Communication system, home gateway, communication method, and program

Abstract

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

Description

Technical Field

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

Background Art

[0002] Regarding home gateways that can switch calls, the following documents can be cited.

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

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] The following analysis is provided by the inventor of the present invention.

[0006] In recent years, due to the spread of the Internet, in communication services using fixed lines such as optical fibers, a device called a home gateway (hereinafter also referred to as HGW (Home Gate Way)), which is responsible for connecting a public switched telephone network and a private network such as a private house, is used in many households.

[0007] HGW (Home Gateway) handles the functions of a typical broadband router, including connecting to an Internet Service Provider (ISP), providing IP phone functionality using VoIP (Voice over IP) networks offered by ISPs and other businesses, assigning IP addresses to computers and other devices within the home, and functioning as a wireless LAN (Local Aera Network) access point (Wi-Fi access point).

[0008] Generally, an HGW (Home Gateway) includes several components to implement IP phone functionality, such as a circuit called FXS (Foreign eXchange Subscriber) for IP phone service subscribers to connect analog phones, a call control function called SIP (Session Initiation Protocol) that manages incoming and outgoing IP phone calls with the other party using the IP network, a function called B2BUA (Back-to-Back User Agent) to enable IP phone communication between IP phone terminals connected under the HGW and the IP network, and a function called RTP (Real-time Transit Protocol) that sends and receives packets of digitized voice in fragments.

[0009] Generally, for an HGW (Home Gateway) to utilize its IP phone functionality, the HGW user must subscribe to an IP phone service provided by an ISP (Internet Service Provider) or other carrier and pay a monthly fee. The ISP then assigns the subscriber a 0AB-J number or 050 phone number, activating the HGW's IP phone function.

[0010] Subscribers dial the phone number of the person they wish to call from an analog or IP phone connected to the HGW (Home Gateway). The HGW then performs SIP-based call control with SIP servers deployed on the IP phone network provided by ISPs and other carriers, connecting subscribers and enabling IP phone communication.

[0011] Generally, subscribers use IP phone services via IP phone networks and SIP servers provided by ISPs and other service providers, and at the same time, these providers bill subscribers for IP phone usage fees. For example, call charges might be 10 yen for every 3 minutes of talk time. In recent years, with the spread of the internet, flat-rate internet usage fees for home fixed lines have become common, but IP phone usage fees are often charged based on actual usage, which is one of the factors that deters users from using IP phones. To solve this problem, we propose a communication method that enables IP phone communication without charging call fees.

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

[0013] According to a first aspect of the present invention, the present invention includes a first home gateway and a second home gateway connected via the Internet network, The first home gateway obtains the second global IP address information of the second home gateway, The second home gateway obtains the first global IP address information of the first home gateway, The first home gateway and the second home gateway can provide a communication system that initiates voice calls over the Internet network using the acquired first global IP address information and second global IP address information.

[0014] According to a second aspect of the present invention, a first home gateway connected via the Internet network, The second global IP address information of the second home gateway connected via the aforementioned internet network is obtained, Using the second global IP address information of the second home gateway and the first global IP address information of the first home gateway, a first home gateway can be provided that establishes voice calls between the second home gateway and the Internet network.

[0015] According to a third aspect of the present invention, in a communication system including a first home gateway and a second home gateway connected via the Internet, The first home gateway obtains the second global IP address information of the second home gateway, The second home gateway obtains the first global IP address information of the first home gateway, The first home gateway and the second home gateway can provide a communication method for establishing voice calls over the Internet network using the acquired first global IP address information and second global IP address information. This method is linked to a specific machine, namely a computer, which performs the above method.

[0016] According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, a computer included in a first home gateway, which is connected via the Internet network, A process for obtaining the second global IP address information of a second home gateway connected via the aforementioned internet network, A program can be provided that uses the second global IP address information of the second home gateway and the first global IP address information of the first home gateway to perform the process of establishing a voice call between the second home gateway and the Internet network.

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

Advantages of the Invention

[0018] According to the present invention, a communication system, a home gateway, a communication method, and a program can be provided, which contribute to enabling direct IP telephone communication between HGWs via the Internet without continuously passing through an IP telephone network (also referred to as a VoIP network) or a SIP server.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0019] [Figure 1] It is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of the communication system according to the present disclosure. [Figure 2] It is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of the communication system according to the present disclosure. [Figure 3] It is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of the home gateway according to the present disclosure. [Figure 4] It is a sequence diagram showing an example of the operation of general IP telephone communication. [Figure 5] It is a sequence diagram showing an example of the operation of IP telephone communication according to the present disclosure. [Figure 6] It is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of the communication system according to the present disclosure. [Figure 7] It is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of the home gateway according to the present disclosure. [Figure 8] It is a diagram showing an example of the contact list according to the present disclosure. [Figure 9] It is a sequence diagram showing an example of the operation of IP telephone communication according to the present disclosure. [Figure 10] It is a diagram showing the configuration of a computer constituting the home gateway according to the present disclosure. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

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

[0021] First, an overview of one embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings. The reference numerals in the drawings attached to this overview are provided for convenience to aid understanding and are not intended to limit the present invention to the illustrated embodiment. Furthermore, the connecting lines between blocks in the drawings and other references in the following description include both bidirectional and unidirectional lines. Unidirectional arrows schematically represent the flow of the main signal (data) and do not exclude bidirectional flow.

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

[0023] The first HGW100 obtains the second global IP address information of the second HGW150, and the second HGW150 obtains the first global IP address information of the first HGW100.

[0024] The first HGW100 and the second HGW150 use the acquired first global IP address information and second global IP address information to establish a voice call over the internet network 110.

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

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

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

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

[0029] The VoIP network 105 is a network dedicated to IP phone communication, and is equipped with a SIP server 104 that manages call control for IP phone communication. The SIP server 104 receives an IP phone outgoing call request from an IP phone-compatible terminal such as the HGW200, and forwards that request to the IP phone communication partner, for example, the HGW250.

[0030] The SIP messages sent from SIP server 104 to HGW200 and HGW250 contain the destination IP address information of the SIP message necessary for making an IP phone call using the VoIP network 105. This IP address may be the IP address of SIP server 104 itself, or it may be the IP address of the IP phone communication partner that has been NAPT (Network Address Port Translation) performed by a router or other device deployed in the VoIP network 105 and then sent. The IP address sent from SIP server 104 may be limited to use within the VoIP network 105.

[0031] The Internet network 106 is a network that connects information devices such as computers around the world, and HGW200 and HGW250 can access each other not only through the VoIP network 105 but also through the Internet network 106.

[0032] The HGW200 is assigned a global IPv4 (Internet Protocol Version 4) or IPv6 (Internet Protocol Version 6) address, and can communicate with the VoIP network 105 and the Internet network 106 using this global IPv4 and IPv6 address. The HGW200 is assigned a unique telephone number by an IP telephone provider such as an ISP, and has the functionality to perform IP telephone communication via the VoIP network 105 using SIP packets and RTP packets. A telephone 102 is connected to the HGW200, and the telephone 102 can function as either an analog telephone or an IP telephone terminal, enabling IP telephone communication with the desired recipient.

[0033] The HGW250 is a communication partner of the HGW200, and may include the same functions and configuration as the HGW200.

[0034] (1-2) Next, an example of a home gateway configuration will be described. Figure 3 is a block diagram showing an example of a home gateway configuration according to this disclosure. Figure 3 shows an example of the HGW200 configuration.

[0035] The HGW200 includes an information processing unit 201, a LAN port 202, a WAN (Wide Area Network) port 203, a routing control unit 204, an FXS circuit unit 205, a B2BUA function unit 206, a SIP control unit 207, an RTP control unit 208, and an IP address notification unit 209.

[0036] The information processing unit 201 controls the various functions installed in the HGW200. The LAN port 202 complies with IEEE 802.3 and communicates with communication devices on the private network. The WAN port 203 complies with IEEE 802.3 and communicates with communication devices on external networks such as the internet.

[0037] The routing control unit 204 determines the destination for communications received on the LAN port 202 and WAN port 203 and performs the forwarding. The FXS circuit unit 205 is a circuit for connecting an analog telephone to the HGW200 and handles incoming and outgoing calls to the analog telephone. The FXS circuit unit 205 further encodes analog voice to digital voice and decodes digital voice to analog voice for IP telephone communication, and performs voice transmission and reception.

[0038] The B2BUA function unit 206 manages the IP phone terminal connected to the LAN port 202 of the HGW200 and processes the forwarding of RTP and SIP communications sent to and received by the IP phone terminal to the VoIP network 105 or the Internet network 106 via the WAN port 203 of the HGW200.

[0039] The SIP control unit 207 complies with RFC (Request for Comments) 3261 and other standards, and performs call control to manage the initiation and reception of IP phone calls between the HGW200 and the other party using the IP network via the HGW200's WAN port 203.

[0040] The RTP control unit 208 complies with RFC3550 and other standards and processes the transmission and reception of IP phone voice data between the HGW200 and the other party making a call using the IP network via the HGW200's WAN port 203.

[0041] The IP address notification unit 209 notifies the IP phone call recipient of the HGW200's own global IPv4 or IPv6 address using TCP (Transmission Control Protocol) or UDP (User Datagram Protocol), and receives the IP phone call recipient's global IPv4 or IPv6 address sent to the HGW200 by the IP phone call recipient. In the following description, the HGW250 is described as having the same configuration as the example configuration of the HGW200 shown in Figure 3.

[0042] (2) Explanation of the operation of general IP phone communication Figure 4 is a sequence diagram showing an example of typical IP phone communication operation. Referring to Figures 2, 3, and 4, the operation of typical IP phone communication will be explained below.

[0043] (Step S201) The HGW200 registers its global IPv4 or IPv6 address and other information necessary for IP phone communication, such as its telephone number, with the SIP server 104 to enable the IP phone function. This process is called the SIP registry.

[0044] At this time, in the HGW200, based on instructions from the information processing unit 201, the SIP control unit 207 generates the information necessary for IP telephone communication and converts it into a SIP packet, the routing control unit 204 determines the route to the SIP server 104, and the SIP packet is forwarded to the SIP server 104 via the WAN port 203.

[0045] (Step S202) HGW200 receives a dialed telephone number of HGW250, which is an IP telephone communication partner, from telephone 102, which is an analog telephone or IP telephone terminal connected to HGW200.

[0046] At this time, if the telephone 102 connected to the HGW200 is an analog telephone, the FXS circuit unit 205 receives the telephone number of the IP telephone communication partner from the analog telephone 102 using methods such as dial pulses or DTMF (Dual Tone Multi-Frequency), and notifies the information processing unit 201 of the received telephone number information.

[0047] Alternatively, if the telephone 102 connected to the HGW200 is an IP telephone terminal, when the user dials the telephone number of the IP telephone communication partner HGW250, the telephone 102 uses SIP to notify the B2BUA function unit 206 via the LAN port 202 of the outgoing message to the HGW200.

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

[0049] At this time, in the HGW200, based on instructions from the information processing unit 201, the SIP control unit 207 generates the information necessary for IP telephone communication, such as the aforementioned telephone number information, and converts it into a SIP packet. The routing control unit 204 then determines the route to the SIP server 104, and the SIP packet is forwarded to the SIP server 104 via the WAN port 203.

[0050] (Step S204) When SIP server 104 receives an outgoing SIP message from HGW200, it refers to the telephone number information managed by the SIP server to identify HGW250, the IP phone communication partner, and forwards the outgoing SIP message from HGW200 to the global IPv4 address or IPv6 address of HGW250, the IP phone communication partner.

[0051] (Step S205) When the HGW250 receives an outgoing SIP message from the SIP server 104, it determines that it has received an incoming IP phone call and causes the telephone 103, which is an analog telephone or IP telephone terminal connected to the HGW250, to ring.

[0052] At this time, the SIP packet sent from the SIP server 104 is notified to the SIP control unit 207 via the WAN port 203 of the HGW250. When the SIP control unit 207 in the HGW250 recognizes an incoming IP phone call, the information processing unit 201 controls the FXS circuit unit 205 to make a call to the telephone 103 connected to the HGW250.

[0053] If the telephone 103 connected to the HGW250 is an analog telephone, the FXS circuit unit 205 sends an electrical signal called "Ringer" to the analog telephone at the instruction of the HGW250's information processing unit 201 in order to make the analog telephone ring.

[0054] Alternatively, if the telephone 103 connected to the HGW250 is an IP phone terminal, the SIP outgoing message notified to the SIP control unit 207 is forwarded to the IP phone terminal telephone 103 via the B2BUA function unit 206.

[0055] (Step S206) The user of the HGW250 recognizes the incoming IP phone call by the ringtone and takes the handset of telephone 103 off hook.

[0056] (Step S207) When HGW250 detects that the receiver of telephone 103 is off-hook, in step S2071 it sends a SIP response message (200 OK) to SIP server 104, and at the same time in step S2072 it sends voice data to HGW200 via VoIP network 105 using RTP.

[0057] At this time, if the telephone 103 connected to the HGW250 is an analog telephone, the FXS circuit unit 205 in the HGW250 detects the analog telephone's off-hook status and notifies the information processing unit 201 that the HGW250 user has answered an incoming call. Subsequently, the information processing unit 201 of the HGW250 instructs the SIP control unit 207 to send a SIP response message (200 OK) to the SIP server 104. The routing control unit 204 then determines the route to the SIP server 104, and the SIP control unit 207 forwards the SIP packet to the SIP server 104 via the WAN port 203. Simultaneously, the FXS circuit unit 205 of the HGW250 encodes the electrical voice signals transmitted and received from the connected analog telephone into digital data and forwards fragmented voice packets (RTP) at predetermined intervals via the RTP control unit 208 from the WAN port 203 to the VoIP network 105.

[0058] If the telephone 103 connected to the HGW250 is an IP telephone terminal, the HGW250 forwards the SIP response message and RTP packets notified to the SIP control unit 207 from the WAN port 203 to the VoIP network 105 via the B2BUA function unit 206.

[0059] (Step S208) In step S2081, HGW200 receives a SIP response message (200 OK) from SIP server 104, and at the same time in step S2082, it transmits voice data to HGW250 via the VoIP network 105 using RTP. This establishes IP telephone communication between HGW200 and HGW250.

[0060] At this time, if the telephone 102 connected to the HGW200 is an analog telephone, a SIP response message (200 OK) is sent from the SIP server 104, and an RTP packet is sent from the HGW250 via the VoIP network 105 and the WAN port 203 of the HGW200 to the SIP control unit 207 and the RTP control unit 208. The RTP control unit 208 of the HGW200 forwards the received RTP packet to the FXS circuit unit 205 via the information processing unit 201. When the FXS circuit unit 205 of the HGW200 receives the RTP signal, it decodes the digital voice data into analog voice data and sends and receives analog voice to and from the analog telephone connected to the FXS circuit unit 205.

[0061] If telephone 102 connected to HGW200 is an IP phone terminal, a SIP response message (200 OK) is sent from SIP server 104, and an RTP packet is sent from HGW250 via the VoIP network 105 and the WAN port 203 of HGW200 to the B2BUA function unit 206. The B2BUA function unit 206 of HGW200 forwards the received SIP message and RTP packet to telephone 102, which is an IP phone terminal connected to the LAN port 202 of HGW200.

[0062] (Step S209) After the above series of operations, IP telephone communication is established between HGW200 and HGW250. Then, by continuing IP telephone communication via the VoIP network 105, a predetermined call charge will be billed to the user of HGW200 for each call duration.

[0063] (3) Description of the operation of IP telephone communication in the first embodiment Figure 5 is a sequence diagram showing an example of the operation of IP telephone communication according to this disclosure. The operation of IP telephone communication in the first embodiment will be described below with reference to Figures 2, 3, and 5.

[0064] (Step S301) The HGW200 registers its global IPv4 or IPv6 address and other information necessary for IP phone communication, such as its telephone number, with the SIP server 104 to enable the IP phone function. This process is called the SIP registry.

[0065] At this time, in the HGW200, based on instructions from the information processing unit 201, the SIP control unit 207 generates the information necessary for IP telephone communication and converts it into a SIP packet, the routing control unit 204 determines the route to the SIP server 104, and the SIP packet is forwarded to the SIP server 104 via the WAN port 203.

[0066] (Step S302) HGW200 receives a dialed telephone number of HGW250, which is an IP telephone communication partner, from telephone 102, which is an analog telephone or IP telephone terminal connected to HGW200.

[0067] At this time, if the telephone 102 connected to the HGW200 is an analog telephone, the FXS circuit unit 205 of the HGW200 receives the telephone number of the IP telephone communication partner from the analog telephone using methods such as dial pulses or DTMF, and then notifies the information processing unit 201 of the received telephone number information.

[0068] Alternatively, if the telephone 102 connected to the HGW200 is an IP telephone terminal, when the user dials the telephone number of the IP telephone communication partner HGW250, the telephone 102 uses SIP to notify the B2BUA function unit 206 of the HGW200 via the LAN port 202 of the HGW200 of the outgoing message.

[0069] (Step S303) In this first embodiment, the HGW200 generates a TCP or UDP message to which its global IPv4 or IPv6 address information is attached by the IP address notification unit 209 of the HGW200 in order to exchange its global IPv4 or IPv6 address with the HGW250, which is an IP telephone communication partner.

[0070] (Step S304) In order to send a TCP or UDP message to the HGW250, which is the IP telephone communication partner, to which the global IPv4 address or IPv6 address information of the HGW200 itself generated above has been added, the SIP control unit 207 of the HGW200 sends a message to the SIP server 104 specifying the media type of the SIP message as "application" in the SDP (Session Description Protocol) area of ​​the SIP message in order to notify the SIP server 104 of the telephone number information of the IP telephone communication partner, the HGW250, and the TCP or UDP message. According to RFC4566, by specifying the media type of the SIP message as "application", SIP terminals can communicate with each other using TCP / UDP packets instead of RTP packets.

[0071] (Step S305) HGW200 notifies HGW250 via SIP server 104 of a TCP or UDP message to which its own global IPv4 address or IPv6 address information generated above is attached.

[0072] (Step S306) When HGW250 receives a TCP or UDP message from HGW200 via SIP server 104 that includes its own global IPv4 address or IPv6 address information, HGW250 simultaneously notifies HGW200 via SIP server 104 of a TCP or UDP message from HGW250 that includes its own global IPv4 address or IPv6 address information generated by its IP address notification unit 209.

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

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

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

[0076] At this time, the SIP packet sent from HGW200 is notified to the SIP control unit 207 of HGW250 via WAN port 203. When the SIP control unit 207 of HGW250 recognizes an incoming IP phone call, it makes a call to the telephone 103 connected to HGW250 via the information processing unit 201.

[0077] If the telephone 103 connected to the HGW250 is an analog telephone, the FXS circuit unit 205 sends an electrical signal called "Ringer" to the analog telephone at the instruction of the HGW250's information processing unit 201 in order to make the analog telephone ring.

[0078] Alternatively, if the telephone 103 connected to the HGW250 is an IP phone terminal, the SIP outgoing message notified to the SIP control unit 207 of the HGW250 is forwarded to the IP phone terminal telephone 103 via the B2BUA function unit 206.

[0079] (Step S309) The user of the HGW250 recognizes the incoming IP phone call by the ringtone and takes the handset of telephone 103 off hook.

[0080] (Step S310) When HGW250 detects that the handset of telephone 103 is off-hook, in step S3101 it sends a SIP response message (200 OK) to the global IPv4 or IPv6 address of HGW200 via the internet network 106. At the same time, in step S3102 it sends voice data using RTP via the internet network 106 to the global IPv4 or IPv6 address of HGW200.

[0081] At this time, if the telephone 103 connected to the HGW250 is an analog telephone, the FXS circuit unit 205 of the HGW250 detects that the analog telephone is off-hook and notifies the information processing unit 201 that the user of the HGW250 has answered the incoming call. Subsequently, the information processing unit 201 of the HGW250 instructs the SIP control unit 207 to send a SIP response message (200 OK) to the global IPv4 address or IPv6 address of the HGW200, and the routing control unit 204 of the HGW250 determines the route to the global IPv4 address or IPv6 address of the HGW200. Then, the SIP control unit 207 of the HGW250 forwards the SIP packet via the WAN port 203 to the global IPv4 address or IPv6 address of the HGW200. Simultaneously, the FXS circuit section 205 of the HGW250 encodes the electrical voice signals transmitted and received from the telephone 103 of the connected analog telephone into digital data, and forwards these fragmented voice packets (RTP) at predetermined intervals via the RTP control section 208 from the HGW250's WAN port 203 through the internet network 106 to the HGW200's global IPv4 address or IPv6 address.

[0082] If the telephone 103 connected to the HGW250 is an IP telephone terminal, the SIP response message and RTP packets notified to the SIP control unit 207 of the HGW250 are forwarded via the B2BUA function unit 206 from the WAN port 203 through the internet network 106 to the global IPv4 address or IPv6 address of the HGW200.

[0083] (Step S311) When HGW200 receives a SIP response message (200 OK) from HGW250's global IPv4 or IPv6 address via the Internet network 106, it simultaneously sends voice data using RTP via the Internet network 106 to HGW250's global IPv4 or IPv6 address. This establishes IP telephone communication between HGW200 and HGW250.

[0084] At this time, if the telephone 102 connected to the HGW200 is an analog telephone, the SIP response message (200OK) and RTP packets received from the HGW250's global IPv4 or IPv6 address to the HGW200's global IPv4 or IPv6 address in step S310 are notified to the SIP control unit 207 and RTP control unit 208 via the HGW200's WAN port 203, via the Internet network 106. The RTP control unit 208 of the HGW200 forwards the received RTP packets to the FXS circuit unit 205 via the information processing unit 201. When the FXS circuit unit 205 of the HGW200 receives the RTP signal, it decodes the digital voice data into analog voice data and transmits and receives analog voice to and from the analog telephone connected to the FXS circuit unit 205.

[0085] If the telephone 102 connected to the HGW200 is an IP telephone terminal, in step S310, the SIP response message (200OK) and RTP packets received from the HGW250's global IPv4 or IPv6 address to the HGW200's global IPv4 or IPv6 address are sent to the B2BUA function unit 206 via the HGW200's WAN port 203 through the Internet network 106. The HGW200's B2BUA function unit 206 forwards the received SIP message and RTP packets to the telephone 102, which is an IP telephone terminal connected to the HGW200's LAN port 202.

[0086] (Step S312) After the above series of operations, IP telephone communication is established between HGW200 and HGW250 via the Internet network 106 instead of the VoIP network 105. And because IP telephone communication is achieved without going through the VoIP network 105, the user of HGW200 is not charged for call time.

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

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

[0089] (1) An example of a communication system configuration and an example of a home gateway configuration (1-1) Example of a communication system configuration The difference between the first and second embodiments is that in the second embodiment, the home gateway 400 (hereinafter referred to as HGW400) and home gateway 450 (hereinafter referred to as HGW450) are not subscribed to an IP telephone service provided by an ISP or other carrier, and the HGW400 and HGW450 are not connected to a VoIP network. Referring to Figure 6, the HGW400 and HGW450 are connected only to the internet network 301, each is assigned a unique global IPv4 address or IPv6 address, and can access each other through the internet network 301. The HGW400 is equipped with the function to perform IP telephone communication using SIP or RTP. A telephone 302 is connected to the HGW400, and the telephone 302 can be an analog telephone or an IP telephone terminal, enabling IP telephone communication with the person to be called. The HGW400 corresponds to the first HGW100, and the HGW450 corresponds to the second HGW150.

[0090] The HGW450 is the communication partner of the HGW400 and may have the same functions and configuration as the HGW400 of the present invention.

[0091] In the following description, the HGW450 will be explained as having the same configuration as the example configuration of the HGW400 shown in Figure 7.

[0092] (1-2) Example of Home Gateway Configuration Referring to Figure 7, the HGW400, like the HGW200 shown in Figure 3, includes an information processing unit 401, a LAN port 402, a WAN port 403, a routing control unit 404, an FXS circuit unit 405, a B2BUA function unit 406, a SIP control unit 407, and an RTP control unit 408, and further includes a WEB-GUI function unit 409 and a contact list 410. The information processing unit 401 controls each of the functions installed in the HGW400.

[0093] LAN port 402 complies with IEEE 802.3 and communicates with communication devices on a private network.

[0094] WAN port 403 complies with IEEE 802.3 and communicates with devices that connect to external networks such as the internet.

[0095] The routing control unit 404 determines the destination of communications received on the LAN port 402 and WAN port 403 and forwards them.

[0096] The FXS circuit section 405 is a circuit for connecting an analog telephone to the HGW400. It handles incoming and outgoing calls to the analog telephone, and further encodes analog audio into digital audio and decodes digital audio into analog audio for IP telephone communication, enabling both transmission and reception of audio.

[0097] The B2BUA function unit 406 manages the IP phone terminal connected to the LAN port 402 of the HGW400 and forwards RTP and SIP communications sent to and received by the IP phone terminal to the internet network 301 via the WAN port 403 of the HGW400.

[0098] The SIP control unit 407 complies with RFC3261 and other standards and performs call control to manage incoming and outgoing IP phone calls between the HGW400 and the other party using the IP network via the HGW400's WAN port 403.

[0099] The RTP control unit 408 complies with RFC3550 and other standards and processes the transmission and reception of IP phone voice data between the HGW400 and the other party making a call using the IP network via the HGW400's WAN port 403.

[0100] The WEB-GUI function unit 409 provides a user interface for HGW400 users to configure the HGW400 from a PC's web browser or the like.

[0101] As shown in Figure 8, the contact list 410 is a list that associates the name of the user, such as the HGW450, which is the IP phone communication partner, the IP address of the IP phone communication partner, i.e., the global IPv4 address or IPv6 address, with an assigned number. The user of the HGW400 uses the WEB-GUI function unit 409 to manually enter the name, global IPv4 address or IPv6 address, and assigned number of the person with whom they wish to communicate via IP phone into the contact list 410. In this embodiment, the contact list 410 is assumed to be registered in the HGW400, and "Mr. A" in the contact list 410 refers to the HGW450, which is the IP phone call partner. Also, as shown in Figure 8, "Mr. A" is assumed to be associated with the IP address "2001.db8::1" of the IP phone communication partner and the assigned number "001".

[0102] In the following description, the HGW450 will be described as having the same configuration as the example configuration of the HGW400 shown in Figure 7. The HGW450, like the HGW400, will include a contact list 410 registered by the HGW450 user.

[0103] (2) Description of the operation of IP telephone communication in the second embodiment Figure 9 is a sequence diagram showing an example of the operation of IP telephone communication according to this disclosure. The operation of IP telephone communication in the second embodiment will be described below with reference to Figures 6, 7, 8, and 9.

[0104] (Step S401) The HGW400 user accesses the HGW400 settings screen via the WEB-GUI function unit 409 from a web browser on a PC (personal computer).

[0105] (Step S402) The HGW400 user registers in advance in the contact list 410 the name, global IPv4 address or IPv6 address, and assigned number of the person with whom they wish to communicate via IP phone.

[0106] (Step S403) The user of HGW400 dials the assigned number "001" of HGW450, which is an IP phone communication partner registered in the contact list 410, from telephone 302, which is an analog telephone or IP telephone terminal connected to HGW400.

[0107] At this time, if the telephone 302 connected to the HGW400 is an analog telephone, the FXS circuit unit 405 of the HGW400 receives the assigned number of the IP telephone communication partner from the analog telephone 302 using methods such as dial pulses or DTMF, and then notifies the information processing unit 401 of the received assigned number information.

[0108] Alternatively, if the telephone 302 connected to the HGW400 is an IP phone terminal, when the user of the HGW400 dials the assigned number "001" of the IP phone communication partner HGW450, the IP phone terminal telephone 302 will use SIP to notify the information processing unit 401 of the HGW400 via the LAN port 402 of the HGW400 of the outgoing message.

[0109] (Step S404) When the information processing unit 401 of the HGW400 detects the dialing of the assigned number "001", it refers to the contact list 410 and obtains the global IPv4 address or IPv6 address of the HGW450, which is the IP phone communication partner associated with the dialed assigned number "001".

[0110] (Step S405) When HGW400 recognizes the global IPv4 or IPv6 address of HGW450, which is its IP phone communication partner, it sends a SIP outgoing message (INVITE) containing HGW400's own IP address information directly to the global IPv4 or IPv6 address of HGW450 via the Internet network 301.

[0111] At this time, in the HGW400, based on instructions from the information processing unit 401, the SIP control unit 407 generates the information necessary for IP telephone communication, such as the IP address information mentioned above, and packages it into a SIP packet. The routing control unit 404 then determines the route to the global IPv4 address or IPv6 address of the HGW450, which is the IP telephone communication partner, and the SIP packet is forwarded via the WAN port 403 of the HGW400 to the global IPv4 address or IPv6 address of the HGW450, which is the IP telephone communication partner.

[0112] (Step S406) When HGW450 receives an outgoing SIP message from HGW400 via the internet network 301, it determines that it has received an incoming IP phone call and causes the telephone 303, which is an analog telephone or IP phone terminal connected to HGW450, to ring.

[0113] At this time, the SIP packet sent from HGW400 is notified to the SIP control unit 407 of HGW450 via WAN port 403. When the SIP control unit 407 of HGW450 recognizes an incoming IP phone call, it makes a call to the telephone 303 connected to HGW450 via the information processing unit 401.

[0114] Furthermore, at this time, the HGW450 can refer to its contact list 410 and, if the global IPv4 or IPv6 address of the sender of the SIP outgoing message does not exist, it can determine that the call is from an unknown person and reject the call.

[0115] If the telephone 303 connected to the HGW450 is an analog telephone, the FXS circuit unit 405 sends an electrical signal called "Ringer" to the analog telephone 303 at the instruction of the HGW450's information processing unit 401 in order to make the analog telephone 303 ring.

[0116] Alternatively, if the telephone 303 connected to the HGW450 is an IP phone terminal, the SIP outgoing message notified to the SIP control unit 407 of the HGW450 is forwarded to the IP phone terminal telephone 303 via the B2BUA function unit 406.

[0117] (Step S407) The user of the HGW450 recognizes the incoming IP phone call by the ringtone and takes the handset of telephone 303 off hook.

[0118] (Step S408) When the HGW450 detects that the handset of telephone 303 is off-hook, in step S4081, it sends a SIP response message (200 OK) to the global IPv4 address or IPv6 address of HGW400 via the internet network 301, and at the same time, in step S4082, it sends voice data using RTP via the internet network 301 to the global IPv4 address or IPv6 address of HGW400.

[0119] At this time, if the telephone 303 connected to the HGW450 is an analog telephone, the FXS circuit unit 405 of the HGW450 detects that the analog telephone 303 is off-hook and notifies the information processing unit 401 that the user of the HGW450 has answered an incoming call. Subsequently, the information processing unit 401 of the HGW450 instructs the SIP control unit 407 to send a SIP response message (200 OK) to the global IPv4 address or IPv6 address of the HGW400. The routing control unit 404 of the HGW450 then determines the route to the global IPv4 address or IPv6 address of the HGW400, and the SIP control unit 407 forwards the SIP packet via the WAN port 403 of the HGW450 to the global IPv4 address or IPv6 address of the HGW400. Simultaneously, the FXS circuit section 405 of the HGW450 encodes the electrical voice signals transmitted and received from the connected analog telephone into digital data, and forwards these fragmented voice packets (RTP) at predetermined intervals via the RTP control section 408 of the HGW450 from the WAN port 403 of the HGW450 through the internet network 301 to the global IPv4 or IPv6 address of the HGW400.

[0120] If the telephone 303 connected to the HGW450 is an IP telephone terminal, the SIP response message and RTP packets notified to the SIP control unit 407 of the HGW450 are forwarded via the B2BUA function unit 406 from the WAN port 403 of the HGW450 through the internet network 301 to the global IPv4 address or IPv6 address of the HGW400.

[0121] (Step S409) HGW400 receives a SIP response message (200 OK) from HGW450's global IPv4 or IPv6 address via the Internet network 301, and at the same time sends voice data via the Internet network 301 using RTP to HGW450's global IPv4 or IPv6 address. This establishes IP telephone communication between HGW400 and HGW450.

[0122] At this time, if the telephone 302 connected to the HGW400 is an analog telephone, the received SIP response message (200 OK) and RTP packets from the HGW450's global IPv4 or IPv6 address to the HGW400's global IPv4 or IPv6 address are notified to the SIP control unit 407 and RTP control unit 408 via the HGW400's WAN port 403 through the Internet network 301. The RTP control unit 408 of the HGW400 forwards the received RTP packets to the FXS circuit unit 405 via the information processing unit 401. When the FXS circuit unit 405 of the HGW400 receives the RTP signal, it decodes the digital voice data into analog voice data and transmits and receives analog voice to and from the telephone 302 connected to the FXS circuit unit 405.

[0123] If the telephone 302 connected to the HGW400 is an IP phone terminal, the received SIP response message (200 OK) and RTP packets from the HGW450's global IPv4 or IPv6 address to the HGW400's global IPv4 or IPv6 address are sent via the Internet network 301 to the B2BUA function unit 406 via the HGW400's WAN port 403. The HGW400's B2BUA function unit 406 forwards the received SIP message and RTP packets to the telephone 302 of the IP phone terminal connected to the HGW400's LAN port 402.

[0124] (Step S410) After the above series of operations, a user who does not have a contract for IP phone service can establish IP phone communication between HGW400 and HGW450 via the internet network 301 instead of via the VoIP network. And because IP phone communication is achieved via the internet network 301 without going through the VoIP network, the HGW400 user will not be charged call charges per call duration.

[0125] As described above, the second embodiment provides a communication system, home gateway, communication method, and program that contribute to enabling direct IP telephone communication between HGWs via the internet without continuously going through an IP telephone network (also known as a VoIP network) or SIP server.

[0126] Although embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, and further modifications, substitutions, and adjustments can be made without departing from the basic technical idea of ​​the present invention. For example, the network configuration, the configuration of each element, and the message representation form shown in each drawing are examples to aid in understanding the present invention, and are not limited to the configurations shown in these drawings. Also, "A and / or B" is used to mean at least one of A or B.

[0127] Furthermore, the procedures described in the first and second embodiments above can be implemented by a program that enables a computer (9000 in Figure 10) functioning as a home gateway according to the present invention to perform the functions of a home gateway. Such a computer is exemplified by a configuration comprising a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 9010, a communication interface 9020, a memory 9030, and an auxiliary storage device 9040, as shown in Figure 10. That is, the CPU 9010 in Figure 10 executes the home gateway control program and performs the update process of each calculation parameter held in its auxiliary storage device 9040, etc.

[0128] Memory 9030 refers to RAM (Random Access Memory), ROM (Read Only Memory), etc.

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

[0130] Finally, preferred embodiments of the present invention are summarized. [First form] The communication system may include a first home gateway and a second home gateway connected via the Internet of Things. The communication system may include the first home gateway, which may obtain the second global IP address information of the second home gateway. The communication system may include the second home gateway, which may obtain the first global IP address information of the first home gateway. The communication system may use the acquired first global IP address information and second global IP address information to establish a voice call over the Internet network. [Second form] In the communication system described in the first embodiment, the first home gateway and the second home gateway are further connected via a VoIP (Voice over IP) network including a SIP (Session Initiation Protocol) server, and from the SIP server, the first home gateway obtains the second global IP address information, and the second home gateway obtains the first global IP address information. [Third form] In the communication system described in the first embodiment, it is preferable that the first home gateway and the second home gateway each hold a first global IP address information and a contact list in which the second global IP address information is registered, and that from each of the contact lists, the first home gateway obtains the second global IP address information and the second home gateway obtains the first global IP address information. [Fourth form] The first home gateway may be connected via the Internet network. The first home gateway may obtain the second global IP address information of the second home gateway, which is connected via the Internet network. The first home gateway may establish a voice call with the second home gateway via the Internet network using the second global IP address information of the second home gateway and the first global IP address information of the first home gateway. [Fifth form] In the fourth embodiment, the first home gateway and the second home gateway are preferably further connected via a VoIP (Voice over IP) network including a SIP (Session Initiation Protocol) server, and the second global IP address information is obtained from the SIP server. [Sixth form] In the fourth embodiment, the first home gateway preferably holds a contact list in which the first global IP address information and the second global IP address information are registered, and retrieves the second global IP address information from the contact list. [Seventh form] The communication method is a communication system including a first home gateway and a second home gateway connected via the Internet, wherein the first home gateway may obtain the second global IP address information of the second home gateway. The communication method is a communication system including a first home gateway and a second home gateway connected via the Internet, wherein the second home gateway may obtain the first global IP address information of the first home gateway. The communication method is a communication system including a first home gateway and a second home gateway connected via the Internet, wherein the first home gateway and the second home gateway may use the acquired first global IP address information and the second global IP address information to initiate a voice call via the Internet. [Eighth form] In the seventh embodiment of the communication method, the first home gateway and the second home gateway are further connected via a VoIP (Voice over IP) network including a SIP (Session Initiation Protocol) server, and it is preferable that the first home gateway obtains the second global IP address information from the SIP server, and the second home gateway obtains the first global IP address information. [Ninth form] In the seventh embodiment of the communication method, it is preferable that the first home gateway and the second home gateway each hold the first global IP address information and a contact list in which the second global IP address information is registered, and that from each of the contact lists, the first home gateway obtains the second global IP address information and the second home gateway obtains the first global IP address information. [Tenth form] The program may cause a computer included in a first home gateway, which is connected via the Internet, to execute a process to obtain the second global IP address information of a second home gateway, which is also connected via the Internet. The program may cause a computer included in the first home gateway, which is connected via the Internet, to execute a process to establish a voice call between the second home gateway and the first home gateway via the Internet, using the second global IP address information of the second home gateway and the first global IP address information of the first home gateway. Furthermore, the tenth form described above can be expanded from the second to the third form, similar to the first form.

[0131] Furthermore, the disclosures in the above-mentioned patent documents are incorporated into this work by reference. Within the framework of the full disclosure of the present invention (including the claims), further modifications and adjustments to the embodiments or examples are possible based on the fundamental technical concept. Also, within the framework of the disclosure of the present invention, various combinations or selections of various disclosure elements (including each element of each claim, each element of each embodiment or example, each element of each drawing, etc.) are possible. In other words, the present invention naturally includes the full disclosure, including the claims, and various modifications and alterations that a person skilled in the art could make in accordance with the technical concept. In particular, with respect to the numerical ranges described in this work, any numerical value or sub-range included within that range should be interpreted as being specifically described, even if not otherwise stated. Furthermore, each disclosure item of the above-mentioned cited documents may, if necessary, be used in combination with the items described in this work as part of the disclosure of the present invention, in accordance with the spirit of the present invention, in part or in whole, and this is also considered to be included in the disclosure of this application. [Explanation of Symbols]

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

Claims

1. It includes a first home gateway and a second home gateway connected via the Internet network, The first home gateway obtains the second global IP address information of the second home gateway, The second home gateway obtains the first global IP address information of the first home gateway, The first home gateway and the second home gateway are a communication system that uses the acquired first global IP address information and second global IP address information to initiate a voice call over the Internet network, The first home gateway and the second home gateway are further connected via a VoIP (Voice over IP) network including a SIP (Session Initiation Protocol) server. The first home gateway sends a SIP message to the SIP server specifying the media type as "application". The first home gateway obtains the second global IP address information via the SIP server using a first TCP (Transmission Control Protocol) or UDP (User Datagram Protocol) message, and the second home gateway obtains the first global IP address information using a second TCP or UDP message. A communication system that transmits SIP outgoing messages from the first home gateway to the second home gateway via the Internet network, without going through the VoIP network.

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

3. A first home gateway connected via the Internet network, The second global IP address information of the second home gateway connected via the aforementioned internet network is obtained, A first home gateway that establishes a voice call between the second home gateway and the Internet network using the second global IP address information of the second home gateway and the first global IP address information of the first home gateway, The first home gateway and the second home gateway are further connected via a VoIP (Voice over IP) network including a SIP (Session Initiation Protocol) server. The first home gateway sends a SIP message to the SIP server specifying the media type as "application". A first home gateway that obtains the second global IP address information via the SIP server through a first TCP (Transmission Control Protocol) or UDP (User Datagram Protocol) message.

4. The first home gateway according to claim 3, wherein the first home gateway holds a contact list in which the first global IP address information and the second global IP address information are registered, and obtains the second global IP address information from the contact list.

5. In a communication system including a first home gateway and a second home gateway connected via the Internet, The first home gateway obtains the second global IP address information of the second home gateway, The second home gateway obtains the first global IP address information of the first home gateway, The first home gateway and the second home gateway establish a voice call over the Internet network using the acquired first global IP address information and second global IP address information, in a communication method. The first home gateway and the second home gateway are further connected via a VoIP (Voice over IP) network including a SIP (Session Initiation Protocol) server. The first home gateway sends a SIP message to the SIP server specifying the media type as "application". The first home gateway obtains the second global IP address information via the SIP server using a first TCP (Transmission Control Protocol) or UDP (User Datagram Protocol) message, and the second home gateway obtains the first global IP address information using a second TCP or UDP message. A communication method for transmitting SIP outgoing messages from the first home gateway to the second home gateway via the Internet network, without going through the VoIP network.

6. The communication method according to claim 5, wherein the first home gateway and the second home gateway each hold the first global IP address information and a contact list in which the second global IP address information is registered, and from each of the contact lists, the first home gateway obtains the second global IP address information and the second home gateway obtains the first global IP address information.

7. To a computer included in the first home gateway, which is connected via the Internet network, A process for obtaining the second global IP address information of a second home gateway connected via the aforementioned internet network, A program that uses the second global IP address information of the second home gateway and the first global IP address information of the first home gateway to perform a process to establish a voice call between the second home gateway and the Internet network, The first home gateway and the second home gateway are further connected via a VoIP (Voice over IP) network including a SIP (Session Initiation Protocol) server. To the aforementioned computer, The process involves sending a SIP message with the media type specified as "application" to the SIP server, A program that performs the process of obtaining the second global IP address information via the SIP server using a first TCP (Transmission Control Protocol) or UDP (User Datagram Protocol) message.

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