JP2000287233A - Telephone system - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a telephone system which can effectively reduce power consumption not only at a computer terminal but also in a system as a whole by interrupting power feeding to a telephone set coordinated to a computer terminal when an operation condition of the computer terminal transits from a normal mode to a standby mode. SOLUTION: When each of computer terminals 4A to 4N transits to operation waiting state by a user, that is, a standby mode in accordance with activation of screen saver, a power saving operation or the like, a management part 22 of a server 2 is informed of change in this operation mode. Then, when operation conditions of the computer terminals 4A to 4N enter in the standby mode, it is decided that the user is absent and power feeding to button telephone sets 3A to 3N coordinated to the computer terminals 4A to 4N is interrupted. Therefore, even if the user is absent, power consumption can be reduced not only at the computer terminals 4A to 4N but in a whole system in comparison to a case in which normal power feeding is performed from a main device 4.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a telephone system, and more particularly, to a telephone system for connecting and connecting a telephone to be accommodated and an outside line, and controlling the telephone by associating it with a computer terminal.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In a telephone system such as a key telephone device or a PBX system installed in an office or the like, a user 1
It is common to use one telephone for a person. On the other hand, computer terminals (personal computers: PCs) tend to use telephone lines for the Internet, e-mail, and the like, and use one computer terminal for each user, similar to a telephone. Is being introduced.

Under such circumstances, for example, a telephone system that controls a computer terminal of the same user by associating the telephone with the computer terminal is being studied. In this type of telephone system,
For example, when an incoming call occurs to a telephone located near the computer terminal, the incoming telephone is notified of the incoming call and a ring tone is sounded, and the computer terminal associated with the telephone is called. Incoming calls are also notified, and incoming calls are displayed by pop-up display or ringtone output on the screen of the computer terminal.

[0004]

Generally, in a computer terminal, when an unused state is continued for a predetermined period as a mode control function, a screen saver is activated or power control of the apparatus itself is performed to reduce power consumption. Although it has the function of shifting to the standby mode, in the above-mentioned conventional telephone system, the main unit always supplies power to each telephone even though the user is absent. Therefore, there is a problem that power consumption cannot be reduced effectively. The present invention has been made to solve such a problem, and an object of the present invention is to provide a telephone system capable of effectively reducing power consumption not only in a computer terminal but also in the entire system.

[0005]

In order to achieve the above object, a telephone system according to the present invention, when the operating state of a computer terminal shifts from a normal mode to a standby mode, is associated with the computer terminal. The power supply to the telephone set is stopped.

Further, when the power supply to the telephone associated with the computer terminal is stopped in accordance with the transition to the standby mode of the computer terminal, the computer terminal is set in advance until the computer terminal returns to the normal mode. The telephone is controlled based on a predetermined absence mode.

Further, when power supply to the telephone is stopped, a hook state monitoring means for monitoring the hook state of the telephone is provided, and when the telephone is set to the absence monitoring mode as the absence mode, the absence of the telephone is monitored. In the monitoring mode, the call to the telephone is stopped even when there is an incoming call to the telephone, and the power supply to the telephone is restarted when the off-hook in the telephone is detected by the hook state monitoring means. It was done.

[0008] Further, when the telephone is set to the call forwarding mode as the call forwarding mode, when there is an incoming call to the telephone, the forwarding registered in advance for the telephone is performed. The incoming call is forwarded first.

When the absence mode is set as the absence mode of the telephone, the absence monitoring mode is used to stop the call to the telephone even if there is an incoming call to the telephone. is there.

[0010]

Next, the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a telephone system according to an embodiment of the present invention. Hereinafter, a key telephone device including a main device and a key telephone will be described as an example of the telephone system, but the present invention can be applied to a telephone system having another configuration such as a telephone system including a PBX and an extension telephone.

In FIG. 1, reference numeral 1 denotes data transmission lines 5A to 5A.
A main device for controlling each of the key telephones 3A to 3N by performing data transmission via N, and a LAN for each of the computer terminals 4A to 4N (personal computer: PC).
This is a server connected via the line 8, and each of the key telephones 3A to 3N and each of the computer terminals 4A to 4N are arranged in association with each other.

In the main unit 1, reference numeral 11 denotes a line switching unit for switching connection between the outside line 7 and each of the key telephones 3A to 3N.
Represents each key telephone 3A via the data transmission paths 5A to 5N.
To 3N, and the status monitoring transmission lines 6A to 6N
N, an extension interface unit for monitoring the operation state of each of the key telephones 3A to 3N; 13 a control unit for controlling the entire system such as the main unit and the key telephone;
Reference numeral 4 denotes a storage unit that stores control information necessary for control by the control unit 13.

In the server 2, reference numeral 21 denotes a LAN line 8.
To communicate with each of the computer terminals 4A to 4N via
The AN interface unit 22 is a management unit that manages the operation state of each computer terminal, and 23 is a management table that stores management information used by the management unit 22. Main device 1
The control unit 13 of the server 2 and the management unit 22 of the server 2 are mutually connected by the communication line 9, and the management unit 22 of the server 2 sends the computer terminal 4
Various information notified from A to 4N and management information stored in the management table 23 are notified.

When each of the computer terminals 4A to 4N shifts to a state of waiting for an operation by a user, ie, a standby mode, in response to activation of a screen saver or power saving operation, etc.
This change in the operation mode is notified to the management unit 22 of the server 2. In the management unit 22, each of the computer terminals 4A to 4A
N, each of the computer terminals 4A to 4N
Are managed in the management table 23 as management information.

A predetermined telephone, for example, a key telephone 3
A, when there is an incoming call, the key telephone 3A
, An incoming call is notified by data transmission, an incoming call is displayed on the key telephone 3A, and an incoming call to the key telephone 3A occurs from the control unit 13 of the main device 1 to the management unit 22 of the server 2. Or that an incoming call to the computer terminal 4A corresponding to the key telephone 3A has occurred. In response, LAN line 8
Computer terminal 4A from the management unit 22 via the
The incoming call is notified to the computer terminal 4A, and the incoming call is displayed on the computer terminal 4A by a pop-up display or a ring tone output on the screen.

Further, when the user is absent, transfer destination information indicating another key telephone as a transfer destination for transferring an incoming call to the key telephone is preset in the storage unit 14 of the main device 1 as necessary. You. In addition, a PIM (Person) that manages a user's schedule and personal information on a computer terminal
al Information Manager) tool, the transfer destination information may be notified to the management unit 22 of the server 2 and may be sequentially transferred to the control unit 13 of the main device 1.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a connection form between the main device and the key telephone. Hereinafter, the connection mode between the main device and the key phone will be described using the key phone 3A as an example, but the connection mode with other key phones is the same. The extension interface section 12 of the main device 1 has a power supply section 15A and a state monitoring section 16 corresponding to the key telephone 3A.
A is provided.

The power supply section 15A supplies a power supply VA required for the operation of the key telephone 3A via the data transmission path 5A. The state monitoring unit 16A monitors the operation state of the key telephone via a state monitoring transmission line 6A separate from the data transmission line 5A.

In the key telephone 3A, reference numeral 31 denotes the circuit switching unit 1 of the main unit 1 connected via the data transmission line 5A.
1 (see FIG. 1) and a transmission interface for performing data transmission; 32, a power supply unit that extracts a power supply VD from a power supply VA superimposed on the data transmission line 5A and supplies the power supply VD to each unit of the key telephone; 33, an operation state of the key telephone 3A Here, the status notification unit notifies the status (on-hook / off-hook) of the handset detected by the hook switch HS.

Therefore, the power supply section 15A of the extension interface section 12 is controlled by the control section 13 of the main device 1, and the start / stop of power supply to the key telephone 3A is controlled. Also, the status monitoring unit 1 of the extension interface unit 12
The operation state of the key telephone 3A detected in 6A is notified to the control unit 13. The key telephone 3A has an audio processing system circuit unit that processes audio data exchanged via the transmission interface unit 31 and controls the entire key telephone 3A based on control data exchanged via the transmission interface unit 31. Although a control system circuit section is provided, the description is omitted here.

Next, the operation of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 3 is a flowchart showing a mode control process of the computer terminal, FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing an information transfer process of the server, and FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a mode management process of the main device. FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing a control process of the main device, in which (a) shows an incoming call process, (b) shows an off-hook detection process in the absence monitoring mode, and (c) shows an on-hook process in the absence monitoring mode.

According to the present invention, when the computer terminal shifts to the standby mode, it is determined that the user is absent, the power supply to the key telephone associated with the computer terminal is stopped, and the key telephone is stopped. Is shifted to various absence modes registered in advance in correspondence with. Hereinafter, a case will be described as an example in which three modes of an absence monitoring mode, an absence transfer mode, and an absence stop mode are provided as the absence modes.

In the absence monitoring mode, instead of stopping the power supply to the key telephone, the main unit monitors the hook state and resumes the power supply in response to the detection of the off-hook so that the key telephone can be used temporarily. Mode.
In addition, the call forwarding mode is a mode in which, instead of stopping power supply to the key telephone, when a call is received in that state, the call is transferred to a preset transfer destination. Further, the absence stop mode is a mode in which power supply to the key telephone is stopped and its function is completely suppressed.

First, referring to FIG. 3, the mode control processing in the computer terminal will be described.
Will be described as an example. In the computer terminal 4A,
The mode control process shown in FIG. 3 is executed at predetermined intervals. First, only when the transfer destination is set by the PIM application or the like (Step 50: YES),
The latest transfer destination information is notified to the server 2 via the LAN line 8 (step 51).

Next, it is determined whether an operation input such as a key operation or a mouse operation of the computer terminal 4A has not been performed for a predetermined period (step 52). Here, when there is no operation input for a predetermined period or more (step 52: YE
S) As a process for shifting to the standby mode, the standby mode is started by executing an application to be executed in the standby mode, for example, a screen saver or a power saving process (step 53), and the server 2 is notified that the standby mode has been started. This is notified (step 54), and the series of processing ends.

In step 52, if there is an operation input before the lapse of the predetermined period (step 52: N
O) At that time, it is determined whether or not the standby mode has been activated (step 55). If the standby mode has already been activated (step 55: YES), the application executed in the standby mode is executed as the standby mode release processing. The standby mode is released by terminating (step 5
6) The server 2 is notified that the standby mode has been released (step 57), and the series of processing ends.

Next, an information transfer process in the server 2 will be described with reference to FIG. First, in the management unit 22 of the server 2, in the signal waiting state (step 60),
When transfer destination information is notified from any of the computer terminals 4A to 4N, the transfer destination information is notified to the control unit 13 of the main device 1 via the communication line 9 (step 61).

In the signal waiting state (step 60), if any of the computer terminals 4A to 4N notifies that the standby mode has been started in the computer terminal, the standby in the computer terminal is similarly performed. The activation of the mode is notified to the control unit 13 of the main device 1 (step 62). Further, in a signal waiting state (step 60), when any of the computer terminals 4A to 4N notifies that the standby mode has been released at the computer terminal, the release of the standby mode at the computer terminal is similarly performed. Is notified to the control unit 13 of the main device 1 (step 63).

Next, an outline of the mode management processing in the main device 1 will be described with reference to FIG. First, in the signal waiting state (step 65), when the transfer destination information of the predetermined computer terminal is sent from the server 2, it is determined as the call transfer destination telephone when the key telephone associated therewith is in the call forwarding mode. Then, the key telephone corresponding to the transfer destination information is registered in the storage unit 14 (step 66).

In the signal waiting state (step 65), when the server 2 sends a message indicating that the standby mode has been started at a predetermined computer terminal, the server 2 is preset as the absence mode of the key telephone set associated with it. The read mode is read from the storage unit 14, and the key telephone is shifted to the mode (step 67). Further, in the signal waiting state (step 65), when the server 2 notifies that the standby mode has been released by the predetermined computer terminal, the key telephone associated with the signal is returned to the normal mode (step 68). .

Next, a control process in the main device 1 will be described with reference to FIG. When there is an incoming call from the outside line 7 or another key telephone (extension), the incoming call processing shown in FIG. Hereinafter, a case will be described as an example where the incoming call processing is performed for the key telephone 3A included in the destination key telephone. First, it is determined whether or not the incoming call is an individual incoming call only to the key telephone 3A (step 70). If the incoming call is an individual incoming call (step 70: YES), the key telephone 3A as the incoming call operates in the normal mode. It is determined whether or not it has been performed (step 71).

If the mobile phone is operating in the normal mode (step 71: YES), it instructs the key telephone 3A to display an incoming call by data transmission (step 72), and ends a series of processes. On the other hand, when the mode is not the normal mode (step 71: NO), since the power supply to the key telephone 3A is stopped, only when the absence transfer mode is set as the absence mode of the key telephone 3A (step 73). : YES), the incoming call is transferred to the key telephone of the transfer destination registered in advance corresponding to the key telephone 3A (step 74), and in the case of another absence mode (step 73: NO), the incoming call display is performed. End the process.

Further, in step 70, if it is not an individual incoming call but a normal incoming call having a plurality of destinations (step 7).
0: NO) only when the key telephone 3A, which is the destination of the call, is operating in the normal mode (step 75: YE).
S), instruct the key telephone 3A to display an incoming call by data transmission (step 76). On the other hand, when key telephone 3A is in the absence mode (step 75: NO), the process ends without displaying the incoming call.

In the control unit 13 of the main unit 1, the off-hook operation of the key telephone controlled in the absence monitoring mode, for example, the key telephone 3A, is performed by the extension interface unit 12.
6B, the off-hook detection process shown in FIG. 6B is executed. First, the status monitoring unit 16A sends the key telephone 3A to the status monitoring transmission line 6A.
The supply of the hook detection potential via A is stopped to stop the hook detection process when the power supply is stopped (step 8).
0), the power supply section 15A is controlled to temporarily start power supply to the key telephone 3A via the data transmission path 5A (step 81).

At this time, the power supply may be restarted without stopping the supply of the hook detection potential. And key telephone 3
If an incoming call has occurred at A (step 82), it is determined that the off-hook detected earlier is a response operation to the incoming call, and an incoming call response process for starting a call between the incoming call and the key telephone 3A is performed. Execute (step 83), and end the series of processing.

On the other hand, in the control unit 13 of the main unit 1, the on-hook operation of the key telephone controlled in the absence monitoring mode, for example, the key telephone 3A, is performed by the extension interface unit 12.
6C, an on-hook detection process shown in FIG. 6C is executed.

First, only when the key telephone 3A is capturing an outside line (step 85: YES), a call termination process for releasing the outside line is executed (step 86). And
The power supply unit 15A is controlled to stop the power supply to the key telephone 3A (step 87), the supply of the hook detection potential from the state monitoring unit 16A to the key telephone 3A is started, and the hook detection process when the power supply is stopped is restarted. (Step 88), a series of processing ends.

As described above, when the operation state of the computer terminal is in the standby mode, it is determined that the user is absent, and the power supply to the key telephone associated with the computer terminal is stopped. As compared with the conventional system, which always supplies power to each telephone from the main unit despite the absence of a user, the power consumption can be effectively reduced not only in the computer terminal but also in the entire system. Can be reduced.

When the power supply to the telephone is stopped, a predetermined absence mode set in advance for the telephone until the computer terminal returns to the normal mode.
For example, since the telephone is controlled based on the absence monitoring mode or the absence transfer mode, even when the power supply to some key telephones is stopped, the entire system can be controlled without any trouble.

In step 73 of FIG. 6 (a), if the destination key telephone is in the absence mode other than the call forwarding mode (step 73: NO), the absence in the general key telephone device An incoming call process may be performed. The missed call processing includes, for example, a process of responding to an incoming call with an answering machine function or an answering machine provided in the main device 1 and a process of transferring an incoming call to another key telephone in a normal mode.

In place of the missed call processing, the power supply to the called key telephone 3A is resumed in response to the incoming call, and the incoming call display and the incoming call response processing are executed in the same manner as in the normal mode. , The power supply to the key telephone 3A may be stopped. As a result, an incoming call is displayed on the button telephone whose power supply is stopped as necessary, and a response can be made by another nearby user, so that smooth operation can be performed even when the user is absent.

When the processing described above is executed in the computer terminal, the server and the main unit, the operation mode of the key telephone changes as shown in FIG. FIG. 7 is a state transition diagram showing a transition of the operation mode of the key telephone. Hereinafter, the key telephone 3A and the computer terminal 4A will be described as examples. In FIG. 7, individual calls are assumed as incoming calls, and normal incoming calls are omitted.

First, the associated computer terminal 4
When A is operating normally and is not in the standby mode, the key telephone 3A is in the normal mode (step 100), and power is being supplied from the main device 1. At this time, if there is an incoming call to the key telephone 3A, an incoming call is displayed on the key telephone 3A (step 101).

In the normal mode (step 100), when the computer terminal 4A shifts to the standby mode, the power supply to the key telephone 3A is stopped (step 1).
02), a transition is made to each of the preset absence modes. For example, when the absence monitoring mode is set as the absence mode (step 103: YES), the supply of the hook detection potential is started to start the hook detection process when the power supply is stopped (step 104). Move to (Step 105).

In this absence monitoring mode, if there is an incoming call while the power is stopped, the key telephone 3A does not call (display an incoming call). When the off-hook is detected by the key telephone 3A, the power supply is restarted (step 106), and the key telephone 3A becomes temporarily usable. As a result, even when the power supply is stopped, the device can be temporarily used by off-hook, and can cope with an emergency or the like.

Thereafter, when an on-hook is detected,
It is determined that the temporary use has ended, and the power supply is stopped (step 107). Further, when the computer terminal 4A returns to the normal operation, the supply of the hook detection potential is stopped to stop the hook detection process when the power supply is stopped (step 108), and the power supply to the key telephone 3A is restarted. (Step 130), the normal mode (step 10)
Go to 0).

When the absence transfer mode is set as the absence mode of the key telephone 3A (step 1).
10: YES), the mode is shifted to the call forwarding mode (step 111). When there is an incoming call in the call forwarding mode, the incoming call is transferred to a transfer destination registered in advance corresponding to the key telephone 3A (step 112). As a result, even if there is an incoming call while the power supply is stopped, it is possible to answer with the transfer destination key telephone.

Further, when the computer terminal 4A returns to the normal operation, the power supply to the key telephone 3A is resumed (step 130) and the normal mode (step 10) is resumed.
Go to 0). In the call forwarding mode, the hook state of the key telephone 3A is not monitored, and even if the hook state changes, no processing is performed and the temporary use is not possible.

When the absence mode is set as the absence mode of the key telephone 3A (step 1).
10: NO), and shifts to the absence stop mode (step 120). If there is an incoming call in this absence stop mode, the incoming call is transferred to a transfer destination registered in advance corresponding to the key telephone 3A (step 112), and a call is made by the transfer destination key telephone.

Further, when the computer terminal 4A returns to the normal operation, the power supply to the key telephone 3A is resumed (step 130), and the normal mode (step 10) is started.
Go to 0). In the absent suspension mode, the hook state of the key telephone 3A is not monitored, and no processing is performed even if the hook state changes, so that the temporary use cannot be performed. Thereby, when the computer terminal is in the standby mode, power supply to the associated key telephone is completely stopped,
Power consumption can be reduced most efficiently.

In the above description, the communication between the control unit 13 of the main device 1 and the management unit 22 of the server 2 via the communication line 9 causes each computer terminal 4A notified to the server 2 to communicate. Although the case where the operating states of 4N to 4N are notified to the control unit 13 of the main device 1 has been described as an example, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the main unit 1 may be provided with a LAN interface unit and connected to the LAN line 8, and the server 2 may notify the control unit 13 of the main unit 1 via the LAN line 8 instead of the communication line 9. .

In the above description, the power supply status of each of the computer terminals 4A to 4N is determined by the main unit 1 via the server 2.
Although the case of notifying the control unit 13 is described as an example, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the operation state of each computer terminal may be managed in the management table 23 of the server 2, and the control table 13 of the main device 1 may access the management table 23 as needed.

Further, the associated key telephone and the computer terminal are directly connected, and the power status of each of the computer terminals 4A to 4N is changed via the key telephone.
May be notified to the control unit 13.

[0054]

As described above, according to the present invention, when the operation state of the computer terminal shifts from the normal mode to the standby mode, the power supply to the telephone associated with the computer terminal is stopped. Therefore, power consumption can be effectively reduced not only in the computer terminal but also in the entire system, as compared with the conventional system in which the main unit always supplies power to each telephone despite the absence of the user. .

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a telephone system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a connection form between a main device and a key telephone.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating a mode control process of the computer terminal.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating an information transfer process of a server.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating a mode management process of a main device.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating a control process of a main device.

FIG. 7 is a state transition diagram showing transition of an operation mode of the key telephone.

[Explanation of symbols]

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Main apparatus, 11 ... Circuit switching part, 12 ... Extension interface part, 13 ... Control part, 14 ... Storage part, 15 (15A
... 15N) ... power supply section, 16 (16A-16N) ... state monitoring section, 2 ... server, 21 ... LAN interface section, 22 ... management section, 23 ... management table, 3A-3N ...
Button telephone, 31 ... Transmission interface, 32 ... Power supply unit, 33 ... Status notification unit, 4A-4N ... Computer terminal, 5A-5N ... Data transmission line, 6A-6N ... Status monitoring transmission line, 7 ... Outline, 8 ... LAN Line, 9 ... Communication line.

 ────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuing on the front page (72) Inventor Satoshi Tanaka 2-3-2 Shimomeguro, Meguro-ku, Tokyo F-term in Tamura Electric Co., Ltd. (Reference) 5K024 AA45 CC04 GG13 5K037 AA13 AD05 BA06 DA03 5K049 AA05 BB05 BB17 BB19 CC13 CC14 EE02 FF01 FF42 HH04 5K051 AA00 BB01 DD03 HH12 9A001 CC02 CC05 CC09

Claims (5)

[Claims] In a telephone system for controlling a telephone to be exchanged between an accommodated telephone and an outside line and controlling the computer by associating the telephone with the computer terminal, when the operating state of the computer terminal shifts from a normal mode to a standby mode, the computer is connected to the computer. A telephone system comprising control means for stopping power supply to a telephone set associated with a terminal. 2. The telephone system according to claim 1, wherein the control unit returns to the normal mode when the power supply to the telephone associated with the computer terminal is stopped according to the transition of the computer terminal to the standby mode. A telephone system that controls the telephone based on a predetermined absence mode set in advance for the telephone until the telephone is activated. 3. The telephone system according to claim 2, further comprising hook state monitoring means for monitoring a hook state of the telephone when power supply to the telephone is stopped, wherein the control means sets a telephone absence mode. When set to the absence monitoring mode, the absence monitoring mode is set so that the call to the telephone is stopped even when there is an incoming call to the telephone, and the off-hook state of the telephone is detected by the hook state monitoring means. A telephone system for resuming power supply to the telephone in the case. 4. The telephone system according to claim 2, wherein the control means, when the call forwarding mode is set as the call absence mode of the telephone, when the call is received by the telephone as the call forwarding mode. Is a telephone system for transferring an incoming call to a transfer destination registered in advance for the telephone. 5. The telephone system according to claim 2, wherein the control means sets the absence monitoring mode as the absence mode of the telephone even when an incoming call to the telephone is set as the absence monitoring mode. A telephone system for stopping a call to the telephone.