JPH11308337A - Distributed coordination type network - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a distributed coordination type network that serves a variety of services under an optimum connection condition without affecting an exchange. SOLUTION: A service controller 30 on which a service data function that performs resource management to a network and a service control function that assigns resources or the like are mounted and a network adaptor 20 that executes the service to a user terminal 13 are distributed on the network and they are connected to an ATM exchange 11 by a standard user-network interface. The service controller 30 selects the network adaptor 20 in charge of execution of the service requested by the user and a speech path required to execute the service by taking a state of resources of the entire service or the like into account and requests the setting of the required speech path and the execution of the service to the user terminal 13 to the selected network adaptor 20, and the network adaptor 20 executes the requested service by using the opened speech path.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

[0001] 1. Field of the Invention [0002] The present invention relates to a distributed cooperative network capable of providing various services in response to a request from a user terminal device.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In a conventional network, an image exchange service, a PHS (Personal Handy Phone System) service, a next-generation high-speed mobile communication service (CDM) are used.
In the case of newly providing A) and the like, an exchange which incorporates a function dedicated to each service was developed, and this was replaced with an existing exchange.

In order to provide a multimedia conference service or the like, an MCU (multipoint control device) is built in or externally attached to a predetermined exchange, and a communication path is established between the MCU and a plurality of user terminal devices. This has been realized by synthesizing images and sounds from each user terminal device by using an MCU.

[0004]

As described above, in the prior art, in order to provide a new service, an exchange having a function corresponding to the new service must be developed, which requires a high development cost. And a long development period was required.

[0005] In recent years, an intelligent network has been studied. However, in order to provide a service involving addition of hardware, it is still necessary to remodel an exchange. In addition, in order to apply this technology to a private network, it is necessary to employ an exchange compatible with an intelligent network, and there is a problem that a huge initial investment is required.

On the other hand, a multimedia conference service or the like can be provided without modification of an existing switching system by externally attaching an MCU. However, an MCU that has received a request for a multimedia conference service requires a user terminal device participating in the conference. Regardless of the geographical location, a call path is always established between each user terminal device using its own device as a connection point,
When viewed as a whole network, connection conditions were inappropriate and network resources were not effectively and appropriately utilized in some cases.

The present invention has been made in view of such problems of the conventional technology, and is a distributed cooperative type which can provide a new service under optimal connection conditions without affecting a switching system. It is intended to provide a network.

[0008]

The gist of the present invention to achieve the above object lies in the following inventions. [1] A plurality of service devices (20, 30) for providing a service requested by the user terminal device (13) are distributed and arranged on a network, and the service devices (20, 30) are provided.
30) are connected to the exchanges (11) of the network and exchange information with other devices through a communication channel, and at least two service devices are exchanged through the communication channel. A distributed cooperative network characterized by providing services requested by a user by causing (20, 30) to cooperate.

[2] A service device (30) having a resource management function (31, 32) for managing network resources
One or more service control functions (33) for receiving a service request from the user terminal device (13), securing resources used for executing the service, and controlling the operation of the secured resources. Service equipment (3
0) and a call path in accordance with an instruction from the service control function (33), and using this, a user terminal (1) is set.
3) A plurality of service devices (20) having a service execution function for executing the provision of a service to 3) are distributed and arranged on a network,
Are connected to the exchanges (11) of the network, and exchange information with other devices through a communication channel. By exchanging information through the communication channel, a plurality of service devices ( 2
0, 30), the resource management functions (31,
32), the service control function (33) and the service execution function are operated in cooperation with each other to allow the user terminal device (1)
A distributed cooperative network characterized by providing the service requested in 3).

[3] A service device (3) having a resource management function (31, 32) for centrally managing network resources
1) or 2) having a service control function (33) for receiving a service request from the user terminal device (13), securing resources used for executing the service, and controlling the operation of the secured resources. A plurality of services having a service execution function for setting a communication path in accordance with an instruction from the service control function (33) and using the service apparatus (30) to provide a service to the user terminal device (13) using the service path. Devices (20) are distributed on a network, and the service devices (20, 3
0) is connected to an exchange (11) of the network, and exchanges information with another device through a communication channel. The service device (30) having the service control function (33) When a service request is received from the user terminal device (13) through a communication channel, information on resources possessed by the network is obtained from the service device (30) having the resource management functions (31, 32), and based on the information, A service device (20) to be in charge of executing the requested service from among the service devices (20) having the service execution function, and a call path used when the service device (20) executes the service. And the selected service device (20), the communication path, and the destination of the requested service. Service device determining the connection condition between the user terminal device (13), and said selection made (2
0), the service device (20) having the service execution function instructs the setting of a call path according to the connection condition and the execution of the service. Requests the setting of the path to the exchange (11) and the service control function (3).
A distributed cooperative network characterized in that the service specified in 3) is provided using the set call path.

[4] The resource management function (31, 32, 8)
3) is divided for each type of service requested from the user terminal device (13, 80), and the service control function (33, 82)
0), information about resources for providing the service is acquired from the resource management function (31, 32, 83) that controls the type of service that received the service request [1], [2]. ] Or the distributed cooperative network according to [3].

[5] One service device (20, 30)
Wherein one or more of the resource management functions (31, 32), the service control function (33), and the service execution function are implemented [2].
The distributed cooperative network according to [3] or [4].

[6] The exchange (11) uses an asynchronous transfer mode [1],
The distributed cooperative network according to [2], [3], [4] or [5].

The present invention operates as follows. A plurality of service devices (20, 3
0) is connected to the exchanges (11) of the network, and exchanges information with other devices through a communication channel. The service requested by the user is transmitted through the communication channel. The exchange of at least two service devices (20, 3
0) are provided in concert.

As described above, the function for providing the service requested by the user is mounted on the service devices (20, 30) provided outside the exchange (11), and each service device (20, 30) The exchange of information with other devices is performed through a communication channel, and control of the exchange (11) is performed within the range of a user network interface (UNI) through a service execution function. Various services can be provided without adding. In addition, a plurality of service devices (20, 3,
0) cooperate to operate a single service device (2
It is also possible to provide a complex service that cannot be provided in 0).

Various functions for providing a service requested by a user are classified as follows, and are distributed to each service device (20, 30). That is, a resource management function (31, 32) for managing network resources;
A service control function (33) for receiving a service request from the user terminal device (13), securing resources used for executing the service, and controlling the operation of the secured resources; and a service control function (33). A call path is set in accordance with the instructions of the user terminal device (1).
And a service execution function for executing the provision of the service for 3).

One service device (30) having a resource management function (31, 32) and one or more service devices (3) having a service control function (33) are provided.
0) and a plurality of service devices (20) having a service execution function are distributed on a network.

The resource management function (31, 32), the service control function (33), and the service execution function, which are separately arranged in a plurality of service devices (20, 30), communicate with each service device (20, 30) through a communication channel. ), Information is exchanged between them to perform a cooperative operation, thereby providing a service requested by the user.

As described above, various functions for providing a service are classified into a resource management function (31, 32), a service control function (33), and a service execution function, and a service having a service control function (33) is provided. The device (30) determines the service device (20) that is to be in charge of executing the service requested by the user and the communication path necessary for the service device (20) to execute the requested service. Is selected in consideration of the situation of the service and the contents of the requested service, and the selected service device (20) is requested to execute the service for the user terminal device (13). Therefore, the requested service is optimized for the entire network. It can be provided under simple connection conditions.

That is, the service device (30) having the service control function (33) is a user terminal device (13).
When a service request is received from
Information about resources possessed by the network is obtained from a service device (30) having a resource management function (31, 32) through a communication channel. Next, the service device (30) having the service control function (33), based on the information on the resources thus obtained, selects the service requested this time from among the plurality of service devices (20) having the service execution function. Service device to be in charge of execution (2
0) and a communication path to be used when the service device (20) executes the service, and the selected service device (20) and the user terminal device (13) to which the communication path and the service are to be provided. Determine the connection conditions between them. Then, it instructs the selected service device (20) to set a communication path according to the previously determined connection condition and to execute a service to be provided.

The service device (20) having the service execution function requests the exchange (11) to set up a call path in accordance with the instruction from the service control function (33), and also sets the service designated by the service control function (33). Is provided using the call path set above.

The resource management function (31, 32), the service control function (33), and the service execution function do not necessarily have to be implemented in separate service devices (20, 30). A plurality may be mounted on one service device. The resource management function (3
1, 32, 83) may be divided for each type of service to be provided, and, for example, these functions may be distributed to a plurality of service devices.

As the exchange (11), one that transfers information in an asynchronous transfer mode is used. This allows
A communication path for exchanging control information and the like between the service devices (20, 30) and a communication path for transmitting user information and the like between the user terminal device (13) and the service device (20, 30). Can be set simultaneously through one subscriber line.

[0024]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. Each drawing shows an embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 2, the distributed cooperative network 10 according to the present embodiment includes a plurality of ATM (asynchronous transfer mode) switches 11, a transmission line 12 connecting these ATM switches 11, and an ATM switch 11. It comprises a connected network additional device 20 (SN: service node) and a service control device 30 (SCP: service control point) also connected to the ATM switch 11. Each ATM exchange 11 has a number of user terminals (IT:
13) are connected.

FIG. 1 shows a part of the distributed cooperative network 10 extracted. The network addition device 20, the service control device 30, and the user terminal 13 are each connected to the ATM exchange 11 by a user / network interface (UNI).

The user terminal 13 is a personal computer or a telephone terminal owned by the user, and is a terminal device having a function for utilizing services that the distributed cooperative network 10 can provide, such as a multimedia conference.
That is, the user terminal 13 has a function of selecting a type of service provided from the distributed cooperative network 10 based on a user operation, a function of requesting the service control apparatus 30 to provide the selected service, and a service request Has a function of automatically selecting the service control device 30 to which the service is transmitted according to the type of service specified by the user.

The user terminal 13 sends a connection request with the automatically selected service control device 30 to the ATM switch 1.
1, and various types of control information are transmitted and received to and from the service control device 30 through a communication path (communication channel) set by the ATM exchange 11. The control information is transmitted and received by a general procedure such as a modem or ISDN (unrestricted call). Therefore, the distributed cooperative network 1
The user terminal 13 that can use the service provided by the user terminal 0 can be easily formed.

The network addition device 20 and the service control device 30 are composed of general-purpose computers having a CTI (Computer Telephony) function.
The service control device 30 has a service data function (SDF: Resource Management Function) as a resource management function for managing network resources.
Service data function), a service control function (SC) for receiving a service request sent from the user terminal 13, securing resources used for executing the requested service, and controlling the operation of the secured resources.
F: service control function). In addition, it has a network control function (NCF: network control function) for performing communication control.

The service control unit 30 provides various services by these functions in a network wide manner, that is, under the optimum connection conditions for the entire network.

The network addition device 20 has a service execution function of setting a communication path in accordance with an instruction from the service control function of the service control device 30 and using the communication path to provide a service to the user terminal 13. A plurality of network addition apparatuses 20 are prepared on the network. These can be load-balanced on the network according to conditions such as traffic, or divided into different types of services to be executed.
0, and these are distributed and arranged on a network to distribute functions.

The service control function of the service control device 30 receives a service request from the user terminal 13 through a communication channel, analyzes the service request, and provides information on resources necessary to provide the requested service. Obtained from the service data function. That is, a service data function that manages resources required to provide the requested service is selected, activated and a request for information acquisition is sent, and the service data function sends the corresponding network additional device 20 or Information about resources such as a call path is acquired.

The service control function is based on the information obtained from the service data function, and according to a predetermined algorithm, the most suitable network additional device 20 for executing the requested service and the network additional device 20 A call path used for providing the service is selected. Further, the connection conditions between the selected network additional device 20, the communication path, and the user terminal 13 to which the requested service is provided are arranged and determined,
The selected network additional device 20 is instructed to set the previously selected call path and to execute the corresponding service.

Further, when the service control function cannot respond to a service request from the user terminal 13 due to, for example, an inability to secure necessary resources, the service control function returns a response to that effect to the user terminal 13. .

In addition, the service control function can provide a more sophisticated composite service by combining a plurality of network additional devices 20 having independent functions. For example, it is determined that the user is absent when a conference notification of the multimedia conference service is displayed on the display of the PHS terminal in advance, or when the terminal is turned off and there is no response when the conference line is set, the user is absent. , P
PH such as displaying a meeting invitation on the display of the HS terminal
By combining the S data communication function with the multimedia conference bridge function, a more sophisticated composite service can be provided.

If it is not possible to secure the resources necessary for executing the service due to the arrival of the execution time of the reserved conference service or the like, the network additional device 20 required for executing the service is required. A function is provided for issuing a forced disconnection request of a non-priority call, securing resources preferentially, and executing a reserved call with priority. Further, the service control function periodically starts the network added device 20 and checks whether or not the network added device 20 operates normally, thereby managing the failure of the network added device 20.

FIG. 3 schematically shows the management contents of the service data function 31. Service data function 3
1 manages the accommodation location of the network additional device 20, and the service function (resource type), processing capacity, idle / busy status, reservation status, and the like that can be executed by the same;
It has a function of managing the call path assigned to the provision of the service. Further, the service data function 32 also performs mobility management of a mobile wireless terminal such as a PHS.

The service data functions 31 and 32 are configured to respond to various information related to the resource in response to an information request from the service control function 33. In addition, it has a function of receiving an instruction for a resource securing request or a release request from the service control function 33, and rewriting and updating service data such as an empty / busy table and a reservation table of each resource based on the instruction.

The service data function centrally manages various resources on the network, and when a plurality of service control functions are distributed on the network, they are commonly accessed from these. Therefore, when the service data function and the service control function are implemented in the same device as shown in FIG. 1, information is exchanged between these functions inside the device, but other devices are provided. The service control function implemented in the service control device 30 includes:
The transmission and reception of information to and from the service data function is performed through a call path.

The service data function manages resources on the network in a unified manner.
When adding or reducing the number of communication paths or the number of communication paths, maintenance management of network resources can be easily performed by utilizing information managed by the service data function.

The network additional device 20 is a service resource used by a user simultaneously or individually.
It has a service execution function for actually providing a service to the user terminal 13. Specifically, multimedia conference bridge, voice response device, soft fax
(Facsimile), voice mail, wireless base station, PHS
Performs functions such as a data communication server. Each network additional device 20 has one or more of these functions.

The network addition device 20 responds to an instruction from the service control function of the service control device 30
A connection request is made to the TM exchange 11 to set a communication path necessary for providing a service, and the result (whether or not the setting of the communication path was successful) is notified to the service control function of the service control device 30. It has the function to do.
As described above, the network additional device 20 functions as a connection point of a large number of communication paths established between the user terminal and the user terminal in order to provide a service.

FIG. 4 shows an example of the relationship between a trigger checkpoint and a basic call state transition when transferring control to the network additional device 20. The caller's basic call state normally returns from the caller idle state 41 to the caller idle state 42 via the calling state 42, the calling state 43, and the talking state 44. In addition, when the calling side abandons from the calling state 42 or the calling state 43 and returns to the caller idle state 41,
In some cases, the calling state 43 returns to the caller idle state 41 via the exception processing 45.

The trigger checkpoint is a time point 51 at which the state changes from the caller idle state 41 to the calling state 42.
A time 52 at which the calling state 42 changes to the calling state 43; a time 53 at which the calling state 43 changes to the talking state 44; and a time at which the calling state 44 is disconnected and the caller returns to idle. In addition to 54, a time 55 when a predetermined event occurs due to hooking or the like during a call, a time 56 when abandoning from the calling state 42, etc., a time 57 when disconnecting from the calling state 42 due to no answer, etc. Can be.

FIG. 5 shows that the service control function 33 of the service control device 30 allows the
1 schematically shows how end-to-end path control is performed between a network terminal 0 and a user terminal 13 or between a network additional device 20 and another network additional device 20. User data such as image data and text data is transmitted through a communication path 34 set between the user terminal 13 and the network additional device 20 or between one network additional device 20 and another network additional device 20. In FIG. 5, a plurality of communication channels (virtual channels) for text data 34a and a plurality of virtual channels for image data 34b are set in the communication path (virtual path) 34.

The service control function of the service control device 30 is provided between any of the network additional devices 20 and the user terminal 13 or between any of the network additional devices 20.
What kind of communication path is set between the network addition device 20 and any other network addition device 20, and what kind of service function is to be executed by the network addition device 20, etc., is generally controlled. That is, each network additional device 20 performs a function of actually providing a predetermined service to the user terminal 13, and the service control device 30
It has the function of determining and controlling how to use the network additional device 20 to provide the service requested by the user. By cooperating the distributed network adding devices 20 under the control of the service control device 30, the distributed cooperative network 10 functions as one multifunctional switch as a whole when viewed from the user terminal 13. become.

Next, the operation will be described. FIG. 6 and FIG.
2 shows a flow of operation when a multimedia conference service is provided by the distributed cooperative network 10. When the user terminal 13 receives an operation for starting a multimedia conference from the user, the user terminal 13 automatically searches for the service control device 30 to which this service is requested, and establishes a call path with the corresponding service control device 30. .

That is, the user terminal 13 sets the call (S
(etup) message is sent to the ATM switch 11, and the ATM switch 11 receiving this message attempts to set up a communication path with the designated service control device 30, and the service control device 30 is normally set and responds. Then, a response (Connect) message is returned to the user terminal 13. Note that the correspondence between the type of service provided from the distributed cooperative network 10 and the request destination thereof is registered in the user terminal 13 in advance.

The user terminal 13 transmits a function request for providing the multimedia conference service to the service control device 30 through the call path thus established. The function request includes a meeting invitation request (designation of a service type), user information to be convened (address information of the convened user, etc.), request path information, and the like.

The service control function 33 of the service control device 30 analyzes the contents of the function request sent from the user terminal 13 through the call path, selects and activates the service data function to be activated, and activates the service data function. 3
Requests information provision of resources related to the current service provision to 1, 32. In the case of the multimedia conferencing service, an information request regarding the acquisition MCU conditions and the like is transmitted to the service data functions 31 and 32.

The service data functions 31 and 32 search for information on the requested resource, and notify the service control function 33 of the information. Here, the service control function 33 is notified of information on the network additional device 20 having the MCU function (accommodation position, availability, etc.) and information on the use status of the communication path.

The service control function 33 is based on the information obtained from the service data functions 31 and 32 and, in accordance with a predetermined algorithm owned by the service control function 33, provides an optimum network addition for providing the service requested by the user terminal 13 at this time. The device 20 and the communication path are selected, and the user terminal 13 is selected.
-Call path-The connection conditions of the network additional device 20 are arranged. Further, the fact that the selected network additional device 20 or call path is to be captured for providing the current service is sent to the service data functions 31 and 32, and the service data function updates the service data accordingly.

The service control function 33 is provided for the user terminal 13.
If the resources required for providing the service requested by the user terminal can be secured, a message (function request ACK) indicating that the function request has been accepted is returned to the user terminal 13 and is set between the user terminal 13 and the server. Release the existing call path (Release
ase). On the other hand, if the necessary resources cannot be secured, a response to that effect is sent to the user terminal 13, and the communication path with the user terminal 13 is released and disconnected.

If the resource is successfully secured, the service control function 33 establishes a communication path with the previously selected network additional device 20 (Setup and connect).
Etc.), a function request is transmitted to the network additional device 20 through the call path. The function request to the network additional device 20 includes a meeting invitation request, a call identifier, calling user information, request path information, and the like.

The network adding device 20 receiving this message
Establishes a call path one after another between the designated user terminal 13 and the own device based on the called user information. When a call path has been successfully established with all the user terminals to be recalled, the service control device 30 is notified of this fact, and the service control function 33 of the service control device 30 receives the notification. The communication path with the device 20 is opened.

Thereafter, the network addition device 20 operates as a connection control point of the communication path established with each user terminal. Here, the network addition device 20
Function as an MCU.

On the other hand, if the communication path cannot be normally established with the user terminal due to a timeout, a terminal mismatch, or the like, the network additional device 20 notifies the service control device 30 to that effect. Upon receiving this, the service control device 30 releases the communication path with the network additional device 20, and is registered in association with the user terminal (here, user A) that could not normally establish the communication path. A conference notification is transmitted to a mobile wireless terminal such as a PHS terminal. In consideration of effective use of the communication path, a switched virtual path (SVC) is preferably used as the communication path for transmitting and receiving control information.

More specifically, the service control function 33 of the service control device 30 determines the telephone number and the PH of the PHS terminal owned by the user A who could not establish the call path normally.
S data communication server information and service data function 32
And establishes a new communication path with the network additional device 20a functioning as the corresponding PHS data communication server.
a to the PHS terminal 61 owned by the user A so as to transmit the conference holding notification by text information.

The network adding device 2 receiving this instruction
0a sends a call to the corresponding PHS terminal 61, transmits a conference guidance notification, and when the transmission is normally completed, returns this to the service control function 33 of the service control device 30 and receives the notification. The service control device 30 opens a communication path with the network additional device 20a operating as a PHS data communication server. As described above, since the service control function requests a predetermined service from each network additional device 20, various complex services can be realized by extending the function of the service control function.

When the provision of the multimedia conference service is terminated (when all users have released the call path), the network additional apparatus 20 functioning as the MCU is the service that is the requester of the service executed this time. A communication path is established with the control device 30 to notify that the service has been provided. Upon receiving this, the service control device 30 notifies the service data functions 31 and 32 that the resources captured for providing the service are to be released, and the service data functions 31 and 32 receiving the notification release the resources.
Update service data to release resources.

In addition, when the holding of the multimedia conference service is reserved, the P
A composite service of transmitting a meeting notification in advance to the HS terminal is executed.

Next, an operation for setting a communication path between multimedia radio terminals using the function of the distributed cooperative network 10 will be described. FIG. 8 shows an operation performed when a call path is set between the multimedia wireless terminal 63 and a call from the multimedia wireless terminal 62. The network additional device 20b and the network additional device 20c each have a function as a wireless base station,
The network additional device 20b that has received the call from the multimedia wireless terminal 62 establishes a call path with the predetermined service control device 30, and sends a service control function 33 of the service control device 30 to the service control function 33 through the call path. A function request for requesting connection with the multimedia wireless terminal 63 is sent.

[0062] Upon receiving this, the service control device 30 provides the service data function 3 for managing the location information of the mobile radio terminal.
2 requests the position information of the multimedia wireless terminal 63 and the like. Service control function 3 that obtains position information and the like of multimedia wireless terminal 63 from service data function
3 sends a function request ACK to the network additional device 20b to the effect that the function request has been accepted. Note that the function request ACK includes an instruction to establish a predetermined communication path with the wireless base station 20c that has jurisdiction over the multimedia wireless terminal 63, and the like. Sends a call setup message to the exchange 11 to establish a communication path with the network additional device 20c.

The service control function 33 of the service control device 30 establishes a communication path with the network additional device 20c that controls the multimedia radio terminal 63, and sends out a function request for calling the multimedia radio terminal 63. . Upon receiving the request, the network additional device 20c calls the multimedia wireless terminal 63, and then transmits the function request A
The CK is returned to the service control device 30. After that, the network addition device 20c
In response to the call from the
1 sends a response message (Connect) to the network additional device 20b. As a result, a communication path is established between the multimedia wireless terminal 62, the network additional device 20b, the exchange, the network additional device 20c, and the multimedia wireless terminal 63 in both directions, and a call is made. In consideration of a real-time call control system, a permanent virtual path (PVC) is preferable as a communication path for transmitting and receiving control information.

As described above, functions for providing various services are distributed and arranged in the network additional device 20 and the service control device 30 provided outside the ATM exchange 11,
In addition, a standard user / user is connected between the network additional device 20, the service control device 30, and each ATM switch 11.
Since they are connected by the network interface, various services such as multimedia conference can be provided without affecting the exchange.

Further, a service request from a user is received by the service control device 30, and according to the status of network resources and the contents of the requested service, the network connection device is set so that the optimum connection conditions for the entire network are obtained. 20 and a call path to be set between the network additional device 20 and the user terminal 13 are selected.
Services can be provided by efficiently using the resources of the network.

The ATM has been attracting attention for its high speed. Another feature of the ATM is that it is possible to simultaneously set a plurality of communication paths having different speeds on one subscriber line. (Synchronous transfer mode). Therefore, a communication path for transmitting and receiving control information between the network additional device 20 and the service control device 30 and a communication path for transmitting user information between each user terminal 13 and the network additional device 20. Can be set at the same time through one subscriber line, so that the ATM is a suitable transfer mode for the distributed cooperative network 10 according to the present invention.

Next, a case where the service data function (resource management function) is divided for each type of service to be provided and network resources are managed for each type of service will be described. As shown in FIG. 9, the resource management function includes a multimedia conference bridge, a voice response device, and a soft FA.
X (facsimile), voice mail, wireless base station, PH
It is divided into resource management functions 1 to M for each type of service such as an S data communication server. The resource management functions 1 to M divided for each type of service may be implemented in one service control device, or may be distributed and accommodated in two or more service control devices 91 and 92 as shown in FIG. You may make it.

When the resource management function is divided for each service type, the service is provided according to the flow shown in FIG. That is, the user terminal device 80 determines a service to be requested, and sends a predetermined service request to the service control device that accommodates the service control function 81 corresponding to the service (1). Upon receiving this, the service control function 81 checks the resource management function that is responsible for resource management for the requested service, and sends an information provision request to the corresponding resource management function 82,
Obtain necessary information (2).

The service control function 81 includes a plurality of service control devices 91 and 92 as shown in FIG.
If the service control device accommodating the resource management function 82 that manages the resource management for the requested service is registered in advance, Check with reference to a search table, etc.
Requests provision of information from the corresponding service control device.

For example, when a request for providing a multimedia conference service is received from the user terminal device 80, the service control device accommodating the resource management function 82 for managing resource management for the multimedia conference service is transmitted to the service control device. In this case, it is required to provide information on resources required for this service.

Thereafter, the service control function 81 selects a network additional device (service execution function 83) responsible for executing the service and a necessary communication path based on the information obtained from the resource management function 82, and Then, it instructs the network additional device 83 to execute the service (3).

As described above, by dividing the resource management function into functions for each type of service, resource management can be performed more easily. As described above, even if the resource management function is divided for each type of service and distributed and accommodated in a plurality of service devices for each function, it is possible to apparently perform unified management of resources.

In the embodiment described above, the service control function and the service data function are arranged in the same service control apparatus 30, and the service execution function is arranged independently in the network additional apparatus 20. Can be arbitrarily set according to traffic conditions and the like.

That is, one service control device 30 may be used for the entire network, and a plurality of service control devices 30 may be load-balanced on the network according to traffic conditions and the like. Also, one service control device 30
May have a function of providing one type of service, or may have a function of providing a plurality of types of services. Can be.

Further, the service control function and the service data function may be arranged in the network additional device 20. Further, in the embodiment, the service data function is mounted on one of the service control devices 30 that mount the service control function. However, the service data function may be mounted alone on another device. As described above, since each function can be arbitrarily distributed on the network, each node (network additional device) and function (service control function, service data function) can be optimally arranged according to traffic conditions and the like. And equipment investment can be reduced.

The types of services provided by operating the network additional device 20 and the service control device 30 in a coordinated manner are not limited to those shown in the embodiment. Further, the communication mode is not limited to ATM. Although it is preferable that a plurality of communication paths can be simultaneously opened between the exchange and the network addition device 20 or the service control device 30 by using one subscriber line like an ATM, a plurality of communication paths can be established between the exchange and the network addition device 20 at the same time. It is also possible to connect by connecting a subscriber line.

[0077]

According to the distributed cooperative network 10 of the present invention, a function for providing a service requested by a user is implemented in a service device provided outside the exchange, and each service device and the exchange Is connected by a standard user / network interface to exchange information with other devices through a communication channel, so that various services can be provided without changing the exchange itself.

Further, a function for providing a service
A service device having a service control function, which is classified into a resource management function, a service control function, and a service execution function,
Select a service device to be in charge of executing the service requested by the user and a communication path necessary to execute the requested service in consideration of the resource status of the entire network, the contents of the requested service, and the like. Since the selected service device is requested to execute the service for the user terminal device, the service requested by the user can be provided under the optimal connection conditions for the entire network.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram showing a main part of a distributed cooperative network according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram showing a distributed cooperative network according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram schematically showing a resource management state by a service data function of the distributed cooperative network according to one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a relationship between a trigger checkpoint and a basic call state transition when transferring control to a network additional device.

FIG. 5 shows how a service control function of a service control device performs end-to-end path control between a network additional device and a user terminal or between a network additional device and another network additional device. It is explanatory drawing shown typically.

FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram showing an operation when the distributed cooperative network according to the embodiment of the present invention provides a multimedia conference service.

FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram showing a procedure when the distributed cooperative network according to the embodiment of the present invention provides a multimedia conference service.

FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an operation when the distributed cooperative network according to the embodiment of the present invention sets up a communication path between multimedia wireless terminals.

FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram showing a flow when a distributed cooperative network provides a service requested by a user when a resource management function is divided for each type of service.

FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a state in which a resource management function is divided for each type of service, and the service management function is distributed to a plurality of service control devices.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 ... Distributed cooperative network 11 ... ATM switch 12 ... Transmission line 13,80 ... User terminal 20,83 ... Network additional device 30,81 ... Service control device 31,32 ... Service data function 33 ... Service control function 62,63 ... Multimedia wireless terminal 82: Resource management function divided for each type of service

Continued on the front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁶ Identification code FI H04Q 3/545 H04L 11/20 D

Claims (6)

[Claims] 1. A plurality of service devices for providing a service requested by a user terminal device are distributed and arranged on a network, and the service devices are respectively connected to exchanges of the network and connected to other devices. A distributed cooperative system wherein information is transmitted and received through a communication channel, and at least two service devices are operated in cooperation by providing and receiving information through the communication channel to provide a service requested by a user. network. 2. A service apparatus having a resource management function for managing network resources, receiving a service request from a user terminal apparatus, securing resources used for executing the service, and controlling the operation of the secured resources. And a plurality of service devices having one or more service devices having a service control function for performing a call control operation and a service execution function for setting a call path in accordance with an instruction from the service control function and using the service path to provide a service to the user terminal device. Service devices are distributed on a network, the service devices are connected to respective exchanges of the network, and information is exchanged with other devices through a communication channel. The above-mentioned arrangement arranged in a plurality of service devices by giving and receiving Distributed Cooperative network, characterized in that the source management functions and the service control function and the service execution function and a by cooperative operation to provide services requested by the user terminal. 3. A service device having a resource management function for centrally managing network resources, receiving a service request from a user terminal device, securing resources used for executing the service, and controlling the operation of the secured resources. And a plurality of service devices having a service control function of performing a service control function of setting a call path in accordance with an instruction from the service control function and using the service path to provide a service to a user terminal device. Service devices are distributed on a network, each of the service devices is connected to an exchange of the network, and information is exchanged with another device through a communication channel. A service device having a function is provided in which a call channel is transmitted from the user terminal device. When a service request is received through the service device, information on resources possessed by the network is obtained from the service device having the resource management function, and based on the information, information on the requested service is obtained from among the service devices having the service execution function. A service device to be in charge of execution and a call path used by the service device to execute the service are selected, and the selected service device, the call path, and a user terminal device to which the requested service is provided. Determine the connection conditions between
Instructs the selected service device to set a call path according to the connection condition and execute the service. The service device having the service execution function sets a call path according to an instruction from the service control function. A distributed cooperative network which requests the exchange to provide a service instructed by the service control function using the set call path. 4. The resource management function is divided for each type of service requested from the user terminal device, and the service control function is a resource managing a type of service requested by the user terminal device. 4. The distributed cooperative network according to claim 1, wherein information on resources for providing the service is acquired from the management function. 5. The service management apparatus according to claim 2, wherein one or more of the resource management function, the service control function, and the service execution function are mounted on one service device. A distributed cooperative network as described. 6. A distributed cooperative network according to claim 1, wherein said exchange uses an asynchronous transfer mode.