JPH0337779B2 - - Google Patents

Description

Technical Field The present invention relates to the connection and transfer of calls that occur in telephone exchange equipment, such as a PBX, that has an extension connection function, by using a dialing device or the like installed on a machine attached to a predetermined trunk line and extension line. The present invention relates to a device configured to be able to initiate an automatic connection and transfer (referral/transfer).

Description of the Prior Art Connect and transfer (or redirect) functionality in telephone exchanges, such as private automatic branch exchanges (PABXs), in which one extension can be connected or transferred to another number within the exchange. is already known. Also well known is the general principle of implementing a paging system in a switching facility such that calls to a subscriber of an extension can be relayed. An example of such a paging system is the Swedish Telegraph and Telephone Corporation (televerket) according to the A-344 system.
There are what are referred to as the PS/n344 paging systems and the PS/1(2)-344 paging systems used in connection with PABX facilities. The first type of paging facility attempted to locate staff in up to 20 different paging zones within the coverage area of the switch. It has a call capacity of 10 and paging can be done for people in different zones simultaneously. By using ancillary equipment that can be incorporated as standard equipment, it is also possible to page each person in all zones simultaneously. A second type of paging mechanism attempts to use staff located in up to two paging zones within the jurisdiction of a switch. It has a call capacity of 6 and up to
This allows paging for only one zone at a time for 2000 extensions.

The general principle of using telephone answering machines in connection with telephone systems is also already known.

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Technical Problem The purpose of the invention is to make the connection and transfer procedures for callers more efficient and simpler in switching installations of this type. The present invention enables predetermined stations and extensions within a switching facility to connect or transfer their numbers to a paging system or centrally located telephone answering machine by a procedure known as autoconnection. This is what I did. At present, most paging systems available on the market operate completely independently of the switching equipment. These systems, and a small number of other systems linked to switching equipment, allow a caller who wishes to page someone who is away from the room where the telephone is located, to place the called party on the paging system. the possibility that he will be connected, i.e. that he will be searched by paging;
and the procedures involved in paging by a particular system. Also, at this time, most commonly available telephone answering machines and telephone answering systems are connected to serve individual extensions and are operated by individual operators.

SOLUTIONS TO TECHNICAL PROBLEMS One object of the present invention is to provide a system in which the paging functionality functions as an integrated part of the switching functionality.
It seeks to provide a system solution for linking the paging system to a telephone switching system. According to the invention, the extensions to be transferred to the paging facility are themselves connected and disconnected from the paging facility. This is done, according to one embodiment of the invention, by dialing a code via the telephone of the associated extension. Once the paging facility is connected, the paging for that particular individual will be as long as his extension is connected to the caller in the normal way, whether this is connected to another extension via the operator or or directly or indirectly, whether connected externally via direct dialing.

It should be recalled that in the case of the telephone answering machine mentioned above, the telephone answering machine is connected to the exchange so as to form an integral part of the switching system and that the telephone answering machine is therefore used together with the extensions. It is.

According to the invention, such extensions to be transferred to a telephone answering facility can themselves be connected or disconnected to the desired telephone answering function. This can be done, in one embodiment of the invention, in connection with recording the message at the telephone answering machine by dialing a code through the telephone of the associated extension. Once the connect or transfer function is connected, the calling party is directed to a telephone answering machine in the manner already disclosed, whereby the calling party is informed of the called party's absence, etc. and, if desired, is directed to the telephone answering machine. You can leave a message for someone.

A bank of paging equipment and telephone answering machines is connected to the switching equipment in the form of extensions, allowing them to be called via a main number or extension number, and either the paging equipment or the telephone answering machines automatically Relay connection between the connected or transferred extension and the caller, or provide the caller with information about the connection or transfer, as well as additional information such as the reason for the connection or transfer or the time away from the caller. configured to be a receiving device,
Moreover, the connection to or information provision to said extension is an exchange function for the caller to obtain the desired connection to the relevant extension or information regarding that extension without prior paging and connection/transfer procedures or other efforts by the caller. It was designed to be carried out within the scope of.

In a further development of the inventive concept, a comparison is made of a more complete synthesis of paging functions with highly advanced connection or transfer functions and telephone answering functions in connection with exchanges of the type already disclosed. Detailed information will be provided.

Advantages The above-described configuration is achieved by a system configuration in which the entire system constitutes one exchange, and does not impose any extra burden on the calling party. The functions of automatic connection and automatic transfer in an exchange are facilitated by an extension (person) initiating the function. Involved callers need not be aware of the existence of a paging system or of the procedure for applying paging. The calling party is connected to the person to be paged via the usual connection equipment in the switching facility.
This is done by the person using a nearby telephone and dialing a response code, for example in response to a paging signal. The system may also be of the simplest type as a paging system, i.e., when one person wishes to locate another person, the former is simply instructed that the latter should be paged. It is something that These may employ wireless systems known as pipe pagers.

According to the invention, people who only occasionally require paging functionality do not need to be permanently connected to the paging system. That is, these people are not assigned individual page facilities. If necessary, these people can also be allocated page facilities from the page facility bank or pool.
The manner in which these pagers are connected to the system is such that the user is prompted to dial a code through his own telephone so that after that telephone number, the number of the pager assigned to him is I can continue. This aspect of allocating page mechanisms to extensions only when necessary allows the number of page mechanisms to be limited to the minimum necessary, thereby allowing optimal use of the paging system.

As far as the telephone answering system is concerned, the extensions to be connected to this telephone answering facility can themselves be connected and disconnected to the desired telephone answering function. This is accomplished very easily and simply by dialing a predetermined code via the user's own telephone. This code corresponds to a desired response among a number of predetermined responses, perhaps providing a desired leave time, etc. As long as such a call connection function is connected, the calling party will be guided to the telephone answering machine in the manner already shown, where he will be notified of his return schedule or leave time, etc., and will be able to contact the called party if desired. You can leave messages.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

Preferred embodiments of the device incorporating the essential features of the invention are described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Here, Figure 1 is a computer, preferably of the microcomputer type, configured to store some information relating to any connection and transfer of extensions, and including that incorporated into the paging facility within the switching equipment. Basic diagram of a PABX system including a detection device for configured internal traffic (internal traffic), FIG. FIG. 3 is a basic connection diagram showing a telephone answering function.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS According to the foregoing description, the PABX is of an already known type, for example the Swedish Telegraph and Telephone Corporation.
A PABX model A-344 is used, and in one embodiment, specific call connection equipment (Swedish Patent No.
7802725-7) will be equipped. As mentioned earlier, a paging system is connected to the associated PBX. According to the invention, any call and response,
and conversations optionally forwarded to the paging facility after automatic connection has been requested, are connected via a special paging circuit designated SLP in FIG. The exchange facility and its paging device are designed according to conventional procedures and have a conventional construction according to FIG.

Connection of an incoming call to extension A', to which the telephone is automatically referred for paging, occurs in one of three ways, as desired.

(a) via an operator/monitor point with connection terminal Te. The terminals are operator unit TA and data terminal.
Equipped with DTT. Also, printer S
It is also equipped with

(b) This is done via the paging circuit SLP. The paging circuit is configured to generate an audio signal, ie a signal from an audio device, in accordance with the previously disclosed aspects. In this case, the caller himself makes the connection to the paging mechanism P-So¨k.

(c) Directly via the paging circuit SLP.
In this case, the calling party is automatically connected to page the called party.

In the design of the switch, all three aspects mentioned above are included, and the time required for automatic call connection is selected as desired. An actual switch may operate in only one or two of the three modes.

Extension A′ initiates its transfer to the paging facility by dialing a code followed by a digit indicating the expected return time to connect to the paging facility via his telephone. can do. The former code can usually consist of two digits, and the latter combination of digits usually consists of four digits. In accordance with the concepts of the present invention, extensions that do not require occasional automatic call connection can be assigned one pager from a pool of pagers. In this case, the dialed digit string includes the number of the assigned page facility. If there is a selection possibility between said two or three aspects, it is necessary to dial one or two additional digits.

Initiation of said automatic connection means that a unit μD, preferably consisting of a microcomputer, monitors the traffic within the PBX and generates the control functions within the switching equipment, so that the extensions can send codes corresponding to the desired paging functions to the system. It means that it was put in. Also, you must pay attention to the scheduled return time and the page mechanism number to be used exclusively or selectively. However, this information shall be included within the procedure. The exchange is a computer device
HVD, the ability of this computer equipment to communicate with said unit, preferably in both directions, either directly or via a data transmission system, and a terminal connected to said computer equipment or data transmission system (said terminal
If there is a capability to be controlled via the unit µD (see Te), by means of which information about the extensions of the exchange can be entered into the computer equipment, the necessary information will be transmitted from the unit μD to the computer HVD.

When extension A', automatically connected in the manner described above, is called, a connection to the operator/monitoring point (Te) is established. This aspect allows a caller representing another extension connected by direct dialing to
Used when it is desired to connect A'' to an operator/monitoring point, where caller A'' decides whether connection to the desired extension should be made via a paging facility.

Register with unit μD included in the exchange
Upon receiving a valid extension number from the REG, the unit causes the registered number to replace the operator number. Register REG/T
now connects the caller to the operator. When the operator answers the call, a signal is sent from the unit μD to the main computer HVD. This signal includes the extension number and the number of the active operator terminal. Here, information is mainly sent from the computer HVD to the operator station,
This station's corresponding data terminal
Displayed on DT. This information includes details including the extension number and name, as well as an indication that the extension was automatically connected to the paging facility. Details of the extension's expected return time and pager number can also be displayed.

Connecting caller A″ to the desired extension A′ is
from an operator station in a manner determined by the operator. That is, the operator can route the call via relay connector PR to the paging facility. The operator can also inform the caller that the person he is calling will be located through the paging system and the steps necessary to page the extension in question. In the case of external traffic connected by an operator, call connection information is displayed on the operator data terminal as long as a connection to the desired extension is established.

The second aspect mentioned above is for connecting the calling party via the paging circuit SLP,
This circuit SLP generates audio signals from audio equipment. This aspect is used when the caller is allowed to decide for himself whether or not to connect to any extension that has automatically transferred his phone to the paging facility. The situation shown in FIG. 1 relates to an internal call. As far as traffic coming from an external source is involved, aspect "a" is used for this type of operator connection traffic, whereas aspect "c" is used for direct dial traffic.
is used.

When unit μD receives the actual extension number from REG-L, it replaces the number in its register with the number associated with circuit SLP. This new number is designated in FIG. 1 as Anr.nr (the number being called). The register now connects the caller to the paging circuit SLP and this
The SLP generates an audio signal from the audio equipment to indicate that the desired extension is connected to the paging facility and that access to it (calling) can be achieved, for example, by redialing the extension number. let

If the calling party takes advantage of the opportunity to transfer his call through a paging system, at the same time the called party uses the nearest telephone in the switching facility to dial the answer code of this paging system;
A connection is established with the desired extension. This results in
The called party being paged is connected to an answering number for the paging circuit. This number is designated in the figure as "Svarsnr".

Yet another aspect is to send the caller to a paging circuit.
It is intended to lead directly to the paging mechanism "P-So¨k" via the SLP. This aspect is used when it is desired to automatically connect a caller to a paging facility so long as the call is made to an extension that automatically connected the telephone to the paging facility. This connection scheme applies not only to internal traffic, but also to directly dialed external traffic. In the former case
REG-L is used, and in the latter case REG-DU
is used.

When the unit μD receives the current extension number from REG-L or REG-DU, it swaps the number in the register with the number of the paging circuit SLP, ie "Anr.nr". register REG
-L now connects the caller to the paging circuit. At the same time, a signal for starting a paging sequence is sent from the unit μD to the paging system "P-So-k". This signal is transmitted via connection F in FIG.
This signal contains specific information about the desired extension and typically consists of a four-digit number indicating either the extension number or the number of the assigned page facility. The called party responds to the page by going to the nearest telephone within range of the switching facility and dialing the paging system response code. This telephone is connected to the answering number "Svarsnr" for the paging circuit, thereby establishing a connection.

FIG. 2 shows the case where the user's own extension number is connected to a centrally located telephone answering machine. The function in this embodiment is to connect through a PBX with call connection equipment.
Possible paging circuits SNR/G and AMR/TC
This can be achieved by combining with. According to the invention, this function can be initiated from the user's own telephone in one of two ways.

(d) By simply dialing a code (usually two digits).

(e) By dialing a code plus a combination of numbers (usually 2 digits + 4 digits).

When the code for automatic call connection is received by the register, unit μD recognizes that the extension that initiated the call connection desires to be connected to the central answering machine. This unit monitoring telephone answering machines selects a free telephone answering machine and, for the extension number to which the selected telephone answering machine is connected, all subsequent calls to the extension making said disclosure. It operates so that the call is connected.

In the case of the embodiment where only one code is dialed, unit μD replaces the number in register REG with the extension number to which the selected answering machine is connected. The register now connects the starting extension to the selected telephone answering machine. The user of this extension can control the telephone answering machine assigned to him by dialing digits through his telephone and cause it to record the desired message, known as primary information.

In the case of the embodiment in which a combination of numbers is dialed in addition to the code, the recording of the necessary information in the unit μD and the free selection of the telephone answering machine are carried out in general according to the previously described embodiment, but the starting extension is selected. It will not connect to the telephone answering machine that has been set. Instead, the unit μD communicates directly with the telephone answering machine based on the received digit combinations. A preprogrammed response message will be selected.
All incoming calls to the originating extension are routed via the unit μD to the selected telephone answering machine (extension number) in the manner already described.

An extension user who requests automatic connection to his telephone answering machine by dialing a code number through his own telephone establishes a connection to the assigned telephone answering machine. , which allows him to check for any incoming messages known as secondary messages.

This check can be performed either directly with the telephone answering machine or by communicating with the unit μD. In the case of direct communication, the connection to the telephone answering machine is made via standard inputs or special inputs. If the connection is made via standard input, the unit announces to the extension that a check is possible by forming the connection via bypass.
If the connection is made via a special input, no such information is required to be supplied by the unit. After connection is made to the telephone answering machine, control is achieved by dialing the appropriate digits through the telephone.

When communication is performed via the unit μD,
For the standard input of the telephone answering machine, some connection will always be made and the unit will be started by checking via the bypass "Sid".

If it is desired to be able to check the answering machine from any extension, this possibility can be realized by following the checking code number with some number of combinations.

Automatic call connections can be abandoned in the manner already described.

The above points regarding automatic call connection can basically also be applied to automatic call forwarding. As far as paging is concerned, the functionality of the device described above is in accordance with the following description.

For example, a person with extension number "1304" may wish to have all calls to his extension connected to a paging facility.

This person extracts a paging device with a specific number "12" from a bank or pool of portable paging devices. He also uses his telephone to send one of the codes "81", "82" and "83" to connect the desired paging facility, followed by dialing "1500". may instruct him to return at 15.00.

He also sends the following code (optionally below "a" below is required) 81 1500 12, plus the extension number "1304" is read on the extension marker.

Calls to extensions belonging to switching facilities are registered
It is registered in REG-L, and external calls by direct dialing are registered in register REG-DV. Calls made through an operator are registered with REG-T.

Register as long as extension “1304” is requested.
The number stored in the REG is exchanged via the unit μD to the extension number corresponding to the following.

(a) An operator station or a group number reachable to that operator station (code 81).

(b) Paging facility code (code 82). (Paging circuit for leaving spoken messages)
SLP) or (c) a paging circuit (code 83) corresponding to the paging function. This involves the simultaneous transmission of a signal to the page facility indicating that portable equipment "12" is to be driven according to the code selected by extension "1304."

As long as equipment "12" is activated, the called party will go to the nearest extension in the switching system and receive a response code containing the number of the pager, i.e. "85-12".
Dial. The microcomputer μD detects this and converts the number 85-12 in REG-L to the response number “Svarsnr” for the paging circuit SLP.
, thereby establishing a connection via SLP.

Therefore, the unit μD determines whether a call should be connected directly to an extension or whether that extension is connected for call connection (operator monitoring point), transfer, paging, or telephone answering. It is configured so that it can be done.

If the call connection is to be made to an operator (or monitoring point), when the operator answers, the unit μD sends a signal to the HVD commanding it;
The information stored at extension A' (direct detailed information) is displayed in visible form on the terminal.

A more detailed explanation of the interaction of the various components can be found in
European Patent Application No. 17 September 1980
As described in No. 80850135-7.

The invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, which are given by way of illustration, but can be constructed in various modifications within the scope of the appended claims and the inventive concept.

Industrial Applicability The invention, as already mentioned, consists of relatively few components, which can be simply integrated into existing exchanges at the manufacturing stage in an industrial or similar facility. These components are also
It can also be incorporated into exchanges that are already in operation.

Claims (1)

[Scope of Claims] 1. A central switching means, an operator position, and extension lines terminating at a number of telephones (A′, A″) connected to a substitute position or a position having a substantial substitute function. A telephone exchange includes a unit (μD) configured to detect the traffic of the telephone exchange and control functions such as distinguishing between busy extensions and other extensions, and a unit (μD) configured to detect the traffic of the telephone exchange and control functions such as distinguishing between busy extensions and other means for providing an interception function for said extension, which is activated by receiving a predetermined code (e.g., by lifting a device and pressing a call button), and then receiving a predetermined code; (a) said unit (μD) consisting of a microcomputer or equivalent means, separate from or integrated with said exchange; (b) said computer equipment (HVD) transmits information relating to a visual display unit (DTT) and a deputation service to said computer equipment (HVD), either directly or via a data transfer system; ) connected to terminal means (Te) comprising means (S) for supplying
said information can be supplied and stored either from a telephone set or said terminal means (Te); (c) said display unit is arranged at said operator interrogation position or at a substantive interrogation position; d) said display unit (DTT) is arranged to display information stored in the computer equipment (HVD); (e) said unit (μD) is further arranged to display information stored in said computer equipment (HVD); (f) A paging facility is connected to the exchange, and a paging facility is connected to the exchange so that a certain extension has a paging function. If you wish to use it, send the code related to the extension and the code related to the paging function to the unit (μD).
In addition, if a telephone answering machine is connected to the exchange and an extension requires the use of a telephone answering function and a code related to the extension, the code relating to the telephone answering function is stored in the unit (μD). It is stored within the
A telephone further characterized in that subsequent calls to said extension are detected by said unit (μD) and said calls are connected to a paging function or a telephone answering function depending on a code stored in said unit. switch. 2. A subsequent call to said extension is connected directly to a paging function depending on the information stored in said unit (μD), whereby the called party is informed of the fact that it is being paged, or the call is connected to an operator who decides whether or not to subject said extension to a paging facility, and whether said operator's decision should establish a connection to a paging facility depending on the outcome of the conversation with the caller. 2. The telephone exchange according to claim 1, wherein the telephone exchange determines whether or not the caller should be advised to call later. 3. that the computer equipment (HVD) may communicate directly with said unit (μD) or via a data transfer system, and that said terminal means (Te) linked to said computer equipment;
, whereby information regarding certain extensions of the exchange is entered into the computer equipment (HVD);
The unit (μD) is configured to be controlled by information entered into the computer equipment (HVD) when monitoring traffic to extensions of the exchange, so that the caller can directly contact the operator. connected, so that the operator can give return time and other advice to the caller after obtaining appropriate information from the computer equipment via the terminal means (Te). A telephone exchange according to claim 1. 4 Connection to paging equipment is connected circuit (SLP)
, the circuit generates a tone signal or message from the audio equipment, which gives the calling party an opportunity to decide whether or not the actual call should be sent to the called party. A telephone exchange according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the telephone exchange is capable of having: 5 The unit (μD) registers (REG) in connection with the call made by the calling party.
When the unit obtains the real number to that extension from , the unit converts the number in its register to a number for the connecting circuit (SLP), and the register sends the number to the connecting circuit (SLP); 5. The telephone exchange according to claim 4, wherein a tone signal or a message is generated from the audio equipment thereby. 6 When the unit (μD) obtains the real number to the extension from the register (REG) in connection with the call made by the calling party, the unit transfers the value in the register to the connecting circuit (SLP). This register is used by the unit (μD) to convert the paging system (P-
It initiates a paging operation by transmitting a signal to the called extension and at the same time entrusts the calling party to the connecting circuit, and a message containing the necessary information about the called extension is usually sent. consists of four integers indicating the extension number and the number of a valid paging device, so that the person belonging to the extension may use some telephone equipment or telephone equipment, such as the nearest telephone equipment in an exchange. and which he can answer by dialing the answering code for the paging facility, and the telephone equipment used for that purpose is connected to the answering number of said connecting circuit (SLP), thereby establishing a connection. A telephone exchange according to any one of claims 1, 2, and 5, characterized in that: 7 A through-connectable connection circuit (SNR-G and/or AMR-TC) is used for connection to a bank of telephone answering machines, dialing a predetermined code or adding a predetermined code to an additional Automatic connect--call forwarding is initiated by dialing a set of integers, and when the predetermined code is accepted at the register (REG), the unit (μD) automatically connects the predetermined extension to the telephone answering machine. Please note that we are requesting that
The unit (μD) individually recognizes the free machines in the bank of telephone answering machines, selects one telephone answering machine, and also handles all subsequent calls to the extension from which the automatic connection-transfer is initiated. 7. A telephone exchange as claimed in claim 1, 2, 5 or 6, characterized in that the call is routed to an extension to which the selected telephone answering machine is connected. 8. Only when a predetermined code is dialed, the unit changes the number in the register to an exit number (extension number) to which the selected telephone answering machine is connected. Telephone exchange set forth in scope item 7. 9. Select any extension that the register requires to be automatically connected to the selected telephone answering machine.
connect the extension to the person who owns it, and he himself controls the telephone answering machine assigned to him by dialing through his telephone equipment, as well as recording the desired message or basic information; is possible, and when a predetermined code is dialed together with an additional combination of integers, said unit records the necessary information and a free telephone answering machine selection;
No connection is thereby made from the extension initiated to the selected telephone answering machine, instead the unit communicates directly with the telephone answering machine on the basis of the received integer combination and thereby select a pre-programmed answering message, and all subsequent calls to that extension will initiate a connection/transfer to said telephone answering machine, and those calls will be connected to the selected telephone answering machine (extension number). 9. A telephone exchange according to claim 8, characterized in that the telephone exchange is configured to be entrusted to a unit that is connected to a telephone exchange. 10. By dialing from his own telephone equipment, the user automatically associates his extension with the telephone answering machine and establishes a connection to the assigned telephone answering machine, thereby allowing him to This check is possible if the telephone answering machine is required to be accessible for checking from any extension. This is made possible by following the code number for the check facility with a combination of integers, characterized in that these combinations of integers can correspond appropriately to the actual number of the calling party's own extension. A telephone exchange according to claim 7. 11 If the connection to the paging facility is made directly through a connection circuit (SLP), said circuit generates a tone signal or message from the audio equipment, which alerts the calling party to the actual call being called. a telephone exchange having an opportunity to decide whether or not the call should be routed to the paging facility; , these three paths are connected by the operator using the reference connection terminal, respectively.
Concerning connections via said connecting circuit (SLP) configured to generate tone signals and/or messages from audio equipment, and direct connections through connecting circuits, the extension of which is automatically designated as a reference connection or Claim 2, characterized in that the user in case of a transfer can choose to apply the latest reference connection/transfer by dialing his own code.
Telephone exchange as described in section. 12 comprising a large number of telephone equipment connected to a central switching means, each telephone being assigned a telephone number, said switching means detecting traffic within said exchange and controlling switching functions; It consists of a unit (μD) composed of
Said unit (μD) is further capable of initiating the transfer of an incoming call for said telephone via one telephone, and initiating said transfer by a dial provided in close proximity to said telephone. or by the use of a device or other equivalent mechanism, (a) connected to said telephone exchange is a paging facility, and (b) said paging facility is connected to a number of portable devices constituting a pool of devices. (c) a user requesting to connect an incoming call to one paging device through said paging facility is arranged to cooperate with each of said paging devices; extracting one of the portable paging devices and assigning an identification code to that device; (d) the user receives the access code of the paging facility from his telephone along with the identification code of the actual portable paging device; (e) subsequent calls to said user's telephone number are detected by said unit (μD) and connected to said paging facility, said unit (μD) providing a device identification code to the paging facility; (f) a call instruction is sent from the paging facility to the recognized portable paging device; and (g) when the portable paging device is activated. , A telephone exchange characterized in that the user answers a call by dialing an answer code from a telephone or the like.