JP2023163274A - Private branch exchange, private branch exchange program, and private branch exchange method - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide a private branch exchange which allows multiple simultaneous incoming call function to be used for a terminal connected to the Internet, etc.SOLUTION: A private branch exchange includes: first connection means which connects first extension terminals; second connection means which connects second extension terminals over an external network; storage means which holds, for each dummy extension which is a virtual extension having no physical structure, information on the first extension terminals and/or the second extension terminals, which are members to be called simultaneously as a group; first call control means which calls, on receipt of a request from a calling terminal for a group call to the dummy extensions, in accordance with the information in the storage means, the first extension terminals and/or the second extension terminals simultaneously through the dummy extensions; and second call control means which controls call connection between the calling terminal and a terminal that made a response to the call, out of the first extension terminals and/or the second extension terminals called simultaneously by the first call control means.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

The present invention relates to a private branch exchange, a private branch exchange program, and a private branch exchange method. eXchange)).

Generally, in private branch exchanges used in companies, multiple simultaneous call receiving functions (functions called simultaneous paging, group paging, multi-ringing, etc.) are utilized (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

When using the multiple simultaneous incoming call function, set a number for simultaneous incoming calls (for example, a representative office extension within a department), and when a call is received at that number, the private branch exchange will send the call to multiple preset extensions. Receive a call. Then, the private branch exchange enables a call between the extension that first goes off-hook after receiving the call and the caller.

Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2015-056827

Nowadays, the number of telecommuters who work from home is increasing, and telecommuters now have mobile terminals and softphones to communicate with the office.

However, with conventional private branch exchanges, when using the multiple simultaneous call receiving function, only extensions within the office could be called. That is, with conventional private branch exchanges, simultaneous calls cannot be made to mobile terminals, softphones, etc. that use lines such as mobile networks and the Internet.

Therefore, there is a demand for a private branch exchange, a private branch exchange program, and a private branch exchange method that can utilize the function of receiving multiple calls simultaneously for communication terminals connected to mobile networks, the Internet, and the like.

A private branch exchange according to a first aspect of the present invention includes (1) a first connection means for connecting a first extension terminal, and (2) a second connection means for connecting a second extension terminal via an external network. , (3) For each dummy extension that is a virtual extension that does not maintain a physical structure, information on the first extension terminal and/or the second extension terminal that is a member for calling all at once in a group unit. (4) When a calling terminal requests a group call to the dummy extension, the dummy extension calls the first extension terminal, which is a member, according to the information held in the storage means; or a first call control means that calls the second extension terminals all at once; (5) the calling terminal and the first extension terminals called all at once by the first call control means; The present invention is characterized by having a second call control means for controlling call connection with a terminal that responds to a call among the two extension terminals.

The private branch exchange program of the second invention connects a computer installed in the private branch exchange to (1) a first connection means for connecting a first extension terminal, and (2) a second extension terminal via an external network. a second connection means for connecting terminals; (3) the first extension terminal, which is a member for calling all at once in a group for each dummy extension, which is a virtual extension that does not maintain a physical structure; or storage means for retaining information on the second extension terminal; (4) when a calling terminal requests a group call to the dummy extension, according to the information retained in the storage means, the dummy extension; (5) a first call control means that calls the first extension terminal and/or the second extension terminal that are members all at once; It is characterized in that it functions as a second call control means for controlling call connection with a terminal that responds to a call among the first extension terminal and/or the second extension terminal.

A third aspect of the present invention is a private branch exchange method used in a private branch exchange, which comprises a first connection means, a second connection means, a storage means, a first call control means, and a second call control means. (1) the first connection means connects a first extension terminal; (2) the second connection means connects a second extension terminal via an external network; ) The storage means stores information on the first extension terminal and/or the second extension terminal that are members for calling all at once in a group for each dummy extension that is a virtual extension that does not maintain a physical structure. (4) When a calling terminal requests a group call to the dummy extension, the first call control means is configured to control the number of members using the dummy extension according to the information held in the storage means. (5) the second call control means is called simultaneously by the calling terminal and the first call control means; It is characterized in that it controls call connection with a terminal that responds to a call among the first extension terminal and/or the second extension terminal.

According to the present invention, the multiple simultaneous call receiving function can also be used for communication terminals connected to a mobile network, the Internet, etc.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a private branch exchange according to an embodiment. FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of an extension line list according to the embodiment. FIG. 2 is a sequence diagram (part 1) showing a characteristic operation (group call) of the private branch exchange according to the embodiment. FIG. 7 is a sequence diagram (part 2) showing the characteristic operation (group call) of the private branch exchange according to the embodiment.

(A) Main Embodiment Hereinafter, one embodiment of a private branch exchange, a private branch exchange program, and a private branch exchange method according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

(A-1) Configuration of Embodiment FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a private branch exchange according to an embodiment.

In FIG. 1, the private branch exchange 1 includes a switching section 10, an extension accommodating section 20, an extension terminal 25 (25-1 to 25-k), a softphone accommodating section 30, and a softphone 35 (35-1 to 35-k). -n), a mobile housing section 40, mobile terminals 45 (45-1 to 45-m), and an outside line housing section 50. Note that the extension accommodating section 20 is an example of the first first connection means, and the softphone 35 and the mobile phone accommodating section 40 are examples of the second connection means.

The private branch exchange 1 may be configured entirely in terms of hardware (for example, configured using a dedicated semiconductor chip), or may be configured in part or all in software except for the communication interface. .

In the following, in order to simplify the explanation, if there is no need to separately explain the extension terminals 25-1 to 25-k, the extension terminals 25-1 to 25-k will be simply referred to as the extension terminal 25. Similarly, the softphones 35 (35-1 to 35-n) and mobile terminals 45 (45-1 to 45-m) will also be described as softphones 35 and mobile terminals 45.

The private branch exchange 1 accommodates extension terminals 25-1 to 25-k, softphones 35-1 to 35-n, and mobile terminals 45-1 to 45-m. Note that the mobile terminals 45-1 to 45-m can use extension telephones like the extension terminal 25, and are accommodated in the private branch exchange 1 via the mobile network M. Similarly, the softphones 35-1 to 35-n can also be used as extension telephones like the extension terminal 25, and are accommodated in the private branch exchange 1 via the Internet network N. Here, accommodation means connection and identification. That is, the private branch exchange 1 connects to and identifies each of the extension terminals 25-1 to 25-k, softphones 35-1 to 35-n, and mobile terminals 45-1 to 45-m. Further, the private branch exchange 1 accommodates a public network P (external public subscriber telephone network). Note that connection in accommodating the private branch exchange 1 means communication based on a predetermined communication protocol, and identification means identifying the terminal type and line type based on the communication protocol. Each configuration within the private branch exchange 1 will be explained below.

The exchange section 10 includes a simultaneous call reception management section 11, dummy extensions 12 (12-1 to 12-j), and a storage section 13.

The switching unit 10 controls call connections between the external public network P and the extension terminal 25, the softphone 35, or the mobile terminal 45, as well as the extension terminal 25 and the It controls the call connection between two parties within the phone 35 and the mobile terminal 45, the call connection between the extension terminals 25, between the softphones 35, or between the mobile terminals 45.

The simultaneous call termination management unit 11 determines which terminals (termination destinations) are to simultaneously receive calls for which connection requests have been made. In this embodiment, when there is an incoming call to the extension numbers of the dummy extensions 12 (12-1 to 12-j), the simultaneous incoming call management unit 11 determines the incoming method and incoming call based on the extension line list 14, which will be described later. Decide the destination (call destination).

In this embodiment, the incoming call method is only a group call that simultaneously calls a plurality of registered terminals (extension terminal 25, softphone 35, mobile terminal 45), but other incoming call methods may be applied.

The dummy extensions 12 (12-1 to 12-j) are virtual extension terminals that do not have a hardware structure. That is, the dummy extension 12 maintains the same functions as the extension terminal 25 except that it does not maintain a hardware structure. For example, the dummy extension 12 is a SIP (Session Initiation Protocol) terminal that does not have a hardware structure. The dummy extension 12 controls the origination/response/release of each call destination (call destination) in a group call. In addition, the dummy extension 12 determines whether or not a group call is possible based on the threshold T in response to a group call request from the simultaneous call management section 11 . The threshold T indicates the limit number of calls that can be made by the dummy extension 12 in a group call (the limit number of calls that can be controlled at the same time), and if the number of calls to be called as a group is within the range of the threshold T, the group call is possible. It is determined that

The storage unit 13 stores data regarding terminals and the like accommodated in the private branch exchange 1, and has an extension line list 14.

The extension line list 14 is data (table) that manages, for each extension number of the dummy extension 12, what type of incoming call method and to which terminal the call is to be received. FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of an extension line list according to the embodiment.

The extension line list 14 includes "extension number" indicating the extension number of the dummy extension 12, "terminating method" indicating the incoming call method for the extension number that received the call, and "receiving destination" indicating the multiple destinations to which calls are received based on the incoming call method. ”.

Although FIG. 2 shows data for one extension number (0001) (a fictitious number only for explaining the embodiment), the number of data managed in the extension line list 14 is not particularly limited. . Note that the extension number "0001" is the extension number of the dummy extension 12-1.

Further, in FIG. 2, only one type of call reception method (group call in which calls are received simultaneously on a plurality of terminals) is shown, but the method is not limited to this. The extension numbers (1000, 1001, 1002) of the destination shown in FIG. 2 are the extension numbers of the extension terminal 25-2, softphone 35-1, and mobile terminal 45-1 in FIG. 1, respectively. . The information written in the destination may be any information that can identify each terminal, and FIG. 1 shows an extension number as an example.

For example, when the dummy extension 12-1 receives a call connection request for itself, it refers to the extension line list 14 and searches each terminal (extension The terminal 25-2, softphone 35-1, and mobile terminal 45-1 are controlled to receive calls.

The extension accommodating section 20 accommodates a plurality of extension terminals 25-1 to 25-k. Here, the extension terminal 25 accommodated in the extension accommodation section 20 is, for example, a commonly used multifunction telephone.

The softphone accommodating section 30 accommodates a plurality of softphones 35-1 to 35-n. Here, the softphone 35 accommodated in the softphone accommodating section 30 is, for example, a communication terminal (smartphone, tablet, PC, etc. with a dedicated application installed) that has an audio input/output function that can access the Internet network N. be.

The mobile housing unit 40 accommodates a plurality of mobile terminals 45-1 to 45-m via the mobile network M. Here, the mobile terminal 45 accommodated in the mobile accommodation unit 40 is, for example, an FMC (Fixed-Mobile Convergence) terminal provided by a mobile carrier.

The outside line accommodation section 50 accommodates lines to and from the external public network P.

(A-2) Operation of the Embodiment Next, the operation of the private branch exchange 1 of the embodiment having the above configuration will be described.

FIG. 3 is a sequence diagram (part 1) showing the characteristic operation (group call) of the private branch exchange according to the embodiment. FIG. 3 shows a sequence in which the extension terminal 25-1 makes a call, performs a group call, and receives the call to a group member (extension terminal 25-2, etc.). Although FIG. 3 shows an example where the extension terminal 25-1 makes a call, there are other cases where the softphone 35, the mobile terminal 45 makes the call, or the call is made from the public network P and transferred to the dummy extension 12. The same applies to the case. Furthermore, it is assumed that the group call settings are those listed in the extension line list 14 in FIG.

The extension terminal 25-1 dials the extension number of the dummy extension 12-1 and transmits a group call origination request to the simultaneous call reception management section 11 (S101).

The simultaneous call reception management unit 11 analyzes the call destination (S102). The simultaneous call management unit 11 determines whether the extension number of the dialed dummy extension 12-1 is registered in the extension line list 14, and if it is registered, determines that a group call is possible. Here, the following explanation will be given assuming that group calls are possible.

In response to the above-mentioned group call origination request, the simultaneous call reception management unit 11 replies that the group call is possible (S103). The extension terminal 25-1 enters a ringing state (a state in which the ringing tone is heard).

The simultaneous incoming call management unit 11 requests status analysis for the dummy extension 12-1 members (extension terminal 25, softphone 35, mobile terminal 45) registered in the extension line list 14. (S104).

The dummy extension 12-1 refers to the threshold value T, and if there is a vacancy (if it can handle calls for members), it returns the status analysis result (status is vacated) to the simultaneous call management unit 11 (S105). ).

If the status analysis result shows that the dummy extension is vacant, the simultaneous call reception management unit 11 makes a call to the dummy extension 12-1 (S106).

The dummy extension 12-1 requests status analysis from each member (extension terminal 25-2, softphone 35-1, mobile terminal 45-1) registered in the extension line list 14 (S107).

If each member has an empty status, each member sends back the status analysis result (the status is empty) to the dummy extension 12-1 (S108).

The dummy extension 12-1 makes a call to each member registered in the extension line list 14 (S109). Note that the process (call control sequence) in which the dummy extension 12-1 calls each member is the same as the method used in an existing private branch exchange (PBX).

Each member transmits call completion to dummy extension 12-1 (S110).

After receiving the call completion from each terminal, the dummy extension 12-1 transmits the call completion to the simultaneous call reception management unit 11 (S111). Similarly, after receiving the call completion from the dummy extension 12-1, the simultaneous call management unit 11 transmits the call completion to the caller's extension terminal 25-1 (S112).

FIG. 4 is a sequence diagram (part 2) showing the characteristic operation (group call) of the private branch exchange according to the embodiment. The sequence in FIG. 4 shows the processing after the sequence in FIG. In other words, each subordinate member (extension terminal 25-2, softphone 35-1, and mobile terminal 45-1) is being called by the dummy extension 12-1.

When the mobile terminal 45-1 responds to the call, it transmits the response to the dummy extension 12-1 (S201). This response is transmitted to the caller's extension terminal 25-1 via the dummy extension 12-1 and the simultaneous call management section 11 (S202, S203).

When the extension terminal 25-1 receives the response, a communication path is established between the caller's extension terminal 25-1 and the mobile terminal 45-1 that responded (S204).

The mobile terminal 45-1 transmits response completion to the dummy extension 12-1 (S205). Subsequently, the dummy extension 12-1 transmits the response completion to the simultaneous call reception management section 11 (S206).

The simultaneous call management unit 11 transmits a release request to the dummy extension 12-1 in order to disconnect the unanswered call (S207). Subsequently, the dummy extension 12-1 transmits a release request to the non-responsive calling member (extension terminal 25-2, softphone 35-1) (S208).

Note that when the mobile terminal 45-1 answers the call, it becomes a normal one-on-one conversation between the caller and the responder. Therefore, the disconnection sequence is similar to the disconnection sequence of a normal one-to-one call, so further explanation will be omitted.

(A-3) Effects of the embodiments According to the present invention, the following effects are achieved.

By using the group call function using the above-mentioned dummy extension 12, the private branch exchange 1 (exchange section 10) allows the telecommuters to You can call everyone in your department by calling your own mobile device or softphone.

Further, when the dummy extension 12 is installed in the private branch exchange 1, the processing of the existing extension terminal can be used, so that no extra preparation is required. For example, since the connection sequence processing of existing extension terminals and mobile terminals and softphones that use various protocols can be used, the dummy extension 12 of this embodiment can make calls regardless of the protocol type. .

(B) Other Embodiments Although various modified embodiments have been mentioned in the embodiments described above, the following modified embodiments can also be applied.

(B-1) In the embodiment described above, an example was shown in which a call can be made to a member regardless of the protocol by making a call from the dummy extension 12 using the existing calling method of the PBX. In addition to calling telecommuters, it can also be used to connect to gateways at other locations and satellite offices via PBX. For example, extension terminals housed in gateways or other PBXs can also be members of the group call.

(B-2) In the embodiment described above, it is assumed that a call completion message is sent in FIG. If the completion cannot be received, processing may be performed to disconnect the call originating from extension terminal 25-1.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1... Private branch exchange, 10... Switching section, 11... Simultaneous call management section, 12 (12-1 to 12-j)... Dummy extension, 13... Storage section, 14... Extension line list, 20... Extension accommodation section, 25 ( 25-1 to 25-k)...Extension terminal, 30...Softphone housing, 35 (35-1 to 35-n)...Softphone, 40...Mobile phone housing, 45 (45-1 to 45-m)... Mobile terminal, 50...External line accommodation unit, M...Mobile network, N...Internet network, P...Public network.

Claims (4)

a first connection means for connecting a first extension terminal;
a second connection means for connecting a second extension terminal via an external network;
Storage means for holding information of the first extension terminal and/or the second extension terminal that are members for calling all at once in a group for each dummy extension that is a virtual extension that does not maintain a physical structure. and,
When a calling terminal requests a group call to the dummy extension, the dummy extension simultaneously calls the first extension terminal and/or the second extension terminal, which are members, according to the information held in the storage means. a first call control means for calling;
A second control unit that controls call connection between the calling terminal and a terminal that responds to the call among the first extension terminal and/or the second extension terminal that are simultaneously called by the first call control means. A private branch exchange characterized in that it has a call control means. The private branch exchange according to claim 1, wherein the second extension terminal is a softphone or a mobile terminal. The computer installed in the private branch exchange,
a first connection means for connecting a first extension terminal;
a second connection means for connecting a second extension terminal via an external network;
Storage means for holding information of the first extension terminal and/or the second extension terminal that are members for calling all at once in a group for each dummy extension that is a virtual extension that does not maintain a physical structure. and,
When a calling terminal requests a group call to the dummy extension, the dummy extension simultaneously calls the first extension terminal and/or the second extension terminal, which are members, according to the information held in the storage means. a first call control means for calling;
A second control unit that controls call connection between the calling terminal and a terminal that responds to the call among the first extension terminal and/or the second extension terminal that are simultaneously called by the first call control means. A private branch exchange program characterized in that it functions as a call control means for. A private branch exchange method used in a private branch exchange,
comprising a first connection means, a second connection means, a storage means, a first call control means, and a second call control means,
The first connection means connects a first extension terminal,
The second connection means connects a second extension terminal via an external network,
The storage means stores information on the first extension terminal and/or the second extension terminal that are members for calling all at once in a group for each dummy extension that is a virtual extension that does not maintain a physical structure. hold,
When a calling terminal requests a group call to the dummy extension, the first call control means controls the first extension terminal and the first extension terminal that are members by the dummy extension according to information held in the storage means. or calling the second extension terminals all at once;
The second call control means connects the originating terminal, the first extension terminal and/or the second extension terminal called all at once by the first call control means to a terminal that responded to the call. A private branch exchange method characterized by controlling call connections.

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