JPH04185049A - Extension unit charging system - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To accurately and economically grasp a trunk line originating speech charge from a private branch exchanging device by performing the charge of the trunk line originating call speech identified by an originating extension identification means corresponding to the originating call extension by means of an extension unit charging means. CONSTITUTION:An originating extension identification means 100 identifies an extension 3 of trunk line originating speech based on the identification information of an exchange 1 held corresponding to a trunk line 4 detecting the originating call and an extension number transmitted from the extension 3 when the extension 3 to be housed in a private branch exchange 1 performs the originating call to an exchange 2 via a trunk line 4 to transmit the self extension number. The means 100 collates an identification number registered in the exchange 2 in advance corresponding to the extension 3 and a received identification number when the extension 3 transmits the extension number and the identification number. When the code numbers are coincident, the identified code number 3 is confirmed as the charging object. An extension unit charging means 200 performs charging for a speech charge corresponding to the originating extension identified by the means 100.

Description

[Detailed Description of the Invention] [Summary] Regarding a per-extension billing method for calls originating from a private branch exchange to a central office line, the present invention aims to make it possible to accurately and economically grasp the charges for telephone calls originating from a private branch exchange for each extension line. For the purpose of this, when an extension accommodated in a private branch exchange makes a call to the exchange via a central office line and then sends out its own extension number, the private branch that is held corresponding to the central office line that detected the call is a calling extension identification means for identifying the calling extension of a call originating from the central office line based on the identification information of the exchange and an extension number sent from the extension; The system is configured to provide an extension-by-extension charging means for charging in accordance with the extension number, and the calling extension identification means is configured such that when the calling extension sends a PIN together with the extension number, the calling extension is registered in advance in the exchange corresponding to the extension. It is also configured to check the PIN number of the caller and the received PIN number, and if the two PIN numbers match, the identified outgoing extension is confirmed as subject to billing. When a user makes a call to an exchange via a private branch exchange and a central office line, a terminal ID is assigned in advance to identify each terminal device belonging to all private branch exchanges housed in the exchange. An identification number sending means is provided for sending the number by a voice band signal and transmitting it to the exchange via the private branch exchange and the central office line, and the identification number sending means transmits the number to the exchange after detecting a call from the central office line. The system is configured to provide an extension-by-extension charging means for receiving a terminal identification number and charging a charge for a call made to a central office line in accordance with the outgoing extension identified by the terminal identification number.

[Industrial application field]

The present invention relates to a per-extension billing system for calls originating from a private branch exchange over a central office line.

[Conventional technology]

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of a conventional exchange system.

In FIG. 6, in a switching system in which a private branch exchange 1 is accommodated in an exchange 2 via a plurality of central office lines 4, an extension 3 accommodated in the private branch exchange 1 is connected to a subscriber 5 accommodated in the exchange 2. On the other hand, when you make a call to request a call and dial the number (for example, the number "O") specified for the central office line origination connection, the central control unit (CC 1) of the private branch exchange 1
1 is a vacant office line trunk (COT) 1 by a known method.
4 and connect the calling extension 8 and the selected central office trunk (CO
T) 14 is connected via the network (NW) 11, and an outgoing connection is made to the office line 4.

In the exchange 2, a central controller (CC) 22 transmits calls from the central office line 4 to a subscriber circuit (SLC) using a known method.
) 24, and from the accommodation position information of the subscriber circuit (SLC) 24 with respect to the network (NW) 21, the outgoing telephone number ODN assigned to the subscriber circuit (SLC) 24 is recognized and detected. Subscriber circuit (SLC)
) 24 and the signal tone sending circuit (TNS) 26 are connected via the network (NW) 21, and the signal tone sending circuit (TN
S) The dial tone generated by 26 is returned to the originating extension 3 via the central office line 4 and private branch exchange 1.

Extension 3, which heard the dial tone, receives the telephone number DN of called subscriber 5.
When dialing, the central control unit (CC) 22 receives the telephone number DN by a known method and calls the called subscriber 5. When the subscriber 5 answers, the central control unit (CC) 22 calls the subscriber circuit (SLC) 24 which accommodates the central office line 4. and a subscriber circuit (S
LC) 25 is connected via a network (NW) 21 to enable communication between the extension 3 and the subscriber 5.

The billing process for the call is carried out using a known method in the call rate area 2 provided in the auxiliary storage device (AM) 23.
Call frequency M corresponding to the calling telephone number ODN within 31
This is done by adding the unit call frequency to N.

When the call between extension 3 and subscriber 5 ends and extension 3 is restored, private branch exchange 1 releases the connection between extension 3 and central office line 4 by a known method, and sends a disconnection signal to central office line 4. Send.

In the exchange 2, when the central control unit (CC) 22 receives a disconnection signal sent from the central office line 4 or the subscriber 5, it releases the connection between the central office line 4 and the subscriber 5 in a known manner.

[Problem to be solved by the invention]

As is clear from the above explanation, in a conventional switching system, the call charge for a central office line originating connection from the extension 3 accommodated in the private branch exchange 1 is charged to the subscriber circuit (SLC) 24 connected to the private branch exchange 1. The outgoing phone number ODN assigned to the company was charged, and the charges for outgoing calls to the office line for three extensions were unrecognizable.

In order to solve this problem, measures have been taken such as installing a device in the private branch exchange 1 to grasp the outgoing call charges for each extension line independently from the exchange 2, but the call charges calculated by the exchange 2 It is difficult to completely match the private branch exchange 1, and it also impairs the economic efficiency of the private branch exchange 1, so it is not a complete solution.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to make it possible to accurately and economically grasp the charges for calls made from a private branch exchange to a central office line on an extension-by-extension basis.

[Means to solve the problem]

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the principle of the present invention, and FIG.
b) shows the principle of the present invention (claim 3).

In FIGS. 1(a) and (b), 1 is a private branch exchange;
2 is an exchange that accommodates the private branch exchange 1 via the central office line 4;
3 is an extension; 30 is a terminal device connected to extension 3;

Reference numeral 100 denotes a calling extension identification means provided in the exchange 2 according to the present invention (claims 1 and 2).

Reference numeral 200 denotes an extension unit charging unit provided in the exchange 2 according to the present invention (claims 1 and 2).

300 is an identification number sending means provided in the terminal device 30 according to the present invention (claim 3).

Reference numeral 400 denotes an extension unit charging unit provided in the exchange 2 according to the present invention (claim 3).

[Effect]

The calling extension identification means 100 corresponds to the central office line 4 where the call was detected when the extension 3 accommodated in the private branch exchange 1 sends its own extension number after making a call to the exchange 2 via the central office line 4. The identification information of private branch exchange 1 held as
Based on the extension number sent from the station, the originating extension 3 of the central office line originating call is identified.

Note that when the calling extension 3 sends a PIN together with the extension number, the calling extension identifying means 100 compares the received PIN with the PIN registered in advance in the exchange 2 corresponding to the extension 3, If both passwords match, it is considered to confirm that the identified calling extension 3 is to be billed.

The extension-by-extension charging means 200 charges charges for outgoing telephone calls based on the outgoing extension 3 identified by the outgoing extension identifying means 100.

The identification number sending means 300 is used to identify each terminal device belonging to all the private branch exchanges 1 accommodated in the exchange 2 when a user makes a call to the exchange 2 via the private branch exchange 1 and the central office line 4. , the pre-assigned terminal identification number is sent out as an in-voice band signal and transmitted to the exchange 2 via the private branch exchange 1 and the central office line 4.

After detecting a call from the central office line 4, the extension unit charging means 400 receives the terminal identification number sent from the identification number sending means 300, and calculates the charge for the call originating from the central office line by the caller identified by the terminal identification number. Charges are made for extension 3.

Therefore, the charges for outgoing calls from the private branch exchange to the private branch exchange are charged for each extension in the exchange that accommodates the private branch exchange, thereby improving the serviceability and economic efficiency for the users of the private branch exchange.

〔Example〕

An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a switching system according to an embodiment of the present invention (claim 2), FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of the central office line origination billing process in FIG. 2, and FIG. It is a diagram showing an exchange system according to an embodiment of the invention (claim 3),
FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of the central office line origination billing process in FIG. 4. Note that the same reference numerals indicate the same objects throughout the figures.

First, a central office line origination billing process according to an embodiment of the present invention (claim 2) will be explained with reference to FIGS. 2 and 3.

In FIG. 2, a calling extension confirmation unit 221 is provided in the central control unit (CC) 22 as the calling extension identifying means 100 in FIG. A billing unit 222 is provided within the central controller (CC) 22.

In addition, in the private branch exchange identification number search table (PNT) 232,
Subscriber accommodating position information LN for each office line 4 accommodating each private branch exchange 1 in the exchange 2 for the network (NW) 21
Each private branch exchange 1 accommodated by each central office line 4 corresponds to
The private branch exchange identification number PN assigned to the private branch exchange is registered in advance.

Furthermore, in the call frequency area 233, the private branch exchange identification number PN
and each extension number EN consisting of a certain number of digits or 4 for each subscriber accommodation location information LN assigned to each extension 3 belonging to each private branch exchange 1, and each extension 3 of each private branch exchange 1. A registered PIN number PW consisting of a certain number of digits registered in advance.

Correspondingly, the number of calls MN accumulated for each extension 3 units
will be registered.

In FIGS. 2 and 3, an extension 3 housed in a private branch exchange 1 makes a call to a subscriber 5 housed in the exchange 2 in order to request a call, and a call is made to a subscriber 5 housed in the exchange 2, and a call is made to a subscriber 5 housed in a private branch exchange 1. When dialing a number (for example, the number "0"), the central control unit (CC) 11 of the private branch exchange 1 detects the call originating from extension 3, and then dials the central office line origination connection number sent from extension 3. (=rOJ) (Step 51 in Figure 3)
01), a vacant office line trunk (COT) is created using a known method.
14, and connect the calling extension 3 and the selected central office trunk (C
OT) 14 via the network (NW) 11, and make an outgoing connection to the office line 4 (step 5102).
).

In the exchange 2, a central controller (CC) 22 transmits calls from the central office line 4 to a subscriber circuit (SLC) using a known method.
) 24 (step 5201), the private branch exchange identification number search table (PNT) 282 provided in the auxiliary storage device (AM) 2S is referred to, and the subscriber circuit (
The private branch exchange identification number PN assigned to the private branch exchange 1 is obtained from the subscriber accommodation location information LN for the network (NW) 21 of the SLC 24 (step 520
2) Connect the detected subscriber circuit (SLC) 24 and the PB signal receiving circuit (PBR) 27 via the network (NW) 21, and also connect the signal tone sending circuit (TNS) 26 to the network (NW) 21. , and the tone generated by the signal tone sending circuit (TNS) 26 is sent back to the originating extension 3 via the central office line 4 and private branch exchange l (step 5203).

When the extension 3 that has heard the dial tone dials its own extension number EN, PIN number PW, and telephone number DN of the called subscriber 5, the private branch exchange 1 sends, for example, a push button dial signal (hereinafter PB) from the extension 8. The extension number EN, password PW, and telephone number DN sent via the double signal are transferred to the exchange 2 via the central office line 4 (step S103).
).

In the exchange 2, a central control unit (CC) 22 receives the extension number EN, PIN number PW, and telephone number DN arriving from the central office line 4 from the PB signal, and transmits the extension number EN, PIN number PW, and telephone number DN to the PB signal receiving circuit (PBR).
) 27 (step 5204), the call frequency area 233 in the auxiliary storage device (AM) 23 is referred to, and the private branch exchange identification number PN obtained in step 5202 corresponds to the received extension number EN. The registered PIN number PWo is obtained (step 5205) and is compared with the received PIN number PW.

As a result of the verification, if the PIN PW does not match the registered PIN PW0, the call setup request from the central office line 4 is rejected, but if the PIN PW matches the registered PIN PW6 (step 3206), private branch exchange identification number PN
and extension number EN, is determined as a billing target (step 5207).

Thereafter, the central controller (CC) 22 uses a known method to
Call the called party 5 based on the received telephone number DN (Step 5208), and when the subscriber 5 answers (Step 5208), call the called party 5 based on the received telephone number DN.
209), subscriber circuit (SLC) 24 accommodating the office line 4
and a subscriber circuit (SLC) 25 accommodating the subscriber 5 are connected via a network (NW) 21 to enable communication between the extension 3 and the subscriber 5.

The billing process for the call is carried out using a known method in the call rate area 2 provided in the auxiliary storage device (AM) 23.
This is done by adding the unit call frequency to the call frequency MN corresponding to the private branch exchange identification number PN and the extension number BN that were determined to be subject to billing in step 5207 (step 5210).

When the call between extension 3 and subscriber 5 ends and extension 3 is restored, private branch exchange 1 detects the termination of extension 3 using a known method (step 5104), and releases the connection between extension 3 and central office line 4. At the same time, a disconnection signal is sent to the central office line 4 (
Step 5105).

In the exchange 2, when the central control unit (CC) 22 detects the end of the call by receiving a disconnection signal arriving from the central office line 4 or the subscriber 5 (step 5211), it connects to the central office line 4 using a known method. The connection with person 5 is released (step 5212).

As is clear from the above description, according to this embodiment, the exchange 2 uses the private branch exchange identification number PN corresponding to the central office line 4 where the call was detected and the extension number EN sent from the calling extension 3 to the password PW. After confirming, the private branch exchange identification number P
Since the unit call frequency is added to the call frequency MN for N and extension number EN, calls originating from the central office line from the private branch exchange 1 will be charged for each extension 3 unit.

Next, a central office line origination billing process according to an embodiment of the present invention (claim 3) will be explained with reference to FIGS. 4 and 5.

In FIG. 4, an identification number sending section 32 is provided in the terminal device 30 connected to the extension 3 as the identification number sending means 300 in FIG. Extension unit charging unit 22 as means 400
4 is provided in the central controller (CC) 22.

The identification number sending unit 32 holds terminal identification numbers ID assigned to uniquely identify the terminal devices 30 belonging to all the private branch exchanges 1 accommodated in the exchange 2.

Further, in the call frequency area 234, the call frequency MN of each extension 3 to which each terminal device 30 is connected is registered in correspondence with the terminal identification number ID consisting of a fixed number of digits.

In FIGS. 4 and 5, a user of a terminal device 30 makes a call to a subscriber 5 accommodated in an exchange 2 in order to request a call, and a central office line provided for connection to a central office line is used. When the call key 31 is operated, the identification number sending unit 32 in the terminal device 80 detects the operation of the office line call key 31 (step 5301 in FIG.
”) is sent to extension 3 (step 5302).

In the private branch exchange 1, the central control unit (CC) 11 detects a call originating from the extension 3 using a known method, and then transmits the central office line origination connection number (=rOj) sent from the extension 3.
When the message is received, a vacant central office line trunk (C
OT) 14 is selected, and the originating extension 3 and the selected central office line trunk (COT) 14 are connected via the network (NW) 11, and an outgoing connection is made to the central office line 4.

In the exchange 2, a central controller (CC) 22 transmits calls from the central office line 4 to a subscriber circuit (SLC) using a known method.
) 24 (step 5221), the detected subscriber circuit (SLC) 24 and the PB signal receiving circuit (P
BR) 27 via the network (NW) 21, and the subscriber circuit (SLC) 24 and the signal tone sending circuit (
(step 5222).

In the terminal device 30, when the identification number sending unit 32 detects the dial tone returned from the exchange 2 via the central office line 4, private branch exchange 1, and extension 3 (step 5303), it identifies the sending of the terminal identification number ID. PB double signal D” (94
A three-frequency signal of 1 hertz and 1633 hertz) and a PB signal string representing a pre-held terminal identification number ID are sent to extension 3 (step 5804).

The private branch exchange 1 transfers the PB double signal DJ and the terminal identification number ID sent from the terminal device 30 to the exchange 2 via the central office line 4.

In the exchange 2, the central controller (CC) 22 receives the PB double signal DJ and terminal identification number ID arriving from the central office line 4.
is received via the PB signal receiving circuit (PBR) 27 (step S223), the auxiliary storage device (AM) 23
It refers to the call frequency area 234 in the call frequency area 234 and analyzes whether the terminal identification number ID is registered or not. If it is not registered, the call setting request from the central office line 4 is rejected, but if it is registered, (Step 5224), determines extension 3 determined by the received terminal identification number ID as a billing target (Step 5
225).

The central controller (CC) 22 then connects the subscriber circuit (SL) to the subscriber circuit (SL).
C) After releasing the connection between the subscriber circuit (SLC) 24 and the tone sending circuit (TNS) 26, the connection between the subscriber circuit (SLC) 24 and the voice response device (
ARU) 28 is connected via the network (NW) 21, and the voice response unit (ARU) 28 sends back to the central office line 4 a message requesting transmission of the called telephone number, which prompts the sending of the telephone number DN of the called subscriber 5. (step 5226).

The user of the terminal device 30 listens to the telephone number DN transmission request message sent back from the exchange 2 via the private branch exchange 1, and operates the numeric keys 33 to transmit the telephone number D of the called party 5.
When N is dialed, the terminal device 30 sends the telephone number DN corresponding to the activated numeric key 33 to the extension 3 using a PB double signal using a known method (step 5805).

The private branch exchange 1 transfers the telephone number DN sent from the terminal device 30 to the exchange 2 via the central office line 4.

In the exchange 2, when the central control unit (CC) 22 receives the telephone number DN arriving from the central office line 4 from the PB double signal via the PB signal receiving circuit (PBR) 27 (step 5227), it receives the telephone number DN from the central office line 4 by a known method. , received phone number D
Step 3228) to call the called party 5 based on N;
When the subscriber 5 responds (step 5229), the subscriber circuit (SLC) 24 accommodating the office line 4 and the subscriber circuit (SLC) 25 accommodating the subscriber 5 are connected to the network (NW).
) 21 to enable the user of the terminal device 30 and the subscriber 5 to talk over the phone.

The billing process for the call is carried out using a known method in the call rate area 2 provided in the auxiliary storage device (AM) 23.
This is done by adding the unit call frequency to the call frequency MN corresponding to the terminal identification number ID determined to be billed in step 5225 (step 5230).
).

The call between the user of the terminal device 30 and the subscriber 5 ends,
When the terminal device 30 is restored (step 8306), the private branch exchange 1 detects the end of the call of the terminal device 30 by a known method, releases the connection between the extension line 3 and the central office line 4, and disconnects the central office line 4.
Sends a disconnection signal to.

In the exchange 2, when the central control unit (CC) 22 detects the end of the call by receiving a disconnection signal arriving from the central office line 4 or the subscriber 5 (step 5231), it connects to the central office line 4 using a known method. The connection with person 5 is released (step 5232).

As is clear from the above description, according to the present embodiment, after detecting a central office call, the exchange 2 converts the unit call frequency into the call frequency MN for the extension identification number ID automatically sent from the terminal device 30. Because of the addition, calls made from the private branch exchange 1 to the central office line will be charged for each extension 3 unit.

It should be noted that FIGS. 2 to 5 are only one embodiment of the present invention, and for example, the PB double signal sent by the identification number sending unit 32 together with the extension identification number ID "PB" is not limited to "DJ". Although it may be considered to use any of the double signals AJ to "C", the effects of the present invention remain the same in either case. Further, the calling extension identification means 100 is not limited to checking the billing extension 3 using the password PW, and may also consider trusting the extension number EN sent from the extension 3. Although the following modifications are considered, the effects of the present invention remain unchanged in either case. In addition, the calling extension confirmation unit 2211 in the exchange 2, the extension unit charging unit 222,
The processing steps of the calling extension identification section 223 and the extension unit charging section 224, the configurations of the private branch exchange identification number table 232, the extension charging areas 233 and 234, and the configuration of the terminal device 30 are not limited to those shown in the drawings. Although many other modifications may be considered, the effects of the present invention remain the same in any case. Furthermore, it goes without saying that the exchange system to which the present invention is directed is not limited to that shown in the drawings.

[Effects of the Invention] As described above, according to the present invention, in the switching system, charges for outgoing calls from the private branch exchange to the central office line are charged for each extension in the exchange accommodating the private branch exchange, and the user of the private branch exchange Improved serviceability and economic efficiency.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the principle of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a switching system according to an embodiment of the present invention (claim 2), and FIG. 3 is an example of the central office line origination billing process in FIG. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an exchange system according to an embodiment of the present invention (claim 3), FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of the central office line origination billing process in FIG. 4, and FIG. FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of an exchange system. In the figure, 1 is a private branch exchange, 2 is an exchange, 3 is an extension,
4 is a central office line, 5 is a subscriber, 11 and 21 are networks (NW), 12 and 22 are central control units (CC), 1
3 and 23 are auxiliary storage devices (AM), 14 are central office trunks (COT), and 24 and 25 are subscriber circuits (SL).
C), 26 is the signal tone sending circuit (TNS), 27 is PB
signal receiving circuit (PBR), 28 is an audio response device (AR);
U), 30 is a terminal device, 31 is a central office line calling key, 32 is an identification number sending section, 33 is a numeric key, 100 is a calling extension identification means, 200 and 400 are extension unit charging means, 221
is a calling extension confirmation section, 222 and 224 are extension unit charging sections, 223 is a calling extension identification section, 231.233 and 2.
34 is a call frequency area, 232 is a private branch exchange identification number table (
PNT), 300 (α) Principle diagram of the present invention (Claim 1) Principle diagram of the present invention %1 Bad central office line optical communication charge on the second side! 281 ri No. 3, No. 4, J-phrase line in the No. 4 section is buried No. 5.

Claims (1)

[Scope of Claims] [1] In a switching system in which a private branch exchange (1) is accommodated in a switch (2) via a central office line (4), the switch (
2), an extension (3) accommodated in the private branch exchange (1);
When a call is made to the exchange (2) via the central office line (4) and then sends out its own extension number, the premises is held corresponding to the central office line (4) where the call is detected. Based on the identification information of the exchange (1) and the extension number sent from the extension (3), the calling extension (
outgoing extension identification means (100) for identifying the originating extension (100);
00) is provided, and an extension-by-extension charging means (200) is provided for charging according to the originating extension (3) identified by the caller. [2] When the calling extension (3) sends a PIN number together with the extension number, the calling extension identification means (100) is registered in advance in the exchange (2) corresponding to the calling extension (3). Compare the completed PIN with the received PIN,
If both PINs match, the identified calling extension (
2. The extension-based charging system according to claim 1, wherein: 3) is confirmed as a charging target. [3] In a switching system in which a private branch exchange (1) is accommodated in an exchange (2) via a central office line (4), a terminal device (
30), the user connects the private branch exchange (1) and the central office line (
4) is assigned in advance to identify each terminal device (30) belonging to all private branch exchanges (1) accommodated in the exchange (2) when making a call to the exchange (2) via an identification number sending means (300) for sending out a terminal identification number by a voice band signal and transmitting it to the switching equipment (2) via the private branch exchange (1) and the central office line (4); 2), after detecting a call from the central office line (4), receiving the terminal identification number transmitted from the identification number transmitting means (300), and transmitting the charge for the telephone call originating from the central office line to the terminal identifying number; An extension-by-extension charging system characterized by providing an extension-by-extension charging means (400) for charging according to a calling extension (3) identified by a number.