FR2792489A1 - Incoming call response telephone network switching system having user post interfacing switching network and caller request table sent/interpreted setting switching network response - Google Patents

Abstract

The telephone network system (10) has a switching network interface with user posts (20-22,30-32). A processor commands the switching network providing connections (33-35). The calling unit sends a directory number and a table of users (18) interprets the call. The table has a private user number with service information and routes the information requested.

Description

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  SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR MANAGING A CALL ACCORDING TO

  DIFFERENT MODES BASED ON STORED DATA

DESCRIPTION

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

  Field of the Invention The present invention relates generally to telephone switching systems which operate in response to an incoming call, and more specifically to a system and method for managing an incoming call according to different modes respectively specified by users of a

  group sharing the same directory number.

  Description of the technique concerned

  A conventional method of limiting an incoming call is based on the directory number of a calling station or on a password entered by a calling station. Specifically, when calls from a particular source are denied access to a particular destination, the directory number of the particular source or a password specified by the particular destination are stored in a system of switching and are compared to a directory number sent from a central office

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  remote switching or to a password entered by a calling station. If there is a match, a connection is established. Otherwise, the incoming call is rejected. A process of this type is described in a number of Publications Published before examination of Japanese Patents Nos. 58-66 455, 4046, 5-68 097 and 6-86 352. According to another process of the prior art, described in the Publication Published before Japanese Patent Examination No. 4-27,258, when a calling station encounters a busy state of a called station, the switching system allows the calling station to store a password which specifies a management service for special call. When the called station becomes free, the switching system performs a

  switching operation according to the stored mode.

  In professional and domestic environments, a single directory number is often shared by a number of users who form an organized group. Users sharing the same directory number are individual in terms of their availability to answer an incoming call based on their work locations and other reasons. Thus, a test from a calling correspondent often results in an unsuccessful attempt when a called extension is free but a desired person is not available. In addition, users who are currently available to answer an incoming call feel responsible for answering an unanswered call and

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  experience the embarrassment of interrupting their work to answer the call. In practice, this represents inefficient work. The number of unsuccessful and ineffective calls is significant. Consequently, there is a need to reduce the number of such events.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

  Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a system and method for

  reduce unsuccessful call attempts.

  According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a telephone switching system comprising a switching network having a plurality of input / output circuits for reaching user stations, and a processor for controlling the switching network in answering a call from a calling station to establish a connection on a pair of input / output circuits in the switching network according to the directory number received from the calling station. A user table is provided, which is associated with a particular input / output circuit of the switching network, the user table having a plurality of inputs respectively associated with a plurality of users sharing the input circuit. / specific output, each of the inputs storing a private user number identifying each of the users and service information

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  specifying a particular mode of a plurality of call processing modes. The processor is sensitive to a private user number received from the calling station to establish a connection in the switching network according to the service information stored in one of the user table entries in which a coincidence is detected between the private user number received and the private number

of stored user.

  According to a second aspect, the present invention provides a method for managing a call from a calling station. The method comprises the steps (a) of creating a user table associated with a particular input / output circuit of a plurality of input / output circuits of a switching network, the user table having a plurality of inputs respectively associated with users of a group sharing the particular input / output circuit, (b) of receiving a control signal from a user of the group and of parameterizing the instructions received in a particular entry of the plurality of entries, the instructions comprising a private user number identifying each of the users and service information specifying a particular mode of a plurality of call processing modes, (c) reception a directory number from a calling station, and (d) receiving a private number from the calling station and establishing a connection in the

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  switching network according to the service information stored in a particular entry of the user table entries in which a coincidence is detected between the private user number received and the private user number stored.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

  Other characteristics and advantages of the invention will emerge more clearly on reading

  of the following description, given with reference to

  attached drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a block diagram of a telephone switching system according to a first embodiment of the present invention, which is particularly useful in a professional environment; Figure 2 is a flow diagram of the implementation of the processor of Figure 1 in response to an incoming call to a group of users whose private information is stored in a user table; Figure 3 is a block diagram of a telephone switching system according to a second embodiment of the present invention, which is particularly useful in home applications; Figure 4 is a flow diagram of the implementation of the processor of Figure 3 in response to a

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  incoming call intended for a group of members of the same family whose private information is saved in a user table; and Figure 5 is a block diagram of the second embodiment which represents states

user overnight.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

  Referring now to Figure 1, there is shown a telephone switching system according to a particular embodiment of the present invention, which is useful for a professional environment. The switching system, as indicated by the reference numeral 10, generally comprises a line interface 11, a switching network 12, a processor 13 and a memory 14. A plurality of user stations, or telephone stations 20 to 22 which represent telephones from which calls originate and user stations to 32 which represent telephones to which calls originate, terminate at the line interface 11. All the user stations are connected via the interface 11 to corresponding input circuits of the switching network 12. A signaling message, such as directory number information, originating from each user station, is transmitted via the communication interface. line 11 to processor 13, where the message

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  is analyzed using information stored in memory 14 to determine an output circuit. The processor 13 establishes a dial-up connection to the switching network 12 from the input circuit of the calling user station at destination

of the determined output circuit.

  According to the present invention, a plurality of message storage devices are connected to the output circuits of the switching network 12. These message storage devices include a voice command device 15, a message storage device in case of absence 16, and one or

  multiple mailboxes 17.

  In addition, an associated user table 18 is defined in the memory 14 for the user station.

  having, for example, a directory number "XX-YYYY".

  The user table 18 for the user station is referenced by the processor 13 when the processor receives an incoming call intended for the station

user 30.

  When the processor 13 receives an incoming call intended for the user station 30, it establishes a connection with the voice command device 15 after the transmission of a short ringing tone to the calling station . Then, the voice command device 15 sends a voice command asking the calling user to dial one of the user's private numbers.

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  The user table 18 has a plurality of entries (rows) respectively associated with users of a group who share the same directory number, or a particular input / output circuit of the switching network 12. Each entry is assigned to each user in the group to store specific user service information. Each user table entry is divided into a plurality of fields for respectively storing a private user number (UPN), a user state indicating whether the associated user is available to answer a call, a service identifier to indicate a particular service from a plurality of predetermined services, and a directory number which is used when an incoming call is redirected. Service identifiers and directory numbers are referenced only if the corresponding user status field contains a binary O "which indicates that the associated user is not available to answer a call. If l user is available to answer a call, a binary "1" is stored in the user status field of table 18, and processor 13 sends a ring signal to the station called as

  will describe it in detail later.

  It is assumed that there are six users in a group sharing the user station 30, respectively identified by private user numbers "01" to "06". It is assumed that the

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  telephone 31 and 32 are located in separate rooms of the same premises of the user station 30 and to which the directory numbers "XX-WWWW" and "XX-ZZZZ" are respectively assigned to which incoming calls can be redirected. A service identifier "11" indicates that the associated user is in a separate room and that incoming calls are to be redirected to the extension indicated in the directory number field

corresponding.

  A service identifier "12" indicates that the associated user is absent and that the user wishes the absence message storage device 16 to be used to send a

  announcement pre-recorded at the calling station.

  A service identifier "13" is an indicator that indicates that the user is leaving a message as voicemail which is stored in one of the voice mailboxes 17. The directory number field of each entry stores no only a directory number from another phone, but also a mailbox number to specify

one of the mailboxes.

  All the users of the group are asked to enter desired data in the corresponding entries of the user table 18 and to update the stored data every time

  that there is a change in the user state.

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  When the processor 13 receives an incoming call intended for the user station 30, it proceeds to the implementation according to a flow diagram represented in FIG. 2 by establishing a connection in the switching system 12 from the input circuit of the calling station to the voice command device 15 (step 201). Processor 13 checks whether a user private number has been entered within a specified period of time (step 202). If the decision is affirmative in step 202, the processor 13 performs a search in the user table 18 and determines whether the same private user number is stored in the user table 18 (step 203). If so, the decision at step 204 is affirmative and the program continues at step 205 to check if the state

  The current entry's user is "1" or "0".

  If the user state is "1", the program continues from step 205 to step 206 to connect the calling extension to the user extension of the directory number dialed and sends a ring signal to the called extension , while returning a ringing return tone to the calling station. Processor 13 checks

  then if the called station has picked up (step 207).

  When a off-hook condition is detected (step 207), the processor 13 starts charging the station

  calling (step 208) and ends the program.

  If the user state is "0", indicating that the associated user is not available to answer the incoming call, the program continues from step 279 to step 205 to step 209 to read a corresponding service identifier from user table 18 and continues to one of the steps

  210, 211 and 212 depending on the service identifier read.

  If the user state is "11", indicating that an incoming call is to be redirected to a specified extension, the program continues to step 210 to connect the calling extension to the user extension specified in the number field from directory of table 18 and sends a ring signal to the specified extension, while returning

  a ringing return tone at the calling station.

  Then, the program continues in steps 207 and 208 to start charging the calling station when it picks up. If the service identifier is "12", indicating that an absence announcement is to be sent back to the calling station, the program continues at step 211 to connect the calling station to the message storage device in the event of absence 16 and continues from step 212 to step 208 to start charging the calling station. If the service identifier is "13", indicating that there is a voice message for the calling station, the program continues at step 212 to connect the calling station to a voice mailbox identified by the box number the letters given in the directory number field of the user entry. The program continues from step 212 to step 208 to

  start charging the calling station.

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  If the decision in step 202 or 204 is negative, it is determined that the request to connect to the called user station is to be rejected and the processor 13 returns a busy tone to the calling station and ends the program. If the user at the set 20 makes a call by dialing the numbers "XX-YYYY", the processor 13 connects it to the voice command device inviting the calling user to enter a user's private number. If UPN = 02 is entered, the processor 13 searches for the user state field corresponding to UPN = 02. Since the user state is "1", a connection 33 is established in the switching network 12 between stations 20 and 30 and a ring signal is sent to the called station, while returning a ringing ring tone to calling station 20, and an operation of

  charging begins when the called extension answers the call.

  If the user at extension 21 makes a call to the same user extension, the calling user is also prompted to enter a user's private number. If UPN = 01 is entered, the processor 13 searches for the user state field corresponding to UPN = 01. Since the user state is "0" and the service identifier is "12", the processor establishes a connection 34 in the switching network 12 between the station 21 and the message storage device in the event of absence 16, and begins a

taxation operation.

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  If the user at extension 22 makes a call to the same user extension 30, the calling user is also prompted to enter a user's private number. If UPN = 03 is entered, the processor 13 searches for the user state field corresponding to UPN = 03. Since the user state is "0" and the service identifier is "11", the processor establishes a connection in the switching network 12 between station 22 and station 31 identified by the directory number "XX-WWWW" and sends a ringing signal to the called station, returns a ringing return tone to the station calling and starting a charging operation

when the called station picks up.

  Consequently, the processor 13 references the user table 18 in response to the arrival of an incoming call for the user station 30 and links the call according to a private user number entered by the calling party. The incoming call thus receives a specific response depending on the content of the entry of the user's private number. When any user of phone 30 changes their workplace, the user updates the entry

  user table 18.

  If the telephone switching system 10 is an ISDN switching center and the user telephones are privately assigned ISDN secondary addresses, the processor 13 can provide individual call management services to

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  different members of the family, as shown in FIG. 3. In this modification, the memory 14 defines a table of users 19 having entries for members of a family (father, mother, son and daughter), for example. Each entry in the user table 19 further includes a directory number / secondary address field in which the secondary address of a nearby telephone or a mailbox number is stored. The private user numbers "01", "02", "03" and "04" are respectively assigned to the father, mother, son and daughter and are stored in the respective entries of table 19. A house with three bedrooms is shown. Telephone stations 41 and 42 having respective secondary addresses SA = 11 and SA = 12 are respectively installed in the living room 51 and in the kitchen, and other telephones 43, 44 and (SA = 21, SA = 22 and SA = 23) are in bedrooms 53, 54 and 55 respectively. All telephone sets are connected to an adapter

ISDN terminal 50.

  It is assumed that, during the day, the father and daughter are in the living room 51 and the mother is in the kitchen 52, as shown in Figure 3, and the son is outside, leaving his voice message in a voice mailbox 17. Therefore, user state "1" is saved in the father, mother and daughter entries and user state "0" is saved in the son entry, and the secondary address "11" is stored in the entries of USP = 01 and USP = 04, the secondary address "12" is stored in the entry of USP = 02, and a voice mailbox number is stored in the entrance to

USP = 03.

  The implementation of processor 13 continues according to a flowchart shown in FIG. 4. This flowchart differs from that of FIG. 2 by the inclusion of steps 401 and 402 between steps 205 and

207.

  If it is determined in step 205 that the user state of an entry corresponding to the private user number entered is "1", the processor 13 reads a secondary address from this entry in step 401. The secondary address read is then transmitted, in step 402, to the terminal adapter 50 of the directory number dialed and a connection is established in the switching network between the calling station and the input circuit. / exit identified by

  directory number received from the calling station.

  The terminal adapter 50 decodes the address received and sends a ring signal to the telephone of the secondary address. When the called telephone picks up (step 207), the processor 13 starts charging the telephone

calling (step 208).

  If a calling telephone 40 makes a call to the father, the calling correspondent sends dialing information IDN = XX-YYYY and then enters UPN = 01 when the calling correspondent is there

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  invited by the voice command device 15 (step 202). Since the user state "1" is stored in the input of UPN = 01, the processor 13 continues to step 401 via steps 203, 204 and 205. Thus, the secondary address SA = 11 is detected (step 401) and is sent to the terminal adapter 50 (step 402) to do

  ring the telephone 41 in the lounge 51.

  If all of the family members are going to sleep at night, as shown in Figure 5, the user table 19 is updated to reflect their location. The user status fields of all entries are set to be "1" and the secondary address fields of the parents are set to SA = 21 and those of the son and daughter are set to SA = respectively 22 and

SA = 23.

  Under this condition, if the telephone 40 makes a call to the father, the calling correspondent uses the same dialing information and the same private user number as those used during calls during the day. The processor 13 detects the secondary address SA = 21 in the input UPN = 01 and sends it to the terminal adapter 50 to make

  ring the telephone 43 in bedroom 53.

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Claims (22)

  1. Telephone switching system (10) characterized in that it comprises: a switching network (12) having a plurality of input / output circuits for arriving at user stations (20, 21, 22, 30 , 31, 32); a processor (13) for controlling the switching network (12) to establish a connection (33, 34, 35) on a pair of input / output circuits in said switching network (12) according to a directory number ( DN) received from a calling station (20, 21, 22); and a user table (18) associated with a particular input / output circuit of said switching network (12), the user table (18) having a plurality of inputs respectively associated with a plurality of users sharing said particular input / output circuit, each of said inputs storing a private user number (UPN) identifying each of the users and service information specifying a particular mode of a plurality of call processing modes, said processor ( 13) being sensitive to a private user number (UPN) received from said calling station (20, 21, 22) to establish a connection (33, 34, 35) in said switching network (12) according to the information of service stored in one of the user table entries (18) in 18 2792489   that a coincidence is detected between the private user number received (UPN) and the private number stored user (UPN).   2. Telephone switching system according to claim 1, characterized in that said processor (13) is configured to send a return busy tone to said calling station (20, 21, 22) if said coincidence is not detected in any of said user table entries (18).   3. Telephone switching system according to claim 1, characterized in that the service information stored in each entry of said user table entries (18) contains a user state indicating the presence or absence of the input user.   4. Telephone switching system according to claim 3, characterized in that said processor (13) is configured to establish a connection (33, 34, 35) in said switching network (12) between said calling station (20, 21, 22) and an input / output circuit identified by the directory number (DN) received from the calling station (20, 21, 22) if said coincidence is detected in one of the user table entries ( 18) and if the user state stored in said particular user table entry (18) indicates the presence of the user. 19 2792489   5. Telephone switching system according to claim 1, characterized in that it further comprises a voice storage device (15, 16, 17) connected to an input / output circuit of said switching network (12) for recording a signal from one or more users of said user table (18), and wherein said processor (13) is configured to reproduce the signal recorded according to the service information stored in one of said user table entries (18) wherein said coincidence is detected.   6. Telephone switching system according to claim 5, characterized in that the service information stored in each entry of said user table entries (18) contains an identifier identifying the input / output circuit of said switching network (12 ) to which said device   voice storage (15, 16, 17) is connected.   7. Telephone switching system according to claim 1, characterized in that the service information stored in each entry of said user table entries (18) contains a directory number (DN) to specify one of the circuits   input / output of the switching network (12).   8. Telephone switching system according to claim 7, characterized in that said processor (13) is configured to establish a connection (33, 34,) between said calling station (20, 21, 22) and an input circuit / output of said switching network 2792489   (12) which is specified by the directory number (DN) stored in one of the entries in said user table (18) in which said coincidence is detected.   9. Telephone switching system according to claim 1, characterized in that the service information stored in each entry of said user table entries (18) contains an ISDN secondary address (SA), and in which said processor (13) is configured to read a secondary address (SA) from one of said user table entries (19) in which said coincidence is detected, to send the secondary address (SA) to an ISDN user station ( 41, 42, 43, 44, 45) and to establish a connection in said switching network (12) between the calling station (40) and the input / output circuit identified by the directory number (DN) received in from the calling station (40). 10. Telephone switching system according to claim 1, characterized in that said processor (13) is configured to respond to a control signal from said users to put   updating said user table (18).   11. Telephone switching system according to claim 1, characterized in that it further comprises a voice-controlled storage device (15, 16, 17) connected to said switching network (12) for inviting 21 2792489   said extension calling (20, 21, 22) to enter said number user private (UPN).   12. Method for managing a call from a calling station (20, 21, 22), characterized in that it comprises the following steps: (a) creation of an associated user table (18) to a particular input / output circuit of a plurality of input / output circuits of a switching network (12), said user table (18) having a plurality of inputs respectively associated with users d 'a group sharing said particular input / output circuit; (b) receiving a control signal from a user of said group and configuring the instructions received in a particular entry from said plurality of entries, said instructions comprising a private user number (UPN) identifying each of said users and service information specifying a particular mode of a plurality of call processing modes; (c) receiving a directory number (DN) from a calling station (20, 21, 22); and (d) receiving a private number (UPN) from said calling station (20, 21, 22) and establishing a connection (33, 34, 35) in said switching network (12) according to the information of service stored in a particular entry of the user table entries (18) in which a coincidence is detected between the received private user number (UPN) and the private number stored user (UPN).   13. The method of claim 12, characterized in that step (d) comprises the step of sending a return occupation tone to said calling station (20, 21, 22) if said coincidence is not not detected in any of said entries the user table (18).   14. Method according to claim 12, characterized in that the service information stored in each entry of said user table entries (18) contains a user state indicating the presence or absence of the user of the Entrance. 15. Method according to claim 14, characterized in that step (d) comprises the step of establishing a connection (33, 34, 35) in said switching network (12) between said calling station (20 , 21, 22) and an input / output circuit identified by the directory number (DN) received from the calling station (20, 21, 22) if said coincidence is detected in one of the table entries d 'users (18) and if the user state stored in said particular user table entry (18)   indicates the presence of the user.   16. The method of claim 13, characterized in that step (b) comprises the step of recording a signal from one of said users in a voice storage device (15, 16, 17) connected to said switching network (12), and wherein step (d) comprises the step of reproducing the signal recorded according to the service information stored in one of said user table entries (18) in which said coincidence is detected.   17. The method of claim 16, characterized in that the service information stored in each entry of said user table entries (18) contains an identifier identifying the input / output circuit of said switching network (12) to which said storage device vocal (15, 16, 17) is linked.   18. The method of claim 12, characterized in that the service information stored in each entry of said user table entries (18) contains a directory number (DN) to specify one of the input circuits / exit of the switching network (12).   19. The method of claim 18, characterized in that step (d) comprises the step of establishing a connection (33, 34, 35) between said calling station (20, 21, 22) and a circuit input / output of said switching network (12) which is specified by the directory number (DN) stored in one of the inputs of said user table (18)   in which said coincidence is detected.   20. The method of claim 12, characterized in that the service information stored in each entry of said user table entries (18) contains an ISDN secondary address (SA), and in which step (d) comprises the next steps: reading a secondary address (SA) from one of said user table entries (19) in which said coincidence is detected; and transmitting the secondary address (SA) to an ISDN user station (41, 42, 43, 44, 45) and establishing a connection in said switching network (12) between the calling station (40) and the input / output circuit identified by the directory number (DN) received from the calling station (40). 21. The method of claim 12, characterized in that step (b) comprises the step of updating said user table (18) in response to a control signal from said users. 22. Method according to claim 12, characterized in that step (c) comprises the step of inviting said calling station (20, 21, 22) to enter   said private user number (UPN).