JP2004260756A - Key telephone system - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To release a speech path even when another key telephone system utilizes the line of the relevant key telephone system via the speech path of a data communication network stops operating. <P>SOLUTION: An operation monitoring means is provided in the control part of a master unit 1 and while a call using the telephone line of a relevant key telephone system 10A via the speech path is performed by a telephone set 3 of a key telephone system 10B, a monitoring notice is received from the key telephone system 10B through a data communication network 52 to judge whether the key telephone system 10B is at a stop. When it is judged by the operation monitoring means that the key telephone system 10B stop the operation, the speech path which was used for the key telephone system 10B is released. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO&NCIPI

Description

[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a key telephone apparatus, and more particularly to a key telephone apparatus used in a key telephone system in which a plurality of key telephone apparatuses are connected via a data communication network.
[0002]
[Prior art]
2. Description of the Related Art A key telephone apparatus that includes a main device that accommodates a line from a network and one or more telephones that are accommodated in the main device, and that exchanges a line with a telephone with the main device has conventionally been a main device and a telephone. A voltage drop of the commercial power supply that supplies the operation power is constantly monitored, and when this voltage drop is continuously detected for a predetermined time or more, it is determined that a power failure has occurred (for example, see Patent Document 1). .
[0003]
On the other hand, these key telephone apparatuses are connected via a data communication network constituted by a packet communication network such as a LAN or the Internet, and voice data is exchanged via the data communication network to form a communication path. There is a key telephone system that realizes a telephone call using a line of another key telephone device by using a call path. Even in the key telephone device used in such a system, the above-described power failure detection is separately performed. Was.
[0004]
The applicant has not found any prior art documents related to the present invention other than the prior art documents specified by the prior art document information described in this specification by the time of filing.
[0005]
[Patent Document 1]
JP-A-5-268463
[0006]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
When such a key telephone device constitutes the key telephone system described above, there is a possibility that each of the key telephone devices is installed in a place where the power supply status is different, and each of the key telephone devices is in a power failure state or a power unstable state. May stop its operation.
Therefore, when a line of the key telephone device is used for a telephone call via the telephone line of the key telephone device via the communication path formed in the data communication network and the power of the other key telephone device is interrupted, the call There is a problem that the path remains in the formed state, which causes a bad influence on the control operation of the key telephone apparatus.
[0007]
Generally, during a call, a call current always flows or voice data is constantly exchanged on an analog line or an ISDN line from a telephone network.
Therefore, if a telephone call, such as an analog telephone line or an ISDN line, is being used for a telephone call with the stopped key telephone device, the line is released in response to the operation stop on the key telephone device side. Then, based on the suspension of the call current or voice data due to the release of the line, the release on the network side can be detected by the exchange on the network side, and the call termination processing can be performed.
[0008]
On the other hand, when a communication path is formed between key telephone apparatuses using a data communication network including a packet communication network such as a LAN or the Internet, these communication paths are configured by intermittently exchanged voice packets. .
For this reason, when the line of the key telephone device is used for a telephone call of the other key telephone device connected via the communication path of the data communication network, the operation of the other key telephone device stops. In this case, in the key telephone device, the reason why the voice packet does not arrive from the other key telephone device is whether the voice packet does not arrive due to the stoppage of the operation of the other key telephone device, or whether the voice packet does not arrive simply because there is no voice input. I can't judge.
[0009]
Therefore, as in the related art, if the power failure detection is performed separately in each key telephone device, the operation stop of the other key telephone device cannot be grasped, and it is not possible to determine the necessity of releasing the communication path used at that time. As a result, a state in which a communication path is formed on the data communication network remains, for example, the number of communication paths that can be used in the key telephone device is unduly consumed, which causes an adverse effect on the control operation.
The present invention is intended to solve such a problem, and even if another key telephone device using the line of the key telephone device stops operating via a communication path of a data communication network, the call can be stopped. It is an object of the present invention to provide a key telephone device that can release a pass.
[0010]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to achieve such an object, a key telephone apparatus according to the present invention comprises a main unit for accommodating a line from a network and one or more telephones accommodated in the main unit. Is used in a key telephone system having a plurality of key telephone devices for exchanging and connecting a telephone and a telephone. A main part of the key telephone devices is connected via a data communication network to exchange voice data to form a communication path. A key telephone device for realizing a telephone call with another key telephone device in the key telephone system using the line of the key telephone device by using the call path, When a telephone call of the key telephone device is performing a call using the line of the key telephone device via the call path, the data communication network is established from another key telephone device. An operation monitoring unit that determines whether or not operation of the other key telephone device has been stopped by receiving the monitoring notification, and if the operation monitoring unit determines that the other button telephone device has stopped operating, Call control means for releasing the communication path used between the other key telephone apparatuses.
[0011]
As a specific example of the operation monitoring, when an operation monitoring unit receives an operation stop notice from another button telephone device to notify the operation stop due to a power failure, the operation monitor unit returns the operation stop notice to the other button telephone device. If the requested safety confirmation request is repeatedly transmitted and the operation stop notice from the other key telephone device in response to the safety confirmation request has not been received for a predetermined number of times, the other key telephone device operates. It may be determined that it has stopped.
[0012]
Further, as another specific example of the operation monitoring, the operation monitoring means receives a power failure detection notification transmitted from another key telephone device every predetermined period according to the start of operation by the battery after the power failure within the predetermined period. If not, the other key telephone device may be determined to have stopped operating.
[0013]
Further, as another specific example of the operation monitoring, the operation monitoring means sends a normal notification indicating a normal operation state of the key telephone device at predetermined intervals in response to the start of a call using the call path. If the normal notification from another key telephone device returned at predetermined intervals in response to this normal notification has not been received continuously for a predetermined number of times, the other key telephone device has stopped operating May be determined.
[0014]
Further, another key telephone apparatus according to the present invention comprises a main apparatus for accommodating a line from a network, and one or more telephones accommodated in the main apparatus. The main apparatus exchanges the line with the telephone. A telephone call path is formed by connecting a plurality of key telephone apparatuses to each other through a data communication network and exchanging voice data. A key telephone apparatus for realizing a telephone call of a key telephone apparatus using a line of another key telephone apparatus in the key telephone system, and supplying an operation power of the key telephone apparatus to a main apparatus at the time of a power failure. A battery, power monitoring means for monitoring that the key telephone device has been operated by the battery due to the power failure, and a telephone for the key telephone device. If the start of battery operation is confirmed by the power monitoring means while a call using the line of the other key telephone device is being made via the, the necessity of releasing the call path in the other key telephone device is determined. An operation monitoring unit that transmits a power failure notification for determination to another key telephone device via a data communication network, and the operation monitoring unit transmits a power failure notification, and then transmits the power failure notification to the other key telephone device. Call control means for releasing the used call path.
[0015]
At this time, the main unit further includes data communication network connection means for performing data communication via the data communication network in the normal state, and stopping data communication operation in the low power consumption state to reduce power consumption; Then, after releasing the communication path, the data communication network connection means may be controlled from the normal state to the low power consumption state.
[0016]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
Next, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
First, a key telephone apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a key telephone system to which the key telephone device according to the first embodiment of the present invention is applied.
This key telephone system includes a plurality of key telephone devices 10A, 10B to 10N. Each of these key telephone apparatuses 10A to 10N accommodates one or more key telephones 2 or a telephone such as an IP telephone terminal 3 and a line from a telephone network 51 such as a public telephone network or an ISDN network. And a main unit 1 that accommodates the IP telephone terminal 3 and exchanges and connects these telephones to the line.
[0017]
The main units 1 of the key telephone apparatuses 10A to 10N are connected to each other via a data communication network 52 composed of an IP network such as the Internet, and exchange control data via the data communication network 52. A call is formed by using voice packet technology such as VoIP (Voice over IP) by exchanging voice data while using the voice communication, and a line of another key telephone device is used by using the call. Make calls.
[0018]
FIG. 2 shows a configuration example of the key telephone apparatus. Main device 1 is connected to telephone network 51 via telephone line 53 and to data communication network 52 via communication line 54. The key telephone 2 is accommodated via an extension transmission line 20 and the IP telephone terminal 3 is accommodated via a data communication line 30 such as a LAN.
The main device 1 includes a telephone network connection unit 11, a data communication network connection unit 12, an IP telephone terminal connection unit 13, a key telephone connection unit 14, a switch 15, a data / voice conversion unit 16, a control unit 17, a storage unit 18, A power supply unit 19 and a power supply monitoring unit 19B are provided.
[0019]
The telephone network connection unit 11 is a circuit unit that controls the termination of the telephone line 53 from the telephone network 51. The data communication network connection unit 12 is a circuit unit that controls the termination of the communication line 54 from the data communication network 52. The IP telephone terminal connection unit 13 is a circuit unit that connects the IP telephone terminals 3 via the data communication path 30. The key telephone connection unit 14 is a circuit unit that connects the key telephone 2 via the extension transmission line 20. The switch 15 is a circuit unit for mutually connecting and connecting the paths of the telephone network connection unit 11, the key telephone connection unit 14, and the data / voice conversion unit 16. The data / voice conversion unit 16 is a circuit unit for mutually converting voice packets on the data communication network connection unit 12 side and voice data on the switch 15 side.
The power supply section 19 is a circuit section for supplying operating power to the entire key telephone device 10, and supplies power from the battery 19A for a predetermined period during a power failure. The power supply monitoring unit 19B is a circuit unit that monitors the power supply state from the power supply unit 19 in the same manner as the voltage monitoring described above.
[0020]
The control unit 17 has a computer (hardware resource) including a microprocessor such as a CPU and its peripheral circuits, and is a functional unit that controls each unit of the main device 1 by executing a predetermined program. The storage unit 18 stores a line connected to the main device, the key telephone 2 or the IP telephone 3 to be called when receiving an incoming call to the line, and another key telephone to be notified of the incoming call. This is a circuit unit for storing various data used for control by the control unit 17 in addition to the line management information 18A indicating the correspondence between the two.
The control unit 17 includes, as functional units, a call control unit 17A that performs call control in the key telephone device and call control with another key telephone device, and determines whether or not operation of the other key telephone device is stopped. Operation monitoring means 17B is provided. These functional means are realized by making the above hardware resources and programs cooperate.
[0021]
The recording medium 18B is a recording medium such as a CD-ROM or a flexible disk, and stores a program for implementing various processes in the control unit 17 including the call control unit 17A and the operation monitoring unit 17B.
The program recorded in the recording medium 18B is read by the main device 1 and stored in the storage unit 18 as necessary at the time of initial operation after installation of the key telephone device or at the time of maintenance. Implement the processing.
Note that the program may be received not via the recording medium 18B but via the data communication network 52 or the telephone network 51. In this case, the program is received by the control unit 17 via the data communication network connection unit 12 or the telephone network connection unit 11, and stored in the storage unit 18.
[0022]
When the key telephone 2 makes a call via the telephone network 51, the control unit 17 connects the path between the telephone network connection unit 11 and the key telephone connection unit 14 via the switch 15. The voice signal (voice data) from the telephone network 51 is converted to voice data by the telephone network connection unit 11 and transmitted to the key telephone 2 via the switch 15, the key telephone connection unit 14, and the extension transmission line 20. You. The voice data from the key telephone 2 is input to the telephone network connecting unit 11 via the extension transmission line 20, the key telephone connecting unit 14, and the switch 15, and is converted into a voice signal (voice data) there. It is transmitted to the 51 side.
[0023]
On the other hand, when the IP telephone terminal 3 makes a call via the data communication network 52, the control unit 17 connects the path between the data communication network connection unit 12 and the IP telephone terminal connection unit 13. Then, the voice packet from the data communication network 52 is transmitted to the IP telephone terminal 3 via the data communication network connection unit 12, the IP telephone terminal connection unit 13, and the data communication path 30. The voice data from the IP telephone terminal 3 is transmitted to the data communication network 52 via the data communication path 30, the IP telephone terminal connection unit 13, and the data communication network connection unit 12.
[0024]
When the key telephone 2 makes a call via the data communication network 52, a voice packet from the data communication network 52 is input to the data / voice conversion unit 16 via the data communication network connection unit 12, and Is converted to Then, the voice data is transmitted to the key telephone 2 via the switch 15 and the key telephone connection unit 14.
The voice data from the key telephone 2 is input to the data / voice converter 16 via the key telephone connection 14 and the switch 15 and is converted into a voice packet. Then, the voice packet data is transmitted from the communication network connection unit 12 to the data communication network 52 side.
[0025]
On the other hand, when the IP telephone terminal 3 makes a call via the telephone network 51, a voice signal (voice data) from the telephone network 51 is output as voice data from the telephone network connection unit 11, and is output via the switch 15. The data is input to the data / voice conversion unit 16 and is converted into a voice packet. Then, the voice packet is transmitted to IP telephone terminal 3 via IP telephone terminal connection unit 13.
The voice packet from the IP telephone terminal 3 is input to the data / voice converter 16 and converted into voice data. Then, the voice data is input to the telephone network connection unit 11 via the switch 15 and transmitted to the telephone network 51 as a voice signal (voice data).
[0026]
Further, when a call on the telephone network 51 and a call on the data communication network 52 are relay-connected, a voice signal (voice data) from the telephone network 51 is output as voice data from the telephone network connection unit 11 and is transmitted via the switch 15. The data is input to the data / voice conversion unit 16 and is converted into a voice packet. Then, the voice packet is transmitted from the data communication network connection unit 12 to the data communication network 52 side.
A voice packet from the data communication network 52 is input to the data / voice conversion unit 16 via the data communication network connection unit 12 and is converted into voice data. Then, the voice data is input to the telephone network connection unit 11 via the switch 15 and transmitted to the telephone network 51 as a voice signal (voice data).
[0027]
FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a configuration of the IP telephone terminal.
The IP telephone terminal 3 includes a data communication unit 31, a voice processing unit 32, a terminal control unit 33, a display unit 34, an operation unit 35, and a storage unit 36.
The data communication unit 31 is a circuit unit that performs packet communication with the main device 1 via the data communication path 30. The voice processing unit 32 is a circuit unit that mutually converts voice packets and voice signals exchanged by the data communication unit 31 and outputs various signal sounds such as ringtones. The terminal control unit 33 includes a microprocessor such as a CPU and its peripheral circuits, and reads a predetermined program to control each unit.
[0028]
The display unit 34 is a circuit unit that displays various information using an LCD or an LED. The operation unit 35 is a circuit unit that detects a user operation using a dial key or various function keys. The storage unit 36 is a circuit unit that stores a program executed by the terminal control unit 33 and various types of information necessary for the processing.
The key telephone 2 has a configuration similar to that of the IP telephone terminal 3 in FIG. 3 except that the key telephone 2 has a data transmission unit for performing extension transmission with the main device 1 instead of the data communication unit 31. Detailed description here is omitted.
[0029]
In the above description, a configuration in which a telephone network connection unit 11, a switch 15, a data / voice conversion unit 16, a key telephone connection unit 14, and a key telephone 2 are provided as an example of a configuration for making a call using the telephone network 51 will be described. As described above, when a voice packet call is performed using the data communication network 52 instead of the telephone network 51, each of the above configurations is not essential, and a configuration without these configurations may be employed. When making a call using the data communication network 52 with the key telephone 2, the telephone network connection unit 11 may not be provided.
In addition, the present invention relates to call control using a line of another key telephone device, and it is sufficient that each key telephone device has one or more telephones, that is, a key telephone 2 or an IP telephone terminal 3.
[0030]
Next, an operation of the key telephone apparatus according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 4 is a sequence diagram showing incoming call control and operation monitoring control of the key telephone device. FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram showing a call path connection state after the incoming call notification.
In the following, of the two key telephone apparatuses 10A and 10B accommodating the IP telephone terminals 3A and 3B, respectively, the button associated with the line corresponding to the incoming call from the partner telephone 6 to the key telephone apparatus 10A line. A case will be described as an example in which an incoming call is notified to the telephone device 10B and the IP telephone terminal 3B of the key telephone device 10B responds to the incoming call.
[0031]
When the telephone network 51 is a public telephone network, one communication path is formed for each physical telephone line. However, when the telephone network 51 is an ISDN network, two communication paths are formed for each physical telephone line. A path (channel) is formed. When an IP call is made on the data communication network 52, one or more call paths (channels) are virtually formed for each physical communication line according to the communication band.
In the present invention, a communication path realized by such a physical communication line or communication line and used for a communication is generally referred to simply as a line. In addition, in the key telephone system, a line used for a telephone call with a telephone outside the key telephone system is used as an image of management and operation for sharing the line of each key telephone device with the key telephone or the IP telephone terminal. Is called an outside line.
[0032]
In each of the key telephone apparatuses 10A and 10B, the telephone line 53 is terminated and controlled by the telephone network connection unit 11 of the main apparatuses 1A and 1B to form a line. The data communication network connection unit 12 of each of the main units 1A and 1B terminates the communication line 54 from the data communication network 52 to form one or more lines, and exchanges call control data with each other. I do.
In the storage units 18 of the main devices 1A and 1B, the line of the button telephone device 10A is associated in advance with the line of the key telephone device 10B in the line management information 18A, and the button of each telephone of the key telephone device 10B is set. It is possible to make a call from the line of the telephone device 10A and to respond to an incoming call to that line.
[0033]
In such a setting state, when there is an incoming call from the telephone network 51 to the line of the key telephone device 10A in response to the call made by the other party telephone 6 (step 300), the main unit 1A of the key telephone device 10A controls the control unit. The call control means 17A of 17 refers to the line management information 18A of the storage section 18 and sends the key telephone apparatus 10B associated with the line from the data communication network connection section 12 via the data communication network 52 to the key telephone apparatus 10B. The incoming call is notified (step 301).
Also, referring to the line management information 18A, it instructs the telephone of its own device, here the IP telephone terminal 3A, associated with the line to display an incoming call (step 302). Thereby, a ringtone is output from IP telephone terminal 3A.
[0034]
On the other hand, in the main device 1B of the key telephone device 10B, the control unit 17 receives the incoming call notification from the main device 1A via the data communication network connection unit 12, and the call control means 17A uses the line management information 18A of the storage unit 18. Instructs the IP phone terminal 3B to display an incoming call (step 303). Thereby, a ringtone is output from IP telephone terminal 3B.
When a response operation such as off-hook is performed on IP telephone terminal 3B in response to this call, the response operation is notified from IP telephone terminal 3B to main device 1B (step 304).
The call control means 17A of the main device 1B transmits a response message from the data communication network connection unit 12 to the main device 1A via the data communication network 52 in response to the notification of the response operation (step 305).
[0035]
In response to the response message, call control means 17A of main device 1A responds to the incoming call from transmission destination telephone 6 (step 306), and transmits a response confirmation message to main device 1B (step 307). Is connected to the communication path with the main device 1B via the data communication network 52.
Further, the call control means 17A of the main device 1B connects the call path of the IP telephone terminal 3B that has responded to the call path with the main device 1A in response to the response confirmation message from the main device 1A.
Thereby, as shown in FIG. 5, a communication path 320 between the partner telephone 6 and the main apparatus 1A, a communication path 321 between the main apparatus 1A and the main apparatus 1B via the data communication network 52, and a main apparatus The communication path 322 between the telephone 1B and the answering telephone 3B is connected to one, and a telephone call is started between the partner telephone 6 and the answering telephone 3B (step 308).
[0036]
In this way, when a call using the line of the key telephone device 10A is started at the IP telephone terminal 3B of the key telephone device 10B connected via the communication path of the data communication network 52, the key telephone device 10A In the main unit 1A, the operation monitoring unit 17B of the control unit 17 communicates with the operation monitoring unit 17B of the control unit 17 in the main unit 1B of the key telephone device 10B in which the telephone during the call is accommodated, via the data communication network 52. By exchanging the monitoring notification, the operation monitoring of the key telephone device 10B is started (step 310).
Thereafter, if a power failure occurs in the key telephone device 10B during the call and the operation stops (step 311), the operation monitoring unit 17B of the main device 1A interrupts the monitoring notification from the main device 1B. It is determined that the key telephone device 10B has stopped operating (step 312).
[0037]
The call control means 17A of the main device 1A releases the communication path on the data communication network 52 used with the key telephone device 10B in response to the operation stoppage by the operation monitoring means 17B (step 313), release the line 1 of its own device used by the key telephone device 10B, and end the call (step 314).
[0038]
As described above, in the present embodiment, when a call using the line of the key telephone device is performed by the telephone of another key telephone device via the call path by the operation monitoring means of the main device, By receiving the monitoring notification from the key telephone device via the data communication network, it is determined whether or not the operation of the other key telephone device has been stopped.By this operation monitoring means, the operation of the other key telephone device has been stopped. If it is determined, the call control means releases the communication path used with the other key telephone apparatus, so that the line of the key telephone apparatus is connected via the communication path of the data communication network. Even when the operation of the other key telephone device being used is stopped, the call path can be released.
[0039]
Next, a key telephone apparatus according to a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating an operation monitoring process according to the second embodiment. FIG. 7 is a sequence diagram illustrating an operation monitoring process according to the second embodiment.
In the present embodiment, the operation monitoring unit 17B (monitoring side) of the main device 1A and the operation monitoring unit 17B (monitoring side) of the main device 1B perform specific operation monitoring processing. If the safety confirmation request requesting the notice of the operation stop is repeatedly transmitted and the notice of the operation stop notice corresponding to the request for the safety confirmation is not received for a predetermined number of consecutive times, the monitored key telephone apparatus operates. It is determined that it has stopped.
[0040]
First, in the operation monitoring unit 17B of the main device 1B to be monitored, as shown in FIG. 6A, the power supply monitoring unit 19B constantly monitors the power supply voltage of the power supply unit 19, and the voltage due to the voltage drop is monitored. If the instability is detected (Step 100: YES), the operation is expected to stop after that, so that an operation stop notice for notifying the operation stop is sent from the data communication network connection unit 12 to the data communication network. The information is transmitted to the monitoring side via the network 52 (step 101), and a transmission timer for managing an interval for transmitting an operation stop notice is started (step 102).
Then, it is determined whether or not the safety confirmation request from the monitoring side has been received through the data communication network connection unit 12 until the transmission timer expires (step 103).
[0041]
If the safety confirmation request has been received before the transmission timer expires (step 103: YES), the process returns to step 101 and repeats the transmission of a new operation stop notice.
If the safety confirmation request has not been received before the transmission timer expires (step 104: YES), the process returns to step 100 and performs voltage monitoring again.
[0042]
On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 6B, the operation monitoring means 17B of the main device 1A on the monitoring side sends a notification of the operation state in response to the operation stop notice from the monitored side (step 110: YES). The requested safety confirmation request is transmitted from the data communication network connection unit 12 to the monitored side via the data communication network 52 (step 111), and a monitoring timer for monitoring the next operation stop notice is started (step 111). 112).
Then, it is determined whether the operation stop notice from the monitored side has been received through the data communication network connection unit 12 until the monitoring timer expires (step 113).
[0043]
Here, if the operation stop notice is received by the time of the monitoring timer (step 113: YES), the operation stop notice is received a predetermined number of times, here three times in succession, for each safety confirmation request. It is determined whether or not the monitoring has been performed (step 114). If three consecutive receptions have been received (step 114: YES), there is a possibility that the monitored side has returned to the normal state. Move to waiting for notice of stop notice.
If the information has not been received three times in a row (step 114: NO), the process returns to step 111 to retransmit the safety confirmation request.
[0044]
On the other hand, if the operation stop notice is not received by the time of the monitoring timer (step 115: YES), the operation stop notice is not given three times in succession for each safety confirmation request. It is determined whether or not reception has been performed (step 116). If the reception has not been performed three times consecutively (step 116: NO), the process returns to step 111.
If reception has not been performed three consecutive times (step 116: YES), it is determined that the monitored side has stopped operating (step 117), and a series of operation monitoring processing ends.
[0045]
As an example of an actual monitoring operation according to the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 7, when voltage instability is detected in the main device 1B on the monitoring side (step 200), the operation is stopped by the main device 1A on the monitoring side. A notice is transmitted (step 201), and a transmission timer is started (step 202).
On the other hand, the monitoring side transmits a safety confirmation request to the monitored side in response to the notice of operation stop notice (step 203), and starts the monitoring timer (step 204).
In response to the safety confirmation request, the monitored side again transmits an operation stop notice to the monitoring side (step 205), and restarts the transmission timer (step 206).
Then, the monitoring side transmits a safety confirmation request to the monitored side in response to the operation stop notice, (Step 207), and starts the monitoring timer (Step 208).
[0046]
Here, after step 205, if the monitored side is in a power outage state and the operation is stopped (step 209), the operation stop notice for the safety confirmation request in step 207 is not transmitted to the monitoring side.
Accordingly, on the monitoring side, the monitoring timer times out (step 210). At this time, since the operation stop notice has not been received for the first time, the safety confirmation request is transmitted to the monitored side again (step 211). ), Restart the monitoring timer (step 2123).
[0047]
Then, since the operation stop notice is not transmitted from the monitored side in response to the safety confirmation request, the monitoring timer on the monitoring side times out (step 213). At this time, the non-reception of the operation stop notice is continuously performed. Since this is the second time, a safety confirmation request is transmitted to the monitored side again (step 214), and the monitoring timer is restarted (step 215).
Furthermore, since the operation stop notice is not transmitted from the monitored side in response to the safety confirmation request, the monitoring timer times out on the monitoring side (step 216). Since this is the third time, it is determined that the monitored side has stopped operating, and the communication path with the monitored side is released (step 217).
[0048]
As described above, in the present embodiment, in response to the notice of operation stop notice from the monitored side, the safety confirmation request requesting the return of the notice of operation stop notice from the monitoring side to the monitored side is repeatedly transmitted from the monitored side. When the notice of operation stop notice in response to the safety confirmation request has not been received for a predetermined number of consecutive times, it is determined that the button telephone device on the monitored side has stopped operation. The processing load can be reduced, and it is not necessary to constantly monitor during a call, and it is possible to reliably detect the operation stop of the monitored side by a relatively simple procedure.
[0049]
In addition, since an operation stop notice is requested to the monitored side by transmitting the safety confirmation request, the operation monitoring processing on the monitored side can be controlled by stopping the transmission of the safety confirmation request.
Thereby, for example, when the operation stop notice is continuously received for the specified number of times, the transmission of the safety confirmation request can be stopped, and the monitored side can monitor the voltage again, and the power supply status on the monitored side can be monitored. Can be changed.
[0050]
Next, a key telephone apparatus according to a third embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating an operation monitoring process according to the third embodiment. FIG. 9 is a sequence diagram illustrating an operation monitoring process according to the third embodiment.
In the present embodiment, the operation monitoring unit 17B (monitoring side) of the main unit 1A and the operation monitoring unit 17B (monitored side) of the main unit 1B perform specific operation monitoring processing after the power failure on the monitored side. In response to the start of operation by the battery, if the power failure detection notification transmitted from the monitored side every predetermined period is not received by the monitoring side within the predetermined period, the monitored key telephone apparatus is considered to have stopped operating. This is to determine.
[0051]
First, in the operation monitoring means 17B of the main device 1B on the monitored side, as shown in FIG. 8A, the power supply monitoring section 19B constantly monitors the power supply voltage of the power supply section 19, and the commercial power supply stops. If it is detected that the power supply has been switched to the power supply from the battery 19A (step 120: YES), a power failure notification for notifying the power failure state is sent from the data communication network connection unit 12 to the data communication network 52. Then, the transmission timer is transmitted to the monitoring side (step 121), and a transmission timer for managing the transmission interval of the power failure notification is started (step 122).
Then, after the transmission timer times out (step 123: YES), the process returns to step 121 to repeat transmission of the power failure notification.
[0052]
On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 8B, the operation monitoring unit 17B of the main unit 1A on the monitoring side, when the power failure notification from the monitored side is received via the data communication network connection unit 12 (step S1). 130), a monitoring timer for monitoring the next power failure notification is started (step 131), and it is determined whether or not the next power failure notification has been received from the monitored side until the monitoring timer expires (step 132). ).
[0053]
Here, if the next power failure notification is received before the monitoring timer expires (step 132: YES), the process returns to step 131 to repeatedly monitor the next power failure notification.
If the next power failure notification is not received before the monitoring timer expires (step 133: YES), it is determined that the monitored side has stopped operating (step 134), and a series of operation monitoring processing ends. .
[0054]
As an example of an actual monitoring operation according to the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 9, when a power failure is detected in the monitoring-side main device 1B (step 220), the monitored side sends the monitoring-side main device 1A to the monitoring-side main device 1A. A power failure notification is transmitted (step 221), and a transmission timer is started (step 222).
On the other hand, the monitoring side starts a monitoring timer in response to the power failure notification (step 223).
In response to the expiration of the transmission timer (step 224), the monitored side transmits a power failure notification to the monitoring side again (step 225), and restarts the transmission timer (step 226).
[0055]
The monitoring side restarts the monitoring timer in response to the power failure notification (step 227).
Thereafter, when the battery on the monitored side is consumed and the operation stops (step 228), the power failure notification is not transmitted to the monitoring side.
Therefore, on the monitoring side, the monitoring timer times out (step 229), the operation of the monitored side is determined to be stopped, and the communication path with the monitored side is released (step 230).
[0056]
As described above, according to the present embodiment, in response to the start of operation by the battery after a power failure on the monitored side, a power failure notification transmitted from the monitored side every predetermined period can be received by the monitoring side within the predetermined period. If not, it is determined that the monitored key telephone device has stopped operating. Therefore, it is not necessary to constantly monitor during a call, and the operation of the monitored side can be stopped by a very simple procedure. It can be detected reliably.
In addition, the monitoring operation starts the substantial operation monitoring process in response to the power failure notification from the monitored device in response to the start of the battery operation. Therefore, the processing load on the monitoring device during normal operation can be reduced.
[0057]
In the present embodiment, the power failure notification is continuously transmitted to the monitoring side every predetermined period until the monitored side consumes the battery. For example, in the monitoring side, FIG. When the power failure is detected in step 120 and the power failure notification is transmitted in step 121, the communication path with the monitoring side may be released.
In addition, on the monitoring side, in step 130 of FIG. 8B, it is determined whether or not the call path needs to be released based on the presence or absence of the power failure notification from the monitored side. Since the operation on the monitoring side is likely to stop, it may be determined that the communication path needs to be released, and the communication path with the monitored side may be released.
[0058]
As a result, after the call path is released, on the monitored side, the operation monitoring unit 17B controls the data communication network connection unit 12 to the low-consumption operation state (sleep state) to stop the operation, and uses the telephone network 51. Operation can be limited.
In general, the circuit unit constituting the communication network connection unit 12 operates at a very high speed for data communication, and therefore consumes a large amount of power. Some of these circuit units have two operation states: a normal state in which data communication with a data communication network is performed, and a low power consumption state in which data communication operation is stopped to reduce power consumption.
[0059]
Therefore, by using the circuit unit as described above as the data communication network connection unit 12 and controlling the data communication network connection unit 12 to the low power consumption state to stop the data communication operation, the data communication network connection unit 12 reduces the data communication operation. The battery consumption can be suppressed by the amount of the consumed power, and the operation time can be greatly extended as compared with the case where the data communication network connection unit 12 is operated when the battery is driven.
[0060]
Next, a key telephone apparatus according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 10 is a flowchart illustrating an operation monitoring process according to the fourth embodiment. FIG. 11 is a sequence diagram illustrating an operation monitoring process according to the fourth embodiment.
In the present embodiment, as a specific operation monitoring process in the operation monitoring unit 17B (monitoring side) of the main device 1A and the operation monitoring unit 17B (monitored side) of the main device 1B, a call using a call path is started. In response to this, a normal notification indicating the normal operation state of the key telephone device is transmitted to other key telephone devices at predetermined intervals, and returned from the other key telephone devices at predetermined intervals in response to this normal notification. If the normal notification has not been received for a predetermined number of consecutive times, it is determined that the other key telephone device has stopped operating.
[0061]
First, as shown in FIG. 10 (a), the operation monitoring means 17B of the main device 1A on the monitoring side responds to the start of a call using the line of its own device by the telephone of the main device 1B on the monitored side. Then, a normal notification for notifying that the own device is operating normally is transmitted from the data communication network connection unit 12 to the monitored side via the data communication network 52 (step 140), and the normal notification is transmitted. A transmission timer for managing the interval is started (step 141).
Then, it is determined whether or not a normal notification from the monitored side has been received via the data communication network connection unit 12 until the transmission timer expires (step 142).
[0062]
Here, if the normal notification from the monitored side is received before the transmission timer expires (step 142: YES), the process waits until the transmission timer expires (step 143), and after the time expires It returns to step 141 and shifts to transmission of the next normal notification.
If the normal notification from the monitored side has not been received before the transmission timer expires (step 144: YES), the normal notification from the monitored side is transmitted a predetermined number of times for each normal notification transmitted from the monitoring side. Here, it is determined whether or not reception has not been performed three consecutive times (step 145).
[0063]
If the reception has not been performed three times consecutively (step 145: NO), the process returns to step 111.
If the reception has not been performed three consecutive times (step 145: YES), it is determined that the monitored side has stopped operating (step 146), and the series of operation monitoring processing ends.
[0064]
On the other hand, in the operation monitoring unit 17B of the main device 1B to be monitored, as shown in FIG. 10B, when the normal notification from the monitoring side is received via the data communication network connection unit 12 (step 150), a normal notification for notifying that the own device is operating normally is transmitted from the data communication network connection unit 12 to the monitoring side via the data communication network 52 (step 151), and the normal notification is transmitted. A transmission timer for managing the interval is started (step 152).
Thereafter, in steps 151 to 157, the same operation monitoring processing as in steps 140 to 146 on the monitoring side shown in FIG. 10A is performed, and the normal notification from the monitoring side is not received three consecutive times. In this case (step 156: YES), it is determined that the operation of the monitoring side has been stopped (step 157), and the series of operation monitoring processing ends.
U.
[0065]
As an example of the actual monitoring operation according to the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 11, a telephone call using the line of the main device 1A to be monitored is started by the telephone of the main device 1B to be monitored. The monitoring side transmits a normal notification to the monitored side (step 240) and starts a transmission timer (step 241).
On the other hand, the monitored side transmits a normal notification to the monitoring side in response to the normal notification from the monitoring side (step 242), and starts a transmission timer (step 243).
The monitoring side receives the normal notification from the monitored side, transmits the normal notification to the monitored side (step 240) in response to the expiration of the transmission timer (step 224), and restarts the transmission timer (step 240). Step 241).
[0066]
The monitored side receives the normal notification from the monitoring side, transmits the normal notification to the monitoring side (step 248) in response to the expiration of the transmission timer (step 247), and starts the transmission timer (step 249). ).
The monitoring side receives the normal notification from the monitored side, transmits a normal notification to the monitored side (step 251) in response to the expiration of the transmission timer (step 250), and restarts the transmission timer (step 251). Step 252).
[0067]
Here, after step 249, if the monitored side enters a power failure state and stops operating (step 253), a normal notification corresponding to the normal notification in step 251 is not transmitted to the monitoring side.
Therefore, on the monitoring side, the transmission timer times out (step 254). At this time, since the operation stop notice has not been received for the first time, the normal notice is transmitted again to the monitored side (step 255). Then, the monitoring timer is restarted (step 256).
[0068]
Then, since the normal notification is not transmitted from the monitored side in response to the normal notification, the transmission timer times out on the monitoring side (step 257), and at this time, the non-reception of the normal notification is the second consecutive time. Then, the normal notification is transmitted again to the monitored side (step 258), and the transmission timer is restarted (step 259).
Further, since the normal notification is not transmitted from the monitored side in response to the normal notification, the transmission timer times out on the monitoring side (step 260), and the non-reception of the normal notification is the third consecutive time. Then, it is determined that the monitored side has stopped operating, and the communication path with the monitored side is released (step 261).
[0069]
As described above, in the present embodiment, in response to the start of a call using a call path, a normal notification indicating a normal operation state of the key telephone device is transmitted to other key telephone devices at predetermined intervals, and When the normal notification from another key telephone device returned at predetermined intervals in response to the notification has not been received for a predetermined number of times, it is determined that the other key telephone device has stopped operating. As a result, it is not necessary to provide the battery 19A and the power supply monitoring unit 19B on the monitored side, and the hardware of the apparatus can be greatly reduced. Also, the operation stop can be reliably detected by the monitoring side and the monitored side in substantially the same procedure, and the program for the operation monitoring processing performed on the monitoring side and the monitored side can be shared.
[0070]
In the above-described second to fourth embodiments, the processing in the operation monitoring unit 17B is different between the monitoring side and the monitored side. Each key telephone device operates as either the monitoring side or the monitored side according to the relationship between the telephone and the line used by the telephone.
Therefore, the operation monitoring means 17B of each key telephone apparatus has a function of executing both processes on the monitoring side and the monitored side in advance, and according to the control state of the call control means 17A, the monitoring side and the monitored side are controlled. One of the two processes is executed.
[0071]
In the above description, a case has been described as an example where a telephone line (channel) formed by the ISDN telephone line 53 of the telephone network 51 accommodated in each key telephone device is used as a line and shared by each key telephone device. This line is not limited to the communication path formed by the ISDN telephone line 53.
For example, the same applies to a communication path virtually formed using a voice packet communication technique such as VoIP on the communication line 54 of the data communication network 52 in addition to a communication path formed by an analog telephone line.
[0072]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, the present invention relates to an operation monitoring unit of a main device, which is used when a telephone call of another key telephone device is performing a call using a line of the key telephone device via a call path. By receiving the monitoring notification from the key telephone device via the data communication network, it is determined whether or not the operation of the other key telephone device has been stopped, and the operation monitoring means has stopped the operation of the other key telephone device. Is determined, the call control means releases the call path used with the other key telephone apparatus, so that the line of the key telephone apparatus can be released via the call path of the data communication network. Even if another key telephone device using the keypad stops operating, the call path can be released.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a key telephone system to which a key telephone device according to a first embodiment of the present invention is applied;
FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a configuration of the key telephone device according to the first embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an IP telephone terminal.
FIG. 4 is a sequence diagram showing incoming call control and operation monitoring control of the key telephone device.
FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram showing a call path connection state after an incoming call notification.
FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating an operation monitoring process of the key telephone device according to the second embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 7 is a sequence diagram illustrating an operation monitoring process of the key telephone device according to the second embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing an operation monitoring process of the key telephone apparatus according to the third embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 9 is a sequence diagram illustrating an operation monitoring process of the key telephone device according to the third embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 10 is a flowchart illustrating an operation monitoring process of the key telephone device according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 11 is a sequence diagram illustrating an operation monitoring process of the key telephone device according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention.
[Explanation of symbols]
10A, 10B,..., 10N: key telephone device, 1, 1A, 1B: main device, 11: telephone network connection unit, 12: data communication network connection unit, 13: IP telephone terminal connection unit, 14: key telephone connection unit , 15 switch, 16 data / voice conversion unit, 17 control unit, 17A call control unit, 17B operation monitoring unit, 18 storage unit, 18A line management information, 18B recording medium (program), 19 ... power supply unit, 19A ... battery, 19B ... power supply monitoring unit, 2 ... key telephone, 20 ... extension transmission line, 30 ... data communication line, 3 ... IP telephone terminal, 31 ... data communication unit, 32 ... voice processing unit, 33 ... Terminal control unit, 34 ... Display unit, 35 ... Operation unit, 36 ... Storage unit, 51 ... Telephone network, 52 ... Data communication network, 53 ... Telephone line, 54 ... Communication line, 6 ... Other party telephone.

Claims (6)

A key telephone system comprising a main device for receiving a line from a network and one or more telephones accommodated in the main device, and having a plurality of button telephone devices for exchanging and connecting the line and the telephone with the main device. A telephone call path is formed by connecting the main units of these key telephone apparatuses via a data communication network and exchanging voice data, and using the telephone path, the line of the key telephone apparatus is used. Used, the button telephone device for realizing a telephone call of another key telephone device in the key telephone system,
The main device,
When a call using the line of the key telephone device is being performed by the telephone of the other key telephone device via the call path, a notification for monitoring is issued from the other key telephone device via the data communication network. Operation monitoring means for determining the presence or absence of operation stop in the other key telephone device by receiving
When the operation monitoring unit determines that the other key telephone device has stopped operating, the operation control unit may include a call control unit that releases the communication path used between the other key telephone device and the other key telephone device. Characteristic key telephone device. The key telephone device according to claim 1,
The operation monitoring means may include a safety confirmation request requesting a return of the operation stop notice to the other button telephone device when the other button telephone device receives an operation stop notice for notifying an operation stop due to a power failure. Is repeatedly transmitted, and when the operation stop notice from the other key telephone device in response to these safety confirmation requests has not been received for a predetermined number of consecutive times, it is determined that the other key telephone device has stopped operating. A key telephone device, comprising: The key telephone device according to claim 1,
The operation monitoring means, if the power failure detection notification transmitted from the other key telephone device every predetermined period in response to the start of operation by the battery after the power failure cannot be received within the predetermined period, the other A key telephone device, which determines that the key telephone device has stopped operating. The key telephone device according to claim 1,
The operation monitoring means transmits a normal notification indicating a normal operation state of the key telephone device to the other key telephone devices at predetermined intervals in response to the start of a call using the call path, and responds to the normal notification. When the normal notification from the other key telephone device returned at predetermined intervals accordingly has not been received for a predetermined number of times, it is determined that the other key telephone device has stopped operating. Button telephone equipment to do. A main unit for accommodating a line from a network, and one or more telephones accommodated in the main unit. The main unit includes a plurality of key telephone apparatuses for switching and connecting the line and the telephone. The main unit of the key telephone apparatus is connected via a data communication network to exchange voice data to form a communication path, and by using the communication path, the key telephone by the telephone of the key telephone apparatus is used. A key telephone device for realizing a call using a line of another key telephone device in the system,
The main device,
A battery that supplies operating power to the key telephone device during a power outage;
Power monitoring means for monitoring that the key telephone device has been operated by the battery due to a power failure;
When the telephone of the button telephone device is performing a call using the line of the other key telephone device via the call path, when the start of battery operation is confirmed by the power monitoring unit, Operation monitoring means for transmitting a power failure notification for determining whether or not the call path needs to be released in another key telephone device to the other key telephone device via the data communication network;
A key telephone device comprising: a call control unit configured to release the communication path used with another key telephone device after transmitting the power failure notification by the operation monitoring unit. The key telephone device according to claim 5,
The main device,
In a normal state, perform data communication through the data communication network, and in a low power consumption state, further include a data communication network connection unit that stops the data communication operation to reduce power consumption,
The key telephone device, wherein the call control means controls the data communication network connection means from the normal state to the low power consumption state after releasing the call path.

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