Internet telephone network system, network access method and talking device adapter

• US 20030002637A1
• Filed: 06/26/2002
• Published: 01/02/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 10/26/2000
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Mitsubishi Denki Kabushiki Kaisha (Mitsubishi Electric Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Mitsubishi Denki Kabushiki Kaisha (Mitsubishi Electric Corporation)
• Inventors: Naito, Akihiko, Miyauchi, Nobuhito
• Application Number:
  US10/168,850
• Publication Number:
  US 20030002637A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 379/93.01
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2203/5009 Adding a party to an existing conference conducting a computer conference, e.g. admission detection H04L12/1822
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2203/5054 Meet-me conference, i.e. participants dial-in
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/10 Providing fault- or trouble-signals
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/36 Statistical metering, e.g. recording occasions when traffic exceeds capacity of trunks
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/42042 Notifying the called party of information on the calling party details within substation equipment H04M1/57, signalling details H04Q3/72
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/56 Arrangements for connecting several subscribers to a common circuit, i.e. affording conference facilities video conference systems H04N7/15
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/563 User guidance or feature selection
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 7/0057 Services where the data services network provides a telephone service in addition or as an alternative, e.g. for backup purposes, to the telephone service provided by the telephone services network
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 7/0069 comprising a residential gateway, e.g. those which provide an adapter for POTS or ISDN terminals
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13034 A/D conversion, code compression/expansion
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13138 Least cost routing, LCR
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13389 LAN, internet
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 3/66 Traffic distributors

Abstract

The internet telephone adapter connected to the conventional telephone set has a problem of not being able to make a normal telephone call by switching to the PSTN line when the internet telephone cannot be used. As for the telephone equipment adapter connected to both the PSTN line and the IP network, the PSTN_line_signal_transmitting/receiving_unit 1100 inputs a telephone number and a message information from the telephone set 10, then the designation identifying unit 200 obtains an IP address by mapping the telephone number, and generates a route selecting information, and hands over the route selecting information to the line_connection₁₃ switching_unit 100. Based on the route selecting information, the line_connection_switching_unit 100 selects one of a route PSTN line 13 and a route from the IP_network_communication_processing_unit 5000 via the IP network 14, and transmits the message information to the telephone set 20.

Claims

1. An internet telephone network system using a digital communication line for communicating digital data and an analog communication line for communicating analog data, the internet telephone network system, comprising:

a telephone equipment adapter for inputting an information, selecting a route from the digital communication line and the analog communication line, and outputting the information to the route selected.

2. The internet telephone network system of claim 1, wherein the digital communication line is IP (internet protocol) network,

wherein the analog communication line is PSTN (Public Switched Telephone Network) line,

wherein the information is at least a message information,

wherein the telephone equipment adapter is connected to a telephone equipment which outputs at least the message information and includes

a PSTN_line_signal_processing_unit for inputting the message information outputted from the telephone equipment,

an IP_network_communication_processing_unit for executing at least one of transmission and reception of the message information via the IP network,

a designation identifying unit for generating a route selecting information to select the route from the IP network and the PSTN line, and

a line_connection_switching_unit for inputting the route selecting information, and outputting the message information inputted from the PSTN_line_signal_processing_unit, to the one of the IP network and the PSTN line based on the route selecting information.

3. The internet telephone network system of claim 2, wherein the telephone equipment outputs the message information including an identification information for identifying a destination telephone equipment of the message information receiving side,

wherein the PSTN_line_signal_processing_unit inputs the identification information,

wherein the IP_network_communication_processing_unit transmits the message information to the IP network by specifying an address information for identifying the destination telephone equipment of the message information receiving side,

wherein the telephone equipment adapter includes an address translation table for storing the address information and the identification information by mapping them, and includes an address translation unit for translating the identification information to the address information based on the address translation table,

wherein the designation identifying unit generates the route selecting information using the address information if the identification information is successfully translated to the address information at the address translation unit, and generates the route selecting information using the identification information if unable to translate the identification information to the address information at the address translation unit, and outputs the route selecting information generated to the line_connection_switching_unit.

4. The internet telephone network system of claim 3, wherein the designation identifying unit includes an IP_address_learning_unit for deciding that the destination telephone equipment of the message information receiving side can receive the message information via the IP network if the address translation unit cannot translate the identification information to the address information, and updating the address translation table based on the decided result.

5. The internet telephone network system of claim 3, wherein the PSTN_line_signal_processing_unit transmits the address information obtained by mapping of the identification information of the telephone equipment of the message information transmitting side to the destination telephone equipment of the message information receiving side.

6. The internet telephone network system of claim 2, wherein the message information is a digital voice data for performing at least one of transmission process and reception process via the IP network by the IP_network_communication_processing_unit,

wherein the message information output from the telephone equipment and input by the PSTN_line_signal_processing_unit is an analog voice data, and wherein the telephone equipment can recognize the analog voice data,

wherein the telephone equipment adapter includes:

a digital/analog_converting_unit for converting the digital voice data received via the IP network to the analog voice data recognizable by the telephone equipment; and

an analog/digital_converting_unit for converting the message information which is the analog voice data output from the telephone equipment and input by the PSTN_line_signal_processing_unit to a digital voice data for transmitting via the IP network.

7. The internet telephone network system of claim 2 having a plurality of telephone equipment connected by the telephone equipment adapter for transmitting and receiving the message information via the IP network,

wherein the telephone equipment adapter connected to at least more than two telephone equipment among a plurality of telephone equipment includes a message_information_mixing_unit for mixing the message information received from the plurality of telephone equipment via the IP network.

8. The internet telephone network system of claim 7, wherein at least one of the telephone equipment adapters connected to a plurality of telephone equipment includes:

a permission_data_storing_unit for previously storing a permission data used to confirm that the message information is permitted for transmission and reception between the plurality of telephone equipment; and

a simultaneous_call_managing_unit for receiving a communication request before receiving the message information from the plurality of telephone equipment via the IP network, for referring to the permission data stored in the permission_data_storing_unit based on the communication request, and for confirming that the message information is permitted for transmission and reception between the plurality of telephone equipment.

9. The internet telephone network system of claim 8, wherein the permission data stored in the permission_data_storing_unit is at least one of a telephone equipment identification number for identifying the telephone equipment, a simultaneous call identification number for identifying a simultaneous communication among the plurality of telephone equipment transmitting and receiving message information, and a password information for participating to the simultaneous communication.

10. The internet telephone network system of claim 2, wherein the IP_network_communication_processing_unit inputs a control information for controlling the telephone equipment adapter as the message information via the IP network,

wherein the telephone equipment adapter includes:

a control_information_storing_unit for storing the control information for controlling the telephone equipment adapter; and

an IP_network_data_reading/writing_unit for updating the control information stored in the control_information_storing_unit in accordance to the control information input from the IP_network_communication_processing_unit.

11. The internet telephone network system of claim 2, wherein the PSTN_line_signal_processing_unit inputs a control information for controlling the telephone equipment adapter as the message information from either one of the telephone equipment and the PSTN line,

wherein the telephone equipment adapter includes:

a control_information_storing_unit for storing the control information for controlling the telephone equipment adapter; and

a telephone_input_data_writing_unit for updating the control information stored in the control_information_storing_unit in accordance to the control information input from either one of the telephone equipment and the PSTN line.

12. The internet telephone network system of claim 2, wherein the message information for performing at least either one of transmission process and reception process by the IP_network_communication_processing_unit is a packet information,

wherein the IP_network_communication_processing_unit includes a UDP_communication processing_unit for performing a User Datagram Protocol (UDP) communication process to the packet information.

13. The internet telephone network system of claim 12 having a firewall for preventing an illegal access to the telephone equipment adapter on the IP network,

wherein the IP_network_communication_processing_unit includes a UDP_port_usage_managing_unit for previously storing a fixed UDP port number that can transmit the message information to the destination telephone equipment adapter beyond the firewall,

wherein the UDP_communication_processing_unit transmits the message information to the destination telephone equipment adapter beyond the firewall by using the UDP port number previously stored in the UDP_port usage_managing_unit.

14. The internet telephone network system of claim 12, wherein the IP_network_communication_processing_unit includes a UDP_port_communication_confirming_unit for confirming a UDP port number that can transmit the message information to the destination telephone equipment adapter beyond the firewall,

wherein the UDP_communication_processing_unit transmits the message information to the destination telephone equipment adapter beyond the firewall, by using the UDP port number confirmed by the UDP_port_communication_confirming_unit.

15. The internet telephone network system of claim 12, wherein the IP_network_communication_processing_unit includes a RTP_communication_processing_unit for performing a Real-time Transport Protocol (RTP) communication process to the packet information.

16. The internet telephone network system of claim 2, wherein the message information for performing at least either one of transmission process and reception process by the IP_network_communication_processing_unit is a packet information,

wherein the IP_network_communication_processing_unit includes a TCP_communication_processing_unit for performing a Transmission Control Protocol (TCP) communication process to the packet information.

17. The internet telephone network system of claim 16, wherein the IP_network_communication_processing_unit includes an HTTP_communication_processing_unit

for performing an Hyper Text Transfer Protocol (HTTP) communication process to the packet information.

18. The internet telephone network system of claim 17 having a firewall for preventing an illegal access to the telephone equipment adapter on the IP network,

wherein the IP_network_communication_processing_unit includes a HTTP_port_communication_confirming_unit for confirming an HTTP port number that can transmit the message information to a destination telephone equipment adapter of message information receiving side beyond a firewall which is prepared for the destination telephone equipment adapter,

wherein the HTTP_port_communication_confirming_unit transmits the message information to the destination telephone equipment adapter beyond the firewall by using the HTTP port number confirmed by the HTTP_port_communication_confirming_unit.

19. The internet telephone network system of claim 12, wherein the IP_network_communication_processing_unit includes a transmission buffer unit having a transmission buffer for inputting a digital voice data which is a digitalized message information, and for temporarily storing the digital voice data input, for generating the packet information by extracting a certain digital voice data from the transmission buffer.

20. The internet telephone network system of claim 19, wherein the transmission buffer has a pre-determined buffer size, and the buffer size is changeable.

21. The internet telephone network system of claim 19, wherein the packet information generated by the transmission buffer unit includes a header unit for storing an address information of the digital voice data receiving destination, and includes a data unit for storing the digital voice data,

wherein the IP_network_communication_processing_unit includes a voice_data_packet_encoding_unit for inputting the packet information from the transmission buffer unit, and compressing at least one of an information stored in the data unit of the packet information and an information stored in the header unit of the packet information.

22. The internet telephone network system of claim 21, wherein the IP_network_communication_processing_unit includes a voice_data_packet_decoding_unit for receiving the packet information including the compressed information transmitted from the destination telephone equipment adapter, decoding the compressed packet information, and extracting and analyzing the header unit of the decoded packet information.

23. The internet telephone network system of claim 22, wherein the IP_network_communication_processing_unit includes a receiving buffer unit which has a receiving buffer for inputting the packet information decoded by the voice_data_packet_decoding_unit, and for temporarily storing the decoded packet information input, and which outputs the decoded packet information at a continuous timing from the receiving buffer.

24. The internet telephone network system of claim 23, wherein the receiving buffer has a predetermined buffer size and the pre-determined buffer size is changeable.

25. The internet telephone network system of claim 19, wherein the IP_network_communication_processing_unit includes a redundant_packet_issuing_unit for replicating the packet information generated by the transmission buffer unit.

26. The internet telephone network system of claim 25, wherein the IP_network_communication_processing_unit includes a packet_generation_filtering_unit for deleting the packet information output from the transmission buffer unit to the voice_data_packet_encoding_unit in order to delete the number of packet information to be transmitted to the destination telephone equipment adapter.

27. The internet telephone network system of claim 24, wherein the IP_network_communication_processing_unit includes a network_traffic_monitoring_unit for monitoring a traffic condition of the packet information received by the IP_network_communication_processing_unit, and instructing the change in the receiving buffer size to the receiving buffer unit based on the monitored result.

28. The internet telephone network system of claim 27, wherein the network_traffic_monitoring_unit instructs to the redundant_packet_issuing_unit for the number of replicating packet information based on the monitored result.

29. The internet telephone network system of claim 27, wherein the network_traffic_monitoring_unit instructs to the packet_generation_filtering_unit regarding the condition for deleting the packet information based on the monitored result.

30. The internet telephone network system of claim 27, wherein the IP_network_communication_processing_unit includes a network_traffic_statistical_data managing_unit for calculating a statistics of the traffic condition by obtaining the monitored result monitored at the network_traffic_monitoring_unit, and for notifying a statistical result to the network_traffic_monitoring_unit.

31. The internet telephone network system of claim 2 further comprising a relay server prepared on the IP network, for managing telephone equipment adapters on the IP network, for receiving the message information transmitted from a telephone equipment adapter to an another telephone equipment adapter transmitted in accordance to a pre-determined communication protocol access in place of the another telephone equipment adapter, for storing the message information received, and for reading the message information stored by using the same access as the pre-determined communication protocol access at the telephone equipment adapter.

32. The internet telephone network system of claim 31, wherein an access following the procedure of pre-determined communication protocol is an HTTP access in accordance to the hyper text transfer protocol (HTTP) communication protocol.

33. The internet telephone network system of claim 32, wherein a message information received at the relay server is a packet information having a header unit for storing an address information of the message information receiving side, and a data unit for storing the message information,

wherein the relay server includes

a TCP_communication_processing_unit for performing a Transmission Control Protocol (TCP) communication process to the packet information received,

an HTTP_communication_processing_unit for performing an Hyper Text Transfer Protocol (HTTP) communication process to the packet information received,

a voice_data_packet_encoding_unit for compressing at least one of an information stored in the data unit and an information stored in the header unit of the packet information,

a voice_data_packet_decoding_unit for receiving a packet information having the compressed information as the packet information, for decoding the compressed information of the packet information, and extracting and analyzing the header unit from the decoded packet information,

a voice_data_buffering_unit for temporarily storing the packet information decoded by the voice_data_packet_decoding_unit, and extracting the stored and decoded packet information if received HTTP access for reading the stored and decoded packet information, and outputting it to the voice_data_packet_encoding_unit,

a telephone_set_calling_information_managing_unit for managing the condition of telephone equipment adapters managed by the relay server, for receiving an inquiry information inquiring the condition of another telephone equipment adapter from telephone equipment adapter, for confirming the condition of the another telephone equipment adapter based on the inquiry information, and for notifying the confirmed result to the telephone equipment adapter.

34. The internet telephone network system of claim 33, wherein the IP_network_communication_processing_unit of the telephone equipment adapter managed by the relay server includes an HTTP_telephone_call_unit for transmitting the packet information to the relay server by using HTTP access when the destination telephone equipment adapter of the packet information receiving side is protected by the firewall.

35. The internet telephone network system of claim 34, wherein the IP_network_communication_processing_unit of the telephone equipment adapter managed by the relay server includes an HTTP polling unit for transmitting to the relay server an inquiry information managed by the telephone_set_calling_information_managing_unit of the relay server to inquire condition of the destination telephone equipment adapter where the packet information is transmitted to by using the HTTP access polling method.

36. The internet telephone network system of claim 34, wherein the IP_network_communication_processing_unit of the telephone equipment adapter managed by the relay server includes a telephone_call_communication_unit for notifying a fact of transmitting the packet information to the destination telephone equipment adapter where the packet information is transmitted to, before transmitting the packet information via the IP network by using at least one of an electronic mail and an instant message.

37. The internet telephone network system of claim 34, wherein the PSTN_line_signal_communication_processing_unit of the telephone equipment adapter managed by the relay server notifies a fact of transmitting the packet information to the destination telephone equipment adapter where the packet information is transmitted to, before transmitting the packet information via the PSTN line.

38. The internet telephone network system of claim 33, wherein the relay server includes an HTTP_connection_changing_unit for receiving the packet information transmitted from a telephone equipment adapter to an another telephone equipment adapter, for performing connection negotiation of connecting the telephone equipment adapter and the another telephone equipment adapter, and controlling for the transmission and reception of the packet information by using HTTP between the telephone equipment adapter and the another telephone equipment adapter after the connection is established.

39. The internet telephone network system of claim 33, wherein the header unit of the packet information includes a port number and an address information of the transmission destination of the packet information,

wherein the relay server includes a TCP/IP_packet_header_alteration_unit for receiving the packet information transmitted from a telephone equipment adapter to an another telephone equipment adapter, for performing connection negotiation process of connecting the telephone equipment adapter and the another telephone equipment adapter, and for converting a port number and an address information of the header unit of the packet information of the transmission destination to a port number and an address information of the telephone equipment adapter receiving the packet information last.

40. The internet telephone network system of claim 33, wherein the internet telephone network system further connects at least two relay servers, the internet telephone network system further comprising an HTTP_relay_server_managing_server including:

an HTTP_relay_server_load_monitoring_unit for monitoring a process load condition of the relay server connected; and

an HTTP_relay_server_assigning_unit for selecting a relay server responding to the monitored load condition by the HTTP_relay_server_load_monitoring_unit.

41. The internet telephone network system of claim 6, wherein the IP_network_communication_processing_unit transmits the message information to the IP network by assigning an identifier name that identifies a destination of transmitting the message information,

wherein the address translation table stores the identifier name and the identification information by mapping them,

wherein the address translation unit translates the identification information to the identifier name by using the address translation table,

wherein the telephone equipment adapter includes an IP_address_information_message_processing_unit for outputting the message information to the IP network by using a communication protocol having a predetermined control message format used to transmit the message information by using the identifier name.

42. The internet telephone network system of claim 6 further comprising an another PSTN line other than the PSTN line,

wherein the telephone equipment adapter includes a PSTN_line_communication_processing_unit that performs at least one of transmission and reception of the message information via the IP network by using a point-to-point protocol (PPP) communication protocol via the another PSTN line.

43. The internet telephone network system of claim 6, wherein the telephone equipment adapter further includes a serial_port_communication_processing_unit that has a serial port, and performs at least one of transmission and reception of the message information via the IP network by using a point-to-point protocol (PPP) communication protocol via the serial port cable.

44. The internet telephone network system of claim 5, wherein the PSTN_line_signal_processing_unit keeps the connection to the PSTN line after finishing communication between the message information transmitting side and the message information receiving destination, and transmits to the message information receiving destination via the PSTN line an address information corresponding to an identification information of the telephone equipment of message information transmitting side.

45. The internet telephone network system of claim 5, wherein the PSTN_line_signal_processing_unit keeps the connection to the PSTN line after either one of the message information transmitting side and the message information receiving side finishes the communication, and while maintaining the PSTN line connection, sends an address information of the telephone equipment of the message information transmitting side via the PSTN line after waiting for an amount of time when the communication is likely to be finished.

46. The internet telephone network system of claim 45, wherein the PSTN_line_signal_processing_unit sends at least a busy tone signal from a communication finishing side to a communication continuing side, in order to make the communication continuing side to finish the communication, when either one of the message information transmitting side and the message information receiving destination finishes the communication.

47. The internet telephone network system of claim 44, when at least one of the message information transmitting side and the message information receiving destination attempts to transmit a message information to a telephone equipment while an address information corresponding to an identification information of the telephone equipment is still being transmitted via the PSTN line, wherein the PSTN_line_signal_processing unit sends at least a busy tone signal to the telephone equipment attempted to transmit the message information.

48. The internet telephone network system of claim 44, wherein the PSTN_line_signal_processing_unit prioritizes a transmission process of an address information corresponding to an identification information of the telephone equipment than a message information transmission process of the telephone equipment, when at least one of the address information transmitting side and the address information receiving destination attempts to transmit the message information to the telephone equipment while the address information corresponding to the identification information of the telephone equipment is still being transmitted via the PSTN line.

49. The internet telephone network system of claim 3, wherein the PSTN_line_signal_processing_unit detects a condition of no identification information input after waiting for a specific time interval, and decides that the identification information input is finished.

50. The internet telephone network system of claim 3, wherein the identification information comprises of a word information and an end information indicating end of the identification information,

wherein the PSTN_line_signal_processing_unit confirms an input of the end information, and decides that the identification information input is finished.

51. The internet telephone network system of claim 3, wherein the identification information comprises at least a communication enterprise information specifying the communication enterprises, and the communication enterprise information specifies a size of the identification information,

wherein the PSTN_line_signal_processing_unit determines the size of identification information based on the communication enterprise information of the identification information, and decides that the identification information input is finished by comparing a size of the determined identification information and a size of the inputted identification information.

52. The internet telephone network system of claim 49, wherein the PSTN_line_signal_processing_unit hands over the identification information that finished the input to the address translation unit after decided that the identification information input is finished,

wherein the address translation unit translates the identification information handed over by the PSTN_line_signal_processing_unit to the address information.

53. The internet telephone network system of claim 3, wherein the identification information is comprised of more than one word information,

wherein the PSTN_line_signal_processing_unit hands over at least one word information inputted to the address translation unit when at least one word information is input as the identification information,

wherein the address translation unit compares at least one word information handed over and an identification information stored in the address translation table, and regards matching address information as an address information candidate when at least one word information handed over matches in part to the identification information stored in the address translation table.

54. The internet telephone network system of claim 53, wherein the address translation unit adapts the address information candidate as an address information if the address information candidate is the last one.

55. The internet telephone network system of claim 54, wherein the address translation unit adapts the last one of the address information candidate as an address information when the word information handed over by the PSTN_line_signal_processing_unit exceeds a pre-determined number as the address information candidates approach the last one.

56. The internet telephone network system of claim 5, wherein the telephone equipment adapter which receives the message information via the IP network of the message information transmitting side has a same type of telephone equipment adapter as the telephone equipment adapter of the message information transmitting side,

wherein the telephone equipment adapter of the message information receiving side includes an IP_address_learning_unit for transmitting an identification information that identifies the telephone equipment connected to the telephone equipment adapter of the message information receiving side to the telephone equipment adapter of the message information transmitting side, for receiving the address information transmitted from the telephone equipment adapter of the message information transmitting side.

57. The internet telephone network system of claim 56, wherein the IP_address_learning_unit of the telephone equipment adapter of the message information receiving side selects either one of receiving and not receiving the address information transmitted from the telephone equipment adapter of the message information transmitting side.

58. The internet telephone network system of claim 5, wherein the IP_address_learning_unit selects either one of transmitting or and transmitting the address information to the telephone equipment adapter of the message information receiving side.

59. The internet telephone network system of claim 3, wherein the PSTN_line_signal_processing_unit inputs from the telephone equipment an erasing information to erase the address information and the identification information stored in the address translation table,

wherein the IP_address_learning_unit erases the address information and the identification information stored in the address translation table according to the erasing information.

60. The internet telephone network system of claim 10, wherein either one of the PSTN_line_signal_processing_unit and the IP_network_communication_processing_unit alarms any one of the IP network, the telephone equipment, and the PSTN line when an error occurs as a result of carrying out control of the telephone equipment adapter according to the control information stored in the control_information_storing_unit.

61. The internet telephone network system of claim 10, wherein either one of the PSTN_line_signal_processing_unit and the IP_network_communication_processing_unit detects that communication is unable due to a failure occurring at either one of the IP network and the PSTN line, and alarms any one of the IP network, the telephone equipment, and the PSTN line.

62. The internet telephone network system of claim 60, wherein the either one of the PSTN_line_signal_processing_unit and the IP_network_communication_processing_unit notifies of restoration to any one of the IP network, the telephone equipment, and the PSTN line after the failure is restored.

63. The internet telephone network system of claim 17, wherein either one of the PSTN_line_signal_processing_unit and the IP_network_communication_processing_unit notifies of the process in progress mode to an another telephone equipment requesting for connection to a telephone equipment connected to a telephone equipment adapter performing any one of the processes of a PSTN line communication process, a RTP communication process, and an HTTP communication process.

64. The internet telephone network system of claim 33, wherein the relay server manages communication between a certain telephone equipment adapter and an another telephone equipment adapter by using a communication connection identification information, and stores the communication connection identification information in a packet information, and outputs the packet information to the IP network.

65. The internet telephone network system of claim 64, wherein the relay server manages and stores at least either one of a communication time and an amount of communication packet as a log information by mapping to the communication connection identification information.

66. The internet telephone network system of claim 33, wherein the IP_network_communication_processing_unit of the telephone equipment adapter managed by the relay server transmits at least one of the GET, POST and PUT method messages to the relay server by the HTTP access.

67. The internet telephone network system of claim 66, wherein the HTTP_communication_processing_unit of the relay server stores the message information in a reply message to the HTTP access by the IP_network_communication_processing_unit of the telephone equipment adapter, and transmits the reply message to the telephone equipment adapter,

wherein the IP_network_communication_processing_unit of the telephone equipment adapter managed by the relay server receives the replay message transmitted from the relay server, and extracts the message information stored in the reply message received.

68. The internet telephone network system of claim 67, wherein the message information has a size one message information, wherein the IP_network_communication_processing_unit of the telephone equipment adapter managed by the relay server stores a GET method message in the packet information used to obtain a size two message information that is larger than the size one message information, for obtaining the size one message information from the relay server, and transmits the GET message to the relay server by using the HTTP access, and receives the reply message transmitted from the relay server by using the HTTP access.

69. The internet telephone network system of claim 68, wherein the IP_network_communication_processing_unit of the telephone equipment adapter managed by the relay server maintains connection to the relay server and receives more than one reply messages until a total size of the size one message information which is stored in the reply message transmitted from the relay server exceeds the size two.

70. The internet telephone network system of claim 66, wherein the IP_network_communication_processing_unit of the telephone equipment adapter managed by the relay server re-attempts connection if cut off connection at either one of the timing of during and immediately after the communication to the HTTP_communication_processing_unit of the relay server, continues the connection, and performs the communication.

71. The internet telephone network system of claim 66, wherein the IP_network_communication_processing_unit of the telephone equipment adapter managed by the relay server discontinues the connection to the relay server if there is no reply coming from the relay server after a pre-determined amount of time at either one of the timings of during the communication and immediately after the communication to the HTTP_communication_processing_unit of the relay server, re-attempt the connection and continues the communication.

72. The internet telephone network system of claim 5 having a telephone equipment managing device as either one of PBX and button telephone for managing a plurality of telephone equipment placed in between the plurality of telephone equipment and the telephone equipment adapter,

wherein the PSTN_line_signal_processing_unit of the telephone equipment adapter receives an identification information of the destination telephone equipment of the message information receiving side from the telephone equipment of the message information transmitting side, and transmits the identification information received to the telephone equipment managing device.

73. The internet telephone network system of claim 5, wherein the destination telephone equipment of the message information receiving side has a number display function for displaying an identification number of the message information transmitting side, and connects to the telephone equipment adapter,

wherein the PSTN_line_signal_processing_unit of the telephone equipment adapter connected to a telephone equipment having the number display function receives an identification information of the message information transmitting side, and transmits the identification information received to the telephone equipment having the number display function.

74. The internet telephone network system of claim 5, wherein the destination telephone equipment of the message information receiving side has a number display function for displaying an identification number of the message information transmitting side, and connects to the telephone equipment adapter,

wherein the PSTN_line_signal_processing_unit of the telephone equipment adapter connected to a telephone equipment of the message information transmitting side transmits an identification information for identifying the telephone equipment of the message information transmitting side to the destination telephone equipment adapter of the message information receiving side when transmitting the message information via the IP network.

75. The internet telephone network system of claim 74, wherein the telephone equipment of the message information transmitting side outputs the identification information including an non-notification information which instructs not to notify the identification number of the telephone equipment of the message information transmitting side to the destination telephone equipment of the message information receiving side,

wherein the PSTN_line_signal_processing_unit of the telephone equipment adapter connected to the telephone equipment of the message information transmitting side does not transmit the identification information to the destination telephone equipment adapter of the message information receiving side when the non-notification information is included in the identification information.

76. A network access method for accessing a network including a digital communication line for communicating digital data and an analog communication line for communicating analog data, the network access method comprising:

inputting message information from a telephone equipment;

selecting a route from an IP (internet protocol) network and a PSTN (Public Switched Telephone Network) line; and

outputting the information to the route selected,

wherein the network access method comprising;

generating route selecting information to select the route from the IP network and the PSTN line,

inputting the route selecting information, and outputting the message information to the one of the IP network and the PSTN line based on the route selecting information.

77. A telephone equipment adapter comprising inputting message information from a telephone equipment, selecting a route from an IP (internet protocol) network and a PSTN (Public Switched Telephone Network) line;

and outputting the information to the route selected, wherein the telephone equipment adapter comprises;

a PSTN_line_signal processing_unit for inputting the message information outputted from the telephone equipment;

an IP_network_communication_processing_unit for executing at least one of transmission and reception of the message information via the IP network;

a designation identifying unit for generating route selecting information to select the route from the IP network and the PSTN line; and

a line_connection_switching_unit for inputting the route selecting information, and outputting the message information inputted from the PSTN_line_signal_processing_unit, to the one of the IP network and the PSTN line based on the route selecting information.