JPH08149227A - Exchange, gate exchange and network - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: To correct the difference from service quality between a user of a public telephone set and a general subscriber by providing a means applying a given 2nd integration system under the supervision of an integration system monitor means in place of a 1st integration system to a charging control means. CONSTITUTION: When a call arises in a subscriber line 11 accommodating public telephone sets, a call processing means 12 processes the call and analyzes a numeral to select an output path. A switch 14 sets a channel based on the call processing means between the output path and the subscriber line 11, a charging control means 13 decides a 1st integration system corresponding to the result of numeral analysis with respect to a charging amount of the subscriber line 11 and conducts imposition based on the system. An integration system monitor means 15 monitors whether or not the charging by the 2nd integration system is given from a station via a signal link formed between opposed stations via the output path. When the control means 13 receives the 2nd integration system prior to the start of speech based on the call processing means conducted by the call processing means 12, the control means 13 uses a 1st integration system in place of the 2nd integration system and the speech service in the charge adaptive to the line charging system is served.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention absorbs a difference between communication interfaces at a connection point between a switchboard accommodating a public telephone in a subscriber line and a line individually operated by a plurality of communication carriers to perform relay switching. It relates to a gateway switch and a network constituted by these lines.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, as shown in FIG. 9, a telecommunications business which provides a telecommunications service relating to telephones and data, as shown in FIG.
Say. ), A plurality of communication carriers (hereinafter, a specific one of such communication carriers is referred to as “company B”).
Has entered, and services that meet various needs are provided.

Further, as the terminals connected to the above-mentioned subscriber line, there are public telephones in addition to telephones and other general terminals. In general terminals, senders are company A and B
The number that specifies the desired one of the lines that each company has individually is included in the dial number in a predetermined format. In the exchange of company A (hereinafter, referred to as "subscriber line exchange" for simplicity) accommodating such a terminal, when an outgoing call from the terminal is recognized, numerical analysis is performed based on a predetermined call processing procedure. Based on the result, route selection is performed with either one of the lines operated by Company A or Company B as the outgoing route (FIG. 9).

Therefore, in a general terminal accommodated in a subscriber line, by appropriately setting the dial number, A
It is possible to select, from the lines owned by the company B and the company B, one with a lower charge depending on the destination and the scheduled time of the call.

[0005]

However, in such a conventional example, in the case of a public telephone housed in the exchange operated by the company A, the dial number using the line operated by the company B as an outgoing route is set at the time of making a call. Even if it is set, since the subscriber to be charged is not specified and is not registered in the database of company B as the service target, the outgoing route (Fig. 9) for the line corresponding to the dial number can be selected. No
It was hindered from providing the same service as general terminals.

[0006] Therefore, fair and effective competition among a plurality of telecommunications carriers is hindered, and users of public telephones cannot enjoy the benefit of service improvement due to such competition. An object of the present invention is to provide an exchange, a gateway exchange, and a network that can correct the difference in service quality provided to users of public telephones and general subscribers.

[0007]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the principle of the invention described in claims 1 and 2. The invention according to claim 1 is a subscriber line 11 for accommodating a public telephone.
And call processing means 12 for performing call processing of an outgoing call generated on the subscriber line 11, performing numerical analysis based on the procedure of the call processing, and selecting an outgoing route adapted to the result, and the subscriber line. For the charging amount of 11, the first accumulating method adapted to the result of the numerical analysis is determined, and the charging control means 13 for charging based on the accumulating method, and the subscriber line 11 and the call processing based on the procedure of the call processing. In an exchange equipped with a switch 14 which forms a communication path with the outgoing route selected by the means 12, the charging amount is set via the outgoing route prior to the start of the call based on the call processing procedure. Is provided with an integration system monitoring means 15 for monitoring whether or not the second integration system is provided from the station via a signal link formed between the station and the opposite station. The second under the supervision of means 15 When the calculation method is given, characterized in that it comprises a means for applying instead the integration method in the first integration method.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the exchange according to the first aspect, the billing control means 13 charges a billing amount to a subscriber line accommodating a public telephone as a caller via the subscriber line. And a means for notifying the update time of the charge value or the charge amount. FIG. 2 is a principle block diagram of the invention described in claims 3 and 4.

The invention according to claim 3 is connected to the exchange according to claim 1 or 2 through a signal link, performs call processing on a call coming from the exchange, and performs the call processing procedure. Call processing means 21 for performing numerical analysis based on
And a switch 22 that absorbs a difference in interface between a network to which the exchange belongs and a different network under the call processing performed by the call processing means 21 and forms a communication path. Through the signal link, prior to the completion of the response method based on the call processing procedure, the integration method selection means 23 for selecting the method of integrating the charge amount for the call originator based on the result of the numerical analysis performed. The exchange is provided with notifying means 24 for notifying the integration method selected by the integration method selection means 23.

The invention according to claim 4 is connected to the exchange according to claim 1 or 2 through a signal link, performs a call processing on a call received from the exchange, and performs the call processing procedure. Call processing means 21 for performing numerical analysis based on
And a switch 22 that absorbs a difference in the interface between the network to which the switch belongs and a different network under the call processing performed by the call processing means 21 and forms a communication path with the gateway switch. With respect to the billing amount, a storage unit 30 in which an accumulating method corresponding to the result of the numerical analysis is stored in advance for each call occurrence time zone that is the target of call processing, and the call occurrence time is obtained, and the time including the occurrence time is included. Before the completion of the response process based on the call processing procedure and the integration method selection unit 31 which selects the integration system of the charge amount by referring to the storage unit 30 based on the band and the result of the time digit analysis, the signal link And a notification means 32 for notifying the exchange of the integration method selected by the integration method selection means 31 via the switch.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram of the principle of the invention as defined in claim 5. The invention according to claim 5 is a database 41 for holding information used for call processing of a call received from the exchange according to claim 1 or 2, and connected to the exchange via a signal link, In a network provided with a gateway switch 42 that performs call processing while absorbing the difference in the interface between the network to which the switch belongs and a different network, and the gateway switch 42 that accesses the database based on the procedure of the call processing, Regarding the amount charged to the sender,
For each call origination time zone of the call processing, a storage means 43 is previously stored with an accumulating method adapted to the result of the numerical analysis based on the procedure of the call processing, and the gateway exchange 42 is provided with the call origination time. Is calculated, and based on the time zone including the time and the result of the numerical analysis, the accumulating method selecting means 44 for selecting the accumulating method of the charging amount by referring to the storing means 43, and the response processing based on the call processing procedure. Prior to the completion, a notification means 45 for notifying the exchange of the integration method selected by the integration method selection means 44 via a signal link is provided.

[0012]

In the exchange according to the invention described in claim 1,
When an outgoing call occurs on the subscriber line 11 accommodating a public telephone, the call processing means 12 performs call processing of the call, and performs numerical analysis based on the procedure of the call processing to select an outgoing route. . The switch 14 sets up a call path between the outgoing route selected in this way and the subscriber line 11 in which the above-mentioned call originated, based on the procedure of call processing, and the charging control means 13 sets the subscriber line. The first accumulating method corresponding to the result of the above-mentioned numerical analysis is determined for the charging amount and the charging is performed based on the accumulating method.

However, the integration method monitoring means 15 monitors whether or not the second integration method is given from the station via the signal link formed between the station and the opposite station via the outgoing route. In the case where such a second integration method is given prior to the start of the call based on the call processing procedure performed by the call processing means 12, the charging control means 13 uses the first integration method described above. It is applied instead of the integration method of.

Therefore, the public telephone housed in the subscriber line 11 selects the above-mentioned outgoing route based on the dial number set at the time of calling and adapts to the billing system of the line connected to the outgoing route. Call service will be provided for the fee. In the exchange according to the invention described in claim 2,
The billing control means 13 notifies the subscriber line 11 accommodating the calling public telephone of the updated value of the billing amount or the time when the billing amount is updated through the subscriber line. Therefore,
In such a public telephone, in addition to the charge based on the flat-rate system, the charge based on the pay-as-you-go system is successively and reliably collected according to the increase of the call time.

In the gateway switch according to the present invention as defined in claim 3, the call processing means 21 performs call processing on the call received from the switch according to claim 1 or 2, and based on the call processing procedure. By performing numerical analysis, the switch 22 forms a communication path while absorbing the interface difference between the network to which the exchange belongs and a different network under such call processing. The adding method selecting means 23 selects the adding method of the charge amount to the sender based on the result of the above-mentioned numerical analysis, and the notifying means 24 performs the above-mentioned operation prior to the completion of the response processing based on the call processing procedure described above. The selected exchange method is notified to the opposite exchange via the signal link.

Therefore, the switching system accommodating the calling public telephone is surely notified of the integration method adapted to the charging system of the line formed between the switching system of the called party and the switching system of the called party via the gateway switching system according to the present invention. To be done. In the barrier exchange according to the invention described in claim 4, the storage means 30 stores in advance the accumulating method corresponding to the result of the numerical analysis for each occurrence time zone of the call to be processed by the call processing means 21, and The integration method selection means 31 refers to the storage means 30 on the basis of the result of the numerical analysis and the occurrence time of the call that has occurred, and selects the integration method of the charge amount for the caller. It is different from the related gateway switch. However, the notification means 32 transmits the integration method selected in this way via a signal link before the call processing means 21 completes the response processing in the same manner as the communication means 24 in the barrier exchange according to claim 3. And notify the opposite exchange.

Therefore, the exchange system accommodating the public telephone of the originator is surely notified of the integration method adapted to the charging system of the line formed between the exchange of the destination and the exchange of the destination via the gateway exchange according to the present invention. To be done. In the network according to the invention described in claim 5, a storage means 43 having the same function and configuration as the storage means 30 described in claim 4 is provided in the database 41 which is separate from the gateway switch 42. On the other hand, in the gateway exchange 42, the accumulation method selection means 44 calculates the occurrence time of the generated call and refers to the storage means 43 based on the time zone including the time and the result of the numerical analysis to accumulate the charge amount. Select the method. Further, the notification means 45, similar to the notification means 32 according to claim 4, precedes the completion of the response process and notifies the exchange system of the integration method via the signal link.

Therefore, in the network according to the present invention, the accumulating method adapted to the charging system of the network is surely notified to the exchange which belongs to another network and accommodates the originating public telephone.

[0019]

Embodiments of the present invention will now be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 4 shows the structure according to claims 1 to 5.
It is a figure which shows the Example corresponding to invention. In the figure,
The public telephone 51 is a subscriber line exchange operated by company A.
52₁General telephone 53 is also stored by
Subscriber line switch 52 operated as₂Housed in. Join
Private line exchange 52₁The first way out of the subscriber line switch 52
₂The subscriber line exchange 52 connected to the first entrance route of the₁of
The second route is the gateway switch 54 operated by Company B.
₁Is connected to the entrance route. Gate switch 54₁The way out
Gate switch 54₂Connected to the entrance route and exchange the barrier
The exit route of the machine is the subscriber line exchange 52.₂To the second entry route of
Continued. Also, the gateway switch 54₁, 54 ₂Is a common signal
Service control station (S
CP) 55.

Regarding the correspondence relationship between this embodiment and the block diagram shown in FIG. 1, the subscriber line exchange 52 ₁ is a subscriber line 11, a call processing means 12, a charging control means 13, a switch 14, and an integrating system. Corresponding to the monitoring means 15, the gateway exchange 54 ₁ has a call processing means 21, a switch 22, integration method selection means 23, 31, 44, notification means 24, 32, 45,
The storage means 30 and the gateway switch 42 correspond, and the service control station 55 corresponds to the database 41 and the storage means 43.

FIG. 5 is an operation flowchart of this embodiment.
It is (1). FIG. 6 is an operation flowchart (2) of this embodiment.
Is. Hereinafter, the operation of the present embodiment corresponding to the invention described in claims 1 to 5 will be described with reference to FIGS. As shown in FIG. 7, the service control station 55 is similar to the charging index table (RUTTRI) 61 that gives the charging index MBI adapted to the local station number included in the dial number for all calls to be processed. A route translation table (RUTT) that gives a reference pointer of the charging index table adapted to the area code included in the dialed number
RH) 62.

The subscriber line exchange 52 ₁ is a public telephone 51
_When an outgoing call occurs in ₁ , the outgoing call is processed. Further, the subscriber line exchange 52 ₁ analyzes the dialed number based on such a call processing procedure, and the subscriber line exchange 5 5
When recognizing that the call is to be received by 2 ₂ , the route of the call is selected as the outgoing route connected to the gateway switch 54 ₁ based on the result of the analysis. Note that, here, for simplicity, it is assumed that the dial number includes, as a leading digit, a number "00Z ₁ Z ₂ " indicating that a route passing through the gateway exchanges 54 ₁ and 54 ₂ should be selected.

Further, the subscriber line exchange 52 ₁ has the calling number ID indicating the public telephone 51 ₁ in the course of the route selection described above.
And the service code (Y1, Y2) indicating the occurrence of a new call is generated, and the rest of the dialed numbers except the above-mentioned number "00Z ₁ Z ₂ " is generated together with these service codes and the calling number. The called number consisting of the digits is given to the gateway exchange through an interoffice signaling link formed with the gateway exchange 54 ₁ .

When the gateway exchange 54 ₁ receives such a service code, the originating number and the called number and recognizes that the service code indicates a newly originated call, the gateway exchange 54 ₁ sends the service code through the above-mentioned signaling link. The calling number and the called number are notified to the service control station 55, and the relay exchange of the call is continued in the face of the gateway exchange 54 ₂ . The service control station 55 identifies the area code and the local code included in the called number, and refers to the route translation table 62 based on the area code to obtain the reference pointer of the charging index table 61. Ask. Further, the service control station 55 refers to the charging index table 61 based on the reference pointer thus obtained and the above-mentioned local station number, and calculates the charging index MBI of the corresponding outgoing call (FIG. 5).
(1)). For the sake of simplicity, it is assumed here that the billing index is the number of seconds that can be used for communication per unit frequency.

By the way, as shown in FIG. 8, the service control station 55 classifies the time when a completed call occurs on weekdays and non-weekdays individually into three time zones of daytime, nighttime, and midnight. And the public telephone 51 in accordance with the value of the charging index MBI given for these time zones.
Charging pulse width tables 72 _{1 to} 72 ₃ showing the widths of charging pulses to be given to

When the charging index MBI is obtained in this way, the service control station 55 obtains the time at that time by reading the clock built in itself,
And by referring to and either an accounting class table 71 for charging the pulse width table 72 _{1-72 3} on the basis of the time, obtain a charging pulse width (FIG. 5 (2)). further,
The service control station 55 gives the charging pulse width to the subscriber line exchange 52 ₁ via the above-mentioned signal link (see FIG. 5).
(3)) And, the above-mentioned called number is sent to the gateway exchange 54 ₂ via the common line signaling link.

Gateway switch 54₂Then such a called number
Relay exchange based on the
Gate switch 54 between the general telephone 53 of the recipient₂and
Subscriber line switch 52₂Form a communication path through. one
One, subscriber line exchange 52₁So formed in this way
The called party's response is transmitted from the general telephone 53 via the established communication path.
If the above-mentioned charging pulse width is given before it is reached (Fig.
6 (1)), after the callee response is recognized,
Public telephone 51₁Subscriber circuit (where
Is distributed for each predetermined number of circuits for simplicity, and
Controlled by a separately mounted microprocessor
Suppose that ) Is given the charge pulse width (Fig.
6 (2)). Also, its subscriber circuit is given in this way
Paying pulse having the specified charging pulse width
1 ₁Send to.

As described above, according to this embodiment, the user of the public telephone 51 ₁ is a general telephone even though the public telephone is accommodated in the subscriber line exchange 52 ₁ operated by the company A. In the same manner as above, the desired communication carrier (here, B
It is a company. ) Can be used to receive call services based on the billing systems of both companies. Therefore, users of public telephones can enjoy the benefits of improved service quality and lower prices based on fair and effective competition among a plurality of communication carriers.

Further, in the present embodiment, regarding the billing of the outgoing call generated in the public telephone 51 ₁ , although the user of the public telephone is an unspecified person, it is pre-registered in the same manner as the general telephone 53. Since it is regarded as a person who pays the charges, it is possible to settle the access charge, which has been negotiated in advance, from the charge imposed on these outgoing calls. The billing process to be performed by the service control station 55 or the billing processing center of the company B to perform such settlement is the same as that for outgoing calls of ordinary telephones, and therefore its explanation is omitted here. To do.

In the above-mentioned embodiment, the gateway exchange 5
Although a signal link based on the common line signaling system is formed between 4 ₁ and 54 ₂ and the service control station 55, the present invention is not limited to such a configuration and, for example, in combination with these gateway exchanges. also local switch 52 _{1-52 2} or are connected to one another via a signal link based on common common channel signaling system, for between these local switch and gateway exchange, is the source public telephone If the update timing of the charge and the integrated amount of the charge can be reliably transmitted as a line signal or a register signal, for example, the inter-station line individual signal system is also applicable.

Further, in the above-mentioned embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, the database for providing the charging index and the transmission timing of the charging pulse is configured, but the timing for updating the charge and the charge are surely confirmed. If the accumulated amount can be obtained, the present invention can construct such a database (that is, the charging index table 61 and the route translation table 6).
2. A charge class table 71 and a charge pulse width table 72. ), And, for example, when the rate of update and the increment of the rate based on the pay-as-you-go system are constant, it is possible to configure without including such a database.

Further, in the above-mentioned embodiment, the subscriber line exchange sends the charging pulse (money storing signal) to the public telephone through the subscriber line, but the present invention is not limited to such a system. For example, as applied to a credit call service, a charge based on a pay-as-you-go system (including a charge based on the flat-rate system when a flat-rate system is used together) or information that is the basis for calculating the charge is stored. A billing method may be applied in which charges are charged by accumulating in a medium and performing a predetermined batch process.

As for the charge system, any charge system such as the unit time method, the distance-based time difference method and the like can be applied regardless of which charge system is applied.

[0035]

As described above, according to the first and second aspects of the present invention, the line to be used is selected based on the dial number set at the time of calling in the accommodated public telephone, and the public line is selected. Thus, it becomes possible to provide the telephone with a call service at a charge adapted to the charging system of the line thus selected.

In the inventions according to claims 3 to 5, the integration method adapted to the charging system of the line is established for the line formed between the own exchange and the exchange which is the destination of the generated call. The switch housing the public telephone that originated the call is reliably notified. That is, in the telephone network to which the present invention is applied, for outgoing calls from public telephones, a call service via lines individually operated by a plurality of communication carriers is provided at a rate adapted to the charging system of these communication carriers. Thus, the existing difference in service quality between the general telephone and the telephone is corrected.

Therefore, each telecommunications carrier promotes fair and effective competition, and users are provided with good services at low cost under the competition, and the public who demands such services. Increasing use of telephones will increase revenue (including access charges in telecommunications carriers that operate exchanges that accommodate public telephones) and spread public telephones.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a principle block diagram of the invention described in claims 1 and 2. FIG.

FIG. 2 is a principle block diagram of the invention described in claims 3 and 4. FIG.

FIG. 3 is a principle block diagram of the invention according to claim 5;

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an embodiment corresponding to the invention described in claims 1 to 5.

FIG. 5 is an operation flowchart (1) of this embodiment.

FIG. 6 is an operation flowchart (2) of this embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a configuration of a database that gives a charging index.

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a configuration of a database for giving a transmission timing of a charging pulse.

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing an example of a telephone network configured by a plurality of communication carriers.

[Explanation of symbols]

 11 subscriber line 12, 21 call processing means 13 billing control means 14, 22 switch 15 integration method monitoring means 23, 31, 44 integration method selection means 24, 32, 45 notification means 30, 43 storage means 41 database 42, 54 barrier Switch 51 Public telephone 52 Subscriber line switch 53 General telephone 55 Service control station (SCP) 61 Charging index table (RUTTRI) 62 Route translation table (RUTTRH) 71 Charging class table 72 Charging pulse width table

Claims (5)

[Claims] 1. A subscriber line accommodating a public telephone, and a call processing of an outgoing call originating in the subscriber line, and a numerical analysis based on the procedure of the call processing, and an output suitable for the result. A call processing means for selecting a route; a billing control means for deciding a first accumulating method adapted to the result of the numerical analysis for the billing amount of the subscriber line, and charging based on the accumulating method; In a switch equipped with a switch that forms a communication path between the subscriber line and the outgoing route selected by the call processing means based on a processing procedure, in the call processing procedure for the charging amount, Prior to the start of a call based on the above, an integration method monitor for monitoring whether or not a second integration method is given from the station via a signal link formed between the station and the opposite station via the outgoing route. Means, the charging control means The exchange includes means for applying the integration method instead of the first integration method when the second integration method is given under the monitoring performed by the integration method monitoring means. . 2. The exchange according to claim 1, wherein the billing control means includes a subscriber line accommodating a public telephone as a call originator, an updated value of the billing amount or the billing amount of the billing amount via the subscriber line. An exchange, characterized in that it includes means for notifying the time of update. 3. A call, which is connected to the exchange according to claim 1 or 2 through a signal link, performs call processing on a call coming from the exchange, and performs numerical analysis based on the procedure of the call processing. A gateway switch having a processing unit and a switch that absorbs a difference in interface between a network to which the switch belongs and a different network under call processing performed by the call processing unit, and Integration method selecting means for selecting an integration method of the charge amount for the call originator based on the result of the numerical analysis performed by the processing means, and prior to completion of the response processing based on the procedure of the call processing,
A gateway exchange, comprising: notifying means for notifying the exchange of the integration method selected by the integration method selection means via the signal link. 4. A call, which is connected to the exchange according to claim 1 or 2 through a signal link, performs call processing on a call received from the exchange, and performs numerical analysis based on the procedure of the call processing. In a gateway switch equipped with processing means and a switch that absorbs a difference in interface between a network to which the switch belongs and a different network under call processing performed by the call processing means, and a switch that forms a communication path, With respect to the charge amount to the caller, a storage unit in which an accumulation method corresponding to the result of the numerical analysis is stored in advance for each call occurrence time zone that is the target of call processing, and the occurrence time of the call is calculated, and the time Summing method selecting means for selecting the charging amount accumulating method by referring to the storage means based on the time zone including the time period and the result of the time digit analysis, and completion of response processing based on the call processing procedure. Prior to,
A gateway exchange, comprising: notifying means for notifying the exchange system of the integration method selected by the integration method selection means via the signal link. 5. A database holding information used for call processing of a call received from the exchange according to claim 1 or 2, and a network to which the exchange belongs and which is connected to the exchange via a signal link. In a network including a gateway switch that performs call processing while absorbing the difference in the interface with a different network and accesses the database based on the procedure of the call processing, the database includes a section for the originator of the call. With respect to the amount of money, a storage means is stored in advance for each occurrence time period of the call that is the target of the call processing, and the accumulating method adapted to the result of the numerical analysis based on the procedure of the call processing is provided, A method of calculating a call origination time, and selecting the charging amount accumulating method by referring to the storage means based on the time zone including the time and the result of the numerical analysis. And selecting means, prior to completion of the response processing based on the instructions of the call processing,
A network comprising: a notification means for notifying the exchange of the integration method determined by the selection of the integration method via the signal link.