JP2006121491A - Paging device for waiting - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To use a PBX to unify a turn waiting system and a paging system. <P>SOLUTION: The PBX 1 houses key telephones 2. The PBX 1 comprises a means for registering, as a queue, turn waiting information input from a turn waiting registration machine 3. When paging operation is performed from a key telephone 2 by pressing a special number, a display to the effect that the head wait of the queue is in course of paging is made in the display unit of the key telephone 2. Along with this, the PBX 1 connects a paging speaker 5 to the key telephone 2 to make paging possible. A waiting order confirmation machine 4 is provided, the condition of the queue is retrieved in response to the operation of this confirmation machine 4, and the retrieved condition is displayed in the display unit of the confirmation machine 4. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a queue waiting call device, and more particularly, to a queue waiting call device using a key telephone and a private branch exchange.

  When providing services or buying and selling goods at public or commercial facilities such as government offices, banks, and hospitals, we accept applications from the next agency, customers, and visitors (hereinafter referred to as “users”). In many cases, a waiting card is issued at a window. For example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 8-263556 discloses a numbered ticket issuing machine that issues numbered tickets as waiting cards in a waiting room of a bank or a hospital. JP-A-2003-331039 discloses not only issuing a receipt slip with a receipt number in a waiting room of a bank, a hospital, etc., but also using the receipt number as an ID to advertise and sell products at a waiting time. A mobile terminal system that performs such services is disclosed. This conventional device or system can reduce the waiting time of the user or provide a service that effectively uses the waiting time, but the service that the user has accepted until his turn comes It must be monitored or watched for progress.

Therefore, a system in which the service provider calls the user when the order in which the user can receive the service or the like has been considered.
JP-A-8-263556 JP 2003-331039 A

  In a facility such as a hospital having a plurality of departments or clinics, a calling system must be provided for each department or examination room. In other words, since a call system must be provided separately from the waiting system, the equipment may be large and complicated.

  An object of this invention is to provide the turn waiting call apparatus which integrated the equipment required for a turn waiting system and a call system in view of the said problem.

  In order to solve the above-mentioned problems and achieve the object, the present invention provides a private branch exchange apparatus to which a key telephone provided with a display is connected, a turn waiting input device for receiving a turn waiting registration operation, and a paging speaker. And the private telephone exchange apparatus registers a waiting queue in a queue in response to the registration operation, and the key telephone in response to a call operation input by a button operation of the key telephone. A connection means for connecting the paging speaker to the paging speaker, and information on the call for the turn waiting designated by the call operation among the turn waiting registered in the wait storage means in response to the call operation is displayed on the key telephone. Display control means to be displayed on the device, and the waiting order designated by the call operation is performed in response to the call operation That the there is a first feature in that is configured to be removed connected operation and after the end of the display operation.

  In addition, the present invention comprises a private telephone exchange device to which a key telephone provided with a display is connected, a turn waiting input device for accepting a turn waiting registration operation, and a paging speaker. A waiting registration means for registering a waiting order in a queue in response to the registration operation; a means for storing a scheduled voice message; a means for creating an electronic sound representing an acceptance number for each waiting order; Means for synthesizing a call message based on a voice message and the electronic sound; means for sending the synthesized call message to the paging speaker in response to a call operation input by a button operation of the key telephone; In the order waiting specified in the calling operation among the waiting orders registered in the waiting storage means in response to the calling operation. Display control means for displaying on-call information to be displayed on the button telephone display, and the first registered order waiting is the message sending operation and the display operation performed in response to the call operation There is a second feature in that it is configured to be deleted after the end of.

  In addition, the present invention further includes a turn waiting confirmation machine for accepting the confirmation operation of the queue and a turn waiting status display means, wherein the private branch exchange apparatus waits in turn from the queue in response to the confirmation operation. A third feature is that it includes means for searching for the situation and sending this order waiting situation to the order waiting situation display means.

  Further, the present invention has a fourth feature in that the waiting state display means is provided in the key telephone.

  Further, the present invention is characterized in that the waiting input device has a printing function for issuing a receipt slip with a receiving number, and the registration means registers the waiting order together with the receiving number. There is a fifth feature.

  In addition, the present invention has a sixth feature in that, in the call operation, it is set in advance so as to designate the waiting order at the head of the queue as a call target.

  Furthermore, the present invention has a seventh feature in that the waiting sequence to be called is returned to the scheduled position in the queue and re-registered when the calling fails.

  According to the present invention having the above features, it is possible to provide means for registering the waiting queue in the private branch exchange and to make a call corresponding to the waiting queue through the key telephone. In other words, the waiting system and the calling system can be integrated through a common private branch exchange. In addition, during a call, a call-in-progress display is displayed on the key telephone, so that the caller can recognize the call status.

  In particular, according to the second feature, the call is made by a synthesized sound of an electronic sound and a voice message, not by a direct call by a person.

  According to the third and fourth features, the queue status, for example, the current number of waits can be confirmed by the turn waiting confirmation machine. In particular, according to the fourth feature, the status of the queue can be confirmed from the key telephone.

  According to the fifth feature, since the receipt number is registered in waiting, this receipt number can be used for calling.

  According to the sixth feature, calls are made in order starting from the first waiting order received.

  According to the seventh feature, it is possible to easily recall a waiting sequence that has failed in calling.

  FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a hospital private telephone exchange system having a call waiting function according to an embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 1, a private branch exchange (hereinafter referred to as “PBX”) 1 accommodates a plurality of key telephones 2 as extension telephones, and controls calls between these key telephones 2. Further, the PBX 1 is connected with a turn waiting registration machine (waiting turn input machine) 3, a turn waiting confirmation machine 4, and a paging speaker 5. Each of the three waiting queue registration machines and the waiting queue confirmation machine 4 includes a communication interface (not shown) for communicating with the control unit and the PBX 1. The key telephone 2 is attached with a display (described later). The turn waiting confirmation machine 4 is not essential and can be provided as necessary.

  In the above-described system, when an order waiting registration operation is performed using the order waiting registration machine 3, the PBX 1 performs the order waiting registration in the "queue". The key telephone 2 is used when calling a user corresponding to the registered “wait”. When a calling operation and a calling operation (an operation that a person actually calls) are performed using the key telephone 2, a user, that is, a patient is called through the paging speaker 5.

  FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the main functions of the PBX 1 for waiting-waiting registration and calling. The queue 6 is set in a storage device (for example, RAM), and “wait” is registered in the order of input. The waiting queue registration determination unit 50 registers “waiting” at the end of the queue 6 in response to the registration operation input from the waiting queue registration device 3. “Waiting” may register only the reception number, or if the patient identification number, patient name, and information such as the department are entered, register these information together. Processing may also be included.

  In response to the call operation from the key telephone 2, the call determination unit 51 transfers the “wait” at the head of the queue 6 to the buffer 8. The display unit 52 sends to the key telephone 2 an instruction for performing the “waiting” transferred to the buffer 8 through the display means (described later) of the key telephone 2. Furthermore, the call determination unit 51 controls the connection unit 53 to connect the key telephone 2 to the paging speaker 5.

  The order waiting confirmation discriminating unit 54 searches the queue 6 in response to the confirmation operation input from the order waiting confirmation machine 4 and extracts the reception number registered as the first “wait”. The waiting information display unit 55 transmits this reception number to the turn waiting confirmation machine 4 for display. The turn waiting confirmation discriminating unit 54 has a function of calculating information for determining the turn waiting number of persons and the estimated waiting time according to the setting as well as taking out the reception number registered as the first “wait”. And the confirmation display part 55 is comprised so that the turn waiting confirmation machine 4 may display the waiting waiting number of persons and estimated waiting time by setting.

  FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of the turn waiting registration machine 3. In the figure, the panel surface 31 is provided with a plurality of push buttons 32 indicating a department, a display unit 33 indicating the current waiting number, and an acceptance form issuing machine 34. The reception slip issuing machine 34 can use a known printer that can hold a piece of paper, that is, the reception slip P with its leading portion protruding outside from the take-out port 35. In this acceptance form issuing machine 34, paper of a predetermined length is fed by the operation of pulling out the acceptance form P, and a waiting number as a receipt number is printed. The printing method used may be a known method such as thermal printing or dot printing.

  In a facility such as a hospital having a plurality of departments, a push button 32 for inputting a department is provided, and a plurality of queues according to the number of departments are set. In a facility that provides the same service even if it is received at a plurality of windows, an input means such as a push button 32 for designating a window is unnecessary, and a single queue may be used. In addition, when preparing the turn waiting registration machine 3 for each medical department, an input unit such as the push button 32 may not be provided.

  The turn waiting registration machine 3 is not limited to this example, and may be a turn waiting registration and issuance of an acceptance slip by simply performing a registration button operation. A function may be provided.

  In addition, a waiting-for-registration operation can be performed by an operation of scanning a card (such as a magnetic card or an IC card) such as an examination ticket having a function as an information recording medium. In the case of an operation of pulling out a piece of paper, an input means such as a push button 32 is provided so as to perform an input operation such as a consultation department as necessary, but such an input is used when using an examination ticket as an information recording medium. No means are required. The examination department, medical chart number, etc. can be registered in the queue together with the order by scanning the examination ticket.

  The process of PBX1 for waiting for registration will be described. In the flowchart of FIG. 4, in step S <b> 1, it is determined whether or not there is an access to the turn waiting registration machine 3, that is, whether or not a predetermined turn waiting registration operation is performed. The presence / absence of the waiting queue registration operation varies depending on the type of the waiting queue registration device 3. For example, in the turn waiting registration machine of FIG. 3, it is determined whether or not a turn waiting registration operation has been performed based on whether or not the push button 32 is pressed and the operation of pulling out the receipt slip P is performed. If it is determined that there has been a turn waiting registration operation, the process proceeds to step S2, where the turn waiting is registered in the “queue”, and a receipt slip is issued in step S3. In the reception slip, the reception numbers are written in the order of reception. The storage device that registers the queue can be placed in PBX1.

  Next, patient call will be described. FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing an example of the key telephone 2. The key telephone 2 includes a handset 21, an LCD unit 22 composed of a large LCD that can be easily visually confirmed, a key input unit 23 composed of dial keys, office line keys and function keys (function buttons), and office line keys. Are provided with an LED unit 24 for displaying the station line capture status, a microphone 25 for carrying out a hands-free call, a speaker 26, and the like.

  FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram of a queue and a ringing buffer. Both the queue 6 and the ringing buffer 8 can be set in the storage device in the PBX 1. In the queue 6, the registered “wait” 7 is stored in the order of registration. When there is a call operation, the first one of the “waits” 7 in the queue 6 is moved to the calling buffer 8. In a normal call, the “waiting” in the calling buffer 8 is erased by the on-hook of the key telephone 2. In the recall, the “waiting” in the in-calling buffer 8 is not erased even if the call is made on-hook after making a call based on the “waiting” stored in the in-calling buffer 8. This “waiting” is overwritten and erased by a new “waiting” in the next call operation. Therefore, while the “waiting” is stored in the calling buffer 8, the calling is repeatedly performed by off-hooking, and the calling display is performed on the LCD unit 22.

  In the designated call, a call for any “wait” can be made not only from the first “wait” in the queue 6 but also from the middle of the queue 6. The designated call is selected, and “waiting” is selected by the button operation of the key telephone 2. The selected “waiting” is moved to the calling buffer 8.

  In the re-registration, after “wait” is stored in the calling buffer 8, this “wait” can be returned to a preset queue position. For example, this return operation may be performed by a scheduled button operation of the key telephone 2, or when “waiting” in the calling buffer 8 has been stored for a preset storage time, “Waiting” may be returned to the queue 6.

  Note that FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram, and the configuration of the storage means for the waiting queue registration according to the present invention is not limited to this. In short, the waiting order according to the registration operation from the waiting queue registration machine 3 can be recognized. It is sufficient that the waiting contents can be taken out.

  The processing of the PBX 1 relating to the calling operation will be described. In the flowchart of FIG. 7, in step S10, it is determined whether or not the key telephone 2 is off-hook. If an off-hook is detected, the process proceeds to step S11 to determine the operation of the function button provided on the key telephone 2. If it is detected that the function button has been depressed, the process proceeds to step S12, where it is determined whether or not the function button scheduled for the call of the patient who is registered in the waiting order is depressed. When the pressing of the function button for calling is detected, the process proceeds to step S13, and the key telephone 2 that is off-hook is connected to the paging speaker 5 to enable sound generation. As a result, the voice input using the key telephone 2 is output through the paging speaker 5. After connection between the paging speaker 5 and the key telephone 2, in step S14, “wait” is taken out from the head of the queue, and this “wait” is stored in the calling buffer 8. In step S15, an in-call display is performed using the LCD unit 22 of the key telephone 2. This in-call display is held or erased according to the call mode described later.

  In addition, when a waiting registration is performed using a card in which information such as the patient's name and medical record number is recorded, the medical record number and name can be displayed together with the call display. That is, it is taken out from the head of the queue in step S14, and in step S15, the chart number, name, etc. are displayed according to the information corresponding to “wait” stored in the calling buffer 8.

  When step S11 or step S12 is negative, processing similar to that of a well-known button telephone is performed according to a function preset for each operated button.

  As the call mode, normal call, recall, designated call, and re-registration processing are set. These modes are assigned to any one of the buttons of the key input unit 23 of the key telephone 2, and the mode is selected by pressing the button.

  Next, the turn waiting confirmation machine 4 will be described. FIG. 8 is a block diagram showing a hardware configuration of the turn waiting confirmation machine 4. The turn waiting confirmation machine 4 includes an input device 41, a display device 42, a control unit 43, and a communication interface 44. The communication interface 44 is for communication with the PBX 1. The input device 41 is a push button or a card reader. The push button may be a touch panel type. As the display device 42, a CRT display, an LED display, an LCD, or the like can be used. When the input device 41 is a push button or a touch panel, a turn waiting confirmation instruction is accepted by operating these, and for example, the top number of the current queue is displayed on the display device 42. Further, when the input device 41 is a card reader, information such as an examination ticket and a receipt slip issued by the waiting queue registration machine 3 is read, and the top number of the current queue is displayed on the display device 42.

  The waiting display is not limited to the number display corresponding to the “waiting” at the head of the queue, but the display of the estimated waiting time or the number of waiting persons, or the combination of these numbers with these numbers. Also good. For example, the waiting time can be calculated based on the number of people waiting for the patient and the average processing time per “waiting” on that day.

  FIG. 9 is a view showing a display example of the turn waiting display device 42, and FIG. In FIG. 9, the waiting number, waiting number, patient name, and chart number (the number immediately to the patient name) recognized based on the information read from the examination ticket at the time of waiting registration and the status of the queue are the waiting status. It is displayed as. These pieces of information are stored in the PBX 1 in association with each waiting at the time of registration for waiting for a turn, and when the “waiting” is deleted, the corresponding information is deleted.

  In FIG. 10, in step S20, it is determined whether or not there is a turn waiting confirmation instruction. If there is a turn waiting confirmation instruction, in step S21, the registered patient information is read from the storage device according to the “waiting” number and displayed on the display device 42. All information may be displayed on one screen. However, when all of the information cannot be displayed due to the size of the screen of the display device 42, a scroll key is provided in the turn waiting display device 4 so that the screen can be scrolled. Good. For example, as shown in FIG. 10, it is determined whether or not the scheduled display time has elapsed in step S22. If the scheduled display time has not elapsed, the process proceeds to step S23 to determine whether or not the scroll key is pressed. If the scroll key is depressed, the display information is updated for screen scrolling in step S24. The amount of scrolling can be set in advance, and may be one page or one line. If it is determined in step S22 that the scheduled time has elapsed, the display on the display device 42 is terminated in step S25.

  A large display device that displays only the waiting number may be provided separately from or together with the turn waiting confirmation machine 4. If only one queue is set, it is only necessary to display the current waiting number. If setting a queue for multiple counters, the current waiting number for each counter is displayed. . FIG. 11 is a display example of the number of people waiting in turn when a queue is set for each of a plurality of windows.

  The turn waiting confirmation machine 4 may be provided alone, or may be provided integrally with the turn waiting registration machine 3. For example, in the turn waiting registration machine 3 shown in FIG. 2, the function of the input device 41 can be provided by further providing an input button for a turn waiting confirmation instruction or by providing a card reader. Further, the display unit 33 is also provided with the display device 42.

  Further, the key telephone 2 may be provided with the function as the turn waiting confirmation machine 4. That is, one button of the key input unit 23 of the key telephone 2 is provided with a function as the input device 41 for the turn waiting confirmation instruction. When this button is pressed, the information is recognized by the turn waiting confirmation function in the PBX 1 and the process of the flowchart of FIG. 10 starts. In this case, the function of the display device 42 can be performed by the LCD unit 22.

  The call may be actually made by a person's call, or one button of the key input unit 23 of the key telephone 2 is provided with a call function, and a call message registered in the PBX 1 in advance is sounded through the paging speaker 5. You may make it. For example, when the specific button of the key input unit 23 is pressed, the turn waiting number is searched according to the “wait” number at the head of the queue, and a synthesized sound of a predetermined registration message and the electronic sound of the turn waiting number is generated.

  Furthermore, the call is not limited to being made through the paging speaker 5. For example, by providing a means by which a patient can input his / her contact information at the time of waiting registration, a call message can be automatically transmitted to the contact. For example, if patient contact information (such as a mobile phone number) is recorded on an examination ticket, the information can be read by the waiting waiting registration device 3 and registered corresponding to “waiting”.

  The contact with the mobile phone may be voice information or text information, that is, e-mail information. The PBX 1 has an electronic mail function, and the electronic mail function is configured to send a predetermined mail text to the patient's mail address in response to a specific button operation of the key input unit 23 of the key telephone 2. To do.

  The above-described embodiment is a turn waiting call device for hospital medical reception, but the present invention is not limited to this embodiment, and in a turn waiting scene of a facility that provides various articles and services through reception. Can be widely used.

It is a principal part block diagram of the turn waiting call apparatus which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows the principal part function of PBX contained in FIG. It is an external appearance front view of an order waiting registration machine. It is a flowchart which shows the process of PBX for order waiting registration. It is an external appearance perspective view which shows an example of a button telephone. It is a schematic diagram of the memory | storage device for order waiting registration. It is a flowchart which concerns on the calling process of a key telephone. It is a block diagram which shows an example of the hardware constitutions of an order waiting confirmation machine. It is a figure which shows an example of the display of an order waiting display apparatus. It is a flowchart which shows the process of PBX for order waiting confirmation. It is a front view of the display apparatus which shows the example of a display of the waiting number of people.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... PBX, 2 ... Key telephone, 3 ... Waiting registration machine (input machine), 4 ... Waiting confirmation machine, 5 ... Paging speaker, 6 ... Queue, 7 ... Waiting, 8 ... Ringing buffer

Claims (7)

A key telephone provided with an indicator;
A private branch exchange to which the key telephone is connected;
An input device for waiting for a turn to accept a registration operation waiting for a turn,
With paging speakers,
The private branch exchange is
A waiting registration means for registering a waiting order in a queue in response to the registration operation;
Connection means for connecting the key telephone and the paging speaker in response to a call operation input by a button operation of the key telephone;
A display control means for displaying on-call information on the key telephone for the order waiting designated in the calling operation among the waiting orders registered in the waiting storage means in response to the calling operation;
The turn waiting call apparatus characterized in that the turn waiting specified in the call operation is deleted after the connection operation and the display operation performed in response to the call operation. A key telephone provided with an indicator;
A private branch exchange to which the key telephone is connected;
An input device for waiting for a turn to accept a registration operation waiting for a turn,
With paging speakers,
The private branch exchange is
A waiting registration means for registering a waiting queue in a queue in response to the registration operation;
Means for storing scheduled voice messages;
Means for creating an electronic sound representing a receipt number for each waiting in the turn;
Means for synthesizing a call message based on the voice message and the electronic sound;
Means for sending the synthesized call message to the paging speaker in response to a call operation input by a button operation of the key telephone;
The display control means for displaying on-call information on the key telephone for the order waiting designated in the calling operation among the waiting orders registered in the waiting storage means in response to the calling operation,
The turn waiting call apparatus configured to delete the turn waiting queue registered first after completion of the message sending operation and the display operation performed in response to the call operation. A turn waiting confirmation machine for accepting the confirmation operation of the queue;
A waiting state display means,
The private branch exchange is
3. The apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: a unit that retrieves an order waiting status from the queue in response to the confirmation operation and sends the order waiting status to the order waiting status display unit. Sequential call device.   4. The turn waiting call device according to claim 3, wherein the turn waiting status display means is provided in the key telephone. The waiting input device has a printing function for issuing a receipt slip with a receipt number;
The waiting device for waiting for a turn according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the registration means is configured to register a turn waiting together with the receipt number.   3. The turn waiting call apparatus according to claim 1, wherein in the call operation, the turn waiting call apparatus is set in advance so as to designate the turn waiting at the head of the queue as a call target. 4. 3. The turn waiting call apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said turn waiting target is returned to a predetermined position in the queue and re-registered when the call fails.

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