Communication system, home gateway, communication method, and program

Abstract

To provide a communication system that contributes to enabling direct IP telephone communication between HGWs via the Internet without continuous intervention of an IP telephone network or a SIP server.SOLUTION: A communication system includes a first home gateway and a second home gateway that are connected via an Internet network. The first home gateway acquires second global IP address information of the second home gateway. The second home gateway acquires first global IP address information of the first home gateway. The first home gateway and the second home gateway use the acquired first global IP address information and second global IP address information to establish a voice call via the Internet network.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a communication system, a home gateway, a communication method, and a program. [Background technology]

[0002] The following documents are available regarding home gateways that can switch calls:

[0003] Patent Document 1 relates to a home gateway that can switch from voice communication to video communication. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2006-140973 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] The following analysis is given by the inventor.

[0006] With the recent spread of the Internet, many homes are using devices called home gateways (hereinafter referred to as HGWs (Home Gateway Ways)) that connect public network networks to private networks such as those in individual homes for fixed-line communication services such as optical fiber.

[0007] The HGW performs the functions of a typical broadband router, such as connecting to an Internet Service Provider (hereinafter referred to as ISP), providing IP telephone functionality using the VoIP (Voice over IP) network provided by ISPs and other providers, assigning IP addresses to home computers, and acting as a wireless LAN (Local Area Network) access point (Wi-Fi access point).

[0008] Generally, to realize IP telephone functions, HGWs include circuits called FXS (Foreign Exchange Subscriber) that allow IP telephone service subscribers to connect analog telephones, a call control function called SIP (Session Initiation Protocol) that manages call recipients and incoming and outgoing IP telephone calls using the IP network, a function called B2BUA (Back-to-Back User Agent) that enables IP telephone communication between IP telephone terminals connected to the HGW and the IP network, and a function called RTP (Real-time Transport Protocol) that sends and receives packets that break down digitized voice.

[0009] Generally, in order for an HGW to use its IP telephone functions, the HGW user subscribes to an IP telephone service provided by an ISP or other provider and pays a monthly fee. The ISP or other provider then assigns the subscriber an 0AB-J number or 050 telephone number, activating the HGW's IP telephone functions.

[0010] Subscribers dial the telephone number of the person they want to call from an analog telephone or IP telephone connected to the HGW, and the HGW then uses SIP to control the call to SIP servers deployed on IP telephone networks provided by ISPs and other operators, connecting subscribers and enabling IP telephone communication.

[0011] Generally, when a subscriber uses IP telephone services via an IP telephone network or SIP server provided by an ISP or other provider, the ISP or other provider will bill the subscriber for IP telephone usage. For example, a call fee of 10 yen is charged for every 3 minutes of talk time. With the recent spread of the Internet, flat-rate Internet usage fees for home fixed-line connections have become the norm, but IP telephone usage fees are often charged based on actual IP telephone usage, which is one of the reasons why users are reluctant to use IP telephones. To solve this problem, we propose a communication method that enables IP telephone communication without incurring call fees.

[0012] The present invention aims to provide a communication system, a home gateway, a communication method, and a program that contribute to enabling direct IP telephone communication between HGWs via the Internet without continuous intervention of an IP telephone network (also known as a VoIP network) or a SIP server. [Means for solving the problem]

[0013] According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a system including a first home gateway and a second home gateway connected via an internet network, the first home gateway acquires second global IP address information of the second home gateway; the second home gateway acquires first global IP address information of the first home gateway; The first home gateway and the second home gateway can provide a communication system in which voice calls are established via the Internet network using the acquired first global IP address information and second global IP address information.

[0014] According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a first home gateway connected via an internet network, comprising: acquiring second global IP address information of a second home gateway connected via the Internet network; A first home gateway can be provided that uses the second global IP address information of the second home gateway and the first global IP address information of the first home gateway to establish a voice call with the second home gateway via the Internet network.

[0015] According to a third aspect of the present invention, in a communication system including a first home gateway and a second home gateway connected via an internet network, the first home gateway acquires second global IP address information of the second home gateway; the second home gateway acquires first global IP address information of the first home gateway; The first home gateway and the second home gateway can provide a communication method in which the first home gateway and the second home gateway use the acquired first global IP address information and the acquired second global IP address information to establish a voice call via the Internet network. This method is associated with a specific machine, namely a computer, that executes the method.

[0016] According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, a computer included in a first home gateway connected via an internet network includes: A process of acquiring second global IP address information of a second home gateway connected via the Internet network; A program can be provided that executes a process of establishing a voice call with the second home gateway via the Internet network using the second global IP address information of the second home gateway and the first global IP address information of the first home gateway.

[0017] These programs can be recorded on a computer-readable storage medium. The storage medium can be a non-transitory medium such as a semiconductor memory, a hard disk, a magnetic recording medium, or an optical recording medium. The present invention can also be embodied as a computer program product. [Effects of the Invention]

[0018] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a communication system, a home gateway, a communication method, and a program that contribute to enabling direct IP telephone communication between HGWs via the Internet without continuously going through an IP telephone network (also called a VoIP network) or a SIP server. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0019] [Figure 1] 1 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a configuration of a communication system according to the present disclosure. [Figure 2] 1 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a configuration of a communication system according to the present disclosure. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a configuration of a home gateway according to the present disclosure. [Figure 4] FIG. 1 is a sequence diagram showing an example of the operation of general IP telephone communication. [Figure 5] FIG. 2 is a sequence diagram showing an example of an operation of IP telephone communication according to the present disclosure. [Figure 6] 1 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a configuration of a communication system according to the present disclosure. [Figure 7] FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a configuration of a home gateway according to the present disclosure. [Figure 8] FIG. 1 illustrates an example of a contact list according to the present disclosure. [Figure 9] FIG. 2 is a sequence diagram showing an example of an operation of IP telephone communication according to the present disclosure. [Figure 10] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a computer that constitutes a home gateway according to the present disclosure. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0020] In this disclosure, the drawings may relate to one or more embodiments. In addition, each embodiment described below can be combined with other embodiments as appropriate, and the present invention is not limited to each embodiment.

[0021] First, an overview of one embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings. Note that the reference numerals in the drawings attached to this overview are attached to each element for convenience as an example to facilitate understanding, and are not intended to limit the present invention to the illustrated form. Furthermore, connection lines between blocks in the drawings and the like referred to in the following description include both bidirectional and unidirectional lines. Unidirectional arrows are used to schematically indicate the flow of the main signal (data) and do not exclude bidirectionality.

[0022] Fig. 1 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of a communication system according to the present disclosure. Referring to Fig. 1, the communication system 10 includes a first home gateway 100 (hereinafter referred to as the first HGW 100) and a second home gateway 150 (hereinafter referred to as the second HGW 150) connected via an Internet network 110. The first home gateway 100 is connected to the Internet network 110 via a Wide Area Network (WAN) 101, and the second home gateway 150 is connected to the Internet network 110 via the Wide Area Network (WAN) 151.

[0023] The first HGW 100 acquires the second global IP address information of the second HGW 150 , and the second HGW 150 acquires the first global IP address information of the first HGW 100 .

[0024] The first HGW 100 and the second HGW 150 establish a voice call via the Internet network 110 using the acquired first global IP address information and second global IP address information.

[0025] Therefore, according to one embodiment, it is possible to provide a communication system, a home gateway, a communication method, and a program that contribute to enabling direct IP telephone communication between HGWs via the Internet without continuously going through an IP telephone network (also called a VoIP network) or a SIP server.

[0026] [First embodiment] Next, the first embodiment will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

[0027] (1) Example of a communication system configuration and an example of a home gateway configuration (1-1) First, an example of the configuration of a communication system will be described. Fig. 2 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of a communication system 20 according to the present disclosure.

[0028] 2, a home gateway 200 (hereinafter referred to as HGW200) and a home gateway 250 (hereinafter referred to as HGW250) are connected to a Voice over IP (VoIP) network 105 provided by an ISP or other business operator, and an Internet network 106. Note that the HGW200 corresponds to the first HGW100 in FIG. 1, and the HGW250 corresponds to the second HGW150.

[0029] The VoIP network 105 is a network dedicated to IP telephone communications, and is equipped with a SIP server 104 that handles call control management for IP telephone communications. When the SIP server 104 receives an IP telephone call request from an IP telephone-compatible terminal such as the HGW 200, it transfers the call request to the other party of the IP telephone, for example, the HGW 250.

[0030] The SIP message notified from the SIP server 104 to the HGW 200 and the HGW 250 includes IP address information of the destination of the SIP message required to perform IP telephone calls using the VoIP network 105. This IP address may be the IP address of the SIP server 104 itself, or the IP address of the IP telephone communication partner may be notified after being subjected to NAPT (Network Address Port Translation) by a router or the like installed in the VoIP network 105. The IP address notified from the SIP server 104 may be limited to use within the VoIP network 105.

[0031] The Internet network 106 is a network that connects information devices such as computers all over the world, and the HGW 200 and the HGW 250 can access each other not only through the VoIP network 105 but also through the Internet network 106 .

[0032] The HGW 200 is assigned an IPv4 (Internet Protocol Version 4) or IPv6 (Internet Protocol Version 6) global address, and is capable of communicating with the VoIP network 105 and the Internet network 106 using this global IPv4 address and IPv6 address. The HGW 200 is assigned a unique telephone number by an IP telephone service provider such as an ISP, and is equipped with the function of performing IP telephone communication via the VoIP network 105 using SIP packets and RTP packets. The HGW 200 is connected to a telephone 102, which may be an analog telephone or an IP telephone terminal, and is capable of IP telephone communication with the desired party.

[0033] The HGW 250 is a call partner of the HGW 200, and may include the same functions as the HGW 200 and may have the same configuration.

[0034] (1-2) Next, an example of the configuration of a home gateway will be described. Fig. 3 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of a home gateway according to the present disclosure. Fig. 3 shows an example of the configuration of the HGW 200.

[0035] The HGW 200 includes an information processing unit 201, a LAN port 202, a WAN (Wide Area Network) port 203, a routing control unit 204, an FXS circuit unit 205, a B2BUA function unit 206, a SIP control unit 207, an RTP control unit 208, and an IP address notification unit 209.

[0036] The information processing unit 201 controls each function installed in the HGW 200. The LAN port 202 complies with IEEE802.3 and communicates with communication devices on a private network. The WAN port 203 complies with IEEE802.3 and communicates with communication devices on an external network such as the Internet.

[0037] The routing control unit 204 determines the transfer destination of communications received at the LAN port 202 or WAN port 203 and transfers the communications. The FXS circuit unit 205 is a circuit for connecting analog telephones to the HGW 200 and handles incoming and outgoing calls to analog telephones. The FXS circuit unit 205 also encodes analog audio into digital audio and decodes digital audio into analog audio to send and receive audio for IP telephone communications.

[0038] The B2BUA function unit 206 manages IP telephone terminals connected to the LAN port 202 of the HGW 200, and performs processing to transfer RTP and SIP communications sent and received to the IP telephone terminals to the VoIP network 105 or the Internet network 106 via the WAN port 203 of the HGW 200.

[0039] The SIP control unit 207 conforms to RFC (Request for Comments) 3261 and the like, and performs call control to manage the origination and termination of IP telephone calls between the HGW 200 and the other party using an IP network via the WAN port 203 of the HGW 200 .

[0040] The RTP control unit 208 complies with RFC3550 and the like, and performs processing for sending and receiving voice data for IP telephone calls between the HGW 200 and the other party using an IP network via the WAN port 203 of the HGW 200 .

[0041] The IP address notification unit 209 notifies the other party of the IP telephone call of the global IPv4 address or IPv6 address of the HGW 200 itself using TCP (Transmission Control Protocol) or UDP (User Datagram Protocol), and also performs processing to receive the global IPv4 address or IPv6 address of the other party of the IP telephone call that has been sent from the other party to the HGW 200 itself. In the following description, the HGW 250 will be described as having the same configuration as the example of the configuration of the HGW 200 shown in FIG. 3.

[0042] (2) Explanation of general IP telephone communication operations 4 is a sequence diagram showing an example of the operation of a general IP telephone communication. The operation of a general IP telephone communication will be described below with reference to FIGS.

[0043] (Step S201) To enable the IP telephone function, the HGW 200 registers information necessary for IP telephone communication, such as its own global IPv4 address or IPv6 address and telephone number, in the SIP server 104, thereby enabling the IP telephone function. This process is called SIP registry.

[0044] At this time, in the HGW 200, based on instructions from the information processing unit 201, the SIP control unit 207 generates information necessary for IP telephone communication and converts it into SIP packets, the routing control unit 204 determines a route to the SIP server 104, and the SIP packets are forwarded to the SIP server 104 via the WAN port 203.

[0045] (Step S202) The HGW 200 receives a call from the telephone 102, which is an analog telephone or IP telephone terminal connected to the HGW 200, dialing the telephone number of the HGW 250, which is the other party in the IP telephone communication.

[0046] At this time, if the telephone 102 connected to the HGW 200 is an analog telephone, when the FXS circuit unit 205 receives the telephone number of the IP telephone communication partner from the analog telephone 102 using a method such as dial pulse or DTMF (Dual Tone Multi-Frequency), it notifies the information processing unit 201 of the received telephone number information.

[0047] Alternatively, if the telephone 102 connected to the HGW 200 is an IP telephone terminal, when the user dials the telephone number of the IP telephone communication partner HGW 250, the telephone 102 notifies the B2BUA function unit 206 of the HGW 200 of an outgoing call message via the LAN port 202 using SIP.

[0048] (Step S203) In order to communicate with HGW250, the IP telephone communication partner, HGW200, sends a SIP outgoing message (INVITE) to SIP server 104 installed in VoIP network 105, which includes the telephone number of HGW250, the IP telephone communication partner, and the telephone number information of HGW200 itself.

[0049] At this time, in the HGW 200, based on instructions from the information processing unit 201, the SIP control unit 207 generates information necessary for IP telephone communication, such as the above-mentioned telephone number information, and converts it into SIP packets.The routing control unit 204 determines the route to the SIP server 104, and the SIP packet is forwarded to the SIP server 104 via the WAN port 203.

[0050] (Step S204) When SIP server 104 receives the SIP outgoing message from HGW 200, it references the telephone number information managed by the SIP server, identifies HGW 250, the other party of the IP telephone call, and forwards the SIP outgoing message from HGW 200 to the global IPv4 address or IPv6 address of HGW 250, the other party of the IP telephone call.

[0051] (Step S205) When the HGW 250 receives the SIP outgoing call message from the SIP server 104, it determines that an IP phone call has been received, and causes the telephone 103, which is an analog telephone or IP telephone terminal connected to the HGW 250, to ring.

[0052] At this time, the SIP packet sent from the SIP server 104 is notified to the SIP control unit 207 via the WAN port 203 of the HGW 250. In the HGW 250, when the SIP control unit 207 recognizes an incoming IP phone call, the information processing unit 201 controls the FXS circuit unit 205 to call the telephone set 103 connected to the HGW 250.

[0053] If the telephone 103 connected to the HGW 250 is an analog telephone, the FXS circuit unit 205 sends an electrical signal such as Ringer to the analog telephone in response to an instruction from the information processing unit 201 of the HGW 250 to make the analog telephone ring.

[0054] Alternatively, if the telephone 103 connected to the HGW 250 is an IP telephone terminal, the SIP outgoing message notified to the SIP control unit 207 is transferred via the B2BUA function unit 206 to the telephone 103, which is an IP telephone terminal.

[0055] (Step S206) The user of HGW 250 recognizes the incoming call from the ring tone and takes the receiver of telephone set 103 off-hook.

[0056] (Step S207) When the HGW 250 detects that the receiver of the telephone set 103 has gone off-hook, it sends a SIP response message (200OK) to the SIP server 104 in step S2071, and at the same time, in step S2072, it transmits the voice data to the HGW 200 via the VoIP network 105 using RTP.

[0057] At this time, if telephone 103 connected to HGW 250 is an analog telephone, FXS circuit unit 205 in HGW 250 detects that the analog telephone has gone off-hook and notifies information processing unit 201 that the user of HGW 250 has answered the incoming call. Information processing unit 201 of HGW 250 then instructs SIP control unit 207 to send a SIP response message (200OK) to SIP server 104, and routing control unit 204 determines a route to SIP server 104. SIP control unit 207 then forwards the SIP packet to SIP server 104 via WAN port 203. At the same time, FXS circuit unit 205 of HGW 250 encodes electrical voice signals transmitted and received from the connected analog telephone into digital data, and forwards the fragmented voice packets (RTP) at predetermined intervals from WAN port 203 to VoIP network 105 via RTP control unit 208.

[0058] If the telephone 103 connected to the HGW 250 is an IP telephone terminal, the HGW 250 transfers the SIP response message and RTP packet notified to the SIP control unit 207 from the WAN port 203 to the VoIP network 105 via the B2BUA function unit 206.

[0059] (Step S208) In step S2081, the HGW 200 receives a SIP response message (200OK) from the SIP server 104, and at the same time, in step S2082, transmits voice data to the HGW 250 using RTP via the VoIP network 105. This establishes IP telephone communication between the HGW 200 and the HGW 250.

[0060] At this time, if telephone 102 connected to HGW 200 is an analog telephone, a SIP response message (200OK) from SIP server 104 and an RTP packet from HGW 250 are notified to SIP control unit 207 and RTP control unit 208 via VoIP network 105 and WAN port 203 of HGW 200. RTP control unit 208 of HGW 200 transfers the received RTP packet to FXS circuit unit 205 via information processing unit 201. Upon receiving the RTP signal, FXS circuit unit 205 of HGW 200 decodes the digital voice data into analog voice data and transmits and receives analog voice to and from the analog telephone connected to FXS circuit unit 205.

[0061] If the telephone 102 connected to the HGW 200 is an IP telephone terminal, a SIP response message (200OK) is sent from the SIP server 104 and an RTP packet is sent from the HGW 250 via the VoIP network 105 and the WAN port 203 of the HGW 200 to the B2BUA function unit 206. The B2BUA function unit 206 of the HGW 200 transfers the received SIP message and RTP packet to the telephone 102, which is an IP telephone terminal connected to the LAN port 202 of the HGW 200.

[0062] (Step S209) Through the above series of operations, IP telephone communication is established between HGW 200 and HGW 250. Then, by continuing the IP telephone communication via VoIP network 105, a predetermined call fee is charged to the user of HGW 200 for each call duration.

[0063] (3) Description of the operation of IP telephone communication in the first embodiment 5 is a sequence diagram showing an example of the operation of IP telephone communication according to the present disclosure. The operation of IP telephone communication according to the first embodiment will be described below with reference to FIGS.

[0064] (Step S301) To enable the IP telephone function, the HGW 200 registers information necessary for IP telephone communication, such as its own global IPv4 address or IPv6 address and telephone number, in the SIP server 104, thereby enabling the IP telephone function. This process is called SIP registry.

[0065] At this time, in the HGW 200, based on instructions from the information processing unit 201, the SIP control unit 207 generates the information necessary for IP telephone communication and converts it into SIP packets, the routing control unit 204 determines the route to the SIP server 104, and the SIP packets are forwarded to the SIP server 104 via the WAN port 203.

[0066] (Step S302) The HGW 200 receives a call from the telephone 102, which is an analog telephone or IP telephone terminal connected to the HGW 200, for the telephone number of the HGW 250, which is the other party in the IP telephone communication.

[0067] At this time, if the telephone 102 connected to the HGW 200 is an analog telephone, when the FXS circuit unit 205 of the HGW 200 receives the telephone number of the IP telephone communication partner from the analog telephone using a method such as dial pulse or DTMF, it notifies the information processing unit 201 of the received telephone number information.

[0068] Alternatively, if the telephone 102 connected to the HGW 200 is an IP telephone terminal, when the user dials the telephone number of the IP telephone communication partner HGW 250, the telephone 102 notifies the B2BUA function unit 206 of the HGW 200 of an outgoing call message using SIP via the LAN port 202 of the HGW 200.

[0069] (Step S303) In this first embodiment, in order to exchange its own global IPv4 or IPv6 address with HGW 250, which is the IP telephone communication partner, HGW 200 generates a TCP or UDP message to which its own global IPv4 or IPv6 address information is added by IP address notification unit 209 of HGW 200.

[0070] (Step S304) In order to send the TCP or UDP message to which the global IPv4 address or IPv6 address information of HGW 200 itself, generated as described above, is added to HGW 250, the other party in the IP telephone communication, SIP control unit 207 of HGW 200 sends a message in which the media type of the SIP message is specified as "application" in the SDP (Session Description Protocol) field of the SIP message to notify SIP server 104 of the telephone number information of HGW 250, the other party in the IP telephone communication, and the TCP or UDP message. According to RFC4566, specifying the media type of the SIP message as "application" enables mutual communication between SIP terminals using TCP / UDP instead of RTP packets.

[0071] (Step S305) The HGW 200 notifies the HGW 250 via the SIP server 104 of the TCP or UDP message to which its own global IPv4 address or IPv6 address information has been added.

[0072] (Step S306) HGW 250 receives the TCP or UDP message to which HGW 200's own global IPv4 address or IPv6 address information has been added via SIP server 104, and at the same time, HGW 250 notifies HGW 200 via SIP server 104 of the TCP or UDP message to which its own global IPv4 address or IPv6 address information has been added, which was generated by IP address notification unit 209 of HGW 250.

[0073] (Step S307) When HGW200 recognizes the global IPv4 address or IPv6 address of HGW250, the IP telephone communication partner, it sends a SIP outgoing message (INVITE) including HGW200's own telephone number information, directly to the global IPv4 address or IPv6 address of HGW250, the IP telephone communication partner, via Internet network 106, without going through VoIP network 105.

[0074] At this time, in HGW200, based on instructions from information processing unit 201, SIP control unit 207 generates information necessary for IP telephone communication, such as the above-mentioned telephone number information, and converts it into SIP packets. Routing control unit 204 determines a route to the global IPv4 address or IPv6 address of HGW250, the IP telephone communication partner, and the SIP packet is forwarded via WAN port 203 of HGW200 to the global IPv4 address or IPv6 address of HGW250, the IP telephone communication partner.

[0075] (Step S308) When HGW250 receives the SIP outgoing message from HGW200 via Internet network 106, it determines that it has received an incoming IP phone call and causes telephone 103, which is an analog telephone or IP telephone terminal connected to HGW250, to ring.

[0076] At this time, the SIP packet sent from the HGW 200 is notified to the SIP control unit 207 via the WAN port 203 of the HGW 250. When the SIP control unit 207 of the HGW 250 recognizes the incoming IP phone call, it places a call to the telephone 103 connected to the HGW 250 via the information processing unit 201.

[0077] If the telephone 103 connected to the HGW 250 is an analog telephone, the FXS circuit unit 205 sends an electrical signal such as Ringer to the analog telephone in response to an instruction from the information processing unit 201 of the HGW 250 to make the analog telephone ring.

[0078] Alternatively, if the telephone 103 connected to the HGW 250 is an IP telephone terminal, the SIP outgoing message notified to the SIP control unit 207 of the HGW 250 is transferred to the telephone 103, which is an IP telephone terminal, via the B2BUA function unit 206.

[0079] (Step S309) The user of HGW 250 recognizes the incoming call from the ring tone and takes the receiver of telephone set 103 off-hook.

[0080] (Step S310) When the HGW 250 detects that the receiver of the telephone set 103 has gone off-hook, in step S3101, the HGW 250 sends a SIP response message (200OK) to the global IPv4 address or IPv6 address of the HGW 200 via the Internet 106. At the same time, in step S3102, the HGW 250 transmits voice data using RTP to the global IPv4 address or IPv6 address of the HGW 200 via the Internet 106.

[0081] At this time, if telephone 103 connected to HGW 250 is an analog telephone, FXS circuit unit 205 of HGW 250 detects that the analog telephone has gone off-hook and notifies information processing unit 201 that the user of HGW 250 has answered the incoming call. Information processing unit 201 of HGW 250 then instructs SIP control unit 207 to send a SIP response message (200OK) to the global IPv4 address or IPv6 address of HGW 200, and routing control unit 204 of HGW 250 determines a route to the global IPv4 address or IPv6 address of HGW 200. SIP control unit 207 of HGW 250 then transfers the SIP packet to the global IPv4 address or IPv6 address of HGW 200 via WAN port 203. At the same time, the FXS circuit unit 205 of the HGW 250 encodes the electrical voice signals sent and received from the connected analog telephone 103 into digital data, and transfers the fragmented voice packets (RTP) at predetermined intervals via the RTP control unit 208 from the WAN port 203 of the HGW 250 via the Internet network 106 to the global IPv4 address or IPv6 address of the HGW 200.

[0082] If the telephone 103 connected to the HGW 250 is an IP telephone terminal, the SIP response message and RTP packet notified to the SIP control unit 207 of the HGW 250 are forwarded via the B2BUA function unit 206 from the WAN port 203 through the Internet network 106 to the global IPv4 address or IPv6 address of the HGW 200.

[0083] (Step S311) When the HGW 200 receives a SIP response message (200OK) from the global IPv4 address or IPv6 address of the HGW 250 via the Internet 106, the HGW 200 simultaneously transmits voice data to the global IPv4 address or IPv6 address of the HGW 250 using RTP via the Internet 106. This establishes IP telephone communication between the HGW 200 and the HGW 250.

[0084] At this time, if telephone 102 connected to HGW 200 is an analog telephone, the SIP response message (200OK) and RTP packet received in step S310 from the global IPv4 address or IPv6 address of HGW 250 addressed to the global IPv4 address or IPv6 address of HGW 200 via Internet 106 are notified to SIP control unit 207 and RTP control unit 208 via WAN port 203 of HGW 200. RTP control unit 208 of HGW 200 transfers the received RTP packet to FXS circuit unit 205 via information processing unit 201. Upon receiving the RTP signal, FXS circuit unit 205 of HGW 200 decodes the digital voice data into analog voice data and transmits and receives analog voice to and from the analog telephone connected to FXS circuit unit 205.

[0085] If telephone 102 connected to HGW 200 is an IP telephone terminal, the SIP response message (200OK) and RTP packets received in step S310 from the global IPv4 address or IPv6 address of HGW 250 addressed to the global IPv4 address or IPv6 address of HGW 200 are transmitted via Internet network 106 to B2BUA function unit 206 via WAN port 203 of HGW 200. B2BUA function unit 206 of HGW 200 transfers the received SIP message and RTP packets to telephone 102, which is an IP telephone terminal connected to LAN port 202 of HGW 200.

[0086] (Step S312) Through the above series of operations, IP telephone communication is established between HGW 200 and HGW 250, bypassing VoIP network 105 and instead passing through Internet network 106. Since IP telephone communication is achieved without passing through VoIP network 105, the user of HGW 200 is not charged a call fee for each call duration.

[0087] As described above, according to the first embodiment, it is possible to provide a communication system, a home gateway, a communication method, and a program that contribute to enabling direct IP telephone communication between HGWs via the Internet without continuously going through an IP telephone network (also called a VoIP network) or a SIP server.

[0088] [Second embodiment] Next, the second embodiment will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. Fig. 6 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of a communication system 30 according to the present disclosure. Fig. 7 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of a home gateway according to the present disclosure. Fig. 8 is a diagram showing an example of a contact list according to the present disclosure. Fig. 9 is a sequence diagram showing an example of the operation of IP telephone communication according to the present disclosure.

[0089] (1) Example of a communication system configuration and an example of a home gateway configuration (1-1) Example of a communication system configuration The difference between the first and second embodiments is that in the second embodiment, a home gateway 400 (hereinafter referred to as HGW 400) and a home gateway 450 (hereinafter referred to as HGW 450) are not yet subscribed to an IP telephone service provided by an ISP or other service provider, and the HGWs 400 and 450 are not connected to a VoIP network. Referring to FIG. 6 , the HGWs 400 and 450 are connected only to an Internet network 301, each assigned a unique global IPv4 address or IPv6 address, and are capable of accessing each other via the Internet network 301. The HGW 400 has a function for performing IP telephone communication using SIP or RTP. A telephone 302 is connected to the HGW 400. The telephone 302 is an analog telephone or an IP telephone terminal, and is capable of IP telephone communication with a desired party. The HGW 400 corresponds to the first HGW 100, and the HGW 450 corresponds to the second HGW 150.

[0090] The HGW 450 is a call partner of the HGW 400, and may have the same functions and configuration as the HGW 400 of the present invention.

[0091] In the following description, the HGW 450 will be described as having the same configuration as the example of the configuration of the HGW 400 shown in FIG.

[0092] (1-2) Example of home gateway configuration 7, the HGW 400, like the HGW 200 shown in Fig. 3, includes an information processing unit 401, a LAN port 402, a WAN port 403, a routing control unit 404, an FXS circuit unit 405, a B2BUA function unit 406, a SIP control unit 407, an RTP control unit 408, and further includes a WEB-GUI function unit 409 and a contact list 410. The information processing unit 401 controls each function installed in the HGW 400.

[0093] The LAN port 402 complies with IEEE802.3 and communicates with communication devices on a private network.

[0094] The WAN port 403 complies with IEEE802.3 and communicates with communication devices on an external network such as the Internet.

[0095] The routing control unit 404 determines the destination of a communication received at the LAN port 402 or the WAN port 403 and transfers the communication.

[0096] The FXS circuit unit 405 is a circuit for connecting an analog telephone to the HGW 400, and handles incoming and outgoing calls to and from the analog telephone. It also encodes analog audio into digital audio and decodes digital audio into analog audio to transmit and receive audio for IP telephone communication.

[0097] The B2BUA function unit 406 manages IP telephone terminals connected to the LAN port 402 of the HGW 400 , and transfers RTP and SIP communications sent and received by the IP telephone terminals to the Internet network 301 via the WAN port 403 of the HGW 400 .

[0098] The SIP control unit 407 conforms to RFC3261 and the like, and performs call control to manage the origination and termination of IP telephone calls between the HGW 400 and the other party using the IP network via the WAN port 403 of the HGW 400 .

[0099] The RTP control unit 408 conforms to RFC3550 and the like, and performs processing for transmitting and receiving voice data between the HGW 400 and the other party in a call using an IP network via the WAN port 403 of the HGW 400 and an IP telephone call.

[0100] The WEB-GUI function unit 409 provides a user interface for the user of the HGW 400 to configure the HGW 400 using a web browser on a PC or the like.

[0101] Referring to FIG. 8, the contact list 410 is a list in which the names of users, such as the HGW 450, who are IP telephone communication partners, the IP addresses of the IP telephone communication partners, i.e., global IPv4 addresses or IPv6 addresses, and assigned numbers are linked together. It is assumed that the user of the HGW 400 uses the WEB-GUI function unit 409 to manually input the names of parties with whom the user wishes to communicate via IP telephone, the global IPv4 addresses or IPv6 addresses, and the assigned numbers into the contact list 410. In this embodiment, it is assumed that the contact list 410 is registered in the HGW 400, and that "Mr. A" in the contact list 410 indicates the HGW 450, who is the IP telephone communication partner. Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 8, it is assumed that "Mr. A" is linked to the IP address "2001.db8::1" of the IP telephone communication partner and the assigned number "001."

[0102] In the following description, the HGW 450 will be described as having the same configuration as the example of the configuration of the HGW 400 shown in Fig. 7. Like the HGW 400, the HGW 450 includes a contact list 410 in which a user of the HGW 450 has registered.

[0103] (2) Description of the operation of IP telephone communication in the second embodiment 9 is a sequence diagram showing an example of the operation of IP telephone communication according to the present disclosure. The operation of IP telephone communication according to the second embodiment will be described below with reference to FIGS.

[0104] (Step S401) A user of the HGW 400 accesses a setting screen of the HGW 400 via the WEB-GUI function unit 409 from a web browser of a PC (personal computer) or the like.

[0105] (Step S402) The user of the HGW 400 registers in advance in the contact list 410 the names, global IPv4 addresses or IPv6 addresses, and assigned numbers of parties with whom the user wishes to perform IP telephone communication.

[0106] (Step S403) The user of the HGW 400 dials the assigned number "001" of the HGW 450, which is the IP telephone communication partner registered in the contact list 410, from the telephone 302, which is an analog telephone or IP telephone terminal connected to the HGW 400.

[0107] At this time, if the telephone 302 connected to the HGW 400 is an analog telephone, when the FXS circuit unit 405 of the HGW 400 receives the assigned number of the IP telephone communication partner from the analog telephone 302 using a method such as dial pulse or DTMF, it notifies the information processing unit 401 of the received assigned number information.

[0108] Alternatively, if the telephone 302 connected to the HGW 400 is an IP telephone terminal, when the user of the HGW 400 dials the assigned number "001" of the IP telephone communication partner HGW 450, the telephone 302 of the IP telephone terminal notifies the information processing unit 401 of the HGW 400 of an outgoing call message using SIP via the LAN port 402 of the HGW 400.

[0109] (Step S404) When the information processing unit 401 of the HGW 400 detects the dialing of the assigned number "001," it refers to the contact list 410 and obtains the global IPv4 address or IPv6 address of the HGW 450, which is the IP telephone communication partner linked to the dialed assigned number "001."

[0110] (Step S405) When HGW 400 recognizes the global IPv4 address or IPv6 address of HGW 450, the IP telephone communication partner, it sends a SIP outgoing message (INVITE) including information such as the IP address of HGW 400 itself directly to the global IPv4 address or IPv6 address of HGW 450, the IP telephone communication partner, via Internet network 301.

[0111] At this time, in HGW 400, based on instructions from information processing unit 401, SIP control unit 407 generates information necessary for IP telephone communication, such as the above-mentioned IP address information, and converts it into SIP packets. Routing control unit 404 determines a route to the global IPv4 address or IPv6 address of HGW 450, the IP telephone communication partner, and the SIP packet is forwarded via WAN port 403 of HGW 400 to the global IPv4 address or IPv6 address of HGW 450, the IP telephone communication partner.

[0112] (Step S406) When the HGW 450 receives the SIP outgoing message from the HGW 400 via the Internet network 301, it determines that an IP phone call has been received and causes the telephone 303, which is an analog telephone or IP telephone terminal connected to the HGW 450, to ring.

[0113] At this time, the SIP packet sent from the HGW 400 is notified to the SIP control unit 407 via the WAN port 403 of the HGW 450. When the SIP control unit 407 of the HGW 450 recognizes the incoming IP phone call, it calls the telephone set 303 connected to the HGW 450 via the information processing unit 401.

[0114] At this time, the HGW 450 can also refer to its own contact list 410, and if the global IPv4 address or IPv6 address of the sender of the SIP outgoing message does not exist, determine that the call is from an unknown person and reject the call.

[0115] If the telephone 303 connected to the HGW 450 is an analog telephone, an electrical signal such as Ringer is sent from the FXS circuit unit 405 to the analog telephone 303 in response to instructions from the information processing unit 401 of the HGW 450 in order to make the analog telephone 303 ring.

[0116] Alternatively, if the telephone 303 connected to the HGW 450 is an IP telephone terminal, the SIP outgoing message notified to the SIP control unit 407 of the HGW 450 is transferred to the telephone 303, which is an IP telephone terminal, via the B2BUA function unit 406.

[0117] (Step S407) The user of HGW 450 recognizes the incoming call from the ring tone and takes the receiver of telephone set 303 off-hook.

[0118] (Step S408) When the HGW 450 detects that the receiver of the telephone set 303 has gone off-hook, in step S4081, the HGW 450 sends a SIP response message (200OK) to the global IPv4 address or IPv6 address of the HGW 400 via the Internet network 301, and at the same time, in step S4082, it sends voice data using RTP to the global IPv4 address or IPv6 address of the HGW 400 via the Internet network 301.

[0119] At this time, if telephone 303 connected to HGW 450 is an analog telephone, FXS circuit unit 405 of HGW 450 detects that analog telephone 303 has gone off-hook and notifies information processing unit 401 that the user of HGW 450 has answered the incoming call. After that, information processing unit 401 of HGW 450 instructs SIP control unit 407 to send a SIP response message (200 OK) to the global IPv4 address or IPv6 address of HGW 400, and routing control unit 404 of HGW 450 determines a route to the global IPv4 address or IPv6 address of HGW 400, and SIP control unit 407 transfers the SIP packet to the global IPv4 address or IPv6 address of HGW 400 via WAN port 403 of HGW 450. At the same time, the FXS circuit unit 405 of the HGW 450 encodes the electrical voice signals sent and received from the connected analog telephone into digital data, and transfers the fragmented voice packets (RTP) at predetermined intervals via the RTP control unit 408 of the HGW 450 from the WAN port 403 of the HGW 450 via the Internet network 301 to the global IPv4 address or IPv6 address of the HGW 400.

[0120] If the telephone 303 connected to the HGW 450 is an IP telephone terminal, the SIP response message and RTP packet notified to the SIP control unit 407 of the HGW 450 are forwarded via the B2BUA function unit 406 from the WAN port 403 of the HGW 450 through the Internet network 301 to the global IPv4 address or IPv6 address of the HGW 400.

[0121] (Step S409) The HGW 400 receives the SIP response message (200OK) from the global IPv4 address or IPv6 address of the HGW 450 via the Internet 301, and simultaneously transmits the voice data to the global IPv4 address or IPv6 address of the HGW 450 using RTP via the Internet 301. This establishes IP telephone communication between the HGW 400 and the HGW 450.

[0122] At this time, if telephone 302 connected to HGW 400 is an analog telephone, the SIP response message (200OK) and RTP packet received from the global IPv4 address or IPv6 address of HGW 450 addressed to the global IPv4 address or IPv6 address of HGW 400 via Internet network 301 are notified to SIP control unit 407 and RTP control unit 408 via WAN port 403 of HGW 400. RTP control unit 408 of HGW 400 transfers the received RTP packet to FXS circuit unit 405 via information processing unit 401. Upon receiving the RTP signal, FXS circuit unit 405 of HGW 400 decodes the digital voice data into analog voice data and transmits and receives analog voice to telephone 302, which is an analog telephone connected to FXS circuit unit 405.

[0123] When telephone 302 connected to HGW 400 is an IP telephone terminal, a SIP response message (200OK) and an RTP packet received from the global IPv4 address or IPv6 address of HGW 450 addressed to the global IPv4 address or IPv6 address of HGW 400 via Internet network 301 are sent to B2BUA function unit 406 via WAN port 403 of HGW 400. B2BUA function unit 406 of HGW 400 transfers the received SIP message and RTP packet to telephone 302, an IP telephone terminal connected to LAN port 402 of HGW 400.

[0124] (Step S410) Through the above series of operations, a user who does not have a contract for IP telephone service can establish IP telephone communication between HGW 400 and HGW 450, bypassing the VoIP network and instead via Internet network 301. Since IP telephone communication is achieved via Internet network 301 and not via the VoIP network, the user of HGW 400 is not charged a call fee for each call duration.

[0125] As described above, according to the second embodiment, it is possible to provide a communication system, a home gateway, a communication method, and a program that contribute to enabling direct IP telephone communication between HGWs via the Internet without continuously going through an IP telephone network (also called a VoIP network) or a SIP server.

[0126] Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and further modifications, substitutions, and adjustments can be made without departing from the basic technical concept of the present invention. For example, the network configurations, element configurations, and message expression formats shown in the drawings are examples to aid in understanding the present invention, and the present invention is not limited to the configurations shown in these drawings. Furthermore, "A and / or B" is used to mean at least either A or B.

[0127] Furthermore, the procedures shown in the first and second embodiments can be realized by a program that causes a computer (9000 in FIG. 10) that functions as a home gateway according to the present invention to realize the functions of the home gateway. Such a computer is exemplified by a configuration including a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 9010, a communication interface 9020, a memory 9030, and an auxiliary storage device 9040 in FIG. 10. That is, the CPU 9010 in FIG. 10 executes a control program for the home gateway, and performs an update process for each calculation parameter stored in the auxiliary storage device 9040, etc.

[0128] The memory 9030 is a RAM (Random Access Memory), a ROM (Read Only Memory), or the like.

[0129] That is, each part (processing means, function) of the home gateway shown in the first and second embodiments can be realized by a computer program that causes the processor of the computer to execute each of the above-mentioned processes using its hardware.

[0130] Finally, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be summarized. [First form] The communication system may include a first home gateway and a second home gateway connected via an Internet network. In the communication system, the first home gateway may obtain second global IP address information of the second home gateway. In the communication system, the second home gateway may obtain first global IP address information of the first home gateway. In the communication system, the first home gateway and the second home gateway may establish a voice call via the Internet network using the acquired first global IP address information and second global IP address information. [Second form] In the communication system described in the first aspect, it is preferable that the first home gateway and the second home gateway are further connected via a VoIP (Voice over IP) network including a SIP (Session Initiation Protocol) server, and that the first home gateway acquires the second global IP address information from the SIP server, and the second home gateway acquires the first global IP address information. [Third Form] In the communication system described in the first aspect, it is preferable that the first home gateway and the second home gateway each hold a contact list in which the first global IP address information and the second global IP address information are registered, and the first home gateway acquires the second global IP address information and the second home gateway acquires the first global IP address information from each of the contact lists. [Fourth Form] The first home gateway may be connected via an internet network. The first home gateway may acquire second global IP address information of a second home gateway connected via the Internet network. The first home gateway may establish a voice call with the second home gateway via the Internet network using the second global IP address information of the second home gateway and the first global IP address information of the first home gateway. [Fifth Form] In the first home gateway described in the fourth aspect, it is preferable that the first home gateway and the second home gateway are further connected via a VoIP (Voice over IP) network including a SIP (Session Initiation Protocol) server, and that the second global IP address information is obtained from the SIP server. [Sixth Form] It is preferable that the first home gateway described in the fourth aspect holds a contact list in which the first global IP address information and the second global IP address information are registered, and obtains the second global IP address information from the contact list. [7th form] The communication method may be such that, in a communication system including a first home gateway and a second home gateway connected via an Internet network, the first home gateway acquires second global IP address information of the second home gateway. The communication method may be such that, in a communication system including a first home gateway and a second home gateway connected via an Internet network, the second home gateway acquires first global IP address information of the first home gateway. The communication method may be such that, in a communication system including a first home gateway and a second home gateway connected via an Internet network, the first home gateway and the second home gateway establish a voice call via the Internet network using the acquired first global IP address information and the acquired second global IP address information. [8th form] In the communication method described in the seventh aspect, it is preferable that the first home gateway and the second home gateway are further connected via a VoIP (Voice over IP) network including a SIP (Session Initiation Protocol) server, and the first home gateway acquires the second global IP address information from the SIP server, and the second home gateway acquires the first global IP address information. [9th Form] In the communication method described in the seventh aspect, it is preferable that the first home gateway and the second home gateway each hold a contact list in which the first global IP address information and the second global IP address information are registered, and that the first home gateway acquires the second global IP address information and the second home gateway acquires the first global IP address information from each of the contact lists. [10th Form] The program may cause a computer included in a first home gateway connected via an Internet network to execute a process of acquiring second global IP address information of a second home gateway connected via the Internet network. The program may cause a computer included in a first home gateway connected via an Internet network to execute a process of opening a voice call with the second home gateway via the Internet network using the second global IP address information of the second home gateway and the first global IP address information of the first home gateway. The tenth embodiment can be expanded into the second and third embodiments in the same manner as the first embodiment.

[0131] The disclosures of the above-cited patent documents are incorporated herein by reference. Modifications and adjustments of the embodiments and examples are possible within the scope of the entire disclosure of the present invention (including the claims), and further based on the basic technical concept thereof. Furthermore, various combinations and selections of the various disclosed elements (including each element of each claim, each element of each embodiment or example, each element of each drawing, etc.) are possible within the scope of the disclosure of the present invention. In other words, the present invention naturally embraces various modifications and alterations that would be possible by a person skilled in the art in accordance with the entire disclosure and technical concept, including the claims. In particular, with regard to the numerical ranges set forth herein, any numerical value or subrange within that range should be construed as specifically set forth, even if not otherwise specified. Furthermore, the disclosures of the above-cited documents, when used in part or in whole in combination with the disclosures herein as part of the disclosure of the present invention, in accordance with the spirit of the present invention, are also deemed to be included in the disclosures of this application. [Explanation of symbols]

[0132] 10, 20, 30 Communication Systems 100 First Home Gateway 101, 151 WAN 102, 103, 302, 303 telephone 104 SIP Server 105 VoIP network 106, 110, 301 Internet network 150 Second Home Gateway 200, 250, 400, 450 Home Gateway 201, 401 Information Processing Department 202, 402 LAN ports 203, 403 WAN ports 204, 404 Routing control section 205, 405 FXS circuit section 206, 406 B2BUA Functionality Unit 207, 407 SIP control section 208, 408 RTP control section 209 IP Address Notification Unit 409 WEB-GUI function section 410 Contact List 900, 901, 950, 951 WAN 9000 computers 9010 CPU 9020 Communication Interface 9030 Memory 9040 Auxiliary storage device

Claims

1. a first home gateway and a second home gateway connected via an internet network; the first home gateway acquires second global IP address information of the second home gateway; the second home gateway acquires first global IP address information of the first home gateway; The first home gateway and the second home gateway use the acquired first global IP address information and second global IP address information to establish a voice call via the Internet network.

2. 2. The communication system according to claim 1, wherein the first home gateway and the second home gateway are further connected via a Voice over IP (VoIP) network including a Session Initiation Protocol (SIP) server, and the first home gateway acquires the second global IP address information from the SIP server, and the second home gateway acquires the first global IP address information from the SIP server.

3. 2. The communication system according to claim 1, wherein the first home gateway and the second home gateway each hold a contact list in which the first global IP address information and the second global IP address information are registered, and the first home gateway acquires the second global IP address information and the second home gateway acquires the first global IP address information from the respective contact lists.

4. a first home gateway connected via an internet network, acquiring second global IP address information of a second home gateway connected via the Internet network; A first home gateway that establishes a voice call with the second home gateway via the Internet network using the second global IP address information of the second home gateway and the first global IP address information of the first home gateway.

5. 5. The first home gateway according to claim 4, wherein the first home gateway and the second home gateway are further connected via a VoIP (Voice over IP) network including a SIP (Session Initiation Protocol) server, and acquire the second global IP address information from the SIP server.

6. 5. The first home gateway according to claim 4, wherein the first home gateway holds a contact list in which the first global IP address information and the second global IP address information are registered, and acquires the second global IP address information from the contact list.

7. In a communication system including a first home gateway and a second home gateway connected via an internet network, the first home gateway acquires second global IP address information of the second home gateway; the second home gateway acquires first global IP address information of the first home gateway; The first home gateway and the second home gateway use the acquired first global IP address information and the acquired second global IP address information to establish a voice call via the Internet network.

8. 8. The communication method according to claim 7, wherein the first home gateway and the second home gateway are further connected via a Voice over IP (VoIP) network including a Session Initiation Protocol (SIP) server, and the first home gateway acquires the second global IP address information from the SIP server, and the second home gateway acquires the first global IP address information from the SIP server.

9. 8. The communication method according to claim 7, wherein the first home gateway and the second home gateway each hold a contact list in which the first global IP address information and the second global IP address information are registered, and the first home gateway acquires the second global IP address information and the second home gateway acquires the first global IP address information from the respective contact lists.

10. A computer included in a first home gateway connected via an internet network, a process of acquiring second global IP address information of a second home gateway connected via the Internet network; A program that executes a process of establishing a voice call via the second home gateway and the Internet network using the second global IP address information of the second home gateway and the first global IP address information of the first home gateway.

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