JPH04345254A - Line holding continuity connector - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To allow a holding line to be continuously connected when a call comes to the same line by holding the line till the end of a charging unit time with respect to an interrupt request of the line during connection. CONSTITUTION:A line connector connecting to another line connector via a line exchange network is provided with a control means 4, a management table means 5, a timer means 6, a switch means 7 connecting to a terminal equipment 2 and a line interface means 8. A connection time between the terminal equipment 2 and a port 3 of the line and a connection destination or the like are managed by a management table 5 and a timer means 6 and even when a line interrupt request comes during connection to another terminal equipment from the terminal equipment 2, the line is subject to holding till a multiple time of charging units is terminated.

Description

[Detailed description of the invention]

0001

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a communication line hold/continue connection device, and more particularly to a line interface control device for securing communication line connection between terminals via a line switching network.

0002

2. Description of the Related Art Generally, terminals such as telephones, facsimiles, personal computers, etc. are connected to other terminals via circuit switched networks.

[0003] In conventional line connection devices, when a call is requested from a terminal, the line interface section makes a call and processes the line connection to the other party's terminal, and when a disconnection request is made, the line interface section makes a call each time. , the line was immediately disconnected.

0004

[Problem to be Solved by the Invention] In such a conventional line connection device, even if a disconnection request is made before the charging unit time, the line disconnection process is immediately performed at the time the disconnection request is made. I was going.

[0005] For this reason, even though the remaining time of the unit time is not used, the user is billed for the line usage fee for the entire unit time. Therefore, even if the line usage fee for the remaining time for one terminal is small, the cumulative total becomes large in a business establishment such as a company that has a large number of terminals.

[0006] Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a line connection device using a circuit switching network so that even if a request to disconnect a currently connected line is received, the unit time for billing ends when the line is connected. To provide a line hold continuation connection device that can hold the line until the end of the call and continue to connect to the held line when a new call is made or received to establish the same line. be.

[0007]

[Means for Solving the Problems] In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides a management table, and uses the management table to determine whether or not the charging unit time has been reached when a line disconnection request is received from a terminal. , when the charging unit time has not been reached, the line connection status is put on hold until the charging unit time is reached.

FIG. 1 shows a principle diagram of the present invention, and FIG.
indicates the structure of the line hold continuation connection device, 1 is the line hold continuation connection device, 2-1 to 2-5 are terminals, 3-1 to 3-3 are ports, 4 is a control unit, 5 is a management table, 6 7 is a timer section, 7 is a switch section, and 8 is a line interface section.

FIG. 1(B) is a configuration diagram of the management table 5. The management table 5 includes the dial number of the destination to which the line is connected, the timer value from when the connection was started, the port number, and the destination. Hold information indicating whether the line with the dialed number is on hold or not and the connection start time are shown.

In FIG. 1A, when a call request is made from the terminal 2-1 to a terminal with dial number "1234", for example, the line hold continuation connection device 1 performs connection processing to the line, and the management unit 4 Check the connection time with timer section 6,
At the same time, the data is updated in the management table 5. Here, the timer unit 6 counts, for example, every minute, and writes it as a timer value in accordance with the billing information.

Next, when a disconnection request is received from terminal 2-1,
The control unit 4 searches the management table 5, and if the timer value is within a multiple of the charging unit, the terminal 2-1 is disconnected.
The line interface unit 8 turns on the corresponding port and puts the line on hold.

Thereafter, when a call request is received from the terminal 2-2, the control unit 4 searches the management table 5 and determines whether the pending call number matches the destination dial number of the terminal 2-2. If they match, switch section 7 and terminal 2-
2 to connect with the pending line.

However, if the dialed numbers of the other party do not match, a new call connection process is performed. Further, when a multiple of the billing unit has elapsed without any request for outgoing or incoming calls on the line on hold, the line is disconnected.

[0014]

[Operation] With the configuration of the present invention, when there is a request to disconnect the connected line and the line is on hold, if there is a call request from another terminal to the same destination, the billing unit will be multiplied. Since the call is made within the specified time, line usage charges can be saved until the next billing unit time.

[0015]

Embodiment An embodiment of the present invention will be explained with reference to FIGS. 2 to 4. FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a configuration of an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 3 is a processing flow diagram of an embodiment of the present invention for a call request, and FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram of an example of a management table of the present invention.

In the figure, the same reference numerals as in FIG. 1 indicate the same parts, 9 indicates a billing information holding section, and 10 indicates a reservation control section.

The line hold continuation connection device 1 includes each terminal 2-1,
. . 2-5 is connected to each port 3-1...3-3 that connects to a circuit switching network (not shown), and includes a control section 4, a management table 5, a timer section 6, a switch section 7, Line interface section 8, billing information holding section 9, hold control section 1
0.

The control unit 4 controls the overall operation of the line hold/continuation connection device 1, and controls the search instructions for the management table 5, activation of the switch unit 7, activation of the line interface unit 8, etc. The timer management section 41 manages the time during which the port is used, and the management table creation section 42 updates the management table 5.

As shown in FIG. 4, the management table 5 manages the destination dial number, timer value, port number, hold information on whether the line is on hold, connection start time, etc. Each time the contents of connection, hold, etc. are updated, the information is updated according to instructions from the management table creation unit 42.

The timer section 6 checks the line connection time for each port.

According to instructions from the control unit 4, the switch unit 7 switches terminals 2-1...2-5 and ports 3-1...3-3.
This is used to switch the connection with.

The line interface unit 8 has an interface control function with a line switching network, and performs connection or disconnection procedures according to a protocol depending on the network side.

The billing information holding unit 9 enters the set value of the billing unit time, for example, "3" in an area where the charge is 10 yen for 3 minutes.

[0024] Although the terminal is being disconnected, the hold control unit 10
This is a control unit that checks the time until the timeout of a line that is on hold.

Next, the operation of the line hold/continue connection device 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention will be explained. (1) Making a call (when the called party does not match the one on hold) For example, when a call request is made from the terminal 2-1, the control unit 4 searches the management table 5 and determines whether the requested line is on hold. Determine whether it is inside or not. However, if the one on hold is not the other party, the line interface section 8 is activated to perform call processing to the line switched network.

When the line interface unit 8 connects the port to the line switching network, the timer management unit 41 activates the timer unit 6 while referring to the billing information holding unit 9. At the same time, the table creation unit 42 registers the port for which the connection has been secured, the dial number, etc. in correspondence with the management table 5.

Next, when a disconnection request is received from terminal 2-1,
The control unit 4 searches the management table 5 and the timer unit 6 and determines whether the connection time of the corresponding line has reached a multiple of the billing unit.

If the time has just reached the multiple of the billing unit, the line interface unit 8 is activated and the line is immediately disconnected. At the same time, the management table creation unit 42 clears the portion of the management table 5 related to the corresponding line.

[0029] If it does not indicate a multiple time of the charging unit,
Hold this line until this is reached. That is, the terminal side disconnects, only the line is put on hold, and the hold control unit 10 checks the time until this is reached.

[0030] When the time that is a multiple of the next billing unit is reached without any call request or incoming call request on the line on hold, that is, when a timeout occurs, the hold control unit 10 instructs the control unit 4 to do so. As a result, the control section 4 activates the line interface section 8 and disconnects the line. At the same time, the table creation unit 42 clears the portion of the management table 5 relating to that line.

(2) Calling (when the called party matches the one on hold)
For example, upon receiving a call request from the terminal 2-2, the control unit 4
searches the management table 5 and determines whether the requested line is on hold (see ■ in FIG. 3).

When the terminal is disconnected but the line is on hold, the control unit 4 activates the switch unit 7 to connect the terminal 2-1 to, for example, port 3-1 connected to the target line. The switching is performed as follows (see ■ and ■ in FIG. 3).

At the same time, the management table creation unit 42 updates the relevant portion of the management table and terminates the line connection in response to the call request (see (2) in FIG. 3).

On the other hand, when the line is not on hold, the control unit 4 activates the line interface unit 8 and performs call origination processing to the line switching network in the same manner as in the case of the initial call (FIG. 3).
(See ■).

[0035] When a disconnection request is received from the terminal 2-2, the control unit 4 performs the same processing as in the above case.

(3) When a call request is received from the called network, the control unit 4 searches the management table 5 to see if the corresponding line is on hold.

When it is not on hold, the control unit 4 activates the line interface unit 8 to perform line connection processing. The timer section 6 is started at the same time as the line connection is completed corresponding to the secured port, and the management table updating section 42 updates each item of the management table.

Next, the switch section 7 is activated to connect the terminal called by the incoming call to the corresponding port.

When the corresponding line is on hold, the control unit 4 activates the switch unit 7 to connect to the held line, and the management table creation unit 42 updates the corresponding part.

The charging status of the present invention will be explained with reference to FIGS. 5 and 6. FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram of call origination/disconnection states, and FIG. 6 is a fee system diagram.

As is clear from the fee structure diagram shown in FIG. 6, in this case, the fee is assumed to be 10 yen for every 3 minutes of connection time.

According to FIG. 5, when a call request is made to, for example, dial number "1234" from the terminal 2-1 connected to the line hold continuation connection device 1 of the present invention, the control unit 4 reads the management table 5. Search and determine whether the line with dial number "1234" is registered.

[0043] The management table 5 has the dial number “123
Since the line "4" is not registered, the control section 4 starts up the line interface section 8 and performs line connection processing. When the line connection is completed, the timer management unit 41 starts the timer unit 6, and the management table update unit 42 updates the management table 5 with predetermined items.

For example, when a line disconnection request is received from the terminal 2-1 after seven minutes, the control unit 4 searches the management table 5, and the timer management unit 41 checks the timer unit 6.

At this time, the timer section 6 recognizes that it is not pointing to "9", which is a multiple of the billing unit, and holds the line. At the same time, the management table creation unit 42 places the port on hold, and the control unit 4 activates the hold control unit 10.

Next, dial number "123" from terminal 2-2.
4", the control section 4 searches the management table 5.

When it is found that there is a line on hold in the management table 5, the control section 4 activates the switch section 7 and connects the terminal 2-2 to the corresponding port.

[0048] As a result, the terminal 2-2 and the dial number "
1234" line. The timer unit 6 continues to operate as it is.

One minute later, when a line disconnection request is received from the terminal 2-2, the control section 4 searches the management table 5.

When the timer section 6 recognizes that the time has not reached the multiple of the billing unit, the control section 4 activates the switch section 7 to disconnect the terminal 2-2, but puts the corresponding line on hold.

After a disconnection request is received from the terminal 2-2, if a multiple of the charging unit is reached without a request to connect to the line on hold, a notification from the hold control unit 10 causes the control unit 4 to
starts the line interface unit 8 and performs line disconnection processing. At the same time, the management table update unit 42 updates the management table 5
Clear the part related to the applicable line.

In FIG. 5, even though the two terminals are connected to the other party's line with the same dial number, terminal 2-1 makes a call and then disconnects, and terminal 2-2 makes a call and then disconnects.
In connection No. 2, the reserved line was continuously connected and used, so the actual line was connected only once from call origination to disconnection.

[0053]

According to the present invention, it is possible to efficiently utilize a line switching network, and the line usage charges can be significantly reduced.

For example, FIG. 7 shows a comparison of line usage charges between an embodiment of the present invention and the prior art.

As is clear from FIG. 7, when the conventional line connection device is used, the line is also disconnected when the terminal 2-1 requests disconnection, and when the terminal 2-2 requests a call, the line is disconnected. Since a new line connection is then made, line usage fees are also charged for the connection of terminal 2-2.

On the other hand, when the line hold continuation connection device of the present invention is used, the terminal 2-2 continues to use the held line, so the usage fee for the terminal 2-2 is not charged.
This greatly contributes to reducing communication costs for consumers who use the line.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating the principle of a line hold/continue connection device of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a configuration block diagram of an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a processing flow diagram for a call request according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram of a management table according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram of a call origination/disconnection state.

FIG. 6 is an example diagram of a fee structure.

FIG. 7 is a comparison diagram of line usage charges.

[Explanation of symbols]

1. Line hold continuation connection device 2-1...2-5 Terminal 3-1...3-3 Port 4 Control section 5 Management table 6. Timer section 7 Switch part 8 Line interface section

Claims (1)

[Claims] Claim 1: In a line connection device connected to another line connection device via a circuit switching network, a control means (4)
, management table means (5), timer means (6),
It is equipped with a switch means (7) for connecting with the terminal (2) and a line interface means (8), and a management table means (5) that records the connection time between the terminal (2) and the line port (3), the connection destination, etc. ) and timer means (6), and the terminal (2)
) even if there is a request to disconnect the line connected to another terminal,
Line hold continuation characterized in that the control means (4) keeps the line on hold by controlling the switch means and line interface means that manage the connection between the terminal and the line port until the charging unit multiple time ends. Connection device.