JPH10247947A - Line controller - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To secure a real time property and the secrecy of data without being affected by the communication state of a network by providing a line selection means for controlling a computer network housing part or a line housing part so as to connect a call originating side through a computer network or a digital line to a call termination destination. SOLUTION: Call termination signals received from a line switching interface 111 are sent through a communication control part 113 to a call control part 114a inside a central control part 114. Required information is taken out in the cell control part 114a, the obtained information is reported to a service control part 114c and call termination analysis is performed. The service control part 114c retrieves a storage device 115 from the received information and selects the kind of a connection destination terminal. Then, in the case that the plural connection destination terminals are present, a line information management part 114d is inquired. The line information management part 114d retrieves the storage device 115 and selects the terminal of a connection destination.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a line control apparatus for allowing terminals having different data types to communicate with each other, such as a telephone terminal and a terminal connected to a computer network.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art As is well known, a system that allows terminals of different data types to communicate with each other, such as a telephone terminal or a terminal connected to a computer network, includes:
There is a need for a line control device such as an exchange for performing line switching. The line control device accommodates a telephone terminal arranged in a service area via a communication line including, for example, a public network, and stores, for example, a terminal connected to a computer network in a local area network (hereinafter, LAN) which is a computer network. ).

[0003] When communicating various kinds of data, the line control device uses information such as a terminal identification number on the computer network to connect to a terminal on the computer network. At this time, there is no problem if the computer network is a closed LAN that terminates locally, but if the terminal is connected to a terminal via a public network such as a wide area computer network (WAN) or the Internet, a line controller and a computer are used. In most cases, devices such as gateways and routers intervene between terminals on the network. If you use this type of network,
There is a possibility that information may be consciously eavesdropped or falsified in a device to which the information is relayed. Further, when the traffic of the computer network is high, inconveniences such as a delay in voice or data transmission and real-time property being not guaranteed are caused.

[0004]

As described above, the conventional line controller has disadvantages such as a delay in voice or data transmission when the traffic of the computer network is high, and a real-time property cannot be guaranteed. doing. Further, there is a possibility that information may be eavesdropped or falsified when passing through a computer network.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to provide a line control device capable of securing real-time performance and data confidentiality without being affected by the communication state of a computer network when terminals having different data types communicate with each other. Is to do.

[0006]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION A line control device according to the present invention comprises a computer network accommodating section accommodating a computer network and a plurality of terminals connected to the computer network, and a terminal connected to a communication line and the computer network. A circuit switching accommodating unit for accommodating a digital line connected to
A connection between a computer network accommodating unit and a line accommodating unit. The communication state of the computer network accommodating unit and the line accommodating unit is monitored, and the transmitting side receives a call via a computer network or a digital line according to the communication state. And a line selecting means for controlling the computer network accommodating section or the line accommodating section so as to be connected first.

[0007] According to this configuration, when the transmitting side is connected to a terminal on the computer network, communication can be performed in real time without being affected by the communication state of the computer network or the digital line.

[0008]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 shows a specific configuration of a line control device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

In FIG. 1, reference numeral 11 denotes a line control device, which accommodates, for example, a telephone terminal or the like connected to a network 12 via a station line 13 which is a communication line and, for example, a personal computer / workstation (PC). / W
S) and other computer terminals PC1 to PC5 and a server (not shown) are connected to a LAN 14 as a computer network.
Accommodating through. Further, a computer terminal PC
1 and PC2 are, for example, ISDN (Integrated Services D
It is connected to the line control device 11 via digital telephone lines C1 and C2 such as digital networks.

The line control unit 11 includes a line switching interface 111, a LAN interface 112, a communication control unit 113 constituting a line selection unit, a central control unit 11
4 and a storage device 115. The circuit switching interface 111, LAN interface 112 and central control unit 114 are connected to a communication control unit 113, respectively. The central control unit 114 is connected to a storage device 115.

The line switching interface 111 is connected to the office line 1
3 and the digital telephone lines C1 and C2 are connected to the line controller 11, and a call control signal received from the network 12 is transmitted to the communication control unit 113 or transmitted from the communication control unit 113 to the network 12. It has a function of protocol conversion and signal transmission and reception of call control signals and a function of transmitting and receiving call data.

The LAN interface 112 is connected to the LAN 1
4, the computer terminals PC1 to PC5 and the server are connected to the line controller 11, and the computer terminals PC1 to PC5 are connected.
The communication control unit 113 has a function of converting a call control signal and voice data transmitted from the communication control unit 113 to various terminals on the LAN 14 and transmitting / receiving a signal.

The central control unit 114 processes a signal related to connection of a call such as outgoing / incoming call and the like.
a, a maintenance control unit 114b that performs processing related to maintenance information such as registration of terminals in the system, selection conditions of various line interfaces, and setting of various services; and a storage unit 115 that refers to and updates services set for each terminal. And a line information management unit 114d for setting and updating line load information and line attributes of various line interfaces and LAN interfaces to the storage device 115.

The storage device 115 stores a control program and control data used by the central control unit 114.
For example, a table as shown in FIGS. 2 to 5 is provided.
FIG. 2 shows a communication status management table 21 in which various communication interfaces, line numbers, connection terminals, and load levels are associated with each other. The load level is rewritten by the line information management unit 114d according to the situation.

FIG. 3 shows a service class management table 22 in which connection levels and connection terminal designations, which are service classes, are associated with each transmission number. FIG. 4 shows a connection terminal management table 23 in which a called number, a connection terminal, and a connection line are associated with each other. FIG. 5 shows a line switching threshold management table 24 in which connection conditions and interface change indexes are associated with each connection level.

In the line switching threshold management table 24 shown in FIG. 5, the interface change index indicates a threshold for executing interface switching. The communication control unit 113 analyzes signals from the central control unit 114 and various communication interfaces, and distributes signals to the call control unit 114a and the maintenance control unit 114b in the central control unit 114 or various communication interfaces according to the analysis result. I do. Further, the communication control unit 113 has a function of monitoring a communication state on the LAN 14, that is, a load state and whether or not there is a failure in the line.

Here, the line control device 1 in the above configuration
The operation of each interface and each circuit in 1 will be described. That is, the incoming signal received from the central office interface in the circuit switching interface 111 is transmitted to the communication control unit 113.
To the call control unit 114a in the central control unit 114. The call control unit 114a extracts necessary information such as the received message and the called number / calling number, notifies the obtained information to the service control unit 114c, and performs incoming call analysis.

The service control unit 114c pre-stores the information in the storage device 115 based on the transmission number and the reception number from the received information.
The connection terminal management table 23 provided in the terminal is searched to select the type of the connection destination terminal. If there is a plurality of connection destination terminals as a result of the search, an inquiry is made to the line information management unit 114d.

The line information management unit 114d receives the transmission number from the service control unit 114c, searches the service class management table 22 set in the storage device 115 in advance by using the transmission number as a key, and selects a connection destination terminal. I do.
Further, the load level of the line interface to which the terminal is connected is read from the communication status management table 21 using the terminal of the connection destination as a key, and the line switching threshold management table 24 is read based on the read load level. By referring to it, an appropriate line interface for connecting to the destination terminal is determined again, and the result is transmitted to the communication control unit 113.

Here, an example will be described in which the calling number is "050-123-789" and the called number "6000" is called. That is,
The service control unit 114c uses the incoming call number as a key and, based on the connection terminal management table 23, the connection terminal “PC1, PC2,
PC4, PC5 ". Here, since there are a plurality of connection terminals, the service control unit 114c makes an inquiry to the line information management unit 114d. Then, the line information management unit 114d uses the transmission number as a key to provide a service. The connection terminal designation “PC1” is acquired from the class management table 22 at the connection level “special A”.

Further, the computer terminal PC1 has a digital telephone line C1 and a LAN 14 (L
1). Here, the line information management unit 114d uses the connection level “special A” acquired in the service class management table 22 as a key to set the line switching threshold management table 2
4 and as a result, "ISDN
The connection condition “connection” is acquired, and the connection condition is determined as the digital line C1.

Next, an example in which the calling number is "050-123-543" and the called number "6000" has an incoming call will be described. That is, the service control unit 114c uses the incoming call number as a key and stores the connection terminal “PC1, PC2, P
C4, PC5 ". In this case, since there are a plurality of connection terminals, the service control unit 114c makes an inquiry to the line information management unit 114d. Then, the line information management unit 114d uses the transmission number as a key to provide the service. The connection level “special B” and the designation of the connection terminal “PC2” are acquired from the class management table 22.

Further, the computer terminal PC2 has a digital telephone line C2 and a LAN 14 (L
1). Here, the line information management unit 114d uses the connection level “special B” acquired in the service class management table 22 as a key to set the line switching threshold management table 2
4 is searched, and as a result, "ISDN
The connection condition “connection” is acquired, and the LAN 14 (L
Select 1). However, the load on the LAN 14 (L1) at this point in time is 60% from the communication status management table 21, and the interface switching index for the connection level “special B” is 50%. Instead of L1), the digital telephone line C2 is selected.

The connection level is determined by the originating user assuring the sound quality (data quality) and the airtightness of the data to the connection destination terminal, and by transmitting the data to the LAN interface 112 to the LAN 14. It can also be set depending on whether it is expected to increase the load on the network and increase the data transmission error (when it is necessary to maintain real-time properties). In this case, the connection level is set to “special D” and “special E”. At the connection level, “special A” indicates an incoming call request from a special user (VIP or the like) on the calling side.

Next, besides the above method, a digital telephone line C
An example in the case of using 1, C2 will be described. That is,
The call control unit 114a in the central control unit 114, when a call number or control signal (call request message) that specifies the circuit switching interface 111 as a connection method by the call side user has arrived, sets the call side digitally. An instruction is given to the communication control unit 113 to connect to the connection terminal on the LAN 14 via the telephone lines C1 and C2. Also,
When a failure occurs in the LAN 14, the call control unit 114a or the line information management unit 114d automatically causes the communication control unit 113 to connect the calling side to the connection terminal on the LAN 14 via the digital telephone lines C1 and C2. Give instructions.

As described above, according to the above embodiment,
The communication control unit 113 and the line information management unit 114d in the central control unit 114 monitor the communication status of the LAN 14, and as a result, when the load is large or the occurrence of a failure is detected, Since it is configured to connect to a computer terminal on the LAN 14 via the lines C1 and C2, it is possible to prevent data transmission errors and delays in voice or data to be transmitted without being affected by the communication status of the LAN 14. Communication can be performed in real time. In addition, digital telephone line C
Similar effects can be obtained by selecting the LAN 14 even when a trouble occurs in C1 and C2.

At the request of the user on the transmitting side, the connection to the computer terminal is not made through the computer network such as the LAN 14 and the digital telephone circuit C1,
It is possible to connect directly by C2. For this reason,
The airtightness of data can be ensured without information being intercepted or falsified by a relay device or the like on a computer network.

In the above-described embodiment, an example of connection from the telephone terminal connected to the network 12 to the computer terminals PC1 to PC5 connected to the LAN 14 has been described. It is needless to say that the present invention can be similarly carried out even if the destination is a terminal connected to the network 12 or a computer terminal connected to the LAN 14. In addition, the computer terminal is replaced with LAN 14 and W
You may make it connect by AN.

[0029]

As described in detail above, according to the present invention,
For example, when terminals of different data types communicate with each other, it is possible to provide a line control device capable of securing real-time properties and data confidentiality without being affected by the communication state of a computer network.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an embodiment of a line control device according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a communication status management table in which various communication interfaces, line numbers, connection terminals, and load levels are associated with each other in the embodiment;

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a service class management table in which a connection level and a connection terminal designation are associated with each transmission number in the embodiment;

FIG. 4 is an exemplary view showing a connection terminal management table in which an incoming call number, a connection terminal, and a connection line are associated with each other in the embodiment;

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a line switching threshold management table in which connection conditions and interface change indexes are associated with each connection level according to the embodiment;

[Description of Signs] 11: Circuit control device, 111: Circuit switching interface, 112: LAN interface, 113: Communication control unit, 114: Central control unit, 114d: Line information management unit, 115: Storage device, 12: Network, 13: office line, 14: LAN, C1, C2: digital telephone line, PC1 to PC5: computer terminal.

──────────────────────────────────────────────────の Continued on the front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁶ Identification code FI H04L 29/08 H04L 13/00 309B 29/10

Claims (4)

[Claims] A computer network accommodating unit accommodating a computer network and a plurality of terminals connected to the computer network; a communication line and a digital line connected to the terminal connected to the computer network; A circuit exchange accommodating unit for performing an exchange, and connecting the computer network accommodating unit and the line accommodating unit, wherein a communication state of the computer network accommodating unit and the line accommodating unit is monitored, and according to the communication state, A line control unit for controlling the computer network accommodating unit or the line accommodating unit so as to connect a transmitting side to a destination via the computer network or the digital line. 2. The communication apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the line selection unit stores data serving as a determination condition for line selection in advance, and transmits a caller through the computer network or the digital line based on the data stored in the storage unit. 2. The line control device according to claim 1, further comprising: means for controlling the computer network accommodating unit or the line accommodating unit so as to connect to the destination. 3. When a call request arrives at a terminal connected to the computer network connected to the computer network, the line selection means may output a message included in the call request or a call number or 3. The line control device according to claim 1, further comprising a unit that determines a connection destination at the time of an incoming call based on a service class preset in the storage unit for each calling number. 4. The line selection means constantly monitors a communication state on the computer network, sets line information of the monitoring result, and sets the information from the line information management means and stores the information in advance. 3. The line control device according to claim 1, further comprising: a unit that determines a connection destination at the time of an incoming call based on the line selection determination condition stored in the unit.