JP2000270104A - Charge-free dial connection method and device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a charge-free dial connection method capable of automatically identifying the caller of a toll-free dial and switching a call terminating person. SOLUTION: A charge-free dial number originated by a charge-free dial user is transmitted through a group station 1 and a service access point 2 to a network service control station 3. The network service control station 3 controls a network guidance device 6, makes the user originate a password and receives it. Then, it is collated with a plurality of passwords registered through a network service general station 4 beforehand, a connection destination telephone number corresponding to the found password is extracted and connection to the line is performed. Thus, the caller is automatically identified and the call terminating person is switched.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a toll-free connection method and apparatus for automatically identifying a caller of a toll-free number and switching a callee.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Today, the toll-free service is widely used as a system in which a receiving side of a telephone pays a fee. This eliminates the need to pay telephone charges, which in turn improves the image of the company that introduced the system. In addition, there are many cases where a manufacturer adopts this toll-free service at a consumer consultation desk in order to listen to a user's complaint, order, or opinion without having to pay the other party a telephone bill.

[0003] Toll-free services include, for example, ISD
It is provided as follows through a communication line such as N (Integrated Services Digital Network). That is, according to the conventional toll-free connection method and apparatus, first, the user follows "0120" followed by a contractor-specific telephone number corresponding to codes D to J (hereinafter referred to as "toll-free number"). When you dial,
An exchange called a service access point (SAP) queries a computer called a network service control station (NSP) for a telephone number of a connection destination. The network service control station (NSP) stores the telephone number of the contractor corresponding to the toll-free number as a database, and returns a telephone number corresponding to this inquiry. Then, the service access point (SAP) connects the user's line to the returned telephone number. By using such a free dial service, a user can make a call with a predetermined connection destination without paying a telephone charge.

[0004]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The above-mentioned conventional toll-free telephone connection method and apparatus are mainly designed to connect outgoing calls from an unspecified number of people to the same receiver.

[0005] However, toll-free services in recent years have been used, for example, for sales personnel to contact companies. In this case, toll-free calls sent from all sales employees are not received on the same phone.For example, the destination can be a phone in the section to which the sales employee belongs or a phone of the superior of the sales employee. As described above, if the called party can be changed according to the calling party, the convenience is improved.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned conventional problems, and has as its object to provide a toll-free connection method and apparatus capable of automatically identifying a caller and switching a callee.

[0007]

According to the present invention, there is provided a toll-free connection method, wherein when a plurality of callees are associated with a predetermined toll-free number, callee information indicating the plurality of callees and the call-receiving information. Storing call acceptor information indicating a call acceptor who has been accepted to call the caller, and caller information for identifying the caller input from the caller in addition to the toll-free number information. The method includes the steps of: comparing the stored call acceptor information with the stored call acceptor information to extract a call recipient; and forming a call path between the caller and the extracted call recipient.

In the toll-free connection method of the present invention having the above steps, when a plurality of callees are associated with a toll-free number, callee information indicating the callees and a call to the callee are transmitted. Call acceptor information indicating the accepted call acceptor is stored in advance, and the caller information for identifying the caller entered by the caller in addition to the toll-free number information is collated with the call acceptor information. The call recipient is then extracted, and a call path between the caller and the extracted call recipient is formed, so that the caller can be automatically identified and the callee can be switched.

Further, in the toll-free connection method according to the present invention, the call acceptor information includes password information corresponding to the call acceptor, and in the step of extracting the call recipient, the call acceptor information is included in the caller information. The password information is compared with the password information.

[0010] According to this free dial connection method, the password included in the caller information is collated with the password information corresponding to the call acceptor, so that the password given to the call acceptor is not input by the caller. No call path is formed, and therefore, it is possible to reject incoming calls from anyone other than the call acceptor.

In the toll-free connection method according to the present invention, the call acceptor information includes calling telephone number information corresponding to the call acceptor, and in the step of extracting the caller, the caller information is added to the caller information. The transmitted telephone number included in the call is compared with the transmitted telephone number information.

According to this toll-free connection method, the outgoing telephone number included in the caller information is compared with the outgoing telephone number information corresponding to the call acceptor, so that the call path is not changed unless a call is made from a specific telephone line. It is not formed, so incoming calls from outside of that particular telephone line can be rejected.

Further, the toll-free connection device according to the present invention detects a callee corresponding to the toll-free number information inputted from the caller, and makes a call between the caller and the detected callee. In the toll-free connection device for forming a route, callee information indicating a plurality of callees associated with a predetermined toll-free number, and call acceptor information indicating a call acceptor permitted to talk to the callee. When caller information for identifying the caller is input in addition to the toll-free number information, the caller information is compared with the call acceptor information to determine whether the incoming call is received. And a connection unit that forms a communication path between the caller and the extracted call recipient.

The toll-free connection device according to the present invention having the above-described configuration is configured on a computer of a network for controlling telephone line connection, and is a callee indicating a plurality of callees previously associated with a predetermined toll-free number. There is storage means for storing information and call acceptor information indicating a call acceptor who has been accepted to talk to the called party. Then, when caller information for identifying the caller is input via the network in addition to the toll-free number information, the caller information and the call acceptor information are collated by the identifying means, and the person corresponding to the incoming call is identified. Is extracted. Then, the connection means forms a communication path between the caller and the extracted callee, so that the caller can be automatically identified and the callee can be switched.

[0015]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An embodiment of a toll-free connection method and apparatus according to the present invention will be described below with reference to FIGS.

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a node configuration of a network according to a first embodiment to which a connection method and apparatus according to the present invention are applied. FIG. 2 is a table illustrating the characteristic functions of the respective nodes in FIG. 1 according to the present embodiment. The node names are abbreviated in the horizontal direction, and the line connection control, the service control, and the like in the vertical direction. It shows the functions of nodes classified into SO (service order) control.

As shown in FIG. 1, a group station 1 (or a unit station, which is represented by an abbreviation of GC / UC. Hereinafter, abbreviations are similarly shown in parentheses) is an exchange, and a subscriber line network is connected. A telephone of a toll-free user capable of transmitting a PB signal (also referred to as a push button signal, also referred to as a tone signal) is connected to the telephone. The group station 1 has a function (transmission control function) of routing a signal indicating a telephone number transmitted from a user's telephone to another station in addition to the line connection of the exchange.

Service access point 2 (SAP)
Is connected to the group station 1 (GC / UC), a network service control station 3 (NSP), and a relay station 5 (IC / ZC, relay exchange), which will be described later, and is connected to the network service control station 3 (NSP).
Control the line connection from the user telephone to the subscriber of the toll-free service. Further, it has a function of controlling a network guidance device 6 (MRS) described later (MRS control function) and a function of forming a communication path between the network guidance device 6 (MRS) and a user telephone (MRS connection function).

The network service control station 3 (NSP) connected to the service access point 2 (SAP) is a computer for controlling a communication path to realize a free dial service.
Through P), the above-described MRS control function and MRS connection function can be realized. Further, a function of authenticating a password from a user (password authentication function), a function of extracting a connection destination telephone number corresponding to each password (connection destination extraction function), a function of receiving a PB signal indicating a password from a user terminal, and the like. Function for notifying the station (PB signal receiving / notifying function), a database network service control station 9 (D
It has a data communication function with a BNSP (a data collation function between NSPs) and a function of storing and managing contract contents of a toll-free contractor and contractor data (a contractor data management function).

The network service control station 4 (NSSP) is shown in FIG.
As shown in (1), it is connected to a network service control station 3 (NSP) via a packet communication network (not shown), and realizes the above-mentioned contractor data management function via the network service control station 3 (NSP). Further, a service order terminal 41 and a customer service terminal 42 are provided, and the service order terminal 41 can register / change a destination switching contract and a password with the network service control station 3 (NSP). (SO (service order) function). From the customer service terminal 42, the contractor can freely change / add password data (customer control function), and furthermore, the network service control station 4 (NSSP)
Can also monitor the traffic information acquired. In addition, a database network service control station 9 (DBN
It also has a function (DBNSP management function) of managing data stored in the SP) via a network (packet communication network).

Network guidance device 6 (MRS)
Is connected to the relay station 5 (IC / ZC) and the network service control station 3 (NSP), as shown in FIG. 1, and has a function of connecting itself to a user telephone (MRS connection function) and a communication from the user telephone. Upon receiving the PB signal, the network service control station 3 (N
SP) (a PB signal reception / notification function).

Also, as shown in FIG. 1, the telephone of the toll-free subscriber, that is, the telephone on the receiving side, is also connected to the group station 8 (GC /
UC) and a relay station 7 (ZC). It should be noted that the thick arrows in this figure indicate a connection sequence in a network described later. These arrows further show the sequence order (S1, S2, ...).
And a simple explanation.

FIG. 3 is a configuration diagram of an actual network in this embodiment. X. A packet network in which communication of 25 packets is performed includes a plurality of network service control stations 3.
(NSP), and a network service control station 4 (NSSP) that controls the network service control station 3 (NSP) is provided for every one network service control station 3 (NSP).
The network service control station 3 (NSP) is also connected to a common signal line network. This common signal line network includes a relay station 5 (ZC / I
C) and the network guidance device 6 (MRS) are deployed, and the user's telephone
(SAP) and a group station (ZC / UC) to be connected to a common channel signal network. When a user uses an ISDN digital terminal, the terminal is an I-interface subscriber module 10 (ISM).
e) connected via. The relay station (ZC / IC) 5
It is also connected to the receiving side relay station (destination ZC).

In this figure, the database service control station 9 with the abbreviation DBNSP is assigned to the network service control station 3 (N
SP) is a device for separately storing the subscriber data stored in the network service control station 3 (NSP).
TCAP (Transaction Capabilities Application Par
t) It is possible to communicate with the network service control station 3 (NSP) by the protocol.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing a schematic processing flow in the first embodiment. In this embodiment, the sender is identified by a password and the destination is switched. First, “012” from the user
A telephone number exclusive to the contractor (hereinafter, referred to as a "free dial number") corresponding to codes D to J following "0" is received (S41). It is determined from the toll-free number whether or not a contract has been made with the provider of the toll-free service to switch the destination using a password (hereinafter referred to as a "destination switching contract") (S42). If the destination switch contract has not been made (NO), a normal line connection is immediately made to the contractor side (S43). In step S42, when there is a destination switching contract (YE
S) sends a guidance (guidance voice) to the network guidance device 6 (MRS) to input the password to the user, and transmits the password input by the user via the network guidance device 6 (MRS) to the network service control station. 3 (NSP) receives. (S44). The password entered by the user is stored in the network service control station 3.
It is determined whether or not it has been registered with (NSP) (password authentication) (S45). If the password is not authenticated (NO), the network guidance device 6 (MR
From S), the user is sent predetermined guidance (for example, "The password is incorrect.") To disconnect the line (S46). If the password has been authenticated in step S45 (YES), it is determined whether a connection destination telephone number has been registered corresponding to the password (S47). When the connection destination telephone number is registered (YES), an incoming call is made to the corresponding connection destination telephone (S48). If there is no connection destination registered in step S47 (NO), control is transferred to step S46 to disconnect the line (in this case, guidance such as "the connection destination telephone number is not registered." 6 (MRS).) Although the password is registered,
In some cases, the destination phone number is unregistered.In this case, the incoming call is made to the predetermined phone number so that even if the destination phone number is unregistered, Can be performed.

As described above, in the toll-free connection method and apparatus according to the present embodiment, when a password is authenticated, an incoming call is made to a connection destination corresponding to the password. Prior to this, an incoming call destination switching contract is made. Is determined, and when the destination switching contract has not been made, the line connection is made to the subscriber side in the usual manner as usual, so that the toll-free method and apparatus of the present embodiment are specially provided. Need not be provided.

FIG. 5 is a connection sequence diagram according to the first embodiment, in which a group station 1 (GC / UC), a service access point 2 (SAP), and a network service control station 3 (N
SP) and network guidance device 6 (MRS)
It indicates mutual data communication and line connection. The numbers (S1, S2,...) Shown for each sequence in FIG.
This corresponds to the connection sequence number shown in FIG.

FIG. 6 shows a network service control station 3 (NS
It is an internal structure figure of P). Network service control station 3 (NS
P) includes a contract type storage section 32a and a contractor data section 32b each composed of a CPU 31, a disk device and the like. The contract type storage unit 32a stores data (or a flag) indicating a contract type (a destination switching contract or a normal contract) for each free dial number (F1, F2,...).
Has been saved.

A large number of passwords (passwords 1, 2,...) Are stored in the contractor data section 32b for each toll-free number (F1, F3,.
..) And connection destination telephone numbers (connection destination telephone numbers 1, 2,...) Corresponding to the respective passwords. These data are registered in advance via the network (packet network) from the service order terminal 41 or the customer service terminal 42 connected to the network service control station 4 (NSSP).

Next, a connection sequence by the toll-free connection method and apparatus according to the first embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. As shown in FIG. 5, first, a toll-free user sends a call to the group station 1 (GC /
UC) receives the number “0120 + toll-free number (indicated by F in the figure)” (connection sequence number S)
1). The group station 1 (GC / UC) that recognizes that “0120” is included transfers the received number (data) to the service access point 2 (SAP) (connection sequence number S2). Service Access Point 2 (SA
P) further sends "01" to the network service control station 3 (NSP).
20 + free dial number (F) "(connection sequence number S3). Network Service Control Station 3 (NSP)
First, it is determined whether or not a destination switching contract has been made for the toll-free number.

That is, in FIG. 6, when the CPU 31 receives the toll-free number, it searches the contract type storage unit 32a with this number, and determines whether the destination switching contract or the normal contract according to the contract type corresponding to the found toll-free number. Is determined. If it is determined that the contract is for the destination switching, the network service control station 3 (NSP) forms a communication path between the user's telephone and the network guidance device 6 (MRS) to the service access point 2 (SAP). (Connection sequence number S4: MRS connection instruction). The service access point 2 (SAP) receives this and forms a connection path (connection sequence number S
5: MRS connection).

Network guidance device 6 (MRS)
Sends "announcement request" data to the network service control station 3 (NSP) to inquire what kind of guidance to send (connection sequence number S6).
The network service control station 3 (NSP) issues an announcement transmission instruction to the network guidance device 6 (MRS) and
Send B signal reception instruction (connection sequence number S
7). This is done by sending a guidance such as “Please press a password” and then receiving a predetermined number of digits (P
B signal reception). The network guidance device 6 (MRS) sends guidance to the user's telephone according to the command (connection sequence number S8).

In response to this guidance, when the user inputs his / her password, which has been notified in advance by the contractor, from the user's telephone, the password is transmitted as a PB signal through the network shown in connection sequence number S9 in FIG. It is transmitted to the guidance device 6 (MRS) (connection sequence number S9: password input). When receiving the PB signal (password), the network guidance device 6 (MRS) transfers this to the network service control station 3 (NSP) (connection sequence number S10: password notification).

Next, the network service control station 3 (NSP) attempts to authenticate the received password. That is, the CPU 31 of the network service control station 5 (NSP) shown in FIG. 6 searches the contractor data section 32b for the same password (received password) received from the network guidance device 6 (MRS). As a result, when the same password is found, the received password is authenticated. By performing such password authentication, it is determined whether or not the caller of the free dial is a person who can use the free dial. It should be noted that the user may continue to input the password until the password is authenticated, and this may be terminated a predetermined number of times. After this authentication,
The CPU 31 reads out the connection destination telephone number registered in the contractor data section 32b corresponding to the password (connection sequence number S11: password authentication / connection destination extraction).
As described above, when the connection destination telephone number is not registered, a predetermined telephone number can be set as the connection destination (the same applies to the following description).

Next, the network service control station 3 (NSP) instructs the service access point 2 (SAP) to release the connection path with the network guidance device 6 (MRS) (connection sequence number S12: MRS connection release instruction). ). The service access point 2 (SAP) releases the connection with the network guidance device 6 (MRS) (connection sequence number S13), and then can connect to the network service control station 3 (NSP) on the subscriber side. A request (re-control request) for finally confirming whether the state is present is transmitted (connection sequence number S14). In the toll-free service, if an additional service (each additional service) contract such as usage time zone restriction is made, it is necessary to restrict incoming calls depending on the time zone, so this re-control request is required. The network service control station 3 (NSP) determines the state of each supplementary service, and if the subsequent connection (connection to the contract side) is possible, the connection to the extracted connection destination telephone number is set to the service access point 2 (NSP). (SAP) (connection sequence number S15: downstream connection instruction), and the service access point 2 (SAP) performs the specified connection (connection sequence number S17: downstream connection).

As is clear from the above description, this first
By applying the toll-free connection method and apparatus according to the embodiment, the sender is identified by the password, and the incoming call is made to the connection destination corresponding to the password. Can be switched. In addition, since the network guidance device (MRS) prompts the user to enter a password by voice guidance, a free-dialer can make a toll-free call using a normal transmission method, and then input a password in accordance with the voice guidance. The trouble of remembering the password input procedure can be avoided. In addition, before the password is entered, the status of each additional service is determined.
If the connection to the contractor cannot be established by this determination, the line is immediately disconnected, so that the network service control station 3 (NSP) does not need to perform password authentication for every call and can reduce the processing load.

[Application Example of the First Embodiment]
The network service control station 3 (NSP) needs to determine the type of contract (reception destination switching contract or normal contract) for a number of toll-free calls from a large number of users. Is hanging. Further, in the case where the contractor who performs the destination switching contract is a large company and all employees are given unique passwords to switch destinations, the entire password data is transferred to the network service control station 3. The storage capacity of the storage unit (for example, a disk or the like) of the (NSP) may be squeezed, and it may take time to search.

In such a case, as an application of the first embodiment, if the contractor data section 32b is configured on another computer and the password authentication is performed on this computer, the above-described problem can be solved. Can be solved.

FIG. 7 shows a database network service control station 9.
(DBNSP) is a connection sequence diagram in a form in which a contract type storage unit 32a and a contractor data unit 32b are configured, and password authentication and connection destination telephone number are extracted in this station.

In this application mode, after the user makes a toll-free call, the network guidance device 6
(MRS) sends the password to the network service control station 3 (NS
The sequence up to the notification to P) is the same as that shown in FIG.

Network guidance device 6 (MRS)
Receives the password from the network service control station 3 (N
SP) does not perform password authentication by itself, sends a password to the database network service station 9 (DBNSP), and instructs password authentication and connection destination extraction. The database network service bureau 9 (DBNSP) attempts to authenticate the received password, and if the password is authenticated (OK), then extracts the destination telephone number. Then, the authentication result and the connection destination telephone number are transmitted to the network service control station 3.
(NSP). Network Service Control Station 3 (NSP)
When receiving a notification that the password has been authenticated, it instructs the service access point 2 (SAP) to release the connection with the network guidance device 6 (MRS) (MRS connection release instruction). The subsequent line connection control is the same as that described with reference to FIG.

As described above, the network service control station 3 (NS
Part of the functions of the database network service station (DBN)
SP), the network service control station 3 (NS
The responsiveness of the free dial service can be improved by avoiding the concentration of the processing in P). Further, even if the computer of the database network service control station 9 (DBNSP) fails, as long as the computer of the network service control station 3 (NSP) is operating, it is possible to avoid a state in which the entire free dial service becomes unavailable. It also contributes to risk diversification.

[Second Embodiment] The first embodiment of the free dial connection method and apparatus according to the present invention described above is one in which a user inputs a password in accordance with voice guidance from a network guidance apparatus. However, if the terminal on the user side is a terminal for ISDN digital communication, it is possible to input a password following the toll-free number.

FIG. 8 shows a second method of directly dialing a password as a caller identification element following a toll-free number.
FIG. 13 is a connection sequence diagram in the embodiment. In this embodiment, a user makes a toll free call from an ISDN digital terminal. The user dials the number “0120”, the toll-free number, and the password successively from the ISDN digital terminal (“0120” in the figure).
+ F + P ". ). These data are group station 1 (GC /
UC) and the service access point 2 (SAP) to the network service control station 3 (NSP).
The network service control station 3 (NSP) extracts a password and attempts authentication if there is a destination switching contract for the toll-free number. If the password is authenticated here (O
K), the network service control station 3 (NSP) reads out the connection destination telephone number registered in the contractor data section 32b shown in FIG. 6 corresponding to the password, and subsequently determines each additional service state. . If it is possible to connect to the contractor side (OK), the service access point 2 (SA
The connection instruction to the connection destination extracted in P) is transmitted (subsequent connection instruction). Service Access Point 2 (SAP)
Forms a path for connecting the user to the subscriber terminal in accordance with this instruction (subsequent connection).

Therefore, in the second embodiment, since the network service control station 3 (NSP) extracts the password entered after the toll-free number, it is necessary to perform the processing by voice guidance one by one. There is no effect, and the effect that the processing is speeded up correspondingly is obtained. Therefore, it is not necessary to provide a network guidance device.

[Application Example of Second Embodiment] Also in this second embodiment, an application in which the password data storage and authentication function and the connection destination extraction function are provided to the database network service control station 9 (DBNSP). The form can be considered.

FIG. 9 is a connection sequence diagram in such an application form. The network service control station 3 (NSP)
After extracting the password from the data of “0120 + toll-free number (F) + password (P)”, the password is transferred to the database network service control station 9 (DBNSP).
And instructs password authentication and connection destination extraction. Database network service control station 9 (DBNS
P) attempts to authenticate the received password, and if the password is authenticated (OK), then extracts the destination telephone number. Then, it notifies the network service control station 3 (NSP) of the authentication result and the extracted connection destination telephone number. In the network service control station 3 (NSP), if the password has been authenticated, the state of each additional service of the subscriber is subsequently determined. Thereafter, the same processing as the processing shown in FIG. 8 is performed.

In the first and second embodiments described above, the password is used as the element for identifying the sender (sender identification element). However, the telephone number of the sender used in the number display service (the sender identification number) is used. It is also possible to specify a caller by using the caller ID) as a caller identification element. Therefore, a third embodiment in which the caller identification element is set to this calling telephone number will be described.

[Third Embodiment] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a node configuration of a network according to a third embodiment.
In this embodiment, a network guidance device (MRS) is unnecessary as in the second embodiment. That is,
Toll-free users' telephone calls are in Group 1 (GC / U
C), a service access point 2 (SAP), a relay station 5 (IC / ZC) and a relay station 7 (ZC) are connected to a telephone network. The subscriber's telephone is also connected to the group station 8 (GC / UC) and the relay station 7 (Z
C). The network service control station 3 (NSP) and the network service control station 4
(NSSP) also has the function of each of the above embodiments.

It should be noted that the thick arrows in the figure indicate a connection sequence in a network described later. As in FIG. 1, the sequence order (S101, S102,...) And a brief description are added.

FIG. 11 is a connection sequence diagram in the third embodiment, and FIG. 12 is a diagram showing a configuration of the network service control station 3 (NSP) in this embodiment. A number of outgoing telephone numbers (outgoing telephone numbers 1, 2,...) As caller identification elements are stored in the contractor data storage section 32b shown in FIG. 12, and a connection is made corresponding to each of these outgoing telephone numbers. Destination telephone numbers (connection destination telephone numbers 1, 2,...) Are stored.

Hereinafter, a free dial connection method and apparatus according to a third embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 10, 11 and 12. First, as shown in FIGS. 10 and 11, "0120 + toll-free number (F)" is called from the user's telephone.
Is transmitted (connection sequence number: S101), the central office 1 (GC / UC) adds a transmission telephone number (T) to the data and transmits the data to the service access point 2 (S101).
AP) (connection sequence number: S102).
The service access point 2 (SAP) further transfers this data to the network service control station 3 (NSP) (connection sequence number: S103).

As in the first and second embodiments, the network service control station 3 (NSP) determines from the toll-free number whether or not the contract is a destination switching contract, and If this is the case, then the caller telephone number (T) is extracted, and authentication and connection destination extraction are performed using this as the caller identification element.

That is, the CPU 31 shown in FIG. 12 searches the subscriber data storage section 32b with the received calling telephone number, and when a telephone number identical to the received calling telephone number is found, the caller identification element. Will be authenticated. Then, the connection destination telephone number stored corresponding to the found telephone number is extracted (connection sequence number: S104).

Then, as shown in FIG. 10, the network service control station 3 (NSP) determines each additional service state,
If the back-end connection (incoming call to subscriber) is possible,
Instruct the service access point (SAP) to connect to the extracted connection destination telephone number (connection sequence number: S
105). In response to this, the service access point (SAP) connects to the specified connection destination (subsequent connection) (connection sequence number: S106).

Also in the third embodiment, an application form is considered in which the database network service control station (DBNSB) performs the function of storing the outgoing telephone number data and extracting the connection destination.

FIG. 13 is a connection sequence diagram in such an application form. The network service control station 3 (NSP)
For the toll-free number included in the received "0120 + toll-free number (F) + outgoing telephone number (T)", if there is a destination switching contract, the outgoing telephone number, which is the caller identification element, is used in the database network service control. Station 9 (D
BNSP) and instructs authentication of the calling telephone number and extraction of the connection destination. Database network service control station 9
(DBNSP) searches for contractor data (database of telephone numbers) with the received calling telephone number and attempts authentication, and when the received calling telephone number is authenticated (OK).
Extracts the destination phone number corresponding to the calling phone number,
The authentication result and the extracted connection destination telephone number are notified to the network service control station (NSP). Network service control station 3 (NS
In P), if the calling telephone number has been authenticated, the state of each additional service of the contractor is determined. The subsequent connection sequence is the same as that shown in FIG.

Therefore, in the third embodiment, since the caller can be identified by the calling telephone number without having to input the password one by one, the inconvenience that the password cannot be forgotten to the contractor side can be avoided. can do.

The first to third embodiments have the following features.
Although a specific line (connection destination) on the subscriber side is extracted to receive a call, for example, a plurality of subscriber lines are grouped in advance, and the group is extracted as a connection destination to receive a call. The same effect can be obtained even if it is performed.

[0060]

According to the toll-free connection method and apparatus according to the present invention, the caller information for specifying the caller is the call acceptor information indicating the call acceptor who has accepted the call to the called party. The collation is performed to extract the call recipient, and a call path between the caller and the extracted call recipient is formed, so that the caller can be automatically identified and the callee can be switched.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a node configuration diagram of a network to which a first embodiment of a free dial connection method and apparatus according to the present invention is applied.

FIG. 2 is a table illustrating characteristic functions of each node in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a configuration diagram of an actual network in which the nodes shown in FIG. 1 are deployed.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing a schematic processing flow in the embodiment shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a connection sequence diagram in the mode shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 6 is an internal configuration diagram of the network service control station shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 7 is a connection sequence diagram when a database network service control station is provided in the embodiment shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 8 is a connection sequence diagram illustrating a second embodiment of the free dial connection method and apparatus according to the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a connection sequence diagram when a database network service control station is provided in the embodiment shown in FIG. 8;

FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a node configuration of a network to which a third embodiment of the free dial connection method and apparatus according to the present invention is applied.

11 is a connection sequence diagram in the mode shown in FIG.

12 is an internal configuration diagram of the network service control station shown in FIG.

FIG. 13 is a connection sequence diagram when a database network service control station is provided in the embodiment shown in FIG. 10;

[Explanation of symbols]

1,8 ... group station, 2 ... service access point, 3 ... network service control station, 4 ... network service control station, 5 ... relay station,
6 network guidance device, 7 relay station, 9 database network service control station, 10 I-interface subscriber module

Continuing from the front page (72) Inventor Ichiro Kase 1-9-1, Konan, Minato-ku, Tokyo NTT Communicationware Co., Ltd. (72) Inventor Tsuneyuki Harada 1-9-1, Konan, Minato-ku, Tokyo 1 NTT Communicationware Co., Ltd. (72) Inventor Taketoshi Ogawa 1-9-1 Konan, Minato-ku, Tokyo NTT Communicationsware Co., Ltd. (72) Inventor Lower Katsuhiro 3-19-2 Nishi-Shinjuku, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo Nippon Telegraph and Telephone Corporation F-term (reference) 5K024 AA65 FF06 GG08 5K025 AA01 CC07 EE18 5K051 AA04 FF07 FF23 HH19 9A001 CC07 DD10 HZ34 JJ18

Claims (10)

[Claims] When a plurality of callees are associated with a predetermined toll-free number, callee information indicating the plurality of callees and a call indicating a caller who is permitted to talk to the callee. Storing the permitted caller information in advance, and comparing the caller information for identifying the caller input from the caller with the toll-free number information and the stored call permitted person information to receive a call. A toll-free connection method, comprising: extracting a caller; and forming a call path between the caller and the extracted callee. 2. The call acceptor information includes password information corresponding to the call acceptor, and in the step of extracting the incoming call correspondent, the password included in the caller information is compared with the password information. 2. The free dial connection method according to claim 1, wherein: 3. The call acceptor information includes calling phone number information corresponding to the call acceptor, and in the step of extracting the call receiving person, the calling phone number included in the caller information and the calling phone number are included. 3. The free dial connection method according to claim 1, wherein the number is compared with the number information. 4. A toll-free connection device for detecting a callee corresponding to toll-free number information input from a caller and forming a communication path between the caller and the detected callee, Storage means for storing callee information indicating a plurality of callees associated with a predetermined toll-free number and call acceptor information indicating a call acceptor permitted to talk to the callee; When caller information for specifying a caller is input in addition to the dial number information, a specifying means for comparing the caller information with the call acceptor information to extract a person who receives a call; Connection means for forming a communication route between a caller and the extracted caller. 5. The storage means stores password information corresponding to the call acceptor, and the identification means collates a password included in the caller information with the password information stored in the storage means. The toll-free connection device according to claim 4, wherein: 6. The storage means stores calling telephone number information corresponding to the call acceptor, and the specifying means includes a calling telephone number included in the caller information and a calling telephone number stored in the storage means. The toll-free connection device according to claim 4 or 5, wherein the device is compared with number information. 7. The method according to claim 5, wherein, when a password connected to the toll-free number information is input, the identification unit separates the password from the toll-free number information and checks the password against the password information. Or the toll-free connection device according to claim 6. 8. The toll-free connection according to claim 4, wherein it is determined whether or not to extract the incoming callee based on the input toll-free number information. apparatus. 9. The apparatus according to claim 4, wherein at least the specifying unit is provided separately from the connection unit, and notifies the connection unit of the extracted caller. Toll-free connection device according to the item. 10. The toll-free connection device according to claim 4, further comprising a registration unit for sending the call acceptor information to the storage unit.