Determination method, determination device, and computer program

Abstract

To make it possible to make a determination of whether a telephone number to be surveyed is a valid telephone number with a subscription contract.SOLUTION: A determination method includes a transmitting step of transmitting transmission information indicating that a call will be made to a telephone number to be surveyed to a telephone communication network, and a determining step of at least determining whether the telephone number is a telephone number that is valid by subscribing to a mobile communication network, or a telephone number that is invalid by not subscribing to the mobile communication network, based on an elapsed time, which is a time that has elapsed since the transmission information was sent to the telephone communication network and until response information was received.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 having a sending step of sending transmission information to a telephone communication network indicating that a call will be made to the telephone number being investigated, and a determination step of determining at least whether the telephone number is a telephone number that has been made valid by subscribing to a mobile communication network, or whether the telephone number is an invalid telephone number that has not been subscribed to the mobile communication network, based on the elapsed time that has elapsed since the transmission information was sent to the telephone communication network until response information was received.

[0006] One aspect of the present invention is the above-mentioned determination method, in which, in the determination step, if the elapsed time is shorter than a predetermined first reference time, it is determined that there is no subscription contract for the telephone number in any communication network.

[0007] In one aspect of the present invention, in the above-mentioned determination method, the telephone number is determined to be a valid telephone number when the elapsed time is longer than a predetermined second reference time in the determination step.

[0008] One aspect of the present invention is the above-mentioned determination method, in which, in the determination step, if the elapsed time is longer than a predetermined first reference time and shorter than a predetermined second reference time, it is determined that there is a subscription contract for the telephone number but that calls are not possible.

[0009] One aspect of the present invention is a determination device that includes a communication control unit that transmits transmission information to a telephone communication network indicating that a call will be made to the telephone number being investigated, and a determination unit that determines at least whether the telephone number is a telephone number that has been made valid by subscribing to a mobile communication network, or an invalid telephone number that has not been subscribed to the mobile communication network, based on the elapsed time that elapses between sending the transmission information to the telephone communication network and receiving response information.

[0010] One aspect of the present invention is a computer program for causing a computer to function as a determination device that includes the above-mentioned determination method, which includes a communication control unit that transmits transmission information to a telephone communication network indicating that a call will be made to the telephone number being investigated, and a determination unit that determines, based on the elapsed time that elapses between sending the transmission information to the telephone communication network and receiving response information, whether the telephone number is a telephone number that has been made valid by subscribing to a mobile communication network, or a telephone number that has not been subscribed to the mobile communication network and is therefore invalid. [Effects of the Invention]

[0011] 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]

[0012] [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. [Figure 7] FIG. 10 is a schematic block diagram showing an example of connections of a determination device 50 according to a second embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0013] [First embodiment] A first embodiment of the determination device of the present invention will be described. 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 for which a subscription contract exists. The determination device 50 is connected to a first IP network 10, and a valid telephone number for which a subscription contract exists is assigned 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 non-overlapping 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 by the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications to the communication carrier of the first IP network 10, 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 telephone number to be surveyed 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 telephone number to be surveyed.

[0014] 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.

[0015] 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.

[0016] 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.

[0017] 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).

[0018] 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.

[0019] 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.

[0020] 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.

[0021] 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.

[0022] 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.

[0023] 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

[0024] 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.

[0025] 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.

[0026] 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.

[0027] 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.

[0028] 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.

[0029] 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

[0030] 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.

[0031] 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

[0032] 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.

[0033] 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.

[0034] 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.

[0035] 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

[0036] 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.

[0037] 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.

[0038] Fourth information: 500: PSTN network 20 valid Fifth information: 404: Invalid Sixth Information: 488: Under the control of other communications networks

[0039] 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).

[0040] 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).

[0041] 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).

[0042] 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.

[0043] 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.

[0044] 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).

[0045] 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.

[0046] 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.

[0047] [Second embodiment] Next, a second embodiment of the determination device 50 of the present invention will be described. The second embodiment of the determination device 50 differs from the first embodiment of the determination device 50 mainly in the operation of the control unit 55 and in the processing performed when the telephone number to be investigated is a telephone number of a mobile phone, but the other configurations are the same as those of the first embodiment described above. Below, only the differences between the second embodiment and the first embodiment and the related configurations will be described.

[0048] FIG. 7 is a schematic block diagram showing an example of connection of the determination device 50 in the second embodiment of the present invention. The determination device 50 is connected to the first IP network 10 via a communication device 60. The communication device 60 relays communication between the determination device 50 and the first IP network 10. The communication device 60 may be, for example, a gateway device. More specifically, the communication device 60 may be a communication device installed in the facility in which the determination device 50 is installed. In this case, for example, the communication device 60 may be configured to relay communication between a communication network (e.g., a local area network (LAN)) within the facility in which the determination device 50 is installed and external communication. Note that the communication device 60 may also be installed in the first embodiment to relay communication between the determination device 50 and the first IP network 10. In the first embodiment, the configuration could be explained without explaining the communication device 60, and therefore it is not shown in the figure.

[0049] The second gateway 13 in the second embodiment may be used as a network that relays between the mobile communication network 31 and the first IP network 10. The first IP network 10 and the mobile communication network 31 connected to the second gateway 13 may be operated by the same communication line operator, or may be operated by different communication line operators (communication carriers). Note that although the number of second IP networks 30 and mobile communication networks 31 is shown as being the same in FIG. 7, the number of second IP networks 30 and mobile communication networks 31 does not necessarily have to be the same.

[0050] A telephone device 40_4 of a user who has subscribed to the mobile communication network 31 is connected to the mobile communication network 31. A telephone number that can be assigned in the mobile communication network 31 is assigned to the telephone device 40_4. In the second embodiment, a telephone number to be used in the mobile communication network 31 (a so-called mobile phone telephone number) may be used as the telephone number to be investigated. That is, the determination device 50 also determines whether or not the telephone number to be investigated is in a state where there is a subscription contract in the mobile communication network 31. Note that, due to a mechanism such as telephone number portability, even if a telephone number is assigned by the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications to a communication line carrier of a certain mobile communication network 31, the telephone number may be placed under the management of another mobile communication network 31 and become valid.

[0051] In the second 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, etc.) in accordance with the SIP communication protocol. In the second embodiment, as described above, a mobile phone number may be used as the survey target phone number. The communication control unit 551 transmits transmission information (call signal) indicating that a call will be made to the survey target phone number. For example, the transmission of the transmission information may be realized as call processing. The communication control unit 551 may transmit transmission information such that response information including an error message is transmitted from the communication device. As described below, the communication control unit 551 determines whether the survey target phone number is a landline phone number or a mobile phone number before transmitting the transmission information, and when determining that the phone number is a mobile phone number and transmitting the transmission information, the communication control unit 551 may transmit transmission information such that response information including an error message is not transmitted (transmission information in which the response information itself is transmitted but does not include an error message). It does not matter which device specifically generates and transmits the response information including an error message. It is sufficient that at least response information including an error message is generated and transmitted by any device as a response to the transmission information.

[0052] Such transmission information may be defined as information with a setting that prevents normal telephone calls, for example. The setting that prevents normal telephone 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 telephone 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 first gateway 12 or the second gateway 13, in which a setting that prevents normal telephone 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 telephone number to be investigated. The first and second transmission modes are as described in the first embodiment.

[0053] Here, a third transmission mode will be described. The communication control unit 551 in the second embodiment transmits third transmission information in the third transmission mode. The third 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 third 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, a device in the second IP network 30, or a device in the mobile communication network 31). The third transmission information may be set, for example, as follows: -Specify payload type as 96 (UEMCLIP) or 0 (PCMU)

[0054] More specifically, the SDP may be written as follows: v=0 o=- 1707179816 1707179817 IN IP4 192.168.1.103 s=- c=IN IP4 192.168.1.103 t=0 0 m=audio 5004 RTP / AVP 96 0 a=rtpmap:96 UEMCLIP / 8000 / 1 a=rtpmap:0 PCMU / 8000 a=sendrecv

[0055] When the communication control unit 551 transmits the third transmission information, it receives response information to the third transmission information.

[0056] 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.

[0057] If the response information to the third transmission information includes seventh 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 second IP network 30. If the response information to the third transmission information includes eighth 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 second IP network 30. Specific examples of the seventh to eighth information are shown below.

[0058] Seventh information: 180, 200: Second IP network 30 valid Eighth information: 404, 403 (mobile only): Second IP network 30 invalid

[0059] As described above, different content may be used as the eighth information depending on whether the survey target telephone number is a mobile telephone number or a landline telephone number. For example, if the survey target telephone number is a landline telephone number, an error code of "404" may be used as the eighth information, and if the survey target telephone number is a mobile telephone number, an error code of "403" may be used as the eighth information.

[0060] Furthermore, the determination unit 552 may determine whether the survey target telephone number is a valid telephone number subscribed to in the mobile communication network 31 based not only on the response information but also on the length of time required from when the third transmission information is transmitted until when the response information is received. For example, if the time is longer than a predetermined length (e.g., 1 second), it may be determined that the survey target telephone number is a valid telephone number subscribed to in the mobile communication network 31. For example, if the time is shorter than a predetermined length (e.g., 1 second), it may be determined that the survey target telephone number is an invalid telephone number not subscribed to in the mobile communication network 31. In such processing, the communication control unit 551 may perform processing to end the call (e.g., send CANCEL) when the predetermined length has elapsed. This configuration makes it possible to prevent an incoming call from being made to the communication device 40 corresponding to the survey target telephone number.

[0061] As described above, the determination unit 552 makes a determination based on both the length of time and the content of the received response information (whether it is the seventh information or the eighth information). For example, if the content of the received response information is the seventh information and the time is longer than a predetermined length (for example, 1 second), it may be determined that the survey target telephone number is a valid telephone number for which there is a subscription contract in the second IP network 30. For example, if the content of the received response information is the eighth information and the time is shorter than a predetermined length (for example, 1 second), it may be determined that the survey target telephone number is an invalid telephone number for which there is no subscription contract in the second IP network 30. Note that the determination unit 552 may determine that a survey target telephone number that does not meet either the pre-established conditions for determining it as valid or the pre-established conditions for determining it as invalid is unknown (other state).

[0062] The process of the determination unit 552 making a determination based on the length of time will be described in more detail. The determination unit 552 of the determination device 50 in the second embodiment starts recording when transmission information, which is information indicating that a call will be made to the target telephone number, is transmitted. This recording is performed by recording an audio signal transmitted to the determination device 50 using a predetermined protocol. For example, recording may be performed by recording an audio signal transmitted to the determination device 50 using the RTP protocol as UDP communication to the IP address / port number described in the SDP of the INVITE. The determination unit 552 measures the time elapsed since the transmission information was transmitted (hereinafter referred to as the "elapsed time"). If a predetermined error signal (e.g., a 404 signal) is received before the elapsed time exceeds a first reference time (e.g., 0.5 seconds, 0.8 seconds, etc.), the determination unit 552 determines that there is no telecommunications carrier assigned to the target telephone number or that there is no line contract. In other words, the determination unit 552 determines that there is "no subscription contract with any communication network." In this case, the determination unit 552 stops recording.

[0063] In the second embodiment, if a predetermined error signal (e.g., a 404 signal) is not received until the elapsed time has passed a first reference time, and if a predetermined signal (e.g., a 183 signal) is received before a second reference time (a time longer than the first reference time, e.g., 0.8 seconds, 1.0 seconds, etc.) has passed, the determination unit 552 determines to continue recording even after the second reference time has passed. The predetermined signal, which is determined to have been received before the second reference time has passed, is, for example, a signal indicating that audio will be transmitted after that signal. For example, if the elapsed time for recording is set to a predetermined length (e.g., from 0.0 seconds to 1.0 seconds), it may be determined to extend the recording time. The extended time may be a predetermined length, or may be determined on a case-by-case basis.

[0064] In this case, the determination unit 552 determines that there is a subscription contract in the mobile communication network 31 of the telecommunications carrier to which the survey target telephone number is assigned (hereinafter referred to as the "receiving carrier"), and further determines that the device to which the survey target telephone number is assigned is in a state where calls cannot be made. In this case, a sound indicating that calls cannot be made in the receiving carrier's mobile communication network 31 is generally played, and this sound is received by the determination device 50. This sound is recorded by the recording performed by the determination unit 552.

[0065] The determination unit 552 can determine that a call is not possible based on the recorded voice. The determination unit 552 may obtain a final determination result based on this determination. Alternatively, multiple patterns of voice may be prepared in advance, and a voice to be played may be selected depending on the type of reason for the call not being possible. Therefore, the determination unit 552 may determine the reason for the call not being possible for the survey target telephone number (hereinafter referred to as the "call not being possible reason") based on the recorded voice. Specifically, the configuration may be as follows. The storage unit 54 in the second embodiment pre-stores information for identifying each voice that may be received (hereinafter referred to as the "voice feature information") and the reason for the call not being possible when the voice is received, in association with each other. The voice feature information is information indicating the characteristics of the voice. The voice feature information may be, for example, information indicating the waveform shape of the voice signal. The voice feature information may be, for example, information indicating a combination of phonemes extracted based on an acoustic model, or information indicating a character string obtained as a voice recognition result. The voice feature information may be defined as any information that can distinguish one voice from another.

[0066] In the second embodiment, when a predetermined signal (e.g., a 404 signal and a 183 signal) is not received until the elapsed time exceeds a second reference time, the determination unit 552 of the determination device 50 determines that the telephone number to be investigated has a subscription contract with the mobile communication network 31 of the destination carrier, and further determines that the device to which the telephone number to be investigated is assigned is in a state where calls can be made. In this case, the communication control unit 551 cancels the call. For example, the communication control unit 551 may cancel the call by sending CANCEL. By canceling the call at such a timing, it becomes possible to make an accurate determination without leaving a call history for the communication device 40 to which the telephone number to be investigated is assigned.

[0067] Next, the principle of the determination process when the mobile phone number is the survey target phone number in the second embodiment will be described. When the determination unit 552 of the determination device 50 transmits transmission information indicating that a call will be made to the survey target phone number, it measures the elapsed time, which is the time that has elapsed since the transmission. When the determination device 50 transmits the transmission information, the voice communication control device 11 of the first IP network 10 first receives the transmission information. The voice communication control device 11 determines whether or not a telecommunications carrier is assigned to the survey target phone number. This determination may be made using, for example, ENUM (Telephone Number Mapping) or DNS (Domain Name System) technology. If the voice communication control device 11 determines that there is no telecommunications carrier assigned to the survey target phone number, it transmits an error signal (e.g., a 404 signal) to the determination device 50. Generally, the elapsed time until the transmitted 404 signal is received by the determination device 50 in such a case is often within 0.5 seconds. Therefore, by performing the above determination using a time of about 0.5 seconds as the first reference time, it is possible to determine whether or not a telecommunications carrier is assigned to the survey target phone number.

[0068] If the voice communication control device 11 determines that a telecommunications carrier is assigned to the telephone number to be investigated, it relays the transmission signal to the mobile communication network 31 of that carrier (the terminating carrier). A voice communication control device (e.g., a SIP server) in the mobile communication network 31 of the terminating carrier determines whether the telephone number to be investigated, defined as the call destination in the transmission signal, is a valid telephone number with a subscription contract. If the voice communication control device of the terminating carrier determines that there is no subscription contract (i.e., the telephone number is not valid), it transmits an error signal (e.g., a 404 signal) to the determination device 50. Generally, the time elapsed until the 404 signal transmitted in such a case is received by the determination device 50 is often within 0.5 seconds. Therefore, by performing the above-described determination using a time of around 0.5 seconds as the first reference time, it is possible to determine whether the telephone number to be investigated is a valid telephone number.

[0069] On the other hand, if the voice communication control device of the terminating carrier determines that there is a subscription contract (i.e., the telephone number is valid), it determines whether the device to which the investigation target telephone number is assigned is capable of making calls. A device that is capable of making calls is, for example, a communication device such as a smartphone that is not in an unsteady state. A device that is not capable of making calls is, for example, a communication device dedicated to data communication (e.g., a data-only SIM or a device equipped with such a SIM). An unsteady state is, for example, a state in which calls are suspended due to unpaid communication charges. If the voice communication control device of the terminating carrier determines that the device is not capable of making calls, it starts playing a predetermined audio. The audio to be played may be selected, for example, depending on the type of reason for the unsuccessful call. When audio playback starts, a 183 Session Progress signal is transmitted from the voice communication control device of the terminating carrier to the determination device 50 prior to audio playback. In such cases, the time elapsed until the transmitted 183 signal is received by the determination device 50 is often within 0.8 to 1.0 seconds. Therefore, by making the above-mentioned determination using a time period of approximately 0.8 to 1.0 seconds as the second reference time, it becomes possible to determine whether or not the target telephone number is in a state where calls can be made. Similarly, by making the above-mentioned determination using a time period of approximately 0.8 to 1.0 seconds as the second reference time and extending (continuing) the recording, it becomes possible to record with a higher probability the audio that is played back depending on the status of the target telephone number. Making a determination based on this recording makes it possible to more accurately determine the status of the target telephone number.

[0070] On the other hand, if the voice communication control device of the terminating carrier determines that the call is possible, it performs a predetermined call establishment process, such as a process of determining a wireless communication device (such as a base station device) capable of wireless communication with the communication device to which the target telephone number is assigned. If a wireless communication device capable of wireless communication is not found during the call establishment process (for example, if communication with the communication device 40 to which the target telephone number is assigned cannot be established), a voice message indicating this may be transmitted from the voice communication control device of the terminating carrier to the determination device 50. If a wireless communication device capable of wireless communication is found, a call process is initiated to the communication device 40 to which the target telephone number is assigned, and a 180 Ringing signal is transmitted. Generally, the elapsed time until the transmitted 183 signal or 180 signal is received by the determination device 50 in such a case is often between 1.0 and 1.5 seconds. Therefore, by using a time of approximately 0.8 to 1.0 seconds as the second reference time to cancel the call (for example, by transmitting CANCEL), it is possible to make an accurate determination and complete the process without leaving a call on the communication device 40 to which the target telephone number is assigned.

[0071] (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. The determination device 50 may be configured using a mobile phone.

[0072] 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.

[0073] The judgment unit 552 of the judgment device 50 in the second embodiment may start measuring the elapsed time from the timing of transmitting the transmission information (first transmission information, second transmission information, third transmission information), or may start measuring the elapsed time from the timing of receiving a predetermined response signal (e.g., 100Tying) from the communication device 60 after transmitting the transmission information.

[0074] The determination unit 552 of the determination device 50 in the second embodiment may determine whether the telephone number to be investigated is a telephone number of a landline telephone or a telephone number of a mobile phone when transmitting transmission information for the telephone number to be investigated. If the determination unit 552 determines that the telephone number to be investigated is a telephone number of a mobile phone, it may perform a determination using the first reference time or the second reference time as in the second embodiment described above.

[0075] In the first and second embodiments, the third transmission information may be set as follows. -Specify 96 (PCMU-WB) or 0 (PCMU) as the payload type More specifically, the SDP may be written as follows: v=0 o=- 1707179816 1707179817 IN IP4 192.168.1.103 s=- c=IN IP4 192.168.1.103 t=0 0 m=audio 5004 RTP / AVP 96 0 a=rtpmap:96 PCMU-WB / 16000 a=rtpmap:0 PCMU / 8000 a=sendrecv

[0076] 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]

[0077] 10...first IP network, 11...voice communication control device, 12...first gateway, 13...second gateway, 20...PSTN network, 30...second IP network, 31...mobile communication 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 sending step in which a computer sends to a telephone communication network transmission information indicating that a call will be made to the telephone number to be investigated; and a determining step in which the computer determines, based on the elapsed time that is the time that has elapsed since the transmission information was sent to the telephone communication network until the response information was received, whether the telephone number is a telephone number that has been made valid by subscribing to the mobile communication network, or whether the telephone number is an invalid telephone number that has not been subscribed to the mobile communication network, In the determination step, if the elapsed time is shorter than a predetermined first reference time, it is determined that the telephone number is not subscribed to in any communication network, and if the elapsed time is longer than a predetermined first reference time, it is determined that the telephone number is a valid telephone number.

2. 2. The method according to claim 1, wherein in the determining step, if the elapsed time is longer than a predetermined first reference time and shorter than a predetermined second reference time, it is determined that the telephone number is in a subscription contract but unavailable for calls.

3. a communication control unit that transmits, to a telephone communication network, transmission information indicating that a call will be made to the telephone number to be investigated; and a determination unit that determines at least whether the telephone number is a telephone number that has been made valid by subscribing to the mobile communication network, or whether the telephone number is an invalid telephone number that has not been subscribed to the mobile communication network, based on the elapsed time that is the time that has elapsed since the transmission information was sent to the telephone communication network until the response information was received, The determination unit determines that the telephone number is not subscribed to in any communication network if the elapsed time is shorter than a predetermined first reference time, and determines that the telephone number is a valid telephone number if the elapsed time is longer than a predetermined first reference time.

4. a communication control unit that transmits, to a telephone communication network, transmission information indicating that a call will be made to the telephone number to be investigated; and a determination unit that determines at least whether the telephone number is a telephone number that has been made valid by subscribing to the mobile communication network, or whether the telephone number is an invalid telephone number that has not been subscribed to the mobile communication network, based on the elapsed time that is the time that has elapsed since the transmission information was sent to the telephone communication network until the response information was received, A computer program for causing a computer to function as a determination device in which the determination unit determines that the telephone number is not subscribed to in any communication network if the elapsed time is shorter than a predetermined first reference time, and determines that the telephone number is a valid telephone number if the elapsed time is longer than a predetermined first reference time.

Images