JP3104670B2 - Telephone equipment - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a telephone device for transferring an incoming request to another terminal, and more particularly, to a telephone device for determining whether a caller transfers an incoming request to another terminal based on a call charge. Regarding a telephone device that can be selected.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art As a service provided by a telephone device, there is a transfer service for transferring a call request to another terminal registered in advance when a callee is not present. If the called party wants to receive a telephone call while away from home, he or she can register the telephone number of the outside destination as a transfer destination in advance.
For example, when a business trip is made from Tokyo to Osaka, registration can be made so as to transfer from a business office in Tokyo to a business office in Osaka. Also, if you receive an emergency call during a meeting,
You can register to transfer from your phone to your conference room phone. If the called party registers the telephone number of the transfer destination, the called party can receive a call at a place different from the original place, and can save the trouble of notifying the contact destination, which is convenient. Furthermore, recently, by registering a mobile terminal such as a mobile phone as a transfer destination, it has become possible to communicate with the transfer destination.

[0003] Such a transfer service is provided with various services according to the convenience of the called party. For example, an unattended transfer service that transfers an incoming request to a pre-registered transfer destination terminal regardless of the usage status of the called terminal, and a night transfer service that transfers an incoming request to the transfer destination terminal according to the time of the incoming call. is there. In addition, when the receiving terminal is busy, a busy transfer service that transfers the incoming request to the transfer destination terminal without giving the caller a busy tone;
If the receiving terminal does not respond after a certain period of time,
2. Description of the Related Art There is a non-response transfer service for stopping a call of a calling terminal and transferring an incoming request to a transfer destination terminal.

[0006] As described above, the types of transfer services are increasing in accordance with the use status of the receiving terminal. However, in these transfer services, when an incoming call is received by a caller from a caller, the incoming request is uniformly transferred to the transfer destination terminal based on transfer information registered in advance. For example, the caller may not want to transfer the call, depending on the content of the call and the state of use. Even in such a case, since the call is automatically transferred, the caller must talk to the called party at the transfer destination unless the call is disconnected at the time of transfer.

[0005] In such a transfer service, the caller cannot select whether or not to transfer the incoming call request on his own will. Therefore, when performing a transfer service, a telephone device that allows the caller to select whether or not to transfer the incoming call request while respecting the intention of the caller is required. For example, Japanese Patent Laying-Open No. 5-63826 proposes a telephone device that allows a caller to determine whether to use a transfer service.

[0006] This telephone device is provided with transfer registration means for registering transfer information for each terminal. When using the transfer service, the subscriber registers the number of the transfer destination terminal as transfer information. Here, as an example, it is assumed that registration is made so that an incoming call that arrives at terminal B at his / her seat is transferred to terminal C at the conference room.

[0007] Upon receiving the incoming call request from terminal A to terminal B, the telephone device determines whether or not transfer registration has been made with terminal B. If the transfer registration has not been made to the terminal B, the terminal B is called in the same manner as usual. On the other hand, if the transfer registration has been made to the terminal B, the transmitting terminal A is notified that the incoming call request is to be transferred. Here, since the terminal C in the conference room is registered as the transfer destination, the fact that the transfer is to be performed is notified to the caller. This notification can be made by transmitting a signal tone different from a normal ring tone to the caller.

The sender can determine whether or not to transfer by performing a predetermined operation based on the signal tone. The designation of whether or not to transfer is performed by, for example, transmitting a specific number using the push button of the transmitting terminal A or hanging up the receiver. The telephone device executes a transfer service when receiving a specific number for which call transfer is desired. That is, the incoming call request is transferred to the registered terminal C in the conference room, and the calling terminal A is connected to the terminal C in the conference room. On the other hand, when the receiver is hung up, the line is disconnected without performing the transfer. This allows the caller to know that his call will be forwarded and to choose whether or not to forward.

Here, it is assumed that, for example, the transfer destination is not the terminal C of the conference room, but the terminal D of another office to which the outside line is to be registered. If you use the extension service of the office,
Call charges are usually free. Therefore, terminal B at your seat
When another terminal via the same extension telephone network is a transfer destination as in the case where the transfer destination is the terminal C in the conference room from
The caller can talk to the other party for free. On the other hand, if another terminal D such as an outside line terminal via the public line network is registered as a transfer destination, the public line network is charged and the call is charged.
That is, since the call charge is free or charged depending on the transfer destination, there is a problem that the call charge is charged without the caller's knowledge.

Therefore, if the destination of the incoming call request is a pay line, a telephone device is required that can notify the caller of that fact and select whether or not to use the transfer service. For example, in JP-A-7-105845,
A telephone device has been proposed in which, when a call transfer destination goes through a pay line, regulation information on the transfer service is registered, and the caller can determine whether or not to use the transfer service.

FIG. 9 shows an outline of the configuration of the telephone apparatus. The telephone device 58 includes a terminal 51 and a terminal 52.
And a main switch 53 for connecting these outgoing and incoming calls, and a call control device 56 for controlling the main switch 53. The transfer information memory 57 is for storing regulation information when an incoming call request is transferred to a pay line. The restriction information preliminarily defines whether or not to perform the transfer process when the transfer destination is charged. Note that the regulation information is stored corresponding to each terminal. The telephone device 58 accommodates a line 54 for connecting to a corporate telephone network and a line 55 for connecting to a public telephone network. Here, the terminal 51 is a calling terminal, the terminal 52
Will be described as a receiving terminal.

FIG. 10 shows a flow of processing when the telephone device 58 performs a transfer service. Hereinafter, a case where the caller calls the terminal 52 from the terminal 51 will be described. When the caller calls the called terminal 52 from the calling terminal 51, the call control device 56 receives the called terminal number (step S501). Then, the data in the storage device (not shown) is read, and it is determined whether or not the receiving terminal 52 has registered for transfer (step S502).
If the destination terminal 52 has not registered for transfer (step 502; N), the destination terminal 52, which is the destination, is sent in the same manner as usual.
Is called (step S503). Here, it is assumed that the call receiving terminal 52 has registered a call forwarding service that transfers a call request to another terminal (not shown) regardless of the usage state of the call receiving terminal 52.

In step S502, the call control device 56
When it is determined that the receiving terminal 52 has registered for call forwarding (step S502; Y), it is determined whether the call charge with the transfer destination is paid or free (step S504). If the transfer registration destination of the receiving terminal 52 is an extension terminal via the corporate telephone network 59, the call charge is free (step S).
504; N), call the transfer destination terminal as it is (step 509). In contrast, the transfer registration destination is the public telephone network 60.
If the terminal is a terminal via, the call fee is charged (step S504; Y), so the control information is read from the transfer information memory 57 (step S505).

If the restriction information corresponding to the terminal 52 restricts the transfer of incoming calls when the transfer destination is a pay line (step S505; Y), a restriction sound is transmitted to the calling terminal 51 (step S506). ), Stop the call transfer process. On the other hand, if the call is not regulated in the case of a pay line (step S505; N), a special sound is transmitted to the calling terminal 51 (step S507), and an execution permission signal indicating whether or not to perform the call transfer is transmitted. Request.

[0015] The caller hears a special sound indicating that the transfer destination is charged, and sends a dial number corresponding to the execution permission signal from the calling terminal 51 if the caller wishes to transfer even when the charge is made. On the other hand, if the user does not want to transfer data because it is charged, he / she can hang up the receiver of the transmitting terminal 51.

At step S508 in FIG. 10, upon receiving the execution permission signal from the caller (step S508; Y), the call control device 56 transfers the incoming call request to the transfer registration destination terminal (step S509). On the other hand, if the caller hangs up, the line is disconnected. On the other hand, if the caller does not perform the dial operation even after the lapse of a certain time (step S508; N), the caller transmits a regulating sound to the calling terminal 51 (step S506), and stops the incoming call transfer process.

[0017]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Such a telephone device 5
8 is a method for notifying the caller that the caller with the transfer destination terminal is charged when the call charge with the transfer destination terminal is charged even though the call charge with the transfer destination terminal is free, and whether or not the caller transfers the call. You can choose.

Here, although various charge systems are provided, the caller usually bears the call charge, and the caller pays the call time from the time when the callee answers to the time when the call ends. Call charges are calculated accordingly. Also, the billing fee per unit time is usually set to be higher in proportion to the distance between terminals. Therefore, the caller
In many cases, call charges are managed by considering the destination and the call time.

For example, it is assumed that a terminal in Chiba called from a terminal installed in Tokyo has registered transfer with a terminal in Okinawa. In such a case, the caller was transferred to the transfer destination in Okinawa, but the call charge was higher than expected, despite the assumption of a call charge for calling from Tokyo to Chiba. Call charges will be charged. In addition, even if the user knows that the call has been transferred, he may inadvertently make a call for a long time because he is not aware of the specific call charge. In this case, there is a problem that the caller cannot manage the call charge of the call made by the caller by the transfer.

On the other hand, depending on the requirements of the caller, it may be more convenient to leave a message using, for example, an answering machine service than using the transfer service when it is determined that the other party is absent. However, in the conventional transfer service, when the transfer service is registered when the called party is absent, the call is disconnected unless the transfer is selected. Therefore, the caller has to call the other party again with the same message, which is complicated.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a telephone device for notifying a caller that a call charge becomes high by transferring an incoming call request.

[Means for Solving the Problems]

According to the first aspect of the present invention, there is provided (a) transfer information storage in which transfer information for transferring an incoming call request from a source terminal to a destination terminal designated as a destination to another terminal is stored in advance. Means, (b) when there is an incoming request from the source terminal to the destination terminal, based on the destination call rate as a call rate between the source terminal and the destination terminal, and based on the source terminal and the transfer information. Call charge comparing means for comparing the transfer call charge as a call charge with the transfer destination terminal;
(C) When the transfer charge comparing means as a result of the comparison, the transfer information notifying means for notifying the caller terminal of the transfer charge when the transfer charge is higher than the call charge by a predetermined amount or more. To equip it.

In other words, according to the first aspect of the present invention, when the incoming call is requested, the call charge of the destination is compared with the call charge of the transfer destination, and the call charge of the transfer destination is determined beforehand as compared with the call charge of the call destination. If the price is higher than a predetermined amount, the sender is notified of this. This allows the caller to know that the call he or she has made will be transferred and that the transfer will increase the call charge. As a result, the caller can select whether or not to transfer after receiving the notification of the transfer information. Even if the transfer is performed, the caller can manage the call charge of the call made by himself. Can be.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided (a) transfer information storage in which transfer information for transferring an incoming call request from a source terminal to a destination terminal designated as a destination to another terminal is stored in advance. Means, (b) when there is an incoming request from the source terminal to the destination terminal, based on the destination call rate as a call rate between the source terminal and the destination terminal, and based on the source terminal and the transfer information. Call charge comparing means for comparing the transfer call charge as a call charge with the transfer destination terminal;
(C) When the rate at which the transfer destination call rate becomes higher than the call destination call rate as a result of the comparison by the call rate comparison means exceeds a predetermined threshold value, the transfer is notified to the caller terminal. An information notification means is provided in the telephone device.

That is, according to the second aspect of the present invention, when the incoming call request is made, the call charge of the transfer destination is compared with the call charge of the transfer destination, and the rate at which the call charge of the transfer destination is higher than the call charge of the call destination is calculated. Is over the predetermined threshold, the caller is notified of this. For example, consider the difference between the destination call rate and the transfer destination call rate, and the ratio between the destination call rate and the transfer destination call rate. If the difference is 10 yen, the destination call fee may be 10 yen and the transfer destination call fee may be 20 yen, or the destination call fee may be 100 yen and the transfer destination call fee may be 110 yen. There is also. The former doubles the call charge by transferring, while the latter is only 1.1 times. Some callers may feel it expensive to charge twice as much as planned, but feel little change if they charge 1.1 times the call charge. Therefore, if a setting is made in advance so as to notify the caller when the transfer destination call charge becomes twice or more higher than the call destination call charge, the comparison can be made according to the ratio of the call charge.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided (a) transfer information storage in which transfer information for transferring an incoming call request from a source terminal to a destination terminal designated as a destination to another terminal is stored in advance. Means; (b) message storage means for storing a message from the source terminal to the destination terminal storing the transfer information by the transfer information storage means; and (c) an incoming request from the source terminal to the destination terminal. And the transfer destination call rate as the call rate between the source terminal and the transfer destination terminal based on the transfer information. And (d) notifying the source terminal when the transfer destination call rate is higher than the destination call rate by a predetermined amount or more as a result of the comparison of the call rate comparison means. The transfer information notifying means and (e) the source terminal receiving the notification from the transfer information notifying means selects whether to transfer the incoming call request to the transfer destination terminal or to store a message for the call destination terminal by the message storage means. A caller terminal selection means is provided in the telephone device.

In other words, according to the third aspect of the present invention, if the call charge of the transfer destination is higher than the call charge of the call destination by a predetermined amount or more, the caller is notified of this fact and the caller transfers the incoming request. Alternatively, it is possible to select whether to leave a message. Thus, if the caller wants to cancel the transfer because the call charge with the transfer destination is high, the message message can be left without performing the call transfer. On the other hand, even if it is expensive, it is necessary to contact the person immediately, so if the user wants to make a call, he / she can select call transfer. This makes it possible to provide a transfer service that takes into account both the callee and the caller.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided (a) transfer information storage for storing in advance transfer information for transferring an incoming call request from a source terminal to a destination terminal designated as a destination to another terminal. Means, (b) when there is an incoming request from the source terminal to the destination terminal, based on the destination call rate as a call rate between the source terminal and the destination terminal, and based on the source terminal and the transfer information. Call charge comparing means for comparing the transfer call charge as a call charge with the transfer destination terminal;
(C) notification information storage means for storing notification information for selecting whether or not to notify the calling terminal of the result of comparison by the call charge comparison means; and (d) comparison result of the call charge comparison means. When the transfer destination call charge is higher than the call destination call charge by a predetermined amount or more, the telephone device is provided with transfer information notifying means for notifying the caller terminal according to the notification information stored in the notification information storage means.

That is, according to the fourth aspect of the present invention, notification information as to whether or not a notification of transfer information is requested is stored for each source terminal, and the transfer information is notified based on the notification information. I decided that. Therefore,
For example, in the case where a terminal for which transfer registration is continuously performed for a certain period of time is set as a transmission destination, a request not to notify a result of comparing call charges may be registered in advance. Thus, the transfer is automatically performed without receiving a notification every time a call is made and requesting the transfer, so that the operation can be prevented from being complicated.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, there is provided (a) transfer information storage in which transfer information for transferring an incoming call request from a source terminal to a destination terminal designated as a destination to another terminal is stored in advance. Means, (b) when there is an incoming request from the source terminal to the destination terminal, based on the destination call rate as a call rate between the source terminal and the destination terminal, and based on the source terminal and the transfer information. Call charge comparing means for comparing the transfer call charge as a call charge with the transfer destination terminal;
(C) transfer information notifying means for notifying the caller terminal when the transfer charge is higher than the call charge by a predetermined amount or more as a result of the comparison by the call charge comparing means; The source terminal receiving the notification of the transfer information notifying means transfers the incoming request to the destination terminal or disconnects the line between the source terminal and the destination terminal without transferring the incoming request to the destination terminal And (e) when a predetermined time has elapsed after the notification of the transfer information notifying means, and when the selecting of the calling terminal selecting means has not been performed, The telephone device is provided with a disconnecting means for disconnecting the line between the telephone terminal and the destination terminal.

In other words, according to the fifth aspect of the present invention, if the caller who has received the transfer information notification does not perform a specific operation even after the lapse of a predetermined time, the caller terminal and the callee terminal are not connected. Was disconnected. Therefore, even if the caller makes an incorrect dialing operation due to unfamiliarity, the incoming call request will not be forwarded, preventing a high call rate from being imposed against the intention of the caller. Can be.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the telephone device of the first to fifth aspects, the call charge comparing means has a call charge storage table for storing a call charge between terminals in association with a terminal number. It is characterized by:

That is, according to the invention of claim 6, the call charges are compared based on a call charge table in which the call charges between the terminals are stored in association with the terminal numbers. If you wanted to notify both the caller's intended destination call rate and the transfer destination charge after the transfer,
The caller can know specifically how much the difference is. Therefore, it is possible to determine whether to forward the incoming call request flexibly according to the importance of the content of the call.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION 【Example】

FIG. 1 shows an outline of a telephone device as an exchange in one embodiment of the present invention. The exchange 20 (supposed to be installed in Tokyo) accommodates the terminal 11 that is the transmission source. The terminal 11 includes, for example, a display unit 14 for displaying call charge information. In the present embodiment, a liquid crystal display for displaying character information is incorporated. The main switch 17 connects between the terminal 11 and the connection line 15 and relays various signals transmitted and received between the terminal 11 and the connection control device 18. Further, the charge information is displayed on the display means 14 in response to an instruction from the connection control device 18. The connection control device 18 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) (not shown), and controls outgoing and incoming calls between terminals using a program and data in the charge information memory 19 also stored in a storage device (not shown). Perform exchange processing. That is, the main switch 17 is controlled from the dial information received from the terminal to connect or disconnect the corresponding line. The charge information memory 19 stores call charges per unit time for each destination area code, and is registered or deleted by a maintenance person of the exchange 20. The connection line 15 is connected to the terminal 11 housed in the main switch 17 and the terminal 12 housed in another exchange 24.

FIG. 2 shows the charge information memory 19 shown in FIG.
This is a representation of the configuration. In the present embodiment, the "destination area code" 32 and the "call charge for each destination area code 32" 33 are stored in the charge information memory 31 in association with each other. For example, when a call is made from the terminal 11 of the exchange 20 installed in Tokyo to the terminal of the same exchange 20, the destination area code is "03 (Tokyo)", and the call charge is "60 seconds / 10 yen". Is stored. Similarly, the exchange 20 installed in Tokyo
Terminal 11 of exchange 24 installed in Chiba prefecture
In the case of making a call to 2, since the destination area code is "0471 (Chiba)", it is stored that the call charge is "30 seconds / 10 yen". Further, when a call is made from the terminal 11 of the exchange 20 installed in Tokyo to the terminal 13 of the exchange 26 in Okinawa, the destination area code is "098 (Okinawa)", so the call charge is "4 seconds". / 10 yen "is stored. The call charge when calling from the terminal 11 in Tokyo is calculated based on these charges for each destination area code and the actually required call time.

Returning to FIG. 1, the exchange 24 (supposed to be installed in Chiba Prefecture) will be described. Exchange 24
Like the exchange 20, the main switch 24 includes a connection control device having a CPU (Central Processing Unit) (not shown) and a charge information memory. The exchange 24
Accommodates the terminal 12 to which the terminal 11 of the exchange 20 installed in Tokyo is transmitted. In addition, the exchange 24
A message device 22 for recording a message to each terminal accommodated in the exchange 24 is accommodated. The message recorded in the message device 22 can be reproduced corresponding to each terminal number. Transfer information memory 23
Is transfer information for performing a predetermined transfer service,
This is for storing for each terminal. The transfer information can be registered or deleted by performing a predetermined operation from the terminal 12. The connection line 15 is for connecting the terminal 12 to the terminal 11 accommodated in the exchange 20 installed in Tokyo. The connection line 16 is the terminal 1
2 for connecting the terminal 13 accommodated in the exchange 26 installed in Okinawa Prefecture.

FIG. 3 shows the transfer information memory 23 shown in FIG.
This is a representation of the configuration. In the present embodiment, the "receiving telephone" 42 and the "number information of the transfer destination terminal" 43 are recorded in association with each other. Here, the operation for registering the call forwarding has already been performed from terminal 12, and telephone 12 and the call forwarding destination number information “098-OO” have been already registered.
“O-OOOO” (Okinawa Prefecture) is stored.

Returning to FIG. 1, the description will be continued. Exchange 26
(Assumed to be located in Okinawa Prefecture)
Similarly to the above, the main switch 24, a connection control device having a CPU (Central Processing Unit) not shown, and a charge information memory. The terminal 13 is also accommodated. The terminal 13 is registered as a call transfer destination of the terminal 12. The connection line 16 is for connecting the terminal 13 with the terminal 12 accommodated in the exchange 24 installed in Chiba Prefecture.

FIG. 4 explains the operation of the exchange 20 on the transmitting terminal side configured as described above. In the following, a description will be given along a procedure in the case where a caller in Tokyo makes a call with Chiba as a destination.

The caller dials a telephone number for calling the callee terminal 12 from the caller terminal 11. Here, it is assumed that the dialing number (0471-OOO-OOOO) of Chiba prefecture is different from the area code (03) of Tokyo as the transmission source. When the exchange 20 receives this destination terminal number (S101; Y), the CPU
The exchange 24 in Chiba prefecture to which the destination terminal 12 belongs is determined. Then, the transmission destination terminal number (0471-OOOO-OOOO, Chiba) is transmitted to the exchange 24 via the connection line 15 (S102).

FIG. 5 shows the flow of processing after the receiving terminal exchange 24 receives the destination terminal number from the originating exchange 20. Switchboard 24 in Chiba
From the exchange 20 in Tokyo via the connection line 15,
Destination terminal number (0471-OOO-OOOO, Chiba)
Is received (step S201; Y). Then, based on the received destination terminal number, the transfer information memory 21 is referred to (step S202), and it is determined whether or not the terminal 12 has registered the transfer (step S203).

If it is determined in step S203 of FIG. 5 that the terminal 12 has not registered for transfer (step S203N), the exchange 24 in Chiba calls the destination terminal 12 in the same manner as usual (step S203N). Step S204). If the terminal 12 responds to this, the source terminal 11 and the destination terminal 1
A call can be made between the two. The call fee is charged based on the time from when the call destination terminal 12 answers to the end of the call and the call fee table 31.

On the other hand, in step S203, if it is determined that the terminal 12 has registered the transfer (step S203Y), the call destination exchange 24 does not call the call destination terminal, and enters the missed transfer destination number. The message is transmitted to the originating exchange (step S205). In the present embodiment, the terminal 12 has registered for call forwarding, and the Okinawa destination number "0"
98-000-0000 ". Therefore,
From the exchange 24 in Chiba Prefecture to the exchange 20 in Tokyo via the connection line 15, the forwarding destination number (098-OO, Okinawa Prefecture)
O-OOOO) is transmitted.

FIG. 6 illustrates the flow of operation after the calling terminal side exchange 20 transmits the destination terminal number to the called terminal side exchange 24. Exchange 20 in Tokyo
When the call forwarding number information is received from the exchange 24 in Okinawa (step S301; Y), the destination terminal number dialed by the source terminal 11 first (0471-OOO, Chiba)
-OOOO) and the received forwarding number (Okinawa 09
8-OOO-OOOO) to determine each area code. Here, “047” is used as the destination terminal number.
"1" is determined as the forwarding number, and "098" is determined as the respective area code.

In step 302 of FIG.
Is a charge information memory 1 based on the determination result of the area code.
From 9, call charge information per unit time corresponding to each area code is read (step S 302). Then, the call charge of the transfer destination terminal when the call forwarding is performed is compared with the call charge of the call destination terminal when the call transfer is not performed (step S303).

Here, the comparison between the call charge in the case where call forwarding is performed and the call charge in the case where call transfer is not performed is based on the transfer destination call charge per unit time and the call destination call starting from the source terminal. This is done by comparing the price. Then, it is determined whether the transfer destination call charge is lower, equal, or higher than the call destination call charge. The predetermined amount for making this determination is set in advance by the maintainer of the exchange 20, but may be set by the caller via the caller terminal.

Here, as the amount of money for discrimination, it is set so that if the call charge is as high as 1 yen, it is judged that the charge is high. However, even if the difference between the destination call rate and the transfer destination call rate is very small, if the caller is notified, the operation may be troublesome depending on the caller. Therefore, it is possible to assume and set, as an average allowable range, an amount that is considered to be transferred if anyone has such a difference. For example,
If the difference that is not high is set to 10 yen, the difference between the call charges between the transfer destination and the destination is determined to be low if the difference is less than 10 yen, and high if the difference is 10 yen or more. become. Therefore, when the difference is a small difference (less than 10 yen), the transfer is automatically made without notifying the caller, so that the operation can be prevented from being complicated.

Also, when the difference between the call charges is 10 yen, it is sometimes felt that the short-distance call with a low call charge is high, while the long-distance call with a high call charge is 10 yen. The difference in the degree may not matter. In such a case, it is also possible to set so that the comparison is made not by a specific difference of the call charges but by the ratio of the call charges. This is because if the determination is made based on whether or not the transfer destination call rate is twice or more higher than the call destination call rate, the determination can be made in accordance with each standard.

Further, even if the rate at which the transfer destination call rate is higher than the call destination call rate is the same, the call rate is 10%.
From ¥ 20 to ¥ 20 or from ¥ 100 to ¥ 2
In the case where the price is 00 yen, the impression received by the caller is different. The difference between the call charges is 10 yen for the former and 100 yen for the latter. For example, if you talk for 10 minutes, the former will be charged 200 yen higher than expected, while the latter will be charged 1000 yen higher. As described above, when the transfer causes a call charge to be increased, the charge that the caller feels expensive to stop the transfer is different depending on the call destination, the transfer destination, the call charge system, and the like. Therefore, by providing a comparison standard for call charges arbitrarily in accordance with these situations, it is possible to provide a detailed transfer information notification service.

If it is determined in the call charge comparison process in step S303 that the call charge with the transfer destination terminal is lower or equal to the call charge with the call destination terminal (step S303; N), Execute the transfer service as it is. This is because high call charges are not charged regardless of the intention of the caller. Therefore, exchange 2 in Tokyo
No. 0 transmits a signal requesting the call of the transfer destination terminal to the exchange 24 in Chiba via the connection line 15 (step S306). It is assumed that the transfer destination terminal call request signal has a specific number determined in advance.

FIG. 8 explains the flow of operation after the receiving terminal side exchange 24 transmits the call forwarding number to the originating terminal side exchange 20. Switchboard 24 in Chiba
Waits for a specific signal to be sent from the exchange 20 in Tokyo via the connection line 15. Then, when the transfer destination terminal call request signal is received (S401; Y),
Based on the absent transfer information in the transfer information memory 21, a call is transmitted via the connection line 16 to the exchange 25 in Okinawa to which the transfer destination terminal 13 belongs (S402).

When the exchange 26 in Okinawa receives the transfer registration destination number (Okinawa 098-OOO-OOOO), it calls the corresponding destination terminal 13. If the terminal 13 responds, a call can be made between the source terminal 11 and the transfer destination terminal 13.

The call fee is charged according to the time from when the transfer destination terminal 13 responds to when the call ends. However, the transfer destination call rate per unit time is the same or lower than the call destination call rate, so even if the caller does not notice that the transfer was made, You will not be charged for calls.

On the other hand, in step S302 of FIG. 6, in the present embodiment, referring to the charge information memory 31 of FIG. 2, the call charge of the area code "0471 (Chiba Prefecture)" is reduced to "30 seconds / 1.
0 ", and the call fee for the area code" 098 (Okinawa Prefecture) "is set to" 4 seconds / 10 yen ". Therefore, when the transfer destination call rate and the call destination call rate are compared, it is understood that the call rate with the transfer destination terminal is higher than the call rate with the call destination terminal. Here, since the call charges for each general area code are compared, for example, if the caller has subscribed to a specific charge service such as a night discount service, the call charges storing such information are stored. What is necessary is just to compare based on a table.

Therefore, the call charge of the registered destination, which is the call forwarding destination, is determined to be higher than the call charge of the call destination (step 303; Y), and the connection control device 18 informs the terminal that is the caller of that fact. 11 is notified to the display means 14 (step S304).

FIG. 7 shows the display contents of a liquid crystal display built in terminal 11 for notifying that the transfer destination has been registered to the destination. On the liquid crystal display 45, the fact that call forwarding is registered at the destination terminal 12, the call charge of the call destination and the call charge of the transfer destination are displayed, respectively, to indicate that there is a difference between the call charges. Also, it indicates that the caller can select whether to use the transfer service, leave a message, or hang up the telephone to disconnect the line. For example, the selection can be made by operating a push button from the terminal 11. Here, an operation of "dial the specific number" 0 "" when calling the transfer destination, and "hang up the receiver" when not calling the transfer destination is specified. To leave a message, an operation of "dial the specific number" 1 "" is specified. Based on these information, the caller can obtain transfer information on the call originated by the caller, and can select whether or not to transfer the call in consideration of the call charge.

The display means for notifying that the transfer destination has been registered to the call destination includes a liquid crystal display 45 built in the caller terminal 11 and a display of a personal computer connected to the telephone terminal. Etc. can also be displayed. Further, by providing an announcement means capable of sending out several types of announcements, it is possible to notify transfer information by voice.

When the caller desires to transfer the incoming call, the first specific number "0" is displayed in accordance with the instruction displayed on the display screen 45.
Outgoing. Upon receiving the first specific number “0” (step S305; Y), the exchange 20 transmits a transfer destination terminal call request signal as a signal requesting a call of the transfer destination terminal to the exchange in Chiba via the connection line 5. 24 (step S306). It is assumed that the transfer destination terminal call request signal has a specific number determined in advance.

At step S401 in FIG. 8, when the exchange 24 in Chiba receives the call request signal of the transfer destination terminal from the exchange 20 in Tokyo (S401; Y), based on the absence transfer information in the transfer information memory 21, The call is transmitted to the exchange 25 in Okinawa to which the transfer destination terminal 13 belongs via the connection line 16 (S402). Transfer registration number (Okinawa 098-O
(OO-OOOO), the exchange 26 calls the transfer-destination terminal 13, and if the terminal 13 responds to it, a call can be made between the terminal 11 in Tokyo and the terminal 13 in Okinawa. .

The call fee is charged according to the time from when the transfer destination terminal 13 responds to when the call ends. The call charge with the transfer destination terminal 13 is higher than the call charge with the call destination terminal 12, but since the caller recognizes the specific call charge on the display screen 45, the call charge with the transfer destination Call charges can be estimated to some extent.

On the other hand, based on the notification in step S304 of FIG. 6, there is a case where the caller desires the message message without performing the call transfer. In this case, the second specific number “1” is transmitted in accordance with the instruction displayed on the display screen 45. When the exchange 20 receives the second specific number from the originating terminal 11 (Step S307; Y), the exchange 20 sends a message device connection request signal as a signal requesting connection with the message device via the connection line 15 to the exchange. 24 (step S3).
08). It is assumed that a specific number is previously determined for this message device connection request signal.

At step S403 in FIG. 8, upon receiving the message device connection request signal (step 403; Y), the exchange 24 in Chiba connects the connection line 15 to the message device 20. Then, an announcement urging a message message is transmitted from the message device 20 to the terminal 11 of the caller (step S404). The caller follows this announcement,
The message message can be recorded on the message device 20. The called party can then listen to the recorded message by performing a predetermined dial operation from his / her own terminal 12.

In step S304 of FIG. 6, if the caller who has received the notification of the transfer information hangs up without performing any specific operation (step S309; Y),
The connection between the terminal 11 and the connection line 15 is disconnected. Then, a request to release the connection line 15 is made to the exchange 24 (step S310).

On the other hand, the sender who has been notified of the transfer information,
In some cases, it is not possible to immediately decide whether or not to transfer, or there is a case where a specific operation is not performed because of being unfamiliar with such a dial operation. Therefore, when a specific operation is not performed even after a certain period of time has passed since the notification of the transfer information (step S305; N, step S307; N, step S3)
09; Y), the connection between the source terminal 11 and the connection line 15 is disconnected, and a request to release the connection line 15 is made to the exchange 24 (step S310). This is because it is possible to avoid a call transfer when a call charge becomes high unless there is an intention display by a specific operation from a caller. Conversely, if a specific operation is not performed after a certain period of time, transfer will be performed, taking into account foreigners who can not understand Japanese display and infants who can not understand kanji etc. It is good.

On the other hand, if the exchange 24 in Chiba Prefecture does not receive the transfer destination call request signal or the message device connection request signal from the exchange 20 in Tokyo within a predetermined time (step S401; N). , Step S403;
N, step S405; Y), a request is made to the exchange 20 to open the connection line 15 (step S406).

First Modification

In the above embodiment, step S303 in FIG.
When it is determined that the call charges are the same or low,
When the first specific number indicating the transfer request from the caller is received in step S305, the exchange 20
To call the exchange 26 in Okinawa via the exchange 24 in Chiba. However, depending on the transfer destination, there is a case where the connection line is inefficiently used by passing through the exchange of the call destination. Therefore, in the telephone device of the first modified example, by directly calling the transfer destination exchange without passing through the call destination exchange,
Uses connection lines more efficiently.

For example, when the terminal 11 in Tokyo is the terminal 13 (098-000-0000) in Okinawa, the terminal 13 in Okinawa is terminal 12 (0471-) in Chiba.
000-0000) is registered as the transfer destination.

When the exchange 20 in Tokyo receives the destination terminal number from the terminal 11, the exchange 2 in Okinawa
Send to 6. The exchange 26 in Okinawa receiving the destination terminal number checks the transfer information on the terminal 13 and checks the transfer destination terminal number (0471-000-000, Chiba).
Send back 0).

Upon receiving this transfer information, the exchange 20 in Tokyo refers to the charge information memory shown in FIG. 2 and the call charge of the transfer destination (Okinawa prefecture 4 seconds / 10 yen) to the call charge of the transfer destination (Okinawa prefecture 4 seconds / 10 yen). It is determined that (Chiba 30 seconds / 10 yen) is lower. Since the call charge of the transfer destination is lower than the call charge of the call destination, the transfer service is executed as it is.

Here, the exchange 20 in Tokyo sends the transfer registration destination number (04 in Chiba prefecture) to the exchange 24 in Chiba to which the destination terminal 12 belongs without passing through the exchange 26 in Okinawa.
71-OOO-OOOO). When the exchange 24 receives the call and calls the transfer destination terminal 12 and the terminal 12 responds to the call, a call can be made between the terminal 11 in Tokyo and the terminal 12 in Chiba prefecture as the transfer destination. .

When the call charge of the transfer destination is higher than the call charge of the call destination, the transfer registration destination number is transmitted directly to the exchange of the transfer destination when the caller instructs the transfer. On the other hand, when the caller instructs the message message, the message device connection request signal may be transmitted to the destination exchange. Therefore, only when the message device is used, a message device connection request signal is transmitted to the destination exchange, and otherwise, the transfer destination registration number is transmitted directly to the destination exchange, so that the connection line is efficiently connected. Can be used.

Second Modification

In the above embodiment, step S303 in FIG.
If it is determined that the call charge is expensive, the transfer information is notified. However, depending on the destination, there is a case where the transfer must always be performed even if it is expensive. Even in such a case, if the call cannot be made unless a transfer request is transmitted every time, the operation becomes complicated. Therefore, in the telephone device of the second modified example, the result of comparing the call charges is notified according to the notification information registered in advance by the caller.

FIG. 11 shows an outline of a telephone device in the case where notification information as to whether or not to notify the result of comparing the call charges is registered in advance. The exchange 20 in Tokyo has a transfer information notification memory 27 for storing information for notifying the transfer information. The transfer information notification memory 27 stores, for each source terminal, information on whether or not to request notification of the comparison result of the call charges when the transfer charge of the transfer destination is high. Notification information can be registered or deleted by a predetermined dial operation from the source terminal.

FIG. 12 shows the configuration of the notification information memory. In the notification information memory 61, a "source telephone" 62 and a "presence or absence of notification information" 63 are stored in association with each other. Here, an operation for not notifying the call charge comparison result from the source terminal 11 has already been performed, and “telephone 11” is stored as the source and “notification is not required (unnecessary)” is stored as the notification information. ing. In addition, as a default value, it may be registered so as to notify the comparison result of the call charges.

As in the embodiment, the terminal 11 accommodated in the exchange 20 in Tokyo is the source, the terminal 12 accommodated in the exchange 24 in Chiba is the destination, and the terminal 13 accommodated in the exchange 26 in Okinawa is the destination. Will be described as a transfer destination. The exchange 20 in Tokyo that has received the transfer information from the exchange 24 in Chiba Prefecture compares the call charges. Since the call charge of the transfer destination is higher than the call charge of the call destination, refer to the notification information memory,
It is determined whether or not to notify the originating terminal 11.

Referring to the notification information memory 61 shown in FIG. 12, since the terminal 11 has registered that the terminal 11 does not notify the comparison result of the call charge, the exchange 20 sends the transfer destination call request signal to the exchange 24 in Chiba. Send to If the exchange 24 in Chiba sends a call to the exchange 25 in Okinawa and calls the terminal 13, a call can be made between the terminal 11 in Tokyo and the terminal 13 of the transfer destination. In this case, since the call charge comparison result is transferred without being notified, the caller does not have to make a transfer request by a predetermined operation each time. If the caller wants to stop the automatic transfer, the contents of the notification information memory 27 may be corrected by a predetermined dial operation.

On the other hand, if the terminal 11 has registered that the result of the comparison of the call charges is to be notified, the result of the comparison of the call charges shown in FIG. . Note that the notification information memory 61 in FIG. 12 may be configured to have a memory configuration in which the presence or absence of notification of the comparison result can be registered in association with the calling telephone and the destination telephone number. Also, if you have registered in this memory, you will see the "call rate comparison result"
"Transferring unconditionally" may be displayed and then transferred.

In the above-described embodiment and the modified example, the telephone apparatus which performs the call forwarding service for transferring the incoming call request to another specific terminal registered in advance regardless of the use status of the receiving terminal has been described. Is a night transfer service that forwards incoming requests to other specific terminals according to the time of day when the call arrives, and if the incoming terminal is busy,
A busy transfer service that forwards a call request to another specific terminal without letting the caller hear a busy tone, or cancels the calling of the calling terminal if the called terminal does not receive a response after a certain period of time The present invention can be applied to a telephone device that performs a non-response transfer service that calls another specific terminal.

In the present embodiment, in step S2 of FIG.
In 03, when the destination terminal 12 has not performed transfer registration, the terminal 12 is set to receive a call in the same manner as usual.
However, when the terminal 12 has not registered for transfer, the telephone number of the terminal 12 itself (0471-000-0000, Chiba) may be transmitted as the absence transfer destination number information. The exchange 20 on the calling side determines that the call charges are the same based on the numbers of the callee and the transferee, and only needs to request a connection with the terminal 12 that is the callee. Can be processed.

Further, in the embodiments and the modified examples, each terminal accommodated in a separate exchange has been described. However, each terminal may be accommodated in one exchange. Furthermore, although the wired terminal 13 accommodated in the exchange 26 in Okinawa has been described as a transfer destination, the present invention can be applied to a case where the transfer destination is a mobile terminal such as a mobile phone.

Further, in the embodiment and the modification, the exchange 20 in Tokyo, which is the transmission source, determines whether to transfer or notify by comparing the call charges. It may be performed by. That is, the source exchange 20 transmits the destination terminal number information and the source terminal number information, and the destination exchange 24 increases the telephone charge based on the transfer information and the telephone charge information. It is determined whether or not. Then, it is also possible to transmit the result to the exchange 20 which is the transmission source and notify the transmission terminal.

In the embodiment and the modified example, the terminal 13 accommodated in the exchange 26 in Okinawa is described as a transfer destination. However, even if this terminal 13 registers another terminal as a transfer destination, The present invention can be applied.
In this case, the exchange 26 in Okinawa transmits the transfer registration information of the terminal 13 to the terminal 11 that is the transmission source, and the transmission source terminal 11 may select whether to transfer or not to transfer.
Here, when the caller leaves a message message, the message message may be left at the terminal 12 that is the first destination, or may be left at the terminal 13 at the transfer destination.

[0085]

As described above, according to the first aspect of the present invention, when the call charge when the call transfer is performed is higher than the call charge when the call transfer is not performed by a predetermined amount or more. , The caller was notified of this. As a result, the caller can manage the call charge of the call made by himself. Furthermore, when the call charge is the same or low, the call is automatically transferred, so that there is an effect that a transfer service can be provided in consideration of the convenience of each of the caller and the callee.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, when the rate at which the call charge when the call transfer is performed is higher than the call charge when the call transfer is not performed is equal to or more than the predetermined threshold value, , To inform this. By this, for example, even when the destination is not so fixed and covers a wide range from a short distance to a long distance, the short distance can be set to a long distance based on a reference corresponding to the short distance. Can be determined on the basis of the distance.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, when the call charge when the call transfer is performed is higher than the call charge when the call transfer is not performed by a predetermined amount or more, the caller transmits the message message. You can choose whether to keep or not. Thus, for example, the transfer service can be used only for urgent or important tasks, and a message message can be left for less urgent tasks.

According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, notification information for determining whether or not to notify the comparison result of the call charges is stored for each source terminal, and based on the notification information, The results of the comparison of the call charges will be notified. Accordingly, for example, if registration is performed separately for each destination, or registration is performed according to time, there is an advantage that a more detailed service can be provided.

According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, when a specific signal from the source terminal is not received within a predetermined time, the connection line between the source terminal and the destination terminal is disconnected. I decided that. As a result, the call is transferred only when the caller performs a predetermined operation to indicate the intention, so that it is possible to prevent a high call charge from being imposed regardless of the caller's intention.

According to the sixth aspect of the present invention, when comparing the call charge when the call transfer is performed with the call charge when the call transfer is not performed, the call charge between the terminals and the terminal number are compared. Is referred to the call charge table stored in association with the call. Nowadays, a wide variety of call fee services are provided, so that callers can use the fee service according to their wishes. By referring to the call charge table storing different charge information for each caller in this way, it is possible to compare the call charges more reliably, and to improve the reliability of the notification of the call charge comparison result. .

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram showing an outline of a configuration of a telephone device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram showing the contents of a fee information memory in the embodiment.

FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram showing the contents of a transfer information memory in the embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a flow chart showing the flow of processing of the exchange on the transmission terminal side when a transmission destination terminal number is received.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing the flow of processing of the exchange on the receiving terminal side when a destination terminal number is received.

FIG. 6 is a flow chart showing a flow of processing of the exchange at the originating terminal when the call forwarding number information is received.

FIG. 7 is a plan view showing display contents of a liquid crystal display for notifying a caller of the absence forwarding registration when it is registered.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing a flow of processing of the exchange on the receiving terminal side after transmitting the call forwarding number information;

FIG. 9 is a configuration diagram showing an outline of a configuration of a telephone device in an example of a conventional transfer service.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing a main flow of a call transfer process in a conventional telephone device.

FIG. 11 is a configuration diagram illustrating an outline of a configuration of a telephone device according to a second modification.

FIG. 12 is an explanatory diagram showing the contents of a notification information memory in a second modified example.

[Explanation of symbols]

 Reference Signs List 11 originating terminal 12 destination terminal 13 destination terminal 14 transfer information display means 15 connection line connecting source and destination 16 connection line connecting destination and destination 17 main switch of source Reference Signs List 18 connection control device 19 charge information memory 20 originating telephone device 21 destination main switch 22 message device 23 transfer information memory 24 destination telephone device 25 destination main switch 26 destination telephone device

Claims (6)

(57) [Claims] 1. Transfer information storage means for storing in advance transfer information for transferring an incoming call request from a source terminal to a destination terminal designated as a destination to another terminal, and When there is an incoming call request to the terminal, a call destination call charge as a call charge between the caller terminal and the callee terminal, and a call charge between the caller terminal and the transferee terminal based on the transfer information, A call charge comparing means for comparing the call charge with the transfer destination; and, as a result of the comparison of the call charge comparison means, when the transfer charge of the transfer destination is higher than the call charge of the call destination by a predetermined amount or more, the caller A telephone device comprising: transfer information notifying means for notifying a terminal. 2. A transfer information storage means for storing transfer information for transferring an incoming request from a source terminal to a destination terminal designated as a destination to another terminal, and a transfer information storage means for storing a transfer information from the source terminal to the destination. When there is an incoming call request to the terminal, a call destination call charge as a call charge between the caller terminal and the callee terminal, and a call charge between the caller terminal and the transferee terminal based on the transfer information, A call charge comparing means for comparing the call charge with the transfer destination; and a predetermined threshold value at which a rate at which the transfer call charge is higher than the call destination call charge as a result of the comparison by the call charge comparison means is determined. And a transfer information notifying means for notifying the caller terminal when the number exceeds the limit. 3. Transfer information storage means for storing transfer information for transferring an incoming call request from a source terminal to a destination terminal designated as a destination to another terminal, and the transfer information storage means. Message storage means for storing a message from the source terminal to the destination terminal storing the transfer information, and between the source terminal and the destination terminal when there is an incoming request from the source terminal to the destination terminal A call charge comparing means for comparing a call charge of a call destination as a call charge of the caller with a call charge of a transfer destination as a call charge between a caller terminal and a transfer destination terminal based on the transfer information; Transfer information notification means for notifying the source terminal when the transfer destination call charge is higher than the call destination call charge by a predetermined amount or more as a result of the comparison, Originating terminal, which has received the notification of the broadcast notification means,
A telephone terminal device for selecting whether to transfer the incoming call request to the destination terminal or to store a message for the destination terminal by the message storage device. 4. A transfer information storage means for storing in advance transfer information for transferring an incoming request from a source terminal to a destination terminal designated as a destination to another terminal; When there is an incoming call request to the terminal, a call destination call charge as a call charge between the caller terminal and the callee terminal, and a call charge between the caller terminal and the transferee terminal based on the transfer information, Call charge comparing means for comparing the call charge with the transfer destination, and notification information storage means for storing notification information for determining whether or not to notify the source terminal of the result of the comparison by the call charge comparison means. When the transfer destination call rate is higher than the call destination call rate by a predetermined amount or more as a result of the comparison by the call rate comparison means, the transfer destination call rate is determined according to the notification information stored in the notification information storage means. And a transfer information notifying means for notifying the end of the call. 5. A transfer information storage means for storing transfer information for transferring an incoming request from a source terminal to a destination terminal designated as a destination to another terminal, and a transfer information storage means for storing the transfer information from the source terminal to the destination. When there is an incoming call request to the terminal, a call destination call charge as a call charge between the caller terminal and the callee terminal, and a call charge between the caller terminal and the transferee terminal based on the transfer information, A call charge comparing means for comparing the call charge with the transfer destination; and, as a result of the comparison of the call charge comparison means, when the transfer charge of the transfer destination is higher than the call charge of the call destination by a predetermined amount or more, the caller Transfer information notifying means for notifying the terminal, a source terminal having received the notification of the transfer information notifying means,
A source terminal selecting means for selecting whether to transfer the incoming request to the destination terminal or to disconnect the line between the source terminal and the destination terminal without transferring the incoming request to the destination terminal; Disconnecting the line between the source terminal and the destination terminal when a predetermined time after the notification of the transfer information notification unit has elapsed and when the selection of the source terminal selection unit has not been performed. A telephone device, comprising: 6. The telephone device according to claim 1, wherein said call charge comparing means has a call charge storage table storing a call charge between terminals in association with a terminal number.