JP2010199745A - Speech communication repeater, management server, speech communication system and speech communication method - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To charge and summarize a call charge for placing a telephone call from a speech terminal to a specified connection destination to an entity, and to prevent the leakage of information such as a telephone number from the speech terminal. <P>SOLUTION: Speech communication between a connection origin terminal and a connection destination terminal is relayed by a repeater 11. The repeater 11 includes a data transmission/reception part 15 for making data communicate with management servers 21 and 26, a line connection part for establishing a first line of contact, establishing a second line of contact and connecting the first and second lines of contact, and a call control part for controlling the line connection part. The data transmission/reception part receives a relay request which is transmitted from the management server through a data communication line and includes information specifying the connection origin terminal and information specifying the connection destination terminal, and the call control part establishes the first line of contact with the connection origin terminal and the second line of contact with the connection destination terminal through the line connection part in response to the relay request, connects the lines of contact and makes speech communication between a connection origin and a connection destination possible. The management server transmits only names of the connection destinations to the connection original terminal to select the connection destination. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a call relay device, a management server, a call system, and a call method, and more particularly to a technique for relaying a voice call by a telephone using a relay device.

  In recent years, with the advancement and popularization of mobile phones, mobile phones have come to be used on a daily basis not only for private use but also for various business operations such as companies. In particular, sales staff and maintenance support staff who work outside the company or employees who go out on business trips or meetings will report to the company from the office, give instructions, make various inquiries and make appointments to the next customer, etc. There are many opportunities to use mobile phones.

  For this reason, there are some business entities that provide each employee with a mobile phone for business use (including a wide range of mobile communication terminals capable of voice calls such as PHS and so-called smartphones / hereinafter the same in this application). Most businesses, especially small businesses, use mobile phones that are personally owned for their business. In this case, since the business call charge is an expense, the company (business entity) usually bears the call charge as long as an application is made.

  By the way, when using a personally owned mobile phone for business, the phone is not used only for business, and generally private calls are also randomly included. It is necessary to apply by specifying only calls for business use, excluding them one by one. For this reason, applications are not made due to the inconvenience of work, and it is often the case that business call charges are a personal burden. In addition, even if the application is made properly, it is also clerical for the company to check whether each submitted call record is business or private and calculate the total amount of business calls only for each employee. There is a difficulty in increasing the processing burden.

  In addition, when a personally owned mobile phone is used for business, there is a problem that a private telephone number is known to a business partner. Especially for those who need to contact an unspecified number of people (for example, insurance female diplomats and sales staff), the resistance that makes mobile phone numbers known to a large number of people who do not have personal contacts. Feelings or risks are not negligible.

  In addition, when a mobile phone is dropped or lost, various personal information (personal name and phone number) registered in the phone may be leaked.

  Furthermore, in educational institutions such as schools, a telephone communication network has been used in the past for transmitting messages to school children's homes by telephone in sequence and transmitting the notifications from the school to all the students like a so-called message game. However, in recent years, if such a contact network is created, the telephone number of the home is made public, so there is a situation in which the contact network cannot be created at school because parents want to avoid this risk.

  Therefore, if a person who makes a call can make a call without knowing his / her own telephone number and without knowing the other party's telephone number, the telephone number is “ It is considered that the anxiety of “open” is removed, and the above-described telephone communication network can be created with relatively little resistance.

  Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to make it possible to charge and aggregate a call charge when making a call from a call terminal to a specific connection destination. Another object of the present invention is to prevent the telephone number of the terminal itself making a call from the connection source call terminal from being known to the connection destination. Still another object of the present invention is to prevent leakage of information such as telephone numbers of other terminals stored in the terminal when the call terminal is lost.

  In order to solve the above problems and achieve the object, a call system according to the present invention includes a call relay device that relays a call between a connection source call terminal and a connection destination call terminal, and a call request from the connection source call terminal. A management server that receives and transmits a relay request that instructs the call relay device to relay the call.

  The call relay device includes a data transmission / reception unit that enables data communication with the management server, the establishment of the first call line and the second call line, and the connection between the first call line and the second call line. A line connection unit that performs connection, and a call control unit that controls establishment and connection of a communication line by the line connection unit. The data transmitting / receiving unit receives a relay request transmitted from the management server through the data communication line and including connection source specifying information for specifying the connection source call terminal and connection destination specifying information for specifying the connection destination call terminal. . The call control unit establishes the first call line with the connection source call terminal specified by the connection source specifying information via the line connection unit in response to the relay request, and the connection destination Establishing the second call line with the connection destination call terminal specified by the specific information, joining the first call line and the second call line, and connecting the connection source call terminal and the connection destination A call with a call terminal is enabled.

  As described above, in the present invention, the call relay device connects a line to the connection source terminal and the connection destination terminal, and joins these lines to enable a call between the two (connection source terminal and connection destination terminal). The connecting terminal does not make a call. Accordingly, call billing is applied to the call relay device, and the call charges can be collected in the call relay device. In the present invention, “establishing a line” means a state in which a line is connected when a call is made to the other party (calling) and the other party answers (a state in which a call can be made with the other party) ).

  In addition, the management server transmits, via a data communication line, the call relay device that relays a call between a connection source call terminal that can be connected to a public line and a connection destination call terminal that performs a call with the connection source call terminal. A server capable of communication; the connection source specifying information for specifying the connection source call terminal; and the connection destination specifying information for specifying a connection destination permitted to make a call from the connection source call terminal via the call relay device; Are stored in advance in association with each other.

  When the management server receives the call request transmitted from the connection source call terminal through the data communication line and the information for selecting the connection destination, the management server responds to the call relay device with the connection source call terminal and the connection destination call. In order to relay the call with the terminal, according to the information for selecting the connection destination, the connection destination specifying information relating to the selected connection destination is transmitted as a relay request to the call relay device together with the connection source specifying information through the data communication line. .

  Here, the connection source call terminal (hereinafter simply referred to as “connection source terminal” or “connection source”) is typically a mobile phone that can be used on the go. It may be a telephone. However, it is necessary to have a display that has a communication function that can be connected to the management server via the data communication line and that can display at least a list of connection destinations transmitted from the management server. In the present application, the “mobile phone” to “mobile phone” may be any call terminal provided with a display and capable of performing a voice call, and widely includes various mobile communication terminals such as a PHS and a so-called smartphone.

  On the other hand, a connection destination call terminal (hereinafter simply referred to as “connection destination terminal” or “connection destination”) does not necessarily have a display (it does not matter if it is provided), but a fixed phone, an IP phone, a mobile phone, Various communication terminals capable of voice calls such as extension telephones are included.

  In the present invention, the “data communication line” typically means a public data line such as the Internet, but is not limited to this, and is not limited to this. In a communication between a dedicated line or a LAN (particularly between a management server and a call relay device). ) Is not excluded. For example, in one operation mode of the present invention (embodiment described later), the management server and the call relay device belong to different business entities and are installed in different places. However, the present invention is not limited to such a form of use. For example, a plurality of call relay devices may be installed in the same business entity, and the management server and the call relay device may be installed in the same business entity. May belong (a certain entity owns or leases both the management server and the call relay device). Furthermore, the management server and the call relay device may be installed in the same place (for example, in the same building) or in the site. In such a case, communication between the management server and the call relay device may be performed via a LAN, not via a public line or an external network.

  On the other hand, in communication between the connection source terminal and the management server, the data communication line generally means a public data line (such as the Internet) in order to enable a telephone call from a destination or use of a mobile phone.

  The “connection source identification information” includes individual identification information of a telephone (for example, an individual identification number of a cellular phone) and connection information (typically, a telephone number of a cellular phone in a public network). For example, a telephone number of a fixed telephone or an IP telephone is included). Further, the “connection destination specifying information” includes a connection destination label for displaying the connection destination, and connection information for connecting a line to the connection destination (for example, a landline telephone, a mobile phone in the public line network, a telephone number of an IP phone, an extension) Phone extension number, etc.). In addition, since the connection destination label only needs to know who the connection destination is, it does not necessarily have to be an accurate or official name or name. Unless there is a duplicate label, for example, a nickname or initial, It may be a symbol or the like.

  Although the connection destination specifying information can be stored in advance in the connection source terminal, the management server may transmit it to the connection source terminal in response to the call request. In particular, from the viewpoint of preventing leakage of personal information stored when a terminal is lost, connection destination information is not stored in the connection source terminal, and connection destination identification information is transmitted from the management server. It is preferable to display.

  As a specific configuration example, the management server further includes a connection destination list creating unit that creates a list of connection destinations from the connection destination specifying information associated with the connection source call terminal stored in the storage unit. In order to select a connection destination from the connection destination list created by the connection destination list creating unit, when the call request is received, the connection destination list is used as the connection destination specifying information to the connection source call terminal through the data communication line. Send. In this case, since the user of the connection source terminal can make a call to the connection destination by the system of the present invention as long as there is a connection destination label, the connection destination list transmitted to the connection source call terminal includes the connection information. Need not be included, only the connection destination label is sufficient.

  Further, the management server includes an authentication unit that authenticates the connection source call terminal, the connection source specifying information includes solid identification information that specifies the connection source call terminal, and the authentication unit includes the connection source call terminal The solid identification information transmitted from the communication unit is compared with the solid identification information stored in advance in the storage unit, and the solid identification information transmitted from the connection source call terminal is stored in the storage unit in advance. When it matches with the identification information, the connection destination specifying information can be transmitted to the connection source call terminal as successful authentication.

  The call relay device further includes one or both of an extension telephone interface that enables connection to an extension telephone and an IP telephone interface that enables connection to an IP telephone. The linking unit includes a line selection unit that selects a type of a line to be called according to one or both of the connection source identification information and the connection destination identification information, and the call is made through the line selected by the line selection unit. One or both of the first call line and the second call line may be established by calling.

  The call relay device may further include a call history storage unit that stores a call record between the connection source call terminal and the connection destination call terminal. This “call record” is information relating to a call relayed by the call relay device. Specifically, it refers to information relating to a call such as information specifying a connection source terminal and a connection destination terminal, call time, call content (voice recording), etc., and one or more of these are stored in the call history storage Can be recorded.

  The call relay device switches between a first call control unit functioning as the call control unit, a second call control unit having the same function as the first call control unit, and a call control unit. You may make it provide a control part. The switching control unit switches the call control unit from the first call control unit to the second call control unit when a failure occurs in the first call control unit. As a result, the reliability of the system can be increased.

  Furthermore, in the call relay device, in order to improve the processing capability, a load distribution control unit comprising a plurality of call control units as a call control unit, and distributing a load by distributing tasks to each of the plurality of call control units Can be further provided.

  The number of call relay devices is not limited to one, and a plurality of call relay devices can be provided. In this case, the management server associates a connection source call terminal with one of a plurality of call relay devices and stores the connection request in advance in the storage unit, and when the call request is received from the connection source call terminal, The relay request is transmitted to the call relay device associated with the connection source call terminal.

  Further, the present invention can be grasped not only as a system or apparatus but also as an invention of a calling method. Specifically, in the call method according to the present invention, the call relay device relays a call between a connection source call terminal that can be connected to a public line and a connection destination call terminal that makes a call with the connection source call terminal. A method of calling, wherein the management server receives a call request from the connection source call terminal through a data communication line, and stores in advance the call from the connection source call terminal via the call relay device The management server transmits a list of connection destinations to the connection source call terminal in response to the call request, and a notification indicating one connection destination selected from the list from the connection source call terminal. The management server receives a relay request including a step received by a server, information specifying a connection destination notified from the connection source call terminal, and information specifying the connection source call terminal. Transmitting through the data line, and the call relay device that has received the relay request calls the connection source call terminal to establish a first call line with the connection source call terminal, Calling a connection destination call terminal specified by the relay request and establishing a second call line with the connection destination call terminal; and A call line between the connection source call terminal and the connection destination call terminal.

  Furthermore, in the above calling method, the call request includes individual identification information uniquely assigned to a connection source call terminal, and the call method includes a step of receiving the call request and a list of connection destinations. A step of authenticating the connection source call terminal may be further included between the step of transmitting to the call terminal. Note that the authentication step is performed in the storage unit in association with the solid identification information included in the call request transmitted from the connection source call terminal and the connection destination permitted to call through the call relay device. Compared with the solid identification information stored in advance, if the solid identification information transmitted from the connection source call terminal matches any of the solid identification information stored in advance in the storage unit, A list of connection destinations associated with the individual identification information is transmitted to the connection source call terminal.

  Further, in the above calling method, a plurality of call relay devices are provided as the call relay device, and the management server associates a connection source call terminal and one of the plurality of call relay devices and stores them in the storage unit in advance. When the call request is received from the connection source call terminal, the call relay device associated with the connection source call terminal is specified by searching the storage unit, and the specified call relay device is The relay request may be transmitted.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to charge and collect a call charge when making a call from a call terminal to a specific connection destination. In addition, it is possible to prevent the telephone number of the terminal itself making a call from the connection source call terminal from being known to the connection destination. Furthermore, when the call terminal is lost, it is possible to prevent information such as the telephone number of another terminal stored in the terminal from leaking.

  Other objects, features, and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following description of embodiments of the present invention described with reference to the drawings. It should be noted that the present invention is not limited to the following embodiments, and it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications can be made within the scope of the claims. Moreover, in each figure, the same code | symbol shows the same or an equivalent part.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a call system according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of data stored in the storage unit (user information storage unit) of the management server in the system according to the embodiment. FIG. 3 is a time chart showing a registration process to the management server in the system according to the embodiment. FIG. 4 is a time chart showing call relay processing by the system of the embodiment.

  FIG. 1 shows a call system according to an embodiment of the present invention. As shown in the figure, this call system includes a call relay device 11 (hereinafter simply referred to as a relay device) that relays a call between a connection source terminal 31 and connection destination terminals 41, 41a, and 41b. And a management server 21 for operation.

  The management server 21 includes a data transmission / reception unit 26 that enables communication with the relay apparatus 11 and the connection source terminal 31 through the data communication network 1 (in the present embodiment, the Internet). The management server 21 also stores a user information storage unit 22 that stores information about users (such as the connection source terminal 31 and the relay device 11) who use the system, and authentication processing (from the connection source terminal 31 to the connection source terminal 31 described later). Authentication registration for the registration request and connection authentication for the call request from the connection source terminal 31) and the authentication registration unit 23 for performing registration processing in the user information storage unit 22, and a call from the connection source terminal 31 via the relay device 11 A connection destination list creation unit 24 that extracts and creates a list of possible connection destinations from information about connection destinations stored in the user information storage unit 22, and a relay request creation unit 25 that creates a relay request to be transmitted to the relay device 11. It has.

  On the other hand, the relay device 11 operates the line transmission / reception for the data transmission / reception unit 15 that enables communication with the management server 11 via the data communication network 1, and the connection source terminal 31 and the connection destination terminals 41, 41a, and 41b. The call relay unit 12 that performs call establishment, joining, and disconnection), the call control unit 14 that controls the call relay unit 12 in response to a relay request from the management server 21, and the call relay unit 12 relays the call A call history storage unit 16 for storing a call history, a public line interface 17 for performing communication via the public telephone line 2, an extension telephone interface 18 for performing communication with the extension telephone 41a, and an IP telephone And an IP telephone interface 19 for communicating with 41b. The public line interface 17 is connected to the public line network 2, the extension telephone interface 18 is connected to the indoor telephone line 3, and the IP telephone interface 19 is connected to the LAN 4 constructed in the office where the relay device 11 is installed.

  In addition, the call relay unit 12 includes a line selection unit 13 that selects a line corresponding to the type of the connection destination terminals 41, 41a, and 41b to be connected. The line selection unit 13 selects lines corresponding to the types of the connection destination terminals 41, 41a, 41b to be connected based on the relay request transmitted from the management server 21 as the public line 2, the extension line 3, and the IP telephone line (LAN ) Select from 4 The call relay unit 12 establishes a line to the connection destination terminal 41, 41a, 41b through the line (corresponding interface 17, 18 or 19) selected by the line selection unit 13.

  The relay device 11 can communicate with the management server 21 through the data communication network (Internet) 1 and communicates with the connection source terminal 31 and the connection destination terminals 41, 41a, 41b through the public line network 2 (establishment of a communication line). Is possible. The public line network 2 includes a mobile communication network that provides a communication service to a mobile communication terminal such as a mobile phone in addition to a fixed telephone network. Further, the management server 21 can communicate with the connection source terminal 31 and the relay device 11 via the data communication network 1. Note that the relay device 11 (data transmission / reception unit 15) of this embodiment is connected to a LAN constructed in an office that uses this system, and is connected to the data communication network 1 via the LAN.

  In the present embodiment, there are a plurality of connection source terminals 31, connection destination terminals 41, 41a, 41b, and relay apparatuses 11 (only one is shown in the drawing), and the management server 21 has a plurality of these. The relay device 11 and the connection source terminal 31 are managed, and a call from the connection source terminal 31 to the connection destination terminals 41, 41a, 41b is enabled. That is, as will be described in detail later, the management server 21 specifies a relay device 11 associated with the connection source terminal 31 in advance from the plurality of relay devices 11 in response to a call request from the connection source terminal 31. Then, a relay request is transmitted to the identified relay device 11 (relay device 11 corresponding to the connection source terminal 31) so as to relay the call to the connection destination terminals 41, 41a, 41b desired by the connection source 31. The plurality of relay devices 11 managed by the management server 21 may belong to the same business entity or may belong to different business entities. In addition, a plurality of connection source terminals 31 are associated with one relay apparatus 11, and each relay apparatus 11 can perform call relay of the plurality of connection source terminals 31 associated therewith.

  In using the system of the present embodiment, information regarding the relay device 11, the connection destinations 41, 41a, 41b, and the connection source terminal 31 is registered in advance in the management server 21 (user information storage unit 22). This registration process will be described with reference to an example of data stored in the user information storage unit 22 (FIG. 2) and a time chart (FIG. 3) showing the registration process to the management server 21.

[Registering relay devices and connection destinations to the management server]
First, as shown in FIG. 3, as registration processing in the management server 21, identification information D1 that is information unique to the relay device 11 and registration authentication data D2 that the connection source terminal 31 uses for its own registration authentication later. Are transmitted from the relay device 11 to the management server 21. Here, the identification information D1 of the relay device 11 is the MAC address (Media Access Control Address) of the relay device 11 in the present embodiment, but other information (for example, if it is information that can uniquely identify the relay device 11) A global IP address). Further, the registration authentication data D2 is, for example, a password combining appropriate numbers and characters.

  Note that a terminal device (not shown) such as a personal computer is connected to the LAN to which the relay device 11 is connected, and the management server 21 (user information storage) of the relay device 11 and the connection destinations 41, 41a, 41b. Registration to the unit 22), change of registered contents, deletion, etc. (data transmission from the relay device 11 to the management server 21) are performed by operations from the terminal device.

  The management server 21 stores the identification information D1 and registration authentication data D2 of the relay device 11 received through the data transmission / reception unit 26 in the user information storage unit 22 via the authentication registration unit 23.

  Further, connection information D4 of the connection destination terminals 41, 41a, 41b is transmitted from the relay device 11 to the management server 21 in order to register connection destinations that permit relay calls by this system. The connection information D4 includes a connection destination label D4i for displaying the connection destinations 41, 41a, and 41b, and connection information (telephone number) D4j for connecting a line to the connection destinations 41, 41a, and 41b indicated by the label. , Information of a plurality of connection destinations 41, 41a, 41b to be relayed by the relay device 11 (a plurality of sets of connection destination labels D4i and connection information D4j) is included.

  The management server 21 uses the connection information D4 (a set of the connection destination label D4i and the connection information D4j) received by the data transmitting / receiving unit 26 as the relay device 11 (identification information D1 of the relay device 11 registered as described above). And stored in the user information storage unit 22 through the authentication registration unit 23.

  Note that the information D1, D2, and D4 related to the relay device 11 and the connection destinations 41, 41a, and 41b are not only registered in the management server 21, but also acquired via the relay device 11 (for example, registered information). For confirmation) or selectively (for example, deleting a part of the connection destination). Further, the registration work to the management server 21 is not necessarily performed by using the relay device 11, but another communication path or notification means (for example, the information D1, D2, D4 is written or stored in a storage medium). This can also be done by sending it to the administrator of the server 21 and requesting registration.

  Further, data (communication message) transmitted / received between the relay device 11 and the management server 21 in the registration process, and data transmitted / received between the connection source terminal 31 and the management server 21 in the registration process of the connection source terminal 31 described below. Further, from the viewpoint of security, it is preferable to encrypt and transmit all of the call request and the relay request described later (for example, the data transmission / reception units 15 and 26 perform the encryption process and then transmit). preferable.

[Registering the connection source terminal to the management server]
The connection source terminal 31 is registered as follows. First, a registration request is transmitted from the connection source terminal 31 to the management server 21 through the data communication network 1. The information for accessing the management server 21 (in the case of this embodiment, the URL of the management server 21), together with the registration authentication data D2 to be used later for registration authentication, The management staff of the business entity may notify the owner of the connection source terminal 31 (for example, an employee of the business entity). The registration request may be made by an appropriate method, for example, by clicking a button in a Web page provided on the management server 21 side.

  The management server 21 that has received the registration request performs registration authentication for determining whether or not the connection source terminal 31 can be registered by the authentication registration unit 23, and therefore transmits registration authentication data D <b> 2 to the connection source terminal 31. Request. In response to this, the owner of the connection source terminal 31 inputs the registration authentication data D2 notified from the administrator of the relay device 11 to the connection source terminal 31 and transmits it to the management server 21. When registration authentication data D2 is transmitted from the connection source terminal 31, the management server 21 (authentication registration unit 23) checks whether data matching the registration authentication data D2 is registered or not in the user information storage unit 22. Search the management information (FIG. 2).

  When matching registration authentication data D2 is found, the connection source terminal 31 is requested for specific information as successful authentication. The unique information includes identification information (for example, a mobile phone individual identification number) D3i uniquely assigned to the connection source terminal 31 and a telephone number D3j of the connection source terminal 31. The owner of the connection source terminal 31 transmits the unique information D3i and D3j to the management server 21. The management server 21 (authentication registration unit 23) identifies the specific information D3i and D3j received from the connection source terminal 31 by the registration authentication data D2 (registered in association with the D2). It is stored in the user information storage unit 22 in association with (identification information D1). If the matching registration authentication data D2 cannot be found, the management server 21 cancels the registration process as an unsuccessful authentication and notifies the connection source terminal 31 to that effect.

  This completes the registration process. FIG. 2 shows an example of registration data stored in the user information storage unit 22. As shown in this figure, in the user information recording unit 22 as user management information, authentication data D2 for connection source terminal registration, and a plurality of connection source terminals 31 for one relay device 11 (identification information D1). (Unique information D3) and a plurality of connection destination terminals 41, 41a, 41b (connection information D4: a plurality of sets of connection destination names D4i and telephone numbers D4j) are associated and registered (stored). Each relay apparatus 11 may belong to the same business entity (installed) or may belong to a different business entity. For example, even in the same business entity, it is possible to install and register a plurality of relay devices 11 (for example, for each business division or department), and in this case, different connections for each relay device 11 By registering the destination label, even if the employee belongs to the same business entity, it is possible to transmit and display a different connection destination list depending on the affiliation or job. Various other usage modes may be used.

[Relay call processing]
Next, call relay processing by the system of this embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. As shown in FIG. 4, a person who wishes to make a call first accesses the management server 21 from the connection source terminal 31 through the data communication network 1 by the URL of the management server 21 notified by the administrator of the relay device 11, and as a call request The individual identification information D3i of the own terminal 31 is transmitted.

  The management server 21 that has received this call request performs connection authentication. Specifically, the authentication registration unit 23 searches whether the transmitted individual identification information D3i is registered in the user information storage unit 22 as user management information. When the solid identification information D3i that matches the transmitted solid identification information D3i cannot be found, the connection processing is canceled as a failure of connection authentication, and a notification that the call is rejected is transmitted to the connection source terminal 31. .

  On the other hand, when the solid identification information D3i that matches the solid identification information D3i transmitted from the connection source terminal 31 can be found in the user management information, the relay device associated with the registered solid identification information D3i 11 is specified by acquiring the identification information D1 of the relay device 11. If the identification information D1 cannot be acquired, the connection process is canceled as connection authentication is unsuccessful, and a notification that the call is rejected is transmitted to the connection source terminal 31.

  On the other hand, when the identification information D1 can be acquired, the connection destination list creation unit 24 determines the connection destination label from the connection information D4 (see FIG. 2) of the connection destination terminals 41, 41a, and 41b associated with the identification information D1. D4i (all connection destination labels D4i registered in association with the relay device 11) is extracted to create a connection destination list (list of connection destination labels), and the connection source terminal 31 is connected via the data transmission / reception unit 26. Send to. The connection source terminal 31 displays the received connection destination list. The owner of the connection source terminal 31 selects a connection destination to be called from the connection destination list. The connection source terminal 31 transmits information (connection destination selection information) indicating the selected connection destinations 41, 41 a, 41 b to the management server 21.

  When the management server 21 (relay request creation unit 25) receives the connection destination selection information from the connection source terminal 31, the management server 21 (relay request creation unit 25) and a telephone number D4j corresponding to the selected connection destination label and the telephone number D3j of the connection source terminal 31 Is transmitted to the corresponding relay device 11 (stored in the user information storage unit 22 in association with the connection source terminal 31) through the data communication network 1.

  In the present embodiment, as described above, the connection destinations 41, 41a, and 41b are selected from the connection destinations registered in advance in the user information storage unit 22, but in addition to the selection from the connection destination list. The connection information (telephone number etc.) of any connection destination 41, 41a, 41b is directly input from the connection source terminal 31, and the call between the input connection destination 41, 41a, 41b and the connection source terminal 31 is made. It is also possible to enable the relay device 11 to relay. In this case, the relay request includes the telephone numbers of the directly connected arbitrary connection destinations 41, 41a, and 41b instead of the telephone number D4j corresponding to the selected connection destination label. In the relay processing described later, the relay apparatus 11 establishes a line by calling the arbitrary connection destinations 41, 41a, 41b, and joins the line to the connection source terminal 31 to perform relay. good.

  When the relay device 11 receives a relay request from the management server 21, the call control unit 14 of the relay device 11 calls (calls) the connection source terminal 31 via the call relay unit 12, and the connection source By receiving a response from 31, a line is established with the connection source terminal 31. Immediately after the connection with the connection source 31 is established, the call control unit 14 calls the connection destination terminals 41, 41a, 41b via the call relay unit 12, and from the connection destinations 41, 41a, 41b. Is established with the connection destination terminals 41, 41a, 41b. Calls to the connection source 31 and the connection destinations 41, 41a, 41b are made using the connection source telephone number D3j and the connection destination telephone number D4j included in the relay request, respectively.

  In this line establishment process, in the call relay unit 12, the interface corresponding to the connection destination terminals 41, 41 a, 41 b is selected from the interfaces 17, 18, 19 for the public line / extension telephone / IP telephone by the line selection unit 13. And a call is made to the connection destinations 41, 41a, 41b via the selected interface. The line selection unit 13 determines the type of the line (connection destination terminal) based on the connection information (phone number) of the connection destination terminals 41, 41a, 41b (for example, if the head number of the telephone number is “050”, judge.

  When the call relay unit 12 can establish the line to the connection source 31 and the line to the connection destinations 41, 41a, and 41b as described above, the line to the connection source 31 and the connection destinations 41, 41a, Join the line to 41b. As a result, a call between the connection source terminal 31 and the connection destination terminals 41, 41a, 41b becomes possible. The call relay unit 12 establishes lines to a plurality of connection sources 31 and a plurality of connection destinations 41, 41a, and 41b, and maintains a plurality of joined lines, thereby simultaneously connecting a plurality of connection sources 31 to connection destinations. It is possible to relay a call between 41, 41a and 41b.

  The relay apparatus 11 includes a plurality of call control units 14 and call relay units 12 and a load distribution control unit (not shown) that monitors and distributes the processing. The plurality of call control units 14 and call relay units The above-mentioned line establishment / join processing may be distributed to 12 and processed. According to such a device configuration, for example, there are a large number of connection source terminals 31 that the relay device 11 has jurisdiction over (associated with the relay device 11), and many call requests are made simultaneously, and thus many relay requests overlap. In some cases, these can be processed. Further, in preparation for the occurrence of a failure, the call control unit 14 and the call relay unit 12 are provided with a plurality of systems (for example, duplexed), and are configured to switch to the secondary system when a failure occurs in the main system that is always operating. It is also possible to increase the reliability of the system.

  When the line connection is completed (communication start), the call relay unit 12 starts counting the call time, and specifies information (for example, a connection source telephone number and a connection destination telephone number) that identifies a calling party after the call ends. The call time is stored in the call history unit 16 and recorded. Further, in addition to these pieces of information, call voice data (call voice recording) can be recorded in the call history section 16. Further, the call history unit 16 is provided in a storage device (not shown) installed outside the relay device 11, and the call history information is transmitted to and stored in the storage device via a LAN or an external network, for example. You may do it.

The advantages of the present invention or the embodiment will be summarized as follows.
(1) Since all calls to the connection source terminal 31 and the connection destination terminals 41, 41a, 41b are made from the relay device 11, the connection source 31 does not bear a call charge, and charging is performed by the relay device 11 (business entity). ). Therefore, for example, even if a personally owned mobile phone is used for business, the individual does not bear the call charge, and the application procedure for paying the call charge by the company and the office work burden of reviewing this by the company are eliminated. I can do it.
(2) Since the call to the connection destinations 41, 41a, 41b is performed from the relay device 11, the telephone number of the connection source terminal 31 is not notified to the connection destinations 41, 41a, 41b, and the connection source terminal 31 The telephone number can be concealed (substitute for the telephone number of the relay device 11).
(3) Information identifying the connection destination terminals 41, 41a, 41b is separated from the connection source terminal 31 and held in the management server 21, and information that can be referred to from the connection source terminal 31 is the label of the connection destination 41, 41a, 41b. Therefore, for example, even when the connection source terminal 31 is a portable terminal and the terminal is lost, personal information (a combination of the name of the connection destination and the telephone number) is not leaked and the personal information can be protected. .
(4) In addition, since it is possible for a person who makes a call to make a call without knowing the other party's telephone number, only the connection destination label is displayed when creating a telephone contact network. (No phone number is required), making it easier to create a contact network.

1 Data communication network (Internet)
2 Public network (telephone line)
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 11 Call relay apparatus 12 Call relay part 13 Line selection part 14 Call control part 15,26 Data transmission / reception part 16 Call history memory | storage part 17 Public line interface 18 Extension telephone interface 19 IP telephone interface 21 Management server 22 User information storage part 23 Authentication registration Unit 24 Connection destination list creation unit 25 Relay request creation unit 31 Connection source terminal 41 Connection destination terminal 41a Connection destination terminal (extension telephone)
41b Destination terminal (IP phone)

Claims (14)

A call relay device that relays a call between a connection source call terminal connectable to a public line and a connection destination call terminal that makes a call with the connection source call terminal,
A data transmission / reception unit enabling data communication with the management server;
A line connection unit for establishing the first call line and the second call line, and joining the first call line and the second call line;
A call control unit for controlling establishment and joining of a communication line by the line connection unit;
With
The data transmission / reception unit receives a relay request that is transmitted from a management server through a data communication line and includes connection source identification information for specifying the connection source call terminal and connection destination specification information for specifying the connection destination call terminal;
In response to the relay request, the call control unit establishes the first call line with the connection source call terminal specified by the connection source specifying information via the line connection unit, and the connection Establishing the second call line with the connection destination call terminal specified by the destination specification information, joining the first call line and the second call line, and connecting the connection source call terminal and the connection A call relay device characterized in that a call can be made with a destination call terminal. An extension telephone interface that enables connection to an extension telephone, and an IP telephone interface that enables connection to an IP telephone, or both
The line connection unit includes a line selection unit that selects a type of a line to be called according to one or both of the connection source identification information and the connection destination identification information, and the line selected by the line selection unit The call relay device according to claim 1, wherein one or both of the first call line and the second call line is established by calling through the call. The call relay device according to claim 1, further comprising a call history storage unit that stores a call record between the connection source call terminal and the connection destination call terminal. A first call control unit functioning as the call control unit;
A second call control unit having the same function as the first call control unit;
A switching control unit for switching the call control unit;
With
The switching control unit switches the call control unit from the first call control unit to the second call control unit when a failure occurs in the first call control unit. The call relay device according to claim 1. A plurality of call control units as the call control unit,
The call relay device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, further comprising a load distribution control unit that distributes a task by distributing a task to each of the plurality of call control units. A management server capable of communicating through a data communication line to a call relay device that relays a call between a connection source call terminal that can be connected to a public line and a connection destination call terminal that makes a call with the connection source call terminal. And
The management server
A storage in which connection source identification information for specifying the connection source call terminal and connection destination specification information for specifying a connection destination that permits a call from the connection source call terminal via the call relay device are associated and stored in advance. Part
In response to receiving a call request transmitted from the connection source call terminal through a data communication line and information for selecting a connection destination, the call relay device responds to the call request by the connection source call terminal and the connection destination call terminal. In order to relay a call between them, according to the information for selecting the connection destination, the connection destination specifying information related to the selected connection destination is transmitted as a relay request to the call relay device through the data communication line together with the connection source specifying information. A management server characterized by that. A connection destination list creating unit for creating a list of connection destinations from the connection destination specifying information associated with the connection source call terminal stored in the storage unit;
In order to select the connection destination from the connection destination list created by the connection destination list creation unit, when the call request is received, the connection destination list is used as the connection destination specifying information to perform data communication with the connection source call terminal. The management server according to claim 6, which is transmitted through a line. While the connection destination specifying information includes a connection destination label that displays the connection destination and connection information for connecting a line to the connection destination,
The management server according to claim 7, wherein the connection destination list transmitted to the connection source call terminal includes a connection destination label and does not include connection information. The management server further includes an authentication unit that authenticates the connection source call terminal,
The connection source identification information includes solid identification information uniquely assigned to the connection source call terminal,
The authentication unit compares the solid identification information transmitted from the connection source call terminal with the solid identification information stored in advance in the storage unit, and the solid identification information transmitted from the connection source call terminal is stored in the storage unit. The connection destination specifying information associated with the individual identification information is transmitted to the connection source call terminal as a successful authentication if it matches any one of the individual identification information stored in advance in any one of claims 6 to 8. The management server according to one item. The call relay device according to any one of claims 1 to 5,
A call system comprising the management server according to any one of claims 6 to 9. A plurality of call relay devices as the call relay device,
The management server
The connection source call terminal and one of the plurality of call relay devices are associated with each other and stored in advance in the storage unit,
The call system according to claim 10, wherein when the call request is received from a connection source call terminal, the relay request is transmitted to a call relay device associated with the connection source call terminal. A call method in which a call relay device relays a call between a connection source call terminal that can be connected to a public line and a connection destination call terminal that makes a call with the connection source call terminal,
A management server receiving a call request from the connection source call terminal through a data communication line;
The management server transmits to the connection source call terminal in response to the call request a list of connection destinations stored in advance in a storage unit that permits a call from the connection source call terminal via the call relay device. When,
The management server receiving a notification indicating the one connection destination selected from the list from the connection source call terminal;
The management server transmitting a relay request including information specifying the connection destination notified from the connection source call terminal and information specifying the connection source call terminal to the call relay device via a data line;
The call relay device that has received the relay request makes a call to the connection source call terminal to establish a first call line with the connection source call terminal, and a connection destination specified by the relay request Calling the call terminal and establishing a second call line with the connected call terminal;
The call relay device includes a step of joining the first call line and the second call line to enable a call between the connection source call terminal and the connection destination call terminal. How to call. The call request includes solid identification information uniquely assigned to a connection source call terminal,
The call method further includes the step of authenticating the connection source call terminal between the step of receiving the call request and the step of transmitting the list of connection destinations to the connection source call terminal,
In this authentication step, the management server associates the identification information included in the call request transmitted from the connection source call terminal with the connection destination that permits the call via the call relay device in advance in the storage unit. Compared with the stored solid identification information, if the solid identification information transmitted from the connection source call terminal matches any of the solid identification information stored in advance in the storage unit, as the authentication success, The call method according to claim 12, wherein a list of connection destinations associated with the identification information is transmitted to the connection source call terminal. A plurality of call relay devices as the call relay device,
The management server associates a connection source call terminal and one of the plurality of call relay devices and stores them in the storage unit in advance.
When the management server receives a call request from the connection source call terminal, the management server specifies a call relay device associated with the connection source call terminal by searching the storage unit, and the specified call relay device The call method according to claim 12 or 13, wherein the relay request is transmitted to the communication method.

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