JPH07336441A - Switching network - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Summary] [Purpose] To reduce the number of service scenarios by half in intelligent networks that provide computer telephony services and telephone services. [Configuration] When a user makes a speed dial call from a calling computer 120, a computer call control unit 101 first activates a service control unit 102 to operate according to a speed dial service scenario 103. This service scenario uses the phone service scenario. Upon receiving the telephone number converted from the speed dial, the computer call control unit displays the call message on the destination computer 130 to which the telephone number is assigned. When the terminating computer responds, the service control unit is activated to operate according to the call path connection service scenario 104. The service control unit controls the telephone call control unit 111 to connect the communication path.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

[Industrial field of use] The present invention relates to the functional configuration of a switching network that realizes computer telephony services.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art For the realization of computer telephony services, not only conventional switch makers but also PC makers have entered, and technical competition is becoming fierce.

The essence of the computer telephony service can be seen as an evolution of a GUI (graphical user interface) from a telephone to a computer, or as a new service combined with a database and a voice server.

For example, services such as abbreviated dialing, telephone directory, telephone transfer, and absence setting, which have been conventionally provided in private branch exchanges, are difficult to understand and are currently used only by some users. Is. With the progress of GUI, it can be expected that various services that the exchange has conventionally have become easier to use.

Also, a new service can be provided such as a service in which electronic mail and voice mail can be searched in the same mailbox.

From the above, it is expected that demand for exchanges and computers will be stimulated.

A conventional example will be described using FIG. 6 as an example of a speed dial service. FIG. 6 shows the configuration of a switching network system that realizes a conventional computer telephony service. FIG. 7 is an outline of processing when a speed dial service is provided between conventional computers. FIG. 8 is an outline of processing when a speed dial service is provided between conventional telephones.

FIG. 9 shows a conventional method of realizing a service for telephones. The point 1 of the call processing 400 is, for example, S902 in FIG.
It indicates the timing of activating the service control unit. Point 2 indicates the timing at which the service control unit transfers information to the call processing unit and requests the call processing unit to restart the processing at the same time as in S904 of FIG.

A conventional method of realizing a computer-telephony speed dial service will be described with reference to FIG. The user first makes a call request L from the calling computer 120.
It is sent to the computer 300 having the service control unit 302 via the AN 140. Then, when the service control unit detects the call origination request, the service control unit operates according to the speed dial service scenario 301 for computers. It waits for the input of the telephone number according to the description of the service scenario (S801). When the user completes the input of the telephone number, the service control unit determines whether the telephone number is a number for activating the service (S802). For example, if it is promised that the shortened number starts with 9, it is determined whether the first digit of the telephone number is 9. If it is 9, the abbreviated number is converted into a telephone number (S803). The conversion table for this conversion is described in the computer service scenario.
After the conversion, the converted telephone number is used as a key to obtain the LAN address of the computer to which the telephone number is assigned (S804). A conversion table for this conversion is also described inside the service scenario. Then, a call request is sent to the partner computer (S805). A user at the computer notices the call and responds by tapping the computer keyboard. Then, the service control unit activates the telephone call control unit to connect the calling side and the called side telephones (S806). The telephone call control unit first receives an incoming call to the telephone having the telephone number specified by the calling user. Next, the telephone number of the telephone corresponding to the calling computer is obtained. Then, the telephone call control unit is activated again to receive an incoming call to the calling telephone. When both users take the handset off-hook, the call path becomes a call state, and the call control unit notifies the service control unit that the call path connection is completed. After that, the service control unit waits for a disconnection request from the computer (S80
9). When a disconnection request from the calling computer is detected (S81
0), activates the telephone call control unit, disconnects the connected call path between the calling side and the called side, and sends a busy tone to the calling side phone and the called side phone (S810). After that, the service control unit returns to the call waiting state (S811).

Here, the call control means a basic control in communication between terminals, such as ringing a ringing tone of a terminal to receive an incoming call, and stopping the ringing tone when a user picks up a handset and answers. Therefore, the telephone call control unit refers to a functional portion that implements the call control procedure of the telephone.

Further, as in this example, when the service control unit receives a call request from a computer, it operates according to the service scenario for computers.

The procedure for the service control unit to activate the call control unit for telephones to connect / disconnect the communication path between the two telephones is a standard function in the PBX-computer interface (for example, in the US). PBX standardized by ANSI
-There is SCAI which is an interface between computers).

On the other hand, a conventional method for realizing a speed dial service between telephones will be described with reference to FIG. When the call control unit of the exchange detects the off-hook of the telephone (S900) and then completes the collection of telephone numbers (S901), it determines whether the telephone number is the number for which the service should be activated. if,
If it is a speed dial number, the service control unit of the computer is requested to activate the speed dial service (S902).
The exchange waits for the result of number conversion of the speed dial number to be returned from the computer. The service control unit operates according to the speed dial service scenario. When the number is converted, the converted telephone number is notified to the exchange (S90
3). Here, the number conversion table is described in the telephone service scenario. The exchange analyzes the telephone number to find out where the telephone is connected to the exchange (S
904), and calls the destination telephone (S905). When the user of the partner telephone takes the handset off-hook, the call path between the calling side and the called side is connected and waiting for disconnection (S907). If the calling side goes on-hook, it is detected and the communication path is disconnected (S908), and the call waiting state is returned (S909).

As described above, the service scenario for the telephone is
It can be described on a service-by-service basis and more simply than the service scenario for computers. This controls the telephone service in cooperation with the exchange as shown in FIG. This technology is shown in the ITU Recommendation Q.1200 series as the basic architecture of intelligent networks. For example, when the service 1 is performed, the call processing unit executes the service up to the point 1 of the call processing. At the point 1, the call processing is interrupted and the service control unit is activated to operate according to the service scenario of the service 1,
Wait for a reply. The service control unit operates according to the service scenario for the specified service 1. When the processing of the service control unit is completed, the processing result is notified to the call processing unit, the point 2 at which the call processing is restarted is designated, and the processing ends. By the notification, the call processing unit restarts the call processing from the designated call processing point 2. In this way, a basic telephone service is processed by the call processing unit, and other service-specific processing is processed by the service control unit. As described above, in the case of the service for the telephone, the service scenario is described separately for each service, so that the service scenario can be simplified. With simplification, various services can be created more easily and maintenance becomes easier. If about 200 to 300 such service scenarios are prepared, the conventional private branch exchange telephone service can be covered. Thus, the functional configuration of the switching network for realizing the telephone service is evolving.

From the above, the computer service scenario of FIG. 7 is considerably more complicated than the telephone service scenario of FIG. This has the following causes.

First, the call processing to the computer is incorporated in the service scenario. Also, since multiple services are packed in one service scenario, it becomes complicated as the number of services increases. Furthermore, 1
In one service scenario, call processing of two telephones,
The service scenario is complicated because the call processing of two computers must be described.

As a reference for realizing a computer telephony service, Nikkei Electronics 19
There is Figure 5 on page 127, 2-14, 1994. Although there is no specific operation description in this figure, the operation as described in this section is expected.

[0018]

Since the conventional service scenario for the computer terminal operates differently from the service scenario for the telephone, it is necessary to prepare it separately.

Further, in the conventional service scenario for a computer, a plurality of services are packed in one service scenario, so that there is a drawback that the service becomes complicated as the number of services increases.

Further, in the conventional service scenario for a computer, it is necessary to control call processing of a total of four terminals, that is, a calling side telephone and a computer, and a receiving side telephone and a computer. There is a drawback that it is more complicated than the service scenario of a telephone that controls processing.

According to the present invention, when providing a computer telephony service, a service scenario for a telephone can be shared, and the service scenario can be modularized independently for each service, and one service scenario can be provided. Aims to provide a functional configuration in which the control of two terminals is described.

[0022]

The invention according to claim 1 is
In a switching network that provides computer telephony services, performs call control of computers,
And a call control unit for a computer that activates a service control unit to process the computer telephony service, and a call control unit for a telephone that performs call control of the telephone and that can also control the telephone service from the service control unit. Operating the computer call control unit and the telephone call control function according to a service scenario to realize the computer telephony service, and
A service control unit for separately managing the service scenario of the computer telephony service into a scenario unique to the computer and a service scenario usable for both the computer and the telephone is provided.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, the call control unit for a telephone that controls the call of the telephone and the call control of the computer are performed, and the telephone call control is performed to control the connection of the communication path of the telephone. A computer call control unit for controlling a unit, and realizing the computer telephony service by controlling the telephone call control or the computer call control function according to a service scenario, and the computer telephony service The service scenario includes a service control unit having a service scenario that can be used for both computers and telephone services.

[0024]

With this configuration, among the computer telephony services, basic services such as extension connection are realized by the call processing unit for the computer and the service control unit that operates according to the service scenario unique to the computer.

In addition, call waiting, ACD (Automatic C
More advanced services such as all distribution) and speed dial are realized by the call processing unit for computers and the service control unit that operates according to the service scenario that can be used for both the telephone and the computer and the computer-specific service scenario.

[0026]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

(Embodiment 1) (Embodiment of the Invention of Claim 1) FIG. 1 shows a configuration of a switching network in Embodiment 1. The exchange 110 and the telephone call control unit 111 are the same as those of the conventional example. FIG. 2 shows a procedure for realizing the speed dial service by the computer 100 according to the first embodiment. The service control unit 102 manages a service scenario unique to the computer and a service scenario that can be used for both the telephone and the computer. As the service scenarios unique to the computer, there are a service scenario 104 for connecting a call path and a service scenario 105 for disconnecting a call path. It also has a speed dial service scenario as a service scenario that can be used for both the telephone and the computer. FIG. 3 is a comparison table of telephone numbers and LAN addresses included in the speed dial service service scenario.

The operation procedure of the switching network in the first embodiment will be described. The computer call processing unit 101 receives the call origination request from the computer 120 (S600), recognizes the destination telephone number (S601), and determines whether there is a need to activate the service (S602). If the received telephone number is a speed dial, the service control unit 102 is activated.
The service control unit uses the speed dial service scenario (S60
It operates according to 3) and returns the result of converting the speed dial number to the telephone number to the computer call control unit 101. L of the other party's computer
An AN address is obtained and a call request is sent to the computer (S604). For example, if the telephone number is 3338 in FIG. 3, it is converted to the LAN address 123.4.5.1. Upon receiving the call request, the computer 130 displays the call on the display screen and waits for the user's response. When the user responds, the service control unit 102 is activated to operate in accordance with the service scenario 104 of the call path connection, which is one of the service scenarios unique to the computer (S60
6). In the service scenario of the call path connection, the call control unit 111 for the telephone is controlled to connect the two call paths of the telephone 121 on the calling side and the telephone 131 on the called side (S607). When the connection is completed, the service control unit 102 is notified, and then the service control unit notifies the computer call control unit 101 that the connection is completed. Since the call path is connected, the service control unit waits for disconnection (S608). When the user instructs the computer to end the call after the call, the call controller for the computer
The service control unit is activated so as to operate according to the service scenario 105 for disconnecting the communication path, which is one of the service scenarios unique to the computer. The service control unit controls the telephone call control unit 111 to disconnect the call path between the two telephones (S609). When the disconnection is completed, the service control unit in operation is notified according to the call path disconnection service scenario. The service control unit further notifies the computer call control unit of the completion of disconnection. Upon receiving the notification, the computer call processing unit 101 returns to the original call waiting state (S611).

In the first embodiment, only the call path connection and the call path disconnection are set as the contents of the service scenario peculiar to the computer. Many cases are conceivable, such as the case of switching the connection mode of the communication path such as adding, deleting, or switching the path. In addition, it may be considered that a specific control is performed on the computer. For example, a case where characters are displayed on a computer display.

(Embodiment 2) (Embodiment of Claim 2) FIG. 4 shows a configuration of a switching network in the embodiment.
The service control unit 202 manages a speed dial service scenario as a service scenario that can be used for both the telephone and the computer. Also, the computer call control unit 201 activates and processes the telephone call control unit 111 when the call path is connected or disconnected. FIG. 5 shows the exchange control procedure in the embodiment.

The difference from the first embodiment is that the computer call processing unit 201 directly activates the telephone call control unit 111 when the telephone call path is connected. The difference is that the telephone call control unit 111 is also directly activated when the call path is disconnected.

In the second embodiment, the call controller for the computer activates the call controller for the telephone to process only the call path connection and the call path disconnection. However, in addition to this, the call path is suspended. Many cases are conceivable, such as switching the connection mode of the call path such as adding, deleting, or switching the call path of the one party to the call of the two parties.

In the first and second embodiments, the telephone exchange is set up as a telephone for transmitting voice. However, the call processing units of the videophone exchange, the ATM exchange, and the packet exchange are replaced with telephone-oriented call processing. Can be applied.

[0034]

According to the invention of claim 1, the service scenario for the computer and the service scenario for the telephone can be shared in the switching network for providing the computer telephony service. Therefore, in the past, it was necessary to describe and prepare hundreds of service scenarios corresponding to telephone scenarios as computer scenarios, but this is no longer necessary. Therefore, the computer telephony service can be provided promptly, and the area for storing the computer service scenario can be omitted.

Further, the service scenario can be managed independently for each service. Further, the shared service scenario may include a scenario regarding control of the telephone.

Further, since it is only necessary to write a scenario relating only to computer control in the computer-specific service scenario, the configuration of the service scenario can be simplified.

According to the invention of claim 2, a computer
In a switching network that provides telephony services, service scenarios for computers and telephones can be shared. In addition, service scenarios can be managed independently for each service. Further, even when describing the service scenario of the computer telephony service, it is not necessary to describe the service scenario unique to the computer telephony service such as connection control of the telephone call path.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a configuration of a switching network according to a first embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a procedure for realizing a speed dial service according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a comparison table of telephone numbers and LAN addresses included in a service scenario of a speed dial service.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a configuration of a switching network according to a second embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a procedure for realizing a speed dial service according to a second embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a configuration of a conventional switching network.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a conventional procedure for realizing a speed dial service between computers.

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a procedure for realizing a conventional speed dial service between telephones.

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a conventional procedure for realizing a service between telephones.

[Explanation of symbols]

100, 200, 300 Computer 110 Switchboard 111 Telephone call control unit 120 Calling side computer 121 Calling side telephone 130 Calling side computer 131 Calling side telephone 140 LAN (Local Area Network) 101, 201 Call control section for computer 102, 202, 302 Service control unit 103, 203 Service scenario that can be used for both telephone and computer 104 Service scenario for call path control

Claims (2)

[Claims] 1. A call control unit for a computer, which performs call control of a computer and activates a service control unit to process the computer telephony service in a switching network for providing the computer telephony service, and a telephone set. Call control unit for telephones, which is capable of controlling the telephone service from the service control unit, and operates the call control unit for computers and the call control function for telephones according to a service scenario to operate the computer telephony A service control unit that realizes a service and manages the service scenario of the computer telephony service separately into a scenario unique to the computer and a service scenario that can be used for both the computer and the telephone; Features and Exchange network that. 2. In a switching network for providing computer telephony services, a call control unit for a telephone that controls a call of a telephone and a call control of a computer are performed, and control relating to connection of a telephone call path is performed. A computer call control unit for controlling the telephone call control unit for realizing the computer telephony service by controlling the telephone call control or the computer call control function according to a service scenario, and the computer A switching network, characterized in that the service scenario of the telephony service comprises a service control part having a service scenario that can be used for both computers and services for telephones.