A Method and System for Outlook and IPPBX Collaboration

Abstract

The present invention relates to a method and system for Outlook and IPPBX collaboration. The method includes: the user starts the Outlook function through the PC-side program, writes the bound IP address and log address into the registry, and writes the VSTO file for loading the ADD-IN program into the corresponding path; Outlook loads the ADD-IN, and the ADD-IN starts a service for listening to PC-side events; after the user obtains authorization and authentication through the cloud, all contact data of the Outlook users bound are obtained and sent to each PC-side correspondingly; the PC-side waits for the user to execute an active call request and a passive call request. The present invention not only supports data synchronization in the cloud, but also supports call collaboration between the local Outlook and the IPPBX.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the technical field of IPPBX communication, and particularly to a method and system for Outlook and IPPBX collaboration. Background Art

[0002] In the current industry, an IPPBX (an enterprise telephone system based on Internet protocol, which can integrate various communication methods and has new working methods such as remote office and mobile office) obtains Outlook (a comprehensive personal information management software developed by Microsoft for managing personal information such as emails, calendars, contacts, tasks, etc.) data through the API provided by Microsoft to achieve interaction, or realizes the interaction between Outlook and IPPBX by actively installing the Outlook add-in downloaded from the official website. This solution has the following problems:

[0003] (1) There are security risks and it cannot be automatically managed: Users need to specifically download the corresponding ADD-IN (Outlook add-in) installation program from the browser and actively run the installation of the ADD-IN plug-in. There may be risks such as the program being maliciously tampered with, being implanted with viruses or other dangerous instructions. At the same time, both the installation and uninstallation of the ADD-IN need to be manually executed by the user.

[0004] (2) Single function: Currently, most IPPBXs either only support the functions of incoming call pop-up screen or one-key dialing through the ADD-IN plug-in, or can only obtain Outlook-related data through the Microsoft Graph API, and cannot meet the various needs of users at the same time.

[0005] (3) Complicated for users to use: Since most users install Outlook in the local environment while IPPBX is deployed in the cloud, for the local Outlook to communicate with the cloud-based IPPBX, network problems must be considered. This leads to the IPPBX manufacturer having to specifically develop a penetration service to achieve communication, which then needs to be actively installed by the user and network configuration is required.

[0006] (4) Poor versatility: Once developed, the designed add-in installation program and penetration service can only be used for Outlook docking. Once a new similar application appears, it needs to be developed again. Summary of the Invention

[0007] To solve the above problems, the present invention proposes a method and system for Outlook and IPPBX collaboration.

[0008] The specific solution is as follows:

[0009] A method for Outlook and IPPBX collaboration includes the following steps:

[0010] S1: The user starts the Outlook function through the IPPBX PC client program. The IPPBX PC client program writes the IP address and log address bound by the IPPBX PC client service into the registry, and writes the VSTO file for loading the ADD-IN program into the corresponding path in the IPPBX PC client program;

[0011] S2: Outlook loads the ADD-IN program according to the registry information, and the ADD-IN program starts the service for listening to IPPBX PC client events;

[0012] S3: The user performs authorization authentication through the IPPBX cloud, obtains an access token, gets the contact data of all Outlook-bound users through the token, and sends the contact data of each Outlook-bound user to each IPPBX PC client through the Outlook-API correspondingly;

[0013] S4: After receiving the contact data, the IPPBX PC client program stores it in the corresponding database;

[0014] S5: The IPPBX PC client program waits for the user to execute active call requests and passive call requests.

[0015] Further, when the IPPBX PC client program is used for an active call request, by clicking the one-key call button on the contact page, the ADD-IN program sends the contact number information to the IPPBX PC client, and the IPPBX PC client performs data matching according to the number information to achieve a call.

[0016] Further, in an active call request, Outlook extends the contact page through the XML file in the ADD-IN program. When the user makes a call, the ADD-IN reads the contact information in the XML file. After confirming the contact information, it confirms with the IPPBX PC client whether the authorization process has been completed. If not, authorization needs to be performed first and then the relevant contacts are sent to the IPPBX PC client to achieve dialing; if it has been completed, the relevant contacts are directly sent to the IPPBX PC client to achieve dialing.

[0017] Further, when the IPPBX PC client program is used for a passive call request, after the IPPBX PC client receives an incoming call, according to the function configuration, it sends the corresponding function request instruction to the ADD-IN program. After the ADD-IN program parses the function request instruction, it performs the corresponding operation.

[0018] Further, the function configuration is performed on the Outlook function page of the IPPBX PC client program, and the configured functions include: active authorization, incoming call pop-up screen, automatic creation of contacts, and automatic creation of call records.

[0019] Further, the contact data includes personal contact data and shared mailbox data.

[0020] An Outlook and IPPBX collaboration system includes an IPPBX PC client and an IPPBX cloud, and the system implements the steps of the method in the above embodiments of the present invention.

[0021] The present invention adopts the above technical solutions and has the following beneficial effects:

[0022] (1) By integrating VSTO and Outlook-API to achieve the docking of Outlook and IPPBX, it not only supports cloud data synchronization but also supports call collaboration between local Outlook and IPPBX.

[0023] (2) Based on VSTO provided by Microsoft, automatic management of Outlook ADD-IN is achieved.

[0024] (3) Based on the user's various requirements for Outlook, a reusable Outlook-API is implemented, enabling the IPPBX to not only manage plugins to achieve one-key local call out, incoming call pop-up screen, and call log, but also centrally obtain contact data on the Outlook side for unified management on the IPPBX side. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0025] Figure 1 The flowchart of Embodiment 1 of the present invention is shown. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

[0026] To further illustrate the embodiments, the present invention provides drawings. These drawings are a part of the disclosure of the present invention, which are mainly used to illustrate the embodiments and can be used to explain the operating principle of the embodiments in conjunction with the relevant descriptions in the specification. With reference to these contents, those of ordinary skill in the art should be able to understand other possible implementation manners and the advantages of the present invention.

[0027] The present invention will be further described below in conjunction with the drawings and specific embodiments.

[0028] Embodiment 1:

[0029] The embodiment of the present invention provides an Outlook and IPPBX collaboration method, as Figure 1 shown, the method includes the following steps:

[0030] S1: The user starts the Outlook function through the IPPBX PC client program. The IPPBX PC client program writes the IP address and log address bound by the IPPBX PC client service into the registry, and writes the VSTO file for loading the ADD-IN program into the corresponding path in the IPPBX PC client program.

[0031] The user logs in to the IPPBX PC client and clicks to enable the Outlook integration function. After the IPPBX PC client receives the request from the user to enable the Outlook integration function, it starts to detect the current environment, writes the basic data information required for ADD-IN startup (the basic data information includes the IP address and log address of the IPPBX PC client, etc.) into the registry, and at the same time places the relevant VSTO files into the corresponding path (the VSTO file storage location is a fixed path) to run as an Outlook add-in. Then it sends an online verification request to the Outlook ADD-IN to confirm whether Outlook is successfully loaded. When the user uninstalls the IPPBX PC client, the relevant files and registry information will be automatically cleared. The above completes the automatic management of the Outlook plugin.

[0032] S2: Outlook loads the ADD-IN program according to the registry information, and the ADD-IN program starts the service for listening to IPPBX PC client events.

[0033] S3: The user performs authorization authentication through the IPPBX cloud, obtains an access token, gets the contact data of all Outlook users bound by the token, and sends the contact data of each bound Outlook user to each IPPBX PC client through the Outlook-API correspondingly.

[0034] The user logging in to the IPPBX cloud is equivalent to an administrator user. After logging in to the IPPBX cloud, it obtains the contact data of all Outlook users bound to the IPPBX PC client.

[0035] S4: After the IPPBX PC client program receives the contact data, it stores it in the corresponding database.

[0036] In this embodiment, the contact data includes personal contact data and shared mailbox data. The personal contact data is stored in the corresponding extension, and each shared mailbox is bound to a corresponding enterprise contact group. The data synchronized by the shared mailbox will be stored in the enterprise contact group.

[0037] S5: The IPPBX PC client program waits for the user to execute active call requests and passive call requests.

[0038] (1) When the IPPBX PC program is used for an active call request, by clicking the one - key call button on the contact page, the ADD - IN program sends the contact's number information to the IPPBX PC, and the IPPBX PC performs data matching based on the number information to achieve a call.

[0039] Users can implement the one - key call function on the Outlook contact - related page. The main process is as follows: Outlook extends the contact page through the XML file in the ADD - IN program. When the user makes a call, the ADD - IN reads the contact information in the XML file. After confirming the contact information, it checks with the IPPBX PC whether the authorization process has been completed. If not, authorization is required first, and then the relevant contact is sent to the IPPBX PC to achieve dialing; if it has been completed, the relevant contact is directly sent to the IPPBX PC to achieve dialing.

[0040] (2) When the IPPBX PC program is used for a passive call request, after the IPPBX PC receives an incoming call, according to the function configuration, it sends the corresponding function request instruction to the ADD - IN program. After the ADD - IN program parses the function request instruction, it performs corresponding operations, such as handling the incoming call pop - up screen: show_contact, creating a contact: create_contact, creating a call log: create_log, etc.

[0041] After the IPPBX PC completes the installation of the Outlook add - in, users can configure the desired functions through the Outlook function page, such as: active authorization, incoming call pop - up screen, automatic contact creation, automatic call record creation, etc.

[0042] In this embodiment, when the user logs in to the corresponding extension through the IPPBX PC, the contacts seen include those in Outlook. At this time, when performing operations such as incoming and outgoing calls, users will find a high degree of data synchronization, and the experience is greatly improved.

[0043] The embodiment of the present invention integrates VSTO technology and Outlook - API, and realizes the docking between Outlook and IPPBX according to the user's needs and future generality considerations. It has the following advantages:

[0044] (1) Greatly reduces security risks and realizes automatic management: Users do not need to specifically download the corresponding ADD - IN installation program from the browser. All operations of plugin installation and uninstallation are uniformly managed by the IPPBX PC that has passed security certification and is normally on the shelf.

[0045] (2) Diverse functions: The IPPBX implements two sets of API interfaces. Users can use the ADD-IN plugin to actively call the IPPBX to make calls through Outlook, or the IPPBX can notify Outlook to open and create corresponding contact pages and create call records. Users can also use the IPPBX to obtain all contact data and shared mailbox data on the Outlook side and uniformly manage the data to meet various user requirements.

[0046] (3) Reduced user difficulty: Users only need to install the PC client of the IPPBX and log in to the relevant account to use the corresponding functions, without having to install various plugins from the browser side.

[0047] (4) Strong versatility: A dedicated plugin service is implemented on the PC client of the IPPBX, and the service port is specified. Subsequently, any plugin can communicate with the IPPBX side through the rules defined in the Outlook-API protocol.

[0048] Embodiment 2:

[0049] The present invention also provides an Outlook and IPPBX collaboration system, including an IPPBX PC client and an IPPBX cloud. The system implements the steps in the above method embodiments of Embodiment 1 of the present invention.

[0050] Although the present invention has been specifically shown and described in conjunction with the preferred embodiments, those skilled in the art should understand that various changes can be made to the present invention in form and detail without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention defined by the appended claims, and all of them fall within the protection scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A method for Outlook and IPPBX collaboration, characterized in that, It includes the following steps: S1: The user starts the Outlook function through the IPPBX PC client program. The IPPBX PC client program writes the IP address and log address bound by the IPPBX PC client service into the registry, and writes the VSTO file for loading the ADD-IN program into the corresponding path in the IPPBX PC client program; S2: Outlook loads the ADD-IN program according to the registry information, and the ADD-IN program starts the service for listening to IPPBX PC client events; S3: The user conducts authorization authentication through the IPPBX cloud, obtains an access token, acquires the contact data of all Outlook-bound users through the token, and sends the contact data of each Outlook-bound user to each IPPBX PC client through the Outlook-API correspondingly; S4: After receiving the contact data, the IPPBX PC client program stores it in the corresponding database; S5: The IPPBX PC client program waits for the user to execute an active call request and a passive call request; When the IPPBX PC client program is used for an active call request, by clicking the one-key call button on the contact page, the ADD-IN program sends the contact's number information to the IPPBX PC client. The IPPBX PC client performs data matching according to the number information to achieve a call; in the active call request, Outlook extends the contact page through the XML file in the ADD-IN program. When the user makes a call, the ADD-IN program reads the contact information in the XML file. After confirming the contact information, it confirms with the IPPBX PC client whether the authorization process has been completed. If not, authorization needs to be performed first and then the relevant contacts are sent to the IPPBX PC client to achieve dialing; if it has been completed, the relevant contacts are directly sent to the IPPBX PC client to achieve dialing; When the IPPBX PC client program is used for a passive call request, after the IPPBX PC client receives an incoming call, according to the function configuration, it sends the corresponding function request instruction to the ADD-IN program. After the ADD-IN program parses the function request instruction, it performs the corresponding operation.

2. The Outlook and IPPBX collaboration method according to claim 1, characterized in that: The function configuration is performed on the Outlook function page of the IPPBX PC client program. The configured functions include: active authorization, incoming call pop-up screen, automatic creation of contacts, and automatic creation of call records.

3. The Outlook and IPPBX collaboration method according to claim 1, wherein: The contact data includes personal contact data and shared mailbox data.

4. An Outlook and IPPBX collaboration system, characterized in that: It includes the IPPBX PC client and the IPPBX cloud, and the system implements the method described in any one of claims 1 to 3.

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