权利要求

[FIELD OF THE INVENTION]

The present invention relates to a network control system for offering a plurality of remote services such as chat, distribution of data (mail), RCS (remote computer service) and processingsa for nona-attendant subscriber.

Recently, it is considered to execute the processing while realizing communication with remote terminal units through a communication network and it is therefoe desired to effectively utilize the communication line for this purpose. Moreover, for the communication within the public network or in the network coupling the public network and private network, a low cost communication network is enough in some cases for use in accordance with the connection profile of networks. When a large amount of images are transmitted like the recent communications, reduction of communication cost explained above becomes a very important problem. In addition, if a distant subscriber is absent, it is now desired to to provide a system which can offer the services by urgently calling the distant subscriber.

[BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION]

In these years, a communication network is more and more complicated as shown in Fig. 29. Namely, certain terminal units are connected with a public network and a certain terminal units are coupled with a private line (so-called private leased line network) and these terminal units are capable of making communication for variety of information including image information.

Fig. 29 shows an example of the network. In this figure, the numeral 1 denotes public network; 2, private line; 10A, 10B, 10C, 10D, groups respectively; 3A, 3B, 3C, 3D, terminal units as control stations; 4A, 4B, 4C, 4D, ordinary terminal units respectively.

The terminal units 3, 4 are respectively decided that these are connected with the same communication network and are adjacent in regional and thereby classified into the groups 10A, 10B,......

In each group, at least one terminal unit as control station 3A, 3B,..... is provided and some control stations are connected with both the public network 1 and private line 2.

Under the network as shown in Fig. 29, it is recently desired to execute a plurality of remote services, between terminal units, such as chats, message distribution (mail), RCS (Remote Computer Service) and processing for the distant subscriber who is absent. It is certainly desired to realize the remote service as explained above but it conceives following problems.

Namely, in the prior art, since the communication line is continuously set open during the services, the dead time where transmission and reception are not carried out in direct is also counted for communication cost. Moreover, in order to avoid such counting, it is considered to open or close the communication line. However, in this case, an operator must take part in the operation to attain such purpose.

Moreover, application charge of public network is not proportional to application distance and the application charge in a certain application area sometimes becomes higher, in a certain area, than the sum of the charge to a certain intermediate point and the charge to the target point from such intermediate point. However, in this case, the application profile in which the charges are lowered, for example, by employing a repeating means does not still exist now.

Moreover, even in case a plurality of long-length distant terminal units for transferring data are distributed and the distant terminal units are located very closely, it is necessary to individually send data through long-length communication to respective distant terminal units.

In addition, a private line is provided for reduction of communication cost but it is desired to take a connection profile introducing such advantage as cost merit of private line and an advantage that the public network is extending in the nation wide scale considering the conditions of respective terminal units even for making communmication to terminal units on the public network from the terminal units connected to such private line or to the terminal units on the private line from that of public network.

Furthermore, realization of such message distribution (mail) conceives following problems.

Figs. 30(a) and (b) schematically show the systems as the prior art for distributing real data to the other terminal units (receiving station) 122 124 from the one terminal unit (transmitting station) 121 and respective systems wil then be explained hereunder. In Fig. 30(a), the transmitting station 121 transmits the real data, for example, the conference proceedings to be circulated to the first receiving station 122 and this receiving station 122 confirms and processes contents of data received and then once returns it to the transmitting station 121. When the transmitting station 121 confirms existence of the data returned from the first receiving station 122, it transmits such returned data to the second receiving station 123 and the second receiving station 123 also confirms and processes contents of data in the same way as explained above and then once returns the data to the transmitting station 121. Such method is repeated, for example, for the stations after the third receiving station 124 to sequentially distribute real data from the transmitting station 121.

In the case of Fig. 30(b), when the transmitting station 121 transmits real data to the host center 130, this host center 130 then functions in place of the transmitting station 121 to send or receive the real data sequentially with the receiving stations 122 124 and sequentially distributes data from the host center 130.

In such a prior art, since after a certain receiving station receives real data, the real data checked and processed is certainly returned to the transmitting station and it is then transmitted to the next receiving station, the real data goes forward and then backward through the communication path. As a result, here rises a problem that since application of line becomes uneffective and the information system in the transmitting station or the host center must always be operated, the other necessary processings are set in the queue condition in the transmitting station.

In addition, realization of RCS explained above also conceives following problems.

Fig. 31 is a diagram for explaning the prior art indicating the inter-terminal communication by the data through system.

In Fig. 31, 201 denotes predtermined terminal; 202 (202-1 202-6), terminal units other than the predetermined terminal unit 201 (ordinary terminal unit); 215, switching equipment and communicatioin network (or public network).

Communication between terminal units 202 is carried out, as shown in the figure, through the predetermined terminal unit 201. The predetermined terminal unit 201 is a computer (hereinafter referred to as host) determined as host for communication between terminal units in this network.

For example, when the terminal unit 202-1 wants to start communication with the terminal unit 202-3, following processings are carried out. First, the request issuing terminal unit 202-1 connects the line to the host 201 through the switching equipment and communication network 215 and notifies the terminal unit number of the request issuing terminal unit 202-3. The host 201 knows the telephone number of the terminal unit 202-3 from this terminal unit number and connects the line to the terminal unit 202-3 through the switching equipment and communication network 215. Thereafter, data transfer is carried out between the terminal units 202-1 and 202-3. First, data is sent, for example, to the host 201 from the terminal unit 202-1 and this data is then sent to the terminal unit 202-3 from the host 201. Therefore, the host 201 executes the processing (data through processing) to send in direct the data received from the line connected to the terminal unit 202-1 to the line connected to the terminal unit 202-3.

When communication to the terminal unit 202 is carried out through the data through processing executed by the host (predetermined terminal unit) 201 as explained above, following problems are generated.

As shown in Fig. 31, it is considered there that a plurality of communications such as the communication between terminal units 202-1 and 202-3, communication between terminal units 202-2 and 202-4 and communication beteween terminal units 202-5 and 202-6 are carried out almost simultaneously to the host 201. In this case, it is necessary to conduct the data through processinga corresponding to respective communication requests, but the resultant load becomes considerably heavy for the host 201. Accordingly, it is also probable that the host 201 can no longer execute the other processings. On the contrary, since the host 201 is not a switching equipment but a computer, the number of connecting lines and the switching function are restricted. Therefore, if the communication request is concentrated at a time, communication becomes impossible in some cases due to the cause occurring in the side of host 201.

During the processing conducted when the distant subscriber is absent, following problems are also included.

In the case of asking an operator for searching a supervisor of the absent terminal unit, situation becomes troublesome because the supervisor is requested to previously notify the destination to the operator of own terminal unit. Moreover, if the supervisor has forgot to notify the destination to an operatior, a problem occurs that it is no longer possible to find out the destination of supervisor. In the case of searching the destination of supervisor by utilizing absent transfer function of the telephone set, a problem also rises that if the destination of supervisor changes from time to time, it is also impossible to find out the destination of supervisor. Namely, the absent terminal unit is not provided with the function to make communication with the transmitting other terminal units and furthermore not provided with the fucntion to search the supervisor.

(Disclosure of the Invention]

The present invention is intended to solve various problems explained above and Fig. 1 is a diagram for explaining the principle of the present invention. In this figure, numeral 1 denotes communication network (public network); 2, private line; 10A, 10B, 10C, 10d, group; 3A, 3B, 3C, 3D, terminal units as control station; 4A, 4B, 4C, 4D, ordinary terminal unit.

The terminal units 3, 4 are respectively classified into the groups 10A, 10B, ...... upon judgement that these are connected to the same communication network and are closed regionally.

Each group allows existence of at least one terminal unit 3A, 3B,.... as the control station and is provided with the extracting function and notifying function. For instance, the extracting function of the terminal unit 3A as the control station is structured so that the terminal information can be detected as shown in the figure by (i) holding the terminal units (3A, 4A) belonging at least to the self group 10A on the memorya and (ii) making enquiry to the corresponding terminal units 3B, 3C as the control station as required for the terminal units (3B, 4B, 3C, 4C....) belonging to the other terminals 10B, 10C, whethere these should be held on the memory or not.

In regard to the terminal information,

(i) I-NO:

Described as the terminal unit ID

(ii) Group name:

Described as the control station terminal unit ID to be incorporated to any control station terminal unit

(iii)Type:

Described as the network ID to be connected to any network

(iv) Communication mode:

Described to be connected in any connecting mode

   The terminal units 3A, 3B, 3C, 3D and terminal units 4A, 4B, 4C, 4D have the structure conceptionally indicated in the lower half region of Fig. 1. Namely, 1, 4A in the figure correspond to the upper half region of Fig. 1. 13 denotes transmitting processing function part; 14, receiving processing function part; 15, transmitting table; 16, receiving table; 17, connection timing table prepared by the present invention; 18, distribution command for distributing to various processings corresponding to reception based on concentration of received communication command; 19-1, 19-2 indicate appalication processing programs.

The transmitting table 15 and receiving table 16 have the function to temporarily realize buffering of the communication commands to be transmitted and the received communication command.

The transmitting processing function part 13 and receiving processing function part 14 are provided with the function to take a measure for communication protocol corresponding to various services, for example, the remote computing service of the terminal units 3i and 4i. The relevant service includes the screen display function for transmitting at least the information including the display screen to the other terminal units to display such informatino and the chat function fopr making communication with the other terminal units on the real time basis by operating the keyboard.

The connection timing table 17 describes each "mode" corresponding to various services and instructions for opening and closing communication lines corresponding to various communication codes under the relevant operation mode.

Corresponding to transmission of communication commands to the other terminal unit, for example, 4B, the mode and communication code described in the relevant communication command are decoded, the connection timing table 17 is indexed on the basis of the relevant mode and communication code and the communicatioin line is opened or closed in accordance with the content of table 17.

Namely, it is instructed how the communication should be closed or opened corresponding to individual communication code under individual mode. For instance, in the mail processing to distribute information to the other terminal units, the communication line is opened corresponding to the communication command describing the mail notification (ML) code or mail substitution (MI) code and is closed corresponding to recepton of OK data from the distant terminal unit. Moreover, in the case of the screen display processing, (i) the communication line is opened corresponding communication command describing the terminal unit output data transmitting (TS0 code, fixed data transmitting (CS) code and variable data transmitting (VS) code and is closed corresponding to reception of the OK data from the distant terminal unit, (ii) the communication line is opened corresponding to the communication command describing terminal unit output data request (TR) code, fixed data request (CR) code and variable data request (VR) code and is closed corresponding to reception of the real data from the distant terminal unit, (iii) the communication line is opened corresponding to the communication command describing the missing mode notification (MM) code and missing mode cancellation (MN) code and is closed corresponding to reception of OK data from the distant terminal.

At the receiving side terminal unit, various processings are distributed corresponding to reception and respective processings are executed based on the contents of communication command trasmitted from the distant terminal units.

Fig. 2 is the main flow indicating the processing profle at the terminal unit in the present invention.

The terminal unit executes ordinary processings corresponding to start of system operation. When the operation mode, (i) chat mode, (ii) distribution (mail) mode, (iii) RCS mode, (iv) processing for absent distant subscriber (absent registration/processing in the figure) is designated, for example, manually during the ordinary processing, any processing designated is executed. Of course, in the case of the other modes, the ordinary processing corresponding thereto is executed, completing the operation.

[BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS]

• Fig. 1 is a diagram for explaining the principle of the present invention;
• Fig. 2 is a main flow indicating the processing profile at the terminal unit in the present invention;
• Fig. 3 is an operation flow of chat;
• Fig. 4 and Fig. 5 are operation flows of distribution;
• Fig. 6 is an operation flow of RCS;
• Fig. 7 is absent registration/aprocessing start operation flow;
• Fig. 8 is an operation flow of the communication processing system;
• Fig. 9 is content of description as an embodiment of the connection timing table;
• Fig. 10 is a diagram indicating an example of the screen display processing;
• Fig. 11 is a conceptional diagram of distribution mode;
• Fig. 12 is an example of structure of the terminal unit forming a distribution system;
• Fig. 13 is an embodiment of flow in the control part of Fig. 12;
• Fig. 14 is a structure for data through processing in the RCS mode;
• Fig. 15 is a structure of terminal unit as the host;
• Fig. 16 is a communication flow between terminal units forming a drawing with a couple of drawins (1 and 2);
• Fig. 17 is a diagram for explaining the condition of inter-terminal communication;
• Fig. 18(a), (b), (c) are diagrams for explaining the principle of the absent registration/processing mode;
• Fig. 19 is a diagram indicating the principal structure of the absent terminal unit;
• Fig. 20 is a flowchart indicating an example of the absent registration/processing operation;
• Fig. 21 is a diagram for explaining a communicatioin control system;
• Fig. 22 to Fig. 26 are communication modes by the present invention;
• Fig. 27 is a processing profile in direct communication;
• Fig. 28 is a processing profile for communication through the control unit as the control station;
• Fig. 29 is an example of the network;
• Figs. 30(a), (b) are schematic diagrams of the prior art of distribution mode; and
• Fig. 31 is a diagram for explaining prior art of RCS mode.

[PREFERRED EMBODIMENT OF THE PRESENT INVENTION]

Fig. 3 indicates an operation flow of chat. Fig. 4 and Fig. 5 indicate operation flows of message distribution. Fig. 6 indicates an operation flow of RSC. Fig. 7 indicates absent registration/ processing start operation flow. Moreover, Fig. 8 summarizes operation flow of "communication processing system" in the flows shownin Fig. 3 to Fig. 6.

As an example of the communication command used in the present invention, a data format

is provided, and

• (i) First indicates start of communication;
• (ii) Next two characters (XX) give the communication code. This code is always followed by the parenthesis (.
• (iii)Next to the parenthesis ( , self terminal unit number (ordinary given by the 9 digits) and the other terminal unit number (ordinarya given by the 9 digits) are described.
• (iv) Following the other terminal unit number, a logic command (ordinary given by the 6 digits) is given. Content of the relevant logic command can be thought to designate the operation "mode" in the present invention.
• (v) Following the logic command, the brackets [XX......] are used when data is required and data is written between the brackets [ and ].
• (vi) Finally, the data is completed with the parenthesis ) .

Fig. 9 indicates contents of description in the embodiment of the connection timing table.

• (1) Under the screen display processing mode,

  • (i) The communication line is opened corresponding to transmission of communication command describing any of the communication codes TS, CS and VS and the closed corresponding to reception of the OK data from a distant terminal unit.
  • (ii)The communication line is opened corresponding to transmission of communication command describing any of the communication codes TR,CR and VR and then closed corresponding to reception of real data from a distant terminal unit.
  • (iii)The communication line is opened corresponding to transmission of communication command describing any of the communication codes MM and MN and then closed corresponding to reception of OK data from a distant terminal unit.

• (2) Under the mail processing mode for message distribution, the communication line is opened corresponding to transmission of communication command describing any of the communication modes ML and MI and is then closed corresponding to reception of the OK data from a distant terminal unit.
• (3) Under the chat processing mode, the communication line is opened corresponding to transmission of the communication command describing the communication code CH and is then closed corresponding to reception of the chat end data from a distant terminal unit.

In the same way, the communication line is opened (refer to the column of connection in the figure) corresponding to transmission of the communication command describing various communication codes indicated in the figure and is then closed corresponding to reception of the contents described in the column of the disconnection in the figure, in accordance with the save processing mode (4) where data is saved to the other terminal units when a fault is generated, the temporary center processing mode (5) established for making communication with host, personal ID processing mode (6) for transmitting personal ID, and clock processing mode (7) for sending clock data.

Various communication codes designate the processings indicated in Table 1.

Fig. 10 shows an example of the screen display processing. 4A, 4B respectively correspond to Fig.1. 21 denotes display providing a keyboard; 22, pointing device; 23, display table storing contents displayed on the display 21; 24, current display atrribute table describing attribute of the screen currently displayed on the display 21; 25, terminal output file; 26, application program.

When the terminal unit 4A requests the display generated by the other terminal unit 4B (processing 1), the requested screen is transferred from the terminal output file 25 of the terminal unit 4B. It is then displayed on the display 21 and is described on the current display attribute table 24 (processing 2 ). When instruction is issued using the pointing device 22 at the terminal unit 4A, the program is started (processing 3 ). The started application program 26 is capable of displaying another screen for the terminal unit 4A connected now in accordance with the request of screen (processing 4 ). Moreover, the application program 26 sends a message to the display table 23 of the terminal unit 4A (processing 5 ) and is alos receiving the data such as data input request from the terminal unit 4A (processing 5 ).

The flowchart will be explained hereunder. If the chat mode is selected in the processing selection in Fig. 2, "processing A" of Fig. 3 is executed. The relevant "processing A" is carried out in the sam manner at the area given the mark "Processing A" in Fig. 4 to Fig. 6.

In the case of Fig. 3, reference is made to the connection timing table 17 as shown in Fig. 1 and the processing A starts. In the processing A, reference is also made to the distant terminal unit by indexing the terminal information file (File 1) existing in the terminal units 3A, 3B, 3C, 3D,... as the control station. Namely, based onthe contents of connection timing table 17 shown in Fig. 1, the transmitting processing function part 13 utilizes the transmission table 15 to make communication with the control station terminal unit 3A and searches information of a distant terminal unit by indexing the terminal information file (FILE 1). Next, if the distant terminal unit cannot be confirmed (in the cae of NG), the distant terminal uncheking information is displayed by CRT and the operation returns to 5 of Fig. 2. However, when the distant terminal unit can be confirmed (in the case of OK), a type of distant terminal unit is judged and the communication in the chat mode starts.

The "communication processing system" including the communication under the chat mode will be explained with reference to Fig. 8 in practical but the area wherein the arow mark is described like the brackets in relation to the "communication processing system" shown in Fig. 3 corresponds to the flow for making communication by a certain terminal unit in direct with the other terminal units without intervention of a control station terminal unit.

The transmitting processing function part 13 shown in Fig. 1 repeats the operations for opening (connecting) the communication line corresponding to chat request (transmission) and chat end request by indexing the connection timing table 17 and for receiving information from a distant terminal unit but the line is disconnected (line is closed) when the data is not transmitted and received. In Fig. 3, the arrow mark like the bracket is described in the latter half thereof. This arrow mark means that the operation in the area corresponding to the arrow mark is the processing based on "communication processing system". This is also applied to Fig. 4 to Fig. 6.

As shown in the operation flow of Fig. 3, the line is once disconnected for each transmission and reception for the communication under the chat mode and thereby the line application efficiency may be improved. The timings for connection and disconnection are described in the connection timing table.

If the message distribution mode is selected in the processing selection of Fig. 2, reference is made to the connection timing table (17 in Fig. 1) as shown in Fig. 4(A) and a distribution method is selected. As shown in the figure, processing proceeds to the step (2-1) of Fig. 4(B) for the designation of "To single terminal unit", or to the step (2-2) of Fig. 5 for the designation of "Registered pattern (plural terminal units)", or to the step (2-3) of Fig. 5 for the designation of "Desired pattern". Here, the designation "To single terminal unit" means distribution to a single terminal unit, "registered pattern" means distribution to a plurality of terminal units in accordance with the distribution sequence pattern previously registered, and "desired pattern" means distribution to a plurality of terminal units in accordance with the desired distribution sequence pattern.

In the case of "To signle terminal unit", data is transmitted to a distant terminal unit under the "communication system" through the "processing A" shown in Fig. 3 and reception is confirmed as shown in Fig. 4(B).

In the case of "registered pattern", when the instruction for selecting the registered pattern from the step (2-2) of Fig. 5, the "distribution pattern retrieval" is carried out. Namely, the previously registered distribution pattern is read from the distribution pattern file (FILE 2).

In the case of the "desired pattern", the distribution sequence is designated by manual input from the step (2-3) of Fig. 5 and the distribution sequence data is generated.

In the cases of the "registered pattern" and "desired pattern", the data to be distributed are sequentially transmitted to the distant terminal units under the "communication processing system" through the "processing A" as shown in Fig. 2. Namely, the distant terminals having received the data transmits first the check signal, then analyzes sequence data and transmits the data to the next distant terminal unit. Upon completion of distribution to all distant terminal units, it is notified to confirm completion of transmission.

In the distribution mode of the present invention, only the data for indicating in which terminal unit the reception is carried out is returned, for example, to the transmitting station in place of returning the real data between the transitting station and receiving station, in order to solve the problems explained with reference to Fig. 30.

Fig. 11 indicates a conceptional diagram of the distribution mode. In this figure, the transmitting station 4₁ transmits the real data to be distributed of own station and the distribution sequence data for designating the distribution sequence of a plurality of receiving stations 4₂ 4_n to the first receiving station 4₂ through the communication network 1.

Thereby, the first receiving station 4₂ sends, upon confirming the reception, the real data to the next receiving station 4₃ through the communication network 1 in accordance with the distribution sequence designated by the transmitting station 4₁ and thereafter the real data is transferred between the receiving stations 4₂ 4_n through the communication network 2 in accordance with the distribution sequence.

Moreover, in the present invention, when the receiving stations 4₂ 4_n receives distributed real data, these stations return the reception confirming information to the transmitting station through the communication network 1 and the final receiving station returns the reception confirming information and real data.

Fig. 12 schematically shows an embodiment of a terminal unit forming the distribution system comprising an input/output unit 31 for executing input/output operation of ditributed real data and termination confirming job in common to the transmitting station and receiving station, a file 32 for storing and outputting the distributed real data and distributioncontrol information (distribution sequence information, confirming information) and a sequential distribution control/system control part (input/output table) 33 for controlling input and display of the distributed real data anda distribution control information for the input/output unit 31 and also controlling storage and output of distributed real data and distribution control information for the file 32 and controlling transmission and reception of distributed real data and distribution control information for the other external terminal units through the communication network 1.

Next, operations of control part of Fig. 12 will be explained with reference to the flowcharts shown in Fig. 11 and Fig. 13.

First, each terminal unit decides that self station is set to the transmitting station or the receiving station (step S0).

As a result of this decision, each terminal unit operates as follow in accordance with the setting.

In the case of transmitting station:

1 Distributed real data identifying operaiton (step S1)

The control part 33 identifies the distributed real data input from the input/output unit 31 by storing it in the file 32.

2 Sequential distribution path deciding operation (step S2)

Next, the sequential distribution path information (hereinafter, referred to as distribution sequence data) is input from the input/output unit 31 and is then stored in the file 32.

3 Distributing operation (step S3)

The control part 33 fetches the distributed real data and distribution sequence data from the file 32 and combines these data as th one data and distributes to the first receiving station 4₂ through the communication network 1. This distribution sequence data is given, for example as the numerical character string of terminal unit numbers in the distribution sequence and takes the form as the terminal unit number of the first receiving station 4₂, terminal unit number of the second receiving station 4₃, ....., terminal unit number of the nth receiving station 4_n, and the terminal unit number of the self station (receiving station).

4 Distribution confirming operation (step S4)

The transmitting station 4₁ is capable of confirming the sequential distribution condition of the receiving stations 4₂ 4_n with is control part 33 by the a couple of following methods.

• a) A method where each receiving station 4₂ 4_n sends the receiving and distributing conditions to the transmitting station 4₁ through the communicaton network during the reception and distribution of data.
• b) A method where the transmitting station 4₁ confirms the distributing condition of each receiving station through the communication network 1.

5 Final receiving operation (step S5)

Upon confirming completion of confirming operation, the final receiving station 4_n returns the distributed real data to the transmitting station 4₁.

In the case of receiving station (first receiving station and intermediate receiving station):

6 Distributed real data receiving operation (step S6)

The receiving station receives the distributed real data in the control part 33 and automatically stores such data in the file 32 and outputs such data for confirmation of contents to the input/output unit 31 from the file 32 as required so that the users can make reference to the distributed real data.

7 Distributed real data confirming operation (step S7)

The reception confirming information indicating that contents of distributed real data has been confirmed by the confirming job (step S6) is returned to the transmitting station 4₁ (confirming method a explained above) or the reception confirming information is prepared and it is set in the queuing condition until the enquiry for confirming reception (confirming method b explained above) is received from the transmitting station 4₁.

8 Distributing operation (step S8)

After the end of reception contents confirming job at the receiving station, data is then distributed to the next receiving station base on the sequence data.

In this case, data is transmitted through the communication network 1 in the form of the distributed real data + distribted sequence data.

In the case of receiving station (final receiving staton):

9 Distributed real data receiving operation (step S9)

   Same as 6 (step S6)

10 Distributed real data confirming operation (step S10)

   Same as 7 (step S7)

11 Distributing operation (step S11)

When the self station is decided as the final receiving station 4_n (step S0), the real data is returned to the transmitting station 4₁.

Whether the self station is decided as the final receiving statio_n or not can be discriminated from the sequence data.

When it is assumed that the RCS mode is selected in the processing section in Fig. 2, reference is made to the connection timing table 17 shown in Fig. 1, and the communication processing under the "communication processing system" starts as shown in Fig. 6 through the "processing A" of Fig. 3. The processings after the "communication processing system" shown in Fig. 6 correspond to the processings in such a case that intervention of control station terminal unit is unnecessary because the distant terminal unit exists within the self group, for example, 10A in Fig. 1. The processings in such a case that intervention of control station terminal unit is necessary will be explained later with reference to Fig. 8.

For example, if the terminal unit T₁ in Fig. 1 connectsthe line to the distant terminal unit T₂ to issue a program processing request under the "communication processing system" shown in Fig. 6, the program in the self station at the distant terminal unit T₂ is started and executed. When required during the processing, the data is requested. In the side of terminal unit T1, uppon reception of the request, the line to the terminal unit T₂ is once disconnected. When an operator inputs the desired data, the line is connected again to send the data. The terminal unit T₂ executes the program by data input processing. Upon completion of program, the terminal unit T₂ notifies the end of program to the terminal unit T₁ and the terminal unit T₁ confirms that the preceding program processing request is completed. It is a matter of course that the result of processing carried out during the request program processing is sent to the terminal unit T₁, corresponding to notification for the end of program.

In the RCS mode of the present invention, the RCS mode which has solved the problems explained with reference to Fig. 31, namely the problem that a load at the terminal unit operating as the host increases is provided.

Fig. 14 is a structure for executing the data through processing in the RCS mode and Fig. 15 is a structure of the terminal unit operating as the host. Fig. 16 is a flow of communication between the terminal units forming the one drawing in combination with two drawings (drawings 1 and 2). Fig. 17 is a diagram for explaining the condition of communication between terminal units.

In Fig. 14, 3A is host (predetermined terminal unit); 4 (4A, 4D), (ordinary) terminal other than the host 3A; 40, switching equipment; 1, communication network; 41, switching line.

The terminal unit 4 is provided in plural units and communication with data transfer is carried out between these terminal units. This communication is controlled bythe host 3A. Therefore, the terminal 4 is connected to the switching equipment 40 and host 3A through the communication network1 and switching line 41.

The host 3A is a predetermined terminal unit in this network and is a computer decided as the host for the communication with the terminal unit 4. The host 3A controls the switching equipment 40 for communication with the terminal unit 4.

The switching equipment 40 connects, as required, the host 3A and terminal unit 4 through the communication network 1 (and switching line 41). Moreover, the switching equipment 40 also switches the switching line 41. Moreover, the switching equipment 40 connects the terminal unit 2 in accordance with control from the host 3A throuth the communication network 1 (and switching line 41). Moreover, for this purpose, the switching equipment 40 also switches the switching line 41.

Here, it is assumed that the one terminal unit 4A makes communication with the other terminal unit 4D.

The terminal unit 4A calls the host 3A through the switching equipment 40 and requests communication with the terminal unit 4D.

In accordance with this request, the host 3A calls the terminal unit 4D through the switching equipment 40 and confirms the terminal unit 4D by waiting for the response from the terminal unit 4D. In this timing, the host 3A is connected with both terminals units 4A and 4D through the switching line 41 by the switching equipment 40.

Thereafter, the host 3A controls the switching equipment 40 to connect the terminal units 4A and 4D.

The switching equipment 40 connects the terminal units 4A and 4D in accordance with this control. Namely, it switches the line so that the switching ine 41 from the terminal units 4A and 4D connected to the host 3A is then disconnected from the host 3A and switch with each other. The switching equipment 40 then sends the data transmitted from the terminal unit 4A to the terminal unit 4D in direct.

Thereby, data through during the communication with the terminal unit 4 may be realized in the side of the switching equipment 40 not in the side of host 3A. Therefore, the load of host 3A can be eased and the host 3A can be used for the other processings. Moreover, the line control may be realized for the lines of the larger number than that of the network ports of the host 3A and thereby communication with the terminal unit 4can be made smoothly because restriction on the communication resultin from the number of connecting lines and switching function can be eliminated remarkably.

Fig. 15 shows a structure of the embodiment and mainly shows the structure of the host 3A.

In Fig. 15, 42 is interface part; 43, control line; 44, control part; 45, communication control part; 46, processing part; 47, switching control part; 48, terminal control file; 49, transmitting and receiving part.

The host 3A comprises a control part 44 for executing the processing such as the data through control in the communication with the terminal unit 4, a transmitting and receiving part 49for making communication with the terminal unit 4 and a terminal control file 48 operating as the data base for network control.

The transmitting and receiving part 49 is a modem for conversion between the electric (base band) signal and voice band signal and transmission or reception of such signal. The transmitting and receiving part 49 is connected with the switching equipment 42 through the switching line 41. Therefore, communication between the host 3A and terminal unit 4 is carried out through the switching line 41.

The host 3A is called from the terminal unit 4 using the representative telephone number. Accordingly the host 3A can receive the communication request from the other terminal unit 4, switches the line and controls data through even when it is executing transmission and reception of data with the one terminal unit, in addition to the fact that the host 3A does not conduct data through.

Moreover, the host 3A is connected to the communication network 51 through the switching equipment 40. The terminal unit 4 is connected with the communication network 1. Therefore, the switching equipment 40 is provided between the host 3A and terminal unit 4 or communicaton network 1 (refer to Fig. 14). With such structure, data through to be conducted in the host 3A can be realized smoothly by the switching equipment 40 provided in the preceding stage.

The terminal control file 48 stores the terminal unit number and telephone number of each terminal unit 4 of the network. Thereby, the host 3A is capable of controlling all terminal units 4 based on the terminal unit numbers. Thereby, when the telephone number of a terminal unit 4 is changed, it is notified to the host 3A from the terminal unit 4 and the new telephone number is registered to the terminal control file 48. The terminal control file 48 is controlled by the processing part 46.

The control part 44 comprises a communication control part 45, a processing part 46 and a switching control part 47.

The communication control part 45 fetches the signal received by the transmitting/receiving part 49 to the processing part 46 and controls transmission of the signal to be transmitted from the processing part 46 to the transmitting/receiving part 49. Receiving signals include, for example, the calling and terminal number notification signals from the communication request issuing terminal unit 4A, answer signal (for calling) from the communication request addressing terminal unit 4D and communication end notification signal from the switching equipment 40. The transmitting signals include, for example, the answer signal (for calling) to the communication request issuing terminal unit 4A and calling signal to the communication request addressing terminal unit 4D.

The processing part 46 executes various signal processings for communication with the terminal unit 4 and controls the terminal control file 48 used as the data base.

Namely, when a communication request is issued from the terminal unit 4A, the processing part 46 retrieves the terminal control file 48 using a terminal unit number of the communication request address terminal unit 4D and obtains a telephone number of the communication request address terminal unit 4D and calls the communication request address terminal unit 4D. Therefore, the communication request issuing terminal unit 4A is capable of making communication with the desired terminal unit 4 only with the terminal unit number.

The processing part 46 also registers the terminal unit number 4 and telephone number of each terminal unit 4 to the terminal control file 48. In accordance with change of telephone number of the terminal unit 4, the processing part 46 updates the terminal control file 48.

In addition, the processing part 46 confirms the called communication request address terminal unit 4D and then requests the processing for executing the data through at the switching equipment 40 to the switching control part 47.

The switching control part 47 receives a request from the processing part 46, generates a control signal for realizing data through at the switching equipment 40 and then transmits this control signal to the switching equipment 40. This transmission is carried out through a private control line 43 provided between the host 3A and switching equipment 40. Therefore, the transmitting/receiving part 49 and switching line 41 are not used. As explained above, the host 3A controls the switching equipment 40 through a control line 43 which is different from the switching line 41. Moreover, the switching control part 47 receives a message notifying the end of communication with the terminal unit 4 from the switching equipment 40 through the control line 43.

The switching equipment 40 is provided with an interface part 42 for making communication with the host 3A using the control line 43. The interface unit 42 carries out line switching, upon reception of control signal from the switching control part 47. Namely, under the condition that the communication request issuing terminal unit 4A and the communication request address terminal unit 4D are connected respectively to the host 3A through the swithcing equipment 40, connection between the switching equipment 40 and host 3A is disconnected and a couple of the communication request issuing and address terminal units are connected ini the switching equipment 40. Moreover, when communication to terminal unit 4 is completed, the interface part 42 generates the control signal for notifying communication end and transmits this control signal to the switching control part 47. Thereafter, line to the terminal unit 4 is disconnected by the switching equipment 40.

Evenw hen the communication with the terminal unit 4 is once started, it may be disconnected by the control from the host 3A. For instance, if the processing part 46 decides to disconnect the connection with some reasons, the processing part 46 requests intermission of data through processing to the switching control part 47. The switching control part 47 generates the control sigal for this purpose and then transmits this control signal to the swithcing equipment 40. The switching equipment 40 receives this cotrol signal and disconnects the line executing the data through.

The host 3A itself makes connunication with the terminal unit 4. This communication is realized through the switching line 41.

Fig. 16 is an interterminal communication flow and Fig. 17 shows condition of interterminal communication. The communication request issuing terminal unit (terminal) is designated as 4A, while the communication request address terminal unit (terminal) as 4D, for discrimination.

• 1 When the communication request issuing terminal 4A dials the representative telephone number of host 3A, the line (41) of terminal unit 4A is connected to the line (41) of host 3A by the switching equipment 40 (Fig. 17(A)). The processing part 46of host 3A returns the answer to this calling to the terminal unit 4A through the connected line.
• 2 The terminal unit 4A having received this answer notifies the terminal unit number of the communication request address terminal unit 4D to the host 3A through the connected line (Fig. 17(A)).
• 3 Upon reception of the terminal unit number, the processing part 46 retrieves the terminal control file 48 using such terminal unit number.
• 4 If the telphone number of terminal unit 4D cannot be obtained by the retrieval (the request address cannot be confirmed), the processing part 46 transmits it to the terminal unit 4A through the connected line.
• 5 In case the retry is not conducted at the terminal unit 4A, processing is terminated. When the retry is conducted, the processing 2 and the subsequent processings are repeated.
• 6 In case the telephone number of terminal unit 4D can be detected by the retrieval (request address can be confirmed), the processing part 46 calles the terminal unit 4D based on the telephone number. Accordingly, the other line (41) of the host 3A is connected (Fig. 17(B)) to the line (41) of the terminal unit 4D by the switching equipment 40. The terminal unit 4D returns the answer to the calling to the host 3A through the connected line.
  
  

  The processing part 46 of the host 3A having received the answer confirms, with this answer, that the connection is established to the request address terminal unit 4A (communication is possible) (Fig. 17(B)).

• 7 The processing part 46 requests the processing for conducting data through at the switching equipment 40 to the switching control part 47.
  
  

  The switching contro part 47 generates the control signal for line switching and transmits this control signal to the switching equipment 40 through the control line 43 to control the switching operation (Fig. 17(B)).

• 8 The interface part 42 of the switching equipment 40 separates the lines (41) of the terminal units 4A and 4D connected to the host 3A and connectes these lines (41) with each other (Fig. 17(C)).
• 9 When the terminal unit 4A transmits the data, it is sent to the terminal unit 4D through the switching equipment (Fig. 17(C)).
• 10 When the communication between the terminal units 4A and 4B is terminated, the interface part 42 of the switching equipment 40 notifies it through the control line 43 (Fig. 17(D)).
  
  

  The switching control part 47 of the host 3A recevies this message, recognizes the end of communication and then notifies to the processing part 46.

When the distant subscriber absent processing (absent registration/processing) mode is selected in the processing selection of Fig. 2, the operation flow of Fig. 7 starts. Namely, as shown in the left side of the figure, "absent registration/processing start" is initiated and the processing selection is carried out. Selection may be carried out for the following contents.

• (i) Setting of mail reference
  
  

     A absent control person sets the processing for making reference to the mail which has been once registered from the other terminal unit.

• (ii) Registration of destination
  
  

     A control person registers own destination.

• (iii)Setting of unknown destination
  
  

     Destination of control person cannot be known and it is set to be notified using a pocket bell.

A processing flow in such a case that an access ia made to the other terminal unit from a certain terminal unit is not shown in Fig. 7 but it will be understood from the the explanation attempted later.

For the setting of mail reference, a control person must input the keyword of self station for the mail reference. Thereby, the keyword is registered in the keyword file (FILE 3). When the keyword input for the mail reference is matched with the intrinsic keyword (keyword on the FILE 3), the reference is made to the mail for the self station.

For registration of destination of a control person, the control person sets the self destination terminal number. In this case, in the side of system, it is confirmed by retrieving the terminal information file (FILE1) whether the preset destination terminal number corresponds to the terminal unit controlled in the system or not. When existence of terminal unit is confirmed, the destination terminal number is registered to the variable file (FILE4). When a mail is transmitted to the other terminal unit to the self control person, it is transferred using such destination terminal number.

For setting of unknown destination, the control person cannot be defined to only one place and therefore a pocket bell number is set in order to ask for making contact by the pocket bell. The relevant pocket bell number is registered to the variable file (FILE4) for later use.

An absent registration/processing mode of the present invention will be explained hereunder.

Figs. 18(a),(b),(c) show the diagrams for explaining the principle of the absent registration/processing mode.

In Figs. 18(a),(b),(c), the numeral 1 denotes communication network, for example, a public telephone line. 3A, 4A, 4B, 4C are terminal units procided with computers. In this case, the terminal unit 4A is an absent terminal unit where a control person is absent, the terminal unit 4D sends a mail to the terminal unit 4A and temrinal 4B is the destination terminal unit of the control person.

In Fig. 18(c), the terminal unit 3A has the function as the pocket bell transmitter and 50 is a pocket bell of the control person.

The numeral 74 in the absent terminal unit 4A in Figs. 18(a),(b),(c) is the absent mode setting function which realizes various functions explained later through keying operation, for example, executed before the control person becomes absent. 75 means mail detecting function which detects a mail transmitted from the other terminal unit 4D during the absent mode.

Moreover, the numeral 76 given to the first absent terminal unit 4A means a mail storing part which stores the mails transmitted from the other terminal units 4D... and the temrinal No. and ID No. of the other terminal units 4D using the terminal information (T output) file (not illustrated) of the self station 4A. 77 is an absent or mail notification function for notifying that the control person is absent to the other terminal unit 4D which has transmitted the mail and notifies the already stored mails to the other terminal unit 4B which is the destination of the control person who has transmitted the mail reference request. 85 is the mail reporting function to report that a mail is transmitted to the self station 4A when the control person makes contact to the self station 4A from the other terminal unit 4B as the destination.

The numeral 78 given to the absent terminal unit 4A is a destination data storing part for storing the terminal unit No. of the other terminal unit 4B as the destination of control person using, for example, the variable file (not illustrated) of the self station 4A. The destination data storing part 78 may be formed to store a schedule table (destinations in each day and time) of the control person. 79 is absent and destination data notification function for notifying absence of control person and destination data to the other terminal unit 4D.... which has transmitted the mails. 80 is search request function to request finding out of the control person by transmitting the destination data, terminal unit No. of the self station 4A or terminal unit No. of the other terminal unit 4D through the communication network 1, responding to the request from the other terminal unit 4D which has transmitted the mail.

Moreover, 82 given to the absent terminal unit 4A is pocket bell number storing part to store the telephone number data of the pocket bell 50 of the control person. 83 is absent and telephone number, data notification function for notifying absence of control person and telephone number data to the other terminal unit 4D which has transmitted a mail. 84 is a pocket bell calling function for transmitting the telephone number data to the pocket bell tramsmission terminal unit 3A to call the pocket bell of the control person responding to the other terminal unit 4D which has transmitted a mail.

At least following communications can be realized between the absent terminal unit 4A providing the storing parts 76, 78, 82 and functions 74, 75, 77, 79, 80, 83, 84, 85 and the other terminal unit 4D which has transmitted a mail.

The other terminal unit 4D which has transmitted a mail to an absent terminal unit 4A is notified that an control person is absent and stores such mail. In this case, this terminal 4D receives a message to notify the terminal unit No. and ID No. of the other terminal unit 4D. Accordingly, when such necessary data is transmitted, the absent terminal unit 4A stores such mail in the mail storing part 76. Thereby, the control person can know that a mail is transmitted to the self station 4A from the other terminal unit 4D and makes reference (arrow mark 2 ) the terminal unit No. and ID No. (including contents of simplified mail, as required) through the mail reporting function by issuing a mail reference request (arrow mark 1 ) with a particular keyword from the other terminal unit 4B as the destination of the control person.

Moreover, the other terminal unit 4D which has transmitted a mail to the absent terminal unit 4A is notified that the control person is absent and also receives the destination data of control person (arrow mark 3 ). Thereby, the other terminal unit 4D which as transmitted a mail can detect the other terminal unit 4B as the destination of control person and then transmits atain a mail to such terminal unit 4B for making communication with the relevant control person (arrow mark 4 ).

Moreover, the other terminal unit 4D which has transmitted a mail to an absent terminal unit 4A is notified that the control person is notified that the control person is absent and transmits the telephone number of the pocket bell 50 of the control person (arrow mark 5 . As explained later, it may be possible to ask for calling to the pocket bell trnsmitter terminal unit 3A by the absent terminal unit 4A, without sending the telephone number of the pocket bell 50 to the other terminal unit 4D). Thereby, when the other terminal unit 4D which as transmitted a mail asks (arrow mark 6) generation to the pocket bell transmission terminal unit 3A by sending the telephone number data, the pocket bell 50 of the control person is called (arrow mark 7). Accordingly, the control person can make reference to the simplified content, terminal unit No. and ID No. of the main already received and is also capable of making communication with the other terminal unit 4D having transamitted the mail previously (arrow mark 10) by making contact with the self station 4A from the other terminal unit 4B as the destination with a mail reference request, etc.

Fig. 19 shows a structure of the essential portion of an absent terminal unit.

4A is an absent terminal unit. 51, communication object; 52, absent mode setting function; 53, destination data storing part; 55, pocket bell number storing part; 57, mail detecting function; 59, absence or various data (permission or not-permission of mail storing, destination data, pocket bell number data, search request data and stored mail data, etc.) notification function; 61, search requesting function; 62, data confirming function; 63, mail storing part; 65, mail reporting function; 66, automatic answering function. FILE1, FILE4, FILE5 are respectively files; 60, display table.

As the absent mode setting function 52 among these, when a plurality of terminal units (computers) are connected to the self station 4A, the relevant self terminal unit is set as the "absent terminal" in the personal FILE 5 where existence/absence of each terminal unit is registered. However, in case only one terminal unit (computer) is provided, a flip-flop, for example, may be used.

As the destination data storing part 53, for example, a variable file FILE4 in the self station 4A is used and the terminal unit No. of the other terminal unit 4B as the destination of control person is stored. However, action schedule of control person, namely the schedule table including the time and terminal unit No. as the destination is stored.

As the pocket bell number storing part 55, for example, the variable file FILE4 in the self station 4A is used and the telephone number data of pocket bell 50 of the control person (hereinafter referred to as the pocket bell number data) is stored.

The mail detecting function 57 is formed, using, fore example, a gate and when a mail is transmitted from the other terminal units 4B, 4D,.... during the absence mode, it is detected. When a mail is detected, the absence and various data notification function 59 is operated after confirming that the relevant terminal (computer) is absent or not by retrieving the personal file FILE 5.

As the absence and various data notifiction function 59, a display table 60 for displaying various data is set as required for the display of distant terminal unit (not illustrated) and it is notified to distant terminal units, namely the other terminal units 4B, 4D, .... which have transmitted the mails through the communication object 51. Various data include an absence data notified when the mail is received. In more concrete, this data indicates that, first, the control person is now absent; second, it is confirmed that the relevant mail content is stored therein or not; third, it is confirmed that it is requested to know the destination of control person or telephone number of pocket bell 50; fourth, it is confirmed that an operator at the attendant board desires to search for the control person and fifth the terminal unit No. and ID No. and name of the distant terminal unit (in this case terminal units 4B, 4D,....) should be transmitted when any one or all of the second, third, fourth conditions are satisfied.

Moreover, various data include the data which coresponds to the fourth data explained above which receives the terminal unit No. and ID No. from the distant terminal unit and is then notified after it is confirmed by the data confirming function 62. This data means destination data stored in the destination data storing part 53 or pocket bell number data stored in the pocket bell number storing part 55, or both of these data.

The search asking function 61 asks for searching a control person to an operator of the switching network. This function transmits the control person search requesting data, destination data or pocket bell number data and moreover self terminal unit No. and terminal unit No. having transmitted the mail through the absence and various data notification function 59.

The search asking function 61 operation as explained above when it is confirmed by the data confirming function 62 explained later that the terminal No. and ID No. of the other terminal units 4B, 4D, ... having transmitted the mail become apparent.

As the data confirming function 62, kinds of data transmitted from the other terminal units 4B, 4D, .... can be discriminated. In more concrete, the data in relation to the terminal unit No. and ID No. transmitted from the other terminal units 4D....which have transmitted the mail and the data which is an answer from the other terminal unit 4D.... and is related with mail storing request, destination data transfer request, pocket bell number data transfer request and search asking request may be discriminated. Upon confirmation of these data, if it is related to the terminal No. and ID No., data and content of relevant mail are stored in the mail storing part 63 and it is informed to the mail reporting function 65 later. Meanwhile, it is related to various requests, it is instructed which data should be notified to the absence and various data notifiction function 59.

Moreover, it is also confirmed when the control person has transmitted the mail reference request with a particular keyword; from the other terminal unit, for example 4B, as the destination (not illustrated). In this case, the mails and data such as other terminal unit No. and ID No. stored in the mail storing part 63 explained later are transmitted to the other terminal units, 4B, 4D as the destination.

As the mail storing part 63, the T output file FILE1 in the self station 4A, for example, is used and the mail from the other terminal unit, for exmaple, 4D (not illustrated) and terminal unit No. and ID No., and name are stored therein.

As the mail reporting function 65, when a control person makes contact with the automatic answering function 66 of the telephone set (not illustrated) of the self station 4A, for examaple, from the public telephone set (not illustrated) at the destination, a music, for example, is output to the automatic answering function 66 in order to indicate termination of a mail.

Fig. 20 is a flowchart indicating an example of the absence registration/processing operation. Here, this flow indicates that the other terminal unit 4D which has transmitted the mail obtains the pocket bell number.

Moreover, the side having transmitted the mail is defined as the A terminal unit 4D, the side where the control person is absent is defined as the B terminal unit 4A, and the side as the destination of control person as the C terminal unit 4B.

First, when the target ID request at the B terminal unit 4A is generated in the A terminal unit 4D in the step 20-1, this request is transmitted to the communication object 51 of the B terminal unit 4A in the step 20-2.

Under this condition, the relevant request data is transferred to the personal information file (or personal file) FILE5 in the step 20-3. Thereafter, the personal information file FILE4 sends the answer "No target ID" namely that the control person is absent in the step 20-4. The target ID, namely the pocket bell numder data of control person is transmitted together with such answer in the step 20-5.

Under this condition, the A terminal unit 4D receives, in the step 20-6, the previous answer and the information about pocket bell number data through the communication object of self station 4D. Thereby, the terminal unit 4D sends the pocket bell number to the pocket bell transmitting terminal unit 3A in the switching network (not illustrated) in the step 20-7.

When a control person can be found out and can now be called, the target ID receives the "calling" condition with the pocket bell 50 of the control person in the step 20-8. Subsequently, the pocket bell owner who is the target ID, namely the control person of the B terminal unit 4A calls the B terminal unit 4A (self terminal unit) from the C terminal unit 4B as the destination in the step 20-9. Thereafter, the control person obtains athe terminal unit No. and request issuing ID No. at the C terminal unit 4B from the B terminal unit 4A in the step 20-10.

Thereby, the cotnrol person calls the A terminal unit 4A from the C terminal unit 4B in the step 20-11. Thereby, the a terminal unit 4A is capable of making communication with the C terminal unit 4B as the destination of control person.

Accordingly, according to the present embodiment, the B terminal unit 4A where the control person is absent can make communication with the A terminal unit 4A which has transmitted the mail based on the concept that communication with the control person is possible by using the pocket bell number datra. Thereby, the A terminal unit 4A having received contact from the C terminal unit 4B as the destination of control person is now capable of informing the request, for example, it desires to borrow a program or to store data in the B terminal unit 4A therefrom.

In this case, the control person is now capable of making desired communication with the A terminal unit 4D at the B terminal unit 4A by executing the remote control operation to the B terminal unit 4A.

Here, it is of course allowed for the flowchart of Fig. 20 to send the data to issue the search request or not to the schedule table of the control person or operator in the step 20-5 and to form the storing parts 53, 55, 63 with the same file.

It has been indicated that the communication processings corresponding to "communication processing system" exist in the respective operation flows in regard to the chat explained with reference to Fig. 3, message distribution (mail) explained with reference to Fig. 4 and Fig. 5 and RCS (remote computer service) explained with reference to Fig. 6.

The communication processing system explained with reference to Fig. 3 to Fig. 6 is based on the one to one communication. However, in general, the communication network is more and more complicated as explained with reference to Fig. 29 and a public network or private network are also used. Thereby, the communication cost increases or decreases depending on the way of using the communication network.

The effective communication control system in the communication network mixing the public network and private lines will be explained hereunder.

Fig. 21 is a diagram for explaining a communication control system. In this figure, 1-1 is public network; 2, private line; 10A, 10B, 10C, 10D, groups; 3A, 3B, 3C, 3D, control station terminal unit; 4A, 4B, 4C, 4D, ordinary terminal unit.

The terminals 3, 4 are sorted into the groups 10A, 10B, ..... because these are decided that are connected with the same communicaton network and are regionally closed.

Each group is provided with at least one control station terminal unit 3A, 3B,.... having the extracting funciton 11Ti and notification function 12-1Ti. For instance, as the extracting function 11A in the control station terminal unit 3A, the terminal information can be grasped by (i) holding it on the memory for the terminal units (3A,4A) belonging at least to the self group 10A, and (ii) holding on the memory or making enquiry to the corresponding control station terminal units 3B, 3C,.... for the terminal units (3B, 4B, 3C, 4C,....) belonging to the other groups 10B, 10C,.....

The terminal information includes:

• (i) T-No.: Described by the terminal unit ID.
• (ii) Group name: The group name in relation to the control station terminal unit is described by the control station terminal unit ID.
• (iii) Type: Network to be connected is described by the network ID.
• (iv) Communication mode: Communication mode to be connected with the connection mode is described.

Moreover, the notification function 12-1A notifies such terminal information to a terminal unit (T₁) responding to the enquiry, for example, from the terminal unit (T₁).

The ordinary terminal unit 4 and each control station terminal unit 3 are provided with the communication mode deciding function 12-2. The relevant communication mode deciding function 12-2 decides the communication mode for connecting an originating call concerning an orginating call originated by an operator of the self termeinal unit or an originating call transferred from the other terminal unit and takes the necessary processing mode (it may be thought that it is described that the communication mode is automatically determined for the originated call).

For example, when the terminal unit (T₁) indicated in the figure makes communication with the terminal unit (T₂), an operator of the terminal unit (T₁) knows the desired communication mode and makes communication in direct with the terminal unit (T₂).

Moreover, when the terminal unit (T₁) makes communication with the terminal unit (T₄), it is realized by using the control terminal unit (BT) 3B from the control terminal unit (AT) 3A through the private line 2.

In case the terminal unit (T₁) makes communication with the terminal unit (T₄), communication is made through the control terminal unit (AT) 3A.

Moreover, when the terminal unit (T₁) makes communication with the terminal unit (T₁₁), it first makes communication to the control station terminal unit (DT) 3D and it is transferred to the terminal unit (T₁₁).

In addition, when the terminal unit (T₁) makes communication to the terminal units (T₁₁) and (T₁₂) for the same contents, the terminal unit (T₁) makes communication to the control station terminal unit (DT) 3D and then it is transferred to the terminal units (T₁₁) and (T₁₂) from the terminal unit (DT).

Fig. 22 shows the first communication mode by the present invention. When the terminal unit (T₁) makes communication with the terminal unit (T₁₁), the communication cost for the direct communication from the terminal unit (T₁) to terminal unit (T₁₁) becomes lower, in some cases, than the sum of communiction cost to the control station terminal unit (DT) 3D from the terminal unit (T₁) and that to the terminal unit (T₁₁) from the control station terminal unit (DT) 3D. In this case, "through DT" is extracted as the communication mode in the extracting function 11A shown in Fig. 21.

Fig. 23 shows a second communication mode by the present invention. When the terminal unit (T₁) makes communication with the terminal units (T₁₁) an (T₁₂) in the distant areas for the same data, the remote communictions have been conducted respectively for terminal units but as shown in Fig. 23, communication is made to the control station terminal unit (DT) 3D and then it is transferred to the terminal units (T₁₁) and (T₁₂).

Fig. 24 shows a third communication mode by the present invention. When the private line is used for communication from the terminal unit (T₁), the private line is used through the control station terminal unit (AT) 3A nearest to the terminal unit (T₁). Here, it is assumed that the control station terminal unit (AT) 3A is connected to the public network 1-1 and private line 2. In this case, "through AT" is extracted as shown in Fig. 21 as the communication mode.

Fig. 25 shows a fourth communication mode by the present invention. When a terminal unit on the private line, for example, the terminal unit (T₉) makes communication to the terminal unit (T₄), communication is made through the control station terminal unit (BT) 3B nearest to the terminal unit (T₄). Here, it is assumed that the control station terminal unit (BT) 3B is connected to the public network 1-1 and private line 2. In the extracting function 11i as shown in Fig. 21, the extracting function 11C (not illustrated) at the control station terminal unit (CT) 3C extracts "through private line" as the communication mode.

Fig. 26 shows a sixth communication mode by the present invention. When the terminal unit (T₁) makes communication with the terminal unit (T₄), if it is assumed that the private line is effectively used, communication is first made to the control station terminal unit (AT) 3A from the terminal unit (T₁), the communication is made to the control station terminal unit (BT) 3B from the terminal unit (T₁), then communication is made to the control station terminal unit (BT) 3B on the private line 2 and it is then transferred to the terminal unit (T₄). The extracting function 11A shown in Fig. 21 extracts "through private line" as the communication mode.

Fig. 27 shows a processing mode in the direct communication.

When the terminal unit (T₁) shown in Fig.21 makes communication with the terminal unit (T₃), if an operator of the terminal unit (T₁) issues a communication request to the terminal unit (T₃), the communication mode deciding function 12-2T₁ at the terminal unit (T₁) calls the terminal unit (T₃) to establish direct connection by (i) the informtion designated by the operator of the terminal unit (T₁) or by (ii) receiving "communication mode" corresponding to the terminal unit (T₃) in the terminal unit information sent from the control station terminal unit (AT) 3A.

Fig. 28 shows a processing mode for the communication to be made through the control station terminal unit. In this figure, it is assumed that the terminal unit (T₁) makes communication with the terminal unit (T₁₀) on the private line.

If an operator issues a communication request to the temrinal unit (T₁₀), the communication mode deciding function 12-2T₁ at the terminal unit (T₁) calles the control station terminal unit (AT) 3A and transmits the data (data destinated to the terminal unit (T₁₀)) when the control station terminal unit (AT) 3A is connected. Meanwhile, the control station terminal unit (AT) 3A receives such data and stores on the memory. The communication mode deciding function 12-2A at the control station terminal unit (AT) 3A confirms the communication mode for the terminal unit (T₁₀) and calls the terminal unit (T₁₀) by selecting the private line 2. When connection is established to the terminal unit (T₁₀), data is transmitted. Corresponding to this transmission of data, the terminal unit (T₁₀) receives the data.

When the terminal unit (T₁) makes communication with the terminal unit (T₄), the control station terminal unit (BT) 3B additionally exists between the communication mode deciding function 12-2A shown in Fig. 28 and the terminal unit (T₁₀).

Operation flow of the communication processing system shown in Fig. 8 corresponds to the operation explained in regard to Fig. 21 to Fig. 28.

In Fig. 8, indication of "simple/plural" means that the communication network is formed by single network or a plurality of networks (including the case where at least one private line is used). Moreover, in Fig. 8, indication "self network/distant network" means the communication to the terminal unit in the network to which the self terminal unit belongs and the communication to the terminal unit in the network other than that to which the self terminal unit belongs.

In each operation flow from Fig. 3 to Fig. 6, it may be thought that the processing of "communication mode decision" of Fig. 8 is started in the step of "communication processing system".

The communication mode decision is made by the communication mode deciding function 12-2A explained with reference to Fig. 21. The flow described in the latter stages of "communication processing system" shown in each operation flows shown in Fig. 3 to Fig. 6 indicates the flow corresponding to the case where direct communication can be made without through the control station terminal units AT, BT, .... just like the case where the terminal unit T₁ shown in Fig. 21, for example, makes communication with the terminal unit T₂ in the same group. However, in general, as explained with reference to Fig. 21, the communication network is complicated and conforms to the operation flow of Fig. 8.

In the "communication mode decision" of Fig. 8, "sharing" is carried out. In case the direct communication can be made without through the control station terminal units (AT, BT, CT, DT), the operation flows shown in Fig. 3 to Fig. 6 start. However, decision is made for "single/plural" when communication is made through the control station terminal unit.

In the case of "single", the "interterminal communication system" mode, which is explained with reference to Fig. 22 and Fig. 23 in regard to communication to the terminal unit T₁₁ from the terminal unit T₁ shown in the figure is taken in the communication network where the private line 2 of Fig. 21 does not exist. Meanwhile, in the case of "plural", decision of "self network/distant network" is made.

Here, in the case of the self network or distant network, the operation flows are substantially the same and therefore explanation will be made only for the self network. In this case, the operation flow is the same as that of Fig. 28. However, in the case of Fig. 8, the operation flow may be thought to be that after it becomes apparent that the control terminal unit of the self network is to be called.

In the case where the terminal unit T₁ of Fig. 21 makes communication with the terminal unit T₄, the control station terminal (AT) 3A of the self network calls athe control station terminal unit (BT) 3B for transmission of the data to be transmitted and the distant terminal unit T₄ number. In this case, the data of chat, data of distribution and data of RCS are used.

The called control station terminal unit (BT) 3B receives data and stores it to confirm the distant terminal unit T₄.

Thereafter, the network corresponding to the termnal unit T₄ is selected. Namely, in this case, the communication mode for making communication with the terminal unit T₄ is set apparently by the communication mode deciding function 12-2B in the control station terminal unit (BT) 3B. Based on this result, the control station terminal unit (BT) 3B calls the terminal unit T₄ and transmits data. When the terminal unit T₄ receives data, the control station terminal unit (BT) 3B repeats transmission for several times when the terminal unit which is requested to transmit data exsits.

Although not apparent in the operation flow shown in Fig. 8, in order to avoid to undesirably acquire the line for a long period for the communication with the distant terminal unit in the case of chat and RCS, the communication is made in such a form, as shown in Fig. 3 and Fig. 6, that when the single communication is terminated, the line is once disconnected and is then connected again when necessary data appears. As is explained with reference to Fig. 1, this communication can be made using the connecting timing table 17.

[APPLICABILITY IN INDUSTRY]

As explained above, the network control system of the present invention can be applied to the technique for effectively utilizing the communication network for each operation such as chat, distribution and RCS and the processing for absent distant terminal unit under the control of complicated communication network.