JP2003078620A - Line exchange information processing device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To perform a telephone call by utilizing an electronic mail address, which can be acquired more easily than a telephone number, even without knowing the telephone number of a party and to reduce the risk of leaking personal information from the telephone number or of troublesome telephone call or the like by utilizing the electronic mail address. SOLUTION: The telephone line of each of the persons concerned (caller and callee of telephone) is connected to a line exchange assigned with a telephone number except for a telephone number (assigned to a telephone set to be utilized) of the person concerned, and that telephone line is exchanged and connected by utilizing the line exchange information processing device.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a device for making a line connection.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art When a caller who makes a call makes a call to a callee who can make a call, he first inputs the telephone number of the callee's telephone on the telephone. Then, the IAM containing the information of the telephone number of the called party
(Initial address message)
Is sent from the caller's telephone to the exchange. The exchange uses the information of the telephone number of the called party contained in the IAM to exchange the line by connecting the telephone line connected to the caller's telephone and the telephone line connected to the called party's telephone. Connect to make a line connection. As a result, it becomes possible to send and receive voice signals, etc., and to talk. In the present specification, “telephone” refers to all electronic devices having a telephone function. For example, fixed phone, mobile phone, PHS, IP
Examples include phones. The “switch connection” means that an exchange connects two telephone lines from a plurality of telephone lines by hardware or software. The "line connection" means that a telephone line is connected by the exchange connection made by the above-mentioned exchange so that signals can be transmitted and received between the devices (for example, telephones) via the telephone line. In addition, switched connection is a broad concept that also includes packet switched connections. In addition, line connection is a broad concept including those that connect senders and receivers by packet communication.

As described above, in order to make an exchange connection for making a call, it is necessary for the caller to send the telephone number information of the called party to the exchange by dialing (inputting) the telephone. Therefore, it was not possible to use the telephone to talk to the called party without knowing the called party's telephone number. In addition, for example, in an IP telephone, which is a telephone using packet communication, also based on the IP address of the called party input by the caller and the telephone number assigned for the IP telephone,
The exchange sorts the packets and sends them. Therefore, the packetized data will not be transmitted to the IP telephone of the callee without knowing the IP address of the callee or the telephone number assigned for the IP telephone. Therefore, it was not possible to talk to the called party.

[0004]

With the development and spread of information communication technology such as the Internet, it has become possible to easily get to know people who have never met. For example, it is possible to get close to some extent without actually meeting with the other person through an electronic bulletin board, chat, electronic mail, or the like. With a certain degree of familiarity, you may want to try not only to communicate on the Internet but also to talk using your voice over the telephone. For that purpose, it becomes necessary to inform the other party of his / her own telephone number. However, there is a certain risk in notifying a person who has never met the person such as a telephone number. The telephone number of a telephone is often described in a telephone directory together with personal information such as one's address and name.
In other words, a third party can easily know the personal information by using the telephone number as a clue. Therefore, if the third party is a malicious person, there is a risk of misuse of personal information. Also,
Even if the personal information is not misused, a malicious third party may know the telephone number and cause a nuisance call such as a prank call.

Further, since mobile phones and PHSs are closely attached to daily life, if a telephone number is known, a nuisance call such as a mischievous call may occur and there is a risk of interruption of daily activities.

[0006]

In order to solve the above problems, the present invention assigns telephone numbers other than the telephone numbers (assigned to the telephones used) of the parties (the caller and the callee of the telephone). The respective telephone lines of the parties are line-connected to the line exchange, and the telephone lines are exchange-connected using the line exchange information processing device. For that purpose, for example, an electronic mail address may be used.
In other words, a telephone set identified by each email address of both parties of the call ("a telephone set identified by an email address" refers to a telephone set that can be used by a person who uses the email address. The same shall apply hereinafter.) A circuit switching information processing device for connecting a telephone line is provided.

The circuit-switched information processing apparatus of the present invention connects a unit for acquiring electronic mail addresses used by both parties of a call, a telephone and a circuit switch to be described later for switching connection between the two telephone lines. Based on the line connection information acquired by the part that acquires information for connection (mainly acquired from the exchange) and the line connection information acquired by each e-mail address as a destination, the telephone and the line exchange identified by each e-mail address And a unit for transmitting calling information which is information for calling to connect to the line.

If it is an electronic mail address, it is not easy for a third party to easily know personal information by using it as a clue. In addition, the danger when a telephone number of a mobile phone, PHS, or the like is known can be easily prevented if the e-mail address is an e-mail address because the e-mail data stored in the mail server can be received at any time.

Further, in the present specification, the term "line switch" is not limited to a switch used for conventional communication by occupying a line, but an ATM used for packet communication.
(Asynchronous transfer mode) This is a broad concept including exchanges.

[0010]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIGS. 1 to 18. The present invention should not be narrowly interpreted by these embodiments.

<First Embodiment>

The first embodiment is circuit switching information for connecting the telephone line from the telephone specified by the first electronic mail address and the telephone line from the telephone specified by the second electronic mail address. It is a processing device.

FIG. 1 is an example of a conceptual diagram of the call system in this embodiment. This calling system
The circuit switching information processing apparatus, the circuit switch, the electronic mail terminal capable of sending and receiving electronic mail, and the telephone.

First, an outline of the processing flow of this telephone system will be described. As shown in this figure, α wants to make a call to β. α is an electronic mail address of an electronic mail terminal that can use β (actually, it may be an electronic mail address of a remote computer that can use β.
Hereinafter, this is referred to as “β email address” in this specification. In addition, the notation “e-mail address of α” has the same meaning. ) Has been obtained. α is relative to β,
The process for making a call without knowing the β telephone number (hereinafter, the β telephone number is referred to as “telephone number β”, and “telephone number α” etc. has the same meaning) is performed from the following six steps. Become. In step A, α is to the telephone specified by the electronic mail address of β to the circuit switching information processing apparatus (hereinafter referred to as “telephone β”. “Telephone α” and the like have the same meaning). The line connection request e-mail, which is the e-mail for requesting the line connection, is sent from the α-mail terminal (hereinafter referred to as “e-mail terminal α”. The same applies to “e-mail terminal β”). Send.
This line connection request e-mail also contains information on the β e-mail address. In step B, the circuit switching information processing device that receives the circuit connection request e-mail from α acquires β acquired from the circuit connection request e-mail from α.
The connection information e-mail is sent to the e-mail address of. Here, the "connection information electronic mail" means an electronic mail including connection information including a telephone number for connecting a line to the circuit switch. The telephone number for connecting the line to the circuit switch is mainly acquired from the circuit switch, but the acquisition source is not necessarily limited thereto. For example, it can be obtained from a recording device or the like in which the telephone number of the circuit switch is recorded beforehand. In step C, β confirms the connection information electronic mail transmitted from the circuit switching information processing device by the electronic mail terminal β, calls the circuit switching device based on the connection information, and connects the circuit to the circuit switching device. In step D, the circuit switching information processing apparatus sends (replies) the connection information electronic mail to the electronic mail address α. Here, the telephone number for connecting to the circuit switch included in the connection information electronic mail transmitted (replied) to α may be the same as the telephone number transmitted to β or may be different. In step E, the connection information e-mail transmitted (replied) from α by the circuit switching information processing device is confirmed by the electronic mail terminal α, and the line switching device is called based on the connection information to connect to the circuit switching device. To do. F
In this step, this line switching system
A telephone line connecting the and is connected and a telephone line connecting the line switch and the telephone set β are exchange-connected. Therefore, the telephone set α and the telephone set β can be connected to each other to make a call.

Further, in the above call system, if a telephone having an e-mail transmission / reception function is used instead of an e-mail terminal and a telephone having an e-mail transmission / reception function, for example, a mobile phone or a PHS, the above-mentioned call is more easily performed. It becomes possible to implement the system. Therefore, the term "e-mail address" includes not only an address used on a general Internet but also an e-mail address of an e-mail used by a mobile phone or PHS. In addition, the order from the A step to the F step in this communication system is such that the A step starts and the F step ends, and the D step is performed before the E step and the B step is performed before the C step. If performed first, the order from B step to E step does not matter. Further, in the above call system, when the circuit-switched information processing device acquires the α and β e-mail addresses, α and β transmit the α and β e-mail addresses to the circuit-switched information processing device in advance. , Α and β e-mail addresses may be stored. Further, the timing for acquiring the telephone number for connecting the line to the circuit switch included in the connection information may be any time before the connection information electronic mail is transmitted.

A system in which α requests a circuit connection using a website or the like instead of transmitting a circuit connection request e-mail including the e-mail address of β to the circuit switching information processing apparatus is also conceivable.

FIG. 2 shows an example of a concrete display screen on the display of the website. As shown in this figure, for example, the name of the person who can request a connection using this website (not necessarily the real name) is displayed on the display. In addition, a part for entering your name and a button for requesting connection are also displayed.

FIG. 3 is an example of a conceptual diagram of a call system in the case of requesting a line connection using a website. This call system includes an information providing server including a circuit switching information processing device (actually, the information providing server and the circuit switching information processing device may be connected by a line), a circuit switching device, and an internet connection. A personal computer and a telephone having a function of transmitting and receiving e-mail (of course, a terminal and a telephone having a function of transmitting and receiving e-mail may be used). As shown in this figure, for example, α accesses a website using a personal computer connected to the Internet. Then that W
HTML (page description language used when creating a home page) data of a website is transmitted from an information providing server accumulating data of an eb site to a personal computer. A display screen as illustrated in FIG. 2 is displayed on the display of the personal computer based on the transmitted website data. Further, in the information providing server, the e-mail address used by the person who can request the connection is the information of the person who can request the connection (for example,
It is stored in association with the name displayed on the display). From among the displayed names, α selects the name of the person who wants to make a call (for example, “β”). Then, enter your name (for example, "α") to notify β and click the connection request button on the display. Then, the information that β was selected and the input α
The information of the name of etc. is transmitted to the information providing server. Further, here, the information providing server is a telephone number for connecting to the circuit switch (for example, "456-xxxxxx").
Information and so on. The information providing server is β
"The line connection request was received from α, with the email address of β accumulated in association with.
The phone number to call α is 456- ××××. ''
The information for connecting the line to the line exchange is transmitted. When the information providing server receives a signal from β that acknowledges the call, "The call was accepted from β.
The phone number to call β is 987- △△△△. The information (2) for connecting to the circuit switch such as "." Is transmitted. After that, similarly to the above-mentioned call system, α and β call the line exchanges from their respective telephones to establish a line connection. Then, the line switch exchanges and connects both lines, and α and β can talk.

FIG. 4 shows an example of a functional block diagram of the circuit switching information processing apparatus of this embodiment. As shown in this figure, the circuit switching information processing apparatus 0400 has a first e-mail address acquisition unit 0401, a second e-mail address acquisition unit 0402, and a line connection information acquisition unit 0403.
And a first call information transmission unit 0404 and a second call information transmission unit 0405.

First e-mail address acquisition unit 0401
Has a function of acquiring the first e-mail address. The first e-mail address acquisition unit 0401 can be considered to acquire the first e-mail address in the following form. For example, in the call system described above,
Acquires somehow the β email address, which is the first email address. α transmits an electronic mail including the electronic mail address information of β to the circuit switching information processing apparatus 0400 of this embodiment as a circuit connection request electronic mail. In this way, the first electronic mail address acquisition unit 0401 acquires the first electronic mail address. Alternatively, for example, the circuit switching information processing apparatus 0400 may obtain the first email address β email address in a pre-registered form. In this case, α will send the line connection request mail in the form of selecting the β email address that the user desires to call from the email addresses registered in advance.

Second electronic mail address acquisition unit 0402
Has a function of acquiring the second electronic mail address. Here, for example, the second electronic mail address is the electronic mail address of α in the above-mentioned communication system. Then, by acquiring the e-mail address of α included in the header part of the line connection request e-mail received from α, the second e-mail address acquisition unit 0402
Gets a second email address. Alternatively, the second e-mail address acquisition unit 0402 may have previously acquired the second e-mail address by a method such as registration in advance.

The line connection information acquisition unit 0403 has a function of acquiring line connection information for connecting the two telephone lines. The "line connection information" is information for making a line connection by making a call to a line exchange that makes a line exchange connection, which will be described later. For example, information about a telephone number assigned to a circuit switch can be cited.

Regarding the telephone number assigned to the circuit switch, the following cases can be considered. When there is only one telephone number assigned to the circuit switch, the line connection information includes information on that one telephone number. If there are multiple telephone numbers assigned to the circuit switch,
The line connection information includes a free telephone number among a plurality of telephone numbers. The "vacant telephone number" is a telephone number that can input (connect) a new line signal to the line connection terminal of the line exchange. Further, for example, when all the telephone numbers of the circuit switch are occupied, information for notifying the fact is also included. "The telephone number is full" means that all the terminals for line connection that the line exchange has are used. Of course, it is not limited that the line connection information acquisition unit 0403 acquires the line connection information only from the line exchange.

The first outgoing call information transmission unit 0404 addresses the first electronic mail address as a destination, and uses the second electronic mail address based on the line connection information acquired by the line connection information acquisition unit. It has a function of transmitting first call information which is information for the first call for connecting to the specified telephone. The line connection information is directly or indirectly changed to the first call information (without changing the purpose of the information. For example, the telephone number is specified instead of including the telephone number value. This is the case when the identification information is included.)

The second outgoing call information transmission unit 0405 specifies the second electronic mail address as a destination and specifies the first electronic mail address based on the line connection information acquired by the line connection information acquisition unit. The second call information, which is information for the second call for connecting to the telephone set, is transmitted. Examples of the first or second call information include information such as "Please dial 012-3456- □□□□ from the telephone." Also, if the line connection information is that all the telephone lines of the circuit switch are occupied, the information is "The line is busy right now, so please have it for a while and send an email again." To be

In addition, when call refusal information, which is information for refusing a telephone call from a person who uses the telephone specified by the first e-mail address, is included in the second call information instead of the line connection information. There is also. In that case, the second call information may be, for example, information that "Call has been refused by Mr. XX".

As described above, the circuit switching information processing device 040
The line connection information acquisition unit 0403 acquires line connection information including information such as a telephone number for making a line connection by calling the line switch. Then, with the first and second electronic mail addresses acquired by the first and second electronic mail address acquisition units 0401 and 0402 as the destinations, the first and second call information transmission units 040
From 4, 0405, the first and second calling information based on the acquired line connection information is transmitted. As a result, the person who wants to make a call and the person who wants to make a call are
By using 0, it is possible to obtain information such as a telephone number for connecting to the circuit switch. Then, based on the acquired information such as the telephone number, a person who wants to make a call and a person who wants to make a call make a call from the telephones to be used to make a line connection to the line exchange. Then, the line exchange exchange-connects both lines of the telephone line-connected as described above. Therefore, the person who wants the call and the telephone of the person who wants the call can be connected to the line to make a call. As described above, by using the circuit-switched information processing apparatus according to the present embodiment, even if the telephone number of the other party is unknown, the telephones of the other parties can be connected to each other to make a call as long as the e-mail address of the other party is known.

<Second Embodiment>

In the second embodiment, the first call information is the first exchange telephone number information and the first call identification code,
In the circuit switching information processing apparatus according to the first embodiment, the second call information is the second exchange telephone number information and the second call identification code, and further has an identification information holding unit.

FIG. 5 is an example of a functional block diagram of the circuit switching information processing apparatus of this embodiment. As shown in this figure, the circuit switching information processing apparatus 0500 of the present embodiment is based on the first embodiment, and the first electronic mail address acquisition unit 05
01, and a second email address acquisition unit 0502,
Line connection information acquisition unit 0503 and first call information transmission unit 0
504 and a second call information transmitting unit 0505, and further has an identification information holding unit 0506. Then, the first calling information 0510 transmitted from the first calling information transmitting unit 0504 is the first exchange telephone number information 0.
511 and the first call identification code 0512, and similarly the second call information 0520 is the second exchange telephone number information 05.
21 and the second call identification code 0522.

The first exchange telephone number information 0511 is information including the telephone number of the line exchange, and the first call identification code 0512 is information for identifying the first call.

Second exchange telephone number information 0521
Is information including the telephone number of the circuit switch, and the second call identification code 0522 is information for identifying the second call. This first and second exchange telephone number information 051
The telephone numbers of the circuit switching equipments included in 1,0521 may be the same telephone number or may be different.

The identification information holding unit 0506 has a function of holding the first calling identification code 0512 and the second calling identification code 0522 in association with each other. In this way, the first and second call information respectively have the first and second call identification codes for identifying the call, and the circuit switching information processing apparatus holds the call identification code in association with each other. Have a function. As a result, it becomes possible to connect the telephones of the persons who call each other without fail. For example, the first and second call identification codes are included in the first and second call information in the form of passwords "123" and "456", respectively. In that case, β who is the person who uses the telephone specified by the first or second e-mail address
And α input the telephone numbers, which are included in the acquired calling information and are assigned to the line exchanges, to the telephones to connect the lines to the line exchanges. Then, both lines are switched and connected by a line switch. Here, for β and α, the passwords “123” and “456”, which are also included in the acquired calling information, are input, respectively. If the password matches the one held in association with the identification information holding unit 0506, the line connection is maintained as it is and the call can be performed. In addition, the password is the identification information holding unit 0506.
If it is different from the one held by the line, the circuit switch disconnects the line. Then, even if one of the pair of terminals exchange-connected by the circuit switch is mistakenly connected by another person, that person does not know the password as the identification code, and the connection of the line is disconnected. This will also reduce the risk of mischief or line connection with an unfamiliar party such as pressing an appropriate number.

<Third Embodiment>

The third embodiment is characterized in that the exchange telephone number information includes call button information for automatically making a call to the line exchange when selected on the display of the telephone. The circuit switching information processing device.

FIG. 6 is an example of a functional block diagram of the telephone in this embodiment. In the present embodiment, it is assumed that the telephone set has an e-mail transmission / reception function. (Or, in the present embodiment, the telephone is a personal computer having an internet telephone function, and the personal computer is also an electronic mail terminal.) As shown in this figure, the telephone 0610 comprises an electronic mail receiving unit 0611 and a display 0612. . Also, the telephone set 0610 receives information from the circuit switching information processing apparatus 0600 and calls the circuit switching apparatus 0620 based on the received information.

The electronic mail receiving unit 0611 has a function of receiving the electronic mail transmitted by the circuit switching information processing apparatus 0600. Further, this e-mail has exchange telephone number information including call button information for automatically calling the line exchange 0620 when selected.

The display 0612 has a function of displaying a call button based on the call button information.
In order to realize this function, for example, the characters and images sandwiched between them (corresponding to the "call" section below) can be selected, that is, made clickable, and when clicked, a call is made to the telephone specified by the specified telephone number. "</ XPLAI
It is conceivable that the call button information includes a tag such as NTEXT><ahref="tel: telephone number"> call </a>".

FIG. 7 shows a concrete example of the telephone in this embodiment. In this embodiment, the telephone is a mobile telephone that can send and receive e-mail. As described above, the mobile phone receives the e-mail including the exchange telephone number information at the e-mail receiving unit. Then, "call", which is a call button, is displayed on the display of the mobile phone based on the call button information included in the exchange telephone number information. Then, when "call" displayed on the display is selected, for example, clicked, this mobile phone calls the line exchange based on the exchange telephone number information and is connected to the line exchange. Thus, instead of each person who wants to make a call inputting the acquired telephone number of the circuit switch into the telephone, the telephone calls the circuit switch simply by clicking the call button displayed on the display. It is convenient because it is connected to the network. Also, since the person who wants to make a call makes a mistake in inputting the telephone number because only the button is clicked, the problem is solved.

<Embodiment 4>

The fourth embodiment is the circuit switching information processing apparatus according to any one of the first to third embodiments, wherein the telephone is a telephone having a terminal function capable of connecting to the Internet.

FIG. 8 is an example of a conceptual diagram when the telephone of this embodiment is connected to the Internet. As shown in this figure, the telephone has a terminal function operating unit which is a terminal function capable of connecting to the Internet. The terminal function operating unit enables the telephone of the present embodiment to send and receive data to and from each server or terminal device through the Internet network connected to the telephone network by the gateway. It is also possible that this telephone network is a mobile telephone network. This makes it easier to send and receive the line connection information when using the Web page as described above.

FIG. 9 shows a specific example of a case where the telephone of this embodiment is a mobile telephone and the call button is displayed on the display. For example, a mobile telephone, which is a telephone having an Internet connection function, receives the exchange telephone number information. Then, the call button is displayed on the display of the mobile phone based on the call button information included in the exchange telephone number information, and the line switch is called by clicking the call button. If you click the call button as shown in this figure, before connecting to the circuit switch (for example, UR
It is convenient to read the linked company's advertisement or advertisement file (specified by L). For that purpose, the call button information may include a link program for linking to a file for company advertisement or publicity. The reason is that it is possible to effectively use the waiting time of speaking before actually making a call. The generated waiting time means that in order to make a call in the present invention,
First, both parties making a call each make a call to the circuit switch to connect the respective telephones to the circuit switch.
Then, the circuit switch needs to switch and connect both the circuits. However, there may be a time lag between the person making a call to the circuit switch to connect to the circuit and the other party making the call to the circuit switch to connect to the circuit. That is, there is a waiting time from when the user clicks the call button to actually make a call. Therefore, as described above, the program for calling the circuit switch after calling the call button to read the file for advertisement of the link destination is included in the call button information. Then, it is thought that many people will see the advertisement. Similarly, it is convenient to download various game programs by clicking the call button. For that purpose, the link program may be included in the calling button information as in the above. That way, you can provide a service where you can enjoy the game while waiting. Then, it is considered that the number of users of the present invention can be increased.

<Fifth Embodiment>

The fifth embodiment is a circuit switch for connecting the first call identified by the first call identification code and the second call identified by the second call identification code.

FIG. 10 is an example of a functional block diagram of the circuit switch of the present embodiment. As shown in this figure, the line switch 1000 includes an identification code holding unit 1001, a first line standby unit 1002, a second line standby unit 1003, and a connection unit 1004.

The identification code holding unit 1001 has a function of holding a pair of calling identification codes to be connected to the line.

The first line waiting section 1002 has a function of making the line of the first calling call stand by in association with the first calling identification code.

The second line waiting section 1003 has a function of making the line of the second calling call stand by in association with the second calling identification code.

The connection unit 1004 is provided for both when the line identified by the calling identification code held by the identification code holding unit stands by in the first line waiting unit and the second line waiting unit. It has the function of connecting lines.

As described above, in the line switch 1000, the first and second line waiting units 1002 and 1003 hold the lines of the first and second calls in association with the call identification codes, respectively. The identification code holding unit 1001
On the basis of the calling identification code stored in
At 04, the lines for the first and second calls are switched and connected. As a result, a person who wants a call can make a call. That is, a person who wants to make a call and a person who wants to make a call may make a call from the telephone to be used to make a line connection to the line exchange of the present embodiment. In other words, if you obtain the telephone number assigned to the circuit switch, even if you do not know the telephone number of the other party,
Since both telephones are line-connected by the line exchange of the present embodiment, it becomes possible to talk.

As described above, the telephone number assigned to this circuit switch may be one or plural.

FIG. 11 is an example of a conceptual diagram of this embodiment when there is one telephone number assigned to the circuit switch. This circuit switch has a plurality of terminals connected to a plurality of lines identified by an identification code. Here, the steps for making a call using the circuit switch when there is one telephone number assigned to the circuit switch will be described below with reference to this figure. Here, the parties who make a call are α and β. First, the circuit switch associates a calling identification code, which is a pair of identification codes (for example, "01" and "12") for identifying a pair of lines to be exchange-connected, and holds it in an identification code holding unit. Then, the pair of outgoing call identification codes "01" and "12" are output to the circuit switching information processing apparatus in association with the telephone number assigned to the circuit switching machine (for example, "022-XXX"). α
Uses the electronic mail terminal α to obtain the telephone number “022-xxxxxx” and the calling identification code “01” assigned to the circuit switch. Similarly, β is the telephone number “02” assigned to the circuit switch using the electronic mail terminal β.
2- ××× ”and the calling identification code“ 12 ”are acquired. α
And β are the acquired telephone number "022-XXXXX"
Then, the identification code "01" or "12" is input to the telephone and the telephones α and β call the line exchange. Then, the circuit switch receives each of the incoming calls (based on the calling identification code associated with the calling line) based on the calling identification code obtained through the incoming (calling from the telephone) line. Connect the line (of the call) to the terminal. That is, the line is held by the line standby unit. Then, in the connection unit, both of the lines are switched and connected based on the calling identification code held in the identification code holding unit. In this way, the telephone set α and the telephone set β are connected to each other, and α and β can talk.

Although the above-described embodiment is mainly described in terms of hardware, it is referred to as a line terminal when the line is switched and connected by using software (that is, in the case of a call using a packet). There is no concept. However, the use of software has the same purpose as the description centered on the above hardware, and the lines are switched and connected based on the pair of caller identification codes to be connected.

FIG. 12 is an example of a conceptual diagram of this embodiment when a plurality of telephone numbers are assigned to the circuit switch. This circuit switch has a plurality of terminals to which telephone numbers are assigned. Here, the steps for making a call using the circuit switch when there are a plurality of telephone numbers assigned to the circuit switch will be described below with reference to this figure. Here, the parties who make a call are α and β. First, the circuit switch associates a calling identification code, which is a pair of identification codes (for example, "03" and "11") for identifying a pair of lines to be exchange-connected, and holds it in an identification code holding unit. Then, the pair of calling identification codes are assigned to the telephone numbers (for example, "345-ΔΔΔΔ" and "101-
□□□□ ”) and output to the circuit switching information processing device. α is the telephone number “345-Δ” assigned to the line of the circuit switch using the electronic mail terminal α.
ΔΔΔ ”and the calling identification code“ 03 ”are acquired. The β uses the electronic mail terminal β to acquire the telephone number “101- □□□□” and the calling identification code “11” assigned to the line of the circuit switch. α and β are respectively obtained in “34
5- △△△△ "and" 03 "and" 101- □□□□ "
And "11" are input to the telephone to call the line switch from the telephone α and the telephone β, respectively. Then, the circuit switching equipment receives each incoming line (based on the calling identification code associated with the calling line) based on the calling identification code obtained through the incoming (calling from the telephone) line. To the terminal. That is, the line is held by the line standby unit. Then, both lines are exchange-connected at the connection unit based on the calling identification code held in the identification code holding unit. In this way, the telephone set α and the telephone set β are connected to each other, and α and β can talk. Further, in this case, the calling identification code may be the telephone number itself assigned to the line terminal.

Also, the concept of the present embodiment shown in FIG. 12 is mainly described in terms of hardware as in the case shown in FIG. 11, but when the line is exchanged and connected using software, Similarly, there is no concept of a line terminal. However, when software is used, the purpose is the same as in the case of the description centered on hardware, and the lines are switched and connected based on the pair of calling identification codes to be connected.

<Sixth Embodiment>

The sixth embodiment is a circuit exchange for connecting the telephone line from the telephone specified by the first electronic mail address and the telephone line from the telephone specified by the second electronic mail address. This is an information processing method.

FIG. 13 is a flow chart showing an example of the processing flow of this embodiment. As shown in this figure, first obtain the first e-mail address (step S13).
01), and acquires the second e-mail address (step S1302). Next, the line connection information for connecting the two telephone lines is acquired (step S130).
3). Then, for the first call for connecting to the telephone specified by the second e-mail address, based on the line connection information obtained in the step, with the first e-mail address as the destination. First call information, which is information, is transmitted (step S1304). Then, based on the line connection information obtained in the step, with the second e-mail address as the destination, information for the second call for connecting to the telephone specified by the first e-mail address. Then, the second outgoing call information is transmitted (step S1305).

Further, in the processing method of this embodiment, the order of each step can be changed within a range where no contradiction occurs. For example, S1304 cannot be executed before S1301 because it cannot be executed unless the first electronic mail address is obtained, but S1301 and S130
Even if the order of 2 is exchanged, it does not cause a contradiction and can be exchanged.

<Embodiment 7>

The seventh embodiment is circuit switching information for connecting the telephone line from the telephone specified by the first electronic mail address and the telephone line from the telephone specified by the second electronic mail address. It is a processing device. That is, this embodiment is a circuit-switched information processing device for enabling a telephone call without having to know each other's telephone numbers, as in the first embodiment. However, in the call system of the first embodiment, the circuit-switched information processing apparatus sends the electronic mail address of α, which is the second electronic mail address, from α, who is the person who sends the circuit connection request mail to the circuit-switched information processing apparatus. get. However, in the present embodiment, the circuit-switched information processing device is characterized by acquiring a telephone number of α (hereinafter referred to as a telephone number α) that is the second telephone number, instead of the electronic mail address of α.

FIG. 14 is an example of a conceptual diagram of the call system in this embodiment. Similar to the call system according to the first embodiment, this call system includes a line exchange information processing device, a line exchange, an electronic mail terminal capable of sending and receiving electronic mail, and a telephone. The difference is that the connection information e-mail is sent (replied) to α who is the person who sent the line connection request e-mail, and α calls the line switch from the telephone α based on the connection information e-mail. Instead, a point is called from the line exchange to the telephone α.

First, the outline of the processing flow of this system will be described. As shown in this figure, α wants to make a call to β. α has acquired the email address of β. The process for making a call with respect to β by β without knowing the telephone number β includes the following four steps. In step P, α transmits a line connection request e-mail from the electronic mail terminal α to the circuit switching information processing apparatus. This line connection request e-mail also contains the information of the e-mail address of β and the information of the telephone number α. The Q step is the telephone number assigned to the circuit switch by the circuit switching information processing device that has received the circuit connection request e-mail from α, with the e-mail address of β acquired from the circuit connection request e-mail from α as the destination. Send connection information e-mail including. In the R step, β is confirmed by the electronic mail terminal β for the connection information e-mail transmitted from the circuit switching information processing device, and the telephone set β is operated based on the connection information.
To the line switch. In step S, the line switch exchange-connects the line connected in step R and the line for line connection with the telephone α based on the telephone number α acquired from the circuit switching information processing device, and the telephone α Is called. In this way, the telephone set α and the telephone set β are connected to each other, and it becomes possible to make a call. It is assumed that the circuit number information processing apparatus acquires the telephone number assigned to the circuit exchange shown in the figure at any time before transmitting the connection information. Further, the acquisition source does not necessarily have to be a circuit switch as shown in the figure. Similarly, the timing for acquiring the telephone number α is S
It is always fine before the step.

In this case, α does not need to input the telephone number assigned to the line exchange, and the line connection is completed quickly. Further, since β is a telephone number that is not the telephone number α as in the first embodiment, which is acquired in order to connect to the telephone of α, α is also β in this embodiment.
It is possible to make a call without knowing the telephone number α (and of course α does not need to know the telephone number of β).

FIG. 15 is an example of a functional block diagram of the circuit switching information processing apparatus of this embodiment. As shown in this figure, the circuit switching information processing apparatus 1500 includes a first e-mail address acquisition unit 1501, a second telephone number acquisition unit 1502, a line connection information acquisition unit 1503, and a first call information transmission unit. 1504 and second call information output unit 150
It consists of 5.

First e-mail address acquisition unit 1501
Has a function of acquiring the first e-mail address. As described in the first embodiment, the first email address acquisition unit 1501 acquires the first email address in various forms.

The second telephone number acquisition section 1502 has a function of acquiring the second telephone number which is the telephone number of the telephone specified by the second electronic mail address. Where for example
The second telephone number is the telephone number α in the call system described above. In that case, the second telephone number acquisition unit 1502
The second telephone number is obtained by obtaining the information of the telephone number α included in the line connection request e-mail received from α. Alternatively, the second email address acquisition unit 0402
It is possible that the second telephone number has been previously acquired by a method such as registration in advance. For example, in this case, it is assumed that the registered telephone number α and the e-mail address of α are held in association with each other in the circuit-switched information processing device of the above-described call system. Then α
Does not have to include the information of the telephone number α in the line connection request e-mail and transmit the e-mail. This is because the circuit switching information processing apparatus can acquire the telephone number α held therein based on the e-mail address α included in the header part of the circuit connection request e-mail.

The line connection information acquisition unit 1503 has a function of acquiring line connection information for connecting the two telephone lines. Here, with respect to the telephone number assigned to the circuit switch, the case described in the first embodiment can be considered.

The first call information transmitting section 1504 addresses the first electronic mail address as a destination, and based on the line connection information acquired by the line connection information acquiring section, uses the second electronic mail address. It has a function of transmitting first call information which is information for the first call for connecting to the specified telephone. The line connection information is directly or indirectly included in the first call information, as described in the first embodiment. A specific example of the first call information is also the same as that described in the first embodiment.

The second call information output unit 1505 has a function of outputting second call information for making a call to the telephone specified by the second telephone number. The second call information is, for example, information sent to the circuit switch,
Information for making a call from the circuit switch to the telephone specified by the second telephone number can be cited.

As described above, the circuit switching information processing device 150
0 is the line connection information acquisition unit 1503 as in the first embodiment.
In to get the line connection information. Then, with the first electronic mail address acquired by the first electronic mail address acquisition unit 1501 as the destination, the first call information transmission unit 1
504 transmits the first call information based on the line connection information. Then, the telephone set identified by the first e-mail address based on the first call information makes a call to the line exchange to connect to the line. On the other hand, the second call information output unit 1505 outputs the second call information based on the second phone number acquired by the second phone number acquisition unit. Then, to the telephone specified by the second electronic mail address, a call is made from the circuit switch based on the second call information, and the line is connected. Then, both lines are exchange-connected and the call becomes possible. In this way, by using the circuit-switching information processing apparatus of this embodiment, as in the case of the first embodiment, even if the telephone number of the other party is unknown, if only the e-mail address of the other party is known, the telephones of both parties are connected to each other to make a call. It becomes possible.

FIG. 16 is a flowchart showing an example of the processing flow of the seventh embodiment. As shown in this figure, first, the first e-mail address is acquired (step S1601), and then the second phone number, which is the phone number of the telephone specified by the second e-mail address, is acquired (step S1602). . Next, the line connection information for connecting the above two telephone lines is acquired (step S
1603). Then, for the first call for connecting to the telephone specified by the second e-mail address, based on the line connection information obtained in the step, with the first e-mail address as the destination. First call information, which is information, is transmitted (step S1604). Then, the second call information for making a call to the telephone specified by the second telephone number is output (step S160).
5).

Further, in the processing method of this embodiment, the order of the steps can be exchanged as long as no contradiction occurs. For example, S1604 cannot be executed before S1601 because it cannot be executed unless the first electronic mail address is obtained, but S1601 and S160
Even if the order of 2 is changed, it does not cause a contradiction and may be changed.

<Embodiment 8>

In the eighth embodiment, the first call information is the first exchange telephone number information and the first call identification code,
The circuit information processing apparatus according to the seventh embodiment, wherein the second call information is second telephone number information and a second call identification code, and further has an identification information holding unit.

FIG. 17 is an example of a functional block diagram of the circuit switching information processing apparatus of this embodiment. As shown in this figure, the circuit switching information processing apparatus 1700 of this embodiment is based on the seventh embodiment, and has a first e-mail address acquisition unit 1701, a second telephone number acquisition unit 1702, and line connection information. Acquisition unit 1703 and first call information transmission unit 170
4 and a second call information output unit 1705, and further has an identification information holding unit 1706. Also, the first call information 1710 transmitted from the first call information transmission unit 1704 is the first exchange telephone number information 1711 and the first call identification code 1712, and is output from the second call information output unit 1705. The second call information 1720 is the second telephone number information 1721 and the second response identification code 1722.
Is characterized in that.

The first exchange telephone number information 1711 is information including the telephone number of the exchange, and the first call identification code 1712 is information for identifying the first call.

The second telephone number information 1721 is the telephone number of the telephone specified by the second electronic mail address,
The second response identification code 1722 is information for identifying the response of the telephone specified by the second telephone number.

The identification information holding unit 1706 has a function of holding the first calling identification code 1712 and the second response identification code 1722 in association with each other. Thus, the first call information and the second call information each have a call identification code for identifying a call and a response identification code for identifying a call, and the circuit switching information processing device It has a function of holding the call identification code and the response identification code in association with each other. As a result, the same effect as that of the second embodiment can be expected in the present embodiment.

<Embodiment 9>

In the ninth embodiment, the first call information is the first exchange telephone number information and the first call identification code,
The second call information is second telephone number information, and further has an identification information holding unit, which is the circuit switching information processing apparatus according to the seventh embodiment.

FIG. 18 is an example of a functional block diagram of the circuit switching information processing apparatus of this embodiment. As shown in this figure, the circuit-switched information processing apparatus 1800 of the present embodiment is based on the seventh embodiment, and the first electronic mail address acquisition unit 1
801, a second telephone number acquisition unit 1802, a line connection information acquisition unit 1803, and a first call information transmission unit 1804.
And a second call information output unit 1805, and further has an identification information holding unit 1806. The first call information 1810 transmitted from the first call information transmitting unit 1804 is the first exchange telephone number information 1811.
And the first call identification code 1812, and the second call information 1820 output from the second call information output unit 1805 includes the second telephone number information 1821.

The identification information holding unit 1806 has a function of holding the first calling identification code 1812 and the second telephone number information 1821 in association with each other. Thus, the first call information has a call identification code for identifying the call, and the circuit-switched information processing device has a function of holding the call identification code and the second telephone number information in association with each other. Have. As a result, the same effect as that of the second embodiment can be expected in the present embodiment. However, there is no password input from the telephone specified by the second email address. This is because the telephone set specified by the second e-mail address is called by the circuit switch. Therefore, the second telephone number information including the telephone number of the telephone (may be the information for identifying the second telephone number) and the password from the telephone specified by the first e-mail address , Are associated and held, it is considered that the same effect as in the second embodiment is obtained.

<Embodiment 10>

The tenth embodiment is characterized in that the exchange telephone number information includes call button information for automatically making a call to the line exchange when selected on the display of the telephone. Alternatively, it is the circuit switching information processing apparatus of 9. In addition, this embodiment is similar to the third embodiment. However, the difference is that the exchange telephone number information including the call button information is transmitted to only one of the two persons who use the telephone specified by the electronic mail address.

As an example of a functional block diagram of the telephone in the present embodiment, a diagram similar to FIG. 6 can be considered. However, the circuit switching information processing apparatus 0600 is the circuit switching information processing apparatus of the eighth or ninth embodiment. Thereby, the same effect as that of the third embodiment can be considered. The other telephone, which does not acquire the calling information, receives a call from the circuit switch, so that the above-mentioned problem does not occur even if the identification code is not acquired.

<Embodiment 11>

The eleventh embodiment is the circuit-switched information processing apparatus according to any one of the seventh to tenth embodiments, wherein the telephone is a telephone having a terminal function capable of connecting to the Internet.

As an example of a conceptual diagram when the telephone of this embodiment is connected to the Internet, a conceptual diagram similar to FIG. 8 can be considered. However, the circuit switching information processing device for connecting the line from the telephone of the present embodiment is one of the seventh to tenth embodiments. Thereby, the same effect as that of the fourth embodiment can be considered.

[0091]

As described above, conventionally, unless the telephone number of the person who wants to talk on the telephone is known, the telephones used by each other cannot be connected to the line, and thus the telephone call cannot be made. However, according to the present invention, it is possible to make a telephone call using an e-mail address that is easier to obtain than a telephone number without knowing the telephone number of the other party.

Further, by using the electronic mail address, it is possible to reduce the risk of personal information being leaked from the telephone number and the risk of unwanted telephone calls.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of a concept of a call system according to a first embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of a specific display screen on the display of the website according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of a concept of a call system when requesting a line connection by using the website according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of functional blocks of the circuit-switched information processing apparatus according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of functional blocks of a circuit switching information processing apparatus according to a second embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of functional blocks of a telephone according to a third embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of a concrete implementation of the telephone in the third embodiment.

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an example of a concept when a telephone set in Embodiment 4 is connected to the Internet.

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a specific example of a case where a call button is displayed on the display of the telephone in the fourth embodiment.

FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of functional blocks of a circuit switch according to a fifth embodiment.

FIG. 11 is a diagram showing an example of a concept when there is one telephone number assigned to the circuit switch according to the fifth embodiment.

FIG. 12 is a diagram showing an example of a concept in the case where a plurality of telephone numbers are assigned to the circuit switch according to the fifth embodiment.

FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing an example of the processing flow of the sixth embodiment.

FIG. 14 is a diagram showing an example of a concept of a call system according to a seventh embodiment.

FIG. 15 is a diagram showing an example of functional blocks of a circuit switching information processing apparatus according to a seventh embodiment.

FIG. 16 is a flowchart showing an example of the processing flow of the seventh embodiment.

FIG. 17 is a diagram showing an example of functional blocks of a circuit switching information processing apparatus according to an eighth embodiment.

FIG. 18 is a diagram showing an example of functional blocks of a circuit switching information processing apparatus according to a ninth embodiment.

[Explanation of symbols]

0400 Circuit switching information processing device 0401 First e-mail address acquisition unit 0402 Second e-mail address acquisition unit 0403 Line connection information acquisition unit 0404 First call information transmission unit 0405 Second calling information transmission unit 1000 circuit switch 1001 identification code holding unit 1002 First line standby unit 1003 Second line standby unit 1004 connection

   ─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continued front page    F-term (reference) 5K015 AB01 AB02                 5K024 AA02 BB02 CC01 CC07 CC11                       FF06 GG08                 5K051 BB01 CC01 CC02 CC04 CC07                       DD01 EE01 FF07 GG11                 5K101 KK02 KK17 LL02 LL12 MM07                       NN03 NN18 NN21 SS07

Claims (11)

[Claims] 1. A circuit switching information processing apparatus for connecting a telephone line from a telephone set specified by a first electronic mail address and a telephone line from a telephone set specified by a second electronic mail address. A first e-mail address acquisition unit for acquiring the first e-mail address,
A second electronic mail address acquisition unit that acquires the second electronic mail address, a line connection information acquisition unit that acquires line connection information for connecting the two telephone lines, and the first electronic mail This is information for the first call for connecting to the telephone specified by the second electronic mail address, based on the line connection information acquired by the line connection information acquisition unit, with the address as the destination. Based on the line connection information acquired by the line connection information acquisition unit, with the first call information transmission unit transmitting the first call information and the second electronic mail address as a destination, the first electronic A circuit switching information processing device comprising: a second call information transmitting unit that transmits second call information that is information for a second call for connecting to a telephone specified by a mail address. 2. The first call information includes first telephone number information of a first exchange including a telephone number of a line switch for connecting the line and a first call identification code for identifying a first call. The second call information is a second exchange telephone number information including a telephone number of the circuit switch and a second call identification code for identifying a second call, and the first call information is The circuit switching information processing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising an identification information holding unit that holds an identification code and the second call identification code in association with each other. 3. The line according to claim 2, wherein the exchange telephone number information includes call button information for automatically making a call to the line exchange when selected on the display of the telephone. Exchange information processing device. 4. The circuit switching information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the telephone is a telephone having a terminal function capable of connecting to the Internet. 5. A circuit switch for line-connecting a first call identified by a first call identification code and a second call identified by a second call identification code, which is line-connected. An identification code holding unit that holds a pair of outgoing call identification codes, a first line waiting unit that holds the first outgoing call line in association with the first outgoing call identification code, and a second outgoing line A second line waiting unit associated with the calling identification code and waiting, and a line identified by the calling identification code held by the identification code holding unit is the first line waiting unit and the second line waiting unit. A circuit switch having a connection unit for connecting both lines when the system is on standby. 6. A circuit switching information processing method for connecting a telephone line from a telephone specified by a first electronic mail address and a telephone line from a telephone specified by a second electronic mail address. Then, the first e-mail address acquisition step, the second e-mail address acquisition step, and the line connection information for connecting the above two telephone lines are acquired (mainly from the exchange). And a step for connecting to the telephone specified by the second email address based on the line connection information obtained in the line connection information obtaining step, with the first email address as a destination. A first call information transmitting step of transmitting first call information, which is information for one call, and a destination of the second electronic mail address, Based on the line connection information acquired in the line connection information acquisition step, the second call information, which is the information for the second call for connecting to the telephone specified by the first e-mail address, is transmitted. A circuit-switched information processing method, comprising: 7. A circuit switching information processing apparatus for connecting a telephone line from a telephone set specified by a first electronic mail address and a telephone line from a telephone set specified by a second electronic mail address. A first e-mail address acquisition unit for acquiring the first e-mail address,
A second phone number acquisition unit that acquires the second phone number, which is the phone number of the phone specified by the second e-mail address, and a line connection that acquires the line connection information for connecting the above two phone lines. To connect to the telephone specified by the second e-mail address, based on the line connection information acquired by the line connection information acquisition part, with the information acquisition part and the first e-mail address as the destinations And a second call information for making a call to the telephone specified by the second telephone number, which transmits the first call information which is the information for the first call of And a second call information output unit for outputting the. 8. The first call information includes first telephone number information of a first exchange including a telephone number of a circuit switch for connecting the line and a first call identification code for identifying a first call. The second call information is the second telephone number information including the second telephone number which is the telephone number of the telephone specified by the second mail address and the response of the telephone specified by the second telephone number. The circuit switching information processing apparatus according to claim 7, further comprising an identification information holding unit that is a second response identification code for identifying and holds the first call identification code and the second response identification code in association with each other. 9. The first call information is a first exchange telephone number information including a telephone number of the exchange and a first call identification code for identifying a first call, and the second call. The information is second telephone number information including a second telephone number which is a telephone number of the telephone specified by the second mail address, and associates the first call identification code with the second telephone number information. The circuit switching information processing apparatus according to claim 7, further comprising an identification information holding unit that holds the information. 10. The telephone number information of the exchange includes call button information for automatically making a call to the exchange by being selected on the display of the telephone. Circuit switching information processing equipment. 11. The circuit switching information processing apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the telephone has a terminal function capable of connecting to the Internet.