JP4311072B2 - Communication control device and communication control method - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a communication control method between a terminal and a server connected via an IP network, and is particularly suitable for application to communication control using SIP (Session Initiation Protocol).
[0002]
[Prior art]
Conventionally, this type of device is disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2003-58676, and schedule information is sent to a designated terminal by an electronic mail transmitted from a communication system in a company and a server installed in a LAN. It was something to send.
[0003]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, since the apparatus configured as described above can only send a schedule to a terminal designated in advance, the schedule notification cannot be received when the user is not using the designated terminal. Even if it is not, the schedule cannot be received because the e-mail transmitted from the server cannot be received. Furthermore, since the schedule is transmitted to a designated terminal in a general e-mail format, subsequent operations such as a call must be performed by the user, and the receiving terminal can be a personal computer or mobile phone. It must be a terminal that can receive e-mail, such as an information terminal.
[0004]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to solve this problem, the present invention provides a presence information storage unit that stores presence information indicating a state of a terminal in a communication control device that controls communication between terminals connected via an IP network, A preference information storage unit for storing preference information indicating a response method, a setting unit for setting a call between terminals using presence information and preference information, and a guidance information storage unit for storing guidance information When the call setting unit starts a call between the first terminal that desires to start a call with the second terminal and the second terminal that is the call destination of the first terminal , the call setting unit displays presence information and preference information. reference, the connection to the first terminal and the second terminal requests, when there is a response connectable from the first terminal before the second terminal to the connection request, guidance Said guidance information for prompting a connection holding until there is a response from the second terminal to send to the first terminal to broadcast accumulation unit, when there is a response previously connectable from the second terminal, guidance guidance information for prompting a connection holding until there is a response from the first terminal sends to the second terminal to the information storage unit, guidance when a response is confirmed from the first terminal and a second terminal Request to stop the transmission of information, request to stop the transmission of guidance information when the response from the first terminal and the second terminal is confirmed, between the first terminal and the second terminal The call was started.
[0005]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
(1) The present invention provides a control method for setting and confirming a schedule, making a call between users, changing a connected terminal, and the like using a real-time communication service by cooperation of a terminal equipped with a Web application, a user terminal, and a SIP server. To do.
[0006]
Embodiments according to the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.
(1-1) Configuration of Embodiment FIG. 1 shows a configuration of a communication control system of the embodiment.
In FIG. 1, a terminal 2 (for example, a personal computer) and terminals 3 and 4 possessed by a user are connected to an SIP server 1 via an IP network 5. The connection of the terminals 2, 3 and 4 to the IP network 5 may be wired or wireless.
A web browser is installed in the terminal 2, and is used to access the SIP server 1 to set or confirm a schedule. The user enters the contents of the schedule on the screen of the Web browser, for example, the time and place of the meeting or meeting, the information of the other party to be called, etc., and also the presence setting and preference setting.
[0007]
By using the presence, it is possible to register and notify the user's location, state, and the like to the SIP server, and to change the connection destination based on the presence information. There are various types of presence. For example, the presence status includes presence, absence, and busyness. By grasping the presence information, it is possible to set or change the schedule according to the situation.
[0008]
In addition, by using preferences, it is possible to specify a plurality of terminals for one address for selection of a partner's location, communication means, etc. and setting of transfer conditions, etc. It is possible to give a priority to each other. As the terminals 3 and 4, for example, terminals such as PDA (Personal Digital Assistants) are used, and settings such as changes in presence and preferences, communication with other users, for example, VoIP (Voice) It is used for calls using the over Internet Protocol.
[0009]
The SIP server 1 includes a schedule / transaction receiving unit 11, a schedule database 12, a schedule activation monitoring unit 13, a built-in clock 14, a 3PCC activation unit 15, and a 3PCC processing unit 16.
The schedule / transaction reception unit 11 transmits a schedule / transaction reception screen to the terminal 2 via the IP network 5 when there is an access from the terminal 2 when setting the schedule. In addition, the schedule information input on the schedule / transaction reception screen is shaped into a format readable by the schedule database 12 and transmitted to the schedule database 12.
[0010]
The schedule database 12 stores the schedule information received from the schedule / transaction accepting unit 11 at the time of schedule setting in a transaction format (transaction list). In addition, the number of transaction lists that satisfy the condition is transmitted to the schedule activation monitoring unit 13 in response to a request from the schedule activation monitoring unit 13 at the time of schedule activation.
Whether the schedule activation monitoring unit 13 has a transaction list set at the current time in the schedule database 12 in response to a check request of the schedule database 12 of a predetermined period, for example, one minute period, from the internal clock 14 at the time of schedule activation. Confirm whether or not. When there are one or more transaction lists, the corresponding transaction list is transmitted to the 3PCC activation unit 15.
[0011]
The built-in clock 14 transmits a check request for the schedule database 12 to the schedule activation monitoring unit 13 at a predetermined cycle.
The 3PCC activation unit 15 extracts information about the transmission source and the other party from the transaction list, and requests the 3PCC processing unit 16 to transmit the schedule to the transmission source and the other party at a specified time. 3PCC (Third Party Call Control) is a technology that enables a third party to set a call between two terminals and allows control such as making and receiving an IP phone call from a personal computer or the like.
[0012]
The 3PCC processing unit 16 includes a 3PCC control unit 161, a presence state transmission / reception unit 162, a presence state database 165, a preference state transmission / reception unit 163, a preference state database 166, a guidance information database 167, a terminal call unit 164, and a message memo function unit 168. Consists of The 3PCC processing unit 16 is connected to the terminal 3 or 4 of the user through the IP network 5 when transmitting the schedule to the user.
[0013]
At the time of presence notification, the 3PCC processing unit 16 refers to the presence database 165 to determine whether or not the presence state has changed. When there is a change, the 3PCC processing unit inputs the presence information input by the user into the presence database 165. If there is no change, the presence information is not changed.
When changing the preference, the 3PCC processing unit 16 refers to the preference database 166 when the user's status changes, and determines whether or not the preference status has changed. When there is a change, the 3PCC processing unit 16 inputs the preference information input by the user into the preference database 166. If there is no change, the preference information is not changed.
[0014]
At the start of a call, the 3PCC processing unit 16 receives a call start request from the 3PCC activation unit 15 and uses the 3PCC control unit 161 and the guidance database 167 to connect the terminal 3 owned by the user A and the terminal 3 owned by the user B. Make a call. When the schedule at the time of mobility is activated, the 3PCC processing unit 16 receives a request from the 3PCC activation unit 15 and uses the 3PCC control unit and the guidance database 167 to use the terminal 3a or 3b owned by the user A and the terminal 4 possessed by the user B. Make a call.
[0015]
When the schedule is activated when the power is turned off, the 3PCC processing unit 16 receives a request from the 3PCC activation unit 15 and uses the 3PCC control unit 161, the guidance database 167, and the message memo function unit 168 to communicate with the terminal 3 owned by the user A Then, the user 4 has a terminal 4 call.
[0016]
(1-2) Operation of Embodiment Hereinafter, the operation of the embodiment will be described for schedule setting, presence notification, preference change, schedule activation, call start, schedule activation (during mobility) and schedule activation (during power-off). To do.
[0017]
(A) Schedule Setting FIG. 2 shows a schedule setting procedure.
When the user accesses the SIP server 1 through the terminal 2, the schedule / transaction receiving unit 11 transmits a schedule / transaction receiving screen to the terminal 2. The user views the screen using a Web browser installed in the terminal 2 and inputs the schedule time and the other party to call (S11).
[0018]
The inputted schedule time and information on the other party of the call are shaped in a form readable by the database in the schedule / transaction accepting unit 11 and sent to the schedule database 12 (S12, S13).
Schedule time and call partner information are stored in the form of a transaction list on the database. When the writing to the schedule database 12 is normally performed, the schedule / transaction receiving unit 11 displays a screen indicating that the writing of the schedule has been normally performed on the terminal 2 (S14).
When the user confirms this screen, the schedule setting ends.
[0019]
(B) Presence Notification FIG. 3 shows a procedure in which the user notifies the SIP server 1 of presence information (information indicating whether or not the user is currently in a callable state).
When the user's state changes, the user activates the terminal 2, for example, a Web browser on the mobile terminal, and inputs that the presence information has changed (S21).
The input information is sent to the SIP server 1 through the IP network 5 and processed by the 3PCC processing unit 16 (S22).
[0020]
The 3PCC processing unit 16 refers to the presence database 165 to determine whether the presence state has changed. When there is a change, the 3PCC processing unit 16 inputs the presence information input by the user into the presence database 165. If there is no change, the presence information is not changed (S23).
[0021]
(C) Changing Preferences FIG. 4 shows a procedure in which the user notifies the SIP server 1 of preference information (information indicating whether the user is currently in a call state).
When the user's state changes, the user activates the terminal 2, for example, a Web browser on the mobile terminal, and inputs that the preference information has changed (S31).
[0022]
The input information is sent to the SIP server 1 through the IP network 5 and processed by the 3PCC processing unit 16 (S32).
The 3PCC processing unit 16 refers to the preference database 166 to determine whether the preference state has changed. When there is a change, the 3PCC processing unit 16 inputs the preference information input by the user into the preference database 166. If there is no change, the preference information is not changed (S33).
[0023]
(D) Schedule Activation FIG. 5 shows a procedure for activating a schedule based on the schedule setting input by the user.
The built-in clock 14 in the SIP server 1 sends a check request for the schedule database 12 to the schedule activation monitoring unit 13 at a predetermined period, for example, one minute period (S41).
Upon receiving the check request, the schedule activation monitoring unit 13 confirms the schedule database 12, confirms whether there is a transaction list set at the current time, and notifies the schedule activation monitoring unit 13 of the number of transaction lists that satisfy the condition. Reply (S42, S43).
[0024]
When there are one or more transaction lists, the schedule activation monitoring unit 13 transmits the transaction list to the 3PCC activation unit 15 (S44).
If there are no transaction lists that meet the condition, the process ends. Upon receiving the transaction list, the 3PCC activation unit 15 extracts information on the transmission source and the other party from the list, and requests the 3PCC processing unit 16 to transmit a schedule to the transmission source and the other party (S45).
[0025]
(E) Call Start FIG. 6 shows a procedure from calling to the user's mobile terminal after the above “schedule activation” operation until starting the call.
The 3PCC processing unit 16 that has received the request from the 3PCC activation unit 15 starts calling the terminal 3 owned by the user A and the terminal 4 owned by the user B using the 3PCC control unit 161 (S51, S52).
The terminal 3 that has received the call returns a response to the 3PCC control unit 161 (S53).
[0026]
The 3PCC control unit 161 that has received the response from the terminal 3 requests the guidance database to transmit a message indicating that the connection should be maintained until the terminal 4 responds (S54).
The guidance database that has received the request transmits the guidance requested by the 3PCC control unit 161 to the terminal 3 (S55).
While the user A is waiting while listening to the guidance, the terminal 4 of the user B returns a response to the 3PCC control unit 161 (S56).
When the responses of both the terminal 3 and the terminal 4 are confirmed, the 3PCC control unit 161 requests the guidance database 167 to stop the guidance transmission to the terminal 3 (S57).
[0027]
The guidance database 167 that has received the request stops the guidance transmission to the terminal 3 (S58).
After the guidance transmission stops, the 3PCC control unit 161 connects the terminal 3 and the terminal 4 (S59).
Thereby, the telephone call between the user A and the user B is started. Note that if the response from the terminal 4 comes first during the operation of S53, then the operation up to S57 is performed for the terminal 4.
[0028]
(F) Schedule start (during mobility)
FIG. 7 shows a procedure in the case where the terminal 3a of the user A cannot respond due to the presence state during the above “call start” operation and instead calls the terminal 3b.
The 3PCC processing unit 16 that has received the request from the 3PCC activation unit 15 starts calling the terminal 3a owned by the user A and the terminal 4 owned by the user B using the 3PCC control unit 161 (S61).
The terminal 3 a that has received the call returns a response to the 3PCC control unit 161. At this time, the terminal 3a transmits information indicating that “currently reply is impossible” using presence information. (S62).
[0029]
The 3PCC control unit 161 that has received the information from the terminal 3a refers to the presence database 165 and starts calling the terminal 3b (S63).
The terminal 3b that has received the call returns a response to the 3PCC control unit 161 (S64).
The 3PCC control unit 161 that has received the response from the terminal 3b requests the guidance database 167 to transmit a message indicating that the connection should be maintained until the terminal 4 responds (S65).
The guidance database 167 that has received the request transmits the guidance of the content requested from the 3PCC control unit 161 to the terminal 3b (S66).
[0030]
While the user A is waiting while listening to the guidance, the terminal 4 of the user B returns a response to the 3PCC control unit 161 (S67).
When the responses of both the terminal 3b and the terminal 4 are confirmed, the 3PCC control unit 161 requests the guidance database 167 to stop the guidance transmission to the terminal 3b (S68).
The guidance database 167 that has received the request stops the guidance transmission to the terminal 3b (S69).
After the guidance transmission stops, the 3PCC control unit 161 connects the terminal 3 and the terminal 4 (S70).
[0031]
Thereby, the telephone call between the user A and the user B is started. Note that if the response from the terminal 4 comes first during the operation of S62, then the operation up to S68 is performed for the terminal 4.
[0032]
(G) Schedule activation (when power is off)
FIG. 8 shows a procedure in the case of guiding the user A to leave a message because the terminal 4 of the user B is not turned on at the time of the above “call start” operation. It is a thing.
The 3PCC processing unit 16 that has received the request from the 3PCC activation unit 15 starts calling the terminal 3 owned by the user A and the terminal 4 owned by the user B using the 3PCC control unit 161 (S71).
The terminal 3 that has received the call returns a response to the 3PCC control unit 161 (S72).
[0033]
The 3PCC control unit 161 that has received the response from the terminal 3 requests the guidance database 167 to transmit a message indicating that the connection should be maintained until the terminal 4 responds (S73).
Upon receiving the request, the guidance database 167 transmits the guidance requested by the 3PCC control unit 161 to the terminal 3 (S74).
While the user A waits while listening to the guidance, if there is no response from the terminal 3 for a certain period of time, a command is sent to the guidance database 167 to send guidance for prompting recording to the message memo (S75).
The guidance database 167 that has received the command transmits voice guidance to the terminal 3 (S76).
[0034]
User A inputs voice according to the voice guidance. The input voice is recorded in the message memo function unit 168 in the 3PCC processing unit 16 (S77).
When user A's message ends, message memo function unit 168 stops recording and transmits a signal indicating that user A's recording has ended to 3PCC control unit 161 (S78).
The 3PCC control unit 161 that has received the signal from the message memo function unit 168 disconnects the connection with the terminal 3 (S79).
If the response from the terminal 4 comes first in the operation of S72 and there is no response from the terminal 3, the operation up to S79 is performed for the terminal 4 thereafter.
[0035]
(1-3) Effects of Embodiment According to the embodiment described above, the 3PCC control unit 161 transmits a schedule to the terminal 3 and the terminal 4 at the same time, and transmits a guidance to the terminal that has previously responded. Thereafter, the connection is held until the other terminal responds, and when both terminals respond, both terminals are connected, so that the terminal that has received the schedule can automatically connect.
[0036]
Further, since the presence database 165 and the preference database 166 for storing presence information and preference information held by the terminal are provided in the 3PCC processing unit 16, for example, when the terminal 3a held by the user A cannot be received due to the presence state, the terminal By sending a connection request to 3b, it is possible to transmit a schedule to a terminal other than the designated terminal.
[0037]
Furthermore, by providing the message memo function unit 168 in the 3PCC processing unit 16, even when the terminal 4 of the user B is not turned on, the user A can transmit a message to the user B by leaving the message. Is possible.
[0038]
(2) Other Embodiments In the description of each of the above embodiments, various modified embodiments have been referred to. However, modified embodiments as exemplified below can be given.
In the above embodiment, an example in which the portable information terminal is used for both the terminal 3 and the terminal 4 has been described. However, any device using the SIP protocol can be applied to a device that cannot receive an e-mail.
[0039]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the present invention, in a communication control method between a plurality of terminals connected to an IP network and a server, the schedule information is accumulated from the terminal to the schedule accumulation unit of the server, and the server schedule monitoring unit The schedule information accumulated in the server is monitored, and communication between the terminals connected to the communication processing unit is started based on the schedule information in the communication processing unit of the server, and the communication processing unit When a request is made to connect to the terminal to be performed at the same time and there is a response that the terminal cannot connect, the presence terminal or preference information is referred to, and the other terminal that can communicate is requested to connect. Even when it is not possible, it is possible to transmit a schedule to a terminal other than the designated terminal.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a system configuration of an embodiment.
FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an alarm setting sequence according to the embodiment.
FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a presence notification sequence according to the embodiment.
FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a preference change sequence according to the embodiment.
FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an alarm activation sequence according to the embodiment.
FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an alarm activation (communication start) sequence according to the embodiment.
FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating a sequence of alarm activation (during mobility) according to the embodiment.
FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating a sequence of alarm activation (when power is turned off) according to the embodiment;
[Explanation of symbols]
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... SIP server, 2-4 ... terminal, 5 ... IP network, 11 ... Schedule transaction reception part, 12 ... Schedule database, 13 ... Schedule start-up monitoring part, 14 ... Built-in clock, 15 ... 3PCC start part, 16 ... 3PCC Processing unit 161 ... 3PCC control unit 162 ... Presence status transmission / reception unit 163 ... Preference status transmission / reception unit 164 ... Terminal call unit 165 ... Presence database 166 ... Preference database 167 ... Guidance database 168 ... Message memo Functional part.

Claims (8)

In a communication control device for controlling communication between terminals connected via an IP network,
A presence information storage unit for storing presence information indicating a state of the terminal;
A preference information storage unit for storing preference information indicating a response method of the terminal;
A call setting unit for setting a call between the terminals using the presence information and preference information;
A guidance information storage unit for storing guidance information;
The call setting unit, when starting a call between the first terminal desiring to start a call with a second terminal and the second terminal that is the call destination of the first terminal, When reference is made to the first terminal and the second terminal with reference to the reference information, and a response indicating that connection is possible from the first terminal prior to the second terminal in response to the connection request. sends the guidance information for prompting a connection holding to the guidance information storage unit until a response from the second terminal to the first terminal, the response of the connectable first from the second terminal If there is, transmitting the guidance information for prompting a connection holding to the guidance information storage unit until a response from the first terminal to the second terminal, said first terminal and said second when the response from the second terminal has been confirmed In the request to stop the transmission of the guidance information, and requesting a response from the first terminal and the second terminal stops transmission of the guidance information when confirmed, the first terminal And a communication control device for starting a call between the second terminals.   The call setting unit refers to the presence information storage unit and the preference information storage unit when there is a connection impossible response from the first or second terminal in response to the connection request, and the other terminal that can make a call The communication control device according to claim 1, wherein the communication control device requests connection to the device.   The communication control device further includes a message recording unit, and when the call setting unit does not respond to the connection request from the first or second terminal for a certain period of time, the communication control unit 2. The communication control apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the terminal that has responded is requested to transmit guidance information that prompts the message recording unit to record a message.   The communication control device further checks whether or not a schedule storage unit that stores schedule information in a transaction format and whether or not a transaction list set at the current time is stored in the schedule storage unit at a predetermined cycle. A schedule activation monitoring unit that transmits the transaction list to the call setting unit, and the call setting unit extracts information on the first and second terminals from the transaction list and transmits the information at a predetermined time. The communication control device according to claim 1, characterized in that: In a communication control method between a terminal connected via an IP network and a server,
Accumulate schedule information from the terminal to the schedule accumulation unit of the server,
Monitor the accumulated schedule information in the schedule monitoring unit of the server,
Storing presence information and preference information in the presence information storage unit and preference information storage unit of the server or updating the stored information;
When the communication processing unit in the server starts a call between the first terminal desiring to start a call with the second terminal and the second terminal that is the call destination of the first terminal, the presence processing unit Information, the preference information, and the transaction information stored in the schedule information storage unit, the first and second terminals are requested to connect, and the connection request is made before the second terminal. When there is a response indicating that connection is possible from one terminal, the guidance information that prompts the guidance information storage unit to maintain connection until there is a response from the second terminal is transmitted to the first terminal. When the response from the first terminal and the second terminal is confirmed, the transmission of the guidance information is requested to be stopped. Affection The guidance information that prompts the storage unit to maintain connection until there is a response from the first terminal is transmitted to the second terminal, and the responses from the first terminal and the second terminal are confirmed. A communication control method that requests to stop transmission of the guidance information at a time point and starts a call between the first terminal and the second terminal.   The call setting unit refers to the presence information storage unit and the preference information storage unit when there is a connection impossible response from the first or second terminal in response to the connection request. The communication control method according to claim 5, wherein the terminal requests connection.   The communication control device further includes a message recording unit, and when the call setting unit does not respond to the connection request from the first or second terminal for a certain period of time, the communication control unit 6. The communication control method according to claim 5, wherein the terminal that has responded is requested to transmit guidance information that prompts the message recording unit to record the message.   The communication control device further checks whether or not a schedule storage unit that stores schedule information in a transaction format and whether or not a transaction list set at the current time is stored in the schedule storage unit at a predetermined cycle. And a schedule activation monitoring unit that transmits the transaction list to the call setting unit, wherein the call setting unit extracts the first and second information from the transaction list and transmits them at a predetermined time. The communication control method according to claim 5.

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