Patent Application
20090129373
This application is based upon and claims the benefit of priority from Japanese Patent Application No. 2007-300376 filed on Nov. 20, 2007, the content of which is incorporated by reference.
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an information communication system wherein a call control signal and an information signal such as an audio signal and a video signal are transmitted via different routes, a network band managing apparatus, a transmission apparatus, a method of monitoring an information signal in an information communication system, and a recording medium.
2. Description of the Related Art
In recent years, efforts have been directed to the standardization of a next generation network (NGN) which are to replace the existing telephone networks, at ITU-T (ITU-T Y.2012 “Functional requirements and architecture of the NGN”) and ETSI. The NGN makes it possible to provide a wide variety of services.
Service providing platforms for the NGN include IMS (IP Multimedia Subsystem) and MMD (Multi-Media Domain).
The IMS refers to a system which has been developed by a standardization body 3GPP (3GPP TS23.228 “IP Multimedia Subsystem (IMS); Stage 2”) and which is capable of providing various terminals such as cellular phones and terminals having a wireless LAN function with multimedia services using audio and video data independently of access networks to which the terminals are connected. JP-A No. 2007-251977 discloses a method of allowing a subscriber to access the IMS by comparing access network data used by the subscriber to access the IMS with preset access network data.
The MMD refers to a system which has been developed by a standardization body 3GPP2 (3GPP2 X.S0013-004 “IP Multimedia Call Control based on SIP and SDP; Stage 3”) and which is capable of providing various terminals with multimedia services using audio and video data independently of access networks to which the terminals are connected, as is the case with the IMS.
BSs 1002-1, 1002-2 refer to wireless base stations that are connected respectively to subscriber terminals 1001-1, 1001-2 by wireless links.
AP 1003-1, AP 1003-2 refer to access points that are connected respectively to subscriber terminals 1001-1, 1001-2 by wireless links. Based on services to be provided, subscriber terminals 1001-1, 1001-2 are connected to either BSs 1002-1, 1002-2 or AP 1003-1, AP 1003-2.
AGWs 1004-1, 1004-2 are transmission apparatus that are connected to subscriber terminals 1001-1, 1001-2 through BSs 1002-1, 1002-2 or AP 1003-1, AP 1003-2, and send and receive information signals transmitted from subscriber terminals 1001-1, 1001-2 using ports represented by physical port numbers and TCP/UDP port numbers that are indicated by RACSs/PCRFs 1006-1, 1006-2.
NASSs 1005-1, 1005-2 are connected to a plurality of AGWs, authenticate subscriber terminals 1001-1, 1001-2, issue IP addresses, and perform a processing sequence for connecting subscriber terminals 1001-1, 1001-2 to the network.
RACSs/PCRFs 1006-1, 1006-2 are network band managing apparatus that are connected to a plurality of AGWs, manage bands for sending and receiving information signals, and indicate physical port numbers and TCP/UDP port numbers to AGWs 1004-1, 1004-2.
CSCFs 1007-1, 1007-2 are call control apparatus that are connected to a plurality of RACSs/PCRFs and establish calls according to call control signals which are sent respectively from subscriber terminals 1001-1, 1001-2.
HSSs 1008-1, 1008-2 are subscriber information storage apparatus that are connected to a plurality of CSCFs and store therein subscriber information which is representative of subscriber identification information for identifying subscriber terminals 1001-1, 1001-2 connected to the IMS/MMD system, and the contents of services to be provided to subscriber terminals 1001-1, 1001-2.
The information signals represent user data, other than call control signals for controlling calls, of signals that are sent from subscriber terminals 1001-1, 1001-2. In other words, the information signals represent audio signals and video signals that are sent and received.
In the IMS/MMD system thus constructed, a call control signal transmitted from subscriber terminal 1001-1 is sent to subscriber terminal 1001-2 through BS 1002-1 or AP 1003-1, AGW 1004-1, CSCF 1007-1, CSCF 1007-2, AGW 1004-2, and BS 1002-2 or AP 1003-2. The subscriber information of subscriber terminal 1001-1 is recognized by only HSSs 1008-1, 1008-2, CSCFs 1007-1, 1007-2, and RACSs/PCRFs 1006-1, 1006-2. An information signal is sent from subscriber terminal 1001-1 to subscriber terminal 1001-2 through BS 1002-1 or AP 1003-1, AGW 1004-1, AGW 1004-2, and BS 1002-2 or AP 1003-2. AGWs 1004-1, 1004-2 send information signals from physical ports and TCP/UDP ports thereof that are indicated by RACSs/PCRFs 1006-1, 1006-2.
For maintaining services using audio and video data, it is necessary to confirm how good the quality of audio and video data is during communications. It is the general practice to resort to a method of extracting (monitoring) information signals including audio signals and video signals during communications. The method also makes it possible to monitor an information signal of a desired subscriber if necessary.
In an information communication system wherein a call control signal and an information signal are transmitted via one route, an information signal sent from a subscriber terminal can be acquired by acquiring a call control signal sent from the subscriber terminal in order to monitor the information signal sent from the subscriber.
However, in an IP telephone system such as an IMS/MMD system wherein a call control signal and an information signal are transmitted via different routes, as described above, since AGW 1004-1 through which the information signal passes does not have the information of subscriber terminal 1001-1, AGW 1004-1 fails to identify the information signal depending on the subscriber. Consequently, the information signal of the desired subscriber cannot be extracted from AGW 1004-1.
It is an object of the present invention to provide an information communication system which is capable of extracting an information signal of a desired subscriber though a call control signal and an information signal such as an audio signal and a video signal are transmitted via different routes in the information communication system, a network band managing apparatus, a transmission apparatus, a method of monitoring an information signal, and a recording medium.
To achieve the above object, there is provided in accordance with the present invention an information communication system comprising a plurality of transmission apparatus connected to a subscriber terminal carried by a subscriber, for sending and receiving an information signal sent from the subscriber terminal using a physical port and a TCP/UDP port, a plurality of network band managing apparatus connected to the transmission apparatus, for managing the band of the information signal and indicating the number of the physical port and the number of the TCP/UDP port to the transmission apparatus, a plurality of call control apparatus connected to the network band managing apparatus, for establishing a call according to a call control signal sent from the subscriber terminal, and a plurality of subscriber information storage apparatus connected to the call control apparatus, for storing subscriber identification information for identifying the subscriber terminal and contents of services to be provided to the subscriber terminal, the call control signal and the information signal passing through different routes, wherein the subscriber information storage apparatus are connected to a first terminal for sending an instruction to monitor the information signal and subscriber identification information for identifying the subscriber terminal to be monitored, and when the subscriber information storage apparatus receive the instruction sent from the first terminal, the subscriber information storage apparatus searches for one of the call control apparatus based on the subscriber identification information sent from the first terminal, and sends the instruction and the subscriber identification information to the call control apparatus which is searched for, wherein when the call control apparatus which is searched for receives the instruction, the call control apparatus searches for one of the network band managing apparatus based on the subscriber identification information sent from the subscriber information storage apparatus, and sends the instruction and the subscriber identification information to the network band managing apparatus which is searched for, wherein when the network band managing apparatus which is searched for receives the instruction, the network band managing apparatus searches for one of the transmission apparatus and the number of a physical port and the number of a TCP/UDP port used by the information signal, based on the subscriber identification information sent from the call control apparatus, and sends the instruction, the subscriber identification information, and the number of the physical port and the number of the TCP/UDP port which are searched for to the transmission apparatus which is searched for, and wherein when the transmission apparatus which is searched for receives the instruction, the transmission apparatus extracts an information signal which uses the physical port and the TCP/UDP port whose numbers are sent from the network band managing apparatus, and sends the extracted information signal and the subscriber identification information to a second terminal connected to the transmission apparatus.
According to the present invention, as described above, the first terminal sends the monitoring execution instruction for monitoring the information signal of the subscriber terminal, together with the subscriber identification information of the subscriber terminal to the subscriber information storage apparatus. Based on the subscriber identification information, the subscriber information storage apparatus searches for a call control apparatus, and sends the subscriber identification information to the call control apparatus which is searched for. Based on the subscriber identification information, the call control apparatus searched for a network band managing apparatus, and sends the subscriber identification information to the network band managing apparatus which is searched for. Based on the subscriber identification information, the network band managing apparatus searched for a transmission apparatus, a physical port number, and a TCP/UDP port number, and sends the subscriber identification information, the physical port number, and the TCP/UDP port number to the transmission apparatus which is searched for. The transmission apparatus extracts an information signal which uses the physical port represented by the physical port number and the TCP/UDP port number represented by the TCP/UDP port number, and sends the subscriber identification information and the extracted information to the second terminal connected to the transmission apparatus. Consequently, the information signal of a desired subscriber terminal can be extracted in the information communication system wherein the call control signal and the information signal pass through different routes.
The above and other objects, features, and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following description with reference to the accompanying drawings which illustrate an example of the present invention.
HSS 108-1 and maintenance terminal 109 may be connected to each other through a network or may be directly connected to each other. AGW 104-1 and monitor terminal 110 may be connected to each other through a network or may be directly connected to each other. Maintenance terminal 109 and monitor terminal 110 may be the same terminal. In other words, maintenance terminal 109 and monitor terminal 110 may be one terminal which has the function of maintenance terminal 109 and the function of monitor terminal 110.
BSs 102-1, 102-2 refer to wireless base stations that are connected respectively to subscriber terminals 101-1, 101-2 by wireless links.
AP 103-1, AP 103-2 refer to access points that are connected respectively to subscriber terminals 101-1, 101-2 by wireless links. Based on services to be provided, subscriber terminals 101-1, 101-2 are connected to either BSs 102-1, 102-2 or AP 103-1, AP 103-2.
AGWs 104-1, 104-2 are transmission apparatus that are connected to subscriber terminals 101-1, 101-2 through BSs 102-1, 102-2 or AP 103-1, AP 103-2, and send and receive information signals transmitted from subscriber terminals 101-1, 101-2 using ports represented by physical port numbers and TCP/UDP port numbers that are indicated by RACSs/PCRFs 106-1, 106-2.
NASSs 105-1, 105-2 are connected to a plurality of AGWs, authenticate subscriber terminals 101-1, 101-2, issue IP addresses, and perform a processing sequence for connecting subscriber terminals 101-1, 101-2 to the network.
RACSs/PCRFs 106-1, 106-2 are network band managing apparatus that are connected to a plurality of AGWs, control bands for sending and receiving information signals, and indicate physical port numbers and TCP/UDP port numbers to AGWs 104-1, 104-2.
CSCFs 107-1, 107-2 are call control apparatus that are connected to a plurality of RACSs/PCRFs and establish calls according to call control signals which are sent respectively from subscriber terminals 101-1, 101-2.
HSSs 108-1, 108-2 are subscriber information storage apparatus that are connected to a plurality of CSCFs and store therein subscriber information which is representative of subscriber identification information for identifying subscriber terminals 101-1, 101-2 connected to the IMS/MMD system, and the contents of services to be provided to subscriber terminals 101-1, 101-2. HSSs 108-1, 108-2 also store therein subscriber information such as positional information of subscriber terminals 101-1, 101-2.
Maintenance terminal 109 is a first terminal for instructing HSS 108-1 to monitor information signals sent to any desired subscriber terminal 101-1. Maintenance terminal 109 may also serve as a maintenance terminal for writing subscriber information in HSS 108-1.
Monitor terminal 110 is a second terminal for storing or reproducing monitored information signals.
The information signals represent user data, other than call control signals for controlling calls, of signals that are sent from subscriber terminals 101-1, 101-2. In other words, the information signals represent audio signals and video signals that are sent and received.
In the IMS/MMD system thus constructed, a call control signal transmitted from subscriber terminal 101-1 is sent to subscriber terminal 101-2 through BS 102-1 or AP 103-1, AGW 104-1, CSCF 107-1, CSCF 107-2, AGW 104-2, and BS 102-2 or AP 103-2. The subscriber information of subscriber terminal 101-1 is recognized by only HSSs 108-1, 108-2, CSCFs 107-1, 107-2, and RACSs/PCRFs 106-1, 106-2. An information signal is sent from subscriber terminal 101-1 to subscriber terminal 101-2 through BS 102-1 or AP 103-1, AGW 104-1, AGW 104-2, and BS 102-2 or AP 103-2.
When subscriber terminals 101-1, 101-2 are recognized as being connected, RACSs/PCRFs 106-1, 106-2 search the physical ports and TCP/UDP ports of AGWs 104-1, 104-2 for idle ports, and send the ports of idle physical ports and TCP/UDP ports that are found to AGWs 104-1, 104-2. AGWs 104-1, 104-2 now send and receive information signals using the ports of the physical port numbers and TCP/UDP port numbers that are sent from RACSs/PCRFs 106-1, 106-2.
Subscriber terminals 101-1, 101-2 may be fixed terminals. Fixed subscriber terminals 101-1, 101-2 are connected respectively to AGWs 104-1, 104-2 through wires.
In
A method of monitoring an information signal in the information communication system shown in
When the maintenance person sends an inquiry about subscriber statuses to HSS 108-1 using maintenance terminal 109 in step 1, HSS 108-1 sends subscriber statuses in step 2. The maintenance person may make an inquiry using a certain instruction from maintenance terminal 109 that is connected to HSS 108-1, and no specific inquiry method will be defined here. An inquiry signal may be of any type insofar as it can be recognized by maintenance terminal 109 and HSS 108-1, and no specific inquiry signal format will be defined here.
When the subscriber statuses sent from HSS 108-1 are received by maintenance terminal 109, maintenance terminal 109 displays a list of the subscriber statuses in step 3.
As shown in
For example, maintenance terminal 109 displays subscriber ID “090-1111-1111”, status “BUSY”, and service contents “VOICE CALL” in association with each other. This displayed information indicates that the subscriber terminal whose subscriber ID is “090-1111-1111” is busy at the moment and can receive a voice call service. Maintenance terminal 109 also displays subscriber ID “090-2222-2222”, but not any status and any service contents in association therewith. This displayed information indicates that the subscriber terminal whose subscriber ID is “090-2222-2222” is positionally registered, but has not started a call. Maintenance terminal 109 also displays subscriber ID “090-3333-3333”, status “BUSY”, and service contents “VIDEO PHONE CALL” in association with each other. This displayed information indicates that the subscriber terminal whose subscriber ID is “090-3333-3333” is busy at the moment and can receive a video phone service.
The telephone numbers and service contents referred to above are shown for illustrative purposes only and do not represent any existing telephone numbers and service contents.
The list of the subscriber statuses displayed on maintenance terminal 109 is stored in HSS 108-1 with the subscriber statuses being associated with each other.
The subscriber's telephone numbers have been described as the subscriber IDs in the above example. However, any other subscriber terminal identification information specific to the subscribers may be used as the subscriber ID insofar as it can identify the subscriber terminals. For example, identification information such as e-mail addresses or URLs (Uniform Resource Locators) allocated to the subscriber terminals may be used as the subscriber ID.
Maintenance terminal 109 also displays options for selecting subscriber terminals in addition to the subscriber statuses. For example, as shown in
As shown in
When a desired subscriber terminal is selected as described above, maintenance terminal 109 issues a monitoring execution instruction in step 4. Maintenance terminal 109 sends the monitoring execution instruction to HSS 108-1 in step 5. At this time, the selected ID is sent together with the monitoring execution instruction to HSS 108-1.
When a desired subscriber terminal is selected from the list displayed on maintenance terminal 109 or when the button for indicating a timing to start monitoring the information signal of a selected subscriber terminal is clicked on, the monitoring execution instruction may be executed. The time at which the monitoring execution instruction is to be executed, i.e., the time at which the information signal of the selected subscriber terminal is to be monitored, may be specified, i.e., reserved. Specifically, maintenance terminal 109 displays a column for entering monitoring start times in addition to the list of the subscriber statuses displayed in step 3 as shown in
When the monitoring execution instruction and the subscriber ID sent from maintenance terminal 109 are received and verified by HSS 108-1, CSCF 107-1 is searched for based on the subscriber ID in step 6. HSS 108-1 can verify the monitoring execution instruction by checking whether the monitoring execution instruction has a predetermined signal format established therefor or not. As described above, the information communication system is of a mesh structure with a plurality of CSCFs being connected to HSS 108-1. The CSCFs that are connected to HSS 108-1 are searched for CSCF 107-1 which is processing a call control signal from subscriber terminal 101-1 at the time of establishing a call.
As shown in
The subscriber IDs stored in HSS 108-1 are identical to those displayed on maintenance terminal 109. The CSCF numbers refer to numbers (identification information) that are identifiably assigned to the respective CSCFs connected to HSS 108-1.
As shown in
For example, if the subscriber ID sent together with the monitoring execution instruction is “090-3333-3333”, then a CSCF having CSCF number “C-003” is searched for. It is assumed that the CSCF having CSCF number “C-003” is CSCF 107-1 shown in
When CSCF 107-1 is searched for based on the subscriber ID, the monitoring execution instruction and the subscriber ID are sent to CSCF 107-1 in step 7.
The monitoring execution instruction and the subscriber ID sent from HSS 108-1 to CSCF 107-1 are received by CSCF 107-1. If the monitoring execution instruction received by CSCF 107-1 is verified, then RACS/PCRF 106-1 is searched for based on the received subscriber ID in step 8. CSCF 107-1 can verify the monitoring execution instruction by checking whether the monitoring execution instruction has a predetermined signal format established therefor or not. As described above, the information communication system is of a mesh structure with a plurality of RACSs/PCRFs being connected to CSCF 107-1. The RACSs/PCRFs that are connected to CSCF 107-1 are searched for RACS/PCRF 106-1 which is controlling the band used by subscriber terminal 101-1 at the time of establishing a call.
As shown in
The subscriber IDs stored in CSCF 107-1 are identical to those displayed on maintenance terminal 109. The RACS/PCRF numbers refer to numbers (identification information) that are identifiably assigned to the respective RACSs/PCRFs connected to CSCF 107-1.
As shown in
For example, if the subscriber ID sent together with the monitoring execution instruction is “090-3333-3333”, then an RACS/PCRF having RACS/PCRF number “R-003” is searched for. It is assumed that the RACS/PCRF having RACS/PCRF number “R-003” is RACS/PCRF 106-1 shown in
When RACS/PCRF 106-1 is searched for based on the subscriber ID, the monitoring execution instruction and the subscriber ID are sent to RACS/PCRF 106-1 in step 9.
The monitoring execution instruction and the subscriber ID sent from CSCF 107-1 to RACS/PCRF 106-1 are received by RACS/PCRF 106-1. If the monitoring execution instruction received by RACS/PCRF 106-1 is verified, then AGW 104-1, a physical port number, and a TCP/UDP port number are searched for based on the received subscriber ID in step 10. RACS/PCRF 106-1 can verify the monitoring execution instruction by checking whether the monitoring execution instruction has a predetermined signal format established therefor or not. As described above, the information communication system is of a mesh structure with a plurality of AGWs being connected to RACS/PCRF 106-1. The AGWs that are connected to RACS/PCRF 106-1 are searched for AGW 104-1 through which the information signal sent from subscriber terminal 101-1 passes. The numbers of the physical ports and the TCP/UDP ports of AGW 104-1 are searched for the numbers of a physical port and a TCP/UDP port for sending and receiving the information signal from subscriber terminal 101-1. The numbers that are searched for may be the numbers of a physical port and a TCP/UDP port through which the information signal sent from subscriber terminal 101-1 is received by AGW 104-1. Alternatively, the numbers that are searched for may be the numbers of a physical port and a TCP/UDP port through which the information signal sent from subscriber terminal 101-1 and received by AGW 104-1 is sent to AGW 104-2. These numbers of a physical port and a TCP/UDP port represent the numbers of an idle physical port and an idle TCP/UDP port of AGW 104-1 which are searched for and determined by RACS/PCRF 106-1 at the time of establishing a call.
As shown in
The subscriber IDs stored in RACS/PCRF 106-1 are identical to those displayed on maintenance terminal 109. The AGW numbers refer to numbers (identification information) that are identifiably assigned to the respective AGWS connected to RACS/PCRF 106-1. The physical port numbers refer to the numbers of the L1 ports of the physical layers of the respective AGWs. The TCP/UDP port numbers refer to the numbers of the L4 ports of the transport layers of the respective AGWs.
As shown in
For example, if the subscriber ID sent with the monitoring execution instruction is “090-3333-3333”, then an AGW whose AGW number is “A-003” is searched for, and physical port number “3” and TCP/UDP port number “6726” are also searched for. It is assumed that the ATW having AGW number “A-003” is AGW 104-1 shown in
When AGW 104-1, the physical port number, and the TCP/UDP port number are searched for based on the subscriber ID, the monitoring execution instruction, the subscriber ID, the physical port number, and the TCP/UDP port number that are searched for are sent from RACS/PCRF 106-1 to AGW 104-1 in step 11.
As shown in
User interface 141 is connected to BS 102-1 and AP 103-1, and sends and receives a call control signal and an information signal to and from subscriber terminal 101 through BS 102-1 or AP 103-1.
Network interface 142 is connected to NASS 105-1, RACS/PCRF 106-1, and CSCF 107-1, and sends and receives a call control signal to and from NASS 105-1, RACS/PCRF 106-1, and CSCF 107-1. Network interface 142 is also connected to AGW 104-2 through a given physical port and a given TCP/UDP port, and sends and receives an information signal to and from AGW 104-2.
Information signal extractor 143 recognizes the monitoring execution information from a signal received by network interface 142. When information signal extractor 143 recognizes the monitoring execution information, it extracts (copies) an information signal sent from AGW 104-1 based on a physical port number and TCP/UDP port number received by network interface 142.
Monitor interface 144 sends the information signal extracted by information signal extractor 142 to monitor terminal 110.
The components shown in
When the monitoring execution instruction, the subscriber ID, the physical port number, and the TCP/UDP port number are sent from RACS/PCRF 106-1 to AGW 104-1 in step 11, they are received by network interface 142 of AGW 104-1. Information extractor 142 recognizes the monitoring execution instruction, and extracts (copies) the information signal sent from subscriber terminal 101-1 using the physical port and the TCP/UDP port which are represented by the physical port number and the TCP/UDP port number that are received in step 12.
Specifically, if the physical port number and the TCP/UDP port number representing the physical port and the TCP/UDP port via which the information signal sent from subscriber terminal 101-1 is received are searched for, then the information signal received through the ports represented by these port numbers is extracted. Alternatively, if the physical port number and the TCP/UDP port number representing the physical port and the TCP/UDP port via which the information signal sent from subscriber terminal 101-1 is sent from AGW 104-1 are searched for, then the information signal sent through the ports represented by these port numbers is extracted.
When information extractor 143 extracts the information signal, the extracted information signal is sent, together with the subscriber ID received by network interface 142, from monitor interface 144 to monitor terminal 110 in step 13.
When the subscriber ID and the information signal are sent from AGW 104-1 to monitor terminal 110, monitor terminal 110 reproduces the subscriber ID and the information signal in step 14. At the same time monitor terminal 110 reproduces the subscriber ID and the information signal, monitor terminal 110 may store the subscriber ID and the information signal therein. Alternatively, monitor terminal 110 may not reproduce the subscriber ID and the information signal, but may only store the subscriber ID and the information signal therein.
As shown in
The signal format of monitoring execution instructions that are sent and received between the various components may use usable fields according to existing SIP/Diameter/MEGACO IF, and is not limited to any particular details.
Signals of Diameter have fields determined as shown in
The processing sequences of RACS/PCRF 106-1 and AGW 104-1 shown in
While the invention has been particularly shown and described with reference to exemplary embodiments thereof, the invention is not limited to these embodiments. It will be understood by those of ordinary skill in the art that various changes in form and details may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention as defined by the claims.
| Number | Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2007-300376 | Nov 2007 | JP | national |
