Communication system

Abstract

To enable switch of an operation of a telephone set in accordance with a place where a user performs an operation.SOLUTION: A main device 1 provided in a communication system S, includes: a storage part 12 that stores first processing data indicating a relation between an IP address used by an information terminal and a telephone set provided in the area as the information terminal or a telephone function that is executed by the information terminal; and a control part that causes, in the case of acquiring a first IP address from a first telephone set 2 installed in a self-seat area A1, the first telephone set 2 to execute the telephone function associated with the first IP address in the first processing data, and causes, in the case of acquiring a second IP address from a second telephone set 4 installed in a common area A2, the second telephone set 4 to execute the telephone function associated with the second IP address in the first processing data.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a communication system capable of performing telephony functions. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, there is known a technology for selecting whether to operate an IP telephone or a software phone corresponding to the same telephone number based on information indicating the location where the software phone is connected (see, for example, Patent Document 1). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Patent No. 4621234 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] Even if a user is in an area away from the IP telephone installed near the user's desk, the user may be able to use another IP telephone. For example, if an area is provided where an IP telephone can be shared with other users, the user may be able to use an IP telephone installed in that area when he or she is in that area.

[0005] However, when using a shared IP phone in an area away from a user's own desk, if the IP phone installed near the user's desk is made to perform all of the functions that it can perform, problems may arise, such as the user answering a call addressed to a group to which the user does not belong.

[0006] The present invention has been made in consideration of these points, and has an object to enable a user to switch the operation of a telephone depending on the place where the user works. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] The communication system according to the present invention comprises a main device having a telephone exchange function, a first telephone set and a first information terminal provided in a first area, and a second telephone set and a second information terminal provided in a second area different from the first area, wherein the first telephone set recognizes a first IP address assigned by the first DHCP server in response to the first information terminal requesting an IP address from the first DHCP server by monitoring data transmitted from a first DHCP server to the first information terminal, and transmits the recognized first IP address to the main device, and the second telephone set recognizes a first IP address assigned by the first DHCP server in response to the first information terminal requesting an IP address from the second DHCP server by monitoring data transmitted from a second DHCP server to the second information terminal. In response to this, the main device recognizes a second IP address assigned by the second DHCP server and transmits the recognized second IP address to the main device, and the main device has a memory unit that stores first processing data indicating a relationship between an IP address used by the information terminal and a telephone function that can be executed by a telephone provided in the same area as the information terminal or the information terminal, and a control unit that, when acquiring the first IP address from the first telephone, causes the first telephone to execute the telephone function associated with the first IP address in the first processing data, and when acquiring the second IP address from the second telephone, causes the second telephone to execute the telephone function associated with the second IP address in the first processing data.

[0008] The first telephone may store a first MAC address included in data transmitted by the first information terminal to the first DHCP server, and recognize the first IP address transmitted from the first DHCP server together with the first MAC address.

[0009] The first information terminal may request an IP address from the first DHCP server selected from a plurality of DHCP servers based on information notified from the first telephone.

[0010] The communication system may further include a third information terminal that is provided in a third area where no telephone connected to the main device is provided and that executes telephone functions using software, wherein the third information terminal transmits to the main device a third IP address assigned by the third DHCP server in response to the third information terminal requesting an IP address from the third DHCP server, and when the control unit acquires the third IP address from the third information terminal, it causes the third information terminal to execute the telephone function associated with the third IP address in the first processing data.

[0011] The memory unit may store the first processing data including data indicating the relationship between an IP address and an area type, and data indicating the relationship between the area type and telephone functions that can be executed by a telephone set or the information terminal installed in an area of ​​the area type.

[0012] The memory unit may further store second processing data in which a DHCP server is associated with an area type, and the control unit may obtain from the first DHCP server information indicating a range of IP addresses issued by the first DHCP server and obtain from the second DHCP server information indicating a range of IP addresses issued by the second DHCP server, and create the first processing data by referring to the second processing data, associating the obtained IP address range with the area type and storing it in the memory unit.

[0013] The first area may be an area in which a user who uses the first telephone is fixed, and the second area may be an area in which a user who uses the second telephone is not fixed, and the control unit may, when an incoming call is received from an outside line, execute a mass incoming call function that rings the first telephone and other telephones associated with the first telephone, but does not cause the second telephone to execute the mass incoming call function.

[0014] The first area may be an area in which a user who uses the first telephone is fixed, and the second area may be an area in which a user who uses the second telephone is not fixed, and the control unit may, when an incoming call is received from an outside line, cause the first telephone to execute a proxy answering function to receive the incoming call on behalf of the first telephone while ringing another telephone associated with the first telephone, but not cause the second telephone to execute the proxy answering function.

[0015] The control unit may enable the first telephone to execute a calling function and a response function on the condition that the first IP address has been obtained from the first telephone, and may enable the second telephone to execute a calling function and a response function on the condition that the second IP address has been obtained from the second telephone. Effect of the Invention

[0016] According to the present invention, it is possible to advantageously switch the operation of a telephone depending on the location where a user works. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0017] [Figure 1] 1 is a diagram for explaining an overview of a communication system S. [Diagram 2] FIG. 11 is a diagram showing an example of area-specific address data. [Diagram 3] FIG. 11 is a diagram showing an example of area-specific function data. [Figure 4] FIG. 11 is a sequence diagram when the user is in his / her own seat area A1. [Diagram 5] FIG. 11 is a sequence diagram when the user is in the shared area A2. [Figure 6] FIG. 11 is a sequence diagram when the user is in an external area A3. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0018] [Outline of Communication System S] 1 is a diagram for explaining an overview of a communication system S. The communication system S is a system for providing various telephone functions such as holding or transferring a call in an office where business is conducted, for example.

[0019] The communication system S includes a main unit 1 having a telephone exchange function, a plurality of first telephones 2 (first telephones 2-1 to 2-M, M is a natural number) and a plurality of first information terminals 3 (first information terminals 3-1 to 3-M) provided in a user's own desk area A1, which is a first area, a plurality of second telephones 4 (second telephones 4-1 to 4-N, N is a natural number) and a plurality of second information terminals 5 (second information terminals 5-1 to 5-N) provided in a shared area A2, which is a second area different from the first area, and a third information terminal 6. The communication system S further includes a first DHCP (Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol) server 7, a second DHCP server 8, and a third DHCP server 9. The first area is an area where the user who uses the first telephone 2 is fixed, and the second area is an area where the user who uses the second telephone 4 is not fixed.

[0020] The main unit 1 is a main unit of a telephone system, and is connected to one or more outside lines. The main unit 1 is connected to a plurality of first telephones 2 and a plurality of second telephones 4 by extension cables. The main unit 1 may be connected to a third information terminal 6 via an external network.

[0021] The main device 1 has a control unit 11 and a storage unit 12. The control unit 11 has a CPU (Central Processing Unit) that executes various controls. The control unit 11 executes a program stored in the storage unit 12, and when an outside line call is made from any of the plurality of first telephones 2 and the plurality of second telephones 4, the control unit 11 connects the first telephone 2 or the second telephone 4 from which the outside line call is made to an outside line. When an incoming call is received from an outside line, the control unit 11 causes a predetermined first telephone 2 or second telephone 4 out of the plurality of first telephones 2 and the plurality of second telephones 4 to ring.

[0022] A plurality of first telephones 2 and a first information terminal 3 are installed in a personal desk area A1 of a user who uses the telephone. The first information terminal 3 is, for example, a desktop computer installed in the personal desk area A1, but may also be a notebook computer that the user can take out to the common area A2. The first telephone 2 has a LAN hub function, and the first information terminal 3 is connected to a network (for example, an intranet) via the first telephone 2. The first information terminal 3 can access the main device 1 and the first DHCP server 7 via the first telephone 2. The first telephone 2 can monitor data sent and received by the first information terminal 3.

[0023] The first information terminal 3 requests an IP address from the first DHCP server 7 selected from a plurality of DHCP servers based on information notified from the first telephone 2. For example, after being connected to the first telephone 2, the first information terminal 3 acquires area data indicating that the first telephone 2 is installed in the user's own desk area A1, and transmits an IP address request including the first MAC address of the first information terminal 3 to the first DHCP server 7 corresponding to the acquired area data. The first telephone 2 acquires the first MAC address included in the IP address request transmitted by the first information terminal 3, and stores the acquired first MAC address. Thereafter, the first telephone 2 monitors data including the stored first MAC address.

[0024] The first telephone 2 monitors data transmitted from the first DHCP server 7 to the first information terminal 3. The first telephone 2 recognizes the first IP address assigned by the first DHCP server 7 in response to the first information terminal 3 requesting an IP address from the first DHCP server 7, and transmits the recognized first IP address to the main unit 1. Specifically, the first telephone 2 recognizes the first IP address transmitted from the first DHCP server 7 together with the first MAC address.

[0025] A plurality of second telephones 4 and a second information terminal 5 are installed in a common area A2 shared by a plurality of users. The second telephone 4 has a LAN hub function, and the second information terminal 5 can access the main device 1 and the second DHCP server 8 via the second telephone 4. The second information terminal 5 is, for example, a laptop or tablet that a user can bring into the common area A2 and use. The second information terminal 5 is connected to the network via the second telephone 4, and the second telephone 4 can monitor data sent and received by the second information terminal 5.

[0026] The second information terminal 5 requests an IP address from the second DHCP server 8 selected from a plurality of DHCP servers based on information notified from the second telephone 4. For example, after being connected to the second telephone 4, the second information terminal 5 acquires area data indicating that the second telephone 4 is installed in the shared area A2, and transmits an IP address request including the second MAC address of the second information terminal 5 to the second DHCP server 8 corresponding to the acquired area data. The second telephone 4 acquires the second MAC address included in the IP address request transmitted by the second information terminal 5, and stores the acquired second MAC address. Thereafter, the second telephone 4 monitors data including the stored second MAC address.

[0027] The second telephone 4 monitors data transmitted from the second DHCP server 8 to the second information terminal 5, thereby recognizing the second IP address assigned by the second DHCP server 8 in response to the second information terminal 5 requesting an IP address from the second DHCP server 8, and transmits the recognized second IP address to the main unit 1. Specifically, the second telephone 4 recognizes the second IP address transmitted from the second DHCP server 8 together with the second MAC address.

[0028] The third information terminal 6 is provided in an outside area A3 (e.g., at home), which is a third area where no telephone connected to the main unit 1 is provided, and executes telephone functions by software. The third information terminal 6 is, for example, a personal computer used by a user at home, and has installed thereon softphone application software that realizes telephone functions by software. The third information terminal 6 can transmit and receive data to and from the main unit 1 via a VPN (Virtual Private Network) server (not shown).

[0029] The third information terminal 6 requests the third DHCP server 9, which has been stored in advance, to assign an IP address. The third information terminal 6 transmits to the main device 1 the third IP address assigned by the third DHCP server 9 in response to the third information terminal 6's request for an IP address from the third DHCP server 9.

[0030] The first DHCP server 7 assigns an IP address to the first information terminal 3 in the user's seat area A1 in response to a request from the first information terminal 3. The first DHCP server 7 transmits an IP address selected from the multiple IP addresses assigned for the user's seat area A1 to the first information terminal 3. When the first DHCP server 7 receives an IP address request including the first MAC address of the first information terminal 3, it transmits the IP address together with the first MAC address included in the received IP address request.

[0031] The second DHCP server 8 assigns an IP address to the second information terminal 5 in the shared area A2 in response to a request from the second information terminal 5. The second DHCP server 8 transmits an IP address selected from the multiple IP addresses assigned for the shared area A2 to the second information terminal 5. When the second DHCP server 8 receives an IP address request including the second MAC address of the second information terminal 5, it transmits the IP address together with the second MAC address included in the received IP address request.

[0032] The third DHCP server 9 assigns an IP address to the third information terminal 6 in response to a request from the third information terminal 6 in the external area A3. The third DHCP server 9 transmits an IP address selected from the multiple IP addresses assigned for the external area A3 to the third information terminal 6. When the third DHCP server 9 receives an IP address request including the third MAC address of the third information terminal 6, it transmits the IP address together with the third MAC address included in the received IP address request.

[0033] [Data stored in memory unit 12] The storage unit 12 has storage media such as a ROM (Read Only Memory) and a RAM (Random Access Memory). The storage unit 12 stores various data used by the control unit 11 to control outgoing and incoming calls. The various data stored in the storage unit 12 will be described below.

[0034] The storage unit 12 stores first processing data indicating the relationship between an IP address used by the information terminal and telephone functions executable by a telephone or information terminal provided in the same area as the information terminal. The first processing data may include area-specific address data indicating the relationship between the IP address and the area, and area-specific function data indicating the relationship between the area and the telephone functions. In other words, the storage unit 12 stores the first processing data including area-specific address data indicating the relationship between the IP address and the area type, and area-specific function data indicating the relationship between the area type and telephone functions executable by a telephone or information terminal provided in an area of ​​the area type.

[0035] The storage unit 12 may further store second processing data in which a DHCP server is associated with an area type. The storage unit 12 may also store a MAC address and a user's extension number in association with each other. The storage unit 12 may store the login names of each of a plurality of users.

[0036] Fig. 2 is a diagram showing an example of area-specific address data. The area-specific address data shown in Fig. 2 indicates that an IP address of 192.168.101.xxx (xxx is from 000 to 999) is assigned to the personal desk area A1, and an IP address of 192.168.102.xxx (xxx is from 000 to 999) is assigned to the shared area A2. Furthermore, the area-specific address data shown in Fig. 2 indicates that an IP address of 192.168.103.xxx (xxx is from 000 to 999) is assigned to the outside area A3 where telecommuting is performed.

[0037] The area-specific address data may be created in advance by an administrator of the main device 1, or may be created by the control unit 11. In order to create the area-specific address data, the control unit 11 first acquires information indicating the range of IP addresses issued by the first DHCP server 7 from the first DHCP server 7, acquires information indicating the range of IP addresses issued by the second DHCP server 8 from the second DHCP server 8, and acquires information indicating the range of IP addresses issued by the third DHCP server 9 from the third DHCP server 9. Next, the control unit 11 can create the first processing data by referring to the second processing data and associating the acquired IP address range with the area type and storing it in the storage unit 12.

[0038] Fig. 3 is a diagram showing an example of area-specific function data, in which area types, states of information terminals, states of telephone sets, and functions provided by main unit 1 are associated with each other.

[0039] For example, on condition that a first IP address has been acquired from the first telephone 2, the control unit 11 enables the first telephone 2 to execute a calling function and a response function corresponding to the own desk area A1. On condition that a second IP address has been acquired from the second telephone 4, the control unit 11 enables the second telephone 4 to execute a calling function and a response function corresponding to the shared area A2. A specific example of the processing executed by the control unit 11 will be described below.

[0040] When the control unit 11 acquires the first IP address from the first telephone 2 by referring to the first processing data including the area-specific address data and the area-specific function data, the control unit 11 causes the first telephone 2 to execute the telephone function associated with the first IP address in the first processing data. In the example shown in FIG. 3, when the control unit 11 receives a notification from the first telephone 2 or the first information terminal 3 that the first information terminal 3 is activated, the control unit 11 determines that the user is in the user's own desk area A1 and causes the first telephone 2 to execute all telephone functions including outside call, internal call, internal answer, mass incoming call, proxy answer, hold, and hold transfer. When the control unit 11 does not receive a notification from the first telephone 2 or the first information terminal 3 that the first information terminal 3 is activated, the control unit 11 determines that the user is away from the desk and does not cause the first telephone 2 to execute telephone functions other than outside call and internal call.

[0041] Furthermore, when the control unit 11 acquires the second IP address from the second telephone 4, it causes the second telephone 4 to execute the telephone functions associated with the second IP address in the first processing data. When the control unit 11 receives a notification from the second telephone 4 or the second information terminal 5 that the second information terminal 5 is running, it determines that the user is in the shared area A2, and causes the second telephone 4 to execute the telephone functions of outgoing call, internal call, incoming internal call, hold, and hold transfer. When the control unit 11 does not receive a notification from the second telephone 4 or the second information terminal 5 that the second information terminal 5 is running, it determines that the user is not near the second telephone 4, and does not cause the second telephone 4 to execute telephone functions other than outgoing call and internal call.

[0042] When the control unit 11 acquires the third IP address from the third information terminal 6, it causes the third information terminal 6 to execute the telephone functions associated with the third IP address in the first processing data. Specifically, when the control unit 11 receives a notification from the third information terminal 6 that the third information terminal 6 is running, it determines that the user is able to use the third information terminal 6 at home, and causes the third information terminal 6 to execute the telephone functions of outgoing call, outgoing call, incoming call, hold, and hold forward by the third information terminal 6.

[0043] Next, the operation of the control unit 11 when an incoming call is received from an outside line will be described. When an incoming call is received from an outside line, the control unit 11 executes a simultaneous incoming call function that rings the first telephone 2 and other telephones associated with the first telephone 2 (for example, telephones in the same group as the first telephone 2) but does not cause the second telephone 4 to execute the simultaneous incoming call function. In addition, when an incoming call is received from an outside line, the control unit 11 executes a proxy answering function that causes the first telephone 2 to receive the incoming call on behalf of the other telephones associated with the first telephone 2 while ringing, but does not cause the second telephone 4 to execute the proxy answering function.

[0044] By the control unit 11 operating in this manner, when the user is in the user's own seat area A1 where the user may receive calls addressed to other users in the group to which the user belongs, the user can receive mass incoming calls and respond on behalf of the other users. On the other hand, when the user is in the shared area A2 where it is difficult to transfer calls addressed to other users in the group to which the user belongs, the user cannot receive mass incoming calls or respond on behalf of the other users. In this manner, the main unit 1 can execute processing appropriate to the area in which the user is located.

[0045] When the control unit 11 receives a MAC address from the first information terminal 3 or the second information terminal 5 via the first telephone 2 or the second telephone 4, it may identify a user extension number stored in the storage unit 12 in association with the MAC address, and notify the first telephone 2 or the second telephone 4 of the identified user extension number. The first telephone 2 and the second telephone 4 store the notified user extension number, and ring when there is an incoming call addressed to the stored extension number. In this way, even if the user moves to the shared area A2, an incoming call addressed to the user can be received by the second telephone 4 installed in the shared area A2.

[0046] [Processing flow by communication system S] 4 to 6 are sequence diagrams showing the flow of processing by the communication system S. FIG. 4 is a sequence diagram when the user is in the user's own desk area A1. FIG. 5 is a sequence diagram when the user is in the shared area A2. FIG. 6 is a sequence diagram when the user is in the outside area A3. FIGS. 4 and 5 start from the point when the main device 1 is powered on. The sequence diagram shown in FIG. 6 starts from the point when the third information terminal 6 is started up.

[0047] First, the flow of processing while the user is in the user's own seat area A1 will be described with reference to Fig. 4. When the main device 1 is started, the control unit 11 transmits a range request to the first DHCP server 7 and the second DHCP server 8 to inquire about the range of IP addresses to be assigned by each of the first DHCP server 7 and the second DHCP server 8, and receives notifications of the range of IP addresses to be assigned from the first DHCP server 7 and the second DHCP server 8.

[0048] Based on the received notification of the IP address range, the control unit 11 creates area-specific address data and stores the IP address range in association with the area type in the storage unit 12. Although not shown in Fig. 4, the control unit 11 also receives a notification of the IP address range from the third DHCP server 9, and stores the IP address range in association with the area type of "outside the company" in the storage unit 12.

[0049] Thereafter, when the first information terminal 3 is started up, the first information terminal 3 acquires area data indicating that the first information terminal 3 is in the user's own desk area A1 from the first telephone 2. The first information terminal 3 transmits a DHCP request together with its MAC address to the first DHCP server 7 corresponding to the user's own desk area A1. At this time, the first telephone 2 stores the MAC address transmitted by the first information terminal 3, and monitors data including the stored MAC address.

[0050] The first DHCP server 7 transmits an IP address to be assigned to the first information terminal 3 together with the MAC address to the first information terminal 3. The first telephone 2 recognizes the IP address transmitted by the first DHCP server 7 together with the stored MAC address, and notifies the main unit 1 of the recognized IP address together with the MAC address. The first telephone 2 may recognize the login name transmitted by the first information terminal 3 together with the MAC address, and transmit the recognized login name to the main unit 1.

[0051] The control unit 11 of the main unit 1 identifies the extension number of the user stored in the storage unit 12 in association with the MAC address transmitted from the first telephone 2, and notifies the first telephone 2 of the identified extension number. The first telephone 2 determines that the extension number already stored matches the notified extension number, and transmits a notification to the main unit 1 that the extension number will not be changed. The first telephone 2 displays the extension number on the display, and notifies the main unit 1 of the extension number when the user makes a call.

[0052] The control unit 11 of the main unit 1 identifies that the IP address sent from the first telephone 2 corresponds to the user's desk area A1 by referring to the first processing data, and sets the first telephone 2 to execute all telephone functions based on the area-specific function data. That is, when there is an outside call addressed to a group including the extension number of the first telephone 2, the control unit 11 notifies the first telephone 2 of the outside call. The first telephone 2 rings when it receives the outside call notification. Also, when the control unit 11 receives an instruction for proxy answering from the first telephone 2-1 while the first telephone 2-2 used by the second user belonging to the same group as the first user using the first telephone 2-1 is ringing, it connects the outside line to the first telephone 2-1.

[0053] Next, the flow of processing while the user is in the shared area A2 will be described with reference to Fig. 5. The process in which the control unit 11 inquires of the first DHCP server 7, the second DHCP server 8, and the third DHCP server 9 about IP address ranges and stores the IP address ranges in the storage unit 12 in association with the area type is the same as that in Fig. 4.

[0054] Thereafter, when the second information terminal 5 is started up, the second information terminal 5 acquires area data indicating that the first information terminal 3 is in the shared area A2 from the second telephone 4. The second information terminal 5 transmits a DHCP request together with the MAC address to the second DHCP server 8 corresponding to the shared area A2. At this time, the second telephone 4 stores the MAC address transmitted by the second information terminal 5 and monitors data including the stored MAC address.

[0055] The second DHCP server 8 transmits an IP address to be assigned to the second information terminal 5 together with the MAC address to the second information terminal 5. The second telephone 4 recognizes the IP address transmitted by the second DHCP server 8 together with the stored MAC address, and notifies the main unit 1 of the recognized IP address together with the MAC address. The second telephone 4 may recognize the login name transmitted by the second information terminal 5 together with the MAC address, and transmit the recognized login name to the main unit 1.

[0056] The control unit 11 of the main unit 1 identifies the extension number of the user stored in the storage unit 12 in association with the MAC address sent from the second telephone 4, and notifies the second telephone 4 of the identified extension number. The second telephone 4 determines that the extension number already stored does not match the notified extension number, and sends a notification to the main unit 1 that the extension number has been changed. The second telephone 4 then executes telephone functions using the notified extension number. For example, the second telephone 4 displays the extension number on a display, and notifies the main unit 1 of the extension number when the user makes a call.

[0057] The control unit 11 of the main unit 1 identifies that the IP address sent from the second telephone 4 corresponds to the shared area A2 by referring to the first processing data, and sets the second telephone 4 to execute only some of the telephone functions set for the shared area A2 based on the area-specific function data. That is, when there is an outside call addressed to a group including the extension number of the second telephone 4, the control unit 11 does not notify the second telephone 4 of the outside call. In addition, while the first telephone 2-2 used by the second user belonging to the same group as the first user using the second telephone 4-1 is ringing, even if the control unit 11 receives an instruction to answer the outside call from the second telephone 4-1 by the operation of the user who heard the ring of the first telephone 2-2, the control unit 11 does not connect the outside line to the second telephone 4-1.

[0058] Next, the flow of processing while the user is in the external area A3 will be described with reference to Fig. 6. The sequence diagram shown in Fig. 6 starts from the point when the third information terminal 6 is started up. When the third information terminal 6 is not connected to the first telephone 2 or the second telephone 4 and cannot obtain area data, it transmits a DHCP request together with its MAC address to the third DHCP server 9 corresponding to the external area A3. The third DHCP server 9 transmits an IP address to be assigned to the third information terminal 6 together with the MAC address to the third information terminal 6.

[0059] When the third information terminal 6 receives the IP address, it transmits a VPN request to the VPN server. When the third information terminal 6 receives the authentication data from the VPN server, it becomes possible to communicate with the main unit 1 via the VPN, and transmits the login name, MAC address, and IP address to the main unit 1.

[0060] When the control unit 11 of the main device 1 receives the login name, MAC address, and IP address from the third information terminal 6, it determines that the third information terminal 6 is located outside the company, that is, outside the company area A3, by referring to the area-specific address data. In addition, the control unit 11 identifies the user's extension number stored in the storage unit 12 in association with the login name or MAC address transmitted from the third information terminal 6, and notifies the third information terminal 6 of the identified extension number.

[0061] The third information terminal 6 starts the softphone application and enables the execution of telephone functions using the notified extension number. The control unit 11 of the main unit 1 sets the third information terminal 6 to execute only some of the telephone functions set for the outside company area A3 based on the area-specific function data.

[0062] [Effects of communication system S] As described above, the storage unit 12 stores the first processing data indicating the relationship between the IP address used by the information terminal and the telephone functions executable by the telephone or information terminal installed in the same area as the information terminal. Then, when the control unit 11 acquires the first IP address from the first telephone 2, it causes the first telephone 2 to execute the telephone functions associated with the first IP address in the first processing data, and when the control unit 11 acquires the second IP address from the second telephone 4, it causes the second telephone 4 to execute the telephone functions associated with the second IP address in the first processing data.

[0063] With the communication system S configured in this way, when the user is in the user's own seat area A1, the telephone function suitable for the user's own seat area A1 can be used, and when the user is in the shared area A2, the telephone function suitable for the shared area A2 can be used. In other words, the communication system S makes it possible to switch the operation of the telephone (e.g., ringing function) depending on the location where the user is working.

[0064] Although the present invention has been described above using the embodiments, the technical scope of the present invention is not limited to the scope described in the above embodiments, and various modifications and changes are possible within the scope of the gist of the present invention. For example, all or part of the device can be configured by distributing or integrating functionally or physically in any unit. In addition, new embodiments resulting from any combination of multiple embodiments are also included in the embodiments of the present invention. The effect of the new embodiment resulting from the combination combines the effect of the original embodiment. [Explanation of symbols]

[0065] 1 Main device 2 First phone 3. First information terminal 4 Second phone 5. Second information terminal 6. Third information terminal 7 First DHCP Server 8 Second DHCP Server 9. Third DHCP Server 11 Control section 12 Storage section

Claims

1. A system including a main unit having a telephone exchange function, a first telephone set and a first information terminal provided in a first area, and a second telephone set and a second information terminal provided in a second area different from the first area, the first telephone recognizes a first IP address assigned by the first DHCP server in response to a request for an IP address from the first information terminal to the first DHCP server by monitoring data transmitted from the first DHCP server to the first information terminal, and transmits the recognized first IP address to the main device; the second telephone recognizes a second IP address assigned by the second DHCP server in response to a request for an IP address from the second information terminal to the second DHCP server by monitoring data transmitted from the second DHCP server to the second information terminal, and transmits the recognized second IP address to the main device; The main device is a storage unit that stores first processing data indicating a relationship between an IP address used by an information terminal and a telephone set provided in the same area as the information terminal or a telephone function that the information terminal can execute; a control unit that, when the first IP address is acquired from the first telephone, causes the first telephone to execute a telephone function associated with the first IP address in the first processing data, and, when the second IP address is acquired from the second telephone, causes the second telephone to execute a telephone function associated with the second IP address in the first processing data; A communication system having the above configuration.

2. the first telephone stores a first MAC address included in the data transmitted from the first information terminal to the first DHCP server, and recognizes the first IP address transmitted from the first DHCP server together with the first MAC address; The communication system according to claim 1 .

3. the first information terminal requests an IP address from the first DHCP server selected from a plurality of DHCP servers based on information notified from the first telephone; The communication system according to claim 1 .

4. the communication system further comprises a third information terminal provided in a third area where no telephone connected to the main device is provided, the third information terminal performing telephone functions by software; the third information terminal transmits to the main device a third IP address assigned by the third DHCP server in response to a request for an IP address from the third information terminal to the third DHCP server; when the control unit acquires the third IP address from the third information terminal, the control unit causes the third information terminal to execute a telephone function associated with the third IP address in the first processing data. The communication system according to claim 1 .

5. The storage unit stores the first processing data including data indicating a relationship between an IP address and an area type, and data indicating a relationship between an area type and a telephone function executable by a telephone set or the information terminal installed in an area of ​​the area type. The communication system according to claim 1 .

6. the storage unit further stores second processing data in which a DHCP server is associated with an area type; the control unit acquires from the first DHCP server information indicating a range of IP addresses issued by the first DHCP server, acquires from the second DHCP server information indicating a range of IP addresses issued by the second DHCP server, and creates the first processing data by referring to the second processing data and associating the acquired IP address range with an area type and storing the associated information in the storage unit.

6. The communication system according to claim 5.

7. the first area is an area where a user who uses the first telephone is fixed, and the second area is an area where a user who uses the second telephone is not fixed, the control unit, when receiving an incoming call from an outside line, executes a simultaneous incoming call function for ringing the first telephone and other telephones associated with the first telephone, and does not cause the second telephone to execute the simultaneous incoming call function; The communication system according to claim 1 .

8. the first area is an area where a user who uses the first telephone is fixed, and the second area is an area where a user who uses the second telephone is not fixed, the control unit, when receiving an incoming call from an outside line, causes the first telephone to execute a proxy answering function for receiving the incoming call on behalf of the first telephone while causing another telephone associated with the first telephone to ring, and does not cause the second telephone to execute the proxy answering function. The communication system according to claim 1 .

9. the control unit enables the first telephone to execute a calling function and a response function on condition that the first IP address has been acquired from the first telephone, and enables the second telephone to execute a calling function and a response function on condition that the second IP address has been acquired from the second telephone. The communication system according to claim 1 .

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