Terminal-to-terminal communication connection control method using IP transfer network

[0001] This application is a divisional of U.S. application Ser. No. 09/827,267, filed on Apr. 5, 2001, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,301,952, which claims priority to Japanese Application No. 2000-105023 filed on Apr. 6, 2000; Japanese Application No. 2000-179234 filed on Jun. 15, 2000; Japanese Application No. 2000-367085 filed on Dec. 1, 2000; Japanese Application No. 2000-382682 filed on Dec. 15, 2000; and Japanese Application No. 2001-031448 filed on Feb. 7, 2001, each of which is incorporated herein by reference.

[0002] 1. Field of the Invention

[0003] The present invention is related to a terminal-to-terminal (inter-terminal) communication connection control method using an IP (Internet Protocol) transfer network, which is applicable to an IP communication established between two terminal units such as an IP terminal, an IP telephone, and a voice/image apparatus (audio/visual apparatus), and also applicable to a 1:n type IP Communication utilizing a multicast IP technique.

[0004] 2. Description of the Prior Art

[0005] As a method capable of realizing various terminal-to-terminal communications such as mail transmissions/receptions, telephone, and image communications while an IP transfer network is utilized, Japanese Patent Application No. 128956/1999 (will be referred to as a “prior patent application” hereinafter) has been filed by the Applicant. This prior patent application discloses the method of realizing “integrated IP transfer network” containing therein a plurality of IP transfer networks having various characteristics, while separating these IP transfer networks. These IP transfer networks are known as an IP telephone network, an IP image network, and IP electronic data general-purpose network. To realize the IP transfer network for uniting various sorts of terminal-to-terminal communications, contents disclosed by the above-explained prior patent application will now be briefly explained with reference to FIG. 1.

[0006] Inside integrated IP transfer network 901, a plurality of IP transfer networks having different characteristics such as the IP image network 902, the IP electronic data general-purpose network 903, and the IP telephone network 904 are virtually installed. While the address management tables are set inside the network rode apparatus 905-X and the network node apparatus 905-Y, which are provided at the input points to the integrated IP transfer network 901 from the external unit for the integrated IP transfer network 901, the address of the terminal unit is previously registered into the address management table. Since the address written into the IP packet entered into the integrated IP transfer network 901 is compared with the address registered in the address management table, the IP packets can be transmitted, while these IP packets are separated to the individual IP transfer networks within the integrated IP transfer network 901.

[0007] Next, in connection with the present invention, the terminal-to-terminal communication connection control method (No. 7-common line signal system) employed in a public switched telephone network (PSTN) will now be simply explained.

[0008] In FIG. 2, reference numerals 98-1 and 98-3 show exchangers (subscriber exchangers) to which telephone sets are connected, reference numeral 98-2 indicates a relay exchanger, and also reference numerals 98-4 and 98-5 represent telephone sets. Reference numerals 98-6 to 98-8 show communication path control units of the exchangers, reference numerals 98-9 to 98-11 indicate internal control units of the exchangers, and also reference numerals 98-12 to 98-14 indicate signalling points for controlling terminal-to-terminal connections of telephone sets. The internal control units of the exchangers perform information exchanges used to set/recover communication lines between the communication path control units and the signalling points in conjunction with the internal operation controls of the exchangers.

[0009] In particular, reference numerals 98-12 and 98-14 will be referred to as signalling end points (SEP). More specifically, reference numeral 98-13 is called as a signalling transfer point (STP). Also, reference numeral 98-15 denotes another signalling end point. These signalling end points 98-12 to 98-15 are connected via signal lines 98-24 to 98-27 to a signal network 98-16. While information used to control terminal-to-terminal communication connections and also execute maintenance/operations of networks is stored into a signalling unit (SU), these signalling end points 98-12 to 98-15 mutually transmit/receive the stored information to each other. A 16-bit point code (PC) is applied to one signalling end point in order to discriminate the own signalling end point from another signalling end point. On the other hand, reference numerals 98-21 to 98-22 show communication lines used to transfer telephone voice (speech), but not used to transfer information for controlling terminal-to-terminal communication connections. The telephone lines 98-20 and 98-23 correspond to interfaces (UNI) through which a combination between voice and control information of terminal-to-terminal communication connections is transferred in an integral form. Namely, both the voice and the control information of terminal-to-terminal communication connections are transferred through the interfaces without being separated from each other. The No. 7-common line signal system is featured by that the signal lines 98-24 to 98-26 are separated from the communication lines 98-21 and 98-22 inside the public switched telephone network (PSTN).

[0010] A signalling unit indicated in FIG. 3 contains a “destination point code (DPC)”, an “origin point code (OPC)”, a “circuit identification code (CIC)”, a “message type (MSG)” and a parameter of the message.

[0011] The destination point code shows a destination to which a signalling unit is transmitted, the origin point code indicates a transmission source of a signalling unit, and the circuit identification code represents an identification number for identifying a communication line set between a transmission source signal point and a destination signal point. As the message, for example, there are IAM, ACM, CPG, ANM, REL, RLC, SUS, RES and CON, which are used to control terminal-to-terminal communication connections. Such a signalling unit which is written as “IAM” into a message area of the signalling unit is referred to as an initial address message (IAM). Similarly, such a signalling unit which is written as “ACM” into the message area of the signalling unit is referred to as an address completion message (ACM), such a signalling unit which is written as “CPG” into the message area of the signalling unit is referred to as a call pass message (CPG), and also such a signalling unit which is written as “ANM” into the message area of the signalling unit is referred to as an answering message (ANM). Similarly, such a signalling unit which is written as “REL” into the message area of the signalling unit is referred to as a release message (REL), such a signalling unit which is written as “RLC” into the message area of the signalling unit is referred to as a release completion message (RLC), and also such a signalling unit which is written as “SUS” into the message area of the signalling unit is referred to as an interrupt message (SUS). Similarly, such a signalling unit which is written as “RES” into the message area of the signalling unit is referred to as a restart message (RES), and such a signalling unit which is written as “CON” into the message area of the signalling unit is referred to as a connection message (CON).

[0012] Referring now to FIG. 2, a description will be made of a method for controlling a terminal-to-terminal connection control by which a telephone communication is established from the telephone set 98-4 via the exchangers 98-1, 98-2, 98-3 to the telephone set 98-5, as shown in FIG. 2. It should be noted that the respective signalling points exchange such a signalling unit via the signal lines 98-24 to 98-27 and the common line signal network 98-16 to each other. In the signalling unit, the signalling point codes applied to the respective signalling points are set as addresses indicative of designations and transmission sources. The telephone set 98-4 is connected via the telephone line 98-20 to the exchanger 98-1. The terminal-to-terminal connection control of the telephone set 98-4 is loaded to the signalling point 98-12 within the exchanger 98-1. Similarly, the telephone set 98-5 is connected via the telephone line 98-23 to the exchanger 98-3. The terminal-to-terminal connection control of the telephone set 98-5 is loaded to the signalling point 98-14 within the exchanger 98-3.

[0013] When a user issues a call request from the telephone set 98-4, the signalling point 98-12 receives this call request (Step X1 of FIG. 4), and a communication line is determined by using a destination telephone number received from the telephone number 98-4 because of the functions of both the communication path control unit 98-6 and the exchanger internal control unit 98-9 of the exchanger 98-1. A signalling unit into which a circuit line identifier (CIC) of the determined communication line is written is formed as an initial address message (IAM). In the parameter area of the initial address message (IAM), at least the telephone number of the telephone set 98-5, namely a destination telephone number “Tel-No-98-5” is written. Furthermore, the telephone number of the telephone 98-4, namely, a telephone number of a transmission source “Tel-No-98-4” may be written thereinto.

[0014] Next, the signalling point 98-12 sends the initial address message (IAM) for issuing the telephone call to the signalling point 98-13 provided in the exchanger 98-2 (Step X2). The initial address message IAM contains a line number “98-4-98-5” of a communication line corresponding to the logic communication line inside the telephone communication line 98-21, the destination telephone number “Tel-No-98-5”, the transmission source telephone number “Tel-No-98-4” (omittable option), and the like. After the signalling point 98-12 has sent the IAM, the operation of the signalling point 98-12 is advanced to a waiting condition for an address completion message (ACM: will be explained later), and also initiates an ACM waiting timer.

[0015] The signalling point 98-13 provided within the exchanger 98-2 receives the above-explained IAM, and then notifies the line number “98-4-98-5” via the exchanger internal control unit 98-10 to the telephone communication line control unit 98-7. The telephone communication line control unit 98-7 executes a conducting test in order that the telephone communication line 98-21 can be used for the telephone communication. The signalling point 98-13 sends the IAM to the signalling point 98-14 provided in the exchanger 98-3 (step X3). The signalling point 98-14 checks the content of the received IAM in order that the telephone communication line 98-22 can be used for the telephone communication via the control unit 98-11 and the telephone communication line control unit 98-8. Furthermore, while the signalling point 98-14 connects the telephone set 98-5 to the exchanger 98-3, this signalling point 98-14 checks as to whether or not a call reception is permitted. When the call reception is allowed, the signalling point 98-14 issues a call setting request to the telephone set 98-5 (Step X4). Further, the signalling point 98-14 returns such an address completion message (ACM) which notifies that the IAM is received (Step X5). The ACM message is reached via the signalling point 98-13 to the signalling point 98-12 (Step X6). Upon receipt of the ACM message, the signalling point 98-12 stops the counting operation of the ACM waiting timer which has been set. In such a case that the counting operation of the ACM waiting timer is completed at a time instant before the ACM message is received, the telephone communication line is released.

[0016] When the signalling point 98-14 within the exchanger 98-3 receives information for implying such a fact that the calling request is being received from the telephone set 98-5 (Step X7), the signalling point 98-14 transmits the call pass message (CPG) to the signalling point 98-13 (Step X8). The signalling point 98-13 transmits the received CGP to the signalling point 98-12 (Step X9). The signalling point 9-12 within the switching point 98-1 receives the CPG message. Next, the signalling point 98-12 sends a calling sound to the telephone set 99-4 (Step X10). When the telephone set 98-5 responds to the above-described call setting request (Step X11), the telephone communication line 98-23 between the telephone set 98-5 and the exchanger 98-4 can be used for the telephone communication, and further the response message (ANM) for indicating that the telephone set 98-5 responds to the call setting request is sent to the signalling point 98-13 (Step X12).

[0017] The signalling point 98-13 transmits the received ANM to the signalling point 98-12 (Step X13), the signalling point 98-12 notifies stopping of the calling sound under transmission to the telephone set 98-4 (Step X14), and thus, telephone voice (speech) can be transmitted/received between the telephone set 98-4 and the telephone set 98-5. The operation is advanced to a telephone communication phase (Step X15). In the case that the handset of the telephone set 98-4 is put on (on-hook), the release request (REL) is sent out (Step X16), and the signalling point 98-12 receives the release request (REL), the signalling point 98-12 sends out a next release request (REL) to the signalling point 98-13 (Step X17), and furthermore, notifies to the telephone set 98-4, such a release completion (RLC) for indicating that the telephone communication line is brought into an empty state (Step X18). Then, upon receipt of the release request (REL), the signalling point 98-13 sends out the next release request (REL) to the signalling point 98-14 (Step X19), and further, notifies such a release completion (RLC) for indicating that the telephone communication line is brought into the empty state to the signalling point 98-12 (Step X20). Then, upon receipt of the release request (REL), the signalling point 98-14 sends out the next release request (REL) to the telephone set 98-5 (Step X21), and further, notifies such a release completion (RLC) for indicating that the telephone communication line is brought into the empty state to the signalling point 98-13 (Step X22). There are several variations in the sequential operations of the terminal-to-terminal communication connection controls which are transmitted/received between the telephone set 98-4 and the signalling point 98-12, and also between the signalling point 98-14 and the telephone set 98-15, depending upon sorts of telephone sets. For instance, a confirmation notification with respect to a release completion may be issued from the telephone set 98-4 to the signalling point 98-12 just after the above-explained Step X18. Alternatively, a confirmation notification with respect to the release completion may be issued from the signalling point 98-14 to the telephone set 98-5 just after the Step X23.

[0018] FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram for explaining another control method for controlling terminal-to-terminal connections by which a telephone communication is made from the telephone set 98-4 via the exchanger 98-1 through the exchanger 98-3 to the telephone set 98-5. This terminal-to-terminal communication connection control method corresponds to such a communication connection control method made by eliminating the process operations defined at the Steps X5 and X6 (namely, by eliminating address completion message ACM) from the terminal-to-terminal communication connection control method as explained in FIG. 4. It should be understood that at the Step X2, the signalling point 98-12 sets the CPG waiting timer instead of the above-explained ACM waiting timer, and the signalling point 98-12 stops the CPG waiting timer after the Step X9. The above-explained terminal-to-terminal communication connection control method is such a control method applied to such a case that the exchanger is not an ISDN exchanger, but is an analog exchanger.

[0019] FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram for explaining another method of controlling terminal-to-terminal communication connections between the telephone set 98-4 and the telephone set 98-5. This terminal-to-terminal communication connection control method corresponds to such a control method example that in the above-described terminal-to-terminal communication connection control method, a series of process steps for interrupting a telephone communication without waiting for the response completion message (Step X14) and the telephone communication phase (Step X15) is carried out (Step X16 to Step X23).

[0020] FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram for explaining a further control method for controlling terminal-to-terminal communication connections by which a telephone communication is made from the telephone set 98-4 via the exchanger 98-1 through the exchanger 98-3 to the telephone set 98-5. This terminal-to-terminal communication connection control method corresponds to such a control method. That is, while a telephone communication is carried out (Step X15), the handset of the telephone set 98-4 is positioned only for a short time period (on hook), and an interrupt message is transmitted in order to temporarily stop the telephone communication (Steps X30 to X33). Then, the handset is returned to the original setting position (off hook), and the restart message for restarting the telephone communication is transmitted (Steps X35 to X38), and thus, the process operation is returned to the telephone communication (Step X39). The subsequent steps of the release (REL) and the release completion (RLC) are similar to those as explained with reference to FIG. 5 (Steps X40 to X47).

[0021] Next, with respect to the IP telephone communication, there is proposed “multimedia communication system based on JT-H323” of TTC standard, which is described in, for instance, ITU-T recommendation H323 ANNEX D regulation (version of April, 1999). The technical idea “SIGNALLING PROTOCOL AND PACKETING OF MEDIA SIGNAL” by which the call connections are controlled in the multimedia terminal-to-terminal communication is defined as JT-H225. Also, the technical idea “CONTROL PROTOCOL FOR MULTIMEDIA COMMUNICATION” in the multimedia terminal-to-terminal communication is defined as JT-H245.

[0022] Next, referring to FIG. 8 to FIG. 11, the basic functions of the JT-H323 gateway defined by ITU will be described. The present invention also refers to the basic functions.

[0023] In FIG. 8, a block 800 indicates the JT-H323 gateway. In this gateway 800, a voice (speech) signal and/or an image (picture) signal entered from an SCN line 801 is converted into a digital signal in an SCN terminal function 802, a data format and/or a signal transmission/reception rule is converted in a conversion function 803, and then, the data format is converted into the format of the IP packet in a terminal function 804. The resulting IP packet is sent out to an IP communication line 805. Also, as to a packet flow along an opposite direction, namely, an IP packet containing voice (speech) data and/or image data entered from the IP communication line 805 is decoded in a digital data format by the terminal function 804, and a data format and/or a signal transmission/reception rule are converted by the conversion function 803. The resultant digital data is converted into a signal flowing through the SCN line by the SCN terminal function 802 and sent to the SCN line 801. In this case, both a voice signal and an image signal may be separated into both “call control data” and “net data.” This call control data is used so as to send/receive a telephone number with respect to a communication third party. The net data constitutes voice and/or images itself. Through a communication line 805, an IP packet 810 (refer to FIG. 9) functioning as the call control data flows, an IP packet 811 (refer to FIG. 10) functioning as the net data which constitutes the voice itself flows, and an IP packet 812 (refer to FIG. 11) functioning as the net data which constitutes the image itself flows. In the case of an ISDN line, the SCN terminal function 802 corresponds to a data line terminating apparatus (DSU). Also, the terminal function 804 owns such a terminal communication function required for the bidirectional (interactive) communication between the JT-323 telephone set and the JT-323 voice/image apparatus.

[0024] Next, the integrated information communication network proposed in Japanese Patent No. 3084681-B2 closely related to the terminal-to-terminal communication connection control method of the present invention will now be briefly explained with reference to FIG. 12.

[0025] A block 191 shows an integrated IP communication network, an IP terminal 192-1 owns an IP address “EA01”, and another IP terminal 192-2 owns an IP address “EA02”. This example corresponds to such an example that an external IP packet 193-1 is transferred from the IP terminal 192-1 via the integrated IP communication network to the IP terminal 192-2. Both the IP addresses “EA01” and “EA02” are referred to as “external IP addresses”, since these IP addresses are used outside the integrated IP communication network 191. In FIG. 12 to FIG. 15, as to head portions of IPs, only IP address portions are described, and other items are omitted.

[0026] When the network node apparatus 195-1 receives the external IP packet 193-1, this network node apparatus 195-1 confirms that the internal IP address is equal to “IA01”, and the destination external IP address of the IP packet 193-1 is equal to “EA02”. The internal IP address is applied to the terminal unit (logic terminal) of the logic communication line 194-1 into which the IP packet 193-1 is entered. Then, the network node apparatus 195-1 retrieves the content of the address management table 196-1 shown in FIG. 12, and retrieves such a record in which the internal IP address of the transmission source is equal to “IA01” in the beginning, and thereafter, the destination external IP address is equal to “EA02”. Furthermore, the network node apparatus 195-1 checks as to whether or not the external IP address “EA01” of the transmission source within the IP packet 193-1 is contained in the previously detected record. It should be understood that such a check operation as to whether or not the external IP address “EA01” of the transmission source within the IP packet 193-1 is contained in the previously-detected record may be omitted.

[0027] In the present example, while it is such a record containing the IP addresses “EA01, EA02, IA01, IA02” on the second row from the top row, an IP packet 193-2 having such an IP header is formed (namely, IP packet is encapsulated) using the IP addresses “IA01” and “IA02” located inside the record. The IP header is such that the transmission source IP address is “IA01”, and the destination IP address is “IA02”. In this case, symbols “IA01” and “IA02” are called as internal IP addresses of the integrated IP communication network 191. The internal IP packet 193-2 is reached through the routers 197-1, 197-2 and 197-3 to the network node apparatus 195-2. The network node apparatus 195-2 removes the IP header of the received internal IP packet 193-2 (anti-encapsulation of IP packet), sends out the acquired external IP packet 193-3 to the communication line 194-2, and then, the IP terminal 192-2 receives the external IP packet 193-3. Is should also be noted that 197-6 is an example of such a server that the external IP address is “EA81”, and the internal IP address is “IA81”.

[0028] FIG. 13 indicates another embodiment of an address management table. That is, the address management table 196-1 of FIG. 12 is replaced by an address management table 196-3 of FIG. 13, the address management table 196-2 of FIG. 12 is replaced by an address management table 196-4 of FIG. 13, and other portions are identical to those of the above-explained address management table. The known address mask technique may be applied to the address management tables 196-3 and 196-4.

[0029] In the beginning, the record of the address management table 196-3 containing the internal IP address “IA01” is retrieved. This internal IP address is applied to the logic terminal of the terminal unit of the communication line 194-1. In this case, both the record of the first row at the record of the second row in the address management table 196-3 from the top row correspond to the records of interest. With respect to the record of the first row, a check is made as to whether or not an AND-gating result between a destination-use external IP mask “Mask81” and the destination external IP address “EA02” within the external IP packet 193-1 is coincident with a destination external IP address “EA81x” within the first row record (refer to the below-mentioned formula (1)). In this case, the AND-gating result is not coincident with the external IP address “EA81x”. With respect to the record of the second row, a check is made as to whether or not an AND-gating result between a destination-use external IP mask “Mask2” and the destination external IP address “EA02” within the external IP packet 193-1 is coincident with a destination external IP address “EA02y” within the second row record (refer to the below-mentioned formula (2)). In this case, the AND-gating result is coincident with the external IP address “EA02y”. Also, with respect to the transmission source IP address, a comparison is made in accordance with the below-mentioned formula (3) in a similar manner:
If (“Mask81” and “EA02”=“EA81x”)  (1)
If (“Mask2” and “EA02”=“EA02y”)  (2)
If (“Mask1y” and “EA01”=“EA01y”)  (3)

[0030] Based upon the above-explained comparison result, the record of the second row is selected, and both the internal records “IA01” and “IA02” contained in the record of the second row are employed so as to perform the encapsulation, so that the internal IP packet 193-2 is formed. It should be noted that the comparison using above-mentioned formula (3) can not be made when the regions of both the transmission source external IP address and the address mask in the record of the address administration table 196-3 are omitted.

[0031] FIG. 14 indicates a further embodiment of an address management table. That is, the address management table 196-1 of FIG. 12 is replaced by an address management table 196-5 of FIG. 14, the address management table 196-2 of FIG. 12 is replaced by an address management table 196-6 of FIG. 14, and other portions are identical to those of the above-explained address management table. In this example, the address management tables 196-5 and 196-6 do not contain the transmission source external IP addresses, and the transmission source external IP address is not cited in the IP encapsulation. When the IP packet 193-1 is encapsulated, the destination internal IP address “IA02” is determined based upon the transmission source internal IP address “IA01” and the destination external IP address “EA02” inside the address management table 196-5.

[0032] FIG. 15 illustratively shows a further embodiment of the address management table. This embodiment corresponds to such an embodiment that the integrated IP communication network of FIG. 12 is replaced by an optical network, and the internal IP packet is substituted by an internal optical frame. This further embodiment will now be briefly explained. In this drawing, a block 191x indicates an IP packet transfer network, and also represents an optical network in which an IP packet is transferred by employing an optical frame. The optical frame is transferred to an optical communication path provided inside the optical network 191x. This optical communication path is equal to such a function of a communication-1 layer and a communication-2 layer. An optical link address is applied to a header portion of an optical frame. In such a case that the optical frame corresponds to an HDLC frame, the optical link address corresponds to an HDLC address employed in the HDLC frame.

[0033] An IP terminal 192-1x owns an IP address “EA1”, and another IP terminal 192-2x owns an IP address “EA2”. This example corresponds to such an example that an external IP packet 193-1x is transferred from the IP terminal 193-1x via the optical network 191x to the IP terminal 192-2x. In FIG. 15, only IP address portion is described as to a header portion of an IP, only header portion is similarly described as to an optical frame, and other items are omitted.

[0034] When the network node apparatus 195-1x receives the external IP packet 193-1x, this network node apparatus 195-1x confirms such a fact that an internal optical link address is equal to “IA1”, and an external destination IP address of the IP packet 193-1x is equal to “EA2”, and the internal optical link address is applied to a termination unit (logic terminal) of a logic communication line 194-1x into which the IP packet 193-1x is inputted. Then, the network node apparatus 195-1x retrieves a content of an address administration table 196-1x shown in FIG. 15, and also retrieves a record containing such addresses that an internal optical link address of a transmission source corresponds to “IA1” in the beginning, and subsequently, an external destination IP address corresponds to “EA2”. Furthermore, the network node apparatus 195-1 checks as to whether or not the transmission source external IP address “EA1” contained in the IP packet 193-1x is included in the above-detected record. Alternatively, the checking operation as to whether or not the transmission source external IP address “EA1” contained in the IP packet 193-1x is included in the detected record may be omitted.

[0035] In this example, while the record is equal to such a record containing addresses of “EA1, EA2, IA1, IA2” on the second column from the top column, an optical frame 193-2x is produced by employing to optical link addresses “IA1” and “IA2” present inside the record (namely, IP packet is capsulated). This optical frame 193-2x owns such a header that the optical link address of the transmission link address is “IA1” and the optical link address of the destination is “IA2”. In this case, symbols “IA1” and “IA2” correspond to internal addresses of the optical communication network 191x. The internal optical frame 193-2x is reached to the network node apparatus 195-2x via routers 197-1x, 197-2x and 197-3x, which own an optical frame transfer function. The network node apparatus 195-2x removes a header of the received internal optical frame 193-2x (namely, optical frame is inverse-capsulated), sends out the acquired external IP packet 193-3x to a communication line 194-2x, and the IP terminal 192-2x receives an external IP packet 193-3x.

[0036] In accordance with the present invention, while IP addresses are applied to an IP telephone set, a media router (will be explained later), and various sorts of servers (these appliances will be referred to as “IP transmittable/receivable nodes” hereinafter), the IP packets are transmitted/received, so that the data may be exchanged in a mutual manner. These appliances will be referred to as “IP communication means”. FIG. 15 shows such an example that while an IP transmittable/receivable node 340-1 and another IP transmittable/receivable node 340-2 own IP addresses “AD1” and “AD2” respectively, an IP packet 341-1 having the transmission source IP address “AD1 1” and the destination IP address “AD2” is transmitted from the terminal 340-1 to the terminal 340-2. Also, both the IP transmittable/receivable nodes 340-1 and 340-2 receive the IP packet 341-2 along the opposite direction, so that the various sorts of data are mutually transmitted/received. A data portion from which the header of the IP packet is removed may also be called as a “payload”.

[0037] Next, there are provided with IP data multicast networks, IP base TV broadcast networks and, IP base movies distribution networks, while the multicast technique corresponding to one of the IP techniques is employed as the IP transfer networks. In the IP data multicast network, IP data such as electronic books and electronic newspapers is transferred from one distribution source to a plurality of destinations. In both the IP base TV broadcast networks and IP base movie distribution networks, which may function as IP sound (speech)/image networks, both TV sound data and TV picture (image) data are transferred (broadcasted) to a plurality of destinations. Referring now to FIG. 16, a multicast type IP transfer network 27-1 for transferring from one distribution source to a plurality of destinations will now be explained.

[0038] In FIG. 16, reference numerals 27-11 to 27-20 show routers. Each of these routers 27-11 to 27-20 holds a router-sort multicast table. This router-sort multicast table represents that a received IP packet should be transferred to a plurality of communication lines in accordance with multicast addresses contained in the received IP packets. In this embodiment, a multicast address designates “MA1”. In such a case that an IP packet 29-1 having the multicast address “ma1” is transmitted from an IP terminal 28-1, and then is reached via the router 27-11 to the router 27-18, this router 27-18 copies an IP packet 29-2, and transfers both an IP packet 29-3 and another IP packet 29-4 to a communication line by citating the router-sort multicast table held in the router 27-18. Also, the router 27-17 copies the received IP packet 29-3, and transfers an IP packet 29-5 to a communication line 29-17 by referring to the router-sort multicast table held in the router 27-18. Also, this router 27-17 transfers an IP packet 29-6 to a communication line 29-18 by referring to the router-sort multicast table. Since the router 27-19 owns no router-sort multicast table, the IP packet 29-4 directly passes through the router 27-19 to become another IP packet 29-7 which will be transferred to the router 27-14.

[0039] As indicated in FIG. 17, the router 27-17 inputs the IP packet 29-3 from the communication line 29-16, and makes such a confirmation that the transmission source IP address of the IP packet 29-3 is equal to “SRC1” and the destination IP address thereof is equal to the multicast address “MA1”. Since the output interfaces with respect to the multicast address “MA1” are designated as “IF-1” and “IF-2” in the multicast table 29-15, the router 27-17 copies the IP packet 29-3, and outputs the copied IP packet as an IP packet 29-5 to the communication line 29-17 whose output interface is equal to “IF-1”. Furthermore, the router 27-17 copies the IP packet 29-3, and then outputs the copied IP packet as an IP packet 29-6 to the communication line 29-18 whose output interface is equal to “IF-2”.

[0040] The router 27-12 copies the received IP packet 29-5, and then transfers the IP packet 29-8 to the IP terminal 28-2 and also the IP packet 29-9 to the IP terminal 28-3 by referring to the route-sort multicast table. Also, the router 27-13 copies the received IP packet 29-6, and then transfers the IP packet 29-10 to the IP terminal 28-4 and also the IP packet 29-11 to the IP terminal 28-5 by referring to the route-sort multicast table. Also, the router 27-14 copies the received IP packet 29-7, and then transfers the IP packet 29-12 to the IP terminal 28-6 and also the IP packet 29-13 to the IP terminal 28-7 by referring to the route-sort multicast table. In the case that the IP terminal 28-1 of the transmission source transfers a digital-formatted electronic book and a digital-formatted electronic newspaper to the IP transfer network 27-1, this IP transfer network 27-1 corresponds to an IP data multicast network which is employed so as to distribute an electronic book and an electronic newspaper, whereas the IP terminals 28-2 to 28-8 constitute IP terminals of users who purchase the electronic books and the electronic newspapers. In such a case that the IP terminal 28-1 of the transmission source is replaced by a TV broadcasting sound/image transmission apparatus so as to broadcast a TV program (both sound and image), the IP transfer network may constitute an IP base TV broadcast network, whereas the IP terminals 28-2 to 28-7 may constitute IP terminals equipped with TV reception functions for TV audiences.

[0041] In the above-described embodiment of the multicast system shown in FIG. 16, the IP terminal 28-1 constitutes the transmitter to transmit the multicast data, whereas the IP terminals 28-2 to 28-7 constitute the receivers to receive the multicast data. The multicast system with employment of such a method is utilized in the Internet and broadband LANs as a test purpose. However, in the multicast system, since any of the IP terminals may constitute the transmission source for transmitting the multicast data, the following risk may occur. That is, while a transmitter having a ill-intention appears, the transmitter continuously transmits multicast data in an endless manner, so that a network may be congested by the multicast data, and thus, a network function should be stopped. There is another risk that since multicast tables contained in routers are rewritten and/or a very large amount of data are supplied into routers in an endless manner, source routers are brought into overload conditions, and finally shut down. A large expectation is made of realizing such a multicast system with highly improved information securities, while employing the following security methods. That is, while a multicast data transmission source is limited, any of unfair users may be eliminated, and/or attacking of overload/shut-down of routers may be avoided.

[0042] Terminal-to-terminal (inter-terminal) communication connection control methods for IP terminals which mainly transmit/receive data have been established as, for example, a terminal-to-terminal communication connection control method capable of transmitting/receiving an electronic mail in the Internet. In accordance with the present invention, such a terminal-to-terminal communication connection control method could be established, in which the terminal-to-terminal communication connection control method among the IP terminals, which has been established in the Internet and the like and mainly transmits/receives data, may be applied to multimedia communications such as communications among IP telephone sets, voice/image communications, and IP multicast communications by employing a technical idea different from the above-explained TTC standard.

[0043] The present invention has been made to solve the above-explained problem, and has an object to provide a terminal-to-terminal communication connection control system which can be applied to multimedia communications such as communications established among IP telephones, voice (speech)/image communications, and IP multicast communications.

[0044] In accordance with the present invention, since the line connection control method of the No. 7-common line signal system is rearranged so as to be fitted to an IP transfer network, the terminal-to-terminal communication connection control method may be realized in which IP packets are transferred via the IP transfer network among terminals known as telephone sets, IP terminals, audio-moving image transmitting/receiving terminals and facsimiles.

[0045] In FIG. 18, reference numeral 1 shows an IP transfer network having an IP packet transmission/reception function, reference numerals 1-1 and 1-2 indicate terminals (telephone set, IP terminal, audio-moving image transmitting/receiving terminal, facsimiles etc.), reference numerals 1-3 and 1-4 represent media routers for connecting one, or more terminals to the IP transfer network, and reference numerals 1-5 and 1-6 show connection servers, and further reference numeral 1-7 denotes a relay connection server. A function similar to the line connection control of the subscriber exchanger (LS) of the public switched telephone network (PSTN) is applied to each of the connection servers 1-5 and 1-6. A function similar to the line connection control of the relay exchanger (TS) is applied to the relay connection server 1-7.

[0046] A user inputs a destination telephone number from the terminal 1-1 so as to send a call setting signal (Step Z1), and then, the media router 1-3 returns a call setting acceptance (Step Z2). Next, the media router 1-3 transmits an IP packet to the connection server 1-5 (Step Y1). This IP packet contains the destination telephone number and a telephone number of a transmission source, and is to set a telephone call. The connection server 1-5 determines a communication line for a terminal communication provided in an IP transfer network by using the received destination telephone number, and produces both a line number (circuit number: CIC) used to identify a communication line, and an IP packet containing both the destination telephone number and the transmission source telephone number. In this case, the line number (CIC) is exclusively determined in such a manner that the circuit number is capable of identifying a set of both the destination telephone number and the transmission source telephone number. The IP packet will be referred to as an IP packet containing an initial address message (IAM), or simply referred to as an initial address message (IAM). The above-explained communication line for the terminal communication corresponds to, for example, such an IP communication line used to transfer a digitalized voice packet. The IP communication line may be defined as a set of a transmission source IP address and a destination IP address, which is set to a voice IP packet, or a label of an MPLS technique applied to an IP packet. When other terminals such as an IP terminal, an audio-moving image data, facsimile data are used, a communication line corresponds to a data transferring communication line for an IP terminal, and/or a data transferring communication line for an audio-moving image data and facsimile data.

[0047] Next, the connection server 1-5 sends the initial address message (IAM) to the connection server 1-7 (Step Y2), and operation of the connection server is advanced to an address completion message (ACM) waiting condition and initiates an ACM waiting timer (will be explained later). The relay connection server 1-7 receives the message IAM, and then sends this message IAM to the connection server 1-6 (Step Y3). The connection server 1-6 checks the content of the received IAM message, and also judges as to whether or not a communication line is set to such a media router 1-4 which is connected to the telephone set 1-2 having the destination telephone number. In other words, the connection server 1-6 checks as to whether or not the media router 1-4 is allowed to receive a connection request call. When the connection request call reception is allowed, the connection server 1-6 requests the media router 1-4 to set the connection request call (Step Y4). The media router 1-4 requests the telephone set 1-2 to set the telephone call (Step Z4). Furthermore, the connection server 1-6 produces such an IP packet for notifying such a fact that the message IAM is received. The connection server 1-6 returns the produced IP packet (called as address completion message: ACM) to the relay connection server 1-7 (Step Y5). The message ACM is reached via the relay connection server 1-7 to the relay connection server 1-5 (Step Y6). When the connection server 1-5 receives the message ACM, the connection server 1-5 stops the previously set ACM waiting timer. In the case that the ACM waiting timer is fully counted up before the message ACM is received, the telephone communication line is released. Alternatively, the message ACM may succeed the line number (CIC) from the message IAM and may save it inside the message ACM or the message ACM forms a line number from the caller's telephone number and the address telephone number at the Step Y5 and save it inside the message ACM.

[0048] The terminal 1-2 produces a connection request call reception sound, and reports the call reception to the media router 1-4 (Step Z7). The media router 1-4 sends to the connection server 1-6, the connection request call reception notice. The connection server 1-6 produces such an IP packet for notifying such a fact that the telephone set 1-2 issues the telephone set 1-2 receives the connection request call. This produced IP packet is referred to as an “IP packet containing a call pass message (CPG)”, or simply called as a call pass message (CPG). The connection server 1-6 sends this call pass message “CPG” to the relay connection server 1-7 (Step Y8). The relay connection server 1-7 sends the received message CPG to the connection server 1-5 (Step Y9), and the connection server 1-5 receives the message CPG. Then, the connection server 1-5 notifies such a fact that the terminal 1-2 is being called by considering the content of the message CPG to the media router 1-3 (Step Y10). The media router 1-3 notifies the telephone calling sound to the telephone set 1-1 (Step Z10). It should be noted that as to the message CPG, at the Step Y5, while the line number is formed from the set of the transmission source telephone number and the destination telephone number, and then may be saved in the message CPG.

[0049] When the terminal 1-2 responds to the call setting request made at the Step Z4 (Step Z11), the media router 1-4 notifies such a fact that the terminal 1-2 responds the connection request call to the connection server 1-6 (Step Y11). The connection server 1-6 produces such an IP packet for indicating that the terminal 1-2 responds to the request of the call setting operation. The IP packet is referred to as an IP packet containing a response message (ANM), or simply called as a response message (ANM). The connection server 1-6 transmits the produced ANM message packet to the relay connection server 1-7 (Step Y12). The relay connection server 1-7 sends the received ANM message to the connection server 1-5 (Step Y13). Then, this connection server 1-5 notifies such a fact that the destination terminal 1-2 responds to the media router 1-3 (Step Y14). The media router 1-3 notifies the calling sound stop transmitted to the terminal 1-1 (Step Z14), so that the IP packet on which the digital voice is superimposed can be transmitted/received by employing the communication which is specified by the line number (CIC) between the terminals 1-1 and 1-2. Then, the operation is advanced to a terminal communication phase (Step Y15). As to the ANM message IP packet, at the Step Y5, the line number may be formed from a set of the transmission source telephone number and the destination terminal number, and may be saved in the message ANM. When a call interrupt request is issued (Step Z16), the media router 1-3 notifies the call interrupt request to the connection server 1-5 (Step Y16) and notifies a cut confirmation to the terminal 1-1 (Step Z18).

[0050] When the connection server 1-5 receives the interrupt request, this connection server 1-5 discriminates the line number (CIC) from the set of the transmission source terminal number and the destination terminal number, and then produces such an IP packet employing a release request (REL) of the communication line. The produced IP packet is referred to as an IP packet containing a release (REL), or simply referred to as a release message (REL). The release message (REL) contains the line number (CIC). The connection server 1-5 sends the release message (REL) to the relay connection server 1-7 (Step Y17), and further, returns to the media router 1-3, such a recovery completion for indicating a completion of the interrupt request (Step Y18). The relay connection server 1-7 sends out the release request (REL) to the connection server 1-6 (Step Y19), and furthermore, produces such an IP packet indicative of a completion of the release request (REL). The produced IP packet is called as an IP packet containing a release completion (RLC), or simply referred to as a release completion message (RLC). This release completion message (RLC) is returned to the connection server 1-5 (Step Y20).

[0051] When the connection server 1-6 receives the release request (REL), the connection server 1-6 sends out an interrupt request to the media router 1-4 (Step Y21), and also returns a release completion message (RLC) to the relay connection server 1-7 (Step Y22). The release completion message (RLC) implies that the release request (REL) is completed. When the media router 1-4 receives the interrupt request, the media router 1-4 notifies an interrupt instruction of a connection request call to the terminal 1-2 (Step Z22), and also to the connection server 1-6, an interrupt completion for indicating that the interrupt instruction is carried out (Step Y23). The terminal 1-2 notifies a recovery completion to the media router (Step E23). In the procedure for accomplishing the terminal communication, the terminal 1-2 may send the interrupt request of the terminal communication to the media router 1-4, which is similar to the above-explained procedure. Alternatively, while the relay connection server 1-7 is not present, a method for a terminal-to-terminal communication control between the connection servers 1-5 and 1-6 may be realized. After the terminal communication between the terminals 1-1 and 1-2 has been accomplished, namely at the Steps Y18 and Y22, both the connection servers 1-5 and 1-6 may acquire a terminal communication record including a line number (CIC), a communication time instant, and a telephone number, and may record the terminal communication record inside the connection server so as to be used for the charging and operation managing purposes.

[0052] In the above described terminal-to-terminal communication connection control, when the terminal is a telephone set, the digital media is digitalized voice and the media communication is telephone communication, when the terminal is an IP terminal, the digital media is characters or digitalized still images and the media communication is IP data communication, when the terminal is an audio-moving image transmission/reception terminal, the digital media is digitalized audio-moving image and the media communication is voice-moving image communication, and when the terminal is a facsimile terminal, the digital media is digitalized facsimile image and the media communication is facsimile communication. The telephone number to discriminate the communicating terminals may be a terminal discrimination number to individually define specified terminals, for example, a terminal original number which is effective within the specified communication network.

[0053] Also, there are various sorts of modified terminal-to-terminal communication connection control methods between a media router and a connection server, and between connection servers. Alternatively, the initiation of the ACM waiting timer defined at the Step Y2 may be omitted, and also the above-mentioned Step Y5 and Y6, namely address completion message (ACM) can be omitted. However, CPG waiting timer is set instead of the ACM waiting timer and is stopped after Step Y9. These means will be explained with reference to a following embodiment.

[0054] The present invention is related to a terminal-to-terminal communication control method with employment of an IP transfer network. The above-explained object of the present invention may be achieved by such a terminal-to-terminal communication connection control method with employment of an IP transfer network wherein: in order to perform a multimedia IP communication between a first IP terminal and a second IP terminal, the first terminal transmits such an IP packet containing a host name of the second IP terminal via a domain name server contained in a media router and a network node apparatus to a domain name server contained in a integrated IP transfer network; the domain name server contained in the integrated IP transfer network returns such an IP address corresponding to the host name of the second IP terminal in an 1-to-1 correspondence relationship via the domain name server contained in the media router, or directly to the first IP terminal; when the first terminal sends out an IP packet to be transmitted to the second IP terminal, the IP packet reaches another network node apparatus connected to said second IP terminal via the media router connected to said first IP terminal and then the network node apparatus and more than one routers inside the IP transfer network, so as to deliver the IP packet to said IP terminal via another media router through a communication line and the domain name server is utilized.

[0055] Also, the above-explained object of the present invention may be achieved by such a terminal-to-terminal communication connection control method with employment of an IP transfer network, wherein: in order to perform a telephone communication between a first dependent type IP telephone set and a second dependent type IP telephone set, when a handset of the first dependent type IP telephone set is taken up, such an IP packet for notifying a telephone call is transmitted from the first dependent type IP telephone set; a first H323 termination unit inside a first media router detects the IP packet, and returns a response IP packet to the first dependent type IP telephone set; the first dependent type IP telephone set transmits an IP packet containing the telephone number of the second dependent type IP telephone set via the first H323 termination unit and reach a first domain name server inside the first media router and a first network node apparatus connected with the first media router via the communication line; the first network node apparatus transmits the IP packet to a second domain name server inside a integrated IP transfer network; the second domain name server returns a second IP address corresponding to the telephone number of the first dependent type IP telephone set in an 1-to-1 correspondence relationship via the first domain name server or without passing through the first domain name server to the first H323 termination unit; when a first IP address is a source IP address in an 1-to-1 correspondence relationship with the first dependent type IP telephone set and the first H323 termination unit generates and sends an IP packet with a destination IP address as being the second IP address, the IP packet passes through the second H323 termination unit, the second network node apparatus, the more than one router inside the IP transfer network, the first network node apparatus and the first H323 termination unit, and reaches the first dependent IP telephone set; when the first user hangs up a handset upon completion of telephone communication, an IP packet indicating the completion of telephone communication is generated/transmitted with a source IP address as being the first IP address and a destination IP address as being the second IP address; when [the IP packet] passes through the first H323 termination unit, the first network node apparatus, the more than one router inside the IP transfer network, the second network node apparatus and the second H323 termination unit, and reaches the second dependent IP telephone set, thereby enabling the second user to acknowledge the completion of telephone communication;

[0056] when the second user hangs up the telephone set and an IP packet for acknowledgement of completed telephone communication is generated and sent with a source IP address as being the second IP address and a destination IP address as being the first IP address, the IP packet passes through the second H323 termination unit, the second network node apparatus, the more than one router inside the IP transfer network and the first network node apparatus, and reaches the first H323 termination unit; when telephone communication is completed between the first dependent type IP telephone set and the second dependent type IP telephone set and an IP packet for transmitting the second dependent type IP telephone set from the H323 termination unit, the IP packet passes through the network node apparatus and the more than one router inside the IP transfer network and reaches another network node apparatus connected to the second dependent type IP telephone set, and the IP packet enters another media router via a communication line thereby enabling the same to reach the second dependent IP telephone set via the H323 termination unit; the IP packet reaches another second network node apparatus connected to the second dependent IP telephone set via the first network node apparatus and more than one routers inside the IP transfer network and arrives via the communication line at a second H323 termination unit which is inside another second router and connected to the second type dependent type telephone set;

[0057] when a first user starts a telephone call, the first dependent IP telephone set sends an IP packet containing a voice sound expressed in digital form with a source IP address as being the first IP address and a destination IP address as being the second IP address; the IP packet passes through the first H323 termination unit, and reaches the second dependent IP telephone set; and

[0058] when a second user causes a voice sound, the second dependent IP telephone set sends an IP packet containing a voice sound expressed in digital form with a source address as being the second IP address and a destination IP address as being the first IP address.

[0059] The present invention is featured by that while an address management table is set to a network node apparatus employed in an IP transfer network, the means for registering an address of a terminal into this address management table (refer to Japanese Patent Application No. 128956/1999) is applied to the multicast technique, which will now be described. As a network in which an IP transfer network is operated/managed by a communication company, a network node apparatus is provided in this IP transfer network. Since the IP addresses of the IP terminals are registered into the network node apparatus, the IP packet transmission by the multicast method with improving the information security performance can be realized. When such an IP packet containing a multicast IP address which is not yet registered into the network node apparatus is received, this received IP packet is discarded (IP address filtering operation).

[0060] Referring now to FIG. 19, both network node apparatus 1-11 to 1-14 and routers 1-15 to 1-20 are installed into an IP transfer network 1-10. These network node apparatus are directly connected to the routers by using an IP communication line, or in directly connected to the routers via the network node apparatus and the routers. IP terminals 1-21 to 1-27 having an IP packet transmission/reception function are connected to the network node apparatus by way of an IP communication line. An IP terminal does not directly allow the connection to the router. The network node apparatus 1-11 to 1-14 register thereinto at least an IP address among the IP terminal information about the IP terminals connected to the own node apparatus.

[0061] As a first IP packet acceptance check, a check is made as to whether or not a destination IP address contained in a header of an external IP packet which is entered into an IP transfer network is registered into the address management table of the node apparatus. In the case that the destination IP address is not registered, this IP packet is discarded. As a second IP packet acceptance check, a check is made as to whether or not a transmission source IP address contained in a header of an external IP packet which is entered into an IP transfer network is registered into the address management table of the node apparatus. In the case that the destination IP address is not registered, this IP packet is discarded. As a first address registration check, while a destination multicast address is registered into the address management table of the network node apparatus, in such a case that a destination multicast address contained in a header of an external IP packet entered into the network node apparatus is not registered into the address management table, the network node apparatus discards the entered IP packet. As a result, it is possible to avoid such a condition that an unexpected IP packet is mixed into the IP transfer network. Also, since an address of a multicast transmission person is not allowed to be registered into an address management table of a network node apparatus of a packet reception person, an ACK packet cannot pass through the network node apparatus. The ACK packet is sent so as to confirm a reception of an IP packet, and is directed from the multicast IP packet reception person to the multicast IP packet transmission person. As a consequence, it is possible to prevent an occurrence of congestion of the IP transfer network, which is caused by ACK implosion of these ACK packets.

[0062] Also, while an IP address of a router is not allowed to be registered as a destination address, a dangerous IP packet is not sent out from an IP transfer network to a router of the IP transfer network. The dangerous IP packet may mistakenly rewrite a content of a multicast table. Alternatively, while an IP address of an operation management server for multicast operation provided in an IP transfer network is not allowed to be registered, such an access operation from the IP transfer net work into the operation management server employed in the IP transfer network cannot be carried out, so that the information security performance can be improved. As a second address registration check, a transmission source of an IP packet containing multicast data is limited, so that an occurrence of unfair user can be suppressed. Also, in such a case that unfair action is carried out, an IP packet transmission source can be easily specified, so that the information security performance of the IP transfer network can be improved.

[0424] It should be understood that both the IP-capsulation operation and the IP-inverse-capsulation operation, which are explained in the embodiment of the present invention, may be replaced by both a capsulation operation and an inverse-capsulation operation executed in a layer lower than the communication layer-3 layers, for instance, may be substituted by both a capsulation operation and an inverse-capsulation operation by a header of an optical HDLC frame of the communication layer-2 layers. Furthermore, an internal address of a transmission source is not contained in a header which is applied in a capsulation operation and an inverse-capsulation operation. In other words, both a simple capsulation operation and a simple inverse-capsulation operation may be realized to which a simple header is applied. It should also be noted that similarly in this simple capsulation operation, an address administration table having the same function is employed, which is used in the capsulation operation and the inverse-capsulation operation. Referring now to FIG. 357, the simple capsulation operation will be described.

[0425] In this drawing, block 2300 indicates an IP communication network; reference numerals 2301, 2302, 2303, 2304, 2305 denote network node apparatus; reference numerals 2301-1, 2302-1, 2303-1, 2304-1, 2305-1 show address administration tables; and reference numerals 2301-1, 2301-3, 2302-2, 2302-3, 2303-2, 2303-3, 2304-2, 2304-3 represent contents (logic terminals) between termination units of communication lines and the network node apparatus. Internal addresses “IA1”, “IA2”, “IA3”, “IA4”, “IA5”, “IA6”, “IA7”, “IA8” are applied to these logic terminals. Reference numerals 2306-1 to 2306-9 show IP terminals having functions for transmitting/receiving IP packets, and own external IP addresses “EA1” to “EA9”. Reference numerals 2307-1 to 2307-4 shown routers. The above-explained network node apparatus and routers are directly connected via a communication line to each other, or are indirectly connected via routers to each other. The terminals are connected via a communication line to the network node apparatus. In the description of FIG. 357, only an IP header portion is described as a header portion of an IP, and other items are omitted.

[0426] In the case that the terminal 2306-1 transmits such a IP packet 2310 whose transmission source address is equal to “EA1” and whose destination address is equal to “EA3” and also the network node apparatus 2301 receives an IP packet 2310, the network node apparatus 2301 confirms such a fact that an internal address applied to a logic terminal of a terminal of a communication line into which the IP packet 2310 is entered is equal to “IA1”, and furthermore, a destination external IP address of the IP packet 2310 is equal to “EA3”. Then, the network node apparatus 2301 retrieves a content of the address administration table 2301-1, and also retrieves a record containing such addresses that an internal IP address of a transmission source corresponds to “IA1” in the beginning, and subsequently, an external destination IP address corresponds to “EA3”. Furthermore, the network node apparatus 2301 checks as to whether or not the transmission source external IP address “EA1” contained in the IP packet 2310 is included in the above-detected record.

[0427] In this example, a record of a first column of the address administration table 2301-1 from a top column is equal to “EA1, EA3, IA1, IA3”. While using the address of “IA3” present in this record, a simple header is applied to the IP packet 2310 so as to form an internal packet 2313 (namely, simple capsulation operation). It should be noted that the simple header does not contain the transmission source internal address “IA1”. The formed internal packet 2313 is reached via the routers 2307-1 and 2307-2 to the network node apparatus 2302. The network node apparatus 2302 removes the simple header of the received internal packet 2313 (simple inverse-capsulation operation), and sends out the acquired external IP packet 2317 (having the same content of IP packet 2310) to the communication line. Then, the IP terminal 2306-3 receives this IP packet 2317. It should also be noted that the record “EA3, EA1, IA3, IA1” of the first column of the address administration table 2302-1 is used so as to transfer the IP packet by employing a method similar to the above-described method along a direction opposite to the above-explained direction.

[0428] When the simple capsulation operation is carried out in the network node apparatus 2301, such a checking operation may be omitted. That is, the network node apparatus 2301 checks as to whether or not the transmission source external IP address “EA1” contained in the IP packet 2310 is included in the detected record within the address administration table 2301-1. In such a case of the above-explained checking operation of the IP address “EA1”, the respective records of the address administration table 2301-1 can be made excluding the transmission source external IP address. Furthermore, with respect to two external IP addresses (namely, transmission source IP address and destination IP address) contained in each of the records of the address administration table 2301-1, such a simple capsulation technical method which is made based upon a similar principle idea to an address mask technical method (will be discussed later) may be applied.

[0429] A description will now be made of another example where an IP packet is transferred.

[0430] In the case that the terminal 2306-5 transmits such an IP packet 2312 whose transmission source address is equal to “EA5” and whose destination address is equal to “EA4” and also the network node apparatus 2303 receives an IP packet 2312, the network node apparatus 2303 confirms such a fact that an internal address applied to a logic terminal of a terminal of a communication line into which the IP packet 2312 is entered is equal to “IA5”, and furthermore, a destination external IP address of the IP packet 2312 is equal to “EA4”. Then, the network node apparatus 2303 retrieves a content of the address administration table 2303-1, and also retrieves such a record that the transmission source internal IP address is equal to “IA5” in the beginning. In this case, a record “Mask7, EA7x, IA5, IA7” of a first column of the address administration table 2303-1 from a top column corresponds to a record “Mask4, EA4x, IA5, IA4” of a second column of this address administration table. As to the record of the first column, the network node apparatus 2303 checks as to whether or not a result of “AND”-gating operation between the mask “Mask7” and the destination external IP address “EA4” contained in the external IP packet 2312 is made coincident with the destination external IP address “EA7x” contained in the record of the first column (refer to below-mentioned formula (4)). In this case, the “AND”-gating result is not made coincident with the destination external IP address “EA7x”. Next, as to the record of the second column, the network node apparatus 2303 checks as to whether or not a result of “AND”-gating operation between the destination external IP mask “Mask4” and the destination external IP address “EA4” contained in the external IP packet 2312 is made coincident with the destination external IP address “EA4x” contained in the record of the second column (refer to below-mentioned formula (5)). In this case, this “AND”-gating result is made coincident with the destination external IP address “EA4x”.
If (“Mask7” and “EA4”=“EA7x”)  (4)
If (“Mask4” and “EA4”=“EA4x”)  (5)

[0431] In this example, a record of a second column of the address administration table 2303-1 from a top column is equal to “Mask4, EA4x, IA5, IA4”. While using the address of “IA4” present in this record, a simple header is applied to the IP packet 2312 so as to form an internal packet 2314 (namely, simple capsulation operation). It should be noted that the simple header does not contain the transmission source internal address “IA5”. The formed internal packet 2314 is reached via the routers 2307-3, 2307-4 and 2307-2 to the network node apparatus 2302. The network node apparatus 2302 removes the simple header of the received internal packet 2314 (simple inverse-capsulation operation), and sends out the acquired external IP packet 2318 (having the same content of IP packet 2312) to the communication line. Then, the IP terminal 2306-4 receives this IP packet 2318.

[0432] Next, in the network node apparatus 2301-1, an IP packet 2311 which is sent from the terminal 2306-2 to the terminal 2306-7 is simple-capsulated in a capsulation manner similar to the above-explained capsulation manner by employing a record “EA2, EA7, IA2, IA7” of a second column of the address administration table 2301-1 so as to become an internal capsule 2316. This internal capsule 2316 is reached via the routers 2307-1, 2307-2 and 2307-4 to the network node apparatus 2304. This network node apparatus 2304 removes the simple header of the received internal packet 2316 (namely, simple reverse-capsulation operation), and then sends out the acquired external IP packet 2319 (having the same content of IP packet 2311) to the communication line, and the IP terminal 2306-7 receives this IP packet 2319.

[0433] It should also be understood that the above-explained address mask technical method has a similar basic idea to that of the address mask technical method as explained with reference to FIG. 351. As another example of the capsulation operation and the inverse-capsulation operation by employing the simple header, the known MPLS label by way of the MPLS technical method may be utilized. In this example, while the MPLS label contains the destination internal address, the MPLS label does not contain the transmission source internal address.

[0434] Next, in the network node apparatus 2305, the IP packet 2321 sent out from the terminal 2306-9 to the terminal 2306-8 undergoes a simple encapsulation using the record “Mask8, EA8y, IA8” in the second line of the address management table 2305-1 according to a method similar to that of the above-mentioned case thereby to become an internal capsule 2322, which goes through the router 2307-4 and then reaches the network node apparatus 2304. The network node apparatus 2304 removes the simple header of the received internal packet 2322 (simple decapsulation), and then sends out the external IP packet 2323 (having the same contents of the IP packet 2321) obtained as described above onto the communication line. The IP terminal 2306-8 then receives the IP packet 2319.

[0435] FIG. 358 shows the form of an internal packet (referred to also as an internal frame) formed in the above-mentioned simple encapsulation. The internal packet has a form in which a simple header is added to an external IP packet. The simple header includes a destination internal address and an information region, but does not include a transmission source internal address. The information region includes the information (protocol and the like) concerning the payload region of the internal packet. Another embodiment of the above-mentioned simple encapsulation and decapsulation is described below with reference to FIGS. 359 and 360. In the figure, reference numerals 2351-1 to 2351-7 indicate IP transfer networks. Reference numerals 2352-1 to 2352-7 indicate terminals having an external IP address “EA1”. Reference numerals 2353-1 to 2353-7 indicate terminals having an external IP address “EA2”. Reference numerals 2354-1 to 2354-7 indicate internal packets (internal frames). Reference numerals 2355-1 to 2355-7 and 2356-1 to 2356-7 indicate network node apparatuses. Each reference numeral 2359-1 to 2359-7 indicates a connection point (logical terminal) between a communication line and a network node apparatus, and an internal IP address “IA1” is assigned. Each reference numeral 2360-1 to 2360-7 indicates a connection point (logical terminal) between a communication line and a network node apparatus, and an internal IP address “IA2” is assigned. Reference numerals 2357-1 to 2357-7 and 2358-1 to 2358-7 indicate address administration tables. Each terminal and each network node apparatus are interconnected by a communication line, and so are each network node apparatus and the other terminals. An IP packet is transmitted and received between each terminal and each network node apparatus, while an above-mentioned internal packet (internal frame) is transferred between the network node apparatuses.

[0436] The terminal 2352-1 transmits an IP packet having a transmission source address “EA1” and a destination address “EA2”. On receiving the IP packet, the network node apparatus 2355-1 confirms that the internal address assigned to the logical terminal at the termination end of the communication line to which the IP packet is inputted is “IA1”, and that the destination external IP address of the IP packet is “EA2”. The network node apparatus then searches the inside of the address administration table 2357-1 thereby to find a record having firstly the transmission source internal IP address “IA1” and secondly the destination external IP address “EA2”. In this example, this is the record “EA2, IA1, IA2” in the first line of the address administration table 2357-1. By using the address “IA2” within the record, a simple header is added to the IP packet, whereby an internal packet 2354-1 is formed (simple encapsulation). The formed internal packet 2354-1 goes through the communication line and then reaches the network node apparatus 2356-1. The network node apparatus 2356-1 removes the simple header of the received internal packet 2354-1 (simple decapsulation), and then sends out the obtained external IP packet to the communication line. The IP terminal 2353-1 then receives the restored IP packet.

[0437] The terminal 2352-2 transmits an IP packet having a transmission source address “EA1” and a destination address “EA2”. On receiving the IP packet, regardless of the internal address assigned to the logical terminal at the termination end of the communication line to which the IP packet is inputted, the network node apparatus 2355-2 confirms that the transmission source external IP address of the IP packet is “EA1”, and that the destination external IP address is “EA2”. The network node apparatus then searches the inside of the address administration table 2357-2. In this example, the result is the record “EA1, EA2, IA2” in the first line of the address administration table 2357-2. By using the address “IA2” within the record, a simple header is added to the IP packet, whereby an internal packet 2354-2 is formed (simple encapsulation). The formed internal packet 2354-2 goes through the communication line and then reaches the network node apparatus 2356-2. The network node apparatus 2356-2 removes the simple header of the received internal packet 2354-1 (simple decapsulation), and then sends out the obtained external IP packet to the communication line. The IP terminal 2353-2 then receives the restored IP packet.

[0438] The terminal 2352-3 transmits an IP packet having a transmission source address “EA1” and a destination address “EA2”. On receiving the IP packet, regardless of the internal address assigned to the logical terminal at the termination end of the communication line to which the IP packet is inputted, the network node apparatus 2355-3 confirms that the destination external IP address of the IP packet is “EA2”. The network node apparatus then searches the inside of the address administration table 2357-1 thereby to find a record having the destination external IP address “EA2”. In this example, the result is the record “EA2, IA2” in the first line of the address administration table 2357-1. By using the address “IA2” within the record, a simple header is added to the IP packet, whereby an internal packet 2354-3 is formed (simple encapsulation). The formed internal packet 2354-3 goes through the communication line and then reaches the network node apparatus 2356-3. The network node apparatus 2356-1 removes the simple header of the received internal packet 2354-3 (simple decapsulation), and then sends out the obtained external IP packet to the communication line. The IP terminal 2353-3 then receives the IP packet.

[0439] The terminal 2352-4 transmits an IP packet having a transmission source address “EA1” and a destination address “EA2”. On receiving the IP packet, the network node apparatus 2355-4 confirms that the internal address assigned to the logical terminal at the termination end of the communication line to which the IP packet is input is “IA1”, and that the destination external IP address of the IP packet is “EA2”. The network node apparatus then searches the inside of the address administration table 2357-4 thereby to find a record having firstly the transmission source internal IP address “IA1”. In this example, the result is the record “Msk1, EA1x, Msk2, EA2x, IA, IA2” in the first line of the address administration table 2357-4. The network node apparatus checks first whether the result of the “and” operation between the mask “Msk2” of the record in the first line and the destination external IP address “EA2” of the input external IP packet coincides with the destination external IP address “EA2x” of the record in the first line or not (the following equation (6)), and further checks whether the result of the “and” operation between the transmission source external IP mask “Msk1” and the transmission source external IP address “EA1” in the external IP packet coincides with the destination external IP address “EA1x” in the record or not (the following equation (7)). They coincide in this case.
If (“Msk2” and “EA2”=“EA2x”)  (6)
If (“Msk1” and “EA1”=“EA1x”)  (7)

[0440] In this example, it is the above-mentioned record in the first line of the address administration table 2357-4. By using the address “IA2” within the record, a simple header is added to the IP packet, whereby an internal packet 2354-4 is formed (simple encapsulation). The formed internal packet 2354-4 goes through the communication line and then reaches the network node apparatus 2356-4. The network node apparatus 2356-4 removes the simple header of the received internal packet 2354-4 (simple decapsulation), and then sends out the obtained external IP packet to the communication line. The IP terminal 2353-4 then receives the IP packet.

[0441] The case that the terminal 2352-5 transmits an IP packet having a transmission source address “EA1” and a destination address “EA2” and that the network node apparatus 2355-5 receives the IP packet is similar to the case that the terminal 2352-4 transmits the IP packet having a transmission source address “EA1” and a destination address “EA2”. The point of difference is not to carry out the “and” operation between the destination external IP mask and the destination external IP address in the external IP packet. The other points are the same.

[0442] The case that the terminal 2352-6 transmits an IP packet having a transmission source address “EA1” and a destination address “EA2” and that the network node apparatus 2355-6 receives the IP packet is similar to the case that the terminal 2352-4 transmits the IP packet having a transmission source address “EA1” and a destination address “EA2”. The point of difference is not to carry out the confirmation on the internal address assigned to the logical terminal at the termination end of the communication line to which the IP packet is inputted. The other points are the same.

[0443] The case that the terminal 2352-7 transmits an IP packet having a transmission source address “EA1” and a destination address “EA2” and that the network node apparatus 2355-7 receives the IP packet is similar to the case that the terminal 2352-5 transmits the IP packet having a transmission source address “EA1” and a destination address “EA2”. The point of difference is not to carry out the confirmation on the internal address assigned to the logical terminal at the termination end of the communication line to which the IP packet is inputted. The other points are the same.

[0444] In accordance with the present invention, the terminal-to-terminal communication connection control method applicable to IP transfer networks may be realized, while combining several functions with each other, or changing some functions, which are disclosed in Japanese Patent Application No. 128956/1999 filed by the Applicant, the line (circuit) connecting method of the No. 7-common line signal system, “JT-H323 gateway standardized by ITU-T recommendation H323 ANNEX D”, “SIP telephone protocol”, and the embodiment-36 of Japanese Patent No. 3084681-B2. Furthermore, while a media router, a gateway, and an IP network service operation/management server are conducted, the arrangements and the operation sequences of the media router and the gateway are concretely defined; modes of IP packets used in terminal-to-terminal communications with employment of the media router and the gateway are concretely defined; and also the functions which should be owned by the IP network service operation/management servers are concretely defined.

[0445] In accordance with Japanese Patent Application No. 128956/1999, the integrated IP transfer network contains a plurality of IP transfer networks. In other words, the integrated IP transfer network contains at least two, or more networks of the IP data network, the IP telephone network, the IP voice/image network (IP audio/visual network), the best effort network, the IP data multicast network, the IP base TV broadcast network, and the network node apparatus. The network node apparatus is connected via the communication line to any one, or more of the IP transfer networks. On the other hand, the network node apparatus terminal of the network node apparatus is connected via the communication line to the terminal externally provided with the integrated IP transfer network.

[0446] In the present invention, an integrated IP transfer network contains thereinto one, or more gateways. Alternatively, the integrated IP transfer network is directly connected via a communication line connected to a network node apparatus to one, or more media routers, otherwise, is indirectly connected to a media router provided inside a LAN. Both a gateway and a media router correspond to one sort of such a router having a function that an IP terminal, an IP telephone set, an IP voice/image (audio/visual) apparatus, and the like are directly connected to the router so as to be stored thereinto. While either the gateway or the media router, and a domain name server provided inside the integrated IP transfer network, are employed, a connection control of terminal-to-terminal communications is carried out by employing an IP transfer network among terminals. In order that terminals are registered/recorded into the IP transfer network, at least addresses of these terminals are recorded/saved in an address management table employed in the network node apparatus, or in the domain name server installed in the IP transfer network. Also, an IP network service operation/management server is provided in each of the IP transfer networks. This IP network service operation/management server is provided so as to manage resources of network in a batch mode every communication industry. As the network resources, there are operation/management of the IP transfer network, services provided by the IP transfer networks, the routers, and communication lines.

[0447] The sort of the above-explained IP service operation/management servers may be determined with respect to each of the various IP transfer networks. For instance, an IP data service operation/management server (DNS) for managing IP data communications in a batch mode may be installed inside the IP data network. Also, an IP telephone service operation/management server (TES) for managing telephone communications in a batch mode may be installed inside the IP telephone network. Also, an IP voice/image service operation/management server (AVS) for managing voice/image communications in a batch mode may be installed inside the IP voice/image network. A best effort service operation/management server (BES) for managing best effort communications in a batch mode may be installed inside a best effort network. An IP data multicast service operation/management server (DMS) for managing IP data multicast communications in a batch mode may be installed inside an IP data multicast network. Further, an IP base TV broadcast service operation/management server (TVS) for managing IP base TV broadcasting operations in a batch mode may be installed in an IP base TV broadcast network. It should be understood that a service operation/management server provided in each of the IP transfer networks may be subdivided into a network service server and a network operation/management server. The network service server mainly manages network services provided by the respective IP transfer networks, whereas the network operation/management server mainly manages resources of a network.

[0448] Referring now to drawings, various embodiments of the present invention will be described.

[0449] In FIG. 20, reference numeral 2 shows an integrated IP transfer network, reference numeral 3 indicates an IP data network, reference numeral 4 represents an IP telephone network, reference numeral 5-1 denotes an IP voice/image network, reference numeral 5-2 shows a best effort network, reference numeral 6-1 indicates a range of an IP transfer network operated/managed by a communication company “X”, and reference numeral 6-2 represents a range of an IP transfer network operated/managed by a communication company “Y”. Also, reference numerals 7-1, 7-2, 7-3, 7-4, 8-1, 8-2, 8-3 and 8-4 show a network node apparatus, respectively. Reference numerals 9-1 and 9-2 represent gateways. Reference numerals 10-1 to 10-8 show communication lines, reference numerals 11-1 to 11-10 denote IP terminals, reference numerals 12-1 and 12-2 show independent type IP telephone sets, and reference numerals 13-1 to 13-4 represent dependent type IP telephone sets. Further, reference numerals 16-1 to 16-4 represent dependent type IP voice/image apparatus.

[0450] The network node apparatus is connected to any of the IP transfer networks via a communication line. In other words, the network node apparatus is connected to one, or more networks of the IP data network 3, the IP telephone network 4, the IP voice/image network 5-1 and the best effort network 5-2. On the other hand, the network node apparatus is connected via the communication lines 10-1 to 10-8 to the IP terminals 11-1 and 11-2, the independent type IP telephone sets 12-1 and 12-2, the media routers 14-1 and 14-2, and the LANs 15-1 and 15-2. The IP terminals are installed outside the integrated IP transfer network. The media routers 14-3 and 14-4 are installed inside the LAN 15-1 and the LAN 15-2, and are indirectly connected to the network node apparatus. The media routers 14-1 to 14-4 are directly connected to the dependent type IP telephone sets 13-1, 13-2, 13-4; the dependent type IP voice/image apparatuses 16-1, 16-2, 16-3; and analog telephone sets 18-1 to 18-4 so as to store thereinto them. Other analog telephone sets 18-5 and 18-6 are connected via public switched telephone networks 26-1 and 26-2 to the gateways 9-1 and 9-2. The gateway 9-1 is connected via a communication line to the network node apparatus 8-4, and the gateway 9-2 is connected via a communication line to the network node apparatus 7-4.

[0451] Reference numerals 19-1 to 19-19 show routers which transfer IP packets, and reference numerals 26-1 and 26-2 represent public switched telephone networks (will be referred to as a “PSTN” hereinafter). The media router 14-1 is connected via the communication line 10-1 to the network node apparatus 8-2, the media router 14-2 is connected via the communication line 10-5 to the network node apparatus 7-2, the LAN 15-1 is connected via the communication line 10-3 to the network node apparatus 8-4, and the LAN 15-2 is connected via the communication line 10-7 to the network node apparatus 7-4.

[0452] The analog telephone set 18-5 is connected to the network node apparatus 8-4 via the telephone line 17-3, the public switched telephone network 26-1, the telephone line 17-1 and the gateway 9-1. Similarly, the analog telephone set 18-6 is connected to the network node apparatus 7-4 via the telephone line 17-4, the public switched telephone network 26-2, the telephone line 17-2 and the gateway 9-2. The media router 14-1 contains a router 20-3, a connection control unit 22-1, an H323 termination unit 23-1 and an SCN interface 24-1. The router 20-3 is connected to the connection control unit 22-1. The connection control unit 22-1 is connected to the H323 termination unit 23-1. The H323 termination unit 23-1 is connected to the SCN interface. Similarly, the media router 14-2 contains a router 20-4, a connection control unit 22-2, an H323 termination unit 23-2 and an SCN interface 24-2.

[0453] The router 20-1 provided inside the LAN 15-1 is connected via the communication line 10-3 to the network node apparatus 8-4. The LAN 15-1 is connected via a LAN communication line such as the Ethernet to both the IP terminal 11-4 and the media router 14-3. Also, the media router 14-3 is connected via the communication line to the IP terminal 11-5, the dependent type IP voice/image apparatus 16-2, and the analog telephone set 18-2, respectively. Similarly, the router 20-2 provided inside the LAN 15-2 is connected via the communication line 10-7 to the network node apparatus 7-4. The LAN 15-2 is connected via a LAN communication line such as the Ethernet to both the IP terminal 11-8 and the media router 14-4. Also, the media router 14-4 is connected via the communication line to the IP terminal 11-9, the dependent type IP telephone set 13-4 and the analog telephone set 18-4, respectively.

[0454] Reference numerals 21-1 to 21-5 show routers which transfer IP packets between the range 6-1 managed by the communication company “X” and the range 6-2 managed by the communication company “Y”. Also, reference numerals 27-1 and 27-2 show ATM (asynchronous transfer mode) networks, reference numeral 27-3 indicates an optical communication network, and reference numeral 27-4 denotes a frame relay (FR) switching network, which are employed as a high speed main line network used to transfer an IP packet, respectively. It should also be noted that the ATM network, the optical communication network and the frame relay switching network may be employed as any of elements of sub-IP networks employed in the integrated IP transfer network.

[0455] The IP data service operation/management server 35-1, the IP telephone service operation/management server 36-1, the IP voice/image service operation server 37-1, and the best effort service operation/management server 38-1 are managed by the communication company “X”, respectively, and are provided within the range 6-1 of the network which is managed by the communication company “X”. Also, the IP data service operation/management server 35-2, the IP telephone service operation/management server 36-2, the IP voice/image service operation server 37-2 and the best effort service operation/management server 38-2 are managed by the communication company “Y”, respectively, and are provided within the range 6-2 of the network which is managed by the communication company “Y”.

[0456] Various sorts of multimedia terminals which are connected via the communication lines outside the integrated IP transfer network 2, namely, an IP telephone set and an IP voice/image apparatus can be specified as to internal location positions of the integrated IP transfer network 2 by using host names as addresses for identifying multimedia terminals in a similar manner to other IP terminals. The host names of the IP terminals and of the multimedia terminals are similar to host names of computers used in the Internet. These host names may be applied in correspondence with IP addresses applied to the respective IP terminals and multimedia terminals. In accordance with the present invention, telephone numbers which are applied to IP telephone sets and IP voice/image apparatus are employed as the host names of the IP telephone sets and the IP voice/image apparatus.

[0457] A domain name server (will be referred to as a “DNS” hereinafter) holds information as to a one-to-one correspondence relationship between a host name and an IP address. A major function of the domain name server is given as follows: When a host name is provided, an IP address is answered. The major function owns a similar function used in the Internet.

[0458] With respect to the IP terminals 11-3, 11-1, 11-4, 11-6 and the like, which are employed in the IP data network connected to the network node apparatus managed by the communication company “X”, a domain name server 30-1 dedicated to the IP data network holds information as to a one-to-one correspondence relationship among host names and IP addresses, which are applied to the respective terminals. Also, with respect to the IP terminals 11-7, 11-2, 11-8 and the like, which are employed in the IP data network connected to the network node apparatus managed by the communication company “Y”, a domain name server 30-4 dedicated to the IP data network holds information as to a one-to-one correspondence relationship among host names and IP addresses, which are applied to the respective terminals.

[0459] With respect to the dependent type IP telephone sets 13-1, 13-3, and the analog telephone sets 18-1, 18-2, 18-5, which are employed in the IP telephone network connected to the network node apparatus managed by the communication company “X”, a domain name server 31-1 dedicated to the IP telephone network holds information as to a one-to-one correspondence relationship among host names (telephone numbers) and IP addresses, which are applied to the telephone sets. Also, with respect to the dependent type IP telephone set 13-2 and the analog telephone sets 18-3, 18-4, 18-6, which are employed in the IP telephone network connected to the network node apparatus managed by the communication company “Y”, a domain name server 31-2 dedicated to the IP telephone network holds information as to a one-to-one correspondence relationship among host names (telephone numbers) and IP addresses, which are applied to these telephone sets.

[0460] With respect to the dependent type IP voice/image apparatus 16-1 and the independent type IP voice/image apparatus 12-3, which are employed in the IP voice/image network connected to the network node apparatus managed by the communication company “X”, a domain name server 32-1 dedicated to the voice/image network holds information as to a one-to-one correspondence relationship among host names (numbers of IP voice/image apparatus) and IP addresses, which are applied to the IP voice/image apparatus. Also, with respect to the dependent type IP voice/image apparatus 16-3 and 16-4 which are employed in the IP voice/image network connected to the network node apparatus managed by the communication company “Y”, a domain name server 32-2 dedicated to the IP voice/image network holds information as to a one-to-one correspondence relationship among host names (numbers of IP voice/image apparatus) and IP addresses, which are applied to the IP voice/image apparatus.

[0461] With respect to the IP terminal 11-5 and the dependent type IP voice/image apparatus 16-2, which are employed in the best effort network connected to the network node apparatus managed by the communication company “X”, a domain name server 33-1 dedicated to the best effort network holds information as to a one-to-one correspondence relationship among host names and IP addresses, which are applied to the terminals. Also, with respect to the IP terminal 11-9, 11-10 and the dependent type IP telephone set 13-4, which are employed in the best effort network connected to the network node apparatus managed by the communication company “Y”, a domain name server 33-2 dedicated to the best effort network holds information as to a one-to-one correspondence relationship among host names and IP addresses, which are applied to the terminals.

[0462] Next, both a basic function of a media router and a basic function of a gateway, which constitute the major elements of the present invention, will now be described with reference to FIG. 21 and FIG. 22.

[0463] An SCN terminal function 802-0, a conversion function 803-0 and a terminal function 804-0 contain the functions owned by the above-explained SCN terminal function 802, conversion function 803 and terminal function 804, respectively. A voice signal and an image signal, which are entered from the analog telephone set 41-3 via the SCN line 40-1, are converted into digital data signals in the SCN terminal function 802-0. In the conversion function 803-0, a data format and a signal transmission/reception rule are converted. In the terminal function 804-0, the converted digital data signal is converted into an IP packet format which is transmitted to the IP communication line 40-2. Also, a signal flow along a direction opposite to the above-described signal flow direction will now be explained.

[0464] That is, an IP packet containing voice data and image data, which is entered from the IP communication line 40-2, is decoded into a digital data format in the terminal function 804-0. In the conversion function 803-0, both the data format and a signal transmission/reception rule are converted. The converted digital data is further converted into a signal flowing through the SCN line in the SCN terminal function 802-0. Then, the signal is transmitted via the SCN line 40-1 to the analog telephone set 41-3. An SCN interface 24-0 contains both an SCN terminal function 802-0 and a conversion function 803-0. Since an H323 termination unit 23-0 contains the terminal function 804-0 and this terminal function 804-0 contains the above-explained H323 termination function, the H323 termination unit 23-0 can perform an interactive communication through the terminal 41-2 and the communication line 40-5. The multimedia terminal 41-2 employed in the present invention corresponds to an IP telephone set, an IP voice/image apparatus and the like, which are designed in accordance with the H323 specification.

[0465] A connection control unit 22-0 is connected via the communication line 40-2 to the H323 termination unit 23-0, and via the line 40-3 to a router 20-0. The router 20-0 is connected via the communication line 40-4 to a network node apparatus 41-4, and also via the communication line 40-6 to an IP terminal 41-1. An IP packet 810 functioning as call control data flows through the communication line 40-2, another IP packet 811 functioning as net data which constitutes voice flows through the communication line 40-2, and another IP packet 812 functioning as net data which constitutes an image itself flows through the communication line 40-2.

[0466] The call control data corresponds to a host name such as a telephone number and a personal computer. On the other hand, the IP packet 43 flowing through the communication line 40-3 may employ such a data format that a host name is notified to a DNS so as to obtain an inquiry response, namely a DNS inquiry/response format, for example, RFC 1996 (A Mechanism for Prompt Notification of Zone Changes). A DNS inquiry/response function 42 has such a function that the H323 format call control data 810 is converted into the DNS inquiry/response format data 43, and the DNS is inquired to obtain an IP address corresponding to a host name. It should be understood that the IP packet 811 which constitutes the voice, and also the IP packet 812 which constitutes the image itself will pass through the connection control unit 42 in the transparent manner.

[0467] When the above-explained operations are summarized, the telephone number entered from the analog telephone set 41-3 is changed into the digital telephone number by the SCN interface 24-0, and then the digital telephone number is inputted into the H323 termination unit 23-0. Otherwise, both the telephone number and the host name of the multimedia terminal are entered as the H323 format type call control data 810 into the H323 termination unit 23-0. The telephone number and the host name of the multimedia terminal are entered from the H323 format type IP telephone set 41-2, and are designed in accordance with the H323 specification. Both the telephone numbers correspond to the H323 format type call control data 810 on the communication line 40-2, and the H323 format type call control data 810 are converted into the DNS inquiry/response format 43 via the connection control unit 22-0. It should be understood that the call control data sent from the IP terminal 41-1 originally employs the DNS inquiry/response format 43 and need not use the function of the connection control unit 22-0, the call control data is directly connected to the router 20-0. In this case, the router 20-0 collects both the communication lines 40-3 and 40-6, and also penetrates the IP packet through the own router 20-0. It should also be noted that the net data which constitutes the voice and the image itself contained in the IP packets 811 and 812 may pass through the connection control unit 22-0 without being changed. The IP packets are transmitted/received via the line 40-4 between the net node apparatus 41-4 and the router 20-0.

[0468] A concrete example of the DNS inquiry/response will now be explained. In the case that both a telephone number “81-47-325-3897” and an IP address “192.1.2.3” are applied to an IP telephone set, when the telephone number “81-47-325-3897” is inquired to the domain name server DNS, the DNS responds as the IP address “192.1.2.3”. Alternatively, in such a case that both a host name “host1.dname1.dname2.co.jp” and an IP address “128.3.4.5” are applied to a personal computer corresponding to an IP terminal, when the host name “host1.dname1.dname2.co.jp” is inquired to the DNS, this DNS answers the IP address “128.3.4.5” of the personal computer.

[0469] Since an IP packet is transmitted/received among the IP terminal 41-1, the multimedia terminal 41-2 and the analog terminal 41-3, a communication can be established. In other words, the IP terminal 41-1 transmits/receives the IP packet with respect to the multimedia terminal 41-2 via the router 20-0, the connection control unit 22-0, and the H323 termination unit 23-0, so that the mutual communication can be established between the IP terminal 41-1 and the multimedia terminal 41-2. Further, the IP terminal 41-1 may mutually communicate with the analog telephone set 41-3 via the SCN interface 24-0. Also, the multimedia terminal 41-2 may mutually communicate with the analog telephone set 41-3 via the H323 termination unit 23-0 and the SCN interface 24-0.

<<Operation of Media Router>>

[0470] Operations of the media router 14-1 according to the present invention will now be explained with reference to FIG. 23. The router 20-3 which constitutes one element of the media router 14-1 owns the function of the router 20-0 shown in FIG. 21. A connection control unit 22-1 of FIG. 23 owns the function of the connection control unit 22-0 shown in FIG. 21. An H323 termination unit 23-1 of FIG. 23 owns the function of the H323 termination unit 23-0 indicated in FIG. 21. An SCN interface 24-1 of FIG. 23 owns the function of the SCN interface 24-0 shown in FIG. 21. Reference numeral 48-1 of FIG. 23 owns a similar function as to the above-explained DNS. An RAS mechanism 49-1 corresponds to such a mechanism capable of registering/certificating a terminal into the media router 14-1, and also capable of managing an internal condition of the media router (for example, the internal components and their utilization conditions are managed in a batch mode).

[0471] In this case, the registration by the RAS mechanism 49-1 implies that the terminal is connected to the media router, whereas the certification thereof implies that the RAS mechanism 49-1 confirms as to whether or not the terminal is formally utilized in accordance with the connection permission condition of the terminal. Reference numeral 50-1 shows an information processing mechanism capable of executing an information processing operation within the media router 14-1. Reference numeral 51-1 shows an operation input/output unit of the media router 14-1. As a consequence, the respective functions owned by the connection control unit 22-1, the H323 termination unit 23-1, and the SCN interface 24-1 employed in the media router 14-1 of FIG. 23 may be apparent from the descriptions as to the connection control unit 22-0, the H323 termination unit 23-0, and the SCN interface 24-0 indicated in FIG. 21.

<<Communication Connection Control Between IP Terminals>>

[0472] Referring now to FIG. 23, FIG. 24, and FIG. 25 to FIG. 31, a description will be made of a sequential process operation that data stored in an IP packet is transmitted, or received from the IP terminal 11-3 to the IP terminal 11-7. The IP terminal 11-3 transmits such an IP packet 45-1 shown in FIG. 26 via a communication line 52-1 to a domain name server 48-1. The IP packet 45-1 stores thereinto the own address, namely a transmission source IP address “A113”; an address of a domain name server 48-1 employed in the medic router 14-1, namely a destination IP address “A481”; and a host name “IPT-11-7 name” of the IP terminal 11-7 of the communication party. In this case, the inquiry content shown in the IP packet 45-1, namely “IPT-11-7 name” is stored in “inquiry portion” within the “DNS inquiry/response format” indicated in FIG. 22.

[0473] The domain name server 48-1 checks the content of the received IP packet 45-1, and inquires to a domain name server 30-1 dedicated to the IP data network via the communication line 10-1 and the network node apparatus 8-2 (Step ST10). When the domain name server 30-1 returns an IP packet containing an IP address “A117” which corresponds to the above-explained host name “IPT-11-7 name” in a 1:1 correspondence to the domain name server 48-1 (Step ST11), the domain name server 48-1 returns an IP packet 45-2 to the IP terminal 11-3. In the above-explained sequential process operation, the network node apparatus 8-2 checks as to whether or not the transmission source address “A113” contained in the received IP packet 45-1 is registered into an address administration table with reference to the address administration table 44-1 of FIG. 25. In this case, the address administration table 44-1 indicates that an external IP address is “A113” on a record of a second row of the table from a top row, and a communication line discrimination symbol “Line-10-1” is equal to such an IP packet entered from the communication line 10-1. As a result, it can be confirmed that the IP terminal 11-3 is allowed/registered so as to be communicatable through the network node apparatus. In the case that the IP terminal is not registered in the address administration table 44-1, the network node apparatus 8-2 can discard the received IP packet 45-1.

[0474] Next, in the case that the IP terminal 11-3 produces an IP packet 45-3 which is transmitted to the IP terminal 11-7 and then transmits the produced IP packet 45-3 via the router 20-3 to the network node apparatus 8-2, if this network node apparatus 8-2 transfers the IP packet 45-3 to the internal unit of the integrated IP transfer network 1, then the IP packet 45-3 passes through the communication lines and a plurality of routers (namely, routers 19-1, 19-3, 21-1, 19-5 and 19-6) employed in the IP data network 3 of FIG. 20, and thereafter, is reached to the network node apparatus 7-2. As a result, the network node apparatus 7-2 sends out the received IP packet 45-3 to the communication line 10-5 shown in FIG. 24 (Step ST12), the router 20-4 receives the IP packet 45-3, and then, transfers the IP packet via the communication line 52-2 to the IP terminal 11-7. When the IP terminal 11-7 which receives the IP packet 45-3 produces a returning IP packet 45-4, and then sends out the returning IP packet 45-4 via the communication line to the router 20-4, the returning IP packet 45-4 is reached to the network node apparatus 8-2 through the communication line 10-5 (Step ST13), the network node apparatus 7-2, and the IP data network 3 provided within the integrated IP transfer network 2. Then, such an IP packet 45-4 shown in FIG. 29 is supplied via the communication line 10-1 to the IP terminal 11-3. Since the IP packet is transmitted/received between the IP terminal 11-3 and the IP terminal 11-7 in the above-explained sequential process operation, the communication can be established.

[0475] It should be understood that the domain name server 48-1 employed in the media router may be removed from the media router 14-1 in the above-explained communication sequential operation from the IP terminal. In this alternative case, the IP terminal 11-3 transmits the IP packet 45-5 to the domain name server 30-1. The IP packet 45-5 stores thereinto the transmission source IP address “A113”, the IP address “A301” of the domain name server 30-1 dedicated to the IP data network, and the host name “IPT-11-7 name” of the IP terminal 11-7 of the communication party. The domain name server 30-1 returns such an IP packet 45-6 containing an IP address “A117” which corresponds to the host name “IPT-11-7 name” in a 1-to-1 correspondence manner. It should also be noted that the technical method capable of directly accessing the domain name server 30-1 except for the domain name server 48-1 provided in the media router may be realized by way of the known technical method related to the domain name server.

[0476] When the above-explained process operation defined at the Step ST11 is accomplished, both the IP terminals 11-3 and 11-7 are brought into such a preparation condition that the communication is commenced. Under this preparation condition, when the network node apparatus 8-2 detects both the IP packets 45-2 and 45-6, a record of communications established between the IP terminals may be saved/recorded within the network node apparatus 8-2 in combination with this time instant, if necessary. In other words, a record of communications mode between the IP terminal 11-3 and the IP terminal 11-7 may be saved/recorded.

<<Communication Connection Control Between Dependent Type IP Telephone Sets>>

[0477] Next, a description will now be made of a sequential operation in which while a telephone number is dialed, a telephone communication is carried out from the dependent type IP telephone set 13-1 to the dependent type IP telephone set 13-2. In this example, a “dependent type IP telephone set” indicates such an IP telephone set which is connected to the media routers 14-1, 14-2 and the like so as to establish a telephone communication, whereas an “independent type IP telephone set” indicates the IP telephone sets 12-1 and 12-2 shown in FIG. 20, which are not connected to the media router, but are directly connected to the network node apparatus. This communication sequence will be explained later.

[0478] The dependent type IP telephone set 13-1 of FIG. 23 is connected via the communication line 53-1 to the H323 termination unit 23-1, and the dependent type IP telephone 13-2 of FIG. 24 is connected via the communication line 53-2 to the H323 termination unit 23-2.

[0479] When the handset of the dependent type IP telephone 13-1 is took up (off hook), such an IP packet 46-1 shown in FIG. 32, which notifies a telephone call, is sent to the communication line 53-1 indicated in FIG. 23 (Step ST20 of FIG. 23). Then, the H323 termination unit 23-1 detects that the telephone call is entered from the communication line 53-1, and returns an IP packet 46-2 in order to confirm the telephone call (Step ST21). In this case, symbol “CTL-Info-1” described in a payload (data field) of the IP packet 46-1 corresponds to call control information, whereas symbol “CTL-Info-2” described in a payload of the IP packet 46-2 corresponds to call confirmation information.

[0480] Next, when the user of the dependent type IP telephone set 13-1 dials a telephone number of the dependent type IP telephone set 13-2 as the communication counter party, such an IP packet 46-3 having, for example, the call control data format defined by H.225 is produced within the dependent type IP telephone set 13-1. The IP packet 46-3 contains a telephone number (“Tel-13-2 name”) of the communication counter party, the telephone number of the dependent type IP telephone set 13-1, and the IP address. The IP packet 46-3 is transmitted via the communication line 53-1 to the H323 termination unit 23-1. A condition as to whether or not both the telephone number of the dependent type IP telephone 13-1 and the IP address are contained in the IP packet 46-3 may be optionally selected. The H323 termination unit 23-1 receives the IP packet 46-3 from the communication line 53-1 to retrieve records contained in a media router state table 100-1 shown in FIG. 47.

[0481] Then, the H323 termination unit 23-1 detects a line identifier indicative of the communication line 53-1, namely, a record of a first row of the media router state table 100-1 from a top row, i.e., “53-1”. Also, the H323 termination unit 23-1 reads out a telephone number “81-3-1234-5679” and an IP address “32.3.53.1” of the dependent type IP telephone set 13-1, which are described in the detected record. Also, when both the IP address and the telephone number are not contained in the IP packet 46-3, the H323 termination unit 23-1 may set the values described in the media router state table to the IP packet 46-3. Alternatively, even when the information related to the IP address and the telephone number is written, if the above values are not made coincident with the above-described IP packet/telephone number, then the H323 termination unit 23-1 discards the IP packet 46-3 as an error process. In this case, a concrete numeral value of the IP address “A131” of the dependent type IP telephone set 13-1 is selected to be “32.3.53.1” (Step ST22).

[0482] Next, the H323 termination unit 23-1 transmits an IP packet 46-4 to a domain name server 48-1 employed inside the media router 14-1 of FIG. 23 (Step ST23). The IP packet 46-4 stores thereinto the address of the dependent type IP telephone set 13-1, namely a transmission source IP address “A131”; the address of the domain name server 48-1, namely a destination IP address “A481”; and a telephone number “Tel-13-2 name” of a communication counter party. The domain name server 48-1 checks the content of the received IP packet 46-4, and subsequently, transmits an IP packet 46-5 via the communication line 10-1 and the network node apparatus 8-2 to the domain name server 31-1 dedicated to the IP telephone network (Step ST24). When the domain name server 31-1 dedicated to the IP telephone network returns such an IP packet to the domain name server 48-1 (Step ST25), the domain name server 48-1 returns an IP packet 46-6 to the H323 termination unit 23-1. The above-explained returned IP packet contains an IP address “A132” which corresponds to the host name “Tel-13-2 name” in a 1-to-1 correspondence manner.

[0483] Next, when the H323 termination unit 23-1 produces an IP packet 46-7 which is sent to the H323 termination unit 23-2, and then transmits the produced IP packet 46-7 via the router 20-3 to the network node apparatus 8-2 (Step ST26), the network node apparatus 8-2 transfers the received IP packet 46-7 to the internal arrangement of the integrated IP transfer network 2 shown in FIG. 20. Thus, the IP packet 46-7 passes through the routers 19-8, 19-9, 21-2, 19-11 and 19-13 provided inside the IP telephone network 4, and then is reached to the network node apparatus 7-2. As a result, the network node apparatus 7-2 sends out the received IP packet 46-7 to the communication line 10-5, and the H323 termination unit 23-2 receives the IP packet 46-7 via the router 20-4. The H323 termination unit 23-3 interprets the IP packet 46-7 as a telephone call, and thus executes the below-mentioned two procedure operations. As a first procedure operation, the H323 termination unit 23-2 produces a returning IP packet 46-8 and then returns the IP packet 46-8 to the router 20-4. As a second procedure operation, the H323 termination unit 23-2 transfers the IP packet 46-7 via the communication line 53-2 shown in FIG. 24 to the dependent type IP telephone set 13-2.

[0484] Referring now to FIG. 24, the following operation is made: The IP packet 46-8 produced in the first procedure is transmitted via the communication line 10-5 (Step ST27), the network node apparatus 7-2, and the IP telephone network 4 to the network node apparatus 8-2, and then is reached via the communication line 10-1 to the router 20-3 and also via the H323 termination unit 23-1 to the dependent type IP telephone set 13-1, respectively. The dependent type IP telephone 13-1 interprets that the communication counter party is being called by receiving the IP packet 46-8.

[0485] Because of the second procedure, the dependent type IP telephone 13-2 produces a telephone call sound by receiving the IP packet 46-7. The user of the dependent type IP telephone set 13-2 hears the telephone call sound, and then takes up the handset of the dependent type IP telephone set 13-2 (off hook). As a result, the dependent type IP telephone set 13-2 produces an IP packet 46-9 to be sent out to the line 53-2 (Step ST28), and the H323 termination unit 23-2 receives the IP packet 46-9. Then, the IP packet 46-9 is supplied via the network node apparatus 7-2 and the IP telephone network 4 to the network node apparatus 8-2, and is reached via the communication line 10-1 to the router 20-3, and also via the H323 termination unit 23-1 to the dependent type IP telephone set 13-1. As a result, the user of the dependent type IP telephone set 13-1 may be informed that the telephone communication counter party takes up the handset of the dependent type IP telephone set 13-2.

[0486] The above-described Step ST28 corresponds to such a procedure that information of a response is transferred, namely, the IP packet 46-9 is transferred which notifies such a fact that the telephone communication is commenced between the dependent type IP telephone set 13-1 and the dependent type IP telephone set 13-2. When the network node apparatus 7-2 and 8-2 detect the IP packet 46-9, a record of the commencement of the telephone communication may be saved in a charge record file. In other words, such a fact that the telephone communication is commenced between the dependent type IP telephone sets 13-1 and 13-2 is saved in the charge record file. Namely, this charge record file stores thereinto a portion of the contents of the IP packet 46-9 set into the network node apparatus, for example, a transmission source IP address, a destination IP address, a transmission source port number, a destination port number and detection time instants thereof.

[0487] When the user of the dependent type IP telephone set 13-1 starts his telephone conversation, the dependent type IP telephone set 13-1 produces an IP packet 46-10 containing digitalized voice (speech), and transmits the IP packet 46-10 to the communication line 53-1 (Step ST29). The voice packet 46-10 is supplied to the dependent type IP telephone set 13-2 via the H323 control unit 23-1; the router 20-3; the network node apparatus 8-2; the routers 19-8, 19-9, 21-2, 19-11 and 19-13; the network node apparatus 7-2; the router 20-4; and the H323 termination unit 23-2. The voice of the user of the dependent type IP telephone set 13-2 is stored in an IP packet 46-11 in a digital form. The voice packet is supplied to the dependent type IP telephone set 13-1 along a direction opposite to the above-explained packet flow direction (Step ST30), namely, is supplied via the H323 control unit 23-2; the router 20-4; the network node apparatus 7-2; the routers 19-13, 19-11, 21-2, 19-9 and 19-8; the network node apparatus 8-2; the router 20-3; and the H323 termination unit 23-1.

[0488] When the user of the dependent type IP telephone set 13-1 puts on (hangs up) the handset thereof in order to finish the telephone communication, the dependent type IP telephone set 13-1 produces an IP packet 46-12 which indicates that the telephone communication is ended, and then sends out the IP packet 46-12 to the communication line 53-1 (Step ST31). The IP packet 46-12 is supplied to the dependent type IP telephone set 13-2 via the H323 control unit 23-1; the router 20-3; the network node apparatus 8-2; the routers 19-8, 19-9, 21-2, 19-11, and 19-13; the network node apparatus 7-2; the router 20-4; and the H323 termination unit 23-2. The user of the dependent type IP telephone set 13-2 may know such a fact that the telephone communication is ended, and then, when the user puts on the handset of the dependent type telephone set 13-2, an IP packet 46-13 is produced. The produced IP packet 46-13 is supplied along a direction opposite to the above-explained packet flow direction, namely, is supplied to the H323 control unit 23-2; the router 20-4; the network node apparatus 7-2; the routers 19-13, 19-11, 21-2, 19-9 and 19-8; the network node apparatus 8-2; the router 20-3; and the H323 termination unit 23-1 (Step ST32).

[0489] The above-described Step ST32 corresponds to such a procedure that confirmation information of a call interrupt is transferred, namely, the IP packet 46-13 is transferred which notifies such a fact that the telephone communication is ended between the dependent type IP telephone set 13-1 and the dependent type IP telephone set 13-2. When both the network node apparatus 7-2 and 8-2 detect the IP packet 46-13, a record of the completion of the telephone communication may be saved in the charge record file. In other words, such a fact that the telephone communication is ended between the dependent type IP telephone sets 13-1 and 13-2 is saved in the charge record file. Namely, this charge record file stores thereinto a portion of the contents of the IP packet 46-13 set into the network node apparatus, for example, a transmission source IP address, a destination IP address, a transmission source port number, a destination port number and detection time instant thereof.

[0490] Since both the dependent type IP telephone set 13-1 and the dependent type IP telephone set 13-2 transmit and also receive the IP packets in accordance with the above-explained procedures, the telephone communications can be established.

[0491] In the above-described communication procedures, while the domain name server 48-1 contained in the media router may be removed from the media router 14-1, the above-explained Steps ST23 to ST25 may be replaced by the below-mentioned Steps ST23x and ST25x. In other words, the H323 termination unit 23-1 transmits an IP packet 46-14 via the communication line 10-1 and the network node apparatus 8-2 to the domain name server 31-1 dedicated to the IP telephone network (Step ST23x). The IP packet 46-14 stores thereinto the address of the dependent type IP telephone set 13-1, namely the transmission source IP address “A131”; the address of the domain name server 31-1 dedicated to the IP telephone network, namely the destination IP address “A311”; and the telephone number of the communication counter party “Tel-13-2 name”. The domain name server 31-1 returns another IP packet 46-15 to the H323 termination unit 23-1 (Step ST25x). The IP packet 46-15 contains the IP address “A132” which corresponds to the telephone number of the communication counter party “Tel-13-2 name” in a 1-to-1 correspondence manner.

[0492] In the above-explained procedures defined from the Steps ST23 to the Step ST25, or by both the Step ST23x and the Step ST25x, the network node apparatus 8-2 may confirm that the dependent type IP telephone set 13-1 is allowed to be communicated from the communication line 10-1 via the network node apparatus 8-2 by checking as to whether or not the combination between the transmission source address “A481” contained in the IP packet 46-5 received via the communication line 10-1 and the communication line identification symbol “Line-10-1” similarly received is registered in the address management table 44-1 (refer to FIG. 25), or by checking as to whether or not the combination between the transmission source address “A131” contained in the IP packet 46-14 received via the communication line 10-1 and the communication line identification symbol “Line-10-1” similarly received is registered in the address management table 44-1 (refer to FIG. 25).

<<Communication Connection Control Between Independent Type IP Telephone Sets>>

[0493] Since the dependent type IP telephone set 13-1 of FIG. 23 contains the termination function of the H323 termination unit 23-1, this dependent type IP telephone set 13-1 may be formed with the connection control unit 22-1 in an integral form. Because of this reason, a dependent type IP telephone set 13-11 provided inside such an independent type IP telephone set 12-1 shown in FIG. 48 is directly connected via a communication line to a connection control unit 22-11. A communication line 10-4 is derived from the connection control unit 22-11, and then is connected to the network node apparatus 8-4 of FIG. 20. Both the independent type IP telephone set 12-1 and an independent type IP telephone set 12-2 can carry out a telephone communication by transmitting/receiving an IP packet. This communication procedure is similar to that defined from the Step ST20 to the Step ST32, in which the above-described dependent type IP telephone sets 13-1 and 13-2 perform the telephone communication by transmitting/receiving the IP packets. However, there is a first different point. That is, since the domain name server 48-1 inside the media router 14-1 is not present, both the Step ST23 and the Steps ST24 may be regarded as an integrated steps without passing through the domain name server 48-1. As a second different point, since the H323 termination units 23-1 and 23-2 are not present, the portions of the H323 termination units 23-1 and 23-2 are required to be replaced by such a communication line through which the IP packets may pass.

<<Communication Between Two Dependent Type IP Voice/Image Apparatus>>

[0494] Since an IP packet is transmitted, or received from the dependent type IP voice/image (audio/visual) apparatus 16-1 to the dependent type IP voice/image (audio/visual) apparatus 16-3, a host name for identifying an apparatus can be realized by a voice/image communication for transmitting/receiving an IP packet. The communication procedure is similar to that defined from the Step ST20 to the Step ST32 in which both the dependent type IP telephone set 13-1 and the dependent type IP telephone set 13-2 use the domain name server 31-1 dedicated to the IP telephone network. As a technical different point, while the domain name server 32-1 dedicated to the IP voice/image network of FIG. 24 is employed without using the domain name server 31-1 dedicated to the IP telephone network, a process operation of a Step ST44 is executed instead of the Step ST24, and also a process operation of a Step ST45 is executed instead of the Step ST25.

[0495] The dependent type IP voice/image apparatus 16-1 inquires the domain name server 32-1 dedicated to the IP image inside the IP transfer network as to the host name of the dependent type IP voice/image apparatus 16-2 to thereby acquire an IP address of the dependent type IP voice/image apparatus 16-2. Next, since the voice/image data is transmitted from the dependent type IP voice/image apparatus 16-1 to the dependent type IP voice/image apparatus 16-2, the voice/image communication for transmitting/receiving the voice/image data can be carried out between the dependent type IP voice/image apparatus 16-1 and the dependent type IP voice/image apparatus 16-2.

<<Communication Between Independent Type IP Voice/Image Apparatus and Dependent Type IP Voice/Image Apparatus>>

[0496] Since the dependent type IP voice/image apparatus 16-1 shown in FIG. 23 contains the termination function of the H323 termination unit 23-1, this dependent type IP voice/image apparatus 16-1 may be formed with the connection control unit 22-1 in an integral form. Because of this reason, a dependent type IP voice/image apparatus 16-12 provided inside such an independent type IP voice/image apparatus 12-3 shown in FIG. 49 is directly connected via a communication line to a connection control unit 22-12. A communication line 10-9 is derived from the connection control unit 22-12, and then is connected to the network node apparatus 8-4 of FIG. 20.

[0497] Both the independent type IP voice/image apparatus 12-3 and the dependent type IP voice/image apparatus 16-3 can execute a voice/image communication for transmitting/receiving an IP packet. The communication procedure thereof is similar to the process operations defined from the Step ST20 to the Steps ST32, in which both the dependent type IP voice/image apparatus 16-1 and the dependent type IP voice/image apparatus 16-3 use the domain name server 32-1 dedicated to the IP voice/image network 5-1 so as to transmit/receive the IP packet, so that the voice/image communication is carried out. As a technical different point, since the domain name server 48-1 within the media router 14-1 is not present, both the Step ST23 and the Step ST24 are recorded as an integrated step, without passing through the domain name server 48-1.

[0498] By connecting the independent type IP voice/image apparatus 16-4 with the network node apparatus 7-4, the voice/image communication to transmit/receive the IP packet is carried out between the independent type IP voice/image apparatus 12-3 and the independent type IP voice/image apparatus 16-4 via the network node apparatus 8-4, the IP voice/image network 5-1 and the network node apparatus 7-4.

[0499] Assuming now that the independent type IP voice/image apparatus 12-3 is regarded as a sales means of a voice (sound)/image goods selling firm for selling voice/image goods, and also both the dependent type IP voice/image apparatus 16-3 and the independent type IP voice/image apparatus 16-4 are regarded as a purchase means of a voice (sound)/image goods purchaser, such a virtual market can be realized through which the voice/image goods can be distributed with employment of the IP transfer network. A purchaser may order voice/image goods to a sales firm by using a voice/image slip, and thus, the sales firm can send digital voice/image goods.

<<Communication Among Analog Telephone Sets>>

[0500] Referring now to FIG. 20, FIG. 23, FIG. 24, and FIG. 50 to FIG. 64, a description will be made of a sequential operation in which while a telephone number is dialed, a telephone communication is established from one normal telephone set to another normal telephone set, not an IP telephone set, namely from one analog telephone set 18-1 to another analog telephone set 18-3.

[0501] The analog telephone set 18-1 of FIG. 23 is connected via a communication line 55-1 to the SCN interface 24-1, and the analog telephone set 18-3 of FIG. 24 is connected via a communication line_55-2 to the SCN interface 24-2. When the handset of the analog telephone 18-1 is taken up (off hook), a telephone calling analog signal is sent out via the communication line 55-1 to the SCN interface 24-1, and then this SCN interface 24-1 converts the received analog calling signal into digital-format calling data. Next, the SCN interface 24-1 converts the transmission/reception rule of the digital calling data, and produces such a digital data 47-1 shown in FIG. 50 which notifies a telephone call. The digital data 47-1 is inputted to the H323 termination unit 23-1 (Step ST60 of FIG. 23). The H323 termination unit 23-1 returns digital data 47-2 of FIG. 51 used to confirm the telephone call to the SCN interface 24-1 (Step ST61). In this case, symbol “CTL-Info-1” contained in the digital data 47-1 indicates call control information, and symbol “CTL-Info-2” contained in the digital data 47-2 shows call confirmation information.

[0502] Next, when a user of the analog telephone set 18-1 dials a telephone number of the analog telephone set 18-3 as a communication counter party, the analog telephone set 18-1 sends out a call setting analog signal to the communication line 55-1, and the SCN interface 23-1 produces a data block 47-3 of FIG. 52 for notifying the telephone number by using the “call setting” analog signal to send out the data block 47-3 to the H323 termination unit 23-1. In this case, the H323 termination unit 23-1 retrieves records contained in a media router state table 100-1 of FIG. 47 so as to detect a line identifier indicative of the communication line 55-1, a record on a third row of the media router state table 100-1 from a top row, namely “55-1”. Next, the H323 termination unit 23-1 reads a telephone number “81-47-325-3887” of the analog telephone set 18-1 and an IP address “20.0.55.1”, which are described in the record. In this case, a concrete numeral value of the IP address “A181” of the analog telephone set 18-1 is selected to be “20.0.55.1” (Step ST62).

[0503] Next, the H323 termination unit 23-1 produces an IP packet 47-4 of FIG. 53, and then transmits the produced IP packet 47-4 to the domain name server 48-1 (Step ST63). This IP packet 47-4 stores thereinto an address which is virtually applied to the analog telephone set 18-1, namely a transmission source IP address “A181”; an address of the domain name server 48-1 provided inside the media router, namely a destination IP address “A481”; and a telephone number “Tel-18-3 name” of a communication counter party. The domain name server 48-1 checks the content of the received IP packet 47-4, and subsequently, transmits an IP packet 47-5 via the communication line 10-1 and the network node apparatus 8-2 to the domain name server 31-1 dedicated to the IP telephone network (Step ST64). When the domain name server 31-1 dedicated to the IP telephone network returns such an IP packet 47-6 to the domain name server 48-1 (Step ST65), the domain name server 48-1 returns an IP packet 47-6 to the H323 termination unit 23-1. The above-explained returned IP packet 47-6 contains an IP address “A183” which corresponds to the host name “Tel-13-3 name” in a 1-to-1 correspondence manner.

[0504] Next, when the H323 termination unit 23-1 produces an IP packet 47-7 which is sent to the H323 termination unit 23-2, and then transmits the produced IP packet 47-7 via the router 20-3 to the network node apparatus 8-2 (Step ST66), the network node apparatus 8-2 transfers the received IP packet 47-7 to the internal arrangement of the integrated IP transfer network 2 shown in FIG. 20. Thus, the IP packet 47-7 passes through the routers 19-8, 19-9, 21-2, 19-11 and 19-13 provided inside the IP telephone network 4, and then is reached to the network node apparatus 7-2. As a result, the network node apparatus 7-2 sends out the received IP packet 47-7 to the communication line 10-5, and the H323 termination unit 23-2 receives the IP packet 47-7 via the router 20-4. The H323 termination unit 23-2 interprets the IP packet 47-7 as a telephone call, and thus executes the below-mentioned two procedure operations. As a first procedure operation, the H323 termination unit 23-2 produces a returning IP packet 47-8 and then returns the IP packet 47-8 to the router 20-4. Also, since the analog telephone set 18-3 receives the IP packet 47-7, this analog telephone set 18-3 produces a calling bell sound. As a second procedure operation, the H323 termination unit 23-2 transfers the IP packet 47-7 via the SCN interface 24-2 to the analog telephone 18-3.

[0505] Referring now to FIG. 24, the following operation is made: The IP packet 47-8 produced in the first procedure is transmitted via the communication line 10-5 (Step ST67), the network node apparatus 7-2, and the IP telephone network 4 to the network node apparatus 8-2, and then is reached via the communication line 10-1 to the router 20-3 and also via the H323 termination unit 23-1 and the SCN interface 24-1 to the analog telephone set 18-1. The analog telephone set 18-1 interprets that the communication counter party is being called by receiving the IP packet 47-8.

[0506] Because of the second procedure, the user of the analog telephone set 18-3 hears the telephone call sound, and then takes up the handset of the analog telephone set 18-3 (off hook). As a result, the H323 termination unit 23-2 produces an IP packet 47-9 (Step ST68). The H323 termination unit 23-2 sends out the IP packet 47-9 to the router 20-4. Then, the IP packet 47-9 is supplied via the network node apparatus 7-2 and the IP telephone network 4 to the network node apparatus 8-2, and is reached via the communication line 10-1 to the router 20-3, and also via the H323 termination unit 23-1 and the SCN interface 24-1 to the analog telephone set 18-1. As a result, the user of the analog telephone set 18-1 may be informed as sound for notifying that the telephone communication counter party takes up the handset of the analog telephone set 18-3. This sound is to confirm a call setting operation.

[0507] The above-described Step ST68 corresponds to such a procedure that information of a call setting confirmation is transferred, namely, the IP packet 47-9 is transferred which notifies such a fact that the telephone communication is commenced between the analog telephone set 18-1 and the analog telephone set 18-3. When both the network node apparatus 7-2 and 8-2 detect the IP packet 47-9, a record of the commencement of the telephone communication may be saved in a charge record file. In other words, such a fact that the telephone communication is commenced between the analog telephone sets 18-1 and 18-3 is saved in the charge record file. Namely, this charge record file stores thereinto a portion of the contents of the IP packet 47-9 set into the network node apparatus, for example, a transmission source IP address, a destination IP address, a transmission source port number, a destination port number and detection time instants thereof.

[0508] When the user of the analog telephone set 18-1 commences a telephone conversation of a telephone communication, the voice (speech) signal is transferred via the communication line 55-1 to the SCN interface 24-1, and is converted into a digital voice signal. Next, the H323 termination unit 23-1 produces such an IP packet 47-10 containing the digitalized voice, and then sends out the produced IP packet 47-10 to the communication line 10-1 (Step ST69). The voice packet 47-10 is supplied to the analog telephone set 18-3 via the H323 control unit 23-1; the router 20-3; the network node apparatus 8-2; the routers 19-8, 19-9, 21-2, 19-11 and 19-13; the network node apparatus 7-2; the router 20-4; and the H323 termination unit 23-2. The voice of the user of the analog telephone set 18-3 is supplied to the analog telephone set 18-1 along a direction opposite to the above-explained packet flow direction (Step ST70), namely, is supplied via the H323 control unit 23-2; the router 20-4; the network node apparatus 7-2; the routers 19-13, 19-11, 21-2, 19-9 and 19-8; the network node apparatus 8-2; the router 20-3; and the H323 termination unit 23-1.

[0509] When the user of the analog telephone set 18-1 puts on the handset in order to accomplish the telephone conversation, the analog telephone set 18-1 sends out a call interrupt signal to the communication line 55-1. The call interrupt signal indicates the completion of the telephone communication. The SCN interface 24-1 converts the call interrupt signal into a digital data format. Next, the H323 termination unit 23-1 produces an IP packet 47-12 for indicating that the telephone communication is ended, and then sends to the IP packet 47-12 to the communication line 10-1 (Step ST71). The IP packet 47-12 is supplied to the analog telephone set 18-3 via the H323 control unit 23-1; the router 20-3; the network node apparatus 8-2; the routers 19-8, 19-9, 21-2, 19-11 and 19-13; the network node apparatus 7-2; the router 20-4; and the H323 termination unit 23-2. The user of the analog telephone set 18-3 may know such a fact that the telephone communication is ended, and then, when the user puts on the handset of the analog telephone set 18-3, an IP packet 47-13 is produced. The produced IP packet 47-13 is supplied along a direction opposite to the above-explained packet flow direction (Step ST72), namely, is supplied via the H323 control unit 23-2; the router 20-4; the network node apparatus 7-2; the routers 19-13, 19-11, 21-2, 19-9 and 19-8; the network node apparatus 8-2; the router 20-3; and the H323 termination unit 23-1.

[0510] The above-described Step ST72 corresponds to such a procedure that formation for confirming a call interrupt is transferred, namely, the IP packet 47-13 is transferred which notifies such a fact that the telephone communication is ended between the analog telephone set 18-1 and the analog telephone set 18-3. When both the network node apparatus 7-2 and 8-2 detect the IP packet 47-13, a record of the completion of the telephone communication may be saved in a charge record file. In other words, such a fact that the telephone communication is completed between the analog telephone sets 18-1 and 18-3 is saved in the charge record file. Namely, the charge record file stores thereinto a portion of the contents of the IP packet 47-13 set into the network node apparatus, for example, a transmission source IP address, a destination IP address, a transmission source port number, a destination port number and detection time instants thereof.

[0511] Since both the analog telephone set 18-1 and the analog telephone set 18-3 transmit and also receive the IP packets in accordance with the above-explained procedures, the telephone communications can be established.

[0512] In the above-described communication procedures, while the domain name server 48-1 contained in the media router may be removed from the media router 14-1, the above-explained Steps ST63 to ST65 may be replaced by the below-mentioned Steps ST63x and ST65x. In other words, the H323 termination unit 23-1 transmits an IP packet 47-14 via the communication line 10-1 and the network node apparatus 8-2 to the domain name server 31-1 dedicated to the IP telephone network (Step ST63x). The IP packet 47-14 stores thereinto the address of the analog telephone set 18-1, namely the transmission source IP address “A181”; the address of the domain name server 31-1 dedicated to the IP telephone network, namely the destination IP address “A311”; and the telephone number of the communication counter party “Tel-18-3 name”. The domain name server 31-1 returns another IP packet 47-15 to the H323 termination unit 23-1 (Step ST65x). The IP packet 47-15 contains the IP address “A183” which corresponds to the telephone number of the communication counter party “Tel-18-3 name” in a 1-to-1 correspondence manner.

[0513] In the above-explained procedures defined from the Step ST63 to the Step ST65, or by both the Step ST63x and the Step ST65x, the network node apparatus 8-2 may confirm that the analog telephone set 18-1 is allowed to be communicated from the communication line 10-1 via the network node apparatus 8-2 by checking as to whether or not the combination between the transmission source address “A481” contained in the IP packet 47-5 received via the communication line 10-1 and the communication line identification symbol “Line-10-1” similarly received is registered in the address administration table 44-1 (refer to FIG. 25), or by checking as to whether or not the combination between the transmission source address “A181” contained in the IP packet 47-14 received via the communication line 10-1 and the communication line identification symbol “Line-10-1” similarly received is registered in the address administration table 44-1 (refer to FIG. 25).

<<IP Data Service Operation/Management Server>>

[0514] The IP data service operation/management server 35-1 managed by the communication company “X” acquires the IP terminal-to-terminal communication record which is formed by the network node apparatus at the Step ST11 in such a manner that the IP data service operation/management server 35-1 periodically, or temporarily transmits/receives an inquiry IP packet with respect to both the network node apparatus 8-2 and 8-4. Also, the IP data service operation/management server 35-1 checks as to whether or not the internal resources of the IP data network managed by the communication company “X” are operated under normal condition by using such a means for transmitting/receiving an ICMP packet (namely, failure management). These internal resources are, for instance, the routers 19-1, 19-2, 19-3; the domain name servers 30-1 and 30-2 dedicated to the IP data network; and the communication lines among the routers. Also, the IP data service operation/management server 35-1 monitors as to whether or not the congestion of the IP packets within the IP data network is excessively increased (namely, communication quality control) in order that the IP data network of the communication company “X” may be operated/managed in a batch mode.

[0515] Similarly, the IP data service operation/management server 35-2 managed by the communication company “Y” acquires the above-explained IP terminal-to-terminal communication record in such a manner that the IP data service operation/management server 35-2 periodically, or temporarily transmits/receives an inquiry IP packet with respect to both the network node apparatus 7-2 and 7-4. Also, the IP data service operation/management server 35-2 operates/manages the failure management and the communication quality of the IP data network of the communication company “Y” in a batch manner. It should be understood that both the IP data service operation/management servers 35-1 and 35-2 may be subdivided into an IP data service server which exclusively manages the IP data services, and also an IP data network operation/management server which exclusively manages the resources of the IP data network.

<<IP Telephone Service Operation/Management Server>>

[0516] The IP telephone service operation/management server 36-1 managed by the communication company “X” acquires the above-explained telephone communication starting record and also telephone communication end record in such a manner that the IP telephone service operation/management server 36-1 periodically, or temporarily transmits/receives an inquiry IP packet with respect to both the network node apparatus 8-2 and 8-4. Also, the IP telephone service operation/management server 36-1 checks as to whether or not the internal resources of the IP telephone network managed by the communication company “X” are operated under normal condition by using such a means for transmitting/receiving an ICMP packet (namely, failure management). These internal resources are, for instance, the routers 19-8, 19-9, 19-10; the domain name server 31-1 dedicated to the IP telephone network, and the communication lines among the routers. Also, the IP telephone service operation/management server 36-1 monitors as to whether or not the congestion of the IP packets within the IP telephone network is excessively increased (namely, communication quality control) in order that the IP telephone network of the communication company “X” may be operated/managed in a batch mode.

[0517] Similarly, the IP telephone service operation/management server 36-2 managed by the communication company “Y” acquires the above-explained telephone communication starting record and telephone communication end record in such a manner that the IP telephone service operation/management server 36-2 periodically, or temporarily transmits/receives an inquiry IP packet with respect to both the network node apparatus 7-2 and 7-4. Also, the IP telephone service operation/management server 36-2 operates/manages the failure management and the communication quality of the IP telephone network of the communication company “Y” in a batch manner.

[0518] It should also be noted that the record about the telephone communication commencement defined at the Steps ST28 and ST68, and the record about the end of the telephone communication defined at the Steps ST32 and ST72 among the above-explained procedure may be omitted. In this alternative case, the acquisitions of both the telephone communication starting record and the telephone communication end record by the communication company “X” and the communication company “Y” may be omitted.

[0519] It should also be noted that both the IP telephone service operation/management servers 36-1 and 36-2 may be subdivided into an IP telephone service server which exclusively manages the IP telephone services, and also an IP telephone network operation/management server which exclusively manages the resources of the IP telephone network.

<<IP Voice/Image Service Operation/Management Server>>

[0520] The IP voice/image (audio/visual) service operation/management server 37-1 managed by the communication company “X” acquires the above-explained voice/image communication starting record and voice/image communication end record in such a manner that the IP voice/image service operation/management server 37-1 periodically, or temporarily transmits/receives an inquiry IP packet with respect to both the network node apparatus 8-2 and 8-4. Also, the IP voice/image service operation/management server 37-1 checks as to whether or not the internal resources of the IP voice/image network managed by the communication company “X” are operated under normal condition by using such a means for transmitting/receiving an ICMP packet (namely, failure management). These internal resources are, for instance, the routers 19-14, 19-15; the domain name server 32-1 dedicated to the IP telephone network; and the communication lines among the routers. Also, the IP voice/image service operation/management server 37-1 monitors as to whether or not the congestion of the IP packets within the IP voice/image network is excessively increased (namely, communication quality control) in order that the IP voice/image network of the communication company “X” may be operated/managed in a batch mode.

[0521] Similarly, the IP voice/image service operation/management server 37-2 managed by the communication company “Y” acquires the above-explained voice/image communication starting record and voice/image communication end record in such a manner that the IP voice/image service operation/management server 37-2 periodically, or temporarily transmits/receives an inquiry IP packet with respect to both the network node apparatus 7-2 and 7-4. Also, the IP voice/image service operation/management server 37-2 operates/manages the failure management and the communication quality of the IP voice/image network of the communication company “Y” in a batch manner. It should be understood that both the IP voice/image service operation/management servers 37-1 and 37-2 may be subdivided into an IP voice/image service server which exclusively manages the IP voice/image services, and also an IP voice/image network operation/management server which exclusively manages the resources of the IP voice/image network.

<<Best Effort Service Operation/Management Server>>

[0522] A best effort service operation/management server 38-1 managed by the communication company “X” operates/manages failure managements and communication qualities of a best effort network of the communication company “X” in a batch manner. Similarly, a best effort service operation/management server 38-2 managed by the communication company “Y” operates/manages failure managements and communication qualities of a best effort network of the communication company “Y” in a batch manner. It should be noted that both the best effort service operation/management services 38-1 and 38-2 may be subdivided into a best effort service server for exclusively managing best effort services, and also a best effort network operation/management server for exclusively managing resources of a best effort service network, respectively.

[0523] In the above-described description, the names of elements employed in the embodiment are applied as, for example, “H323 termination unit and “H323 gateway”. This does not imply that these element names are made in accordance with the ITU-H323 recommendation. Instead, these element names own meanings related to the ITU-H323 recommendation.

[0524] As indicated in FIG. 65, a media router operator 102 exchanges information via an operation input/output unit 51-1 with respect to an RAS administration program 101-1 employed in the RAS mechanism 49-1, or rewrites a RAS table provided in the RAS administration program 101-1 so as to manage registration/certification of terminals, and also manage an internal state of the media router 14-1.

[0525] As represented in FIG. 66, while a terminal operator 103 operates the dependent type IP telephone set 13-1, this operation information is supplied via an H323 terminal program 105-2 and subsequently a 3-layer communication path 106 which is virtually present within a communication line 53-1 so as to be exchanged with an interface 105-1 of the RAS administration program employed in the RAS mechanism 49-1 and an AP layer 101-2 of the RAS administration program. Also, the RAS table provided in the RAS administration program is rewritten, so that the terminal operator 103 manages registration/certification of terminals and an internal state of the media router 14-1.

[0526] As represented in FIG. 67, while a telephone operator 104 operates the analog telephone set 18-1, this operation information is supplied so as to be exchanged with a telephone operation program 106-2 employed in the SCN interface 24-1, and subsequently a TCP/IP interface 106-1 of the RAS administration program employed in the RAS mechanism 49-1 and an AP layer 101-3 of the RAS administration program. Also, the RAS table provided in the RAS administration program is rewritten, so that the telephone operator 104 manages registration/certification of terminals and an internal state of the media router 14-1.

[0527] In the embodiment of FIG. 20, all of the elements provided within the range 6-2 of the IP transfer network which is operated/managed by the communication company “Y” may be eliminated, and furthermore, the routers 21-1 through 21-5 may be eliminated. In such an alternative case, the internal elements of the integrated IP transfer network 2 are arranged only by employing the range 6-1 of the IP transfer network operated/managed by the communication company “X”, the network node apparatus 7-1 to 7-4 and 8-1 to 8-4 and the gateways 9-1 to 9-2. In the case of the IP data communication, for example, the information is transferred from the network node apparatus 8-2 via the router 19-1 and the router 19-3 to the network node apparatus 7-2. In the case of the IP telephone communication, for instance, the information is transferred from the network node apparatus 8-2 via the router 19-8 and the router 19-9 to the network node apparatus 7-2.

<<Communications Among Analog Telephone Sets Via Gateway>>

[0528] Both the media routers 14-1 and 14-2 shown in FIG. 23 and FIG. 24 own the substantially same internal arrangements and also functions as those of a gateway 9-1 shown in FIG. 68 and of a gateway 9-2 indicated in FIG. 69. There are the below-mentioned technical different points. That is, the media routers 14-1 and 14-2 are provided outside the integrated IP transfer network 2, whereas the gateways 9-1 and 9-2 are provided inside the integrated IP transfer network 2. Also, charging units 72-1 and 72-2 are provided inside the gateways 9-1 and 9-2. Each internal structure of the media routers 14-11, 14-2 and the gateways 9-1, 9-2 is constituted by common internal element blocks such as an SCN interface, an H323 termination unit, a connection control unit and a router. Also, reference numeral 79-1 shows a RAS mechanism of the gateway 9-1, reference numeral 80-1 denotes an information process mechanism of the gateway 9-1, and reference numeral 81-1 shows an operation input/output unit of the gateway 9-1. Both the media routers and the gateways are arranged by substantially similar functions to each other, except for process operations related to the charging units.

[0529] An IP terminal 11-6 and a dependent type IP telephone set 13-3 are connected via a communication line to the gateway 9-1, whereas an IP terminal 11-10 and a dependent type IP voice/image apparatus 16-4 are connected via a communication line to the gateway 9-2. In order that a terminal-to-terminal communication can be established via a media router, the below-mentioned terminal-to-terminal communications are realized via the gateway 9-1, the integrated IP transfer network 2 and the gateway 9-2. For example, a terminal-to-terminal communication may be established between the IP terminal 11-6 and the IP terminal 11-10 shown in FIG. 20. Also, a terminal-to-terminal communication may be established between the dependent type IP telephone set 13-3 and the dependent type IP telephone set 13-4 shown in FIG. 20. Also, a terminal-to-terminal communication may be established between the dependent type IP voice/image apparatus 16-1 and the dependent type IP voice/image apparatus 16-4 shown in FIG. 20.

[0530] Referring now to FIG. 68 to FIG. 85, a description will be made of communication process operations executed between an analog telephone set 18-5 and an analog telephone set 18-6 via the gateway 9-1, the integrated IP transfer network 2 and the gateway 9-2.

[0531] When the handset of the analog telephone set 18-5 is taken up, a telephone call signal is reached via a telephone line 17-3, a public switched telephone network 26-1, and a telephone line 17-1 to an SCN interface 77-1 provided within the gateway 9-1 (Step S60 of FIG. 68), and then, the SCN interface 77-1 returns a call confirmation signal via the public switched telephone network 26-1 to the analog telephone set 18-5 (Step S61). Next, when the user of the analog telephone set 18-5 dials a telephone number “Tel-18-6 name” of the telephone set 18-6 of the communication counter party, if the analog telephone set 18-5 sends out a call setting signal to the communication line 17-3, then the call setting signal is reached via the public switched telephone network 26-1 and the telephone line 17-1 to the SCN interface 77-1 (Step S62). A data block 48-1 shown in FIG. 70, which is produced by digitalling the call setting signal, is transferred to the H323 termination unit 76-1 (Step S62x). The H323 termination unit 76-1 retrieves records contained in a gateway state table 100-2 of FIG. 87, and then detects a line identifier indicative of the communication line 17-1, newly a record (i.e., “17-1”) on a first row of this gateway state table 100-2 from the top row.

[0532] Next, the H323 termination unit 76-1 reads out a telephone number “81-3-9876-5432” of the analog telephone set 18-5 and an IP address “100.101.102.103” thereof, which are described in the record. Furthermore, the H323 termination unit 76-1 produces an IP packet 48-2 and transmits it to a domain name server 78-1 (Step S63). The IP packet 48-2 stores thereinto the address of the analog telephone set 18-5, namely a transmission source IP address “A185”; the address of the domain name server 78-1 within the gateway, namely a destination IP address “A781”; and a telephone number “Tel-18-6 name” of a communication counter party. The domain name server 78-1 checks the content of the received IP packet 48-2, and subsequently, transmits an IP packet 48-3 via the network node apparatus 8-4 to the domain name server 31-1 dedicated to the IP telephone network (Step S64). When the domain name server 31-1 dedicated to the IP telephone network returns such an IP packet 48-4 to the domain name server 78-1 (Step S65), the domain name server 78-1 returns the IP packet 48-4 to the H323 termination unit 76-1. The above-explained returned IP packet 48-4 contains an IP address “A186” which corresponds to the telephone number “Tel-18-6 name” of the communication counter party in a 1-to-1 correspondence manner.

[0533] Next, in such a case that the H323 termination unit 76-1 produces an IP packet 48-5 and transmits the IP packet 48-5 to the network node apparatus 8-4 (Step S66), when the network node apparatus 8-4 transfers the received IP packet 48-5 to the internal arrangement of the integrated IP transfer network 2 shown in FIG. 20, the IP packet 48-5 passes through the routers 19-8, 19-9, 21-2, 19-11 and 19-13 provided inside the IP telephone network 4, and then is reached to the network node apparatus 7-4. As a result, the network node apparatus 7-4 sends out the received IP packet 48-5 via the router 74-2 and the H323 termination unit 76-2 to the SCN interface 77-2. This SCN interface 77-2 interprets the IP packet 48-5 as a telephone call to the analog telephone set 18-6, and sends out a telephone call signal to the telephone line 17-2 (Step S66x). Upon receipt of a call confirmation signal from the public switched telephone network 26-2 (Step S66y), the SCN termination unit 77-2 executes the below-mentioned two procedure operations. As a first procedure operation, the SCN interface 77-2 produces a returning IP packet 48-6 and then returns the IP packet 48-6 to the router 74-2. As a second procedure operation, the SCN interface 77-2 sends out a call setting signal via the line 17-2 to the public switched telephone network 26-2.

[0534] The IP packet 48-6 produced by the first procedure operation is reached via the network node apparatus 7-4 (Step S67) and the IP telephone network 4 to the network node apparatus 8-4, and is finally delivered to the H323 termination unit 76-1 provided within the gateway 9-1. Next, the H323 termination unit 76-1 interprets the received IP packet 48-6 as such a fact that a telephone set of a communication counter party (analog telephone set 18-6) is being called, and thus, sends out a data block 48-7 for implying a telephone calling sound to the SCN interface 77-1. As a result, the SCN interface 77-1 sends out the telephone calling sound to the communication line 17-1. When the calling sound is reached via the public switched telephone network 26-1 and the communication line 17-3 to the analog telephone set 18-5, the analog telephone set 18-5 interprets that the analog telephone set 18-6 is being called as the communication counter party.

[0535] While the above-explained second procedure operation is carried out, the analog telephone set 18-6 receives the call setting signal (Step S67x) and produces the telephone call sound. When the user of the analog telephone set 18-6 hears the telephone call sound and then picks up the handset of the analog telephone set 18-6, a call setting confirmation signal is sent out from the analog telephone set 18-6. The call setting confirmation signal is reached via the line 17-4, the public switched telephone network 26-2, and the line 17-2 to the SCN interface 77-2. When a response received from the SCN interface 77-2 is transferred to the H323 termination unit 76-2 (Step S67y), the H323 termination unit 76-2 produces an IP packet 48-8, and then sends out the IP packet 48-8 to the H323 termination unit 76-1 (Step S68). As a result, the IP packet 48-8 is reached via the network node apparatus 7-4 and the IP telephone network 4 to the network node apparatus 8-4, and then, is received via the router 74-1 within the gateway 9-1 to the H323 termination unit 76-1.

[0536] The H323 termination unit 76-1 understands that the received IP packet 48-8 is a response (namely, user of analog telephone set 18-6 takes up handset), and thus, sends out a data block 48-9 for implying a call setting confirmation to the SCN interface 77-1. As a result, the SCN interface 77-1 sends out a call setting confirmation signal to the communication line 17-1, and then, is delivered via the public switched telephone network 26-1 and the communication line 17-3 to the analog telephone set 18-5.

[0537] The above-described Step S68 corresponds to such a procedure that information of a response is transferred, namely, the IP packet 48-9 is transferred which notifies such a fact that the telephone communication is commenced between the analog telephone set 18-5 and the analog telephone set 18-6. When both the network node apparatus 7-4 and 8-4 detect the IP packet 48-9, a record of the commencement of the telephone communication may be saved in a charge record file. In other words, such a fact that the telephone communication is commenced between the analog telephone sets 18-5 and 18-6 and a time instant thereof is saved in the charge record file.

[0538] When the user of the analog telephone set 18-1 starts a telephone conversation, a voice (speech) signal is transferred via the communication line 17-3, the public switched telephone network 26-1, and the communication line 17-1 to the SCN interface 77-1 so as to be converted into digital voice data. Next, the H323 termination unit 76 produces an IP packet 48-10 containing the digital voice data. The voice packet 48-10 is delivered to the analog telephone set 18-6 via the router 74-1; the network node apparatus 8-4; the routers 19-8, 19-9, 21-2, 19-11 and 19-13; the network node apparatus 7-4; the H323 termination unit 76-3; the SCN interface 77-2; the communication line 17-2; the public switched telephone network 26-2; and the communication line 17-4 (Step S69). The voice of the user of the analog telephone set 18-6 is delivered to the analog telephone set 18-5 along a direction opposite to the above-explained packet flow direction (Step S70), namely, is supplied via the SCN interface 77-2; the H323 control unit 76-2; the network node apparatus 7-4; the routers 19-13, 19-11, 21-2, 19-9 and 19-8; the network node apparatus 8-4; the H323 termination unit 76-1 provided inside the gateway 9-1; the SCN interface 77-1; and the communication line 17-1.

[0539] When the user of the analog telephone set 18-5 puts on the handset in order to end the telephone communication, the analog telephone set 18-5 sends out a call interrupt signal indicative of ending of the telephone conversation to the communication line 17-3. The SCN interface 77-1 converts the call interrupt signal into a digital data format. Next, the H323 termination unit 76-1 produces an IP packet 48-12 which indicates that the telephone communication is ended, and then sends out the IP packet 48-12 to the router 74-1 (Step S71). Then, the IP packet 48-12 is delivered to the analog telephone set 18-6 via the network node apparatus 8-4; the routers 19-8, 19-9, 21-2, 19-11 and 19-13; the network node apparatus (7-4); the H323 termination unit 76-2; and the SCN termination unit 77-2. The user of the analog telephone set 18-6 may know such a fact that the telephone communication is ended, and then, when this user puts on the handset of the analog telephone set 18-6, the SCN interface 77-2 interprets a confirmation of a call interrupt (namely, end of telephone communication), and requests the public switched telephone network 26-2 to notify “use fee of public switched telephone network” which is required for the telephone communication between the analog telephone sets 18-5 and 18-6. For example, when the communication line 17-2 is the ISDN line, charge information is notified when the telephone communication is ended.

[0540] The SCN interface 77-2 notifies the acquired use fee of the public switched telephone network as a charge fee to the H323 termination unit 76-2. The H323 termination unit 76-2 grasps both a call release confirmation and the charge fee, so that the below-mentioned two procedure operations can be carried out. As the first procedure operation, the H323 termination unit 76-2 produces an IP packet 48-13, and sends out the IP packet 48-13 to the router 74-2. As a result, the IP packet 48-13 is delivered to the H323 termination unit 76-1 (Step S72) along a direction opposite to the above-explained packet flow direction, namely, is supplied via the network node apparatus 7-4; the routers 19-13, 19-11, 21-2, 19-9 and 19-8; the network node apparatus 8-4 to the H323 termination unit 76-1. Furthermore, as the second procedure process, the H323 termination unit 76-2 notifies a data block 48-14 to a charging unit 72-2 by employing a data transfer function operable within the gateway 9-2. The data block 48-14 contains the information about the charge fee which has been acquired in accordance with the above-explained procedure. The charging unit 72-2 may save thereinto the acquired charge information when the public switched telephone network 26-2 is used in the telephone communication established between the analog telephone sets 18-5 and 18-6.

[0541] In accordance with the above-explained procedure operation, the analog telephone set 18-5 transmits/receives the IP packet to/from the analog telephone set 18-6, so that the telephone communication can be established.

[0542] The above-described Step S72 corresponds to such a procedure that information of a call interrupt confirmation is transferred, namely, the IP packet 48-13 is transferred which notifies such a fact that the telephone communication is ended between the analog telephone set 18-5 and the analog telephone set 18-6. When both the network node apparatus 8-4 and 7-4 detect the IP packet 48-13, a record of the completion of the telephone communication may be saved in a charge record file. In other words, such a fact that the telephone communication is ended between the analog telephone sets 18-5 and 18-6 and an ending time instant are saved in the charge record file.

[0543] The IP telephone service operation/management server 36-1 managed by the communication company “X” acquires the above-described telephone communication starting record and telephone communication end record, in such a manner that the IP telephone service operation/management server 36-1 periodically, or temporarily transmits/receives an inquiry IP packet with respect to the network node apparatus 8-4. Also, the IP telephone service operation/management server 36-1 acquires the above-explained charge information by transmitting/receiving the inquiry IP packet to/from the charging unit 72-1. Similarly, the IP telephone service operation/management server 36-2 managed by the communication company “Y” acquires the above-explained telephone communication starting record and telephone communication end record in such a manner that the IP telephone service operation/management server 36-2 periodically, or temporarily transmits/receives an inquiry IP packet with respect to the network node apparatus 7-4. Furthermore, the IP telephone service operation/management server 36-2 acquires the charge information by transmitting/receiving the inquiry IP packet to/from the charging unit 72-2.

[0544] In the above-described communication procedures, while the domain name server 78-1 may be removed from the gateway 9-1, the above-explained Steps S63 to S65 may be replaced by the below-mentioned Steps S63x and S65x. In other words, the H323 termination unit 76-1 transmits an IP packet 48-15 via the network node apparatus 8-4 to the domain name server 31-1 (Step S63x). The IP packet 48-15 stores thereinto the address of the analog telephone set 18-5, namely the transmission source IP address “A185”; the address of the domain name server 31-1 dedicated to the IP telephone network, namely the destination IP address “A311”; and the telephone number of the communication counter party “Tel-18-6 name”. The domain name server 31-1 dedicated to the IP telephone network returns another IP packet 48-16 to the H323 termination unit 76-1 (Step S65x). The IP packet 48-16 contains the IP address “A186” which corresponds to the telephone number of the communication counter party “Tel-18-6 name” in a 1-to-1 correspondence manner.

[0545] In the above-explained procedures defined from the Step S63 to the Step S65, or by both the Step S63x and the Step S65x, the network node apparatus 8-4 may confirm that the analog telephone set 18-5 is allowed to be communicated from the communication line 17-1 via the network node apparatus 8-4 by checking as to whether or not the combination between the transmission source address “A781” contained in the IP packet 48-3 produced in the domain name server 78-1 in the gateway and the communication line identification symbol “Line-17-1” similarly produced is registered in the address administration table 44-2 (refer to FIG. 86), or by checking as to whether or not the combination between the transmission source address “A185” contained in the IP packet 48-15 produced in the H323 termination unit 76-1 and the communication line identification symbol “Line-17-1” similarly produced is registered in the address administration table 44-2 (refer to FIG. 86).

<<Telephone Service Operation/Management Server>>

[0546] The IP telephone service operation/management server 36-1 managed by the communication company “X” acquires the above-explained telephone communication starting record and also telephone communication end record in such a manner that the IP telephone service operation/management server 36-1 periodically, or temporarily transmits/receives an inquiry IP packet with respect to both the network node apparatus 8-2 and 8-4. Also, the IP telephone service operation/management server 36-1 checks as to whether or not the internal resources of the IP telephone network managed by the communication company “X” are operated under normal condition by using such a means for transmitting/receiving an ICMP packet (namely, failure management). These internal resources are, for instance, the routers 19-8, 19-9, 19-10; the domain name server 31-1, and the communication lines among the routers. Also, the IP telephone service operation/management server 36-1 monitors as to whether or not the congestion of the IP packets within the IP telephone network is excessively increased (namely, communication quality control) in order that the IP telephone network of the communication company “X” may be operated/managed in a batch mode.

[0547] Similarly, the IP telephone service operation/management server 36-2 managed by the communication company “Y” acquires the above-explained telephone communication starting record and telephone communication end record in such a manner that the IP telephone service operation/management server 36-2 periodically, or temporarily transmits/receives an inquiry IP packet with respect to both the network node apparatus 7-2 and 7-4. Also, the IP telephone service operation/management server 36-2 operates/manages the failure management and the communication quality of the IP telephone network of the communication company “Y” in a batch manner.

[0548] It should also be noted that the record about the telephone communication commencement defined at the Step S68, and the record about the end of the telephone communication defined at the Step S72 among the above-explained procedure may be omitted. In this alternative case, the acquisitions of both the telephone communication starting record and the telephone communication end record by the communication company “X” and the communication company “Y” may be omitted. It should also be noted that both the IP telephone service operation/management servers 36-1 and 36-2 may be subdivided into an IP telephone service server which exclusively manages the IP telephone services, and also an IP telephone network operation/management server which exclusively manages the resources of the IP telephone network.

[0549] Referring now to FIG. 88, a description will be made of a third embodiment featured by that since the media router according to the present invention is used inside a CATV communication network, terminals are communicated/connected to each other with employment of an IP transfer network.

[0550] A media router 115 is located within a CATV gateway 113-2 employed inside a CATV network 113-1, and is connected via a communication 112 to a network node apparatus 111 provided in an integrated IP transfer network 110. Also, the media router 115 is connected via any one of a CATV line interface 114, and CATV lines 119-1 through 119-4 to IP terminals 116-1 through 116-3; an analog telephone set 117, a dependent type IP telephone set 118-1, and a dependent type IP voice/image apparatus 118-2. The CATV lines 119-1 to 119-4 contain communication lower layers (namely, communication physical layer and data link layer) specific to the CATV lines, and also have functions for transferring IP packets in a communication network. An IP packet transmitted from the IP terminal 116-1 is entered via the CATV line 119-1 to the CATV line interface 114 in which the IP packet is derived. The derived IP packet is sent to the media router 115. The media router 115 is arranged in a similar manner to that of the media router 14-1 shown in FIG. 23, and contains the same function as that of the media router 14-1, for example, a domain name server. Because of this reason, the media router 115 can convert an IP packet containing call control data into DNS inquiry response format data, and can send out the converted IP packet to the communication line 112.

[0551] Also, such an IP packet is transmitted via the media router 115 to the communication line 112. The IP packet is inputted from the analog telephone set 117, the dependent type IP telephone set 118-1, or the dependent type IP voice/image apparatus 118-2 through the CATV lines 119-2 to 119-4 and the CATV line interface 114. Conversely, an IP packet which is sent from the network node apparatus 111 via the communication line 112 may be transmitted via the media router 115, the CATV line interface 114, and thereafter any one of the CATV lines 119-1 to 119-4 to any one of the IP terminal 116-1, the analog telephone set 117, the dependent type IP telephone set 118-1 and the dependent type IP voice/image apparatus 118-2.

[0552] As previously explained in other embodiments, the IP terminal 116-1, the analog telephone set 117, the dependent type IP telephone set 118-1 and the dependent type IP voice/image apparatus 118-2 provided inside the CATV network 113-1 can establish the terminal-to-terminal communications via the integrated IP transfer network 110 with respect to other various terminals connected to the integrated IP transfer network 110, namely an IP terminal, an analog telephone set, an IP telephone set, and an IP voice/image apparatus, while using the domain name server within the integrated IP transfer network.

[0553] Since the IP terminal 116-1 indicates a host name of an IP terminal functioning as a communication counter party to the domain name server within the integrated IP transfer network 110 via the CATV line 119-2 and the CATV gateway 113-2 so as to acquire an IP address of the IP terminal of the counter party and subsequently data is transmitted/received from/to the IP terminal 116-1 to the IP terminal of the counter party, a terminal-to-terminal communication for transmitting/receiving data can be carried out. Similarly, since the analog telephone set 117 indicates a host name of an analog telephone functioning as a communication counter party, i.e., a telephone number of a telephone set thereof to the domain name server within the integrated IP transfer network 110 via the CATV line 119-2 and the CATV gateway 113-2 so as to acquire an IP address of the telephone set of the counter party and subsequently voice data is transmitted/received from the analog telephone set 117 to the analog telephone set of the counter party, a telephone communication can be carried out.

[0554] Similarly, since the dependent type IP telephone set 118-1 indicates a host name of an analog telephone set functioning as a communication counter party, i.e., a telephone number of a telephone set of the counter party to the domain name server within the integrated IP transfer network 110 via the CATV line 119-2 and the CATV gateway 113-2 so as to acquire an IP address of the analog telephone of the counter party and subsequently voice data is transmitted/received from the analog telephone set 117 to this analog telephone set of the counter party, a telephone communication can be carried out.

[0555] Referring now to FIG. 89, a fourth embodiment will be explained in which while a terminal storage wireless apparatus is combined with the gateway according to the present invention, terminals are connected/communicated with each other by employment of an IP transfer network.

[0556] In this drawing, reference numeral 120 shows an integrated IP transfer network, reference numeral 121 denotes a network node apparatus, reference numeral 122 represents a gateway apparatus, 123 indicates a wireless transmission/reception unit, reference numeral 124-1 shows a wireless interface conversion unit, reference numeral 124-2 represents a communication line, reference numeral 125 indicates a wireless communication path, reference numeral 126 shows a terminal storage wireless apparatus, reference numeral 127 indicates a wireless transmission/reception unit, reference numeral 128-1 is an IP terminal, reference numeral 128-2 represents a dependent type IP telephone set, reference numeral 128-3 shows a dependent IP voice/image apparatus, and reference numerals 129-1 to 129-3 indicate wireless interface conversion unit. The gateway 122 owns the same function as that of the above-described gateway 9-1 shown in FIG. 68. When terminals such as an IP terminal, an H323 terminal and an analog telephone set are connected via the communication line 124-2, the gateway 122 may be employed for carrying out a terminal-to-terminal communication. Because of this reason, since an IP terminal, an IP telephone set, and an IP voice/image apparatus are connected to each other by using the communication line 124-2, the gateway 122 may perform the terminal-to-terminal communication.

[0557] Both data having a DNS inquiry/response format sent from the IP terminal 128-1 and text data which will be transmitted/received are converted into an input data format of a wireless transmission/reception unit by the wireless interface conversion unit 129-1, and then the converted data format is entered into the wireless transmission/reception unit 127, and further supplied via the wireless communication path 125 to the wireless transmission/reception unit 123. Then, the data format is converted into such a data format of an IP packet which is applicable to a gateway in the wireless interface conversion unit 124-1, and then the converted IP packet is sent out via the communication line 124-2 to the gateway 122. Both telephone call controlling data and digitally-represented voice (speech) data to be transmitted/received, which are transmitted from the dependent type IP telephone set 128-2, are converted into the input data formats of a wireless transmission/reception unit by the wireless interface conversion unit 129-2, and then the converted data formats are inputted to the wireless transmission/reception unit 127. The converted data formats are supplied via the wireless communication path 125, the wireless transmission/reception unit 123, and the communication line 124-2 to the wireless interface conversion unit 124-1 so as to be converted into data formats of IP packets which is applicable to a gateway by the wireless interface conversion unit 124-1. These data formats are sent to the gateway 122.

[0558] Both call control data of an IP voice/image apparatus and digitally-expressed voice/moving image data to be transmitted/received, which are transmitted from the dependent type IP voice/image apparatus 128-3 are converted into the input data formats of a wireless transmission/reception unit by the wireless interface conversion unit 129-3, and then the converted data formats are inputted to the wireless transmission/reception unit 127. The converted data formats are supplied via the wireless communication path 125, the wireless transmission/reception unit 123, the wireless interface conversion unit 124-1 and the communication line 124-2 to the wireless interface conversion unit 124-1 so as to be converted into data formats of IP packets which is applicable to a gateway by the wireless interface conversion unit 124-1. These data formats are sent to the gateway 122. Also, as a data flow along a direction opposite to the above-described direction, for instance, an IP packet of an IP telephone supplied from the network node apparatus 121 is delivered via the gateway 122, the communication line 124-2, the wireless interface converting unit 124-1, the wireless transmission/reception unit 123, the wireless communication path 125, the wireless transmission/reception unit 127, and the wireless interface conversion unit 129-2 to the dependent type IP telephone set 128-2.

[0559] Furthermore, the IP terminal 128-1, the dependent type IP telephone set 128-2 and the dependent type IP voice/image apparatus 128-3, which are connected to the terminal storage wireless apparatus 126, may establish the terminal-to-terminal communication with respect to other various terminals which are connected via the integrated IP transfer network 120 to the integrated IP transfer network 120, namely an IP terminal, an analog telephone set, an IP telephone set, an IP voice/image apparatus and the like.

[0560] This fifth embodiment is a gateway having a different structure from that of the gateway 9-1 shown in FIG. 68 of the second embodiment, and will now be explained with reference to FIG. 90.

[0561] In this drawing, reference numeral 9-5 shows a gateway, reference numeral 74-5 shows a router, reference numeral 78-5 denotes a domain name server, and reference numeral 79-5 represents a RAS mechanism. This RAS mechanism 79-5 manages registration/certification of terminals to the gateway 9-5, and also internal states (for example, communication state and rest state) of the gateway 9-5. In this case, “registration of terminal” implies that a terminal is connected to the gateway, whereas “certification of terminal” is to confirm as to whether or not a terminal can be formally utilized in accordance with a connection permission condition of the terminal. Reference numeral 80-5 shows an information processing mechanism for executing an information process operation within the gateway 9-5. Reference numeral 81-5 shows an operation input/output unit of the gateway 9-5, and reference numeral 72-5 represents a charging unit. Reference numeral 82-3 represents a gateway unit for H323 communication procedure (H323-GW), reference numeral 75-3 denotes an H323 connection control unit, reference numeral 76-3 shows an H323 termination unit, and reference numeral 77-3 denotes an SCN interface. Also, reference numeral 82-4 indicates a gateway unit for SIP communication procedure (SIP-GW), reference numeral 75-4 shows an SIP connection control unit, reference numeral 76-4 denotes an SIP termination unit, and reference numeral 77-4 represents an SCN interface. Reference numeral 52-3 shows an IP communication line to which an IP terminal is connectable, reference numeral 53-3 indicates a communication line to which an IP telephone set of H323 communication procedure is connectable, and reference numeral 53-4 shows a communication line to which an IP telephone set of SIP communication procedure is connectable. Also, reference numerals 17-3 and 17-4 denote communication lines connected to a public switched telephone network, respectively.

[0562] The gateway 9-5 of FIG. 90 is replaceable by the gateway 9-1 shown in FIG. 68 of the second embodiment, and the router 74-5 is replaceable by the router 74-1. Also, the domain name server 78-5 is replaceable by the domain name server 78-1, the RAS mechanism 79-5 is replaceable by the RAS mechanism 79-1, the information processing mechanism 80-5 is replaceable by the information processing mechanism 80-1, and the operation input/output unit 81-5 is replaceable by the operation input/output unit 81-1. Also, the charging unit 72-5 is replaceable by the charging unit 72-1, the H323 connection control unit 75-3 is replaceable by the H323 connection control unit 75-1, the H323 termination unit 76-3 is replaceable by the H323 termination unit 76-1, and further, the SCN interface 77-3 is replaceable by the SCN interface 77-1. Under such a circumstance, after the gateway 9-5 of FIG. 90 has been replaced by the gateway 9-1 of FIG. 68, a communication may be carried out by the following manner. That is, an IP terminal is connected to a tip of the IP communication line 52-3, an IP telephone set of H323 communication procedure is connected to a tip of the communication line 53-3, an analog telephone set is connected to a tip of the communication line 17-3, and also is connected via the gateway 9-5 to the terminals 11-10 and 18-6 of FIG. 69 in the second embodiment, which are connected to the integrated IP transfer network 2. Further, reference numeral 82-3 of H323-GW indicates gateway communication interface function unit for H323 communication procedure.

[0563] Similarly, symbol SIP-GW 82-4 is a gateway communication interface function unit for SIP communication procedure, and is connected to the telephone set 18-6 of FIG. 69 from the IP telephone set for SIP communication procedure connected to a tip of a communication line 53-4 via the communication line 53-4, the SIP termination unit 76-4 which operates the terminal in accordance with the SIP communication procedure, and also the SIP connection control unit 75-4 and the router 74-5, for connecting the terminals in accordance with the SIP communication procedure, so that the communication can be carried out. Moreover, SIP-GW 82-4 is connected from a telephone set connected to a tip of the communication line 17-4 via the SCN interface 77-4 to the telephone set 18-6, so that the communication can be carried out.

[0564] Both H323-GW 82-3 and SIP-GW 82-4 may provide communication line interfaces corresponding to the two communication procedures. In future, when a communication means is newly developed, a gateway used for this new communication means may be additionally provided at the locations of both the gateways 82-3 and 82-4. Alternatively, since a plurality of gateway communication interface function units depending upon a sort of communication procedures are employed, the gateway may be applied to various telephone connection controls for various communication procedures.

[0565] In FIG. 91, reference numeral 201 is an integrated IP communication network, reference numeral 202 indicates an IP data network, reference numeral 203 shows an IP telephone network, and reference numeral 204 represents a voice/image network. Also, reference numeral 206-1 shows a range of an integrated IP communication network which is operated/managed by a communication company “1”, and reference numeral 206-2 denotes a range of an integrated IP communication network which is operated/managed by a communication company “2”. Referring now to FIG. 91 and FIG. 92, a preparation of a telephone communication is explained as follows. That is, a description is made of a terminal-to-terminal communication control method by which a telephone communication is made from an analog telephone set 213-5 to another analog telephone set 214-4 via a media router 212-1, a communication line 210-1, a network node apparatus 208-1, an internal structure of an IP telephone network 203, a network node apparatus 209-2, a communication line 210-5 and also a media router 212-2. In this embodiment, reference numerals 219-1 to 219-10 and 221-2 represent routers.

[0566] Also, various sorts of severs are installed within the integrated IP communication network 201, and IP addresses are applied to the respective servers. As indicated in FIG. 91, various sorts of servers, the routers, and the node apparatus are connected to each other via IP communication lines, and may exchange data with each other by transmitting/receiving IP packets by using IP communication means owned in the respective units. Reference numerals 209-1 to 209-2 show telephone gateways by which a telephone communication can be carried out, for example, from the analog telephone set 209-4 via a public switched telephone network 209-3 to other telephone sets (which has been explained in other embodiments). It should be noted that telephone administration servers 313-5 and 314-5 are substantially equal to the connection servers 1-5 and 1-6 of FIG. 18. Both the gateways 209-1 and 209-2 are substantially equal to the relay connection server 1-7 of FIG. 18. The functions of these gateways will be described in other embodiment.

[0567] Reference numerals 213-1 and 214-1 show PBX for storing analog telephone sets, and reference numerals 213-2 to 213-6 and 214-2 to 214-6 represent analog telephone sets. The telephone sets 213-2 to 213-3 are connected to the PBX 213-1, whereas the telephone sets 214-2 and 214-3 are connected to the PBX 214-1. The telephone sets 213-4 to 213-6 are connected to the media router 212-1, and the telephone sets 214-4 to 214-6 are connected to the media router 212-2.

[0568] An IP address “EA01” is applied to the media router 212-1, and an IP address “EA02” is applied to the media router 212-2. A representative telephone number “Tel-No-1” is applied to the telephone sets 213-4 to 213-6, a representative telephone number “Tel-No-2” is applied to the telephone sets 214-4 to 214-6, and extension telephone numbers “2132”, “2133”, “2142” and “2143” are applied to the telephone sets 213-2, 213-3, 214-2 and 214-3, respectively. In this example, no telephone communication is established by the extension telephone sets 213-2 and 213-3 from the media router 212-1 to a telephone set provided on the side of the IP telephone network 203. Similarly no telephone communication is established by the extension telephone sets 214-2 and 214-3 from the media router 212-2 to a telephone set provided on the side of the IP telephone network 203.

<<Preparation of Telephone Communication>>

[0569] A user 227-1 who wishes to use an IP telephone requests an IP telephone acceptance person 228-1 belonging to the communication company “1” to use an IP telephone service (Step P100 of FIG. 92). The IP telephone acceptance person 228-1 acquires from the user 227-1, a user name, a user address, a payment way of a communication fee, and a user telephone number “Tel-No-1”, which constitute the propose information of the IP telephone. Also, an external IP address “EA01” applied to the media router 212-1, an identification symbol “L210-1” of the communication line 210-1 used to be connected to the media router 212-1 by the user, and also a network node apparatus identification number “NN-208-1” of the network node apparatus 208-1 to which the communication line 210-1 is connected are notified to a user service server 313-6 (Step P101). In this case, the user 227-1 indicates the IP address “EA01” to the IP telephone acceptance person 228-1.

[0570] The user sets the IP address “EA01” to the media router 212-1, which is used in correspondence with the user telephone number “Tel-No-1”. Next, the user service server 313-6 applies to the user 227-1, a user identification symbol “UID-1” used to identify the accepted telephone user, and determines an internal IP address “IA01” for the user 227-1 while the symbol “UID-1” is made in correspondence with the external IP address “EA01”. Then, the user service server 313-6 stores information into a database of the user service server (Step P102). This information is related to the user name, the user address, the payment way of the communication fee, the user telephone number “Tel-No-1”, and the external IP address “EA01”. Since the telephone set 213-5 uses the external IP address “EA01” corresponding to the telephone number “Tel-No-1”, such a representation that the external address of the telephone set 213-5 is equal to “EA01” in the telephone communication by using the IP telephone network 203.

[0571] Next, the user service server 313-6 notifies at least the above-described user telephone number “Tel-No-1”, external IP address “EA01”, internal IP address “IA01” of the IP telephone request person to the telephone administration server 313-5 by employing the IP communication means (Step P103).

[0572] The telephone administration server 313-5 notifies one set of corresponding information, namely, the user telephone number “Tel-No-1”, the external IP address “EA01” and the internal IP address “IA01”, to the telephone domain name server 313-2 (Step P105). The telephone domain name server 313-2 saves the user telephone number “Tel-No-1”, “the external IP address” and “internal IP address” in such a format as the resource records which are determined based on the operation rule of the domain name server defined as RFC 1996 (Step P106).

[0573] Furthermore, the telephone administration server 313-5 notifies four addresses “EA01, EA81, IA01, IA81” to a table administration server 313-3 (Step P107). It should be understood that the telephone administration server 313-5 continuously saves both an external IP address “EA81” and an internal IP address “IA81” of a telephone proxy server 313-1.

[0574] When the table administration server 313-3 notifies the above-explained four addresses “EA01, EA81, IA01, IA81” with respect to the network node apparatus 208-1 (Step P108), the network node apparatus 208-1 holds four addresses “EA01, EA81, IA01, IA81” (Step P109). These four addresses are indicated on a first record of the address administration table 360-1 provided in the network node apparatus 208-1 as indicated in FIG. 93. In this case, the address “IA01” corresponds to an IP address which is applied to a joint point (logic terminal) between the communication line 210-1 and the network node apparatus 208-1. This IP address “IA01” will be referred to as an “internal IP address” hereinafter, which is applied to the logic terminal of the communication line 210-1. At this time, a record indicated in a second row of the address administration table 360-1 is empty.

[0575] It should be understood that the record indicated in the first row of the address administration table 360-1 is called as an “IP communication record” of the address administration table of the network node apparatus, and then the IP communication record is defined based upon the external IP address “EA01” of the transmission source, the external IP address “EA81” of the destination, the internal IP address “IA01” of the transmission source, and also the internal IP address “IA81” of the destination. In particular, this IP communication record is referred to as the “IP communication record” of an address administration table of a network node apparatus which defines an IP communication path established between the representative telephone proxy server 313-1 and the media router 212-1.

[0576] Similarly, a user 227-2 who wishes to use an IP telephone requests an IP telephone acceptance person 228-2 belonging to the communication company “2” to use an IP telephone service (Step P110 of FIG. 92). The IP telephone acceptance person 228-2 acquires from the user 227-2, a user name, a user address, a payment way of a communication fee and a user telephone number “Tel-No-2”, which constitute the propose information of the IP telephone. Also, the external IP address “EA02” applied to the media router 212-2, an identification symbol “L210-5” of the communication line 210-5 used to be connected to the media router 212-2 by the user, and also a network node apparatus identification number “NN-209-2” of the network node apparatus 209-2 to which the communication line 210-5 is connected are notified to a user service server 314-6 (Step P111). In this case, the user 227-2 indicates the acquired IP address “EA02” to the IP telephone acceptance person 228-2.

[0577] The user sets the IP address “EA02” to the media router 212-2, which is used in correspondence with the user telephone number “Tel-No-2”. Next, the user service server 314-6 applies to the user 227-2, a user identification symbol “UID-2” used to identify the accepted telephone user, and determines an internal IP address “IA02” for the user 227-2 in correspondence with the external IP address “EA02”. Then, the user service server 314-6 stores information into a database of the user service server (Step P112). The information is related to the user name, the user address, the payment way of the communication fee, the user telephone number “Tel-No-2” and the external IP address “EA02”. Since the telephone set 214-4 uses the external IP address “EA02” corresponding to the telephone number “Tel-No-2”, such a representation is used that the external IP address of the telephone set 214-4 is equal to “EA02” in the telephone communication by using the IP telephone network 203.

[0578] Next, the user service server 314-6 notifies at least the above-described user telephone number “Tel-No-2”, external IP address “EA02”, internal IP address “IA02” of the IP telephone request person to the telephone administration server 314-5 by employing the IP communication means (Step P113). The telephone administration server 314-5 notifies one set of corresponding information, namely, the user telephone number “Tel-No-2”, the external IP address “EA02” and the internal IP address “IA02”, to the telephone domain name server 314-2 (Step P115). The telephone domain name server 314-2 saves one set of such information which is made in correspondence with the user telephone number “Tel-No-2”, the external IP address “EA02” and internal IP address “IA02” in such as format as the resource records (Step P116). Furthermore, the telephone administration server 314-5 notifies four addresses “EA02, EA82, IA02, IA82” to a table administration server 314-3 (Step P117).

[0579] It should also be noted that the telephone administration server 314-5 continuously saves the external IP address “EA82” and the internal IP address “IA82” of the a telephone proxy server 314-1. Also, both the telephone domain name servers 313-2 and 314-2 owns a redialing function similar to that of a domain name server used in the Internet. Thus, the telephone domain name servers 313-2 and 314-2 may exchange there own information to each other, if necessary (Step P120).

[0580] When the table administration server 314-3 notifies the above-explained four addresses “EA02, EA82, IA02, IA82” with respect to the network node apparatus 209-2 (Step P118), the network node apparatus 209-2 holds four addresses “EA02, EA82, IA02, IA82” (Step P119). These four addresses are indicated on a first record of the address administration table 360-2 provided in the network node apparatus 209-2 as indicated in FIG. 94. In this case, the address “IA02” corresponds to an IP address which is applied to a joint point (logic terminal) between the communication line 210-5 and the network node apparatus 209-2. At this time, a record indicated in a second row of the address administration table 360-2 is empty. In particular, this IP communication record is referred as an “IP communication record” of an address administration table of a network node apparatus which defines an IP communication path established between the telephone proxy server 314-1 and the media router 212-2.

<<Communication Path Establishing Phase>>

[0581] Referring now to FIG. 91, and FIG. 93 to FIG. 95, a description will be made of a method for controlling a terminal-to-terminal communication connection in which a telephone call is made from the telephone set 213-5 to the telephone set 214-4.

[0582] The media router 212-1 holds both the telephone number of “Tel-No-1” and the external IP address “EA01”, and the media router 212-2 holds both the telephone number of “Tel-No-2” and the external IP address “EA02”. When the telephone set 213-5 establishes a telephone communication with another telephone set, the telephone number of “Tel-No-1” applied to the media router 212-1 is used, whereas when the telephone set 214-4 establishes a telephone communication with another telephone set, the telephone number of “Tel-No-2” applied to the media router 212-2 is employed.

<<Connection Phase>>

[0583] In the case that the user picks up the handset of the telephone 213-5 (off hook), dials the telephone number of “Tel-No-2” of the telephone set 214-4 functioning as the communication counter party, and then transmits the inputted telephone number to the media router 212-1 (Step P200), the media router 212-2 responds to this telephone number (Step P201).

[0584] Next, the media router 212-1 produces such an IP packet (refer to 379 of FIG. 96) which contains at least the transmission source telephone number “Tel-No-1”, the destination telephone number “Tel-No-2”, and the user identification information (User-Info.), and then transmits the IP packet to the network node apparatus 208-1, so that the media router 212-1 commences a procedure of telephone call setting operation (Step P204). It should be noted that the user identification information (User-Info.) may be delivered to the media router 212-2 at a Step P219 (will be explained later). This user identification information is constituted by a telephone call identifier “C-id” used to manage, for example, a telephone call on the user side; an identification symbol for a voice (speech) compression system of an IP telephone; and an identification symbol of a voice code conversion codes. A payload portion of an IP packet 379 shown in FIG. 96 may be used as an UDP segment. For instance, both a transmission source port number and a destination port number may be employed as “5060” in order that a program for controlling the telephone communication connection provided inside the media router 212-1 and 212-2 is discriminated from other programs.

[0585] Upon receipt of the IP packet, the network node apparatus 208-1 retrieves the address administration table 360-1 shown in FIG. 93 so as to seek such a record that the transmission source IP address is “EA01” as the external IP address and the destination IP address of “EA81” is contained. In this example, when the network node apparatus 208-1 finds out the record indicated in the first row of the address administration table 360-1 from the top row, namely, the record being equal to “EA01, EA81, IA01, IA81”, the network node apparatus 208-1 applies the capsulating technique of the IP packet to form an IP packet 380 equal to an internal IP packet shown in FIG. 97 by using the IP addresses “IA01” and “IA81”, which are described in third and fourth addresses inside the record. Thereafter, the network node apparatus 208-1 transmits such a telephone proxy server 313-1 whose IP address is equal to “IA81” (Step P205). In this case, a payload portion of the IP packet 380 corresponds to “379” of the IP packet.

[0586] When the telephone proxy server 313-1 receives the IP packet 380, the telephone proxy server 313-1 produces an IP packet 381 whose payload portion is equal to the IP packet 379, and sends the produced IP packet 381 to the telephone administration server 313-5 whose IP address is equal to “IA91” (Step P206). The telephone administration server 313-5 determines a communication line identifier (CIC-1-2) as, for instance, CIC-1-2=“Tel-1-No-1”+“Tel-No-2”, depending upon a combination between the transmission source telephone number “Tel-No-1” and the destination telephone number “Tel-No-2”, and then saves the communication line identifier (CIC-1-2) into the telephone administration server 313-5. In this case, symbol “+” implies that the telephone number is arranged (namely, coupling of data).

[0587] The telephone administration server 313-5 notifies both the transmission source telephone number “Tel-No-1” and the destination telephone number “Tel-No-2”, which are received at the previous Step P206, to the telephone domain name server 313-2 (Step P207). The telephone administration server 313-5 receives from the telephone domain name server 313-2, the external IP address of “EA01” corresponding to the telephone number “Tel-No-1” in a 1-to-1 correspondence relationship; the internal IP address of “IA01”; and both the IP address “EA02” and the internal IP address “IA02”, which correspond to the telephone number “Tel-No-2” in a 1-to-1 correspondence relationship (Step P208). In this case, the telephone domain name server 313-2 inquires IP address information of the telephone number “Tel-No-2” to the telephone domain name server 314-2 by employing the redialing function so as to acquire the IP address information. The telephone administration server 313-5 checks as to whether or not the IP address “EA01” received from the telephone domain name server 313-2 is made coincident with the transmission source IP address “EA01” which has been acquired from the inside of the IP packet 381 at the Step P206. When the IP address is not made coincident with the transmission source IP address, the telephone administration server 313-5 stops the telephone connection procedure. To the contrary, when the IP address is made coincident with the transmission source IP address, the telephone administration server 313-5 additionally saves the IP address “EA01” of the transmission source telephone set, the internal IP address “IA01” thereof, the IP address “EA02” of the destination telephone set, and also the internal IP address “IA02” thereof into the information of the held communication line identifier (CIC-1-2). It should be noted that as to the IP packet of the communication among the servers provided inside the integrated IP communication network, an IP packet 382 having a format shown in FIG. 99 is transmitted/received by employing the internal IP address.

[0588] The network node apparatus is not equal to the server. The IP packet transmitted/received between the network node apparatus and the telephone proxy server corresponds to such an IP packet having a capsulated format shown in FIG. 97 and FIG. 101, whereas the IP packet transmitted/received between the network node apparatus and the media router corresponds to an IP packet before being capsulated, to which the external IP address as shown in FIG. 96 has been applied.

[0589] Next, the telephone administration server 313-5 transmits such an IP packet (IAM packet) via a representative server 313-7 of the communication company “1” (Step P214) and via a representative server 314-7 of the communication company “2” (Step P215) to the telephone administration server 314-5 of the communication company “2” (Step P216). The IP packet contains the IP address “EA01” of the transmission source telephone set, the internal IP address “IA01” thereof, the transmission source telephone number “Tel-No-1”, the IP address “EA02” of the destination telephone set, the internal IP address “IA02” thereof, the destination telephone number “Tel-No-2”, the user identification number (User Info.), and the communication line identifier (CIC-1-2). Then, the telephone administration server 314-5 receives the four IP addresses “EA01, IA01, EA02, IA02”; the two telephone numbers “Tel-No-1” and “Tel-No-2”; the communication line identifier “CIC-1-2”; and the user identification information (User-Info.), and saves all of the received items other than the user identification information (User-Info.) into the internal circuit thereof.

[0590] Furthermore, the telephone administration server 314-5 whose internal address is “IA92” notifies the IP packet 383 of FIG. 100 to the telephone proxy server 314-1 whose internal IP address is equal to “IA82” (Step P217). In this case, the IP packet 383 contains the IP address “EA01” of the transmission source telephone set, the IP address “EA02” of the destination telephone set, the transmission source telephone number “Tel-No-1”, the destination telephone number “Tel-No-2”, and the user additional information (User-Info.). Then, the telephone proxy server 314-1 forms an IP packet 384 shown in FIG. 101 and sends the IP packet 384 to the network node apparatus 209-2 (Step P218). The network node apparatus 209-2 performs the inverse-capsulation of such an IP packet by removing the header of the IP packet 384 to form an IP packet 385 shown in FIG. 102, and then transmits the IP packet 385 to the media router 212-2 (Step P219). The media router 212-2 acquires the IP address “EA01” of the transmission source telephone set, the IP address “EA02” of the destination telephone set, the transmission source telephone number “Tel-No-1”, the destination telephone number “Tel-No-2” and the user additional information (User-Info.).

[0591] Next, the media router 212-2 returns the reception of the above-explained information for notifying the telephone reception in connection with two sets of the telephone numbers “Tel-No-1” and “Tel-No-2” to the telephone administration server 314-5 (Steps P221, P222, P223). This telephone administration server 314-5 restores the communication line identifier (CIC-1-2) from the two telephone numbers “Tel-No-1” and “Tel-No-2”, and then transmits a reception confirmation (acknowledgment) IP packet (ACM packet) of above-explained information containing the communication line identifier (CIC-1-2) via the telephone administration server 313-5 to the media router 212-1 (Steps P224 to P229).

[0592] Next, the media router 212-2 notifies the telephone call (call reception) to the telephone set 214-4 (Step P230), and when the telephone set 214-4 accepts the telephone call, the telephone set 214-4 produces telephone calling sound. The media router 212-2 notifies such a fact that the telephone set 214-4 having the called telephone number “Tel-No-2” is being called via the network node apparatus 209-2 (Step P231) and further via the telephone proxy server (Step P232) to the telephone administration server 314-5, while attaching a set of the transmission source telephone number “Tel-No-1” and the destination telephone number “Tel-No-2” (Step P233). The telephone administration server 314-5 of the communication company 2 restores the communication line identifier (CIC-1-2) by employing the set of the transmission source telephone number “Tel-No-1” and the destination telephone number “Tel-No-2” sent from the media router 212-2. Next, the telephone administration server 314-5 forms a reception confirmation IP packet (CPG packet) of the above-explained information containing the communication line identifier (CIC-1-2), and then sends the CPG packet to the telephone administration server 313-5 (Steps P234, P235, P236). The telephone administration server 313-5 receives the CPG packet and reads the communication line identifier (CIC-1-2) from the CPG packet.