JP2999167B2 - Method of providing and using grouped telephone numbers in LAN, device for providing the same, device for using the same, and recording medium storing program and program for providing the same - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a method of real-time data communication in a LAN (Local Area Network) using an
For realizing calling multiple connection partner terminals,
The present invention relates to a method for providing and using a grouped telephone number in a LAN, a device for providing the same, a device for using the same, and a recording medium on which a program for providing and a program for using the same are recorded.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art The applicant has previously filed a patent application (hereinafter referred to as a prior application) for the invention which is the premise of the present application as Japanese Patent Application No. 9-28659 (method and apparatus for providing telephone numbers in a LAN). In the invention of the earlier application, as a method of specifying a destination in an Internet telephone system, a unique terminal identification number (LAN telephone number) different from an IP address is given to a terminal in a LAN, By providing the LAN telephone number server with a function of associating the LAN telephone number with the IP address or by using the LAN telephone number, if the user can remember only the telephone number-like numbers (LAN telephone number) that are easy to remember. It is often disclosed that it is not necessary to remember an IP address, and that the usability of an Internet telephone is improved. In addition, since only numbers are input, terminals for a general telephone network such as a telephone and a FAX are also used in the Internet telephone system. And an IF for connecting a terminal for an analog telephone network such as a telephone / fax. That it is possible discloses utilizing terminal connection unit having a function of transmitting to convert the signal of the terminal to the packet signal for data communication network (TA) as a terminal for Internet telephony.

[0003] One embodiment of the invention of the prior application is as follows. A terminal identifier (terminal management number) such as a telephone number different from the IP address is provided for a terminal (client terminal) in the network, and a server terminal for managing the identifier is placed in the network.

Further, since it is considered that a plurality of server terminals exist in the network, a numerical identifier (server management number) for identifying the server terminal itself is provided.

FIG. 22 shows a configuration example of the prior application. The server terminal has means for describing the terminal management number and the IP address of the terminal corresponding to the terminal management number, and has means for returning the IP address of the corresponding terminal in response to an inquiry by the terminal management number. As means for describing the terminal management number and the IP address of the terminal corresponding thereto, a terminal management table as shown in FIG. 23 is given as an example.

The server terminal has means for describing the server management number and the IP address of the server terminal corresponding to the server management number, and has means for returning the server management number of the corresponding server terminal in response to an inquiry by the server management number. . As means for describing the server management number and the IP address of the server terminal corresponding to the server management number, a server management table as shown in FIG. 24 is given as an example.

[0007] As a server terminal, a network IF
General PCs and workstations are available. A terminal (client terminal) on the side of making an Internet call has means for inputting a telephone number in the LAN. It also has a means for storing the IP address of the default server terminal which first makes an inquiry when making a call. At the time of calling, before the call is made to the partner terminal, the entered LA is input to the default server terminal.
It has means for inquiring about the IP address of the partner terminal using the telephone number within N.

Means for recording the telephone number in the LAN called in the past and the IP address corresponding to the telephone number, and the telephone number recorded in the LAN in the own device and the corresponding address before inquiring the server at the time of the call. There is a means for referring to the IP address and a means for directly calling the partner terminal by omitting the inquiry to the server terminal if the call destination at that time is recorded.

[0009] Further, the server terminal is provided with one master server for managing all servers of the network concerned. The master server has means for distributing the information of the server management number in its own terminal to the subordinate server terminals. Each server terminal has means for receiving the information sent from the master server, and means for changing the server management information of its own terminal to the contents of this information.

[0010] At the time of calling, a telephone number in the LAN consisting of a server management number and a terminal management number is input from the client terminal. As the client terminal, a personal computer with a network IF, a general analog telephone or FA
A terminal connection device (TA device) for connecting X or the like to a network is conceivable. Before calling the destination terminal, the client terminal queries the server terminal for the IP address of the destination terminal using the input telephone number in the LAN. The server terminal that has received the inquiry performs a search within itself, and returns the IP address of the terminal. The client terminal makes a call to the terminal of the received IP address, and starts communication after connection.

[0011] Thus, the client terminal has the LA
By inputting a telephone number such as a telephone number within N, a partner terminal can be designated, and the partner terminal can be designated by a simpler method than an IP address.

As a method for identifying a terminal, a LAN
By using the internal telephone number, it is possible to hide the IP address from the user. Also, the telephone number in LAN is
Since it is composed only of numbers, it is possible to use a simple input device such as a telephone or a facsimile as the client terminal.

After the communication is completed, the telephone number in the LAN from which the call was made and the corresponding IP address are recorded. Next, when making a call, first, referring to the record of the telephone number in the LAN in the own device and the corresponding IP address, if the call destination at that time is recorded, the inquiry is omitted.
Place a call directly to the other terminal. As a result, it is possible to reduce the time required for connection at the time of calling.

Further, even when the telephone number in the LAN of each client terminal is changed, only the setting of the server terminal needs to be changed, and the trouble of changing the setting of each client terminal can be omitted. .

Further, when a server terminal is changed in the master server, by distributing the changed information to other server terminals, it becomes possible to share correct server management information among the servers.

FIG. 25 shows a mode of the prior application that the master server distributes to each server terminal under the master server. In the case of FIG. 25, the master server distributes change information to the server terminals A, B, and C, and each server terminal stores it in the server management table.

FIG. 26 shows a first embodiment of the prior application. In this example, one server terminal manages all client terminals. A server terminal, a client terminal 1, a client terminal 2, and a client terminal 3 are connected to a LAN connected by Ethernet.

Here, as an example, the client terminal 1
Connects a telephone (1701), converts analog voice input from the telephone (1701) into voice packets and sends them to the LAN, and conversely converts voice packets received from the LAN into analog voices and sends them to the phone. Terminal connection device (T
A device) (1702). The terminal connection device (TA device)
The telephone (1701) is connected to (1702), and the terminal management number of the terminal connection device (TA device) (1702) is “2001”,
The IP address is "129.60.10.11".

The client terminal 2 is a PC (1703) having a network IF, and a software that enables voice communication via a microphone (1704), a speaker (1705), and the Internet (hereinafter referred to as Internet telephone software). ). The terminal management number of the PC (1703) is “2002”, and the IP address is “129.6”.
0.10.12 ".

The client terminal 3 has the same terminal connection device (TA device) (1706) as the client terminal 1+
The configuration of the telephone (1707) is assumed, and the terminal management number of the terminal connection device (TA device) (1706) is “2003” and the IP address is “129.60.10.13”.

The IP address of the server terminal (1708) is set to "129.60.10.1", and the server terminal (1708) is associated with the terminal management number of the client terminal and the IP address. Terminal management table (17
09). FIG. 27 shows the terminal management table (17
09) shows an example.

The client terminals 1 to 3 have the IP address "129.60.1" of the server terminal (1708).
0.1 "is registered. When making an Internet telephone call from the client terminal 1 to the client terminal 3, from the telephone (1701) of the client terminal 1,
A telephone number (terminal management number) “2003” in the LAN of the client terminal 3 is input.

The terminal connection device (TA) of the client terminal 1
The device (1702) communicates with the server terminal (1708) (= IP address “129.60.10.
1 "), the telephone number in the LAN (= terminal management number)
The IP address is inquired by “2003”.
The inquiry protocol is TCP or UDP
Is used.

The server terminal (1708) searches the terminal management table (1709) in its own terminal, and finds the terminal management number “200”.
The IP address “129.60.1.13” of “3” is obtained, and this is returned to the client terminal 1.

The terminal connection device (TA) of the client terminal 1
The device (1702) receives the IP address “129.60.1
0.13 ", the IP address" 129.6 "
"0.10.13", make a call, connect,
Sends and receives voice data packets to and from the terminal at the address, and connects to the terminal device (TA device) of the client terminal 3
Communication by voice with the telephone (1707) connected to (1706) is started.

As in this example, a person who makes an Internet call from the client terminal 1
It is only necessary to remember the in-LAN telephone number (terminal management number) "2003", which reduces the trouble of inputting and improves the usability as compared with the case of directly specifying the IP address value.

[0027]

However, in the case of the prior application (Japanese Patent Application No. 9-28659), since one IP address corresponds to one LAN telephone number, one LAN telephone number As a result, there is a problem in that it is not possible to call a plurality of destination terminals belonging to a certain group at the same time, and to make a call to someone in the group.

According to the present invention, in order to solve the above-mentioned problem, when a terminal in a network makes an inquiry to a LAN telephone number server for an IP address using a certain LAN telephone number, the terminal is registered in advance. By returning a plurality of IP addresses, it is possible to call a plurality of destination terminals with a certain LAN telephone number.

[0029]

According to the present invention, a terminal in a network is provided with a numeric identifier (LAN telephone number) such as a telephone number different from an IP address, and a LAN for managing the identifier. It is assumed that the telephone number server is in the network. FIG. 1 illustrates this.
This shows the existence of a unique LAN telephone number and a LAN telephone number server.

The LAN telephone number server has means for describing the LAN telephone number and the IP address of the terminal corresponding to the LAN telephone number, and has means for returning the IP address of the terminal in response to an inquiry by the LAN telephone number. In particular, the IP address of the terminal in the group can be returned. As means for describing the LAN telephone number and the IP address of the terminal corresponding to the LAN telephone number, a terminal management table as shown as an example in FIG. 2 is used.

The LAN telephone number server has a group management table for managing that a plurality of IP addresses are registered for a certain LAN telephone number, as shown as an example in FIG.

As the LAN telephone number server, a general personal computer or a work station having a network IF can be used. The terminal making the Internet call includes (i) means for inputting a LAN telephone number, and (ii)
IP of LAN phone number server to be contacted when making a call
Means for storing an address; and (iii) means for inquiring the LAN telephone number server about the IP address of the partner terminal using the inputted LAN telephone number before calling the partner terminal when calling. (iv) means for recognizing the notification of the IP address of the partner terminal from the LAN telephone number server;
Means for making a call to the partner terminal of the IP address notified from the AN telephone number server.

Further, the terminal is provided with (i) a LAN of an inquiry destination.
When the phone number server notifies multiple IP addresses,
Means for receiving a plurality of IP addresses; (ii) means for sequentially transmitting outgoing call packets to the plurality of received IP addresses; and (iii) the earliest of the incoming packets returned from the callee. Means for opening a communication port for the other party who has performed the incoming call operation, and returning a disconnection packet for other incoming packets.

In the present invention, the terminal for making an Internet telephone call is a personal computer having a network IF and having a telephone installed with Internet telephone software, or a terminal connection device (TA) for connecting a general analog telephone or a facsimile to the network. You can think.

The LAN telephone number server has a function of managing the LAN telephone number in the server, and includes a field indicating that the LAN telephone number is set as a group number. Further, it has a group management table for recording which IP address is registered in a LAN telephone number which is a certain group number. One group management table may exist for one group number, or all may be managed by one table.

The setting of the group management table is performed separately by the system administrator. FIG. 4 shows a sequence example of a group call. In FIG. 4, terminal D is shown as calling.

At the start of communication, the terminal D inputs a LAN telephone number. Before calling the destination terminal, the terminal D inquires of the LAN telephone number server about the IP address of the destination terminal with the input LAN telephone number. Upon receiving the inquiry, the LAN telephone number server searches for a corresponding LAN telephone number in the terminal management table in its own device. Then, it is checked whether the group number field of the LAN telephone number is set to the group number.
As a result, when the group number field of the LAN telephone number is set to the group number, the LAN telephone number group management table is searched, and a plurality of IP addresses described in the group management table are included in the reply packet. And reply to the terminal that made the inquiry.

The terminal D of the inquiry source receives a plurality of destination IP addresses from the LAN telephone number server, and sequentially transmits outgoing call packets of the Internet telephone to the terminals A, B, and C having these IP addresses. .

The calling packet transmitted from the calling terminal D reaches a plurality of destination terminals A, B, and C in the network. The plurality of destination terminals that have received the call packet,
Each terminal issues a signal indicating that there is an incoming call (blinking of a screen, sounding of a ring tone, etc.). Since the call packet is transmitted to a plurality of grouped IP addresses, all of the grouped terminals
A signal is emitted to indicate the incoming call. When an operation for receiving a call (such as pressing a button on the screen or going off-hook on the telephone handset) is performed on any of the terminals A or B, the terminal receives a call from the terminal A or B. A packet is returned. The calling terminal D sends the voice to the terminal A that has sent the incoming packet the earliest, and shifts to the Internet telephone call mode. Further, a disconnection packet is sent to the other destination terminals B and C. Since the receiving terminals B and C receive the disconnection packet, the signal indicating the incoming call is cancelled, and the terminal enters a state of waiting for the next incoming call.

By placing a table for managing groups in the LAN telephone number server in this way, one L
With the AN telephone number, it is possible to simultaneously call a plurality of grouped destination terminals and ring the plurality of destination terminals simultaneously.

Further, it is possible to make a call with only one of the terminals that ring at the same time as the earliest incoming call.

[0042]

FIG. 5 shows a first embodiment of the present invention. The present embodiment is an example in which an IP address is described in a group management table, and a plurality of destination IP addresses are transmitted from a LAN telephone number server in one reply packet.

On the network, data communication terminals 1 to 3
(701-703), an analog telephone (705) and a LAN telephone number server (706) connected to the terminal connection device (704), and a microphone ( 701
a to 703a), speakers (701b to 703b), and Internet telephone software (701c to 703c) are installed.
The N telephone number server (706) has a terminal management table (707)
And a group management table (708).

FIG. 6 shows an example of the terminal management table, and FIG. 7 shows an example of the group management table. The data communication terminals 1 to
3 (701-703) is Internet telephone software (701c-70)
3c) is activated. The LAN telephone number of the data communication terminal 1 (701) is [2001], the IP address is "129.60.10.10", and the LA of the data communication terminal 2 (702) is LA.
The N phone number is [2002] and the IP address is "129.60.10.1
1 ”, and the LAN telephone number of the data communication terminal 3 (703) is [2
003], the IP address is "129.60.10.12", the LAN telephone number of the analog telephone (705) is [2004], and the IP address is "129.60.10.13". The IP address of the LAN telephone number server (706) itself is "129.60.10.1".

At the data communication terminal 1 (701), the user performs a calling operation using Internet telephone software to perform LA operation.
Make a call to N phone number 2100. The data communication terminal 1 (7
01) is transmitted to the LAN telephone number server (706) of the IP address "129.60.10.1" registered in the own device in advance, corresponding to the LAN telephone number 2100 to be transmitted.
Query the address. The LAN telephone number server (70
In 6), the received LAN telephone number 2100 is searched for in the terminal management table (707) in the own device, and it is recognized that the LAN telephone number 2100 is registered as a group. A search is performed and the IP address “129.60.1
0.11 "and the IP address" 129.
60.10.13 "is recognized as the destination of the LAN telephone number 2100, and is returned to the inquiring data communication terminal 1 (701) including one of the two destination IP addresses in one reply packet as shown in FIG.

When receiving the return value from the LAN telephone number server (706), the data communication terminal 1 (701) recognizes that there are two IP addresses in the reply packet, and
The data communication terminal 2 (702) having the address "129.60.10.11"
To the analog telephone (705) of “129.60.10.13”.

The data communication terminal 2 (702) and the analog telephone (705) which are the destinations are connected to the data communication terminal 1 (70).
1) and sends a signal indicating that there is an incoming call. The data communication terminal 2 (702) performs an operation to receive an incoming call first, and the data communication terminal 1 (7
01), the data communication terminal 1 (701) establishes a call between the data communication terminal 2 (702), which is the earliest recipient of the incoming packet, and Data is transmitted and received, and the analog telephone (7
Send a disconnection packet to 05). The analog telephone (7
In (05), since the disconnection packet is received, the signal indicating the arrival is canceled, and the state transits to a state of waiting for the next arrival.

FIG. 9 shows a second embodiment of the present invention. This embodiment is an example of a case where a LAN telephone number is described in a group management table and a plurality of destination IP addresses are transmitted from a LAN telephone number server in one reply packet.

On the network, data communication terminals 1 to 3
(1101 to 1103), an analog telephone (1105) and a LAN telephone number server (1106) connected to the terminal connection device (1104), and the data communication terminals 1 to 3 (1101 to 1103) have microphones (1101 to 1103). 1101a-1103a), speakers (1101b-1103b), and Internet telephone software (1101c-1103c) are installed. The LAN telephone number server (1106) has a terminal management table (1107) and a group management table (1108). . FIG. 10 shows an example of the terminal management table, and FIG. 11 shows an example of the group management table. The data communication terminals 1 to 3 (1101 to 11
03) assumes that the Internet telephone software (1101c to 1103c) is running. Also, the data communication terminal 1 (110
1) The LAN phone number is [2001] and the IP address is "129.
60.10.10 ", the LAN telephone number of the data communication terminal 2 (1102) is [2002], the IP address is" 129.60.10.11 ", and the LAN telephone number of the data communication terminal 3 (1103) is [2003].
The P address is “129.60.10.12” and the analog telephone (110
5) The LAN phone number is [2004] and the IP address is "129.
60.10.13 ". Also, the LAN telephone number server (110
6) The own IP address is “129.60.10.1”.

At the data communication terminal 1 (1101), the user performs an outgoing call operation using Internet telephone software to perform LA operation.
Make a call to N phone number 2100. The data communication terminal 1 (1
101) sends the IP address corresponding to the LAN telephone number 2100 to be transmitted to the LAN telephone number server (1106) having the IP address "129.60.10.1" registered in the apparatus in advance.
Query the address. The LAN telephone number server (110
In 6), the received LAN telephone number 2100 is searched in the terminal management table (1107) in its own device, and the LAN telephone number 21100 is retrieved.
00 is registered as a group, a search is made in the group management table (1108), and the LAN telephone number 2002 of the data communication terminal 2 (1102), which is the destination, and the analog telephone (1105) Recognizing the LAN telephone number 2004, the terminal management table (1107) is searched again, and the IP address “129.60.10.11” of the data communication terminal 2 (1102) and the IP address “129.60.10.13” of the analog telephone (1105) are retrieved. "
Is recognized as the destination IP address, and one reply packet including the two destination IP addresses is returned to the data communication terminal 1 (1101) of the inquiry source as shown in FIG.

Upon receiving the return value from the LAN telephone number server (1106), the data communication terminal 1 (1101) recognizes that there are two IP addresses in the reply packet, and
The data communication terminal 2 (1102) having the address "129.60.10.11"
And `` 129.60.10.13 '' for the analog telephone (1105),
Transmit outgoing call packets sequentially.

The data communication terminal 2 (1102) and the analog telephone (1105), which are the other party, are connected to the data communication terminal 1 (1102).
The call packet from 1) is received, and a signal indicating that there is an incoming call is issued. The data communication terminal 2 (1102) performs an operation of receiving an incoming call first, and the calling data communication terminal 1 (1102)
Assuming that the incoming call packet is returned to 1), the data communication terminal 1 (1101) establishes a call between the data communication terminal 2 (1102), which is the earliest recipient of the incoming call packet,
Transmission and reception of voice data are performed, and the analog telephone (1105)
Sends a disconnect packet. The analog telephone (1105)
Receives the disconnection packet, the signal indicating the arrival is canceled, and the state transits to a state of waiting for the next arrival.

FIG. 13 shows a third embodiment of the present invention.
The present embodiment is an example in which an IP address is described in the group management table, a reply packet from the LAN telephone number server includes only one destination IP address, and a plurality of reply packets are transmitted for each destination. is there.

On the network, data communication terminals 1 to 3
(1501 to 1503), the analog telephone (1505) and the LAN telephone number server (1506) connected to the terminal connection device (1504), and the data communication terminals 1 to 3 (1501 to 1503) have microphones (1501 to 1503). 1501a to 1503a), speakers (1501b to 1503b), and Internet telephone software (1501c to 1503c) are installed. The LAN telephone number server (1506) has a terminal management table (1507) and a group management table (1508). .

FIG. 14 shows an example of the terminal management table, and FIG. 15 shows an example of the group management table. The data communication terminals 1 to 3 (1501 to 1503) are connected to Internet telephone software (1).
501c to 1503c) are activated. The LAN telephone number of the communication terminal 1 (1501) is [2001], the IP address is “129.60.10.10”, and the L of the data communication terminal 2 (1502) is L.
The AN telephone number is [2002] and the IP address is "129.60.10.
11 ", the LAN telephone number of the data communication terminal 3 (1503) is [2003] and the IP address is" 129.60.10.12 ", the LAN telephone number of the analog telephone (1505) is [2004] and the IP address is" 129.60. 10.13 ". The IP address of the LAN telephone number server (1506) itself is “129.60.10.1
".

The user performs an outgoing call operation on the data communication terminal 1 (1501) using Internet telephone software to perform LA operation.
Make a call to N phone number 2100. The data communication terminal 1 (1
501) sends the I corresponding to the transmitted LAN telephone number 2100 to the LAN telephone number server (1506) of the IP address "129.60.10.1" registered in advance in its own device.
Query the P address. The LAN telephone number server (1
In 506), the received LAN telephone number 2100 is searched in the terminal management table (1507) in the own device, and it is recognized that the LAN telephone number 2100 is registered as a group. The search proceeds to the IP address “129.60.1” of the data communication terminal 2 (1502) that is the destination.
0.11 '' and the IP address of the analog telephone (1505) `` 129.
60.10.13 ", the data communication terminal 1 (1501) of the inquiry source, as shown in FIG. 16, includes one reply packet including one destination IP address and two reply packets corresponding to the destination. Will be returned.

Each time the data communication terminal 1 (1501) receives the return value from the LAN telephone number server (1506),
The data communication terminal 2 having the address “129.60.10.11” (150
2) The calling packet is sequentially transmitted to the analog telephone (1505) of "129.60.10.13".

The data communication terminal 2 (1502) and the analog telephone (1505), which are the other party, are connected to the data communication terminal 1 (1502).
The call packet from 1) is received, and a signal indicating that there is an incoming call is issued. The data communication terminal 2 (1502) performs an operation of receiving an incoming call first, and the calling data communication terminal 1 (1502)
Assuming that the incoming call packet is returned to 1), the data communication terminal 1 (1501) establishes a call between the data communication terminal 2 (1502), which is the earliest receiver of the incoming call packet,
Transmission and reception of voice data is performed, and the analog telephone (1505)
Sends a disconnect packet. The analog telephone (1505)
Receives the disconnection packet, the signal indicating the arrival is canceled, and the state transits to a state of waiting for the next arrival.

Here, although not described, from the above example, "Language telephone numbers are described in the group management table, and L
It can be understood that the same can be realized in a case where the reply packet from the AN telephone number server includes only one destination IP address and a plurality of reply packets are transmitted for each IP address.

Although the embodiment describes the case where the Internet is used, the present invention is also applicable to a case where a dial-up connection is made from a general telephone network or a case where FDDI or ATM is used as a network. Applicable.

In this embodiment, a four-digit number is used as the LAN telephone number of the LAN telephone number. However, this number can be changed depending on the number of terminals connected to the network. Although one server is provided in the network, the same applies to a case where a plurality of servers are provided.

FIG. 17 shows an embodiment of the LAN telephone number server. In the figure, reference numeral 11 denotes a device control unit, and 12 denotes LA.
N grouped telephone number providing means, 13 is control means, 1
4 is a return packet creation / transmission unit, 15 is a terminal management table search processing unit, 16 is a group management table search processing unit, 17 is a terminal management table, 18 is a group management table, 19 is a command analysis unit, and 20 is a communication control unit. ,
Reference numeral 21 denotes a network interface unit.

The terminal management table 17 and the group management table 18 are shown in FIGS. 6 and 7 and FIGS. 10 and 11, respectively.
Or as described with reference to FIGS. 14 and 15. The intra-LAN group telephone number providing unit 12 includes a control unit 13 that controls the return packet creation / transmission unit 14, the terminal management table search processing unit 15, and the group management table search processing unit 16, and converts the intra-LAN group telephone number. provide.

The terminal management table search processing means 15 searches the terminal management table 17 to find an IP address or group setting corresponding to the LAN telephone number. The group management table search processing means 16 searches the group management table 18 to find an IP address or a LAN telephone number corresponding to the LAN telephone number of the group.

The return packet creation / transmission means 14
IP of multiple terminals corresponding to the group's LAN telephone number
Send the address as a packet. Then, in the case of the embodiment related to FIG. 5 or FIG. 9, the control unit 13 corresponds to the grouped telephone number in LAN from the command analysis unit 19 when receiving the LAN telephone number of the group from the terminal. The terminal management table search processing means 15 and the group management table search processing means 16 are controlled based on the IP address inquiry information to search the terminal management table 17 and the group management table 18 and correspond to the LAN telephone number of the group. The IP addresses of the plurality of terminals are searched for, and the return packet creation / transmission means 14 is controlled to return the IP addresses of the plurality of terminals to the terminal in one return packet.

Further, in the case of the embodiment related to FIG. 13, the control means 13 receives the IP address corresponding to the grouped telephone number in LAN from the command analysis unit 19 when receiving the LAN telephone number of the group from the terminal. On the basis of the address inquiry information, the terminal control table search processing means 15 and the group management table search processing means 16 are controlled to search the terminal management table 17 and the group management table 18 to retrieve a plurality of LAN telephone numbers corresponding to the group LAN telephone numbers. The IP address of the terminal is searched, and the return packet creating / transmitting means 14 is controlled so that a plurality of return packets including only one of the IP addresses of the plurality of terminals are sequentially returned to the terminal. I do.

Needless to say, the communication control unit 20 controls communication, and the network interface unit 2
1 manages an interface with the network. The device control unit 11 controls the entire LAN telephone number server.

FIG. 18 shows a flowchart in the LAN telephone number server. In the case of FIG. 18, FIGS.
7 is a flowchart corresponding to the first embodiment shown in FIG. (Step S1): An inquiry by a LAN telephone number is received from the terminal. (Step S2): The terminal management table is searched with the received LAN telephone number. (Step S3): It is checked whether a group is set in the terminal management table. (Step S4): If step S3 is YES, search the group management table. (Step S5): If NO in step S3, the corresponding IP address registered in the terminal management table is extracted. (Step S6): Extract a plurality of IP addresses registered in the group management table. (Step S7): A plurality of IP addresses are returned in one packet at a time. (Step S8): The corresponding IP address is returned in one packet.

FIG. 19 shows another flowchart in the LAN telephone number server. In the case of FIG. 19, an example is shown in which LAN telephone numbers are registered in the group management table, and respective IP addresses are returned in individual packets. (Step S9): An inquiry by a LAN telephone number is received from the terminal. (Step S10): The terminal management table is searched with the received LAN telephone number. (Step S11): It is checked whether a group is set in the terminal management table. (Step S12): If Step S11 is YES,
Search the group management table. (Step S13): If step S11 is NO, the corresponding IP address registered in the terminal management table is extracted. (Step S14): The terminal management table is searched again using a plurality of LAN telephone numbers registered in the group management table. (Step S15): Individual LA from terminal management table
Obtain an IP address corresponding to the N telephone number. (Step S16): One packet is returned including only one IP address (a plurality of packets are returned). (Step S17): Reply with one packet.

FIG. 20 shows an embodiment of the terminal. In the figure, reference numeral 31 denotes a microphone, 32 denotes a speaker, 33 denotes a mouse,
34 is a keyboard, 35 is a device control unit, 36 is an Internet telephone function unit, 37 is a means for using grouped telephone numbers in LAN, 38 is a communication control unit, 39 is a network interface unit, 40 is control means, and 41 is a LAN telephone number. Input means, 42 is a LAN telephone number inquiry transmission / reception means, 43 is a transmission / disconnection packet creation transmission / reception packet reception / call start / stop means, 44 is a LAN telephone number server IP address storage means, and 45 is voice input. Part 4,
Reference numeral 6 denotes an A / D converter, 47 denotes an audio encoder, 48 denotes an audio output unit, 49 denotes a D / A converter, and 50 denotes an audio decoder.

Means for using grouped telephone numbers in LAN 37
Is provided with a LAN telephone number input unit 41, a LAN telephone number inquiry transmission / reception unit 42, and a control unit 40 for controlling the above-mentioned unit 43 so as to use a group telephone number in the LAN.

When the control means 40 is activated from the Internet telephone function section 36 and the LAN telephone number of the group to be called is inputted from the LAN telephone number input means 41, the intra-LAN group telephone number utilization means 37 is inputted. ,
By controlling the LAN telephone number inquiry transmission / reception means 42, the LAN telephone number of the group is transmitted to the LAN telephone number server, and one reply including the IP addresses of a plurality of terminals corresponding to the LAN telephone number of the group which is the response is received. A return packet is received from the LAN telephone number server. Then, on the basis of the reception, the control unit 43 controls the means 43 for generating and transmitting the call / disconnection packet in the LAN, receiving the incoming packet, and starting / stopping the call, and thereby obtaining a plurality of I / Os obtained from the return packet received.
A call packet is sequentially transmitted to the destination terminals belonging to the group based on the P address, and a voice call is made to the destination terminal that performed the earliest reception operation among the incoming packets returned from the destination terminal. At the same time as starting, a disconnection packet is returned to the other terminal to disconnect the terminal.

Further, in another embodiment, the LAN grouped telephone number using means 37 is activated by the control means 40 from the Internet telephone function section 36 and the LAN telephone number of the group to be communicated from the LAN telephone number input means 41. Is input, the LAN telephone number inquiry transmission / reception means 42 is controlled to transmit the LAN telephone number of the group to the LAN telephone number server, and the reply of the L of the group is returned.
The IP addresses of a plurality of terminals corresponding to the AN telephone number are sequentially received from the LAN telephone number server as a plurality of return packets including only one of the IP addresses of the plurality of terminals. Then, based on the reception, the means for generating / transmitting the call / disconnection packet in the LAN, receiving the incoming packet, and starting / stopping the call are controlled, and the IP included in the return packet is received each time the return packet is sequentially received. Sends outgoing call packets to the destination terminals belonging to the group in order based on the address, and starts voice communication with the destination terminal that performed the earliest incoming call among the incoming packets returned from the destination terminal At the same time, a disconnection packet is sent back to the other destination terminals to disconnect them. Also, after receiving the incoming packet, even if the return packet is sent from the LAN telephone number server, it is ignored.

Needless to say, the configuration of the Internet telephone function unit 36 may be a conventionally known one. The communication control unit 38 controls communication, and the network interface unit 39 manages an interface with the network. is there.

FIG. 21 shows a flowchart in the terminal. (Step S18): An inquiry is made to the server using the LAN telephone number. (Step S19): Receive the IP address of the other party from the server. (Step S20): At that time, it is checked whether or not there are a plurality of IP addresses. (Step S21): If Step S20 is YES,
A call packet is sequentially transmitted to a plurality of partner terminals. (Step S22): If step S20 is NO, a call packet is transmitted to the destination terminal. (Step S23): An incoming packet is received from a certain partner terminal. (Step S24): The return packet from the server is ignored. (Step S25): A disconnection packet is transmitted to another partner terminal. (Step S26): A call is started. (Step S27): An incoming packet is received from the partner terminal. (Step S28): A call is started.

In the method of providing a grouped telephone number in a LAN and the method of using a grouped telephone number in a LAN according to the present invention, a program describing the method of providing and using the grouped telephone number is stored on a recording medium. The program can be read and used accordingly. Therefore, it goes without saying that the recording medium in which the program is described is an object of the present invention. Claims 9 to 12 correspond to this.

[0077]

As described above, according to the present invention, when a terminal in a network makes an inquiry about an IP address to a LAN telephone number server using a certain LAN telephone number, the terminal is registered in advance. By returning a plurality of IP addresses, it is possible to call a plurality of partner terminals with a certain number.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 shows an example of the existence of a unique LAN telephone number and a LAN telephone number server.

FIG. 2 shows an example of a terminal management table.

FIG. 3 shows an example of a group management table.

FIG. 4 shows an example of a group call sequence.

FIG. 5 shows a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 shows an example of a terminal management table.

FIG. 7 shows an example of a group management table.

FIG. 8 shows an example of a reply packet.

FIG. 9 shows a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 10 shows an example of a terminal management table.

FIG. 11 shows an example of a group management table.

FIG. 12 shows an example of a reply packet.

FIG. 13 shows a third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 14 shows an example of a terminal management table.

FIG. 15 shows an example of a group management table.

FIG. 16 shows an example of a reply packet.

FIG. 17 shows a configuration of an embodiment of a LAN telephone number server.

FIG. 18 shows a flowchart in the LAN telephone number server.

FIG. 19 shows another flowchart in the LAN telephone number server.

FIG. 20 shows an exemplary configuration of a terminal.

FIG. 21 shows a flowchart in a terminal.

FIG. 22 shows a configuration example of a prior application.

FIG. 23 shows an example of a terminal management table of the prior application.

FIG. 24 shows an example of a server management table of a prior application.

FIG. 25 shows a configuration example of the prior application.

FIG. 26 shows a first embodiment of the prior application.

FIG. 27 shows an example of a terminal management table of the prior application.

[Explanation of symbols]

701 PC of the data communication terminal 1 701a Microphone of the data communication terminal 1 701b Speaker of the data communication terminal 1 701c Internet telephone software of the data communication terminal 1 702 PC of the data communication terminal 2 702a Microphone of the data communication terminal 2 702b of the data communication terminal 2 Speaker 702c Internet phone software of data communication terminal 2 703 Personal computer of data communication terminal 3 703a Microphone of data communication terminal 3 703b Speaker of data communication terminal 3 703c Internet phone software of data communication terminal 3 704 Terminal connection device (TA) 705 Analog telephone 706 LAN telephone number server 707 Terminal management table 708 Group management table 1101 Personal computer of data communication terminal 1 1101a Microphone of data communication terminal 1 1101 Speaker 1101c of data communication terminal 1 Internet telephone software of data communication terminal 1102 Personal computer of data communication terminal 2 1102a Microphone of data communication terminal 2 1102b Speaker of data communication terminal 2 1102c Internet telephone software of data communication terminal 2 1103 Data communication terminal 3 1103a Microphone of data communication terminal 3 1103b Speaker of data communication terminal 3 1103c Internet telephone software of data communication terminal 3 1104 Terminal connection device (TA) 1105 Analog telephone 1106 LAN telephone number server 1107 Terminal management table 1108 Group management table 1501 Data Personal computer of communication terminal 1 1501a Microphone of data communication terminal 1 1501b Speaker of data communication terminal 1 1501c Data Internet telephone software of the communication terminal 1 1502 Personal computer of the data communication terminal 2 1502a Microphone of the data communication terminal 2 1502b Speaker of the data communication terminal 2 1502c Internet telephone software of the data communication terminal 2 1503 Personal computer of the data communication terminal 3 1503a of the data communication terminal 3 Microphone 1503b Speaker of data communication terminal 3 1503c Internet telephone software of data communication terminal 3 1504 Terminal connection device (TA) 1505 Analog telephone 1506 LAN telephone number server 1507 Terminal management table 1508 Group management table

──────────────────────────────────────────────────の Continuing on the front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁷ Identification code FI H04M 11/00 303 (72) Inventor Hiroshi Koyano Nippon Telegraph and Telephone Corporation (3-19-2 Nishishinjuku, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo) 56) References JP-A-11-122285 (JP, A) JP-A-10-271117 (JP, A) JP-A-10-173813 (JP, A) JP-A-9-83575 (JP, A) JP-A-8-139800 (JP, A) JP-A-8-32714 (JP, A) JP-A-7-147612 (JP, A) International publication 98/58475 (WO, A1) IEICE technical report (CQ) 97-51) Vol. 97 No. 350, Yasuhito Hayashi et al., "Investigation of Internet Phone System VocaLink Configuration Method", pages. 63-70 IEICE Technical Report (SS E97-67) Vol. 97 No. 241, Takuji Kishida et al., "A Study on the Linkage between Intelligent Networks and the Internet", pages. 55-60 Proceedings of the 1998 National Conference on Electronics and Information Technology, Communication 2, SB-11-8, Dai Ando, et al., "Internet Phone Software Configuration Method", p. 739 NTT R & D, Vol. 46 No. 9, 1997, Yasuhito Hayashi et al., "Technology for constructing the Internet telephone system" VocaLink ", pages. 985-994 (58) Field surveyed (Int. Cl. ⁷ , DB name) H04L 12/46 H04L 12/28 H04M 3/00 H04M 11/00 303 JICST file (JOIS)

Claims (12)

(57) [Claims] An Internet telephone system in a LAN in which a plurality of terminals are accommodated with respective IP addresses, wherein a LAN telephone number server having an IP address is connected to the LAN, and each of the plurality of terminals comprises A LAN telephone number is assigned to the group, and the LAN telephone number server has the L of the terminal accommodated in the LAN.
A terminal management table in which the AN telephone numbers are associated with IP addresses and the group LAN telephone numbers are associated with group settings, and the group LAN telephone numbers and the IP addresses or LAN telephone numbers of a plurality of terminals belonging to the group When the terminal transmits the LAN telephone number of the group to the LAN telephone number server, the LAN telephone number server searches the terminal management table and the group management table to find the group LAN table of the group. A method for providing a grouped telephone number within a LAN, wherein IP addresses of a plurality of terminals corresponding to telephone numbers are returned to said terminals in one return packet. 2. An Internet telephone system in a LAN in which a plurality of terminals are accommodated with respective IP addresses, wherein a LAN telephone number server having an IP address is connected to the LAN and each of the plurality of terminals comprises A LAN telephone number is assigned to the group, and the LAN telephone number server has the L of the terminal accommodated in the LAN.
A terminal management table in which the AN telephone numbers are associated with IP addresses and the group LAN telephone numbers are associated with group settings, and the group LAN telephone numbers and the IP addresses or LAN telephone numbers of a plurality of terminals belonging to the group When the terminal transmits the LAN telephone number of the group to the LAN telephone number server, the LAN telephone number server searches the terminal management table and the group management table to find the group LAN table of the group. Intra-LAN grouping, wherein IP addresses of a plurality of terminals corresponding to telephone numbers are sequentially returned to the terminals in a plurality of return packets including only one of the IP addresses of the plurality of terminals. How to provide phone numbers. 3. An Internet telephone system in a LAN in which a plurality of terminals are accommodated with respective IP addresses, wherein a LAN telephone number server having an IP address is connected to the LAN, and each of the plurality of terminals comprises The terminal assigns a LAN telephone number corresponding to the group. When the terminal inputs the LAN telephone number of the group to which the call is made, the terminal transmits the LAN telephone number of the group to the LAN telephone number server, and returns the group, LA
IP addresses of a plurality of terminals corresponding to the N telephone numbers are received from the LAN telephone number server in one return packet, and are sequentially sent to destination terminals belonging to the group based on the plurality of IP addresses obtained from the received return packet. A call packet is transmitted, and among the incoming packets returned from the other terminal, a voice call is started with respect to the first terminal that has performed the receiving operation first, and another call is made with respect to the other terminals. Is a method of using a grouped telephone number in a LAN, wherein a disconnection packet is returned to disconnect. 4. In an Internet telephone system in a LAN in which a plurality of terminals are accommodated with respective IP addresses, a LAN telephone number server having an IP address is connected to the LAN, and each of the plurality of terminals comprises The terminal assigns a LAN telephone number corresponding to the group. When the terminal inputs the LAN telephone number of the group to which the call is made, the terminal transmits the LAN telephone number of the group to the LAN telephone number server, and returns the group, LA
Receiving the IP addresses of the plurality of terminals corresponding to the N telephone numbers sequentially from the LAN telephone number server as a plurality of return packets including only one of the IP addresses of the plurality of terminals; Each time a call packet is sequentially transmitted to the destination terminals belonging to the group based on the IP address included in the return packet,
Of the incoming packets returned from the destination terminal, a voice call is started to the destination terminal that performed the earliest incoming operation, and a disconnection packet is returned to the other destination terminals. A method of using a grouped telephone number within a LAN, comprising disconnecting and returning the return packet from the LAN telephone number server after receiving the incoming packet. 5. An Internet telephone system in a LAN in which a plurality of terminals are accommodated with respective IP addresses, wherein a LAN telephone number server having an IP address is connected to the LAN, and each of the plurality of terminals comprises LAN telephone numbers are assigned to the groups. The LAN telephone number server associates the LAN telephone numbers of the terminals accommodated in the LAN with the IP addresses and associates the group LAN telephone numbers with the group settings. A terminal management table, a group management table in which the LAN telephone numbers of the group are associated with the IP addresses or LAN telephone numbers of a plurality of terminals belonging to the group, and a terminal management table that is searched to correspond to the LAN telephone number. Terminal management table search processing to find out the set IP address or group setting When the group management table search unit to search the IP address or LAN telephone number corresponding to the LAN telephone number of the group by searching the group management table, the plurality of terminals corresponding to the LAN telephone number of the group IP
Create a return packet that sends the address as a packet
A grouping telephone number providing means for providing a grouping telephone number within the LAN, comprising: sending means; and control means for controlling these means, wherein the control means comprises: a group LAN telephone number from the terminal; The terminal management table search processing means and the group management table search processing means are controlled based on the query information of the IP address corresponding to the grouped telephone number in the LAN from the command analysis unit when the terminal management table and the group management are received. The table is searched to find the IP addresses of a plurality of terminals corresponding to the LAN telephone numbers of the group, and the transmission packet creation / transmission means is controlled to send the IP addresses of the plurality of terminals to the terminal in one return packet. A device for providing a grouped telephone number within a LAN, wherein the device provides a reply. 6. An Internet telephone system in a LAN in which a plurality of terminals are accommodated with respective IP addresses, wherein a LAN telephone number server having an IP address is connected to the LAN, and each of the plurality of terminals comprises a plurality of terminals. LAN telephone numbers are assigned to the groups. The LAN telephone number server associates the LAN telephone numbers of the terminals accommodated in the LAN with the IP addresses and associates the group LAN telephone numbers with the group settings. A terminal management table, a group management table in which the LAN telephone numbers of the group are associated with the IP addresses or LAN telephone numbers of a plurality of terminals belonging to the group, and a terminal management table that is searched to correspond to the LAN telephone number. Terminal management table search processing to search for the set IP address or group setting When the group management table search unit to search the IP address or LAN telephone number corresponding to the LAN telephone number of the group by searching the group management table, the plurality of terminals corresponding to the LAN telephone number of the group IP
Create a return packet that sends the address as a packet
A grouping telephone number providing means for providing a grouping telephone number within the LAN, comprising: sending means; and control means for controlling these means, wherein the control means comprises: a group LAN telephone number from the terminal; The terminal management table search processing means and the group management table search processing means are controlled based on the query information of the IP address corresponding to the grouped telephone number in the LAN from the command analysis unit when the terminal management table and the group management are received. The table is searched to find the IP addresses of a plurality of terminals corresponding to the LAN telephone numbers of the group, and only one of the IP addresses of the plurality of terminals is included by controlling the return packet creation / transmission means. 2. A grouped telephone number in a LAN, wherein a plurality of return packets are sequentially returned to the terminal. Test equipment. 7. An Internet telephone system in a LAN in which a plurality of terminals are accommodated with respective IP addresses, wherein a LAN telephone number server having an IP address is connected to the LAN and each of the plurality of terminals comprises A LAN telephone number is assigned to each group, and the terminals are: LAN telephone number input means; LAN telephone number inquiry transmission / reception means; And a means for controlling these means, comprising means for using a grouped telephone number in LAN using a grouped telephone number in LAN, wherein the grouped telephone number in LAN activated from an Internet telephone function unit. In the control means of the use means, the LAN telephone number of the group to which the call is made from the LAN telephone number input means. Is input, the LAN telephone number inquiry transmission / reception means is controlled to transmit the LAN telephone number of the group to the LAN telephone number server, and a plurality of terminals corresponding to the LAN telephone number of the group, which is a reply, are transmitted. When one return packet including the IP address is received from the LAN telephone number server, a plurality of return packets obtained from the return packet received by controlling the means for generating and transmitting a call / disconnection packet within the LAN, receiving an incoming packet, and starting / stopping a call. A call packet is sequentially transmitted to the destination terminals belonging to the group based on the IP address of the group, and voice is transmitted to the destination terminal that has performed the earliest incoming operation among the incoming packets returned from the destination terminal. The LA is characterized in that a call is started and a disconnection packet is sent back to the other destination terminal to disconnect it.
Grouped telephone number utilization device in N. 8. An Internet telephone system in a LAN in which a plurality of terminals are accommodated with respective IP addresses, wherein a LAN telephone number server having an IP address is connected to the LAN and each of the plurality of terminals comprises A LAN telephone number is assigned to each group, and the terminals are: LAN telephone number input means; LAN telephone number inquiry transmission / reception means; And a means for controlling these means, comprising means for using a grouped telephone number in LAN using a grouped telephone number in LAN, wherein the grouped telephone number in LAN activated from an Internet telephone function unit. In the control means of the use means, the LAN telephone number of the group to which the call is made from the LAN telephone number input means. Is input, the LAN telephone number inquiry transmission / reception means is controlled to transmit the LAN telephone number of the group to the LAN telephone number server, and a plurality of terminals corresponding to the LAN telephone number of the group, which is a reply, are transmitted. When the IP address is sequentially received from the LAN telephone number server as a plurality of return packets including only one of the IP addresses of the plurality of terminals, the transmission / reception of incoming call / disconnection packet in the LAN and the reception of the incoming packet are performed. By controlling the start / stop means, each time the return packet is sequentially received, the I
A call packet is sequentially transmitted to the destination terminals belonging to the group based on the P address, and a voice is transmitted to the destination terminal that has performed the earliest receiving operation among the incoming packets returned from the destination terminal. In addition to starting a call, a disconnection packet is sent back to the other destination terminal to disconnect the call, and after receiving an incoming packet, the LAN telephone number server ignores the return packet even if sent. Grouped telephone number using device in LAN. 9. A recording medium used for an Internet telephone system in a LAN in which a plurality of terminals are accommodated with respective IP addresses, wherein a LAN telephone number server having an IP address is connected to the LAN, and a plurality of terminals are connected to the LAN. A LAN telephone number is assigned to each of the configured groups, and the LAN telephone number server has the L of the terminal accommodated in the LAN.
A terminal management table in which the AN telephone numbers are associated with IP addresses and the group LAN telephone numbers are associated with group settings, and the group LAN telephone numbers and the IP addresses or LAN telephone numbers of a plurality of terminals belonging to the group When the terminal transmits the LAN telephone number of the group to the LAN telephone number server, the LAN telephone number server searches the terminal management table and the group management table to find the group LAN table of the group. A recording medium storing a program for providing grouped telephone numbers in a LAN, wherein IP addresses of a plurality of terminals corresponding to telephone numbers are returned to said terminals in one return packet. 10. A recording medium used in an Internet telephone system in a LAN in which a plurality of terminals are accommodated with respective IP addresses, wherein a LAN telephone number server having an IP address is connected to the LAN, and a plurality of terminals are connected. A LAN telephone number is assigned to each of the configured groups, and the LAN telephone number server has the L of the terminal accommodated in the LAN.
A terminal management table in which the AN telephone numbers are associated with IP addresses and the group LAN telephone numbers are associated with group settings, and the group LAN telephone numbers and the IP addresses or LAN telephone numbers of a plurality of terminals belonging to the group When the terminal transmits the LAN telephone number of the group to the LAN telephone number server, the LAN telephone number server searches the terminal management table and the group management table to find the group LAN table of the group. Intra-LAN grouping, wherein IP addresses of a plurality of terminals corresponding to telephone numbers are sequentially returned to the terminals in a plurality of return packets including only one of the IP addresses of the plurality of terminals. A recording medium on which a telephone number providing program is recorded. 11. A recording medium used for an Internet telephone system in a LAN in which a plurality of terminals are accommodated with respective IP addresses, wherein a LAN telephone number server having an IP address is connected to the LAN, A LAN telephone number is assigned to each of the groups to be configured. When the terminal inputs the LAN telephone number of the group to which the call is made, the terminal transmits the LAN telephone number of the group to the LAN telephone number server and replies. LA of the group that is
IP addresses of a plurality of terminals corresponding to the N telephone numbers are received from the LAN telephone number server in one return packet, and are sequentially sent to destination terminals belonging to the group based on the plurality of IP addresses obtained from the received return packet. A call packet is transmitted, and among the incoming packets returned from the other terminal, a voice call is started with respect to the first terminal that has performed the receiving operation first, and another call is made with respect to the other terminals. A recording medium storing a LAN grouped telephone number utilization program, wherein the recording medium is used for returning a disconnection packet and disconnecting. 12. A recording medium used for an Internet telephone system in a LAN in which a plurality of terminals are accommodated with respective IP addresses, wherein a LAN telephone number server having an IP address is connected to the LAN, and a plurality of terminals are connected. A LAN telephone number is assigned to each of the groups to be configured. When the terminal inputs the LAN telephone number of the group to which the call is made, the terminal transmits the LAN telephone number of the group to the LAN telephone number server and replies. LA of the group that is
Receiving the IP addresses of the plurality of terminals corresponding to the N telephone numbers sequentially from the LAN telephone number server as a plurality of return packets including only one of the IP addresses of the plurality of terminals; Each time a call packet is sequentially transmitted to destination terminals belonging to the group based on the IP address included in the return packet,
Of the incoming packets returned from the destination terminal, a voice call is started to the destination terminal that performed the earliest incoming operation, and a disconnection packet is returned to the other destination terminals. A recording medium storing a program for using a grouped telephone number in a LAN, characterized in that the program is disconnected and, after receiving an incoming packet, the return packet is ignored even if the return packet is sent from the LAN telephone number server.