JPH0884192A - Connecting method for telephone conference - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: To provide a connecting method for a telephone conference capable of connecting the terminals of conference participants by a simple procedure relating to the connection method at the time of connecting the plural terminals housed in plural exchanges and performing the telephone conference. CONSTITUTION: A conference convocation terminal sends out an ID number and the holding request of the telephone conference to a conference service management exchange in an S (step) 1. In the S2, a conference service execution exchange is selected and the ID number and the conference holding request are sent out. In the S3, the conference service execution exchange registers the received ID number and conference-under-execution and informs the conference service management exchange of conference holding possibility. In the S4, received conference service execution exchange number and ID number are registered and the conference convocation terminal and the conference service execution exchange are connected. In the S5, a conference participating terminal sends out a conference identification number and a conference participation request to the conference service management exchange. In the S6, the conference service management exchange connects the conference service execution exchange and the conference participating terminal and the conference is performed.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a connection method when a plurality of subscribers accommodated in a plurality of exchanges make a conference call.

A telephone conference has been put into practical use as one of services of an electronic exchange. This is a method in which a plurality of terminals simultaneously make a call via a private branch exchange, so that each conference participant can easily hold a conference while staying in his / her own seat.

A telephone conference by an electronic exchange is carried out by connecting a plurality of conference participants via a conference trunk, and conversely, an electronic exchange for conducting a telephone conference needs to have a conference trunk. is there.

In the case of conducting such a telephone conference through a plurality of electronic exchanges, the convener gathers up beforehand to find out which of the plurality of electronic exchanges can make a telephone conference, and then the electronic exchange. It is necessary to connect the conference participants accommodated in a plurality of electronic exchanges through the to conduct a conference.

When the network becomes large-scale, the electronic exchange capable of such a telephone conference is grasped, or the electronic exchange having the empty conference trunk is selected from the electronic exchanges capable of the telephone conference. Becomes complicated.

Therefore, in a network composed of a plurality of electronic exchanges, when a plurality of subscribers accommodated in a plurality of electronic exchanges are convened to hold a conference, the conference can be convened by a simple procedure. A call conference connection method is required.

[0007]

2. Description of the Related Art FIG. 11 shows a configuration example of a conventional network. In the figure, 40a and 40b are conference service providing exchanges having a conference trunk 45, and 30a and 30b are conference participation exchanges having no conference trunk. In the conference service providing exchanges 40a and 40b, 41 is a central processing unit, 41A is a conference service execution control unit, 42 is a main storage unit, 42A is a conference trunk (CFT) management table, 43 is a network, 45 is a CFT, In the conference participating exchanges 30a and 30b, 31 is a central processing unit, 32 is a main storage device, 33 is a network, and T1 to T4 are terminals.

In such a configuration, the conference convener of the telephone conference selects one of the conference service providing exchanges 40a and 40b to make a conference service execution request. At this time, in order to execute the conference service, the conference service execution control units 41A and CF are installed in the central processing unit 41.
It is necessary that there is a conference service providing exchange equipped with a T45, and that the CFT 45 therein is in an empty state.

FIG. 12 shows a flowchart of a conventional conference call invitation process. Below, STEP of the flow chart
The process will be described according to (hereinafter referred to as S). S1: The convener calls the conference service providing exchange (shown as a conference providing exchange in the figure) 40a to hold the conference.

S2: The conference service providing exchange 40a, which has received the request to hold the conference, refers to the CFT management table 42A to determine whether or not the CFT 45 is empty. S3: If the CFT 45 of the conference service providing exchange 40a is not available, a message indicating that the CFT is being used is sent to the convener.

S4: The conference convener receives the CFT busy message and releases the call. S5: The convener is the next conferencing service providing exchange 40b.
Request the meeting be performed.

S6: It is determined whether or not the CFT 45 of the conference-providing exchange 40b which has received the request to hold the conference is free. S7: If the CFT 45 of the conference service providing exchange 40b is empty, a message indicating that the conference can be executed is transmitted.

S8: The conference caller notifies the conference participant of the number of the conference service providing exchange 40b, for example, by a call different from the call inviting the conference. S9: The conference participant requests the conference service providing exchange 40b to participate in the conference and participates in the conference (connects to the CFT 45).

[0014]

In the above-mentioned conventional example, the conference convener first requests the conference service providing exchange 40a to hold the conference, and if the CFT 45 is already used in another conference, the The call is released and the next conference service providing exchange 40b is requested to hold the conference.

In the conventional example, the case where there are two conference service providing exchanges 40a and 40b in the network has been described, but the number of conference service providing exchanges is not limited to two. In such a case, the conference convener needs to know all the conference service providing exchanges in the network, and it is necessary to repeat the conference holding request until the conference can be held.

Furthermore, it is necessary to notify the other conference participants of the number of the conference service providing exchange 40i that has made it possible to hold the conference by another call. The present invention aims to realize a conference call connection method capable of connecting conference participation terminals by a simple procedure when a plurality of terminals accommodated in a plurality of exchanges are connected to conduct a conference call.

[0017]

FIG. 1 is a diagram for explaining the principle of the present invention. The figure shows a method of connecting a conference call according to the present invention. In S1, the conference convocation terminal sends a conference identification number and a request to hold a conference call to the conference service management exchange, and in S2, the conference service management exchange extracts the conference service execution exchange, and the conference service execution exchange transmits the conference identification number to the conference service execution exchange. And the conference holding request is transmitted, and the conference service executing switch in S3
When the conference can be held, the conference identification number transmitted from the conference service management exchange and the conference being executed are registered, and the conference hold is sent to the conference service management exchange. The conference service executing switch number and the conference identification number sent from the conference service executing switch are registered, and the conference call terminal and the conference service executing switch are connected.

Then, in S5, the conference participation terminal sends the conference identification number and the conference participation request to the conference service management exchange, and in S6, the conference service management exchange connects the conference service execution exchange and the conference participation terminal to the conference. I do.

[0019]

[Function] When the convener calls out a conference holding request from the terminal to the conference service managing exchange, the conference service managing exchange selects a conference service executing exchange capable of holding a conference and assigns the conference identification number to the conference service executing exchange. Send a meeting request.

When the CFT is available and the conference can be held, the conference service execution switch registers the conference identification number and the conference being executed and notifies the conference service management switch that the conference can be held. When the conference service management exchange receives the information that the conference can be held, it connects the conference convening terminal to the conference service execution exchange so that the conference can be held.

Here, the conference participant sends a conference identification number and a conference participation request from the terminal to the conference service management exchange, so that the conference participation terminal has the conference service execution exchange connected to the conference convener. Connected to the trunk and ready for conference. (Claim 1) When the CFT is available and the conference can be held, the conference service execution switch registers the conference identification number and the conference being executed and sends the conference service execution switch's identification number to the conference service management switch. The conference service management exchange sends the identification number of the conference service executing exchange to the conference participating exchange that accommodates the conference call terminal, and disconnects the conference service executing exchange and the conference participating exchange.

Here, the conference participation switch accommodating the conference call-in terminal automatically connects with the conference having the registered conference identification number by calling with the conference service execution exchange number and the conference identification number. The conference participants also connect to the conference of the conference service executing exchange from the terminal in the same manner. In this way, after notifying the identification number of the conference service execution switch,
The connection to the CFT of the conferencing service executing switch by calling from the terminals of the convener and the conferee of the connection is left to the routing function of the network so that the optimum routing can be performed. (Claim 2)

[0023]

FIG. 2 is a block diagram (1) for explaining an embodiment of the present invention. The figure shows an electronic exchange having a configuration for realizing the connection procedure described in the claims.

(A) shows the configuration of the conference service management exchange 10, 11 is a central processing unit for performing various exchange processing, and is provided with a conference service management control unit 11A for managing the conference service. Reference numeral 12 denotes a main storage device in which various exchange processing programs are written, and a conference service management table 12A for storing a conference identification number (hereinafter referred to as an ID number) as a conference service and conference service execution exchange information and a conference for executing the conference service. A conference service execution switch (shown as a service switch in the figure) registration table 12B for registering the service execution switch is provided. Also, 13
Is a network for connecting designated terminals and lines, 1
Reference numeral 4 is a relay trunk for connecting with other stations.

(B) shows the configuration of the conference service execution exchange 20, 21 is a central processing unit for performing various exchange processing, a conference service execution control unit 21A for controlling the execution of the conference service, and claim 2 There is provided a timer 21B for performing time management in. Reference numeral 22 denotes a main storage device in which various exchange processing programs are written, and a conference service execution table 22A for managing ID numbers during the execution of the conference service as a conference service and a CFT management table 22B for recording the empty / closed state of the CFT. It is provided. Also, 2
3 is a designated terminal, a network for connecting lines,
Reference numeral 24 is a relay trunk for connecting with other stations, and 25 is a CFT for connecting a plurality of terminals for holding a conference.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram (2) for explaining an embodiment of the present invention. The figure shows a conference participation exchange 30 that accommodates the terminals of a conference convener and a conference participant, 31 is a central processing unit, 31A is a conference service control unit that controls the convocation of the conference and participation of the conference, and 32 is a main memory. A device, 33 is a network, and 34 is a relay trunk.

FIG. 4 shows a configuration example of the network of the present invention. The figure shows an example in which a network is composed of a conference service management exchange 10, a conference service executing exchange 20, a conference participating exchange 30A accommodating a conference convener terminal T1, and a conference participating exchange 30B accommodating a conference participant terminal T2. Yes, the conference service management exchange 10, the conference service executing exchange 20, and the conference participating exchanges 30A and 30B have the configurations described in FIGS. 2 and 3, respectively.

Further, in the figure, the terminals T1 to T4 are connected to the conference participating exchanges 30A and 30B, the conference service managing exchange 10 and the conference service executing exchange 20, respectively, but the number of connected terminals is limited to one. However, it is possible to connect any number within the number of connections allowed by the CFT 25.

FIG. 5 shows a processing flowchart (1) of the embodiment (1) of the present invention. The embodiment (1) is an embodiment corresponding to claim 1, and the process of convening a meeting in the embodiment (1) will be described below with reference to a flowchart.

S1: The conference convener dials the conference service management exchange number (shown as the conference management exchange number in the figure), the conference convocation special number, and the ID number for transmission. Here, the conference call special number is a special number for connecting in the embodiment (1), and the conference call special number is a special number for connecting in the embodiment (2).

S2: The conference service management exchange 10 receives the conference call special number and the ID number, and the conference service execution exchange registration table (shown as the conference service exchange registration table in the figure) 12
Referring to the conference service execution switch information registered in B, the conference service execution switch 20 capable of executing the conference service is extracted.

S3: The extracted conference service execution switch 20 determines whether or not it is the own station. S4: The conference service management exchange 10 makes a call using the number of the conference service executing exchange 20, the conference convocation special number, and the ID number.

S5: The conference service execution switch 20 is the CF
When the empty CFT 45 can be captured by referring to the T management table 22B, the ID number is registered in the conference service execution table 22A, and the conference corresponding to the ID number is being executed.

S6: The conference service execution switch 20 connects the conference service management switch 10 and the CFT. S7: The conference service executing switch 20 transmits the identification number of the conference service executing switch 20 to the conference service managing switch 10 by the user / user information (indicated as UU information in the figure) of the CONN message.

S8: The conference service management exchange 10 stores the identification number and ID number of the conference service executing exchange 10 in the conference service management table 12A. S9: If it is determined in S3 that the conference service executing exchange 20 is the local station, the conference service executing exchange 20 = conference service managing exchange 10 is executed, and the processes from S5 onward are executed.

By this processing, the CFs of the convener, the conference service management exchange 10, and the conference service executing exchange 20 are CF.
T45 is connected and the conference can be held. FIG. 6 is a processing flowchart (2) of the embodiment (1) of the present invention.
Indicates. With reference to the flowchart (2), the conference participation process of the embodiment (1) will be described.

S1; For example, the conference participants accommodated in the conference participation exchange 30B make a call using the number of the conference service management exchange 10, the conference participation special number, and the ID number. S2: The conference service management switch 10 extracts the conference service execution switch 20 from the conference service management table 12A and the ID number.

S3: The conference service management exchange 10 sends the conference service execution exchange 20 the conference participation special number and ID.
Make a call with a number. S4: The conference service execution switch 20 refers to the conference service execution table 22A and connects the conference corresponding to the ID number and the conference service management switch 20.

Through the above processing, the terminal T3 of the conference participant
Is connected to the CFT 45 of the conference service execution switch 20 and is ready to participate in the conference. FIG. 7 shows a processing flowchart (3) of the embodiment (1) of the present invention. The process of ending the conference according to the embodiment (1) will be described with reference to the flowchart (3).

S1: ID of conference service execution switch 20
Detects disconnection of all meeting participants, including number-enabled meeting invitees. S2: The conference service execution switch 20 terminates the conference of the ID number and releases the ID number of the conference service execution table 22A.

S3; and conference service execution switch 2
0 is transmitted by the number of the conference service management exchange 10, the conference end special number, and the ID number. S4: Conference service management exchange 10 is the conference end special number, I
The D number is received, and the information of the conference service executing switch 20 of the conference service management table 12A and the ID number are released.

By the above processing, the conference service management exchange 20 is released from the conference service management table 12A of the conference service management exchange 10 and it becomes possible to prepare for the next conference.

FIG. 8 shows a processing flowchart (1) of the embodiment (2) of the present invention. The embodiment (2) is an embodiment corresponding to claim 2, and the meeting convocation processing of the embodiment (2) will be described below with reference to the flowchart.

S1: The convener calls the conference service management exchange number (shown as the conference management exchange number in the figure), the conference convocation special number, and the ID number to make the call. Here, the conference convocation special number is a special number for connecting in the embodiment (2).

S2: The conference service management exchange 10 receives the conference call special number and ID number, refers to the conference service execution exchange information registered in the conference service execution exchange registration table 12B, and executes the conference service. The service execution switch 20 is extracted.

S3: The extracted conference service execution switch 20 determines whether or not it is the own station. S4: The conference service management exchange 10 makes a call using the number of the conference service executing exchange 20, the conference convocation special number, and the ID number.

S5: The conference service execution switch 20 is a CF
When the empty CFT 45 can be captured by referring to the T management table 22B, the ID number is registered in the conference service execution table 22A, and the conference corresponding to the ID number is being executed.

S6: The conference service executing switch 20 transmits the identification number of the conference service executing switch 20 to the conference service managing switch 10 based on the user / user information of the DISC message.

S7: The timer 21B for managing the time of the conference corresponding to the ID number is activated. S8: The conference service management exchange 10 uses the identification number I of the conference service executing exchange 10 in the conference service management table 12A.
Store the D number.

S9: The conference service management exchange 10 sends the DIS to the conference participation exchange 31 in which the convener is accommodated.
The identification number of the conference service executing switch 20 is notified by the user / user information of the C message, and the connection between the conference service executing switch 20 and the conference participating switch 31 is disconnected.

S10: The conference service executing exchange 2 in S3
If 0 is determined to be the own station, the conference service execution switch 2
0 = The conference service management exchange 10 executes the processing of S5 and thereafter.

By this processing, the connection is disconnected while the conference convener is notified of the identification number information of the conference service executing exchange 20. FIG. 9 shows a processing flowchart (2) of the embodiment (2) of the present invention. The process of participating in the conference of the embodiment (2) will be described with reference to the flowchart (2).

S1: The conference participating exchange 30A accommodating the conference caller accommodated in the conference participating exchange 31 is
From the conference service executing switch identification number notified by the user information, the number of the conference service executing switch 20, the conference participation special number, and the ID number are automatically redialed.

S2: The conference service execution switch 20 refers to the conference service execution table 22A and connects to the conference having the received ID number. S3: The conference service execution switch 20 stops the timer 21B that manages the time of the conference corresponding to the ID number.

Through the above processing, the terminal T1 of the convener
Is connected to the CFT 45 of the conference service execution switch 20. S4: The conference participants accommodated in the conference participation exchange 30B make a call using the number of the conference service management exchange 10, the conference participation special number, and the ID number.

S5: The conference service management exchange 10 receives the conference participation special number and the ID number, and extracts the conference service execution exchange 20 from the conference service management table 12A and the ID number.

S6: The conference service managing exchange 10 sends the identification number of the conference service executing exchange 20 to the conference participating exchange 30B in the user / user information of the DISC message and disconnects it.

S7: The conference participation exchange 30B transmits using the identification number of the conference service execution exchange 20, the conference participation special number, and the ID number obtained from the user / user information. S8: The conference service execution switch 20 refers to the conference service execution table 22A and connects to the conference with the received ID number.

Through the above processing, the terminal T1 of the convener
And the terminal T2 of the conference participant is the conference service executing switch 20.
It is connected to the CFT 45 and is ready to participate in the conference.
FIG. 10 shows a processing flowchart (3) of the embodiment (2) of the present invention. The process of ending the conference according to the embodiment (2) will be described with reference to the flowchart (3).

S1: After the timer 21B is started in S7 of FIG. 8, there is no participation in the conference during that timing, and a timeout is detected. S2: All conference participants, including the conference convener, corresponding to the conference ID number of the conference service execution switch 20 are disconnected.

S3: When either S1 or S2 is executed, the conference service execution switch 20 releases the ID number of the conference service execution table 22A as the end of the conference. S4: Then, the conference service executing exchange 20 makes a call using the number of the conference service managing exchange 10, the conference end special number, and the ID number.

S5: The conference service management exchange 10 receives the conference end special number and the ID number, and the conference service management table 12
The information of the conference service execution exchange 20 of A and the ID number are released.

Through the above processing, the conference service management exchange 12 is released from the conference service management table 12A of the conference service management exchange 10 and it becomes possible to prepare for the next conference.

[0064]

According to the present invention, even when a plurality of conference service executing exchanges exist in a network, a conference convener and a conference participant can convene a conference from a terminal to a conference service management exchange in the network. When the participation request is made, the conference service management exchange sets up the conference service execution exchange capable of executing the conference and makes the connection, so that the conference call can be connected by a simple procedure.

Further, the identification number of the conference service executing exchange set by the conference service management exchange is transmitted to the convener and the conference participant by UU information of the DISC message to disconnect the conference convener and the conference participant. U
By calling the conference service execution switch obtained from the U information, the routing can be left to the routing function in the network to optimize the routing.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating the principle of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram (1) illustrating an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram (2) illustrating an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a configuration example of a network of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a processing flowchart (1) of the embodiment (1) of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a processing flowchart (2) of the embodiment (1) of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a processing flowchart (3) of the embodiment (1) of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a processing flowchart (1) of the embodiment (2) of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a processing flowchart (2) of the embodiment (2) of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a processing flowchart (3) of the embodiment (2) of the present invention.

FIG. 11 shows a conventional network configuration example.

FIG. 12 is a flowchart of a conventional process of calling a conference call.

[Explanation of symbols]

10 conference service management exchange 20 conference service executing exchange 30, 30A, 30B, 30a, 30b conference participation exchange 40a, 40b conference service providing exchange 11, 21, 31, 41 central processing unit 12, 22, 32, 42 main storage 13 , 23, 33, 43 Network 14, 24, 34 Relay trunk 11A Conference service management control unit 12A Conference service management table 12B Conference service execution switch registration table 21A, 41A Conference service execution control unit 21B Timer 22A Conference service execution table 22B, 42A CFT management table 25, 45 CFT 31A conference service control unit T1 to T4 terminals

Claims (2)

[Claims] 1. A connection method for conducting a conference call by connecting a plurality of terminals accommodated in a plurality of exchanges, wherein a conference convening terminal sends a conference identification number and a conference call request to a conference service management exchange. Sending (STEP 1), the conference service managing switch selects a conference service executing switch capable of executing a conference service, and sends the conference identification number and a conference holding request (STEP 2). When the conference can be held, the conference identification number transmitted from the conference service management exchange and the conference being executed are registered,
The conference service management exchange is notified that the conference can be held (STEP 3), and the conference service management exchange registers the conference service execution exchange number and the conference identification number sent from the conference service execution exchange, and the conference convocation terminal. And the conference service execution exchange are connected (STEP 4), the conference participation terminal sends a conference identification number and a conference participation request to the conference service management exchange (STEP 5), and the conference service management exchange executes the conference service. Conduct a conference by connecting the exchange and the conference participation terminal (STEP
6), A method of connecting a conference call characterized by the following. 2. The conference convening terminal sends a conference identification number and a request to hold a conference call to the conference service managing switch, the conference service managing switch selects the conference service executing switch capable of executing a conference service, After notifying the conference requesting exchange of the identification number of the conference service executing exchange, disconnection is performed, and the conference convocation terminal sends the conference service executing exchange number, the conference participation special number, and the conference identification number to enter the conference and enter the conference. The participating terminal sends out the conference service management exchange number, the conference participation special number and the conference identification number, the conference service management exchange extracts the conference service executing exchange, notifies the identification number, and then disconnects, and the conference participation terminal conferences. A call is made with a service execution exchange number, a conference participation special number, and a conference identification number to enter the conference. How to connect that phone conference.