Connection system for internet telephone between different networks

Description: TECHNICAL FIELD [Detailed description of the invention]

【0001】

[Technical field to which the invention belongs]

The present invention relates to a method of connecting an Internet telephone between different networks.

【0002】

[Conventional technology]

When communicating between networks using the Internet Protocol (IP), the source and destination are specified by the IP address added to the IP packet that is the communication data, so each terminal is global. It is convenient to give an IP address. However, despite the fact that the Internet is a huge infrastructure that spans the entire world, the IP address space is limited, so it is difficult to assign a global IP address, which is a unique IP address, to every terminal in the world. .. Therefore, in the case of a terminal in a private network that is closed to some extent, such as that built inside a company, it is common practice to assign a private IP address that can be used only within that terminal.

【0003】

However, in the case of a terminal to which only a private IP address is assigned, for example, even if an attempt is made to make a call using the Internet Protocol (IP) between networks having different address systems, the IP packets exchanged between the networks will be recorded. Since the global IP address must be used, it is not possible to connect to a terminal on a network with a different address system as it is, and it becomes impossible to make a call by Internet telephone. In order to deal with this, conventionally, a method has been adopted in which the gateway device provided between the Internet and the private network performs address translation of IP packets.

【0004】

Figure 7 shows an example of a conventional network-to-network connection system that enables communication between networks with different address systems by performing address translation of IP packets in a gateway device provided at the entrance of a private network to the Internet. The system configuration diagram shown is shown.

【0005】

In FIG. 7, 100 is a private network, 110 is the Internet, multiple terminal devices 100-1, 100-2, ... Belong to the private network 100, and multiple terminal devices 110-1 belong to the Internet 110. , 110-2, ... belong to. A gateway device 101 having an address translation function is provided between the private network 100 and the Internet 110.

【0006】

To enable incoming and outgoing Internet calls between terminal devices 100-1, 100-2, ... in the private network 100 and terminal devices 110-1, 110-2, ... on the Internet 110. , The gateway device 101 is provided with global IP addresses prepared for each of the terminal devices in the private network 100 as many as the number of terminal devices on the Internet 110 that are scheduled to make a call by Internet telephone. The conversion data in a pair corresponding to one-to-one is registered in advance.

【0007】

Then, when the gateway device 101 receives an IP packet having the private IP address of the terminal device in the private network 100 as the source address, the gateway device 101 refers to the above conversion data and corresponds to this private IP address to the terminal device. Rewrite to the global IP address to be sent to the Internet 110 side.

【0008】

On the other hand, when the gateway device 101 receives an IP packet having the global IP address of the terminal device in the private network 100 as the destination address from the terminal device on the Internet 110, the translation data is referred to and the global IP packet is globalized. Rewrite the IP address to the corresponding private IP address and send it to the private network 100 side.

【0009】

Further, in each case, the gateway device 101 rewrites the field related to the address contained inside the IP packet immediately before sending the IP packet to the required network.

【0010】

As a result, it is possible to make a call by Internet telephone between the private terminal device on the private network 100 side and the global terminal device on the Internet 110 side. That is, it is possible to make a call by an Internet telephone within a network having a different address system.

【0011】

[Problems to be Solved by the Invention]

However, according to the above-mentioned conventional method, it is necessary to prepare as many global IP addresses as there are terminals in the private network, and if the number increases, a large amount of global IP addresses will be consumed in the end. Have.

【0012】

Further, since the conventional gateway device generally does not consider the cooperation with the gatekeeper standardized in the Internet telephone system, even if the IP address conversion enables the call by the Internet telephone between different networks, the other party can make a call. There is another problem that it is inconvenient because it is not possible to specify the destination by telephone number or email address.

【0013】

An object of the present invention is to provide a method of connecting an Internet telephone between different networks, which can solve the above-mentioned problems in the prior art.

【0014】

Another object of the present invention is to provide a method for connecting Internet telephones between different networks so that only one global IP address is consumed for connecting Internet telephones between different networks. There is.

【0015】

An object of the present invention is to provide a connection method for Internet telephones between different networks, which can simultaneously interconnect a plurality of terminal devices on different networks with a minimum global IP address consumption.

【0016】

The present invention further provides a method of connecting Internet telephones between different networks, which enables calls by Internet telephones between different networks in at least one of an address system, a management system, and a network layer protocol. It is an object.

【0017】

[Means for solving problems]

In order to solve the above problems, according to the invention of claim 1, a network in which networks different from each other in at least one of an address system, a management system, and a network layer protocol are connected by a relay device having a gateway function. A virtual called party terminal that simulates the called party terminal device, which is an internet telephone connection method for enabling a call by an internet telephone between any two terminal devices belonging to different networks in the system via the relay device. A virtual calling side terminal device that simulates the device and the calling side terminal device is set in the relay device, and the virtual called side terminal device has an IP address and a port number according to the address system of the network to which the calling side terminal device belongs. Allows connection between the calling party terminal device and the corresponding virtual called party terminal device, and IP according to the address system of the network to which the called party terminal device belongs to the virtual calling party terminal device. By giving an address and a port number, it is possible to connect the called party terminal device and the corresponding virtual calling party terminal device, and in the relay device, the virtual called party terminal device and the virtual calling party terminal device are connected to each other. A method for connecting Internet telephones between different networks is proposed, which is characterized in that a call can be made by Internet telephone between terminal devices belonging to different networks by controlling the connection between the networks.

【0018】

According to the invention of claim 2, in the invention of claim 1, each of the different networks is provided with a gatekeeper device, and identification information regarding identification of each device of the terminal device belonging to the different network is registered in the corresponding gatekeeper device. A method of connecting Internet telephones between different networks is proposed.

【0019】

According to the invention of claim 3, in the invention of claim 2, when a call request is made from the calling side terminal device, the identification information of the receiving side terminal device is sent from the corresponding gatekeeper device to the relay device, and the present invention is described. An Internet telephone connection method between different networks that sets the virtual called party terminal device based on the identification information and notifies the called party terminal device of the IP address and port number of the virtual called party terminal device. Proposed.

【0020】

According to the invention of claim 4, in the invention of claim 3, when the call request is made, the identification information of the calling side terminal device is notified from the corresponding gatekeeper device to the relay device, and then the relay device is notified. An internet telephone connection method between different networks is used in which the virtual calling terminal device is set based on the identification information and the IP address and port number of the virtual calling terminal device are notified to the called terminal device. Proposed.

【0021】

According to the invention of claim 5, in the invention of claim 3 or 4, the real IP address of the called party terminal device is specified by designating the telephone number of the called party terminal device from the calling party terminal device at the time of the call request. A method of connecting an Internet telephone between different networks is proposed in which the corresponding gatekeeper device notifies the relay device of the identification information including the above.

【0022】

According to the invention of claim 6, in the invention of claim 1, the network system belonging to the different network includes a network not provided with the gatekeeper device, and the terminal belongs to the network not provided with the gatekeeper device. An Internet telephone connection method between different networks is proposed in which identification information related to each device identification of the device is registered and managed in a gatekeeper device of another network.

【0023】

According to the invention of claim 7, in the invention of claim 6, the Internet telephone between different networks, which is an adjacent network in which the other network is connected via a relay device and a network without the gatekeeper device. A connection method is proposed.

【0024】

According to the invention of claim 8, in the invention of claim 7, when a terminal device belonging to a network not provided with the gatekeeper device is activated, the identification information of the activated terminal device is used as the gatekeeper of the adjacent network. A method of connecting an Internet telephone between different networks is proposed in which a virtual terminal device corresponding to the activated terminal device is set in the relay device while being registered in the device.

【0025】

According to the invention of claim 9, when there is a call request from the terminal device belonging to the adjacent network to the terminal device belonging to the network not provided with the gatekeeper device in the invention of claim 8, a desired incoming terminal is used. An Internet telephone connection method between different networks is such that identification information about the device is obtained from the gatekeeper device of the adjacent network and a virtual terminal device corresponding to the terminal device belonging to the adjacent network is set in the relay device. Proposed.

【0026】

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

Hereinafter, an example of an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

【0027】

FIG. 1 is a network configuration diagram showing an example of an embodiment of a network system in which an Internet telephone connection is made by the method of the present invention so that a call can be made between arbitrary terminal devices. The network system shown in FIG. 1 is composed of a private network 1, an Internet 2, and another private network 3 which are different from each other and are connected by a first proxy device 4 and a second proxy device 5 as shown in the figure.

【0028】

In the present embodiment, the private network 1, the Internet 2, and the private network 3 will be described below on the premise that all of the address system, the management system, and the network layer protocol are different from each other. However, the present invention does not presuppose the above-mentioned differences between networks, and allows Internet telephones between networks in which at least one of an address system, a management system, a protocol of a network layer, etc. is different from each other. It is intended for connections.

【0029】

The private network 1 is provided with a first gatekeeper 21 that manages the private network 1, and the first gatekeeper 21 manages a plurality of terminal devices 31 and 32 that are private terminals. The first gatekeeper 21 is provided with identification information related to the identification of the terminal device, such as the telephone numbers, private IP addresses, and e-mail addresses of the terminal devices 31 and 32, at a predetermined timing as described later. Registered and managed.

【0030】

Similarly, a plurality of terminal devices 51 and 52, which are global terminals managed by the second gate keeper 41, are provided in the Internet 2, and the second gate keeper 41 has the telephone numbers of the terminal devices 51 and 52 and the global. Identification information related to the identification of the terminal device necessary for identifying the terminal device such as an IP address and an e-mail address is registered and managed at a predetermined timing as described later.

【0031】

A plurality of terminal devices 61 and 62, which are private terminals, are provided in the private network 3, but a gatekeeper is not provided in the private network 3. Therefore, the registration and management of the identification information of the terminal devices 61 and 62 are performed by the second gatekeeper 41 as described in detail later.

【0032】

The private network 1, the Internet 2, and the private network 3 have different address systems, and the terminal devices 31 and 32 are assigned private IP addresses PA31 and PA32 according to the address system of the private network 1. Similarly, the terminal devices 51 and 52 are assigned global IP addresses GA51 and GA52 according to the address system of the Internet 2, and the terminal devices 61 and 62 are assigned the private IP address PA61 according to the address system of the private network 3. , PA62 is granted. In the present embodiment, the case where two terminal devices are provided in each network is shown, but it goes without saying that the number of terminal devices in each network is not limited to two and can be any number. ..

【0033】

FIG. 2 shows a detailed configuration diagram of the first proxy device 4 shown in FIG. The first proxy device 4 includes a pair of LAN boards 401 and 402, and the pair of LAN boards 401 and 402 are connected to the private network 1 and the Internet 2, respectively, and one of the LAN boards detects an incoming call. Then, it is configured to make a call from the other LAN board and relay the call.

【0034】

The first proxy device 4 is divided into processing modules corresponding to each protocol constituting the H.323 protocol, and is divided into an operation management processing unit 403, a RAS processing unit 404, a Q.931 processing unit 405, and an H.245 processing unit. It is equipped with 406, RTP processing unit 407, H.323 related protocol (T.120, T.38, etc.) processing unit 408.

【0035】

The operation management processing unit 403 has a function of monitoring a TCP connection for maintenance, a function of starting a maintenance session when the connection is detected, and a function of changing internal parameters / displaying the status in a menu format during the maintenance session. .. The RAS processing unit 404 has a function of monitoring RAS messages from both private network 1 and Internet 2 networks, a function of converting RAS message parameters and transferring them to the opposite gatekeeper, and an alias address and an IP address from RAS processing. It has a function to maintain RAS tables 409 and 410, which are correspondence tables, and a function to provide a search function for RAS tables 409 and 410 to Q.931 processing unit 405.

【0036】

Q.931 processing unit 405 has a function to monitor Q.931 messages from private network 1 and Internet 2, a function to manage Q.931 TCP connections, a function to search RAS tables 409 and 410, and Q.931 message parameters. Function to convert and transfer to the opposite terminal device, H.245 processing unit 406, RTP processing unit 407, H.323 related protocol (T.120, T.38, etc.) Function to start processing unit 408 as needed , And has a function to output CDR (Call Detail Record) to a file.

【0037】

The H.245 processing unit 406 has a function of monitoring H.245 messages from private network 1 and Internet 2, a function of managing H.245 connections, and converts H.245 message parameters and transfers them to the opposite terminal device. It has a function and a function to start RTP processing unit 407, H.323 related protocol (T.120, T.38, etc.) processing unit 408 as needed.

【0038】

The RTP processing unit 407 has a function of managing RTP / RTCP sessions and a function of transferring RTP / RTCP packets, and the H.323 related protocol (T.120, T.38, etc.) processing unit 408 has a function of managing RTP / RTCP sessions. It has a function to manage T.120 sessions and a function to transfer T.120 data streams.

【0039】

The private network 1 and the Internet are provided by the Q.931 processing unit 405, the H.245 processing unit 406, the RTP processing unit 407, and the H.323 related protocol (T.120, T.38, etc.) processing unit 408. A call processing unit that processes incoming / outgoing calls from 2 and processes connections within the terminal is configured.

【0040】

Next, in the network system having the configuration shown in FIG. 1, an Internet telephone call is made between any two terminal devices belonging to different networks via the first and second proxy devices 4 and 5 which are relay devices. Describes an internet telephone connection that provides address resolution to enable.

【0041】

First, an Internet telephone connection when a gatekeeper is provided in each of the two networks to which the two terminal devices to be connected belong will be described with reference to FIG.

【0042】

FIG. 3 shows a connection procedure diagram in the case of connecting an Internet telephone from the terminal device 31 belonging to the private network 1 to the terminal device 51 belonging to the Internet 2. As described above, the identification information of the terminal devices 31 and 32 is registered in the first gate keeper 21, and the identification information of the terminal devices 51 and 52 is registered in the second gate keeper 41. It is when the terminal device is started.

【0043】

In this case, when the terminal device 31 is started by turning on the power, the terminal device 31 issues a registration request to the first gatekeeper 21, which causes the telephone number, private IP address, and e-mail address of the terminal device 31 to be set. It is registered in the first gatekeeper 21 as identification information for identifying the terminal device 31. Then, the registration probability from the first gatekeeper 21 to the terminal device 31 notifies the certification is issued, since the registration process is completed, thereafter, the first gatekeeper 21 is private from the phone number or mail address in response to an inquiry from another It is possible to notify the inquiries that the private IP address assigned to the terminal device 31 based on the address system of network 1 is PA31.

【0044】

Similarly, when the terminal device 51 is activated, the terminal device 51 issues a registration request to the second gate keeper 41, the identification information is registered in the second gate keeper 41, and the second gate keeper 41 to the terminal device 51 Will be notified of the registration confirmation and the registration will be completed. In this way, the terminal device 31 is registered in the first gate keeper 21, and the terminal device 51 is registered in the second gate keeper 41.

【0045】

Next, an operation when a call operation is performed in the terminal device 31 in order to make an Internet call from the terminal device 31 on the private network 1 to the terminal device 51 on the Internet 2 will be described. This calling operation is executed when the user of the terminal device 31 which is the calling terminal device specifies the terminal device 51 using the telephone number as the identification information for identifying the other party. Then, the terminal device 31 transmits a call request (ARQ) including the telephone number of the terminal device 51, which is the called party terminal device, to the first gatekeeper 21 on the local network prior to the call. Upon receiving the call request (ARQ), the first gatekeeper 21 transmits a number resolution request (LRQ) including the telephone number of the terminal device 51 to the first proxy device 4. Upon receiving the number resolution request (LRQ), the first proxy device 4 transmits the number resolution request (LRQ) to the second gatekeeper 41 on the Internet 2 which is the destination network. The first proxy device 4 monitors the RAS message on the private / global IP address, and discards the message when it receives a message other than the number resolution request (LRQ).

【0046】

When the first proxy device 4 receives the number resolution confirmation (LCF) of the terminal device 51 from the second gatekeeper 41 on the destination network as a reply to the transmitted number resolution request (LRQ), the telephone number of the terminal device 51 and the global It is temporarily retained in association with the IP address GA51. Then, in the first proxy device 4, the private IP address PA4 of the first proxy device 4 is set instead of the global IP address GA51 of the terminal device 51, and the telephone number and port number of the terminal device 51 and the address system in the private network 1 are set. According to this, the correspondence table with the private IP address PA4 is set internally. After that, the first proxy device 4 transmits the converted number resolution confirmation (LCF) in which the address of the terminal device 51 is converted as described above to the first gatekeeper 21 on the private network 1. By translating the address in this way, the virtual terminal device (not shown) of the terminal device 51 is generated on the private network 1 side of the first proxy device 4, and the incoming terminal for the first gatekeeper 21. It is possible to pretend that the device is the first proxy device 4 having addresses of the same address system.

【0047】

The first gatekeeper 21 that has received the number resolution confirmation (LCF) is the calling terminal device that performs the same call confirmation (ACF) as the number resolution confirmation (LCF) after the address translation in which the address of the terminal device 51 has been translated. Send to terminal device 31. As a result, the terminal device 31 can make a call to the terminal device 51 to the first proxy device 4.

【0048】

When the first proxy device 4 detects an incoming call from the terminal device 31 to the terminal device 51, it temporarily holds the telephone number of the terminal device 31 and the private IP address PA31. Then, the first proxy device 4 sets the global IP address GA4 of the first proxy device 4 instead of the private IP address PA31 of the terminal device 31, and follows the telephone number and port number of the terminal device 31 and the address system of the Internet 2. The correspondence table with the global IP address GA4 is set internally, and the call from the terminal device 31 is relayed to the terminal device 51 based on the result of the address resolution of the terminal device 51 performed immediately before.

【0049】

Therefore, the virtual terminal device (not shown) of the terminal device 31 is generated on the Internet 2 side of the first proxy device 4 as in the case where the virtual terminal device (not shown) of the terminal device 51 described above is generated. It will be in the state of being. As a result, it is possible to make the terminal device 51 on the Internet 2 on the arrival side appear as if the outgoing terminal device is the first proxy device 4 having the same address system. The basic procedure from the subsequent call setting to the end of the call and the disconnection of the line is the same as that in conventional packet communication. Therefore, Fig. 3 shows an example of the procedure. Although detailed description is omitted, the first proxy device 4 mediates communication between the terminal device 31 and the terminal device 51 using the correspondence table set internally, and translates the address in the call control signal. It becomes possible to make a call by Internet telephone between the two terminals of the terminal device 31 and the terminal device 51.

【0050】

When the call ends, the first proxy device 4 has the internally assigned telephone number and port number of the terminal device 31 and the corresponding resource of the global IP address GA4, and the telephone number, port number and private IP address of the terminal device 51. Release resources for PA4.

【0051】

The case of making a call from the terminal device 31 to the terminal device 51 has been described above, but in the case of making a call from the terminal device 51 to the terminal device 31, the same connection and address resolution can be performed, and a call can be made by an Internet telephone. it can. Further, as can be seen from the above description, not only communication between the terminal device 31 and the terminal device 51 but also an Internet telephone connection can be made between any two terminal devices in the same manner to make a call.

【0052】

By assigning a different port number to each communication channel of the call control signal, the first proxy device 4 enables multiple sessions at the same time simply by using the private IP address PA41 and the global IP address GA41. Therefore, the global IP address Internet telephone connections between different networks can be made possible for a large number of terminal devices without the mass consumption of. In addition, since the first proxy device 4 is configured to discard a message other than the number resolution request (LRQ) in the calling operation, the message is discarded in the network connected to the first proxy device 4. You can reliably prevent messages other than number resolution requests (LRQs) from entering the network. Further, according to this method, the real IP address of the terminal device of the own network can be hidden from other networks. As a result, the security of each network can be ensured by the first proxy device 4. Therefore, if an Internet telephone connection route is provided by the first proxy device 4 in addition to the normal Internet connection route and the normal Internet connection route and the Internet telephone connection route are separated, the existing security settings will be affected. Since it is possible to use the Internet telephone without using it, security measures are easy.

【0053】

By connecting and resolving addresses as described above, it is possible to make an Internet call between networks having different address systems, each having a gatekeeper.

【0054】

Next, an Internet telephone connection will be described when a gatekeeper is provided in only one of the networks having different address systems. The following description describes the case where an Internet telephone connection is made between any terminal device in the Internet 2 equipped with the second gatekeeper 41 and any terminal device in the private network 3 not equipped with the gatekeeper. For example, (1) registration and deletion of terminal device 61 on private network 3 without gatekeeper to second gatekeeper 41, (2) gatekeeper exists from terminal device 51 on Internet 2 where gatekeeper exists. This section will be described in three stages: a call to the terminal device 61 on the private network 3 and (3) a call from the terminal device 61 to the terminal device 51.

【0055】

First, the registration of (1) will be described with reference to FIG. The terminal device 61 on the private network 3 sends a registration request (RRQ) to the second proxy device 5 to register its own terminal when it is started. The second proxy device 5 that has received the registration request (RRQ) temporarily holds the telephone number of the terminal device 61 and the private IP address PA61. Then, the second proxy device 5 sets the global IP address GA5 of the second proxy device 5 instead of the private IP address PA61 of the terminal device 61, and uses the telephone number and port number of the terminal device 61 and the Internet 2. Set the correspondence table with the global IP address GA5 that should be used internally. As a result, a virtual terminal device (not shown) corresponding to one-to-one with the terminal device 61 is generated on the Internet 2 side where the second gatekeeper 41 exists inside the own device of the second proxy device 5. It becomes.

【0056】

When the second proxy device 5 performs address translation of the terminal device 61 as described above to generate a virtual terminal device of the terminal device 61 in its own device, the registration request (RRQ) from the terminal device 61 is regarded as that of the virtual terminal device. Send to the 2nd gatekeeper 41. Upon receiving this registration request (RRQ), the second gatekeeper 41 registers the virtual terminal device of the terminal device 61 in its own device, and then notifies the second proxy device 5 that the registration of the virtual terminal device of the terminal device 61 is completed. Send a registration confirmation (RCF). In this way, the terminal device 61 is registered in the second gatekeeper 41 in the state of the virtual terminal device.

【0057】

When the second proxy device 5 receives the registration confirmation (RCF) of the virtual terminal device transmitted from the second gatekeeper 41, the second proxy device 5 transfers the registration confirmation (RCF) to the terminal device 61 that actually requested the registration. Refer to the correspondence table and convert the originator address included in the registration confirmation (RCF) from the global IP address GA5 of the virtual terminal device to the private IP address PA61 of the terminal device 61, and then convert the address to the terminal device 61. Transfer the converted registration confirmation (RCF). In this way, from the second gatekeeper 41, the terminal device 61 appears to be a virtual terminal device on the second proxy device 5 having an address that follows the same address system, so that it is the same as the terminal device in the Internet 2 which is the own network. It becomes possible to manage as. Since the second gatekeeper 41 identifies the terminal device using the "IP address" and the "port number", the second proxy device 5 assigns a different port number to the virtual terminal device to assign a global IP address. It is possible to register a large number of terminal devices in the second gatekeeper 41 without consuming them.

【0058】

Next, the deletion of the virtual terminal device of the terminal device 61 registered in the second gatekeeper 41 as described above will be described. When the terminal device 61 stops, it sends a deletion request (URQ) to the second proxy device 5 to delete its own device. Upon receiving the deletion request (URQ), the second proxy device 5 refers to the corresponding table and sets the private IP address PA61 of the terminal device 61, which is the originating terminal address included in the deletion request (URQ), to the global IP address of the virtual terminal device. After converting to GA5, the deletion request (URQ) after address translation is transferred to the second gatekeeper 41. Upon receiving the deletion request (URQ), the second gatekeeper 41 deletes the registered virtual terminal device and sends a deletion confirmation (UCF) notifying that the virtual terminal device has been deleted to the second proxy device 5. .. When the second proxy device 5 receives the deletion confirmation (UCF) from the second gatekeeper 41, it converts the global IP address GA5 of the virtual terminal device included in the deletion confirmation (UCF) into the private IP address PA61 of the terminal device 61 to the terminal. Transfer to device 61. At the same time, the second proxy device 5 also deletes the virtual terminal device generated inside its own device.

【0059】

According to the order described above, the second proxy device 5 mediates between the terminal device 61 on the private network 3 in which the gatekeeper does not exist and the second gatekeeper 41 placed on the Internet 2 having a different address system, and causes the terminal device 61 to operate. It is possible to register and delete it in the 2nd gatekeeper 41. The same applies when the terminal device 62 registers and deletes.

【0060】

Next, with reference to FIG. 5, (2) a case where a terminal device 51 on the Internet 2 in which the gatekeeper exists calls a terminal device 61 on the private network 3 in which the gatekeeper does not exist to make a call by an Internet telephone will be described. ..

【0061】

Here, the terminal device 51 and the terminal device 61 have already been activated, and the terminal device 51 and the virtual terminal device of the terminal device 61 have already been registered in the second gate keeper 41 by the registration procedure described above. Then, the virtual terminal device of the terminal device 61 is generated in the second proxy device 5, and the correspondence between the global IP address GA5 and the port number of the virtual terminal device and the private IP address PA61 of the terminal device 61 is generated. A correspondence table showing the relationship has been created. Therefore, the second proxy device 5 can send the signal sent from the terminal device 51 to the virtual terminal device to the terminal device 61 with reference to this corresponding table.

【0062】

Next, an operation when a call operation is performed in the terminal device 51 in order to make an Internet call from the terminal device 51 on the Internet 2 to the terminal device 61 on the private network 3 will be described. This calling operation is executed by the user of the terminal device 51, which is the calling terminal device, designating the terminal device 61 using the telephone number as the identification information for identifying the other party. Then, the terminal device 51 transmits a call request (ARQ) including the telephone number of the terminal device 61, which is the called party terminal device, to the second gatekeeper 41 on the local network prior to the call. Upon receiving the call request (ARQ), the second gatekeeper 41 transmits a call confirmation (ACF) including the global IP address GA5 and the port number of the virtual terminal device of the terminal device 61 to the terminal device 51 which is the outgoing terminal device. As a result, the terminal device 51 can make a call to the terminal device 61 to the second proxy device 5.

【0063】

When the second proxy device 5 detects an incoming call from the terminal device 51 to the terminal device 61, it temporarily holds the telephone number of the terminal device 51 and the global IP address GA51. Then, the second proxy device 5 sets the private IP address PA5 of the second proxy device 5 instead of the global IP address GA51 of the terminal device 51, and sets the telephone number and port number of the terminal device 51 and the address system of the private network 3 to the address system. Therefore, the correspondence table with the private IP address PA5 is set internally, and the correspondence table of the terminal device 61 set at the time of startup is referred to, and the call from the terminal device 51 is relayed to the terminal device 61.

【0064】

Therefore, the virtual terminal device (not shown) of the terminal device 51 is generated on the private network 3 side of the second proxy device 5 in the same manner as when the virtual terminal device (not shown) of the terminal device 61 is generated. It will be in a state of being. As a result, it is possible to make the terminal device 61 on the private network 3 on the arrival side appear as if the outgoing terminal device is the second proxy device 5 having the same address system. After that, the second proxy device 5 mediates the communication between the two terminals of the terminal device 51 and the terminal device 61 using the correspondence table set internally, performs the address conversion in the call control signal, and performs the address conversion in the call control signal, and the terminal device 51 And the terminal device 61 can make a call by internet telephone between the two terminals.

【0065】

When the call ends, the second proxy device 5 releases the corresponding resources of the internally assigned terminal device 51's telephone number, port number, and private IP address PA5.

【0066】

The case of making a call from the terminal device 51 to the terminal device 61 has been described above, but as can be seen from the above explanation, not only the communication between the terminal device 51 and the terminal device 61 but also any two terminal devices can be described. In the same way, an internet telephone connection can be made between them to make a call.

【0067】

Finally, with reference to FIG. 6, (3) a case where a terminal device 61 on the private network 3 without a gatekeeper calls a terminal device 51 on the Internet 2 with a gatekeeper to make a call by an Internet telephone will be described. .. Here, as in the case of (2), the terminal device 51 and the terminal device 61 have already been activated, and according to the registration procedure described above, the second gate keeper 41 has the terminal device 51 and the virtual terminal device of the terminal device 61. Is already registered. Then, in the second proxy device 5, a virtual terminal device corresponding to the terminal device 61 is generated, and between the global IP address GA5 and the port number of this virtual terminal device and the private IP address PA61 of the terminal device 61. A correspondence table showing the correspondence of is created.

【0068】

Next, an operation when a call operation is performed in the terminal device 61 in order to make an Internet call from the terminal device 61 on the private network 3 to the terminal device 51 on the Internet 2 will be described. This calling operation is executed by the user of the terminal device 61, which is the calling terminal device, designating the terminal device 51 using the telephone number as the identification information for identifying the other party. Then, the terminal device 61 transmits a call request (ARQ) including the telephone number of the terminal device 51, which is the called party terminal device, to the second proxy device 5 prior to the call. Upon receiving the call request (ARQ), the second proxy device 5 transmits a call request (ARQ) including the telephone number of the terminal device 51 to the second gatekeeper 41. Upon receiving the call request (ARQ), the second gatekeeper 41 transmits a call confirmation (ACF) including the global IP address GA51 of the terminal device 51 and the port number to the second proxy device 5.

【0069】

When the second proxy device 5 receives the call confirmation (ACF) of the terminal device 51 from the second gatekeeper 41 on the destination network as a reply to the transmitted call request (ARQ), the second proxy device 5 receives the telephone number and global IP address of the terminal device 51. Associate with GA51 and hold it once. Then, in the second proxy device 5, the private IP address PA5 of the second proxy device 5 is set instead of the global IP address GA51 of the terminal device 51, and the telephone number and port number of the terminal device 51 and the address system in the private network 3 are set. The correspondence table with the private IP address PA5 according to is set internally. After that, the second proxy device 5 transmits the converted call confirmation (ACF) in which the address of the terminal device 51 is converted as described above to the terminal device 61 on the private network 3. As a result, the terminal device 61 can make a call to the terminal device 51 to the second proxy device 5.

【0070】

When the second proxy device 5 detects an incoming call from the terminal device 61 to the terminal device 51, it refers to the corresponding table of the terminal device 61 set at startup and the corresponding table of the terminal device 51 set immediately before, and refers to the terminal device. The call from the terminal device 61 is relayed to 51.

【0071】

Therefore, the virtual terminal device (not shown) of the terminal device 51 is generated on the private network 3 side of the second proxy device 5 in the same manner as when the virtual terminal device (not shown) of the terminal device 61 is generated. It will be in a state of being. As a result, it is possible to make it appear as if the incoming terminal device is the second proxy device 5 having the same address system to the terminal device 61 on the private network 3 on the calling side. After that, the second proxy device 5 mediates the communication between the two terminals of the terminal device 61 and the terminal device 51 using the correspondence table set internally, performs the address conversion in the call control signal, and performs the address conversion in the call control signal. It becomes possible to make a call by an internet telephone between two terminals of the terminal device 51 and the terminal device 51.

【0072】

When the call ends, the second proxy device 5 releases the corresponding resources of the internally assigned terminal device 51's telephone number, port number, and private IP address PA5.

【0073】

The case of making a call from the terminal device 61 to the terminal device 51 has been described above, but as can be seen from the above explanation, not only the communication between the terminal device 61 and the terminal device 51 but also any two terminal devices can be described. In the same way, an internet telephone connection can be made between them to make a call.

【0074】

As described above, since the connection and the address conversion are performed by the method of the present invention, it is possible to make and receive calls between Internet telephone terminals having different address systems.

【0075】

[Effect of the invention]

According to the method of the present invention, it is possible to make an Internet telephone connection between a plurality of terminals on networks having different address systems by preparing only one global IP address for each network, so that a large number of global IP addresses can be connected. In addition to being able to make Internet phone calls between different networks without consumption, it will be possible to specify the call destination using a phone number, email address, etc. without relying on an IP address.

【0076】

In addition, since all calls made by Internet telephones between networks go through the relay device, it becomes possible to manage calls across networks by the relay device, and as a result, for example, call log collection between networks, It is possible to limit the number of calls between networks and to make and receive calls. Therefore, when making a call by Internet telephone between networks under different management even with the same address system, a call between networks can be made by applying the method of the present invention to a connection point between Internet providers or a connection point of an inter-company network. It also has the effect of enabling call management such as log collection, limit on the number of calls between networks, and limit on arrivals and departures.

【0077】

Further, according to the method of the present invention, it is possible to separate a normal Internet connection path and an Internet telephone connection path. In addition, the real IP address of the terminal device of the own network can be hidden from other networks (Internet). Therefore, it is possible to use the Internet telephone without affecting the existing security settings, and security measures are easy.

【0078】

Further, according to the method of the present invention, Internet FAX communication between different networks can be performed by applying it to the T.38 protocol for FAX communication using the Internet telephone protocol, the T.120 protocol for data communication, and the like. And data communication is also possible.

[Simple explanation of drawings]

[Figure 1]

FIG. 6 is a network configuration diagram showing an example of an embodiment of a network system in which an Internet telephone connection is made according to the method of the present invention so that a call can be made between arbitrary terminal devices.

[Figure 2]

The block diagram which shows the detailed configuration of the 1st proxy apparatus shown in FIG.

[Fig. 3]

The explanatory view for demonstrating the connection procedure at the time of connecting the terminal apparatus belonging to the private network in which a gatekeeper exists as shown in FIG. 1 to the terminal apparatus belonging to the Internet by Internet telephone.

[Fig. 4]

The explanatory view for demonstrating the connection procedure for registering and deleting a terminal device on a private network without a gatekeeper shown in FIG. 1 with the 2nd gatekeeper.

[Fig. 5]

The explanatory view for demonstrating the connection procedure at the time of connecting the Internet telephone from the terminal device on the Internet with a gatekeeper shown in FIG. 1 to the terminal device on a private network without a gatekeeper.

[Fig. 6]

Since it is shown in FIG. 1, it is explanatory drawing for demonstrating the connection procedure at the time of connecting an Internet telephone from the terminal device on the private network which does not have a gatekeeper to the terminal device terminal device on the Internet which has a gatekeeper.

[Fig. 7]

An explanatory diagram for explaining a conventional Internet telephone connection method between networks having different address systems.

[Explanation of symbols]

1, 3 private network 2 internet 4 1st proxy device 5 Second proxy device 21 Gate 1 Keeper 31, 32, 51, 52, 61, 62 Terminal devices 41 Gate 2 Keeper