Communication control system, call control server, and communication control method

BACKGROUND

p-00021. Field

p-0003The present invention relates to a communication control system arranged to connect virtual terminal devices to one another, where each of the virtual terminal devices is associated with a plurality of real terminal devices to which sessions involving a plurality of types of media are assigned.

p-00042. Description of the Related Art

p-0005There are diversified styles of communications due to existence of mobile phones, facsimiles, personal computers (PCs), etc. that are provided with the Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) function over the wireless local area network. Further, it has become easier to communicate in a session involving a plurality of types of media due to the advance of IP (Internet Protocol) technologies. For example, users can arbitrarily communicate with each other in different communication forms in combination with a plurality of types of media.

p-0006Subsequently, there have been proposed communication control methods which allow for the above described communications. According to one of the communication control methods, for example, a call control server teams real terminal devices employed in different communication forms so that a single virtual terminal device (terminal agent) is formed, as discussed in Japanese Laid-open Patent Publication No. 2006-270837. <figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIG. 13</figref> is a schematic diagram illustrating a configuration of an entire system employed in performing a conventional communication control method. According to a method discussed in Japanese Laid-open Patent Publication No. 2006-270837, for example, each real terminal device is associated with terminal agents #1, #2, or #3, in the call control server. The terminal agents #1 to #3 communicate with one another so that communications in different communication forms can be performed (see <figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIG. 13</figref>). Further, by transferring a call, a connection established between the terminal agents #1 and #2 may be shifted to a connection established between the terminal agents #1 and #3. For example, a communication received by one department of a company may be transferred to another department of the same company.

p-0007According to the technology discussed in Japanese Laid-open Patent Publication No. 2006-270837, however, a session is disconnected when transferring a call from a transfer source to a transfer destination on selecting media to be employed in the transferred call, so that the communication is suspended.

p-0008Further, for example, when an existing call involving video media is transferred to a transfer destination employing audio media, the video media is suddenly disconnected and shifted to the audio media in a terminal device of the communication counterpart due to the transfer. Thus, the communication counterpart suffers from the shift to unexpected media.

SUMMARY

p-0009According to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided a communication control system including a plurality of terminal groups and a call control server. Each of the terminal group is capable of communicating with media of at least one type. Each of the terminal groups includes at least one terminal device capable of communicating with media of at least one type. The call control server controls communications between the terminal groups by controlling communications between terminal agents created in the call control server. Each terminal agent is respectively associated with a corresponding one of the terminal groups. The call control server includes a terminal agent manager, a call controller, a transfer controller, an existing-call media notifier, a transferred-call media setter, and a transferred-call connecter. The terminal agent manager creates and manages the terminal agents. The call controller establishes a connection, as an existing call, between a first terminal agent and a second terminal agent. The transfer controller receives a request for call transfer from a second terminal group via the second terminal agent. The existing-call media notifier notifies a first type of media involved in the existing call to a third terminal agent. The transferred-call media setter stores data on a second type of media to be employed in a transferred call. The second type of media is determined on the basis of the first type of media and types of media available in a third terminal group. The transferred-call connecter establishes a connection with media conforming to the second type of media, as a transferred call, between the first terminal agent and the third terminal agent.

p-0010The transferred-call media setter of the call control server may notify the second type of media to a first terminal device via the first terminal agent.

p-0011The transferred-call media setter may store data on a first terminal device included among the third terminal group, for employing media of the second type.

p-0012The second type of media may be determined in accordance with a predefined policy prescribing media to be employed in a transferred call.

p-0013The transferred-call connecter may continue a session involving a shared terminal device included in the second terminal group, wherein the shared terminal device is also included in the third terminal group.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

p-0014<figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIG. 1</figref> is a schematic diagram illustrating an entire configuration of a communication control system according to embodiments of the present invention;

p-0015<figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIG. 2</figref> is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of an information processing apparatus according to embodiments of the present invention;

p-0016<figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIGS. 3A</figref>, <b>3</b>B, <b>3</b>C, and <b>3</b>D are schematic diagrams illustrating examples of data used in embodiments of the present invention;

p-0017<figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIG. 4</figref> is a schematic diagram illustrating a communication control method according to a first embodiment of the present invention;

p-0018<figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIGS. 5A and 5B</figref> are schematic diagrams illustrating examples of display screen image according to a first embodiment of the present invention;

p-0019<figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIG. 6</figref> is a flowchart illustrating processing procedures for communication control according to a first embodiment of the present invention;

p-0020<figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIG. 7</figref> is a flowchart illustrating processing procedures for mediation according to a first embodiment of the present invention;

p-0021<figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIG. 8</figref> is a schematic diagram illustrating a communication control method according to a second embodiment of the present invention;

p-0022<figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIG. 9</figref> is a flowchart illustrating processing procedures for communication control according to a second embodiment of the present invention;

p-0023<figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIG. 10</figref> is a schematic diagram illustrating a communication control method according to a third embodiment of the present invention;

p-0024<figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIGS. 11A</figref>, <b>11</b>B, and <b>11</b>C are schematic diagrams illustrating examples of data used in a third embodiment of the present invention;

p-0025<figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIG. 12</figref> is a flowchart illustrating processing procedures for communication control according to a third embodiment of the present invention; and

p-0026<figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIG. 13</figref> is a schematic diagram illustrating a configuration of an entire system employed in performing a conventional communication control method;

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

p-0027Hereinafter, communication control systems according to embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the attached drawings illustrating the embodiments.

p-0028The communication control systems according to embodiments of the present invention are configured to notify the type of media involved in the existing call to the terminal group at the transfer destination and determine media to be employed in the transferred call on the basis of relationship between the notified media type and the types of media available at the transfer destination. Subsequently, transfer operation may be performed smoothly without a sudden disconnection or a shift to unexpected media.

p-0029<figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIG. 1</figref> is a schematic diagram illustrating an entire configuration of a communication control system according to embodiments of the present invention. As shown in <figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIG. 1</figref>, the communication control system includes terminal groups <b>1</b>, <b>3</b>, and <b>5</b>, and a call control server <b>7</b>.

p-0030Each of the terminal groups <b>1</b>, <b>3</b>, and <b>5</b> includes various types of terminal devices such as a fixed telephone, a mobile phone, a PC, a facsimile, etc. Each of the terminal groups <b>1</b>, <b>3</b>, and <b>5</b> may employ a plurality of types of media including audio, video, still image, moving picture, text, etc. In this description, the expression “terminal group <b>1</b>” may also denote any of the real terminal devices included in the terminal group <b>1</b>, the same holds for “terminal group <b>3</b>” and “terminal group <b>5</b>”. The terminal devices included in each of the terminal groups <b>1</b>, <b>3</b>, and <b>5</b> are associated with a terminal agent in the call control server <b>7</b>. As shown in <figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIG. 1</figref>, for example, a fixed telephone <b>11</b> and a PC <b>12</b> are associated with a first terminal agent <b>2</b> for an communication counterpart, a mobile phone <b>31</b> and a PC <b>32</b> are associated with a second terminal agent <b>4</b> for a transfer source, and a mobile phone <b>51</b> and a PC <b>52</b> are associated with a third terminal agent <b>6</b> for a transfer destination, in the embodiments. That is to say, each of the first terminal agent <b>2</b>, the second terminal agent <b>4</b>, and the third terminal agent <b>6</b> does not physically exist in the system, but is virtually created in the call control server <b>7</b>. Although the terminal agents <b>2</b>, <b>4</b>, and <b>6</b> in the example shown in <figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIG. 1</figref> are created in the same call control server, these terminal agents may be created in separate call control servers.

p-0031The following processing procedures are performed in the communication control system according to the embodiments. The call control server <b>7</b> establishes a connection between the first terminal agent <b>2</b> and the second terminal agent <b>4</b>, as an existing call.

p-0032During communications in the existing call, the terminal group <b>3</b> associated with the second terminal agent <b>4</b> is acceptable of an input of transfer request data M<b>1</b>. The transfer request data M<b>1</b> includes a call ID identifiable of the existing call, a terminal ID identifiable of a terminal device of the communication counterpart, and a terminal ID identifiable of a terminal device provided at the transfer destination, which are associated with one another.

p-0033When the terminal group <b>3</b> has accepted the transfer request data M<b>1</b>, the call control server <b>7</b> receives the transfer request data M<b>1</b> via the second terminal agent <b>4</b>. Upon receiving the transfer request data M<b>1</b>, the call control server <b>7</b> transmits existing-call terminal &amp; media notification data M<b>2</b> to the terminal group <b>5</b> via the third terminal agent <b>6</b>. The existing-call terminal &amp; media notification data M<b>2</b> includes data on the capacity of the communication counterpart and existing-call terminal &amp; media data <b>73</b><i>c </i>(described later) for clarification on the difference of conditions relating to media.

p-0034Upon receiving the existing-call terminal &amp; media notification data M<b>2</b>, the terminal group <b>5</b> selects media available in common both in the communication counterpart and in the terminal group <b>5</b>. The terminal group <b>5</b> displays the selected media. Thus, the terminal group <b>5</b> clearly shows a user at the transfer destination the difference between the media available in the terminal group <b>5</b> and the media involved in the existing call. Then, the terminal group <b>5</b> accepts designation of media to be employed in a transferred call, which is inputted by the user at the transfer destination.

p-0035When the terminal group <b>5</b> has accepted the designation of media to be employed, the call control server <b>7</b> receives data on the designation of media via the third terminal agent <b>6</b>. Upon receiving the data on the designation of media, the call control server <b>7</b> transmits transferred-call terminal &amp; media notification data M<b>3</b> to the terminal group <b>1</b> via the first terminal agent <b>2</b>. The transferred-call terminal &amp; media notification data M<b>3</b> is feedback of data designated at the transfer destination and is identified with a transfer notification call ID. The transferred-call terminal &amp; media notification data M<b>3</b> includes a media ID identifiable of media to be employed in the transferred call and a terminal ID identifiable of a terminal device, each of which is associated with the transfer notification call ID.

p-0036Upon receiving the transferred-call terminal &amp; media notification data M<b>3</b>, the terminal group <b>1</b> clearly shows a user at the communication counterpart the difference between the media involved in the existing call and the media to be employed in the transferred call. Then, the terminal group <b>1</b> accepts confirmation of the media to be employed in the transferred call, which is inputted by the user at the communication counterpart.

p-0037When the terminal group <b>1</b> has accepted the confirmation of the media to be employed, the call control server <b>7</b> receives data on the confirmation via the first terminal agent <b>2</b>. Upon receiving the data on the confirmation, the call control server <b>7</b> transmits transfer notification data M<b>4</b> to the terminal group <b>5</b> via the third terminal agent <b>6</b>. The transfer notification data M<b>4</b> includes a transfer notification call ID identifiable of a transfer notification call and a media ID identifiable of the employed media, which are associated with one another.

p-0038When the terminal group <b>5</b> has received the transfer notification data M<b>4</b>, the call control server <b>7</b> receives an acknowledgment via the third terminal agent <b>6</b>. Upon receiving the acknowledgment, the call control server <b>7</b> establishes a connection between the terminal group <b>1</b> and the terminal group <b>5</b>, as a transferred call, in accordance with the designation of media to be employed.

p-0039Thus, a shift is made from the existing call to the transferred call in the communication control system according to embodiments of the present invention.

p-0040Next, the configuration and operations of the call control server <b>7</b> will be described. The call control server <b>7</b> is an information processing apparatus. <figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIG. 2</figref> is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of an information processing apparatus according to embodiments of the present invention. <figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIGS. 3A</figref>, <b>3</b>B, <b>3</b>C, and <b>3</b>D are schematic diagrams illustrating examples of data used in embodiments of the present invention.

p-0041The call control server <b>7</b> includes a communication interface <b>71</b>, a call controller <b>72</b>, a terminal agent manager <b>73</b>, a transfer controller <b>74</b>, and a controller <b>75</b>. The above described pieces of hardware are in communication with one another through a bus (not shown).

p-0042The communication interface <b>71</b> is a terminator of a communication network including, for example, the Internet and/or an intranet. Namely, the communication interface <b>71</b> is a contact point for communications with the real terminal devices. The communication interface <b>71</b> receives, for example, a request and/or notification transmitted from a real terminal device and transmits the request and/or notification to the call controller <b>72</b>. Otherwise, the communication interface <b>71</b> transmits, for example, a request and/or notification generated in the call control server <b>7</b> to a real terminal device.

p-0043The call controller <b>72</b> performs control, so as to connect and/or disconnect a session between the real terminal devices. Upon receiving a request and/or notification via the communication interface <b>71</b>, the call controller <b>72</b> transmits the request and/or notification to the terminal agent manager <b>73</b> and/or the transfer controller <b>74</b>. The call controller <b>72</b> also transmits a request and/or notification generated by the terminal agent manager <b>73</b> and/or the transfer controller <b>74</b> to a real terminal device via the communication interface <b>71</b>.

p-0044The terminal agent manager <b>73</b> manages sessions involving a plurality of types of media so that a plurality of terminal devices are associated with a single terminal agent. The terminal agents are created and managed by the terminal agent manager <b>73</b>. The terminal agent manager <b>73</b> stores information about the status of media involved in the existing call and stores transferred-call terminal &amp; media data <b>73</b><i>a </i>conveyed through the transfer notification call. The transferred-call terminal &amp; media data <b>73</b><i>a </i>is data for determining a terminal device and media to be employed in the transferred call, and is identified with a transfer notification call ID. The transferred-call terminal &amp; media data <b>73</b><i>a </i>includes a media ID identifiable of media available at the transfer destination, a terminal ID identifiable of a terminal device, and a session ID identifiable of a session, each of which is associated with the transfer notification call ID (see <figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIG. 3A</figref>).

p-0045The terminal agent manager <b>73</b> may automatically determine media to be employed in the transferred call in accordance with media setup policy data <b>73</b><i>b</i>. The media setup policy data <b>73</b><i>b </i>is set in advance by the terminal group <b>5</b> and stored in the terminal agent manager <b>73</b>. The media setup policy data <b>73</b><i>b </i>includes terminal IDs identifiable of terminal devices provided at the transfer source, terminal IDs identifiable of terminal devices provided at the transfer destination, and a policy value to be set, which are associated with one another (see <figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIG. 3B</figref>). The policy value includes a value indicating a setup of employing the same media as that employed in the existing call, a value indicating a setup of employing media available for a transferred call in the maximum capacity, a value indicating a setup of employing media available for a transferred call in the minimum capacity, etc.

p-0046The terminal agent manager <b>73</b> manages the status of the session including the terminal device and media involved in the existing call on the basis of the existing-call terminal &amp; media data <b>73</b><i>c</i>. The existing-call terminal &amp; media data <b>73</b><i>c </i>is identified with a call ID. The existing-call terminal &amp; media data <b>73</b><i>c </i>includes a media ID identifiable of the media involved in the existing call, a terminal ID identifiable of the terminal device, and a session ID identifiable of the session, each of which is associated with the call ID (see <figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIG. 3C</figref>).

p-0047The terminal agent manager <b>73</b> manages a session and a terminal device involved in the session on the basis of user terminal data <b>73</b><i>d</i>. The user terminal data <b>73</b><i>d </i>is identified with a user ID. The user terminal data <b>73</b><i>d </i>includes a terminal ID identifiable of the involved terminal device and a session ID identifiable of the session, each of which is associated with the user ID (see <figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIG. 3D</figref>).

p-0048The terminal agent manager <b>73</b> may store initial setup data in advance and may determine media to be employed in the transferred call on the basis of the initial setup data.

p-0049The transfer controller <b>74</b> includes an existing-call media notifier <b>74</b><i>a</i>, a transferred-call media setter <b>74</b><i>b</i>, and a transferred-call connector <b>74</b><i>c</i>. The transfer controller <b>74</b> performs processing for transfer control, including processing of sorting the received notification data in accordance with their types.

p-0050Upon receiving the transfer request data M<b>1</b>, the existing-call media notifier <b>74</b><i>a </i>extracts data on the media involved in the existing call in accordance with the existing-call terminal &amp; media data <b>73</b><i>c </i>stored in the terminal agent manager <b>73</b> and transmits existing-call terminal &amp; media notification data M<b>2</b> including the extracted data on the involved media to a terminal group <b>5</b> provided at the transfer destination.

p-0051Upon receiving the transferred-call terminal &amp; media notification data M<b>3</b>, the transferred-call media setter <b>74</b><i>b </i>stores the transferred-call terminal &amp; media notification data M<b>3</b> and transmits the transferred-call terminal &amp; media notification data M<b>3</b> to the terminal group <b>1</b>.

p-0052Upon receiving the transfer notification data M<b>4</b>, the transferred-call connector <b>74</b><i>c </i>determines the media and terminal device to be employed in the transferred call on the basis of the transferred-call terminal &amp; media data <b>73</b><i>a </i>stored in the terminal agent manager <b>73</b> and starts establishing a connection for the transferred call.

p-0053The controller <b>75</b> controls operations of each of the pieces of hardware in the call control server <b>7</b>.

First Embodiment

p-0054A communication control method according to a first embodiment of the present invention will be described. <figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIG. 4</figref> is a schematic diagram illustrating a communication control method according to a first embodiment of the present invention. <figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIGS. 5A and 5B</figref> are schematic diagrams illustrating examples of display screen image according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

p-0055First, the call control server <b>7</b> establishes a connection between the fixed telephone <b>11</b> (or the PC <b>12</b>) and the mobile phone <b>31</b> for an existing call (C<b>01</b>) via the first terminal agent <b>2</b> and the second terminal agent <b>4</b>. Suppose that the media including audio and video is involved in the connection for the existing call (C<b>01</b>).

p-0056When the mobile phone <b>31</b> has accepted an input of the transfer request data M<b>1</b>, the call control server <b>7</b> receives the transfer request data M<b>1</b> via the second terminal agent <b>4</b>. Upon receiving the transfer request data M<b>1</b>, the call control server <b>7</b> controls communications performed in a transfer notification call (C<b>02</b>) between the mobile phone <b>31</b> and the PC <b>52</b> via the second terminal agent <b>4</b> and the third terminal agent <b>6</b>.

p-0057Suppose that the PC <b>52</b> is set to be connected with audio alone in the initial setup. Here, the PC <b>52</b> displays a transfer setup screen image S<b>1</b> on a monitor (not shown). The transfer setup screen image S<b>1</b> includes a checkbox for selection of the type of media and terminal device to be employed in the transferred call. Upon marking the checkbox, the designation of media to be employed in the transferred call is accepted (see <figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIG. 5A</figref>). The PC <b>52</b> accepts, for example, a request to add video, as to the media to be employed.

p-0058The call control server <b>7</b> generates the transferred-call terminal &amp; media data <b>73</b><i>a </i>in accordance with the request accepted by the PC <b>52</b>. The call control server <b>7</b> transmits transfer notification data M<b>4</b> including “C<b>02</b>” as the transfer notification call ID to the terminal group <b>5</b> via the third terminal agent <b>6</b>. The call control server <b>7</b> controls communications performed in the transferred call (C<b>02</b>) between the fixed telephone <b>11</b> and the PC <b>52</b> via the first terminal agent <b>2</b> and the third terminal agent <b>6</b> in accordance with the transferred-call terminal &amp; media data <b>73</b><i>a</i>. The call control server <b>7</b> disconnects communications performed in the existing call (C<b>01</b>) between the fixed telephone <b>11</b> and the mobile phone <b>31</b>.

p-0059As a result, setup of the PC <b>52</b> is changed to make communications with not only audio but also video from the start of the connection. Therefore, the fixed telephone <b>11</b> can perform communications with the same media as that involved before the transfer is performed, without shifting to unexpected media.

p-0060Another example is that, the fixed telephone <b>11</b> and the mobile phone <b>31</b> are in communication with one another with audio alone in the existing call (C<b>01</b>). When the mobile phone <b>31</b> has accepted the transfer request data M<b>1</b>, the call control server <b>7</b> controls communications performed in the transferred call (C<b>02</b>) between the fixed telephone <b>11</b> and the PC <b>52</b>.

p-0061Suppose that the PC <b>52</b> is set to be connected with audio and video in the initial setup. The call control server <b>7</b> generates the transferred-call terminal &amp; media data <b>73</b><i>a </i>in accordance with the initial setup data. The call control server <b>7</b> disconnects the communications performed in the existing call (C<b>01</b>) between the fixed telephone <b>11</b> and the mobile phone <b>31</b>. The fixed telephone <b>11</b> displays a confirmation dialog image S<b>2</b> on a monitor (not shown). The confirmation dialog image S<b>2</b> includes a checkbox for confirming the type of media and terminal device to be employed in the transferred call. Upon marking the checkbox, the confirmation of the media to be employed in the transferred call is accepted (see <figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIG. 5B</figref>).

p-0062The call control server <b>7</b> controls the communications performed in the transferred call (C<b>02</b>) between the fixed telephone <b>11</b> and the PC <b>52</b> via the first terminal agent <b>2</b> and the third terminal agent <b>6</b> in accordance with the confirmation accepted by the fixed telephone <b>11</b>.

p-0063The fixed telephone <b>11</b>, performing communications with audio alone at the beginning, can perform communications without shifting to unexpected media, since the fixed telephone <b>11</b> confirms the media to be employed through the confirmation dialog.

p-0064Yet another example is that, the fixed telephone <b>11</b> and the mobile phone <b>31</b> are in communication with one another with audio and video in the existing call (C<b>01</b>). When the mobile phone <b>31</b> has accepted the transfer request data M<b>1</b>, the call control server <b>7</b> controls communications performed in the transfer notification call (C<b>02</b>) between the mobile phone <b>31</b> and the PC <b>52</b> via the second terminal agent <b>4</b> and the third terminal agent <b>6</b>.

p-0065Suppose that the PC <b>52</b> is set to be connected with audio alone in the initial setup. The PC <b>52</b> displays the transfer setup screen image S<b>1</b> on a monitor (not shown). The PC <b>52</b> accepts a request, on the media to be employed, to connect the PC <b>52</b> with video, and the mobile phone <b>51</b> with audio, for example (see <figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIG. 5A</figref>).

p-0066The call control server <b>7</b> generates the transferred-call terminal &amp; media data <b>73</b><i>a </i>in accordance with the request accepted by the PC <b>52</b>. The call control server <b>7</b> transmits transfer notification data M<b>4</b> including “C<b>02</b>” as the transfer notification call ID to the terminal group <b>5</b> via the third terminal agent <b>6</b>. The call control server <b>7</b> controls communications performed in the transferred call (C<b>02</b>) between the fixed telephone <b>11</b> and the PC <b>52</b> via the first terminal agent <b>2</b> and the third terminal agent <b>6</b> in accordance with the transferred-call terminal &amp; media data <b>73</b><i>a</i>. The call control server <b>7</b> disconnects communications performed in the existing call (C<b>01</b>) between the fixed telephone <b>11</b> and the mobile phone <b>31</b>.

p-0067As a result, the fixed telephone <b>11</b> can perform communications with the same media as that involved before the transfer is performed, without shifting to unexpected media. An arbitrary terminal device may be assigned for the media at the transfer destination.

p-0068According to the first embodiment of the present invention, since the media to be employed in a transferred call is determined at the transfer destination by referring to the type of media involved in the existing call, the user at the transfer destination can perform communications with an appropriate communication apparatus for the determined media, which allows the user at the transfer destination to perform stress-free communications.

p-0069According to the first embodiment of the present invention, since the communication counterpart is notified beforehand of the type of media to be employed in the transferred call, the communication counterpart may not suffer from the shift to unexpected media due to the transfer, which allows the user at the communication counterpart to perform stress-free communications.

p-0070Next, the processing procedures for communication control performed by the call control server <b>7</b> according to the first embodiment will be described. <figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIG. 6</figref> is a flowchart illustrating processing procedures for communication control according to a first embodiment of the present invention. The controller <b>75</b> of the call control server <b>7</b> determines whether or not the transfer request data M<b>1</b> has been received (in operation S<b>101</b>). If it is determined that the transfer request data M<b>1</b> has been received (“Yes” in operation S<b>101</b>), the controller <b>75</b> transmits data on the transfer setup screen image S<b>1</b> to the terminal group <b>5</b> via the third terminal agent <b>6</b> (in operation S<b>102</b>), and the communication control process finishes.

p-0071On the other hand, if it is determined that the transfer request data M<b>1</b> has not been received (“No” in operation S<b>101</b>), the controller <b>75</b> performs the mediation process (in operation S<b>103</b>).

p-0072Here, the processing procedures for mediation performed by the call control server <b>7</b> will be described. <figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIG. 7</figref> is a flowchart illustrating processing procedures for mediation according to a first embodiment of the present invention. The controller <b>75</b> of the call control server <b>7</b> determines whether or not the transferred-call terminal &amp; media notification data M<b>3</b> has been received (in operation S<b>201</b>). If it is determined that the transferred-call terminal &amp; media notification data M<b>3</b> has been received (“Yes” in operation S<b>201</b>), the controller <b>75</b> generates the transferred-call terminal &amp; media data <b>73</b><i>a </i>in accordance with the received transferred-call terminal &amp; media notification data M<b>3</b> (in operation S<b>202</b>), and the terminal agent manager <b>73</b> stores the generated transferred-call terminal &amp; media data <b>73</b><i>a</i>. The controller <b>75</b> determines whether or not there is a difference between the media to be employed in the transferred call and the media involved in the existing call (in operation S<b>203</b>). If it is determined that there is no difference (“No” in operation S<b>203</b>), the mediation process finishes without change of media involved in the existing call.

p-0073If it is determined that there is a difference (“Yes” in operation S<b>203</b>), the controller <b>75</b> transmits data on a confirmation dialog image to the terminal group <b>1</b> via the first terminal agent <b>2</b> (in operation S<b>204</b>), and the mediation process finishes.

p-0074On the other hand, if it is determined that the transferred-call terminal &amp; media notification data M<b>3</b> has not been received (“No” in operation S<b>201</b>), the controller <b>75</b> determines whether or not the transfer notification data M<b>4</b> has been received (in operation S<b>205</b>). If it is determined that the transfer notification data M<b>4</b> has been received (“Yes” in operation S<b>205</b>), the controller <b>75</b> determines whether or not the transferred-call terminal &amp; media data <b>73</b><i>a </i>is stored in the terminal agent manager <b>73</b> (in operation S<b>206</b>). If it is determined that the transferred-call terminal &amp; media data <b>73</b><i>a </i>is stored in the terminal agent manager <b>73</b> (“Yes” in operation S<b>206</b>), the controller <b>75</b> determines the media and terminal device to be employed in the transferred call in accordance with the transferred-call terminal &amp; media data <b>73</b><i>a </i>stored in the terminal agent manager <b>73</b> (in operation S<b>208</b>).

p-0075The controller <b>75</b> establishes a connection with the determined media and terminal device (in operation S<b>209</b>), and the mediation process finishes.

p-0076If it is determined that the transferred-call terminal &amp; media data <b>73</b><i>a </i>is not stored in the terminal agent manager <b>73</b> (“No” in operation S<b>206</b>), the controller <b>75</b> reads the initial setup data stored in advance in the terminal agent manager <b>73</b> (in operation S<b>207</b>), and determines the media and terminal device to be employed in the transferred call in accordance with the read initial setup data (in operation S<b>208</b>). The controller <b>75</b> establishes a connection with the determined media and terminal device (in operation S<b>209</b>), and the mediation process finishes. On the other hand, if it is determined that the transfer notification data M<b>4</b> has not been received (“No” in operation S<b>205</b>), it is determined whether or not disconnection request data has been received (in operation S<b>210</b>). If it is determined that the disconnection request data has not been received (“No” in operation S<b>210</b>), the communication control process returns to operation S<b>101</b> to repeat.

p-0077If it is determined that the disconnection request data has been received (“Yes” in operation S<b>210</b>), the controller <b>75</b> transmits the transfer request data M<b>1</b> to the terminal group <b>1</b> via the first terminal agent <b>2</b> (in operation S<b>211</b>). The controller <b>75</b> disconnects the communications performed between the terminal group <b>1</b> and the terminal group <b>3</b> (in operation S<b>213</b>), and the mediation process finishes.

Second Embodiment

p-0078According to the above described first embodiment, the media and terminal device to be employed in the transferred call are determined in the terminal group <b>1</b> or the terminal group <b>5</b>. However, embodiments of the present invention are not limited to this arrangement, but the media to be employed in the transferred call may be determined in advance. In a second embodiment of the present invention, an example will be described where the media to be employed in the transferred call is determined in advance and the media transfer is automatically performed if the determined media agrees with the media involved in the existing call. <figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIG. 8</figref> is a schematic diagram illustrating a communication control method according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

p-0079The call control server <b>7</b> controls communications performed in the existing call (C<b>01</b>) between the PC <b>12</b> and the mobile phone <b>31</b> via the first terminal agent <b>2</b> and the second terminal agent <b>4</b>. Suppose that the media including audio and video is involved in the connection for the existing call (C<b>01</b>).

p-0080When the mobile phone <b>31</b> has accepted the transfer request data M<b>1</b>, the call control server <b>7</b> receives the transfer request data M<b>1</b> via the second terminal agent <b>4</b>. Upon receiving the transfer request data M<b>1</b>, the call control server <b>7</b> controls communications performed in the transfer notification call (C<b>02</b>) between the mobile phone <b>31</b> and the PC <b>52</b> via the second terminal agent <b>4</b> and the third terminal agent <b>6</b>. The call control server <b>7</b> compares the media setup policy data <b>73</b><i>b </i>which is set in advance by the PC <b>52</b> with the existing-call terminal &amp; media data <b>73</b><i>c</i>, and determines the media provided in common both in the terminal group <b>1</b> and in the terminal group <b>5</b>.

p-0081For example, if it is specified that “Audio and video are to be employed in PC communications” in the media setup policy data <b>73</b><i>b</i>, the call control server <b>7</b> determines the common media to be “audio and video for PC” and generates the transferred-call terminal &amp; media data <b>73</b><i>a</i>. The call control server <b>7</b> disconnects the communications performed in the existing call (C<b>01</b>) between the PC <b>12</b> and the mobile phone <b>31</b>, and transmits transfer notification data M<b>4</b> including “C<b>02</b>” as the transfer notification call ID to the PC <b>52</b> via the third terminal agent <b>6</b>. The call control server <b>7</b> controls communications performed in the transferred call (C<b>02</b>) between the PC <b>12</b> and the PC <b>52</b> via the first terminal agent <b>2</b> and the third terminal agent <b>6</b> in accordance with the transferred-call terminal &amp; media data <b>73</b><i>a. </i>

p-0082As a result, the PC <b>12</b> can perform communications with the same media as that involved before the transfer is performed, without shifting to unexpected media. The user of the PC <b>12</b> and/or the user at the transfer destination may not be required to perform any operation.

p-0083According to the second embodiment of the present invention, since the media setup policy data is set in advance and the media to be employed in the transferred call is determined in accordance with the media setup policy, the user at the transfer destination may not perform operations to make media setup, which allows the user at the transfer destination to perform stress-free and smooth communications.

p-0084Next, processing procedures for communication control performed by the call control server <b>7</b> according to the second embodiment will be described. <figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIG. 9</figref> is a flowchart illustrating processing procedures for communication control according to a second embodiment of the present invention. The controller <b>75</b> of the call control server <b>7</b> determines whether or not the transfer request data M<b>1</b> has been received (in operation S<b>301</b>). If it is determined that the transfer request data M<b>1</b> has not been received (“No” in operation S<b>301</b>), the controller <b>75</b> performs the mediation process (in operation S<b>302</b>), and the communication control process finishes. Since the processing procedures for mediation are the same as those performed in the first embodiment, the description thereof is omitted.

p-0085If it is determined that the transfer request data M<b>1</b> has been received (“Yes” in operation S<b>301</b>), the controller <b>75</b> determines whether or not the media setup policy data <b>73</b><i>b </i>exists in the terminal agent manager <b>73</b> (in operation S<b>303</b>). If it is determined that the media setup policy data <b>73</b><i>b </i>does not exist in the terminal agent manager <b>73</b> (“No” in operation S<b>303</b>), the controller <b>75</b> performs the mediation process (in operation S<b>302</b>), and the communication control process finishes. Since the processing procedures for mediation are the same as those performed in the first embodiment, the description thereof is omitted.

p-0086If it is determined that the media setup policy data <b>73</b><i>b </i>exists in the terminal agent manager <b>73</b> (“Yes” in operation S<b>303</b>), the controller <b>75</b> determines whether or not the policy value included in the media setup policy data <b>73</b><i>b </i>indicates the maximum capacity (in operation S<b>304</b>). If it is determined that the policy value indicates the maximum capacity (“Yes” in operation S<b>304</b>), the controller <b>75</b> generates the transferred-call terminal &amp; media data <b>73</b><i>a </i>indicating that the media should be employed in the maximum capacity (in operation S<b>305</b>), and the communication control process returns to operation S<b>301</b> to repeat. The above described term “the maximum capacity” denotes, for example, to employ the maximum number of media provided in common both in the terminal group <b>1</b> and in the terminal group <b>5</b>.

p-0087On the other hand, if it is determined that the policy value does not indicate the maximum capacity (“No” in operation S<b>304</b>), the controller <b>75</b> determines whether or not the policy value indicates that the same media as that involved in the existing call should be employed (in operation S<b>306</b>). If it is determined that the policy value indicates that the same media as that involved in the existing call should be employed (“Yes” in operation S<b>306</b>), the controller <b>75</b> generates the transferred-call terminal &amp; media data <b>73</b><i>a </i>indicating that the media to be employed is the same as that involved in the existing call (in operation S<b>308</b>), and the communication control process returns to operation S<b>301</b> to repeat.

p-0088On the other hand, if it is determined that the policy value does not indicate that the same media as that involved in the existing call should be employed (“No” in operation S<b>306</b>), the controller <b>75</b> determines whether or not the policy value indicates the minimum capacity (in operation S<b>307</b>). If it is determined that the policy value indicates the minimum capacity (“Yes” in operation S<b>307</b>), the controller <b>75</b> generates the transferred-call terminal &amp; media data <b>73</b><i>a </i>indicating that the media should be employed in the minimum capacity an operation S<b>309</b>), and the communication control process returns to operation S<b>301</b> to repeat. The above described term “the minimum capacity” denotes, for example, to employ the minimum number of media, that is, any of the media provided in common both in the terminal group <b>1</b> and in the terminal group <b>5</b>.

p-0089If it is determined that the policy value does not indicate the minimum capacity (“No” in operation S<b>307</b>), the communication control process returns to operation S<b>301</b> to repeat.

Third Embodiment

p-0090According to the above described embodiments, a real terminal device available at the transfer source and a real terminal device available at the transfer destination are separately registered. However, embodiments of the present invention are not limited to this arrangement, but the same real terminal device may be registered repeatedly as both the real terminal device available at the transfer source and the real terminal device available at the transfer destination. In a third embodiment of the present invention, an example will be described where a session of an existing call is shifted to a session of a transferred call within a real terminal device registered as both a real terminal device available at the transfer source and a real terminal device available at the transfer destination. <figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIG. 10</figref> is a schematic diagram illustrating a communication control method according to a third embodiment of the present invention. <figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIGS. 11A</figref>, <b>11</b>B, and <b>11</b>C are schematic diagrams illustrating examples of data used in a third embodiment of the present invention.

p-0091The call control server <b>7</b> controls communications performed in the existing call (C<b>01</b>) between the fixed telephone <b>11</b> and the mobile phone <b>31</b> (<b>51</b>) via the first terminal agent <b>2</b> and the second terminal agent <b>4</b>. Suppose that the media including audio and video is involved in the connection for the existing call (C<b>01</b>).

p-0092When the mobile phone <b>31</b> (<b>51</b>) has accepted the transfer request data M<b>1</b>, the call control server <b>7</b> receives the transfer request data M<b>1</b> via the second terminal agent <b>4</b>. Upon receiving the transfer request data M<b>1</b>, the call control server <b>7</b> controls communications performed in the transfer notification call (C<b>02</b>) between the mobile phone <b>31</b> (<b>51</b>) and the PC <b>52</b> via the second terminal agent <b>4</b> and the third terminal agent <b>6</b>. The call control server <b>7</b> compares the existing-call terminal &amp; media data <b>73</b><i>c </i>with the user terminal data <b>73</b><i>d</i>, and extracts data on a shared terminal device which is the same terminal device employed at the transfer source and available at the transfer destination (see <figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIGS. 11A and 11B</figref>).

p-0093For example, if the existing-call terminal &amp; media data <b>73</b><i>c </i>includes data “terminal ID: <b>31</b> (<b>51</b>)” on the terminal device involved in the existing call, and the user terminal data <b>73</b><i>d </i>includes data “terminal ID: <b>31</b> (<b>51</b>)” on the terminal device available at the transfer source and data “terminal ID: <b>31</b> (<b>51</b>)” on the terminal device available at the transfer destination, the call control server <b>7</b> extracts the data “terminal ID: <b>31</b> (<b>51</b>)” on the shared terminal device.

p-0094As for terminal devices other than the shared terminal device, the call control server <b>7</b> extracts the maximum number of media available in common both in the terminal group <b>1</b> and in the terminal group <b>5</b> on the basis of the media setup policy data <b>73</b><i>b </i>determined in advance and the existing-call terminal &amp; media data <b>73</b><i>c </i>(see <figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIG. 11A</figref>).

p-0095For example, if it is specified that “media should be employed in the maximum capacity” in the media setup policy data <b>73</b><i>b</i>, the call control server <b>7</b> determines that “video is to be employed in the terminal device with terminal ID: <b>52</b>” and generates the transferred-call terminal &amp; media data <b>73</b><i>a </i>in accordance with the determined data (see <figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIG. 11C</figref>). The call control server <b>7</b> transmits transfer notification data M<b>4</b> including “C<b>02</b>” as the transfer notification call ID to the mobile phone <b>31</b> (<b>51</b>) and the PC <b>52</b> via the third terminal agent <b>6</b>. The call control server <b>7</b> performs the audio transfer within the mobile phone <b>31</b> (<b>51</b>). On the other hand, the call control server <b>7</b> assigns video to the PC <b>52</b>, and controls communications performed in the transferred call (C<b>03</b>) between the fixed telephone <b>11</b> and the PC <b>52</b>.

p-0096As a result, even though the transfer process is performed, the session established between the fixed telephone <b>11</b> and the mobile phone <b>31</b> (<b>51</b>) may not be disconnected. At least, audio communications may not be suspended.

p-0097According to the third embodiment of the present invention, since the transferred call takes over the session established in the existing call, the communications may not be disconnected due to the transfer, which allows the user at the communication counterpart to perform stress-free and smooth communications.

p-0098Next, processing procedures for communication control performed by the call control server <b>7</b> according to the third embodiment will be described, <figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIG. 12</figref> is a flowchart illustrating processing procedures for communication control according to a third embodiment of the present invention. The controller <b>75</b> of the call control server <b>7</b> determines whether or not the transfer request data M<b>1</b> has been received an operation S<b>401</b>). If it is determined that the transfer request data M<b>1</b> has been received (“Yes” in operation S<b>401</b>), the controller <b>75</b> compares the existing-call terminal &amp; media data <b>73</b><i>c </i>stored in the terminal agent manager <b>73</b> with the user terminal data <b>73</b><i>d </i>stored in the terminal agent manager <b>73</b> and determines whether or not there is a shared terminal device which is the same terminal device employed at the transfer source and available at the transfer destination (in operation S<b>402</b>). If it is determined that there is the shared terminal device (“Yes” in operation S<b>402</b>), the call control server <b>7</b> extracts the terminal ID of the shared terminal device and the session ID from the existing-call terminal &amp; media data <b>73</b><i>c</i>, and generates the transferred-call terminal &amp; media data <b>73</b><i>a </i>in accordance with the extracted terminal ID and the session ID (in operation S<b>403</b>). The controller <b>75</b> generates the transferred-call terminal &amp; media data <b>73</b><i>a </i>for other terminal devices (in operation S<b>404</b>), and the communication control process finishes. The generation of the transferred-call terminal &amp; media data <b>73</b><i>a </i>for other terminal devices is performed on the basis of the media and terminal device determined in accordance with the above described first or second embodiment.

p-0099If it is determined that there is no shared terminal device which is the same terminal device employed at the transfer source and available at the transfer destination (“No” in operation S<b>402</b>), the call control server <b>7</b> generates the transferred-call terminal &amp; media data <b>73</b><i>a </i>for other terminal devices (in operation S<b>404</b>), and the communication control process finishes.

p-0100If it is determined that the transfer request data M<b>1</b> has not been received (“No” in operation S<b>401</b>), the call control server <b>7</b> determines whether or not the transferred-call terminal &amp; media notification data M<b>3</b> has been received (in operation S<b>405</b>). If it is determined that the transferred-call terminal &amp; media notification data M<b>3</b> has been received (“Yes” in operation S<b>405</b>), the controller <b>75</b> determines whether or not the transferred-call terminal &amp; media data <b>73</b><i>a </i>is stored in the terminal agent manager <b>73</b> (in operation S<b>406</b>). If it is determined that the transferred-call terminal &amp; media data <b>73</b><i>a </i>is stored in the terminal agent manager <b>73</b> (“Yes” in operation S<b>406</b>), the controller <b>75</b> determines the media and terminal device to be employed in the transferred call in accordance with the transferred-call terminal &amp; media data <b>73</b><i>a </i>stored in the terminal agent manager <b>73</b> (in operation S<b>407</b>).

p-0101The controller <b>75</b> determines whether or not a session ID relating to the determined media and terminal device exists (in operation S<b>408</b>). If it is determined that the session ID exists (“Yes” in operation S<b>408</b>), the controller <b>75</b> updates the existing-call terminal &amp; media data <b>73</b><i>c </i>stored in the terminal agent manager <b>73</b> on the basis of the existing session ID (in operation S<b>409</b>), and the communication control process finishes.

p-0102On the other hand, if it is determined that the transferred-call terminal &amp; media data <b>73</b><i>a </i>is not stored in the terminal agent manager <b>73</b> (“No” in operation S<b>406</b>), the controller <b>75</b> receives the initial setup data stored in advance in the terminal agent manager <b>73</b> (in operation S<b>410</b>), and determines the media and terminal device to be employed in the transferred call in accordance with the read initial setup data (in operation S<b>411</b>). The controller <b>75</b> generates a session ID relating to the determined media and terminal device an operation S<b>412</b>), and establishes a connection employing the determined media and terminal device (in operation S<b>413</b>). The controller <b>75</b> updates the transferred-call terminal &amp; media data <b>73</b><i>a </i>stored in the terminal agent manager <b>73</b> in accordance with the determined media and terminal device (in operation S<b>409</b>), and the communication control process finishes.

p-0103If it is determined that the session ID does not exist (“No” in operation S<b>408</b>), the controller <b>75</b> generates a session ID relating to the determined media and terminal device (in operation S<b>412</b>), and establishes a connection employing the determined media and terminal device (in operation S<b>413</b>). The controller <b>75</b> updates the transferred-call terminal &amp; media data <b>73</b><i>a </i>stored in the terminal agent manager <b>73</b> in accordance with the determined media and terminal device (in operation S<b>409</b>), and the communication control process finishes.

p-0104If it is determined that the transferred-call terminal &amp; media notification data M<b>3</b> has not been received (“No” in operation S<b>405</b>), the controller <b>75</b> performs the mediation process (in operation S<b>414</b>), and the communication control process finishes. Since the processing procedures for mediation are the same as those of the first embodiment, the description thereof is omitted.

p-0105The many features and advantages of the embodiments are apparent from the detailed specification and, thus, it is intended by the appended claims to cover all such features and advantages of the embodiments that fall within the true spirit and scope thereof. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the inventive embodiments to the exact construction and operation illustrated and described, and accordingly all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope thereof.