JP4275575B2 - Telephone exchange system, server and gateway - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a telephone exchange system, a server, and a gateway.

  In recent years, communication traffic using IP (Internet Protocol) has increased rapidly, and along with this, the IP communication network has been expanded to provide broadband access to the IP communication network, constant connection, and the like. In addition, IP communication devices are provided at low cost, and VoIP (Voice over IP) that realizes a telephone service using IP has been realized.

  At present, however, VoIP connections are intended for basic two-party calls, and for private branch exchange services such as PBX (Private Branch Exchange), an expensive dedicated device such as a PBX switch in a building where terminals are accommodated. It was necessary to install. Furthermore, when constructing a private branch exchange service within the same company, if there are bases in geographically distant locations, it may be necessary to install a dedicated device for each base. As a result, the user is costly. Therefore, there is a demand for the user to reduce the cost. In addition, when it is necessary to add a service or change a function, it is necessary to ask the distributor of the dedicated device to work directly on the dedicated device, which is complicated.

On the other hand, in order to support the dedicated device, the communication carrier has to go to the installation site of the user's dedicated device individually. This is cumbersome and requires human resources for maintenance and operation. Therefore, there is a demand for communication carriers to reduce the burden of maintenance and operation.
In response to this request, a VoIP communication device is mounted and a terminal constituting an arbitrary group, a switching server (VPBX) for managing the terminal and controlling communication connection, and a connection device for accommodating a communication network to which the terminal belongs There is a telephone exchange system composed of (GW; gateway) and other terminals connected to a public line communication network (for example, see Patent Document 1).
JP 2003-324524 A

However, in the apparatus configuration disclosed in Patent Document 1, when the first terminal belonging to the first communication network requests a call to the second terminal belonging to the second communication network, the first exchange server Makes an inquiry to the second exchange server, searches for a gateway in which the second exchange server accommodates the communication network of the second terminal, and manages each of them by the first and second exchange servers. Is used to establish a communication path.
For this reason, in the conventional telephone exchange system, the first exchange server exchanges various data with the second exchange server, and controls the gateways in the first and second communication networks, respectively. Thus, since the call between the first and second terminals is established, the gateways of each other cannot be used effectively, and there is a drawback that it takes time to connect the call.

Further, in the conventional telephone exchange system, the first exchange server cannot know the charge fee at the gateway managed by the second exchange server as direct information, and performs the charge management of the first terminal completely. I can't.
At this time, even if the first exchange server tries to charge according to the time when the call of the first terminal is connected, the charging standard for the call connection in each communication network is different, and it cannot be performed with a uniform charging standard. For this reason, the charge management cannot be performed.

  The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and an exchange server freely uses a gateway managed by another exchange server, directly connects a call, and performs charge management at that time. An object of the present invention is to provide a telephone exchange system, a server, and a gateway that can be used.

  The telephone exchange system of the present invention accommodates a terminal, a server for managing the terminal and communication connection control, a communication network to which the terminal belongs, and makes a call connection with another terminal using a public line network The gateway is a telephone switching system on an IP switching network, and the server has a connection-permitted terminal authentication unit that detects whether or not the accessed terminal is permitted to connect, and a call request to the other terminal And one or more affiliated gateways that are permitted to be used by the terminal from the call connection destination resolution database registered in advance as affiliated gateways that can be used from the connection destination information. If there is no gateway corresponding to the connection destination information in the destination resolution database, the server in the other IP exchange network is inquired, and the gateway corresponding to the connection destination information is excluded. A call connection destination resolution unit obtained as a gateway, and a gateway resource availability determination unit that selects a belonging or non-affiliated gateway that the communication resource can support for the terminal based on the communication resource information of each belonging or non-affiliated gateway, and selection An authentication information delivery processing unit that requests the affiliated or non-affiliated gateway to issue authentication information and sends the authentication information sent from the affiliated or non-affiliated gateway to the terminal. The server authentication unit that detects whether or not the server that requested the authentication information is registered in the connection-permitted server management database, and the communication resource information that indicates the status of the communication resource that is held when it is detected Authentication to send the authentication information including address information and communication resource information to the server And a broadcast issuing unit, the terminal by the authentication information transmitted from the server, and performs call establishment with other terminals by the server via said affiliation gateway or non affiliation gateway.

  The telephone exchange system according to the present invention is characterized in that the gateway resource availability determination unit selects a gateway having a number of vacant channels equal to or greater than the number of channels simultaneously used in the gateway with which the terminal is contracted.

  In the telephone exchange system of the present invention, the authentication information issuing unit detects whether or not the server is registered in the connection permission server database in response to a request for authentication information from the server. Is detected, whether the communication quality you have is compatible with the server and the currently used communication resources are investigated, and the investigation results are sent to the server as communication resource information along with the issued authentication information. It is characterized by doing.

  In the telephone exchange system of the present invention, when the terminal detects address information of an affiliated or non-affiliated gateway from authentication information and connects to the gateway and sends the authentication information, the terminal authentication unit of the gateway authenticates from the terminal. Detects whether the information is issued by itself, detects that it is issued by itself, and if it is detected that the terminal requested a call to the server, the other terminal connection unit performs connection processing to the other terminal. It is characterized by performing.

  In the telephone exchange system of the present invention, when the affiliated or non-affiliated gateway performs connection processing of the other terminal, the timer starts counting at the start of connection, and the charge for the connection is accumulated corresponding to the count number. A charge processing unit, and a charge information notifying unit for notifying the charge accumulated in the server, and the server accumulates the charge notified from the affiliated or non-affiliated gateway to connect to another terminal A billing information processing unit for billing.

  The server of the present invention includes a terminal, a server that manages the terminal and performs communication connection control, a gateway that accommodates a communication network to which the terminal belongs, and performs call connection with other terminals using a public line network Is a server used in a telephone exchange system on an IP exchange network, and when there is a call request to the other terminal, a connection-permitted terminal authentication unit that detects whether the accessed terminal is permitted to connect, One or more affiliated gateways that are allowed to be used for the terminal are extracted from the call connection destination resolution database registered in advance as the affiliated gateways that can be used from the connection destination information. If there is no gateway corresponding to the connection destination information in the database, the server in the other IP exchange network is inquired, and the gateway corresponding to the connection destination information is assigned to the non-affiliated gateway. A call connection destination resolution unit obtained as a way, a gateway resource availability determination unit that selects a belonging or non-affiliated gateway that the communication resource can support for the terminal based on the communication resource information of each belonging or non-affiliated gateway, and selection An authentication information delivery processing unit that requests the affiliated or non-affiliated gateway to issue authentication information and transmits the authentication information sent from the affiliated or non-affiliated gateway to the terminal.

  The server according to the present invention is characterized in that the call connection destination resolution unit selects a non-affiliated gateway having a number of free channels equal to or greater than the number of channels simultaneously used in the gateway with which the terminal is contracted from the call connection destination resolution database. And

  The server of the present invention is input from the non-affiliated usage gateway as a response to the use request including information on whether or not the communication resources possessed correspond to the server and the current use status of the communication resources. Authentication of a use gateway that has a gateway communication resource availability determination unit that determines whether or not it can be used based on communication resource information, and that the authentication information transfer processing unit has determined that the gateway communication resource availability determination unit can use Information is transmitted to the terminal.

  In the server of the present invention, the charges for each affiliated and non-affiliated gateway and the total amount of these charges are input from the accounting information management database stored as the usage fee for each terminal and each affiliated and non-affiliated usage gateway A charge information processing unit is provided that accumulates charge for each terminal and stores the result of accumulation in the charge information management database as a charge for each terminal.

  The gateway of the present invention includes a terminal, a server for managing the terminal and communication connection control, a gateway for accommodating a communication network to which the terminal belongs, and performing call connection with other terminals using a public line network Is a gateway used for a telephone exchange system on an IP exchange network, and is used from a connection permission server database in which connectable servers are registered and a server accessed by a terminal that requests connection to another terminal. In response to a request for authentication information as permission, whether or not the server is registered in the connection permission server database is detected, and if it is detected, authentication information for the terminal is returned as a response to the request. The server authentication unit to be issued, and the gateway communication resource management data storing communication resource information indicating the communication resources possessed and communication resources currently available. And having a database.

  In the gateway according to the present invention, the server authentication unit investigates communication resource information indicating a state of communication resources held from the gateway communication resource management database, and includes address information as information for determining whether or not the gateway can be used. The communication resource information is notified to the server together with the authentication information.

  The gateway according to the present invention stores the authentication information issued by itself in correspondence with the issuing terminal and the authentication information input from the terminal requesting access by referring to the authentication information holding database. A terminal authentication unit that detects whether or not the information is authentication information issued by the terminal; and if the authentication information input from the terminal is detected to be authentication information issued by the terminal, And another terminal connection unit connected to the terminal.

  When the other terminal connection unit establishes a connection between the terminal and the other terminal, the gateway of the present invention counts the connection time and notifies the terminal of a charge corresponding to the connection time, A charge management database in which the charges are stored and a charge corresponding to the connection time input from the charge processing unit at a certain time interval or when the connection is disconnected are determined with reference to the charge management database And a billing information notifying unit for notifying the billing processing unit of the fee of the determination result.

As described above, according to the present invention, a gateway that is not under the management of an exchange server, that is, a gateway in another IP exchange network is introduced from another exchange server in another IP exchange network, and a non-affiliated gateway As described above, since the call connection process can be performed under the management temporarily without being involved by another exchange server, the degree of freedom in selecting the exchange server in the call connection process can be improved.
Further, according to the invention, in the call processing connection, the accounting information counted in the gateway in another IP exchange network can be directly managed, so that the other exchange server is inquired later for aggregation, It is not necessary to classify and add each terminal that has been used, and it is possible to make the accounting process more efficient.

Hereinafter, a telephone exchange system according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of the embodiment.
In this figure, an IP (Internet Protocol) exchange network AI and an IP exchange network BI are connected through routers A7 and B7 and a network GI composed of the Internet, a dedicated data communication network, a public data communication network, and the like. ing. The IP exchange network AI and the IP exchange network BI are configured by the same or different telecommunications carriers.

Various databases, one or a plurality of management servers (for example, switching servers A2 and A6), and a plurality of gateways (for example, gateways A3 to A5) under the management of this switching server are connected to the IP switching network AI. Has been.
Similarly, in the IP exchange network BI, various databases, one or a plurality of exchange servers (for example, exchange servers B2 and B6), and a plurality of gateways (for example, gateways B3 to B5) managed by the exchange server. ) Is connected.
Gateways A3 to A5 and gateways (hereinafter referred to as GWs) B3 to B5 are installed by the same or different communication carriers, and charging standards for call connections with terminals are different.

These GW • A3 to A5 and GW • B3 to B5 are composed of a peripheral LSI including a CPU and a memory, and the CPU reads and sequentially executes a program recorded in the memory, thereby realizing the following functions. .
GW · A3 to A5 and GW · B3 to B5 are subscriber line-exchanger interfaces such as PRI (Primary Rate Interface) for connecting to public telephone networks AK and BK, or STM (Synchronous Transport Module)- An interface between exchanges used for transmission / reception of voice such as 0/1 and T-1 and transmission / reception of call control signals such as common line signals is implemented.

Further, GW · A3 to A5 and GW · B3 to B5 are TCP / IP, SIP and H.264. A call control protocol on an IP switching network such as H.323; 711, G.G. Implement a codec for converting speech to IP data, such as 729.
Then, according to the instructions of the exchange servers A2 and A6 and the exchange servers B2 and B6, the connection of the voice line with the terminal A1 or B1 is established or disconnected, or on the voice line connected to the public telephone networks AK and BK. A function of converting voice data and voice data on the IP exchange network is realized.

Then, the telecommunications carrier manages the IP exchange network AI, makes and receives calls (extension phone) within the same private telephone exchange group, and terminals A11 to A16 via the public telephone network AK, or externally Provides a telephone exchange service that can make and receive calls (external line telephone) with terminal B1, terminal B11 to terminal B16 via IP switching network BI.
A plurality of corporate users receive a telephone exchange service provided by a telecommunications carrier.

The terminal A1 and the terminal B1 are IP telephones. Specifically, the terminal A1 and the terminal B1 are configured by a peripheral LSI including a CPU and a memory. The CPU reads out and sequentially executes a program recorded in the memory, thereby realizing the following functions. It is.
The terminal A1 and the terminal B1 are connected to the IP exchange networks AI and BI through constant IP connection such as xDSL (Digital Subscriber Line), FTTH (Fiber to the home), and CATV (Community Antenna Television).
The terminals A1 and B1 are TCP / IP (Transmission Control Protocol / Internet Protocol), SIP (Session Initiation Protocol), and H.264. A call control protocol over IP such as H.323; 711, G723.1, G. A codec for converting voice to IP data, such as 729, is implemented, and realizes the function of telephone communication by IP through the network, the IP switching network AI and BI, respectively.

Then, according to an instruction from the exchange server A2 or A6, a function of telephone communication by GW · A3 to A5, GW · B3 to B5 or the destination terminal and IP is realized.
Further, the terminal A1 has a function of turning on / off a lamp indicating an incoming call according to an instruction of a signal received from the exchange server A6, and a function of assigning number information such as a representative telephone number or a number for holding to a button. In addition, a terminal ID for identifying the own terminal, and terminal type information including the manufacturer name and model number of the own terminal are stored.
Here, if the exchange server A2 manages GW · A3 to A5 and the exchange server B6 manages GW · B3 to B5, GW · A3 to A5 become the belonging gateway to the exchange server A2, and the GW・ B3 to B5 are non-affiliated gateways.

The terminals A11 to A16 and the terminals B11 to B16 are general analog telephones and ISDN (Integrated Service Digital Network) telephones, and realize a function of making / receiving calls via the public telephone network AK or the public telephone network BK. To do.
Here, each of the terminals A11 to A16 accommodates a telephone line communication network by GW · A3 to A5, and similarly, each of the terminals B11 to B16 accommodates a telephone line communication network by GW · B3 to B5. Yes.
Specifically, the exchange servers A2, A6, B2, and B6 are configured by peripheral LSIs including a CPU and a memory, and the CPU implements the following functions by reading and sequentially executing a program recorded in the memory. It is. The exchange servers A2, A6, B2, and B6 are TCP / IP, SIP, and H.264. A call control protocol on IP such as H.323 is implemented.

  Each of the exchange servers A2, A6, B2, and B6 implements TCP / IP, and as shown in FIG. 2, at least a connection permission terminal authentication unit 1, a call connection destination resolution unit 2, and a GW resource availability determination unit 3. Authentication information delivery processing unit 4, billing information processing unit 5, connection permission terminal DB6, call connection destination solution DB7, GW resource DB8, billing information DB9, and each unit interacts with a corresponding database. Thus, the terminal A1 and the GW / A3 to A5 are controlled to control the calling / incoming call of the terminal B1 and the GW / B3 to B5. FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration example of the exchange servers A2, A6, B2, and B6.

The connection-permitted terminal DB 6 is implemented with TCP / IP, and terminal IDs of terminals accessible to the exchange server in which this database is provided are registered, and for each registered terminal ID The service class for determining whether or not the user has the right to use the gateway resource (that is, information indicating whether or not the service class is permitted to use the gateway) is stored correspondingly.
In addition, the connection permission terminal DB 6 implements TCP / IP and stores information related to the service content of the telephone exchange service, that is, static information that does not change according to the call state transition. For example,
・ Contained terminal ID
-GW that allows mutual connection to the above terminals
・ Dial-in contracts and dial-in numbers, outgoing call restrictions, incoming call restrictions, etc. are stored.

The call connection destination resolution DB 7 is an affiliated gateway that accommodates a communication network of another terminal as a connection destination requested from the terminal (can be connected to another terminal), and a non-affiliated gateway that can be connected to the connection destination. And the address information of other exchange servers that manage the server.
That is, the call connection destination resolution DB 7 is implemented with TCP / IP, and the gateway and terminal to be connected from the connection information (partner number) indicating the destination, and the geographical location where the destination gateway and terminal exist. A routing table for acquiring ground information indicating the correct position is stored. For the connection destination information, a telephone number or a URL (Universal Resource Locator) is used.

The GW resource DB 8 implements TCP / IP, and stores dynamic information that changes according to the call state transition. For example,
・ Current call status of each terminal (ringing, busy, empty, etc.)
-GW resource (resource) usage status-GW contract number management, that is, the number of simultaneous use of communication resources (channels) contracted for each terminal is stored.

Specifically, the charging information management DB 9 is implemented with TCP / IP, and stores charging information corresponding to the usage status of each terminal for each terminal. For example,
・ Terminal ID of outgoing or incoming call for each call
-Call processing number of GW for each call (affiliated and non-affiliated gateway) (number assigned for each call received by GW)
・ Destination information for each call ・ Talk time for each call ・ Charge for each call ・ Monthly contract fixed charge (fixed charge depending on the contract contents of the service)
・ Monthly fee (fee that varies depending on the number of calls, call time, and connection destination)
Accumulate etc.

  When the connection-permitted terminal authenticating unit 1 accesses the exchange server via the GW to which the terminal belongs, the connection-permitted terminal authentication unit 1 searches for the terminal ID of the terminal in the connection-permitted terminal DB and is registered as a search result. The service class data corresponding to the ID is determined, it is determined whether or not it is a service class that can use the gateway, and if it is determined that it can be used, an authentication signal indicating that it has been authenticated is output. If it is not registered or the service class determines that the gateway cannot be used, an unauthenticated signal indicating that authentication is not performed is output.

When the communication network of the terminal corresponding to the connection destination information from the terminal is accommodated in a gateway (hereinafter referred to as an affiliated gateway) in the same IP exchange network, the call connection destination resolution unit 2 is permitted to use the terminal. Gateway (one or more) is selected from the call connection destination resolution DB 7, the selected belonging gateway is transmitted to the GW resource availability determination unit 3, a determination is made as to whether or not it can be used, and GW resource usage is determined. Finally, the affiliated gateway detected to be usable by the availability determining unit 3 is designated, and issuance of authentication information (including gateway address information and communication resource information) to the terminal is issued to the designated affiliated gateway. Request.
The authentication information includes data indicating that authentication has been performed and address information of the authenticated gateway. The same applies to information issued by a non-affiliated gateway described later.

Further, the call connection destination resolution unit 2 responds to the connection destination information from the call connection destination resolution DB 7 when the communication network of the terminal corresponding to the connection destination information from the terminal is not accommodated in the gateway belonging to the same IP exchange network. The address information of other switching servers in other IP switching networks (different IP switching networks) that manage gateways (hereinafter referred to as non-affiliated gateways) that accommodate the selected terminals is searched by the connection destination information. The data of the number of resources simultaneously used by the terminal requesting the call is transmitted to the exchange server together with the connection destination information and its own server information, and the communication network of the other terminal corresponding to the connection destination information is accommodated. The non-affiliated gateway (connected to an IP exchange network different from the IP exchange network to which the exchange server of the call connection destination management unit 2 is connected) is inquired.
Here, the call connection destination resolution unit 2 uses information on call quality (for example, G.711, G723.1, G.729) and the number of resources (number of channels) to be used in an inquiry to another exchange server. Send inquiries with information attached.

Further, when an inquiry about the belonging gateway is input from the other exchange server, the call connection destination resolution unit 2 responds to this connection destination information from the call connection destination resolution DB 7 based on the inquired connection destination information. Select the affiliated gateway (s) that accommodates the terminal's communication network, and send the identification number including the address information of the affiliated gateway to other exchange servers. Register the replacement server.
Further, the call connection destination resolution unit 2 transmits the connection information to the other exchange server, and, as a result of the inquiry, sets the belonging gateway of the address information input from the other exchange server as a non-affiliated gateway, The affiliated gateway that is under the management of the exchange server and notified according to the connection information of the connection destination terminal is used as a non-affiliated gateway.
Here, the call connection destination resolution unit 2 transmits the selected non-affiliation gateway to the GW resource availability determination unit 3, determines whether or not it can be used, and uses it by the GW resource availability determination unit 3. A non-affiliated gateway that has been detected to be possible is finally designated, and issuance of authentication information for the terminal is requested to the designated non-affiliated gateway.

  The GW resource availability determination unit 3 uses the identification number of the affiliated or non-affiliated gateway input from the call connection destination resolution unit 2 for each gateway, and the number of resources that can be used by the exchange server. Within the range of numbers, it is possible to detect whether or not the resources that are not currently used are equal to or greater than the number of resources used by the terminal, and use the identification numbers of the gateways that are detected to be available And an NO signal indicating that the identification number of the affiliated or non-affiliated gateway detected to be unavailable is transmitted to the call connection destination resolution unit 2.

When the authentication information delivery processing unit 4 receives the authentication information and the usage status data of the gateway from the affiliated or non-affiliated gateway permitted to use the terminal in response to the request for the authentication information, the GW resource availability determination unit again. 3 is detected, and if it is confirmed that it is available, the authentication information is transmitted to the terminal that requested the call.
The billing information processing unit 5 inquires the billing information to the affiliated or non-affiliated gateway when the call connection is disconnected (end call), and bills the billing information returned in response to the query for each terminal. Store in the information management DB 9.

As shown in FIG. 3, the terminals A1 and B1 in FIG. 1 include at least a connection permission application processing unit 11, an authentication information receiving unit 12, a connection requesting unit 13, a belonging server information storage unit 14, and a GW authentication information storage unit 15. And each unit interacts with a corresponding database to control the processing of outgoing calls or incoming calls to other terminals. FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration example of the terminal A1 or the terminal B1.
The affiliation server information storage unit 14 stores address information of exchange servers (one or more) connected to the same IP exchange network to which the terminal is permitted to connect and the terminal ID of the terminal itself. When the terminal A1 or the terminal B1 is installed in the IP exchange network, a predetermined exchange server in the IP exchange network to which each belongs is stored in the belonging server information storage unit 14.

The GW authentication information storage unit 15 temporarily stores the authentication information of the gateway that accommodates the communication network of the terminal corresponding to the connection destination information that is the incoming call, transmitted from the exchange server in response to the call request. .
The connection permission application processing unit 11 transmits a call request to the exchange server stored in the affiliated server information storage unit 14 together with the terminal ID.
The authentication information receiving unit 12 temporarily stores the authentication information of the affiliation or non-affiliation gateway (s) transmitted from the exchange server in the GW authentication information storage unit 15 (until the connection of the line that requested the call is disconnected) During storage).
The connection request unit 13 selects either the belonging or non-affiliated gateway stored in the GW authentication information storage unit 15, extracts address information from the selected identification information, and selects based on the extracted address information This identification information is added to the gateway that has been made, and a connection request (connection request) is made to the exchange server A2 (or A6).

Next, as shown in FIG. 4, the GWs A3 to A5 and B3 to B5 in FIG. 1 include at least a server authentication unit 21, a terminal authentication unit 22, another terminal connection unit 23, a charging processing unit 24, and a charging information notification. Section 25, authentication information issuing section 26, connection permission server management DB 27, authentication password holding DB 28, GW resource management DB 29, and accounting management DB 30.
TCP / IP is implemented in the connection permission server management DB 27, and a list of exchange servers that allow connection (for example, identification information of the exchange server) and available resources for each exchange server in the list (for example, the number of channels) ) Maximum number information, usable call quality, and the number of resources currently in use for each exchange server.
Here, FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of GW · A3 (A4, A5, B3 to B5).

TCP / IP is implemented in the authentication password holding DB 28, and authentication information issued by the authentication information issuing unit 26 and the terminal ID of the terminal that issued the authentication information are stored in association with each other.
TCP / IP is implemented in the GW resource management DB 29. The total resource number information held, the number of currently available resources (number of channels) information, and the available call quality of these resources. It is remembered.
The charging management DB 30 is implemented with TCP / IP, and stores charging information in which charging for connection is integrated for each connected terminal in association with the terminal ID.

The server authentication unit 21 is the same or different from servers in the same or different IP exchange networks when exchange servers in the same IP exchange network or different IP exchange networks request and access authentication information for the terminal. It is detected that the authentication information request is attached with server information indicating which of the IP exchange network it is. When the server authentication unit 21 detects in which IP switching network the server information attached to the authentication information request exists, the authentication information issuing unit 26 registers the accessed exchange server in the connection permission server management DB 27. Detect whether or not. When detecting that the accessed exchange server is registered in the connection permission server management DB 27, the server authentication unit 21 requests the authentication information issuing unit 26 to issue authentication information.
Further, when the server authentication unit 21 is requested by another switching server in a different IP switching network to search for the belonging gateway, the server authentication unit 21 sends the identification information of the other switching server to the connection permission management server DB 27 in a different IP switching network. Is attached to the exchange server list (registered in the connection permission server management DB 27). Based on this flag, it is determined whether the switching server is in the same IP switching network or the switching server in a different IP switching network.

  When the server authentication unit 21 detects a request for authentication information from an exchange server in the same IP exchange network, the authentication information issuing unit 26 detects whether or not this exchange server is registered in the connection permission server management DB 27. . When the authentication information issuance unit 26 detects that it is registered, the authentication information issuing unit 26 refers to the connection permission server management DB 27 and the GW resource management DB 29, and the request destination exchange server has information on the maximum number of available resources, Investigate the number of resources in use, determine that the result of subtracting the number of resources currently in use from the maximum number is greater than the number of resources required by the terminal, and exchange the call quality of available resources If it is determined that the call quality is compatible with the server, the authentication information is issued to this terminal, and the authentication password holding DB 28 is made to correspond to the terminal ID of the terminal and the issued authentication. In addition to registering the information, the authentication information for the requested exchange server includes the address information of the GW, the number of usable resources, and the data of the usable call quality (communication resource information). Assigned to transmit.

  Further, when the server authentication unit 21 detects an authentication information request from an exchange server in a different IP exchange network, the authentication information issuing unit 26 detects whether or not this exchange server is registered in the connection permission server management DB 27. Do. If the authentication information issuing unit 26 detects that the resource is registered, the authentication information issuing unit 26 determines that the result of subtracting the number of resources currently in use from the maximum number is equal to or greater than the number of resources requested by the terminal, and uses it. If it is determined that the call quality of the available resource corresponds to the call quality that can be used by the exchange server, the authentication information is issued to this terminal, and the terminal ID of this terminal is sent to the authentication password holding DB 28. Correspondingly, the issued authentication information is registered, and the authentication information is transmitted to the requested exchange server with the number of usable resources and the data of the usable call quality attached thereto.

In response to the connection request access from the exchange server, the terminal authentication unit 22 refers to the authentication password holding DB 28 based on the transmitted terminal ID and authentication information, and is this authentication information issued by the user? When the authentication information is detected in the authentication password holding DB 28 and the terminal ID corresponding to the detected authentication information is detected to be equal to the transmitted ID, the transmitted authentication is detected. The information is confirmed as authentication information issued by the user, and a call connection request is output to the other terminal connection unit 23.
The other terminal connection unit 23 establishes a call connection between the terminal requesting the call and the terminal indicated by the connection destination information output by the terminal.

The charging processing unit 24 starts counting the timer from the time when the other terminal connecting unit 23 makes the call connection, accumulates a predetermined unit of charging at every predetermined time interval, and determines the terminal ID of each terminal. Corresponding to the above, billing information of the billing integration result is stored (stored) in the billing management DB 30 at each time interval or when the call connection is disconnected.
Here, the time interval and the charging unit are stored in advance in the charging management DB 30, and the charging processing unit 24 reads the time interval and the charging unit from the charging management DB 30 and uses them when starting charging.
The billing information notification unit 25 reads billing information corresponding to the designated terminal ID from the billing management DB 30 in response to a billing information request from a switching server in the same or different IP communication network, and requests the switching server Send to.

<Call connection to terminal using home gateway>
Hereinafter, a call connection flow when the communication network of the terminal indicated by the connection destination information is accommodated in a gateway in the same IP communication network will be described with reference to FIG. Here, FIG. 5 is a sequence diagram showing a case where the terminal A1 transmits an outside line to the terminal A11.
In the description of the call connection, it is assumed that the terminal A1 makes a call to the terminal A11. In this case, a call connection is made to the terminal A11 using any one of the gateways in the same IP exchange network AI as the exchange server A2 or A6, that is, the gateways GW A3 to A5.

When the user makes an outside line call from the terminal A1 to the terminal A11, the connection permission application processing unit 11 refers to the affiliation server information storage unit 14 and searches for the affiliation destination exchange server. The terminal ID and connection destination information (including the other party number in which the telephone number of the terminal A11 is set) are transmitted to the terminal (step S1).
Next, in the exchange server A2, the connection-permitted terminal authentication unit 1 detects whether or not the terminal ID input from the terminal A1 is registered in the connection-permitted terminal DB 6 and has the right to use the resources of the gateway. (Step S2).

When the connection-permitted terminal authentication unit 1 detects that the terminal ID of the terminal A1 is registered in the connection terminal permission DB 6 and has the right to use the resources of the gateway, the connection-permitted terminal authentication unit 1 outputs an authentication signal, and the process proceeds to step S4. (Step S3).
On the other hand, if the connection-permitted terminal authentication unit 1 detects that either the terminal ID is not registered or the service class does not use the gateway channel (communication channel), an unauthenticated signal is output to the terminal A1. Then, disconnect the line.
Next, the call connection destination resolution unit 2 searches the gateway corresponding to the connection destination information by referring to the call connection destination resolution DB 7 based on the terminal ID and the connection destination information input from the terminal A1. One or more gateways that can be used by the terminal A1 are selected from the gateways, for example, GW A3 to A5 (step S4). Here, since the selected gateway is in the same IP exchange network AI as the exchange servers A2 and A6 and is managed by the exchange server A2 or A6, it is called an affiliated gateway.

Then, the GW resource availability determination unit 3 searches the GW management DB 8 for the number of channels with which the exchange server A2 (terminal A1 belongs) and contracts the number of channels (an example of resources) in these GWs. When it is confirmed that the number of remaining channels (an example of the number of resources) obtained by subtracting the channel being used from is larger than the number of used resources requested by the terminal A1, it detects that the associated GW is available. .
As a result, the GW resource availability determination unit 3 calls an OK signal for each belonging GW detected as usable in the belonging GW (gateway) A3 to A5 selected by the call connection destination resolution unit 2. Output to the connection destination resolution unit 2.
As a result, the call connection destination resolution unit 2 inputs this OK signal and requests the affiliated GW that has been detected to be available to issue authentication information that permits call connection (step S5). .
On the other hand, when the GW resource availability determination unit 3 detects that the current remaining number of channels is less than the number of channels requested by the terminal A1 (an example of the number of resources), it indicates that the connection to the terminal A1 has failed. After outputting the information, the call connection with the terminal A1 is disconnected.

  Next, for example, in the affiliation GW A3, the server authentication unit 21 is an authentication information request attached with server information indicating that it is in the same IP exchange network AI from the exchange server A2 in the same IP exchange network AI. Upon detection, the authentication information issuing unit 26 detects whether or not the exchange server A2 is registered in the connection permission server management DB 27. When the authentication information issuing unit 26 confirms the registration, the server authentication unit 21 instructs the authentication information issuing unit 26 to issue authentication information to the terminal A1.

As a result, the authentication information issuing unit 26 detects that the exchange server A2 is registered in the connection permission server management DB 27, and inputs an instruction from the server authentication unit 21, whereby the exchange is performed in the GW resource management DB 29. Subtracting the number of channels currently used by the exchange server A2 from the maximum number information indicating the number of available channels of the server A2, and detecting that the calculation result is equal to or greater than the number of channels requested by the terminal A1, and When it is detected that the exchange server A2 that has been transmitted in advance supports available call quality, authentication information for the terminal A1 is issued.
Then, the authentication information issuing unit 26 registers the issued authentication information in the authentication password holding DB 28 in association with the terminal ID of the terminal A1, and transmits this authentication information to the exchange server A2 (step S6). Other affiliation GWs A4 and A5 also perform authentication information issuance processing in the same manner as the affiliation GW A3.

Next, in the exchange server A2, the authentication information delivery processing unit 4 receives the authentication information returned from each requested GW in response to the request for authentication information from the call connection destination resolution unit 2.
Then, the authentication information delivery processing unit 4 again determines the availability of the channel by the GW resource availability determination unit 3 for each affiliation GW that has transmitted the authentication information (the above described availability determination process). And the authentication information of the belonging GW determined to be usable is transferred to the terminal A1 (step S7).

Thereby, in the terminal A1, the authentication information receiving unit 12 stores the authentication information of each belonging GW (for example, A3 to A5) in the GW authentication information storage unit 15 at one end.
And terminal A1 displays the information (location attached to authentication information, use price) of the affiliation GW which has transmitted authentication information on the display part.
When the user selects one of the affiliation GWs displayed on the display unit, the connection request unit 13 attaches the authentication information of the selected affiliation GW and outputs a connection request to the exchange server A2. (Step S8).

Next, the call connection destination resolution unit 2 outputs a request for call connection to the affiliation GW corresponding to the authentication information transmitted from the terminal A1 (step S9).
As a result, when the terminal authentication unit 22 refers to the authentication password holding DB 28 and detects that the authentication information is issued by its own authentication information issuing unit 26, the other terminal connection unit 23 passes through the public telephone network AK. The telephone network call control protocol is used to establish a call connection with the terminal A11, and a call connection process using the IP call control protocol is performed between the terminal A1 and the affiliated GW A3 to obtain voice data. The voice path for sending and receiving is also established.
That is, the other terminal connection unit 23 enables a call between the terminal A1 and the terminal A11 (step S10).

At this time, the billing processing unit 24 starts a billing process by operating a timer that counts the call time from the time when the call connection is established. For example, when the call ends, the billing processing unit 24 refers to the billing management DB 30 and stores it. The charge unit for each predetermined time interval is read from the charge table, the charge corresponding to the call time is obtained as charge information (use charge), and this charge information is transmitted to the exchange server A2, which is the management server, together with the terminal ID (Step S11).
Then, the billing information processing unit 5 integrates the billing information input for each terminal ID in the billing information management DB 9 and transmits it to the terminal A1 as usage fee information within the unit period for each predetermined period (step) S12).

<Call connection using non-affiliated gateway>
Hereinafter, a call connection flow when the communication network of the terminal indicated by the connection destination information is accommodated in a gateway in a different IP communication network will be described with reference to FIG. Here, FIG. 6 is a sequence diagram showing a case where the terminal A1 transmits an outside line to the terminal B11.
In the description of call connection, it is assumed that terminal A1 makes a call to terminal B11. In this case, the call connection is made to the terminal B11 by using any one of the gateways in the IP exchange network BI different from the exchange server A2 or A6, that is, the GWs B3 to B5 which are non-affiliated gateways.

When the user makes an outside line call from the terminal A1 to the terminal B11, the connection permission application processing unit 11 refers to the affiliation server information storage unit 14 and searches for the affiliation exchange server, and searches the exchange server A2 searched for. The terminal ID and connection destination information (including the other party number set with the telephone number of the terminal B11) are transmitted to the terminal (step F1).
Next, in the exchange server A2, the connection-permitted terminal authentication unit 1 detects whether or not the terminal ID input from the terminal A1 is registered in the connection-permitted terminal DB 6 and has a right to use the gateway channel. (Step F2).

When the connection-permitted terminal authentication unit 1 detects that the terminal ID of the terminal A1 is registered in the connection terminal permission DB 6 and has a right to use the channel of the gateway, the connection-permitted terminal authentication unit 1 outputs an authentication signal and performs the process in step F4. (Step F3).
On the other hand, if the connection-permitted terminal authentication unit 1 detects that the terminal ID is not registered or the service class does not use the gateway channel, the connection-permitted terminal authentication unit 1 outputs a non-authentication signal to the terminal A1 to make a call. Disconnect.
Next, the call connection destination resolution unit 2 searches the gateway corresponding to the connection destination information with reference to the call connection destination resolution DB 7 based on the terminal ID and the connection destination information input from the terminal A1, and calls the call connection destination. When it is detected that there is no gateway corresponding to the solution DB 7, the exchange server B2 in the other IP exchange network BI that accommodates the communication network of the terminal corresponding to the connection destination information is detected, and the exchange server B2 (Based on the address information of the exchange server B2 through the communication path via the router A7, the network GI and the router B7), the connection destination information of the terminal B11 is transmitted, and the gateway corresponding to this connection destination information is inquired. Perform (Step F4).

  As a result, in the exchange server B2, the call connection destination resolution unit 2B (hereinafter, devices belonging to the IP exchange network BI will be described by adding B after the reference sign) according to the input connection destination information. The call connection destination solution DB 7B is searched, one or a plurality of gateways corresponding to the terminal B11, for example, GW · B3 to B5 are selected, and an identification number including address information is notified to the exchange server A2. (Step F5) and requests registration of the exchange server A2 to the GWs B3 to B5. Here, since the selected gateway is in the IP exchange network BI different from the IP exchange network AI managed by the exchange servers A2 and A6 and is managed by the exchange server B2 or B6, the exchange gateways A2 and A6 In this case, it is called a non-affiliated gateway.

Then, the GW resource availability determination unit 3 searches the GW management DB 8B for the number of channels with which the exchange server B2 (terminal B1, etc. belongs), and is currently using the number of channel contracts in these non-affiliated GWs. When it is confirmed that the remaining number of channels obtained by subtracting the number of channels is larger than the number of channels used requested by the terminal A1, it is detected that the non-affiliated GW is available.
As a result, the GW resource availability determination unit 3 receives an OK signal for each non-affiliated GW detected as usable in the non-affiliation GW (gateway) B3 to B4 selected by the call connection destination resolution unit 2B. Is output to the call connection destination resolution unit 2.
Thereby, the call connection destination resolution unit 2 inputs this OK signal and requests the non-affiliated GW detected to be usable to issue authentication information permitting call connection (step F6). ).
On the other hand, when the GW resource availability determination unit 3 detects that the current remaining number of resources is smaller than the number of channels requested by the terminal A1, after outputting information indicating that the connection has failed to the terminal A1, The call connection with the terminal A1 is disconnected.

  Next, for example, in the affiliation GW · B3, the server authentication unit 21B is an authentication information request to which server information indicating that it is in a different IP exchange network AI from an exchange server A2 in a different IP exchange network AI is attached. Detect that. Accordingly, the authentication information issuing unit 26B detects whether or not the exchange server A2 is registered in the connection permission server management DB 27. When the authentication information issuing unit 26B detects that the exchange server A2 is registered in the connection permission server management unit 27B, the server authentication unit 21B instructs the authentication information issuing unit 26B to issue authentication information for the terminal A1.

At this time, the authentication information issuing unit 26B detects that the exchange server A2 is registered in the connection permission server management DB 27B, and a flag indicating that the exchange server A2 is an exchange server in a different IP exchange network. By detecting that it is attached and inputting an instruction from the server authentication unit 21, the number of available channels of the exchange server B2 notified to the exchange server A2 with the gateway as an unaffiliated gateway in the GW resource management DB 29B. The number of channels currently used by the exchange server B2 is subtracted from the maximum number information shown, and it is detected that the calculation result is equal to or greater than the number of channels required by the terminal A1, and the call quality is available for the exchange server A2. The resource information such as the communication quality at the time of the inquiry and the number of channels requested by the terminal A1 When it detects a correspond with that), and issues authentication information for the terminal A1.
Then, the authentication information issuing unit 26B registers the issued authentication information in the authentication password holding DB 28B in association with the terminal ID of the terminal A1, and transmits this authentication information to the exchange server A2 (step F7). The other non-affiliated GW · B4 and B5 also perform authentication information issuance processing in the same manner as the non-affiliated GW · B3 described above.

Next, in the exchange server A2, the authentication information delivery processing unit 4 receives the authentication information returned from each requested non-affiliated GW in response to the authentication information request of the call connection destination resolution unit 2.
Then, the authentication information delivery processing unit 4 again determines the availability of the channel by the GW resource availability determination unit 3 for each non-affiliated GW that has transmitted the authentication information (the above-described determination of availability). The authentication information of the non-affiliated GW determined to be usable is transferred to the terminal A1 (same as the processing) (step F8).

As a result, in the terminal A1, the authentication information receiving unit 12 stores the input authentication information of each non-affiliated GW (for example, B3 to B5) in the GW authentication information storage unit 15 at one end.
Then, the terminal A1 displays the information of the non-affiliated GW that has transmitted the authentication information on the display unit (the position attached to the authentication information, the usage price).
When the user selects one of the non-affiliation GWs displayed on the display unit, the connection request unit 13 attaches the authentication information of the selected non-affiliation GW and requests connection to the exchange server A2. Is output (step F9).

Next, the call connection destination resolution unit 2 outputs a request for call connection to the non-affiliated GW corresponding to the authentication information transmitted from the terminal A1 (step F10).
Thereby, when the terminal authentication unit 22B detects the authentication information issued by its own authentication information issuing unit 26B with reference to the authentication password holding DB 28B, the other terminal connection unit 23B passes through the public telephone network BK. A call connection with the terminal B11 using the call control protocol of the telephone network, and a call connection process using the IP call control protocol is performed between the terminal A1 and the non-affiliated GW B3, It also establishes a voice path for data transmission and reception.
That is, the other terminal connection unit 23B enables a call between the terminal A1 and the terminal B11 (step F11).

At this time, the billing processing unit 24B starts a billing process by operating a timer that counts the call time from the time when the call connection is established. For example, when the call ends, the billing processing unit 24B refers to the billing management DB 30B and stores it. The charge unit for each predetermined time interval is read from the charge table, the charge corresponding to the call time is obtained as the charge information, and this charge information is transmitted to the exchange server A2 together with the terminal ID (step F12).
Then, the billing information processing unit 5 integrates the billing information that is input for each terminal ID in the billing information management DB 9 (from the affiliated and non-affiliated gateways that have also added the billing information from the affiliated gateway in step S11). The billing information is transferred to the terminal A1 every predetermined period as usage fee information within the unit period (step F13).

<Incoming call from public telephone network>
When the terminal A12 requests the terminal A1 to receive an incoming call, for example, the GW A4 receives a called number specified by the terminal A12 and a calling number for identifying the terminal A12 from the public telephone network AK.
When the internal connection permission management server DB 27 detects an exchange server that manages the call connection, for example, the exchange server A6, the GW / A4 transmits the received called number to the exchange server A6.
Thereby, the exchange server A6 searches for the terminal A1 corresponding to the called number, and transmits the connection destination information of the terminal A1 to the GW / A4.
Then, the GW / A4 performs a call connection process between the terminal A12 and the terminal A1 in the same manner as in Step S10 and Step F11 based on the connection destination information.

  Note that the program for realizing the functions of the exchange server, gateway, and terminal in FIG. 1 is recorded on a computer-readable recording medium, and the program recorded on the recording medium is read into a computer system and executed. Thus, each exchange process and connection process may be performed. Here, the “computer system” includes an OS and hardware such as peripheral devices. The “computer system” includes a WWW system having a homepage providing environment (or display environment). The “computer-readable recording medium” refers to a storage device such as a flexible medium, a magneto-optical disk, a portable medium such as a ROM and a CD-ROM, and a hard disk incorporated in a computer system. Further, the “computer-readable recording medium” refers to a volatile memory (RAM) in a computer system that becomes a server or a client when a program is transmitted via a network such as the Internet or a communication line such as a telephone line. In addition, those holding programs for a certain period of time are also included.

  The program may be transmitted from a computer system storing the program in a storage device or the like to another computer system via a transmission medium or by a transmission wave in the transmission medium. Here, a “transmission medium” for transmitting a program is a medium having a function of transmitting information such as a network (communication network) such as the Internet, a communication line (communication line) such as a telephone line, and radio using radio waves. That means. The program may be for realizing a part of the functions described above. Furthermore, what can implement | achieve the function mentioned above in combination with the program already recorded on the computer system, and what is called a difference file (difference program) may be sufficient.

It is a conceptual diagram which shows one structural example of the telephone switching system of one Embodiment of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows one structural example of exchange server A2 (A6, B2, B6) of FIG. It is a block diagram which shows the example of 1 structure of terminal A1 (A2) of FIG. It is a block diagram which shows one structural example of GWA3 (A4, A5, B3-B5; gateway) of FIG. It is a sequence diagram which shows the process of telephone exchange at the time of using the affiliation gateway in the telephone exchange system of this invention. It is a sequence diagram which shows the process of telephone exchange at the time of using the non-affiliation gateway in the telephone exchange system of this invention.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Connection permission terminal authentication part 2 ... Call connection destination solution part 3 ... GW resource utilization availability determination part 4 ... Authentication information delivery process part 5 ... Billing information processing part 6 ... Connection permission terminal DB (database)
7 ... Call connection destination resolution DB
8 ... GW management DB
9 ... Billing information management DB
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 11 ... Connection permission application process part 12 ... Authentication information receiving part 13 ... Connection request | requirement part 14 ... Affiliation server information storage part 15 ... GW authentication information storage part 21 ... Server authentication part 22 ... Terminal authentication part 23 ... Other terminal connection part 24 ... Accounting processing unit 25 ... Accounting information notification unit 26 ... Authentication information issuing unit 27 ... Connection permission server management DB
28 ... Authentication password holding DB
29 ... GW resource management DB
30 ... Billing management DB
A1, B1 ... Terminals A2, A6, B2, B6 ... Exchange servers A3, A4, A5, B3, B4, B5 ... GW (gateway)
A7, B7 ... Routers A11, A12, A13, A14, A15, A16 ... Terminals B11, B12, B13, B14, B15, B16 ... Terminals AI, BI ... IP exchange networks AK, BK ... Public telephone network

Claims (13)

A terminal, a server that manages the terminal and performs communication connection control, and a gateway that accommodates the communication network to which the terminal belongs and performs call connection with other terminals using a public network are on the IP switching network. A telephone switching system,
The server is pre-registered as an affiliated gateway that can be used from the connection destination information when there is a connection request terminal authentication unit that detects whether or not the accessed terminal is permitted to connect, and a call request to the other terminal. If one or more affiliated gateways that are permitted to be used for the terminal are extracted from the call connection destination resolution database, and there is no gateway corresponding to the connection destination information in its call connection destination resolution database, Calls a server in another IP exchange network, and obtains a gateway corresponding to the connection destination information as a non-affiliated gateway, and communication resources are transmitted to the terminal based on the communication resource information of each affiliation or non-affiliation gateway. And the gateway resource availability determination unit that selects the affiliation or non-affiliation gateway that can be supported, and the selected affiliation Requests the issuance of the authentication information to non-affiliated gateway, transmits the authentication information sent from the affiliation or non belonging gateway terminal and an authentication information delivery processing unit,
The affiliation or non-affiliation gateway includes a server authentication unit that detects whether or not the server that requested the authentication information is registered in the connection permission server management database, and, when detecting that it is registered, An authentication information issuing unit that investigates communication resource information indicating a state and transmits the authentication information including address information and communication resource information to the server;
The telephone exchange system according to claim 1, wherein the terminal establishes a call with the other terminal through the affiliated gateway or the non-affiliated gateway by the server based on the authentication information transmitted from the server.   2. The telephone exchange system according to claim 1, wherein the gateway resource availability determination unit selects a gateway having a number of vacant channels equal to or greater than the number of channels simultaneously used in the gateway with which the terminal is contracted.   In response to a request for authentication information from the server, the authentication information issuing unit detects whether or not the server is registered in the connection permission server database. The communication quality used for the server and the currently used communication resource are checked, and the check result is transmitted to the server as the communication resource information together with the issued authentication information. The telephone exchange system according to claim 1 or 2.   When the terminal detects address information of the affiliated or non-affiliated gateway from the authentication information and connects to the gateway and sends the authentication information, whether or not the terminal authentication unit of the gateway issued the authentication information from the terminal itself The other terminal connection unit performs connection processing to another terminal when detecting that the terminal is issued by itself and detecting that the terminal requests a call to the server. The telephone exchange system according to any one of claims 1 to 3. When the affiliation or non-affiliation gateway performs connection processing of the other terminal, a charging processing unit that starts counting of a timer at the start of connection, corresponds to the count number, and accumulates charges for connection to the server, A billing information notifying unit for notifying the accumulated billing,
5. The telephone exchange system according to claim 4, wherein the server has a billing information processing unit that accumulates billing notified from the affiliated or non-affiliated gateway and charges the terminal in connection with another terminal. . A terminal, a server that manages the terminal and performs communication connection control, and a gateway that accommodates the communication network to which the terminal belongs and performs call connection with other terminals using a public network are on the IP switching network. A server used in a telephone switching system,
A connection-permitted terminal authentication unit that detects whether or not the accessed terminal is permitted to connect;
When there is a call request to the other terminal, one or more affiliated gateways that are allowed to be used for the terminal from the call connection destination resolution database registered in advance as affiliated gateways that can be used from the connection destination information. On the other hand, if there is no gateway corresponding to the connection destination information in its own call connection destination resolution database, a call connection that inquires a server in another IP switching network and obtains the gateway corresponding to the connection destination information as a non-affiliated gateway The first resolution department,
A gateway resource availability determination unit that selects a affiliation or non-affiliation gateway with which communication resources can correspond to a terminal based on communication resource information of each affiliation or non-affiliation gateway;
A server comprising: an authentication information delivery processing unit which requests the selected affiliated or non-affiliated gateway to issue authentication information and transmits the authentication information sent from the affiliated or non-affiliated gateway to the terminal.   7. The call connection destination resolution unit selects, from the call connection destination resolution database, a non-affiliated gateway having a number of free channels equal to or greater than the number of simultaneous channels used in the gateway with which the terminal is contracted. Server. Based on the communication resource information input from the non-affiliated usage gateway as a response to the use request, including information on whether or not the owned communication resource corresponds to the server and the current communication resource usage status, It has a gateway communication resource availability determination unit that determines whether it can be used,
8. The server according to claim 6, wherein the authentication information delivery processing unit transmits authentication information of a use gateway determined by the gateway communication resource availability determination unit to be usable to the terminal. A billing information management database in which the billing for each affiliated and non-affiliated gateway and the total amount of these billings are stored as usage fees for each terminal;
A billing information processing unit for accumulating charges input from each affiliated and non-affiliated usage gateway for each terminal and storing the cumulative result in the billing information management database as a usage fee for each terminal. The server according to any one of claims 6 to 8. A terminal, a server that manages the terminal and performs communication connection control, and a gateway that accommodates the communication network to which the terminal belongs and performs call connection with other terminals using a public network are on the IP switching network. A gateway used in a telephone switching system,
A connection permission server database in which connectable servers are registered, and
In response to a request for authentication information as a use permission from a server accessed by a terminal that requests connection to another terminal, it is detected whether or not the server is registered in the connection permission server database. A server authentication unit that issues authentication information for the terminal as a response to the request,
A gateway communication resource management database storing communication resource information indicating communication resources held and communication resources currently available.   The server authentication unit investigates communication resource information indicating a state of communication resources held from the gateway communication resource management database, and determines whether the gateway can be used or not, along with the authentication information including address information, 11. The gateway according to claim 10, wherein communication resource information is notified to a server. An authentication information holding database for storing authentication information issued by itself corresponding to the terminal of the issue destination;
A terminal authentication unit that refers to the authentication information holding database and detects whether the authentication information input from the terminal requesting access is authentication information issued by itself;
12. An other terminal connection unit for connecting the terminal to another terminal when it is detected that the authentication information input from the terminal is the authentication information issued by the terminal. Gateway described in. When the other terminal connection unit establishes a connection between the terminal and another terminal, the connection processing unit counts the connection time, and notifies the terminal of a charge corresponding to the connection time;
Billing management database that stores charges per unit time,
The charge corresponding to the connection time input from the charge processing unit at a certain time interval or when the connection is disconnected is determined with reference to the charge management database, and the charge of the determination result is notified to the charge process unit The gateway according to claim 12, further comprising:

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