JPH11252154A - Miulti-media information communication system and its communication interface device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To manage assignment of an identifier to a communication terminal and a communication interface device efficiently and accurately. SOLUTION: The communication interface device is provided with an identifier manual setting mode and an identifier automatic setting mode. In the manual setting mode, an identifier inputted in voice or by a key from a telephone set TEL 1 or a personal computer PC1 is authenticated by a hub H1 and registered in a data storage section 18. In the automatic setting mode, a terminal connection detection section 20 of the hub H1 detects the connection of the telephone set TEL1 or the personal computer PC1, a setting data generating section 21 generates the identifier and the identifier is verified and then registered in the data storage section 18.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a multimedia information communication system that accommodates a plurality of types of terminals and enables multimedia information communication with (Local Area Network) as a core.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In a conventional private network system, a voice communication terminal such as a telephone is connected to a private branch office (PBX).
Exchange) or key telephone equipment as extension terminals, and exchanges between these extension terminals and an external communication network such as a public network and between extension terminals by means of a PBX or key telephone equipment to enable communication. Or a data terminal such as a personal computer connected to a LAN (Local Area Network).
rk), and electronic mail and data are transmitted between personal computers via the LAN. In addition, a system has been proposed in which a voice communication system using a PBX or a key telephone main unit and a data communication system using a LAN are linked by using a gateway.

[0003] However, in such a conventional private network system, it is necessary to lay separate communication infrastructures for the voice communication system and the data communication system. In addition, since the voice communication system is of a centralized control type using a PBX or the like, the system is likely to be down. To avoid this, it is necessary to duplicate the PBX. For this reason, there has been a problem that the system configuration becomes large and the investment burden on the user increases.

Accordingly, the present inventor has proposed in Japanese Patent Application No. 9-16172.
In No. 2, a plurality of media terminals are accommodated in a LAN as a core through a communication interface device, and protocol conversion and data format conversion are performed in the communication interface device. We proposed a system that enables multimedia information communication between media terminals and external communication networks.

In this system, a terminal identifier such as a telephone number is assigned to each media terminal, and an identifier is also assigned to each communication interface device, so that transmission / reception control is performed by using these identifiers. However, at present, no effective solution has been found for how to assign or manage the identifiers.

[0006] Communication interface devices for controlling communication connections are distributed. For this reason, it is difficult to manage the statistical information and the terminal status of each communication terminal by the same method as the conventional communication system, and it is not possible to perform various services corresponding to the status of the communication terminal.

Further, in the above-mentioned distributed control type system, since each communication interface device operates independently, even if an abnormality occurs in any device connected to the network, the communication interface device is connected to the network. Other device could not recognize. For this reason, a call is transmitted to an abnormal device to perform communication, but communication may not be performed because the other device does not respond. Further, when an error occurs in the communication terminal device or the communication interface device, the user cannot instantaneously determine whether the device is busy or the device is abnormal because the busy tone is produced. Furthermore, since each communication interface device connected to the network is managed independently by a certain device instead of being centrally managed, even if an error occurs in each device, it is also possible for a system administrator etc. It was not possible to respond immediately, and it was very difficult to manage such a system.

Further, when a call is made to a communication device connected to the external communication network, if an error occurs in a communication interface device connecting the external communication network and the core communication network, the external communication network is disconnected. A call could not be sent to the connected communication terminal device.

[0009]

As described above, L
In order to accommodate a plurality of types of media terminals in one core communication network such as an AN to enable multimedia information communication, it is necessary to effectively manage the assignment of identifiers to each terminal and interface device. .

[0010] Further, it is difficult to manage statistical information and terminal status of each communication terminal, and it is not possible to perform various services corresponding to the status of the communication terminal.

Further, when an abnormality occurs in a communication terminal or a communication interface device, other devices cannot know the abnormality and cannot take appropriate measures.

A first object of the present invention is to provide a multimedia information communication system capable of efficiently and accurately managing the assignment of an identifier to a communication terminal device and a communication interface device, and a multimedia communication system therefor. A communication interface device is provided.

A second object of the present invention is to provide a multimedia information communication system which can record and access statistical information and terminal status of each communication terminal as in a centralized system.

A third object of the present invention is to provide a multi-purpose communication apparatus which, when an abnormality occurs in a communication terminal or a communication interface apparatus, makes it possible for other apparatuses to know the abnormality, thereby enabling appropriate measures to be taken. To provide a media information communication network.

[0015]

Means for Solving the Problems In order to achieve the first object, the present invention is configured as follows. (1) a core communication network for transmitting information data;
A plurality of communication interface devices connected to the core communication network; and a plurality of communication terminal devices connected to the communication interface devices. Each of the communication terminal devices responds to a communication request from these communication terminal devices. In a multimedia information communication system for establishing a communication path using an assigned terminal identifier and a network identifier assigned to each of the communication interface devices, when the communication interface device is newly connected to a core communication network, the communication interface device A means for inputting a network identifier for assigning to the communication interface device and a terminal identifier for assigning to the communication terminal device connected to the communication interface device is provided in each communication terminal device. new It is obtained so as to store the connected communication interface database.

(2) In the configuration of (1), when the communication terminal device is newly connected to a communication interface device already connected to the core communication network, the input means assigns a terminal identifier to be assigned to the communication terminal device. The apparatus further comprises a function of inputting, and the setting data registration means further has a function of storing the terminal identifier input by the input means in a database of a communication interface device to which the communication terminal device is newly connected.

According to this invention, when newly connecting the communication interface device and the communication terminal device, the network interface and the terminal identifier are input from the communication terminal device, and these identifiers are newly connected to the communication interface device. You can register to. Therefore, for example, when adding a communication terminal device or a communication interface device, it is possible for the user to register an identifier using his / her own communication terminal device, which eliminates the need for special work setting by maintenance staff and the like. Thus, the registration of the identifier can be easily and efficiently performed.

(3) In the configuration of (1) or (2),
The communication apparatus further includes a verification unit configured to determine whether the input network identifier or the terminal identifier has been registered in any of the communication interface apparatuses connected to the core communication network by inquiring between the communication interface apparatuses. When the identifier is determined to be unregistered by the means, the identifier is stored in the database of the newly connected communication interface device.

With this configuration, in the communication terminal device, for example, it is verified whether or not an identifier arbitrarily input by the terminal user has already been registered in another communication interface device. Registration is performed. For this reason, a problem in which the same identifier is repeatedly set in the system is reliably prevented, so that highly reliable data setting can be performed.

(4) In the configuration of (3), when the identifier is determined to have been registered by the verification means, message information to that effect is notified to the communication terminal device which has input the identifier. I have. In this way, the terminal user can know the reason why the identifier input by himself / herself was not registered, and can re-enter the identifier without being confused.

(5) In the configuration of (1) or (2),
When the input means is constituted by voice input means,
The setting data registration unit converts an identifier composed of a voice signal input by the voice input unit into code data by a voice recognition unit, and stores the code data in a database of the communication interface device.

(6) In the configuration of (1) or (2),
When the input means is constituted by key input means,
The setting data registration unit converts an identifier composed of a DTMF signal input by the key input unit into code data by a DTMF detection unit, and stores the code data in a database of the communication interface device.

That is, according to the present invention, the identifier can be set by voice input or DTMF signal input.

(7) In the configuration of (1) or (2),
The setting data registration means has a function of displaying the identifier stored in the database on the input communication terminal device. In this way, the user at the input source communication terminal device can confirm whether or not the identifier input by the user has been correctly registered.

(8) a core communication network for transmitting information data, a plurality of communication interface devices connected to the core communication network, and a plurality of communication terminal devices connected to these communication interface devices;
In response to a communication request from these communication terminal devices, the communication terminal device is used in a multimedia information communication system that establishes a communication path using a terminal identifier assigned to each communication terminal device and a network identifier assigned to each communication interface device. In the communication interface device, when the device itself is newly connected to the core communication network,
Receiving means for receiving, from the communication terminal device, a network identifier and a terminal identifier input in a communication terminal device connected to the own device, and receiving the network identifier and the terminal identifier received by the receiving device via the core communication network to another Verification means for transmitting to each of the communication interface devices, and for determining whether each of the identifiers has been registered in another communication interface device,
If the verification means determines that the information has not been registered, the apparatus further comprises setting data registration means for storing the input network identifier and terminal identifier in its own database.

By using such a communication interface device, if a user inputs identifiers of the communication terminal device and the communication interface device in the communication terminal device, these identifiers can be registered and managed in the communication interface device. .

(9) Connection detecting means for detecting whether or not the communication terminal device is connected to the communication interface device for each communication interface device for performing an interface process between the communication terminal device and the core communication network; Means for generating a terminal identifier to be assigned to the communication terminal device when the connection of the communication terminal device is detected by the means; and storing the terminal identifier generated by the identifier generation device in its own database. And setting data registering means for storing.

(10) In the configuration of (9), the connection detecting means detects an off-hook signal transmitted first from the communication terminal device after the communication terminal device is connected to the own device.

(11) Connection detecting means for detecting the connection of the communication terminal device to the core communication network with each communication interface device for performing interface processing between the communication terminal device and the core communication network, and the connection detecting means An identifier generating means for generating a network identifier to be allocated to the own apparatus when the connection of the own apparatus to the core communication network is detected, and storing the network identifier generated by the identifier generating means in a database of the own apparatus. And setting data registration means for performing the setting.

(12) In the case where a communication interface device for performing an interface process between the core communication network and the external communication network is provided, the communication interface device for external connection connects the own device to the core communication network. Connection detection means for detecting,
When the connection detecting means detects the connection of the own device to the core communication network, an identifier generating means for generating a network identifier to be assigned to the own device, and a network identifier generated by the identifier generating means. A setting data registration unit for storing the data in a database of the own device.

Therefore, according to these inventions, when the communication terminal device is connected to the communication interface device, when the communication interface device for connecting the communication terminal device is connected to the core communication network, and when the communication terminal device is connected to the external communication network. Are connected to the core communication network, these connections are detected, an identifier to be assigned to the connected communication terminal device or communication interface device is generated, and this is registered in the database.

That is, merely by connecting a communication terminal device or a communication interface device, an identifier to be assigned to the communication terminal device or the communication interface device is automatically generated and registered. For this reason, the registration of the identifier can be performed accurately and easily without erroneous registration as compared with a case where the user manually inputs the identifier.

(13) In the configuration of (9), (11) or (12), the identifier generated by the identifier generating means is registered in one of the communication interface devices other than the self communication interface device connected to the core communication network. Verification means for determining whether or not the identification has been completed by inquiring of a communication interface device other than the self, and when the verification means determines that the identifier has not been registered, the setting data registration means automatically identifies the identifier. It is stored in a database of the device.

(14) The setting data registration means further has a function of causing the identifier generation means to regenerate a network identifier or a terminal identifier when the verification means determines that the identifier has been registered. It is characterized by having. By doing so, this identifier can be registered only when it is determined that the identifier has not been registered.

(15) In the configuration of (8), (9) or (11), the communication interface device has a function of reading the identifier registered in the database, transferring the identifier to the communication terminal device connected to the own device, and displaying it. To have. By doing so, the user can check the identifier assigned to the newly connected communication terminal device or communication interface device in his / her own communication terminal device.

(16) A core communication network for transmitting information data, a plurality of communication interface devices connected to the core communication network, and a plurality of communication terminal devices connected to these communication interface devices. A multimedia information communication system for establishing a communication path using a terminal identifier assigned to each communication terminal device and a network identifier assigned to each communication interface device in response to a communication request of the communication terminal device, At least one identification information management device connected to each of the communication interface devices via a communication network and centrally managing a network identifier of each of the communication interface devices and a terminal identifier of each of the communication terminal devices; The above core communication network A network identifier for assigning to the communication interface device and a terminal identifier for assigning to the communication terminal device connected to the communication interface device when newly connecting to the communication interface device; In addition, the network identifier and the terminal identifier input by the input means are stored in the database of the newly connected communication interface device, transmitted to the identification information management device via the core communication network, and registered in the management table. And a setting data registering means for causing each of the communication interface devices to have a setting data registering means.

According to the present invention, not only the network identifier of each communication interface device and the terminal identifier of each communication terminal device can be individually managed by each communication interface device, but also can be centrally managed by the identification information management device.

(17) In the configuration of (16), the identification information management device determines whether the network identifier or the terminal identifier transmitted from the communication interface device has already been used by another communication interface device or communication terminal device. It is characterized by comprising verification means for determining, and notification means for notifying the communication terminal device of the input source of the result of the determination by the verification means.

With this configuration, the identifier input from the communication terminal device is verified by the identification information management device,
The result is displayed on the input communication terminal device. Therefore, the registration of the identifier can be performed accurately.

(18) In the configuration of (16), the identification information management device includes a verification unit that determines whether the terminal identifier transmitted from the communication interface device has already been used by another communication terminal device. Means for registering the terminal identifier in the management table as a group terminal identifier when it is determined that the terminal identifier has been used by the verification means.

(19) In the configuration of (16), when a new terminal identifier for a communication terminal device whose terminal identifier is already registered is sent from the communication interface device, the identification information management device may It is characterized by comprising means for additionally registering an identifier as a multi-terminal identifier in a management table.

(18) By configuring as in (19), a group identifier can be assigned to a plurality of grouped communication terminal devices, and a multi-DN is assigned to one communication terminal device. Becomes possible.

(20) In the configuration of (16), when the identifier deletion request arrives from the communication interface device, the identification information management device registers the identifier corresponding to the communication interface device or the communication terminal device. It is characterized by comprising means for deleting from the management table.

According to this configuration, by the input operation of the user of the communication terminal device, the identifiers which become unnecessary due to the removal of the device can be deleted from the identifiers registered in the identification information management device.

(21) A core communication network for transmitting information data, a plurality of communication interface devices connected to the core communication network, and a plurality of communication terminal devices connected to these communication interface devices. A multimedia information communication system for establishing a communication path using a terminal identifier assigned to each communication terminal device and a network identifier assigned to each communication interface device in response to a communication request of the communication terminal device, At least one identification information management device that is connected to each of the communication interface devices via a communication network and centrally manages a network identifier of each of the communication interface devices and a terminal identifier of each of the communication terminal devices; The device itself is the core Means for sending an identifier assignment request to the identification information management device when newly connected to a communication network, and wherein the identification information management device receives an identifier assignment request from each of the communication interface devices. And an identifier assignment control means for generating an identifier, notifying the requesting communication interface device, and registering the identifier in the database.

Therefore, according to the present invention, when the communication interface device is newly connected to the core communication network, a network identifier and a terminal identifier are respectively assigned to the communication interface device and the communication terminal device accommodated in the communication interface device. Automatically assigned from

(22) In the configuration of (16) or (21), each communication interface device includes means for inquiring of the identification information management device about the connection status of the device itself to the core communication network, and A connection state determining means for determining a connection state of a communication interface apparatus of an inquiry source based on a management table of the own apparatus when an inquiry about a connection state arrives from each of the communication interface apparatuses; and When the connection of the communication interface device of the inquiry source cannot be confirmed by the search, the network identifier of the communication interface device and the terminal identifier of the communication terminal device connected to the communication interface device are searched from the management table, and Data to the communication interface It is characterized in that a means for resetting the base.

With this configuration, even if information in the database is lost due to a failure in the communication interface device, the information can be transferred from the identification information management device to the communication interface device and reset in the database. Is possible.

(23) In the configuration of (16) or (21), when the terminal identifier of the communication terminal device connected to the communication interface device is lost from the database, each of the communication interface devices transmits to the identification information management device. A means for inquiring about a terminal identifier, and when the inquiry about the terminal identifier arrives from the communication interface device, the identification information management device searches the management table for the terminal identifier of the corresponding communication terminal device and communicates with the communication source of the inquiry source. It is characterized by comprising means for transmitting to the interface device and resetting the database.

With this configuration, even if the terminal identifier of the accommodated communication terminal device is lost from the database in the communication interface device, the information is transferred from the identification information management device to the communication interface device. It is possible to reset the database.

(24) In the configuration of (16) or (21), when the registration information of the management table of the own device is lost, the identification information management device stores the information in the database from the corresponding communication interface device. Means for collecting the information stored in the management table and re-registering the information in the management table.

With this configuration, even if registration information in the management table of the identification information management device is lost due to a failure or the like, the information is collected from each communication interface device and reset in the management table. Is possible.

(25) In the configuration of (16) or (21), each of the communication interface devices transmits the terminal identifier of the communication terminal device of the communication partner acquired when the communication terminal device accommodated in the communication interface device performs communication. A second database to be stored; and a resetting means. When a transfer request for a terminal identifier arrives from another communication interface device or an identification information management device, the terminal identifier corresponding to the second database is stored. It is determined whether or not the terminal identifier is read from the second database if it is stored and transmitted to another requesting communication interface device or identification information management device to reset the terminal identifier. Things.

Therefore, even if the identifier managed by the communication interface device or the identification information management device is lost due to a failure or the like, if the lost identifier is stored in the second database of the other communication interface device, The identifier is transferred from the communication interface device and can be reset.

(26) A core communication network for transmitting information data according to a predetermined first communication protocol, and a plurality of transmitting and receiving information data according to at least one type of second communication protocol different from the first communication protocol. A multimedia information communication system comprising a communication terminal and a plurality of protocol conversion devices having a function of converting a communication protocol between the plurality of communication terminals and the external communication network and the core communication network, Each of the plurality of communication terminals includes a communication management information storage unit that generates and stores communication management information each time communication is performed by the own terminal, and stores communication management information stored in the communication management information storage unit. Based on this, a configuration is adopted in which predetermined statistical information required for system management is obtained.

With this configuration, each time communication is performed at each communication terminal, the communication management information is stored in the communication management information storage means of the terminal itself. Then, based on the communication management information stored in each communication terminal, it is possible to calculate the communication fee and traffic of each communication terminal.

(27) In the configuration of (26), the system includes a specific protocol conversion device or a server device having a function of totally controlling the communication connection between the plurality of communication terminals and the external communication network. The communication management information stored in the communication management information storage means,
The communication terminal further includes an aggregation storage unit that transfers and accumulates the data from the communication terminal to the specific protocol conversion device or the server device. Based on the communication management information stored in the aggregation storage unit, a predetermined storage unit required for system management is provided. It is configured to obtain statistical information.

With such a configuration, the communication management information generated for each communication terminal is transferred to a specific protocol conversion device or server device, and stored in the centralized storage means. For this reason, it becomes possible to perform the calculation processing of the communication fee and traffic of each communication terminal collectively in a specific protocol conversion device or server device.

Further, since the specific protocol conversion device or the server device comprehensively manages the communication management information of each communication terminal, the communication management information of the same content generated by the communication terminal on the transmitting side and the communication terminal on the receiving side respectively. The information can be arranged and integrated into one piece of communication management information and stored, whereby the number of stored information can be reduced and efficient information management can be performed.

(28) A core communication network for transmitting information data according to a predetermined first communication protocol, and a plurality of transmitting and receiving information data according to at least one kind of second communication protocol different from the first communication protocol. A multimedia information communication system comprising a communication terminal and a plurality of protocol conversion devices having a function of converting a communication protocol between the plurality of communication terminals and the external communication network and the core communication network, Each of the plurality of protocol converters includes a communication management information storage unit that generates and stores communication management information each time communication is performed by a communication terminal connected to the own device. The configuration is such that predetermined statistical information required for system management is obtained based on the stored communication management information. .

With this configuration, the communication management information of each communication terminal is stored in the protocol conversion device that accommodates the communication terminal. For this reason, by reading the communication management information from each protocol converter, it becomes possible to calculate the required communication charge and traffic of the communication terminal. By storing the communication management information in the protocol converter, it is not necessary to provide a large-capacity memory in the communication terminal. This contributes to the simplification of the size and cost of the communication terminal.

(29) In the configuration of (28), the system includes a specific protocol conversion device or a server device having a function of comprehensively controlling the communication connection between the plurality of communication terminals and the external communication network. If you have,
Further comprising an aggregation storage unit for transferring and storing the communication management information stored in each of the communication management information storage units from the protocol conversion device to the specific protocol conversion device or the server device, respectively; Based on communication management information, predetermined statistical information required for system management is obtained.

With this configuration, the communication management information of the communication terminal is transferred from each protocol conversion device to a specific protocol conversion device or server device, and is stored in the centralized storage means. For this reason, similarly to the configuration of the above (27), the calculation of the communication fee and the traffic of each communication terminal can be collectively performed in a specific protocol conversion device or server device. Further, the communication management information of the same contents generated by the communication terminal on the calling side and the communication terminal on the called side can be consolidated and stored as one piece of communication management information, thereby reducing the number of stored information. And efficient information management.

Further, since the transfer of the communication management information is performed between the protocol converters, there is no need to activate the communication terminal when transferring the communication management information, and the communication inherent in the communication terminal is not hindered.

(30) In the configuration of (27) or (29), the centralized storage means may be provided each time communication is completed in the communication terminal, or each time a predetermined amount of communication management information is stored in the communication management information storage means. Then, the communication management information is read out from the communication management information storage means, transferred to a specific protocol conversion device or a server device, and stored. With this configuration, the memory capacity required for the communication management information storage unit can be reduced to a small capacity.

(31) In the configuration of (27) or (29), the unified communication management information is stored in the integrated storage means from each communication management information storage means every time a predetermined time interval or a predetermined time comes. It is configured to read, transfer, and accumulate to the specific protocol conversion device or server device.

According to such a configuration, it is possible to make the transfer timing of the communication management information different between each communication terminal or the protocol conversion device, thereby dispersing the transfer period of the communication management information and concentrating the traffic. Can be suppressed.

(32) In the configuration of (27) or (29), each time a transfer request arrives from a specific protocol conversion device or a server device, the central storage unit reads out the communication management information from the communication management information storage unit. To the requesting protocol converter or server.

According to this configuration, a communication terminal that needs information collection is specified and communication management information is transmitted only from this communication terminal, or when information is collected from a plurality of communication terminals, each communication terminal is polled. Since the management information can be transferred, efficient information collection can be performed without waste.

(33) In the configuration of (27) or (29), when the integrated storage means shifts to a state in which the communication terminal suspends the operation, the communication management information storage means transfers the communication management information from the communication management information storage means prior to the shift processing. Is read and transferred to a specific protocol conversion device or server device.

With this configuration, when the communication terminal shifts to the operation halt state for a while afterwards, for example, when the communication terminal is logged off or turned off, the operation terminal shifts to the operation halt state. Before the transfer, the transfer of the communication management information can be completed. Therefore, the specific protocol conversion device or server device can perform statistical processing or the like based on the latest information immediately before the communication terminal shifts to the operation suspension state.

(34) In the configuration of (26) to (33), when each communication terminal is provided with input means for inputting identification information of a user who performs the communication, the communication management information storage means Stores the communication management information and the user identification information in association with each other, and, based on the communication management information and the user identification information stored in the communication management information storage means, stores It is configured to obtain predetermined statistical information.

With this configuration, it is possible to calculate a communication fee, a system usage rate, and the like for each user. This is effective, for example, when a plurality of users share one communication terminal.

(35) A core communication network for transmitting information data according to a predetermined first communication protocol, and a plurality of transmitting and receiving information data according to at least one type of second communication protocol different from the first communication protocol. A multimedia information communication system comprising a communication terminal and a plurality of protocol conversion devices having a function of converting a communication protocol between the plurality of communication terminals and the external communication network and the core communication network, Each of the plurality of communication terminals includes terminal status storage means for storing information indicating that the own terminal cannot respond to an incoming call, and each of the plurality of protocol converters includes When an incoming call request for a communication terminal connected to the terminal arrives, the information stored in the terminal state storage means is read. And a determining means for determining whether or not incoming call processing is possible. If the determining means determines that incoming call processing is not possible, information indicating that an incoming call response to the caller is impossible is not possible. It is configured to have a call-disabled notification means for notifying.

With this configuration, the operation state of each communication terminal is always managed. For this reason, when an incoming call request is made to a communication terminal that cannot respond to an incoming call, it is possible to notify the caller of the state of the communication terminal of the called party without performing the incoming call processing.

(36) In each of the plurality of protocol converters, a terminal status storage means for storing information indicating that the communication terminal connected to the own device cannot respond to an incoming call, and When an incoming call request addressed to the connected communication terminal arrives, determining means for determining whether incoming processing is possible based on information stored in the terminal state storing means, and this determining means If it is determined that the incoming call processing is not possible, the system is provided with an incoming-call-disabled notifying unit that notifies information indicating that an incoming call response is not possible to the caller.

With this configuration, (35)
In addition to the effects described above, the state of each communication terminal is stored in the protocol conversion device, so that it is not necessary for the protocol conversion device to access the communication terminal and read the state information for each incoming call. Simplifies the determination process.

(37) In the configuration of (35) or (36), when the communication terminal cannot respond to the incoming call, the function of storing the information to that effect together with the information indicating the reason is stored in the terminal status storage means. And a function of notifying the call-disabled notifying means with information indicating that a call-incoming response is not possible to the caller, together with information indicating the reason, when the determination means determines that the incoming call processing is not possible. Configuration. With this configuration, when the destination communication terminal cannot respond to the incoming call, the originator can know to that effect along with the reason.

(38) In the constitution of (35) or (36), the communication terminal or the protocol conversion device provided with the terminal status storage means is provided with respect to at least one of the communication terminals or the protocol conversion devices other than its own. Means for transferring the information stored in the terminal state storage means periodically or whenever the content of the information changes is further provided.

With this configuration, it is possible for the communication terminal or the protocol conversion device on the calling side to grasp the state of the destination terminal, thereby omitting useless incoming procedures on the core communication network. System traffic can be further reduced.

(39) In the configuration of (35) or (36), the system has a specific protocol conversion device or server having a function of totally controlling communication connections between a plurality of communication terminals and an external communication network. A communication terminal having a device for inquiring the status of the communication terminal to a desired communication terminal or protocol conversion device to the specific protocol conversion device or server device, and having the terminal status storage means. Or, when the inquiry is received from the specific protocol conversion device or the server device, the protocol conversion device reads information indicating a state of the corresponding communication terminal from the terminal status storage unit, and the specific protocol conversion device of the inquiry source is read. Alternatively, a means for sending to the server device is further provided.

With this configuration, the state of the communication terminal is transferred by an inquiry from a specific protocol conversion device or a server device. For this reason, it is possible to specify a communication terminal that requires information acquisition and to transmit communication management information only from this communication terminal, or to transfer communication management information by polling when collecting information from a plurality of communication terminals. Therefore, information can be efficiently collected without waste.

(40) A core communication network for transmitting information data according to a predetermined first communication protocol, and a plurality of transmitting and receiving information data according to at least one type of second communication protocol different from the first communication protocol. A communication terminal, a plurality of protocol conversion devices having a function of converting a communication protocol between the plurality of communication terminals and the external communication network and the core communication network, and a communication terminal between the plurality of communication terminals and the external communication network. A multimedia information communication system including a specific protocol conversion device or a server device having a function of controlling the communication connection in a comprehensive manner, wherein the specific protocol conversion device or the server device includes a plurality of communication terminals. If the communication terminal cannot respond to the incoming call for Terminal status storage means for collecting and storing information to the effect that, when an inquiry arrives from the communication terminal or the protocol conversion device, information indicating the status of the corresponding communication terminal is selectively read from the terminal status storage means. Means for notifying the communication terminal or the protocol conversion device of the inquiry source, wherein the communication terminal or the protocol conversion device inquires the state of the communication terminal of the destination to the specific protocol conversion device or the server device. Based on information notified from the specific protocol conversion device or the server device in response to the inquiry, determining means for determining whether or not incoming call processing to the destination communication terminal is possible, and this determining means If it is determined that the incoming call processing is not possible, the incoming call notification that informs the caller that the incoming call response is impossible is not possible. And provided with a notification unit configured.

With such a configuration, the status of each communication terminal is collectively managed in a specific protocol conversion device or server device, and when necessary, an inquiry is made from each communication terminal or protocol conversion device to make the destination Of the communication terminal can be determined. For this reason, it is not necessary for each communication terminal and the protocol conversion device to manage the state of each communication terminal, and accordingly, the memory capacity is reduced and the processing load is reduced.

(41) A core communication network for transmitting information data according to a predetermined first communication protocol, and a plurality of transmitting and receiving information data according to at least one type of second communication protocol different from the first communication protocol. A multimedia information communication system comprising: a communication terminal; and a plurality of protocol conversion devices having a function of converting a communication protocol between the plurality of communication terminals and the external communication network and the core communication network, At least one of the communication terminal and the protocol conversion device includes an operation state determination unit that determines its own operation state, and a determination result of the operation state determination unit that determines a protocol specified as a notification target among other protocol conversion devices. An operation state notifying unit for notifying the converter is provided.

With such a configuration, for example, when an operation error occurs in each of the communication terminals and / or the protocol conversion device, information to that effect is notified to the protocol conversion device to be notified. Therefore, the protocol conversion device that has received the notification can grasp the operation state of the communication terminal or the protocol conversion device that is the notification source, and various effective processes can be performed based on the operation state.

(42) In addition to the constructions of (41),
The communication device further includes a transmission restricting unit that restricts transmission to a communication terminal or a protocol conversion device that has fallen into an abnormal state based on the determination result notified by the operation state notification unit. Therefore, when an outgoing request is issued to the communication terminal or the protocol conversion device that is operating abnormally,
A problem in which useless incoming processing is performed on the communication terminal or the protocol conversion device is prevented.

(43) In the configuration of (41), the operation state determination means is configured so that the communication terminal and the protocol conversion device autonomously determine their own operation state. With this configuration, each communication terminal and the protocol conversion device can perform a self-diagnosis of its own operation state, and thereby can independently monitor the occurrence of an operation abnormality in real time.

(44) In the configuration of (41), the operation state judgment means judges the operation state of its own communication terminal and the protocol conversion apparatus in response to the operation state judgment request sent from another protocol conversion apparatus. Configuration. With such a configuration, the control procedure of the communication terminal and the protocol conversion device can be simplified and the control load can be reduced as compared with the case where the operation state is determined autonomously.

(45) In the configuration of (41), when the operating state determining means detects an abnormal state, the operating state notifying means notifies the protocol conversion device to be notified of information indicating the abnormal state. And With such a configuration, only when an abnormality is detected, information to that effect is notified to the protocol conversion device to be notified. Therefore, an increase in traffic on the core communication network can be suppressed.

(46) In the configuration of (41), when a normal state is detected by the operation state determining means, the operating state notifying means notifies the protocol conversion device to be notified of the fact to that effect. The transmission of the notification information is stopped when an abnormal state is detected. With such a configuration, the protocol conversion device to which the notification information is notified can always grasp the operation state of the communication terminal or the protocol conversion device of the notification source.

(47) In the configuration of (42), when a transmission request to a communication terminal or a protocol conversion device in an abnormal state arrives at the transmission restriction means, the transmission restriction is performed to the communication terminal of the transmission request source. A function of notifying the user that information is being transmitted. With this configuration, the communication terminal user at the transmission source can clearly know the reason why the transmission could not be performed, distinguishing it from other states such as busy.

(48) At least one of the communication terminal and the protocol converter monitors a response to the call when a call is made to a desired destination. An operation state determining unit that determines that the protocol conversion apparatus is in an abnormal state; and an operation of notifying a determination result of the operation state determination unit to a protocol conversion apparatus designated as a notification target among other protocol conversion apparatuses. And a status notifying means.

With this configuration, since the operation state of the destination is determined using the transmission procedure, it is not necessary to provide a dedicated operation state determination unit in each communication terminal or protocol conversion device.

(49) In the configuration of (48), when there is no predetermined response from the called party, the operating state determining means causes another arbitrary protocol conversion device to send a call to the called party again and respond to the call. And a function to determine that the destination communication terminal or the protocol conversion device is in an abnormal state when there is no response to the retransmission. With this configuration, it is possible to double-check the non-response of the called party, thereby enabling a more reliable abnormality determination.

(50) In the configuration of (48), when a call is transmitted to an external communication terminal connected to the external communication network, any protocol conversion device connected to the external communication network is abnormal by the operation state determining means. Recording means for recording the state of the protocol conversion device and identification information in the core communication network when it is determined that the communication apparatus has fallen into a state; and the recording means when a communication terminal makes a call to the external communication terminal. Means for sending a transmission request to another protocol converter connected to the external communication network with reference to the record information of the external communication network. By doing so, when transmitting to the external communication network, it is possible to perform transmission while avoiding the protocol converter that is in an abnormal state.

(51) In the configuration of (41), when the protocol conversion device is notified of the operation state determination result from another protocol conversion device, the protocol conversion device automatically transmits the determination result or notification information based on the determination result. Means for notifying a communication terminal accommodated in the device is further provided. With this configuration, for example, another communication terminal user can know the existence of a communication terminal or a protocol conversion device in which an operation abnormality has occurred.

(52) In the configuration of (41), the protocol conversion device includes a determination result storage unit for storing a determination result of an operation state notified from another protocol conversion device, and a communication device accommodated in the device. When an outgoing request is issued from a terminal to another communication terminal, the operation state of the destination communication terminal is determined based on the information stored in the determination result storage means, and the communication terminal falls into an abnormal state. And a means for notifying the communication terminal of the transmission source to that effect. With this configuration, for example, when a call is made to a communication terminal that has fallen into an abnormal state, the fact is notified from the source protocol converter to the source communication terminal user. Therefore, there is no increase in traffic on the core communication network.

(53) In the configuration of (42), when the operating state of the self-operating state is restored to the normal state, the operating state notifying means designates the information to that effect as at least one of the other protocol converters to be notified. The function of notifying the protocol converter that is in operation, and the transmission restricting means, when the information indicating that the communication has been restored to the normal state is notified from another communication terminal or the protocol converter, the communication that has been restored to the normal state. It is configured to have a function to release the transmission restriction on the terminal or the protocol converter.

With this configuration, when the communication terminal or the protocol converter that has fallen into the abnormal state returns to the normal state, the fact is notified to the protocol converter to be notified, and the communication that has recovered to the normal state is notified. The transmission restriction on the terminal or the protocol converter is automatically released.

(54) A core communication network for transmitting information data according to a predetermined first communication protocol, and a plurality of transmitting and receiving information data according to at least one type of second communication protocol different from the first communication protocol. A multimedia information communication system comprising: a communication terminal; and a plurality of protocol conversion devices having a function of converting a communication protocol between the plurality of communication terminals and the external communication network and the core communication network, At least one of the communication terminal and the protocol conversion device includes an operation state determination unit that determines its own operation state, an operation state notification unit that notifies a determination result of the operation state determination unit to another protocol conversion device, The operation status determination result notified from the protocol conversion device of Storage means for storing the information in response to a call request, and when a call request arrives, based on the operation state determination result stored in the storage means, the destination communication terminal or the protocol conversion device accommodating the communication terminal is used. Judgment means for judging whether it is possible to receive a call, and when the judgment means judges that the call cannot be received, the outgoing call is transferred to the transfer destination based on the transfer destination information which is facilitated in advance. And a transfer unit that performs the transfer. According to the invention,
When the destination communication terminal or the protocol converter is in an abnormal state, the outgoing call is automatically transferred to a preset destination.

(55) A core communication network for transmitting information data according to a predetermined first communication protocol, and a plurality of transmitting and receiving information data according to at least one type of second communication protocol different from the first communication protocol. In addition to the communication terminal and the plurality of communication terminals and a plurality of protocol conversion devices having a function of converting a communication protocol between the external communication network and the core communication network, the communication terminal and the protocol conversion device A communication server device having a function of recording and reproducing a message relating to an abnormal operation; at least one of the communication terminal and the protocol conversion device determines an operation state of its own operation state; Operating state notifying means for notifying another protocol conversion device, A storage unit for storing the determination result of the operation state notified from the core conversion device in association with the identification information of the notification source; and when the transmission request arrives, the operation state determination result stored in the storage unit is also stored. And a determining means for determining whether or not the destination communication terminal or the protocol conversion device accommodating the communication terminal is in a state in which a call can be received, and when the determination means determines that the incoming call cannot be received, The system includes means for performing at least one of processing of transmitting a message message to the communication server apparatus and processing of receiving a guidance message from the communication server apparatus.

According to the present invention, when the destination communication terminal or the protocol converter is in an abnormal state, the communication server notifies the source of the guidance message. Therefore, the originating user can clearly know the state of the destination. Further, the originating user can send a message message to the destination to the communication server device and record it.

(56) In the configuration of (54), the operating state notifying means notifies the other protocol converter of the operation state determination result together with the transfer destination information, and the storage means transmits the result of the determination to the other protocol converting apparatus. The notified operation state determination result and transfer destination information are stored in association with the identification information of the notification source. With this configuration, the transfer destination can be automatically set at the time of notification of an abnormality.

(57) A plurality of core communication networks for transmitting information data according to a predetermined first communication protocol and a plurality of transmitting and receiving information data according to at least one type of second communication protocol different from the first communication protocol. A communication terminal, a plurality of protocol conversion devices having a function of converting a communication protocol between the plurality of communication terminals and the external communication network and the core communication network, and the plurality of protocols via the core communication network A multimedia information communication system comprising: a call control device having a function of totally controlling the connection between conversion devices, wherein at least one of the communication terminal and the protocol conversion device determines its own operation state Operating state determining means, and the call control device Operating state notifying means for notifying, and wherein the call control device stores the determination result of the operating state notified from another protocol conversion device in association with the identification information of the notification source; and When it arrives, it is determined based on the operation state determination result stored in the storage means whether the destination communication terminal or the protocol conversion device accommodating the communication terminal is in a state where it can receive a call. A configuration is provided that includes a determination unit, and a unit that restricts transmission to the transmission source when the determination unit determines that a call cannot be received.

According to the present invention, for example, in a system having a call control device such as a gatekeeper for centrally managing the connection control of the system, based on the operation state information notified from each communication terminal or protocol conversion device, The call control device can determine the state of the called party and perform outgoing call restriction.

(58) In the configuration of (57), the call control device includes a message recording / reproducing means for recording and reproducing a message relating to an abnormal operation of the communication terminal and the protocol conversion device, and a communication terminal of the destination by the determining means. Alternatively, when it is determined that the protocol conversion apparatus accommodating the communication terminal cannot receive a call, the message recording / reproducing means is activated to perform processing for recording a message message from the sender and transmitting the guidance message to the sender. Means for performing at least one of them is further provided. With this configuration, the call control device performs notification of the guidance message to the caller and recording of the message message from the caller. Therefore, it is not necessary to separately provide a communication server device for message recording and reproduction.

(59) In the configuration of (57), the call control device prepares in advance when the determination means determines that the destination communication terminal or the protocol conversion device accommodating the communication terminal cannot receive a call. Transfer means for transferring an outgoing call to the transfer destination based on the transfer destination information. With this configuration, the outgoing call can be automatically transferred by the call control device.

(60) In the configuration of (54), when at least one of the communication terminal and the protocol conversion device transmits a call to the communication terminal connected to the external communication network, the operation stored in the storage means is performed. A means for selecting a protocol converter for connection to an external communication network in a normal state based on the state determination result, and transmitting an outgoing call to the selected protocol converter is further provided. With such a configuration, when a plurality of protocol converters for external communication network connection are provided, even if some of them are in an abnormal state,
Another normal device is selected to make a call to the external communication network.

(61) In the configuration of (57), when making a call to a communication terminal connected to an external communication network, the call control device checks the operation state determination result stored in the storage means. Originally, select the protocol converter for external communication network connection in the normal state,
A means for sending an outgoing call to the selected protocol converter is further provided. With this configuration, even if some of the plurality of protocol converters for connecting to the external communication network fall into an abnormal state when the call control device has overall control of the call control, other normal conversions are performed. Is selected and a call to the external communication network is made.

(62) In the configuration of (26), the communication management information display control means for transmitting the communication management information stored in the communication management information storage means to the communication terminal for display is provided,
The configuration is further provided.

(63) In the configuration of (27), communication management information display control means for sending the communication management information stored in the centralized storage means to the communication terminal for display is provided. According to these configurations, the user of each terminal can know the communication management information of each communication terminal.

(64) In the configuration of (63), (64), the communication management information display control means determines whether or not the communication terminal to which the communication management information is to be transmitted has a display function.
When the communication terminal does not have the display function, the communication terminal has a function of selecting another communication terminal having the display function, transmitting communication management information to the communication terminal, and displaying the communication management information. With this configuration, if the communication terminal does not have a display function, the communication management information is sent to and displayed on a terminal having a display function, such as a computer related to the communication terminal.

(65) In the configuration of (27), only when the communication management information stored in each communication management information storage unit changes, the central storage unit transmits the change information from the communication terminal to the specific protocol conversion device. Alternatively, the configuration is such that the data is transferred to the server device and changed. With such a configuration, communication traffic of the core communication network can be reduced.

[0115]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS (First Embodiment) FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram showing a first embodiment of a multimedia information communication system according to the present invention.

In the figure, reference numeral 1 denotes a LAN which is the core of the system, for example, 100 Mbit or 1 G
It is configured by Ethernet having a bit transmission capacity.

A plurality (three in FIG. 3) of hub devices H1, H2, and H3 are connected to the LAN 1 as communication interface devices for extension connection. These hub devices H1, H2, H3 have telephones TEL1,
TEL2, TEL3 and personal computer P
C1, PC2, and PC3 are connected. These phones T
EL1, TEL2, TEL3 and personal computers PC1, PC2, PC3 are all used as extension terminals. Note that the telephones TEL1, TEL2, TE
As L3, any of an analog telephone and a digital telephone can be used.

A router LT is connected to the LAN 1 as a communication interface device for external line connection. The router LT performs interface processing between the public network INW and the multimedia information communication system of the present invention. If the connected public network INW is an ISDN, an ISDN-compatible router is used.
If N, a PSTN-compatible router is used.

Although not shown in FIG. 1, the LAN
1 has PHS (Pe) as another communication interface device.
(rsonal Handyphone System) A wireless hub device having a base station function, a communication server having a mail storage / delivery function, and the like can also be connected.

FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram showing the configuration of the hub device. Since the configurations of the hub devices H1, H2, and H3 are the same, only the hub device H1 will be described as a representative here.

The hub device H1 includes a network interface 11 connected to the LAN1, a network protocol processing unit 12 for controlling communication with the LAN1, a telephone interface 13 connected to the telephone TEL1 via an extension, A telephone protocol processor 14 for controlling communication with the TEL 1; and a telephone / network protocol converter 15. The telephone / network protocol conversion unit 15 performs protocol conversion between the network protocol processing unit 12 and the telephone protocol processing unit 14. The hub device H1 is provided with a personal computer interface (PCI / F) 22 connected to the personal computer PC1 via an extension.

By the way, the hub device H1 includes a voice / text conversion unit 16, a DTMF detector 17, a data storage unit 18, a LAN connection detection unit 19 as a configuration for realizing the identifier registration function according to the present invention. And a terminal connection detection unit 20 and a setting data creation unit 21.

In the manual setting mode of the identifier, the voice / text converter 16 converts the identifier information transmitted by the voice signal from the telephone TEL1 into text data after performing voice recognition. Then, the identifier information including the text data is stored in the data storage unit 18.

In the manual setting mode of the identifier, the DTMF detector 17 receives and recognizes the identifier information transmitted from the telephone TEL1 by the DTMF signal, and stores the recognized identifier information in the data storage unit 18.

When the hub device H1 is connected to the LAN 1, the LAN connection detection unit 19 detects the connection by monitoring the connection of the connector, and notifies the setting data creation unit 21 of the connection detection signal.

The terminal connection detecting section 20 has its own hub device H
1. Telephone TEL1 or personal computer P
When C1 is connected, this is detected by monitoring the connection of the connector in the same manner as the detection of connection to the LAN1, and the connection detection signal is notified to the setting data creation unit 21.

As another connection detecting means in the terminal connection detecting section 20, the telephone TEL1 or the personal
After the connector connection of the computer PC1 is detected, an off-hook signal arriving first from the telephone TEL1 or a command arriving first from the personal computer PC1 may be detected. In this way, erroneous detection or double detection due to reconnection of the connector or the like can be prevented, and connection detection with higher reliability can be performed.

In the automatic identifier setting mode, the setting data creating unit 21 detects whether the LAN connection detecting unit 19 or the terminal connection detecting unit 20 detects the connection of the own device H1 to the LAN 1, or sets the telephone number to the own device H1. A network identifier assigned to the own device H1 when the connection of TEL1 or the personal computer PC1 is detected;
Or telephone TEL1 or personal computer P
Generate a terminal identifier to be assigned to C1.

The setting data creating section 21 has an identifier verifying function for confirming whether the generated identifier is already registered in the other hub devices H2 and H3. This identifier verification function is performed by the other hub devices H2 and H via the LAN1.
3 to the hub device H.
2. Check whether a setting error notification is returned from H3. As a result of the verification, when the generated identifier has already been set in the other hub devices H2 and H3, the identifier is generated again and the verification is performed again.

Further, as a result of the verification, when it is confirmed that the generated identifier is not set, the setting data creating unit 21 stores this identifier in the data storage unit 18.
At the same time, it has a function of sending the identifier to the telephone TEL1 or the personal computer PC1 to notify the user.

Further, the setting data creating section 21 has a function of verifying the input identifier even when the identifier is manually input in the telephone TEL1 or the personal computer PC1 in the manual identifier setting mode. As a result of this verification, if the input identifier has already been set in the other hub devices H2 and H3, message information to that effect is created and transmitted to the telephone TEL1 or the personal computer PC1 as the input source. And display it.

Next, an identifier setting operation in the multimedia information communication system configured as described above will be described. Here, the case where the hub device H1 is newly connected to the LAN 1 and the telephone TEL1 is newly connected to the hub device H1 will be described as an example.

(1) When the user manually sets the identifier In this case, the manual setting mode is set in the hub device H1 prior to connection. This mode setting can be performed, for example, by operating a mode designation switch.

When the connection between the hub device H1 and the telephone TEL1 is terminated, the user first checks the identifier set in the system. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing the data setting confirmation sequence.

In telephone TEL1, the user inputs a number for a data setting confirmation request together with a special number by key. Then, a data confirmation request is sent from the telephone TEL1 to the hub device H1. The hub device H1 broadcasts a setting data confirmation request to each of the hub devices H2 and H3 connected to the LAN1. The hub devices H2 and H3, which have received the setting data confirmation request, allocate the network identifier and the terminal identifier already registered in the hub devices H2 and H3 to the IP device assigned to the hub device and the terminal device connected to the hub device. Phone number DN
The data is returned to the requesting hub device H1 via the LAN1.

The hub device H1 converts the setting data returned from each of the hub devices H2 and H3 into a voice signal or a DTMF signal, and then transfers it to the request input source telephone TEL1. In the telephone TEL1, the setting data is output as a sound from, for example, a speaker or displayed on a display.
Therefore, the user can know the already used IP address and telephone number from the voice output or the displayed setting data.

On the other hand, when the procedure for confirming the setting data as described above is omitted and the user enters an arbitrary network identifier and terminal identifier to confirm whether or not these have been set, the data verification procedure is performed. Is used. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing the sequence.

That is, the user key-inputs the number corresponding to the data setting request together with the special number, and then key-inputs the network identifier and the terminal identifier desired to be set. Then, the hub device H1 replaces the network identifier and the terminal identifier sent from the telephone TEL1 with L
The broadcast is transmitted to each of the hub devices H2 and H3 connected to AN1. The hub device H2 that has received the setting data
H3 determines whether or not the received setting data is data managed by its own device. If the received data is the setting data managed by the own device,
A setting error is notified to the requesting hub device H1. On the other hand, if the received data is not the setting data managed by the own device, no signal is returned.

When the setting error notification is returned, the hub device H1 converts the setting error notification into a voice message or a DTMF signal, and transmits the requesting telephone TE.
Notify L1. In the telephone TEL1, the setting error notification is output as a sound from a speaker or displayed on a display. On the other hand, if the setting error notification is not returned from any of the hub devices H2 and H3 within a predetermined time after the transmission of the setting data, the hub device H1 sends a message to that effect to the telephone TEL1 for display. Therefore, the user can know whether the identifier he / she tried to set has already been set or can be set.

When the confirmation of the setting data is completed as described above, the user next performs the manual setting of the setting data.
FIG. 5 is a sequence diagram showing the procedure. That is,
The user first inputs a special number for requesting data setting on the telephone TEL1 (step 5a). Then, a data setting request is sent from the telephone TEL1 to the hub device H1, and the hub device H1 sends voice guidance to the telephone TEL1 to input a terminal identifier (step 6).
b). As the voice guidance, for example, "Please enter a telephone number."

When the user inputs a telephone number to be assigned to the telephone TEL1 by voice in step 5c in accordance with the voice guidance, an audio signal representing the telephone number is transmitted from the telephone TEL1 to the hub device H1. Hub device H1
After receiving the voice signal in the voice / text converter 16 and performing voice recognition, the voice / text converter 16 converts the voice signal into corresponding text data. Then, the text data of the telephone number is temporarily stored in the data storage unit 18 (step 5d).

Next, the hub device H1 sends out voice guidance for prompting input of a network identifier (step 5).
e). As the voice guidance, for example, “Please enter an IP address” is used.

According to the voice guidance, the user sets the IP address to be assigned to the hub device H1 in step 5f.
, A voice signal representing this IP address is sent from the telephone TEL1 to the hub device H1. The hub device H1 receives the voice signal in the voice / text converter 16 and performs voice recognition in the same manner as in the case of the telephone number.
The text data of the IP address is converted into the corresponding text data and temporarily stored in the data storage unit 18 (step 5g).

When the user inputs a telephone number and an IP address by dial key operation, a DTMF signal corresponding to the telephone number and the IP address is transmitted from telephone TEL1 to hub device H1. Hub device H1
The DTMF signal is detected by the DTMF detector 17 to recognize the telephone number and the IP address, and the recognized telephone number data and IP address are temporarily stored in the data storage unit 18.

When the telephone number and the IP address are input, the hub device H1 subsequently executes the procedure for verifying the input telephone number and the IP address in step 5h. In this verification procedure, as described above with reference to FIG. 4, the hub device H1 broadcasts the setting data to the other hub devices H2 and H3. This is done by monitoring whether or not it is coming.

According to this verification procedure, no setting error notification arrives from any of the hub devices H2 and H3 within a certain time, and it is determined that the setting data has not been set (step 5).
i, the hub device H1 receives the input telephone TE
The voice guidance to the effect that the setting is completed is transmitted to L1. For example, the voice guidance “Setting is completed.” Is transmitted.

On the other hand, when a setting error notification arrives from one of the hub devices H2 and H3 and it is confirmed in step 5i that the setting data has been set, the hub device H
1 sends a voice guidance to the telephone TEL1 to the effect that the settings could not be made. For example, the voice guidance “The number is already used by another device” is transmitted. In this case, the user restarts the manual input of the telephone number and the IP address from the beginning.

In the above description, the case where the telephone TEL1 is connected to the hub device H1 has been described as an example. However, when the personal computer PC1 is connected, manual setting of the identifier is possible. In this case, after inputting a setting request command in the personal computer PC1, a telephone number and an IP address are input. Then, from the personal computer PC1 to the hub device H
In response to the command, the command and the telephone number and IP address converted into text data are sent, and the hub device H1 executes a verification procedure and the like in accordance with the command, and also retains the telephone number and IP address converted into text data as they are. The data is stored in the data storage unit 18.

(2) Automatic setting of the identifier In this case, the automatic setting mode is set in the hub device H1 prior to connection. This mode setting can be performed by operating the mode designation switch as in the manual setting mode.

When the telephone TEL1 is connected to the hub H1 after the hub H1 is connected to the LAN1, the terminal TEL detects the telephone TEL in the hub H1.
1 is detected to be connected (step 6a). This connection is detected by monitoring the mechanical connection of the connector.

When the connection of the telephone TEL1 is detected, the hub device H1 generates a telephone number and an IP address in the setting data creating section 21 (step 6b).
Then, a verification procedure is executed for the telephone number and the IP address (step 6c). In this verification procedure, as described above with reference to FIG. 4, the hub device H1 broadcasts the setting data to the other hub devices H2 and H3. This is done by monitoring whether or not it is coming.

According to this verification procedure, if no setting error notification arrives from any of the hub devices H2 and H3 within a certain period of time and it is confirmed in step 6d that the setting data has not been set, the hub device H1 returns Call the input source telephone TEL1. Then, in response to this call, the telephone TEL1
Sends a voice guidance to the effect that the setting is completed to the telephone TEL1 (step 6f). For example, "Data setting is complete.
Phone number 3000, IP address 133.3.11
It is 4.131.100. Is transmitted.

On the other hand, when a setting error notification arrives from one of the hub devices H2 and H3 and it is confirmed in step 6d that the setting data has been set, the hub device H
1 returns to step 6b to generate a telephone number and an IP address again, and executes the procedure from step 6c to step 6f again. After that, unset phone number and IP
Until an address is generated, the procedure from step 6b to step 6f is repeated.

As another procedure for automatically setting the identifier, the following is conceivable. FIG. 7 is a sequence diagram showing the contents. That is, after connecting the telephone TEL1 to the hub device H1, the user goes off-hook on the telephone TEL1 (step 7a).

The hub device H1 monitors the connection of the telephone TEL1 and the arrival of an off-hook signal. In this state, when the connection of the telephone TEL1 is detected by the terminal connection detector 20 and the arrival of the off-hook signal from the telephone TEL1 is detected in step 7b, the hub device H1 sets the telephone number and I
A P address is generated (step 7c). Then, a verification procedure is executed for the telephone number and the IP address (step 7d). In this verification procedure, as described above with reference to FIG. 4, the hub device H1 broadcasts the setting data to the other hub devices H2 and H3, and receives the setting data.
2 and H3 by monitoring whether or not a setting error notification arrives.

According to this verification procedure, when a setting error notification does not arrive from any of the hub devices H2 and H3 within a certain period of time, and it is confirmed in step 7e that the setting data has not been set, the hub device H1 turns to the hub device H1. Call the input source telephone TEL1. Then, in response to this call, the telephone TEL1
(Step 7f), a voice guidance to the effect that the setting is completed is transmitted to the telephone TEL1 (step 7g). For example, "Data setting is complete.
Phone number 3000, IP address 133.3.11
It is 4.131.100. Is transmitted.

On the other hand, when a setting error notification arrives from one of the hub devices H2 and H3 and it is confirmed in step 7e that the setting data has been set, the hub device H
1 returns to step 7c to generate a telephone number and an IP address again, and executes the procedure from step 7d to step 7g again. After that, unset phone number and IP
Until an address is generated, the procedure of steps 7c to 7g is repeated.

(3) Automatic Identifier Setting Process When Hub Device H1 is Connected to LAN1 When hub device H1 is connected to LAN1, the hub device H1 performs automatic identifier setting as follows. FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing the control procedure.

The hub device H1 monitors whether or not the hub device H1 is connected to the LAN 1 in the LAN connection detecting section 19 (step 8a). In this state, when the connection to the LAN 1 is detected by the LAN connection detection unit 19, the setting data creation unit 21 assigns the I
A P address and a telephone number to be assigned to the communication terminal connected to the own device are generated (step 8).
b). Then, in step 8c, this telephone number and I
Perform a verification procedure on the P address. In this verification procedure, as described above with reference to FIG. 4, the hub device H1 broadcasts the setting data to the other hub devices H2 and H3. This is done by monitoring whether or not it is coming.

According to this verification procedure, if no setting error notification arrives from any of the hub devices H2 and H3 within a certain period of time, and it is confirmed in step 8d that the setting data has not been set, the generated telephone The number and the IP address are stored in the data storage unit 18, and the setting is completed. On the other hand, when a setting error notification arrives from one of the hub devices H2 and H3, and it is confirmed in step 8d that the setting data has been set, the hub device H1 returns to step 8b and returns to the telephone number and the IP address. The address is generated again, and the procedure from step 8b to step 8d is executed again.
Thereafter, the procedure from step 8b to step 8d is repeated until an unset telephone number and IP address are generated.

As described above, the first embodiment is provided with the manual setting mode and the automatic setting mode of the identifier. In the manual setting mode, the identifier input by voice or key input on the telephone TEL1 or the personal computer PC1 is transmitted to the hub device H1. In the automatic setting mode, the connection of the telephone TEL1 or the personal computer PC1 is detected by the terminal connection detecting unit 20 in the hub device H1, and the setting data generating unit 21 in the automatic setting mode. An identifier is generated, and this identifier is registered in the data storage unit 18 after verification.

Therefore, according to this embodiment, when the manual setting mode is selected, the user can use his / her telephone TEL1.
Alternatively, the identifier can be arbitrarily input and registered in the personal computer PC1. For this reason, for example, when the hub device H1 and the terminal device are added, it is possible for the user to register the identifier using his / her own telephone TEL1 or personal computer PC1. The setting is unnecessary, and the registration of the identifier can be easily and efficiently performed.

On the other hand, if the automatic setting mode is selected, an identifier is automatically generated and registered in the hub device H1 simply by connecting its own telephone TEL1 or personal computer PC1 to the hub device H1. Therefore, the registration of the identifier can be performed accurately and easily without error.

In the first embodiment, the telephone TEL1
Alternatively, a procedure is provided for automatically generating and registering an identifier when an off-hook signal or command first arriving from the telephone TEL1 or the personal computer PC1 is detected after the connector connection of the personal computer PC1 is detected. . By using this procedure, erroneous detection or double detection due to reconnection of the connector or the like can be prevented, and connection detection with higher reliability can be performed.

Further, in the first embodiment, since the system is provided with a procedure for confirming the set identifier, the user can confirm the set identifier in advance when manually setting the identifier. Further, by providing the verification means, it is possible to check in advance whether the identifier to be set has already been set. That is, by using these procedures as needed, the user can more reliably and efficiently set the identifier manually.

The first embodiment can be modified as follows. For example, when a plurality of terminal devices are connected to one hub device, when the first terminal device is connected, the manual setting mode is selected, a desired identifier is assigned, and the second and subsequent terminal devices are connected. In this case, the automatic setting mode may be automatically selected, and the identifier may be automatically assigned in association with the identifier assigned to the first terminal device (for example, in association with a serial number).

In the case where a portable personal computer is used as a terminal device, the terminal device connected to an arbitrary port is temporarily removed and used temporarily at another place, and then reconnected. May be. In such a case, if the identifier setting mode is set to the automatic setting mode, the identifier is reassigned when the terminal device is reconnected. Therefore, even if a connected (identifier-set) terminal device is once removed, if the terminal device is reconnected to the same port within a certain period of time, the identifier is not reassigned to this terminal device. Good.

Further, in the first embodiment, an example will be described in which identifiers are assigned when the hub devices H1, H2, and H3 are connected to the LAN 1 and when terminal devices are connected to the hub devices H1, H2, and H3. However, the present invention is also applicable to a case where the router LT is connected to the LAN 1.

In addition, the contents of the manual setting procedure and the automatic setting procedure, the configuration of the hub device, the type of the terminal device, and the configuration of the system can be variously modified without departing from the gist of the present invention.

(Second Embodiment) FIG. 9 is a schematic configuration diagram showing a multimedia information communication system according to a second embodiment of the present invention. In this figure, the same parts as those in FIG. 1 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed description is omitted.

The LAN 1 has a network identifier (IP address) assigned to each of the hub devices H1 to H3, and an identifier (D) assigned to the telephone sets TEL1 to TEL3.
N) are connected to an identification information management device 2 for centrally managing each of them. Each of the above identifiers is stored in a management table provided in the storage device 3.

FIG. 10 is a functional block diagram showing the configuration of the identification information management device 2. The identification information management device 2
Network interface 23 connected to LAN1
, A network protocol processing unit 24 for controlling communication with the LAN, hub devices H1 to H3, and a router device LT
An identification information collecting unit 24 for collecting network identifiers and terminal identifiers managed by the communication interface device such as
An identification information setting management unit 25 that determines the validity of a newly added identifier such as the presence or absence of double registration, an identification information storage unit 26 that stores an identifier, and addition of an identifier to the identification information management device 2. And an identification information input / output unit 27 for displaying stored identifiers and the like.

Incidentally, the configuration of the hub devices H1 to H3 is the same as that of the first embodiment.
In this embodiment, the configuration is the same as that shown in FIG.

Next, a process when a hub device H3 accommodating the telephone TEL1 is newly added to the system will be described with reference to FIG.

The hub device H3 accommodating the telephone device TEL3 is connected to the LAN 1, and then, from the telephone device TEL3 connected to the hub device H3, an IP address: 133 as a network identifier of the hub device H3 by a voice input function or a key input unit. .114.131.102 and DN: 3002 as the identifier of the telephone TEL3. These identifiers are recognized by the voice / text converter 16 shown in FIG. 2 in the case of voice input, and are recognized by the DTMF detector 17 in the case of key input, and are stored in the data storage unit 18. . Then, the identifier is transmitted from the network interface 11 to the identification information management device 2 via the LAN 1.

In the identification information management device 2, the network
Interface 23, network protocol processing unit 2
4, the identifier is transferred to the identification information setting processing unit 26, where the validity of the double registration is determined. When the determination result is determined to be valid (OK), the identifier is stored in the identification information storage unit 27, and the determination result is OK for the transmission source hub device H3.
Is notified. If the result of the determination is NG,
Only the determination result NG is notified to the transmission source hub device H3.

The hub device H3 of the transmission source that has received the determination result
In, if the determination result is OK, the user is notified of the end of the registration of the identification information by using a voice, a display, or the like.
If the determination result is NG, the identification information stored in the data storage unit 18 is deleted, the user is notified that the registration of the identification information is NG, and the identifier is reset. Display a prompt message.

Next, referring to FIG. 12, the identifier of the communication terminal device is added while identifiers are already assigned to telephones TEL1 to TEL3 as communication terminal devices and hub devices H1 to H3 as communication interface devices. Processing for setting will be described.

Now, for example, from the telephones TEL1 to TEL3 connected to the hub devices H1 to H3, DN: 3 is used as an identifier of the telephones TEL1 to TEL3 by voice or key input.
Assume that 003 has been input. Then, in the case of voice, these identifiers are used as the voice / text converter 1 shown in FIG.
6 and, in the case of a key input, by the DTMF detector 17 and stored in the data storage unit 18. Next, the identifier is transmitted from the network interface 11 to the identification information management device 2 via the LAN 1.

In the identification information management device 2, the network
The identifier received via the interface 23 and the network protocol processing unit 24 is sent to the identification information setting processing unit 26. The identification information setting processing unit 26 sets the telephone T
Since it is a request for additional registration of an identifier to EL1 to TEL3, the determination result is OK and DN: 3003 is stored in the identification information storage unit 27 as an additional identifier of the communication terminal.

Next, a process for automatically setting the identifiers of the newly added hub device H3 and the communication terminal in the system will be described with reference to FIG.

First, as identifiers for the hub device H3 and the communication terminal TEL3 to be added to the identification information management device 2 in the future,
IP: 133.114.131.102 and DN: 300
2 is set in advance. At this time, the assignment status of these identifiers is unused.

Next, when a hub device H3 and a telephone TEL3 are newly added to the system, the LAN connection detecting section 19 in the hub device H3 detects the connection with LAN1, and notifies the setting data creating section 21. . The setting data creation unit 21 that has received the notification, the network protocol processing unit 12,
It requests the identification information management device 2 to assign an identifier via the network interface 11.

In the identification information management device 2 which has been requested to assign an identifier, the assignment status of the identifier in the storage device 3 is determined, and as an unused identifier, IP: 133.
It obtains 114.131.102 and DN: 3002, and notifies the requesting hub device H3 of the identifier. At this time, the identification information management device 2 changes the assignment state of the acquired identifier from unused to being assigned. The hub device H3 notified of the identifier stores the acquired IP address and DN in the data storage unit 18 as the network identifier of the own device and the terminal identification information of the telephone TEL3 accommodated in the own device.

Next, a process for deleting a hub device and a communication terminal accommodated therein from the system will be described with reference to FIG.

Here, the hub device H3 and its telephone TE
A process for deleting L3 will be described. First, for example, a specific dialed number is input from the telephone TEL3 in order to activate the deletion processing. The input dial number is detected by the DTMF detector 17 in the hub device H3 and transferred to the data storage unit 18. The data storage unit 18 determines whether or not the input dialed number matches a code for initiating an identifier deletion process. If the code matches, the identification information is transmitted via the network protocol processing unit 12 and the network interface 11. Management device 2
To delete the identifier.

Next, upon receiving the identifier deletion request, the identification information management device 2 changes the assignment status of the corresponding identifier in the storage device 3 from “assigned” to “unused” and sends the identifier to the requesting hub device H3. Sends a deletion completion report. In the hub device H3 that has received the end report, the data storage unit 18 deletes the identifier managed by itself, and notifies the user of the completion of the process via the communication terminal TEL3.

Next, referring to FIG. 15, a description will be given of the process of resetting the identifier in the hub device when a failure occurs in the hub device and the identifier stored in the hub device is lost due to the failure.

[0189] Here, a failure occurs in the hub device H1, so that the terminal identifier (DN: 3000) of the telephone TEL1 stored in the hub device H1 and the network identifier (IP: 133.114) of the hub device H1. .
131.100) will be described as an example.

First, in the hub device H1, after recovery from the failure, the data storage unit 18 determines whether or not there is an identifier. If the identifier has been lost, the identification information management device 2 is requested to confirm the identifier via the network protocol processing unit 12 and the network interface 11. At this time, if the network identifier for the hub device H1 remains without being lost, the network identifier is notified to the identification information management device 2.

Upon receiving the confirmation request, the identification information management device 2 first determines whether or not a network identifier for the hub device H1 is included. Then, if it is included, based on the received network identifier of the hub device H1, it searches the storage device 3 for a terminal identifier relating to the corresponding telephone TEL1, and notifies the requesting hub device H1. On the other hand, when the network identifier related to the hub device H1 is not included, the identifier stored in the storage device 3 and the hub devices H2 and H
3 confirms the identifiers managed by the device 3 and has not been assigned to any hub device, even though it is being assigned, DN: 3000 and IP: 133.114.131.10.
0 is detected. Then, these identifiers are transmitted to the requesting hub device H1 as identification information confirmation reports. The hub device H1 extracts these identifiers from the received identification information confirmation report and stores them in the data storage unit 18 as identifiers of the telephone TEL1 and the hub device H1.

Finally, referring to FIG. 16, description will be given of an identifier resetting process when the identifier stored in the storage device 3 of the identification information management device 2 is lost.

It is assumed that the identifier stored in the storage device 3 is lost in the identification information management device 2 due to a failure or the like. In this case, the identification information management device 2 sends each hub device H1 to all hub devices H1 to H3 of the system.
H3 to the identification information management device 2.

Hub devices H1 to H that have received this notification request
3 respectively stores the terminal identifier of the telephone and the network identifier of the hub device stored therein,
Notify to For example, in the case of the hub device H1,
DN of telephone TEL1: 3000 and IP of hub device H1
The address IP: 133.114.131.100 is notified to the identification information management device 2. At this time, if each of the hub devices H1 to H3 has stored the identifiers of the telephone and the hub device of the communication partner with which the communication has been performed in the past, these identifiers are also transmitted to the identification information management device 2.

The identification information management device 2 includes the hub devices H1 to H1.
The identifiers notified from H3 are sequentially stored in the storage device 3, and the lost identification information is reconstructed.

Therefore, according to the second embodiment, the network identifiers of the respective hub devices H1 to H3 and the telephone sets TE1 to TEL3 accommodated in these hub devices H1 to H3.
Not only can be managed by the corresponding individual hub devices H1 to H3, but also can be centrally managed by the identification information management device 2. The registration of the identifier can be performed not only by manual input from each of the telephones TEL1 to TEL3 but also by automatic assignment by the identification information management device 2. Further, even if a failure occurs in each of the hub devices H1 to H3 and all or a part of the registered identifier is lost, re-registration is performed using the identifier centrally managed by the identification information management device 2. Can be. Therefore, the management of the identifier can be performed more reliably, and the reliability of the system can be further improved.

(Third Embodiment) FIG. 17 is a schematic block diagram showing a third embodiment of the multimedia information communication system according to the present invention.

In the figure, reference numeral 1 denotes a LAN which is the core of this system, for example, 100 Mbit or 1 Gbi
It is composed of Ethernet with a transmission capacity of t.

A plurality of protocol converters RH1, WH1 to WHm for connecting communication terminals are connected to LAN1. Among them, the protocol conversion device RH1 is, for example, P
This is for connecting a wireless terminal M1 of an HS (Personal Handyphone System) to the LAN1, and includes a LAN interface unit (IF0) 110 and a wireless interface unit (IF
5) a communication connection unit 113 for performing communication connection with the LAN 1 and the wireless terminal M1; and a CPU 114. In the LAN interface unit 110 and the wireless interface unit 118, protocol conversion and signal format conversion between the LAN 1 and the wireless terminal M1 are performed.

Wired telephone terminals T1 to Tm are connected to the protocol converters WH1 to WHm, respectively. The wired telephone terminals T1 to Tm are composed of an analog standard telephone having no display function or a digital multifunctional telephone having a display function, and these wired telephone terminals T1 to Tm are usually shared by a plurality of users. Protocol converter WH1
WHm is a LAN interface (IF0) 110
, A wired interface (IF6) 119, and a LAN
1 and a communication connection unit 113 for making a communication connection to the wired terminals T <b> 1 to Tm, and a CPU 14. LAN interface unit 110 and wired interface unit 118
Then, protocol conversion and signal format conversion between the LAN 1 and the wired telephone terminals T1 to Tm are performed.

A plurality of multimedia terminals CH1 to CHn are connected to the LAN 1 via a hub. Each of the multimedia terminals CH1 to CHn is composed of a personal computer, a workstation or the like used individually by a user, and has a LAN interface unit (IF
0) 110, the computer unit 112, and the communication connection unit 1
13 is provided.

On the other hand, LAN1 has a plurality of protocol converters LT1 to LT for connecting an external communication network.
T4 is connected. The protocol conversion device LT1
LAN1 (IF0) for connecting LAN1 to analog public network (PSTN) INW1
110, PSTN interface unit (IF1) 111
, A communication connection unit 113, and a CPU 114. The LAN interface unit 110 and the PSTN interface unit 111 perform protocol conversion and signal format conversion between the LAN 1 and the PSTN.

The protocol converters LT2 and LT3 each connect the LAN 1 to an integrated service digital network (ISD).
N) For connecting to PRI and BRI accommodated in INW2, both are LAN interface units (IF
0) 110 and an ISDN interface unit (IF2, I
F3) 115, 116, communication connection unit 113, CPU
114. LAN interface unit 110
In the ISDN interface units 115 and 116, L
Protocol conversion and signal format conversion between AN1 and ISDN are performed.

The protocol converter LT4 connects the LAN 1 to the frame relay network (FR) FNW, and includes a LAN interface unit (IF0) 110,
Interface unit (IF4) 117 and communication connection unit 11
3 and a CPU 114. In the LAN interface unit 110 and the FR interface unit 117, L
Protocol conversion and signal format conversion between the AN1 and the frame relay network FNW are performed.

Incidentally, each of the above-mentioned protocol conversion devices LT
1 to LT4 are configured as follows. Here, I
A description will be given by selecting the protocol converter LT2 for SDN-LAN connection as a representative. FIG. 18 is a circuit block diagram showing the configuration.

The communication procedure performed through the ISDN includes:
Voice communication, G3 facsimile communication using an analog modem and H.264. 324 communication, digital signal P
There are communication using a PP connection, video conference communication by T320, G4 facsimile communication, and the like.

Therefore, the protocol conversion device LT2 includes:
A circuit for G4 facsimile communication, a circuit for teleconference communication by T320, a circuit for PPP connection communication, A circuit for 324 communication, a circuit for G3 facsimile communication, and a circuit for voice communication are provided.

The circuit for G4 facsimile communication includes a G4 facsimile processing unit 121, a G4 / Internet facsimile conversion unit 122, and an Internet facsimile protocol processing unit 123. A circuit for video conference communication by T320 includes a T320 processing unit 131 and a T320 / H. . A H.323 conversion unit 132;
H. 323 processing unit 133. The circuit for PPP connection communication includes a PPP processing unit 141 and a PPP / IP
It is composed of a router conversion unit 142 and an IP processing unit 143.

H. The H.324 communication circuit is described in H.264. 324 processing unit 151 and H.324. 324 / H. H.323 converter 152
And H. 323 processing unit 153. The circuit for G3 facsimile communication is a G3 facsimile processing unit 1
61 and G3 / Internet facsimile conversion unit 16
2 and Internet facsimile protocol processing unit 1
63. The circuit for voice communication includes a voice processing circuit 171 and a voice / H. H.323 conversion unit 172 and H3
23 processing unit 173.

Among these communication circuits, the G4 facsimile processing unit 121 of the G4 facsimile communication circuit and the T320 processing unit 131 of the video conference communication circuit are:
It is connected to ISDN via a digital interface circuit 181 and an ISDN line connection unit 184 in order. Also, the Internet facsimile protocol processing unit 123 of the G4 facsimile communication circuit and the H.264 of the video conference communication circuit. The H.323 processing unit 133 is connected to the LAN 1 via the LAN connection unit 185.

The PPP processing unit 14 of the PPP connection communication circuit
1 and H.I. When the digital transmission mode is selected, the digital interface circuit 181
And an ISDN line connection unit 184, and the modem unit 18 in the case of the analog transmission mode.
3. Analog interface circuit 182 and ISD
It is connected to the ISDN via the N line connection unit 184 in order. In addition, the IP processing unit 143 of the PPP connection communication circuit and the H.264. The H.323 processing unit 153 is connected to the LAN 1 via the LAN connection unit 185.

The G3 facsimile processing unit 161 of the G3 facsimile communication circuit includes the modem 183, the analog interface circuit 182, and the ISDN line connection unit 1.
84 are connected to the ISDN sequentially. The Internet facsimile protocol processing unit 163 of the G3 facsimile communication circuit is connected to the LAN 1 via the LAN connection unit 185.

[0213] The audio processing section 171 of the audio communication circuit is connected to the ISDN via the analog interface circuit 182 and the ISDN line connection section 184 sequentially. In addition, the H.264 of the voice communication circuit. The H.323 processing unit 173
It is connected to LAN1 via N connection unit 185.

The above ISDN line connection unit 184 and LAN
Each of the connection units 185 includes switches that operate according to a switching instruction from the CPU 114, and selectively connects the communication circuits to the ISDN and the LAN 1 using these switches.

[0215] On the other hand, the multimedia terminal CH1 is configured as follows. FIG. 19 is a block diagram showing the functional configuration. The multimedia terminal CH1 includes a microphone and speaker for audio input / output, a camera for video input / output,
In addition to a display for displaying information, a printer and a scanner are connected as needed. Also CD
-It is also possible to connect an external recording device such as a ROM or an HDD and record audio or video in the external recording device or send out the recorded audio or video. Input / output of audio, video, and data between the microphone, speaker, camera, and display is performed by the input / output unit 215.

The multimedia terminal CH1, like the ISDN-LAN protocol converter LT2 described above, is an H.264 protocol which is an Ethernet-side protocol corresponding to the data. H.323 or a protocol conversion unit 216 for performing protocol conversion to an Internet FAX protocol or the like.
217. At the start of communication or during communication, the connection protocol is changed via the switch 218 according to the communication protocol, and the necessary protocol conversion units 216 and 217 are changed.
Select and connect. Further, similarly to the ISDN-LAN protocol conversion device LT2, the communication device includes a communication information recording unit 213 for recording a call control signal transmitted as an IP packet together with an occurrence time, and a terminal status recording unit 214 for recording a terminal status. When only the use state of the communication terminal is recorded, it is possible to use the communication information.

FIG. 20 shows an example of communication information. This communication information records the called party information, the communication start time, and the communication time in association with the caller information. As the caller information, the telephone number or the network number of the calling terminal is used. The telephone number or the network number of the receiving terminal is used as the called party information. In the communication terminal on the transmission side, the transmission terminal information is written when the transmission request is transmitted in the form of an IP packet, and the communication start time is written when the connection response is returned from the destination terminal.

When the information of the receiving terminal is described in the connection response signal, the information of the receiving terminal is recorded in the column of the receiving terminal information. On the other hand, if not described, the terminal information that has transmitted the transmission request is recorded in the field of the receiving terminal information. The communication time is obtained by subtracting the communication start time from the time when the disconnection request is sent to the partner terminal in response to the communication disconnection operation when the communication disconnection operation is performed by itself, and recorded in the communication time column. Is done. When the communication is disconnected from the communication partner, the communication start time is obtained by subtracting the communication start time from the time when the disconnection request is detected from the partner terminal, and is recorded in the communication time column.

[0219] Instead of the communication time, a communication end time may be recorded. In this case, the time when the user himself / herself transmitted the disconnection request or the time when the disconnection request was received from the communication partner is recorded as it is.

FIG. 21 shows another example of the communication information. That is, the communication information records the occurrence time and additional information in association with an event related to communication such as, for example, an incoming call, a response operation of a terminal user, and reception of a response signal from a partner terminal. The occurrence time is the time at which the event to be recorded has occurred. The additional information is an area for recording information of a transmitting terminal that has transmitted a communication start request when receiving a call. From such information, statistical information such as the response time of the terminal user and the number of times of erroneous communication is calculated. The calculation of the statistical information is performed by the CPU of each communication terminal or the CPU of the protocol conversion device.

FIGS. 22 and 23 show examples of communication information to which information of the user of the communication terminal is added. FIG.
The communication information shown in FIG. 2 records information indicating a terminal user in addition to the information shown in FIG. This terminal user information is recorded when each multimedia terminal is used or when a communication program is executed. FIG.
The communication information shown in FIG. 21 records information indicating the terminal user in addition to the information shown in FIG.

FIG. 24 shows an example in which communication information is recorded separately for each operator. The communication information stores position information indicating a storage location on a memory or an external storage device in which the communication information of the operator is recorded in association with the identification information of the operator. The communication information is stored in an external storage device such as a memory or a hard disk on a terminal, a protocol converter, or a separately prepared multimedia terminal.

The communication information shown in FIGS. 20 to 23 can be recorded at the receiving terminal. Also ISD
In the case of a device that does not have a function of recording the communication information in a terminal / line, such as a protocol conversion device that accommodates a public line such as N or a protocol conversion device that accommodates a telephone, etc. The information is recorded in a protocol converter that accommodates the terminal / line. In addition, since connection control of communication is performed via an arbitrary protocol converter or multimedia terminal, the communication information can be recorded in the protocol converter or multimedia terminal that performs communication control.

Next, the operation of the system according to this embodiment based on the above configuration will be described. FIG. 25 shows the flow of the processing. First, when an external communication terminal or multimedia terminal connected to an external network makes a call, a connection request (1) is sent to the LAN 1 from the protocol conversion device or the multimedia terminal on the calling side. The connection request includes a caller number and login information as call information, a called party number, name and service information as callee information, and information indicating communication means such as audio / video / data as communication conditions. Are notified to the communication connection unit 113.

The communication connection unit 113 first records the information of the caller terminal in the caller information received from the caller in the caller information column of the communication information shown in FIG. 20 (2). In the case of recording a communication event, "reception of transmission request" is shown in the column of the occurrence event of communication information shown in FIG. 21, "time" is written in the column of occurrence time, and a transmission request is made in the column of additional information. The “identification information” of each of the terminals is recorded (2). The communication connection unit 113 notifies the protocol converter or the multimedia terminal associated with the group on the caller side that the caller has started communication based on the incoming call information (3).

In this state, it is assumed that the operator of the receiving terminal performs a response operation. In this case, the called terminal
(4) to the communication connection unit 113. The communication connection unit 113 that has received the response signal records the terminal information of the receiving terminal described in the response signal in the column of the receiving terminal information of the communication information shown in FIG. 20, and receives the response signal in the column of the communication start time. Record the time of the event. In addition, “Response signal reception” is recorded in the column of the communication event of the communication information shown in FIG. 21, “Reception time” is recorded in the column of the occurrence time, and “Identification information of the called terminal” is recorded in the column of the additional information. And relays the response signal returned from the receiving terminal to the transmitting terminal (5).

When terminating the communication at the receiving terminal, the receiving terminal sends a disconnection request to the communication connection unit 113 (6). The communication connection unit having received the disconnection signal from the receiving terminal obtains the communication time by subtracting the communication start time from the communication information reception time shown in FIG. 20, and records this in the communication time column. In the communication event column of the communication information shown in "Reception signal reception", in the time column "Reception time",
Further, “identification information of the called terminal” that sent the disconnection request is recorded in the additional information column (7). Then, a disconnection request (8) is sent to the calling terminal.

When the communication is completed, FIG. 20 and FIG.
The communication information is transferred from the communication terminal, the protocol converter, and the multimedia terminal that has recorded the communication information shown in 1 to the terminal that records the communication information of the entire system, the protocol converter, or the multimedia terminal (9). These pieces of communication information are used to obtain statistical information of all communication terminals and lines connected to the multimedia information communication system.

The transfer of the communication information is performed by each terminal, in order to reduce the load on the LAN 1 caused by the transmission of the communication information.
It may be performed every time a fixed time elapses or every time a certain amount is accumulated in the protocol conversion device and the multimedia terminal. In addition, the terminal for managing the statistical information, the protocol converter or the multimedia terminal polls each terminal on the communication information sending side, the protocol converter and the multimedia terminal at regular time intervals, and transmits the communication information accordingly. You may comprise so that it may transfer.

By configuring and operating as described above, it becomes possible to manage and manage communication information of each communication terminal, protocol conversion device and multimedia terminal in the system.

Next, the operation for managing terminal information of each communication terminal, protocol converter and multimedia terminal in the system will be described. FIG. 26 shows an example of terminal information when each communication terminal stores the operation state of its own terminal. The recording in the terminal information is performed by detecting a failure or by an operation by an operator. FIG. 27 shows an example of terminal information when the states of a plurality of terminals are stored. This terminal information is prepared in one or more terminals, a protocol conversion device or a separately prepared computer, a terminal for performing communication control, a protocol conversion device, or a separately prepared computer. You will be notified when it changes. The notification destination of the terminal information may be set in advance to some devices or to all devices. In addition, in order to prevent inconsistency between terminal states, a device for managing the state of each terminal may make a request for transmitting the state of each terminal at regular time intervals.

Next, a procedure for performing communication according to the terminal status will be described with reference to FIGS. 28, 29 and 30. FIG.
Shows the procedure when each terminal records its own state. FIG. 29 shows a procedure in a case where, for example, a communication server having a communication control function has its communication connection unit 113 collecting and recording terminal information of each terminal. FIG. 30 shows a communication procedure when terminal information of each terminal or the protocol conversion device is recorded in a device other than the communication server. FIG. 28,
In both cases of FIG. 29 and FIG. 30, the description will be made assuming that a terminal cannot be received due to factors such as absence of a terminal, rejection of a call, and failure.

First, in FIG. 28, when an external communication terminal or multimedia terminal connected to an external network makes a call, a connection request (1) is sent to the LAN 1 from the transmitting-side protocol converter or the multimedia terminal.
The connection request includes a caller number and login information as call information, a called party number, name and service information as callee information, and information indicating communication means such as audio / video / data as communication conditions. Are notified to the communication connection unit 113. The communication connection unit 113
Based on the incoming information, a notification is made to the protocol converter or the multimedia terminal associated with the group of the caller that the caller has started communication (2).

The terminal that has received the communication start notification from the communication connection unit 113 reads out the terminal state of the terminal itself, and determines whether or not the terminal can respond to an incoming call. If it cannot respond to the incoming call, it sends a disconnection signal to the communication connection unit 113 together with the reason why it cannot respond (3). If the call can be answered, an incoming response signal is sent to the communication connection unit 113 after the operator performs the incoming response operation (4).
. The communication connection unit 113 that has received the incoming response signal transfers the response signal transmitted from the incoming terminal to the outgoing terminal.
(Five) .

Next, in FIG. 29, when an external communication terminal or multimedia terminal connected to the external network makes a call, a connection request (1) is sent to the LAN 1 from the protocol converter or the multimedia terminal on the calling side. . The connection request includes a caller number and login information as call information, a called party number, name and service information as callee information, and information indicating communication means such as audio / video / data as communication conditions. Are notified to the communication connection unit 113.

Communication connection unit 113 specifies a protocol conversion device or a multimedia terminal to be a destination associated with the group on the sender side based on the incoming information. And
The information indicating the terminal status of the destination device is read, and it is determined whether or not each device can respond to the incoming call (2). Then, the transmission request is not transmitted from the transmission terminal to the reception terminal in a state where the reception response cannot be performed. On the other hand, the terminal that can respond to the incoming call is notified that the caller has started communication (3).

The receiving terminal that has received the communication start signal transmits the incoming response signal to the communication connection unit 1 after the operator performs the incoming response operation.
13 (4). The communication connection unit 113 which has received the incoming response signal transfers the incoming response signal returned from the receiving terminal to the calling terminal (5).

Next, in FIG. 30, when an external communication terminal or multimedia terminal connected to the external network makes a call, a connection request (1) is sent from the protocol converter or the multimedia terminal on the calling side to LAN1. . The connection request includes a caller number and login information as call information, a called party number, name and service information as callee information, and information indicating communication means such as audio / video / data as communication conditions. Are notified to the communication connection unit 113.

Communication connection section 113 specifies a protocol conversion device or a multimedia terminal to be a destination associated with the group of the caller based on the call information included in the call information sent from the caller. Then, it inquires of other devices that centrally manage the status of each terminal, for example, a communication server, about the information indicating the terminal status of these destination devices (2).

The communication server which has received the inquiry request about the state of the terminal reads out the information indicating the state of the corresponding called terminal (3), and returns the information indicating the state of each called terminal to the communication connection unit 113 ( Four) .

The communication connection unit 113 determines whether or not the called terminal can respond based on the information indicating the terminal status sent from the communication server. Then, no outgoing request from the outgoing terminal is sent to the incoming terminal in a state where incoming call cannot be answered. In response to this, the receiving terminal that can respond to the incoming call is notified that the caller has started communication (5).

On the other hand, the receiving terminal that has received the communication start signal transmits an incoming response signal to the communication connection unit 113 after the operator performs an incoming response operation (6). The communication connection unit 113 that has received the incoming response signal transfers the incoming response signal sent from the incoming terminal to the outgoing terminal (7).

By configuring and operating as described above,
Information indicating the terminal status of each communication terminal and protocol conversion device in the system is managed individually by each protocol conversion device, or centrally managed by a communication server or other device that performs overall system communication control Is done.
Then, based on the information indicating the terminal state, for example, when a call request is issued to a terminal that has malfunctioned, an incoming call notification is not performed, while a call request to a terminal that is in a state in which an incoming call response is possible is not sent. In response, the terminal is notified of the incoming call. Therefore, accurate incoming call control according to the state of each terminal can be performed.

(Fourth Embodiment) FIG. 31 is a schematic configuration diagram showing a multimedia information communication system according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention.

In the figure, a LAN 1 is a network which forms the core of this system, for example, 100 Mbit.
It is composed of Ethernet with a transmission capacity of. A plurality of (three in FIG. 3 are illustrated) hub devices H1, H2, and H3 are connected to the LAN 1 as communication interface devices for terminal connection. These hub devices H1, H2, H3 are respectively connected to telephone sets TEL1, TE
L2, TEL3 and personal computer PC1,
PC2 and PC3 are connected. These telephones TEL
1, TEL2, TEL3 and personal computers PC1, PC2, PC3 are all used as extension terminals. As the telephones TEL1, TEL2, and TEL3, any of an analog telephone and a digital telephone can be used. Each telephone TEL1, TEL2, TEL
3 and personal computers PC1, PC2, PC
3, a telephone number (DN) and an IP address for identifying a connection device on the LAN 1 are assigned to each as shown.

A plurality of routers (two shown in the figure) LT1 and LT2 are connected to the LAN 1 as communication interface devices for external line connection. These routers LT1 and LT2 perform an interface process between the public network INW and the LAN 1, and are connected to the public network I.
If the NW is ISDN, interface processing corresponding to ISDN is performed, while if PSW is PSTN, interface processing corresponding to PSTN is performed. An outside line telephone TEL4 is connected to the public network INW. The router LT
1 and LT2 are assigned IP addresses for identifying the connection devices on the LAN 1 as shown in the figure.

Further, a communication server device SVR for storing various data such as voice data is also connected to the LAN 1. Further, although not shown in FIG. 1, the LAN 1 has a PHS (Personal) as another communication interface device.
A wireless hub device having a handyphone system (base station) function, a communication server having a function of storing and distributing mail, and the like can also be connected.

Incidentally, the hub devices H1, H2, H3
Is configured as follows. FIG. 32 is a block diagram showing the functional configuration. In addition, each hub device H1, H2, H3
Since the configuration is the same, only the hub device H1 will be described here. In addition, the same parts as those in FIG.

The hub device H1 is a network interface unit (network I / F) connected to the LAN1.
11, a network protocol processing unit 12 for controlling communication between the LAN 1 and the telephone TEL1 via the extension.
Telephone interface unit (telephone I / F) to be connected to
13 and a telephone protocol processing unit 14 for controlling communication between the telephone TEL1 and a telephone / network protocol conversion unit 15 and a data storage unit 18. Telephone / network protocol converter 15
Performs protocol conversion between the network protocol processing unit 12 and the telephone protocol processing unit 14. Note that the telephone I / F 13 may have an interface function for an analog telephone, or may have an interface function for a multifunctional telephone interface. The hub device H1 is also provided with a personal computer interface (PCI / F) 22 for connecting the personal computer PC1.

The hub device H1 has a self-diagnosis unit 31 as a configuration for realizing the functions according to the present invention.
, A telephone diagnostic unit 32, a personal computer diagnostic unit 33, a data setting unit 34, a status notification input / output unit 35, a mail creation unit 36, and a packet conversion unit for performing voice packet conversion. 37 are provided.

The self-diagnosis section 31 is a section for diagnosing whether or not the hub device H1 is operating normally or in response to a request from the status notification input / output section 35. 35 is notified.

When the telephone interface 13 is a multi-function telephone interface,
A test signal is transmitted to the telephone TEL1 connected to the hub device H1 periodically or in response to a request from the status notification input / output unit 35, and the response of the telephone to the signal is confirmed. Diagnosis is made as to whether or not the telephone is normal, and the result is notified to the status notification input / output unit 35.

The personal computer diagnostic unit 33 transmits a test signal to the personal device connected to the hub device H1 periodically or in response to a request from the status notification input / output unit 35, and By confirming the response from the personal computer, the hub device H1
Is diagnosed as to whether the personal computer PC1 connected to the PC is normal, and the result is notified to the status notification input / output unit 35.

The data storage unit 18 stores the hub device H connected to the LAN 1 in response to a request from the data setting unit 34.
2, H3 or transmission restriction data for the routers LT1 and LT2. Also, data such as voice guidance is recorded, and the data is output as required.

The data setting unit 34 is a state notification input / output unit 3
5 receives an abnormality or normality of another hub device (for example, H2 in this case), the LAN 1 according to the state.
Is stored in the data storage unit 18. Further, when an abnormal or normal condition of a router device (for example, H1 here) connected to the LAN 1 is received, status information of the router device when transmitting to the public network INW is stored in data according to the status. The information is stored in the unit 18.

The status notification input / output unit 35
1. Each of the diagnosis contents received from the telephone diagnosis unit 32 and the personal computer diagnosis unit 33 is received, and the hub devices H2, H3,
Then, the status of the hub device H1 is notified to the router devices LT1 and LT2. When an abnormality occurs in another hub device (for example, H2 here) connected to the LAN 1 and the status is notified, the status notification input / output unit 35
Receives and notifies the data setting unit 34.

[0257] In response to a request from the outside, the mail creating section 36 converts the text data created in advance into a personal data.
The mail is transmitted to a personal computer connected to the computer interface 22 as mail.

On the other hand, the routers LT1 and LT2 are configured as follows. FIG. 33 is a block diagram showing the functional configuration. Since the configurations of the routers LT1 and LT2 are the same, only the router LT1 will be described here.

The router LT1 has a network interface (network I / O) connected to the LAN1.
F) 41, a network protocol processing unit 42 for controlling communication between the LAN 1 and a station line accommodating interface (station line accommodating I / F) 45 for accommodating station lines of the public network INW.
And a local line protocol processing unit 44 for controlling communication with the public network INW, and a local line / network protocol conversion unit 43.

The office line / network protocol conversion section 43 performs protocol conversion between the network protocol processing section 42 and the office line protocol processing section 44. The packet converter 46 converts the voice data from the office line into packets and transmits them to the LAN 1,
It has a packet conversion function for converting the voice packet arriving from No. 1 into continuous voice data and transmitting it to the office line.

The router LT1 has a self-diagnosis unit 47, a data storage unit 48, and a data setting unit 49 as components for realizing the abnormality notification function according to the present invention.
And a status notification input / output unit 40.

The self-diagnosis section 47 is a section for diagnosing whether or not the router LT1 is operating normally or in response to a request from the status notification input / output section 40. Notify 40.

The data storage unit 49 stores the hub device H connected to the LAN 1 in response to a request from the data setting unit 49.
Recording of incoming call restriction data for 1, H2 and H3 is performed. Also, data such as voice guidance is recorded, and the data is output as required.

The data setting unit 49 is provided with the status notification input / output unit 4
When 0 receives an abnormal or normal condition of the hub device (for example, H2 in this case), the data storage unit 48 stores information on the incoming call restriction for the hub device H2 connected to the LAN 1 according to the state.

The status notification input / output unit 40 includes a self-diagnosis unit 47
, And notifies the hub devices H1, H2 and H3 connected to the LAN 1 of the status of the router LT1 according to the status. Also LAN
When an abnormality occurs in the hub device (for example, H2 in this example) connected to 1 and the state is notified,
The status notification input / output unit 40 receives the information and sends it to the data setting unit 4.
Notify 9.

Next, the operation of the system configured as described above will be described. First, the operation when both communication interface devices are in a normal state will be described. For example, when a telephone TEL1 connected to the hub device H1 makes a call to a telephone number (DN: 3001), the hub device H1
With reference to the data table (FIG. 34) stored in the first data storage unit 18, a call is made to the IP address corresponding to the telephone number. The hub device H2 receives the transmission information from the hub device H1, and causes the telephone TEL2 connected to the hub device H2 to notify the incoming call by, for example, ringing. On the other hand, when the user of the telephone TEL2 performs an off-hook operation, a telephone call between the extension telephones TEL1 and TEL2 becomes possible.

When a call is transmitted from the telephone TEL1 connected to the hub device H1 to the external telephone TEL4 connected to the public network INW, the following operation is performed. For example, a telephone number (DN: 03-5678-900)
0), the data table stored in the data storage unit 18 of the hub device H1 (FIG. 35)
And selects a router device for transmitting to the public network INW (here, for example, the router device LT1). By doing so, it is possible to communicate with the telephone TEL4 connected to the public network INW via the router LT1.

Next, a case where an abnormality has occurred in any of the communication interface devices will be described. Here, a case where an abnormality occurs in the hub device H1 connected to the LAN 1 will be described as an example.

(1) When sending an abnormal signal The self-diagnosis unit 31, the telephone diagnosis unit 32 and the personal computer diagnosis unit 33 provided in the hub device H1 periodically perform a self-diagnosis. In this state, when an abnormality of the hub device H1 is detected by any of these diagnostic units, the abnormality is notified to the status notification input / output unit 35, and the status notification input / output unit 35 further transmits another error via the LAN1. Hub devices H2, H3 and router devices LT1, L
An abnormal signal is transmitted to T2.

A status notification signal for notifying a status such as abnormality is configured as follows, for example. FIG. 36 is a diagram showing the format. That is, in the status notification signal, a status notification signal recognition header for recognizing the status notification signal is placed at the head, and subsequently, a transmission destination IP address indicating the IP address of the device in which the abnormality has occurred, The operation status of the destination device indicating the operation status and the abnormal status detailed information in which detailed information of the abnormal status is described when the device is in an abnormal status are arranged in order.

The self-diagnosis unit 31 and the telephone diagnosis unit 32
The personal computer diagnostic unit 33 does not periodically perform the self-diagnosis, but performs the self-diagnosis when receiving a self-diagnosis request signal from the status notification input / output unit 40 of the router LT1 connected to the LAN 1, for example. It may be performed. Further, when an abnormal state occurs while the hub device H1 is performing the normal process, the status notification input / output unit 35 may be configured to be notified.

In the hub device that has received the state notification signal, the following transmission restriction setting processing is performed. FIG.
FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing the processing procedure and processing contents. That is, for example, in the hub device H2, when the status notification signal is received, this signal is transmitted to the status notification input / output unit 35.
Is transferred to the data setting unit 34 via the. The data setting unit 34 sends the hub device H1 to the data storage unit 18 in order to regulate the transmission to the hub device H1 that has notified the abnormality.
Set data for. FIG. 35 shows the configuration of a table for setting data.

In this state, for example, it is assumed that the telephone TEL2 connected to the hub H2 tries to make a call to the telephone TEL1 connected to the hub H1. However, in the transmitting-side hub device H2, the transmission restriction is set in the data setting table of the data storage unit 18. For this reason, the hub device H2 does not transmit to the hub device H1,
The voice guidance message recorded in the data storage unit 18 is transmitted to the telephone TEL2 that is the transmission source. As the voice guidance message, for example, "the call you have made is out of order because it is out of order" is used.

When the status notification signal is received, the routers LT1 and LT2 operate as follows. That is, in the router LT1, the status notification signal is transferred to the status notification input / output unit 40, and further transmitted to the data setting unit 49.
Is forwarded to Then, the data setting unit 49 performs data setting on the data storage unit 48 for restricting an incoming call to the hub device H1 that has notified the abnormality.

In this state, it is assumed that an outgoing telephone TEL4 connected to the public network INW makes a call to the telephone TEL1 connected to the hub device H1. Then, since the incoming call restriction is set in the data setting table of the data storage unit 48, the router device LT1 does not receive an incoming call to the hub device H1, and transmits the voice guidance message recorded in the data storage unit 48 to the transmission source. To the outside line telephone TEL4. As the voice guidance message, for example, "the telephone you have called is out of service and cannot be called" is used.

On the other hand, when recovery processing such as reset is performed in the hub device H1, the transmission restriction release processing is performed as follows. That is, in the hub device H1, a restoration signal is generated, and the restoration signal is transmitted to the other hub devices H2 and H3 and the router devices LT1 and L1 in the system via the LAN1.
Sent to T2.

Upon receiving the recovery signal, the hub device (for example, H2 in this case) notifies the data setting unit 34 of the recovery signal via the status notification input / output unit 35. Then, as shown in FIG. 37, the data setting unit 34 changes the data on the hub device H1 set in the data 18 to the transmission restriction release, in order to release the transmission restriction on the hub device H1 that has notified the restoration. .

The restoration signal is transmitted to the router LT1, LT1.
When LT2 receives the packet, the router device (for example, LT2)
1) operates as follows. That is, the router LT
In 1, the received restoration signal is notified to the data setting unit 49 via the state notification input / output unit 40. Data setting unit 49
Changes the data relating to the hub device H1 in the data setting table of the data storage unit 48 to the termination restriction release in order to release the termination restriction on the hub device H1 that has notified the recovery.

By doing so, the other party's telephone T
When the EL1 or the hub device H1 is out of order, the originating hub device or the router device restricts the transmission or the reception. Therefore, the execution of the unnecessary incoming procedure via the LAN 1 is not performed. Also, at this time, since the caller's telephone is notified by voice guidance that the called party's terminal cannot be used, the user can immediately and clearly know that the call cannot be made. Therefore, the multimedia information communication system becomes very easy to use.

(2) When sending a normal signal In the hub device H1, the self-diagnosis unit 31, the telephone diagnosis unit 32
In addition, self-diagnosis is periodically performed by the personal computer diagnostic unit 33. If the diagnostic results of these diagnostic units are normal, the status notification input / output unit 35 sends LA
Other hub devices H2, H3 and router device L via N1
A normal signal is transmitted to T1 and LT2.

As in the case of the above-described abnormality detection, the self-diagnosis unit 31, the telephone diagnosis unit 32, and the personal computer diagnosis unit 33 are connected to, for example, the LAN 1 instead of performing the self-diagnosis periodically. The self-diagnosis may be performed when a self-diagnosis request signal is received from the status notification input / output unit 40 of the router device LT1 that is running. Further, when an abnormal state occurs while the hub device H1 is performing the normal processing, it is also possible to notify the state notification input / output unit 35 so as not to notify the normal signal.

On the other hand, the following processing is performed in other hub devices and router devices. FIG. 38 is a flowchart showing the processing procedure and processing contents. That is, in the steady state, each hub device and each router device
It monitors whether a normal signal has been received within a certain period of time. If a normal signal is not received within a certain period of time, the hub device (for example, H2 in this case) determines that the transmission source hub device has changed from a normal state to an abnormal state, and sends the determination result to the state notification input / output unit. The data is notified to the data setting unit 34 via 35. The data setting unit 34 sets data relating to the hub device H1 in the data setting table of the data storage unit 18 to an abnormal state in order to restrict transmission to a hub device (for example, H1) that has not received a normal signal.

Therefore, when the telephone TEL2 connected to the hub device H2 makes a call to the telephone TEL1 connected to the hub device H1 in this state, the data is stored in the data setting table of the data storage unit 18 in the hub device H2 on the transmitting side. Outgoing call barring is set. Therefore, the hub device H2 does not transmit to the hub device H1, and transmits the voice guidance message recorded in the data storage unit 18 to the telephone TEL2 that is the transmission source. As the voice guidance message, for example, "the call you have made is out of order because it is out of order" is used.

When the normal signal cannot be received for a certain period of time, the routers LT1 and LT2 operate as follows. That is, when the router LT1 cannot receive a normal signal for a certain period of time, it determines that an abnormal state has occurred, notifies the state notification input / output unit 40 of the abnormality, and the state notification input / output unit 40 Notify abnormalities. Then, the data setting unit 49 performs data setting on the data storage unit 48 for restricting an incoming call to the hub device H1 that has notified the abnormality.

Therefore, in this state, even if a call is made from the external telephone TEL4 connected to the public network INW to the telephone TEL1 connected to the hub device H1, the router LT1 stores the data in the data setting table of the data storage unit 48. Since the incoming call restriction is set, the hub device H
1, the voice guidance message recorded in the data storage unit 48 is transmitted to the external telephone TEL4 of the transmission source. As the voice guidance message, for example, "the telephone you have called is out of service and cannot be called" is used.

The operation when the hub device H1 performs a recovery process such as a reset is the same as the operation described in (1) above.

(3) When there is no response after transmission to the hub device It is assumed that a transmission is made from the hub device H1 to the hub device H2, and that the hub device H2 does not respond at all within a predetermined time. In this case, in the hub device H1, the network protocol processing unit 12 notifies the status notification input / output unit 35 of the abnormality. Then, the status notification input / output unit 35
Transmits an abnormal signal to other hub devices H3 and router devices LT1 and LT2 in the system via the LAN1.

As described above, when the hub device H2 does not respond at all within the predetermined time, the hub device H1 transmits a test request signal to the hub device H3. FIG.
Indicates the format of the inspection request signal. The inspection request signal includes an inspection request / response signal recognition header, which is followed by a source IP address, a non-response destination IP address, and destination state information. They are arranged in order.

When receiving the inspection request signal, the hub device H
3 makes a call to the hub device H2. If the hub device H2 does not respond at all within a certain time, the network protocol processing unit 12 sends the status notification input / output unit 3
5 is notified of the abnormality. Upon receiving the abnormality notification, the status notification input / output unit 35 returns an inspection request response signal to the hub device H1 via the LAN1. The hub device H1 is
Upon receiving the inspection request response signal, the abnormality request signal is transmitted to the hub device H3 or the router devices LT1 and LT2 connected to the LAN1.

The operation of the router device having received the abnormal signal is the same as that described in (1) above.

By doing so, even if a serious abnormality occurs such that a state signal such as an abnormal signal cannot be transmitted, the hub devices H1 and H connected to the LAN 1
2, H3 and the router devices LT1, LT2 can know each other's state. Therefore, when a call is made to the hub device H1 from the next time, it can be understood that a call cannot be made immediately due to a failure, and the multimedia information communication system becomes easy to use.

(4) When a call is transmitted to the router device and there is no response For example, a call is transmitted from the hub device H1 to the external telephone TEL4 connected to the public network INW via the router device LT1, and as a result, Router device LT1 in time
Does not respond at all. In this case, the hub device H
In 1, the network protocol processing unit 12 notifies the status notification input / output unit 35 of an abnormality. Then, the status notification input / output unit 35 transmits an abnormal signal to the other hub devices H2 and H3 and the router device LT2 via the LAN 1.

Also, for example, the telephone set T connected to the public network INW from the hub device H1 via the router device LT1.
Sends a call to EL4, and within a certain time the router device L
Suppose that T1 did not respond at all. In this case, an inspection request signal is transmitted from the hub device H1 to, for example, the hub device H3.

The hub device H3 that has received the inspection request signal,
A call is made to the outside line telephone TEL4 connected to the public network INW via the router LT1. And
If the router LT1 does not respond at all within the fixed time, the network protocol processing unit 12 notifies the status notification input / output unit 35 of an abnormality. Then, an inspection request response signal is returned from the status notification input / output unit 35 to the hub device H1 via the LAN1. Upon receiving this inspection request response signal, the hub device H1 transmits an abnormal signal to the hub devices H2, H3 and the router device LT2 via the LAN1.

[0295] Further, the hub device H3 includes the data storage unit 18
Router device (here, for example, LT
2) to the outside line telephone TEL4 connected to the public network INW. Router device LT
An example of the second table is shown in FIG.

The router LT that has received the abnormal signal
1 and LT2 are the same as the operations described in (1) above.

By doing so, even if a serious abnormality occurs such that a status signal such as an abnormal signal cannot be transmitted, the hub devices H1 and H connected to the LAN 1
2, H3 and the router devices LT1, LT2 can know each other's state. By doing so,
From the next, public network INW via router devices LT1 and LT2
When a call is made to the external telephone TEL4 connected to the public telephone, the external telephone connected to the public network INW via another normal router without immediately transmitting to the faulty router. The user can talk with TEL4 and use the multimedia information communication system without interruption.

(5) Notification to the User The telephone TEL3 and the personal computer PC3 are connected to the hub device H3, and these are used by the administrator of the multimedia information communication system.

In this state, for example, assume that the hub device H1 has transmitted an abnormality notification. Then, the hub device H3 receives the abnormal signal at the status notification input / output unit 35 and requests the mail creation unit 36 to send a mail. Email composer 3
6 transmits a mail for notifying that the hub device H1 is in an abnormal state to the personal computer PC3 via the PC interface 22.

When the hub device H3 receives the abnormality notification from the hub device H1, it issues an instruction to the telephone protocol processing unit 14 from the status notification input / output unit 35, thereby issuing a ringing transmission request to the telephone TEL3. Send On the other hand, when the user of the telephone TEL3 goes off-hook, the voice guidance stored in the data storage unit 18 is transmitted. As the voice guidance, for example, “An error has occurred in the hub device H1. Perform maintenance immediately.” Is used.

Whether such abnormal state notification is performed by mail or voice guidance can be changed by setting. Therefore, it can be used according to the administrator's preference. By doing so, it becomes possible for the administrator of the multimedia information communication system to immediately know even if an abnormality has occurred in each device connected to the LAN 1, and the administrator can easily perform maintenance.

(Fifth Embodiment) FIG. 40 is a schematic configuration diagram showing a fifth embodiment of the multimedia information communication system according to the present invention. In this figure, the same parts as those in FIG. 31 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed description is omitted.

The LAN 1 has a communication server device SVR storing various data such as voice data, a gatekeeper device GK performing call control of the system and storing call control information, and a personal computer. Computer (P
C) PC4 is connected to each. A telephone TEL5 is connected to the router LT1.

As shown in the figure, the communication server SVR, the gatekeeper GK, and the personal computer PC4 are also assigned IP addresses as network identifiers, similarly to the hubs H1 to H3 and the routers LT1 and LT2. Have been.

FIG. 41 is a circuit block diagram showing a configuration of the router LT1 according to the present embodiment. 33, the same portions as those in FIG. 33 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed description is omitted. This router device LT1 is provided with a telephone interface 51 for accommodating the telephone TEL5, and a telephone protocol processing unit 52. The telephone protocol processing unit 52 controls communication with the telephone TEL5.

FIG. 42 is a functional block diagram showing the structure of gate keeper device GK. Gatekeeper device GK
Has a network interface 56 connected to the LAN1, and exchanges information with the LAN1.

[0307] The protocol processing unit 57 includes the hub device H1,
It analyzes call control signals transmitted from H2, H3 and router devices LT1, LT2 via the network interface 56, and notifies the central processing unit 54 of the result. At the same time, a call control signal is created according to a command from the central processing unit 54 and transmitted to the LAN 1 via the network interface 56.

The data storage unit 53 stores information necessary for call control, for example, a conversion table of telephone numbers (DN) and IP addresses,
It stores failure information, transfer information, and the like, and inputs and outputs information according to instructions from the central processing unit 54.

The central processing unit 54 performs various processes including call processing in the gate keeper GK, and exchanges data with the protocol processing unit 57 and the data storage unit 53.

[0310] The status notification input / output unit 55 is connected to the hub devices H1, H2, H3 and the router device LT connected to the LAN1.
1, an abnormal notification, a normal notification, a recovery notification, and the like from the LT 2 are received and analyzed, and necessary information of the analysis result is stored in the data storage unit 53 via the central processing unit 54.

Next, the operation of the system configured as described above will be described. The hub devices H1, H2, and H3 will be described with reference to FIG. First, the operation when both communication interface devices are in a normal state will be described. Now, for example, the telephone T connected to the hub device H1
When a call is transmitted from EL1 to a telephone number (DN: 3001), the data table (FIG. 43) stored in the data storage unit 18 of the hub device H1 is referred to, and the IP address corresponding to the telephone number is referred to. Make a call. The hub device H2 receives the transmission information from the hub device H1, and causes the telephone TEL2 connected to the hub device H2 to notify the incoming call by, for example, ringing. On the other hand, telephone TEL2
When the other user performs an off-hook operation, the extension telephone TEL
1 and TEL2 can be communicated.

[0312] A call between extensions using the gatekeeper device GK is performed as follows. For example, the telephone TEL1 connected to the hub device H1 has a telephone number (DN: 3).
001). Then, the hub device H1 transmits a transmission request to the gatekeeper GK.
The gatekeeper GK refers to the data setting table (FIG. 43) stored in the data storage unit 53 and makes a call to the IP address corresponding to the destination telephone number. The hub device H2 transmits the transmission information to the gatekeeper GK.
, The telephone TEL2 connected to the hub device H2 generates a sound. Then, when the user of the telephone TEL2 goes off-hook and answers, a telephone call between extensions is realized between the telephones TEL1 and TEL2.

Further, when a call is transmitted from the telephone TEL1 connected to the hub device H1 to the external telephone TEL4 connected to the public network INW, the following operation is performed. For example, a telephone number (DN: 03-5678-9)
000), the data table (FIG. 4) stored in the data storage unit 18 of the hub device H1.
With reference to 3), a router device for transmitting to the public network INW is selected (here, for example, the router device LT).
1). By doing so, it is possible to communicate with the telephone TEL4 connected to the public network INW via the router LT1.

In the case of making an outside call using the gatekeeper device GK, the following operation is performed. For example, from the telephone TEL1 connected to the hub device H1 to the telephone TEL4 (telephone number D) connected to the public network INW.
N: 03-5678-9000). Then, the hub device H1 becomes the gatekeeper device GK.
To send outgoing signals. On the other hand, the gatekeeper device GK refers to the data setting table (FIG. 44) stored in the data storage unit 53 and selects a router device for transmitting to the public network INW (here, the router device LT1).

By doing so, the router L is connected to the outside telephone TEL4 connected to the public network INW.
It can communicate via T1.

Next, a case where an abnormality has occurred in any of the communication interface devices will be described. Here, a case where an abnormality occurs in the hub device H1 connected to the LAN 1 will be described as an example.

(1) When sending an abnormal signal The self-diagnosis unit 31, the telephone diagnosis unit 32, and the personal computer diagnosis unit 33 provided in the hub device H1 periodically perform self-diagnosis. In this state, when an abnormality of the hub device H1 is detected by any of these diagnostic units, the abnormality is notified to the status notification input / output unit 35, and the status notification input / output unit 35 further transmits another error via the LAN1. Hub devices H2, H3 and router devices LT1, L
An abnormal signal is transmitted to T2. Alternatively, an abnormal signal is transmitted only to the gatekeeper GK.

The status notification signal for notifying the status such as abnormality is configured as follows, for example. FIG. 45 shows the format. That is, in the status notification signal, a status notification signal recognition header for recognizing the status notification signal is placed at the head, and subsequently, a transmission destination IP address indicating the IP address of the device in which the abnormality has occurred, The operating status of the destination device that indicates the operating status, when the device is in an abnormal status, the abnormal status detailed information that describes the detailed information of the abnormal status is arranged in order, and the destination setting information is arranged last. ing.

The self-diagnosis unit 31 and the telephone diagnosis unit 32
The personal computer diagnostic unit 33 does not periodically perform the self-diagnosis, but performs the self-diagnosis when receiving a self-diagnosis request signal from the status notification input / output unit 40 of the router LT1 connected to the LAN 1, for example. It may be performed. Further, when an abnormal state occurs while the hub device H1 is performing the normal process, the status notification input / output unit 35 may be configured to be notified.

[0320] The hub device that has received the above-mentioned status notification signal performs the following transmission restriction setting processing. FIG.
FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing the processing procedure and processing contents. That is, for example, in the hub device H2, when the status notification signal is received, this signal is transmitted to the status notification input / output unit 35.
Is transferred to the data setting unit 34 via the. The data setting unit 34 stores the hub device H1 in the data storage unit 18 in order to regulate the transmission to the hub device H1 that has notified the abnormality.
1 is set. FIG. 43 shows the configuration of a table for setting data. That is, a transfer destination is newly added to the data setting table.

In this state, for example, it is assumed that the telephone TEL2 connected to the hub device H2 attempts to make a call to the telephone TEL1 connected to the hub device H1. However, in the transmitting-side hub device H2, the transmission restriction is set in the data setting table of the data storage unit 18. For this reason, the hub device H2 does not transmit to the hub device H1,
The voice guidance message recorded in the data storage unit 18 is transmitted to the telephone TEL2 that is the transmission source. As the voice guidance message, for example, "the call you have made is out of order because it is out of order" is used.

On the other hand, when the transfer destination is set in the data setting table, the hub device H2 makes a call to the transfer destination, and establishes a communication link between the transfer destination telephone and the caller telephone. Let it be established.

When receiving the state notification signal, the routers LT1 and LT2 operate as follows. That is, in the router LT1, for example, the status notification signal is transferred to the status notification input / output unit 40 and further transferred to the data setting unit 49. Then, the data setting unit 49
The data setting for restricting the incoming call to the hub device H1 that has notified the abnormality is performed in the data storage unit 48.

In this state, it is assumed that a call is made from the external telephone TEL4 connected to the public network INW to the telephone TEL1 connected to the hub device H1. Then, the router LT1 refers to the data setting table of the data storage unit 48, and if the incoming call restriction is set and the transfer destination is not set, the router LT1 does not receive an incoming call to the hub device H1, The voice guidance message recorded in the storage unit 48 is transmitted to the external telephone TE
Send to L4. As the voice guidance message, for example, "the telephone you have called is out of service and cannot be called" is used.

On the other hand, if the transfer destination has been set,
A call is made to the set transfer destination, and a communication link is established between the transfer destination telephone and the caller telephone. In this case, the transfer destination may be the telephone TEL5 connected to the router LT1.

Further, when receiving the state notification signal, gate keeper device GK operates as follows. That is, when the gate keeper device GK receives the abnormal signal, the abnormal signal is notified to the central processing unit 54 via the state notification input / output unit 55. The central processing unit 45 includes:
Data setting is performed in the data storage unit 53 in order to perform incoming call restriction or transfer setting for the hub device H1 that has notified the abnormality.

[0327] In this state, it is assumed that, for example, an outgoing call request to the gate keeper GK is issued from the telephone TEL2 connected to the hub device H2 to the hub device H1. In this case, the gate keeper device GK refers to the data setting table stored in the data storage unit 53. And if the operation status of the incoming call is abnormal and the forwarding setting is not made,
The data storage unit 5 does not transmit to the hub device H1.
3 is transmitted to the telephone TEL2 connected to the hub device H2. As the voice guidance, for example, "calling cannot be performed because the currently called telephone is out of order" is used.

On the other hand, when the transfer destination is set in the data setting table, a call is made to the set transfer destination, and a communication link is established between the transfer destination and the calling telephone.

On the other hand, when recovery processing such as resetting is performed in the hub device H1, the transmission restriction release processing is performed as follows. That is, in the hub device H1, a restoration signal is generated, and the restoration signal is transmitted to the other hub devices H2 and H3 and the router devices LT1 and L1 in the system via the LAN1.
Sent to T2.

When a recovery signal is received, a hub device, for example, H
In 2, the data setting unit 34 is notified of the restoration signal via the status notification input / output unit 35. Then, as shown in FIG. 37, the data setting unit 34 changes the data on the hub device H1 set in the data 18 to the transmission restriction release, in order to release the transmission restriction on the hub device H1 that has notified the restoration. .

Also, the restoration signal is transmitted to the router LT1,
When LT2 receives the packet, the router device (for example, LT2)
1) operates as follows. That is, the router LT
In 1, the received restoration signal is notified to the data setting unit 49 via the state notification input / output unit 40. Data setting unit 49
Changes the data relating to the hub device H1 in the data setting table of the data storage unit 48 to the termination restriction release in order to release the termination restriction on the hub device H1 that has notified the recovery.

Further, the recovery signal is transmitted to the gate keeper G
When K is received, the gatekeeper device GK operates as follows. That is, in the gatekeeper device GK,
The received restoration signal is notified to the central processing unit 54 via the state notification input / output unit 55. The central processing unit 54
In order to release the incoming call restriction on the hub device H1 that has notified the restoration, the data regarding the hub device H1 in the data setting table of the data storage unit 53 is changed to the incoming call restriction release.

By doing so, the other party's telephone T
If the EL1 or the hub device H1 is out of order, the originating hub device or the router device, and further the gatekeeper device GK, regulate the transmission or the reception. Therefore, the execution of the unnecessary incoming procedure via the LAN 1 is not performed. Also, at this time, since the caller's telephone is notified by voice guidance that the called party's terminal cannot be used, the user can immediately and clearly know that the call cannot be made. Therefore, the multimedia information communication system becomes very easy to use.

(2) When transmitting a normal signal In the hub device H1, the self-diagnosis unit 31 and the telephone diagnosis unit 32
In addition, self-diagnosis is periodically performed by the personal computer diagnostic unit 33. If the diagnostic results of these diagnostic sections are normal, the status notification input / output section 35 sends LA
Other hub devices H2, H3 and router device L via N1
A normal signal is transmitted to T1 and LT2. Alternatively, the normal signal is transmitted only to the gatekeeper device GK.

As in the case of the above-described abnormality detection, the self-diagnosis unit 31, the telephone diagnosis unit 32, and the personal computer diagnosis unit 33 do not perform self-diagnosis periodically but are connected to the LAN 1, for example. The self-diagnosis may be performed when a self-diagnosis request signal is received from the status notification input / output unit 40 of the router device LT1 that is running. Further, when an abnormal state occurs while the hub device H1 is performing the normal processing, it is also possible to notify the state notification input / output unit 35 so as not to notify the normal signal.

On the other hand, the other hub device and router device perform the following processing. FIG. 47 is a flowchart showing the processing procedure and processing contents. That is, in the steady state, each hub device and each router device
It monitors whether a normal signal has been received within a certain period of time. If a normal signal is not received within a certain period of time, the hub device (for example, H2 in this case) determines that the transmission source hub device has changed from a normal state to an abnormal state, and sends the determination result to the state notification input / output unit. The data is notified to the data setting unit 34 via 35. The data setting unit 34 sets data relating to the hub device H1 in the data setting table of the data storage unit 18 to an abnormal state in order to restrict transmission to a hub device (for example, H1) that has not received a normal signal.

Therefore, when the telephone TEL2 connected to the hub device H2 transmits a call to the telephone TEL1 connected to the hub device H1 in this state, the hub device H2 on the transmitting side sets the data in the data setting table of the data storage unit 18. Outgoing call barring is set. Therefore, the hub device H2 does not transmit to the hub device H1, and transmits the voice guidance message recorded in the data storage unit 18 to the telephone TEL2 that is the transmission source. As the voice guidance message, for example, "the call you have made is out of order because it is out of order" is used.

If the normal signal cannot be received for a certain period of time, the routers LT1 and LT2 operate as follows. That is, when the router LT1 cannot receive a normal signal for a certain period of time, it determines that an abnormal state has occurred, notifies the state notification input / output unit 40 of the abnormality, and the state notification input / output unit 40 Notify abnormalities. Then, the data setting unit 49 performs data setting on the data storage unit 48 for restricting an incoming call to the hub device H1 that has notified the abnormality.

Therefore, in this state, even if a call is made from the external telephone TEL4 connected to the public network INW to the telephone TEL1 connected to the hub device H1, the router LT1 stores the data in the data setting table of the data storage unit 48. Since the incoming call restriction is set, the hub device H
1, the voice guidance message recorded in the data storage unit 48 is transmitted to the external telephone TEL4 of the transmission source. As the voice guidance message, for example, "the telephone you have called is out of service and cannot be called" is used.

Further, when the normal signal cannot be received for a certain period of time, the gatekeeper device GK operates as follows. That is, the gatekeeper device GK determines that an abnormal state has occurred when a normal signal cannot be received for a certain period of time,
The state notification input / output unit 55 notifies the central processing unit 54 of an abnormality. Then, the central processing unit 54 sets data in the data storage unit 53 for restricting an incoming call to the hub device H1 that has notified the abnormality.

Accordingly, in this state, for example, the telephone set TE
L2 makes a call to the telephone TEL1, and in response, the hub device H2 sends the hub device H to the gatekeeper device GK.
It is assumed that a call request addressed to No. 1 has been transmitted. In this case, the gatekeeper device GK refers to the data setting table in the data storage unit 53 and determines the contents of the setting data for the hub device H1. If the operation state is abnormal and the transfer setting has not been made, the voice guidance stored in the data storage unit 53 is transmitted to the telephone TEL2 without transmitting a call to the hub device H1. As the voice guidance to be transmitted at this time, for example, "cannot make a call because the currently called telephone is out of order" is used.

When the transfer destination is set in the data setting table, a call is made to the set transfer destination, thereby making a call between the caller telephone TEL2 and the transfer destination telephone. Establish a link.

On the other hand, when recovery processing such as reset is performed in the hub device H1, the hub device H1 outputs a recovery signal LA.
The hub devices H2 and H3, the router devices LT1,
It transmits to LT2 and the gatekeeper device GK, respectively.

Gatekeeper device GK receiving the recovery signal
Works as follows. That is, in the gatekeeper device GK, the received restoration signal is notified to the central processing unit 54 via the state notification input / output unit 55. The central processing unit 54 changes the data related to the hub device H1 in the data setting table of the data storage unit 53 to the release of the incoming call restriction in order to release the incoming call restriction on the hub device H1 that has notified the restoration.

By doing so, the other party's telephone T
When the EL1 or the hub device H1 is out of order, a voice guidance is transmitted from the transmitting hub device, the router device, or the gatekeeper device GK to the calling telephone to notify the user of the fact. Therefore, the user can immediately and clearly know that the call cannot be made. If the transfer destination is set in advance, the outgoing call is transferred to the set transfer destination. Therefore, the outgoing call is automatically transferred to the other party's telephone via the normal hub device or router device, and the multimedia information communication system becomes very easy to use.

(3) When there is no response after transmission to the hub device Assume that a transmission is made from the hub device H1 to the hub device H2, and the hub device H2 does not respond at all within a predetermined time. In this case, in the hub device H1, the network protocol processing unit 12 notifies the status notification input / output unit 35 of the abnormality. Then, the status notification input / output unit 35
Transmits an abnormal signal to other hub devices H3 and router devices LT1 and LT2 in the system via the LAN1. Alternatively, an abnormal signal is transmitted only to the gatekeeper device GK.

When the hub device H1 transmits a signal to the hub device H2 via the gatekeeper device GK, a transmission request signal is transmitted from the hub device H1 to the gatekeeper device GK. Upon receiving the transmission request signal, the gatekeeper device GK refers to the data setting table (FIG. 43) stored in the data storage unit 53 and transmits a signal to the hub device H2. If the hub device H2 does not respond to this transmission within a predetermined time, the gatekeeper device G
K is the status notification input / output unit 55 from the protocol processing unit 57.
Is notified of the abnormality.

Further, as another operation mode, the hub device H
The hub device H1 transmits a test request signal to the hub device H2 when the hub device H2 does not respond to the transmission within a predetermined time. Hub device H3 that has received the inspection request signal
Makes a call to the hub device H2. If the hub device H2 does not respond to this transmission within a certain period of time, the hub device H3 sends the network protocol processing unit 12
Notifies the status notification input / output unit 35 of the abnormality. Then, an inspection request response signal is returned from the status notification input / output unit 35 to the hub device H1 via the LAN1.

FIG. 48 shows the format of the inspection request signal and the inspection request response signal. That is, these signals have a test request / response signal recognition header at the beginning,
Subsequently, a source IP address, a non-response destination IP address, and destination state information are arranged in this order.

When the inspection request signal is received, the hub device H
1 transmits an abnormal signal to the hub device H3 or the router devices LT1 and LT2 in the system via the LAN 1, or only to the gate keeper device GK. The hub device and the router device that have received this abnormal signal first (1)
The operation is the same as described in the above.

By doing so, even if a serious abnormality occurs such that an arbitrary hub device or router device cannot transmit a status signal such as an abnormal signal, the hub devices H1, H2, and H2 connected to the LAN 1 H3 and router device L
T1, LT2 and the gatekeeper device GK can know each other's state. Therefore,
When a call is transmitted to the hub device H1 from the next time, the hub devices H1, H2, H3 and the router devices LT1, LT2,
Further, it is understood that the gate keeper device GK cannot immediately make a call due to a failure. In addition, by setting the transfer destination, the outgoing call is automatically transferred to the transfer destination hub device or router device, and the multimedia information communication system becomes easy to use.

(4) When there is no response after transmitting to the router device For example, as a result of transmitting from the hub device H1 to the outside line telephone TEL4 connected to the public network INW via the router device LT1, a fixed value is obtained. Router device LT1 in time
Does not respond at all. In this case, the hub device H
In 1, the network protocol processing unit 12 notifies the status notification input / output unit 35 of an abnormality. Then, the status notification input / output unit 35 transmits an abnormal signal to the other hub devices H2 and H3 and the router device LT2 via the LAN 1. Alternatively, an abnormal signal is transmitted only to the gatekeeper device GK.

Further, for example, the public network INW is transmitted from the hub device H1 via the gate keeper device GK and the router device LT1.
It is assumed that a call is made to the telephone TEL4 connected to. In this case, the gate keeper device GK is connected to the hub device H.
Receiving the transmission request signal from the data storage unit 53
Is transmitted to the router LT2 with reference to the data setting table (FIG. 44) recorded in the. And
If the router LT2 does not respond to this transmission within a certain time, the protocol processing unit 57 notifies the status notification input / output unit 55 of an abnormality.

Further, it is assumed that, for example, as a result of transmitting a call from the hub device H1 to the external telephone TEL4 connected to the public network INW via the router device LT1, the router device LT1 does not respond within a predetermined time. In this case, the hub device H1 transmits an inspection request signal to another hub device H3, for example.

The hub device H3 that has received the inspection request signal
Makes a call to the outside line telephone TEL4 connected to the public network INW via the router LT1. If the router LT1 does not respond to this transmission within a predetermined time, the hub device H3 notifies the status notification input / output unit 35 of an abnormality from the network protocol processing unit 12. Then, an inspection request response signal is returned from the status notification input / output unit 35 to the hub device H1 as the inspection request source via the LAN1.

Upon receiving the inspection request response signal, the hub device H1 connects the hub devices H2 and H2 in the system via the LAN1.
An abnormal signal is transmitted to H3 and the router LT2.
Alternatively, an abnormal signal is transmitted only to the gatekeeper device GK. Further, the hub device H1 makes a call to the external telephone TEL4 connected to the public network INW via another router device (here, for example, LT2) stored in the data storage unit 18.

On the other hand, when there is no normal router device, transmission is performed to the IP address having the order of −1 (here, the communication server device SVR), and voice guidance is transmitted there. As the voice guidance transmitted at this time, for example, "cannot transmit to an outside line due to a failure of the router device" is used.

In this way, even if a serious abnormality such as an abnormal signal cannot be transmitted in the hub device or the router device, the hub devices H1, H2, H3, Router device LT1, L
T2 can know each other's state. By doing so, the router devices LT1, LT2
Telephone TE connected to the public network INW via the telephone
When an outgoing call is made to L4, the call can be made to the external telephone TEL4 connected to the public network INW via another normal router without immediately transmitting to the faulty router. The information communication system can be used without interruption.

(5) Notification to User The telephone TEL3 and the personal computer PC3 are connected to the hub device H3, and these are used by the administrator of the multimedia information communication system.

In this state, for example, assume that the hub device H1 has transmitted an abnormality notification. Then, the hub device H3 receives the abnormal signal at the status notification input / output unit 35 and requests the mail creation unit 36 to send a mail. Email composer 3
6 transmits a mail for notifying that the hub device H1 is in an abnormal state to the personal computer PC3 via the PC interface 22.

When the hub device H1 has transmitted the abnormality notification, the status notification input / output unit 35 of the hub device H3 receives the signal, and further issues a ringing transmission request to the telephone TEL3 to the telephone protocol processing unit 14. Send. On the other hand, when the user of the telephone TEL3 goes off-hook, the voice guidance stored in the data storage unit 18 is transmitted. As the voice guidance, for example, "Current hub device
An error has occurred in H1. Perform maintenance immediately. Is used.

Alternatively, for example, when the hub device H1 transmits an abnormality notification, the status notification input / output unit 3 of the hub device H3.
5 receives the signal and requests the mail creation unit 36 to send a mail. The mail creation unit 36 sends a message to the personal computer PC4 connected to the LAN 1 via the network interface 22.
The mail for notifying that the hub device H1 is in an abnormal state is transmitted.

Alternatively, for example, when the hub device H1 has transmitted the abnormality notification, the gate keeper device GK receives the signal from the state input / output unit 55, and as a result, the central processing unit 5
4 is transmitted. Upon receiving the notification, the central processing unit 54 displays an abnormal state on the screen.

Whether such abnormal state notification is performed by mail or voice guidance can be changed by setting. Therefore, it is possible to use it according to the administrator's preference.

[0365] By doing so, it becomes possible for the administrator of the multimedia information communication system to immediately be notified when an abnormality occurs in each device connected to the LAN 1, and as a result, the administrator can perform maintenance. Is easier to do.

As described above, according to the fifth embodiment, when a call is made to a communication terminal device in which an abnormality has occurred, the transmission is restricted and voice guidance and the like are sent to the caller. Useless transmission operation is avoided, and the user can clearly know that there is an abnormality in the other device.

Further, if a transfer setting is made, when a user makes a call to a communication terminal having an abnormality, the outgoing call is automatically transferred to a normal communication terminal, so that the system is not interrupted by the user. Is available.

Even if an abnormality occurs in the router device,
Since the call destination is automatically switched to another router device, the user can use the device as before without recognizing the abnormality. Further, when the gatekeeper device GK is used, the number of abnormal signals to be transmitted decreases,
1 can be reduced. Not only that,
Hub devices H1, H2, H3 and router devices LT1, LT
Data discrepancies between the two will not occur, so when any hub device is abnormal, when a new hub device is installed, the new hub device should also regulate transmission to the failed hub device. Can be.

(Sixth Embodiment) The sixth embodiment according to the present invention
The third embodiment is a further improvement of the terminal status information collecting means described in the third embodiment. Note that the basic configurations of the multimedia information communication system and the ISDN-LAN protocol converter are the same as those in FIGS. 17 and 18, and therefore are not shown in the present embodiment and will be described with reference to FIGS. 17 and 18. I do.

First Embodiment FIG. 50 is a diagram for explaining the first embodiment. In the figure, # 51 denotes a protocol conversion device for accommodating a source terminal, and # 53 denotes a protocol conversion device for accommodating a destination terminal. # 52 is a protocol conversion device that accommodates a terminal that displays the communication status of the transmission-side protocol conversion device # 51, and # 54 is a communication status of a terminal that is stored in the reception-side protocol conversion device # 53. 2 shows a protocol conversion device that accommodates a terminal. Reference numeral # 55 denotes a computer having connection means for receiving a transmission request from the protocol conversion device # 51 on the transmission side and connecting to the protocol conversion device # 53 on the reception side.

The protocol conversion device # 51 is
Even for a computer having a microphone and a speaker, a computer having an external storage device, and a protocol conversion device having an interface function with the public network INW, the procedure for notifying the state related to communication is the same except for the transmission procedure. Also, in FIG. 50, an example will be described in which the connection means is provided in another computer # 55. However, the connection means in the protocol conversion device # 51 on the transmission side and the protocol conversion device # on the reception side are used. Even when the connection means in the protocol conversion device and the connection means in the terminal are used in addition to the connection means in 53, the connection request is transmitted to a different destination.

For example, suppose that the user performs an off-hook operation at the caller terminal and then performs a call operation by inputting a telephone number assigned to the callee terminal. Then, the protocol conversion device # 51 on the transmission side
Then, the computer # in which the CPU performs the connection process using IF0
A transmission request is sent to 55 (). At this time, the state related to the communication in the protocol conversion device # 51 transits from an empty state to a state of requesting transmission. If this transitioned state is registered in the management table, the registered terminal or protocol converter is notified of the state related to communication ().

The protocol converter # 52, which has received the status notification from the source-side protocol converter # 51,
The LED assigned to the status display of the source-side protocol converter # 51 is turned on to indicate that it is in use. At this time, if the terminal has a display or the like, the fact that the source terminal accommodated in # 51 is in use is displayed using characters and graphics.

If the terminal does not have a function of displaying information on a terminal such as a public line, a dedicated line such as FR, a standard telephone, or the like, a computer, a terminal, or the like which has been set in advance is notified of the protocol conversion device # 51 notified. The status is notified, and the status of the terminal # 51 is displayed using the display of the computer or the terminal. Also, in the case of a terminal having a display function such as an LED, if a display using characters or graphics is required, a computer is designated as a notification destination, and a terminal accommodated in # 51 using the display of the computer is used. May be displayed.

Now, the originating side protocol converter # 5
Connection control computer # 55 that has received the outgoing call request from # 1
The CPU searches the management table in the computer # 55 based on the telephone number described in the transmission request by the CPU to determine the destination. The computer # 55 that has determined the destination calls the protocol converter # 53 that is the destination ().

The receiving side protocol converter # 53, which has received the connection request from the connection controlling computer # 55, sounds the called terminal accommodated in its own device to notify of the incoming call.
At this time, the state related to the communication of the protocol conversion device # 53 that has received the connection request changes from idle to receiving. This transitioned state is searched from the management table of the notification destination recorded in # 53, and if the notification destination is registered, the transitioned state is determined by the protocol conversion device # 54 of the notification destination.
Notify (). The protocol converter # 54, which has received the status notification from the called-side protocol converter # 53,
The LED assigned to the status display of the protocol converter # 52 is turned on to indicate that it is in use.

As in the case of the protocol conversion device # 52, if the terminal has a display or the like, it indicates that the terminal accommodated in the transmission-side protocol conversion device # 51 is in use using characters and graphics. If you do not have the function of displaying on a public line, dedicated line such as FR, standard telephone, etc., or if you need to display characters or graphics, specify the computer as the notification destination Then, the status of the terminal accommodated in # 51 may be displayed using the display of the computer.

[0378] It is assumed that the user responds to the incoming call notification by going off-hook at the destination terminal. Then, the protocol conversion device # 53 that has detected this off-hook notifies the connection control computer # 55 of an incoming call response (). The computer # 55 that has received the incoming call response from the protocol converting device # 53 sends the incoming call response to the transmitting-side protocol converting device # 51 (). calculator#
Protocol conversion device # 5 that has received an incoming response from
1 negotiates with the destination-side protocol converter # 53 to transmit and receive an audio signal and, if necessary, a video signal, and transitions from transmitting to communicating. If the notification of this state transition is necessary, the protocol converter # 52 is notified of the transition during communication ().

When the communication is completed and the user performs an on-hook operation at one terminal, a disconnection process is started, and a disconnection request is transmitted and received between the protocol conversion devices # 51 and # 53 via the computer # 55. . At this time, the state of the protocol converters # 51 and # 53 transitions from communication to an empty state, and this state transition corresponds to the protocol converters # 52 and # 54.
Will be notified.

In this embodiment, the information that changes by communication is transmitted as a notification state as it is. However, if it is agreed with the notification destination, it may be converted to information indicating unused or in use, and then transmitted. . In addition, although signals and connection procedures relating to connection are simplified in the present embodiment, other methods may be used since they are not related to the present invention. When a group is formed by a plurality of terminals and protocol converters, the registration table may use a correspondence table of terminals and protocol converters belonging to the group, or may be automatically generated from a correspondence table of the group.

Second Embodiment FIG. 52 is a view for explaining a second embodiment. In the figure, # 56 is a protocol conversion device that accommodates a source terminal, and # 57 is a protocol conversion device that accommodates a destination terminal. # 59 is a computer for displaying the communication status of each of the protocol converters # 56 and # 57.
Is a computer having connection means for receiving a transmission request from the transmission-side protocol conversion device # 56 and connecting to the reception-side protocol conversion device # 57.

[0382] Computer # 59 for displaying the communication status
Can be displayed on different computers by registering different computers in the protocol converters # 56 and # 57. It is also possible to register a plurality of computers.

It is assumed that the user goes off-hook at the source terminal and performs a calling process by inputting the telephone number assigned to the destination terminal. Then, the CPU in the source-side protocol conversion device # 56 sends a transmission request to the computer # 58 that performs the connection process by using IF0 (). At this time, the state related to the communication in the protocol conversion device # 56 transits from an empty state to a state of requesting transmission. If this transitioned state is registered in the management table of # 56, the registered computer # 59 is notified of the state related to communication ().

The computer # 58, which has received the status notification from the source-side protocol converter # 56, displays the status of # 56 on the display using characters or graphics. At the same time, the CPU in the computer # 58 searches the table in # 58 based on the telephone number described in the outgoing call request and determines the destination. Then, the computer # 58 that has determined the destination is the protocol converter # 5 that is the destination.
Call 7 ().

Upon receiving the connection request from the computer # 58, the protocol conversion device # 57 sounds the destination terminal accommodated in the local device # 57 and notifies of the incoming call. At this time, the state related to the communication of the protocol conversion device # 57 that has received the connection request changes from idle to receiving. This transitioned state is searched from the management table of the notification destination recorded in the protocol conversion device # 57. Then, if the notification destination is registered, the state of the transition is notified to the notification destination computer # 59 (). The computer # 59 that has received the status notification from the destination-side protocol converter # 57 displays the status of the destination terminal accommodated in the protocol converter # 57 using characters or graphics.

In this state, if the user of the destination terminal responds by performing an off-hook operation, the protocol converter # 57 that has detected this off-hook notifies the computer # 58 of the incoming response (). The computer # 58 that has received the incoming call response from the protocol converting device # 57 transfers the incoming call response to the originating protocol converting device # 56 (). The calling-side protocol converter # 56, which has received the incoming call response from the computer # 58, negotiates with the called-side protocol converter # 57 to send and receive an audio signal and, if necessary, a video signal, and sends the call. The state changes from middle to communicating. At this time, if notification of the state transition is necessary, the computer # 59 is notified of the transition during communication ().

When the communication ends and one performs an on-hook operation, a disconnection process is started, and a disconnection request is transmitted and received between the protocol converters # 56 and # 57 via the computer # 58. Then, the state of the protocol converters # 56 and # 57 transitions from communication to an empty state, and this state transition is notified to the computer # 59.

Third Embodiment FIG. 52 is a view for explaining a third embodiment. In the figure, # 60 is a protocol conversion device that accommodates a source terminal, and # 61 is a protocol conversion device that accommodates a destination terminal. # 63 is a computer for displaying the communication status of each of the protocol converters # 60 and # 61.
Is a computer having a connection means for receiving a transmission request from the protocol conversion device # 60 and connecting to the protocol conversion device # 61.

[0389] It is also possible to register a plurality of computers as the computer # 62 for performing the above display so as to notify the plurality of computers. In addition, by registering a terminal and a protocol converter in addition to the computer, it is also possible to notify the terminal and the protocol converter.

[0390] It is assumed that the user performs off-hook operation at the source terminal to perform a calling process by inputting a telephone number assigned to the destination terminal. Then, the CPU in the transmission-side protocol conversion device # 60 sends a transmission request to the computer # 62 that performs the connection process by using the IF0 in the own device (). The computer # 62, which has received the transmission request from the transmission-side protocol converter # 60,
The PU determines that the state of the protocol conversion device # 60 of the transmission source has transitioned from idle to transmitting, and if this transitioned state is registered in the table in the computer # 62, the registered computer # 63 In response to this, the status of the source-side protocol conversion device # 60 is changed to the identification information such as the telephone number assigned to the terminal, the identification information of # 60, the destination # 6.
A notification is sent to the computer # 63 together with the information of No. 2.

Subsequently, the computer # 62 searches the table in the protocol conversion device # 60 based on the telephone number described in the outgoing request, determines the destination, and determines the destination of the protocol conversion device # 61. call(). The computer # 62, which has received the status notification from the protocol conversion device # 61 on the receiving side, detects the status transition of each of the protocol conversion devices # 60 and # 61 from the identification information in the notification information, and uses characters or graphics. Display on the display.

Each of the protocol converters # 60 and # 61
May be sent individually. When a plurality of terminals are called, the calling terminal and the protocol conversion device are notified. At this time, a registration table of terminals and protocol converters belonging to identification information such as telephone numbers is prepared in the computer # 63 to be displayed, and only identification information such as input telephone numbers is transmitted to # 63. It may be converted to the protocol device or terminal called within.

Receiving the connection request from the computer # 62, the receiving-side protocol converter # 61 rings the called terminal and notifies the incoming call. In this state, when the user responds by going off-hook at the destination terminal, the destination-side protocol converter # 61 notifies the computer # 62 of the incoming response (). The computer # 62, which has received the incoming response from the destination protocol conversion device # 61,
The incoming call response is transferred to the source protocol conversion device # 60 (), and the status of each of the protocol conversion devices # 60 and # 61 that has transitioned during communication is notified to the computer # 64 ().

When communication is completed and the user performs an on-hook operation at one terminal, disconnection processing is started and computer # 6 is disconnected.
2, a disconnection request is transmitted and received between the protocol converters # 60 and # 61. And each protocol converter #
The states of # 60 and # 61 transit from communication to an empty state. When the disconnection process is completed, the computer # 62 becomes the computer # 6
3 is notified that each of the protocol converters # 60 and # 61 has transitioned to an empty state. Calculator # 63 is
This state transition is displayed using characters or graphics.

Fourth Embodiment FIG. 53 is a view for explaining a fourth embodiment. Reference numeral 55 denotes a configuration of a registration table for notifying a state related to communication of each terminal. In the figure, the right column is the terminal name of the notification destination, the state of terminal A is notified to terminal B, and the state of terminal B is notified to terminals A and C, respectively.

By registering the identification information of the protocol converter and the computer in addition to the terminal name in the right column, it is also possible to notify the protocol converter and the computer. When a group is configured by assigning a plurality of pieces of identification information to one terminal or the like, the group information in FIG. 55 may be used, or the registration table in FIG. 54 may be automatically generated from the groove information. .

The process uses the table shown in FIG. 54 instead of the table shown in FIG. 49, and transmits a signal such as a connection request or a response when a connection request or a response to the connection request from the corresponding terminal is received. This is performed by searching for the device of the notification destination from the information of the terminal that has been searched using FIG. 54, and notifying the searched device.

In the above description, the state transition is notified. However, in a network using IEEE802.3 or the like, all signals flowing on the network can be received. For this reason, a device that displays and manages the status related to communication by reading all signals transmitted and received between the source device and the destination device or between the source device, the control means, and the destination device and displaying the status. If the signal is
It is also possible to determine the state transition of the target device from this signal and display it.

In the case of notifying the status, in the case of a network having a function of transmitting signals to a plurality of terminals by broadcasting,
By using this broadcast function, it is possible to notify a plurality of terminals with one signal, and the network load can be reduced.

FIGS. 56, 57 and 58 show examples of requests for registering notification destinations. In the figure, the operation is information indicating whether to register or delete. 56. The first terminal information in FIG. 56 is terminal information to be notified, and the second and subsequent terminal information is terminal information to be notified. FIG. 57 is an example in the case where a state is used as a notification condition. FIG. 58 shows an example in which the number of times of notification is specified.

The terminal or the protocol conversion device that has received the request records the specified conditions and the number of times when registering the notification destination, and notifies when the specified conditions are met. When the number of times is specified, it is decremented every time notification is made, and when it becomes 0, it is deleted from the registration table of the notification destination. In providing services such as camp-on, an empty state is used as a condition, and only one notification is used as the number of times. Such frequently used conditions and the number of times may be determined as a default value, and when there is no designation, an empty state or only one notification may be set.

In addition to notifying when a state has transitioned, a means for requesting acquisition of a state and a function for notifying the result when a request is received are prepared, and display is required at the request source. At that time, an inquiry is made at regular intervals and the result is notified.

Also, as the information to be notified, not only the transition state but also information related to the communication such as the communication destination may be notified together. In this case, the information to be notified is specified from the request source. FIG. 59 shows an example of the notification request and the registration request. In the figure, the first item is the content of operation such as registration, deletion and notification request, the second item is the type of information for notifying the status, the communication destination, and the like, and the third item is the notification condition such as empty or communicating The fourth item is the number of notifications, and the fifth item is a terminal to notify.

As described above, according to the sixth embodiment, it is possible to acquire the communication status of each terminal and display and manage the status of the terminal, as in the conventional centralized system. And multi-appearance LE
Functions equivalent to those of the conventional system, such as D display, terminal status display, and camp-on, can be provided.

[0405]

As described in detail above, according to the present invention,
It is possible for the user of the communication terminal device to register the identifier using his / her own communication terminal device, which eliminates the need for special work setting by maintenance personnel and the like, and enables the identification of the communication terminal device and the communication interface device. Allocation management can be performed efficiently.

According to the present invention, by simply connecting a communication terminal device or a communication interface device, an identifier to be assigned to the communication terminal device or the communication interface device is automatically generated and registered. For this reason,
Compared to the case where the user manually inputs the identifier, the registration of the identifier can be performed accurately and easily without error.

Further, according to the present invention, when an abnormality occurs in a communication terminal or a communication interface device, the other device can know the abnormality, and thereby can take appropriate measures. Network can be provided.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram showing a first embodiment of a multimedia information communication system according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram showing a configuration of a hub device used in the system shown in FIG.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a data setting confirmation sequence.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a data verification sequence.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a manual data setting sequence.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of an automatic data setting sequence.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing another example of the automatic data setting sequence.

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing another example of the automatic data setting sequence.

FIG. 9 is a schematic configuration diagram showing a second embodiment of the multimedia information communication system according to the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a functional block diagram showing a configuration of an identification information management device used in the system shown in FIG. 9;

FIG. 11 is a view for explaining manual setting processing of an identifier when a hub device and a telephone are newly added.

FIG. 12 is a view for explaining processing when additionally setting a terminal identifier for an existing telephone.

FIG. 13 is a view for explaining automatic identifier setting processing by the identification information management device when a hub device and a telephone are newly added.

FIG. 14 is a view for explaining an identifier deletion process when the hub device and the telephone are removed from the system.

FIG. 15 is a view for explaining re-registration processing of an identifier when a failure occurs in the identification information management apparatus.

FIG. 16 is a view for explaining identifier re-registration processing when a failure occurs in the hub device.

FIG. 17 is a schematic configuration diagram showing a third embodiment of the multimedia information communication system according to the present invention.

FIG. 18 shows an ISDN in the system shown in FIG.
FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a LAN protocol conversion device.

FIG. 19 is a block diagram showing a functional configuration of a multimedia terminal.

FIG. 20 is a diagram showing an example of communication information.

FIG. 21 is a diagram showing another example of communication information.

FIG. 22 is a diagram showing an example of communication information to which terminal user information is added.

FIG. 23 is a diagram showing another example of communication information to which terminal user information has been added.

FIG. 24 is a diagram showing an example of a case where communication information is recorded separately for each operator.

FIG. 25 is a diagram showing a processing flow of the system according to the third embodiment.

FIG. 26 is a diagram showing an example of terminal information when each communication terminal stores the operation state of its own terminal.

FIG. 27 is a diagram showing an example of terminal information when the states of a plurality of terminals are stored.

FIG. 28 is a diagram showing a procedure when each terminal records its own state.

FIG. 29 is a diagram showing a procedure in a case where a communication connection unit of a communication server having a communication control function collects and records terminal information of each terminal.

FIG. 30 is a diagram showing a communication procedure when terminal information of each terminal or the protocol conversion device is recorded in a device other than the communication server.

FIG. 31 is a schematic configuration diagram showing a fourth embodiment of the multimedia information communication system according to the present invention.

FIG. 32 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a hub device in the system shown in FIG. 31;

FIG. 33 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a router device in the system shown in FIG. 31;

FIG. 34 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of a data table stored in the hub device H1.

FIG. 35 is a diagram showing another example of the configuration of the data table stored in the hub device H1.

FIG. 36 is a diagram showing a format of a status notification signal.

FIG. 37 is a flowchart showing a procedure and a process of setting a transmission restriction in the hub device.

FIG. 38 is a flowchart showing a procedure and a process of receiving a status notification signal in another hub device and a router device.

FIG. 39 is a view showing a format of an inspection request signal.

FIG. 40 is a schematic configuration diagram showing a fifth embodiment of the multimedia information communication system according to the present invention.

FIG. 41 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a router device in the system shown in FIG. 40;

FIG. 42 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a gate keeper device in the system shown in FIG. 40;

FIG. 43 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of a data setting table.

FIG. 44 is a view showing another example of the configuration of the data setting table.

FIG. 45 is a diagram showing a format of a status notification signal.

FIG. 46 is a flowchart showing a setting procedure and processing contents of the transmission restriction in the hub device which has received the state notification signal.

FIG. 47 is a flowchart showing the procedure and content of a status notification signal reception process in another hub device and a router device.

FIG. 48 is a view showing a format of an inspection request / response signal.

FIG. 49 is a diagram showing a configuration of a notification destination management table of a state relating to communication.

FIG. 50 is an exemplary view for explaining a first example of the multimedia information communication system according to the sixth embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 51 is an exemplary view for explaining a second example of the multimedia information communication system according to the sixth embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 52 is an exemplary view for explaining a third example of the multimedia information communication system according to the sixth embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 53 is an exemplary view for explaining a fourth example of the multimedia information communication system according to the sixth embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 54 is a view showing the configuration of a terminal information registration table.

FIG. 55 is a view showing the configuration of a group terminal information registration table.

FIG. 56 is a diagram showing a configuration of a notification destination registration request.

FIG. 57 is a diagram showing a configuration of a notification destination registration request.

FIG. 58 is a diagram showing a configuration of a notification destination registration request.

FIG. 59 is a diagram showing a configuration of a notification request and a registration request.

[Explanation of symbols]

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... LAN 2 ... Identification information management device 3 ... Storage device H1, H2, H3 ... Hub device LT ... Router device INW ... Public network TEL1, TEL2, TEL3, TEL4, TEL5 ...
Telephone PC1, PC2, PC3, PC4 Personal computer SVR Communication server device GK Gatekeeper device 11 Network interface 12 Network protocol processing unit 13 Telephone interface 14 Telephone protocol processing unit 15 Telephone / network protocol conversion unit Reference Signs List 16 voice / text converter 17 DTMF detector 18 data storage unit 19 LAN connection detection unit 20 terminal connection detection unit 21 setting data creation unit 22 personal computer interface

Continued on the front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁶ Identification symbol FI H04M 3/00 H04L 13/00 309Z 11/00 303 (72) Inventor Shuichi Sato 3-1-1 Asahigaoka, Hino-shi, Tokyo Toshiba Corporation Inside the Hino Plant (72) Inventor Motohisa Araki 3-1-1 Asahigaoka, Hino City, Tokyo Inside the Toshiba Hino Plant Co., Ltd.

Claims (65)

[Claims] 1. A communication system comprising: a core communication network for transmitting information data; a plurality of communication interface devices connected to the core communication network; and a plurality of communication terminal devices connected to the communication interface devices. A multimedia information communication system for establishing a communication path using a terminal identifier assigned to each communication terminal device and a network identifier assigned to each communication interface device in response to a communication request of the communication terminal device, wherein the communication interface When a device is newly connected to the core communication network, input means for inputting a network identifier to be assigned to the communication interface device and a terminal identifier to be assigned to a communication terminal device connected to the communication interface device is provided for each of the communication devices. Terminal equipment A multimedia data communication system comprising a setting data registering means for storing the network identifier and the terminal identifier input by the input means in a database of the newly connected communication interface apparatus, in the communication interface apparatus. . 2. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the input unit further includes a function of inputting a terminal identifier to be assigned to the communication terminal device when the communication terminal device is newly connected to the communication interface device already connected to the core communication network, 2. The multi-function device according to claim 1, wherein the setting data registration unit further has a function of storing a terminal identifier input by the input unit in a database of a communication interface device to which the communication terminal device is newly connected. Media information communication system. 3. A verification means for judging whether or not the input network identifier or terminal identifier has been registered in any of the communication interface devices connected to the core communication network by inquiring between the communication interface devices. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the setting data registration unit stores the identifier in a database of a newly connected communication interface device when the identifier is determined to be unregistered by the verification unit. 3. The multimedia information communication system according to item 2. 4. The setting data registration unit, when the verification unit determines that the identifier has been registered,
4. The multimedia information communication system according to claim 3, further comprising a function of notifying the communication terminal device having input the identifier of the message information to that effect. 5. When the input means comprises a voice input means, the setting data registration means converts an identifier consisting of a voice signal input by the voice input means into code data by a voice recognition means, 3. The multimedia information communication system according to claim 1, wherein the code data is stored in a database of the communication interface device. 6. When the input means is constituted by key input means, the setting data registration means converts an identifier comprising a DTMF signal inputted by the key input means into code data by DTMF detection means, 3. The multimedia information communication system according to claim 1, wherein the code data is stored in a database of the communication interface device. 7. The multimedia information communication system according to claim 1, wherein said setting data registration means has a function of displaying an identifier stored in a database on an input communication terminal device. 8. A communication system comprising: a core communication network for transmitting information data; a plurality of communication interface devices connected to the core communication network; and a plurality of communication terminal devices connected to the communication interface devices. The multimedia information communication system is used in a multimedia information communication system that establishes a communication path using a terminal identifier assigned to each communication terminal device and a network identifier assigned to each communication interface device in response to a communication request of the communication terminal device. Receiving means for receiving, from the communication terminal apparatus, a network identifier and a terminal identifier input by the communication terminal apparatus connected to the communication interface apparatus when the apparatus is newly connected to the core communication network; Network identifier received by means And a terminal identifier to each of the other communication interface devices via the core communication network to determine whether or not each identifier has been registered in another communication interface device. A communication interface device comprising: setting data registering means for storing the input network identifier and terminal identifier in its own database when the registration is determined. 9. A communication system comprising: a core communication network for transmitting information data; a plurality of communication interface devices connected to the core communication network; and a plurality of communication terminal devices connected to the communication interface devices. The multimedia information communication system is used in a multimedia information communication system that establishes a communication path using a terminal identifier assigned to each communication terminal device and a network identifier assigned to each communication interface device in response to a communication request of the communication terminal device. In the communication interface device, connection detecting means for detecting the presence or absence of connection of the communication terminal device to the own device, and when the connection of the communication terminal device is detected by the connection detecting device, to assign to the communication terminal device. Identifier generating means for generating a terminal identifier of A communication interface device comprising: setting data registration means for storing the terminal identifier generated by the generation means in its own database. 10. The communication interface device according to claim 9, wherein said connection detecting means detects an off-hook signal transmitted first from said communication terminal device after connection of said communication terminal device to said own device. 11. A communication system comprising: a core communication network for transmitting information data; a plurality of communication interface devices connected to the core communication network; and a plurality of communication terminal devices connected to the communication interface devices. The multimedia information communication system is used in a multimedia information communication system that establishes a communication path using a terminal identifier assigned to each communication terminal device and a network identifier assigned to each communication interface device in response to a communication request of the communication terminal device. In the communication interface device, connection detecting means for detecting the connection of the own device to the core communication network, and for assigning to the own device when the connection of the own device to the core communication network is detected by the connection detecting means. Identifier for generating network identifier Raw, communication interface device, characterized in that the network identifier generated by the identifier generation means to and a setting data registration means for storing in a database of its own device. 12. A core communication network for transmitting information data, a plurality of first communication interface devices connected to the core communication network, and a plurality of communication terminal devices connected to the first communication interface device. A second communication interface device connected to the core communication network and performing an interface between the core communication network and an external communication network;
Multimedia information communication that establishes a communication path using a terminal identifier assigned to each communication terminal device and a network identifier assigned to the first and second communication interface devices in response to a communication request from the communication terminal device A communication interface device used as the second communication interface device in a system, comprising: a connection detecting means for detecting a connection of the own device to the core communication network; An identifier generating means for generating a network identifier to be assigned to the own apparatus when the connection of the apparatus is detected; and setting data for storing the network identifier generated by the identifier generating means in a database of the own apparatus. Communication characterized by comprising registration means Interface devices. 13. Inquiring of a communication interface device other than the self as to whether or not the identifier generated by the identifier generation means has been registered in any of the communication interface devices other than the self connected to the core communication network. 10. The apparatus according to claim 9, further comprising a verification unit that determines, wherein the setting data registration unit stores the identifier in its own database when the verification unit determines that the identifier is unregistered.
13. The communication interface device according to 11 or 12. 14. The setting data registration means further comprises a function of causing the identifier generation means to regenerate a network identifier or a terminal identifier when the verification means determines that the identifier has been registered. The communication interface device according to claim 13, wherein: 15. The apparatus according to claim 8, wherein said setting data registering means has a function of transmitting an identifier stored in a database to a communication terminal device connected to the device and displaying the identifier. The communication interface device according to any one of the preceding claims. 16. A communication system comprising: a core communication network for transmitting information data; a plurality of communication interface devices connected to the core communication network; and a plurality of communication terminal devices connected to the communication interface devices. A multimedia information communication system that establishes a communication path using a terminal identifier assigned to each communication terminal device and a network identifier assigned to each communication interface device in response to a communication request from the communication terminal device, wherein the core communication At least one identification information management device connected to each of the communication interface devices via a network and centrally managing a network identifier of each of the communication interface devices and a terminal identifier of each of the communication terminal devices is provided. The above core communication network When each of the communication terminal devices is newly connected, input means for inputting a network identifier to be assigned to the communication interface device and a terminal identifier to be assigned to a communication terminal device connected to the communication interface device is provided in each of the communication terminal devices; A setting for storing the network identifier and the terminal identifier input by the input means in the database of the newly connected communication interface device, transmitting the identification information to the identification information management device via the core communication network, and registering the identification information in the management table. A multimedia information communication system, comprising: a data registration unit in each of the communication interface devices. 17. The identification information management device, comprising: a verification unit configured to determine whether a network identifier or a terminal identifier transmitted from the communication interface device has already been used by another communication interface device or communication terminal device; 2. A notifying means for notifying a communication terminal device of an input source of a determination result by the verification means.
7. The multimedia information communication system according to item 6. 18. The identification information management device, comprising: a verification unit configured to determine whether the terminal identifier transmitted from the communication interface device has already been used by another communication terminal device; Means for registering the terminal identifier as a group terminal identifier in a management table when the terminal identifier is set.
A multimedia information communication system as described. 19. When a new terminal identifier for a communication terminal device whose terminal identifier is already registered is transmitted from the communication interface device, the identification information management device manages the terminal identifier as a multi-terminal identifier. 17. The multimedia information communication system according to claim 16, further comprising means for additionally registering in the table. 20. The identification information management device, when an identifier deletion request arrives from a communication interface device,
17. The multimedia information communication system according to claim 16, further comprising means for deleting registration of an identifier corresponding to the communication interface device or the communication terminal device from the management table. 21. A communication network comprising: a core communication network for transmitting information data; a plurality of communication interface devices connected to the core communication network; and a plurality of communication terminal devices connected to the communication interface devices. A multimedia information communication system that establishes a communication path using a terminal identifier assigned to each communication terminal device and a network identifier assigned to each communication interface device in response to a communication request from the communication terminal device, wherein the core communication At least one identification information management device that is connected to each of the communication interface devices via a network and centrally manages a network identifier of each of the communication interface devices and a terminal identifier of each of the communication terminal devices; Means that the device itself is A means for sending an identifier assignment request to the identification information management device when a new connection is made to the network, and wherein the identification information management device is adapted to receive an identifier assignment request from each of the communication interface devices. A multimedia information communication system, comprising: an identifier assignment control means for generating an identifier, notifying the requesting communication interface device, and registering the identifier in a database thereof. 22. The communication interface device, further comprising: means for inquiring of the identification information management device about the connection status of the device itself with the core communication network, wherein the identification information management device receives a connection status from each of the communication interface devices. Connection state determination means for determining the connection state of the communication interface device of the inquiry source based on the management table of the own device when the inquiry of the communication device arrives, and the connection of the communication interface device of the inquiry source is determined by the connection state determination means. If it cannot be confirmed, the network identifier of the communication interface device and the terminal identifier of the communication terminal device connected to the communication interface device are searched from the management table, and transmitted to the communication interface device of the inquiry source. Means for resetting Claim 1 characterized in that
22. The multimedia information communication system according to 6 or 21. 23. Each of the communication interface devices includes means for inquiring of the identification information management device about the terminal identifier when the terminal identifier of the communication terminal device connected to the communication interface device is lost from the database; When the inquiry about the terminal identifier arrives from the communication interface device, the identification information management device searches the management table for the terminal identifier of the corresponding communication terminal device, transmits the terminal identifier to the inquiry source communication interface device, and re-reads the database. 22. The multimedia information communication system according to claim 16, further comprising a setting unit. 24. When the registration information in the management table of the identification information management device is lost, the identification information management device collects information stored in the database from a corresponding communication interface device and re-stores the information in the management table. 22. The multimedia information communication system according to claim 16, further comprising registration means. 25. Each of the communication interface devices stores a terminal identifier of a communication terminal device of a communication partner acquired when a communication terminal device accommodated in the communication interface device performs communication.
When a transfer request for a terminal identifier arrives from another communication interface device or an identification information management device, it is determined whether or not the corresponding terminal identifier is stored in the second database. 22. The apparatus according to claim 16, further comprising means for reading out the terminal identifier from the second database, transmitting the terminal identifier to another requesting communication interface device or identification information management device, and resetting the terminal identifier. Multimedia information communication system. 26. A core communication network for transmitting information data according to a predetermined first communication protocol, and a plurality of communications for transmitting and receiving information data according to at least one type of second communication protocol different from the first communication protocol. A multimedia information communication system comprising: a terminal; and a plurality of protocol conversion devices having a function of converting a communication protocol between the plurality of communication terminals and the external communication network and the core communication network. Each of the plurality of communication terminals is provided with communication management information storage means for generating and storing communication management information each time communication is performed by the terminal itself. The communication management information stored in the communication management information storage means is also provided. A multimedia information communication system characterized by obtaining predetermined statistical information necessary for system management. Temu. 27. When the system includes a specific protocol conversion device or a server device having a function of totally controlling a communication connection between the plurality of communication terminals and an external communication network, The communication management information stored in the management information storage means is further provided with an aggregation storage means for transferring and storing the communication management information stored in the management information means from the communication terminal to the specific protocol conversion device or the server device, respectively. Based on
27. The multimedia information communication system according to claim 26, wherein predetermined statistical information required for system management is obtained. 28. A core communication network for transmitting information data according to a predetermined first communication protocol, and a plurality of communications for transmitting and receiving information data according to at least one type of second communication protocol different from the first communication protocol. A multimedia information communication system comprising: a terminal; and a plurality of protocol conversion devices having a function of converting a communication protocol between the plurality of communication terminals and the external communication network and the core communication network. Each of the plurality of protocol converters is provided with communication management information storage means for generating and storing communication management information each time communication is performed by a communication terminal connected to the own apparatus, and stored in the communication management information storage means. Based on the obtained communication management information, it obtains predetermined statistical information necessary for system management. Multimedia information communication system. 29. When the system includes a specific protocol conversion device or a server device having a function of comprehensively controlling a communication connection between the plurality of communication terminals and an external communication network, And a central storage unit for transferring and storing the communication management information stored in the management information storage unit from the protocol conversion device to the specific protocol conversion device or the server device, respectively. Based on the information
29. The multimedia information communication system according to claim 28, wherein predetermined statistical information required for system management is obtained. 30. The communication management information storage means stores the communication management information in the communication management information storage means each time communication is completed in the communication terminal or each time a predetermined amount of communication management information is stored in the communication management information storage means. 30. The multimedia information communication system according to claim 27, wherein information is read, transferred to said specific protocol conversion device or a server device, and stored. 31. The integrated storage means reads out untransmitted communication management information from the communication management information storage means and sends it to the specific protocol conversion device or server device every time a predetermined time interval or a predetermined time arrives. 30. The multimedia information communication system according to claim 27, wherein the multimedia information is transferred and stored. 32. Each time a transfer request arrives from the specific protocol conversion device or server device, the central storage device reads out communication management information from the communication management information storage device and reads the request source protocol conversion device or server. 30. The multimedia information communication system according to claim 27, wherein the multimedia information is transferred to a device. 33. When the communication terminal shifts to a state in which the operation of the communication terminal is suspended, the aggregation storage means reads out communication management information from the communication management information storage means before the shift processing, and reads the specific protocol conversion device or the server. 30. The multimedia information communication system according to claim 27, wherein the multimedia information is transferred to a device. 34. When each of the communication terminals includes input means for inputting identification information of a user who performs the communication at the time of communication, the communication management information storage means stores the communication management information and the user's identification information. Identification information is stored in association with each other, and predetermined statistical information for each user is obtained based on the communication management information and the user identification information stored in the communication management information storage means. A multimedia information communication system according to any one of claims 26 to 33. 35. A core communication network for transmitting information data according to a predetermined first communication protocol, and a plurality of communications for transmitting and receiving information data according to at least one type of second communication protocol different from the first communication protocol. A multimedia information communication system comprising: a terminal; and a plurality of protocol conversion devices having a function of converting a communication protocol between the plurality of communication terminals and the external communication network and the core communication network. Each of the plurality of communication terminals includes terminal state storage means for storing information indicating that the own terminal is in a state where it cannot respond to an incoming call, and each of the plurality of protocol conversion devices is connected to the own device. When an incoming call request addressed to the communication terminal arrives, it is terminated based on the information stored in the terminal status storage means. Determining means for determining whether or not incoming call processing is possible; and when the determining means determines that incoming call processing is not possible, information is transmitted to the caller indicating that incoming call response is not possible. A multimedia information communication system, comprising: a call-disabled notification unit. 36. A core communication network for transmitting information data according to a predetermined first communication protocol, and a plurality of communications for transmitting and receiving information data according to at least one type of second communication protocol different from the first communication protocol. A multimedia information communication system comprising: a terminal; and a plurality of protocol conversion devices having a function of converting a communication protocol between the plurality of communication terminals and the external communication network and the core communication network. Each of the plurality of protocol conversion devices includes a terminal status storage unit that stores information indicating that the communication terminal connected to the own device cannot respond to an incoming call, and a communication terminal connected to the own device. When an incoming call request arrives, incoming call processing can be performed based on the information stored in the terminal status storage unit. Determining means for determining whether or not there is an incoming call; and if the determining means determines that incoming call processing is not possible, incoming call disable notification means for notifying information indicating that incoming call response is not possible to the caller. A multimedia information communication system, comprising: 37. The terminal status storage means has a function of storing information indicating that the communication terminal is in a state where the communication terminal cannot respond to an incoming call, together with information indicating the reason. 36. When the determination means determines that the incoming call processing is impossible, the information processing apparatus has a function of notifying the caller of information indicating that an incoming call response is impossible together with information indicating the reason. 35. The multimedia information communication system according to 36. 38. The communication terminal or the protocol conversion device having the terminal status storage means periodically transmits the information stored in the terminal status storage means to at least one of the communication terminals or the protocol conversion devices other than the communication terminal or the protocol conversion device. 37. The multimedia information communication system according to claim 35, further comprising: means for transferring each time a target or information content changes. 39. When the system includes a specific protocol conversion device or a server device having a function of totally controlling a communication connection between the plurality of communication terminals and the external communication network, The protocol conversion device or the server device includes means for inquiring the state of the communication terminal to a desired communication terminal or protocol conversion device, and the communication terminal or the protocol conversion device including the terminal status storage means is the specific protocol conversion device. Or, when the inquiry arrives from the server device, further includes means for reading information representing the state of the corresponding communication terminal from the terminal state storage means and sending the information to the specific protocol conversion device or server device of the inquiry source. The multimedia information communication system according to claim 35 or 36, wherein: 40. A core communication network for transmitting information data according to a predetermined first communication protocol, and a plurality of communications for transmitting and receiving information data according to at least one type of second communication protocol different from said first communication protocol. Terminal, a plurality of protocol conversion devices having a function of converting a communication protocol between the plurality of communication terminals and the external communication network and the core communication network, and between the plurality of communication terminals and the external communication network A multimedia information communication system including a specific protocol conversion device or a server device having a function of comprehensively controlling a communication connection, wherein the specific protocol conversion device or the server device includes a plurality of communication terminals. In each case, if the communication terminal cannot respond to the incoming call, Terminal status storage means that collectively stores information indicating the status of the communication terminal, and when an inquiry comes from the communication terminal or the protocol conversion device, information indicating the status of the corresponding communication terminal is selectively read from the terminal status storage means. Means for notifying the communication terminal or the protocol conversion device of the inquiry source, wherein the communication terminal or the protocol conversion device inquires the state of the communication terminal of the destination to the specific protocol conversion device or the server device. Based on information notified from the specific protocol converter or the server in response to the inquiry, determining means for determining whether or not incoming call processing to the destination communication terminal is possible; and If it is determined that the incoming call processing is not possible, the incoming call notifies the caller of information indicating that the incoming call response is not possible. A multimedia information communication system, comprising: a disable notification unit. 41. A core communication network for transmitting information data according to a predetermined first communication protocol, and a plurality of communications for transmitting and receiving information data according to at least one type of second communication protocol different from the first communication protocol. A multimedia information communication system comprising: a terminal; and a plurality of protocol conversion devices having a function of converting a communication protocol between the plurality of communication terminals and the external communication network and the core communication network. At least one of the communication terminal and the protocol conversion device includes: an operation state determination unit that determines an operation state of the communication terminal; Operating state notifying means for notifying the converting device. Multimedia information communication system. 42. At least one of the communication terminal and the protocol conversion device, based on the determination result notified by the operation state notification means, restricts transmission to a communication terminal or a protocol conversion device that has fallen into an abnormal state. 42. The apparatus according to claim 41, further comprising a regulating means.
A multimedia information communication system as described. 43. The multimedia information communication system according to claim 41, wherein said operation state determination means makes the communication terminal and the protocol converter autonomously determine their own operation states. 44. The system according to claim 44, wherein the operation state determination unit determines the operation state of its own communication terminal and the protocol conversion apparatus in response to an operation state determination request sent from another protocol conversion apparatus. 42. The multimedia information communication system according to item 41. 45. The operating state notifying means, when an abnormal state is detected by the operating state determining means, notifies information indicating the abnormal state to a protocol conversion device to be notified. A multimedia information communication system as described. 46. When the normal state is detected by the operation state determining means, the operating state notifying means notifies the protocol conversion apparatus to be notified of the fact, and the abnormal state is detected. 42. The multimedia information communication system according to claim 41, wherein transmission of said notification information is stopped in said case. 47. The transmission restriction means, when a transmission request addressed to a communication terminal or a protocol conversion device that has fallen into an abnormal state arrives, information indicating that transmission restriction is being performed on the communication terminal of the transmission request source. 43. The multimedia information communication system according to claim 42, further comprising a function of notifying the communication. 48. A core communication network for transmitting information data according to a predetermined first communication protocol, and a plurality of communications for transmitting and receiving information data according to at least one type of second communication protocol different from said first communication protocol. A multimedia information communication system comprising: a terminal; and a plurality of protocol conversion devices having a function of converting a communication protocol between the plurality of communication terminals and the external communication network and the core communication network. At least one of the communication terminal and the protocol converter monitors a response to the call when a call is made to a desired destination, and if there is no predetermined response, the destination communication terminal or the protocol converter is in an abnormal state. Operating state judging means for judging that the operation state has fallen; The multimedia information communication system characterized by comprising an operation state notification means for notifying to the protocol converter that is specified in advance notified of the other protocol converter. 49. When there is no predetermined response from the called party, the operating state determining means causes another arbitrary protocol conversion device to send the called party again to the called party and monitors the response. 5. The communication apparatus according to claim 4, further comprising a function of determining that the destination communication terminal or the protocol conversion device is in an abnormal state when there is no response.
9. The multimedia information communication system according to 8. 50. When a call is transmitted to an external communication terminal connected to an external communication network, the operation state determination means determines that an arbitrary protocol converter connected to the external communication network is in an abnormal state. Recording means for recording the state of the protocol conversion device and identification information in the core communication network, and when a communication terminal makes a call to the external communication terminal, referring to the recording information of the recording means, 49. The multimedia information communication system according to claim 48, further comprising: means for transmitting a transmission request to another protocol conversion device connected to said external communication network. 51. When the protocol conversion device is notified of an operation state determination result from another protocol conversion device, the protocol conversion device accommodates the determination result or notification information based on the determination result in its own communication terminal. Means to notify
42. The multimedia information terminal device according to claim 41, further comprising: 52. A determination result storage means for storing a determination result of an operation state notified from another protocol conversion device, and transmission from a communication terminal accommodated in the own device to another communication terminal. When a request occurs, the operation state of the communication terminal of the destination is determined based on the information stored in the determination result storage unit. If the communication terminal is in an abnormal state, the source of the communication is determined. 42. The multimedia information communication system according to claim 41, further comprising means for notifying the communication terminal of the fact. 53. The operating state notifying means, when its own operating state is restored to a normal state, notifies information to that effect to at least a protocol conversion apparatus designated as a notification target among other protocol conversion apparatuses. The transmission restricting means, when the information indicating that the normal state has been restored from another communication terminal or the protocol conversion device is notified, the transmission to the communication terminal or the protocol conversion device restored to the normal state 43. The multimedia information communication system according to claim 42, further comprising a function of releasing restrictions. 54. A core communication network for transmitting information data according to a predetermined first communication protocol, and a plurality of communications for transmitting and receiving information data according to at least one type of second communication protocol different from the first communication protocol. A multimedia information communication system comprising: a terminal; and a plurality of protocol conversion devices having a function of converting a communication protocol between the plurality of communication terminals and the external communication network and the core communication network. At least one of the communication terminal and the protocol conversion device includes: an operation state determination unit configured to determine an operation state of the communication terminal; an operation state notification unit configured to notify a determination result of the operation state determination unit to another protocol conversion device; The judgment result of the operation state notified from the protocol converter is compared with the identification information of the notification source. Storage means for storing the information in response to a call request, and when a call request arrives, based on the operation state determination result stored in the storage means, a destination communication terminal or a protocol conversion device accommodating the communication terminal is provided. Determining means for determining whether or not a call can be received; if the determining means determines that the incoming call is not possible, the outgoing call is transferred to the transfer destination based on transfer destination information which is facilitated in advance A multimedia information communication system, comprising: 55. A core communication network for transmitting information data according to a predetermined first communication protocol, and a plurality of communications for transmitting and receiving information data according to at least one type of second communication protocol different from the first communication protocol. A terminal, a plurality of protocol conversion devices having a function of converting a communication protocol between the plurality of communication terminals and an external communication network and the core communication network, and the plurality of protocol conversions via the core communication network A multimedia information communication system, comprising: a communication server connected to an apparatus and having a function of recording and reproducing a message relating to an operation abnormality of the communication terminal and the protocol conversion device; and at least one of the communication terminal and the protocol conversion device , Operation status to judge own operation status Setting means; operating state notifying means for notifying the determination result of the operating state determining means to another protocol converter; and determining the operating state notified from the other protocol converter corresponding to the identification information of the notification source. Storage means for attaching and storing, and when a call request arrives, based on the operation state determination result stored in the storage means, the communication terminal of the destination or the protocol conversion device accommodating the communication terminal receives the call. Determining means for determining whether or not it is in a possible state; transmitting a message message to the communication server device and receiving a guidance message from the communication server device when it is determined that the call cannot be received; Means for performing at least one of a process and a multimedia information communication system. 56. The operating state notifying means notifies another protocol conversion device of the operation state determination result together with the transfer destination information, and the storage means stores the operation state determination result notified from the other protocol conversion apparatus. 55. The multimedia information communication system according to claim 54, wherein the transfer destination information is stored in association with the identification information of the notification source. 57. A core communication network for transmitting information data according to a predetermined first communication protocol, and a plurality of communications for transmitting and receiving information data according to at least one type of second communication protocol different from the first communication protocol. A terminal, a plurality of protocol conversion devices having a function of converting a communication protocol between the plurality of communication terminals and an external communication network and the core communication network, and the plurality of protocol conversions via the core communication network A multimedia information communication system comprising: a call control device having a function of integrally controlling connection between devices, wherein at least one of the communication terminal and the protocol conversion device determines an operation state of itself. State determination means, and the determination result of the operation state determination means is transmitted to the call control device. Operating state notifying means for notifying, and the call control device, the storing means for storing the determination result of the operating state notified from another protocol conversion device in association with the identification information of the notification source; When it arrives, it is determined based on the operation state determination result stored in the storage means whether the destination communication terminal or the protocol conversion device accommodating the communication terminal is in a state where it can receive a call. A multimedia information communication system, comprising: a determination unit; and a unit that restricts transmission to a transmission source when the determination unit determines that a call cannot be received. 58. The call control device, comprising: a message recording / reproducing unit that records and reproduces a message relating to an operation abnormality of the communication terminal and the protocol conversion device; and the destination communication terminal or the communication terminal accommodated by the determination unit. Means for activating the message recording / reproducing means and performing at least one of recording processing of a message message from a transmission source and transmission processing of a guidance message to the transmission source when the protocol conversion device is determined to be unable to receive a call; The multimedia information communication system according to claim 57, further comprising: 59. The call control device, if the determination unit determines that the destination communication terminal or the protocol conversion device accommodating the communication terminal cannot receive a call, the call control device adds to the transfer destination information which has been facilitated in advance. 58. The multimedia information communication system according to claim 57, further comprising a transfer unit configured to transfer the outgoing call to the transfer destination based on the call. 60. At least one of the communication terminal and the protocol conversion device, when making a call to a communication terminal connected to an external communication network, based on an operation state determination result stored in storage means. 55. The multimedia information according to claim 54, further comprising: means for selecting a protocol converter for connection to an external communication network in a normal state, and transmitting an outgoing call to the selected protocol converter. Communications system. 61. The call control device, wherein when making a call to a communication terminal connected to an external communication network,
Based on the operation state determination result stored in the storage means,
58. The multimedia information communication system according to claim 57, further comprising: means for selecting a protocol converter for connection to an external communication network in a normal state, and sending an outgoing call to the selected protocol converter. . 62. The multi-function device according to claim 26, further comprising communication management information display control means for sending communication management information stored in said communication management information storage means to said communication terminal for display. Media information communication system. 63. The multimedia information according to claim 27, further comprising communication management information display control means for sending the communication management information stored in said central storage means to said communication terminal for display. Communications system. 64. The communication management information display control means determines whether a communication terminal to which communication management information is to be transmitted has a display function. If the communication terminal does not have a display function, the other communication terminal has another display function. 64. The multimedia information communication system according to claim 62, further comprising a function of selecting a communication terminal to transmit and display communication management information to the communication terminal. Only when the communication management information stored in each communication management information storage unit changes, the central storage unit transfers the change information from the communication terminal to a specific protocol conversion device or server device. 28. The multimedia information communication system according to claim 27, wherein said multimedia information communication system is changed.