JPH0348599A - Extension telephone incoming method in private branch exchange and private branch exchange with automatic incoming allocation function - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To allocate a call to an extension telephone set with correspondence relation preferentially by registering the correspondence relation of the issuance number of the call and the extension number of the extension telephone set by which the call is desired directly to be received on a table in advance, and ring to the table when the call is a registered call. CONSTITUTION:The correspondence of the issuance number of an arbitrary call issuing origin with the extension numbers of the extension telephone sets 11-1n is taken, and it is registered on a memory device 7 in advance. When the call is received and it is the one registered in the device 7, it is retrieved via a central control unit 6, and the extension number with the correspondence relation to the issuance number is extracted. Next, the unit 6 performs the exchange control of line circuits 21-2n and a speech path network 3 corresponding to an extracted extension number. In such a way, the incoming of the call is allocated to the extension telephone set with the extension number preferentially.

Description

[Detailed Description of the Invention] [Object of the Invention] (Industrial Application Field) This invention is applicable to an electronic private branch exchange connected to a network that transmits calling party information to a called party when a call is received, such as an ISDN network. Regarding a private branch exchange having an extension telephone call reception method and an automatic call assignment function, in particular, an extension telephone reception method that allows an incoming call through the network to be directly received at the desired extension telephone. and regarding implementation of a private branch exchange configuration.

(Conventional technology) ISDNw! In general, electronic private branch exchanges connected to
The system is configured so that the user can arbitrarily set the relay stand or extension number (also called extension telephone number, directory number DN) for each office line port number as the destination of the call. Even in the call reception method, the automatic distribution method (autowati even in the order of arrival) is used.
c Call Dlstrlbutlon: A
Various service functions are provided, such as CD) and a dial-in system.

For example, in the ACD method, when setting orders (allocating initial conditions), etc., the extension numbers are set in advance in the ACD group corresponding to multiple telephone extensions, and the call destination for a specific central office line boat number is set in advance. Set the ACD group as . Thereby, when there is an incoming call from the central office line to the central office line boat number, this call can be received by one of the extension telephones belonging to the ACD group designated as the destination. In this case, the private branch exchange in question selects and controls the destinations of these calls so that they are evenly distributed to each of the extension telephones belonging to the ACD group.

By the way, in this ACD system, as mentioned above, although the destination of a call can be specified on a group-by-group basis, the destination is not necessarily the telephone extension desired by the caller. Therefore, if the call is received on a different extension than the caller's desired extension, ◆Check the extension number specified by the caller, and call the extension number specified by the caller. Transfer the call.

It becomes necessary to make such an intermediary, and only after this intermediary is the caller able to talk to the person they wish to talk to.

On the other hand, in the dial-in method, the user sets a specific extension number for each central office line port number in advance. When an incoming call is received from a central office line, the call is directly received by the extension telephone of the specified extension number set above.

In this way, according to the dial-in method, it is possible to specify the destination of a call to some extent. However, since the number of extension lines in a private branch exchange is usually greater than the number of office lines, it is impossible to allocate office lines to all extension telephones on a one-to-one basis.

Therefore, even when a call is received using the dial-in method, the destination of the call is not necessarily the telephone extension desired by the caller, and if the destination is another telephone extension, the same intermediary as above may not be possible. It will be needed.

(Problems to be Solved by the Invention) As described above, in an electronic private branch exchange, incoming calls from a central office line are preset for each extension telephone belonging to a specific ACD group or for each central office line boat number. However, since the destination phone is not necessarily the extension phone desired by the caller, in many cases it is necessary to relay the call at the destination phone. occurs. Moreover, in such a case, the caller will have to wait while the communication is being made.
Further, each relaying party is forced to perform the troublesome operation of checking the extension number of the relay destination specified by the caller and transferring the call to the extension telephone of that number. For this reason, there has been a strong desire to improve the extension telephone termination method for incoming calls from central office lines.

This invention was made in view of these circumstances, and it gives priority to calls to extension telephones that the caller would like, greatly reducing the work of relaying incoming calls from central office lines. It is an object of the present invention to provide a method for receiving an extension call in a private branch exchange that can effectively reduce the waiting time of a caller, and to provide a private branch exchange that has an automatic call assignment function.

[Structure of the Invention] (Means for Solving the Problems) In order to achieve these objects, the present invention provides that a network that transmits calling party information to a called party when a call is received usually includes the calling party information in the calling information. Focusing on the fact that it is possible to add the calling number, which is the telephone number of the calling source, the calling number of any calling source and the extension number of the extension telephone that you want to directly receive calls from this calling source can be specified. This is associated and registered in advance in an appropriate table within the private branch exchange, and when a call is received from the central office line, the call is recognized as a call whose calling number is registered in the above table through the private branch exchange. A search is made to see if there is a registered call, and when the call is registered, the incoming call is assigned preferentially to an extension telephone with an extension number that has a correspondence relationship in the same table.

(Function) As a result, for each extension telephone, the above-mentioned calling number of a frequently called or specified call destination is displayed.
As long as you register it in the table above in association with that extension number, when a call is made from one of these destinations, the call will be sent directly to the extension phone whose extension number is registered corresponding to the calling number. The call will be received, and at least in such a case, the above-mentioned intermediary etc. will be unnecessary and the caller will not have to wait for the intermediary.

In addition, when the extension telephone receiving the call is busy, or when the incoming call from the central office line is a call for which no calling number is registered, or when the incoming call from the central office line does not have the calling number itself. At certain times, etc., the above-mentioned A
The destination of the call is determined based on the CD method or the like. Even if this happens infrequently, the overall burden of relaying incoming calls is greatly reduced.
As a result, the caller's waiting time will be greatly reduced.

Note that number registration in the above table may be performed through each extension telephone, or may be performed through a predetermined terminal device for performing the same registration.

(Embodiment) FIG. 1 shows an embodiment of a private branch exchange having an automatic call assignment function according to the present invention.

First, the configuration of the private branch exchange of this embodiment will be explained.

In FIG. 1, reference numerals 11 to 1n are extension telephones consisting of electronic key telephones (EKT), and these are connected to the communication path network 3 via line circuits 21 to 2n dedicated to the respective exchanges. The channel network 3 is connected to the ISDN network via ISDN interface circuits 41 to 4m that support up to layer 3.

In addition, these communication path networks 3, line circuits 21 to
2n and ISDN interface circuits 41 to 4m are further connected via a control data bus line 5.

and is connected to the central control device 6. The central control unit 6 exchanges necessary data with the communication path network 3 including the storage device 7, the line circuits 21 to 2n, and the ISDN interface circuits 41 to 4m, while This is a device that centrally controls switching operations as a switchboard, and through switching control of the communication path network 3 by this central control device 6, communication between extension telephones 11 to 10, or between extension telephones 11 to 1n and the ISDN network. Each communication path will now be formed.

Similarly, the relay stand 8 is connected to the central controller 6 via the control data bus line 5, and the relay stand 8 and the line circuit 2 ~2 ns or a communication path is formed between the relay stand 8 and the ISDN interface circuits 41 to 4m.

Note that the ISDN interface circuits 41 to 4m support up to layer 3 (network layer) as described above.
All control of layer 1 (physical layer) and layer 2 (data link layer), as well as connection between the B channel of the ISDN network and the communication path network 3, and the layer 3 connection between the D channel of the ISDN network and the central control unit 6. It is used to exchange information.

Next, a description will be given of the automatic call assignment function that is performed by the private branch exchange of this embodiment every time there is an incoming call.

In an ISDN network, it is usually possible to add a calling number, which is the telephone number of the calling party, to the calling information. Therefore, in the private branch exchange of this embodiment, the calling number of any caller and the extension number of the extension telephone that is desired to directly receive calls from this caller are associated in a predetermined manner, and these are stored in the storage device 7 in advance. After registering, when a call is received through the ISDN network, the central control unit 6 checks whether or not this call is a call whose calling number is registered in the storage device 7.
Search first through. When this incoming call is a registered call, the private branch exchange extracts an extension number that corresponds to the calling number in the storage device 7;
In addition, exchange control of the line circuit and communication path network 3 according to the extracted extension number is performed through the central control unit 6, thereby preferentially allocating incoming calls to the extension telephone of the extension number. There is. In this case, the number can be registered in the storage device 7 through each of the extension telephones 11 to 1n.

Now, FIG. 2 shows an example of the calling number-extension number registration table formed in the storage device 7 in the private branch exchange of this embodiment.

That is, in FIG. 2, memory block MHI is an area where the calling number is registered and stored, memory block MB2 is an area where the extension number is registered and stored, and the calling number registered in these memory blocks MHI is an area where the calling number is registered and stored. number and the extension number registered in memory block MB2 are table index 1ndex (i) (however, i-0,
1, -) are placed in a corresponding relationship with each other as an intermediary.

When a call is received from the ISDN network, the central controller 6 reads the calling number of the call from the layer 3 message, and if the same calling number is registered in the memory block MB1, The extension number registered in the memory block MB2 with the same index number i is read from the table, and the line circuit and the communication path network 3 are exchange-controlled so that the call is received by the extension telephone of the read extension number.

Further, in this embodiment, numbers can be freely registered in the memory block MB1 and memory block MB2 by performing a registration operation according to a predetermined procedure through the extension telephones 11 to 1n.

FIG. 3 shows an example of the calling number-extension number registration process executed by the private branch exchange (more precisely, the central control unit 6) of this embodiment in response to the registration operation of the predetermined procedure by the extension telephones 11 to 1n.

Hereinafter, with reference to FIG. 3, the procedure for registering the calling number and extension number by the central controller 6 will be described in detail.

After pressing the DN (Directory Number) button or going off-hook on the extension telephone that you wish to designate as the destination for calls from a certain destination, the above number registration process is performed. Special number, e.g. r#1
A number such as 0J (a number that is not normally used is preset for this purpose) is input, then the calling number ('Wi call number) of the above-mentioned specific destination is input, and 1. A specific code number indicating that the entry of the calling number has been completed, such as r# 10J (this is also a number that is not normally used, is preset for this purpose - as in this example, for the above registration) If a number (which may be the same as the special number) is input, the central control device 6 starts the calling number-extension number registration process in the manner listed below.

(1) Operation information of the above DN button or off-hook -
Based on the on-hook management information, determine what number the extension number (directory number DN) of the extension telephone is set to (Step 5IOI in Figure 3)
.

(2) Based on the input of the calling number, the calling number registration mode is entered (step 5102 in FIG. 3), and the input calling number is accepted (step 5IO3 in FIG. 3). For example, the input calling number is temporarily stored in a built-in register (not shown).

(3) To acknowledge that the registration operation has been completed based on the input of the code number indicating the completion of the registration. Step 5 in Figure 3
104), and then it is checked whether the input calling number has already been registered in the memory block MBI of the table (storage device 7) (step 5105 in FIG. 3).
).

(4) If not registered, the memory block MB1
Next, it is further checked whether the area for newly registering the calling party number is vacant (step 5106 in FIG. 3).

(5) If the number is vacant, it is determined that the calling number can be newly registered. In this case, find the index number 1 of the free area in memory block MBI, register the calling number input at this time (temporarily stored in a register, etc.) in that area, and register the calling number in the area with the same index number in memory block MB2. The above captured (see step 5101 in Figure 3)
Register your extension number. At the same time, by sending a dial tone to the handset of the extension telephone, the operator of the extension telephone is notified that the registration process has been successfully completed (Step 5107 in Figure 3).
.

(6) If the operator of the extension telephone confirms the dial tone notification and abandons the call by completing the operation or going on-hook (steps 5108 and 109 in Figure 3)
), the calling number-extension number registration process by the central controller 6 also ends at that point.

(7) If the operator of the extension telephone confirms the notification using the same dial tone (step 5107 in Figure 3) and subsequently enters the dial and requests a call to Random Hikari, then ( At step 5108 in FIG. 3, a call is made to the designated destination (step 5110 in FIG. 3), and when the call based on the call is terminated (step 5111 in FIG. 3), The calling number-extension number registration process ends.

(8) On the other hand, the process of (3) above (step 510 in FIG.
In 5), if it is confirmed that the input calling number has already been registered in the memory block MBI, or in the process (4) above (step 5106 in Figure 3), there is no free area in the memory block MBI. If this is confirmed, it is determined that the input calling number cannot be registered, and an overflow tone is sent to the handset of the extension telephone (step 5112 in FIG. 3).

(9) In this case, the operator of the extension telephone can either finish the operation or go on-hook to abandon further operations (Step 8113 in Figure 3) upon notification by this overflow tone.
), the calling number-extension number registration process for the central control device 6 is completed.

As described above, in this embodiment, when the calling number-extension number registration process is performed through the central controller 6, the extension number of the extension telephone into which the calling number is input is stored in the above table in correspondence with the input calling number. (storage device 7), and when the registration of these numbers is completed normally, a dial tone signal is emitted to the extension telephone, and the extension telephone automatically becomes ready to make a call. will be moved to

Next, the processing and operation when a call is received by the private branch exchange of this embodiment will be explained.

First, with reference to FIG. 4, the structure of the calling number information element included in the layer 3 information (SETUP message) in the ISDN network will be explained.

The main premise of the processing in this embodiment is that the "calling number information element identifier" as shown in Figure 4 exists in the layer 3 information (SETUP message) of the setting request from the ISDN network. becomes.

If this "calling number information element identifier" exists in the above 5ETUP message, this "calling number information element identifier" will be located in octet 1 of the calling number information element, as shown in the figure. Become. And thus this “
If the calling number information element identifier exists, the 8th bit of octet 3 in the calling number information element is 1, and the calling number content length of octet 2 is 2 or more; 8 bits are 0, octet 3a
Display identifier can be displayed (“00”) and octet 2
If the calling number content length of is greater than or equal to 3, octet 4 is present, in which the number digits of the calling number are encoded in IA5 characters.

Therefore, in this embodiment, the "calling number information element identifier" is 5.
If it is found to exist in the ETUP message,
It is checked whether octet 4 exists in the calling number information element, and if octet 4 is present, the calling number in question is read from octet 4.

Now, FIG. 5 shows an example of the automatic call assignment process when a call is received by the private branch exchange of this embodiment, which is executed based on the search and reading of the calling number.
Referring to FIG. 5, the automatic incoming call assignment processing procedure mainly executed by the central control device 6 will be described in detail below.

Now, a call is received from the ISDN network to the private branch exchange, and the layer 3 information (SETUP message) of the setting request is transferred to the central controller 6 through the ISDN interface circuits 41 to 4m. Then, upon receiving this, the central control device 6 starts the incoming call processing in the manner listed below.

(1) This reception is based on the 5ETUP message received.
It is checked whether the above-mentioned "calling number information element identifier" exists therein (see step 5201 in FIG. 5).

(2) Here, if the above "Calling number information element identifier" is
In addition, if it is found to be present in a TUP message,
whether octet 4 exists in the calling party number information element;
That is, it is checked whether the calling number in question exists (step 5202 in FIG. 5).

(3) If octet 4 exists, read the calling number encoded therein from octet 4 (step 3203 in FIG. 5).

(4) Check whether the same calling number as the read calling number is registered in the memory block MBI of the table (storage device 7) (step 5204 in FIG. 5).

(5) If the same calling number is registered, find the index number i of the area where the calling number is registered in the memory block MBI, and receive a call from the area with the found index number i in the other memory block MB2. The extension number of the extension telephone to be assigned first is read (step 5205 in FIG. 5).

(6) Next, it is checked whether the extension telephone corresponding to the read extension number is idle (Step 52 in Fig. 5).
06). Note that a status management table as exemplified in FIG. 6 is used to manage the status of the extension telephone.

Electronic private branch exchanges, such as the one targeted here, usually have
Such a table is also set in advance in the storage device 7 or within the central controller 6 itself, and is stored in the central controller 6.
Then, depending on the presence or absence of the flag as illustrated in FIG. 6, each extension telephone is in the idle state or r3
Determine whether it is in the usy state.

(7) If the extension telephone is idle (Idle), the call is received by the extension telephone (5th
Figure step 5207).

(8) Send layer 3 information (ALERT message) about the called party being called to the ISDN network through the ISDN interface circuits 41 to 4m (Step 32 in Figure 5).
08), the incoming call automatic assignment process by the central control device 6 is ended. Through such processing, an incoming call from the ISDN network is automatically received at the extension telephone with the extension number registered corresponding to the calling number.

(9) Meanwhile, there was an incoming call from the ISDN network, but it was 5ET.
If there is no "calling number information element identifier" in the UP message, or if the same calling number as the calling number of the incoming call is not registered in the memory block MBI, or if the calling number is not registered in the memory block MB2, If the specified extension telephone is not available, the call is received at a preset destination, such as a relay stand or a specific extension telephone (step 5209 in FIG. 5). In this case, the destination of the call is selected by the ACD method mentioned above, etc.
It may be determined.

As explained above, according to this embodiment, if the calling numbers of frequently called or specified call destinations are registered in the table for each extension telephone, these When a call is made from the called party, the call is directly received by the extension telephone set in which the extension number corresponding to the calling party number is registered. At least in such a case, the above-mentioned mediation becomes unnecessary, and the caller is no longer kept waiting for the mediation. In addition, in rare cases, the mode (9) above (step 520 in FIG.
Even though the destination may be determined in accordance with 9), on the whole, the task of relaying incoming calls is greatly reduced, and as a result, the waiting time for the caller is also greatly reduced.

By the way, in the above embodiment, during the calling number-extension number registration process, the input calling number is stored in the table (storage device 7).
If the number has already been registered in the memory block MBI, even if there is a free area in the same memory block MB1, an overflow tone will be sent and subsequent number registration operations will become impossible ( FIG. 3 Step 5105, Step 5107 and Step 5l1
2), for example, if the procedure for the same process is executed in the manner shown in FIG. 7, such inconveniences can be resolved.

That is, in the procedure shown in FIG. 7, if the input calling number has already been registered in the memory block MBI (step 51.05 in FIG. Figure step 5114)
,・Then, without being abandoned (step 5116 in FIG. 7)
As long as the special number is input again (step S115 in FIG. 7), input operation for another calling number (see step 5103 in FIG. 7) becomes possible.

As a result, if the input calling number has already been registered in the memory block MB1 and you try to register another calling number, you do not have to press the DN button again or repeat on-hook and off-hook. become. Note that in FIG. 7, processes similar to those shown in FIG. 3 are given the same step numbers, and redundant explanations of these processes will be omitted.

Further, in some cases, even if the same calling number is duplicated in the memory block MBl, there may be a situation in which it is desired to have a plurality of telephone extensions corresponding to the calling number. For example, there is a case where a plurality of people are in charge of one destination (call destination) such as Company T, and each of these people uses a different telephone extension.

In such a case, when a call from Company T is received, ◆Out of the multiple extension numbers registered corresponding to the calling number of Company T, the highest field in the table above is The incoming call is first assigned to the extension telephone with the extension number registered in the table, and if that extension telephone is busy, the calls are assigned in order from the extension telephone with the extension number registered in the higher area in the same table. Incoming calls of the same type are assigned.

It is desirable that the incoming call processing by the private branch exchange is executed in accordance with the following steps.

For example, as the calling number-white line number registration process, the process in which step 5105 in FIG. All you have to do is make sure that the process is executed.

That is, by deleting the process in step 5105 in FIG. 3 above, it is possible to register the same calling number multiple times, and as shown in FIG. (Figure 8 Step 5
206), the table search for the same calling number (step 5204' in Figure 8) is performed again (more precisely, the corresponding extension is searched based on the scan from the table upper registration area for the calling number). The above-described type of incoming call processing is achieved by ensuring that the numbers are determined sequentially. Note that in FIG. 8 as well, processes similar to those shown in FIG. 5 are indicated by the same step numbers, and redundant explanations of these processes will be omitted.

In addition, in the above embodiment, it was determined whether or not a call should be received on a specified telephone extension based on whether the calling number in the 5ETUP message and the calling number registered in the memory block MBI were the same. In comparing the calling numbers in the memory block MBI, it is not necessary that all digits of both numbers be the same. That is, by comparing the calling number in the ETUP message by the number of digits of the calling number registered for each index in the memory block MB1, for example, if the calling number is ro 1 in the memory block MBI.
234J, compare the top 5 digits of the calling number of the incoming call from the ISDN network, and select r01 for all calls where the top 5 digits are ``01234''.
234*J can also be received by the corresponding extension telephone.

Furthermore, in the above embodiment, all of the extension telephones 11 to 1n are electronic key telephones, but these extension telephones do not necessarily have to be such key telephones. That is, the present invention can be applied even to a standard type telephone, or to a case where these electronic key telephones and standard telephones coexist.

In short, it is only necessary that the preset special number and code number indicating completion of input of the calling number can be input through these telephones, and that the central control unit can recognize the input special number and code number.

Furthermore, in the same embodiment, the extension number of the telephone extension on which the calling number registration operation was executed is automatically registered in the table (storage device 7) in association with the registered calling number. The processing mode related to this is also not limited to this. In other words, it is possible to perform calling number registration from one extension telephone by targeting the extension numbers of other extension telephones, or to install a specific input terminal separately from these extension telephones to register the calling number and extension number. Of course, it is also possible to input information through the input terminal. In particular, this input terminal is illustrated with broken lines in FIG. 1 above for reference. A personal computer or the like can also be used as this input terminal.

[Effects of the Invention] As explained above, according to the present invention, the calling number of any calling source and the extension number of the extension telephone from which calls from this calling source are desired to be directly received are associated in a predetermined manner. When a call is received through the network, it is searched to see if the calling number is registered in the above table, and if it is a registered call, , since the time when incoming calls were assigned preferentially to extension telephones with corresponding extension numbers in the same table.
There is no need for troublesome intermediary work, and there is no longer a need for the caller to wait for the intermediary.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an embodiment of a private branch exchange according to the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing an example of a calling number-extension number table stored in the storage device shown in FIG. FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating the procedure of the calling number-extension number registration process executed in the private branch exchange of the same embodiment, and FIG.
FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of the calling number information element included in the TUP message (TUP message), and FIG. FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram showing an example of an extension telephone status table used by the control device in the private branch exchange of the same embodiment to manage the status of each extension telephone, and FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of the calling number-extension number table shown in FIG. FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating another procedure for the registration process. FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating another procedure for the automatic green credit assignment process to the extension telephone shown in FIG. 11~l n , , extension telephone, 21~2 n , ,
, line circuit, 31.1 channel network, 41-4
m, , ISDN interface circuit, 591. Control data bus line, 611. Central control unit, 71. . Storage device, 8.9. Broadcast stand. Figure 2 Figure 4 Figure 5

Claims (2)

[Claims] (1) A method in which a call received through a network that transmits caller information to the called party at the time of reception is assigned to one of multiple telephone extensions connected to a private branch exchange, and the calling number is transmitted to the called party. The correspondence relationship between this call and the extension number of the telephone extension to which you want to directly receive the call is registered in advance in a table, and when a call is received, it is checked whether or not this call is a call whose calling number is registered in the table. A method for receiving an extension call in a private branch exchange, in which the call is searched for and, if the call is registered, the call is assigned preferentially to the extension telephone with the corresponding extension number in the same table. (2) A storage means for storing and registering one or more of a calling number, which is the telephone number of the calling party, and an extension number, which is the telephone number of the extension telephone, as a table, and an input means for inputting at least the calling number. and a first control means for registering each calling number entered through the input means in the storage means in association with a specific extension number; a calling number detection means for detecting the calling number from a call made; searching the storage means by the detected calling number;
an extension number extracting means for extracting an extension number registered corresponding to the same calling number;
A private branch exchange having an automatic call assignment function, comprising: a second control means for assigning extension calls to calls received through a network;