Communication System

Abstract

To monitor operating condition of a device included in a communication system in a short time.SOLUTION: A communication system 1 includes: an IP call system 10 including a plurality of devices 11 constituting a first network; and a system manager 20 for controlling transmitting / receiving processing of voice data between the devices 11 and monitoring operating conditions of the devices 11 in the IP call system 10. When the number of devices 11 included in the communication system 1 is equal to or larger than a predetermined threshold, one monitoring device 11a selected from among the devices 11 monitors operating conditions of other devices 11, and transmits a monitoring result to the system manager 20. The system manager 20 aggregates the monitoring results received from the monitoring device 11a of the IP call system 10, to monitor operating conditions of the devices 11 included in the IP call system 10.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 9

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a communication system that enables intra-office calls and the like using devices. [Background technology]

[0002] An intercom system (IP call system) is a system primarily used for internal calls. Typically, an intercom system includes one or more call terminals and one or more public address devices such as speakers. Each call terminal is equipped with a microphone and a speaker and is interconnected via a network. Each call terminal transmits input audio to another call terminal in accordance with a predetermined protocol such as the SIP protocol to perform internal calls. Each call terminal also transmits input audio to the public address device, amplifying the audio from the public address device.

[0003] Surveillance camera systems are systems primarily used for crime prevention. Typically, a surveillance camera system includes one or more surveillance cameras and a recorder to which each surveillance camera is connected. Each surveillance camera may be installed in a predetermined location, such as on a ceiling or wall, or may be mounted on a mobile object, such as a drone or automobile. The recorder receives footage captured by the surveillance camera and stores it on an internal or external recording medium, allowing for live viewing by outputting the footage to an external display in real time.

[0004] An example of an intercom system is disclosed in Patent Document 1. An example of a surveillance camera system is disclosed in Patent Document 2. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0005] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2006-114951 [Patent Document 2] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2009-296207 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0006] The devices included in a communication system, such as intercoms, IP speakers, and surveillance cameras, are controlled by a device called a system manager. The system manager also monitors the operating status of the devices included in the communication system. Specifically, the system manager sends operating status monitoring signals, such as ping signals, to the devices included in the communication system and checks the operating status of the devices based on whether or not there is a response to the operating status monitoring signal.

[0007] The above-mentioned communication system may include hundreds or even thousands of devices. In such a system, if the system manager monitors all of the devices, it takes a long time to complete monitoring of the operating status of the entire system. In addition, the processing load on the system manager increases. This increase in the processing load on the system manager may slow down other processes performed by the system manager.

[0008] The present disclosure aims to monitor, in a large-scale communication system including a large number of devices, the operating status of devices included in the communication system in a short period of time. [Means for solving the problem]

[0009] The communication system disclosed herein includes an IP call system and a system manager. The IP call system includes a plurality of devices connected to each other to form a first network, and performs a process of sending and receiving voice data between the devices using a call protocol. The system manager is connected to the IP call system via a second network, and controls the process of sending and receiving voice data between the devices using the call protocol, and monitors the operating status of the devices within the IP call system.

[0010] In the communication system of the present disclosure, when the number of devices included in the communication system is equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold, a monitoring device selected from among the multiple devices included in the IP call system transmits an operation status monitoring signal to the other devices and monitors the operation status of the other devices based on whether or not the other devices respond to the operation status monitoring signal.The monitoring device also transmits monitoring results including the operation status of the other devices and the operation status of the monitoring device to a system manager.The system manager monitors the operation status of the devices included in the IP call system by aggregating the monitoring results received from the monitoring devices of the IP call system. [Effects of the Invention]

[0011] In the communication system of the present disclosure, when the number of devices included in the communication system is equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold, one monitoring device selected from the devices included in the IP call system monitors the operating status of the other devices and sends the monitoring results to the system manager. This eliminates the need for the system manager to monitor the operating status of all devices when the communication system includes a large number of devices, making it possible to monitor all devices included in the communication system in a short amount of time. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0012] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the configuration of a communication system. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the configuration of an IP communication system. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a diagram showing the configuration of the device. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating the configuration of the system manager. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing the operation of the device during the monitoring operation. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing the operation of determining a monitoring device. [Figure 7]FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing the device monitoring operation by the system manager. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a schematic diagram in which a system manager directly monitors all devices. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a typical case where a monitoring device monitors devices on behalf of a system manager. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0013] 1. First embodiment (1) Communication system configuration The configuration of a communication system 1 will be described using Figures 1 and 2. Figure 1 is a diagram showing the configuration of the communication system 1. Figure 2 is a diagram showing the configuration of an IP call system 10. The communication system 1 includes a plurality of IP call systems 10 and a system manager 20.

[0014] As shown in Fig. 2, the IP call system 10 includes a plurality of devices 11 and is a system for transmitting and receiving voice data using a call protocol between the plurality of devices 11. Note that, as shown in Fig. 1, the IP call system 10 may be connected to another IP call system 10 via a network.

[0015] Device 11 is a device capable of transmitting and receiving audio data and / or video data to and from other devices 11. Device 11 is, for example, a telephone terminal. During a voice call, device 11, which is a telephone terminal, transmits and receives audio data and video data in accordance with a protocol for IP calls. An example of a protocol for IP calls is SIP (Session Initiation Protocol), which is standardized by IETF (Internet Engineering Task Force) and specified in RFC3261.

[0016] Alternatively, some of the devices 11 may be surveillance cameras that generate video data from video signals acquired by an image sensor such as a CCD or CMOS and transmit the data to an external device. The surveillance camera device 11 transmits streaming video in accordance with a transmission protocol for surveillance cameras. One example of a transmission protocol for surveillance cameras is a protocol that complies with the ONVIF (Open Network Video Interface Forum) standard.

[0017] Furthermore, some of the multiple devices 11 may be IP speakers that receive, play, and amplify audio data using a predetermined protocol. Devices 11 that are IP speakers can also play music such as evacuation guidance during disasters or background music. Devices 11 that are IP speakers may store audio data to be amplified internally. Devices 11 that are IP speakers may also convert audio data in a predetermined language into audio data in another language and play the converted audio data.

[0018] The IP telephone system 10 includes a router 13. The router 13 is a device that connects multiple devices 11 so that they can communicate with each other. The router 13 assigns an identifier (e.g., an IP address) to each of the multiple connected devices 11, which identifies the device 11 within the IP telephone system 10. In this way, the multiple devices 11 constitute a first network N1. The router 13 is also assigned an identifier (e.g., an IP address) that identifies itself within the first network N1. The first network N1 is, for example, a LAN.

[0019] The router 13 is connected to the system manager 20 via a second network N2. That is, the device 11 connected to the router 13 is connected to the system manager 20 via the second network N2. The second network N2 is, for example, a wide area network such as a WAN. Alternatively, the second network N2 may be a large-scale LAN. Furthermore, the router 13 may be connected to routers 13 of other IP call systems 10.

[0020] One IP call system 10 can be configured with, for example, several hundred devices 11. As will be described later, when the number of devices 11 included in the communication system exceeds a predetermined threshold, one device 11 (monitoring device 11a) included in the IP call system 10 monitors the other devices 11 in place of the system manager 20. In this case, when one IP call system 10 is added to the communication system 1 and the number of devices 11 included in the communication system increases by several hundred, one monitoring device 11a is added.

[0021] In addition to an identifier within the first network N1, the router 13 is also assigned an identifier (eg, an IP address) that identifies it within the second network N2.

[0022] The system manager 20 is a control device that allows the devices 11 of the IP communication system 10 to perform sending and receiving processes for audio data and video data in accordance with an IP communication protocol. The sending and receiving processes include call control such as making calls. If the IP communication protocol used by the devices 11 of the IP communication system 10 is SIP, the system manager 20 is, for example, a SIP server that performs call control in accordance with SIP.

[0023] The system manager 20 manages, in a table, the identification information (referred to as device identification information) of each device 11 in the IP call system 10. The device identification information is used for communication between the devices 11. The device identification information may include, for example, an identifier within the second network N2 of the router 13 to which each device 11 is connected, and an identifier of the device 11 within the first network N1. Additionally, the device identification information may include, for example, an identifier within the second network N2 of the router 13 to which each device 11 is connected, and a port number assigned to the device 11 by the router 13.

[0024] The system manager 20 monitors the operating status of the devices 11 in the IP call system 10. The monitoring of the operating status of the devices 11 is performed by sending an operating status monitoring signal (e.g., a ping signal) to all devices 11 included in multiple IP call systems and based on whether or not there is a response to the operating status monitoring signal. A device 11 that responds to the operating status monitoring signal can be determined to be operating normally. On the other hand, a device 11 that does not respond to the operating status monitoring signal can be determined to be stopped or to be experiencing an abnormality.

[0025] In the communication system 1 configured as above, the IP call system 10 having a plurality of devices 11 capable of transmitting and receiving audio data and / or video data is interconnected via the second network N2, so that, for example, voice calls can be made between the devices 11 which are call terminals, audio broadcasting can be made from the devices 11 which are call terminals to the devices 11 which are IP speakers, and video data can be sent from the devices 11 which are surveillance cameras to the devices 11 which are call terminals and displayed on the devices 11 which are call terminals. In detail, for example, the above functions can be realized as follows.

[0026] Voice calls between devices 11, which are communication terminals, can be realized using, for example, SIP. In detail, the calling device 11 makes a call to the system manager 20. This call includes device identification information of the called device 11. The system manager 20 calls the called device 11 by specifying the device identification information included in the call. When the called device 11 answers the call, a communication session is established between the calling device 11 and the called device 11. As a result, the calling device 11 and the called device 11 can make a voice call to each other using the established call session.

[0027] Audio broadcasting from device 11, which is a call terminal, to device 11, which is an IP speaker, can be achieved using, for example, SIP. In detail, first, device 11, which is a call terminal, makes a call to system manager 20. This call includes device identification information of device 11, which is an IP speaker that wishes to make the audio broadcast. System manager 20 specifies the device identification information included in the call and calls device 11, which is an IP speaker that wishes to make the audio broadcast. When device 11, which is an IP speaker, answers the call, a communication session is established between device 11, which is a call terminal, and device 11, which is an IP speaker. As a result, device 11, which is a call terminal, acquires the user's voice and transmits the acquired voice data to device 11, which is an IP speaker, using the established communication session. As a result, the user's voice acquired by device 11, which is a call terminal, is amplified from device 11, which is an IP speaker.

[0028] The transmission of video data from the device 11, which is a surveillance camera, to the device 11, which is a call terminal, is as follows: This can be achieved using a protocol that complies with the ONVIF standard. In detail, first, device 11, which is a call terminal, acquires device identification information of device 11, which is a surveillance camera, from which it wishes to acquire video data, from system manager 20. Next, device 11, which is a call terminal, requests acquisition of video data from device 11 identified in the device identification information. As a result, the video data acquired by device 11, which is a surveillance camera, is transmitted to device 11, which is a call terminal.

[0029] Alternatively, video data can be transmitted in the following manner. First, device 11, which is a call terminal, requests system manager 20 to acquire video data by specifying device 11, which is a surveillance camera. Next, system manager 20 requests device 11, which is the specified surveillance camera, to acquire video data. This request includes device identification information for device 11, which is the requesting communication terminal. In response to this request, device 11, which is a surveillance camera, acquires video data and transmits the acquired video data to device 11 specified in the device identification information.

[0030] (2) Equipment configuration The configuration of the device 11 will be described with reference to Fig. 3. Fig. 3 is a diagram showing the configuration of the device 11. The device 11 has a processing unit 111, a storage unit 113, a network interface 115, and a function unit 117.

[0031] The processing unit 111 includes a CPU, an MPU, etc., and executes various functions related to the device 11 by executing computer programs stored in the storage unit 113. The storage unit 113 is composed of memory (RAM, ROM) and a storage device (HDD, SSD, etc.), and constitutes a data storage area.

[0032] The storage unit 113 stores not only computer programs but also data and the like necessary to realize the functions of the device 11. The storage unit 113 stores status information. The status information is information indicating whether the device 11 is the monitoring device 11a. For example, the status information may indicate that the device 11 is not the monitoring device 11a by default. In this case, as will be described later, in response to receiving a notification from the system manager 20 that the device has been determined to be the monitoring device 11a, the status information can be rewritten to information indicating that the device is the monitoring device 11a.

[0033] The network interface 115 connects the device 11 and the router 13 via a network. The network interface 115 is, for example, an Ethernet (registered trademark) card.

[0034] (3) System Manager Configuration The configuration of the system manager 20 will be described with reference to Fig. 4. Fig. 4 is a diagram showing the configuration of the system manager 20. The system manager 20 has a processing unit 201, a storage unit 203, and a network interface 205.

[0035] The processing unit 201 includes a CPU, an MPU, and the like, and executes computer programs stored in the storage unit 203 to perform various functions related to the system manager 20, such as a SIP server and a function for monitoring the device 11.

[0036] The storage unit 203 is made up of memory (RAM, ROM) and storage devices (HDD, SSD, etc.) and constitutes a data storage area. In addition to computer programs, the storage unit 203 also stores data necessary to realize the functions of the system manager 20, such as the above-mentioned device identification information table. The network interface 205 connects the system manager 20 to the second network N2. The network interface 205 is, for example, an Ethernet (registered trademark) card.

[0037] (4) Monitoring of equipment in a communication system (4-1) Device operation The monitoring operation of the operating status of the device 11 in the communication system 1 having the above configuration will be described below. This monitoring operation is performed periodically at a predetermined cycle. First, the operation of the device 11 during the monitoring operation will be described with reference to FIG. 5. FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing the operation of the device 11 during the monitoring operation. The operation described below is performed in the same way in all devices 11 included in the communication system 1.

[0038] First, the device 11 determines whether it is the monitoring device 11a (step S11). The monitoring device 11a is a device that monitors the operating status of other devices 11 in the IP call system 10 in which the monitoring device 11a is included, in place of the system manager 20. The device 11 can determine whether it is the monitoring device 11a or not based on the status information stored in the memory unit 113.

[0039] If the device 11 is not the monitoring device 11a ("No" in step S11), the device 11 determines whether or not an operation status monitoring signal has been received (step S12). The device 11 waits until it receives the operation status monitoring signal (i.e., while step S12 is "No"), and upon receiving the operation status monitoring signal ("Yes" in step S12), it transmits a response signal to the monitoring device 11a (if the device 11 is being monitored by the monitoring device 11a) or the system manager 20 (if the device 11 is being monitored by the system manager 20) (step S13).

[0040] The operation status monitoring signal may be, for example, a ping signal. The response signal may be, for example, a response signal to the ping signal. This allows monitoring the life or death of the device 11 with a small amount of signal. The response signal may also include information about the operation status of the device 11. For example, the response signal may include information about the operation log, error occurrence log, operating time, current processing load, etc. of the device 11. This allows monitoring the operation status of the device 11 in more detail.

[0041] On the other hand, if the monitoring device 11a itself is the monitoring device 11a ("Yes" in step S11), the monitoring device 11a monitors the operation status of the other devices 11 in the IP call system 10 that the monitoring device 11a is included in. In detail, the monitoring device 11a transmits an operation status monitoring signal to the other devices 11 (step S14), and generates a monitoring result of the operation status of the other devices 11 based on whether or not there is a response from the other devices 11 (step S15).

[0042] For example, the monitoring device 11a can generate a monitoring result that the device 11 that has responded to the operation status monitoring signal (i.e., received a response signal) is in operation. On the other hand, the monitoring device 11a can generate a monitoring result that the device 11 that has not responded to the operation status monitoring signal is stopped. In addition, when a response signal including information on the operation status is received in response to the operation status monitoring signal, the monitoring device 11a can generate a monitoring result that the device 11 is in operation, as well as the operation status included in the information on the operation status (operation log, error occurrence log, operating time, current processing load, etc.).

[0043] After generating all the monitoring results of the other devices 11, the monitoring device 11a generates a final result by aggregating (combining) all the monitoring results of the other devices 11 and its own monitoring result (the monitoring result that the monitoring device 11a is operating), and transmits the final result to the system manager 20 (step S16).

[0044] In this way, a device 11 that is not selected as the monitoring device 11a can respond to the operation status monitoring signal and notify the monitoring device 11a or the system manager 20 that it is operating. Also, if it does not respond to the operation status monitoring signal, it can notify the monitoring device 11a or the system manager 20 that it is stopped.

[0045] On the other hand, the device 11 selected as the monitoring device 11a can monitor the operating status of the other devices 11 and notify the system manager 20 of its own operating status (monitoring results) and the monitoring results of the other devices 11.

[0046] (4-2) System Manager Operation (4-2-1) Monitoring device decision operation Next, the operation of the system manager 20 will be described. First, the determination operation of the monitoring device 11a will be described with reference to Fig. 6. Fig. 6 is a flowchart showing the determination operation of the monitoring device 11a. The determination operation of the monitoring device 11a described below is executed by the system manager 20.

[0047] The system manager 20 can perform the operation of determining the monitoring device 11a only once when the operation of the communication system 1 starts. Alternatively, the system manager 20 can perform the operation of determining the monitoring device 11a periodically at predetermined time intervals. This allows the system manager 20 to determine the optimal monitoring device 11a at any time in response to changes in the status of the devices 11 included in the communication system 1.

[0048] Alternatively, the system manager 20 may determine a predetermined number of monitoring devices 11a (for example, one device) each time the number of devices 11 included in the communication system 1 reaches a certain threshold. For example, if this threshold is 100 devices, one additional monitoring device 11a can be determined for every 100 additional devices 11. Specifically, for example, no monitoring device 11a can be determined (zero monitoring devices 11a) until the number of devices 11 reaches 99, one monitoring device 11a can be determined when the number of devices 11 reaches 100, and another monitoring device 11a can be determined when the number of devices 11 reaches 200. That is, when the number of devices 11 is 0 to 99, there is 0 monitoring device 11a (the system manager 20 monitors the devices 11), when the number is 100 to 199, there is 1 monitoring device 11a, when the number is 200 to 299, there are 2 monitoring devices 11a, and so on. For every 100 increase in the number of devices 11, one monitoring device 11a can be added.

[0049] First, in step S21, the system manager 20 determines whether the number of devices 11 included in the communication system 1 is equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold. This predetermined threshold can be determined appropriately depending on, for example, the processing capacity of the system manager 20, the network speed, etc.

[0050] If the number of devices 11 included in the communication system 1 is less than a predetermined threshold ("No" in step S21), the system manager 20 determines that it is not necessary to determine a monitoring device 11a. In other words, the system manager 20 determines that it will monitor the devices 11 included in the communication system. The monitoring operation of the devices 11 will be described in detail later.

[0051] On the other hand, if the number of devices 11 included in the communication system 1 is abnormal to the predetermined threshold ("Yes" in step S21), the system manager 20 determines that it is necessary to determine a monitoring device 11a. In this case, the system manager 20 determines a monitoring device 11a from among the devices 11 included in the communication system 1 in accordance with predetermined conditions (step S22). Specifically, the monitoring device 11a can be determined as follows.

[0052] For example, the system manager 20 can prioritize a predetermined specific device 11 as the monitoring device 11a from among the devices 11 included in each IP call system 10. This allows the monitoring device 11a to be determined for each IP call system 10. For example, the system manager 20 can determine the device 11 with the smallest identification number in the first network N1 from among the multiple devices 11 included in the IP call system 10 as the monitoring device 11a. The identification number for selecting the monitoring device 11a can be, for example, an IP address, a MAC address, or the like.

[0053] When an IP address is used as the identification number, the system manager 20 can determine, for example, from among the devices 11 included in the IP call system 10, the device 11 whose IP address has the smallest host part as the monitoring device 11a. When a MAC address is used as the identification number, the system manager 20 can determine, for example, from among the devices 11 included in the IP call system 10, the device 11 whose MAC address has the smallest last digit as the monitoring device 11a.

[0054] In addition, if the first network N1 is composed of multiple networks (for example, one IP call system 10 has a first network N1 to which another IP call system 10 is connected), the system manager 20 may determine one monitoring device 11a for each first network N1.

[0055] In this case, each of the multiple networks included in the first network N1 has an IP address of, for example, "192.168.*.* (*: wildcard)." That is, each of the multiple networks has a common network section. Therefore, the system manager 20 can determine, for example, the device 11 with the smallest host section among the devices 11 that have a common network section as the monitored device 11a.

[0056] Furthermore, the system manager 20 can prioritize the device with the smallest processing load among the multiple devices 11 included in the IP call system 10 and determine it as the monitoring device 11a. The "device 11 with the smallest processing load" refers to, for example, the device 11 with the smallest utilization rate of the processing unit 111 or the device 11 that responds most quickly to an operation status monitoring signal. In this case, for example, the system manager 20 can inquire about the operation status of the devices 11 included in the communication system 1, and identify the device 11 with the smallest processing load based on the responses of each device 11 to this inquiry.

[0057] By selecting the monitoring device 11a as the device 11 with the smallest processing load, the monitoring device 11a capable of quickly monitoring the other devices 11 can be selected, and monitoring of all the devices 11 can be completed in a short time.

[0058] Alternatively, the system manager 20 may determine the monitoring device 11a by combining a plurality of the above conditions for identifying the monitoring device 11a. Furthermore, if a device 11 that meets the conditions is stopped or the like and the device 11 cannot be determined as the monitoring device 11a, the system manager 20 may, for example, preferentially determine the device 11 that next meets the conditions as the monitoring device 11a. For example, if the device 11 with the smallest identification number cannot be determined as the monitoring device 11a, the system manager 20 may preferentially determine the device 11 with the second smallest identification number as the monitoring device 11a.

[0059] After determining the monitoring device 11a, the system manager 20 notifies the device 11 determined as the monitoring device 11a that it has been determined as the monitoring device 11a (step S23). Upon receiving this notification, the device 11 rewrites the status information stored in the storage unit 113 to information indicating that the device 11 is the monitoring device 11a.

[0060] (4-2-2) Device monitoring by the system manager The operation of the system manager 20 to monitor the device 11 will be described below with reference to Fig. 7. Fig. 7 is a flowchart showing the operation of the system manager 20 to monitor the device 11.

[0061] First, in step S31, the system manager 20 determines whether the number of devices 11 included in the communication system 1 is equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold.

[0062] If the number of devices 11 included in the communication system 1 is less than a predetermined threshold value ("No" in step S31), the system manager 20 directly monitors the operating status of all devices 11 included in the communication system 1, as shown in Fig. 8. Fig. 8 is a diagram schematically showing a case where the system manager 20 directly monitors all devices 11.

[0063] In detail, the system manager 20 transmits an operation status monitoring signal to all devices 11 included in all IP call systems 10 (step S32), and monitors the operation status of all devices 11 included in IP call systems 10 based on the presence or absence of a response from the devices 11 to the operation status monitoring signal (step S33). The monitoring of the operation status of the devices 11 based on the presence or absence of a response from the devices 11 to the operation status monitoring signal is similar to the monitoring of the operation status by the monitoring device 11a described above, and therefore a description thereof will be omitted here.

[0064] On the other hand, if the number of devices 11 included in the communication system 1 is equal to or greater than the predetermined threshold value ("Yes" in step S31), the system manager 20 has the monitoring device 11a monitor the devices 11 instead of the system manager 20, and the system manager 20 receives the monitoring results from the monitoring device 11a, thereby monitoring all of the devices 11 included in the communication system, as shown in Fig. 9. Fig. 9 is a diagram that schematically shows a case where the monitoring device 11a monitors the devices 11 instead of the system manager 20.

[0065] In detail, the system manager 20 receives monitoring results (final results) from the monitoring devices 11a of each IP call system 10 (step S34), and monitors the operating status of the devices 11 included in the communication system 1 by aggregating the received monitoring results (final results) (step S35).

[0066] 8 and 9, compared to the case where the system manager 20 directly monitors the operating status of all devices 11 (FIG. 8), the amount of communication from the devices 11 to the system manager 20 is less when the monitoring device 11a monitors the operating status of the devices 11 on behalf of the system manager 20 (FIG. 9). Therefore, in the communication system 1 of the present disclosure, when the number of devices 11 included in the communication system 1 is equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold, the monitoring device 11a monitors the operating status of the other devices 11 and transmits the monitoring results to the system manager 20. As a result, when the number of devices 11 included in the communication system 1 is large, the system manager 20 does not need to monitor the operating status of all devices, and the amount of communication between the devices 11 and the system manager 20 can be reduced. As a result, all devices 11 included in the communication system 1 can be monitored in a short time.

[0067] Furthermore, when the communication system 1 includes a large number of devices 11, the system manager 20 does not need to monitor the operating status of all the devices, thereby reducing the processing load imposed on the system manager 20 when monitoring the devices 11. As a result, it is possible to prevent the operation of the communication system 1 from being slowed down due to monitoring the devices 11.

[0068] On the other hand, when the number of devices 11 included in the communication system 1 is not large, the system manager 20 transmits an operation status monitoring signal to the devices 11 included in the IP call system 10, and monitors the operation status of the devices 11 included in the IP call system 10 based on whether or not there is a response from the devices 11 to the operation status monitoring signal. In other words, the system manager 20 monitors the operation status of all devices 11. As a result, when monitoring the devices 11 does not impose a large processing load, the system manager 20 monitors the devices 11, and the operation status of the devices 11 included in the communication system 1 can be monitored in a short period of time.

[0069] (5) Variations In the above IP telephone system 10, multiple devices 11 are connected to a router 13. The router 13 assigns an identifier to each device 11, and the multiple devices 11 form a first network N1.

[0070] However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the multiple devices 11 may be connected to a device that does not have a router function, such as a hub. In other words, the multiple devices 11 and the system manager 20 may all belong to the second network N2. In this case, for example, the system manager 20 may divide the multiple devices 11 included in the communication system 1 into multiple groups, and manage the devices 11 belonging to one group to form one network (first network).

[0071] If the identifiers for identifying the devices 11 and the system manager 20 on the second network N2 are IP addresses, the group may be identified by the number "A" in the IP address "192.168.A.*** (*: wildcard)", for example.

[0072] Alternatively, multiple devices 11 and the system manager 20 may belong to a single network under the control of a single router. In this case, this network may be divided into multiple segments using a network switch (e.g., an L2 switch or an L3 switch). In this case, an identifier for identifying the device 11 is determined so as to indicate which segment the device 11 belongs to. When an IP address is used as the identifier, the identifier can be determined so that each segment has a common network portion.

[0073] If the network is divided into segments, the system manager 20 may determine one monitoring device 11a for each segment.

[0074] In the above, the system manager 20 determines the monitoring device 11a, but the device 11 may determine whether it is the monitoring device 11a based on the setting state of the device 11. In this case, the device 11 can determine whether it is the monitoring device 11a by performing the same processes as steps S21 to S23 in the flowchart of FIG.

[0075] 2. Features of the First Embodiment (1) A communication system includes an IP call system and a system manager. The IP call system includes multiple devices connected to each other to form a first network, and performs voice data transmission and reception processing between the devices using a call protocol. The system manager is connected to the IP call system via a second network, controls the voice data transmission and reception processing between the devices using the call protocol, and monitors the operating status of the devices within the IP call system.

[0076] In the communication system of the present disclosure, when the number of devices included in the communication system is equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold, a monitoring device selected from among the multiple devices included in the IP call system transmits an operation status monitoring signal to the other devices and monitors the operation status of the other devices based on whether or not the other devices respond to the operation status monitoring signal.The monitoring device also transmits monitoring results including the operation status of the other devices and the operation status of the monitoring device to a system manager.The system manager monitors the operation status of the devices included in the IP call system by aggregating the monitoring results received from the monitoring devices of the IP call system.

[0077] In the communication system of the present disclosure, when the number of devices included in the communication system is equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold, one monitoring device selected from the devices included in the IP call system monitors the operating status of the other devices and sends the monitoring results to the system manager. This eliminates the need for the system manager to monitor the operating status of all devices when the communication system includes a large number of devices, making it possible to monitor all devices included in the communication system in a short amount of time.

[0078] (2) In the communication system of (1) above, if the number of devices included in the IP communication system is less than a predetermined threshold, the system manager may send an operation status monitoring signal to the devices included in the IP communication system and monitor the operation status of the devices included in the IP communication system based on whether or not the devices respond to the operation status monitoring signal. In this way, if monitoring the devices does not impose a large processing load, the system manager can monitor the devices, allowing the operation status of the devices included in the communication system to be monitored in a short period of time.

[0079] (3) In the communication system of (1) or (2) above, the monitoring device may be a predetermined device among multiple devices included in the IP communication system, which makes it easier to identify the monitoring device.

[0080] (4) In any of the communication systems (1) to (3) above, the monitoring device may be a device selected by a system manager from among multiple devices included in the IP communication system, allowing the system manager to easily identify which device is the monitoring device.

[0081] (5) In any of the communication systems (1) to (4) above, the monitoring device may be a device that has the smallest identification number for identifying the device in the first network among multiple devices included in the IP communication system. This allows the monitoring device to be selected based on clear and easy-to-understand criteria.

[0082] (6) In any of the communication systems (1) to (4) above, the monitoring device may be the device with the smallest processing load among multiple devices included in the IP communication system. This allows the monitoring device that can quickly monitor other devices to be selected, and monitoring of all devices can be completed in a short period of time.

[0083] (7) In any of the communication systems (1) to (6) above, the operational status monitoring signal may be a ping signal. This reduces the amount of communication traffic used to monitor the operational status of the devices, enabling monitoring of all devices in a short period of time.

[0084] (8) In any of the communication systems (1) to (7) above, the communication protocol of the communication system may be SIP, which allows calls between devices to be made using a protocol that is optimal for IP calls. [Industrial Applicability]

[0085] The present disclosure is applicable to a communication system that enables intra-office calls using devices. [Explanation of symbols]

[0086] 1: Communication System 10: IP calling system 11:Equipment 111: Processing section 113: Storage section 115: Network Interface 117: Functional section 11a: Surveillance equipment 13: Router 20: System Manager 201: Processing section 203: Storage section 205: Network Interface N1: Network 1 N2: Second network

Claims

1. an IP call system including a plurality of devices connected to each other to form a first network, the IP call system performing transmission and reception processing of voice data between the devices using a call protocol; a system manager connected to the IP call system via a second network, controlling transmission and reception of voice data between devices using the call protocol, and monitoring the operating status of devices within the IP call system; A communication system comprising: the device has a storage unit that stores status information indicating whether the device is a monitoring device; If the number of devices included in the communication system is equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold, the device determines whether or not it is the monitoring device based on the status information; a device that has determined that it is the monitoring device transmits an operation status monitoring signal to the other devices, monitors the operation status of the other devices based on the presence or absence of a response from the other devices to the operation status monitoring signal, and transmits a monitoring result including the operation status of the other devices and the operation status of the monitoring device to the system manager; the system manager monitors the operating status of the devices included in the IP call system by aggregating the monitoring results received from the monitoring devices of the IP call system; Communication system.

2. A communication system as described in claim 1, wherein when the number of devices included in the IP call system is less than a predetermined threshold, the system manager sends an operation status monitoring signal to the devices included in the IP call system and monitors the operation status of the devices included in the IP call system based on whether or not the devices respond to the operation status monitoring signal.

3. The communication system according to claim 1 , wherein the monitoring device is a predetermined device among a plurality of devices included in an IP telephone system.

4. The communication system according to claim 1 , wherein the monitoring device is a device determined by the system manager from among a plurality of devices included in the IP telephone system.

5. 2. The communication system according to claim 1, wherein the monitoring device is a device having the smallest identification number for identifying the device in the first network among a plurality of devices included in the IP telephone system.

6. 2. The communication system according to claim 1, wherein the monitoring device is a device with a minimum processing load among a plurality of devices included in the IP telephone system.

7. The communication system according to claim 1 , wherein the operation status monitoring signal is a ping signal.

8. 2. The communication system according to claim 1, wherein the call protocol is SIP.

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