JP2013192120A - Telephone call reservation system, telephone call reservation method, and reservation server and program for use therefor - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To enable reservation of a telephone call at a date and time desired by a user.SOLUTION: A telephone call reservation system includes switching equipment for connecting a calling and a called communication terminal in a communicable manner, and a reservation server for accepting communicable reservation date and time. On receiving the identification information of the calling and the called communication terminals from the switching equipment, the telephone call reservation system includes a reservation control unit for inquiring the calling and the called communication terminals of the desired communication date and time, and for determining the communication reservation date and time on the basis of information notification related to the desired communication date and time received from both communication terminals. The reservation control unit instructs the switching equipment to connect between the calling and the called communication terminals at the communication reservation date and time. In response to the instruction from the reservation control unit, the switching equipment calls the calling and the called communication terminals to connect therebetween.

Description

  The present invention relates to a technique for reserving a call between communication terminals.

  When a disaster such as an earthquake or typhoon occurs, or when the number of calls temporarily increases at a specific time such as the year-end and New Year holidays, the allowable amount that the line can handle may be exceeded and congestion may occur. FIG. 7 is a sequence diagram showing the operation of a general communication system during congestion. First, the user uses a communication terminal to make a call to the other party's communication terminal that wishes to talk (step S701). The exchange 300 determines whether or not connection to the destination communication terminal is possible (step S702), and if the connection is impossible due to congestion, a talkie is transmitted to the source communication terminal (step S703). At this time, the caller communication terminal is notified by the automatic voice guidance that the current connection cannot be established. In this case, the user needs to disconnect the call once and perform a call operation again.

  Here, Patent Document 1 describes a line congestion elimination system that recognizes the order of arrival of telephone numbers, accepts incoming calls in order by notifying the available call time by e-mail, and eliminates line congestion. Yes. According to Patent Document 1, it is possible to eliminate the trouble of a user re-calling a phone many times.

JP 2011-109214 A

  However, in the line congestion elimination system described in Patent Document 1, the management server determines the callable date and time without considering the convenience of the user and notifies the communication terminal on the transmission side. Therefore, if the user cannot make a call at the callable date and time, it becomes necessary to make a call again.

  Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a call reservation system and a call reservation method capable of reserving a call at a date and time desired by a user, and a reservation server and program used therefor.

  In order to achieve the above object, a call reservation system according to the present invention comprises an exchange for connecting a caller and a callee communication terminal so that a call can be made, and a reservation server for accepting a call reservation date and time. When receiving the identification information of the caller and callee communication terminal, the caller and callee communication terminals are inquired about the desired call date and time, and the call reservation date and time is determined based on the information related to the call desired date and time notified from both parties. The reservation control unit instructs the exchange to connect the communication terminal of the source and destination at the call reservation date and time, and the exchange determines the source and destination according to the instruction of the reservation control unit. Call and connect to the communication terminal.

  In order to achieve the above object, the call reservation method according to the present invention, when receiving the identification information of the caller and callee communication terminals from the exchange, inquires the caller desired call date and time to the caller and callee communication terminals, both The call reservation step for determining the call reservation date and time based on the information related to the desired call date and time notified from the telephone, and instructing the exchange to connect the communication terminal of the caller and the callee at the call reservation date and time determined in the call reservation step In response to the instruction in the instruction step, the instruction step and the exchange call and connect the communication terminal of the transmission source and the transmission destination.

  In order to achieve the above object, when the reservation server according to the present invention receives the identification information of the source and destination communication terminals from the exchange, the reservation server inquires of the communication terminals of the source and destination for the desired call date and time. A reservation control unit that determines a call reservation date and time based on information related to the desired call date and time notified from the telephone, and the reservation control unit instructs the exchange to connect the caller and the callee communication terminal at the call reservation date and time.

  In order to achieve the above object, a program according to the present invention is a program executed by a reservation server that accepts a reservation date and time when a call can be made, and upon receiving identification information of a source and a destination communication terminal from an exchange, And a call reservation step for determining a call reservation date and time based on information on the desired call date and time notified from both sides, and a call reservation date and time determined in the call reservation step. The reservation server is caused to execute an instruction step for instructing the exchange to connect the communication terminal of the transmission source and the transmission destination.

  According to the present invention, there are provided a call reservation system and a call reservation method capable of reserving a call at a date and time desired by a user, and a reservation server and program used therefor.

It is a figure which shows the structure of the call reservation system which concerns on the 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the structure of the information sharing system which concerns on the 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows an example of the reservation table which the storage part 22 hold | maintains. It is a sequence diagram which shows the operation example when a call reservation system makes a call reservation. It is a figure which shows an example of a reservation reception message. 4 is a flowchart showing details of the operation of the reservation server 20. It is a sequence diagram which shows operation | movement of a general communication system.

  Hereinafter, embodiments for carrying out the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. However, the following embodiments are merely examples of the present invention, and various configurations other than the following can also be adopted. In all the drawings, the same constituent elements are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof is omitted.

  Further, in the following description, the configuration of each device indicates a functional unit block instead of a hardware unit. The configuration of each device is centered on the CPU and memory of an arbitrary computer, a program for realizing the components shown in the figure loaded in the memory, a storage medium such as a hard disk for storing the program, and an interface for connecting to a network. It is realized by any combination of hardware and software. There are various modifications of the realization method and apparatus.

(First embodiment)
FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a call reservation system according to the first embodiment. In FIG. 1, the call reservation system includes communication terminals 10 a and 10 b, a reservation server 20, and an exchange 30. In this specification, a case where the communication terminal 10a is a transmission source and the communication terminal 10b is a transmission destination will be described as an example.

  The exchange 30 connects the communication terminal 10a that is the caller and the communication terminal 10b that is the callee so that a call can be made. The reservation server 20 receives a reservation date and time when a call can be made. When the reservation server 20 receives the identification information of the communication terminals 10a and 10b from the exchange 30, the reservation server 20 inquires the communication terminals 10a and 10b about the desired call date and time, and determines the call reservation date and time based on the information related to the desired call date and time notified from both sides. The reservation control unit 21 to be determined is included. The reservation control unit 21 instructs the exchange 30 to connect the caller communication terminal 10a and the callee communication terminal 10b at the call reservation date and time, and the switch 30 receives the communication terminal 10a and the communication terminal 10a according to the instruction of the reservation control unit. Call 10b to connect.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, it is possible to reserve a call at a date and time desired by the user.

(Second Embodiment)
The reserved call system according to the second embodiment has various configurations that enable more user-friendly call reservation in addition to the first embodiment.

  FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a configuration of the call reservation system according to the present embodiment. In FIG. 2, the call reservation system includes communication terminals 10a and 10b, a reservation server 20, and an exchange 30. The communication terminals 10a and 10b are typically mobile phones that can communicate with each other via a mobile phone network. The communication terminals 10a and 10b have an SMS (short message service) message transmission / reception function.

  The exchange 30 connects the communication terminal 10a and the communication terminal 10b so that a call can be made. When the exchange 30 receives a call request from the communication terminal 10a, the exchange 30 determines whether or not connection is possible based on the congestion status of the line. When it is determined that the connection is impossible, the exchange 30 notifies the reservation server 20 connected via the communication network to that effect.

  The reservation server 20 manages a line allocated in advance and receives a call reservation. The reservation server 20 includes a reservation control unit 21 and a storage unit 22. When the reservation control unit 21 receives a notification from the exchange that the line is congested, the reservation control unit 21 reserves the call on the date and time when the communication terminals 10a and 10b desire to call (call desired date and time). The reservation control unit 21 instructs the exchange 30 to connect the communication terminals 10a and 10b at the date and time when the call is reserved (call reservation date and time).

  The reservation control unit 21 refers to a reservation table held by the storage unit 22 when accepting a call reservation. FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of a reservation table held by the storage unit 22. In the reservation table shown in FIG. 3, the telephone number of the communication terminal 10a, the telephone number of the communication terminal 10b, and the call reservation date and time are recorded in association with each other.

  The reservation control unit 21 of the reservation server 20 refers to the reservation table shown in FIG. 3 and accepts a call reservation when the telephone number of the communication terminal 10a that is the transmission source is not recorded.

  FIG. 4 is a sequence diagram showing an operation example when the call reservation system makes a call reservation. In FIG. 4, first, the communication terminal 10a transmits to the communication terminal 10b that desires a call (step S401). The exchange 30 determines whether or not the connection with the communication terminal 10b is possible (step S402). Specifically, the exchange 30 identifies the line route connected to the communication terminal 10b, and determines whether congestion has occurred, that is, whether connection processing including a relay exchange or the like is possible. The exchange 30 determines that connection is not possible when congestion occurs. In this case, the exchange 30 notifies the communication terminal 10a that it is congested using an automatic voice service or the like (step S403), and disconnects from the communication terminal 10a. Then, the exchange 30 notifies the reservation server 20 of the telephone numbers of the communication terminals 10a and 10b (step S404).

  The reservation server 20 determines whether or not a call reservation of the notified communication terminal 10a is possible. If the reservation server 20 determines that a call reservation is possible (step S405), the communication server 10a notified from the exchange 30 and An SMS message (reservation acceptance message) is transmitted to the telephone number 10b (steps S406 and S407).

  FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an example of a reservation acceptance message. The reservation reception message describes the date and time when the reservation can be made. The user of the transmission source and the transmission destination selects and returns the date / time when the call can be made among the date / time described in the reservation reception message.

  Returning to the description of FIG. 4, the users of the communication terminals 10a and 10b each return an SMS message in which the desired call date and time are written to the reservation server (steps S408 and S409). The reservation server 20 refers to the messages received from the communication terminals 10a and 10b, and registers the date and time when both requests match as the call reservation date and time (step S410). Then, the reservation server 20 transmits the SMS message again, and calls The reservation date and time is notified to the communication terminals 10a and 10b (steps S411 and 412).

  Thereafter, when the date and time recorded in the reservation table is reached, the reservation server 20 instructs the exchange 30 to connect the communication terminals 10a and 10b (step S413). The exchange 30 calls the communication terminals 10a and 10b according to the instruction of the reservation control unit 21 (steps S414 and S415), and connects when both terminals respond. Thereby, the telephone call between the communication terminals 10a and 10b is started (step S416).

  FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing details of the operation of the reservation server 20 according to the present embodiment. Hereinafter, the details of the operation of the reservation server 20 will be described while omitting the description of the operation described in FIG.

  When the reservation control unit 21 of the reservation server 20 receives the telephone numbers of the communication terminals 10a and 10b from the exchange 30 (step S601), the reservation control unit 21 determines whether the reservation is possible (step S602). Specifically, the reservation control unit refers to a table held by the storage unit 22 and determines whether or not the notified telephone number of the communication terminal 10a is recorded.

  If there is no record (Yes in step S602), the reservation control unit 21 determines that a call reservation is possible, and transmits a reservation acceptance message to the telephone numbers of the communication terminals 10a and 10b notified from the exchange 30. (Step S603). At this time, the reservation control unit 21 refers to the number of lines allocated to the reservation server 20, extracts the date and time at which lines can be allocated to the communication terminals 10 a and 10 b, and describes them in the reservation reception message.

  Upon receiving the message returned from the communication terminals 10a and 10b, the reservation control unit 21 that has transmitted the reservation acceptance message determines whether reservation is possible (step S605). Specifically, the reservation control unit 21 determines whether or not a matching desired call date and time is included in the received message. If the matching desired call date and time are included, the reservation control unit 21 determines that the reservation is possible. (Yes in step S605). In this case, the reservation control unit 21 records the matching desired call date and time as a call reservation date and time in the reservation table (step S606). At this time, if there are a plurality of matching desired call dates and times, a plurality of call reservation dates and times may be recorded in the reservation table.

  And the reservation control part 21 transmits the message which notifies call reservation date and time to the communication terminals 10a and 10b. (Step S607) The reservation control unit 21 waits until the call reservation date and time arrives (Step S608), and when the call reservation date and time arrives (Yes in Step S608), instructs the exchange 30 to connect the communication terminals 10a and 10b. (Step S609).

  On the other hand, if the telephone number of the communication terminal 10a has already been recorded in the reservation table (No in step S602), the reservation control unit 21 determines that call reservation is not possible, and the communication terminal 10a receives a reservation. A message notifying that it is impossible is transmitted (step S604). Similarly, if the desired call date and time matching the messages returned from the communication terminals 10a and 10b is not included (No in step S605), the reservation reception is not possible for the communication terminals 10a and 10b. A message notifying that is transmitted (step S604).

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, it is possible to make a call reliably on the date and time desired by the user by reserving the callable date and time of both the calling terminal and the called terminal. In addition, the reservation system according to the present embodiment maintains a reservation table and limits calls that can be reserved from the same caller. Thereby, it is possible to eliminate duplicate reservations, and it is possible to register only reservations that can actually be called.

  In this embodiment, the case where the communication terminal is a mobile phone has been described as an example. However, the communication terminal may be any terminal that can use a multimedia messaging service (MMS) or instant message in addition to SMS. Not limited to. For example, the communication terminal may be an IP telephone connected via an IP telephone network. In this case, the reservation server corresponds to a call control server, and performs processing necessary for call reservation using the telephone number of the IP phone that is the communication terminal of the transmission source and the transmission destination.

  Further, the information for specifying the communication terminal of the transmission source and the transmission destination is preferably the same as the telephone number, but any identification information that can uniquely specify the communication terminal may be used. For example, an IP address may be used. Good. In this case, the reservation server records and manages the IP address in the reservation table in association with the caller and callee telephone numbers.

  In this embodiment, the case where the reservation server holds the reservation table has been described as an example. However, the reservation table may be stored externally accessible from the reservation server via the network.

  In the present embodiment, the reservation server determines whether or not to accept a call reservation based on whether or not the telephone number of the caller communication terminal is registered, but instead of the caller communication terminal, Whether or not a call reservation is possible may be determined based on the presence or absence of registration of the telephone number of the destination communication terminal.

  In the present embodiment, if the desired call date and time matching the messages returned from the communication terminals of the transmission source and the transmission destination are not included, the communication server 10a and 10b indicates that the reservation server cannot accept the reservation. In the above description, the process is terminated. Here, when the matching call desired date / time is not included, the reservation server may extract another candidate date / time and transmit the reservation acceptance message again.

(Third embodiment)
The third embodiment is different from the second embodiment in that the reservation server refers to the caller and callee telephone numbers when accepting the call reservation. Hereinafter, the difference from the second embodiment will be mainly described.

  Since the reservation table held by the storage unit 22 is the same as that of the second embodiment, FIG. 3 is used. Next, the operation of the call reservation system according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to the sequence diagram shown in FIG.

  In step S405, the reservation control unit 21 refers to the table held by the storage unit 22 and determines whether or not the notified set of telephone numbers of the communication terminals 10a and 10b is recorded. In this case, even if the communication terminal 10a is recorded as a transmission source, if the transmission destination is another communication terminal that is not the communication terminal 10b, the reservation control unit 21 determines that a call reservation is possible.

  When the combination of the telephone numbers corresponding to the reservation table is not recorded, the reservation control unit 21 determines that the call reservation is possible (step S405), and sets the telephone numbers of the communication terminals 10a and 10b notified from the exchange 30. On the other hand, a reservation acceptance message is transmitted (steps S406 and S407).

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, the reservation server accepts a call reservation when a set of telephone numbers of a communication terminal that is a transmission source and a reception destination is not recorded in the table. Thereby, when the same user needs to contact a plurality of other parties, a call with a plurality of destinations can be reserved.

  In this embodiment, the reservation server determines whether or not there is a matching desired call date and time in the message returned from the communication terminal of the transmission source and the destination when recording the call reservation date and time in the table. It was. In addition to this, the reservation server may determine whether or not the same call reservation date / time is recorded for each of the transmission source and destination communication terminals recorded in the reservation table before registering the call reservation date / time. . In this case, the reservation server registers the call reservation date and time avoiding the already recorded call reservation date and time. Thereby, it is possible to make a call reservation at a date and time when the call destination and the destination communication terminal can make a call. This is because registration of a duplicate reservation can be avoided even if a call reservation has already been made at either the destination or destination communication terminal.

  In the present embodiment, the reservation target is described as the desired call date and time, but the reservation target is not limited to the date and time, and may be a date, a day of the week, or a time zone. For example, when the reservation target is a time slot, the reservation server instructs the exchange to call the communication terminal of the transmission source and the transmission destination when the call is possible. At this time, if the call fails, the exchange may be instructed to call the communication terminal of the caller and the callee within the same callable time zone. As a result, it is possible to call again with a time interval until the call is successful, as compared with the case of registering only the call reservation date and time. As a result, even if the user cannot respond to the call due to sudden circumstances, it is possible to make a call with the other party without making a call reservation procedure again.

(Fourth embodiment)
The fourth embodiment is different from the second embodiment in that the destination of the reservation acceptance message transmitted from the reservation server is only the source communication terminal. Hereinafter, the difference from the second embodiment will be mainly described.

  In the sequence diagram shown in FIG. 4, when the reservation server 20 determines that the reservation is possible (step S405), the reservation server 20 transmits a reservation acceptance message to the communication terminal 10a, and displays the reservation acceptance message to the communication terminal 10b shown in step S407. No transmission is performed. When receiving a reply from the communication terminal 10a, the reservation receiving server 20 records the desired call date and time described in the message in the reservation table as the call reservation date and time (step S410).

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, it is possible to make a call reservation based on the desired call date and time of the caller communication terminal. As a result, it is possible to reserve a call even when a reply to the reservation acceptance message cannot be received in a short time from the communication terminal of the destination, such as the communication state of the destination being unstable.

  In addition, the present embodiment is useful in that it can be used even with a landline telephone that cannot use SMS. If the destination communication terminal does not have an SMS transmission / reception function, the reservation server 20 instructs the exchange to inquire about the desired call date and time. The exchange may use an automatic voice guidance to obtain an answer to the desired call date and time from the communication terminal of the caller and notify the reservation server of the result.

As described above, according to the first to fourth embodiments, the following inventions are disclosed.
(Appendix 1)
An exchange for connecting a caller and a callee communication terminal so that a call can be made; and a reservation server for receiving a call reservation date and time,
Reservation server
When receiving the identification information of the caller and callee communication terminals from the exchange, the caller and callee communication terminals are inquired about the call request date and time, and the call reservation date and time is determined based on the information related to the call request date and time notified from both parties. Including a reservation control unit to determine,
The reservation control unit instructs the exchange to connect the communication terminal of the caller and the callee at the call reservation date and time,
The exchange is a call reservation system in which a caller and a callee communication terminal are called and connected in accordance with an instruction from a reservation control unit.
(Appendix 2)
The reservation server further includes a table storage unit that holds a reservation table that records the identification information of the communication terminal of the transmission source and the call reservation date and time in association with each other,
When the reservation control unit receives the identification information, the reservation control unit refers to the reservation table, and when the identification information of the destination communication terminal is not registered, the reservation control unit determines that the call reservation is possible and inquires about the desired call date and time. The call reservation system according to 1.
(Appendix 3)
Further, in the reservation table, the identification information of the communication terminal of the transmission destination is recorded in association with the identification information of the communication terminal of the transmission source and the call reservation date and time,
When the reservation control unit receives the telephone number, the reservation control unit refers to the reservation table, and determines that the call reservation is possible when the combination of identification information of the communication terminal of the transmission source and the transmission destination is unregistered and wishes to call The call reservation system according to Appendix 2, which inquires about the date and time.
(Appendix 4)
When the exchange receives a request for transmission from the communication terminal of the transmission source, the exchange determines whether the transmission to the communication terminal of the connection destination is possible, and transmits the identification information to the reservation server when the transmission is impossible. The call reservation system according to any one of appendices 1 to 3.
(Appendix 5)
The call reservation system according to any one of appendices 1 to 4, wherein the inquiry is made by transmitting and receiving a message using SMS (short message service), and the identification information is a telephone number.
(Appendix 6)
Upon receiving the identification information of the caller and callee communication terminals from the exchange, the caller and callee communication terminals are inquired about the desired call date and time, and the call reservation date and time is determined based on the information related to the call request date and time notified from both parties. A call reservation step,
An instruction step for instructing the exchange to connect the communication terminal of the caller and the callee at the call reservation date and time determined in the call reservation step;
A call reservation method in which an exchange calls and connects a communication terminal of a transmission source and a transmission destination according to an instruction in an instruction step.
(Appendix 7)
When receiving the identification information of the caller and callee communication terminals from the exchange, the caller and callee communication terminals are inquired about the call request date and time, and the call reservation date and time is determined based on the information related to the call request date and time notified from both parties. It has a reservation control unit to decide,
The reservation control unit is a call reservation server that instructs the exchange to connect the caller and callee communication terminals at the call reservation date and time.
(Appendix 8)
A program executed by a reservation server that accepts a reservation date and time for a call,
Upon receiving the identification information of the caller and callee communication terminals from the exchange, the caller and callee communication terminals are inquired about the desired call date and time, and the call reservation date and time is determined based on the information related to the call request date and time notified from both parties. A call reservation step,
A program for causing a reservation server to execute an instruction step for instructing an exchange to connect a communication terminal of a caller and a callee at a call reservation date and time determined in a call reservation step.

10a, 10b Communication terminal 20 Reservation server 21 Reservation control unit 22 Storage unit 30 Exchange

Claims (8)

An exchange for connecting a caller and a callee communication terminal so that a call can be made; and a reservation server for receiving a call reservation date and time,
The reservation server
When receiving the identification information of the caller and callee communication terminals from the exchange, the caller and callee communication terminals are inquired about the call request date and time, and the call reservation date and time is determined based on the information related to the call request date and time notified from both parties. Including a reservation control unit to determine,
The reservation control unit instructs the exchange to connect a communication terminal of a caller and a callee at the call reservation date and time,
The exchange is a call reservation system in which the caller and callee communication terminals are called and connected in accordance with an instruction from the reservation control unit. The reservation server further includes a table storage unit that holds a reservation table that records the identification information of the communication terminal of the transmission source and the call reservation date and time in association with each other,
When the reservation control unit receives the identification information, the reservation control unit refers to the reservation table, and determines that the call reservation is possible when the identification information of the destination communication terminal is not registered, and sets the desired call date and time. The call reservation system according to claim 1, which makes an inquiry. In the reservation table, the identification information of the communication terminal of the transmission destination is further recorded in association with the identification information of the communication terminal of the transmission source and the call reservation date and time,
When the reservation control unit receives the telephone number, the reservation control unit refers to the reservation table, and determines that the call reservation is possible when the combination of identification information of the communication terminal of the transmission source and the transmission destination is unregistered. The call reservation system according to claim 2, wherein a call desired date and time is inquired.   When the exchange receives a call request from the caller communication terminal, the switch determines whether the call to the communication terminal of the connection destination is possible, and if the call is impossible, the identification information is stored in the reservation server. The call reservation system according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the call reservation system is transmitted to.   The call reservation system according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the inquiry is made by sending and receiving a message using SMS (Short Message Service), and the identification information is a telephone number. Upon receiving the identification information of the caller and callee communication terminals from the exchange, the caller and callee communication terminals are inquired about the desired call date and time, and the call reservation date and time is determined based on the information related to the call request date and time notified from both parties. A call reservation step,
An instruction step for instructing the exchange to connect the communication terminal of the caller and the callee at the call reservation date and time determined in the call reservation step;
A call reservation method in which the exchange calls and connects the caller and callee communication terminals in accordance with an instruction in the instruction step. When receiving the identification information of the caller and callee communication terminals from the exchange, the caller and callee communication terminals are inquired about the call request date and time, and the call reservation date and time is determined based on the information related to the call request date and time notified from both parties. It has a reservation control unit to decide,
The reservation control unit is a call reservation server that instructs the exchange to connect a caller and a callee communication terminal at the call reservation date and time. A program executed by a reservation server that accepts a reservation date and time for a call,
Upon receiving the identification information of the caller and callee communication terminals from the exchange, the caller and callee communication terminals are inquired about the desired call date and time, and the call reservation date and time is determined based on the information related to the call request date and time notified from both parties. A call reservation step,
A program for causing the reservation server to execute an instruction step for instructing an exchange to connect a communication terminal of a caller and a callee at a call reservation date and time determined in the call reservation step.

Images