JP4283184B2 - Return destination management apparatus, return destination setting method, and return destination transmission method - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a return destination management apparatus, a return destination setting method, and a return destination transmission method for setting whether or not to request return communication from a callee to a caller and controlling transmission to a return destination.

  Conventionally, when a caller cannot connect from a caller terminal to a callee terminal, a storage device that stores voice, video, etc. (hereinafter referred to as “message”) as represented by an answering machine service center Messages are being accumulated. After the message is stored, the callee having the callee terminal accesses the storage device from the callee terminal and listens to the message from the caller. Thereafter, when the callee tries to contact the caller in return, it is necessary to disconnect the connection between the callee terminal and the storage device and access the caller terminal separately. As a technique for solving this problem, by holding the caller number in the storage device, the callee terminal can connect the caller terminal to the caller terminal without performing an operation of disconnecting the connection between the callee terminal and the storage device. For example, there is a technology that enables one-touch call connection (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

However, the technique described in Patent Document 1 cannot cope with a case where the caller needs a return call to a caller other than the caller terminal used when recording a message in the storage device.
As a technique for solving this problem, there is a technique in which a caller can input a return telephone number when recording a message (see, for example, Patent Document 2). In Patent Document 2, the answering machine and the telephone number received by the answering machine are recorded on a recording medium. The answering machine displays the telephone number on the callee terminal when playing back a message in response to a request from the callee terminal.
JP 2002-320035 A JP 2001-197192 A

However, in Patent Document 2, unlike Patent Document 1, the caller must always input the telephone number of the return destination. Therefore, since it is necessary to perform an input operation even when the telephone number of the return destination is the telephone number of the own terminal that is currently used, there is a problem that it is troublesome to input and is not easy to use.
The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and a return destination management apparatus, a return destination setting method, and a user-friendly recipient who can make a call-back request to the recipient in a convenient manner. It is an object of the present invention to provide a return destination transmission method capable of making a return call to a caller.

  In order to solve the above-mentioned problem, the invention described in claim 1 is a return destination management apparatus that manages a request for return contact from a caller having a caller terminal to a callee having a callee terminal. When the outgoing data from the caller terminal to the callee terminal is transferred, the return request presence / absence inquiry data for inquiring whether or not to request a return call from the callee to the caller. A loopback request presence / absence inquiry means to be transmitted to the sender terminal, and a loopback request presence / absence reception means for receiving return request presence / absence information from the sender terminal in response to the transmission of the loopback request presence / absence inquiry data by the loopback request presence / absence inquiry means When performing the return contact when the return request presence / absence information received by the return request presence / absence receiving means indicates that the return contact is requested. Return destination inquiry means for transmitting to the caller terminal return destination inquiry data for inquiring whether or not the return destination communication terminal to be connected is the caller terminal, and a return destination inquiry by the return destination inquiry means When the response data received from the caller terminal in response to the data transmission indicates that the communication terminal of the return destination is the caller terminal, the communication identification information of the caller terminal is If the response data indicates that the communication terminal of the return destination is other than the caller terminal while the response data is the return destination identification information for connecting to the communication terminal of the return destination, the input of the caller And a return destination determination unit that uses the communication identification information transmitted from the caller terminal as the return destination identification information. To.

  According to this configuration, when the caller requests return call to the callee and the call back terminal is the caller terminal, the caller needs to input the call back identification information. There is no. That is, only when the communication terminal of the return destination is other than the caller terminal, the caller only has to input the desired return destination identification information, so the return destination can be set without the input of the caller. , It is possible to request a call back to the called party conveniently.

The invention according to claim 2 is based on the return request presence / absence information received by the return request presence / absence receiving means when receiving an incoming call from the callee terminal in the return destination management device according to claim 1. A call-back request determination means for determining whether or not a callee having the callee terminal is requested to call back to the caller; and determining that the call-back contact is requested by the call-back request determination means. When the call is made, the return necessity inquiry data for inquiring whether or not to make the return notification is sent to the receiver terminal, and the return necessity inquiry data transmitted by the return execution inquiry means In response to the response, the response data indicating an answer to the return contact is received from the called party terminal, determined by the return destination determination means. Characterized in that it comprises a folding execution means for connecting the communication with the folded destination communication terminal and the called terminal which is identified by the return destination identification information.
According to this configuration, the callee can confirm the caller requesting the call back by calling the call back management device from the callee terminal, and can immediately call back the caller. In addition, the convenience and convenience of the callee and the caller can be improved.

The invention according to claim 3 is based on the return request presence / absence information received by the return request presence / absence receiving means when receiving an incoming call from the callee terminal in the return destination management device according to claim 1. A call-back request determination means for determining whether or not a callee having the callee terminal is requested to call back to the caller; and determining that the call-back contact is requested by the call-back request determination means. When the call is made, the return necessity inquiry data for inquiring whether or not to make the return notification is sent to the receiver terminal, and the return necessity inquiry data transmitted by the return execution inquiry means In response to the response, the response data indicating an answer to the return contact is received from the called party terminal, determined by the return destination determination means. Electronic mail generating means for generating an electronic mail containing a folded destination identification information, characterized in that it comprises an electronic mail transmission means for transmitting the e-mail generated by the e-mail generation unit to the called terminal.
According to this configuration, the recipient can use the return destination identification information included in the e-mail received by the recipient terminal to contact the caller at any time and at a convenient time, which is convenient and convenient for the recipient. Is good.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the return destination management device according to the third aspect, when the e-mail generation unit receives a plurality of response data indicating an answer to the return contact from the callee terminal In addition, an e-mail including return destination identification information corresponding to each of the plurality of response data is generated, and the e-mail transmission means is generated by the e-mail generation means after all the inquiries by the return execution inquiry means are completed. It is characterized by transmitting the transmitted e-mail.
According to this configuration, the callee can obtain an e-mail including a plurality of return destination identification information after answering all inquiries as to whether or not to call back the caller. In this way, it is possible to connect the return destination communication terminal identified by the return destination identification information and the called party terminal in the order desired by the user, and to perform the return contact efficiently, which is convenient and convenient to use.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the return setting method performed by the return destination management apparatus, when outgoing data from the caller terminal to the callee terminal is transferred, the callee holding the callee terminal receives the call Return request presence / absence inquiry data for inquiring whether or not to request a return contact to a caller having a caller terminal, a return request presence / absence inquiry step for transmitting to the caller terminal, and a return request presence / absence inquiry step In response to the transmission of the return request presence / absence inquiry data, a return request presence / absence reception step for receiving return request presence / absence information from the caller terminal, and the return request presence / absence information received in the return request presence / absence reception step indicate the return notification. The communication terminal of the return destination to be connected when the return contact is made, Return destination inquiry data for inquiring whether or not it is a follower terminal, a return destination inquiry step for transmitting to the sender terminal, and the sender terminal in response to transmission of the return destination inquiry data in the return destination inquiry step When the response data received from the communication terminal indicates that the communication terminal of the return destination is the caller terminal, the communication identification information of the caller terminal is returned to connect to the communication terminal of the return destination. On the other hand, when the response data indicates that the communication terminal of the return destination is other than the caller terminal, the communication transmitted from the caller terminal by the caller's input when the response data is the destination identification information There is provided a return destination setting method comprising a return destination determination step using identification information as the return destination identification information.
The actions and effects of this method are the same as the actions and effects described in claim 1.

  According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a transmission data transmission step in which a caller terminal transmits transmission data to a callee terminal, and the caller terminal returns a destination management device by the transmission data transmitted in the transmission data transmission step. An answering machine connection step for connecting the communication with the caller terminal, and a message received from the caller terminal by the return destination management apparatus via the communication connected in the answering machine connection step, the communication identification information of the caller terminal and the incoming call A message storage step of storing in association with the communication identification information of the caller terminal, and the return destination management device requests a return call from the callee holding the callee terminal to the caller holding the caller terminal Whether or not a return request presence / absence inquiry data for inquiring whether or not a return request is sent to the caller terminal; and The caller terminal responds to the return request presence / absence inquiry message transmitted in the return request presence / absence inquiry step, and transmits the return request presence / absence information input by the caller, and the return destination management When the return request presence / absence information transmitted in the return request presence / absence sending step indicates that the return contact is requested by the device, the communication terminal of the return destination to be connected when performing the return contact is the sender Return destination inquiry data for inquiring whether or not the terminal is a return destination inquiry step to transmit to the caller terminal, and the caller terminal responds to the return destination inquiry data transmitted in the return destination inquiry step A return destination response step of transmitting response data according to a user input; The destination management device connects to the return destination communication terminal when the response data transmitted in the return destination response step indicates that the return destination communication terminal is other than the caller terminal. A return destination identification information inquiry step for sending a return destination identification information inquiry data for inquiring about a return destination identification information, and a return destination identification information inquiry data sent by the caller terminal in the return destination identification information inquiry step And a return destination identification information response step of transmitting response data input by the user in response to the above.

  According to this method, when the return destination identification information is set in association with the message from the caller to the callee, the caller requests the caller to call back, and the communication at the call back destination When the terminal is other than the caller terminal, the caller can input the return destination identification information and set the desired return destination identification information. It can be carried out.

The invention according to claim 7 is a connection step in which the callee terminal transmits outgoing data to the return destination management device, and the callee terminal that has sent the outgoing data in the connection step. The message transmission step of transmitting the stored message from the caller having the caller terminal to the callee having the callee terminal, and the call-back destination management device, wherein the callee sends the call A return request determination step for determining whether or not a return contact to a person is requested, and whether or not to perform the return contact when it is determined in the return request determination step that the return contact is requested A return execution inquiry step for transmitting the return necessity inquiry data for inquiring to the receiver terminal, and the receiver terminal includes the return execution inquiry In response to the return necessity inquiry data transmitted in the setting step, a return execution response step for transmitting response data input by the callee, and a response sent by the return destination management apparatus in the return execution response step Connects communication between the communication terminal of the return destination identified by the return destination identification information set in advance by the input of the caller and the callee terminal when the data indicates an answer to the return contact There is provided a return destination transmission method characterized by having a return execution step.
According to this method, when a callee listens to a message from the caller to the callee, the callee checks whether the caller requests a return call and returns to the caller who needs the return call. Contact can be made, and the convenience and convenience of the callee and caller can be improved.

  According to the present invention, the return destination management apparatus indicates that the return request presence / absence information received from the caller terminal indicates a return contact, and the return destination communication terminal is the caller terminal, While the communication identification information of the caller terminal is used as the return destination identification information, the communication identification information transmitted from the caller terminal by the input of the caller is returned when the return destination communication terminal is other than the caller terminal. In order to use the destination identification information, the caller requests the return call to the called party, and the caller sets the desired return destination identification information only when the communication terminal of the return destination is other than the caller terminal. Since it is only necessary to input, the caller can set a desired return destination without saving the input, and can easily make a return contact request to the recipient.

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.
(First embodiment)
[1. Constitution]
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the overall configuration of the communication system 1 according to the first embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 1, the communication system 1 includes an answering machine service center 10, a communication network 20 including a mobile communication network and a base station, a caller terminal 30a for making a call, and an incoming call from the caller terminal 30a. Receiving party terminal 30b.
The caller terminal 30a and the callee terminal 30b may be terminals that can communicate with each other, but in the present embodiment, the caller terminal 30a and the callee terminal 30b are assumed to be mobile phones.

[1.1. Voice Mail Service Center Configuration]
Next, the configuration of the answering machine service center 10 will be described. The answering machine service center 10 has a hardware configuration of a normal server device. That is, the answering machine service center 10 includes a central processing unit (CPU) that controls the entire apparatus, a read only memory (ROM) that stores a program to be executed at startup, and a random access memory (RAM) that temporarily stores data. And a hard disk device for storing various data and programs, and a communication interface for controlling data exchange via the communication network 20.

Various programs are stored in the hard disk device of the answering machine service center 10. The CPU of the answering service center 10 reads out these programs from the hard disk device and executes them, thereby realizing the function of the control unit 11 shown in FIG.
Next, details of the function of the control unit 11 will be described. FIG. 2 shows a functional configuration of the control unit 11. As shown in the figure, the control unit 11 includes a return request presence / absence inquiry unit 111, a return request presence / absence reception unit 112, a return destination inquiry unit 113, a return destination determination unit 114, a return request determination unit 115, a return execution inquiry unit 116, In addition, a return execution unit 117 is provided.

The return request presence / absence inquiry unit 111 stores transmission data from the caller terminal 30a to the callee terminal 30b when the callee terminal 30b is transferred because the caller terminal 30b is out of service area or the like, and stores a message from the caller to the callee. In addition, return request presence / absence inquiry data for inquiring whether or not to request return call from the callee to the caller is transmitted to the caller terminal 30a.
The loopback request presence / absence receiving unit 112 receives the loopback request presence / absence inquiry data from the caller terminal 30a in response to the transmission of the loopback request presence / absence inquiry data by the loopback request presence / absence inquiry unit 111.

When the return request presence / absence information received by the return request presence / absence reception unit 112 indicates that a return contact is requested, the return destination inquiry unit 113 indicates that the return destination communication terminal to be connected is the sender. Return destination inquiry data for inquiring whether or not it is the terminal 30a is transmitted to the caller terminal 30a.
The return destination determination unit 114 indicates that the response data received from the caller terminal 30a in response to the transmission of the return destination inquiry data by the return destination inquiry unit 113 indicates that the return destination communication terminal is the caller terminal 30a. In this case, the communication identification information of the caller terminal 30a is determined as the return destination identification information for connecting to the return destination communication terminal. In this embodiment, it is assumed that “communication identification information” and “return destination identification information” are telephone numbers. Hereinafter, “communication identification information” is referred to as “telephone number”, and “return destination identification information” is referred to as “return destination number”.

  Further, the return destination determination unit 114 indicates that the response data received from the caller terminal 30a in response to the transmission of the return destination inquiry data by the return destination inquiry unit 113 is that the return destination communication terminal is other than the caller terminal 30a. Is determined, the telephone number transmitted from the caller terminal 30b by the input of the caller is determined as the return destination number. Then, the return destination determination unit 114 stores the determined return number in the storage unit 12.

The return request determination unit 115 receives an incoming call from the callee terminal 30b and transmits a message from the caller to the callee stored in the storage unit 12 to the callee terminal 30b. Based on the return request presence / absence information received by 112, it is determined whether or not the callee is requested to return to the caller.
The return execution inquiry unit 116, when it is determined by the return request determination unit 115 that the return contact is requested, returns the return necessity inquiry data for inquiring whether or not the callee makes a return contact to the caller. It transmits to the callee terminal 30b.
In response to the return necessity inquiry data transmitted from the return execution inquiry unit 116, the return execution unit 117 determines the return destination when receiving response data indicating a response to make a return contact from the callee terminal 30b. The communication between the return destination communication terminal identified by the return destination number determined by the unit 114 and the recipient terminal 30b is connected.

  The answering machine service center 10 includes a storage unit 12 that stores a message from a caller to a callee and management information of the message in a hard disk device. The accumulation unit 12 includes a message management database (Database) 11 that stores message management data. FIG. 3 shows an example of message management data stored in the message management DB 121. As shown in the figure, the message management data includes “message No.” for identifying a data unit (record), “recording date and time” indicating the date and time when the message received from the caller terminal 30a was recorded, and transmission. "Caller number" representing the telephone number of the caller terminal 30a, "Callee number" representing the telephone number of the callee terminal 30b, and "Callback request presence / absence" indicating the presence or absence of a callback request from the caller to the callee ”And“ return destination number ”indicating the return destination telephone number when the called party makes a return call.

For example, message No. The message management data identified by 1 indicates that the caller having the caller terminal 30a whose phone number is “090-1111-1111” is the callee terminal whose phone number is “090-9999-9999”. This indicates that the callee having 30b is requested to make a return call to the caller terminal 30a.
In addition, message No. The message management data identified by 2 indicates that the caller who has the caller terminal 30a whose telephone number is “090-2222-2222” is the callee whose caller number is “090-8888-8888”. This indicates that a call-back contact is not requested for the recipient who has the terminal 30b.
In addition, message No. The message management data identified by No. 3 indicates that the caller terminal having the telephone number “090-7333-7333” is the callee terminal having the telephone number “090-7777-7777”. This indicates that the callee having 30b is requested to make a return call to the fixed telephone whose telephone number is “03-1111-1111”.

[1.2. Return destination setting process]
Next, the return destination setting process will be described with reference to FIG.
First, the caller inputs the telephone number of the callee terminal 30b to the caller terminal 30a and gives a call instruction. Thereby, the caller terminal 30a transmits the call data addressed to the callee terminal 30b (step S1).
If the caller terminal 30a cannot be connected to the callee terminal 30b because the callee terminal 30b exists outside the base station area or is turned off (step S2; Yes), the caller The terminal 30a connects to the answering machine service center 10 (step S3). When the caller terminal 30a can connect to the callee terminal 30b (step S2; No), the caller terminal 30a is connected to the callee terminal 30b, and the caller makes a call with the callee ( Step S4).

After the caller terminal 30a is connected to the answering service center 10, the caller utters the message in order to record the message (step S5; Yes).
The caller terminal 30 a transmits the caller's voice message to the answering service service center 10.
The answering machine service center 10 records and stores the received message in the storage unit 12 (step S6). In addition, the answering machine service center 10 stores “message ID”, “recording date / time”, “caller number”, and “recipient number” in the message management DB 121 of the storage unit 12 in association with the recorded message. . If the caller does not record the message (step S5; No), the caller terminal 30a ends the connection with the answering service center 10.

When the message is recorded, the loopback request presence / absence inquiry unit 111 of the control unit 11 transmits the loopback request presence / absence inquiry data to the caller terminal 30a inquiring whether the callee requests a loopback call.
The caller terminal 30a outputs voice guidance for inquiring whether to request a return call based on the received return request presence / absence inquiry data. The caller inputs whether to request a return call according to the voice guidance. The caller terminal 30a transmits response data including return request presence / absence information indicating the input content.

  The return request presence / absence receiving unit 112 of the answering machine service center 10 receives response data from the caller terminal 30a. When the return request presence / absence information included in the response data indicates that a return call is not requested (step S7; No), the return request presence / absence receiving unit 112 sets “return call request presence / absence” in the message management DB 121 as “ “None” is stored. On the other hand, if the return request presence / absence information indicates that a return call is requested, the return request presence / absence receiving unit 112 of the answering service center 10 sets “Yes” to “Return Call Request Presence” in the message management DB 121. Store. When no call back is requested, the connection between the caller terminal 30a and the answering service center 10 ends here.

On the other hand, when a call back is requested (step S7; Yes), the call back address inquiry unit 113 of the answering service center 10 determines whether the call back number is the telephone number of the caller terminal 30a or a communication other than the caller terminal 30a. Return destination inquiry data for inquiring whether the telephone number is the terminal is transmitted to the caller terminal 30a.
The caller terminal 30a outputs voice guidance based on the received return destination inquiry data. The caller inputs whether the return destination number is the telephone number of the caller terminal 30a that is currently used, or another address.

The caller terminal 30a transmits response data including information indicating the selected content to the answering service center 10.
The answering machine service center 10 receives the response data from the caller terminal 30a. When the response data indicates a reply indicating that the return number is the telephone number of the caller terminal 30a (step S8; Yes), the return destination determination unit 114 of the answering machine service center 10 returns the return destination number. Is determined as the telephone number of the caller terminal 30a. Then, the return destination determination unit 114 stores the telephone number of the caller terminal 30 a in the “return destination number” of the message management DB 121. The connection between the caller terminal 30a and the answering service center 10 ends here.

On the other hand, when the response data indicates a reply indicating that the return destination number is not the telephone number of the caller terminal 30a (step S8; No), the return destination number is registered (step S9). Specifically, the control unit 11 first transmits return destination inquiry data for inquiring a return destination number to the caller terminal 30a.
When the caller terminal 30a receives the return destination inquiry data, the caller terminal 30a outputs a voice guidance prompting the input of the return destination number. The caller inputs the desired return number according to the voice guidance. The caller terminal 30a transmits response data including the return number input by the caller to the answering machine service center 10.

When the return destination determination unit 114 of the answering machine service center 10 receives the response data, the return destination number included in the response data is stored in the “return destination number” of the message management DB 121. After registering the number, the connection with the answering machine service center 10 is terminated.
Through the above procedure, the message from the caller to the callee and the message management data stored in the message management DB 121 (“caller number”, “caller number”, “callback request presence / absence”, “callback number”) Are associated with each other and managed by the storage unit 12.
It should be noted that the setting of whether or not a call back request is made, whether or not the call back request destination is addressed to the number currently being called, the call back number setting is PB input, selection of an icon displayed on the screen, voice input, etc. Can be implemented.

[1.3. Call back destination processing]
Next, the return destination transmission process will be described with reference to FIG.
First, when the callee listens to the message, the callee terminal 30b is operated to instruct to connect to the answering service center 10. As a result, the called party terminal 30b transmits outgoing data to the answering machine service center 10 and connects to the answering machine service center 10 (step S11).
The control unit 11 of the answering machine service center 10 that has received an incoming call from the called party terminal 30b searches the storage unit 12 for a message addressed to the called party terminal 30b. To the callee terminal 30b in order.

The called party terminal 30b reproduces the message transmitted from the answering machine service center 10 (step S12). The called party listens to the message.
The return request determination unit 115 of the control unit 11 determines whether or not the caller who recorded the message requests a return call based on the “return request presence / absence” included in the message management data associated with the transmitted message. Determine whether. When a return call is requested (step S13: Yes), the return execution inquiry unit 116 notifies that the caller requests a return call and asks whether or not to make a return call. The return necessity inquiry data is transmitted to the callee terminal 30b (step S14).

The called party terminal 30b receives the return necessity inquiry data from the answering machine service center 10 and outputs voice guidance. The called party inputs whether to call back the calling party according to the voice guidance. The callee terminal 30b transmits response data including information indicating the input content to the answering service center 10.
Based on the received response data, the control unit 11 of the answering machine service center 10 determines whether to make a return call. If it is determined not to make a return call (step S15; No), message processing for the next callee is performed (step S20). If the unsent message to the called party is not stored in the storage unit 12 (step S20; Yes), the connection between the answering service center 10 and the called terminal 30b is terminated.

  On the other hand, if it is determined that a return call is to be made (step S15; Yes), the return execution unit 117 of the control unit 11 sets the “return destination number” of the message management data associated with the transmitted message as the destination. By transmitting the transmission data to be transmitted, a call connection is established with the communication terminal of the return destination identified by the return destination number (step S16). If the return destination communication terminal is in a connectable state (step S17; Yes), the call between the return destination communication terminal and the callee terminal 30b is connected, and the caller and the callee make a call (step S18). ). After the call between the caller and the callee ends (step S19), if an unsent message to the callee is stored in the storage unit 12 of the answering service service center 10 (step S20; No), the answering machine The service center 10 transmits the next message to the callee terminal 30b, and the callee listens to the next message (steps S12 to S20).

  On the other hand, in step S17, the caller terminal 30a cannot be connected to the callee terminal 30b because the callee terminal 30b is out of service area or the callee terminal 30b is not powered on. If there is (step S17; No), the return execution unit 117 does not perform the call connection process between the caller terminal 30a and the callee terminal 30b (step S19), and processes other messages (steps S20 to S20).

[2. Operation]
Next, the operation of this embodiment in the above configuration will be described.
It is assumed that the telephone number of the caller terminal 30a is “090-3333-3333” and the telephone number of the callee terminal 30b is “090-7777-7777”. Further, the owner of the caller terminal 30a is called the caller A, and the holder of the callee terminal 30b is called the callee B.
[2.1. Operation during message recording]
First, the operation during message recording will be described.

The operation when caller A records a message will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. 4 and the sequence chart of FIG.
First, the caller A operates the caller terminal 30a to input the telephone number “090-7777-7777” of the callee terminal 30b, and then issues a call instruction.
As a result, the caller terminal 30a uses the telephone number “090-3333-3333” of the caller terminal 30a as the caller number and the outgoing data D1 with the callee terminal 30b “090-7777-7777” as the caller number. Generate and transmit the transmission data D1 (step S1).

  The outgoing data D1 reaches a base station included in the communication network 20. The base station that relays the outgoing data D1 determines whether or not the call can be connected to the called party terminal 30b (step S2). In this operation example, since the called party terminal 30b is located outside the service area and the called party terminal 30b is in an environment where communication is not possible (step S2; Yes), the base station transfers the outgoing data D1 to the answering service center 10. Transmission data D2 is generated, and the transmission data D2 is transferred to the answering service center 10. Thereby, the caller terminal 30a is connected to the answering machine service center 10 (step S3).

After caller terminal 30a connects to answering service center 10, caller A utters message D3 to record the message (step S5; Yes). The caller terminal 30a transmits the message D3 uttered by the caller A to the answering service center 10.
The control unit 11 of the answering machine service center 10 records the received message D3 in the storage unit 12 (step S6). In addition, the control unit 11 stores “message No” “3”, “recording date / time” “6/15 23:58”, “sender number” “090-3333-3333”, “recipient number” in the message management DB 121. The message management data including “090-7777-7777” is stored.

When the recording of the message D3 is completed, the return request presence / absence inquiry unit 111 of the control unit 11 transmits the return request presence / absence inquiry data D4 for inquiring whether the callee B requests a return call to the caller terminal 30a.
The caller terminal 30a outputs, for example, the following voice guidance based on the received return request presence / absence inquiry data D4. “Select 1 to request a call back to the recipient, and select 2 otherwise.” Caller A inputs “1” to caller terminal 30a in accordance with the voice guidance. The caller terminal 30a transmits response data D5 including return request presence / absence information indicating “1”.

  The return request presence / absence receiving unit 112 of the answering machine service center 10 receives the response data D5 from the caller terminal 30a. The loopback request presence / absence receiving unit 112 interprets the content of the response data D5. In this operation example, the return request presence / absence information “1” included in the response data D5 indicates that a return call is requested. “Yes” is stored in “Returned phone request presence / absence” of the message management data identified in 3.

Next, the call back destination inquiry unit 113 of the answering machine service center 10 transmits the call back destination inquiry data D6 for inquiring whether or not the call back number is the telephone number of the caller terminal 30a to the caller terminal 30a.
The caller terminal 30a outputs, for example, the following voice guidance based on the received return destination inquiry data D6. “Select 1 if you want the phone number to call back to be the number of the phone you are calling, and select 2 if you want another number.” In this example, caller A In order to select the home fixed telephone as the communication terminal of the return destination, “2” is input. The caller terminal 30a transmits response data D7 including the input information to the answering machine service center 10.

The answering machine service center 10 receives the response data D7 from the caller terminal 30a. Here, since the information included in the response data D7 indicates that the return destination number is other than the caller terminal 30a (step S8; No), the control unit 11 returns the return destination for inquiring the return destination number. Inquiry data D8 is transmitted.
When the information included in the response data D7 indicates that the return destination number is the transmission number “090-3333-3333” (step S8; Yes), the caller A is caused to input the return number. Instead, the return destination determination unit 114 can end the process only by storing the transmission number “090-3333-3333” in the “turnback number” of the message management DB 121.

Upon receiving the return destination inquiry data D8, the caller terminal 30a outputs, for example, the following voice guidance based on the return destination inquiry data D8. “Enter the phone number of the call back destination.” Caller A inputs the desired call back number “03-1111-1111” according to the voice guidance. The caller terminal 30a transmits response data D9 including the return number “03-1111-1111” input by the caller A to the answering service center 10.
When the return destination determination unit 114 of the answering service center 10 receives the response data D9, the return destination number “03-1111-1111” included in the response data D9 is stored in the “return destination number” of the message management DB 121 ( Step S9).

  As described above, in the present embodiment, the caller A sets whether or not the caller A requests a call back from the caller B when the message is stored, and when making a call, the call back destination is set to the number of the caller terminal 30a. In order to register the desired number, it is possible to make detailed settings related to the call back. Further, when the return destination is the number of the caller terminal 30a, the caller A does not need to input a telephone number.

[2.2. Message playback operation]
Next, the operation when the callee B gives a message playback instruction will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. 5 and the sequence chart of FIG. As a premise, it is assumed that message management data shown in FIG. 3 is stored in the message management DB 121 before starting this operation.
First, the callee B operates the callee terminal 30b to give an instruction to connect to the answering service center 10. Thereby, the called party terminal 30b transmits the transmission data D11 for connecting to the answering machine service center 10. Thereby, the called party terminal 30b connects to the answering machine service center 10 (step S11).

When receiving the outgoing data D11 from the called party terminal 30b, the control unit 11 of the answering machine service center 10 searches the storage unit 12 for a message to the called party B. Specifically, the control unit 11 searches for message management data in which the telephone number “090-7777-7777” of the called party terminal 30b is stored in the “called party number” of the message management DB 121. In this operation example, the message No. 3 corresponds to the message management data identified by 3. And the control part 11 transmits the message D12 matched with the applicable message management data to the receiver's terminal 30b.
The callee terminal 30b outputs the received message D12 from the speaker. Caller B listens to message D12 from caller A output from the speaker.

  Next, the return request determination unit 115 determines whether or not the called party B is requested to make a return call to the caller A based on “return request presence / absence” included in the message management data. In this operation example, as shown in FIG. 3 is “Yes”, the return request determination unit 115 determines that the callee B is requested to return a call to the caller A. (Step S13: Yes). Then, the return execution inquiry unit 116 is requested to make a return call, and transmits the return necessity inquiry data D13 for inquiring whether or not to make a return call to the receiver terminal 30b (step S14). ).

Upon receiving the return necessity inquiry data D13 from the answering machine service center 10, the called party terminal 30b outputs, for example, the following voice guidance. "The caller is requesting a call back. Do you want to call back?"
In this operation example, the receiver B operates the receiver terminal 30b to instruct the caller to make a return call. As a result, the callee terminal 30b transmits the response data D14 indicating the call request to the answering machine service center 10.

  The control unit 11 of the answering machine service center 10 determines to make a return call based on the received response data D14 (step S15; Yes). The return execution unit 117 of the control unit 11 receives the message No. The fixed telephone identified by the call back number “03-1111-1111” by transmitting the outgoing data D15 addressed to the “call back number” “03-1111-1111” of the message management data identified by 3 Is connected to the call (step S16). In this operation example, the return destination communication terminal is connectable (step S17; Yes), and the call between the return destination communication terminal and the callee terminal 30b is connected. The communication terminal of the return destination and the callee terminal 30b exchange voice data D16, and the caller A and the callee B make a call (step S18). If unsent messages for the called party B are stored in the storage unit 12 (step S20; No), the answering machine service center 10 transmits the next message to the called terminal 30b (step S12-).

  As described above, when the callee B listens to the message from the caller A, the caller B can know whether or not the caller A is requesting a return call, and the caller A wants to call immediately. Convenient because you can call the number. Further, the caller A can conveniently receive a return call from the callee B to the desired return destination communication terminal.

(Second Embodiment)
Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described.
In the first embodiment, when a callee who has listened to a message for which a call-back request is set by the caller is willing to make a return call, the callee terminal 30b immediately returns to the call-back destination communication terminal after listening to the message. In the second embodiment, the callee terminal 30b can make a call to the destination communication terminal at any time after the callee listens to the message. To do.

FIG. 8 is a block diagram showing a functional configuration of the control unit 11 of the answering machine service center 10 according to the second embodiment. As shown in the figure, the control unit 11 according to the second embodiment includes an e-mail generation unit 118 and an e-mail transmission unit 119 in addition to the functional units included in the control unit 11 according to the first embodiment. Yes.
In response to the return necessity inquiry data transmitted from the return execution inquiry unit 116, the e-mail generation unit 118 determines the return destination when receiving response data indicating an answer to make a return call from the callee terminal 30b. The electronic mail including the return destination number determined by the unit 114 is generated. The e-mail generated at this time is, for example, an e-mail that can use a known Phone-To function. That is, when the e-mail is opened by the operation of the callee, the link information associated with the return destination number is displayed, and the outgoing data addressed to the return destination number is transmitted when the link information is selected.

The e-mail transmission unit 119 transmits the e-mail generated by the e-mail generation unit 118 to the receiver terminal 30b.
In addition, the recipient terminal 30b in the present embodiment has a function of transmitting / receiving an electronic mail and a function of accessing a telephone network using link information included in the electronic mail.
Next, the operation in this embodiment will be described. FIG. 9 shows a flowchart of the return destination call processing according to the present embodiment, and FIG. 10 shows a sequence chart when the called party B listens to the message.

First, similarly to the operation in the first embodiment, the callee terminal 30b transmits the call data D11, connects to the answering service center 10 (step S21), and reproduces the message D12 (step S22). .
Next, based on the “return request presence / absence” included in the message management data associated with the transmitted message D12, the return request determination unit 115 determines whether the caller A who recorded the message requests a return call. Determine whether or not. When a return call is requested (step S23: Yes), the return execution inquiry unit 116 notifies that a return call is requested and requires a return for inquiring whether or not to make a return call later. The rejection inquiry data D13 is transmitted to the callee terminal 30b (step S24).

Upon receiving the return necessity inquiry data D13 from the answering machine service center 10, the called party terminal 30b outputs, for example, the following voice guidance. “The caller is requesting a call back. Enter 1 if you want to call back later, or enter 2 if you do not.”
When the called party B makes a return call later, he / she inputs a return call registration instruction by inputting “1”. On the other hand, when not making a return call, by inputting “2”, the process proceeds to the next message reproduction. The called party terminal 30b transmits response data D131 including information indicating the content input by the called party B to the answering machine service center 10.

The control unit 11 of the answering machine service center 10 determines whether to make a return call based on the response data D131 received from the callee terminal 30b. If it is determined not to make a return call (step S25; No), the next unsent message stored in the storage unit 12 is processed (step S27).
On the other hand, when it is determined that a return call is made based on the response data D131 (step S25; Yes), the control unit 11 immediately receives the callee terminal 30b and the communication terminal that is the return destination as in the first embodiment. In step S26, the call back registration is performed to generate an e-mail later. Specifically, the control unit 11 acquires a return number corresponding to the response data D131 (that is, a return destination number associated with the transmitted message D12) from the message management DB 121, and uses the acquired return destination number. Accumulated in RAM.

When the answering machine service center 10 has transmitted all messages to the called party B stored in the storage unit 12 (step S27; Yes), the called party terminal 30b terminates the connection with the answering machine service center 10 ( Step S28).
The e-mail generator 118 of the answering service center 10 generates an e-mail D132 including the return destination number stored in the RAM in step S26.
The e-mail transmission unit 119 transmits the generated e-mail D132 to the recipient terminal 30b.

The recipient terminal 30b receives the email D132 (step S29). Caller B performs an operation to open electronic mail D132. As a result, a list of return destination numbers for which return call registration instructions have been given by the callee B before the connection with the answering machine service center 10 is terminated is displayed on the display of the callee terminal 30b. The receiver B selects one of the return destination numbers displayed on the display of the receiver terminal 30b.
Thereby, the callee terminal 30b generates transmission data D133 having the selected return number as the destination, and transmits the transmission data D133. Thereby, the callee terminal 30b connects a call with the communication terminal of the return destination identified by the return destination number (step S30).

  As described above, the answering machine service center 10 uses the e-mail after the connection with the callee terminal 30b is terminated, using the call back number associated with the message that the callee B intends to call back. It is transmitted to the callee terminal 30b in a format. After receiving all the messages, the callee B can receive the e-mail, and can make a call to the return number desired by the caller A using the Phone-To function. Can call back when convenient, convenient and convenient.

  In the above-described embodiment, the receiver B listens to all messages, and the confirmation of whether or not to make a return call by the return execution inquiry unit 116 is completed (steps S22 to S27). After the connection between the center 10 and the recipient terminal 30b is completed (step S28), the e-mail generating unit 118 transmits the e-mail (step S29), but the timing of transmitting the e-mail is limited to this. It will never be done. For example, every time the answering machine service center 10 receives response data D131 indicating whether or not to make a return call from the callee terminal 30b in step S25, the e-mail generation unit 118 generates an e-mail including one return destination number. Then, it may be transmitted to the callee terminal 30b. In this way, the called party B can make a return call to the number desired by the calling party A by a simple method.

[3. Modified example]
Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the present invention is not limited to such embodiments, and various modifications can be made within the scope of the technical idea. As modifications, for example, the following can be considered.
(1) In the above-described embodiment, the method in the mobile phone has been described as an example. However, the communication terminal and the communication system 1 are not limited to those specialized in mobile communication, and may be a fixed telephone and a fixed telephone network. Absent. In this case, the message is stored not in the answering machine service center 10 but in a fixed telephone with an answering machine function. Therefore, all the message management data stored in the message management DB 121 is managed by the fixed telephone, and the function of notifying the presence / absence of the return telephone call and the return destination is also held by the telephone.

(2) In the above-described embodiment, the answering machine service center 10 manages both the message and the message management data stored in the message management DB 121, but it is managed by another device without being managed by one device. You may do it.
(3) In the above-described embodiment, the communication identification information and the return destination identification information of the communication terminal have been described as telephone numbers. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, identification information for communication such as an email address. Anything is acceptable. Further, the message is not limited to a voice message but may be a text or an image.

(4) In the above-described embodiment, the message management data is managed in association with the message in the return request setting process. However, even when the caller does not record the message, only the message management data is stored in the message management DB 121. Then, it is preferable that the return destination setting process and the return destination transmission process described above can be performed. In this case, the caller sets only a request for return contact without recording a message, and the callee only makes a return call to the return destination without listening to the message.

1 is a diagram illustrating an overall configuration of a communication system according to a first embodiment of the present invention. It is a block diagram which shows the function structure of the control part with which the answering machine service center which concerns on the embodiment is provided. It is a figure which shows the structure of the message management data stored in message management DB which concerns on the embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the flow of the return destination setting process which concerns on the embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the flow of the return destination transmission process which concerns on the same embodiment. It is a sequence chart which shows the flow of the data at the time of message recording which concerns on the embodiment. It is a sequence chart which shows the flow of the data at the time of message reproduction | regeneration concerning the embodiment. It is a block diagram which shows the function structure of the control part with which the answering machine service center which concerns on 2nd Embodiment is provided. It is a flowchart which shows the flow of the return destination transmission process which concerns on the same embodiment. It is a sequence chart which shows the flow of the data at the time of message reproduction | regeneration concerning the embodiment.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Communication system 10 Answering machine service center 11 Control part 12 Storage part 20 Communication network 30a Caller terminal 30b Callee terminal 111 Return request presence / absence inquiry part 112 Return request presence / absence reception part 113 Return destination inquiry part 114 Return destination determination part 115 Return request Determination unit 116 Return execution inquiry unit 117 Return execution unit 118 Email generation unit 119 Email transmission unit

Claims (7)

In the return destination management device that manages the request for return contact from the caller having the caller terminal to the callee holding the callee terminal,
When calling data from the caller terminal to the callee terminal has been transferred, return request presence / absence inquiry data for inquiring whether or not to call back call from the callee to the caller A return request presence inquiry means to be transmitted to the caller terminal;
In response to transmission of the return request presence / absence inquiry data by the return request presence / absence inquiry means, a return request presence / absence receiving means for receiving return request presence / absence information from the caller terminal;
When the return request presence / absence information received by the return request presence / absence receiving means indicates that the return contact is requested, the communication terminal of the return destination to be connected when the return contact is made is the caller terminal. Return destination inquiry data for inquiring whether or not the return destination inquiry data is transmitted to the caller terminal;
When the response data received from the caller terminal in response to the transmission of the return destination inquiry data by the return destination inquiry means indicates that the return destination communication terminal is the caller terminal While the communication identification information of the person terminal is the return destination identification information for connecting to the return destination communication terminal,
When the response data indicates that the communication terminal of the return destination is other than the caller terminal, the communication identification information transmitted from the caller terminal by the input of the caller is the return destination identification. A return destination management apparatus comprising: a return destination determination means for information. When an incoming call is received from the callee terminal, the callee having the callee terminal is requested to call back to the caller based on the callback request presence / absence information received by the callback request presence / absence receiving means. A return request determination means for determining whether or not
When the return request determination means determines that the return contact is requested, the return execution inquiry means for transmitting the return necessity inquiry data for inquiring whether or not to perform the return contact to the recipient terminal. When,
In response to the return necessity inquiry data transmitted by the return execution inquiry means, when response data indicating an answer to make the return contact is received from the called party terminal, the return destination determination means is determined. The return destination management apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: a return execution unit that connects communication between the return destination communication terminal identified by the return destination identification information and the called party terminal. When an incoming call is received from the callee terminal, the callee having the callee terminal is requested to call back to the caller based on the callback request presence / absence information received by the callback request presence / absence receiving means. A return request determination means for determining whether or not
When the return request determination means determines that the return contact is requested, the return execution inquiry means for transmitting the return necessity inquiry data for inquiring whether or not to perform the return contact to the recipient terminal. When,
In response to the return necessity inquiry data transmitted by the return execution inquiry means, when response data indicating an answer to make the return contact is received from the called party terminal, the return destination determination means is determined. E-mail generating means for generating an e-mail including the return destination identification information;
The return destination management apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: an e-mail transmission unit that transmits the e-mail generated by the e-mail generation unit to the recipient terminal. The e-mail generating means includes
When a plurality of response data indicating an answer to make the return contact is received from the recipient terminal, an email including return destination identification information corresponding to each of the plurality of response data is generated,
The e-mail transmission means includes:
4. The return destination management apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the e-mail generated by the e-mail generation means is transmitted after all of the inquiries by the return execution inquiry means are completed. In the return setting method performed by the return destination management device,
When outgoing data from the caller terminal to the callee terminal is transferred, an inquiry is made as to whether or not a call back request from the callee holding the caller terminal to the caller holding the caller terminal is requested. A return request presence / absence inquiry data for transmitting to the caller terminal a return request presence / absence inquiry step;
In response to transmission of the return request presence / absence inquiry data in the return request presence / absence inquiry step, a return request presence / absence reception step of receiving return request presence / absence information from the caller terminal;
When the return request presence / absence information received in the return request presence / absence reception step indicates that the return contact is requested, the communication terminal of the return destination to be connected when performing the return contact is the caller terminal. Return destination inquiry data for inquiring whether or not to return, the return destination inquiry step to transmit to the caller terminal,
When the response data received from the caller terminal in response to the transmission of the call back destination inquiry data in the call back destination inquiry step indicates that the communication terminal of the call back destination is the caller terminal, the call origination While the communication identification information of the person terminal is the return destination identification information for connecting to the return destination communication terminal,
When the response data indicates that the communication terminal of the return destination is other than the caller terminal, the communication identification information transmitted from the caller terminal by the input of the caller is the return destination identification. A return destination setting method comprising: a return destination determination step as information. An outgoing data transmission step in which the calling terminal transmits outgoing data to the called party terminal;
An answering machine connection step in which the caller terminal connects communication with the call back destination management device by the call data transmitted in the call data transmission step;
The return destination management device associates the message received from the caller terminal via the communication connected in the answering machine connection step with the communication identification information of the caller terminal and the communication identification information of the callee terminal. A message accumulation step to accumulate;
The call back terminal management apparatus sends back call request presence / absence inquiry data to the caller terminal for inquiring whether or not to request a call back from the callee having the callee terminal to the caller having the caller terminal. A return request presence inquiry step to be transmitted;
In response to the return request presence / absence inquiry message transmitted in the return request presence / absence inquiry step, the caller terminal transmits a return request presence / absence information input by the caller;
When the return destination management apparatus indicates that the return request presence / absence information transmitted in the return request presence / absence transmission step indicates that the return contact is requested, the communication terminal of the return destination to be connected when performing the return contact Is a return destination inquiry step for sending back destination inquiry data for inquiring whether or not the caller terminal is sent to the caller terminal;
In response to the return destination inquiry data transmitted in the return destination inquiry step, the caller terminal transmits a response data by user input, a return destination response step;
The return destination management device is connected to the return destination communication terminal when the response data transmitted in the return destination response step indicates that the return destination communication terminal is other than the caller terminal. A return destination identification information inquiry step for sending return destination identification information inquiry data for inquiring about return destination identification information for
The caller terminal has a return destination identification information response step of transmitting response data input by a user in response to the return destination identification information inquiry data transmitted in the return destination identification information inquiry step. How to set the return destination. A connection step in which the callee terminal transmits outgoing data to the return destination management device;
From the caller having the caller terminal accumulated to the callee having the callee terminal, the callee management apparatus stores the callee data that has been sent in the connection step. A message sending step for sending a message;
A return request determination step for determining whether or not the callee is requested to return a call to the caller.
In the return request determination step, when it is determined that the return contact is requested, the return execution inquiry step for transmitting the return necessity inquiry data for inquiring whether or not to perform the return contact to the recipient terminal. When,
In response to the return necessity inquiry data sent in the return execution inquiry step, the called party terminal sends back response data according to the input of the called party;
When the return destination management device indicates that the response data transmitted in the return execution response step indicates the return contact, identification is made with the return destination identification information set in advance by the sender. And a return execution step of connecting communication between the return destination communication terminal and the called party terminal.

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