JPH1042079A - Exchange having lcr function and connection control method for the exchange - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To select a path when the least cost route is occupied based on the intention of a caller by providing the LCR system with a voice guidance selection function having provision for a leased line and a public line in which the caller selects a speech path. SOLUTION: When a call is made form a subscriber telephone set 3 or 15 to a trunk line, a control section 6 uses private line-public line connection LCR functions 6, 2 to select the least cost routing available of use from trunk line interface section 4, 10. When the least cost routing is occupied, the control section 6 allows a voice synthesis section 7 of a private branch of exchange to give a voice guidance to the caller denoting it that the least cost routing is occupied and routing is to be selected, receives a PB selection signal from the caller according to the guidance and connects the routing intended by the caller.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an exchange having an LCR function and a connection control method in the exchange, and more particularly, to a network system which can make a connection from a dedicated line to a public line. LC that provides a service that allows a subscriber to select whether to connect to a route using voice guidance and a selection signal
The present invention relates to an exchange having an R function and a connection control method in the exchange.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, it has become common to make an NCC connection or a connection from a dedicated line to a public line, that is, a so-called exclusive public connection, in order to reduce telephone charges for telephones and the like.

[0003] In a switch having an LCR function according to the prior art, which is capable of selecting an inexpensive call charge route, a main unit receives an outgoing dial code from a single telephone, and based on the outgoing dial code received by the main unit. Then, the LCR selection circuit selects and connects the communication path with the lowest call rate, calls the single telephone that has been called after the call is finished, and notifies the operator of the selected path and the call rate by voice. The switch having the LCR function according to the conventional technology can not supplement the route with the lowest call rate,
This automatically connects to another route. For this reason, the caller does not know that he or she has made a call through a route with a high call charge until after the call ends. In particular, in the case of a dedicated public connection, it is often conceivable that a dedicated line route cannot be supplemented, and a large difference in call charges occurs depending on whether a dedicated route can be selected.

[0004] As a conventional technique relating to this type of LCR system, for example, a technique described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. Hei 5-3518 is known.

[0005]

The prior art described above is
The caller of the single telephone cannot distinguish whether the lowest-priced route or another route is selected at the time of calling. Then, the caller thinks that the call is made using a route having a low call rate without regard to the call route. In this prior art, the route is automatically selected and the caller is notified of the route information after the call, so that the caller is notified that the caller has actually connected to the higher route after the call. There is a problem that becomes.

[0006] That is, although the caller and the facility manager have a request to reduce the telephone charge as much as possible, the above-mentioned prior art automatically selects a route, and is therefore inexpensive. If the route is blocked, a connection is made to a route having a high call charge regardless of the intention of the caller, and the caller cannot select a call route. In particular, in the case of a dedicated connection,
It is often considered that a dedicated line route cannot be supplemented, and a large difference occurs in a call fee depending on whether a call route can be selected.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the present invention to solve the above-mentioned problems of the prior art, and to provide an exchange having an LCR function capable of allowing a caller to select a communication path in a network for exclusive connection, and a connection in the exchange. It is to provide a control method.

[0008]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION According to the present invention, it is an object of the present invention to accommodate a plurality of extension telephones, a public network, and a digital private line network to which other exchanges are connected, and to establish a route for a minimum call charge. In a switch having an LCR function for detecting and connecting, a control unit for controlling connection, a memory mechanism for storing an outgoing dial code, a voice synthesizing unit, and a PB receiving unit for receiving PB selection signal information from a caller The LCR function detects a route of the lowest call rate in response to a dedicated public connection request transmitted to a general telephone subscriber via the digital leased line network from the extension telephone, another exchange, and a public network, If the route with the lowest call rate can be detected, the control unit performs connection control on the route.If the route with the lowest call fee is blocked, the dial code received by the local exchange is issued. Instead, the outgoing dial code is stored in the memory mechanism, and the voice synthesizing unit informs the caller that the route for the lowest call fee is blocked, and connects to a route other than the route for the lowest call fee, or transmits again. Or give a notification with a guidance that there is an option of waiting for a while until the route with the lowest call rate is available, and let the caller select the control when the route with the lowest call rate is blocked, and This is achieved by the PB receiving unit receiving a PB signal responsive to guidance, and performing control in accordance with the received PB signal by the control unit.

The above object is further provided with an outgoing trunk camp-on registration mechanism, and a P
If the B signal is to select to wait for a while until the route with the lowest call rate becomes available, the outgoing trunk camp-on registration mechanism, when the route with the lowest call rate becomes free within a predetermined time, The outgoing subscriber is called by the outgoing dial code stored in the memory mechanism, and the control unit responds by connecting to the path of the lowest call rate, and the PB signal responding to the guidance is again transmitted. If the choice is to make a call, this is accomplished by discarding the call dial code stored in the memory mechanism.

[0010]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An embodiment of an exchange having an LCR function and a connection control method in the exchange according to the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a private branch exchange having an LCR according to an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a flowchart for explaining a processing operation of an embodiment of the present invention,
FIG. 3 is a diagram for explaining an operation sequence of outgoing trunk camp-on transmission. In FIG. 1, 1 is a private branch exchange, 2
Is a subscriber interface unit, 3 is a general extension telephone, 4 is an office line interface unit, 5 is a communication line switch unit, 6 is a control unit, 7 is a voice synthesis unit, 8 is a PB receiving unit, and 9 is a digital dedicated line interface unit. 10 is a digital private line interface unit, 11 is a digital private line, 12 is a public network,
13 is an exchange for another station, 14 is a CATV telephone controller, 15
Is a CATV subscriber telephone.

An embodiment of the present invention shown in FIG. 1 is an example in which the present invention is applied to a general extension telephone and a CATV telephone system, and is performed between a general extension telephone and a CATV telephone system subscriber and a private branch exchange. This is an example in which an LCR system having a voice guidance selection function is configured.

As shown in FIG. 1, a system according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a private branch exchange 1 for making an outgoing connection to another station.
General extension telephones 3 and C accommodated in the private branch exchange 1
ATV telephone control device 14, this CATV telephone control device 1
CATV subscriber telephone set 15, NTT, NC connected to 4
A private network 12 such as C, a digital private line network 11, and a local exchange 13 connected to the private line network.

The private branch exchange 1 has a central office interface 4 for connecting to a general public network as an office interface, a digital private office interface 10 for connecting to a private network, and a general subscriber interface as a subscriber interface. A subscriber interface unit 2 for connecting to an extension telephone; and
A control for connecting the digital leased line interface unit 9 connected to the CATV telephone control device 14, the communication path switch unit 5, the PB receiving unit 8 and the voice synthesis unit 7, and controlling the interface units and the communication path switch unit 5 And a unit 6.

When the private branch exchange 11 shown in FIG. 1 receives a call from the general extension telephone 3 or the CATV subscriber telephone 15, a private connection via the private line network 11 or a public network 12 such as NTT or NCC is performed depending on the destination. It is determined whether the connection is a public connection via the Internet and the route with the lowest call charge is determined to control the connection.

That is, the line control of the private branch exchange 1 is performed by the control unit 6 and the communication path switch unit 5.
Has a table for recognizing the calling number notified from the call path switch unit 5, and has an LCR function for selecting a dedicated connection or a public connection, and which of the routes with the lowest call charges is selected. Then, the control unit 6 of the private branch exchange 1
After the route is selected, if the low-cost route is blocked, the voice synthesizing unit 7 that performs voice guidance for giving the caller the option to connect to another route is connected,
In addition, after the route is selected, the control unit 6 has a function of storing a calling number from a caller and preparing for receiving a selection signal from the caller when a route with the lowest call fee is blocked.

The control unit 6 of the private branch exchange 1 is connected to a PB receiving unit 8 for receiving a selection signal from a caller. The PB receiving unit 8 has a function of notifying the control unit 6 of received PB signal information. Have. The control unit 6 has a function of connecting to a path other than the lowest call rate path, a function of waiting until the lowest call rate path becomes available, and a function of causing the caller to make a call again based on the selection information notified from the PB receiving unit 8. And

The function of the control unit 6 for connecting to a path other than the lowest call rate path is a function of connecting to a path other than the lowest call rate path selected by the LCR function based on the number stored in the control unit 6. . The function of the control unit 6 to wait until the lowest call rate route becomes available is the PB selected by the caller.
This function registers the outgoing trunk camp-on in the control unit 6 based on the signal information. Further, the control unit 6 includes a monitoring timer for outgoing trunk camp-on, and when the route of the lowest call rate becomes available within the specified timer time (the timer setting time can be changed), the general extension telephone 3 The control unit 6 makes a call back to the CATV subscriber telephone set 15, and when the caller goes off-hook, a connection is made based on the transmission number stored in the control unit 6.

If the caller does not go off-hook within the set timer time, the control unit 6 releases the registered outgoing trunk camp-on. In addition, if the minimum call rate route is not available within the set specified timer time, the control unit 6 cancels the registration of the registered outgoing trunk camp-on.

The function of the control unit 6 to make a call again from the caller is to discard the call number stored in the control unit 6 based on the PB signal information selected by the caller,
Or a function to return the BT to the CATV subscriber telephone set 15 and prompt the caller to call again.

Next, referring to the flow shown in FIG.
The processing operation of the embodiment of the present invention shown in FIG.

(1) When a call is sent from the CATV subscriber telephone set 15 via the general extension telephone set 3 or the CATV telephone controller 14, the subscriber interface unit 2 or the digital leased line interface unit 9 of the private branch exchange 1 Receives the dial code sent from the control unit 6, and transfers the received dial code to the control unit 6 (step F1).

(2) The controller 6 compares the transferred number information with the number table 6.1 to determine whether the call is to be transmitted to the own station or to another station (step F2).

(3) If it is determined in step F2 that the call originates within the own station, the control unit 6 passes through the communication path switch unit 5 and the subscriber interface unit 2 or the digital leased line interface unit 9. General extension 3 or C
A calling process is performed to the ATV subscriber telephone set 15. When the called telephone answers, the control unit 6 forms a connection path to enable a call (steps F3 and F18).

(4) If it is determined in step F2 that the call is to be transmitted to another station, the control section 6 gives the transferred number information to the function L6.2 of the exclusive LCR, and provides the route of the lowest call rate. Is detected, and furthermore, the use status of the line connected via the corresponding local line interface unit 4, 10 of the detected path of the lowest call rate is detected, and it is determined whether or not the line can be supplemented. (Steps F4 and F4)
5).

(5) If it is determined in step F5 that the line of the route having the lowest call rate can be supplemented, the control unit 6 transmits the signal via the call path switch unit 5 and the corresponding local line interface unit 4 or 10. Then, a calling process is performed for a general subscriber telephone (not shown), and when the called telephone responds, a connection path is formed to enable communication (steps F6 and F1).
8).

(6) If it is determined in step F5 that the line of the route having the lowest call rate cannot be supplemented, the control unit 6 transmits the dial code received using the transmission number memory function 6.3. Is stored in the control unit 6, and when the dial code is stored, the originating extension 3
Alternatively, the line of the CATV subscriber telephone set 15 is put on hold, and the voice synthesizing unit 7 makes a minimum call to the general extension telephone set 3 or the CATV subscriber telephone set 15 via the control unit 6 and the subscriber interface unit 2 or the digital leased line interface unit 9. It notifies by voice guidance that connection cannot be made through the fee route and that the user has the option.

The voice guidance notified in this case is, for example, "The route with the lowest call rate is very crowded, so if you want to connect on another route with a higher charge, please press dial 1 on the telephone and wait as it is If you want to connect via the route with the lowest call rate, press dial 2 on the phone and hang up the handset.If you want to make a call again, press dial 3 on the phone, hang up once and dial again. . " The control unit 6
Such a voice guidance is notified, and the caller of the general extension telephone 3 or the CATV subscriber telephone 15 selects a connection (step F7).

(7) When the caller of the general extension telephone 3 or the CATV subscriber telephone 15 having received the notification by the voice guidance presses a dial button for selecting a connection in accordance with the guidance, the general extension telephone 3 or the CATV subscriber telephone 15 sends the call. A selection information signal (PB signal) is transmitted, and the selection information signal is received by the PB receiving unit 8 via the subscriber interface unit 2 or the digital leased line interface unit 9 of the private branch exchange 1 and the control unit 6. The control unit 6
The selection information signal received by the PB receiving unit 8 is received, and it is determined which number from 1 to 3 is selected by the caller of the general extension telephone 3 or the CATV subscriber telephone 15 (step F).
8).

(8) In step F8, the general extension telephone 3
Alternatively, when it is determined that the caller of the CATV subscriber telephone set 15 has selected the selection signal 1, the control unit 6 reads out the calling number stored in the calling number memory function 6.2 and uses the exclusive LCR function 6.2. Detects a route other than the route with the lowest call rate, supplements the line, and switches the call path switch unit 5.
And the corresponding line interface 4 or 10
A calling process is performed for a general subscriber telephone (not shown), and when the called telephone responds, a connection path is formed to enable communication (steps F9 and F19).

(9) In step F8, the general extension telephone 3
Alternatively, if it is determined that the caller of the CATV station set 15 has selected the selection signal 2, the control unit 6 sets the outgoing trunk camp on the line of the general extension station 3 or the CATV station set 15 held in the process of step F7. The on-trunk camp-on is registered by the ON function 6.4 (step F11).

(10) The control unit 6 monitors the line use status of the corresponding local line interface units 4 and 10 of the route of the lowest call rate of the line on which the outgoing trunk camp-on registration has been performed, and sets a specified timer. It is determined whether the corresponding route is free within the time (step F12).

(11) If the route is free within the specified timer time, the subscriber interface unit 2 or the digital leased line interface unit is sent to the general extension telephone 3 or the CATV subscriber telephone 15 of the line on which the outgoing trunk camp-on registration has been performed. 9 is called back (step F1).
3).

(12) The control unit 6 determines that the caller of the general extension telephone 3 or the CATV subscriber telephone 15 that has called back via the subscriber interface unit 2 or the digital leased line interface unit 9 within the specified timer time. It is determined whether a response has been made (step F15).

(13) If the caller responds within the specified timer time, the control unit 6 transmits the RBT to the general extension telephone 3 or the CATV subscriber telephone 15 via the subscriber interface unit 2 or the digital leased line interface unit 9. And reads out the calling number stored by the calling number memory function 6.3, and performs a calling process for a general subscriber telephone (not shown) via the communication path switch unit 5 and the corresponding line interface unit 4 or 10. Then, when the called telephone answers, a connection path is formed to enable communication (steps F16 and F17).

(14) When it is determined in step F15 that the caller did not respond within the specified timer time, and when it was determined in step F12 that the route for the lowest call rate was not available within the specified timer time. The control unit 6 cancels the outgoing trunk camp-on registration performed in the process of step F11, discards the calling number stored by the calling number memory function, and joins the general extension telephone 3 or the CATV subscription held in the process of step F7. The line of the telephone 15 is released (step F14).

(15) In step F8, the general extension telephone 3
Alternatively, if it is determined that the caller of the CATV subscriber telephone set 15 has selected the selection signal 3, the control unit 6 sends the subscriber interface to the general extension telephone set 3 or the line of the CATV subscriber telephone set 15 held in step F7. BT via unit 2 or digital leased line interface unit 9
Is transmitted, and the transmission number stored by the transmission number memory function is discarded (step F10).

Next, referring to the sequence shown in FIG.
An outgoing call processing operation based on the outgoing trunk camp-on registration will be described.

(1) When there is a call from the general extension telephone 3 or the CATV subscriber telephone 15, a dial code is received by the subscriber interface unit 2 or 9, and the received dial number is notified to the control unit 6 (sequences S1 to S1). S3).

(2) Upon receiving the notification, the control unit 6 detects the destination using the calling number, detects the route using the LCR function, and determines whether the corresponding route is usable. Request the station line usage status (sequences S4 and S5).

(3) Upon receiving the request, the pertinent line interface units 4 and 10 notify the control unit 6 that all the pertinent line lines are blocked (sequence S6).

(4) Upon receiving the notification, the control unit 6 performs a calling number memory process and a line holding process, and issues a voice guidance transmission request to the voice synthesizing unit 7 (sequences S7 and S8).

(5) Upon receiving the request, the voice synthesizing unit 7 transmits voice guidance to the line or telephone 3 or 15 on hold (sequence S9).

(6) The sender who has listened to the voice guidance
Press selection number 2 and hang up the handset (sequence S1
0).

(7) Upon receiving the notification of the selection information signal (PB signal), the PB receiving section 8 receives the selection information signal and transfers the received number to the control section 6 (sequence S12).

(8) Upon receiving the information transfer, the control unit 6 performs outgoing trunk camp-on registration and timer operation processing, and monitors the use status of the corresponding line interface units 4, 10 (sequences S13, S14).

(9) When the corresponding line is free, the relevant office line interface unit notifies the control unit 6 of a line availability notification (sequence S15).

(10) Upon receiving the notification, the control unit 6 calls back the calling telephone via the line which has been held, receives a response notification if the caller responds, reads out the stored calling number, Dial notification is performed to the communication path switch unit 5 (sequences S16 to S20).

(11) Upon receiving the dial notification, the call path switch unit 5 issues a call connection request to the corresponding line interface units 4 and 10 (sequence S21).

(12) Upon receiving the outgoing connection request, the pertinent office line interface units 4 and 10 send outgoing numbers to the office line (sequence S22).

[0051]

As described above, according to the present invention, it is possible to reduce a telephone charge that can occur at the time of exclusive connection according to the will of the subscriber. In the case where the CATV telephone system is developed in the future, it is conceivable to connect the CATV operators with a dedicated line. In this case, according to the present invention, the CATV telephone subscriber is required to pay a large telephone charge by using the exclusive public connection. At the time when the number of users can be reduced, a route can be selected according to the will of the subscriber, and a good service can be provided.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an LCR system with a voice guidance selection function for exclusive use according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart illustrating a processing operation according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an operation sequence of outgoing trunk camp-on transmission.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Private branch exchange 2 Subscriber interface part 3 General extension telephone 4 Local line interface part 5 Communication path switch part 6 Control part 7 Voice synthesis part 8 PB receiving part 9 Digital private line interface part 10 Digital private line interface part 11 Digital private line 12 Public network 13 Other exchange 14 CATV telephone controller 15 CATV subscriber telephone

──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continuation of the front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁶ Identification number Office reference number FI Technical display location H04M 15/00 101 H04M 15/00 101 H04Q 3/58 107 H04Q 3/58 107

Claims (5)

[Claims] 1. An exchange having an LCR function for accommodating a plurality of extension telephones, a public network, and a digital private line network to which other exchanges are connected, and detecting and connecting to a route of a minimum call rate. , A memory mechanism for storing an outgoing dial code, a voice synthesizing unit, and a PB receiving unit for receiving PB selection signal information from a caller, a digital private line network from the extension telephone, The LCR function detects a route of the lowest call rate in response to a dedicated public connection request transmitted to a general telephone subscriber via the other exchange or the public network. Performs connection control for the route, and stores the outgoing dial code in the memory mechanism without issuing the dial code received by the own switch when the detected lowest call fee route is blocked. In advance, the voice synthesis unit informs the caller that the route with the lowest call rate is blocked, and whether to connect to a route other than the route with the lowest call rate or to make a call again,
Provide a notification with guidance that there is a choice technique to wait for a while until the lowest call rate route is available, and let the caller select control when the lowest call rate route is blocked,
An exchange having an LCR function, wherein the PB receiving unit receives a PB signal responding to the guidance from a caller, and performs control according to the PB signal received by the control unit. 2. The outgoing trunk camp-on registration mechanism further comprising an outgoing trunk camp-on registration mechanism, wherein if the PB signal responding to the guidance is to select to wait for a while until the lowest call rate route is available, the outgoing trunk camp-on registration mechanism is provided. ,
When the route of the lowest call rate becomes free within a predetermined time, the calling subscriber is called by the call dial code stored in the memory mechanism, and the control unit responds to the call to determine the route of the lowest call rate. 2. The exchange having an LCR function according to claim 1, wherein the exchange is connected to a switch. 3. The transmission dial code stored in the memory mechanism is discarded when the PB signal responding to the guidance is to select transmission again. An exchange having the described LCR function. 4. A connection of an exchange having an LCR function for accommodating a plurality of extension telephones, a public network, and a digital leased line network to which other exchanges are connected, and detecting and connecting to a route of a minimum call rate. In the control method, the LCR responds to a dedicated public connection request transmitted from the extension telephone to a general telephone subscriber via a digital leased line network, another exchange, or a public network.
The function detects the route with the lowest call rate.If the route with the lowest call rate can be detected, it performs connection control for that route.If the route with the lowest call rate detected is blocked, the dial received by the local exchange. Code is not issued, dial code is stored, and the caller is notified that the route with the lowest call rate is blocked. Gives a notification to the effect that there is a selection technique to wait for a while until the call charge route is available, and allows the caller to select control when the lowest call charge route is blocked, and responds to the guidance from the caller A connection control method for an exchange having an LCR function, characterized in that control is performed according to a PB signal. 5. When the PB signal responding to the guidance is to select to wait for a while until the route for the lowest call rate becomes available, the PB signal when the route for the lowest call rate becomes free within a predetermined period of time. 5. The L according to claim 4, wherein a calling subscriber is called by a calling dial code, and a connection to a route having the lowest call rate is made by a response.
A connection control method for an exchange having a CR function.