JP3966108B2 - Absence response device and absence response method - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a telephone absence response to an absentee.
[0002]
[Prior art]
Telephones that are widely used in various situations are indispensable for daily life because of their convenience. Especially in business, since it is possible to make a call immediately, it is an indispensable business tool with high usage frequency. However, on the other hand, there was a problem of office noise due to the ringing of the bell, and a problem that the work efficiency was lowered because one's work had to be interrupted every time a call to another person was handled. In particular, for a call that is addressed to an absentee, a third party must take a call each time, and it is necessary to make an absence response such as notifying the absence.
[0003]
Conventionally, in order to alleviate such problems, telephones that automatically perform absence notification by detecting whether or not they are present by using sensors, schedules, and the like have been disclosed in JP-A-6-164702 and JP-A-7-7-1. 123146.
[0004]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, even when the intended party is absent, there are many cases where a call with another person currently present is desired depending on the contents of the requirements. In such a case, an answering machine function that only announces the absence is not sufficient because the purpose cannot be achieved with a single call, resulting in wasted time and effort.
[0005]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
The present invention provides a determination means for determining the absence of a callee when receiving an incoming signal from the calling side, an absence response means for responding to the calling side when there is no call, and the absence response. The above-mentioned problem is provided with check means for checking whether or not a predetermined connection condition is satisfied after completion of the communication, and means for notifying an incoming call when the predetermined connection condition is satisfied in the check means. Is a solution.
[0006]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
The system outline | summary which concerns on the form of the 1st Example of this invention is demonstrated using FIG.
[0007]
A receiving telephone 101 shown in FIG. 1 has a function of receiving an incoming signal from the calling telephone 102 via the telephone network 103.
[0008]
The receiving side telephone 101 is provided with a user correspondence table 104 storing information on users who use the receiving side telephone 101 in the storage means, and an incoming signal reception program 105 for receiving an incoming signal, and the user correspondence table 104. Is a presence inquiry program 106 for making an inquiry about the presence status of the user to the presence status detection means 113 of the presence detection device 112 based on the contents of the presence status and the presence status information of the user from the presence status detection means 113. A presence information receiving program 107 for receiving a presence signal, an absence determination program 108 for determining the absence of a user based on the presence signal, and an absence response to the caller telephone 102 when the user is absent Absence response program 109, condition check program 110 for checking whether or not a predetermined connection condition is satisfied after the absence response is completed, and notification means And a notification program 111 to notify the incoming call by using a 14.
[0009]
Next, based on the system outline described with reference to FIG. 1, the file structure according to the first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG.
[0010]
A user correspondence table 201 shown in FIG. 2 is a table in which information on users who use the receiving telephone 101 is recorded.
[0011]
The user correspondence table 201 includes a user ID that is user identification information, a user name, and a detection device number that is information for identifying the presence detection device 112 that detects the presence status of the user. I have it.
[0012]
The presence signal 202 shown in the figure is information indicating the presence status of the user transmitted from the presence status detection means 113.
[0013]
The presence signal 202 has a user ID and an absence flag that is detected by the presence detection device 112 and indicates whether the user indicated by the user ID is present or absent.
[0014]
Next, based on the system overview described in FIG. 1 and the file structure described in FIG. 2, the processing flow according to the first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG.
[0015]
The receiving side telephone 101 receives the incoming signal from the calling side telephone 102 via the telephone network 103 to the called party, that is, the user who uses the receiving side telephone 101 by the incoming signal reception program 105 (S301).
[0016]
When receiving the incoming signal, the receiving-side telephone 101 refers to the user correspondence table 201, and based on the identification information of the presence detection device 112 that detects the presence status of the user, An inquiry about the presence status is made at (S302).
[0017]
For example, the presence status of “123” is inquired of the presence status of “Ichiro Suzuki”.
[0018]
The presence detection device 112 that has received the inquiry detects the presence status of the user by the presence status detection means 113.
[0019]
The receiving telephone 101 receives the presence signal 202 that is the presence information of the user detected by the presence detection device 112 (S303).
[0020]
The absence flag included in the presence signal 202 is a classification indicating whether or not the user is present. In this embodiment, when the absence flag is “0”, the user is present, “1 In the case of “,” the meaning of absence is indicated.
[0021]
For example, the presence status detection means 113 installed on a chair or desk detects whether a user is present or absent by some means such as an infrared sensor, an ultrasonic wave, a photoelectric sensor, or a weight sensor. For example, “0” is set in the absence flag of the presence signal 202 and “1” is set in the absence signal 202 if it is absent, and is transmitted to the receiving side telephone 101.
[0022]
When the reception-side telephone 101 completes reception of the presence signal 202 from the presence detection device 112 associated in the user correspondence table 201, the reception-side telephone 101 is used based on the absence flag recorded in the received presence signal 202. The absence of the person is determined (S304).
[0023]
If the determination in step S304 is true, that is, if it is absent, step S306 is performed, and if it is present, step S310 is performed.
[0024]
In the case of absence, based on the user ID of the user who is determined to be absent in step S304 from the voice information (not shown) of the user's name that is stored in advance associated with the user ID. The voice information of the absentee is extracted, and the absence response message is edited (S306).
[0025]
For example, it is assumed that “Ichiro Suzuki” shown in the user correspondence table 201 in FIG. 2 is absent.
[0026]
In this case, for example, the following message that identifies who is absent is edited.
[0027]
“Suzuki is not currently at his seat. Please wait if you have a message or someone else.”
When the editing of the absence response message as described above is completed, the receiving side telephone 101 makes an absence response via the telephone network 103 to the calling side telephone 102 that has made the call, that is, the calling side (S307).
[0028]
After the absence response ends, the receiving telephone 101 checks whether or not a predetermined connection condition is satisfied.
[0029]
The predetermined connection condition is, for example, a state where the line is connected for a certain period of time, or a state where the line is connected at the time when the absence response ends.
[0030]
In the first embodiment, the case where the condition is that the line is connected for a certain period of time will be described.
[0031]
After the absence response is completed in step S307, the receiving side telephone 101 determines whether or not the line with the calling side telephone 102 is connected (S308).
[0032]
If the line is connected, that is, if the caller has not hung up, for example, it is determined whether or not a certain time has passed after the absence response is ended in step S307 (S309).
[0033]
If the line is disconnected, that is, if the caller hangs up, the process is terminated without performing the subsequent steps.
[0034]
If it is determined in step S309 that a certain time has elapsed, for example, if 3 seconds have elapsed, the receiving-side telephone 101 uses the notification means to notify the incoming call, for example, to ring and call (S310). .
[0035]
If the predetermined time has not elapsed, the process returns to step S308 to determine whether the line is connected.
[0036]
When the telephone is closed by calling, that is, when the telephone is off-hooked (S311), a call between the caller and the callee becomes possible (S312).
[0037]
If it is not closed, the process is terminated without performing subsequent processing.
[0038]
In the above description, the elapsed time is calculated starting from the end of the absence response. However, the elapsed time may be calculated starting from the reception of the incoming signal or the start of the absence response, for example.
[0039]
In the above description, the description has been made assuming that there is one user for a predetermined receiving telephone 101. However, when the receiving telephone 101 is used by a plurality of users, the telephone is shared. Information of each user who is a group to be registered is registered in the user correspondence table 104.
[0040]
Furthermore, when the absence determination in step S304 is performed, the absence correspondence in the grouped group is determined with reference to the user correspondence table that is the group information of the user, and the absence user is identified in step S306. By editing possible messages, you can use them in groups.
[0041]
Examples of usage in groups are described below.
[0042]
For example, it is assumed that “Ichiro Suzuki” and “Jiro Yamada” perform the same business and share the telephone. In this case, the user correspondence table 104 stores information on two users “Ichiro Suzuki” and “Jiro Yamada”.
[0043]
When “Ichiro Suzuki” is absent and “Jiro Yamada” is present, when the telephone receives an incoming call signal, in the absence determination in step S304, “Ichiro Suzuki” and “Jiro Yamada” who are all users of the same group are determined. And the absence response message as shown below is edited.
[0044]
“Suzuki is not currently at his seat. Please wait if you have a message or someone else.”
If both “Ichiro Suzuki” and “Jiro Yamada” are absent,
“Suzuki and Yamada are not currently in their seats. Please wait if you have a message or someone else.”
By editing the absence response message, it is possible to use in groups.
[0045]
In this way, the person who makes the call as the caller can know whether he / she wants to talk before ringing the receiving telephone by the absence response, that is, whether the called party is present or absent. This eliminates the need to call frequently to inquire about the presence of the called party.
[0046]
Furthermore, if a predetermined connection condition such as waiting without disconnecting the line for a certain time is satisfied, the receiving telephone 101 rings as usual, so even if it is known by the absence response that the callee is absent, It is possible to easily make a call to another person in the seat.
[0047]
In addition, for the receiving side, before the receiving side telephone 101 rings, it can be notified by the absence response to the calling side that the absence side response work can be reduced and unnecessary noise can be reduced. can do.
[0048]
Next, the system outline | summary which concerns on the form of the 2nd Example of this invention is demonstrated using FIG.
[0049]
4 has a function of relaying a private branch exchange (PBX) 401 from the originating side telephone 402 via the telephone network 403 to receive an incoming signal.
[0050]
The private branch exchange 401 is provided with a user correspondence table 406 storing information for each user who uses the receiving telephone 404 in the storage means, and an incoming signal reception program 407 for receiving an incoming signal, and contents input by the user. Based on the presence information setting program 405 for setting the absence flag of the user correspondence table 406, the absence determination program 408 for determining the presence situation for each user based on the contents of the user correspondence table 406, and the user If there is no call, the absence response program 409 that makes an absence response to the caller telephone 402, the condition check program 410 that checks whether a predetermined connection condition is satisfied after the absence response ends, and the corresponding receiver telephone A notification program 411 that performs notification of an incoming call using the notification means 412 404.
[0051]
In the present embodiment, a telephone is described as an example of a device on the receiving side. However, the device includes a notification means for notifying an incoming call from the private branch exchange 401 and has a function of making a call with the calling side. A terminal device such as a computer may be used.
[0052]
Next, based on the system outline described with reference to FIG. 4, the file structure according to the second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG.
[0053]
A user correspondence table 501 shown in FIG. 5 is a table in which information for each user who uses the receiving telephone 404 is recorded.
[0054]
The user correspondence table 501 includes a user ID, which is user identification information, a user name, an absence flag indicating the presence status of the user, an extension number and an external number of the telephone used by the user. And group identification information for grouping users.
[0055]
Next, based on the system outline described in FIG. 4, the absence flag shown in FIG. 5 will be described with reference to FIG.
[0056]
As described in the first embodiment, the absence flag indicates, for example, that the user is present when “0” and absent when “1”.
[0057]
In the first embodiment, the presence status of the user is determined from the presence signal received from the external presence detection device 112, but the second embodiment is provided in the private branch exchange 401. This is an example of determining the presence status of the user based on the absence flag set in the user correspondence table 501.
[0058]
The processing flow shown in FIG. 6 describes a method for setting the absence flag.
[0059]
When the user leaves the predetermined seat, for example, the user operates a button on the telephone and inputs absence setting (S601).
[0060]
The private branch exchange 401 starts the presence information setting program 405 when the absence setting is input from the user.
[0061]
The presence information setting program 405 sets “1” indicating absence in the absence flag of the corresponding user in the user correspondence table 501 (S602).
[0062]
Similarly, when the user returns to the seat, the user operates the telephone button and inputs the presence setting (S603), whereby the presence information setting program 405 is set to the absence flag of the corresponding user. “0” indicating the presence is set (S604).
[0063]
Next, based on the system overview described in FIG. 4 and the file structure described in FIG. 5, the processing flow according to the second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG.
[0064]
The private branch exchange 401 receives an incoming signal from the calling side telephone 402 via the telephone network 403 by the incoming signal reception program 407 to the called party, that is, a user who uses the receiving side telephone 404 (S701).
[0065]
The private branch exchange 401 determines whether the number dialed from the calling side telephone 402 is an external telephone number or an internal telephone number from the received incoming call signal (S702).
[0066]
If it is determined in step S702 that the number is an outside line telephone number, the telephone number (outside line) in the user correspondence table 501 is searched and a matching user is extracted (S703).
[0067]
If it is determined in step S702 that the telephone number is an extension telephone number, the telephone number (extension) in the user correspondence table 501 is searched and a matching user is extracted (S704).
[0068]
Next, the private branch exchange 401 refers to the user correspondence table 501 in which the user group information is recorded, and extracts the users extracted in step S703 or S704, that is, the users grouped in the group to which the called party belongs. Then, based on the absence flag of the extracted record for each user, it is determined whether the user is absent (S706).
[0069]
As a result of step S706, it is determined whether at least one person is absent (S707). If there is an absent person, step S708 is performed, and if not, step S712 is performed.
[0070]
If there is an absent person, the use of the user who is determined to be absent in step S706 from the voice information (not shown) of the user's name that is stored in advance in association with each user, that is, for each user ID. The absentee's voice information is extracted based on the person ID and the absence response message is edited (S708).
[0071]
When the editing of the absence response message is completed, the private branch exchange 401 makes an absence response via the telephone network 403 to the calling side telephone 402 that has made the call, that is, the calling side (S709).
[0072]
After the absence response ends, the private branch exchange 401 checks whether or not a predetermined connection condition is satisfied.
[0073]
In the second embodiment, a case will be described in which it is a condition that a line is connected at the end of the absence response.
[0074]
When the absence response ends in step S709, the private branch exchange 401 determines whether or not the line with the calling side telephone 402 is connected (S710).
[0075]
If the line is disconnected at the end of the absence response, that is, if the caller hangs up while playing the absence response message, the process is terminated without performing the subsequent steps.
[0076]
If the line is connected, the private branch exchange 401 uses the notifying means of the corresponding receiving side telephone 404 to notify the incoming call, for example, to ring and call (S711).
[0077]
When the telephone is closed by calling, if the telephone is off-hooked (S712), a call between the caller and the callee becomes possible (S713).
[0078]
If it is not closed, the process is terminated without performing subsequent processing.
[0079]
A specific example of the processing flow in FIG. 7 will be described with reference to FIGS. 5 and 8.
[0080]
FIG. 8 shows the configuration of a work group composed of a plurality of people such as the same department, section, team, etc. in an office, for example.
[0081]
Now, it is assumed that a person who makes a call, that is, a caller, has a business with “Jiro Yamada” as a callee and calls the extension telephone number “0002” from the caller-side telephone 402.
[0082]
The private branch exchange 401 determines whether it is an external telephone number or an internal telephone number based on the incoming signal from the caller telephone 402.
[0083]
In this case, since it is an extension telephone number, the telephone number (extension) in the user correspondence table 501 in FIG. 5 is searched, and “Jiro Yamada” and “Saburo Sato” who are users corresponding to “0002” are searched. Extracted.
[0084]
Next, referring to the group information in the user correspondence table 501, the group “G01” to which “Jiro Yamada” and “Saburo Sato” belong is specified, and all users grouped in the group are extracted.
[0085]
That is, “Ichiro Suzuki”, “Jiro Yamada”, “Saburo Sato”, and “Shiro Tanaka” who are users of the group “G01” are extracted from the user correspondence table 501.
[0086]
With reference to the extracted absence flag of the user, the absence user is determined.
[0087]
That is, it can be understood that “Jiro Yamada” and “Shiro Tanaka” having the absence flag “1” are absent.
[0088]
In this embodiment, the absence determination is performed by referring to the absence flag set in the user correspondence table 406 by the user. However, the presence detection device is provided as in the first embodiment described above. The absence determination may be performed by receiving a presence signal from the presence status detecting means.
[0089]
When the absentee is identified, edit the absence response message such as “Yamada and Tanaka are not currently at the seat. Please wait for the message or other people to use it as is.” An absence response is made to the telephone set 402.
[0090]
In other words, the caller performs an absence response that can identify who is absent in the group to which the callee belongs.
[0091]
The caller knows that the person who wants to talk, that is, the callee, “Jiro Yamada” is absent due to the absence response, and the requirement for making this call cannot be solved because “Jiro Yamada” is absent. If so, hang up.
[0092]
However, if the caller can solve this requirement by calling “Ichiro Suzuki” 808, for example, or if he / she wants to contact “Jiro Yamada” as soon as possible In this case, the telephone rings by waiting as it is without hanging up until the absence response message ends.
[0093]
That is, the bell of the telephone set 807 shown in FIG. 8 which is the extension telephone number “0002” is ringed.
[0094]
A telephone call can be made by off-hooking the telephone 807.
[0095]
As a result, the “Ichiro Suzuki” 808 or “Saburo Sato” 809 currently present in the group can only take calls that have some sort of requirement on them.
(Appendix 1)
When receiving an incoming signal from the calling side, a determination means for determining the absence of the called party;
In the determination means, if it is absent, absence response means for making an absence response to the calling side;
Check means for checking whether or not a predetermined connection condition is satisfied after the absence response is completed;
A means for notifying an incoming call when the predetermined connection condition is satisfied in the checking means;
An absence response device comprising:
(Appendix 2)
When receiving an incoming signal from the calling side, a determination means for determining the absence of the called party;
In the determination means, if it is absent, absence response means for making an absence response to the calling side;
Check means for checking whether or not a predetermined connection condition is satisfied after the absence response is completed;
In the checking means, when the predetermined connection condition is satisfied, a means for notifying the corresponding terminal of an incoming call;
An absence response device comprising:
(Appendix 3)
A storage means for recording user group information is provided.
The absence response device according to appendix 1 or 2, wherein the determination means refers to the storage means to determine whether at least one person is absent from the group to which the called party belongs.
(Appendix 4)
4. The absence response device according to appendix 3, wherein the absence response means performs an absence response that enables identification of the absentee to the calling side when there is an absentee.
(Appendix 5)
3. The absence response device according to appendix 1 or 2, wherein the predetermined connection condition is a state in which a line between a transmission side and a reception side is connected for a certain period of time.
(Appendix 6)
3. The absence response device according to appendix 1 or 2, wherein the predetermined connection condition is a state in which a line between a transmission side and a reception side is connected when the absence response ends.
(Appendix 7)
On the computer,
A determination step of determining the absence of the callee when receiving an incoming signal from the calling side;
In the determination step, if the called party is absent, an absence response step for making an absence response to the calling side;
A check step for checking whether or not a predetermined connection condition is satisfied after the absence response is completed;
A step of notifying an incoming call when the predetermined condition is satisfied in the checking step;
The absence response program characterized by operating.
(Appendix 8)
On the computer,
A determination step of determining the absence of the callee when receiving an incoming signal from the calling side;
In the determination step, if the called party is absent, an absence response step for making an absence response to the calling side;
A check step for checking whether or not a predetermined connection condition is satisfied after the absence response is completed;
In the checking step, when the predetermined condition is satisfied, a step of notifying the corresponding terminal of an incoming call;
The absence response program characterized by operating.
[0096]
【The invention's effect】
With the above configuration, the person who made the call as the caller knows who is absent by the absence response, and the receiver's telephone rings as usual when the predetermined connection condition is satisfied. Depending on the content and attendees, it is possible to efficiently select whether to hang up the phone or to make a call. Therefore, there is an effect that it is possible to reduce the interruption of the self-work due to the telephone response to the absentee who has been indiscriminately hitherto.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a system outline diagram (Example 1) of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a diagram (Example 1) illustrating an example of a user correspondence table and an attendance signal;
FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating a processing flow (first embodiment).
FIG. 4 is a system outline diagram (Example 2) according to the present invention.
FIG. 5 is a diagram (Example 2) illustrating an example of a user correspondence table;
FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing a flow (Example 2) of absence flag setting processing;
FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating a processing flow (second embodiment).
FIG. 8 is an image diagram (Example 2) showing groups.
[Explanation of symbols]
101 Reception side telephone 102 Transmission side telephone 103 Telephone network 104 User correspondence table 105 Incoming signal reception program 106 Attendance inquiry program 107 Attendance information reception program 108 Absence determination program 109 Message transmission program 110 Call duration monitoring program 111 Notification program 112 Present Seat detection device 113 Accident status detection means 114 Notification means

Claims (2)

Storage means for recording user group information;
A determination means for determining whether at least one or more persons are absent from the group to which the callee belongs, when receiving an incoming signal from the calling side;
In the determination means, if at least one person in the group is absent, an absence response means for making an absence response to the calling side;
Check means for checking whether or not a predetermined connection condition is satisfied after the absence response is completed;
A means for notifying an incoming call when the predetermined connection condition is satisfied in the checking means;
An absence response device comprising: Computer
A determination step of determining whether at least one person is absent from the group to which the callee belongs, referring to the storage unit that records the user's group information when receiving an incoming signal from the calling side;
In the determination step , if at least one person in the group is absent, an absence response step of performing an absence response to the calling side;
A check step for checking whether or not a predetermined connection condition is satisfied after the absence response is completed;
In the check step, if it meets the predetermined connection conditions, and notification step of notifying the incoming,
The absence response method characterized by comprising.

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