Patent Application
20220417622
The present invention relates to a telephone switching device, a telephone terminal, a telephone switching system, a method for controlling the telephone switching device, and a control program.
A telephone exchange such as a private branch exchange (PBX) accommodates a plurality of telephones, and an extension number to be used in each telephone is set. Such setting needs to be performed according to an environment of an office in which the telephones are installed. For example, in a free address office employing a free address, it is desirable to set an extension number flexibly.
As related arts, for example, Patent Literatures 1 to 3 are known. Patent Literature 1 describes that, in an IP telephone system for a free address office, by logging in to a telephone installed on a desk, it is possible to temporarily use the telephone as one's own telephone.
Further, Patent Literature 2 describes that, in a telephone system having a personal authentication function, a telephone on a calling side performs user authentication and transmits identification information of a caller to a telephone on a receiving side, and the telephone on the receiving side displays the identification information of the caller being received from the telephone on the calling side. Patent Literature 3 describes that, in a telephone system, a plurality of extension numbers each used by each of a plurality of users are assigned to an extension telephone, and when a call is received, a user name associated to a destination extension number is audio-output.
[Patent Literature 1] Japanese Unexamined Patent Application No. 2007-142621
[Patent Literature 2] Japanese Unexamined Patent Application No. 2006-174109
[Patent Literature 3] Japanese Unexamined Patent Application No. H08-191467
In Patent Literature 1, a telephone installed on a desk of a free address office can be temporarily used as one's own telephone. However, in the free address office, the number of telephones installed on the desks may be smaller than the number of seats, but in Patent Literature 1, such a case is not considered.
For this reason, in a related art as in Patent Literature 1, when there are more users than the number of installed telephones, there is a possibility that not all users can use the telephones. Therefore, in the related art, there is a problem that it may be difficult for a plurality of users each to flexibly use one telephone (telephone terminal).
In view of the above problem, an object of the present disclosure is to provide a telephone switching device, a telephone terminal, a telephone switching system, a method for controlling the telephone switching device, and a control program that enable a plurality of users to flexibly use one telephone terminal.
The telephone switching device according to the present disclosure includes: a storage unit configured to store a registration table registering a plurality of personal telephone numbers for each telephone terminal; an acquisition unit configured to acquire an authentication result of a user with respect to the telephone terminal; a registration unit configured to associate the telephone terminal and a personal telephone number of the user with each other and register the associated telephone terminal and personal telephone number in the registration table according to the acquired authentication result; and a control unit configured to control outgoing/incoming calls using the personal telephone number of the user in the telephone terminal, based on the registered registration table.
The telephone terminal according to the present disclosure includes: an authentication unit configured to make an authentication request, based on input authentication information of a user; an acquisition unit configured to acquire an authentication result with respect to the authentication request and a personal telephone number of the user; a setting unit configured to set an incoming call output operation for each of a plurality of personal telephone numbers including the acquired personal telephone number; and an output unit configured to perform an incoming call output operation according to an incoming personal telephone number, based on the set incoming call output operation.
A telephone switching system according to the present disclosure includes the above-described telephone switching device and the above-described telephone terminal.
A method for controlling a telephone switching device according to the present disclosure is a method for controlling the above-described telephone switching device. A control program according to the present disclosure is a program for executing the method for controlling the above-described telephone switching device.
According to the present disclosure, it is possible to provide a telephone switching device, a telephone terminal, a telephone switching system, a method for controlling the telephone switching device, and a control program that enable a plurality of users to flexibly use one telephone terminal.
Currently, as part of work style reform, companies are introducing a telework system that enables a flexible work style that is not restricted by place and time, and a free address system that does not require fixed seats, and is trying to improve productivity, work efficiency, and work-life balance of each employee.
Satellite office work in teleworking allows workers to work at a different place from their original place of work, and office styles such as free address allow each employee to work at a freely selected seat rather than at a fixed seat that is predesignated.
One of challenges in such a work style is to ensure a means of communication between employees and customers.
There are various means of communication, such as chat, e-mail, and Web conferencing, as a means of communication between employees and customers. Among these means, voice communication by telephone has already been introduced by many companies, and voice communication by telephone is an indispensable means of communication because it enables real-time communication. However, when a mobile device such as a mobile phone or smartphone is distributed to each employee for voice communication, there is a problem that a communication cost of a company becomes large. In addition, there is a system called Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) in which private smart devices owned by individuals are used for business, but it is difficult to introduce this system easily because it requires companies to take security measures against information leakage and the like.
Therefore, the inventor has examined a system using a telephone exchange accommodating a multi-function telephone in order to secure a communication means capable of coping with such an increasingly diverse office environment. However, in order to change data of a telephone exchange, work by a person in charge of installation who specializes in such work is necessary, and there is a problem that real-time performance and flexibility are lacking.
For example, even when the number of shared telephones installed in a free address office is smaller than the number of users, it is necessary that all the users can use the installed shared telephones as their own dedicated telephones. In Patent Literature 1, in a free address office in which the number of installed telephones is small compared to the number of seats, there may be a user who cannot use a telephone when the number of users who are present is more than the number of installed telephones. Further, in Patent Literatures 2 and 3, it is not possible for a plurality of persons to jointly use one shared telephone by simultaneously personal-authenticating on the one shared telephone.
Therefore, in the following example embodiment, to enable one telephone to be shared by an unspecified number of users, data of a telephone exchange are automatically changed while security is ensured, and thereby flexible change of line information accommodated in a multi-function telephone is enabled.
As illustrated in
As illustrated in
As described above, in the example embodiment, since the telephone terminal and the personal telephone number (extension number) of the user are automatically registered in association with each other according to the authentication result of the user with respect to the telephone terminal, even when the number of users is larger than the number of shared telephones installed in the free address office, all the users can simultaneously use the shared telephone in the same way as their own dedicated telephones.
Specifically, according to the example embodiment, by installing a multi-function telephone having a function for performing personal authentication in a satellite office or a free address floor and realizing a means for flexibly and automatically changing a sub-line (extension number) accommodated in the multi-function telephone, it is possible to secure a means of voice communication while securing security and mobility of a user not only when the multi-function telephone is used by one user but also when the multi-function telephone is shared by a plurality of users.
Hereinafter, a first example embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings. First, a configuration of a telephone switching system according to the present example embodiment will be described.
In the telephone switching system 2, the telephone switching apparatus 100 accommodates the multi-function telephone 200 that uses a plurality of extension numbers, and the multi-function telephone 200 is enabled to be shared by a plurality of users by using personal authentication. In order to achieve such sharing, the multi-function telephone 200 has a function for performing personal authentication of a user, the personal authentication system 300 has a function such as biometric authentication of a user, the personal database 310 manages an extension number for a user to be authenticated, and the telephone exchange 100 has an interface that enables change of telephone data (registered data) from the personal authentication system 300.
The telephone exchange 100, the plurality of multi-function telephones 200, and the personal authentication system 300 are communicably connected via a network 400 such as a local area network (LAN). The personal database 310 may be connected to the personal authentication system 300 directly or via a LAN 400.
The multi-function telephone 200 is an extension telephone installed in a satellite office, a free address floor, a conference room, or the like, and is a shared telephone that can be shared by a plurality of users. When a plurality of users perform personal authentication on one multi-function telephone 200 and succeed in the authentication, each of the plurality of users is able to use the one multi-function telephone 200 as a personal dedicated telephone. Functions of the dedicated telephone include a call using a personal telephone number, setting of a one-touch button for a person, and the like.
The multi-function telephone 200 includes an authentication device 210 for inputting authentication data necessary for personal authentication of a plurality of users. The authentication device 210 is, for example, an ID/password input means for ID/password authentication, an IC card reader for IC card authentication (employee ID card authentication), a camera for face authentication, or another biometric information input means for biometric authentication. The authentication device 210 may be a device external to the multi-function telephone 200, or may be an internal device of the multi-function telephone 200.
The multi-function telephone 200 includes, for example, a communication interface (IF) 201, a storage unit 202, an authentication unit 203, a display unit 204, a speaker 205, a microphone 206, an operation unit 207, and a control unit 208 in order to achieve personal authentication and functions necessary for a shared telephone.
The communication IF 201 is a communication unit that communicates with the telephone exchange 100 and the personal authentication system 300 via the network 400. For example, the communication IF 201 transmits/receives data and a message related to personal authentication to/from the personal authentication system 300, and transmits/receives data and messages related to outgoing/incoming calls and a call to/from the telephone exchange 100.
The storage unit 202 stores data necessary for an operation of the multi-function telephone 200. For example, the storage unit 202 stores identification information (unique data) of the multi-function telephone 200, information such as an extension number of a plurality of users who have succeeded in personal authentication, a ringtone and an incoming call lamp, which are different for each extension number, and stores information for personal authentication (collation data associated with an extension number), and the like, as necessary. It can also be said that the storage unit 202 is a setting unit for setting personal setting information such as an incoming call output operation of each of a plurality of extension numbers, a one-touch button, and a telephone directory. The personal setting information for each extension number may be set in advance in the storage unit 202, or may be set in accordance with an operation and the like of a user registered when a registration result is acquired from the telephone exchange 100. It can also be said that the display unit 204 and the speaker 205 are output units that perform different incoming call output operations for each incoming extension number, based on personal setting information in the storage unit 202.
The authentication unit 203 executes processing necessary for personal authentication of a plurality of users. For example, the authentication unit 203 acquires authentication data (ID/password information, IC card information, face image information, another type of biometric information, and the like.) input by a user via the authentication device 210, and transmits the acquired authentication data and identification information of the multi-function telephone 200 to the personal authentication system 300 via the communication IF 201 and the network 400 (performs an authentication request). In addition, the authentication unit 203 performs authentication processing for identifying a user as necessary when a call is made or received. The authentication unit 203 may identify an originating extension number, according to an authentication result of a user who performs a calling operation.
The display unit 204 displays necessary information when a call is made/received and during a call. The display unit 204 displays an originating extension number (external line number), name of a caller, a destinating extension number (external line number), name of a callee, and the like when a call is made or received. It is preferable that the display unit 204 provides different display for each user's extension number to be used. For example, when a call is received, the display unit 204 performs display by using a display method (such as a color or blinking of an incoming call lamp) assigned to an incoming extension number.
The speaker 205 outputs voice or the like when a call is made/ received and during a call. The speaker 205 preferably outputs different sounds for each user's extension number to be used. For example, when a call is received, the speaker 205 sounds with a ringtone assigned to an extension number being called. The microphone 206 is used by a user to input voice during a call. The operation unit 207 is a button, a touch panel, or the like, and receives a user operation necessary for personal authentication and making/receiving a call. The control unit 208 is a control unit that controls an operation of each unit of the multi-function telephone 200. For example, the control unit (acquisition unit) 208 acquires an authentication result and an extension number (registration result) of an authenticated user from the telephone exchange 100, and controls call origination/reception operations and a call operation for each user by using the acquired extension number.
The personal authentication system 300 is an authentication device that executes personal authentication processing of a plurality of users using the multi-function telephone 200. The personal authentication system 300 may be provided inside the telephone exchange 100. The personal authentication system 300 includes, for example, a communication IF 301, a storage unit 302, an authentication unit 303, and a search unit 304 in order to achieve functions necessary for executing personal authentication processing.
The communication IF 301 is a communication unit that performs communication with the multi-function telephone 200 and the telephone exchange 100 via the network 400. For example, the communication IF 301 transmits/receives data and a message related to personal authentication to/from the multi-function telephone 200, and transmits/receives data and a message related to an extension number of the multi-function telephone 200 to/from the telephone exchange 100.
The storage unit 302 stores data necessary for an operation of the personal authentication system 300. For example, the storage unit 302 stores verification data for personal authentication and personal data (personal identification information) for identifying a person in association with each other.
The authentication unit 303 receives data and the like necessary for personal authentication of a plurality of users from the multi-function telephone 200 via the communication IF 301 and the network 400, and performs personal authentication processing. The personal authentication processing is ID/password authentication processing for authenticating a user by using ID/password information, IC card authentication processing for authenticating a user by using IC card information, face authentication processing for authenticating a user by using face image information, biometric authentication processing for authenticating a user by using another type of biometric information such as a fingerprint, or the like. The authentication unit 303 refers to collation data in the storage unit 302, and authenticates and identifies a person, based on authentication data acquired through the multi-function telephone 200. Specifically, when the authentication succeeds, a person can be identified, based on personal data associated with verification data that match authentication data of a user.
The searching unit 304 refers to the personal database 310, and searches for extension numbers and the like (authentication results) of a plurality of successfully authenticated users. The personal database (extension number database) 310 stores personal data and extension numbers (extension number information) in association with each other. In cooperation with the personal database 310, the search unit 304 acquires an extension number associated with a person identified by the authentication processing, and transmits the identified extension number and the identification information of the multi-function telephone 200 to the telephone exchange 100 via the communication IF 301 and the network 400. It can also be said that the search unit 304 is a conversion processing unit that converts personal data of a user who has been successfully authenticated into an extension number.
The telephone exchange 100 is a PBX or the like, and is a telephone switching device that accommodates a plurality of multi-function telephones 200 and registers an extension number of the accommodated multi-function telephone 200. The telephone exchange 100 includes, for example, a communication IF 101, a storage unit 102, a registration unit 103, and a control unit 104 in order to achieve registration of an extension number and functions necessary for the telephone switching device.
The communication IF 101 is a communication unit that communicates with the multi-function telephone 200 and the personal authentication system 300 via the network 400. For example, the communication IF 101 transmits/receives data and a message related to an extension number of the multifunction telephone 200 to/from the personal authentication system 300, and transmits/receives data and a message related to outgoing/incoming calls and a call to/from the multi-function telephone 200.
The storage unit 102 stores data necessary for an operation of the telephone exchange 100. For example, the storage unit 102 stores a registration table 102a for registering a plurality of extension numbers (sub-lines) for each of the multi-function telephones 200.
The registration unit 103 receives an extension number and the like from the personal authentication system 300 via the communication IF 101 and the network 400. It can also be said that the registration unit 103 is an acquisition unit for acquiring an authentication result (extension number and the like) of a user with respect to the multi-function telephone 200. The registration unit 103 receives extension numbers of a plurality of successfully authenticated users and identification information of the multi-function telephone 200, and automatically registers (adds), in the registration table 102a, the plurality of extension numbers received as sub-lines of the multi-function telephone 200 from these pieces of information. When a user performs a registration deletion operation of the user's own extension number on the multi-function telephone 200, the registration unit 103 deletes the extension number from the registration table 102a (cancels a sub-line setting). As a method of canceling sub-line registration, instead of a user himself/herself performing a cancel operation, a data setting of an original multi-function telephone may be changed when the user performs personal authentication with another multi-function telephone and performs sub-line registration.
The control unit 104 is a control unit that controls an operation of each unit of the telephone exchange 100, and controls outgoing/incoming calls and a call for each extension number of the multi-function telephone 200, based on, for example, the registration table 102a. The control unit 104 refers to the registration table 102a and performs control in such a way as that an incoming call to a registered extension number is received by the multi-function telephone 200.
With the configuration as illustrated in
Next, an operation of the telephone switching system according to the present example embodiment will be described. Although registration and outgoing/incoming call by one user will be described below, in the present example embodiment, a plurality of sub-lines (extension numbers) can be accommodated in a multi-function telephone, and by performing the following operation for a plurality of users, one multi-function telephone can be shared and used.
Next, the authentication unit 303 of the personal authentication system 300 performs authentication processing (S 106). The authentication unit 303 collates the authentication data received from the multi-function telephone 200 with collation data registered in advance in the storage unit 302, and identifies a person. At this occasion, when there is no collation data in the storage unit 202 that match the authentication data, i.e., when the person cannot be identified, it is determined that an authentication error has occurred, and an error result is transmitted to the multi-function telephone 200 (S107), and the processing is suspended.
On the other hand, when the collation data matching the authentication data exist in the storage unit 202, specifically, when the person is identified, the search unit 304 executes search processing (S108). For example, the search unit 304 transmits an authentication result of the user (personal data corresponding to the collation data) to the personal database 310, and collates, from the personal database 310 storing an extension number associated with each person, the extension number associated with the personal data. The personal database 310 returns am extension number search result of the user (the extension number associated with the personal data) to the personal authentication system 300. The search unit 304 transmits the extension number (e.g., “1111”) included in the returned result to the telephone exchange 100 together with the identification information of the multi-function telephone 200 requiring data change (S109).
Next, the registration unit 103 of the telephone exchange 100 executes data change processing of the multi-function telephone 200 (S110). The registration unit 103 changes, in the registration table 102a, sub-line data (extension number) of the multi-function telephone 200. For example, when the identification information “XXX.XXX.XXX.001” and the extension number “1111” of the multi-function telephone 200 are received, the identification information “XXX.XXX.XXX.001” and the extension number “1111” are associated with each other and registered in the registration table 102a as illustrated in
As illustrated in
When the call reception request message is received, the control unit 104 of the telephone exchange 100 refers to the registration table 102a, selects the multi-function telephone 200 (for example, the telephone having the identification information “XXX.XXX.XXX.001”) associated with the destinating extension number included in the received call reception request message (S202), and transmits the call reception request message to the selected multi-function telephone 200 (S203).
Subsequently, when the call reception request message is received from the telephone exchange 100, the control unit 208 of the multi-function telephone 200 performs an incoming call operation according to the destinating extension number included in the received call reception request message. For example, a ringtone relevant to the destinating extension number is sounded from the speaker 205 (S204) and the destinating extension number and an incoming call lump is displayed on the display unit 204 (S205), based on information on the ringtone and the incoming call lump relevant to the extension number, which is registered in the storage unit 202 in advance.
By making it possible to set different ringtones and incoming call lamps for each extension number (sub-line) in the multi-function telephone 200, it is possible to determine which user a call is addressed, based on a ringtone and an incoming call lamp, even in a case in which the multi-function telephone 200 is shared by a plurality of users. As a result, it is not necessary to prepare a multi-function telephone or a mobile device for each person, and it is possible to construct an efficient telephone system with a reduced running cost.
Further, the control unit 208 of the multi-function telephone 200 returns an incoming call message for the originating telephone to the telephone exchange 100 (S206). The incoming call message includes the destinating extension number (e.g., “1111”). Further, the control unit 104 of the telephone exchange 100 transmits the returned incoming call message to the originating telephone (S207).
Subsequently, the user performs an answer operation on the operation unit 207 of the multi-function telephone 200 (S208). At this occasion, authentication processing is performed in order to identify the user who performs the answer operation (S209). This authentication processing may be executed by the authentication unit 203 of the multi-function telephone 200, or may be executed by requesting the personal authentication system 300 to perform authentication. The authentication succeeds when the authentication data of the user input to the authentication device 210 match collation data of the user of the incoming extension number. When another user who is present answers the call on behalf of the user, the authentication processing may be omitted and the another user may answer the call.
When the authentication is successful, the control unit 208 of the multi-function telephone 200 transmits an answer message for the originating telephone to the telephone exchange 100 (S210). The answer message includes the extension number of the destinating extension number (e.g., “1111”). Further, the control unit 104 of the telephone exchange 100 transmits the received answer message to the originating telephone (S211). As a result, communication (call) is enabled, and therefore the control unit 208 of the multi-function telephone 200 displays, on the display unit 204, the extension number with which the communication is enabled (S212), and the communication using the microphone 206 and the speaker 205 with the originating telephone is initiated(S213).
As illustrated in
For example, data of a telephone directory used by the identified user may be displayed on the display unit 204 of the multi-function telephone 200, or a one-touch button for the identified user may be used. In a case in which another user who is present originates a call on behalf of the user, the authentication processing may be omitted and the another user may select an originating extension number. A destinating telephone may be a telephone accommodated in the telephone exchange 100 or a telephone on an external network. Specifically, a telephone number of the destinating telephone may be an extension number or an external number.
When the authentication is successful, the control unit 208 of the multi-function telephone 200 transmits a call origination request message for the destinating telephone to the telephone exchange 100 (S303). The call origination request message includes a telephone number of the destinating telephone input by the user and the originating extension number (e.g., “1111”) of the user identified by the authentication. Further, the control unit 104 of the telephone exchange 100 transmits the received call origination request message to the destinating telephone (S304).
Next, the telephone exchange 100 receives an incoming call message for the extension number of the originating multi-function telephone 200 from the destinating telephone (S305). Then, similarly to S202 in the case of the incoming call, the control unit 104 of the telephone exchange 100 refers to the registration table 102a, selects the multi-function telephone 200 (for example, the telephone having the identification information “XXX.XXX.XXX.001”) associated with the originating extension number included in the received incoming call message (S306), and transmits the incoming call message to the selected multi-function telephone 200 (S307).
Subsequently, when the incoming call message from the telephone exchange 100 is received, the control unit 208 of the multi-function telephone 200 displays, on the display unit 204, an indication of the incoming call (S308). At this occasion, display according to the originating extension number may be performed in a similar way as in the case of the incoming call.
Next, when the answer operation is performed on the destinating telephone, the telephone exchange 100 receives an answer message for the extension number of the originating multi-function telephone 200 from the destinating telephone (S309). Then, similarly to S202 and S306 in the case of the incoming call, the control unit 104 of the telephone exchange 100 refers to the registration table 102a, selects the multi-function telephone 200 associated with the originating extension number included in the received answer message (S310), and transmits the answer message to the selected multi-function telephone 200 (S311). As a result, communication (call) is enabled, and therefore the control unit 208 of the multi-function telephone 200 displays, on the display unit 204, the extension number with which the communication is enabled (S312), and the communication using the microphone 206 and the speaker 205 with the destinating telephone is initiated(S313).
As described above, in the present example embodiment, a user who wants to use an extension telephone performs personal authentication from an extension telephone such as a multi-function telephone used in an enterprise, thereby an extension number associated with the user is identified and automatic registration of the extension number as one of lines (sub-lines) of the extension telephone is enabled. In addition, extension numbers of a plurality of users who have completed personal authentication can be registered as sub-lines in one extension telephone, and thereby the one extension telephone can be shared by the plurality of users.
Note that, such data setting of an extension telephone usually requires data change by a person in charge of installation who specialized in such work, but by enabling real-time and automatic registration and deletion in the system, a flexible telephone system can be constructed that does not fix a place where a user works.
By introducing the system according to the present example embodiment, a user can use a shared multi-function telephone as if it were his/her own terminal regardless of a place where he/she works, and can secure a voice communication means. An enterprise does not need to prepare a mobile device for each person and can construct a flexible telephone system, and therefore it is possible to reduce a burden of a communication cost.
Note that, the present disclosure is not limited to the above-mentioned example embodiment, and can be modified as appropriate within a range not deviating from the scope of the present disclosure. For example, in the above example embodiment, instead of the multi-function telephone capable of accommodating a plurality of lines (sub-lines), a telephone having a similar function and sharing a soft phone operating on a personal computer or a smartphone may be used.
Each configuration in the above-described example embodiment is configured by a hardware, software, or both, and may be configured by one hardware or software, or may be configured by a plurality of hardware or software. A function (processing) of each device may be achieved by a computer having a CPU, a memory, and the like. For example, a program for performing the method according to the example embodiment (control method for the telephone switching device) may be stored in a storage device, and each function may be achieved by executing the program stored in the storage device by the CPU.
These programs may be stored by using various types of non-transitory computer readable medium and can be supplied to the computer. The non-transitory computer readable medium includes various types of tangible storage medium. Examples of the non-transitory computer readable medium include a magnetic recording medium (e.g., a flexible disk, a magnetic tape, a hard disk drive), a magneto-optical recording medium (e.g., a magneto-optical disk), a read only memory (CD-ROM), a CD-R, a CD-R/W, and a semiconductor memory (e.g., a mask ROM, a programmable ROM (PROM), erasable PROM (EPROM), Flash ROM, random access memory (RAM)). Further, the program may be supplied to the computer by various types of transitory computer readable medium. Examples of the transitory computer-readable medium include an electrical signal, an optical signal, and an electromagnetic wave. The transitory computer readable medium may supply the program to the computer via a wired or wireless communication path, such as an electrical wire and an optical fiber.
Although the present invention has been described above with reference to the example embodiment, the present invention is not limited to the above. Various modifications that can be understood by a person skilled in the art can be made to a structure and details of the present invention within the scope of the present invention.
This application is based upon and claims priority from Japanese Patent Application No. 2019-224566, filed on Dec. 12, 2019, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.
| Number | Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2019-224566 | Dec 2019 | JP | national |
| Filing Document | Filing Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| PCT/JP2020/043526 | 11/20/2020 | WO |
