JP2007181152A - Telephone connection method, communication controller, call agent server, telephone connection system, communication control program, and communication program - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To improve the completion rate of a telephone call even when originated calls are concentrated at the time of a disaster or the like. <P>SOLUTION: A call agent server 7 accepts reservation information of a preferential call transmitted from a telephone set 2, registers the reservation information in a telephone reservation database and calls the telephone set 2 of a call originating telephone number on the date and time indicated in this reservation information. When it is detected that the called telephone set 2 is off-hooked, a called destination telephone number indicated in the reservation information of the telephone set 2 is then called. At such a time, a communication controller 3, 5 connect the call origination as a preferential call even when calling is made to a telephone number (telephone number of a telephone set 4) regulated to be called in a call regulated telephone number database. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a telephone connection technique when congestion occurs.

In order to prevent congestion of the telephone line at the time of a disaster, the telephone exchange performs outgoing call restrictions (incoming call restrictions and outgoing call restrictions) in zone center units (each prefecture, each regional unit). For this reason, there is a problem that telephones necessary for disasters are not connected. In order to solve such a problem, a technique has been proposed in which a communication control device such as a telephone exchange preferentially connects a predetermined call even when call restriction is applied (see, for example, Patent Document 1).
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 8-125040

  However, in the above-described technology, a call that is preferentially connected is a call to the police, a fire department, or the like, and a call to a general subscriber's telephone is not preferentially connected. In other words, when calls are concentrated, it does not improve the completion rate of calls to telephones of general subscribers. Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide a telephone connection method that solves the above-described problems and improves the call completion rate of general subscribers even when outgoing calls are restricted in a disaster or the like.

  In order to solve the above-described problems, the telephone connection method of the present invention refers to one or more communication control devices that perform outgoing call restriction to a predetermined telephone with reference to a outgoing call restriction telephone number database that indicates telephone numbers for which outgoing calls are restricted. And a call connection server including a call agent server for controlling the communication control device, wherein the call agent server is not subject to the call restriction in the communication control device from another device. Receiving reservation information indicating a caller telephone number of a priority call to be connected, a callee telephone number, and a reservation date and time, and registering the reservation information in a telephone reservation database; to the communication control device Transmitting the reservation information, and the communication control device records the reservation information received from the call agent server in a storage unit. The call agent server executes a step of making a call to the telephone of the caller telephone number at the reservation date and time indicated in the reservation information of the telephone reservation database, and the communication control device When detecting that the called telephone is off-hooked, executing the step of connecting the off-hook telephone and the telephone of the callee telephone number indicated in the reservation information relating to the telephone as a priority call. It was.

  The telephone connection system of the present invention includes the communication control device according to claim 10 and the call agent server according to any one of claims 11 to 13.

  According to such a telephone connection method or telephone connection system, a call agent server (hereinafter abbreviated as CA server) receives priority call reservation information and transfers it to the communication control device. Then, the communication control device preferentially connects the telephones at the reservation date and time based on the reservation information. In addition, since this reservation information includes information regarding the reservation date and time when the priority call is made, the user of the caller telephone can call the other telephone at his / her favorite date and time. Furthermore, by accepting reservations for priority calls, the CA server can distribute calls to a date and time later than the date and time when line congestion is likely to occur, such as immediately after a disaster occurs. Therefore, the call completion rate can be improved. The other device may be a caller telephone set, a PC (Personal Computer) of a user of the telephone set, a PDA (Personal Digital (Data) Assistants), or the like.

  The telephone connection method according to the present invention is the telephone connection method according to claim 1, wherein the other device is the caller telephone set, and the communication control device includes the caller telephone set. When the connected communication control device accepts a call from the telephone, and when the call destination telephone number of the accepted call is included in the call restriction telephone number database, the call restriction flag is included in the call And a step of transferring to a call agent server connected to the communication control device, and the call agent server transfers the call with the call restriction flag added from the communication control device. Receiving information for prompting input of the reservation information to the caller telephone set of the call, and receiving reservation information from the caller telephone set. It was decided to further execution.

  According to such a telephone connection method, when the received call is an outgoing call subject to call restriction, the communication control apparatus automatically transfers the call to the CA server and stores reservation information from the caller telephone. Receive. That is, the user of the caller telephone can immediately reserve a priority call when a call cannot be made to the other telephone due to outgoing call restrictions. The information that prompts input of reservation information is, for example, voice guidance that prompts input of reservation information.

  The telephone connection method of the present invention is the telephone connection method according to claim 2, wherein the call agent server stores a usage fee table in which a reservation fee is set lower as the reservation date and time is later, and the reservation information is stored. When received, a step of calculating a reservation fee based on the reservation date and time indicated in the received reservation information and the usage fee table, and recording the calculated reservation fee in the storage unit as the charging information of the caller telephone And decided to execute.

  The CA server of the present invention is the call agent server according to claim 11, wherein the storage unit of the call agent server further stores a usage fee table in which a reservation fee is set to be cheaper as the reservation date and time is later, When receiving the reservation information, the processing unit of the call agent server calculates a reservation fee based on the reservation date and time and the usage fee table indicated in the received reservation information, and the calculated reservation fee is calculated as the call source. It is recorded in the storage unit as billing information of the telephone.

  According to such a telephone connection method or CA server, the CA server can charge a reservation fee to the user of this system. In addition, since the reservation fee is cheaper as the reservation date and time is later, the CA server can prompt the user to reserve a priority call at a later date and time. Therefore, since calls can be distributed after the date and time when line congestion is likely to occur, such as immediately after a disaster, congestion can be prevented and the call completion rate can be improved.

  The telephone connection method according to the present invention is the telephone connection method according to claim 3, wherein the call agent server is connected at every elapsed time from a predetermined date and time based on traffic information of a communication network to which the telephone is connected. Predicting the number of possible lines, calculating the number of priority call lines that can be reserved for each elapsed time from the predetermined date and time based on the predicted number of lines and reservation information in the telephone reservation database, The step of transmitting the number of received lines and the reservation fee to the caller telephone is further executed.

  The call agent server according to the present invention is the call agent server according to claim 12, wherein the processing unit of the call agent server is: (1) based on traffic information of a communication network to which the telephone is connected; The number of lines that can be connected is predicted for each elapsed time from (2), and (2) reservation can be made for each elapsed time from the predetermined date and time based on the predicted number of connectable lines and reservation information in the telephone reservation database The number of priority call lines is calculated, and (3) the calculated number of lines and the reservation fee are transmitted to the terminal device via the IP network.

  According to such a telephone connection method or CA server, the user of this system can confirm the number of lines that can be reserved via a network such as the Internet before making a reservation for a priority call. In addition, the CA server predicts the number of lines that can be connected based on the current traffic information in the communication network, and accepts reservations for priority calls with the number of lines as the upper limit. It can be certain.

  The telephone connection method of the present invention is the telephone connection method according to claim 1, wherein the call agent server receives the reservation information via an IP network.

  According to such a telephone connection method, a user of this system can reserve a priority call via an IP network.

  The telephone connection method of the present invention is the telephone connection method according to any one of claims 2 to 5, wherein the communication control is performed when the call agent server cannot receive the reservation information. The step of transferring the call with the call restriction flag transferred from the device to another call agent server is further executed.

  According to such a telephone connection method, even if the CA server cannot receive the reservation information due to, for example, transmission restrictions or communication failure, the reservation information can be received by another CA server. That is, the CA server can reliably receive the reservation information.

  The telephone connection method of the present invention is the telephone connection method according to any one of claims 2 to 6, wherein the step of connecting as the priority call includes the communication control device connecting as the priority call. In this case, the bandwidth of the line to be assigned when the call is made is different from the bandwidth of the line assigned to the connection other than the priority call.

  According to such a telephone connection method, when a telephone connection is made as a priority call, the communication control device allocates a band different from that of other telephone connections, so that the communication control apparatus can be reliably connected to the call destination.

  Further, the telephone connection method of the present invention is the telephone connection method according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the communication control device allocates a bandwidth of a line allocated when connecting as the priority call; The bandwidth of the line allocated to the connection other than the priority call is made variable.

  According to such a telephone connection method, the communication control device increases the bandwidth allocated to the priority call in a time zone in which more priority calls need to be connected, such as immediately after a disaster, and in other time zones. Can increase the bandwidth allocated to calls other than priority calls. Therefore, the call completion rate can be improved as a whole system.

  Further, the telephone connection method of the present invention refers to one or more communication control devices that restrict outgoing calls to a predetermined telephone with reference to a outgoing call restriction telephone number database that indicates telephone numbers for which outgoing calls are restricted, and the communication control device. A telephone connection method using a telephone connection system including a call agent server for controlling a call origination telephone number and a call destination telephone of a priority call to be connected as an out-of-call target in the communication control device A step in which the call agent server having a telephone reservation database for storing reservation information indicating a number and a reservation date / time receives reservation information transmitted from another device and registers the reservation information in the telephone reservation database; Transmitting the reservation information to the communication control device, and the reservation date and time indicated in the reservation information of the telephone reservation database A step of making a call to a telephone having a calling party telephone number, and when detecting that the calling telephone has been off-hooked, the telephone makes a call to the telephone having a calling party telephone number indicated in the reservation information. Executing a call including a priority call flag indicating that the call is a priority call; a step in which the communication control device receives a call from a telephone; and the received call includes the priority call flag. The step of connecting as a priority call to the call destination telephone of the call is executed.

  According to such a telephone connection method, since a priority call flag is attached to a call to be treated as a priority call, the communication control apparatus does not refer to the reservation information and should be connected as a priority call. It can be determined whether or not.

  The communication control device of the present invention is a communication control device that controls outgoing calls to a predetermined telephone with reference to a outgoing call restriction telephone number database that indicates telephone numbers for which outgoing calls are restricted. The reservation information indicating the caller telephone number, the callee telephone number, and the reservation date and time of the priority call to be connected as being exempt from the call restriction in the communication control device is stored. A storage unit that accepts a call from a telephone; a call date and time and a caller telephone number of the received call are a reservation date and a caller telephone number indicated in the reservation information stored in the storage unit; At the same time, a processing unit for connecting this call as a priority call to the telephone having the call destination telephone number indicated in the reservation information is provided.

  According to such a communication control device, the communication control device can preferentially connect the telephones at the reservation date and time. In other words, since calls can be distributed after the date and time when line congestion is likely to occur, such as immediately after a disaster, congestion can be prevented and the call completion rate can be improved.

  The call agent server of the present invention is a call agent server that controls a communication control device that controls outgoing calls to a predetermined telephone with reference to a outgoing call restriction telephone number database that indicates telephone numbers for which outgoing calls are restricted. The caller telephone number, the callee telephone number, and the reservation date and time of the priority call that is transmitted from the terminal device of the user of the telephone and is connected as not subject to the call restriction in the communication control device. A storage unit having a telephone reservation database storing the reservation information; (1) registering the reservation information transmitted from the terminal device in the telephone reservation database; and (2) transmitting the reservation information to the communication control device. (3) Call the telephone having the caller telephone number at the reservation date and time indicated in the reservation information, and (4) The communication telephone sets the telephone to be called When it is detected that has been off-hook, it was decided to include the said off-hook has been phone, and a processing unit to connect the priority call and a telephone calling destination telephone number indicated in the reservation information.

  According to such a call agent server, the CA server can preferentially connect the telephones to the communication control device at the reservation date and time. In other words, since calls can be distributed after the date and time when line congestion is likely to occur, such as immediately after a disaster, congestion can be prevented and the call completion rate can be improved.

  A program according to the present invention causes a computer to function as the communication control device according to claim 10.

  A computer in which such a program is installed can realize the functions of the communication control device according to the tenth aspect based on the program.

  The program of the present invention causes a computer to function as the call agent server according to any one of claims 11 to 13.

  A computer in which such a program is installed can realize the functions of the call agent server according to any one of claims 11 to 13 based on the program.

  According to the present invention, since the call agent server accepts reservations for priority calls, the call completion rate can be improved.

<First Embodiment>
Hereinafter, the best mode for carrying out the present invention (hereinafter referred to as an embodiment) will be described with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a telephone connection system according to the first embodiment.
As shown in FIG. 1, the telephone connection system includes a caller telephone 2, a callee telephone 4 of the telephone 2, communication control devices 3 and 5, and a call that controls the communication control devices 3 and 5. Agent server (CA server) 7. The telephones 2 and 4 and the communication control devices 3 and 5 are connected by a communication network 1 which is a telephone line network. The CA server 7 and the communication control devices 3 and 5 are connected by dedicated lines 11 and 13, respectively. The communication control device 3 and the communication control device 5 are connected by a dedicated line 12. In the following description, a case where outgoing calls are concentrated due to the occurrence of a disaster and outgoing calls are restricted will be described as an example. However, outgoing calls may be restricted for other reasons.

  The communication control device 3 accommodates the telephone 2 and controls outgoing calls from the telephone 2 and incoming calls from other telephones. Further, the communication control device 5 accommodates the telephone 4 and controls outgoing calls from the telephone 4 and incoming calls from other telephones. Each of the communication control devices 3 and 5 stores a telephone number that is subject to outgoing call regulation, and regulates outgoing calls to incoming telephone calls and incoming calls in a disaster. The communication control devices 3 and 5 are realized by a telephone exchange or a computer, for example. In this embodiment, the communication control device 3 of the caller telephone set 2 and the communication control device 5 of the callee telephone set 4 will be described separately, but the same communication control device is used. Also good.

  The CA server 7 also receives priority call reservation information from the telephone 2 and the like via the communication control device 3. Based on this reservation information, the telephone 2 and the telephone 4 are connected as a priority call at a predetermined date and time. In other words, even if the telephone number of the telephone 4 is a telephone number subject to call restriction in the communication control devices 3 and 5, a call from the telephone 2 is called to the telephone 4 and the user of the telephone 2 uses the telephone 4. To talk to the person.

  The CA server 7 is realized by a computer that can communicate with the communication control devices 3 and 5 via the dedicated lines 11 and 13. The telephones 2 and 4 are described as fixed telephones here, but may be cellular phones or the like. In the following description, it is assumed that the telephone 4 is a telephone in a disaster area, and the telephone 2 reserves a priority call to the telephone 4 and makes a call. Further, the number of telephones 2 and 4, CA server 7 and communication control devices 3 and 5 is not limited to the number shown in FIG. 1.

<Outline of operation of telephone connection system>
Here, an outline of the operation of the telephone connection system of FIG. 1 will be described.
First, when a disaster occurs, the communication control devices 3 and 5 regulate outgoing calls to a telephone (for example, the telephone 4) in the disaster area. Here, the outgoing call restriction is, for example, restriction on outgoing and incoming calls to the telephone 4. Next, when the communication control device 3 recognizes that the call from the telephone set 2 is subject to call restriction, that is, recognizes that the call is directed to the telephone set 4 in the disaster area, A flag indicating that the call is a call to a telephone number subject to call restriction is attached and transferred to the CA server 7. When the CA server 7 receives the transfer of the call having such a flag, the CA server 7 transmits voice guidance or the like to the telephone set 2 and accepts the input of reservation information for the priority call from the telephone set 2. The reservation information input at this time includes the caller telephone number (for example, the telephone number of the telephone 2), the callee telephone number (for example, the telephone number of the telephone 4), and the reservation date and time for calling the callee telephone number. Etc. The input is performed by DTMF (Dial Tone Multi Frequency) by the telephone 2 or the like.

Then, the CA server 7 performs a callback to the telephone 2 when the reservation date and time indicated by the reservation information comes. When the communication control device 3 detects that the telephone set 2 is off-hooked, the communication control device 3 calls the telephone set 4 via the communication control device 5. At this time, the telephone number of the telephone 4 is registered as a call restriction telephone number in the communication control device 5, but is not subject to call restriction. That is, the communication control device 5 sets the call as a priority call and connects to the telephone 4. After that, when the user of the telephone set 4 is off-hook, that is, when a call is answered, the telephone set 2 and the telephone set 4 are connected, and a call can be made.
Note that after the CA server 7 makes a callback to the telephone set 2, the CA server 7 detects that the telephone set 2 is off-hooked by the CA server 7 itself, and the CA server 7 communicates with the communication control devices 3 and 5 from the telephone set 2 to the telephone set 4. You may make it connect the call to to as a priority call.

  In this way, the CA server 7 accepts a reservation of the date and time for calling from the caller telephone set 2 to the callee telephone set 4 and makes a call from the telephone set 2 to the telephone set 4 after a predetermined time has elapsed since the occurrence of the disaster. Therefore, it is possible to prevent calls from being concentrated immediately after a disaster.

  When charging the usage fee of this system, it is preferable to make the charging cheaper as the reservation is made later from the date and time when the disaster occurs (the higher the reservation is made earlier from the date and time when the disaster occurs). In this way, the user of this system can be urged to set the reservation date and time to a later date and time from the disaster occurrence time. Therefore, it is possible to prevent calls from being concentrated and congestion on the line from occurring.

<Communication control device>
FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a hardware configuration of the communication control apparatus of FIG.
Since the communication control devices 3 and 5 have the same configuration, the configuration of the communication control device 3 will be described here as a representative. As shown in FIG. 2, the communication control device 3 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 310 that performs various arithmetic processes, a communication interface 320 that is a communication interface between the communication network 1 and the dedicated lines 11 and 12, and line switching. The switch 330 is configured to include a storage unit 340. The storage unit 340 includes, for example, a RAM (Random Access Memory), a hard disk device, and the like. The reservation priority call database 341, the outgoing call restriction telephone number database 342, the charging information 343, the usage history 344, and the usage fee table 345 and a communication control program 346 are stored. The CPU 310 refers to various data in the storage unit 340 and executes the communication control program 346 to realize the function of the communication control device 3.

The reservation priority call database 341 is a database that stores reservation information of outgoing calls handled as priority calls in the communication control device 3.
As shown in Table 1 below, this reservation information includes a caller telephone number, a callee telephone number, and a reservation date and time.
The reservation information in Table 1 is that a call is made from a caller telephone number “xx-xxxx-xxxx” to a callee telephone number “yy-yyyy-yyyy” and to a priority call at a reservation date “zzz.zz.zz”. Indicates that it is reserved to do. The reservation priority call database 341 is created based on the reservation information transmitted from the CA server 7.
The reservation date and time in the reservation information may be a specific date such as “December 15, 2005, 10:00”, or “December 15, 2005, 10: 00 to 14:00. And so on.

  In addition to the reserved priority call database 341, the storage unit 340 may store a telephone number list to be connected as a priority call in the event of a disaster such as a police or a fire department.

  The outgoing call restriction telephone number database 342 is a database that stores telephone numbers for which the communication control device 3 restricts outgoing calls. It should be noted that the call destination telephone number in the outgoing call restriction telephone number database 342 may describe only a number (area code or the like) specifying an area where outgoing calls are restricted.

  The billing information 343 is information indicating a usage fee of a telephone (for example, the telephone 2) accommodated in the communication control device 3. This billing information 343 is used when a provider providing a telephone connection service charges a usage fee.

  The usage history 344 is information indicating a usage history (call history) of a telephone (for example, the telephone 2) accommodated in the communication control device 3.

  The usage fee table 345 is a table showing call charges when priority call connection is established. For example, as illustrated in Table 2 below, a call charge that is added to a normal call charge when connected by a priority call is shown.

  The usage charge table 345 illustrated in Table 2 shows that if the call duration with the other party connected by the priority call is up to 1 minute, the charge added to the normal call charge is 0 yen, and up to 2 minutes. The added fee is 100 yen. That is, in the usage fee table 345 illustrated in Table 2, the call charge to be added is reduced as the call time is shorter, and the call charge to be added is increased as the call time is longer. The communication control apparatus 3 can charge the user based on the usage fee table 345 to prompt the user to finish the call in a short time even if the call can be made through the priority call.

<Functions of communication control device>
FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a functional development of the communication control apparatus of FIG.
As shown in FIG. 3, the function of the communication control device 3 is a communication interface between the switch 330, a storage unit 340 that stores various data, a processing unit 350 that performs various arithmetic processes, and the telephone 2 and the CA server 7. It is divided into an interface unit 380. The function of the processing unit 350 is realized by execution processing of the communication control program 346 by the CPU 310 described above. The processing unit 350 includes a connection control unit 351, a billing unit 353, a user management unit 354, and a usage history recording unit 355.
The interface unit 380 includes the communication interface 320 in FIG.

  The connection control unit 351 instructs the switch 330 to switch the line (subscriber line and dedicated line 11) for transferring the call.

  The charging unit 353 refers to the usage history 344 that is a call record of the telephone set 2 and the usage charge table 345 that indicates the call charge for each call time, calculates the usage charge of the telephone 2 and charges the calculation result. Write as information 343.

  After the disaster occurs, the user management unit 354 creates the outgoing call restriction telephone number database 342 from the telephone numbers (area codes etc.) of the outgoing call restriction target area. It is assumed that the telephone number of the call restriction target area is received from a telephone station (not shown) via the communication network 1, for example. In addition, when receiving a call from the telephone, the user management unit 354 determines whether or not the call destination telephone number of the call is a telephone number included in the outgoing call restriction telephone number database 342. Here, when the call destination telephone number is included in the outgoing call restriction telephone number database 342, the user management unit 354 adds a flag (outgoing restriction flag) indicating that the outgoing call is subject to outgoing restriction. Then, the connection control unit 351 transmits it to the CA server 7.

  Furthermore, when accepting a call, the user management unit 354 refers to the reservation priority call database 341 and determines whether or not this call should be handled as a priority call. For example, when a call from the telephone 2 is received, if the call date and time of the received call and the telephone number of the telephone 2 are registered in the reserved priority call database 341, it is determined that the call should be treated as a priority call. To do. On the other hand, even if the reservation information related to the telephone 2 is not registered in the reservation priority call database 341 or the reservation information of the telephone 2 is registered, if the calling date / time is different from the reservation date / time of the reservation information, the priority call Judge that it should not be treated as.

  When the user management unit 354 determines that the call should be handled as a priority call, the connection control unit 351 transfers the call to the communication control device 5. Specifically, the priority call is first transferred to the CA server 7, and then transferred from the CA server 7 to the communication control device 5 that accommodates the telephone 4. On the other hand, if the user management unit 354 determines that the call should not be treated as a priority call, the call is restricted if the call is registered in the call restriction telephone number database 342, and if the call is not registered, the call is sent. Treat as a normal call without any restrictions.

  The usage history recording unit 355 records a usage history such as a call history of the telephone (telephone 2) accommodated in the communication control device 5 in the usage history 344.

<CA server>
FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a hardware configuration of the CA server shown in FIG.
As shown in FIG. 4, the CA server 7 includes a CPU 710 that performs various arithmetic processes, a communication interface 720, an input / output interface 750 for connecting to an operator terminal 75 that operates the CA server 7, and a storage unit 740. It is comprised including. The storage unit 740 includes a RAM, a hard disk device, and the like, and includes a telephone reservation database 741, billing information 746, a usage history 744, a usage fee table 745, user information 747, a reservation management program 742, and a communication program. 743 are stored.

Since the telephone reservation database 741 stores the same information as the reservation priority call database 341 stored in the communication control devices 3 and 5, the description thereof will be omitted.
The billing information 746 is information that records the system usage fee (reservation fee) of each telephone. This billing information 746 is used when a carrier providing a telephone connection service charges a telephone user.
The usage history 744 is information indicating a history when the CA server 7 makes a callback or when the call reservation unit 751 receives reservation information.
The usage fee table 745 is a table showing a reservation fee when a priority call is reserved by this system. This usage fee table 745 shows the reservation fee for each elapsed time from the disaster occurrence date and time as exemplified in Table 3.
The user information 747 is information indicating the user ID, password, and the like of the telephone 2 that the CA server 7 accepts calls. This user information 747 is referred to when the authentication unit 752 performs authentication.

  For example, in Table 3, if the priority call reservation date and time is one hour after the disaster occurrence date and time, the reservation fee is 100 yen, and if it is two hours later, the reservation fee is 80 yen. In other words, the reservation fee is set to be cheaper as time elapses from the disaster occurrence date and time. The CA server 7 performs charging based on such a usage charge table 745, so that the telephone user can be urged to reserve a priority call at a later time after a disaster occurs.

  The CPU 710 implements the function of the CA server 7 by referring to various data in the storage unit 740 and executing the reservation management program 742 and the communication program 743.

<CA functions>
FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing the functions of the CA shown in FIG.
As shown in FIG. 5, the function of the CA server 7 is divided into a storage unit 740 that stores various data, a processing unit 770 that performs various arithmetic processes, and an interface unit 780. The processing unit 770 includes a reservation management unit 760 and a communication unit 758. The function of the reservation management unit 760 is realized by execution processing of the reservation management program 742 by the CPU 710 described above, and the function of the communication unit 758 is realized by execution processing of the communication program 743.

  The reservation management unit 760 includes a call reservation unit 751, an authentication unit 752, a charging unit 753, a history recording unit 754, a reservation control instruction unit 756, and a session control unit 757. The interface unit 780 includes a communication interface 720 and an input / output interface 750.

  When the call reservation unit 751 receives a call with a call restriction flag among the calls transferred from the communication control device 3, the call reservation unit 751 performs user authentication with respect to the user of the telephone set 2 by the authentication unit 752, and then prioritizes the call. Accept call reservations. The call reservation unit 751 registers the reservation information in the telephone reservation database 741 when receiving input of reservation information from the telephone set 2 by DTMF or the like.

  The charging unit 753 calculates a reservation fee for the telephone 2 with reference to the usage fee table 745 and writes the calculation result as charging information 746.

  The history recording unit 754 writes the reservation information received by the call reservation unit 751 into the telephone reservation database 741. When the session control unit 757 makes a callback or when the call reservation unit 751 accepts reservation information, a record to that effect is written in the usage history 744.

  The reservation control instruction unit 756 gives a call connection instruction at the reservation date and time of the telephone reservation database 741 to the communication control devices 3 and 5. That is, the reservation information in the telephone reservation database 741 is transmitted to the communication control devices 3 and 5. This reservation information is transmitted to the communication control devices 3 and 5 when the telephone reservation database 741 is updated, for example.

  The session control unit 757 refers to the telephone reservation database 741 and performs a callback to the telephone (for example, the telephone 2) having the calling telephone number at the reservation date and time indicated in the reservation information.

  The communication unit 758 communicates with the communication control devices 3 and 5, the communication network 1, the operator terminal 75, and the like via the interface unit 780. The operator terminal 75 is a terminal for inputting various instructions to the CA server 7.

<Description of operation>
Here, the operation of the present system will be described with reference to the flowcharts of FIGS.
6 and 7 are flowcharts showing the operation of the telephone connection system of FIG.
First, when a disaster occurs, the communication control device 3 performs outgoing call restriction (S101). Further, the communication control device 5 also regulates incoming calls (S130). That is, the user management unit 354 of the communication control devices 3 and 5 creates the outgoing call restriction telephone number database 342. Then, the outgoing call restriction and the incoming call restriction based on the outgoing call restriction telephone number database 342 are performed.

  Here, when the user management unit 354 of the communication control device 3 accepts a call from the telephone 2 to the telephone 4 in the disaster area (S102), the user management unit 354 determines that the call destination telephone number of the call is a call restriction. It is determined whether it is a telephone number (S103). That is, the user management unit 354 determines whether or not the outgoing call restriction telephone number database 342 includes the call destination telephone number of this call. Here, when it is determined that the call destination telephone number is a call restriction telephone number (Yes in S103), the user management unit 354 attaches a call restriction flag to the call, and the connection control unit 351 causes the CA server. 7 (S104). On the other hand, when the user management unit 354 determines that the call destination telephone number is not a call restriction telephone number (No in S103), the user management unit 354 connects to the call destination telephone 4 by a normal connection procedure (S110).

  When the call reservation unit 751 of the CA server 7 receives the transfer of the call from the telephone set 2 from the communication control device 3, the call reservation unit 751 receives the call. Then, the call reservation unit 751 receives the priority call reservation information from the telephone set 2 by sending a message (voice guidance or the like) prompting the telephone set 2 to input the priority call reservation information (S107). At this time, the authentication unit 752 performs user authentication for the telephone 2. When the call reservation unit 751 receives reservation information for a priority call from the telephone set 2 within a predetermined time (Yes in S108), the history recording unit 754 registers the received reservation information in the telephone reservation database 741, and makes a telephone reservation. The database 741 is updated (S109).

The charging unit 753 refers to the reservation date and time of the reservation information received from the telephone 2 and the usage fee table 745, calculates the reservation fee for the telephone 2, and writes the calculated reservation fee in the charging information 746. Further, the history recording unit 754 writes in the usage history 744 that the reservation information has been received.
On the other hand, when the call reservation unit 751 does not receive the priority call reservation information from the telephone set 2 within a predetermined time (No in S108), the call is discarded (S120). That is, the call from the telephone 2 is disconnected and the process is terminated.

  Then, after updating the telephone reservation database 741 in S109, the reservation control instruction unit 757 transmits the reservation information of the telephone reservation database 741 to the communication control devices 3 and 5 (S140). As the reservation information to be transmitted at this time, only the information updated in the telephone reservation database 741 may be transmitted, or all the information in the telephone reservation database 741 may be transmitted.

  Turning to the description of FIG. When receiving the reservation information from the CA server 7, the user management unit 354 of the communication control device 3 registers this reservation information in the reservation priority call database 341. That is, the reservation priority call database 341 is updated (S201). Similarly, when the communication control device 5 receives the reservation information from the CA server 7, it updates the reservation priority call database 341 (S203).

  Based on the reservation information in the telephone reservation database 741, the session control unit 757 of the CA server 7 performs a callback to the telephone (telephone 2) of the caller telephone number indicated in the reservation information at the reservation date and time (S210). Then, the history recording unit 754 of the CA server 7 records the callback history in the usage history 744.

  Next, when the telephone 2 that has received a callback from the CA server 7 is off-hooked (S211), the telephone 2 first connects to the communication control device 3.

When the user management unit 354 of the communication control device 3 accepts a call from the telephone 2, it determines whether or not information related to the call is in the reservation priority call database 341 (S212). In other words, if the reservation information describing the call date and time of the call and the caller telephone number (phone number of the telephone 2) is registered in the reservation priority call database 341 (Yes in S212), the connection control unit 351 connects the call as a priority call. That is, the telephone (telephone 4) having the call destination telephone number registered in the reservation information is called as a priority call (S214).
On the other hand, if the reservation information in which the call date and time of the call and the caller telephone number (phone number of the telephone 2) are not registered in the reservation priority call database 341 (No in S212), call restriction is performed. This is performed (S213). That is, the call is not made as a priority call.

  When receiving the call to the telephone 4 transferred from the communication control device 3, the communication control device 5 determines whether or not the information related to this call is in the reserved priority call database 341, as in S212 described above. (S215). When the information related to the call is in the reservation priority call database 341 (Yes in S215), the process proceeds to S217. When the information is not in the reservation priority call database 341 (No in S215), the process proceeds to S216. Since S216 is the same process as S213 described above, and S217 is the same process as S214 described above, the description thereof is omitted.

  When the telephone 4 receives the outgoing call transferred from the communication control device 5 and the user of the telephone 4 goes off-hook (S218), the telephone 2 is connected to the telephone 4 and is ready to talk (S219, S220). . When the communication control device 3 detects the end of the call of the telephones 2 and 4 (S221), the communication time of the telephone 2 is recorded in the usage history 344 and charged (S222). That is, the usage history recording unit 355 records the call time of the telephone 2 in the usage history 344. The charging unit 353 calculates the usage fee with reference to the call time of the telephone 2 recorded in the usage history 344 and the usage fee table 345, and records the calculation result in the charging information 343.

  Note that the signal transmitted when the CA server 7 calls back to the telephone set 2 in S210 includes a control signal for instructing a call from the telephone set 2 to the telephone set 4, and the telephone set 2 makes a call to the telephone set 4 based on this control signal. You may make it call. That is, the telephone 2 itself may make a call to the telephone 4. In this case, whether or not the communication control device 3 should be connected as a priority call is determined based on, for example, the combination of the call origination date and time, the caller telephone number, and the callee telephone number of the accepted call. Judgment is made based on whether or not it is registered. Further, a flag indicating that the call from the telephone is a priority call (priority call flag) may be included in the control signal transmitted by the CA server 7 at the time of callback to the telephone 2. That is, when the telephone set 2 off-hooks the callback from the CA server 7, the telephone set 2 makes a call including the priority call flag to the telephone set 4. Therefore, the communication control devices 3 and 5 that have received a call from the telephone 2 can determine whether or not the call should be treated as a priority call based on the presence or absence of the priority call flag, so refer to the reserved priority call database 341. There is no need to do it.

  In the above-described embodiment, both communication control apparatuses 3 and 5 determine whether or not the call should be handled as a priority call. However, only one of the communication control apparatuses determines. You may do it. That is, the determination may be made only by the communication control device 3 or may be made only by the communication control device 5.

  In the embodiment described above, the CA server 7 includes the reservation management unit 760 and receives the reservation information. However, a reservation management server may be provided separately.

<Second Embodiment>
Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described. Constituent elements similar to those in the first embodiment described above are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof is omitted.

FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a telephone connection system according to the second embodiment. As shown in FIG. 8, the telephone connection system according to the second embodiment includes a plurality of CA servers 8, 9, and 10. The CA server 9 has the same configuration as the CA server 7 described above, and has a reservation information registration function. The CA server 9 may be, for example, a temporary CA server that is brought into the vicinity of a disaster area and connected to the communication network 1 by a communication carrier. Further, when the CA servers 8 and 10 accept a call from the telephone 2, the call is transferred to a predetermined CA server based on the call destination telephone number of the call. The CA server that has received the call transfer connects the telephones.
For example, when the CA server 10 in FIG. 8 receives a call from the telephone 2 to the telephone 4, it searches for a CA server that accommodates the telephone 4. If the CA server that accommodates the telephone 4 (for example, the CA server 8) is a CA server installed in the congestion control target area, it has a function for registering a call reservation information and is outside the congestion control target area. Transfer to the CA server 9. The CA server 9 receives reservation information from the telephone 2 and registers it. On the other hand, if the CA server 8 searched by the CA server 10 is a CA server outside the congestion control target area, the CA server 10 transfers the call to the CA server 8 and connects the telephone 2 and the telephone 4.

  Next, the configuration of the CA server 10 in FIG. 8 will be described with reference to FIG. As illustrated in FIG. 9, the processing unit 770 of the CA server 10 includes an authentication unit 752, a charging unit 752, a history recording unit 754, a session control unit 757, and a communication unit 758. That is, in the configuration of the processing unit 770 of the CA server 7 in FIG. 5 described above, the call reservation unit 751 and the reservation control instruction unit 756 are omitted. The storage unit 740 includes usage history 744, billing information 746, user information 747, congestion control target area information 748, and CA server information 749.

  The authentication unit 752 refers to the information of the user information 747, and from the telephone number, user ID, password, etc. of the telephone set 2 included in the received call, it is sure that the call is from the subscriber telephone set 2. Authenticate. When the telephones 753 are connected to each other, the charging unit 753 charges the usage fee (call charge) of the caller telephone. Then, the usage fee (call charge) at this time is written in the billing information 343. The history recording unit 754 writes the call history of the subscriber's telephone in the usage history 744. The session control unit 757 refers to the CA server information 749 and the congestion control target area information 748 to select a CA server that transfers the accepted call. The session control unit 757 disconnects or establishes a session with the CA server.

  The usage history 744 is information indicating a telephone call history and the like. As described above, the billing information 746 is information indicating a usage fee (call charge) for each telephone. The user information 747 is information indicating a subscriber's telephone number, user ID, password, and the like.

The congestion control target area information 748 is information indicating in which area (area) of the communication network 1 congestion is currently occurring. The congestion control target area information 748 is input via the interface unit 780 of the CA server 10, for example.
The CA server information 749 is information indicating the identification information of the CA server to which the call should be transferred for each call destination telephone number of the call. Table 4 below illustrates the CA server information 749.

The CA server information 749 illustrated in Table 4 indicates that when a call to the telephone number “yy-yyyy-***” is accepted, the call is transferred to the CA server 8. The CA server information 749 is input via the interface unit 780 of the CA server 10, for example. The CA server information 749 includes information on the CA server 9 having a reservation information registration function.
The session control unit 757 refers to the CA server information 749 illustrated in Table 4 and searches for the CA server that transfers the accepted call. Then, referring to the congestion control target area information 748, if the searched CA server 8 is not a CA server in the congestion control target area, the received call is transferred to the CA server 8. On the other hand, if the searched CA server 8 is a CA server in the congestion control target area, it is transferred to the CA server 9 having a reservation information registration function.

According to such a CA server 10, since the reservation information is received by the CA server 9 even when the CA server 8 is subject to congestion control due to a disaster or the like, the telephone 2 and the telephone 4 can be connected as a priority call. .
Note that the charging unit 753, the history recording unit 754, the charging information 746, and the usage history 744 are not essential components for the CA server 10. That is, telephone call charges and usage histories are recorded by the communication control devices 3 and 5 and not particularly recorded by the CA server 10.

<Third Embodiment>
Next, a third embodiment of the present invention will be described.
The third embodiment is characterized in that the priority call reservation status (number of reservations, etc.) is disclosed on an IP network such as the Internet, and reservation information for priority calls is also received via the IP network. Constituent elements similar to those of the above-described embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals and description thereof is omitted.

FIG. 10 is a configuration diagram of a telephone connection system according to the third embodiment.
As shown in FIG. 10, the telephone connection system according to the third embodiment has a configuration further including a reservation management server 92, an IP network 21, and a terminal device 20.

FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing the operation of the telephone connection system of FIG.
The operation of the telephone connection system at this time will be described with reference to FIG. Similar to FIG. 6 described above, the communication control device 3 performs outgoing call restriction (S101). Further, the communication control device 5 performs incoming call restriction (S130). Then, the session control unit 757 of the CA server 7 receives information related to the traffic of the communication network 1 from a telephone station or the like, and updates the communication traffic database (S1100). This communication traffic database is a database that stores the traffic status of the communication network 1 (information indicating how many lines the exchange of the communication network 1 is currently connected to and how many other lines can be connected). And stored in the storage unit 740 of the CA server 7. The call reservation unit 751 refers to the communication traffic database and the telephone reservation database 741 to predict the number of lines that can be connected (number of lines that can be reserved) for each elapsed time since the occurrence of the disaster. Based on the prediction result, the reservation management server 92 creates a reservation screen (S1101). This reservation screen will be described later with reference to FIG.

  Next, when the reservation management server 92 receives a reservation screen display request for a priority call from the terminal device 20, the reservation screen is displayed on the terminal device 20 (S1102). Thereafter, when the reservation information input on the reservation screen is received from the terminal device 20, the reservation information is transferred to the CA server 7 (S1103). When the CA server 7 receives the reservation information transferred from the reservation management server 92 (S107), the CA server 7 updates the telephone reservation database 741 based on the reservation information (S109). Since the subsequent procedure is the same as that in FIGS. 6 and 7, the description thereof is omitted.

  Thus, the user of the telephone 2 can make a reservation for a priority call from the terminal device 20 via the IP network 21.

  Here, the reservation screen displayed on the terminal device 20 by the reservation management server 92 will be described. FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating a reservation screen displayed on the terminal device by the reservation management server of FIG. As shown in FIG. 12, the reservation screen includes input fields such as a user ID, a caller telephone number, and a callee telephone number, and a reservation input field (reservation for each reservation time zone (elapsed time since the occurrence of the disaster)). Column). Information input in each input field is written in the telephone reservation database 741 from the terminal device 20 via the reservation management server 92.

In the reservation column, a time zone may be selected and input as shown in FIG. 12, or a specific reservation date and time may be input.
In addition, on the reservation screen, as shown in an area 25, the number of lines that can be reserved (remaining lines) and the reservation fee for that time period are displayed for each reservation time period (reservation time). For example, the reservation screen in FIG. 12 indicates that the number of remaining lines that can be reserved in the 1 hour after the occurrence of the disaster is 5 lines, and the reservation fee in this time zone is 100 yen. Note that the reservation fee (call charge) in this area 25 is a call charge when connected by a priority call, and is displayed based on the usage charge table 745 (see Table 3) of the CA server 7.

  When the reservation management server 92 accepts reservation information from the terminal device 20, by displaying such a screen, the user confirms the number of remaining lines that can be reserved and the reservation fee required for the reservation, and then reserves the priority call. It can be performed. In addition, the reservation fee displayed by the reservation management server 92 is made cheaper as time elapses from the disaster occurrence date and time, so that the telephone user (priority call reservation person) can receive You can make reservations for priority calls later.

  In addition, as shown in the area 26, the reservation screen may be displayed together with a call charge when calling by a priority call. This call charge is created based on the use charge table 345 (see Table 2) of the communication control devices 3 and 5. In this way, the reservation management server 92 displays the cheaper charge on the reservation screen set as the communication charge as the call time is shorter, so that the call can be completed in a short time even if the reservation person can make a call by priority call. Can be encouraged. The reservation screen may include a button 27 for jumping to a disaster situation screen in the disaster area.

  In the above-described embodiment, the telephones 2 and 4 are IP telephones, and the communication control apparatuses 3 and 5 and the CA server 7 may be connected via an IP network such as the Internet. The IP network may be configured by a VPN (Virtual Private Network), and traffic management may be performed by a traffic management device (not shown) in the network. Further, this network may be IP-connected to other networks. Further, when IP telephones are used as the telephones 2 and 4, SIP (Session Initiation Protocol) is used for outgoing calls, and the gateway routers equipped with SIP are used for the communication control apparatuses 3 and 5.

Note that the connection control unit 351 of the communication control devices 3 and 5 may transfer the priority call using a band or a line set in advance for the priority call. That is, a band or line different from the band or line used for the non-priority call may be used for the priority call.
In addition, the connection control unit 351 increases the bandwidth and the number of lines allocated to the priority call and decreases the bandwidth and the number of lines allocated to the non-priority call in a time zone where more priority calls should be connected, such as immediately after a disaster. It may be. Then, as time elapses from the occurrence of the disaster, the bandwidth and line allocated to the non-priority call may be returned to the original state. By performing such control, the call completion rate of the entire system can be improved.

  Further, in the above-described embodiment, the communication control devices 3 and 5 have mainly described the case where the telephone 2 connects to the telephone 4 in the disaster area as a priority call. Calls to the telephone 2 outside the disaster area may be connected as priority calls.

  In the above-described embodiment, the reservation of the priority call from the telephone 2 is performed when the communication control device 3 calls the CA server 7 when the communication control device 3 accepts a call to a telephone number subject to call restriction. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the telephone 2 may directly call the CA server 7 to reserve a priority call. In this case, a large number of telephone numbers for connection to the CA server 7 may be prepared immediately after the occurrence of the disaster, and thereafter the telephone numbers may be reduced or changed.

  It is also possible to provide each program according to the present embodiment by storing it in a computer-readable storage medium (CD-ROM or the like). It is also possible to provide the program through a communication network such as the Internet.

It is a figure which shows the structure of the telephone connection system of 1st Embodiment. It is a block diagram which shows the hardware constitutions of the communication control apparatus of FIG. It is the block diagram which expanded and showed the function of the communication control apparatus of FIG. It is a block diagram which shows the hardware constitutions of CA server of FIG. It is the block diagram which expanded and showed the function of CA server of FIG. It is a flowchart which shows operation | movement of the telephone connection system of FIG. It is a flowchart which shows operation | movement of the telephone connection system of FIG. It is a figure which shows the structure of the telephone connection system of 2nd Embodiment. It is the block diagram which expanded and showed the function of CA server of FIG. It is a figure which shows the structure of the telephone connection system of 3rd Embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows operation | movement of the telephone connection system of FIG. It is the figure which illustrated the reservation screen which the reservation management server of FIG. 10 displays on a terminal device.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Communication network 2,4 Telephone 3,5 Communication control device 7,9,10 Call agent (CA) server 11,12,13 Dedicated line 20 Terminal device 75 Operator terminal 92 Reservation management server 310 CPU
320 Communication Interface 330 Switch 340 Storage Unit 341 Reservation Priority Call Database 342 Transmission Restricted Telephone Number Database 343 Charging Information 344 Usage History 345 Usage Charge Table 346 Communication Control Program 350 Processing Unit 351 Connection Control Unit 353 Accounting Unit 354 User Management Unit 355 Usage History Recording unit 380 Interface unit 710 CPU
720 Communication interface 740 Storage unit 741 Telephone reservation database 742 Reservation management program 743 Communication program 744 Usage history 745 Usage charge table 746 Billing information 750 Input / output interface 751 Call reservation unit 752 Authentication unit 753 Charging unit 754 History recording unit 756 Reservation control instruction unit 757 Session control unit 758 Communication unit 760 Reservation management unit 770 Processing unit 780 Interface unit

Claims (16)

A telephone including one or more communication control devices that restrict outgoing calls to a predetermined telephone with reference to a outgoing call restriction telephone number database that indicates telephone numbers for which outgoing calls are restricted, and a call agent server that controls the communication control device A telephone connection method using a connection system,
The call agent server is
Reservation information indicating a caller telephone number of a priority call, a callee telephone number, and a reservation date and time that are connected as being exempt from the call restriction in the communication control device is received from another device. Registering information in the telephone reservation database;
Transmitting the reservation information to the communication control device;
Run
The communication control device includes:
Recording reservation information received from the call agent server in a storage unit;
The call agent server is
Performing a call to the telephone of the caller telephone number at the reservation date and time indicated in the reservation information of the telephone reservation database;
The communication control device is
When detecting that the called telephone is off-hook, connecting the off-hook telephone and a telephone having a call destination telephone number indicated in reservation information relating to the telephone as a priority call;
A telephone connection method characterized in that: The other device is the caller telephone;
Among the communication control devices, a communication control device connected to the caller telephone,
Receiving a call from the telephone;
When the call origination telephone number database includes a call destination telephone number of the accepted call, a step of attaching a call restriction flag to the call and transferring the call to a call agent server connected to the communication control device When,
And run further
The call agent server is
A step of transmitting from the communication control device information prompting to input the reservation information to a caller telephone set of the call when receiving a transfer of the call with the call restriction flag attached thereto; The telephone connection method according to claim 1, further comprising the step of receiving reservation information from the original telephone. The call agent server stores a usage fee table in which a reservation fee is set cheaper as the reservation date and time is later,
When the reservation information is received, a reservation fee is calculated based on the reservation date and time and the usage fee table indicated in the received reservation information, and the calculated reservation fee is stored as the charging information of the caller telephone. The steps to record in
The telephone connection method according to claim 2, wherein: The call agent server is
Predicting the number of lines that can be connected for each elapsed time from a predetermined date and time based on traffic information of a communication network to which the telephone is connected;
Based on the predicted number of lines and reservation information in the telephone reservation database, the number of priority call lines that can be reserved for each elapsed time from the predetermined date and time is calculated, and the calculated number of lines and the reservation fee are calculated. Transmitting to the calling telephone;
The telephone connection method according to claim 3, further comprising:   The telephone connection method according to claim 1, wherein the call agent server receives the reservation information via an IP network. When the call agent server cannot receive the reservation information,
6. The method according to claim 1, further comprising a step of transferring the call with the call restriction flag transferred from the communication control device to another call agent server. The telephone connection method described in 1. In the step of connecting as the priority call,
The communication control device includes:
7. The bandwidth of a line assigned when connecting as the priority call is different from the bandwidth of a line assigned to a connection other than the priority call. Phone connection method. The communication control device includes:
The line bandwidth allocated when connecting as the priority call and the bandwidth of the line allocated to a connection other than the priority call are made variable. Phone connection method. A telephone including one or more communication control devices that restrict outgoing calls to a predetermined telephone with reference to a outgoing call restriction telephone number database that indicates telephone numbers for which outgoing calls are restricted, and a call agent server that controls the communication control device A telephone connection method using a connection system,
The call agent comprising a telephone reservation database that stores reservation information indicating a caller telephone number, a callee telephone number, and a reservation date and time of a priority call to be connected as not subject to the call restriction in the communication control device The server
Receiving reservation information transmitted from another device, and registering the reservation information in the telephone reservation database;
Transmitting the reservation information to the communication control device;
Calling the telephone of the calling telephone number at the reservation date and time indicated in the reservation information of the telephone reservation database;
When it is detected that the calling telephone is off-hook, a priority call flag indicating that the calling is a priority call is included from the telephone to the telephone having the calling destination telephone number indicated in the reservation information. Executing a call; and
The communication control device is
Accepting a call from a telephone;
When the accepted call includes the priority call flag, connecting as a priority call to the call destination telephone;
A telephone connection method characterized in that: A communication control device that controls outgoing calls to a predetermined telephone with reference to a outgoing call restriction telephone number database that indicates telephone numbers for which outgoing calls are restricted,
The caller telephone number, the callee telephone number, and the reservation date and time of the priority call that is transmitted from the terminal device of the user of the telephone and connected as the target of the call restriction in the communication control device are shown. A storage unit for storing reservation information;
When a call from a telephone is accepted and the call date and time and the caller telephone number of the received call are the same as the reservation date and time and the caller telephone number indicated in the reservation information stored in the storage unit, A processing unit for connecting a call as a priority call to a telephone having a call destination telephone number indicated in the reservation information;
A communication control apparatus comprising: A call agent server that controls a communication control device that controls outgoing calls to a predetermined telephone with reference to a outgoing call restriction telephone number database that indicates telephone numbers for which outgoing calls are restricted,
The caller telephone number, the callee telephone number, and the reservation date and time of the priority call that is transmitted from the terminal device of the user of the telephone and connected as the target of the call restriction in the communication control device are shown. A storage unit comprising a telephone reservation database storing reservation information;
(1) Registering reservation information transmitted from the terminal device in the telephone reservation database;
(2) transmitting the reservation information to the communication control device;
(3) Call the telephone having the calling telephone number at the reservation date and time indicated in the reservation information,
(4) When the communication control device detects that the calling telephone is off-hooked, it connects the off-hook telephone and the telephone having the calling telephone number indicated in the reservation information as a priority call. A processing unit to be
A call agent server comprising: The storage unit of the call agent server further stores a usage fee table in which a reservation fee is set cheaper as the reservation date and time is later,
The processing unit of the call agent server is:
When the reservation information is received, a reservation fee is calculated based on the reservation date and time and the usage fee table indicated in the received reservation information, and the calculated reservation fee is stored as the charging information of the caller telephone. The call agent server according to claim 11, wherein the call agent server is recorded in a unit. The processing unit of the call agent server is:
(1) Based on traffic information of a communication network to which the telephone is connected, predict the number of lines that can be connected for each elapsed time from a predetermined date and time,
(2) Based on the predicted number of connectable lines and reservation information in the telephone reservation database, calculate the number of priority call lines that can be reserved for each elapsed time from the predetermined date and time,
(3) The call agent server according to claim 12, wherein the calculated number of lines and the reservation fee are transmitted to the terminal device via an IP network.   A telephone connection system comprising the communication control device according to claim 10 and the call agent server according to any one of claims 11 to 13.   A communication control program for causing a computer to function as the communication control device according to claim 10.   A communication program for causing a computer to function as the call agent server according to any one of claims 11 to 13.

Images