Determination method, determination device, computer program

Abstract

To enable determination whether a telephone number to be investigated is a valid telephone number with a subscription contract.SOLUTION: A determination device transmits transmission information to which response information including an error message is responded from a first IP network, and determines, based on the response information, whether a telephone number to be investigated is a telephone number valid in the first IP network, or a telephone number managed by another network. The determination device transmits the transmission information to which response information including the message of a device error other than a voice communication control device of the first IP network is responded, and determines based on the response information, whether the telephone number to be investigated is a telephone number valid in a PSTN network.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a determination method, a determination device, and a computer program. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, techniques have been used to determine the validity of a telephone line to which a telephone number is assigned. For example, in the technique disclosed in Patent Document 1, an INVITE message is first sent to a SIP server of a telecommunications carrier. At this time, an irregular attribute name is written in the codec specification field in the SDP description of the INVITE message. Then, based on the response message sent from the SIP server, it is determined whether the IP telephone number being investigated is a valid telephone number with a subscription contract. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Patent No. 4633192 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, as the network configuration of communication line carriers changes, there are cases where the conventional methods are no longer able to make accurate determinations. The present invention has been made in consideration of the above-mentioned circumstances, and provides a technology that makes it possible to determine whether a telephone number to be investigated is a valid telephone number with a subscription contract, using a method different from the conventional method. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] One aspect of the present invention is a determination method comprising: a first transmission step of transmitting to a first IP network transmission information indicating that a call will be made to a telephone number to be investigated, the transmission information being responded to with response information including an error message from a voice communication control device of a first IP network that uses an optical line as an access line; a first determination step of determining, based on the response information received from the first IP network, whether the telephone number is a telephone number that has been made valid by subscribing to the first IP network, or a telephone number under the management of another network; a second transmission step of transmitting to the first IP network transmission information indicating that a call will be made to the telephone number to be investigated, the transmission information being responded to with response information including an error message from a device other than the voice communication control device of the first IP network; and a second determination step of determining, based on the response information received from the first IP network, whether the telephone number is a telephone number that has been made valid by subscribing to a PSTN network connected to the first IP network.

[0006] One aspect of the present invention is the above-mentioned determination method, wherein the first IP network is also connected to a second IP network operated by a communications line operator other than the communications line operator of the first IP network, and further includes a third determination step of determining whether the telephone number to be investigated is a telephone number that is valid by subscribing to the second IP network.

[0007] One aspect of the present invention is a determination device comprising: a communication control unit that transmits to a first IP network transmission information indicating that a call will be made to a telephone number to be investigated, wherein the transmission information is responded with response information including an error message from a voice communication control device of a first IP network that uses an optical fiber line as an access line; and a determination unit that determines, based on the response information received from the first IP network, whether the telephone number is a telephone number that has been made valid by subscribing to the first IP network, or a telephone number under the management of another network; wherein the communication control unit further transmits to the first IP network transmission information indicating that a call will be made to the telephone number to be investigated, wherein the transmission information is responded with response information including an error message from a device other than the voice communication control device of the first IP network; and the determination unit further determines, based on the response information received from the first IP network, whether the telephone number is a telephone number that has been made valid by subscribing to a PSTN network connected to the first IP network.

[0008] The computer program is provided with a communication control unit that transmits to a first IP network transmission information indicating that a call will be made to the telephone number to be investigated, wherein the transmission information is responded with response information including an error message from a voice communication control device of a first IP network that uses an optical fiber line as an access line, and a judgment unit that determines, based on the response information received from the first IP network, whether the telephone number is a telephone number that has been made valid by subscribing to the first IP network, or a telephone number under the management of another network; the communication control unit further transmits to the first IP network transmission information indicating that a call will be made to the telephone number to be investigated, wherein the transmission information is responded with response information including an error message from a device other than the voice communication control device of the first IP network, and the judgment unit further determines, based on the response information received from the first IP network, whether the telephone number is a telephone number that has been made valid by subscribing to the PSTN network connected to the first IP network. [Effects of the Invention]

[0009] The present invention makes it possible to determine whether or not a telephone number to be investigated is a valid telephone number with a subscription contract, using a method different from the conventional method. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0010] [Figure 1] 1 is a schematic block diagram showing an example of connections of a determination device 50 of the present invention. [Figure 2] 2 is a schematic block diagram showing a specific example of the functional configuration of a determination device 50. FIG. [Figure 3] 10 is a flowchart showing a specific example of the flow of processing by the determination device 50. [Figure 4] 10 is a sequence chart showing a specific example of the flow of communication between the determination device 50 and devices in the first IP network 10. [Figure 5] 10 is a sequence chart showing a specific example of the flow of communication between the determination device 50 and devices in the first IP network 10. [Figure 6] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an outline of an example of the hardware configuration of an information processing device 90 applied to the present embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0011] FIG. 1 is a schematic block diagram showing an example of the connection of a determination device 50 according to the present invention. The determination device 50 is a device that determines whether a telephone number to be investigated (investigation target telephone number) is a valid telephone number with a subscription contract. The determination device 50 is connected to a first IP network 10, and is assigned a valid telephone number with a subscription contract in the first IP network 10. In the following explanation, a specific example will be given in which the investigation target telephone number is a telephone number originally used in the first IP network 10. In other words, the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications of Japan assigns unique telephone number ranges to multiple communication carriers as telephone numbers available to each communication carrier, and the investigation target telephone number is a telephone number assigned to the communication carrier of the first IP network 10. Note that, due to mechanisms such as fixed telephone number portability, even if a telephone number is assigned to the communication carrier of the first IP network 10 by the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications, the telephone number may become valid under the management of another communication carrier's network (second IP network 30). Furthermore, the above-mentioned specific example in which the survey target telephone number is a telephone number used in the first IP network 10 is merely an example, and a telephone number to be used in the PSTN network 20 or the second IP network 30 may also be used as the survey target telephone number.

[0012] The first IP network 10 is a network that provides IP telephone services to subscribers. The first IP network 10 may use an optical fiber line as an access line. The first IP network 10 may be configured using, for example, an IMS (IP Multimedia Subsystem). The first IP network 10 is connected to a PSTN (Public Switched Telephone Network) 20 via a first gateway 12. The PSTN network 20 is a network managed by a specific entity (for example, an NTT (registered trademark) group company) and is a fixed-line telephone network (public switched telephone network) to which ISDN-dedicated terminals or analog subscriber line terminals are connected. The first gateway 12 may be configured using, for example, a conversion device (Media Gateway: MG). The first IP network 10 is also connected to a second IP network 30 via a second gateway 13. The second IP network 30 is a network that provides IP telephone services to subscribers. The first IP network 10 and the PSTN network 20 may be operated by the same communication line operator or by different communication line operators (communication carriers). The second IP network 30 is a network operated by a communication line carrier different from that of the first IP network 10. The second gateway 13 may be configured using, for example, a relay device (Gateway Router: GWR). More specifically, the first IP network 10 and the second IP network 30 may be connected via the second gateway 13 and an IP-POI.

[0013] A plurality of second IP networks 30 may be provided. In this case, the plurality of second IP networks 30 may be operated by different communication carriers or may be operated by the same communication carrier. For example, a second IP network 30 operated by communication carrier A, a second IP network 30 operated by communication carrier B, and a second IP network 30 operated by communication carrier B may each be connected to the second gateway 13. In other words, any IP network that is operated by a communication carrier different from the first IP network 10 and that is connected to the first IP network 10 and through which calls can be made may be included in the second IP network 30.

[0014] The first IP network 10, the PSTN network 20, and the second IP network 30 are connected to telephone devices 40 (40_1 to 40_3) of users who have subscribed to the respective networks. Each user's telephone device 40 is assigned a telephone number assigned by a communication line carrier when the user subscribes to the network. By using the telephone number, the user to whom the telephone number is assigned can connect to the network via the access line to which the user subscribes. In addition, by making a call to the telephone number from another telephone device 40, it is possible to make a call to the telephone device 40 of the user to whom the telephone number is assigned.

[0015] The first IP network 10 is provided with a voice communication control device 11, a first gateway 12, and a second gateway 13. The voice communication control device 11 is configured using a communication-capable information processing device. The voice communication control device 11 performs communication control processing for realizing at least voice calls between communication devices 40. The voice communication control device 11 may be configured using a SIP server that performs processing according to a voice call protocol (e.g., SIP: Session Initiation Protocol). In the following explanation, an example will be described in which the voice communication control device 11 is configured as a SIP server. The first gateway 12 is a communication-capable information processing device that relays communication between the first IP network 10 and the PSTN network 20. As described above, the first gateway 12 may be configured using, for example, a conversion device (MG). The second gateway 13 is a communication-capable information processing device that relays communication between the first IP network 10 and the second IP network 30. As described above, the second gateway 13 may be configured using, for example, a relay device (GWR).

[0016] The determination device 50 is connected to the first IP network 10 and determines the contract status of the telephone number to be investigated by making a call to the telephone number to be investigated. Specifically, the determination device 50 transmits a call signal to the first IP network 10 for the telephone number to be investigated, receives a response signal from the first IP network 10, and determines the contract status based on the received response signal. The determination device 50 may be connected to the first IP network 10 via a device such as a gateway device, an optical network unit (ONU), or an optical line terminal (OLT). FIG. 2 is a schematic block diagram showing a specific example of the functional configuration of the determination device 50. The determination device 50 is configured using information equipment such as a personal computer, a tablet, or a dedicated device. The determination device 50 includes a communication unit 51, an input unit 52, an output unit 53, a memory unit 54, and a control unit 55.

[0017] The communication unit 51 is a communication device. The communication unit 51 may be configured as, for example, a network interface. The communication unit 51 communicates data with other devices via a communication path under the control of the control unit 55. The communication unit 51 may be a device that performs wireless communication or a device that performs wired communication. The communication unit 51 may be a communication interface for connecting to other devices so that data can be communicated with. For example, the communication unit 51 may acquire data from a storage device (a hard disk device or a semiconductor storage device) connected to its own device or a device that reads data from a recording medium (a CD-ROM drive, a DVD drive, etc.), or may output data (e.g., a determination result) to these.

[0018] The input unit 52 is configured using an existing input device such as a keyboard, a pointing device (mouse, tablet, etc.), a button, a touch panel, etc. The input unit 52 is operated by a user when inputting user instructions to the determination device 50. The input unit 52 may be an interface for connecting the input device to the determination device 50. In this case, the input unit 52 inputs an input signal generated in the input device in response to a user input to the determination device 50. The input unit 52 may be configured using a microphone and a voice recognition device. In this case, the input unit 52 acquires an acoustic signal generated by the user's speech, performs voice recognition on the words spoken by the user, and inputs character string information of the recognition result to the determination device 50. The voice recognition process may be performed by the control unit 55. The input unit 52 may be configured in any way as long as it is capable of inputting user instructions to the determination device 50. The input unit 52 may be used, for example, when inputting a telephone number to be investigated to the determination device 50.

[0019] The output unit 53 outputs information in a form that can be recognized by a user. The output unit 53 may be, for example, an image display device such as a liquid crystal display or an organic EL (Electro Luminescence) display. The output unit 53 may be an interface for connecting an image display device to the determination device 50. In this case, the output unit 53 generates a video signal for displaying image data and outputs the video signal to the image display device connected to the output unit 53. The output unit 53 may be a device for outputting audio, such as a speaker. The output unit 53 may be an interface for connecting an audio output device, such as a speaker or headphones, to the determination device 50. In this case, the output unit 53 generates an audio signal for reproducing audio data and outputs the audio signal to the audio output device connected to the output unit 53. The output unit 53 may be configured as a touch panel integrated with the input unit 52. The output unit 53 may be used, for example, to output the determination result for a specific survey target telephone number.

[0020] The storage unit 54 is configured using a storage device such as a magnetic hard disk drive or a semiconductor storage device. The storage unit 54 stores data used by the control unit 55. The storage unit 54 stores data required when the control unit 55 performs processing. The storage unit 54 functions as, for example, a determination result storage unit 541.

[0021] The determination result storage unit 541 stores information indicating the determination result of each survey target phone number in the control unit 55. The determination result storage unit 541 stores, for example, a determination result indicating which of the following four states each survey target phone number is in. · A state where there is a subscription contract with the first IP network 10 ·Subscription status in the PSTN network 20 · State where there is a subscription contract in the second IP network 30 - No subscription to any network

[0022] The control unit 55 is configured using a processor such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit) and a memory (main storage device). The control unit 55 functions as a communication control unit 551 and a determination unit 552 by the processor executing a program. Note that all or part of the functions of the control unit 55 may be realized using hardware such as an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit), a PLD (Programmable Logic Device), or an FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array). The above program may be recorded on a computer-readable recording medium. Examples of computer-readable recording media include portable media such as a flexible disk, a magneto-optical disk, a ROM, a CD-ROM, and a semiconductor storage device (e.g., a solid-state drive (SSD)), and storage devices such as a hard disk and a semiconductor storage device built into a computer system. The above program may be transmitted via a telecommunications line.

[0023] The control unit 55 may execute, for example, an application installed in its own device (determination device 50). The control unit 55 operates according to the program of the application that is being executed.

[0024] The communication control unit 551 communicates with at least devices in the first IP network 10 using a voice call protocol. In this embodiment, the communication control unit 551 is configured to be able to communicate with at least communication devices in the first IP network 10 (e.g., the voice communication control device 11, the first gateway 12, and the second gateway 13) according to the SIP communication protocol. The communication control unit 551 transmits transmission information (call signal) that indicates that a call will be made to the survey target telephone number. For example, the transmission of the transmission information may be realized as call processing. However, the communication control unit 551 transmits transmission information that causes response information including an error message to be transmitted from a communication device such as the voice communication control device 11 (SIP server), the first gateway 12, or the second gateway 13. It does not matter which device specifically generates and transmits the response information including an error message. It is sufficient that at least the response information including an error message is generated and transmitted by any device as a response to the transmission information.

[0025] Such transmission information may be defined as information with a setting that prevents normal calls, for example. The setting that prevents normal calls may be, for example, a setting that prevents voice transmission and reception, a setting that receives voice but does not transmit, or a setting that transmits voice but does not receive. Furthermore, the setting that prevents normal calls may be a setting in which characters or values ​​that are not permitted to be used in the original regulations or rules are set as parameters or arguments. For example, the communication control unit 551 may generate an INVITE signal among signals transmitted to the voice communication control device 11, the first gateway 12, or the second gateway 13, in which a setting that prevents normal calls, as described above, is set, and transmit the INVITE signal as transmission information. There are multiple modes of transmission processing performed by the communication control unit 551 to investigate the target telephone number.

[0026] First, the first transmission mode will be described. In the first transmission mode, it is determined whether the telephone number to be investigated is a valid telephone number at least in the first IP network 10. In the first transmission mode, the communication control unit 551 transmits first transmission information. The first transmission information may be set, for example, as follows. Specify AVPF (Extended RTP Profile) Specify the recvonly attribute -Specify PCMU-WB as the audio codec Of these, for example, only the AVPF may be designated.

[0027] More specifically, the SDP may be written as follows: v=0 o=- 1701059395 1701059396 IN IP4 192.168.47.119 s=- c=IN IP4 192.168.47.119 t=0 0 m=audio 5004 RTP / AVPF 0 a=rtpmap:0 PCMU-WB / 16000 a=recvonly

[0028] Next, the second transmission mode will be described. In the second transmission mode, it is determined whether the telephone number to be investigated is a valid telephone number at least in the PSTN network 20. In the second transmission mode, the communication control unit 551 transmits second transmission information. The second transmission information passes through the voice communication control device 11 without returning any error response information, and reaches at least the first gateway 12 or the second gateway 13. The response information to the second transmission information is generated by a device other than the voice communication control device 11. In other words, it may be generated by the first gateway 12, the second gateway 13, or a communication device beyond that (for example, a device within the first IP network 10 that is closer to another network than the first gateway 12 and the second gateway 13, or a device in the PSTN network 20, or a device in the second IP network 30). The second transmission information may be set, for example, as follows: Specify IPv6 -Specify PCMU-WB as the audio codec Although either of the above two settings may be performed, it is preferable to perform both.

[0029] More specifically, the SDP may be written as follows: v=0 o=- 1703127281 1703127282 IN IP6 2408:210:102:2f00:20c:29ff:feab:5 s=- c=IN IP6 2408:210:102:2f00:20c:29ff:feab:5 t=0 0 m=audio 5004 RTP / AVP 0 a=rtpmap:0 PCMU-WB / 16000 a=sendrecv

[0030] When the communication control unit 551 transmits the first transmission information, it receives response information transmitted as a response to the first transmission information from the voice communication control device 11. When the communication control unit 551 transmits the second transmission information, it receives response information to the second transmission information from the first gateway 12 or the second gateway 13.

[0031] Based on the response information received by the communication control unit 551, the determination unit 552 performs a determination process on the survey target telephone number in the transmission information sent when the response information was obtained. The determination process is a process for determining whether the survey target telephone number is a valid telephone number with a subscription contract. The determination process may also determine which communication network the subscription contract is valid for.

[0032] If the response information to the first transmission information includes first information indicating predetermined content, the determination unit 552 determines that the telephone number to be investigated is a valid telephone number for which there is a subscription contract in the first IP network 10. If the response information to the first transmission information includes second information indicating predetermined content, the determination unit 552 determines that the telephone number to be investigated is an invalid telephone number for which there is no subscription contract in the first IP network 10 (an invalid telephone number that is under the management of the first IP network 10). If the response information to the first transmission information includes third information indicating predetermined content, the determination unit 552 determines that the telephone number to be investigated is a telephone number for which there is no subscription contract in the first IP network 10 but is under the management of another communication network. Specific examples of the first information to the third information are shown below.

[0033] First information: 488 (warning code: other than 302): First IP network 10 valid Second information: 404: Invalid Third information: 488 (warning code: 302): Under the control of another communication network

[0034] As described above, in the description of this embodiment, the telephone number to be investigated is a telephone number used in the first IP network 10. Therefore, when a 404 response (second information) is obtained as response information to information sent to the telephone number to be investigated, it can be determined that the telephone number is not valid in either the first IP network 10 or any other communication network.

[0035] When the determination unit 552 obtains third information in the response information to the first transmission information, it instructs the communication control unit 551 to transmit second transmission information. When the response information to the second transmission information includes fourth information indicating predetermined content, the determination unit 552 determines that the survey target telephone number is a valid telephone number with a subscription contract in the PSTN network 20. When the response information to the second transmission information includes fifth information indicating predetermined content, the determination unit 552 determines that the survey target telephone number is an invalid telephone number with no subscription contract in the PSTN network 20. When the response information to the second transmission information includes sixth information indicating predetermined content, the determination unit 552 determines that the survey target telephone number is a telephone number with no subscription contract in the first IP network 10 or the PSTN network 20 but is under the control of another communication network (i.e., the second IP network 30). When the determination unit 552 determines that the response information to the first transmission information is "under the management of another communication network" and also determines that the response information to the second transmission information is "under the management of another communication network", it determines that the telephone number to be investigated is a valid telephone number with a subscription contract in the second IP network 30 (for example, a telephone number with a number portability contract). Specific examples of the fourth information to the sixth information are shown below.

[0036] Fourth information: 500: PSTN network 20 valid Fifth information: 404: Invalid Sixth Information: 488: Under the control of other communications networks

[0037] 3 is a flowchart showing a specific example of the processing flow of the determination device 50. First, the communication control unit 551 transmits first transmission information regarding the telephone number to be investigated (step S101). Thereafter, the communication control unit 551 receives response information (step S102). The determination unit 552 executes a determination process on the response information to the first transmission information (step S103). If the response information is not third information (step S104-NO), the determination unit 552 associates the determination result with the telephone number to be investigated and records it in the determination result storage unit 541 (step S105).

[0038] On the other hand, if the response information is the third information, that is, if it is determined that the communication network is under the control of another communication network (step S104-NO), the determination unit 552 instructs the communication control unit 551 to transmit second transmission information. In this case, the communication control unit 551 transmits the second transmission information (step S106). Thereafter, the communication control unit 551 receives the response information (step S107). The determination unit 552 executes a determination process on the response information to the second transmission information (step S108).

[0039] If the response information is not the sixth information (step S109-NO), the determination unit 552 associates the determination result with the survey target telephone number and records it in the determination result storage unit 541 (step S110). On the other hand, if the response information is the sixth information, that is, if it is determined that the survey target telephone number is under the management of another communication network (step S109-NO), the determination unit 552 determines that the survey target telephone number is a valid telephone number with a subscription contract in the second IP network 30 (step S111). Then, the determination unit 552 associates the determination result with the survey target telephone number and records it in the determination result storage unit 541 (step S112).

[0040] FIG. 4 is a sequence chart showing a specific example of the flow of communication between the determination device 50 and a device of the first IP network 10. FIG. 4 shows the process when the telephone number to be investigated is a telephone number valid in the first IP network 10. The communication control unit 551 of the determination device 50 transmits first transmission information to the first IP network 10 (step S201). Response information to the first transmission information is transmitted from the first IP network 10 to the determination device 50 (step S202). The communication control unit 551 of the determination device 50 receives the response information from the first IP network 10 (step S203). The determination unit 552 of the determination device 50 executes a determination process on the received response information (step S204). In the case of FIG. 4, as described above, the telephone number to be investigated is a telephone number valid in the first IP network 10. Therefore, the second transmission information is not transmitted, and the determination result of the response information to the first transmission information is recorded in the determination result storage unit 541, and the process ends (step S205). However, transmission of the second transmission information is not excluded, and the second transmission information may be transmitted.

[0041] Fig. 5 is a sequence chart showing a specific example of the flow of communication between the determination device 50 and a device in the first IP network 10. Fig. 5 shows the processing when the telephone number to be investigated is a telephone number valid in the second IP network 30. The processing from steps S201 to S204 is the same as in Fig. 4, so a description thereof will be omitted. In the case of Fig. 5, as described above, the telephone number to be investigated is a telephone number valid in the second IP network 30. Therefore, as a result of the processing in step S204, the determination unit 552 determines that the second transmission information should be transmitted.

[0042] In response to this determination result, the communication control unit 551 transmits second transmission information to the first IP network 10 (step S301). When the voice communication control device 11 receives the second transmission information, it relays the second transmission information to a subsequent communication device in the first IP network 10. Therefore, the first gateway 12 and the second gateway 13 in the first IP network 10 can receive the second transmission information even though they cannot receive the first transmission information. In this manner, response information to the second transmission information is transmitted to the determination device 50 from communication devices other than the voice communication control device 11 in the first IP network 10 and devices in other networks (PSTN network 20 and second IP network 30) (step S302). The communication control unit 551 of the determination device 50 receives the response information (step S303). The determination unit 552 of the determination device 50 executes a determination process on the received response information (step S304). In the case of FIG. 5, the telephone number to be investigated is a valid telephone number in the second IP network 30, as described above. The determination unit 552 records the determination result of the response information to the second transmission information in the determination result storage unit 541, and the process ends (step S305).

[0043] 6 is a diagram illustrating an outline of an example of the hardware configuration of an information processing device 90 applied to this embodiment. The information processing device 90 includes a processor 91, a main memory device 92, a communication interface 93, an auxiliary memory device 94, an input / output interface 95, and an internal bus 96. The processor 91, the main memory device 92, the communication interface 93, the auxiliary memory device 94, and the input / output interface 95 are communicably connected to each other via the internal bus 96. The information processing device 90 may be applied to, for example, the determination device 50. In this case, for example, the communication unit 51 may be configured using the communication interface 93. For example, the memory unit 54 may be configured using the auxiliary memory device 94. Furthermore, the control unit 55 may be configured using the processor 91 and the main memory device 92.

[0044] The determination device 50 configured in this manner can determine whether or not the telephone number being investigated is a valid telephone number for which a subscription contract is available in the first IP network 10. Furthermore, the determination device 50 can determine whether or not the telephone number is a valid telephone number for which a subscription contract is available in the PSTN network 20, which uses a metal line as an access line. Furthermore, the determination device 50 can determine whether or not the telephone number is a valid telephone number for which a subscription contract is available in the second IP network 30, which is operated by a different operator from the first IP network 10.

[0045] (Variation) The determination device 50 may be implemented using a plurality of information processing devices. For example, the determination device 50 may be implemented using a device such as a cloud. For example, in the determination device 50, the storage unit 54 and the control unit 55 may be implemented in different information processing devices. For example, the storage unit 54 of the determination device 50 may be distributed and implemented in a plurality of information processing devices.

[0046] The processing order of the first transmission mode and the second transmission mode may be as follows. For example, the determination result storage unit 541 may store a history of past determination results, and for a survey target telephone number that was determined in the previous determination to be in a state where there is a subscription contract with the first IP network 10, the first transmission mode may be executed first, and then the second transmission mode may be executed. On the other hand, for a survey target telephone number that was determined in the previous determination to be in a state other than a state where there is a subscription contract with the first IP network 10, the second transmission mode may be executed first, and then the first transmission mode may be executed. This configuration makes it possible to keep the number of times transmission information is transmitted (the number of calls) low.

[0047] Although an embodiment of the present invention has been described above in detail with reference to the drawings, the specific configuration is not limited to this embodiment, and includes designs within the scope of the gist of the present invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0048] 10...first IP network, 11...voice communication control device, 12...first gateway, 13...second gateway, 20...PSTN network, 30...second IP network, 40...communication device, 50...determination device, 51...communication unit, 52...input unit, 53...output unit, 54...storage unit, 541...determination result storage unit, 55...control unit, 551...communication control unit, 552...determination unit

Claims

1. a first transmitting step of transmitting, to the first IP network, transmission information indicating that a call will be made to the telephone number to be investigated, the transmission information being responded to with response information including an error message from a voice communication control device of the first IP network using an optical line as an access line; a first determination step of determining, based on response information received from the first IP network, whether the telephone number is a telephone number that is valid by subscribing to the first IP network or a telephone number under the management of another network; a second transmitting step of transmitting, to the first IP network, transmission information indicating that a call will be made to the telephone number to be investigated, the transmission information being responded to by response information including an error message from a device other than the voice communication control device on the first IP network; a second determination step of determining, based on response information received from the first IP network, whether the telephone number is a telephone number that is valid by subscribing to a PSTN network connected to the first IP network; A determination method having the following.

2. the first IP network is also connected to a second IP network operated by a communication line carrier different from the communication line carrier of the first IP network, 2. The method according to claim 1, further comprising a third determination step of determining whether the telephone number to be investigated is a telephone number that has been made valid by signing a subscription contract in the second IP network.

3. a communication control unit that transmits to the first IP network transmission information indicating that a call is to be made to the telephone number to be investigated, the transmission information being responded to by a voice communication control device of the first IP network using an optical line as an access line, the voice communication control device including an error message; a determination unit that determines, based on response information received from the first IP network, whether the telephone number is a telephone number that has been made valid by a subscription contract in the first IP network or a telephone number under the management of another network; The communication control unit further transmits to the first IP network transmission information indicating that a call will be made to the telephone number to be investigated, the transmission information being responded to by response information including an error message from a device other than the voice communication control device on the first IP network; The determination unit further determines, based on response information received from the first IP network, whether the telephone number is a telephone number that has been made valid by subscribing to a PSTN network connected to the first IP network.

4. a communication control unit that transmits to the first IP network transmission information indicating that a call is to be made to the telephone number to be investigated, the transmission information being responded to by a voice communication control device of the first IP network using an optical line as an access line, the voice communication control device including an error message; a determination unit that determines, based on response information received from the first IP network, whether the telephone number is a telephone number that has been made valid by a subscription contract in the first IP network or a telephone number under the management of another network; The communication control unit further transmits to the first IP network transmission information indicating that a call will be made to the telephone number to be investigated, the transmission information being responded to by response information including an error message from a device other than the voice communication control device on the first IP network; The judgment unit further includes a computer program for causing a computer to function as a judgment device that determines, based on response information received from the first IP network, whether the telephone number is a telephone number that has been made valid by subscribing to a PSTN network connected to the first IP network.

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