JP2007251364A - Access method to access object apparatus, exchange, inter-station connection network system, and computer program - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To acess an access object apparatus accommodated in even another exchange different from an exchange accommodating the access source telephone set similarly to the case as if the access object apparatus to be accommodated in the same exchange in an inter-station connection network system wherein a plurality of exchanges are interconnected via a network. <P>SOLUTION: When the access source telephone set designates an identifier, the exchange accommodating the telephone set executes searching processing of searching a telephone number of the access object apparatus from a storage device of the exchange, and when the exchange cannot search the telephone number, other exchanges in the inter-station connection network system execute the searching processing. Further, the other exchanges execute discrimination processing of discriminating whether or not the other exchanges accommodate the telephone number, the other exchange for discriminating the accommodation of the telephone number informs the telephone set about the telephone number, and accordingly the telephone set dials the telephone number to access the access object apparatus. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an interoffice connection network system including a plurality of private branch exchanges, and more particularly to a method for accessing a voice mail apparatus in the system from a telephone in the interoffice network system.

  In a conventional inter-office connection network system, accessible mailboxes are limited to those managed by a voice mail apparatus accommodated in the same private branch exchange as that telephone, and even in the same inter-office connection network system, It was not possible to access the mailbox managed by the voice mail device housed in another private branch exchange.

  For example, a terminal connected to the exchange E1 in an inter-office connection network system in which two private branch exchanges in which the voice mail apparatus V1 is accommodated in the private branch exchange E1 and the voice mail apparatus V2 is accommodated in the private branch exchange E2 Consider accessing a mailbox from T1. It is assumed that a mailbox managed by the voice mail devices V1 and V2 is given a unique mailbox number in the system. At this time, by specifying the mailbox number, the mailbox managed by either of the voice mail devices V1 and V2 can be uniquely specified. However, in the conventional private branch exchange E1, access to the voice mail device issued by the terminal T1 is connected to the voice mail device V1 as access within the same station regardless of the mailbox number. For this reason, the other station voice mail apparatus V2 cannot be accessed from the terminal T1, or another operation procedure is requested from the user even if it is possible.

  In another conventional technique, by providing means for centrally managing access to all mailboxes in the indirect station network system, access to the mailboxes under the voice mail apparatus accommodated by another exchange is realized. There are some (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

JP-A-7-030579

  The present invention has been made in view of such a situation, and the problem to be solved by the present invention is that in an inter-station connection network system in which a plurality of exchanges are connected via a network, an access source telephone is set. Even if an access target device is accommodated in an exchange different from the accommodated exchange, it is to provide a technology that can be accessed in the same manner as that accommodated in the same exchange.

  The present invention provides an inter-office connection network system including a plurality of exchanges connected via a network, and a plurality of access targets accommodated in a plurality of exchanges from a telephone accommodated in any of the plurality of exchanges. In the method of accessing any one of the devices, each of the plurality of access target devices manages one to a plurality of access target functions, and each of the one to a plurality of access target functions has a unique identifier. In the exchange A that accommodates the telephone, a stage in which the identifier is designated and a search process in which the exchange searches for the telephone number of the access target device that manages the access target function having the identifier from the storage device of the exchange. If the search cannot be performed, the search process is performed on another exchange in the inter-station connection network system. The determination process for determining whether or not the telephone number is accommodated is performed in the exchange B that has successfully retrieved the telephone number in the search process. A step of executing a determination process in the exchange, a step of notifying the telephone number of the telephone number from the switch C determined to contain the telephone number in the determination process, and a telephone call to the telephone number And a method of accessing the access target device. According to this access method, it is possible to access an access target apparatus accommodated in an exchange different from the exchange A accommodating the access source telephone. Further, even if the exchange A contains the device to be accessed, it can be accessed by the same method. Further, there is no need for a server or the like that centrally manages access to access target functions in the inter-station connection network system.

  For example, it is conceivable that the access target device is a voice mail device, and the access target function includes a function for each individual mailbox managed by the voice mail device. Examples of functions targeted at a mailbox include a function for shifting to a state in which an operation targeted at the mailbox can be accepted, saving a message to the mailbox, and playing a message already stored in the mailbox And deletion.

  Further, a step of transmitting terminal information indicating the specification of the telephone from the telephone or the exchange A to the access target device, and a step of transmitting data corresponding to the terminal information from the access target device to the telephone in response to an incoming call. It may be included. In this way, the terminal information is not notified to the access target device after the incoming call, but the terminal information is notified to the access target device in parallel with obtaining the access route to the access target device. Therefore, the access target device can transmit data based on the telephone specification immediately after the incoming call. Here, the terminal information is, for example, the number of displayable lines of the display device provided in the telephone, the number of characters per line, the specifications of the user calling means such as a ringing device provided in the telephone, and the like.

  The present invention also relates to an access target apparatus that manages an access target function having an identifier specified by a telephone accommodated in an exchange connected to another exchange via a network to constitute an interoffice connection network. Means for retrieving the telephone number from the storage device of the exchange, means for notifying the other exchange in the inter-station connection network system when the retrieval means cannot find the identifier, and the exchange It is determined whether or not the exchange accommodates a telephone number that has been successfully searched as a telephone number of an access target apparatus that manages an access target function having an identifier notified from the other exchange or an identifier notified from the other exchange. And other exchanges in the inter-station connection network system, when it is determined that it is not accommodated by the means and the determination means, Characterized in that it comprises means for notifying a predetermined telephone number and means for notifying the telephone of the telephone number subject to determination when it is determined that the determination means accommodates the telephone number. Provide an exchange. According to this exchange, not only the desired access target function managed by the access target device accommodated in the local exchange but also the access target function managed by the access target device accommodated in the other exchange can be accessed by the local exchange. Can access the telephones that are housed. At this time, a device that centrally manages access to the access target function is not necessary.

  For example, it is conceivable that the access target device is a voice mail device, and the access target function includes a function for each individual mailbox managed by the voice mail device. Examples of functions targeted at a mailbox include a function for shifting to a state in which an operation targeted at the mailbox can be accepted, saving a message to the mailbox, and playing a message already stored in the mailbox And deletion.

  Furthermore, it is good also as a means to memorize | store the terminal information which shows the specification of a telephone, and a means to instruct | indicate the transmission of the data according to terminal information to an access object apparatus. In this case, the access target device can transmit data based on the terminal information of the telephone immediately after an incoming call from the telephone. At the same time as obtaining an access route to an access target device that manages a desired access target function, terminal information is notified to the exchange C. For this reason, there is no waiting time for transmitting terminal information after an incoming call. For example, by notifying the exchange C in advance as the terminal information such as the number of displayable lines of the display device provided in the telephone, the number of characters per line, the specifications of the user calling means such as the ringing device provided in the telephone, the exchange C can obtain the terminal information. Corresponding data can be transmitted immediately after the telephone call is received. In response to this, the telephone can display soft keys or the like according to the specifications. In this case, a means for receiving terminal information from another exchange in the inter-station connection network system may be further provided. As a result, the terminal information of the telephone accommodated in the other exchange can be acquired, so that the telephone to be accommodated in the other exchange is also subject to access to perform data transmission according to the terminal information. The device can be instructed.

  The present invention also provides an inter-station connection network system in which a plurality of the above exchanges are connected via a network.

  Furthermore, the present invention has an identifier designated by a telephone accommodated in a computer program executed by a control device of an exchange connected to another exchange via a network and constituting an interoffice connection network. If the telephone number of the access target device that manages the access target function is searched from the storage device of the switch and the search means cannot search, the identifier is given to other switches in the inter-station connection network system. And the telephone number that has been successfully searched as the telephone number of the access target device that manages the access target function having the identifier notified from the other switch or the identifier notified from the other switch. The process of determining whether or not is accommodated, and when determining that it is not accommodated by the determination means, station indirect The process of notifying the other exchange in the network system of the telephone number subject to judgment and the telephone number subject to judgment when the judgment means judges that the telephone is accommodated. Provided is a computer program that causes a control device to execute a notification process.

  According to the present invention, any telephone accommodated in the private branch exchange in the inter-office connection network system can access the voice mail apparatus accommodated in any private branch exchange in the same system by the same operation. can do.

  Further, according to the present invention, it is not necessary to match the private branch exchange that accommodates the voice mail device with the private branch exchange that manages the correspondence between the voice mail device number and its mailbox number.

  Further, according to the present invention, there is no need for a device that centrally manages access to the mailbox in the inter-station connection network system.

  Further, according to the present invention, data such as terminal information is transmitted / received in the private branch exchange connected to the network prior to the incoming call operation. For this reason, it is possible to provide an additional service according to the terminal information simultaneously with the incoming call.

  In particular, when a multi-function telephone is used as the telephone, an interactive operation environment can be provided to the telephone user simultaneously with the incoming call.

  An inter-station connection network system 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. The inter-station connection network system 1 includes a station A, a station B, a station C,... Each having a private branch exchange 100A, 100B, 100C,. These private branch exchanges are IP-connected through routers 200A, 200B, and 200C and an IP-VPN (Internet Protocol-Virtual Private Network), respectively.

  To the private branch exchange 100A, telephones 301, 302,... And a voice mail device 380 are connected. In this specification, reference numerals assigned to telephones and voice mail devices indicate telephone numbers assigned to the telephones / voice mail devices as they are. For example, the telephone number of the telephone 301 is 301, and the telephone number of the voice mail apparatus 380 is 380. It is assumed that telephones and voice mail devices are similarly connected to the private branch exchanges 100B, 100C,. As described above, the telephone numbers in this system are assigned to the telephones / voice mail apparatuses in the inter-office connection network system 1 without duplication.

  Station A will be further described with reference to FIG.

  The private branch exchange 100A includes a call control unit 110A, a database 120A, a library 130A, a work memory 140A, a telephone I / F 150A, and a LAN controller 160A.

  The call control unit 110A performs various port control processes including call control via the telephone I / F 150A and the LAN controller 160A. More specifically, call control related to the accommodated telephone and voice mail device, control of operations of the telephones 301, 302,..., 3XX connected via the telephone I / F 150A (telephone control), voice mail device 380 operation control (voice mail control), data encoding / decoding and communication control (network control) for data communication with other private branch exchanges 100B, 100C, etc. via IP-VPN by LAN controller 160A I do.

  The database 120A holds various data set in the private branch exchange 100A by the user. More specifically, data such as number plan information, network setting information, telephone key information, telephone type information, and voice mail setting information are stored.

  The numbering plan information is a telephone number accommodated by the private branch exchange.

  The network setting information is a voice mail access inquiry (VMA inquiry) when the database 120A itself does not manage the extension number of the voice mail apparatus that stores the mailbox having the mailbox number inquired from the call control unit 110A. ) Includes the network address of the other private branch exchange to which it is to be sent. Further, when the private branch exchange 100A does not accommodate the extension number assigned to the voice mail apparatus storing the mailbox having the mailbox number inquired from the call control unit 110A, the voice mail access notification (VMA notification) ) Includes the network address of the other private branch exchange to which it is to be sent.

  The key information of the telephone is information corresponding to the function assigned to each of the function buttons of the telephones 301, 302,. In particular, if access to a specific mailbox is assigned to a function button, that mailbox number is included.

  The telephone type information is information indicating the type of the telephone, and particularly includes information on the specifications of the display device included in the telephone, for example, information on the number of pixels of the display device, the aspect ratio, the number of lines / characters that can be displayed, and the like. .

  The voice mail setting information is information indicating the correspondence between the mailbox number and the telephone number of the voice mail apparatus that accommodates the mailbox to which the mailbox number is assigned. Here, the voice mail setting information stored in the database 120A is not limited to the voice mail device 380 accommodated in the private branch exchange 100A. For example, when the voice mail device 380 stores the mailbox B350, the database for storing voice mail setting information including the correspondence between the mailbox number B350 and the telephone number 380 is not necessarily the database 120A of the same private branch exchange 100A. The database 120B or database 120C of another private branch exchange is not necessary. The correspondence between the voice mail apparatus in the inter-office connection network system 1 and the mailbox number is included in the voice mail setting information stored in any of the databases 120A, 120B, 120C,. Just do it.

  The library 130A is a group of functions that process data. Function groups include number plan analysis processing and list processing.

  The number plan analysis process determines whether or not the input telephone number is registered in the number plan information in the database 120A, and whether or not the input mailbox number is registered in the voice mail setting information in the database 120A. Determine whether or not.

  In the list processing, when the voice mail apparatus holding the mailbox having the mailbox number designated by the VM access information received from the other exchange is the one accommodated in the local station, the VM call corresponding to the VM access information is performed. Add a reference number (list reference number) to the information and save it. When receiving an access request from the access source telephone to the telephone number of the voice mail apparatus, the VM call information is read according to the list reference number specified in the access request.

  The work memory 140A is a memory used when executing a program.

  A telephone I / F (interface) 150A is an interface device for connecting various terminals such as a telephone, a facsimile machine, a voice mail apparatus and the like.

  A LAN (Local Area Network) controller 160A is typically an Ethernet controller, and is responsible for Ethernet (registered trademark) communication control.

  The telephones 301, 302,... Are so-called button telephone devices each having at least one function button. The function corresponding to the function button is defined by telephone key information stored in the database 120A. In the following, it is assumed that access to a mailbox with a predetermined mailbox number is defined.

  The voice mail apparatus 380 holds a plurality of mail boxes B301, B302,. Here, the reference numerals assigned to each mailbox indicate the mailbox number assigned to the mailbox. For example, the mailbox number of the mailbox B301 is B301. The mailbox number is a number that uniquely specifies a mailbox in the inter-station connection network system 1. Note that the mailbox number prefixed with B here is for ease of understanding. Actually, even if it is just a string of numbers, such as the telephone number assigned to the corresponding telephone, I do not care. By specifying a mailbox number from any telephone in the inter-station connection network system 1, a message can be recorded in a desired mailbox. Voice mail device 380 also has a mechanism for determining the type of the telephone being accessed based on a signal received from private branch exchange 100A, and transmitting appropriate display data according to the display device included in the telephone.

  The description regarding the private branch exchange 100A described above also applies to the private branch exchanges B, C,... By changing the end of the reference numerals of the respective parts to B, C,. The voice mail device 380 stores mail boxes B301, B302,..., But the voice mail device 480 stores mail boxes B401, B402,. The voice mail apparatus 580 stores mail boxes B501, B502,. The same is true in that display data corresponding to the type of telephone is transmitted based on a signal received from a private branch exchange accommodated therein.

  Here, it is assumed that the IP address of the private branch exchange 100A is 172.16.0.10. Assume that the IP address of the private branch exchange 100B is 172.16.1.10. The IP address of the private branch exchange 100C is set to 172.16.20.10. In the station A, when a three-digit telephone number starting with 3 is dialed in the telephones 301, 302,..., The call control unit 110A performs call control as a call to the extension. When a three-digit telephone number starting with 4 is dialed, the call control unit 110A sends an incoming signal to the IP address 172.16.10.10, that is, the private branch exchange 100B through the LAN controller 160A. When a three-digit telephone number starting with 5 is dialed, the call control unit 110A sends an incoming signal to the IP address 172.16.20.10, that is, the private branch exchange 100C through the LAN controller 160A. The same applies to stations B and C.

  The private branch exchanges in the inter-station connection network system 1 transmit and receive voice mail access inquiries (VMA inquiries), voice mail access notifications (VMA notifications), and voice mail access responses (VMA responses) via the IP-VPN. The VMA inquiry includes voice mail access information (VM access information) and voice mail call information (VM call information), which will be described later, and the reference is the mailbox number in the VM access information when selecting the destination. . The VMA notification includes VM access information and VM call information, and the destination selection criterion is the telephone number of the voice mail device in the VM access information. The VMA response includes VM access information, which will be described later, and the transmission destination selection criterion is the telephone number of the calling telephone recorded in the VM access information.

  The VM access information holds information necessary for selecting and accessing an appropriate voice mail device from the inter-station connection network 1. The VM access information has a format including a field for storing the following data items. That is, the VM access information includes information specifying the telephone number of the calling telephone, the mailbox number of the access destination, the telephone number of the voice mail apparatus storing the mailbox, and the storage location of the VM call information. Has a field to store.

  The VM call information holds information to be referred to by the voice mail device when accessing the mailbox. The format of the VM call information includes fields for storing data items such as an incoming call signal, an incoming call form, and operating terminal information. The incoming signal indicates the type of incoming call. The types of incoming calls include normal incoming calls and forward incoming calls. The incoming call form indicates the content of operations performed on the mailbox. Examples of the operation contents include access to a mailbox, call recording, and announcement request. The operation terminal information is information relating to the access source telephone, and includes the number of display lines of the telephone display device, presence / absence of soft keys, and the like.

  In addition, voice mail display information (VM display information) and voice mail soft key information (VM soft key information) are transmitted within the inter-station connection network system 1 as necessary. The VM display information is information for displaying an interactive message or the like on a telephone that is accessing the voice mail apparatus using the display device of the telephone. The VM soft key information is information for notifying a key operation of a soft key included in the telephone in order to provide an interactive operation environment to the telephone that is accessing the voice mail device.

  Next, the operation of the private branch exchange 100A when receiving a request from the telephone 301 for access to a mailbox stored in any of the voice mail apparatuses 380, 480, 580,... Will be described with reference to FIG. .

  When a key is pressed on the telephone 301 (step S101), the telephone 301 transmits a KEY_ON signal to the private branch exchange 100A (step S102). The KEY_ON signal includes a KEY number indicating the pressed key.

  In the private branch exchange 100A, when the call control unit 110A receives the KEY_ON signal via the telephone I / F 150A (step S103), the call control unit 110A transmits a KEY information request to the database 120A (step S103). S104). The KEY information request includes the KEY number included in the received KEY_ON signal.

  In response to the KEY information request, the database 120A refers to the key information of the telephone, and returns the KEY information previously associated with the KEY number of the telephone 301 (step S105). Based on this KEY information, the call control unit 110A makes a determination (step S106), and when the KEY information is a request for access to a predetermined mailbox, further transmits a mailbox number request together with the KEY number to the database 120A (step S106). S107). In response to this, the database 120A returns a mailbox number to the call control unit 110A (step S108).

  The database 120A uses the mailbox number acquired in this way, or the mailbox number (step S109) designated by the VMS inquiry received from the other private branch exchange via the IP-VPN from the inter-office connection network system 1. In order to inquire whether or not the call is managed, the call control unit 110A transmits a number plan request together with the mailbox number to the database 120A (step S110). In response to the numbering plan request, the database 120A returns to the call control unit 110A whether or not the received mailbox number is managed (step S111).

  When the database 120A does not manage the mailbox number, the call control unit 110A inquires of the database 120A about the network address of another private branch exchange that should inquire about the mailbox number (step S113). The database 120A returns the network address of the corresponding private branch exchange (step S114), and the call control unit 110A transmits a VMA inquiry using the network address as a destination via the LAN controller 160A (step S115). This VMA inquiry is a VMA inquiry received in step S109 by another private branch exchange executing this operation.

  When the database 120A manages the mailbox number, the call control unit 110A inquires of the database 120A about the telephone number assigned to the voice mail apparatus storing the mailbox of the mailbox number (step S116, S117).

  The telephone number of the voice mail apparatus acquired in this way, or the telephone number of the voice mail apparatus specified in the VMA notification (step S118) received from another private branch exchange, together with the number plan request, is sent to the call control unit 110A. Transmits to the database 120A, and determines whether the private branch exchange 100A accommodates the corresponding telephone number (steps S120 and S121).

  If the telephone number is not accommodated in the private branch exchange 100A, the call control unit 110A obtains the network address of the private branch exchange to which the VMA notification is to be transferred from the database 120A, and sets the network address via the LAN controller 160A. A VMA notification is transmitted (steps S122 to S124). This VMA notification is a VMA notification received in step S118 by another private branch exchange executing this operation.

  When the telephone number is accommodated in private branch exchange 100A, that is, when it is the telephone number of voice mail apparatus 380, call control unit 110A transmits an incoming call request to telephone I / F 150A, and telephone I / F In response thereto, F150A transmits an incoming signal to voice mail apparatus 380 (step S125).

  In the inter-office connection network system 1, the operation until the telephone accesses the mailbox is the voice mail setting information including the private branch exchange (access source exchange) accommodating the access source telephone and the access destination mailbox number. Three types of private branch exchanges: managed private branch exchanges (MB number management exchanges) and private branch exchanges (access destination exchanges) containing voice mail devices storing mailboxes having access destination mailbox numbers It depends on the difference. In the following, when all the same private branch exchanges (Example 1), the MB number management exchange and the access destination exchange are the same, but when the access source exchanges are different (Example 2), the access source exchange and the access destination exchange are the same. The access operation when the MB number management exchange is different (third embodiment) and when all the private branch exchanges are different (fourth embodiment) will be described.

  The operation when the telephone 301 accesses the mailbox B301 managed by the voice mail apparatus 380 in the same station A will be described. As shown in FIG. 4, the private branch exchange 100A of the same station A stores the correspondence between the access destination mailbox B301 and the voice mail apparatus 380. It also manages a numbering plan that includes a voice mail device 380 that houses the mail box B301. The operation at this time will be described below with reference to FIG.

  When the user presses a function key arranged on the telephone 301, key press information is transmitted to the call control unit 110A through the telephone I / F 150A (step S201).

  Call control unit 110A refers to telephone key information from database 120A and determines that a voice mail access key, which is a key for requesting access to mailbox B301, has been pressed. Then, the call control unit 110A reads the mailbox number B301 as additional information from the database 120A, and creates VM access information and VM call information in the work memory 140A. The extension number 301 of the telephone 301 and the access destination mailbox number B301 are set in the VM access information. An incoming call signal, an incoming call form, and terminal information are set in the VM call information.

  Next, the call control unit 110A calls the number plan analysis process using the mailbox number B301 as an argument. If the extension number is managed by the own system, the call control unit 110A acquires the extension number of the corresponding voice mail device and manages it by another system. It is confirmed whether it is the access number to (step S202). In this embodiment, the database 120A manages the mailbox number B301. At this time, the call control unit 110A reads the number of the voice mail apparatus 380 that manages the mailbox number B301 from the database 120A (step S203), and sets the number 380 in the VM access information created in the work memory 140A.

  Next, the call control unit 110A calls the number plan process using the extension number 380 of the voice mail device as an argument, and determines whether the voice mail device 380 is a number in the own station A or a number of another station (step S204). Here, the voice mail device 380 has a number accommodated in the private branch exchange 100A.

  At this time, the call control unit 110A executes a voice mail control process based on the VM call information read from the work memory 140A. The call control unit 110A creates a protocol for controlling the voice mail device 380 (step S205), and transmits the protocol to the voice mail device 380 via the telephone I / F 150A. The protocol specifies terminal information of the telephone 301.

  The voice mail device 380 that has received the protocol records terminal information specified by the protocol. With reference to this terminal information, the voice mail device 380 creates display data suitable for the display device of the telephone 301. Thereafter, display data and key press information are transmitted bidirectionally through the telephone I / F 150A, enabling interactive operation between the telephone 301 and the voice mail device 380.

  In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 6, the MB number management exchange and the access destination exchange are the same, but the access source exchange is different. Private branch exchange 100A accommodates telephone 301 which is a calling terminal. The access destination mailbox number B401 is stored in the voice mail apparatus number 480. The private branch exchange 100B manages the correspondence between the mailbox number B401 and the voice mail apparatus number 480 and accommodates the voice mail apparatus 480.

  When the user presses a function key arranged on the telephone 301, key press information is transmitted to the telephone controller via the telephone I / F 150A (step S301). Call control unit 110A performs telephone control processing, refers to the key information of telephone 301 from database 120A, and determines that the voice mail access key has been pressed. When the voice mail access key is pressed, the call control unit 110A reads the mailbox number B401, which is additional information, from the database 120A and creates VM access information in the work memory 140A. A box number B401 is set. Further, the VM call information is created in the work memory 140A, and the incoming signal, the incoming form, and the terminal information are set.

  The call control unit 110A calls the number plan analysis process from the library 130A using the mailbox number B401 as an argument. The number plan analysis process refers to the voice mail setting information in the database 120A to determine whether or not the mailbox number B401 is registered (step S302). In this embodiment, the voice mail setting information including the mailbox number B401 is registered in the private branch exchange 100B. At this time, the call control unit 110A performs network control processing, and encodes the VM access information and the VM call information into data that can be transmitted and received via the network. When the voice mail device number corresponding to the desired mailbox number B401 is not registered in the voice mail setting information of the private branch exchange, the private branch exchange to which the VM access information and the VM call information are to be transferred is determined in advance. The call control unit 110A transmits the VM access information and the VM call information encoded to the private branch exchange via the LAN controller 160A (steps S303 and S304).

  Upon receiving this data via the LAN controller 160B, the call control unit 110B (step S305) executes network control processing, decrypts the VM access information and the VM call information, reads the mailbox number B401 from the VM access information, and sends the mail. The number plan analysis process is called from the library 130B with the box number B401 as an argument. The numbering plan analysis process performs the same determination as in step S302 (step S306). In this embodiment, since the mailbox number B401 is registered in the voice mail setting information of the database 120B, the call control unit 110B acquires the voice mail device number 480 from the database 120B (step S307).

  Next, the call control unit 110B sets the acquired voice mail apparatus number 480 in the VM access information, and calls the number plan analysis process using the number 480 as an argument. The numbering plan analysis process refers to the numbering plan information to determine whether the number is accommodated in the own station (step S308). Here, the private branch exchange 100B is accommodated. At this time, the call control unit 110B calls list processing from the library 130B. In the list process, the VM call information is assigned with a list reference number and saved, and the list reference number is set in the VM access information (step S309).

  Next, the call control unit 110B calls the number plan analysis process with the calling terminal number 301 in the VM access information as an argument, and determines whether or not the own station accommodates the telephone 301. Here, the telephone 301 is accommodated in the private branch exchange 100A. At this time, the call control unit 110B executes network control processing, encodes the VM access information into data that can be transmitted / received via the network, and transmits the encoded data to another predetermined private branch exchange via the LAN controller 160B (step S310). .

  The call control unit 110A that has received the VM access information via the LAN controller 160A executes network control processing and decodes it, and reads the operator extension number 301 and the list reference number. Subsequently, telephone control processing is executed, and an incoming call signal with a list reference number added is transmitted from the telephone 301 to the voice mail apparatus 480 (steps S311 to S314).

  The call control unit 110B that has received the incoming signal via the LAN controller 160B executes a network control process to check whether there is a list reference number. If there is a list reference number, list processing is performed to read the corresponding VM call information. Subsequently, a voice mail control process is executed, and a protocol for controlling the voice mail apparatus 480 is created based on the VM call information. The call control unit 110B transmits the created protocol to the voice mail device 480 via the telephone I / F 150B (step S315).

  The voice mail device 480 that has received the protocol records the terminal information of the telephone 310 and creates display data to be transmitted to the telephone 310 according to the terminal information. Thereafter, display data and key press information are bidirectionally transmitted between the telephone 301 and the voice mail apparatus 480 through the telephone I / Fs 150A and 150B, and interactive operation can be performed from the telephone 301 to the voice mail apparatus 480. .

  In the third embodiment, as shown in FIG. 8, the access source telephone 301 and the voice mail apparatus 380 storing the access destination mailbox B302 are accommodated in the same private branch exchange 100A. The operation when the voice mail setting information for associating B302 with the voice mail device number 380 is managed by another private branch exchange 100B will be described with reference to FIG.

  When the user presses a function key arranged on the telephone 301, key press information is transmitted to the telephone control processing in the call control unit 100A through the telephone I / F 150A (step S401). When the telephone control process refers to the key information of the telephone 301 from the database 120A and determines that the voice mail access key has been pressed, the mailbox number B302 as additional information is read from the database 120A. Using the work memory 140A, the call control unit 110A creates VM access information, sets the operator's extension number 301 and mailbox number B302, creates VM call information, and creates an incoming call signal, incoming call form, terminal Set the information.

  Further, the call control unit 110A calls and executes the number plan analysis process from the library 130A with the mailbox number B302 as an argument. By the number plan analysis process, it is determined whether or not the voice mail apparatus number corresponding to the mailbox number B302 is registered in the voice mail setting information in the database 120A (step S402). Not registered here. At this time, the call control unit 110A executes network control processing, encodes the VM access information and the VM call information into data that can be transmitted / received via the network, and sets other data determined according to the result of the previous number plan analysis processing. The data is transmitted to the private branch exchange via the LAN controller 160A (steps S403 and S404).

  When the call control unit 110B receives the data via the LAN controller 160B (step S405), the VM access information and the VM call information are decrypted by the network control process, and the mailbox number B302 is read from the VM access information, and this is used as an argument. The number plan analysis process is called from the library 130B and executed, and the same determination as in step S402 is performed (step S406). Here, voice mail setting information related to the mailbox number B302 is registered in the database 120B.

  At this time, the call control unit 110B acquires the corresponding voice mail device number 380 from the database 120B (step S407), sets the voice mail device number 380 in the VM access information, and uses the voice mail device number 380 as an argument. The plan analysis process is called from the library 130B and executed. The number plan analysis process determines whether the private branch exchange 100B accommodates the voice mail device 380 based on the number plan information registered in the database 120B (step S408). Here, the private branch exchange 100B does not accommodate the voice mail device 380. At this time, the call control unit 110B executes the network control process, encodes the VM access information and the VM call information, and then performs the private branch exchange determined according to the result of the numbering plan analysis process in step S408. Transmission is performed via the LAN controller 160B (steps S409 and S410).

  The call control unit 110A that has received the data via the LAN controller 160A (step S411) decrypts the VM access information and the VM call information by the network control process, and reads the voice mail device number 380 from the VM access information. The call control unit 110A calls and executes the number plan analysis process from the library 130A with the voice mail device number 380 as an argument. The number plan analysis process determines whether the private branch exchange 100A accommodates the voice mail device 380 based on the number plan information registered in the database 120A (step S412). Here, private branch exchange 100A accommodates voice mail device 380. At this time, the call control unit 110A executes list processing. In the list processing, the VM call information is assigned with a list reference number and stored (step S413), and the list reference number is set in the VM access information.

  Subsequently, the call control unit 110A executes a number plan analysis process using the operator's extension number 301 as an argument. The number plan analysis process determines whether the private branch exchange 100A accommodates the telephone 301 based on the number plan information in the database 120A. Here, the telephone 301 is accommodated. At this time, the call control unit 110A executes voice mail control processing, reads VM call information corresponding to the list reference number, and creates a protocol for controlling the voice mail device 380 based on the VM call information. The created protocol is transmitted to the voice mail apparatus 380 via the telephone I / F 150A.

  The voice mail device 380 that has received the protocol records the terminal information specified by the protocol. Thereafter, by creating display data with reference to this terminal information, appropriate display data according to the specifications of the display device and soft keys of the telephone 301 can be created. Thereafter, display data and key press information are transmitted bidirectionally between the telephone 301 and the voice mail device 380 via the telephone I / F 150A, thereby providing an interactive operating environment for the user. .

  In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 10, the private branch exchange 100A accommodates the access source telephone 301, the private branch exchange 100B manages voice mail setting information including the access destination mailbox number B501, and the access destination mail. An access operation from the telephone 301 to the voice mail apparatus 580 when the private branch exchange 100C accommodates the voice mail apparatus 580 storing the box B501 will be described.

  Referring to FIG. 11, when a user presses a function key arranged on the telephone 301, key press information is transmitted to the call control unit 110A through the telephone I / F 150A (step S501). The call control unit 110A executes a telephone control process and determines that the voice mail access key has been pressed with reference to the key information of the telephone 301 from the database 120A. When the voice mail access key is pressed, the mailbox number B501 as additional information is read from the database 120A.

  In the work memory 140A, the call control unit 110A creates the VM access information and sets the operator's extension number 301 and the mailbox number B501, and creates the VM call information and sets the incoming signal, the incoming call form, and the terminal information. To do.

  The call control unit 110A calls the number plan analysis process with the mailbox number B501 as an argument. The number plan analysis process refers to the voice mail setting information in the database 120A, and determines whether or not the mailbox number is managed by the own station (step S502). Here, since the mailbox number B501 is managed by the other exchange, the call control unit 110A executes network control processing, encodes the VM access information and the VM call information into data that can be transmitted / received via the network, and accesses the other station. In the case of a number, the LAN controller 160A sends it to another private branch exchange 100B that is predetermined as a private branch exchange to be inquired (step S503).

  The private branch exchange 100B passes the data received via the LAN controller 160B to the call control unit 110B. The call control unit 110B decodes the received data through the network control process, extracts VM access information and VM call information, and stores them in the work memory 140B. Also, the mailbox number B501 is read from the stored VM access information. Using this number B501 as an argument, the call control unit 110B calls the number plan analysis process. The number plan analysis process refers to the voice mail setting information in the database 120B, and determines whether or not there is a number of the voice mail apparatus that manages the mail box B 501 (step S506). Here, the correspondence between the mailbox number B501 and the voice mail device 580 is under the management of the database 120B. At this time, the call control unit 110B reads the setting of the voice mail device 580, acquires the number 580, and sets it in the VM access information stored in the work memory 140B (step S507).

  Next, the call control unit 110B calls the number plan analysis process with the number 580 as an argument. The number plan analysis process determines whether the number 580 is the extension number of the own station or the access number of another station based on the number plan information in the database 120B (step S508). Here, the number 580 is the number of the other station. At this time, the call control unit 110B executes network control processing, encodes the VM access information and the VM call information into transmittable data, and transmits the data to another predetermined private branch exchange 100C via the LAN controller 160B (step S509). S510).

  In the private branch exchange 100C (step S511) that has received the data, the call control unit 110C executes network control processing to decode the data, extracts VM access information and VM call information, and writes them in the work memory 150C. Next, the call control unit 110C reads out the voice mail device number 580 from the VM access information, and calls the number plan analysis process using this as an argument. The number plan analysis process determines whether the number 580 is the local station extension number or the other station number based on the number plan information in the database 120C (step S512). Here, the number 580 is the extension number of the own station. At this time, the call control unit 110C assigns a list reference number to the VM call information and stores it in the list, and sets the list reference number in the VM access information (step S513).

  Further, the number plan analysis process is called with the telephone number of the calling terminal set in the VM access information, that is, the telephone number 301 of the telephone 301 as an argument, and it is determined whether or not the telephone is accommodated by the own station. Here, since the telephone 301 is accommodated in another station, the call control unit 110C performs network control processing, encodes VM access information into data that can be transmitted and received via the network, and installs the LAN controller 160C in a predetermined other station. It transmits via (step S514, S515).

  The call control unit 110A that has received the data via the LAN controller 160A executes network control processing to decrypt the received data to extract VM access information, and from the VM access information, an operator number 301, a list reference number, The voice mail device number 580 is read out. Subsequently, a telephone control process is executed to cause the telephone 301 to receive a voice mail device 580 (steps S516, S517, and S518). At this time, a list reference number is added to the incoming signal.

  In the private branch exchange 100C that has received the incoming signal, the call control unit 110C executes network control processing to determine whether or not a list reference number is added to the incoming signal. When the list reference number is added, the call control unit 110C executes a voice mail control process, and performs control communication between the telephone 301 and the voice mail device 580 based on the VM call information corresponding to the list reference number. Create a protocol to do. Next, the call control unit 110C transmits the protocol to the voice mail device 580 via the telephone I / F 150C (step S519).

  Receiving this, the voice mail device 580 records the terminal information of the telephone 301. By referring to this, the voice mail device 580 can create appropriate display data according to the specifications of a display device (not shown) included in the telephone 301. Thereafter, the display data and key press information are transmitted bidirectionally through the telephone I / F 150C, and an interactive operation can be performed between the telephone 301 and the voice mail device 580.

  The present invention has been described based on the embodiments and examples. However, the present invention is not limited to these embodiments, and it is possible to make changes and improvements within the ordinary knowledge of those skilled in the art. Of course.

  For example, in the above description, private branch exchanges are IP-connected, but the present invention is not limited to this. The connection between the private branch exchanges may be performed via an ISDN dedicated line.

1 is a block diagram of an inter-station connection network system 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is a block diagram of the private branch exchange 100A. It is a flowchart for demonstrating operation | movement of the private branch exchange 100A. 3 is a block diagram for explaining a relationship among an access source telephone 301, an access destination voice mail device 380, and a private branch exchange 100A in Embodiment 1. FIG. 4 is a flowchart for explaining operations of the telephone 301, the private branch exchange 100A, and the voice mail device 380 according to the first embodiment. FIG. 10 is a block diagram for explaining a relationship among an access source telephone 301, an access destination voice mail device 480, and private branch exchanges 100A and 100B in the second embodiment. 10 is a flowchart for explaining operations of an access source telephone 301, an access destination voice mail device 480, and private branch exchanges 100A and 100B according to the second embodiment. FIG. 11 is a block diagram for explaining a relationship among an access source telephone 301, an access destination voice mail device 380, and private branch exchanges 100A and 100B in the third embodiment. 10 is a flowchart for explaining operations of an access source telephone 301, an access destination voice mail device 380, and private branch exchanges 100A and 100B according to the third embodiment. FIG. 10 is a block diagram for explaining a relationship among an access source telephone 301, an access destination voice mail device 580, and private branch exchanges 100A, 100B, and 100C according to a fourth embodiment. 10 is a flowchart for explaining the operations of an access source telephone 301, an access destination voice mail device 580, and private branch exchanges 100A, 100B, and 100C according to the fourth embodiment.

Explanation of symbols

1 Inter-station connection network system 100A, 100B, 100C Private branch exchange 110A, 110B, 110C Call controller 120A, 120B, 120C Database 130A, 130B, 130C Library 140A, 140B, 140C Work memory 150A, 150B, 150C Telephone I / F
160A, 160B, 160C LAN controller 200A, 200B, 200C Router 301, 302, 401, 402, 501, 502 Telephone 380, 480, 580 Voice mail device

Claims (9)

In an inter-office connection network system composed of a plurality of exchanges connected via a network, a plurality of access target devices accommodated in the plurality of exchanges are changed from a telephone accommodated in any of the plurality of exchanges. In the way to access either
Each of the plurality of access target devices manages one to a plurality of access target functions, and each of the one to a plurality of access target functions has a unique identifier,
A stage in which the identifier is designated on the access source telephone;
The search process in which the exchange searches for the telephone number of the access target device that manages the access target function having the identifier from the storage device of the switch was executed by the switch A that accommodates the telephone, and could not be searched. A step of executing the search process in another exchange in the inter-station connection network system;
When the determination process for determining whether or not the telephone number is accommodated is performed by the exchange B that has successfully retrieved the telephone number in the retrieval process, and it is determined that the telephone number is not accommodated, the inter-station connection network system Executing the determination process in another exchange in
A step of notifying the telephone number of the telephone number from the exchange C that has determined that the telephone number is accommodated in the determination process;
A method of accessing the access target device, comprising: a step of calling the telephone number to the telephone number and arriving at the access target device.   2. The access method to an access target device according to claim 1, wherein the access target device is a voice mail device, and the access target function includes a function for each mailbox managed by the voice mail device. An access method to an access target device. The access method to the access target device according to claim 1, further comprising:
Transmitting terminal information indicating specifications of the telephone from the telephone or the exchange A to the access target device;
A method of accessing the access target device, comprising: transmitting data corresponding to the terminal information from the access target device to the telephone in response to the incoming call. In an exchange that is connected to other exchanges via a network to form an interoffice connection network,
Means for retrieving the telephone number of the access target device that manages the access target function having the identifier designated by the telephone accommodated from the storage device of the exchange;
Means for notifying the identifier to other exchanges in the inter-station connection network system when the search means fails to search;
Whether the exchange accommodates the telephone number that the exchange has been successfully searched for, or the telephone number that has been successfully searched as the telephone number of the access target apparatus that manages the access target function having the identifier notified from the other exchange Means for determining whether or not,
Means for notifying the other telephone exchange in the inter-station connection network system of the telephone number that is the object of the determination when it is determined that the determination means does not accommodate;
An exchange comprising: means for notifying the telephone of the telephone number that is the object of the determination when the determination means determines that the telephone is accommodated.   5. The exchange according to claim 4, wherein the access target device is a voice mail device, and the access target function includes a function for each individual mailbox managed by the voice mail device. . 5. The exchange as claimed in claim 4, further comprising:
Means for storing terminal information indicating specifications of the telephone;
An exchange comprising: means for instructing the access target device to transmit data according to the terminal information.   7. The exchange according to claim 6, further comprising means for receiving the terminal information from another exchange in the inter-station connection network system.   An inter-station connection network system in which a plurality of exchanges according to claim 4 are connected via a network. In a computer program executed by a control device of an exchange that is connected to another exchange via a network and constitutes an inter-station connection network,
A process of retrieving the telephone number of the access target device that manages the access target function having the identifier specified by the telephone accommodated from the storage device of the exchange;
A process of notifying the identifier to other exchanges in the inter-station connection network system when the search means fails to search;
Whether the exchange accommodates the telephone number that the exchange has been successfully searched for, or the telephone number that has been successfully searched as the telephone number of the access target apparatus that manages the access target function having the identifier notified from the other exchange Processing to determine whether or not,
When it is determined that it is not accommodated by the determination means, a process for notifying the other exchange in the inter-office connection network system of the telephone number that is the object of the determination;
A computer program that causes the control device to execute a process of notifying the telephone of the telephone number that is the object of the determination when the determination unit determines that the telephone is accommodated.

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