JPH10257207A - Telephone system - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To input a prepaid rate even if a telephone rate register breaks down and cannot be used by inputting information on the money payment of the prepaid rate from one device among a specified extension telephone set, a repeater and an information terminal equipment, which are connected to a telephone system. SOLUTION: When a rate input key is depressed after a supplied amount is dialed, it is detected and the prepaid rate before money payment, which corresponds to an ID number, is read from the memory table of a call management device 10 and it is sent. When a total amount obtained by adding the prepaid rate before money payment and the supplied amount is within the range of the prescribed amount, information on the ID number and the supplied amount are sent to the call management device 10 and the total amount obtained by adding the prepaid rate before money payment, which corresponds to the ID number, and the supplied amount is registered in the call management device 10. Thus, the prepaid rate can be paid from a telephone set of a manager 2-n.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a telephone system such as a private branch exchange that allows a prepaid fee to be input even when the telephone fee registering machine becomes unusable due to a power outage, failure, or the like.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art At present, a card reader transmission function of a prepaid telephone system is known as one of functions of an electronic private branch exchange (PBX). The card reader transmission is performed based on the following processing. That is, in the telephone charge registration machine, after sliding an ID card such as an employee ID card into a card reader, cash is inserted into a cash slot. The telephone charge registration machine uses the ID such as the employee number registered in the ID card.
The information such as the number and the inserted amount is transmitted to the call management device, and the call management device adds the received insertion amount to a fee (a prepaid fee) registered for each ID number. In this conventional system, a telephone with a card reader is used as an extension telephone, and when making a call to an outside line, the receiver is raised and the ID card used at the time of charging the fee is slid to the card reader.

[0003] Here, it is determined whether or not the prepaid charge input from the telephone charge registration machine is equal to or greater than a transmission restriction amount set in advance by an input / output device. Regulate. If the call amount is equal to or greater than the call regulation amount, the subscriber number is dialed, and when the callee responds, information such as the ID number and the call dial read from the ID card is transmitted to the call management device. The call management device subtracts the call fee from the prepaid fee stored in correspondence with the ID number every time until the call termination information is transmitted based on the received information.

[0004]

Such a system for managing the prepaid call charges based on the ID number is mainly used in a dormitory telephone system or the like. If a failure occurs,
There is a problem that an outside line cannot be transmitted (card reader transmission) because a prepaid fee cannot be input.

[0005] The present invention has been made to solve such a problem, and even if a telephone charge registration machine becomes unusable due to a failure or the like, a telephone such as a private branch exchange that can input a prepaid charge is provided. The purpose is to provide a system.

[0006]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Accordingly, the present invention relates to a telephone system having an extension telephone and having a function of making a call to an outside line from the extension telephone when a prepaid fee is paid. There is provided a means for inputting information relating to payment of a prepaid fee from at least one of a connected specific extension telephone, an attendant console, and an information terminal device.

[0007] The means for inputting information relating to the payment of the prepaid fee may be, for example, a first means for inputting information relating to a depositor of the prepaid fee and a second means for inputting information relating to the amount of deposit. Can be.

With such a configuration, even if the telephone charge registration machine becomes unusable due to a power failure, a failure, or the like, it becomes possible to input a prepaid charge. In some cases, the system can be operated in such a manner that a specific person collects a prepaid fee and inputs information on payment of the prepaid fee without installing a telephone fee registering machine.

The first input means can be constituted by means for reading information by a card reader, means for detecting dialed information, or means for detecting information inputted from a keyboard, and a second input means. The means may be constituted by means for detecting dialed information or means for detecting information input from a keyboard.

[0010] In particular, the first means for inputting information relating to the payer of the prepaid fee, for example, the ID number,
If the means for reading information with a card reader is
Even when an input error is likely to occur, such as when the number of digits of the number is large, the input can be performed without error.

[0011] In this system, it is possible to input information relating to the payment of the prepaid fee from any of a specific extension telephone, an attendant console, and an information terminal device connected to the telephone system. In the case of a telephone system, it is practical to perform the processing from an administrator's telephone or an information terminal device such as a personal computer connected to the administrator's telephone.

[0012]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the drawings. In the following drawings, the same parts or corresponding parts are denoted by the same reference numerals. (First Embodiment) FIG. 1 is a block diagram schematically showing a configuration of a private branch exchange according to a first embodiment of the present invention. In the figure, each line circuit 1-1, 1-2,..., 1-n
, The extension telephones 2-1, 2-2,..., 2-n are connected respectively. The extension telephones 2-1 and 2-
Among 2,..., 2-n, the extension telephone 2-n is a manager telephone. In addition, each office line trunk circuit 3-1 and 3-
Station lines and dedicated lines are connected to 2,..., 3-m.

The call network 5 connects line circuits corresponding to each extension telephone during an extension call, and connects between a line circuit corresponding to the extension telephone and an office trunk circuit during an outside call. The central processing unit 6 has a data bus 7
, 1-n and the local line trunk circuits 3-1, 3-2,..., 3-m, Control.

The input / output device 8 is used for inputting various data necessary for the exchange operation of the private branch exchange, and these data are stored in the storage device 9 through the central processing unit 6. The storage device 9 has the memory tables shown in FIGS. 2, 3, and 4. Data can be written to this table by operating the input / output device 8. The central processing unit 6 includes a call management device 10.
However, a telephone charge registration device 11 is connected to the call management device 10. The call management device 10 has a memory table shown in FIG.

The memory table 21 shown in FIG.
This is a memory table for storing a port used as an administrator telephone. For example, when the n-th port is used as an administrator telephone, "n" is stored. The memory table 22 shown in FIG. 3B is a table for storing a password to be dialed from the manager's telephone 2-n before the prepaid fee is paid.

The memory table 31 shown in FIG.
It is a memory table indicating whether or not a card reader is connected to the manager's telephone 2-n. When the card reader is connected, "01" is stored, and when the card reader is not connected, "00" is stored. ing. The memory table 32 shown in FIG. 4B is a memory table for storing ID numbers for which charges can be input.

Data can be registered, changed, and deleted from the input / output device 8 with respect to the memory tables shown in FIGS. The memory tables 41 and 42 shown in FIGS. 4A and 4B are memory tables for temporarily storing a deposit amount and a prepaid fee before the deposit when depositing from the manager's telephone 2-n.

The memory table 51 shown in FIG.
It is a memory table for storing prepaid fees paid for each ID number. Next, the operation of this embodiment will be described. Depositing when the telephone charge registration machine 11 is normal is performed by sliding an ID card such as an employee ID card into a card reader connected to the telephone charge registration machine 11 and then inserting cash into a cash slot as in the past. The telephone charge registration device 11 stores information such as an ID number such as an employee number registered in the ID card and an inserted amount of money into the call management device 1.
0, and the call management device 10 adds the received input amount to the fee (prepaid fee) registered for each ID number, and stores it in the memory table 51.

On the other hand, when the telephone charge registration machine 11 cannot be used due to a failure or the like, the procedure is as shown in the flowchart of FIG. Extension telephones 2-1, 2-2, ..., 2-n
When any of the telephone terminals presses the charge input key (step 601), this is detected, and it is determined whether or not the pushed extension telephone is the manager telephone 2-n by referring to the memory table 21 of FIG. (Step 602), and if it is not the manager's telephone 2-n, an error message is displayed and the processing is invalidated (Step 614). If the telephone terminal that pressed the charge input key is the manager's telephone 2-n, it is determined whether or not a charge input password has been set by referring to the memory table 22 of FIG. 2B (step 603).
If the password is not registered, you can enter the fee without dialing the password. If a password has been registered, dialing the password for fee entry detects this (step 604).

Next, the dialed password is shown in FIG.
Is determined to be equal to the password registered in the memory table 22 (step 605). If the password is not the same, an error is displayed on the LCD of the manager's telephone 2-n and the processing is invalidated (step 614). ). If the dialed password is the same, then the administrator telephone 2
It is determined by referring to the memory table 31 of FIG. 3A whether or not n is a telephone with a card reader (step 606).
If a card reader is provided, an ID card such as an employee number is read by sliding an ID card such as an employee card to the card reader (step 607). If the card is not equipped with a card reader, the ID number is detected by dialing by hand (step 608).

Next, it is determined from the table 32 in FIG. 3B whether or not the ID number read from the card or the ID number dialed by hand is registered in the system (step 609). The error is displayed on the LCD of the manager's telephone 2-n, and then the processing is invalidated (step 614). If the ID number has been registered, when the input amount is subsequently dialed, this is detected (step 610), and the dialed input amount is shown in FIG.
(A) is temporarily stored in the memory table 41.

After dialing the input amount, when the charge input key is pressed again, this is detected (step 611), and the prepaid charge corresponding to the ID number read from the card or the ID number dialed by hand is stored in the call management device 10 before the deposit.
5 is read from the memory table 51 of FIG. 5 and sent, and is temporarily stored in the memory table 41 of FIG. 4B. Here, the total sum of the prepaid fee before the deposit and the input amount is within a predetermined amount range (for example, -999).
(Step 612), and if it is not within the range, an error is displayed on the LCD of the manager's telephone 2-n and the processing is invalidated (Step 614). If it is within, the ID number read from the card or the ID number dialed by hand and information such as the amount of money inserted are sent to the call management device 10, and the call management device 10 reads the ID number or the ID number read from the card in the memory table 51 of FIG. The total amount obtained by adding the prepaid fee before the deposit and the input amount for the ID number dialed by hand is registered (step 613). In this way, the prepaid fee can be paid from the manager's telephone 2-n.

(Second Embodiment) In the first embodiment described above, a prepaid charge is input by pressing a charge input key from the manager's telephone 2-n, but instead of pressing this key. The manager's telephone 2-
It may be performed by dialing a specific number for charge input from n. The processing procedure in this case is shown in the flowchart of FIG. In this case, the procedure for detecting the press of the charge input key in the above-described case (FIG. 6) (steps 602 and 611) and the step for detecting this when the specific number is dialed (step 701)
And step 702), and the other steps may be the same as those described above.

(Third Embodiment) Next, as shown in FIG. 8, the extension telephones 2-1, 2-2,... Information terminal device capable of sending and receiving, for example, personal computer PC-
1, PC-2,..., PC-n are connected to the manager's telephone 2-n instead of pressing the charge input key of the telephone or dialing a specific number. Connected personal computer P
It can be performed by the operation from Cn. The processing procedure in this case is shown in the flowchart of FIG.

In the figure, a personal computer P
When any one of C-1, PC-2,..., PC-n sends a charge input request message (step 901), this is detected, and the personal computer PC-n for the manager detects this fact. It is determined by referring to the memory table 21 of FIG. 2A (step 902) whether or not the personal computer PC-n is for the manager.
If not, an error is displayed on the display of the personal computer PC and the processing is invalidated (step 914). If the personal computer that sent the charge input request message is the personal computer PC-n for the manager, it is determined by referring to the memory table 22 in FIG. 903) If the password is not registered, the fee can be input without inputting the password. If the password has been registered, the password is detected by inputting it from the keyboard of the personal computer PC (step 904).

Next, it is determined whether the input password is equal to the password registered in the memory table 22 of FIG. 2B (step 905). If not, an error is displayed on the display of the personal computer PC-n. After the display, the process is invalidated (step 91).
4). If the entered passwords are the same, it is next determined whether or not the manager's telephone 2-n is a telephone with a card reader by referring to the memory table 31 of FIG. 3A (step 906). Is the ID of the employee ID
An ID number such as an employee number is read by sliding the card on a card reader (step 907).
If the personal computer PC-n does not have a card reader, the ID number is detected from the keyboard of the personal computer PC-n (step 908).

Next, it is determined from the table 32 of FIG. 3B whether or not the ID number read from the card or the ID number input from the keyboard is registered in the system (step 909). After displaying an error on the display of the personal computer PC-n, the processing is invalidated (step 91).
4). If the ID number has been registered, if the input amount is subsequently inputted from the keyboard, this is detected (step 910), and the input amount is temporarily stored in the memory table 41 of FIG. 4A.

After inputting the input amount, when a charge input request message is input again from the keyboard, this is detected (step 911), and the prepaid charge corresponding to the ID number read from the card or the ID number input from the keyboard is used for the call. The information is read from the memory table 51 of FIG. 5 in the management device 10 and sent, and is temporarily stored in the memory table 41 of FIG. 4B. Here, the total sum of the prepaid fee before the deposit and the input amount is within a predetermined amount range (for example, from -99999 yen to 99999).
(Step 912).
If it is not within the range, an error is displayed on the display of the personal computer PC-n and the processing is invalidated (step 914). If it is within the range, the ID number read from the card or the ID number input from the keyboard and the amount of money inserted And the like are sent to the call management device 10, and the call management device 10 adds the prepaid fee before the deposit and the input amount for the ID number read from the card in the memory table 51 in FIG. 5 or the ID number input from the keyboard. The amount is registered (step 913).

(Fourth Embodiment) As shown in FIG.
When the relay console 2-x is connected to the private branch exchange,
The prepaid fee can be input from the relay console 2-x. In this case, the memory table 21 shown in FIG. 2A is used as a memory table for storing ports used as relay stations, and the memory table 31 shown in FIG. Instead of a memory table indicating whether or not it is connected. Then, an operation equivalent to the operation from the manager's telephone 2-n in the above-described first or second embodiment may be performed from the relay console 2-x. The procedure of the process in this case is substantially the same as the procedure of the process in the first or second embodiment, and the step (step 602) of judging whether or not the manager's telephone shown in FIG. Since it is sufficient to determine whether or not the process for the manager's telephone is the process for the attendant console, a detailed description thereof will be omitted.

[0030]

As described above, according to the present invention, even when the telephone charge registration machine cannot be used due to a power failure, a failure, or the like, a prepaid charge can be input, thereby providing a system with higher serviceability. be able to.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a private branch exchange according to first and second embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an exemplary view showing a memory table of a storage device according to the embodiment.

FIG. 3 is an exemplary view showing another memory table of the storage device according to the embodiment;

FIG. 4 is an exemplary view showing still another memory table of the storage device according to the embodiment.

FIG. 5 is an exemplary view showing a memory table of the call management device in the embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating a procedure of processing according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating a procedure of a process according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a private branch exchange according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart illustrating a procedure of processing according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a private branch exchange according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

1-1, 1-2, ..., 1-n, 1-x ... line circuits 2-1, 2-2, ..., 2-n ... extension telephones 2-X ... relay consoles 3-1 and 3-2, .., 3-m office line trunk circuit 4-1 4-2,..., 4-m outside line 5 communication network 6 central processing unit 7 data bus 8 input / output device 9 storage device 10 communication Management device 11 Telephone charge registration device 21 Telephone port storage table for administrator 22 Password storage table 31 Card reader connection status table for administrator 32 ID number storage table 41 Deposit amount storage table 42 Prepaid before payment Charge storage table 51: Prepaid charge storage table for each ID number PC-1, PC-2, ..., PC-n: Personal computer

Claims (7)

[Claims] 1. A telephone system having an extension telephone and having a function of making a call from the extension telephone to an outside line when a prepaid fee is paid in, a specific extension telephone connected to the telephone system, a relay A telephone system, comprising: means for inputting information relating to payment of a prepaid fee from at least one of a table and an information terminal device. 2. A telephone system having an extension telephone and a function capable of making a call from the extension telephone to an outside line when a prepaid fee is paid in, a specific extension telephone connected to the telephone system, a relay, And a first means for inputting information on a depositor of a prepaid fee from at least one of the information terminal devices, and a second means for inputting information on a deposit amount. Phone system. 3. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said first input means comprises means for reading information by a card reader, means for detecting dialed information, or means for detecting information input from a keyboard. 3. The telephone system according to 2. 4. The apparatus according to claim 2, wherein said second input means comprises means for detecting dialed information or means for detecting information input from a keyboard.
A telephone system as described in. 5. The at least one device is a manager telephone, and the first input means comprises means for reading information by a card reader or means for detecting dialed information, and the second input means comprises: 3. The telephone system according to claim 2, wherein said input means comprises means for detecting dialed information. 6. The at least one device is an information terminal device, wherein the first input means comprises means for reading information by a card reader or means for detecting information input from a keyboard, and wherein the second input means comprises: The input means of
3. The telephone system according to claim 2, further comprising means for detecting information input from a keyboard. 7. The at least one device is a relay stand, and the first input means comprises means for reading information by a card reader or means for detecting dialed information, and the second input means. 3. The telephone system according to claim 2, further comprising means for detecting dialed information.