JP3447626B2 - Information communication system and communication path continuity confirmation method used therefor - Google Patents

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an information communication system and a communication path continuity confirmation method used therefor, and more particularly to a mobile station or ISDN (InD) which communicates with a base station via a radio signal.
integrated Services Digital
The present invention relates to a method for confirming the continuity of a communication path in a fixed terminal that communicates via a network.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, as a mobile station that communicates with a base station via a radio signal, a PDC (Personal Di) is used.
digital cellular) system, CDMA (Co
division multiple lapses
s) method, PHS (Personal Handy p
There are mobile phones, handsets, terminals, etc. of the "Hone System" system.

In this fixed terminal that communicates via a mobile station or ISDN line, even if a communication path is connected, the communication quality changes depending on the condition of the communication line in the middle, so that voice, data, images, etc. It is not possible to know how high the quality of communication can be without conducting the communication.

CCITT is used to confirm the continuity of the communication path.
(ITU-T: International Tele
communication Union-Telec
communication Standardizatat
Ionion Sector) Recommendation I. It is defined in 600 subscriber facilities and network facilities.

Further, Japanese Laid-Open Patent Publication No. 56-91549 discloses a signal loopback test method, which is disclosed in Japanese Laid-Open Patent Publication No. 11-6.
The 8947 publication discloses a two-way type automatic response trunk and a voice continuity confirmation method.

[0006]

In the above-mentioned conventional method of confirming the continuity of the communication path, even if the communication path is connected, the communication quality changes depending on the condition of the communication line on the way, so that voice, data, images, etc. It is not possible to know how well the communication can be performed unless the communication is performed, and this has a great influence on the mobile station that communicates with the base station.

On the other hand, the end user may want to start important voice communication or data communication even after waiting until the communication quality desired by the end user is reached. Further, in an important video conference, there is a problem that the progress of the conference is hindered by confirming the connection during the discussion.

In contrast, CCITT Recommendation I. Although the signal is looped back in the regulation of 600, it is necessary to provide equipment for maintenance on the network side / terminal side, and there is no function for the end user to confirm continuity at an arbitrary timing.

Further, in the techniques disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 56-91549 and Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 11-68947, it is necessary to provide equipment for maintenance on the network side and the terminal side, and this method is usually an end method. It is not a function used by the user.

Therefore, an object of the present invention is to solve the above-mentioned problems, and to what extent the reception quality is easily received by the other party without providing equipment for maintenance on the network side / terminal side. It is an object of the present invention to provide an information communication system capable of confirming at any time and a communication path continuity confirmation method used therefor.

[0011]

An information communication system according to the present invention comprises input means for inputting voice from the outside , respectively.
Outputs the sound transmitted via the downlink communication path to the outside.
That between the first and second terminals and an output means is connected via the uplink communication path and the downlink communication path communicates with the at least voice and data and video between the first and second terminals An information communication system, requesting one of communication path continuity confirmation start and communication path continuity confirmation stop for confirming continuity of the upstream communication path and the downstream communication path in a connection procedure when starting existing communication Means for sending a control signal to the partner terminal, and the information received via the downlink communication path at the time of receiving the control signal requesting the start of confirmation of the communication path continuity from the partner terminal, via the uplink communication path. switching means for outputting the information received via the downlink communication path upon receipt of a control signal requesting the communication path continuity test stopped loopback vital to the destination terminal to the output means of the terminal Te The preparation for the first and second terminals, respectively, wherein a control signal for requesting the communication path continuity test start
It is sent to the other party's terminal and input from the input means of the own terminal.
The voice has been looped back from the destination terminal
Sometimes the voice is sent to the terminal of the own terminal through the switch means.
By outputting from the output means to the outside, the user can
The continuity of the upstream communication path and the downstream communication path can be confirmed based on the voice output from the output means .

Each of the communication path confirmation methods according to the present invention is
Via an input means for inputting voice from outside and a downlink communication path.
And an output means for outputting the sound transmitted to the outside.
Between the first and second terminal comprises is connected through an uplink channel and the downlink communication path, the communication of the first and second at least voice and data communication system for communicating with the data and images between terminals A method of confirming channel continuity, one of communication channel continuity confirmation start and communication channel continuity confirmation stop for confirming continuity of the upstream communication channel and the downstream communication channel in the connection procedure when starting existing communication. The step of sending a requesting control signal to the other party, and the information received via the downlink communication channel at the time of receiving the control signal requesting the start of the communication channel continuity confirmation from the destination terminal, via the uplink communication channel. wherein the step of looping back to the destination terminal, wherein before the information received via the downlink communication path upon receipt of a control signal for requesting a communication path continuity check stop of the terminal Te
A step of outputting to the output means for each of the first and second terminals, and a control requesting the start of the communication path continuity confirmation.
Control signal to the other party's terminal
When the voice input from the stage is looped back from the destination terminal , the voice is output from the output means of the own terminal.
By outputting to the outside, the user can use the output means of his own terminal.
The continuity of the upstream communication path and the downstream communication path can be freely confirmed based on the sound output from the .

That is, the communication path continuity confirmation method of the present invention uses a PDC (Personal Digital Ce
system, CDMA (Code Divis)
ion multiple access) method, PHS
(Personal Handy phone Sys
tem) mobile phones, handsets, mobile stations that communicate with base stations via wireless signals typified by terminals, and ISDs.
N (Integrated Services Dig)
It is possible to easily confirm the continuity of the communication path when a fixed terminal that communicates via an (Ital Network) line communicates voice, data, images, etc., when communication is started by incoming / outgoing call or during communication. It provides a configuration for.

A characteristic feature of the communication path continuity confirmation method of the present invention is that the connection procedure for starting existing communication is requested to start / stop the communication path continuity confirmation without changing the base station or the network. The point is that when a signal is added and the mobile station or the fixed terminal receives the above signal, the mobile station or the fixed terminal loops back the downlink communication path.

With this, the quality of the communication path to which the end user on the calling side or the called side permits the connection is freely decided as desired by the user, and if the quality is higher than the permission, the originating / receiving / communication is not started. Alternatively, it becomes possible to hold incoming / outgoing calls / communication until the quality exceeds the permission level, or to check at any time what the reception quality of the other party is receiving during communication.

The end user may want to start important voice communication and data communication even after waiting until the communication quality desired by the end user is reached. In an important video conference, the connection confirmation is performed during the discussion and the conference is started. Although there is a problem of hindering the progress, the communication path continuity confirmation method of the present invention can improve the convenience of the end user.

[0017]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Next, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of an information communication system according to an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 1
In the information communication system according to the embodiment of the present invention, a terminal station (mobile station or fixed terminal) is connected between a base station and
It is configured to be connected via the ISDN network 3.

The terminals 1 and 2 are CPUs 10 and 20, respectively.
, Terminal input units 11 and 21, modulation units 12 and 22, transmission units 13 and 23, reception units 14 and 24, demodulation unit 15,
25, and downlink communication loopback switches 16 and 26
And terminal output units 17 and 27, and memories 18 and 28.

When the terminal 1 inputs information about upstream voice, data, images, etc. to be transmitted to the terminal 2,
The information is modulated by the modulator 12 and transmitted from the transmitter 13 to the base station / ISDN network 3 from the upstream communication path.

The base station / ISDN network 3 transmits the information from the terminal 1 as it is to the receiving unit 24 of the terminal 2 through the downlink communication path. After that, in the terminal 2, the demodulation unit 25 demodulates, and the terminal output unit 27 through the downlink channel loopback switch 26.
Output to.

When the downlink communication path loopback switch 26 of the terminal 2 receives a signal requesting the start of confirmation of the communication path continuity during the connection procedure for starting the existing communication, the downlink communication path loopback switch 26 from the terminal 1 flowing on the communication path is transmitted. It has a function of returning information to the terminal 1 without outputting it to the terminal output unit 27. In addition, when the downlink communication path loopback switch 26 receives a signal requesting confirmation stop of communication path continuity, the information from the terminal 1 is sent to the terminal output unit 27.
Output to.

The above-described processing operation is for confirming the communication quality of the information transmitted from the terminal 1 to the terminal 2. The terminal 1 transmits a communication path continuity confirmation start request to the terminal 2, and the terminal 2 returns the information received from the terminal 1 in response to this request.

After completion of the continuity confirmation, the terminal 1 transmits a communication path continuity confirmation stop request if the quality of the connection is good. In response to this request, the terminal 2 outputs the information received from the terminal 1 to the terminal output unit 27.

In order to confirm with what communication quality the terminal 1 has received the information transmitted by the terminal 2, the same processing operation as described above is performed so that the information transmitted by the terminal 2 is transmitted to the terminal 1. Check how much communication quality has arrived.

In the above operation, the CPUs 10 and 20 make the memory 1
It is controlled by executing software (program) stored in 8, 28. Further, the terminals 1 and 2 exchange control signals with the base station / ISDN network 3 in order to connect the communication path, but this configuration and operation are publicly known and will be omitted.

When the CPU 10 or 20 receives the communication path continuity confirmation start request or the communication path continuity confirmation stop request by the control signal during the connection procedure for starting the existing communication, the downlink communication path loopback switches 16 and 26 are activated. It controls whether to return or to output normally to the terminal output units 17 and 27. Further, in practice, the CPUs 10 and 20 perform control for disconnecting the communication unless the communication quality desired by the end user or control for confirming the communication quality at a constant cycle.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a connection sequence when carrying out communication path continuity confirmation according to one embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 3 is a communication path continuity confirmation start request and communication path continuity according to one embodiment of the present invention. 4 is a flowchart showing a transmission process of a confirmation stop request, and FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing a reception process of a communication path continuity confirmation start request and a communication path continuity confirmation stop request according to an embodiment of the present invention.

A communication path continuity confirmation operation according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. still,
The processing operations shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 are realized by the CPUs 10 and 20 executing programs stored in the memories 18 and 28, and the memories 18 and 28 include a ROM (read only memory) or an IC (integrated circuit) memory. Can be used.

When the terminal 1 connects the communication path to the terminal 2, the terminal 1 and the base station / ISDN network 3 perform a communication path connection procedure using a control signal. After performing the communication path connection procedure, when the terminal 1 inputs information such as image input, upstream data, and upstream voice, which is desired to be transmitted to the terminal 2, from the terminal input unit 11, the modulation unit 12 modulates the information and the transmission unit 13 transmits the information. To the base station / ISDN network 3 through the up communication path.

The base station / ISDN network 3 transmits the information from the terminal 1 to the receiving unit 24 of the terminal 2 as it is through the downlink communication path. After that, in the terminal 2, the information is demodulated by the demodulation unit 25 and output to the terminal output unit 27 through the downlink communication path loopback switch 26. The downlink communication path loopback switch 26 is connected to the terminal output unit 27 in the initial state.

The information transmitted to the terminal 2 is
When it is desired to check the quality of the received signal (at the time of confirming the communication path continuity) (step S1 in FIG. 3), the terminal 1 transmits a communication path continuity confirmation start request to the terminal 2 via the control signal ( 3 step S3). The terminal 1 executes another processing operation (step S2 in FIG. 3) unless it is confirmed that the communication path is connected (step S1 in FIG. 3).

When the terminal 2 receives the communication path continuity confirmation start request via the control signal (step S11 in FIG. 4), the downlink communication path loopback switch 26 is switched back to the terminal 1 (step S13 in FIG. 4). As a result, the information from the terminal 1 flowing in the communication path is not output to the terminal output unit 27 and is returned to the terminal 1. In contrast,
Since the downlink communication path loopback switch 26 is connected to the terminal output unit 27 in the initial state, if the communication path continuity confirmation start request is not received (step S11 in FIG. 4),
The downlink communication loopback switch 26 is connected to the terminal output unit 27.
(Step S12 in FIG. 4), and the process directly proceeds to the reception process.

After the terminal 1 completes the continuity confirmation (step S in FIG. 3).
4, S5), if the quality is good for connection (step S6 in FIG. 3), a communication channel continuity confirmation stop request is transmitted to the terminal 2 via the control signal (step S7 in FIG. 3). When the terminal 2 receives the communication path continuity confirmation stop request (step S1 in FIG. 4).
4), the downlink communication loopback switch 26 is connected to the terminal output unit 27 (step S14 in FIG. 4). As a result, the information from the terminal 1 flowing on the communication path is output to the terminal output unit 27 (reception processing).

After the terminal 1 completes the confirmation of the continuity (step S in FIG. 3).
4, S5), if the quality is not acceptable for connection (step S6 in FIG. 3), that is, when the terminal 2 does not have the communication quality desired by the end user, the communication is disconnected (step S8 in FIG. 3). In addition to this control, the terminal 1 has a function of confirming the communication quality at a constant cycle and restarting the communication if the communication quality desired by the end user or controlling the communication quality at any timing. .

The above-described operation is for confirming the communication quality of the information transmitted from the terminal 1 at the terminal 2. When confirming how much communication quality the information transmitted from the terminal 2 arrives at the terminal 1, the same processing as described above is performed.

According to the above-described method, the communication channel connection confirmation start request / stop request is added to the existing communication channel connection procedure without changing the base station or the network, and the downlink communication channel loopback switch control on the terminal side is added. By doing so, it is possible to easily confirm at any time what the reception quality of the other party is receiving.

With this, the quality of the communication path to which the end user on the calling side or the called side permits the connection is freely decided as desired, and the outgoing / incoming call / communication is not started unless the quality is higher than the permission. Alternatively, it is possible to hold the outgoing / incoming call / communication until the quality becomes higher than the permission, or to confirm at any time what the reception quality the other party is receiving during communication.

The end user may want to start important voice communication or data communication even after waiting until the communication quality desired by the end user is reached. In an important video conference, the connection confirmation is performed during the discussion and the conference is started. Although there is a problem that the progress is hindered, the convenience of the end user can be improved by the communication path continuity confirmation method of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a flow chart showing a process of transmitting a communication path continuity confirmation start request and a communication path continuity confirmation stop request according to another embodiment of the present invention. According to another embodiment of the present invention, in the transmission processing of the communication path continuity confirmation start request and the communication path continuity confirmation stop request according to the above-described embodiment of the present invention, the communication quality is confirmed at a constant cycle and the communication desired by the end user. If it is quality, a step of restarting communication (step 28 in FIG. 5) is added.

The information transmitted to the terminal 1 is
When it is desired to check the quality of the received signal (when confirming the communication path continuity) (step S21 in FIG. 5), the terminal 1
Transmits a communication path continuity confirmation start request to the terminal 2 via the control signal (step S23 in FIG. 5). The terminal 1 executes another processing operation (step S22 in FIG. 5) unless the communication path is confirmed (step S21 in FIG. 5).

After the terminal 1 completes the confirmation of continuity (step S in FIG. 5).
24, S25), and if the quality is acceptable for connection (step S26 in FIG. 5), a communication channel continuity confirmation stop request is transmitted to the terminal 2 via the control signal (step S29 in FIG. 5). Further, when the terminal 1 is not of a quality that allows connection (step S26 in FIG. 5), that is, when the terminal 2 does not have the communication quality desired by the end user, the communication is disconnected (step S2 in FIG. 5).
7).

Thereafter, the terminal 1 performs step S2 each time a preset predetermined time elapses (step S28 in FIG. 5).
3, the process of transmitting the communication path continuity confirmation start request to the terminal 2 via the control signal is repeated, and the communication is resumed if the communication quality desired by the end user is obtained (step S in FIG. 5).
22-S29).

[0043]

As described above, according to the present invention, in the information communication system in which the first and second terminals are connected via the upstream communication path and the downstream communication path,
Each of the terminals sends a signal requesting the start / stop of the communication path continuity confirmation to the other party in the connection procedure when starting the existing communication when confirming the communication path continuity, and the communication path continuity from the other party By looping back the information received via the downlink communication path to the uplink communication path when a signal requesting confirmation start / stop is received, the other party can easily be installed without providing maintenance equipment on the network side / terminal side. The effect is that it is possible to check at any time what is the reception quality that is being received by.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an information communication system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a connection sequence when performing communication path continuity confirmation according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing a transmission process of a communication path continuity confirmation start request and a communication path continuity confirmation stop request according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing a reception process of a communication path continuity confirmation start request and a communication path continuity confirmation stop request according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a transmission process of a communication path continuity confirmation start request and a communication path continuity confirmation stop request according to another embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

1, 2 terminals 3 base stations / ISDN network 10, 20 CPU 11,21 Terminal input section 12,22 Modulator 13,23 Transmitter 14,24 Receiver 15, 25 Demodulator 16,26 Downlink loopback switch 17,27 Terminal output unit 18,28 memory

─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of front page (58) Fields surveyed (Int.Cl. ⁷ , DB name) H04M 3/26 H04B 7/26 H04M 3/00

Claims (12)

(57) [Claims] 1. Input means for inputting voice from outside respectively
And outputs the sound transmitted via the downlink communication path to the outside.
Between the first and second terminals and an output means for force is connected via the uplink communication path and the downlink communication path, the communication with at least voice and data and video between the first and second terminals In the information communication system to be performed, one of communication channel continuity confirmation start and communication channel continuity confirmation stop for confirming continuity of the uplink communication channel and downlink communication channel in the connection procedure when starting existing communication Means for sending a requesting control signal to the partner terminal, the information received via the downlink communication path at the time of receiving the control signal requesting the communication path continuity confirmation start from the partner terminal, the uplink communication path switch for outputting the information received via the downlink communication path upon receipt of a control signal requesting the loopback vital said communication path continuity check stop to the destination terminal via the output means of the terminal And means in said first and second terminals, respectively, wherein a control signal for requesting the communication path continuity test initiation partner
It was sent to the destination terminal and input from the input means of the own terminal
When the voice has been looped back from the destination terminal
The output of the voice of the own terminal via the switch means
By outputting from the means to the outside, the user can
An information communication system characterized in that the continuity of the upstream communication path and the downstream communication path can be confirmed based on the voice output from the output means . 2. The first and second terminals are any one of a mobile station that communicates with a base station via a wireless signal and a fixed terminal that communicates via a wired line. The information communication system according to claim 1. 3. The means for transmitting the control signal is a self terminal.
When the voice input from the input means is looped back from the destination terminal, the user outputs the output
Based on the voice output from the stage, the communication quality is the desired quality.
When it is determined that the communication path continuity confirmation stop is sent, a control signal is sent to the destination terminal to maintain the connection,
When the user determines that the communication quality is not the desired quality
3. The information communication system according to claim 1 or 2 , wherein the connection is cut off . Wherein means for sending said control signal from claim 1, characterized in that sends a control signal for requesting the communication path continuity test started with a constant period which is preset in the destination terminal The information communication system according to claim 3 . Wherein means for sending the control signal, wherein, characterized in that sends a control signal <br/> No. requesting the communication path continuity test initiated in response to an external instruction to the destination terminal The information communication system according to any one of claims 1 to 4 . 6. The first and second terminals are the other party.
Determines whether the communication quality confirmed by the information looped back from the terminal is the desired quality, and disconnects the communication with the partner terminal when the communication quality is not the desired quality.
Information communication system according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that. 7. Input means for inputting voice from outside respectively
And outputs the sound transmitted via the downlink communication path to the outside.
Between the first and second terminals and an output means for force is connected via the uplink communication path and the downlink communication path, the communication with at least voice and data and video between the first and second terminals A method for confirming communication channel continuity of an information communication system, comprising: starting communication channel continuity confirmation and confirming communication channel continuity for confirming continuity of the uplink communication channel and downlink communication channel in a connection procedure when starting existing communication. Sending a control signal requesting one of the stop to the other party, and the information received via the downlink communication channel at the time of receiving the control signal requesting the communication channel continuity confirmation start from the partner terminal. Looping back to the destination terminal via the uplink communication path, and the information received via the downlink communication path at the time of receiving the control signal requesting the communication path continuity confirmation stop The out
Outputting to a communication means in each of the first and second terminals, and a control signal requesting the start of confirmation of the communication path continuity.
It was sent to the destination terminal and input from the input means of the own terminal
When the voice has been looped back from the destination terminal
The voice can be output to the outside from the output means of the own terminal.
And the sound output by the user from the output means of the own terminal.
Confirmation own continuity of the uplink channel and the downlink channel based on voice
A method for confirming communication path continuity, which is characterized by being present . 8. The first and second terminals are one of a mobile station that communicates with a base station via a wireless signal and a fixed terminal that communicates via a wired line. The communication path continuity confirmation method according to claim 7 . 9. A sound input from the input means of the own terminal
Before at the time of the voice it has been looped back from the destination terminal
Based on the voice output from the output means by the user,
By sending a control signal communication quality requires the communication path continuity test stopped when it is determined that the desired quality in the partner terminal
The connection is maintained and the communication quality desired by the user is the desired quality.
9. The communication path continuity confirmation method according to claim 7 , wherein the connection is disconnected when it is determined that the connection is not established . Communication according to any one of 10. The system of claim 7 claim 9, a control signal for requesting the communication path continuity test started at a preset constant period was characterized by sending to the destination terminal How to check the road connection. 11. A control signal for requesting the start of confirmation of the communication path continuity is transmitted to the partner terminal in response to an external instruction.
Channel continuity check method according to claim 10 claim 7, characterized in that. 12. The first and second terminals are the other party.
A step of determining whether or not the communication quality confirmed by the information looped back from the destination terminal is the desired quality
Including, when the communication quality is not the desired quality, the other party
Channel continuity check method according to any one of claims 11 claim 7, characterized in that cutting the communication with the terminal.