JP5499339B2 - Centralized automatic dialing equipment - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a control technology for a centralized automatic dialing apparatus that performs automatic dialing to a number of counterpart terminals through a public telephone network.

  By using a centralized automatic dialing device (centralized automatic calling device) that uses the CTI (Computer Telephony Integration) function in telemarketing and questionnaires, etc., it is possible to save labor and improve certainty without human error. Brought merit.

  On the other hand, if there are a large number of calls from the centralized automatic dialing device, congestion may occur depending on the state of the telephone network, causing inconvenience to other users of the telephone network and causing harm to society. I'm sorry. In other words, “One-off”, which became a social problem in Japan in the summer of 2002, is a typical example. A centralized automatic dialing device connected to the telephone network is used and a large number of calls are made one after another according to a list of telephone numbers. As a result of the continuous execution on a large scale, the exchange is overloaded, congestion occurs, and the general public's telephone cannot be connected. Since such congestion has already occurred, it is already late, and it is required to detect in advance. Note that a mechanism for detecting the congestion of the exchange is provided on the telephone station side that operates the telephone network, and when the congestion is detected, outgoing call regulation or the like is performed.

  The operation method of automatically calling a telephone network by a computer is not to be misused of the telephone network itself, and if it is carried out modestly so that the exchange does not become congested, social and business in various applications. Can play an extremely useful role. For example, by using the “telephone call control device and telephone questionnaire support system” (Patent Document 1) and the “telephone questionnaire support server” (Patent Document 2) created by the applicants earlier, almost no labor cost is required. It is possible to conduct telephone surveys and advertisements in a wide area.

Japanese Patent No. 4478709 Japanese Patent No. 4067437 Japanese Patent No. 3740461

  As described above, although a mechanism for detecting congestion is provided on the exchange side, it is too late after the congestion is detected, and countermeasures on the side of automatic dialing are required.

  On the other hand, in Patent Document 3, as a “computer system that cleans a telephone number list by centralized automatic dialing”, a call suppression process is a first specific response from ISDN (Integrated Services Digital Network) in a response classification process. Is recorded in the detection history, and the frequency of outgoing calls by the outgoing call processing is gradually reduced based on the detection history, and the first specific response is a disconnect message, release message, release complete It is disclosed that the message is at least one message selected from among the messages and has at least one reason number selected from among the specific numbers.

  However, if the reason for picking up is “reason number 42 switchboard congestion”, the call stop alarm is to stop the call and execute alarm processing to notify the staff that the switchboard congestion has occurred. (Paragraph 0027 etc.), which indicates that the call is stopped after congestion has already occurred. Therefore, congestion cannot be prevented in advance.

  The present invention has been proposed in view of the above-described conventional problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a centralized automatic dialing apparatus that can prevent congestion of the telephone network.

In order to solve the above-described problems, the present invention obtains a call destination telephone number from a telephone number list and transmits a call setting message to a digital telephone network, and the call setting A response receiving means for receiving a call message from the telephone network for the message , the call message being issued on the condition that the receiving terminal responds to the telephone network that the call terminal has confirmed the conformity of the call setting; A return time measuring means for measuring a return time from when the means transmits the call setup message to when the response receiving means receives a call message from the telephone network; and a predetermined number measured by the return time measuring means A statistical value calculating means for calculating a statistical value including mean and variance from the return time of the return time, and the latest measured by the return time measuring means And the return time, the a statistical value calculating means calculates for deviation calculation means deviation on the basis of the calculated the statistical value by said calling means, is calculated deviation by said deviation calculation means, said When a predetermined value is exceeded , including both cases where the return time becomes longer and shorter , transmission of the call setting message is suppressed for a predetermined time.

  In the centralized automatic dialing apparatus of the present invention, the congestion of the exchange is detected in advance due to the disturbance of the return time from the transmission of the call setup message to the reception of the call message. By suppressing the transmission of the setting message for a predetermined time, it is possible to prevent congestion of the telephone network.

It is a figure which shows the structural example of the system concerning one Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the example of the data which an automatic questionnaire implementation apparatus hold | maintains. It is a figure which shows the structural example of an ISDN public telephone network. It is a flowchart (the 1) which shows the process example of embodiment. It is a flowchart (the 2) which shows the process example of embodiment. It is a flowchart (the 3) which shows the process example of embodiment.

  Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described.

<Principle>
Centralized automatic dialing that uses a computer system connected to a telephone network such as ISDN to perform outgoing call processing one after another according to a list of telephone numbers and to execute processing according to the telephone network response to each outgoing call An object of the present invention is to avoid overloading an exchange in an apparatus.

  Switching overload avoidance processing in the centralized automatic dialing apparatus of the present invention is due to the fact that there is no appropriate line / channel available for handling calls on the telephone network side, or that a network failure is likely to occur. Depending on the overload sign (congestion sign) recognition process to detect the occurrence dynamics of a specific event that the response of the exchange is different from the normal, that is, the response time is away from the distribution that was normally performed, and the occurrence dynamics of the specific event And a call suppression process for temporarily stopping the call or reducing the frequency of the call.

  Measure the time (return time) until the return code issued by the exchange responds to the call to the telephone network, and if the call is continued while collecting statistics, congestion will be caused by the traffic of the telephone network and the exchange. When it is about to happen, the processing of the exchange will take time, or the congestion detection device provided on the telephone network side will start operating, so the return time of the return code with a different pattern from before Disturbed. In the present invention, the disturbance of the return time as a sign of the congestion is detected, and the call is adjusted before the congestion occurs, so that the traffic of the telephone network can be kept healthy and operated without overloading the exchange. be able to.

  In the present invention, the return time statistics are taken every time a call is made, and after reaching a predetermined number of samples, disturbances to the return time statistics are detected. Suppress calls.

  Normally, when there is no congestion or congestion, a call is sent to the target according to a determined route. However, when it gets crowded, a route using a bypass route (bypass) is tried on the telephone network side in addition to the normal route.

  It is difficult to imagine a system that controls the return time to be constant regardless of whether or not a detour route is used. It is natural that it takes time if multiple routes are used for trial and error, and it is natural that the return time is extended when a detour route is used. Even if you are not using a detour route, giving a longer and longer return time is not possible without waiting somewhere. Giving waiting time for all lines significantly reduces the efficiency of the switching system, so it is difficult to adjust for waiting time.

  When the detour route is used, the return time may be shortened when the detour destination is a high-speed route. However, when the detour route is suddenly shortened, the return time is also regarded as fluctuation of the return time.

  In addition, if a large number of calls are concentrated on the exchange, the load on the CPU (Central Processing Unit) that controls the exchange will increase, and processing may take longer, which may lead to a longer return time. Of course, it may appear as fluctuations in return time.

<Configuration>
FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a configuration example of a system according to an embodiment of the present invention. In addition, although the case where it applies to the automatic questionnaire implementation apparatus 1 as a centralized automatic dialing apparatus is demonstrated, it cannot be overemphasized that a use is not restricted to an automatic questionnaire and it can apply to other uses, such as a telemarketing.

  In FIG. 1, an automatic questionnaire execution apparatus 1 is connected to a telephone network 3 such as an ISDN public telephone network via a line interface unit 2 such as a DSU (Digital Service Unit). A terminal device 4 such as a plurality of subscriber terminals (telephones) is connected to the telephone network 3.

  The automatic questionnaire execution apparatus 1 includes a control unit 11 such as a CPU that performs main control, a memory 13 as a storage unit 12, an HDD (Hard Disk Drive) 14, an FDD (Floppy Disk Drive) 15, a display unit 16, and an operation input. The unit 17 and a communication unit 18 such as an ISDN communication board are connected via a bus. When a commercially available ISDN CTI adapter is used as the communication unit 18, the communication unit 18 is connected to the S / T point output from the DSU which is the line interface unit 2. At the S / T point, bi-directional communication of 2 lines of 64 kbps B channel and 1 line (2B + D) of 16 kbps D channel is performed in a time division manner. B1 and B2 are channels used for data and D is used for control.

  FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of data held by the automatic questionnaire execution apparatus 1, and includes a telephone number list 101, a questionnaire question list 102, a questionnaire result database 103, and a statistical database 104.

  The telephone number list 101 is a list of telephone numbers (called numbers) of destinations that are targets of automatic dialing. The telephone number list 101 may be accompanied by a flag indicating whether dialing has already been completed or unprocessed (including hold).

  It is assumed that the automatic questionnaire execution apparatus 1 is installed in, for example, the Yamanashi Prefecture area, and thereby performs a questionnaire survey throughout the area. As is well known, each subscriber's telephone number is a combination of an area code, a local area code, and a subscriber number, with the last four digits being the subscriber number. Of course, the numbers used as the area code and the city code are publicly available information. In the Yamanashi Prefecture area of the above example, there are 10 city numbers such as 0551, 055-2xx, 0553, 0554, 0555, 0556-2x, 0556-3x, 0556-4x, 0556-5x, 0556-6x. Exists. Assuming that the automatic questionnaire execution apparatus 1 is in charge of, for example, an area in Yamanashi Prefecture, there are 10 area codes as described above, and each area code has a number of area codes. Is assigned. The telephone number list 101 is created by extracting the telephone numbers included in these areas to be investigated from a telephone directory published in advance.

  The questionnaire question list 102 is a list of voice data indicating the contents of the questionnaire. Audio data may be held directly, or link information to audio data held separately may be held.

  The questionnaire result database 103 is an area that holds the results of the questionnaire obtained by the response in association with the questionnaire questions in the questionnaire question list 102.

  The statistical database 104 is an area for holding a return time for each call and a result of statistical processing. As a result of the statistical processing, an average value and a deviation (standard deviation) are included. The return time and the result of the statistical processing are performed in association with the area code of the calling telephone number. In the example of the Yamanashi area described above, there are 10 area codes, so each of the 10 area codes was obtained from the return time and a predetermined number (sample number) of return times before that. An area for storing statistical results is secured. The reason why the area code is divided is that it is considered that the area is divided into parts corresponding to the group stations. The statistics are taken for each area code in order to detect congestion signs of the group stations and the exchanges therein. Note that when congestion is likely to occur at a level higher than the group station, it is possible to cope with this because a congestion sign is detected by the area code corresponding to each of the plurality of group stations. A congestion flag indicating whether or not there is a congestion sign state is provided in association with each area code. When the congestion flag is set (standing), it is in a congestion sign state, and when the congestion flag is cleared (not standing), it is not in a congestion sign state.

  In addition, we considered the case of conducting a questionnaire survey in the Yamanashi prefecture area, but when conducting in another prefecture area, data for calculating the return time is required for the number of area codes existing in that prefecture. Needless to say. Moreover, since every survey range can be considered depending on the purpose of the questionnaire or telemarketing as well as the prefecture unit, data is created for each area code included in the corresponding survey range.

  FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a configuration example of the ISDN public telephone network.

  The ISDN public telephone network is divided into a network part between prefectures operated by a long distance telephone company (NTT Communications) and a network part within prefectures operated by local telephone companies (NTT East, NTT West). Communication across prefectures (some of which do not coincide with administrative districts) is forbidden and relayed to long distance telephone companies.

  The network portion between prefectures is composed of a specific relay station 31 called SZC (Special Zone Center).

  The network portion in the prefecture is composed of an intra-area relay station 32 called IC (Intermediate Center, Intrazone Tandem Center) and a group station 33 called GC (Group unit Center). The intra-area relay station 32 is connected to the specific relay station 31, and the group station 33 is connected to the intra-area relay station 32.

  The terminal device 4 is connected to the group station 33. The automatic questionnaire execution device 1 shown in FIG. 1 is connected to the ISDN public telephone network by positioning the terminal device 4.

  The INS net 64, which is a commonly used ISDN service, is a pair of metal cables, and provides bi-directional communication for two lines of 64 kbps B channel and one line (2B + D) of 16 kbps D channel. The signal that flows on the cable is a digital signal and control signal for these three lines that have been time-division processed. Further, between the station and the subscriber's house, the transmission direction is switched at regular intervals (2.5 milliseconds). Bidirectional communication is realized by alternately transmitting and receiving (TCM: Time Compression Multiplexing: time division direction control transmission system).

  The DSU corresponding to the line interface unit 2 shown in FIG. 1 is a device that converts a signal on a line in which transmission and reception are rapidly switched to a normal interface of two pairs of transmission and reception, in other words, a transceiver for an ISDN line. It is a great existence. The transceiver on the station side for DSU is called ISM (I-Interface Subscriber Module). In the case of an ISDN line, it is connected to an exchange through this ISM.

  Although the public telephone network in Japan has been described, the present invention can be applied to international calls (calling from domestic to overseas, calling from overseas country a to overseas country b, calling from overseas to country). Needless to say, it is applicable. In terms of the circuit configuration, an international carrier such as KDDI (international carrier hierarchy) enters the middle on the long distance telephone company of FIG.

  Further, not only the fixed telephone network but also a wireless telephone network (mobile phone network), the relationship between the user terminal and the network is the same, and the present invention is applicable.

  Further, the present invention is applicable not only to voice calls but also to data communication via FAX or line because the calling sequence is the same.

<Operation>
4 and 5 are flowcharts showing an example of processing of the above embodiment.

  In FIG. 4, when the automatic questionnaire execution apparatus 1 starts the process (step S101), the process is initially performed in the normal mode (step S102).

  In this normal mode, the automatic questionnaire execution apparatus 1 picks up telephone numbers one by one from the telephone number list 101 in a predetermined order (step S103), and starts executing a call setting sequence for calling the telephone numbers. In this call setup sequence, ITU-T recommendation Q.I. Proceed according to the circuit-switched call control procedure defined in detail in 931 or JTC-Q931.

  In the call setting sequence, first, a call setting message in which the telephone number to be investigated is set as the called number and non-restricted digital information is specified as the transmission capability is created and transmitted to the telephone network (step S104).

  The telephone network that has received the call setting message from the automatic questionnaire execution apparatus 1 that is the sending terminal sends a call setting acceptance message that informs the B channel to be used to the sending terminal and also sends the call setting message to the receiving terminal.

  As a result, various performances required for the receiving terminal are specified. This is checked on the receiving terminal side, and the receiving terminal confirming the conformity returns a call message to the telephone network. The receiving terminal is ringing. The call message is sent from the telephone network to the calling terminal.

  The automatic questionnaire execution apparatus 1 waits until a call message is obtained (step S105). When the call message is obtained (Yes in step S105), the call message is transmitted (step S104) to the arrival of the call message (step S105). The elapsed time until (Yes) is measured as the return time (step S106), and the measured return time is recorded in the statistical database 104. The return time is recorded in association with the area code of the calling telephone number.

  After that, when a response such as off-hook is made at the receiving terminal, a response message is sent from the receiving terminal to the telephone network to the calling terminal, and a response confirmation message is received from the calling terminal to the telephone network and from the telephone network to the receiving terminal. Sent. Thus, the call setup message is accepted and the line is connected.

  The automatic questionnaire execution apparatus 1 determines whether or not a response message has been received (step S107), and if received (Yes in step S107), executes the questionnaire (step S108). That is, in the call setting sequence, when a call of the transmitted call setting message is accepted and a call message and a response message are transferred from the telephone network, the questionnaire execution sequence is entered. In the questionnaire execution sequence, voice data is read from the questionnaire question list 102, voice is transmitted to the connected telephone network, and a response by DTMF (Dual Tone Multi-Frequency) is recorded in the questionnaire result database 103.

  When the questionnaire is finished, a disconnect message is sent to the telephone network (step S109), and a disconnect sequence is executed.

  In addition, a call requested by the calling terminal may not be accepted for various reasons. In that case, the telephone network sends a disconnect message to the calling terminal and executes a disconnection recovery sequence. At this time, the reason why the call cannot be accepted is notified in the form of a reason number in the item of the reason display of the information element attached to the disconnect message sent from the telephone network to the calling terminal. ITU-T Recommendation Q. In 931, “switch congestion” is notified as “reason number 42” for the disconnection message. This indicates that the switching device that generated this reason is congested with high traffic.

  The automatic questionnaire execution apparatus 1 does not receive the response message (No in Step S107), and when the call of the sent call setting message is not accepted and the disconnect message is transferred from the telephone network (Step) In S110 (Yes), a disconnect message is sent to the telephone network (step S109), and the disconnect sequence is executed.

  In this case, the reason display of the information element attached to the disconnection message from the telephone network is picked up, and when the reason display is “exchange congestion” (Yes in Step S111), the mode immediately shifts to the reduction mode (Step S111). S115), call reduction processing is performed.

  If the disconnect message has not been received (No in step S110), or if the reason of the information element attached to the disconnect message is not "switch congestion" (No in step S111), the predetermined measurement measured in this time and the past A statistical value is calculated for each area code from a number (for example, 10) of return times and recorded in the statistical database 104 (step S112).

  Next, a deviation of the current return time is calculated using the current return time and the statistical value of the corresponding area code recorded in the statistical database 104 (step S113).

  If it is determined that the calculated deviation is larger than the predetermined value and excessive (Yes in step S114), for example, if the return time exceeds 3σ (σ: variance), for example, the mode shifts to the reduction mode ( Step S115), a call reduction process is performed. Note that the threshold for determining a congestion sign can be arbitrarily set (adjusted) by the user in consideration of the line status without being fixed as 3σ as described above.

  If the calculated deviation is not greater than the predetermined value and is not determined to be excessive (No in step S114), the process returns to acquisition of the next telephone number to be investigated (step S103).

  Next, the reduction mode will be described.

  In FIG. 5, when the reduction mode is entered (step S201), the automatic questionnaire execution apparatus 1 sets a congestion flag corresponding to the area code for which the deviation is determined to be excessive, and a timer (city code) corresponding to the area code. The countdown of “prepared for each external station number” is started (step S202). If the timer corresponding to the area code for which the deviation is determined to be excessive has already started counting down, the timer is reset to the initial value and starts counting down.

  Next, the automatic questionnaire execution apparatus 1 picks up telephone numbers one by one from the telephone number list 101 in a predetermined order (step S203), and determines whether the telephone number is an area code with a congestion flag. (Step S204).

  When the picked-up telephone number is an area code with a congestion flag (Yes in step S204), the automatic questionnaire execution apparatus 1 determines whether or not the corresponding timer has expired (step S205).

  When it is determined that the corresponding timer has not expired (No in step S205), the process returns to the acquisition of the telephone number (step S203).

  When the picked-up telephone number is not the area code where the congestion flag is set (No in step S204), and when it is determined that the corresponding timer is up (Yes in step S205), the automatic questionnaire execution device 1 Then, a call setup message is created with the picked-up telephone number as the called number and non-restricted digital information designated as the transmission capability, and sent to the telephone network (step S206).

  The automatic questionnaire execution apparatus 1 waits until a call message is obtained (step S207). When the call message is obtained (Yes in step S207), the call message arrives (step S206) from the call setting message transmission (step S206). The elapsed time until “Yes” is measured as the return time (step S208), and the measured return time is recorded in the statistical database 104.

  Next, the automatic questionnaire execution apparatus 1 determines whether or not a response message has been received (step S209), and if received (Yes in step S209), executes the questionnaire (step S210).

  When the execution of the questionnaire is finished, the automatic questionnaire execution apparatus 1 sends a disconnect message to the telephone network (step S211) and executes a disconnect sequence.

  The automatic questionnaire execution apparatus 1 does not receive a response message (No in step S209), and does not accept a call of the transmitted call setting message and transfers a disconnect message from the telephone network (step) At S212 (Yes), a disconnect message is sent to the telephone network (step S211), and the disconnect sequence is executed.

  In this case, the reason display of the information element attached to the disconnection message from the telephone network is picked up, and when the reason display is “exchange congestion” (Yes in step S213), the reduction mode is maintained and the congestion flag is set. Then, the process returns to the timer start (step S202).

  When the automatic questionnaire execution apparatus 1 does not receive the disconnect message (No in Step S212) or when the reason display of the information element attached to the disconnect message is not “switch congestion” (No in Step S213), A statistical value is calculated for each area code from this time and a predetermined number of return times measured in the past, except for the area code where the congestion flag is set, and recorded in the statistics database 104 (step S214). The reason why the area code where the congestion flag is set is excluded is to prevent the statistical value from being distorted by including the return time in the congestion prediction state in the statistical calculation.

  Next, a deviation of the current return time is calculated using the current return time and the statistical value of the corresponding area code recorded in the statistical database 104 (step S215).

  If it is determined that the calculated deviation is larger than the predetermined value and excessive (Yes in step S216), the reduction mode is maintained, and the process returns to setting the congestion flag and starting the timer (step S202). Note that the determination of excessive deviation in the reduction mode may be the same as that in the normal mode (for example, 3σ) or may be lower (for example, 2σ). Further, the threshold value can be arbitrarily set (adjusted) by the user in consideration of the line condition.

  When it is determined that the calculated deviation is not larger than the predetermined value and not excessive (No in step S216), the congestion flag corresponding to the area code for the current call is canceled (step S217).

  Then, when all the congestion flags are released (Yes in step S218), the process returns to the normal mode (FIG. 4) (step S219). If a part of the congestion flag remains set (No in step S218), the process returns to the acquisition of the telephone number (step S203).

  FIG. 6 shows another example of the processing in the reduction mode shown in FIG. 5, and it is confirmed more reliably that the congestion predictive state is resolved by doubling the timer. It is. That is, in the process shown in FIG. 5, when the timer corresponding to the area code is timed out, a call is made to the area code, and if it is determined that the congestion is not a sign of congestion from the return time deviation, It will be treated as the elimination of the congestion sign state. For this reason, when the call after the time-up is actually a sign of congestion, the call may cause a sign of congestion again if it has a short return time. Therefore, in the processing example of FIG. 6, while the longer timer A expires, the shorter timer B makes a call with a frequency of N times (a value obtained by dividing the time of timer A by the time of timer B). When the congestion sign state is canceled N times, it is determined that the congestion sign state is cleared.

  In FIG. 6, when the reduction mode is entered (step S221), the automatic questionnaire execution apparatus 1 sets a congestion flag corresponding to the area code for which the deviation is determined to be excessive, and a timer A ( The countdown is started (prepared for each area code) (step S222). If the timer A corresponding to the area code for which the deviation is determined to be excessive has already started counting down, it is reset to the initial value and starts counting down.

  Next, the automatic questionnaire execution apparatus 1 starts a countdown of the timer B (prepared for each area code) corresponding to the area code (step S223). If the timer B corresponding to the area code has already started counting down, the timer B is reset to the initial value and starts counting down.

  Next, the automatic questionnaire execution apparatus 1 picks up telephone numbers one by one from the telephone number list 101 in a predetermined order (step S224), and determines whether or not the telephone number is an area code with a congestion flag. (Step S225).

  If the picked-up telephone number is an area code with a congestion flag (Yes in step S225), the automatic questionnaire execution apparatus 1 determines whether or not the corresponding timer B has timed up (step S226).

  When it is determined that the corresponding timer B has not expired (No in step S226), the process returns to the acquisition of the telephone number (step S224).

  When the picked-up telephone number is not the area code where the congestion flag is set (No in step S225), and when it is determined that the corresponding timer B is up (Yes in step S226), the automatic questionnaire execution apparatus 1 Creates a call setup message with the picked-up telephone number as the called number and non-restricted digital information as the transmission capability and sends it to the telephone network (step S227).

  The automatic questionnaire execution apparatus 1 waits until a call message is obtained (step S228). When the call message is obtained (Yes in step S228), the call message is sent (step S227) to the arrival of the call message (step S228). The elapsed time until (Yes) is measured as the return time (step S229), and the measured return time is recorded in the statistical database 104.

  Next, the automatic questionnaire execution apparatus 1 determines whether or not a response message has been received (step S230), and if received (Yes in step S230), executes the questionnaire (step S231).

  When the execution of the questionnaire is completed, the automatic questionnaire execution apparatus 1 sends a disconnect message to the telephone network (step S232), and executes a disconnect sequence.

  The automatic questionnaire execution apparatus 1 does not receive the response message (No in Step S230), and when the call of the transmitted call setting message is not accepted and the disconnect message is transferred from the telephone network (Step) At S233 (Yes), a disconnect message is sent to the telephone network (step S232), and the disconnect sequence is executed.

  In this case, the reason display of the information element attached to the disconnection message from the telephone network is picked up. When the reason display is “switch congestion” (Yes in step S234), the reduction mode is maintained and the congestion flag is set. Then, the process returns to the timer A start (step S222).

  When the automatic questionnaire execution device 1 does not receive the disconnect message (No in Step S233) or when the reason display of the information element attached to the disconnect message is not “switch congestion” (No in Step S234), A statistical value is calculated for each area code from this time and a predetermined number of return times measured in the past, except for the area code where the congestion flag is set, and recorded in the statistics database 104 (step S235).

  Next, the deviation of the current return time is calculated using the current return time and the statistical value of the corresponding area code recorded in the statistical database 104 (step S236).

  If it is determined that the calculated deviation is larger than the predetermined value and excessive (Yes in step S237), the reduction mode is maintained, and the process returns to the setting of the congestion flag and the start of timer A (step S222). Note that the determination of excessive deviation in the reduction mode may be the same as that in the normal mode (for example, 3σ) or may be lower (for example, 2σ). Further, the threshold value can be arbitrarily set (adjusted) by the user in consideration of the line condition.

  When it is determined that the calculated deviation is not larger than the predetermined value (No in step S237), it is determined whether or not the corresponding timer A has timed up (step S238), and the timer A has timed out. If it is determined that there is not (No in step S238), the process returns to the timer B start (step S223).

  If it is determined that the timer A has expired (Yes in step S238), the congestion flag corresponding to the area code related to the current call is canceled (step S239).

  If all the congestion flags are released (Yes in step S240), the process returns to the normal mode (FIG. 4) (step S241). If a part of the congestion flag remains set (No in step S40), the process returns to the acquisition of the telephone number (step S224).

<Summary>
As described above, according to the present embodiment, the congestion of the exchange is detected in advance due to the disturbance of the return time from the transmission of the call setup message to the reception of the call message, and it is compatible with the exchange that may be congested. By suppressing the call to the station number to be performed, congestion of the telephone network can be prevented in advance.

  The present invention has been described above by the preferred embodiments of the present invention. While the invention has been described with reference to specific embodiments, various modifications and changes may be made to the embodiments without departing from the broad spirit and scope of the invention as defined in the claims. Obviously you can. In other words, the present invention should not be construed as being limited by the details of the specific examples and the accompanying drawings.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Automatic questionnaire implementation apparatus 11 Control part 12 Memory | storage part 13 Memory 14 HDD
15 FDD
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 16 Display part 17 Operation input part 18 Communication part 101 Telephone number list 102 Questionnaire question list 103 Questionnaire result database 104 Statistical database 2 Line interface part 3 Telephone network 31 Specific relay station 32 Relay station in area 33 Group station 4 Terminal apparatus

Claims (4)

Calling means for obtaining a call destination telephone number from a telephone number list and transmitting a call setting message to a digital telephone network;
A response receiving means for receiving a call message from the telephone network in response to the call setting message , the call message being issued on the condition that the receiving terminal responds to the telephone network that the call terminal has confirmed the conformity of the call setting ;
Return time measuring means for measuring a return time from when the calling means transmits the call setup message until the response receiving means receives a call message from the telephone network;
A statistical value calculating means for calculating a statistical value including an average and a variance from a predetermined number of the return times measured by the return time measuring means;
Deviation calculation means for calculating a deviation based on the most recent return time measured by the return time measurement means and the statistical value calculated by the statistical value calculation means,
The calling means suppresses transmission of a call setting message for a predetermined time when the deviation calculated by the deviation calculating means exceeds a predetermined value including both cases where the return time becomes longer and shorter. A centralized automatic dialing device characterized by: The centralized automatic dialing device according to claim 1,
The statistical value calculating means calculates, for each station number, a statistical value including an average and variance from a predetermined number of the return times measured by the return time measuring means,
The deviation calculating means is calculated by the statistical value calculating means corresponding to the latest return time measured by the return time measuring means and the station number of the callee telephone number that is the measurement target of the return time. Calculating the deviation based on the statistical value,
The said calling means suppresses transmission of the call setting message to a corresponding station number for a predetermined time when the deviation calculated by the said deviation calculation means exceeds a predetermined value, The centralized automatic dialing apparatus characterized by the above-mentioned . A centralized automatic dialing device acquires a call destination telephone number from a telephone number list and transmits a call setting message to a digital telephone network;
The centralized automatic dialing device is a call message from the telephone network in response to the call setup message , and is called on condition that the terminating terminal responds to the telephone network that the call terminal has confirmed the conformity of the call setup A response receiving process for receiving a message ;
A return time measuring step in which the centralized automatic dialing apparatus measures a return time from the time when the calling step sends the call setting message until the response receiving step receives a call message from the telephone network; ,
A statistical value calculating step in which the centralized automatic dialing device calculates a statistical value including an average and a variance from a predetermined number of the return times measured by the return time measuring step;
A deviation calculating step in which the centralized automatic dialing device calculates a deviation based on the latest return time measured by the return time measuring step and the statistical value calculated by the statistical value calculating step; Prepared,
The calling step suppresses transmission of a call setting message for a predetermined time when the deviation calculated by the deviation calculating step exceeds a predetermined value including both cases where the return time becomes longer and shorter. A centralized automatic dialing control method characterized by: The computer that makes up the centralized automatic dialing device,
Calling means for obtaining a call destination telephone number from a telephone number list and transmitting a call setting message to a digital telephone network;
A response receiving means for receiving a call message from the telephone network in response to the call setup message , the call message being issued on the condition that the destination terminal responds to the telephone network that the call terminal has confirmed the conformity of the call setup ;
Return time measuring means for measuring a return time from when the calling means transmits the call setting message until the response receiving means receives a call message from the telephone network;
A statistical value calculating means for calculating a statistical value including an average and a variance from a predetermined number of the return times measured by the return time measuring means;
Functioning as a deviation calculating means for calculating a deviation based on the latest return time measured by the return time measuring means and the statistical value calculated by the statistical value calculating means,
The calling means suppresses transmission of a call setting message for a predetermined time when the deviation calculated by the deviation calculating means exceeds a predetermined value including both cases where the return time becomes longer and shorter. Centralized automatic dialing control program.

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