JP2001136306A - Device with optimum channel selecting function - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To allow a terminal equipped with a channel selecting function to select an economical channel for and to communicate with even a call from other terminal not equipped with a channel selecting function in the case that at least the one terminal among terminals interconnected with each other is equipped with the a channel selecting function and the other terminals are not equipped with the channel selecting function. SOLUTION: In the case that call information from a terminal 1a with a channel selecting function and detected by a call information detection section 2 includes a channel selection number, a call information management means 3 conducts processing of storing the call information to a call information storage section 31. In the case that the call information storage section 31 stores the call information from a terminal 1b without the channel selecting function and detected by the call information detection section 2, a channel selection control section 4 adds the channel selection number included in the call information to the call information detected by the call information detection section 2 and output the resulting call information to a station line control section 5.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an apparatus with an optimum line selection function for selecting the most economical line from a plurality of communication networks (circuit networks).

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A variety of services have been provided by a plurality of telecommunications carriers under various communication fee systems due to the entry of a type 1 telecommunications carrier other than NTT. That is, the communication fee differs depending on the communication time and the use time due to the difference in the billing mode set by each company. Therefore, a function (L) for automatically selecting the most economical line from a plurality of lines
An East Cost Routing function (hereinafter, referred to as a line selection function) has been developed. This line selection function is a function of automatically determining which line is most economical to use for communication based on the communication time and the use time, and selecting a line.

In order to select an economical line from a plurality of lines for communication, it is necessary to make a call from a terminal equipped with this line selection function. FIG. 9 is a diagram conceptually showing this state.

[0004] In a terminal adapter connected to an ISDN, it has been proposed to install a line selection device between the terminal adapter and a line network in order to perform communication using an economical line ( JP-A-7-155
No. 51).

[0005]

However, if a line selection function is provided for each terminal as in the prior art, for example, when a plurality of terminals are connected and used like a terminal adapter, an economical line is used. In order to perform communication, a terminal equipped with a line selection function must be selected from a plurality of terminals to make a call, and there is a problem that convenience is lacking.

There is no problem if all the connected terminals are provided with a line selection function, but there is a problem that the cost is increased.

Further, when a new line selection function is added between a terminal adapter and a communication network so that a line can be selected even with a terminal not equipped with the line selection function, for example, There is also a problem that the line selection function is duplicated between the terminal and the terminal originally equipped with the line selection function, causing waste.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in order to solve the above-mentioned problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a communication system in which at least one of a plurality of connected terminals has a line selection function and another terminal has a line selection function. To provide a device with an optimal line selection function that enables an economical line to be selected and communicated even when a call is made from a terminal that does not have this line selection function when the function is not installed. It is in.

[0009]

In order to solve the above problems, an apparatus with an optimum line selection function according to the present invention is an apparatus with an optimum line selection function in which a terminal with a line selection function and a terminal without a line selection function are connected. Terminal control means for controlling the plurality of terminals, station line control means for controlling the line,
Calling information detecting means for detecting calling information from each terminal;
Call information management means having a call information storage unit for storing the detected call information; line selection control means for selecting an optimum line according to the call information managed by the call information management means; The call information management means, when the call information from the terminal with a line selection function detected by the call information detection means includes a line selection number, the call information A process for storing the call information in the call information storage unit is performed, and the line selection control unit is the call information from the terminal without the line selection function detected by the call information detection unit, and the call information is the call information. When stored in the call information storage unit, the line selection number included in the call information is added to the call information detected by the call information detecting means, and the line selection number is sent to the line control means. It is characterized by performing output processing That.

[0010] According to the apparatus with the optimum line selection function of the present invention having such features, the call information management means transmits the line information to the call information from the terminal with the line selection function detected by the call information detection means. If the selection number is included, a process of storing the call information in the call information storage unit is performed. As a result, the call information of the other party who has selected and communicated an economical line by the line selection function is stored in the call information storage unit.

The line selection control means may be a call information from a terminal having no line selection function detected by the call information detection means, and the call information may be stored in the call information storage unit. Then, a process of adding the line selection number included in the call information to the call information detected by the call information detecting means and outputting the result to the line control means is performed.

That is, by using the contents stored in the call information storage unit, communication using an economical line can be performed even from a terminal having no line selection function.

[0013] The apparatus with an optimum line selection function of the present invention is a terminal control means for controlling the plurality of terminals in an apparatus with an optimum line selection function in which a terminal with a line selection function and a terminal without a line selection function are connected. Station information controlling means for controlling station lines; calling information detecting means for detecting calling information from each terminal; a calling information storage unit for storing the detected calling information; A call information search unit that searches for call information stored in a call unit; a call information control unit that adds or deletes call information to the call information storage unit based on a search result of the call information search unit And call selection information control means for selecting an optimum line according to the call information managed by the call information management means, wherein the call information management means comprises: When calling from a terminal with a function If the call information detected by the call information detecting means includes a line selection number, the call information is additionally stored in the call information storage unit by the call information control unit. The processing is performed, and the call information detected by the call information detecting means does not include the line selection number, and the call information is present in the call information storage unit. In this case, the calling information control unit performs a process of deleting the calling information from the calling information storage unit. Further, when the call information detected by the call information detection means is stored in the call information storage unit, the call selection control means, A process of adding a line selection number included in the call information to the call information detected by the call information detecting means and outputting it to the central line control means is performed.

According to the apparatus with the optimum line selection function of the present invention having such a feature, the call information management means detects the call detected by the call information detection means in the call from the terminal with the line selection function. If the call information includes the line selection number, the call information control unit performs a process of additionally storing the call information in the call information storage unit. In this case, there is no room to add calling information (no free space)
In this case, the oldest call information is deleted and the latest call information is added.

[0015] The calling information managing means may be arranged such that, when a call is made from a terminal having a line selecting function, the calling information detected by the calling information detecting means does not include the line selection number. If the call information is present in the call information storage unit, the call information control unit performs a process of deleting the call information from the call information storage unit.
Such deletion processing is performed because the communication fee setting of each company differs depending on the communication time and usage time, so if the same partner has different communication time or usage time, the line selection number may or may not be included. To do that.

By performing the above processing (addition and deletion processing), the calling information list of the communicating party who has selected and communicated with the economical line by the line selecting function is stored in the calling information storage unit. Become.

Further, when the call information detected by the call information detecting means is stored in the call information storage unit when the call is made from the terminal without the line selection function, A process of adding the line selection number included in the call information to the call information detected by the call information detecting means and outputting the result to the line control means is performed. As a result, communication using an economical line is possible even from a terminal without a line selection function, using the call information list created by the above-described addition and deletion processes.

Further, in the apparatus with the optimum line selection function of the present invention, in the above-mentioned configuration, the calling information storage unit determines how many times the stored calling information has been transmitted from the terminal with the line selection function in the past. The line selection control means is configured to store data indicating the frequency of use of the call information to be displayed, and the call information detected by the call information detection means in a call from a terminal having no line selection function. When the line selection number is added, it is determined whether or not to add the line selection number in consideration of the call information use frequency data.

According to the apparatus with the optimum line selection function of the present invention having such a characteristic, it is determined whether or not to add a line selection number in consideration of the call information use frequency data. The reliability of the outgoing call information stored in the information storage unit can be improved. That is, as described above, since the communication fee setting of each company is different depending on the communication time and the usage time, if the communication time and the usage time are different even for the same partner, the line selection number may or may not be included. . Therefore, the high use frequency of the call information indicates that it is highly likely that it is economical to include the line selection number for the current call. On the other hand, if the use frequency of the call information is low,
Since it can be determined that it is better not to include the line selection number, it is sufficient to determine whether or not to include the line selection number according to the determination.

Further, in the apparatus with the optimum line selection function of the present invention, in the above-mentioned configuration, the call information management means may transmit a line to a communication partner of the call information stored in the call information storage unit. When a call with a line selection number added is made from a terminal with a selection function, the call information use frequency for that call information is increased and updated and stored, and the call information is stored in the call information storage unit. To the communication partner of the call information,
When a call with no line selection number is made from a terminal having a line selection function, the frequency of use of the call information for the call information is reduced and updated and stored.

According to the apparatus with the optimum line selection function of the present invention having such features, since the use frequency of the call information can be more accurately determined, the reliability of the call information stored in the call information storage unit can be improved. Properties can be further enhanced.

Further, in the apparatus with the optimum line selection function of the present invention, the line selection control means may include, in a call from a terminal having no line selection function, a call detected by the call information detection means. When the line selection number is added to the information and the frequency of use of the call information is one or less, a determination as to whether or not to add the line selection number is presented to the user, and according to the user's input instruction. It is characterized in that addition or non-addition is determined.

According to the apparatus with the optimum line selection function of the present invention having such features, when the use frequency of the call information is low or less, it is determined whether or not to add the line selection number. The user can determine whether or not to add a line selection number while comparing, for example, a list of communication charges of each company, so that it is possible to use an economical line with a higher probability. Become.

[0024]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the system configuration of an apparatus with an optimum line selection function according to the present invention.

The apparatus 10 with the optimum line selection function includes a terminal control unit 1 for controlling various terminals 1a and 1b, and call information from the terminals 1a and 1b transmitted through the terminal control unit 1. A call information detecting unit 2 having a call information detecting unit 2 for detecting call information, a call information storing unit 31 for storing call information detected by the call information detecting unit 2, and a call information managing unit. A line selection controller 4 for selecting an optimum line in accordance with the outgoing call information managed by 3; and a line controller 5 for controlling a line for the line selected by the line selection controller 4. . In the present embodiment, terminal 1a is a terminal with a line selection function, and terminal 1b is a terminal without a line selection function.

The call information management means 3 includes a call information search section 32 for searching call information stored in a call information storage section 31 and a call information search section 32 based on the search result. A call information control unit 33 for adding or deleting call information to / from the call information storage unit 31.

The outgoing call information management means 3 having such a configuration is
When the call information detected by the call information detection unit 2 includes a line selection number in a call from the terminal 1a with a line selection function, the call information is controlled by the call information control unit 33. Is additionally stored in the call information storage unit 31, and the call information detected by the call information detection unit 2 does not include the line selection number. If the call information exists in the unit 31, the call information control unit 33 deletes the call information from the call information storage unit 31.

Further, the line selection control unit 4 determines that the outgoing call information detected by the outgoing call information detecting unit 2 is stored in the outgoing call information storage unit 31 when a call is made from the terminal 1b without the line selecting function. , A process of adding the line selection number included in the call information to the call information detected by the call information detecting unit 2 and outputting the result to the line control unit 5. By performing such processing, the call information from the terminal with line selection function 1a is managed by the call information management means 3, and is applied to the call from the terminal 1b without line selection function. It is possible to use an economical line even from the terminal 1b. FIG.
FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram conceptually showing a process of making a call from the terminal without line selection function 1b.

Next, a description will be given of outgoing call information processing in the apparatus 10 with the optimum line selection function having the above configuration.

When there is a call request from an arbitrary terminal, the terminal control unit 1 determines whether the call is from the terminal 1a with a line selection function or from the terminal 1b without a line selection function. Is determined, and the outgoing call information (line selection number and telephone number) is detected by the call information detecting unit 2. This call information is processed by the next call information management means 3. The processing in the call information management means 3 is performed by the terminal 1 having the line selection function.
The processing is different between the call from a and the call from the terminal 1b without the line selection function.

FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram schematically showing a call information processing procedure when there is a call from the terminal 1a with a line selection function.

First, the call information (line selection number + telephone number or only the telephone number) transmitted from the terminal 1a having the line selection function is detected by the call information detector 2 (step S1). Here, the detected calling information is <line selection number>
If it is + <telephone number> (= <a> + <b>), that is, if the calling information includes <a> which is the line selection number, the processing after step S2 is performed.

That is, the call information storage unit 31 is searched by the call information search unit 32, and if <a> + <b> is call information existing in the call information storage unit 31, step S2 is performed.
From the route of R1. That is, the call information (<a> + <b>) is stored in the call information storage unit 31 (hereinafter, simply referred to as “call information list 31a”), and the line selection control unit 4, Control unit 5
(Step S4).

<a> + <b> is the call information list 3
If the outgoing call information does not exist in step 1a, step S
This is processing to follow the route from R2 to R2. That is, the call information (<a> + <b
>). In FIG. 3, <a> + <b> is added at the top of the call information list 31a. Thereafter, the call information (<a> + <b>) is transmitted to the line via the line selection control unit 4 and the line control unit 5 (step S4).

At this time, if there is no room to add new call information to the call information list 31a, step S2
To the route of R3. That is, the oldest call information stored in the call information list 31a (here, <c> + <d> stored at the top level) is deleted (step S5), and the latest call information is deleted. <a> +
<B> is added. Thereafter, the call information (<a> + <
b>) is transmitted to the office via the line selection controller 4 and the office controller 5 (step S4).

On the other hand, when the call information detected in step S1 is only <telephone number> (= <b>),
If the call information does not include the line selection number, the process is performed from step S3.

That is, the call information list 31a is searched by the call information search unit 32, and if the telephone number <b> is call information that does not exist in the call information list 31a, the route from step S3 to R4 is executed. This is the processing that follows. That is, the call information (<b>) is transmitted to the office line via the line selection control unit 4 and the office line control unit 5 while the call information list 31a remains as it is (step S4).

Further, the telephone number <b> is stored in the calling information list 3
If it exists in 1a, the process is to follow the route from step S3 to R5. That is, the call information list 31
The call information <a> + <b> stored in a is deleted from the call information list 31a. In FIG. 3, <a> + <b> at the top of the call information list 31a has been deleted. Thereafter, the call information (<b>) is transmitted to the office line via the line selection control unit 4 and the office line control unit 5 (step S4).

By performing the above processing, the calling information list 31a of the other party who has selected and communicated with an economical line by the line selecting function is created.

FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram schematically showing a call information processing procedure when there is a call from the terminal 1b without the line selection function.

First, the call information (only the telephone number) transmitted from the terminal 1b without the line selection function is detected by the call information detecting section 2 (step S11). Here, it is assumed that the detected call information is <telephone number> (= <b>) (step S12).

Thereafter, the call information list 31a is searched by the call information search section 32. If the telephone number <b> does not exist in the call information list 31a, the route from step S12 to R6 is followed. Processing. That is, the call information (<b
>) Is transmitted to the office via the line selection controller 4 and the office controller 5 (step S13).

On the other hand, if the telephone number <b> exists in the call information list 31a, the process proceeds from step S12 to R
This is processing to follow the route of No. 7. That is, the line selection control unit 4 adds the line selection number <a> corresponding to the telephone number <b> stored in the call information list 31a, and generates the call information (<a> + <b>). ) And (Step S
14), and transmits to the office via the office control unit 5 (step S13).

By performing the above processing, it is possible to select an economical line and perform communication even from the terminal 1b without the line selection function.

FIGS. 5 and 6 show the call information list 31a.
FIG. 5 shows a call information processing procedure when call information use frequency data (indicated by a dashed line in FIG. 1) is added to FIG. Explanatory diagram schematically showing the call information processing procedure when there is,
FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram schematically showing a call information processing procedure when there is a call from the terminal 1b without the line selection function.

First, referring to FIG. 5, a description will be given of a call information processing procedure in the case where a call is made from the terminal 1a having the line selection function.

First, the call information (line selection number + telephone number, or only the telephone number) transmitted from the terminal 1a having the line selection function is detected by the call information detection unit 2 (step S).
21). Here, the detected calling information is <line selection number>
If + <telephone number> (= <a> + <b>), that is, if the calling information includes <a>, which is the line selection number, the process is performed from step S22.

That is, the call information list 31a is searched by the call information search section 32, and if <a> + <b> is call information existing in the call information list 31a, steps S22 to R11 are performed. This is the process of following the route. That is, the call information (line selection number + telephone number / call information use frequency) stored in the call information list 31a is searched by the call information search unit 32, and the call information existing in the call information list 31a is retrieved. Increase the frequency of using information. In this case, the call frequency (<a> + <b> / 1) at the top of the list is used as call information (<a> + <b> / 2), and the usage frequency is increased from 1 to 2 ( +1). Thereafter, the call information (<a>
+ <B> / 2) is transmitted to the office via the line selection controller 4 and the office controller 5 (step S24).

<a> + <b> is the call information list 3
If the outgoing call information does not exist in step 1a, step S
This is processing to follow the route from R22 to R12. That is, the call information (<a> +
<B> / 1) is added. In FIG. 5, the call information list 3
<a> + <b> / 1 is added at the top of 1a.
Thereafter, the call information (<a> + <b> / 1) is transmitted to the office line via the line selection control unit 4 and the office line control unit 5 (step S24).

At this time, if there is no room to add new call information to the call information list 31a, step S2
This is processing to follow the route from 2 to R13. That is,
In the call information stored in the call information list 31a,
The call information with the lowest call information use frequency (here, <c> + <d> / 1 stored in the uppermost row) is deleted (step S25), and the latest call information <a> is deleted. > + <B> /
Add 1. Thereafter, the call information (<a> + <b>)
/ 1) is transmitted to the office line via the line selection control unit 4 and the office line control unit 5 (step S24).

On the other hand, if the outgoing call information detected in step S21 is only <telephone number> (= <b>), that is, if the outgoing call information does not include the line selection number, step S23 and subsequent steps are performed. It becomes the processing of.

That is, the call information list 31a is searched by the call information search unit 32, and if the telephone number <b> is call information that does not exist in the call information list 31a, the route from steps S23 to R14 is performed. This is the processing that follows. That is, the call information (<b>) is transmitted to the office line via the line selection control unit 4 and the office line control unit 5 while the call information list 31a is kept as it is (step S24).

Also, the telephone number <b> is stored in the call information list 3
If it exists in 1a, the process is to follow the route from step S23 to R15. That is, the call information stored in the call information list 31a (<a> + <b> /
From 1), the call information use frequency is reduced. In this case,
(<a> + <b> / 1) is changed to (<a> + <b> / 0). At this time, if the call information use frequency becomes 0, the call information (<a> + <b> / 0) is deleted from the call information list 31a.

By performing the above processing, the call information list 31a of the other party who communicates by selecting an economical line by the line selecting function is created.

Next, referring to FIG. 6, a description will be given of a call information processing procedure when a call is made from the terminal 1b having no line selection function.

First, the call information (only the telephone number) transmitted from the terminal 1b without the line selection function is detected by the call information detecting section 2 (step S31). Here, it is assumed that the detected calling information is <telephone number> (= <b>) (step S32).

Thereafter, the call information list 31a is searched by the call information search section 32. If the telephone number <b> does not exist in the call information list 31a, the route from step S32 to R16 is followed. Processing. That is, the call information (<<
b>) is transmitted to the office via the line selection controller 4 and the office controller 5 (step S33).

On the other hand, if the telephone number <b> exists in the call information list 31a and the call information has a sufficiently high call information use frequency, the process proceeds from steps S32 to R17. This is processing to follow the route. That is, the call information in this case is (<a> + <b> / 5), and the call information use frequency is 5 which is a sufficiently large value.
The line selection control unit 4 stores the line selection number <a> corresponding to the telephone number <b> stored in the call information list 31a.
Is added as call information (<a> + <b>) and transmitted to the office line via the office line control unit 5 (step S33).

If the telephone number <b> is present in the call information list 31a and the call information has a low call information use frequency, step S3 is performed.
This is processing to follow the route from 2 to R18. That is,
The call information in this case is (<a> + <b> / 1),
Since the use frequency of the call information is 1 or less, the line selection control unit 4 presents a determination as to whether or not to add the line selection number to the user (step S34), and determines whether or not to add the line selection number according to the user's input instruction. decide. Specifically, it is conceivable to make it possible to select whether to add a line selection number, to interrupt the communication, or to recommend a call from the terminal 1a with a line selection function (step S34). The reason is that even for the same communication partner, economical lines are different due to differences in communication time and use time.

As described above, by performing the process in which the call information use frequency is introduced, the line selected when the call is made from the terminal 1b without the line selection function becomes economically reliable.

FIG. 7 shows a terminal adapter 11 for connecting the apparatus 10 with the optimum line selection function of the present invention to ISDN.
FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a connection example introduced in FIG.

That is, the terminal control unit 1 of the device 10 with the optimum line selection function built in the terminal adapter 11
And a terminal 1a1 with a line selection function and a terminal 1b1 without a line selection function. Note that the outgoing call information processing in the device 10 with the optimum line selection function in the terminal adapter 11 having such a configuration is exactly the same as the outgoing call information processing described with reference to FIGS. Description of the call information processing is omitted.

FIG. 8 is a block diagram showing a connection example in which the device 10 with the optimum line selection function of the present invention is introduced between the terminal adapter 11 and the ISDN.

That is, the terminal 1b1 without the line selection function
Are directly connected to the extension I / F of the terminal adapter 11. The terminal 1a1 with the line selection function is connected to the terminal control unit 1 of the device 10 with the optimum line selection function, and is connected to the extension I / F of the terminal adapter 11 via the extension I / F1c of the terminal control unit 1. Have been.

In such a configuration, when there is a call from the terminal 1a1 with the line selection function, the information on the call to the external line is processed by the apparatus 10 with the optimum line selection function (similar to the processing in FIGS. 3 and 5). ) And transmitted to the office line. In addition, the call information to the extension is sent to the extension I / F of the terminal adapter through the extension I / F 1c of the terminal control unit 1. On the other hand, when there is a call from the terminal 1b1 without the line selection function, the outgoing call information to the outside line is processed by the device 10 with the optimum line selection function via the terminal adapter 11 (similar to the processing in FIGS. ) And transmitted to the office line. According to the present embodiment, since external connection is possible, the line selection function can be simply added by adding the device 10 with the optimum line selection function of the present invention to the existing system having the terminal 1a1 with the line selection function. It is also possible to select an economical line and communicate from the terminal 1b1.

[0067]

According to the apparatus with the optimum line selection function of the present invention, the call information management means includes the line selection number in the call information from the terminal with the line selection function detected by the call information detection means. If so, the call information is stored in the call information storage unit. Therefore, the call information storage unit stores an outgoing call of the other party who has selected an economical line by the line selection function and communicated. Call information is stored. Further, the line selection control means is call information from a terminal without a line selection function detected by the call information detection means, and when the call information is stored in the call information storage unit, A process of adding the line selection number included in the call information to the call information detected by the call information detecting means and outputting it to the line control means is performed. As a result, even a terminal without a line selection function can perform communication using an economical line.
In other words, only by connecting one terminal with the line selection function to the device with the optimum line selection function of the present invention, it is possible to select an economical line and perform communication even for a call from a terminal without the line selection function. Is possible.

Further, according to the apparatus with the optimum line selection function of the present invention, the call information management means transmits the line information to the call information detected by the call information detection means in the call from the terminal with the line selection function. If a selection number is included,
The call information control unit performs a process of additionally storing the call information in the call information storage unit. If the selection number is not included and the call information is present in the call information storage unit, the call information is transmitted from the call information storage unit by the call information control unit. It is configured to perform a deletion process. That is, by performing such addition and deletion processing, the call information list of the other party who has selected and communicated economically with the line selection function is stored in the call information storage unit. Therefore, by using the call information list, even a terminal without a line selection function can perform communication using an economical line.

Further, according to the apparatus with the optimum line selection function of the present invention, it is configured to determine whether or not to add the line selection number in consideration of the call information use frequency data. The reliability of the outgoing call information stored in the information storage unit can be improved. In other words, since the communication fee settings of each company differ depending on the communication time and usage time, if the same party has different communication time or usage time, the line selection number may or may not be included, but the use of call information The fact that the frequency is high indicates that it is economical to include the line selection number for the current call, and that if the call information is infrequently used, Since it can be determined that it is better not to include the line selection number, it is possible to determine whether to include or not include the line selection number according to the determination.

Further, according to the apparatus with the optimum line selection function of the present invention, the line selection number is added from the terminal with the line selection function to the communication partner of the call information stored in the call information storage unit. When a call is made, the frequency of use of the call information for the call information is increased and updated and stored, and a line is selected for a communication partner of the call information stored in the call information storage unit. When a call without a line selection number is made from a terminal with a function, the frequency of use of the call information for the call information is reduced and updated and stored. To be more accurate,
The reliability of the call information stored in the call information storage unit can be further increased.

Further, the apparatus with the optimum line selection function of the present invention, when a call from a terminal having no line selection function, adds a line selection number to the call information detected by the call information detecting means, When the use frequency of the call information is one or less, a determination as to whether or not to add the line selection number is presented to the user, and the addition or non-addition is determined according to the user's input instruction. Since the user can determine whether or not to add a line selection number while comparing, for example, a list of communication charges of each company, an economical line can be used with a higher probability.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a system configuration of an apparatus with an optimum line selection function according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 shows an apparatus with an optimum line selection function according to the present invention.
FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram conceptually showing a calling process from a terminal without a line selection function.

FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram schematically showing an outgoing call information processing procedure when there is an outgoing call from a terminal with a line selection function.

FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram schematically showing a call information processing procedure when a call is made from a terminal having no line selection function.

FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram schematically showing an outgoing call information processing procedure when there is an outgoing call from a terminal with a line selection function.

FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram schematically showing a call information processing procedure when a call is made from a terminal without a line selection function.

FIG. 7 shows an apparatus with an optimum line selection function of the present invention,
FIG. 9 is a block diagram illustrating a connection example introduced to a terminal adapter connected to N.

FIG. 8 is a block diagram showing a connection example in which the device with an optimum line selection function of the present invention is introduced between a terminal adapter and an ISDN.

FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram conceptually showing call processing from a terminal with a line selection function and call processing from a terminal without a line selection function in the prior art.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Terminal control part (terminal control means) 1a Terminal with line selection function 1b Terminal without line selection function 2 Call information detection part (call information detection means) 3 Call information management means 4 Line selection control part (line selection control means) 5) Line control unit (line control means) 31 Call information storage unit 31a Call information list 32 Call information search unit 33 Call information control unit

Claims (5)

[Claims] 1. An apparatus with an optimum line selection function to which a terminal with a line selection function and a terminal without a line selection function are connected, a terminal control means for controlling the plurality of terminals, and a line control means for controlling a line. Call information detection means for detecting call information from each terminal; call information management means having a call information storage unit for storing the detected call information; and management by the call information management means. Line selection control means for selecting an optimum line in accordance with the call information that has been transmitted, wherein the call information management means includes information on call information from a terminal with a line selection function detected by the call information detection means. If the call information includes a line selection number, the call information is stored in the call information storage unit, and the line selection control means performs the line selection detection by the call information detection means. Terminal without function If the call information is stored in the call information storage unit, the line selection number included in the call information is changed by the call information detecting means. An apparatus with an optimum line selection function, which performs a process of adding the detected call information to output to the local line control means. 2. An apparatus with an optimum line selection function in which a terminal with a line selection function and a terminal without a line selection function are connected, a terminal control means for controlling the plurality of terminals, and a line control means for controlling a line. Call information detection means for detecting call information from each terminal; a call information storage unit for storing the detected call information; and a search for the call information stored in the call information storage unit. A call information control unit for adding or deleting call information to or from the call information storage unit based on a search result of the call information search unit; Line selection control means for selecting an optimal line in accordance with the call information managed by the call information management means, wherein the call information management means, when calling from a terminal with a line selection function, Detected by call information detection means If the line information is included in the received call information, the call information control unit performs a process of additionally storing the call information in the call information storage unit, and performs the call information detection. If the call information detected by the means does not include the line selection number, and if the call information exists in the call information storage unit, the call information control Performing a process of deleting the call information from the call information storage unit by a unit, wherein the line selection control unit detects a call detected by the call information detection unit in a call from a terminal without a line selection function. When information is stored in the call information storage unit, the line selection number included in the call information is added to the call information detected by the call information detecting means, and the information is added to the station. Processing to output to line control means A device with an optimal line selection function. 3. The calling information storage unit also stores data indicating the frequency of use of the calling information indicating how many times the stored calling information has been transmitted from the terminal with the line selection function in the past. The line selection control means, when calling from a terminal without a line selection function, when adding a line selection number to the call information detected by the call information detection means, the call information use frequency 3. The apparatus with an optimum line selection function according to claim 2, wherein it is determined whether or not to add a line selection number in consideration of data. 4. The call information management means according to claim 1, further comprising:
When a call with a line selection number is made from a terminal with a line selection function, the call information use frequency for the call information is increased and updated and stored, and the call information is stored in the call information storage unit. When a call without a line selection number is made from a terminal with a line selection function to a communication partner of the call information, the frequency of use of the call information for the call information is reduced and updated and stored. 4. The device with an optimal line selection function according to claim 3, wherein: 5. The line selection control means, when making a call from a terminal having no line selection function, adding a line selection number to the call information detected by the call information detection means. 4. The method according to claim 3, wherein when the frequency of use is less than or equal to one, a determination as to whether or not to add a line selection number is presented to the user, and addition or non-addition is determined according to a user input instruction. Or an apparatus with an optimal line selection function according to 4.