JP2001127921A - Private branch exchange - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To automatically charge at the charge of a communication provider, having the lowest charge in the extension of a calling origin. SOLUTION: When a trial result registration memory 164 is prepared, an extension telephone set 2-1 of a calling source extension performs transmission to a station line 3-1, and when also the number information of a calling destination does not correspond to the number information of each communication provider registered in a provider identification number registration table, a control part 15 stores charge information corresponding to an A company in the memory 164. The charge-comparing means 151 of the part 15 successively compares the charge information stored in the memory 164 with the charge information of each communication provider registered in the provider identification number registration table, and a charging control means 152 successively rewrites the recorded contents of the memory 164 into the charge information of the communication provider which is a low charge on the basis of the comparison results and performs charging processing of the extension of the calling source with the charge of the last registered communication provider, when rewriting is finished.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a private branch exchange used in a premises such as an office or a business office.
More particularly, the present invention relates to a private branch exchange that performs charging processing for a source extension when a call is transmitted from one extension to an outside line.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Generally, a private branch exchange currently in use has various service functions, one of which is a billing function. This billing processing function is provided with a memory table in which identification number information indicating each communication carrier and information indicating a fee for each identification number information are registered in a main storage unit in the private branch exchange, and a single extension is used. This is a function for performing a billing process for a source extension based on the registered contents of the memory table when making a call to an outside line.

[0003] In this type of private branch exchange apparatus, the speaker of the extension telephone must select a service provider having a low call charge from a plurality of communication service providers and dial in consideration of the service provider identification number. Therefore, the burden on the user is increased.

[0004] Recently, the introduction of a priority connection service is planned from the viewpoints of securing users' interests and ensuring fair competition between businesses. According to this priority connection service,
By registering the operation of selecting a carrier that was conventionally performed in the private branch exchange to the nearest exchange in advance, the caller only has to dial the area code or later, and the exchange automatically switches to the local exchange. The communication carrier is selected on the side and the call is made.

[0005] However, when the priority connection service is started, the private branch exchange device cannot obtain information on which communication carrier has been selected, and the charging process is performed at the fixed carrier fee. become.

[0006]

As described above, in the private branch exchange which has been conventionally considered, the speaker of the extension telephone selects an operator having a low telephone charge from a plurality of telecommunications operators, and the operator selects the operator who has a low telephone charge. Since the user must dial the telephone number while paying attention to the user identification number, there is a disadvantage that the burden on the user is increased. In addition, when the priority connection service is started, the billing process is performed at a fixed carrier fee, so that it is impossible to execute a detailed billing process for various users. It is.

Therefore, an object of the present invention is to automatically perform a desired operation on an extension at a source by simply performing a call operation without considering an operation for selecting a communication carrier on the extension terminal side. It is an object of the present invention to provide a private branch exchange that can be charged at a communication carrier's fee.

[0008]

A private branch exchange according to the present invention accommodates a plurality of extensions to which extension terminals can be connected, can connect at least one outside line, and has at least number information indicating each communication carrier. And a memory table in which the charge information for each number information is registered, and a private branch exchange device that performs a charging process based on the registered contents of the memory table for a source extension when transmitting from at least one extension to an outside line. It is targeted.

In order to achieve the above object, a storage means for storing charge information corresponding to a communication carrier other than the communication carrier registered in the memory table, and a call from the extension terminal of the source extension to the outside line. Is detected, and when at least a part of the number information of the destination does not match the number information registered in the memory table, the charge information stored in the storage means and each communication carrier registered in the memory table And charging control means for performing control on charging processing for the source extension based on the comparison result by the comparing means.

According to this configuration, a registration memory storing charge information corresponding to a communication carrier other than the communication carrier registered in the memory table is prepared, and a call is transmitted from the extension terminal of the source extension to the outside line. Is performed and the number information of the callee does not correspond to the number information registered in the memory table, the charge information stored in the registration memory is compared with the charge information of each communication carrier registered in the memory table. Based on the comparison result, a low-cost carrier is selected from the fee information stored in the registration memory and the fee information for each carrier registered in the memory table. The billing process is performed at the charge of the communication carrier. In other words, the lower-charged one of the commonly used telecommunications carriers and the respective telecommunications carriers registered in the memory table is preferentially selected.

[0011] For this reason, even if the extension terminal side does not consider an operation for selecting a communication carrier, simply performing a call operation, the caller's extension will automatically be charged to the desired extension of the desired communication carrier. Will be able to charge. In particular, even if the priority connection service is started, it can be flexibly handled.

Further, the private branch exchange apparatus according to the present invention, in the above object, information rewritable storage means for storing charge information corresponding to a communication carrier other than the communication carrier registered in the memory table; When a call from the extension terminal of the former extension to the outside line is detected, and at least a part of the number information of the destination does not match the number information registered in the memory table, the billing charge information stored in the storage means and Comparing means for comparing the charge information of each communication carrier registered in the memory table with the charge information stored in the storage means based on the comparison result by the charge means corresponding to the low charge carrier And charging control means for performing a charging process on the source extension based on the rewritten charging fee information.

[0013] According to this configuration, a communication memory in which an information rewritable registration memory is prepared, a call is made from the extension terminal of the source extension to the outside line, and the number information of the destination is registered in the memory table. When the number information does not correspond to the number information of each carrier, the charge information corresponding to the communication carrier other than the carrier registered in the memory table is stored in the registration memory, and the charge information stored in the registration memory and the memory are stored. The charge information of each communication carrier registered in the table is sequentially compared, and the charge information of the communication carrier having a low charge is sequentially rewritten in the registration memory based on the comparison result, and at the end of the rewriting, In the extension of the transmission source, the billing process is performed at the rate of the carrier registered last in the registration memory, so that each communication in the memory table is communicated with the carrier in the registration memory. Communication operators Starting from one of skill in the art will be automatically selected.

[0014] Therefore, the user of the extension terminal can use the lowest-priced telecommunications carrier only by performing a calling operation, thereby providing the cheapest service to the user of the extension terminal. Become.

[0015]

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

FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram showing an embodiment of a private branch exchange according to the present invention.

The private branch exchange according to this embodiment accommodates extension telephones 2-1 to 2-m and office lines 3-1 to 3-n.
And private lines 4-1 to 4-o can be connected, and the extension telephones 2-1 to 2-m, the extension telephones 2-1 to 2-m and the office lines 3-1 to 3-n or dedicated lines can be connected. A switching connection between the 4-1 to 4-o is performed. The switching circuit 11, the extension circuits 12-1 to 12-m, and the subscriber circuits 13-1 to 13-m are provided.
n, dedicated line circuits 14-1 to 14-o, a control unit 15, and a storage unit 16.

The switching circuit 11 includes extension circuits 12-1 to 12-12.
-M, between the extension circuits 12-1 to 12-m and the subscriber circuits 13-1 to 13-n, and between the extension circuits 12-1 to 12-n.
The control unit 15 controls the exchange of the switching circuit 11 and the dedicated line circuits 14-1 to 14-o.

The extension circuits 12-1 to 12-m are connection interfaces provided for each extension.
1 and a connection interface between the extension telephones 2-1 to 2-m, and performs outgoing / incoming processing, transfer processing, and the like for the extension telephones 2-1 to 2-m. The extension circuits 12-1 to 12-1
2-m exchanges control information with the control unit 15 via the control highway 17 to perform predetermined line control.

The subscriber circuits 13-1 to 13-n interface the switching circuit 11 with the corresponding office lines 3-1 to 3-n, and close a DC loop for detecting an incoming call and capturing a line. And the like. Dedicated line circuit 14-
Reference numerals 1 to 14-o denote interfaces for interfacing the switching circuit 11 with the corresponding dedicated lines 4-1 to 4-o, and for detecting incoming calls, closing a DC loop for capturing a line, and the like. The subscriber circuits 13-1 to 13-n and the dedicated line circuits 14-1 to 14-o exchange control information with the control unit 15 via the control highway 17 to perform predetermined line control. Do.

The storage unit 16 previously stores a control program used by the control unit 15 and various data, and can write necessary data. As will be described in more detail later, it includes a call information table 161, a billing data table 162, a call charge table 163, and a trial calculation result registration memory 164.

The control unit 15 is connected to a maintenance terminal 5 and a billing console 6. The maintenance terminal 5 includes a keyboard and a display.
, Input and change of data and programs, reading of data and the like can be performed. In the case of the present invention, billing data (identification number of each telecommunications carrier, tariff table for each telecommunications carrier, area code data of the location where the private branch exchange is installed, and other nationwide data used to calculate the calling distance between the calling and called parties. Area data (corresponding to rectangular area numbers (coordinates), etc.) can be input from the maintenance terminal 5;
Registration in the storage unit 16 is performed according to the input.

Extension telephones 2-1 to 2-m and office lines 3-1 to 3-1
The control unit 15 performs a charging process based on the data stored in the storage unit 16 for a call charge for a call made between the 3-n or the dedicated lines 4-1 to 4-o. 16 is stored for each of the extension telephones 2-1 to 2-m, and can be searched and output from the charging console 6 as needed.

In the private branch exchange constructed as described above, for example, when a call is made from the extension telephone 2-1, the control unit 15 recognizes which extension telephone number the extension is, and makes a call extension. When a special number for connection to, for example, the office line 3-1 is dialed, the dial number information by the subsequent dialing operation and the previously recognized extension telephone number are stored in the storage unit 16 as shown in FIG. Call information table 1
61 are registered in the calling extension telephone number column 1611 and the destination telephone number column 1612, respectively. When the other party answers, the control unit 15 stores the time in the call information table 16.
1 is registered in the call start time column 1613, and measurement of the call time is started by the built-in clock function. Thereafter, when either the other party or the calling extension telephone 2-1 goes on-hook, the line is disconnected. When the line is restored, the control unit 15 terminates the measurement of the call time and ends the call time table in the call information table 161. The call time is registered in 1614.

Next, the control unit 15 specifies the communication carrier from the charging data table 162 shown in FIG. 3 based on the contents stored in the call information table 161 of the storage unit 16 and charges according to the corresponding charge table. Perform processing. It should be noted that the billing data table 162 is a carrier identification number registration table 1621 in which a carrier identification number indicating each communication carrier is registered.
A location registration table 1622 for registering a location number indicating a storage location of number information indicating each communication carrier in the carrier identification number registration table 1621; and a frequency for each communication carrier in the carrier identification number registration table 1621. A frequency unit price table 1623 for registering unit prices, and a charge table table 16 for each communication carrier in the carrier identification number registration table 1621
24, for example, a frequency unit price table 1625 of Company A, a rate table 1626 of Company A, and an installed area code table 1 in which the area code to which the private branch exchange belongs is registered.
627 and a nationwide square section number table 1628 in which square section number information including an X coordinate component and a Y coordinate component for each area code are registered.

Next, the charging process will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG.

First, the control unit 15 performs a search from the first digit of the destination telephone number to determine whether or not it matches the business identification number registered in the business identification number registration table 1621 of the charging data table 162 (see FIG. 1). Step 4a). Here, if they match (YES), the position number (0, 1,...) From the top of the operator identification number registration table 1621 is stored in the position registration table 1622 (step 4b).

Next, the control unit 15 compares the next digit of the destination telephone number with the area code of the nationwide square block number table 1628 in the billing data table 162 from the next digit that matches the business identification number, and matches. The rectangular section number (X2, Y2) of the area code is extracted, and the rectangular section number (X1, Y1) corresponding to the area code of the caller is extracted from the installed area code table 1627 (step 4c). ,
The call distance between the caller and the caller is obtained by the following equation (Step 4)
d).

[0029]

(Equation 1)

Then, the control unit 15 operates the charge table 1624 corresponding to the position number in the position registration table 1622.
From the call start time column 1613 of the call information table 161
Then, the discount time zone corresponding to the call start time and the basic number of seconds at the intersection of the distance ladder corresponding to the call distance obtained in step 4d are read (step 4e).
Next, the control unit 15 stores the call time information stored in the call time column 1614 of the call information table 161 in step 4 described above.
The call frequency is obtained by dividing by the basic number of seconds read in e (step 4f), the unit price is read from the frequency unit price table 1623 of the corresponding carrier, and the call frequency is integrated to obtain the call charge (step 4g). . The call charge information thus obtained is stored in the storage unit 16 as shown in FIG.
Is stored in the call charge column 1632 corresponding to the calling extension telephone number in the extension telephone number column 1631 of the call charge table 163 (step 4h).

The above is the processing operation performed conventionally. Conventionally, if the destination telephone number does not match the carrier identification number of each communication carrier in the carrier identification number registration table 1621 in step 4a (NO),
The accounting process is performed based on the unit price registered in the unit price table 1625 and the registered contents of the charge table 1626.

In this embodiment, in the above step 4a, if they do not match (NO), the accounting process using the trial calculation result registration memory 164 is performed (step 4a).
i). In addition, in the trial calculation result memory 164, a call is made from the extension telephone 2-1 of the source extension to the office line 3-1 and is registered in at least a part of the telephone number of the destination and the business operator identification number table 1621. If the carrier identification numbers do not match, the call fee information corresponding to a communication carrier other than the registered carrier is stored in the carrier identification number table 1621. In this case, the call charge information of Company A is stored.

The control unit 15 includes a charge comparing unit 151
And charging control means 152. This charge comparing means 151 is, for example, from the extension telephone 2-1 to the office line 3-1.
Is detected, and if at least a part of the telephone number of the other party does not match the operator identification number registered in the operator identification number table 1621, the charge information stored in the trial calculation result registration memory 164. And the fee information for each communication carrier registered in the carrier identification number table 1621. The charging control means 152 includes a charge comparing means 151
, The fee information stored in the trial calculation result registration memory 164 is rewritten to the fee information corresponding to the low-cost carrier, and the charging process is performed for the source extension based on the rewritten fee information. Perform

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing the specific processing contents of step 4i.

First, when the telephone number of the other party does not match the identification number of each business in the business identification number registration table 1621, the control unit 15 sets the frequency unit price registered in the frequency unit price table 1625 and the charge table table. In accordance with the registration contents of 1626, the accounting processing as shown in the above steps 4c to 4g is performed, and the call charge obtained by this processing is registered in the trial calculation result registration memory 164 (step 6a).

Next, the control unit 15 determines whether or not there is another communication carrier to be charged based on the presence or absence of registration in the carrier identification number registration table 1621 (step 6b). Here, if not present (YES), the call charge information stored in the trial calculation result registration memory 164 (in this case, A
Is stored in the call charge column 1632 corresponding to the calling extension telephone number in the call charge table 163 (step 6).
c).

In step 6b, if there is a registration in the carrier identification number registration table 1621 (NO), the control unit 15 performs a billing process using the billing data of the corresponding carrier, and sets a call charge. Ask for Information (Step 6
d) A comparison is made with the call charge information stored in the trial calculation result registration memory 164 (step 6e).

Here, if the determined communication charge of the communication carrier is equal to or greater than the communication charge stored in the trial calculation result registration memory 164 (NO), the control unit 15 returns to step 6b again.
The processing is returned to the determination processing of the presence or absence of the registration of the communication carrier and the processing is repeated. If the call charge of the obtained communication carrier is lower, (YE
S), the contents of the trial calculation result registration memory 164 are rewritten to the communication carrier's call charge information (step 6f), and thereafter, in step 6b, the process returns to the judgment of the presence or absence of the communication carrier registration. Thereafter, the control unit 15 repeats the billing process for the registered carriers, and when the billing process for all the carriers in the carrier identification number registration table 1621 is completed, the control unit 15 calculates the trial calculation result in step 6c. Registration memory 16
4 is stored in the call charge table 163.
It is stored in the corresponding call charge column 1632 of the calling extension telephone number.

If the above-described processing is performed, if there is no carrier identification number in the other party's telephone number, the most common carrier among the carriers registered in the carrier identification number registration table 1621 is used. The outgoing call is charged by a low-cost carrier.

As described above, according to the above-described embodiment, the trial calculation result registration memory 164 in which information can be rewritten is prepared, for example, the extension telephone 2-1 of the source extension to the central office 3
-1 and the telephone number of the destination does not correspond to the carrier identification number of each communication carrier registered in the carrier identification number registration table 1621, the control unit 15 sets the trial calculation result registration memory 164. The charge information corresponding to the company A is stored. The charge information stored in the trial calculation result registration memory 164 and the charge information for each communication carrier registered in the carrier identification number registration table 1621 are sequentially compared by the control unit 15. The storage contents of the trial calculation result registration memory 164 are sequentially rewritten to the charge information of the telecommunications carrier having a low fee, and at the end of the rewriting, the trial calculation result registration memory 164 is stored in the extension of the transmission source.
Since the billing process is performed at the rate of the last registered telecommunications carrier, the telecommunications carrier in the trial calculation memory 164 and the telecommunications carrier in the telecommunications carrier identification number registration table 1621 have the lowest rates. The carrier will be automatically selected. That is, the commonly used A
The company and the communication carrier registered in the carrier identification number registration table 1621 will be preferentially selected for the lower fee.

Therefore, the speaker of the extension telephone 2-1 does not need to perform an operation for selecting a communication carrier,
By simply performing a calling operation, it becomes possible to use the lowest-charged telecommunications carrier, and on the private branch exchange apparatus side, the extension telephone 2-1 can be charged at the lowest-charged telecommunications carrier's fee. become. In particular, even when the priority connection service is started, it is possible to perform optimal call charge management with a small difference from the call charge requested by the communication carrier.

In the above-described embodiment, an example has been described in which the telephone charge of Company A is obtained from the unit price table 1625 and the charge table 1626 of the billing data table 162. However, when the telephone charge of Company A is known in advance. Is the unit price table 1 in the charging data table 162.
625 and the fee table 1626 may not be provided. In the above embodiment, the trial calculation result registration memory 16
In the example described above, the charge information stored in this memory and the company identification number registration table 1621 are registered using a memory storing the charge information of the company A, for example, in addition to the trial calculation result registration memory 164. The charge information for each communication carrier is compared with the charge information for each communication carrier, and based on the comparison result, the charge information stored in the memory and the charge information for each communication carrier registered in the carrier identification number registration table 1621 are set to the low value. It is also possible to select a telecommunications carrier for the fee and perform the charging process for the extension of the transmission source. In this case, the process of step 6f is not required.

In the present invention, an extension telephone has been described as an example of an extension terminal. In addition, even if a personal computer or the like is used as an extension terminal, various modifications may be made without departing from the gist of the present invention. It is feasible.

[0044]

As described in detail above, according to the present invention,
Prepare a registration memory that stores charge information corresponding to carriers other than the carriers registered in the memory table, and make a call from the extension terminal of the source extension to the outside line, and call destination number information If does not correspond to the number information registered in the memory table, the charge information stored in the registration memory is compared with the charge information for each carrier registered in the memory table, and registration is performed based on the comparison result. A low-cost carrier is selected from the fee information stored in the memory and the fee information for each carrier registered in the memory table, and the extension of the transmission source is charged at the fee of the selected carrier. Processing will be performed.

Therefore, even if an operation for selecting a communication carrier is not taken into consideration at the extension terminal side, merely performing a call operation, the communication of the lowest charge of the communication carrier is automatically performed at the extension of the transmission source. Can provide a private branch exchange device that can be charged by the user.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram showing an embodiment of a private branch exchange according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a configuration of a call information table shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a configuration of a billing data table shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a flowchart for explaining the processing operation of the control unit shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a configuration of a call charge table shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 6 is a flowchart for explaining the processing content of step 4i shown in FIG. 4;

[Explanation of symbols]

 2-1 to 2-m: extension telephone, 3-1 to 3-n: office line, 4-1 to 4-o: dedicated line, 5: maintenance terminal, 6: billing console, 11: exchange circuit, 12 -1 to 12-m: extension circuit, 13-1 to 13-n: subscriber circuit, 14-1 to 14-o: dedicated line circuit, 15: control unit, 16: storage unit, 17: control highway, 151 ... Charge comparison means, 152 ... Charge control means, 161 ... Call information table, 162 ... Charge data table, 163 ... Call charge table, 164 ... Estimation result registration memory, 1611 ... Call extension telephone number column, 1612 ... Destination telephone Number column, 1613: Call start time column, 1614: Talk time column, 1621: Operator identification number registration table, 1622: Location registration table, 1623: Frequency unit price table, 1624: Charge table table 1625: Frequency unit price table, 1626: Charge table table, 1627: Installation area code table, 1628: Nationwide square block number table.

 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on the front page F term (reference) 5K025 AA08 BB02 CC01 EE04 EE05 KK08 5K049 AA06 BB04 CC11 EE01 GG02

Claims (3)

[Claims] A plurality of extensions, each of which can be connected to an extension terminal, can be connected to at least one outside line, and at least number information indicating each communication carrier and fee information for each number information are registered. A private branch exchange device that includes a memory table, and performs a billing process for a source extension based on the registered contents of the memory table when a call is transmitted from at least one extension to the outside line. Storage means for storing the charge information corresponding to the other telecommunications carriers, and detecting a call from the extension terminal of the source extension to the outside line,
And when at least a part of the number information of the destination does not match the number information registered in the memory table, the charge information stored in the storage means and the charge information of each communication carrier registered in the memory table A private branch exchange apparatus comprising: comparison means for comparing fee information; and charging control means for performing control relating to charging processing for the source extension based on a comparison result by the comparison means. 2. A plurality of extensions each of which can be connected to an extension terminal, at least one external line can be connected, and at least number information indicating each communication carrier and fee information for each number information are registered. A private branch exchange device that includes a memory table, and performs a billing process for a source extension based on the registered contents of the memory table when a call is transmitted from at least one extension to the outside line. Information rewritable storage means for storing charge information corresponding to a telecommunications carrier other than the above, detecting a call from the extension terminal of the source extension to the outside line,
And when at least a part of the number information of the destination does not match the number information of the communication carrier registered in the memory table, the charge information stored in the storage means and each communication registered in the memory table. Comparing means for comparing the charge information for each business operator; and rewriting the charge information stored in the storage means with the charge information corresponding to the low-charge business based on the comparison result by the comparison means. A private branch exchange comprising: charging control means for performing charging processing for the source extension based on the changed fee information. 3. The charging control unit according to claim 1, wherein the charging control unit performs a charging process corresponding to a communication carrier having a lowest fee for the source extension based on a comparison result by the comparing unit. Private branch exchange.