JPH07307797A - Virtual extension telephone system - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To provide a virtual extension telephone function for which any special function is not required at a terminal and many telephone numbers are not required. CONSTITUTION:Concerning a communication network provided with exchanges 9 and 10 housing mobile terminals 1 to 4 (and fixed terminals), inside this communication terminal, a data base 11 is provided to store the information of the plural terminals 1 to 3 executing virtual extension telephone registration corresponding to telephone numbers and the exchanges 9 and 10 are provided with control means for processing extension connection, corresponding to simultaneous call at the time of incoming call, etc., by the use of dial information from the call originating terminal and virtual extension telephone registration information read from the data base 11.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a service function in a communication network, and more particularly to a virtual parent-child phone function in a communication network accommodating communication terminals such as mobile phones.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, as a terminal of a public communication network such as a telephone network, several slave units are connected to a terminal main body (master unit) to make and receive calls from both the master unit and the slave unit. There was a terminal device that could talk between the machine and the child machine or between the child machines. Such a device is commonly called a "parent-child phone". This parent-child telephone function is realized only by the terminal device. On the other hand, there is a virtual private network (VPN) service as a service function provided by the public communication network. This service realizes a function equivalent to a private communication network such as an extension telephone by using the function of the public network without the user of the public network installing a private branch exchange (PBX) which is a private network. A telephone number of the public communication network is assigned to each terminal in the VPN, and in addition, an extension telephone number of the private network is determined. When a user in the VPN dials an extension telephone number, the network converts the number into a public communication network telephone number and connects to the receiving terminal. Also VPN
Communication with external terminals is realized by ordinary network functions.

[0003]

In the conventional parent-child telephone as described above, one telephone number can be used by a plurality of users, but a special function is required on the terminal side, and it is necessary to connect to the public communication network. There was a problem that only one person could make and receive a call. In addition, in VPN, all communication terminals can make and receive calls to the public communication network at the same time, but since it is necessary to assign telephone numbers of the public communication network to each terminal Had the problem of increasing the usage of telephone numbers.

An object of the present invention is to solve the above-mentioned problems of the prior art, and to provide a virtual parent-child telephone function which does not require a special function for a terminal and consumes a large number of telephone numbers.

[0005]

According to the present invention, in a communication network provided with an exchange in which at least one of a mobile terminal and a fixed terminal is accommodated, virtual parent-child registration is performed in the communication network corresponding to a telephone number. And a database for storing information of a plurality of terminals, wherein the exchange has control means for performing a corresponding connection process according to dial information from the calling terminal and virtual parent-child telephone registration information read from the database. And

[0006]

According to the present invention, when a plurality of terminals are registered for one telephone number and the extension number is dialed from the registered terminal with the above-mentioned configuration, the information read from the database is used. , The extension telephone number is converted into the terminal number and the connection is established. Further, when the telephone number of the parent-child telephone is received, the terminals are called in the priority order or all together based on the connection control information read from the database. Therefore, without consuming a lot of telephone numbers,
Further, unlike the conventional parent-child telephone, no special function is required on the terminal side, and an extension call or the like can be easily performed. Furthermore, since a database storing all data is provided in the network, the parent-child telephone function can be realized even in a mobile terminal such as a mobile phone.

[0007]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An example in which the present invention is applied to a mobile telephone network will be described below in detail with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a public mobile telephone network to which the present invention is applied. Mobile phones 1, 2, and 3 owned by users A, B, and C are registering a virtual parent-child telephone service. Database in the network 1
1 stores attributes of subscribers and mobile devices, contract contents, service status, etc., and virtual parent-child telephone registration information is also stored in the database 11. It is assumed that the mobile telephone 4 is for normal services only. Mobile phone base station 5,
6 is housed in the exchange 9, and the base stations 7 and 8 are housed in the exchange 10. A relay line 1 is provided between the exchanges 9 and 10 and between the exchange 10 and another (other company's) communication network 12.
They are connected by 4 and 15. In addition, exchanges 9 and 10
The data line 16 connects between the database 11 and the database 11. The mobile device can communicate in any base station area.

FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of virtual parent-child telephone registration information registered in the database 11. In this example, the telephone number is "030-5000001".
Is registered with three mobile phones, and the mobile terminal number, extension number, and
The priority order for determining the connection order at the time of an incoming call, the availability / blockage (during a call) information, the current area (position), etc. are stored. Note that the vacancy / blockage information is constantly updated according to the usage status of the terminal, and when the mobile device moves to another area, communication is automatically performed between the mobile device and the base station, Information is updated. Further, as the priority order information, for example, "A" means simultaneous calling, and "N" means calling prohibition.

The terminal number of the mobile device is stored in the mobile device itself or in an ID card or the like connected to the mobile device when the user communicates, and is automatically transmitted, so that the user is aware of the terminal number. do not have to. In general, the terminal number of the mobile device is much larger than the telephone number in the network, so that the virtual parent-child telephone is realized by using this number.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing a calling process in the exchange to which the present invention is applied. In step S1, the exchange (for example, 9) receives a call request from the mobile station (for example, 1) via the base station 5. At this time, from the mobile device 1, the telephone number (030-50) of the caller corresponding to the mobile device together with the telephone number or extension number of the called terminal.
00001) and the terminal number unique to the terminal (100000
01) is automatically added. In step S2, the central control unit (not shown) of the exchange 9 transfers the caller's telephone number and terminal number to the database 11 via the data line 16, and the caller's restriction information, position (area) information, etc. Read out.

In step S3, it is determined whether the number received in step S1 is an extension number. On mobile phones, dialing is usually done from the area code, so the first digit always starts from 0. Also, numbers starting from 1 are used as numbers for special services.
Therefore, it is possible to use a number other than 0 and 1 as the extension number, and it is possible to determine whether or not it is the extension number by checking the leading number.

If it is not an extension number in step S3, the process proceeds to step S4, and in step S4,
It is determined whether or not the called party is a subscriber within the own network. If the result is negative, the process proceeds to step S5, and the call is connected to another network, but if the result is affirmative, the process proceeds to step S6. . In step S6, the central control unit of the exchange transfers the telephone number of the called terminal to the database 11 and reads out contract information and location information of the called party. In step S7, by checking the read contract information,
It is determined whether the called party is a parent-child telephone. And
If it is a parent-child telephone, the process proceeds to step S8, and the destination mobile station is determined based on the read incoming priority data.

When the dial number is the extension number in step S3, the process proceeds to step S9, and it is determined whether or not the caller is a parent-child telephone. If the result is negative, the service cannot be implemented, so step S1
Move to 0 and disconnect the call. However, if the caller is a parent-child telephone, the process proceeds to step S11, and based on the contract information read from the database 11 in step S2,
The extension number is converted into a terminal number, and the destination mobile terminal number is determined. In step S12, the terminating exchange is determined based on the position (area) information of the terminal, and in step S1
In 3, the call is connected to the incoming exchange through the trunk line and the contract information and the position information of the called party are notified. If the called terminal is also housed in the same exchange, an incoming call process described below is executed instead of step S13.

FIG. 4 is a flow chart showing the incoming call processing in the exchange to which the present invention is applied. Step S20
, The call connection, the contract information of the called party from the originating exchange or the terminating exchange having a mobile station with a higher incoming priority,
Receive location information. In step S21, it is determined whether or not the called party is a parent-child telephone. If the result is negative, the process proceeds to step S22 and normal call connection processing is performed.
That is, in step S22, the paging (broadcasting) of the incoming mobile device is performed, and if there is a response, the incoming subscriber (owner) is called this time. Then, in step S23, a response is waited for, and in step S24, a call is made.

If the determination in step S21 is a parent-child telephone, the process proceeds to step S25. In step S25, it is determined whether or not the incoming call method is simultaneous ringing. If the determination result is affirmative, the process proceeds to step S26. However, if the determination is negative, the process proceeds to step S27. In step S27, paging (broadcasting) of the incoming mobile device is performed, and in step S28, it is determined whether or not the incoming mobile device has responded. If the determination result is negative, the process proceeds to step S32, but if the determination result is affirmative, the process proceeds to step S29. In step S29, the called subscriber is called, and in step S30
In, it is determined whether the called subscriber responded,
If negative, the process proceeds to step S32, but if positive, the process proceeds to the call state of step S31.

If there is no response in step S28 or step S30, the process proceeds to step S32, and it is necessary to call the mobile station of the next incoming call priority, that is, the mobile station of the next priority exists and is empty. It is determined whether or not the result is negative, the process proceeds to step S35,
Although the call is disconnected, if the result is affirmative, the process proceeds to step S33, and the exchange to be connected is determined based on the position information of the mobile station of the next rank. In step S34, the call is connected to the exchange that accommodates the mobile station of the next rank and the mobile station is instructed to call.

Returning to step S25, if the registered incoming method is simultaneous call, step S26.
Then, it is determined whether or not it is necessary to call another mobile device. Then, if the result is negative, that is, if there is only one terminal that can currently respond even if the calls are simultaneous, the process proceeds to step S27, but if the result is affirmative, the process proceeds to step S36. In step S36,
Paging of the terminating mobile and ringing of the terminating subscriber are performed. This process is the same as the process of steps S27 to S30, but a plurality of terminals accommodated in the exchange may be called at the same time.

In step S37, with respect to the mobile units not accommodated in the exchange, the connection destination exchange is determined based on the position information of each of the other mobile units. Step S
At 38, the call is connected to the respective exchanges and the call of the mobile station is instructed. In step S39,
Start a call with the first responding subscriber, step S40
At, the call of the other subscribers is stopped and the connection is disconnected.

Although the embodiments have been described above, the present invention may be modified as follows. Firstly, a combination with a closed connection service can be considered. The closed-area connection service is to make a closed-user group (CUG) by combining a plurality of terminals each having an individual telephone number, and to restrict connections such as prohibiting calls from within the group to outside the group. In virtual parent-child phones, all mobile devices have the same phone number, but the mobile device terminal numbers are different, so
It is possible to restrict outgoing or incoming calls for each mobile device. Therefore, the following services can be realized.

(1) Limit the number of mobile units that can communicate between the virtual parent-child telephone and other terminals. For example, assuming that the number of mobile devices that can make or receive calls from a virtual parent-child phone at one time is 1, if one mobile device is communicating with another terminal as in the case of existing parent-child phones, all other mobile devices are virtual parents and children. Prevent outgoing / incoming calls from outside the phone. (2) Connection is restricted so that some mobile devices in the virtual parent-child phone can communicate only in the virtual parent-child phone, and the use is limited to intercom use. If the fee or the like is set to be low instead of restricting the connection as described above, the use in the company or the like is promoted.

Second, call transfer (call transfer)
Combination with service is possible. The general procedure for a call transfer service is as follows.
(1) A user operates a terminal during a call to request activation of call transfer to the network. (2) The user dials the transfer destination telephone number. (3) The transfer destination user responds, and the transfer source user and the transfer destination user talk.
(4) The transfer source user terminates (disconnects) communication. (5)
The transfer destination user and the partner terminal are connected and communication becomes possible.
In the virtual parent-child telephone, the call can be transferred to another mobile device in the parent-child telephone by dialing the extension number in the processing of (2). Therefore, it is possible to limit the incoming call to only a specific mobile device and to use the call to transfer the call.

With regard to billing, the call charges for a plurality of terminals in the parent and child telephones will be billed collectively corresponding to the telephone numbers, but a breakdown for each terminal should be attached or billed for each terminal. Is also possible. Various parameters in the service, such as outgoing / incoming restrictions for each terminal, priority of incoming call, incoming method (simultaneous, sequential), may be changeable in real time from the terminal. In this case, it is conceivable to register a changeable terminal in advance or set a password.

Although the database has been disclosed as an example in which it is provided centrally in the network, it may be provided separately for each exchange. The example in which the database 11 stores the vacancy / blockage information of the terminal has been shown, but the information may be stored in the exchange that accommodates each terminal. Instead of providing the priority data, the terminals may be called in the order of registration. When calling a parent / child phone from an external terminal, by adding an extension number after the phone number, it is possible to ignore the incoming call method and priority and call only a specific mobile device. . Although the embodiment of the mobile telephone network has been disclosed, the present invention can be applied to an ordinary wired telephone network.

[0024]

As described above, according to the present invention, when a plurality of terminals are registered for one telephone number and an extension number is dialed from the registered terminals, the information read from the database is read. Thus, the extension telephone number is converted into the terminal number and the connection is established. When the call arrives at the parent-child telephone number, the terminals are called in the priority order or simultaneously based on the connection control information read from the database. Therefore, there is an effect that it is possible to easily make an extension call without consuming a large number of telephone numbers, and unlike the conventional parent-child telephone, no special function is required on the terminal side. Further, since a database storing all data is provided in the network, there is an effect that a parent-child telephone function can be realized even in a mobile terminal such as a mobile phone. Further, by restricting connection, it is possible to restrict unauthorized use, and by keeping the charge low, it is possible to promote widespread use.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a public mobile telephone network to which the present invention is applied.

FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of virtual parent-child telephone registration information.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing a calling process of an exchange to which the present invention is applied.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing an incoming call process of the exchange to which the present invention is applied.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 to 4 ... Mobile phone, 5, 6, 7, 8 ... Base station, 9, 1
0 ... exchange, 11 ... database, 12 ... other communication network,
13 ... Terminal, 14, 15 ... Relay line, 16 ... Data line

Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. In a communication network including an exchange in which at least one of a mobile terminal and a fixed terminal is accommodated, information of a plurality of terminals that have registered virtual parent-child phones corresponding to telephone numbers is stored in the communication network. A virtual parent-child telephone system, wherein the exchange has a control means for performing a corresponding connection process according to dial information from a calling terminal and virtual parent-child telephone registration information read from the database. 2. The database stores at least a terminal number and an extension number corresponding to a telephone number, and the control means dials an extension number by a calling terminal registered as a virtual parent-child telephone. In this case, the extension number is converted into a terminal number based on the information read from the database, and the virtual parent-child telephone system according to claim 1. 3. The database stores incoming connection control information for each one of a telephone number and a terminal number, and the control device is based on the incoming connection control information when an incoming call is made to a virtual parent-child telephone number. The virtual parent-child telephone system according to claim 1, wherein the receiving terminal is determined. 4. The virtual parent-child telephone system according to claim 3, wherein the incoming call connection control information is any one of incoming call priority information, simultaneous call information, and call prohibition information for each terminal.