a network quality verification method according to an embodiment of the present invention under control of the driven computer program. have. The above-described computer program may be stored in a computer-readable recording medium in combination with a computer device to execute a network quality verification method on the computer. For example, under the control of an application installed on the electronic device, the electronic device provides users with network quality information that can predict the quality of the access network related to the VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol) service before attempting the VoIP service. In addition, it is possible to induce users to select a VoIP service according to network quality information, and at the same time, to improve satisfaction with the VoIP service.

1 is a diagram showing an example of a network environment according to an embodiment of the present invention. The network environment of FIG. 1 shows an example including a plurality of electronic devices 110, 120, 130, 140, a plurality of servers 150, 160, and a network 170. 1 is not limited to the number of electronic devices or the number of servers as an example for describing the invention.

The plurality of electronic devices 110, 120, 130, and 140 may be a fixed terminal or a mobile terminal implemented as a computer device. For example, a plurality of electronic devices (110, 120, 130, 140), smart phones (smart phone), mobile phones, navigation, computers, notebooks, digital broadcasting terminals, PDAs (Personal Digital Assistants), PMP (Portable Multimedia Player) ), Tablet PC, etc. For example, although the shape of a smartphone is shown as an example of the electronic device 1 110 in FIG. 1, in the embodiments of the present invention, the electronic device 1 110 substantially uses the wireless or wired communication method to connect the network 170. It may mean one of various physical computer devices capable of communicating with other electronic devices 120, 130, 140 and / or servers 150, 160.

The communication method is not limited, and a communication method using a communication network (eg, a mobile communication network, a wired Internet, a wireless Internet, and a broadcasting network) that the network 170 may include may include short-range wireless communication between devices. For example, the network 170 includes a personal area network (PAN), a local area network (LAN), a campus area network (CAN), a metropolitan area network (MAN), a wide area network (WAN), and a broadband network (BBN). , Any one or more of the networks such as the Internet. Further, the network 170 may include any one or more of a network topology including a bus network, a star network, a ring network, a mesh network, a star-bus network, a tree, or a hierarchical network. It is not limited.

Each of the servers 150 and 160 communicates with a plurality of electronic devices 110, 120, 130, and 140 through a network 170 to provide commands, codes, files, content, services, or the like, or a plurality of computers. It can be implemented with devices. For example, the server 150 may be a system that provides a first service to a plurality of electronic devices 110, 120, 130, 140 accessed through the network 170, and the server 160 is also a network ( It may be a system that provides a second service to a plurality of electronic devices (110, 120, 130, 140) accessed through (170). As a more specific example, the server 150 may be a service that is intended by the application (eg, according to the present embodiment) through an application as a computer program installed and driven on a plurality of electronic devices 110, 120, 130, and 140. As a first service, a service for network quality verification, an information providing service, a messaging service, a mail service, and a content transmission service) may be provided to a plurality of electronic devices 110, 120, 130, and 140. As another example, the server 160 may provide a service for distributing a file for installing and driving the above-described application to a plurality of electronic devices 110, 120, 130, 140 as a second service.

2 is a block diagram illustrating an internal configuration of an electronic device and a server in an embodiment of the present invention. 2 illustrates an internal configuration of the electronic device 1 110 and the server 150 as an example of the electronic device. In addition, other electronic devices 120, 130, 140 or the server 160 may also have the same or similar internal configuration to the above-described electronic device 1 110 or the server 150.

The electronic device 1 110 and the server 150 may include memories 211 and 221, processors 212 and 222, communication modules 213 and 223, and input / output interfaces 214 and 224. The memory 211, 221 is a computer-readable recording medium, and may include a non-permanent mass storage device such as random access memory (RAM), read only memory (ROM), and a disk drive. Here, a non-destructive large-capacity recording device such as a ROM and a disk drive may be included in the electronic device 1 110 or the server 150 as a separate permanent storage device separate from the memories 211 and 221. In addition, the memory 211 and 221 may include an operating system and at least one program code (for example, a browser installed and driven in the electronic device 1 110 or an application installed in the electronic device 1 110 for providing a specific service). Code) can be stored. These software components may be loaded from a computer-readable recording medium separate from the memories 211 and 221. Such a separate computer-readable recording medium may include a computer-readable recording medium such as a floppy drive, disk, tape, DVD / CD-ROM drive, and memory card. In other embodiments, software components may be loaded into memory 211 and 221 through communication modules 213 and 223 rather than a computer-readable recording medium. For example, at least one program is a computer program installed by files provided by a file distribution system (for example, the server 160 described above) that distributes installation files of developers or applications through the network 170. It may be loaded into the memories 211 and 221 based on (for example, the above-described application).

Processors 212 and 222 may be configured to process instructions of a computer program by performing basic arithmetic, logic, and input / output operations. Instructions may be provided to processors 212 and 222 by memory 211 and 221 or communication modules 213 and 223. For example, the processors 212 and 222 may be configured to execute instructions received according to program codes stored in a recording device such as the memories 211 and 221.

The communication modules 213 and 223 may provide a function for the electronic device 1 110 and the server 150 to communicate with each other through the network 170, and the electronic device 1 110 and / or the server 150 It may provide a function for communicating with another electronic device (eg, the electronic device 2 (120)) or another server (eg, the server 160). In one example, the request generated by the processor 212 of the electronic device 1 110 according to the program code stored in the recording device such as the memory 211 is controlled through the network 170 under the control of the communication module 213 ( 150). Conversely, control signals or commands, contents, files, etc. provided under the control of the processor 222 of the server 150 are communicated through the communication module 223 and the network 170 through the communication module of the electronic device 1 110 ( It may be received by the electronic device 1 (110) through (213). For example, control signals, commands, contents, files, and the like of the server 150 received through the communication module 213 may be transmitted to the processor 212 or the memory 211, and the contents or files may be electronic devices 1 110 may be stored as a storage medium (a permanent storage device described above) that may further include.

The input / output interface 214 may be a means for interfacing with the input / output device 215. For example, the input device may include a device such as a keyboard or mouse, and the output device may include a device such as a display or speaker. As another example, the input / output interface 214 may be a means for interface with a device in which functions for input and output are integrated into one, such as a touch screen. The input / output device 215 may be configured with the electronic device 1 110 and one device. Further, the input / output interface 224 of the server 150 may be a means for interfacing with the server 150 or with an apparatus (not shown) for input or output that the server 150 may include. As a more specific example, the processor 212 of the electronic device 1 110 is configured using data provided by the server 150 or the electronic device 2 120 in processing a command of a computer program loaded in the memory 211. The service screen or content to be displayed may be displayed on the display through the input / output interface 214.

Also, in other embodiments, the electronic device 1 110 and the server 150 may include more components than those in FIG. 2. However, there is no need to clearly show most prior art components. For example, the electronic device 1 110 may be implemented to include at least some of the above-described input / output devices 215, or other components such as a transceiver, global positioning system (GPS) module, camera, various sensors, and database. It may further include elements. As a more specific example, when the electronic device 1 110 is a smartphone, an acceleration sensor or a gyro sensor, a camera module, various physical buttons included in a smartphone, buttons for a touch panel, input / output ports, and vibration Various components, such as a vibrator, may be implemented to be further included in the electronic device 1 110.

3 to 5 are diagrams illustrating examples of providing network quality information in an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is an example in which the user interface screen provided in the messenger application is displayed on the screen of the electronic device 1 110. In FIG. 3, as the user interface 310 associated with the call is provided, before the start input for the call occurs , It shows an example in which the network quality information 320 indicating the quality of an access network connected to the electronic device 1 110 and capable of providing a VoIP service is displayed on the screen of the electronic device 1 110. The embodiment of FIG. 3 shows an example of displaying the quality of the access network expressed as 'VoIP quality' as one of the values from 1 to 10 (the value '6' in the embodiment of FIG. 3) as the network quality information 320. have.

4 is an example in which the profile window 410 of the selected friend is displayed on the screen of the electronic device 1 110 as a specific friend is selected in the messenger application. In FIG. 4, the dotted box 410 and the dotted box 410 are displayed through the profile window 410. As the user interfaces associated with the call are provided, the network quality information 430 indicating the quality of the access network connected to the electronic device 1 110 and capable of providing a VoIP service before the start input for the call occurs The example displayed on the screen of the device 1 110 is shown. The embodiment of FIG. 4 also shows an example in which the quality of the access network expressed as 'VoIP quality' as the network quality information 430 is expressed as one of values from 1 to 10 (the value '6' in the embodiment of FIG. 4). have.

5 is an example in which the user interface screen provided in the phone call application is displayed on the screen of the electronic device 1 110. In FIG. 5, as the user interface 510 associated with the call is provided, before the start input for the call occurs In the example, network quality information 520 indicating the quality of an access network connected to the electronic device 1 110 and capable of providing a VoIP service is displayed on the screen of the electronic device 1 110. The embodiment of FIG. 5 also shows an example in which the quality of the access network expressed as 'VoIP quality' as the network quality information 520 is expressed as one of values from 1 to 10 (the value '6' in the embodiment of FIG. 5). have.

As described above, in the embodiments of the present invention, before the user attempts a free call or video call using a VoIP service, the user provides network quality information of the access network in response to the provision of a user interface associated with the call, so that users In accordance with this, it is possible to induce a user to select a VoIP service and to improve satisfaction with the VoIP service. For example, if the current quality of the access network provided in advance is high, the user can make a free call or video call using a VoIP service instead of a normal call (for example, a call using a Public Land Mobile Network (PLMN)). have. In this case, as the user is provided with high-quality VoIP service, the satisfaction with the VoIP service can be increased, and the provider of the VoIP service has the benefit of introducing more users to the VoIP service. Conversely, if the current quality of the access network provided in advance is low, the user can make a general call. In this case, it is possible to prevent the user from having a bad preconception about the VoIP service.

In addition, the embodiments of FIGS. 3 to 5 have described examples in which a user interface related to a call is provided, and in response to the provision of the user interface, a computer device such as the electronic device 1 110 according to the present embodiments is networked. An example of displaying quality information has been described. In the embodiments of FIGS. 3 to 5, the network quality information is expressed as a value within a preset range, but it will be easily understood by those skilled in the art that the present invention can be expressed in other ways recognizable by the user. For example, the network quality information may be displayed in three stages: upper, middle, or lower, or network quality information may be displayed based on a change in color from red to green. As such, the network quality information may be provided to the user through one of all methods that the user can recognize the degree of quality of the access network capable of providing the VoIP service. In addition, the network quality information is preferably displayed through a location associated with a user interface related to a call, but is not limited thereto. For example, the network quality information may be displayed on the screen of the electronic device 1 110 at a location independent of the user interface related to the call.

A computer device such as electronic device 1 110 may monitor that a user interface related to a call is provided to the user. For example, an application installed in the electronic device 1 110 may confirm that a user interface related to a call is provided through information on a key input or a situation for providing a user interface related to a call, and the quality of the network according to the confirmation. Information may be acquired and the network quality information may be displayed on a screen of a computer device such as the electronic device 1 110 before a start input for a call occurs.

6 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a network quality verification method of an electronic device according to an embodiment of the present invention. The network quality verification method according to the embodiments of the present invention may be performed by a computer device such as the electronic device 1 110 described above. The electronic device 1 110 may perform steps 610 to 630 included in the network quality verification method of FIG. 6. For example, the processor 212 of the electronic device 1 110 may correspond to code of an operating system included in the memory 211 or code of at least one computer program (for example, an application provided for a network quality verification method). It can be implemented to execute control instructions. Here, the processor 212 performs the electronic device 1 110 so that the electronic device 1 110 performs steps 610 to 630 of FIG. 6 according to a control command provided by the code stored in the electronic device 1 110. Can be controlled.

In operation 610, the electronic device 1 110 may recognize the provision of a user interface associated with a call using the electronic device 1 110. For example, an application installed on the electronic device 1 110 may include information on a user interface for recognition. For example, information on specific applications that provide a call function and information on user interfaces related to a call in those applications may be pre-stored, and the electronic device 1 110 may be based on pre-stored information. It can recognize whether a user interface associated with a call is provided.

In step 620, the electronic device 1 110 obtains network quality information indicating the quality of an access network capable of providing a VoIP service while being connected to the electronic device 1 110 in response to providing a user interface associated with a call. You can. For example, being provided with a user interface associated with a call may mean that the user intends to make the call, or a route through which the user can access the call is provided, wherein the electronic device 1 110 may communicate with the call. In order to provide network quality information according to provision of an associated user interface, network quality information may be acquired. The technology for obtaining network quality information will be described later in detail.

In step 630, the electronic device 1 110 may display the obtained network quality information on the screen of the electronic device 1 110 before the start input for the call occurs through the user interface. Therefore, the electronic device 1 110 may prevent a user from entering the VoIP service through the quality of the access network for the VoIP service or having a bad preconception about the VoIP service through the low quality access network.

As already described, the user can select one of the calls using the VoIP service and the normal call according to the network quality information provided to proceed with the call. On the other hand, depending on the network quality information, a call may be performed by automatically selecting one of a call using a VoIP service and a normal call.

7 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a process of automatically selecting one of a call using a VoIP service and a normal call according to a quality level set by a user in an embodiment of the present invention. Steps 710 to 750 of FIG. 7 may be performed after step 630 described through FIG. 6 or may be performed instead of step 630. 7 shows an example in which steps 710 to 750 are performed after step 630.

In operation 710, the electronic device 1 110 may provide a user with a function for setting the degree of quality. For example, when the degree of quality for the access network exists from 1 to 10, a function for a user to select any one of the values from 1 to 10 may be provided.

In operation 720, the electronic device 1 110 may store and manage the first degree of quality set through a function capable of setting the degree of quality. As an example, consider an example in which the user selects 7 of values from 1 to 10 as the first degree of quality. In this case, the electronic device 1 110 may store and manage the first degree '7' of the set quality. For example, the first degree '7' of the quality set according to the control of the application installed in the electronic device 1 110 may be managed.

In operation 730, the electronic device 1 110 may compare whether the second degree of quality according to the obtained network quality information is greater than or equal to the first degree of set quality. In this case, the electronic device 1 110 may perform step 740 when the second degree is greater than or equal to the first degree, and perform step 750 when the second degree is less than the first degree. As in the above-described example, if the second degree of quality according to the network quality information is equal to or greater than the first degree '7' of the set quality, step 740 may be performed. Conversely, if the second degree is less than the first degree '7', step 750 may be performed.

In operation 740, the electronic device 1 110 may attempt to connect a call using a VoIP service according to the user's call start input. In other words, when the network quality is high, the electronic device 1 110 may automatically attempt to connect a call using a VoIP service according to a user's call start input. For example, a call using a VoIP service may be attempted even when the user presses a button for a general call. At this time, the other party of the call may be specified through the account of the VoIP service selected based on the telephone number selected or input in relation to the general call.

In operation 750, the electronic device 1 110 may attempt to connect the general call according to the user's input for starting the call. In other words, when the network quality is low, the electronic device 1 110 may automatically control the normal call to proceed.

Meanwhile, a network verification server may be used to obtain network quality information. For example, the network verification server may correspond to the server 150 described through FIGS. 1 and 2. Hereinafter, methods for obtaining network quality information through a network verification server will be described in more detail.

8 is a diagram illustrating a first example of a process for obtaining network quality information in an embodiment of the present invention. 8 illustrates the electronic device 810 corresponding to the electronic device 1 110 described above and the network verification server 820 corresponding to the server 150 described above.

In step 831, the electronic device 810 that wants to obtain network quality information may transmit and receive packets with the network verification server 820 for a predetermined time. For example, the electronic device 810 may exchange and receive a Real-time Transport Protocol (RTP) packet with the network verification server 820 for a short time (eg, 500 to 1000 milliseconds).

In operation 832, the electronic device 810 may measure at least one quality information of latency, loss, and jitter for the transmitted and received packets. Measuring the quality of the network through parameters such as delay time, loss, and jitter itself can be easily understood by those skilled in the art through well-known techniques.

In operation 833, the electronic device 810 may calculate the VoIP quality index representing the quality of the access network as a value within a predetermined range according to the measured at least one quality information as first network quality information.

In other words, in the present embodiment, since packets transmitted and received through the VoIP service cannot be used prior to the initiation of the VoIP call, packets are exchanged between the electronic device 810 and the network verification server 820 for a short period of time. It is possible to obtain first network quality information for the access network. Here, the VoIP quality index may be a value within a preset range for the quality of the access network as described above.

According to an embodiment, the quality information and the first network quality information may be measured by the network verification server 820 and provided to the electronic device 810.

The electronic device 810 may use the first network quality information as the network quality information described above, but may further use the second network quality information. The second network quality information may be provided through network quality information for each access network collected and managed by the network verification server 820.

9 is a view showing a second example of the process of obtaining network quality information in an embodiment of the present invention. The network verification server 820 according to the present embodiment may collect the quality information measured in connection with the access network from a plurality of electronic devices 910 and generate and database the network quality information for each access network. For example, each of the plurality of electronic devices 910 may measure quality information of at least one of delay time, loss, and jitter for packets transmitted and received in the course of performing a VoIP service, and the measured quality information is networked. It can be transmitted to the verification server 820. When the electronic device 810 actually performs a free call or a video call using a VoIP service, it measures the quality information of the transmitted and received packets in the process of performing the advanced VoIP service, and uses the measured quality information as a network verification server (820). ). In this case, the electronic device 810 may also be one of the plurality of electronic devices 910.

In more detail, when the VoIP service using the access network is selected through the user interface associated with the call, the electronic device 810 may include at least one of latency, loss, and jitter for packets transmitted and received in the course of performing the VoIP service. One quality information may be measured, and the measured at least one quality information and access network information may be linked to the network verification server 820.

At this time, each of the plurality of electronic devices 910 may further transmit information on the access network used for performing the VoIP service to the network verification server 820. For example, the identifier of the access network may be transmitted to the network verification server 820 along with the measured quality information. In this case, the network verification server 820 may generate network quality information by using the quality information, and correlates information on the access network with the network quality information generated for the access network to the network quality information database 920. Can be stored and managed. In other words, the network verification server 820 can obtain network quality information for each access network. At this time, multiple network quality information for the same access network can be obtained. In this case, the network verification server 820 may maintain statistical network quality information by statisticizing network quality information related to one access network.

The electronic device 810 may request network quality information from the network verification server 820 prior to the start input of the call, and the second network that the network verification server 820 extracts and provides through the network quality information database 920 Quality information can be received. For example, the electronic device 810 may transmit the identifier of the current access network to the network verification server 820, and the network verification server 820 may correspond to the identifier, and the second network stored in the network quality information database 920 Quality information may be extracted and provided to the electronic device 810.

Meanwhile, according to an embodiment, the network verification server 820 further receives location information at the time of performing the VoIP service of each of the plurality of electronic devices 910 (when VoIP calls), and for the same access network according to the location information. Network quality information can be further subdivided. In addition, the network verification server 820 may further subdivide network quality information for the same access network according to the call time zone. For example, the quality of the access network may vary depending on where a particular electronic device connects to the access network, and may also vary depending on the number of users connected to it, depending on which time period a particular electronic device accesses the access network. It may vary. Accordingly, the network verification server 820 may manage the network quality information by segmenting each access network and even the same access network by location and / or time zone.

In this case, the electronic device 810 may transmit the location information together with the identifier of the current access network to the network verification server 820. At this time, the network verification server 820 may extract the second network quality information corresponding to the received location and / or time zone from the network quality information corresponding to the identifier and provide it to the electronic device 810.

As described above, the second network quality information provided to the electronic device 810 is displayed on the screen of the electronic device 810 before the start input for the call occurs, so that the user can receive the VoIP service even before using the VoIP service. Quality (quality of access network) can be experienced.

In addition, both the first network quality information described through the embodiment of FIG. 8 and the second network quality information described through the embodiment of FIG. 9 may be utilized. For example, the electronic device 810 generates first network quality information through packet transmission and reception with the network verification server 820, and after receiving the second network quality information from the network verification server 820, the first network Using both the quality information and the second network quality information, network quality information for providing to the user can be generated. For example, the electronic device 810 may generate network quality information for providing to the user by averaging through a weighted sum of the first network quality information and the second network quality information.

10 is a flowchart illustrating a network quality verification method of a network verification server according to an embodiment of the present invention. The network quality verification method according to embodiments of the present invention may be performed by the network verification server 820 described above, and the network verification server 820 may be implemented as a computer device such as the server 150. The network verification server 820 may perform steps 1010 to 1050 included in the network quality verification method of FIG. 10. For example, the processor 222 of the server 150 may be implemented to execute control instructions according to code of an operating system included in the memory 221 or code of at least one computer program. Here, the processor 222 may control the server 150 so that the server 150 performs the steps 1010 to 1050 of FIG. 10 according to a control command provided by the code stored in the server 150.

In step 1010, the network verification server 820 may collect quality information measured in connection with an access network capable of providing VoIP service in a plurality of electronic devices. In the embodiment of FIG. 9, at least one quality information of delay time, loss, and jitter of a packet transmitted and received in a process in which each of the plurality of electronic devices 910 performs a VoIP service may be measured, and the measured quality It has been described that information can be transmitted to the network verification server 820.

In step 1020, the network verification server 820 may generate network quality information for each access network using the collected quality information.

In step 1030, the network verification server 820 may store and manage the generated network quality information in a database.

It has been described with reference to FIG. 9 that the network verification server 820 can generate and store and manage network quality information for each access network in a database. Here, the database may correspond to the network quality information database 920 described with reference to FIG. 9.

In step 1040, the network verification server 820 may receive a request for network quality information of the first access network from the electronic device 810. The request may occur in the electronic device 810 in response to a user interface associated with a call using the electronic device 810 being provided by the electronic device 810.

In step 1050, the network verification server 820 may retrieve the first network quality information corresponding to the request from the database and transmit it to the electronic device 810. At this time, the electronic device 810 uses the first network quality information to display the network of the first access network on the screen of the electronic device 810 before the start input for the call occurs in the electronic device 810 through the user interface. Quality information can be displayed.

In addition, the network verification server 820 may transmit and receive packets for a predetermined time with the electronic device 810, and in the electronic device 810, delay time, loss, and jitter for packets transmitted and received with the network verification server 820. At least one quality information is measured, and the VoIP quality index expressing the quality of the access network with a value within a predetermined range according to the measured at least one quality information can be calculated as the second network quality information. In this case, the electronic device 810 may determine network quality information for the first access network using both the first network quality information and the second network quality information.

In addition, as already described, the network verification server 820 may check information on at least one of the location and call time of each of the plurality of electronic devices when measuring quality information in step 1010, step 1030. In the network quality information for each access network can be subdivided into network quality information for at least one identified information, and stored and managed in a database. At this time, the network verification server 820 checks at least one of the location of the electronic device 810 and the call time zone in step 1040, and the identified position in the network quality information corresponding to the first access network in step 1050. And network quality information subdivided into at least one of the call time zones from the database as first network quality information and transmitted to the electronic device 810. Even in this case, the electronic device 810 may determine network quality information for the first access network using both the first network quality information and the second network quality information.

By providing the network quality information for the first access network to the user prior to the initiation of a call, the user can help to select the VoIP service and improve user satisfaction with the VoIP service.

As described above, according to embodiments of the present invention, by providing users with information that can predict the quality of the access network related to the VoIP service before attempting the VoIP service, users can use the VoIP service according to the network quality information. At the same time, it is possible to improve satisfaction with the VoIP service.

The system or device described above may be implemented as a hardware component, a software component, or a combination of hardware components and software components. For example, the devices and components described in the embodiments include, for example, processors, controllers, arithmetic logic units (ALUs), digital signal processors (micro signal processors), microcomputers, field programmable gate arrays (FPGAs). , A programmable logic unit (PLU), microprocessor, or any other device capable of executing and responding to instructions, may be implemented using one or more general purpose computers or special purpose computers. The processing device may perform an operating system (OS) and one or more software applications running on the operating system. In addition, the processing device may access, store, manipulate, process, and generate data in response to the execution of the software. For convenience of understanding, a processing device may be described as one being used, but a person having ordinary skill in the art, the processing device may include a plurality of processing elements and / or a plurality of types of processing elements. It can be seen that may include. For example, the processing device may include a plurality of processors or a processor and a controller. In addition, other processing configurations, such as parallel processors, are possible.

The software may include a computer program, code, instruction, or a combination of one or more of these, and configure the processing device to operate as desired, or process independently or collectively You can command the device. Software and / or data may be interpreted by a processing device, or to provide instructions or data to a processing device, of any type of machine, component, physical device, virtual equipment, computer storage medium or device. Can be embodied in The software may be distributed on networked computer systems, and stored or executed in a distributed manner. Software and data may be stored on one or more computer-readable recording media.

The method according to the embodiment may be implemented in the form of program instructions that can be executed through various computer means and recorded on a computer readable medium. The computer-readable medium may include program instructions, data files, data structures, or the like alone or in combination. The program instructions recorded on the medium may be specially designed and configured for the embodiments or may be known and usable by those skilled in computer software. Examples of computer-readable recording media include magnetic media such as hard disks, floppy disks, and magnetic tapes, optical media such as CD-ROMs, DVDs, and magnetic media such as floptical disks. -Hardware devices specially configured to store and execute program instructions such as magneto-optical media, and ROM, RAM, flash memory, and the like. Such a recording medium may be various recording means or storage means in the form of a combination of single or several hardware, and is not limited to a medium directly connected to a computer system, but may be distributed on a network. Examples of program instructions include high-level language code that can be executed by a computer using an interpreter, etc., as well as machine language codes produced by a compiler.

Mode for carrying out the invention

As described above, although the embodiments have been described by a limited embodiment and drawings, those skilled in the art can make various modifications and variations from the above description. For example, the described techniques are performed in a different order than the described method, and / or the components of the described system, structure, device, circuit, etc. are combined or combined in a different form from the described method, or other components Alternatively, even if replaced or substituted by equivalents, appropriate results can be achieved.

Therefore, other implementations, other embodiments, and equivalents to the claims are also within the scope of the following claims.

Claims (20)

A computer program stored in a computer-readable recording medium in combination with a computer to execute a network quality verification method on the computer,
The network quality verification method,
In response to a user interface associated with a call using an electronic device being provided, connecting with the electronic device to obtain network quality information indicating the quality of an access network capable of providing a Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) service; And
Displaying the obtained network quality information on a screen of the electronic device before the start input for the call occurs through the user interface
Computer program comprising a. According to claim 1,
The obtaining step,
Transmitting and receiving packets with the network verification server for a predetermined time;
Measuring quality information of at least one of latency, loss, and jitter for the transmitted and received packets; And
Calculating a VoIP quality index representing the quality of an access network as a value within a predetermined range according to the measured at least one quality information as first network quality information
Computer program comprising a. According to claim 2,
The obtaining step,
Requesting quality information for the access network from the network verification server; And
Receiving second network quality information collected and managed in connection with the access network from the network verification server;
Including,
And the network quality information is generated based on the first network quality information and the second network quality information. According to claim 1,
The network quality verification method,
When a VoIP service using the access network is selected through the user interface as a method of the call, among latency, loss, and jitter of packets transmitted and received in the process of performing the VoIP service Measuring at least one quality information; And
Transmitting the measured at least one quality information and information on the access network to a network verification server
Computer program comprising a. The method of claim 3 or 4,
The network verification server is a computer program characterized in that it is implemented to collect the quality information measured in connection with the access network from a plurality of electronic devices and generate and database the network quality information for each access network. The method of claim 5,
The obtaining step,
And communicating with the network verification server, receiving network quality information for the access network connected to the electronic device from the network quality information for each access network managed by the network verification server. The method of claim 5,
The network quality information for each access network is subdivided into network quality information for at least one of the location and call time of the electronic device for the same access network, and managed by the network verification server.
The obtaining step,
And receiving network quality information associated with at least one of a current location and a call time of the electronic device for an access network connected to the electronic device. According to claim 1,
Providing the user with a function for setting the degree of quality to the user;
If the degree of quality according to the obtained network quality information is greater than or equal to the set quality, attempting to connect a call using the VoIP service according to the user's call start input; And
When the quality level according to the obtained network quality information is less than the set quality level, attempting to connect a general call according to the user's call start input
Computer program comprising a. In response to a user interface associated with a call using an electronic device being provided, obtaining network quality information indicating a quality of an access network connected to the electronic device and capable of providing a Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) service; And
Displaying the obtained network quality information on a screen of the electronic device before the start input for the call occurs through the user interface
Network quality verification method comprising a. The method of claim 9,
The obtaining step,
Transmitting and receiving packets with the network verification server for a predetermined time;
Measuring quality information of at least one of latency, loss, and jitter for the transmitted and received packets; And
Calculating a VoIP quality index representing the quality of an access network as a value within a predetermined range according to the measured at least one quality information as first network quality information
Network quality verification method comprising a. The method of claim 9,
The obtaining step,
Requesting quality information for the access network from the network verification server; And
Receiving second network quality information collected and managed in connection with the access network from the network verification server;
Including,
The network quality information is a network quality verification method characterized in that it is generated based on the first network quality information and the second network quality information. The method of claim 9,
When a VoIP service using the access network is selected through the user interface as a method of the call, among latency, loss, and jitter of packets transmitted and received in the process of performing the VoIP service Measuring at least one quality information; And
Transmitting the measured at least one quality information and information on the access network to a network verification server
Network quality verification method comprising a. The method of claim 11 or 12,
The network verification server is implemented to collect the quality information measured in connection with the access network from a plurality of electronic devices, and generate and database the network quality information for each access network. The method of claim 13,
The obtaining step,
And communicating with the network verification server, receiving network quality information for the access network connected to the electronic device from network quality information for each access network managed by the network verification server. Collecting quality information measured in connection with an access network capable of providing a Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) service from a plurality of electronic devices;
Generating network quality information for each access network using the collected quality information;
Storing and managing the generated network quality information in a database;
Receiving a request for network quality information of the first access network from the first electronic device; And
Retrieving first network quality information corresponding to the request from the database and transmitting it to the first electronic device
Including,
The request is generated in the first electronic device in response to a user interface associated with a call using the first electronic device being provided by the first electronic device,
Before the start input for the call is generated in the first electronic device through the user interface, network quality information of the first access network is displayed on the screen of the first electronic device using the first network quality information. Network quality verification method characterized in that the. The method of claim 15,
The measured quality information includes at least one of latency, loss, and jitter measured for packets transmitted and received while each of the plurality of electronic devices performs the VoIP service. Network quality verification method characterized in that. The method of claim 16,
The network quality information for each access network is characterized in that it includes a VoIP quality index for each access network that expresses the quality of the access network with a value within a predetermined range according to at least one of the latency, loss, and jitter. Network quality verification method. The method of claim 15,
Transmitting and receiving a packet for a predetermined time with the first electronic device
Further comprising,
At least one quality information of latency, loss, and jitter for the transmitted / received packet in the first electronic device is measured, and a preset range according to the measured at least one quality information The VoIP quality index representing the quality of the access network is calculated as second network quality information, and the network quality information of the first access network is determined using the first network quality information and the second network quality information. Network quality verification method characterized by. The method of claim 15,
The collecting step,
Check information on at least one of a location and a call time of each of the plurality of electronic devices when measuring the quality information,
The storage and management steps
Network quality verification method characterized in that the network quality information for each access network is segmented into network quality information for the identified at least one information, and stored and managed in the database. The method of claim 19,
The step of receiving the request is
Confirming at least one of the location of the first electronic device and the call time,
The transmitting step,
Characterized in that the network quality information subdivided into at least one of the identified location and call time among the network quality information corresponding to the first access network is extracted from the database and transmitted to the first electronic device as the first network quality information. Network quality verification method.

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