JPH0879804A - In-band signal reception method and reception system - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: To provide a reception method for an in-band signal receiving the in-band signal efficiently sent through a line by a relay exchange during communication with respect to the reception method of the in-band signal sent to the busy line. CONSTITUTION: Plural in-band signal receivers 12 to receive an in-band signal sent from a busy terminal equipment 1 via a channel accommodated in an exchange 10 are cyclicly connected to a prescribed number of lines 11 during communication or below and an in-band signal receiver 12 receiving a 1st predetermined in-band signal by the terminal equipment 1 via the connected busy channel 11 receives the in-band signal of a prescribed digit number or the connection to the line 11 through which the 1st in-band signal is sent it fixed to receive the in-band signal sent from the terminal equipment 1 after the 1st in-band signal.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a method for receiving an in-band signal sent to a line during a call. The exchange receives various signals from the terminals in order to know the status of the calling and receiving terminals and the connection destinations requested by the calling terminals, but as a basic signal, a monitoring signal indicating the status of the calling and receiving terminals and the line is used. There is a selection signal that informs the exchange of the connection destination.

Typical examples of the monitoring signals are an off-hook signal indicating that the terminal has taken off the handset for calling or answering, and an on-hook signal indicating the disconnection or termination of the call. Generally, a DC signal is used as the monitoring signal.

On the other hand, the selection signal is also called a dial signal, and is used to notify the exchange of the telephone number of the connection destination from the terminal (telephone or the like) on the calling side. The format of the selection signal sent from the terminal to the exchange is a dial pulse (D) that connects and disconnects the supervisory signal, which is a DC signal, according to the number of the telephone number.
P) signal, and when the buttons of the numbers (0 to 9) and special codes (# and *) provided on the terminal are pressed, a signal composed of two in-band frequencies defined for each button is transmitted. There are push-button dial signals. Push button dial signal is PB (Push Button) signal or DTMF
Although it is also called a (Dual Tone Multifrequency) signal, it will be referred to as a DTMF signal in the following.

The DTMF signal is basically used at the time of connection, but since it is only used for a short time at the time of connection, a receiver for receiving the DTMF signal (hereinafter referred to as DTMF signal) is used in the exchange. DTMF receiver) is not always connected to the subscriber line, and only when the call (off-hook signal) is detected by the monitoring signal, connect to the line where the call is made, receive the selection signal, and connect. After receiving such information, it disconnects from the line.

As described above, the DTMF signal is used at the time of making a call, and may be exchanged as simple data between terminals (described in the prior art). As a selection signal for D
The usage of sending TMF signal has come out. An example of such a method of use is a service in which one of the communicating subscribers puts the communicating line on hold to connect to the other party. In this case, the terminal sends the other party's telephone number as a DTMF signal without ending the previous communication, but as described above, since the exchange does not connect the DTMF receiver to the subscriber line in communication, DT when sending a telephone number during communication
An MF receiver needs to be connected to that line.

Therefore, conventionally, a method has been adopted in which a supervisory signal is put into an on-hook state for a short time so that the line is not disconnected at the terminal (hereinafter, this operation is hooked,
A signal that puts the supervisory signal on-hook for a short time during communication is referred to as a hooking signal). When the exchange receives the hooking signal, it does not judge that the call is disconnected or terminated and the DTM is connected to the line.
Connect the F receiver to receive the DTMF signal from the terminal,
When the reception is completed, the operation is started according to the received information and the DTMF receiver is disconnected from the line.

The above-mentioned DTMF during calling and during communication
All signals are received at the subscriber exchange to which the terminals are directly connected. Therefore, it is premised that the DTMF receiver is installed only in the subscriber exchange, and that the subscriber exchange also detects a hooking signal requesting the exchange to connect the DTMF receiver. It is not designed to be transferred to other exchanges, such as transit exchanges.

However, in recent years, an intelligent network (hereinafter referred to as IN) has come to a practical stage, and accordingly, it has become necessary to receive a DTMF signal from a subscriber terminal at a relay exchange during communication (details). See below). However, even if the DTMF receiver is installed in the transit exchange, the hooking signal is not transferred to the transit exchange in the conventional communication network, so that the DTMF receiver cannot be connected when necessary. Therefore, in order to receive the DTMF signal, the DTMF receiver must be connected to all the communication lines, but it is economical to keep the expensive DTMF receiver connected to a large number of lines. It will be significantly impaired.

Therefore, there is a need for a method of economically receiving a DTMF signal in a repeater exchange.

[0010]

2. Description of the Related Art FIGS. 8 and 9 show a DTM according to the prior art.
FIG. 10 is a relay system diagram showing an F signal transmission / reception system, FIG. 10 is an IN (intelligent network) relay system diagram, and FIG. 11 is a configuration diagram in the case where a DTMF receiver is connected to a relay exchange according to the prior art.

FIG. 8 shows a DT between a terminal and a subscriber exchange.
Although the transmission / reception system of the MF signal is shown, for convenience of explanation, for the same type of device (exchange, device, terminal, etc.), a reference numeral is attached to the device on the sending side and b to the device on the receiving side. .

First, the signal transmission / reception operation at the time of calling will be described. When the terminal 2a on the calling side goes off-hook to communicate with the terminal 2b, the subscriber exchange (calling side) 30a accommodating the terminal 2a has a subscriber circuit (L) to which the terminal 2a is connected.
C) The processor (CPR) 35a detects a call through 31a and controls the network (NW) 36a to control the subscriber circuit 31a.
a and the DTMF receiver (REC) 32a are connected. In this state, a dial tone is sent to the originating terminal 2a (detailed description is omitted).

The terminal 2a is a push button dial (not shown)
When is pressed and the telephone number of the called terminal 2b is sent as a DTMF signal, the DTMF receiver 32a receives this and the processing unit 35a.
Send to When receiving the DTMF signal, the processor 35a disconnects the subscriber circuit 31a from the DTMF receiver 32a,
Connection processing is performed using the received telephone number. as a result,
The terminal 2a is a subscriber circuit 31a, a network 36a, an outgoing trunk (OGT) 38a, a transit exchange 40, and an incoming trunk (ICT) 37b of a subscriber exchange (incoming side) 30b accommodating the terminal 2b.
The terminal 2b on the receiving side is connected via the communication network (NW) 36b and the subscriber circuit 31b, and when the terminal 2b responds, communication is started.

Next, the case where the DTMF signal is transmitted after the start of communication will be described. In FIG. 8, when the terminal 2a needs to communicate with another subscriber while communicating with the terminal 2b,
The terminal 2a performs hooking. When the processing device 35a of the subscriber exchange 30a detects the hooking signal, it exits the trunk 38a.
Subsequent trains are put on hold, then the subscriber circuit 31a
To the DTMF receiver 32a via the network 36a. In this state, a dial tone or an audible signal sound is sent to the terminal 2a (detailed description is omitted), so that the terminal 2a uses the predetermined method to set the DTM to the telephone number of the partner subscriber.
Send with F signal.

When the reception of the DTMF signal is completed, the processor 35
a disconnects the subscriber circuit 31a and the DTMF receiver 32a and connects it to a new partner terminal (not shown). When the terminal 2a again hooks to end communication with the new terminal and restart communication with the terminal 2b that was communicating first,
The processing unit 35a detects this and releases the held line to the terminal.
Connect to 2a and restart communication with the terminal 2b on the receiving side.

In the above, the terminal 2a on the calling side is connected to a new terminal by putting the communication with the terminal 2b on the other side in a hold state, but the terminal 2b on the called side holds the communication with the terminal 2a. It is also possible to connect to another terminal (not shown). In this case, when the terminal 2b performs hooking, the processing unit 35b of the terminating side subscriber exchange 30b detects this and enters the incoming trunk 37b.
Is put on hold, and the subscriber circuit 31b and the DTMF receiver 32b
Are connected via the network 36b. Subsequent operations are the same as those on the originating side. In many cases, the connection to the third terminal during communication is performed in the corporate communication network, but the basic operation is the same in the corporate communication network and the public communication network.

FIG. 9 shows a transmission / reception system of DTMF signals between terminals. The DTMF signal is used not only as a dial signal at the time of connection but also when exchanging data between terminals. FIG. 9 illustrates a state in which the terminal 2a and the in-home device 4 are connected via the subscriber exchanges 30a and 30b on both sides of arrival and departure and the repeater exchange 40. Although the in-home device 4 is a type of terminal, it shows an example of an information processing device used for a seat reservation service, a bank balance inquiry service, or the like.
Hereinafter, a reservation service will be described as an example.

When the terminal 2a dials the telephone number of the reservation service center (where the in-home device 4 is installed) using a push button dial (not shown) to receive the reservation service, the DTMF oscillator 3 causes the DTMF to be dialed.
The signal is sent out. The originating side local exchange 30a is shown in FIG.
The DTMF receiver (not shown) is
After receiving the TMF signal, it is connected to the in-home device 4 via the repeater exchange 40 or the like. FIG. 9 shows this state,
When a call arrives at the office line circuit (COT) 5 in the in-home device 4, the voice response device 6 sends a guidance voice and the DTMF receiver (REC) 7 is connected to the office line circuit 5.

When the user of the terminal 2a depresses the push button dial according to the guidance, necessary information is sent out as a DTMF signal. This DTMF signal passes through the subscriber exchange 30a, the transit exchange 40 and the subscriber exchange 30b as it is, is sent to the in-home device 4, and is received by the DTMF receiver 7 of the in-home device 4. The received DTMF signal is sent to the processing device (CPR) 8 as data and processed, and if the next information is required, the process of sending the next guidance is performed.

As is clear from the above, the DTM between the terminals is
When transmitting and receiving the F signal, the originating side subscriber exchange 30a
Receives the DTMF signal only at the time of connection, but the DTMF signal after the start of communication is sent between the terminal 2a and the in-home device 4 end-to-end.
Since it is sent to the end (EE), the subscriber exchanges 30a, 3
Neither 0b nor transit switch 40 need receive the DTMF signal.

As described above, in the conventional network, the repeater exchange 40 does not receive the DTMF signal either at the time of connection or after the start of communication, but at the IN formed to provide a new service. In order to improve convenience, it has become necessary to receive the DTMF signal at the transit exchange. Below, I shown in FIG.
A description will be given using N relay scheme diagrams.

The IN is a network in which a new function is added to the existing equipment in order to improve the convenience of the network. There are various forms of adding a new function to the communication network, and FIG. 10 illustrates one form thereof. FIG.
Then, NSP (Network Service Control Point) or SCP that has a function dedicated to service processing in the network
A device called (Service Control Point) (hereinafter referred to as SC
(Denoted as P) is provided independently of the exchange so that the SCP can judge the service provision conditions and identify the connection destination, which was conventionally performed by the subscriber exchange as part of the exchange function (IEICE). (See "Information Network Handbook", October 1, 1992, pages 62-63).

In the configuration of FIG. 10, for example, when performing a toll-free service, the service function of the toll-free service is concentrated in the SCP 50 and the toll-free service in which the subscriber (terminal 1) who intends to receive this service is designated. Dial the number of the designated transit switch 40
After the service condition processing unit (SF) 47 provided in the repeater exchange 40 and the SCP 50 are connected to each other, a service condition (for example, compatibility with a calling area limitation condition) is determined, and then a connection process is performed. Then, communication becomes possible. Charge processing for the service provider is performed in SCP50. In the IN shown in FIG. 10, a subscriber who receives various services by sending various information to the SCP 50 may want to use the information as it is to connect to another party. In this case, if the terminal 1 does not send the information (for example, telephone number) of the next connection partner while holding the train up to the transit exchange 40, the information stored in the SCP 40 will be erased. Therefore, the connection information from the terminal 1 is sent in the communication state, but the connection information from the terminal is DTMF.
Since it is signaled, it is necessary to equip transit switch 30 with a DTMF receiver.

As described with reference to FIG. 9, when the DTMF signal is transmitted from the terminal during communication, the subscriber exchange has conventionally connected the DTMF receiver by the hooking signal.
Since the hooking signal is not sent to the transit exchange, the transit exchange cannot receive the DTMF signal unless the DTMF receiver is connected to the line in communication.

FIG. 11 shows the structure of a repeater exchange equipped with a DTMF receiver. For the above-mentioned reason, in the same figure (1), the all-in trunk (ICT) 43 has a DTMF receiver (RE).
C) 42 is connected, and in (2) of the figure, the all-out trunk (OG
T) 44 is connected to the DTMF receiver 42. Note that FIG.
In (1) and (2), the DTMF receiver 42 is always connected one-to-one to either the all-in trunk 43 or all-out trunk 44, but the incoming trunk 43 or the outgoing trunk that is in the communication state
The DTMF receiver 42 may be connected to only 44. In the latter case, the incoming trunk 43 or outgoing trunk 44 and D
A switch for connecting the TMF receiver 34 is required (not shown).

[0026]

As described above, in the prior art, the DTMF receiver is always connected to all the lines of the trunk exchange so that the DTMF signal sent to the line during the call is received by the trunk exchange. Or, it is necessary to connect the DTMF receivers to all the communication lines.
However, not only with the method of always connecting the DTMF receiver, but also with the method of connecting the DTMF receiver only to the line in communication, the repeater exchange has many lines and the line efficiency at the busy hour is high. , The number of DTMF receivers is extremely large. Moreover, since the service for transmitting the DTMF signal during communication is rarely used, and the ratio of the time during which the DTMF signal is transmitted in the communication time is extremely small, the use efficiency of the DTMF receiver is extremely low. It has become a big problem in terms of economy.

An object of the present invention is to provide a method for receiving an in-band signal for efficiently receiving an in-band signal sent to a line in a call in a repeater exchange.

[0028]

FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating the principle of an in-band signal receiving method according to the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a basic configuration diagram of an in-band signal receiving system according to the present invention.

In FIG. 1, 1 is a terminal, 10 is an exchange, and 11
Is a line which is accommodated in the exchange 10 and is in communication, and 12 is a terminal 1 which is communicating through the line accommodated in the exchange 10.
And a plurality of in-band signal receivers for receiving in-band signals transmitted from the device.

In FIG. 1, in-band signal receivers 12 are cyclically connected to a predetermined number or less of communicating lines 11 for a certain period of time. In-band signal line 12 connected to in-band signal receiver 12
When a predetermined first in-band signal is received from the terminal 1 connected to the line 11 via the, the in-band signal having a predetermined number of digits is received, or a predetermined second in-band signal is received. Until the signal is received, the in-band signal receiver 12 is connected to the line 11 that has transmitted the first in-band signal, and the in-band signal transmitted after the first in-band signal is received. To do.

In the above description, the push-button dial signal is used as the in-band signal, and the band is determined by using one of the "#" and "*" signs of the push-button dial signal for the predetermined first in-band signal. If the internal signal receiver 12 is transmitted for a time longer than the period in which it is connected to the same line, the repeater exchange 10 can connect the in-band signal receiver 12 to receive the push button dial signal from the terminal. It will be possible. That is, the method for receiving the in-band signal in FIG. 1 can be easily realized by using a push button dial that is widely used.

FIG. 2 shows the configuration of an exchange (for example, a relay exchange) to which the in-band signal receiving system according to the present invention is applied. In the figure, 13 is a receiver connecting means for sequentially connecting each of a plurality of in-band signal receivers 12 to a line 11 in communication below a predetermined number according to an instruction of a connection line designating means 14 (described later), and 15 is a switch 10 A call processing unit for performing call processing, 14 inputs information of the line 11 in communication from the call processing unit 15, and each of the plurality of in-band signal receivers 12 has a predetermined number or less of lines in communication for a fixed time. Controls the receiver connecting means 13 so that they are sequentially connected, and when one of the in-band signal receivers 12 is notified that a predetermined first in-band signal is received, receives the in-band signal. The in-band signal receiver 12 and the first in-band signal are transmitted until the receiver 12 receives a predetermined number of digits of the in-band signal or a predetermined second in-band signal. It is planned to fix the connection of the line 11 during communication and connect it to the in-band signal receiver 12 Line in communication
A connection line designating means for controlling the receiver connecting means 13 so as to connect 11 with another in-band signal receiver 12.

[0033]

In FIG. 1, in-band signal receivers 12 are cyclically connected to a predetermined number or less of communicating lines 11 for a certain period of time, and a predetermined first band is established from the connected communicating lines 11. When the in-band signal is received, the in-band signal receiver 12 is fixed in the state of being connected to the line 11, and the in-band signal sent from the terminal 1 connected to the line is received. In this method, since one in-band signal receiver 12 can be shared by a plurality of lines, the in-band signal receiver 12 can be used efficiently.

In the above description, the first in-band signal, which has been determined in advance for fixing the in-band signal receiver 12 to the line for transmitting the in-band signal, is used. It plays the role of a hooking signal in the prior art. However, unlike the hooking signal, this first in-band signal can be received directly from the terminal even if the exchange is a transit exchange because it is a signal of an in-band frequency.

As described above, when the exchange receives an in-band signal, the method shown in FIG.
Since it is not necessary to make a one-to-one connection to all the lines accommodated in 10 or all the lines in communication, the in-band signal receiver 12 can be economically installed.

Further, by using the push-button dial signal as the in-band signal, it is possible to easily send the in-band signal from a terminal, which is widely used, to an exchange other than the subscriber exchange, such as a relay exchange. Become.

In the in-band signal receiving system shown in FIG. 2, the in-band signal is received in the same manner as in FIG. 1, but in FIG. 2, the connection line designating means 14 is the call processing unit of the exchange 10.
The identification information of the line 11 in communication is obtained from 15, and even if the line 11 in communication changes from moment to moment, a predetermined number or less of lines 11 in communication are combined to form one in-band signal receiver 12
The receiver connection means 13 is controlled so as to sequentially connect to.

When one in-band signal receiver 12 receives a predetermined first in-band signal, the connection line designating means 14 sends the in-band signal receiver 12 to the first in-band signal. Fixed to the line that came. In this case, the in-band signal receiver 12 cannot be connected to the other communication line 11 which was planned to be sequentially connected, but the connection line designating means 14 does not connect to the other in-band signal receivers 12. Since the receiver connection means 13 is controlled so as to be connected to the line 11 in communication, the in-band signal receiver 12 is not disconnected from the line 11 in communication.

[0039]

FIG. 3 is a block diagram of an in-band signal receiving system according to an embodiment of the present invention, FIGS. 4 and 5 are time charts for connecting an in-band signal receiver according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. FIG. 7 is a configuration diagram of the designation table, and FIG. 7 is a sequence diagram of an in-band signal receiving operation sequence according to the embodiment of the present invention. Throughout the drawings, the same reference numerals indicate the same object, 11 is a line in communication, 12 is an in-band signal receiver (REC), 15a is a processing unit (hereinafter referred to as CPR), and 15b is a memory (hereinafter referred to as MEM). ), 16 is a communication network (hereinafter, NW), 17 is an incoming trunk (hereinafter, ICT), 18
Is an outgoing trunk (hereinafter referred to as OGT), 19 is a silent pattern generator (TNG), and 20 is a communication path bus (hereinafter referred to as SP bus). The CPR 15a and the MEM 15b are implementations of the call processing unit 15 of FIG. Also, 14a and 14b are connection line designating parts 14
It is a connection line designation table provided inside.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram of an embodiment of the in-band signal receiving system according to the present invention whose basic configuration is shown in FIG. Less than,
The embodiment of the in-band signal receiving system will be described with reference to FIG. 3 focusing on the connection relationship of the in-band signal receiver. The connection relationship of the in-band signal receiver is shown in FIG. Since the description is the same as the embodiment of the signal receiving method, the embodiment of the in-band signal receiving method and the in-band signal receiving method will be described below with reference to FIG.

In FIG. 3, the ICT 17 and the OGT 18 are shown only when the connected lines are busy, and only two in-band signal receivers 12 are shown. In FIG. 2, the in-band signal receiver 12 is configured to be sequentially connected to the busy line 11 via the receiver connection means 13, but FIG.
In the example, the receiver connection means 13 uses the NW 16, that is, the main communication network used for connecting the ICT 17 and the OGT 18 and the like.

Further, in FIG. 3, two bands are provided for convenience of explanation.
REC the internal signal receiver 12₁, REC ₂Indicated by REC₁
The ICT connected to the busy line 11 that is sequentially connected
17 and OGT18 respectively ICT₁₁~ ICT_1iAnd OG
T₁₁~ OGT_1i, REC₂Lines that are connected sequentially
I connect ICT17 and OGT18 connected to 11 respectively
CT_{twenty one}~ ICT_2jAnd OGT_{twenty one}~ OGT_2jIndicated by
It In the following, the bandwidth sent from terminal 1
If the in-band signal is a DTMF signal, and the in-band signal is the DTM
The F signal and in-band signal receiver 12 is referred to as the DTMF receiver 12.
You Also, when individually pointing to the DTMF receiver 12, RE
C₁, REC₂, ICT17 and OGT18 are individually
ICT when pointing_1i, OGT_2jAnd so on.

Although the originating and terminating terminals and the subscriber exchange are not shown in FIG. 3, the exchange shown in FIG. 3 is assumed to be the position of the transit exchange 40 shown in FIG. It will be described as being installed in. Now, the calling terminal 1 shown in FIG.
After connecting to CT ₁₁ , it is assumed that the telephone number of the connection partner (the receiving terminal 1 in FIG. 10) is input. When the CPR15a receives the telephone number of the receiving terminal 1, the call processing is performed and the IC
The T ₁₁ and the OGT ₁₁ are connected via the NW 16, and the calling terminal 1 and the called terminal 1 are connected.

In this state, the DTMF receiver 12 is not connected to the line between the ICT ₁₁ and the OGT ₁₁ . Here, when the receiving terminal 1 responds, the CPR 15 is sent via the OGT _11.
a detects the start of communication, and thereafter performs billing and communication time monitoring. At this time, CPR15a is the connection line designating unit.
Notify 14 that line ₁₁ between ICT ₁₁ and OGT ₁₁ has entered the talking state. Hereinafter, when individually indicating the line 11 during a call between the ICT and the OGT, the symbol L ₁₁ with the same suffix as the ICT and OGT connected to the line
Etc.

Upon receiving this notification, the connection line designating unit 14 periodically connects, for example, REC ₁ to the line L ₁₁ in case the DTMF signal is sent from the terminal 1 to the line L ₁₁ during the call. Set (setting contents will be described later). Similarly, line L ₁₂ , line L ₂₁ , ..., Line L
_When the line _1i and the line L _2j enter the talking state, the connection line designating unit 14 sets, for example, REC ₁ and line L for the lines L ₁₂ to L _1i .
_21- Set REC _{2 to} be connected to line L _2j .

The above set by REC ₁ the line L ₁₁ through a NW16, L _12, are sequentially cyclically connected to ··· L _1i, REC ₂ the line L _21, sequentially and cyclically in · · · L _2j Connected to. In FIG. 3, for convenience, each DTMF receiver 12 is a NW.
The terminal on the ICT side on 16 is shown as being connected to the busy line 11. Figure 3 shows DT at a certain moment
The connection state between the MF receiver 12 and the line 11 is shown, showing that the ICT and REC connected by the thick line are connected, and the ICT and REC connected by the thin line are connected in sequence thereafter. .

Next, the DTMF receiver 12 has a plurality of busy lines.
The state of being connected to 11 will be described with reference to the time chart of FIG. It takes at least about 40 ms to receive the DTMF signal sent from the terminal 1.
Then, the time when the DTMF receiver 12 is connected to each line 11 is set to 48 ms, and one DTMF receiver 12 is sequentially connected to a predetermined limit of 20 lines L _{1 to} L ₂₀ . Shows.

When one DTMF receiver 12 is sequentially connected to a plurality of lines 11, the DTM from the previously connected line 11
Immediately after receiving the F signal, if the DTMF signal received on the previous line remains in the DTMF receiver 12 if it is connected to the next line, it may cause a malfunction. For this reason,
In FIG. 4, the previous line (for example, line L _{1 in} FIG. 4) has 48 ms.
After connecting for 48 ms, silent pattern generator 19 is DT
It connects to the MF receiver 12 to cancel the previous received signal.
The silence pattern generator 19 generates digital voice information indicating silence, and is housed in the NW 16 as shown in FIG.
As shown in FIG. 4, all DTs are carried out every 48 ms in 96 ms cycle.
It is connected to the MF receiver 12.

In the example of FIG. 4, one DTMF receiver 12
Since the maximum number of lines that can be connected is 20 lines, DTMF
The maximum period for connecting the receiver 12 to the same line is 1920
It becomes ms (about 2 seconds). Therefore, when transmitting a predetermined first in-band signal (hereinafter referred to as a receiver connection request signal and using the “#” code of the DTMF signal) from the terminal 1, the terminal 1 pushes it. "#" On the button dial (not shown) is set to 1920 to 1968 (=
It is necessary to press for 1920 + 48) ms, that is, for about 2 seconds or more.

FIG. 5 shows the in-band signal receiver 12 connected to the busy line 11.
The time chart of the other example connected to is shown.
In this example, instead of connecting the silence pattern generator 19, D
When the TMF receiver 12 is connected to the line 11, a pulse for resetting the reception signal received by the previous line is received by the DTMF receiver.
It is a method to send to 12. Depending on the transient characteristics of the receiver, if the previous received signal can be reset in a shorter time than the method of receiving the silent pattern, as shown in FIG.
The circulation speed for 11 can be increased. For example, the connection time per line is 64 ms when the signal reception can be performed for 48 ms or more excluding the reset time.
If so, the period for connecting to the line 11 of 20 lines which is the same as in FIG. 4 is 1280 ms, and the terminal 1 may send the “#” code as a receiver connection request signal for about 1.3 seconds or more. , The operability of the user is improved. Further, if the minimum transmission time of the receiver connection request signal is set to about 2 seconds as in FIG. 4, the number of lines to which one in-band signal receiver 12 is connected is three.
Since it can be increased to about 0 lines, the economic efficiency is improved.

As described above, the DTMF receiver 12 circulates and connects a plurality of lines 11 in a call.
Since 11 changes every moment, it is necessary to change the connected line 11 accordingly. The connection line designating unit 14 controls this, and the method of designating the connection line will be described below with reference to FIG.

FIG. 6 shows an embodiment of the configuration of the connection line designation table provided in the connection line designation unit 14. The connection line designation table 14 comprises a primary designation table 14a and a secondary designation table 14b.
The number of lines connected to each DTMF receiver 12 and the start address of a memory area in which information about the start line and the end line is stored. This memory area is provided, for example, in the memory 15b of FIG.
It may be provided inside.

In the primary designation table 14a of FIG. 6, DTMF is used.
As the information of the receiver # 1 (REC # 1), the number of connected lines N
An example is shown in which ₁ is 4 lines and the start addresses of the memory areas in which the information of the start line and the end line are stored are A ₁₁₀ and A ₁₄₀ , respectively. Connect REC # 1
When sequentially connecting to 11, the control unit (not shown) of the connection line designating unit 14 indexes the head address A ₁₁₀ of the memory area where the information of the head line (L ₁₁ ) is stored in the primary designation table 14a. Then, the address A ₁₁₀ is used to access the secondary designation table 14b.

Address A _110- of the secondary designation table 14b
The information of the head line L ₁₁ is stored in the A ₁₁₂ , but in this example, the address of the line (L ₁₂ ) to be connected next is A ₁₂₀ , and the address of the line L ₁₄ connected before is A _{12. 140} , and it is stored that the terminal position of the own line L ₁₁ is T ₁₁ (related line L, terminal position T, ICT, OG
Use the same number for the suffix of T). Therefore, the control unit of the connection line designating unit 14 first connects the REC # 1 to the terminal position T ₁₁ . This terminal position T ₁₁ is, for example, N in FIG.
It corresponds to the position where ICT ₁₁ is stored in W 16.

When the line connection is switched every 96 ms as shown in FIG. 4, it is 96 after connecting to the head line L _11.
When ms have elapsed, the address A ₁₂₀ in which the information of the next line L ₁₂ is stored is accessed, and REC # 1 is connected to the terminal position T ₁₂ of the line L ₁₂ . In this way, the REC # 1 is connected to the line L ₁₁
~ L ₁₄ lines are sequentially connected. The description of the connection of the silent pattern generator 19 is omitted here.

In this state, for example, when the communication of the line L ₁₂ is completed, the connection line designating unit 14 receives the notification of the communication completion from the CPR 15a, so that the control unit stores it in the address A ₁₁₀ of the line L ₁₁ of the secondary designation table 14b. The next line address A ₁₂₀ is changed to A ₁₃₀ , and the line L ₁₃ address A ₁₃₁ is changed.
The A _{120 of the} previous line address stored in is changed to A ₁₁₀ . As a result, the information on the line L ₁₂ is removed from the secondary designation table 14b. This is also the case when a line that has entered the communication state is newly generated, but the control unit of the connection line designating unit 14 controls each DTMF receiver every time the line 11 in communication increases or decreases.
Allocate so that there is no large difference in the number of lines connected to 12, and change the allocation if a large difference occurs.

Next, the operation when the DTMF signal is sent to the DTMF receiver 12 during communication will be described with reference to FIG. 7 by taking the IN connection of FIG. 10 as an example. As for IN, as described above, the service functions are centrally provided in the SCP 50. Now, it is assumed that the calling terminal 1 in FIG. 10 communicates with the receiving terminal 1 using the credit calling service. In this case, when the number designated for the credit call service is dialed, the connection as shown in FIG. 10 is made. In the connection process, the transit exchange 40 accesses the SCP 50, and the SCP 50 credits the calling terminal 1 via the transit exchange 40. Prompt for input of card number etc. by voice guidance.

When the calling terminal 1 presses the push-button dial and inputs the number of his credit card, etc., the SCP
After 50 has performed the necessary processing, the originating terminal 1 is the transit exchange.
It is connected to the receiving terminal 1 via 40 or the like. When the communication is started, the fee for this communication is charged to the account designated by the credit card.

When the calling terminal 1 ends the communication with the receiving terminal 1 and the next communication is also performed by the credit call service, it is a principle to disconnect the previous communication and then make the next connection again. . However, since the number of digits of a credit card number is generally large and the operation when using the credit calling service is troublesome, it is a great burden for the user to input the credit card number without error. For this reason, a re-calling service is conceivable in which the credit calling service is continuously performed and the SCP 50 is continuously connected to the next party without disconnecting the connection.

Conventionally, in the case of making the next connection without disconnecting the previous call, the method of sending the hooking signal has been used as described above, but the hooking signal is used as the calling side subscriber exchange of FIG. Since it cannot be transferred to the repeater exchange 40 even though it is transmitted to 30, the transmitting terminal 1 sends the receiver connection request signal by the DTMF signal instead of the hooking signal in the present invention.

In the following, it is assumed that the repeater exchange 40 of FIG. 10 has the configuration of FIG. 3 and that the calling terminal 1 of FIG. 10 is connected to one of the ICTs of FIG. 3 (that line is L ₃ ). ,
In the repeater exchange 40, the line L ₁ in which the DTMF receiver 12 is communicating
.. to L ₂₀ will be sequentially described.

The DTMF receiver 12 of FIG. 7 is sequentially connected to the line of the number (line number L is omitted) described in (5) of FIG. In this state, the DTMF receiver 12 receives the line L ₃
It is assumed that the transmitting terminal 1 presses "#" of the DTMF signal defined as the receiver connection request signal before being connected to the. "#" Is sent for 2 seconds or more, and this signal is shown in FIG.
It is sent to the line L _{3 as} shown in (3). DTM during transmission
When the F receiver 12 is connected to the line L ₃ , the DTMF receiver 12 detects this "#" signal as shown in (6) of FIG.
When the DTMF receiver 12 detects the "#" signal, it notifies the connection line designating unit 14. Upon receiving this notification, the connection line designating unit 14 fixes the DTMF receiver 12 in the state of being connected to the line L ₃ . In this state, for example, when an audible signal sound or voice guidance is sent from the DTMF receiver 12, the transmitting terminal 1 operates the push button dial to obtain the necessary information for the DTMF signal (in this case, the telephone number of the other party to be connected will 7
Are shown as A to N). The DTMF receiver 12 sends the received information to the CPR 15a in FIG. 3, and the CPR 15a performs processing such as connecting to the next party according to the received information.

On the other hand, when the DTMF receiver 12 is fixedly connected to the line L ₃ , the DTMF receiver 12 is no longer connected to the lines after the line L _4, so the connection line designating unit 14 makes the connection shown in FIG. line designation table 14a, again specifies the DTMF receiver 12 connected to the line 11 in communication with line L ₄ and later change the 14b. In this case, if the other DTMF receiver 12 has a margin, the line 11 on and after the line L ₄ is connected to those DTMFs.
It is allocated to the receiver 12, but an empty DTMF receiver 12 is prepared in advance, and the DTMF receiving the receiver connection request signal is received.
When the receiver 12 is generated, the connection target line 11 of the DTMF receiver 12 may be temporarily moved to an empty DTMF receiver 12 and then reallocated.

The transmission of the DTMF signal is ended when the number of digits of the received numeral reaches a predetermined number of digits or when the next DT is over a certain time.
The CPR15a can judge that the MF signal is not sent, but in FIG. 7, it is transmitted when a predetermined DTMF signal (for example, “*”, which is hereinafter referred to as a transmission end signal) is transmitted. An example of determining the end is shown.

When the transmission end signal "*" is sent to the line L ₃ , the DTMF receiver 12 which has received the signal notifies the connection line designating unit 14 of this. Upon receiving this notification, the connection line designating unit 14 cancels the connection state between the DTMF receiver 12 and the line L ₃ , and newly allocates the line 11 in communication to the DTMF receiver 12. In FIG. 7 (5), the numbers of the newly allocated lines are indicated by i, j, k ...

The same "#" as the receiver connection request signal may be used for the DTMF signal of the transmission end in the above. When "#" or "*" may be used in the connection information, the transmission end is identified by transmitting "#" or "*" more than a specified number of times. You can also

As described above, in the present invention, the DTMF receiver can be efficiently used when it is necessary to receive the DTMF signal sent from the line which is being communicated by the exchange other than the subscriber exchange.

Although the embodiment of the present invention has been described above with reference to FIGS. 3 to 7, FIGS. 3 to 7 are merely illustrations of an embodiment of the present invention. It goes without saying that it is not limited. For example, although the example in which the DTMF signal is used as the in-band signal has been described above, it goes without saying that the present invention can be applied to in-band signals other than the DTMF signal. In addition, in FIG.
Although illustrated as CT and OGT, it goes without saying that there is no difference even if the trunk is a bidirectional trunk (BWT).

Further, in FIG. 3, the NW 16 is shown in the form of a speech path of the space division exchange. However, when the exchange is a digital exchange, the line in the NW 16 is a multiple speech path, so that the communication is being performed. The line 11 and the DTMF receiver 12 are not connected in space division, but the time slot corresponding to the connection target line is branched from the time slot multiplexed on the multiplex communication path and connected to the DTMF receiver 12. . Even in this case, it is obvious that the effect of the present invention does not change.

Further, in FIG. 3, the connection line designating unit 14 is set to CPR.
Although it is provided separately from 15a, the connection line designating part 14 is CPR
It can be installed inside 15a. Furthermore, although the above description has been made on the premise of a transit exchange, the present invention can of course be applied regardless of the type of exchange. Further, although the receiver connection request signal is sent from the terminal on the calling side, it is clear that the effect of the present invention can be obtained even if it is sent from the terminal on the receiving side depending on the content of the service.

In the above description, an example of transmitting the in-band signal from the terminal on the transmitting side has been described. However, when there is a possibility that the in-band signal is received from both terminals, the receiver connection request signal is transmitted. Since it is possible to identify the terminal that sent the receiver connection request signal from the upstream and downstream directions of the receiving transmission path, it is clear that the terminal that sends the in-band signal during communication is not limited to the originating terminal. is there.

[0072]

According to the present invention, when an exchange other than the subscriber exchange receives an in-band signal such as a DTMF signal sent to a line in communication, an expensive in-band signal receiver is in communication. Since it is not necessary to connect to the line one-to-one, the in-band signal receiver can be used efficiently,
Accordingly, it becomes possible to economically construct a communication network such as an intelligent network. In addition, the use of in-band signals reduces restrictions on recall connections during communication, thus improving operability and convenience for the user.

As described above, the present invention, which facilitates the introduction of a new service, greatly contributes to the improvement of the user service and the efficiency and economy of the communication equipment necessary for realizing the service.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram of the principle of an in-band signal receiving method according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a basic configuration diagram of an in-band signal receiving system according to the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram of an in-band signal receiving system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a time chart (1) of connecting an in-band signal receiver according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a time chart (2) of connecting an in-band signal receiver according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a configuration diagram of a connection line designation table according to the embodiment of this invention.

FIG. 7 is a sequence diagram of an in-band signal receiving operation according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a conventional DTMF signal transmission / reception system diagram (1)

FIG. 9 is a conventional DTMF signal transmission / reception system diagram (2)

[Figure 10] Intelligent network relay system diagram

FIG. 11 is a connection diagram of a DTMF receiver according to the related art.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1 Terminal 10 Switch 11 Communication Line 12 In-band Signal Receiver 13 Receiver Connection Means 14 Connection Line Designation Means 15 Call Processor

Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. A plurality of in-band signal receivers for receiving an in-band signal transmitted from a terminal communicating through a line accommodated in an exchange, each fixed to a predetermined number or less of communicating lines. When the in-band signal receiver receives a predetermined first in-band signal from the terminal connected to the line through the line in communication, the band is connected cyclically by time. The in-band signal receiver and the first in-band signal until the in-band signal receiver receives a predetermined number of in-band signals or a predetermined second in-band signal. The in-band signal receiving method is characterized in that the in-band signal transmitted from the terminal is received after the predetermined first in-band signal is fixed by fixing the connection with the line that has transmitted. 2. A push button dial signal is used as the in-band signal, and a "#" or "*" specified in the push button dial signal is used as the predetermined first in-band signal.
At least one of the codes is transmitted for at least a period longer than the period in which the in-band signal receiver (12) is connected to the same line, and the push-button dial signal is defined as the predetermined second in-band signal. "#" Or "*"
2. The in-band signal receiving method according to claim 1, wherein the code is transmitted once or a plurality of times. 3. An in-band signal received when an in-band signal transmitted from a terminal is connected through a line accommodated in the exchange and is used for call processing of the exchange. A plurality of in-band signal receivers to be sent to the call processing unit, and receiver connection means for sequentially connecting each of the plurality of in-band signal receivers to a predetermined number or less of communicating lines according to the instruction of the connection line designating means. And the receiver connection means for inputting information on the line being communicated from the call processing unit so that each of the plurality of in-band signal receivers is sequentially connected to a line not more than a predetermined number of communicating lines for a predetermined time. And informing that one of the in-band signal receivers has received a predetermined first in-band signal, the in-band signal receiver controls the in-band signal of a predetermined number of digits. Or a predetermined second Until the in-band signal is received, the connection between the in-band signal receiver and the line in communication that has transmitted the first in-band signal is fixed, and the in-band signal receiver is planned to be connected. 2. An in-band signal receiving method comprising: a connection line designating unit for controlling the receiver connecting unit so as to connect the line in communication with another in-band signal receiver. 4. A push-button dial signal is used as the in-band signal, and the predetermined first and second signals are used.
4. The in-band signal receiving method according to claim 3, wherein either of the "#" or "*" code defined in the push-button dial signal is used as the in-band signal of.