Communication system, communication server and communication method

• US 7,711,827 B2
• Filed: 12/14/2005
• Issued: 05/04/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 12/14/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: NEC Platforms, Ltd. (NEC Corporation)
• Original Assignee: NEC Infrontia Corporation (NEC Corporation)
• Inventors: Nagashima, Kunio
• Primary Examiner(s): Chan; Wing F
• Assistant Examiner(s): WOO, ANDREW M
• Application Number:
  US11/302,369
• Publication Number:
  US 20060126588A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,602 Days
• Field of Search: 370/401, 379/900
• US Class Current: 709/227
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 45/54 Organization of routing tables
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 65/1043 Gateway controllers, e.g. media gateway control protocol [MGCP] controllers
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 65/1101 Session protocols
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/04 specially adapted for terminals or networks with limited capabilities; specially adapted for terminal portability
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/303 Terminal profiles
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 9/40 Network security protocols
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 7/0027 Collaboration services where a computer is used for data transfer and the telephone is used for telephonic communication
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 379/90 Internet, e.g. Internet phone, webphone, internet-based telephony

Abstract

A communication system comprises a first communication terminal (101) provided with an ID tag (106) and having a communication function for a first medium, a second communication terminal (102) provided with an ID reader (107) and having a communication function for a second medium different from the first medium, and a communication server (109) connected to the first and the second communication terminals. The ID tag stores terminal address information representative of an address of the first communication terminal. When the ID reader reads, as readout address information, the terminal address information from the ID tag, the second communication terminal informs the readout address information to the communication server. Supplied from the second communication terminal with the address of the first communication terminal as the readout address information, the communication server registers the first and the second communication terminals as a single communication terminal having the communication functions for the first and the second media.

Claims

1. A communication system comprising:

a first communication terminal provided with an ID tag and having a communication function for a first medium;

a second communication terminal provided with an ID reader and having a communication function for a second medium different from the first medium; and

a communication server connected to said first and said second communication terminals;

said ID tag storing terminal address information representative of an address of said first communication terminal,

said second communication terminal informing, when said ID reader reads, as readout address information, the terminal address information from the ID tag of said first communication terminal, the readout address information to said communication server,

said communication server carrying out registration of registering said first and said second communication terminals as a single communication terminal having the communication functions for said first and said second media when said communication server is supplied from said second communication terminal with the address of said first communication terminal as said readout address information,

said communication server has an administration table which preliminarily memorizes, as setting information, terminal numbers of said first and said second communication terminals and, in correspondence to the terminal numbers of said first and said second communication terminals, addresses of said first and said second communication terminals and said first and said second media as communicable media of said first and said second communication terminals, and

said communication server rewriting, when said communication server is supplied from said second communication terminal with the address of said first communication terminal as said readout address information, the terminal number of said second communication terminal in said administration table into a number same as the terminal number of said first communication terminal so that said communication server carries out the registration of registering said first and said second communication terminals as a single communication terminal having the communication functions for said first and said second media.

2. The communication system as claimed in claim 1, further comprising:

a different communication terminal connected to said communication server and having communication functions for said first and second media;

said communication server identifying, after said registration, said first and said second communication terminals as a single communication terminal having the communication functions for said first and said second media and assigned with the terminal number of said first communication terminal so that said communication server makes it possible to perform communication using said first and said second media between a combination of said first and said second communication terminals and said different communication terminal.

3. The communication system as claimed in claim 1, wherein:

said communication server cancels, when said communication server is again supplied from said second communication terminal with the address of said first communication terminal as said readout address information, the registration of said first and said second communication terminals as a single communication terminal.

4. The communication system as claimed in claim 1, wherein:

said communication server rewrites, when said communication server is again supplied from said second communication terminal with the address of said first communication terminal as said readout address information, the terminal number of said second communication terminal in said administration table into the terminal number of said second communication terminal so that said communication server cancels the registration of said first and said second communication terminals as a single communication terminal.

5. The communication system as claimed in claim 1, wherein:

said ID tag is an RFID tag with said terminal address information written therein;

said ID reader being an RFID reader for reading said terminal address information from said RFID tag.

6. The communication system as claimed in claim 1, wherein:

said ID tag is a bar code ID tag with said terminal address information written therein;

said ID reader being a bar code ID reader for reading said terminal address information from said bar code ID tag.

7. The communication system as claimed in claim 1, wherein:

said ID tag is an optical ID tag with said terminal address information written therein;

said ID reader being an optical ID reader for reading said terminal address information from said optical ID tag.

8. A communication system comprising:

a first communication terminal provided with an infrared ID transmitter and having a communication function for a first medium;

a second communication terminal provided with an infrared ID receiver and having a communication function for a second medium; and

a communication server connected to said first and said second communication terminals;

said infrared ID transmitter storing terminal address information representative of an address of said first communication terminal and transmitting said terminal address information by an infrared ray;

said second communication terminal informing said terminal address information to said communication server when said infrared ID receiver receives the infrared ray from said infrared ID transmitter and when said second communication terminal obtains said terminal address information;

said communication server carrying out registration of registering said first and said second communication terminals as a single communication terminal having the communication functions for said first and said second media when said communication server is supplied from said second communication terminal with the address of said first communication terminal as said terminal address information.

9. A communication server for use in a communication system which comprises a first communication terminal provided with an ID tag and having a communication function for a first medium and a second communication terminal provided with an ID reader and having a communication function for a second medium different from said first medium, said communication server being connected to said first and said second communication terminals and having a memory, said ID tag storing terminal address information representative of an address of said first communication terminal, said second communication terminal informing, when said ID reader reads, as readout address information, the terminal address information from the ID tag of said first communication terminal, the readout address information to said communication server, wherein:

said communication server has a function of carrying out registration of registering, in said memory, said first and said second communication terminals as a single communication terminal having the communication functions for said first and said second media when said communication server is supplied from said second communication terminal with the address of said first communication terminal as said readout address information,

said memory has an administration table which preliminarily memorizes, as setting information, terminal numbers of said first and said second communication terminals and, in correspondence to the terminal numbers of said first and said second communication terminals, addresses of said first and said second communication terminals and said first and said second media as communicable media of said first and said second communication terminals, and

said communication server rewriting, when said communication server is supplied from said second communication terminal with the address of said first communication terminal as said readout address information, the terminal number of said second communication terminal in said administration table into a number same as the terminal number of said first communication terminal so that said communication server carries out the registration of registering said first and said second communication terminals as a single communication terminal having the communication functions for said first and said second media.

10. The communication server as claimed in claim 9, wherein:

said communication system further comprises a different communication terminal connected to said communication server and having communication functions for said first and second media;

said communication server identifying, after said registration, said first and said second communication terminals as a single communication terminal having the communication functions for said first and said second media and assigned with the terminal number of said first communication terminal so that said communication server makes it possible to perform communication using said first and said second media between a combination of said first and said second communication terminals and said different communication terminal.

11. The communication server as claimed in claim 9, wherein:

said communication server cancels, when said communication server is again supplied from said second communication terminal with the address of said first communication terminal as said readout address information, the registration of said first and said second communication terminals as a single communication terminal.

12. The communication server as claimed in claim 9, wherein:

said communication server rewrites, when said communication server is again supplied from said second communication terminal with the address of said first communication terminal as said readout address information, the terminal number of said second communication terminal in said administration table into the terminal number of said second communication terminal so that said communication server cancels the registration of said first and said second communication terminals as a single communication terminal.

13. A communication server for use in a communication system which comprises a first communication terminal provided with an infrared ID transmitter and having a communication function for a first medium and a second communication terminal provided with an infrared ID receiver and having a communication function for a second medium different from said first medium, said communication server being connected to said first and said second communication terminals, said infrared ID transmitter storing terminal address information representative of an address of said first communication terminal and transmitting said terminal address information by an infrared ray, said second communication terminal informing said terminal address information to said communication server when said infrared ID receiver receives the infrared ray from said infrared ID transmitter and when said second communication terminal obtains said terminal address information, wherein:

said communication server has a function of carrying out registration of registering said first and said second communication terminals as a single communication terminal having the communication functions for said first and said second media when said communication server is supplied from said second communication terminal with the address of said first communication terminal as said terminal address information.

14. A communication method for use in a communication system which comprises a first communication terminal provided with an ID tag and having a communication function for a first medium, a second communication terminal provided with an ID reader and having a communication function for a second medium different from the first medium, and a communication server connected to said first and said second communication terminals, said method comprising the steps of:

preliminarily writing into said ID tag terminal address information representative of an address of said first communication terminal;

making said second communication terminal inform, when said ID reader reads as readout address information the terminal information from the ID tag of said first communication terminal, the readout address information to said communication server; and

making said communication server carry out registration of registering said first and said second communication terminals as a single communication terminal having the communication functions for said first and said second media when said communication server is supplied from said second communication terminal with the address of said first communication terminal as said readout address information,

wherein said communication server has an administration table which preliminarily memorizes, as setting information, terminal numbers of said first and said second communication terminals and, in correspondence to the terminal numbers of said first and said second communication terminals, addresses of said first and said second communication terminals and said first and said second media as communicable media of said first and said second communication terminals, and

said communication server rewriting, when said communication server is supplied from said second communication terminal with the address of said first communication terminal as said readout address information, the terminal number of said second communication terminal in said administration table into a number same as the terminal number of said first communication terminal so that said communication server carries out the registration of registering said first and said second communication terminals as a single communication terminal having the communication functions for said first and said second media.

15. A communication method for use in a communication system which comprises a first communication terminal provided with an infrared ID transmitter and having a communication function for a first medium, a second communication terminal provided with an infrared ID receiver and having a communication function for a second medium different from said first medium, and a communication server connected to said first and said second communication terminals, said method comprising the steps of:

making said infrared ID transmitter memorize terminal address information representative of an address of said first communication terminal;

making said infrared ID transmitter transmit said terminal address information by an infrared ray;

making said second communication terminal inform said terminal address information to said communication server when said infrared ID receiver receives the infrared ray from said infrared ID transmitter and when said second communication terminal obtains said terminal address information; and

making said communication server carry out registration of registering said first and said second communication terminals as a single communication terminal having the communication functions for said first and said second media when said communication server is supplied from said second communication terminal with the address of said first communication terminal as said terminal address information.

16. TA communication system comprising:

a first communication terminal provided with an ID reader and having a communication function for a first medium;

a second communication terminal provided with an ID tag and having a communication function for a second medium different from the first medium; and

a communication server connected to said first and said second communication terminals;

said ID tag storing terminal address information representative of an address of said second communication terminal,

said first communication terminal informing, when said ID reader reads, as readout address information, the terminal address information from the ID tag of said second communication terminal, the readout address information to said communication server,

said communication server carrying out registration of registering said first and said second communication terminals as a single communication terminal having the communication functions for said first and said second media when said communication server is supplied from said first communication terminal with the address of said second communication terminal as said readout address information,

said communication server has an administration table which preliminarily memorizes, as setting information, terminal numbers of said first and said second communication terminals and, in correspondence to the terminal numbers of said first and said second communication terminals, addresses of said first and said second communication terminals and said first and said second media as communicable media of said first and said second communication terminals, and

said communication server rewriting, when said communication server is supplied from said first communication terminal with the address of said second communication terminal as said readout address information, the terminal number of said second communication terminal in said administration table into a number same as the terminal number of said first communication terminal so that said communication server carries out the registration of registering said first and said second communication terminals as a single communication terminal having the communication functions for said first and said second media.

17. The communication system as claimed in claim 16, further comprising:

a different communication terminal connected to said communication server and having communication functions for said first and second media;

said communication server identifying, after said registration, said first and said second communication terminals as a single communication terminal having the communication functions for said first and said second media and assigned with the terminal number of said first communication terminal so that said communication server makes it possible to perform communication using said first and said second media between a combination of said first and said second communication terminals and said different communication terminal.

18. The communication system as claimed in claim 16, wherein:

said communication server cancels, when said communication server is again supplied from said first communication terminal with the address of said second communication terminal as said readout address information, the registration of said first and said second communication terminals as a single communication terminal.

19. The communication system as claimed in claim 16, wherein:

said communication server rewrites, when said communication server is again supplied from said first communication terminal with the address of said second communication terminal as said readout address information, the terminal number of said second communication terminal in said administration table into the terminal number of said second communication terminal so that said communication server cancels the registration of said first and said second communication terminals as a single communication terminal.

20. The communication system as claimed in claim 16, wherein:

said ID tag is an RFID tag with said terminal address information written therein;

said ID reader being an RFID reader for reading said terminal address information from said RFID tag.

21. The communication system as claimed in claim 16, wherein:

said ID tag is a bar code ID tag with said terminal address information written therein;

said ID reader being a bar code ID reader for reading said terminal address information from said bar code ID tag.

22. The communication system as claimed in claim 16, wherein:

said ID tag is an optical ID tag with said terminal address information written therein;

said ID reader being an optical ID reader for reading said terminal address information from said optical ID tag.

23. A communication system comprising:

a first communication terminal provided with an infrared ID receiver and having a communication function for a first medium;

a second communication terminal provided with an infrared ID transmitter and having a communication function for a second medium; and

a communication server connected to said first and said second communication terminals;

said infrared ID transmitter storing terminal address information representative of an address of said second communication terminal and transmitting said terminal address information by an infrared ray;

said first communication terminal informing said terminal address information to said communication server when said infrared ID receiver receives the infrared ray from said infrared ID transmitter and when said first communication terminal obtains said terminal address information;

said communication server carrying out registration of registering said first and said second communication terminals as a single communication terminal having the communication functions for said first and said second media when said communication server is supplied from said first communication terminal with the address of said second communication terminal as said terminal address information.

24. A communication server for use in a communication system which comprises a first communication terminal provided with an ID reader and having a communication function for a first medium and a second communication terminal provided with an ID tag and having a communication function for a second medium different from said first medium, said communication server being connected to said first and said second communication terminals and having a memory, said ID tag storing terminal address information representative of an address of said second communication terminal, said first communication terminal informing, when said ID reader reads, as readout address information, the terminal address information from the ID tag of said second communication terminal, the readout address information to said communication server, wherein

said communication server has a function of carrying out registration of registering, in said memory, said first and said second communication terminals as a single communication terminal having the communication functions for said first and said second media when said communication server is supplied from said first communication terminal with the address of said second communication terminal as said readout address information,

said memory has an administration table which preliminarily memorizes, as setting information, terminal numbers of said first and said second communication terminals and, in correspondence to the terminal numbers of said first and said second communication terminals, addresses of said first and said second communication terminals and said first and said second media as communicable media of said first and said second communication terminals, and

said communication server rewriting, when said communication server is supplied from said first communication terminal with the address of said second communication terminal as said readout address information, the terminal number of said second communication terminal in said administration table into a number same as the terminal number of said first communication terminal so that said communication server carries out the registration of registering said first and said second communication terminals as a single communication terminal having the communication functions for said first and said second media.

25. The communication server as claimed in claim 24, wherein:

said communication system further comprises a different communication terminal connected to said communication server and having communication functions for said first and second media;

said communication server identifying, after said registration, said first and said second communication terminals as a single communication terminal having the communication functions for said first and said second media and assigned with the terminal number of said first communication terminal so that said communication server makes it possible to perform communication using said first and said second media between a combination of said first and said second communication terminals and said different communication terminal.

26. The communication server as claimed in claim 24, wherein:

said communication server cancels, when said communication server is again supplied from said first communication terminal with the address of said second communication terminal as said readout address information, the registration of said first and said second communication terminals as a single communication terminal.

27. The communication server as claimed in claim 24, wherein:

said communication server rewrites, when said communication server is again supplied from said first communication terminal with the address of said second communication terminal as said readout address information, the terminal number of said second communication terminal in said administration table into the terminal number of said second communication terminal so that said communication server cancels the registration of said first and said second communication terminals as a single communication terminal.

28. A communication server for use in a communication system which comprises a first communication terminal provided with an infrared ID receiver and having a communication function for a first medium and a second communication terminal provided with an infrared ID transmitter and having a communication function for a second medium different from said first medium, said communication server being connected to said first and said second communication terminals, said infrared ID transmitter storing terminal address information representative of an address of said second communication terminal and transmitting said terminal address information by an infrared ray, said first communication terminal informing said terminal address information to said communication server when said infrared ID receiver receives the infrared ray from said infrared ID transmitter and when said first communication terminal obtains said terminal address information, wherein:

said communication server has a function of carrying out registration of registering said first and said second communication terminals as a single communication terminal having the communication functions for said first and said second media when said communication server is supplied from said first communication terminal with the address of said second communication terminal as said terminal address information.

29. A communication method for use in a communication system which comprises a first communication terminal provided with an ID reader and having a communication function for a first medium, a second communication terminal provided with an ID tag and having a communication function for a second medium different from the first medium, and a communication server connected to said first and said second communication terminals, said method comprising the steps of:

preliminarily writing into said ID tag terminal address information representative of an address of said second communication terminal;

making said first communication terminal inform, when said ID reader reads as readout address information the terminal information from the ID tag of said second communication terminal, the readout address information to said communication server; and

making said communication server carry out registration of registering said first and said second communication terminals as a single communication terminal having the communication functions for said first and said second media when said communication server is supplied from said first communication terminal with the address of said second communication terminal as said readout address information, wherein

said communication server has an administration table which preliminarily memorizes, as setting information, terminal numbers of said first and said second communication terminals and, in correspondence to the terminal numbers of said first and said second communication terminals, addresses of said first and said second communication terminals and said first and said second media as communicable media of said first and said second communication terminals, and

said communication server rewriting, when said communication server is supplied from said second communication terminal with the address of said first communication terminal as said readout address information, the terminal number of said second communication terminal in said administration table into a number same as the terminal number of said first communication terminal so that said communication server carries out the registration of registering said first and said second communication terminals as a single communication terminal having the communication functions for said first and said second media.

30. A communication method for use in a communication system which comprises a first communication terminal provided with an infrared ID receiver and having a communication function for a first medium, a second communication terminal provided with an infrared ID transmitter and having a communication function for a second medium different from said first medium, and a communication server connected to said first and said second communication terminals, said method comprising the steps of:

making said infrared ID transmitter memorize terminal address information representative of an address of said second communication terminal;

making said infrared ID transmitter transmit said terminal address information by an infrared ray;

making said first communication terminal inform said terminal address information to said communication server when said infrared ID receiver receives the infrared ray from said infrared ID transmitter and when said second communication terminal obtains said terminal address information; and

making said communication server carry out registration of registering said first and said second communication terminals as a single communication terminal having the communication functions for said first and said second media when said communication server is supplied from said first communication terminal with the address of said second communication terminal as said terminal address information.