Call system and communication control method

Abstract

To enable quick communication with a target person near a specific location.SOLUTION: A call system that realizes calls between a plurality of terminals includes a call exchange server that performs connection processing to a destination terminal according to an outgoing message from the terminal, and a location management server that manages location information on the terminal, and the call exchange server determines a destination terminal on the basis of the location information included in the outgoing message and the location information on the terminal managed by the location management server, and executes connection processing between a source terminal and the terminal of the determined destination.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a telephone system. [Background technology]

[0002] A typical telephone system makes a call by specifying the telephone number or address of the recipient. In addition, in situations where a person needs to be dispatched to the site to deal with a problem that has occurred on a premises, there are occasions when a highly urgent call is required to a target person near a specific location without identifying the individual.

[0003] The following prior art is included as background art in this technical field: Patent Document 1 (JP Patent Publication 2001-268237A) describes an in-house telephone system including a wireless terminal, a base station that performs wireless communication with the wireless terminal within a specified area, and a control station to which the base station is connected and that controls telephone lines within the premises, characterized in that the in-house telephone system is provided with a plurality of paging guide devices that are connected to the control station and broadcast announcements within a specific zone through line connections with the wireless terminals, and the control station is a control station that, when a specific operation is performed on a mobile terminal, identifies a paging guide device based on location information of the mobile terminal and connects the mobile terminal to the identified paging guide device through lines (see claim 1).

[0004] Patent document 2 (JP 2009-10681 A) describes a communications system consisting of a communications terminal equipped with a communication unit that connects to and communicates with a base station, a base station that connects to the communications terminal, and a management server that manages the connections between the communications terminals, characterized in that when a communications terminal requests unspecified communication, which is communication with an unspecified other party, the management server makes connection requests to an unspecified number of other communications terminals connected to a specific base station (see abstract). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0005] [Patent Document 1] JP 2001-268237 A [Patent Document 2] JP 2009-10681 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0006] In the case of an emergency call with a person near a specific location, if the person is not present or is far from the specific location, the caller's goal will be delayed. For this reason, it is necessary to make a call specifying a specific location so that the call can be received by a person at the specific location.

[0007] In addition, in the above-mentioned conventional technology, the terminal to be connected is specified on a base station basis. Therefore, in a wireless system with a large cell size, the number of applicable targets increases, making it difficult to properly identify the target.

[0008] An object of the present invention is to provide an in-house voice communication system that enables a quick call to be made to a target person near a specific location in response to an urgent call opportunity. [Means for solving the problem]

[0009] A representative example of the invention disclosed in this application is as follows: A call system for enabling calls between a plurality of terminals, comprising a call switching server for performing connection processing to a destination terminal in accordance with an outgoing message from the terminal, and a location management server for managing location information of the terminals, The outgoing message further includes information of a terminal to be preferentially connected; The call switching server includes: When a connection process with the terminal with priority is attempted and the terminal with priority cannot be connected, The method is characterized in that the destination terminal is determined based on the location information included in the outgoing message and the location information of the terminals managed by the location management server, and a connection process is performed between the originating terminal and the determined destination terminal. Effect of the Invention

[0010] According to one aspect of the present invention, it is possible to quickly communicate with a target person close to a specific location. Problems, configurations, and effects other than those described above will become apparent from the following description of the embodiments. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0011] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram of a voice communication system according to a first embodiment. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a call terminal according to the first embodiment. [Diagram 3] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of a configuration of a user connection information database according to the first embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of a configuration of a location information database according to the first embodiment. [Diagram 5] FIG. 11 is a sequence diagram showing an example of an incoming / outgoing call process in the first embodiment. [Figure 6] 6 is a flowchart of an outgoing / receiving call process executed by a call switching server in the processing sequence of FIG. 5. [Figure 7] FIG. 4 is a sequence diagram illustrating an example of an incoming / outgoing call process according to the first embodiment. [Figure 8] 8 is a flowchart of an outgoing / receiving call process executed by the call switching server in the process sequence of FIG. 7. [Figure 9] FIG. 4 is a sequence diagram illustrating an example of an incoming / outgoing call process according to the first embodiment. [Figure 10] 10 is a flowchart of an outgoing / receiving call process executed by the call switching server in the processing sequence of FIG. 9. [Figure 11] FIG. 11 is a configuration diagram of a voice communication system according to a second embodiment. [Figure 12] FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating an example of a configuration of a user attribute information database according to the second embodiment. [Figure 13] FIG. 11 is a sequence diagram illustrating an example of a call originating / receiving process according to the second embodiment. [Figure 14] 14 is a flowchart of an outgoing / receiving call process executed by the call switching server in the processing sequence of FIG. 13. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0012] <Example 1> FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram of a voice communication system according to a first embodiment.

[0013] The voice call system of the first embodiment is composed of a call switching server 1, a location management server 2, a network 3, one or more base stations 4, and multiple call terminals 5. In the following description, when multiple base stations 4 are to be distinguished from one another, they are referred to as base station 4-A and base station 4-B, and when they are not to be distinguished from one another, they are simply referred to as base station 4. Similarly, when multiple call terminals 5 are to be distinguished from one another, they are referred to as call terminal 5-A, call terminal 5-B, and call terminal 5-C, and when they are not to be distinguished from one another, they are simply referred to as call terminal 5. In addition, a telephone number may be added after the call terminal 5 in the description.

[0014] The call switching server 1 is a control device that performs connection processing to the destination call terminal 5 according to an outgoing message from the call terminal 5 as a call source by referring to the user connection information database 10 and the location information database 20, and establishes a communication path between the call terminals 5. The location management server 2 is a control device that manages the location of the call terminal 5 by using the location information database 20. Specifically, the location management server 2 calculates the location of the call terminal 5 from sensor information collected from the call terminal 5, and stores the calculated location in the location information database 20. The configuration of the user connection information database 10 will be described later with reference to FIG. 3, and the configuration of the location information database 20 will be described later with reference to FIG. 4.

[0015] The base station 4 establishes a communication path with the call terminal 5 by wireless communication (for example, local 5G, sXGP, WiFi, etc.). The call switching server 1, the location management server 2, and the base station 4 are connected via a network 3. The call terminal 5 is a telephone that connects to the base station 4 wirelessly and communicates with other call terminals 5.

[0016] To the voice communication system of the first embodiment, a management terminal 6, which is a computer for setting data in the user connection information database 10 and the position information database 20, is connected.

[0017] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the configuration of the communication terminal 5. As shown in FIG.

[0018] The call terminal 5 includes a wireless communication unit 50, a display unit 51, an operation unit 52, a sensor unit 53, a position designation unit 54, an attribute designation unit 55, and a sensor information transmission unit 56.

[0019] The wireless communication unit 50 is an interface for wireless communication with the base station 4. The display unit 51 is a display device (e.g., a liquid crystal display device) that provides the user with information necessary for operation. The operation unit 52 is an input device (e.g., a keyboard, a touch panel) that accepts user operations.

[0020] The sensor unit 53 measures sensor information so that the communication terminal 5 knows its own position. The sensor information measured by the communication terminal 5 can be the strength of radio waves transmitted by the base station 4, the strength of radio waves from a BLE beacon, dead recognition using the amount of movement from a reference point measured by a gyro mounted on the communication terminal 5, or IMES, which is a so-called indoor GPS. By using such sensor information, the position of the communication terminal 5 can be identified by a positioning app using a device mounted on a smartphone, and the introduction cost of the communication terminal 5 can be reduced. The sensor information measured by the sensor unit 53 is transmitted from the sensor information transmission unit 56 to the position management server 2 via the wireless communication unit 50 and the base station 4. The sensor information transmission unit 56 may transmit the sensor information periodically or when triggered by a user operation (for example, power on).

[0021] The location specification unit 54 is an interface that allows the user to specify the location of the destination call terminal 5. The call terminal 5 of this embodiment receives and transmits the location of the destination call terminal 5 by specifying the location using methods such as XY coordinates, a location range, a room number, a section, or a device installed at a fixed location. For example, a location or range on a map displayed on the display unit 51 may be specified. When the voice communication system is installed in a hospital, a hospital room may be specified; when the system is installed in a factory, a specific device may be specified; and when the system is installed in a hotel, a room number may be specified.

[0022] The attribute designation unit 55 is an interface for the user to designate attributes of the user of the destination call terminal 5, and is used in the second embodiment described later. For example, it is preferable to display designable attributes in a list format for each category, and allow the user to select one.

[0023] FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of the user connection information database 10. As shown in FIG.

[0024] The user connection information database 10 is configured with a connection information table 100 shown in FIG. 3. The connection information table 100 includes data of a terminal ID 101, a connected base station 102, and a telephone number 103. The terminal ID 101 is unique identification information given to the call terminal 5. The connected base station 102 records at least one identification information of a base station 4 No. to which the call terminal 5 can connect. The telephone number 103 is a number used when making and receiving calls. In this embodiment, the call terminal 5 makes a call by designating a telephone number, but when the SIP protocol is used for connection between the call terminals 5, it is preferable to make a call by designating an IP address. In this case, the user connection information database 10 should record an IP address instead of designating a telephone number.

[0025] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of the location information database 20. As shown in FIG.

[0026] The location information database 20 is configured by a location information table 200 shown in FIG. 4. The location information table 200 includes data of a terminal ID 201, a floor ID 202, a location 203, and a refusal range 204. The terminal ID 201 is unique identification information given to the call terminal 5, and the same identification information as the terminal ID 101 in the connection information table 100 is used. The floor ID 202 is unique identification information given to the floor of the building where the voice call system of this embodiment is installed. The location 203 is the location of the call terminal 5, and is a value calculated by the location management server 2 from the sensor information collected from the call terminal 5. Instead of the location 203, the connected base station 102 in the connection information table 100 may be used as location information. The floor ID 202 and the location 203 may be integrated into one data. The refusal range 204 is a range in which an incoming call to the call terminal 5 is rejected, and is registered by an administrator or a user from the management terminal 6 or the call terminal 5. The refusal range 204 may be set, for example, to a place or time period where concentration on the current work is required (during dangerous work, in an operating room, etc.). The refusal range 204 may record a time period or a refusal flag that can be set and released by the user, instead of an area.

[0027] 5 is a sequence diagram showing an example of the incoming call processing of this embodiment. In the outgoing / incoming call processing shown in FIG.

[0028] First, the telephone terminal 5-A (1000) designates the location (X, Y) of floor 1 and sends a call message [From: 1000 To: 1, (X, Y)] to the base station 4-A (S100). The base station 4-A transfers the call message sent from the telephone terminal 5-A to the telephone exchange server 1 (S101).

[0029] When the call switching server 1 receives the outgoing message transmitted from the call terminal 5-A, it searches the location information database 20 using the location information (location (X, Y) on floor 1) specified in the outgoing message as a key (S102), and acquires the identification information of the call terminal 5 located near the location (X, Y) on floor 1 (S103). The location information database 20 outputs the search results of the call terminal 5 located outside the refusal range. When the call switching server 1 acquires the identification information of the call terminal 5-B (2000) located near the location (X, Y) on floor 1, it searches the user connection information database 10 using the identification information of the call destination call terminal 5-B acquired from the location information database 20 as a key (S104), and acquires the information of the base station 4 for connecting to the call terminal 5-B (S105).

[0030] When the call switching server 1 acquires information that the base station for connecting to the destination call terminal 5-B is the base station 4-B, it transmits an outgoing message [From: 1000 To: 2000] to the base station 4-B (S106). The base station 4-B transfers the outgoing message transmitted from the call switching server 1 to the call terminal 5-B (S107).

[0031] When the telephone terminal 5-B receives an outgoing message addressed to itself, it makes an incoming call ringing sound, and when the user responds to the incoming call, it returns an incoming call response message to the base station 4-A via the base station 4-B and the telephone switching server 1 (S108, S109, S110).

[0032] When the base station 4-A receives the incoming call response message, it returns an ACK message to the base station 4-B via the call switching server 1 (S111, S112). Then, negotiation is performed to set up a communication path between the base stations 4-A and 4-B, and a communication path that enables communication between the base stations is established (S113). After that, the base station 4-A returns a response notification to the call terminal 5-A that is the originator of the call (S114).

[0033] Through the above sequence, a call can be established between the call originating terminal 5-A and the call destination terminal 5-B (S115).

[0034] FIG. 6 is a flowchart of the call originating / receiving process executed by the call switching server 1 in the process sequence of FIG.

[0035] First, the call switching server 1 receives an outgoing message from the call terminal 5-A (S150). After that, the call switching server 1 searches the location information database 20 using the location information specified in the outgoing message as a key (S151), and determines whether there is an unselected call terminal 5 in the vicinity of the location indicated by the outgoing message (S152). If there is no unselected call terminal 5 in the vicinity of the location information, the call switching server 1 transmits a call unavailability response to the base station 4-A to which the caller's call terminal 5-A is connected (S161).

[0036] On the other hand, if there is an unselected call terminal 5 within the range, the call switching server 1 acquires the terminal ID of the unselected call terminal 5 that is closest to the location indicated by the location information (S153), searches the user connection information database 10 using the acquired terminal ID as a key, and acquires the connection information of the call destination call terminal 5-B (S154). The call switching server 1 uses the acquired connection information of the call destination call terminal 5-B to transmit an outgoing message to the call terminal 5-B via the connection destination base station 4 (S155).

[0037] After that, when the call switching server 1 receives a response from the base station 4-B to which the call destination terminal 5-B is connected (S156), it judges whether the received response is an incoming call response (S157). If the received response is not an incoming call response, it cannot connect to the call destination terminal 5-B, so it returns to step S151 and searches the location information database 20 again.

[0038] On the other hand, if the received response is an incoming call response, the call switching server 1 transmits the received incoming call response to the base station 4A connected to the call terminal 5-A of the call originator (S158). Then, when the call switching server 1 receives an ACK from the base station 4-A connected to the call terminal 5-A of the call originator (S159), it transmits the received ACK to the base station 4-B connected to the call terminal 5-B of the call destination (S160).

[0039] Fig. 7 is a sequence diagram showing an example of the call origination / reception process of this embodiment. In the call origination / reception process shown in Fig. 7, a call is originated by specifying the range (X1, Y1)-(X2, Y2) of floor 1.

[0040] First, the telephone terminal 5-A (1000) makes a call by specifying the range (X1, Y1)-(X2, Y2) of floor 1, and transmits a call message [From: 1000 To: 1, (X1, Y1)-(X2, Y2)] to the base station 4-A (S200). The base station 4-A transfers the call message transmitted from the telephone terminal 5-A to the telephone exchange server 1 (S201).

[0041] When the call switching server 1 receives the call message transmitted from the call terminal 5-A, it searches the location information database 20 using the location information (floor 1 range (X1, Y1)-(X2, Y2)) specified in the call message as a key (S202), and acquires the identification information of all call terminals 5 within that range (S203). The location information database 20 outputs the search results of the call terminals 5 that are outside the refusal range. When the call switching server 1 acquires the identification information of the call terminals 5-B (2000) and 5-C (3000) that are within the range (X1, Y1)-(X2, Y2) of floor 1, it searches the user connection information database 10 using the identification information of the call destination call terminals 5-B and 5-C acquired from the location information database 20 as a key (S204), and acquires the information of the base station 4 for connecting to the call terminals 5-B and 5-C (S205).

[0042] When the call switching server 1 acquires information that the base station for connecting to the call destination terminals 5-B and 5-C is the base station 4-B, it transmits an outgoing message [From:1000 To:2000 / 3000] to all call destination candidate call terminals 5-B and 5-C to the base station 4-B (S206). The outgoing message transmitted in step S206 may be one outgoing message for calling multiple call destination candidate call terminals 5, or multiple outgoing messages each for calling one call destination candidate call terminal 5. The base station 4-B generates outgoing messages for each call destination call terminal 5-B and 5-C from the outgoing message transmitted from the call switching server 1, transmits the outgoing message [From:1000 To:2000] to the call terminal 5-B (S207), and transmits the outgoing message [From:1000 To:3000] to the call terminal 5-C (S208).

[0043] When the telephone terminal 5-C receives an outgoing message addressed to itself, it makes an incoming call ringing sound, and when the user responds to the incoming call, it returns an incoming call response message to the base station 4-A via the base station 4-B and the telephone switching server 1 (S209, S210, S211).

[0044] When the call terminal 5-B receives an outgoing message addressed to itself, it rings, and when the user responds to the incoming call, it returns an incoming call response message to the base station 4-A via the base station 4-B and the call switching server 1. However, since the call switching server 1 sets up a communication path with the call terminal 5-C, which received the incoming call response message first, it does not set up a communication path with the call terminal 5-B, which received the incoming call response message later. Note that the call switching server 1 may set up a communication path so that a group call between all the call terminals 5 that sent the incoming call response message and the call originating call terminal 5-A is possible.

[0045] When the base station 4-A receives the incoming call response message, it returns an ACK message to the base station 4-B via the call switching server 1 (S212, S213). Then, negotiation is performed between the base station 4-A and the base station 4-B to set up a communication path, and a communication path that enables communication between the base stations is established (S214). After that, the base station 4-A returns a response notification to the call terminal 5-A that is the originator of the call (S215).

[0046] Through the above sequence, a call can be established between the call originating terminal 5-A and the call destination terminal 5-C (S216).

[0047] FIG. 8 is a flowchart of the call originating / receiving process executed by the call switching server 1 in the process sequence of FIG.

[0048] First, the call switching server 1 receives an outgoing message from the call terminal 5-A (S250). After that, the call switching server 1 searches the location information database 20 using the range of location information specified in the outgoing message as a key, and acquires the identification information of all the call terminals 5 within that range (S251). If there is no call terminal 5 within the location range included in the outgoing message, the call switching server 1 transmits a call unavailability response to the base station 4-A to which the caller's call terminal 5-A is connected.

[0049] Next, the call switching server 1 searches the user connection information database 10 using the acquired terminal ID as a key, and acquires the connection information of the call destination terminals 5-B and 5-C (S252). The call switching server 1 transmits an outgoing message to the call terminals 5-B and 5-C using the acquired connection information of the call destination terminals 5-B and 5-C (S253). As described above, the outgoing message transmitted in step S253 may be one outgoing message that calls the call terminals 5 of multiple call destination candidates, or may be multiple outgoing messages that each call one call destination terminal 5.

[0050] After that, when the call switching server 1 receives a response from the base station 4-B to which the call destination terminal 5-B is connected (S254), it judges whether the received response is an incoming call response (S255). If the received response is not an incoming call response, it cannot connect to the call destination terminal 5-B, so the call switching server 1 judges whether it has received a rejection response from all the call terminals 5 that are the destinations of the outgoing message (S259). If it has received a rejection response from all the call terminals 5 that are the destinations of the outgoing message, the call switching server 1 transmits a call refusal response to the base station 4-A to which the call originating terminal 5-A is connected (S260).

[0051] On the other hand, if rejection responses have not been received from some of the call terminals 5 that are destinations of the outgoing message, the process returns to step S254 and waits for responses to the outgoing message from the call terminals 5 of the other destinations.

[0052] When it is determined in step S255 that the call response has been received, the call switching server 1 transmits the received call response to the base station 4 connected to the call terminal 5-A of the call originator (S256). Then, when the call switching server 1 receives an ACK from the base station 4-A connected to the call terminal 5-A of the call originator (S257), it transmits the received ACK to the base station 4-B connected to the call terminal 5-B of the call destination (S258).

[0053] Fig. 9 is a sequence diagram showing an example of the call origination and reception process of this embodiment. In the call origination and reception process shown in Fig. 9, a call is made to the priority call terminal, and if the priority call terminal cannot be contacted, a call is made by specifying the range (X1, Y1)-(X2, Y2) of floor 1.

[0054] First, the call terminal 5-A (1000) designates the call terminal 5-B (2000) as the priority call terminal and the range (X1, Y1)-(X2, Y2) of floor 1 and sends a call message [From: 1000 To: 2000->1, (X1, Y1)-(X2, Y2)] to the base station 4-A (S300). The base station 4-A transfers the call message sent from the call terminal 5-A to the call switching server 1 (S301).

[0055] The call switching server 1 searches the user connection information database 10 using the telephone number of the priority incoming call terminal 5-B as a key (S302), and acquires information on the base station 4 for connecting to the priority incoming call terminal 5-B (S303).

[0056] The call switching server 1 transmits an outgoing message [From: 1000 To: 2000] for the prioritized incoming call terminal 5-B to the base station 4-B (S304). The base station 4-B transfers the outgoing message transmitted from the call switching server 1 to the call terminal 5-B (S305).

[0057] When the call terminal 5-B receives the outgoing message addressed to itself, it rings, and when the user operates to reject the incoming call, it returns a response rejection message to the call switching server 1 via the base station 4-B (S306, S307).

[0058] When the call switching server 1 receives the response rejection message transmitted from the priority incoming call terminal 5-B, it starts processing for the case where a call cannot be made to the priority incoming call terminal. First, the call switching server 1 searches the location information database 20 using the location information (floor 1 range (X1, Y1)-(X2, Y2)) specified in the outgoing call message as a key (S308), and acquires the identification information of all the call terminals 5 within that range (S309). The location information database 20 outputs the search results of the call terminals 5 that are outside the rejection range. When the call switching server 1 acquires the identification information of the call terminals 5-C (3000) and 5-D (4000) that are within the range (X1, Y1)-(X2, Y2) of floor 1, it searches the user connection information database 10 using the identification information of the call destination call terminals 5-C and 5-D acquired from the location information database 20 as a key (S310), and acquires the information of the base station 4 for connecting to the call terminals 5-C and 5-D (S311).

[0059] When the call switching server 1 acquires information that the base station for connecting to the call destination terminals 5-C and 5-D is the base station 4-B, it transmits an outgoing message [From:1000 To:3000 / 4000] to all call destination candidate call terminals 5-B and 5-C to the base station 4-B (S312). The outgoing message transmitted in step S206 may be one outgoing message for calling multiple call destination candidate call terminals 5, or multiple outgoing messages each for calling one of the call destination candidate call terminals 5. The base station 4-B generates outgoing messages for each call destination call terminal 5-C and 5-D from the outgoing message transmitted from the call switching server 1, transmits the outgoing message [From:1000 To:3000] to the call terminal 5-C (S313), and transmits the outgoing message [From:1000 To:4000] to the call terminal 5-D (S314).

[0060] When the telephone terminal 5-C receives an outgoing message addressed to itself, it makes an incoming call ringing sound, and when the user responds to the incoming call, it returns an incoming call response message to the base station 4-A via the base station 4-B and the telephone switching server 1 (S315, S316, S317).

[0061] When the call terminal 5-D receives an outgoing message addressed to itself, it rings, and when the user responds to the incoming call, it returns an incoming call response message to the base station 4-A via the base station 4-B and the call switching server 1. However, since the call switching server 1 sets up a communication path with the call terminal 5-C, which received the incoming call response message first, it does not set up a communication path with the call terminal 5-D, which received the incoming call response message later. Note that the call switching server 1 may set up a communication path so that a group call between all the call terminals 5 that sent the incoming call response message and the call originating call terminal 5-A is possible.

[0062] When the base station 4-A receives the incoming call response message, it returns an ACK message to the base station 4-B via the call switching server 1 (S318, S319). Then, negotiation is performed between the base station 4-A and the base station 4-B to set up a communication path, and a communication path that enables communication between the base stations is established (S320). After that, the base station 4-A returns a response notification to the call terminal 5-A that is the originator of the call (S321).

[0063] Through the above sequence, a call can be established between the call originating terminal 5-A and the call destination terminal 5-C (S322).

[0064] FIG. 10 is a flowchart of the call originating / receiving process executed by the call switching server 1 in the process sequence of FIG.

[0065] First, the call switching server 1 receives an outgoing message from the call terminal 5-A (S350). After that, the call switching server 1 searches the user connection information database 10 using the telephone number of the priority incoming call terminal 5-B as a key, and acquires information on the base station 4-B for connecting to the priority incoming call terminal 5-B (S351).

[0066] The call switching server 1 transmits an outgoing message to the call terminal 5-B using the connection information of the call destination terminal 5-B (S352). In step S352, the outgoing message to the priority incoming call terminal 5-B is transmitted regardless of the location of the priority incoming call terminal 5-B. However, (1) if the priority incoming call terminal 5-B is within the location range specified in the outgoing message, the outgoing message to the priority incoming call terminal 5-B is transmitted, and if the priority incoming call terminal 5-B is outside the location range specified in the outgoing message, the outgoing message to the priority incoming call terminal 5-B is not transmitted, and the process in step S310 for the case where a call cannot be made with the priority incoming call terminal 5-B may be started. (2) Also, even if the outgoing message from the call terminal 5-A, which is the call origin, does not specify the priority terminal, a connection may be made preferentially to a preset priority terminal. The priority terminal may be set for each outgoing call terminal 5, or may be determined corresponding to the location specified in the outgoing message.

[0067] Thereafter, when the call switching server 1 receives a response from the base station 4-B to which the destination call terminal 5-B is connected (S353), it judges whether the received response is an incoming call response (S354). If the received response is an incoming call response, the process proceeds to step S360. On the other hand, if the received response is not an incoming call response, the call switching server 1 searches the location information database 20 using the range of location information specified in the outgoing message as a key, and acquires the identification information of all call terminals 5 within that range (S355). If there is no call terminal 5 within the location range included in the outgoing message, the call switching server 1 transmits a call unavailability response to the base station 4-A to which the call originating call terminal 5-A is connected.

[0068] Next, the call switching server 1 searches the user connection information database 10 using the acquired terminal ID as a key, and acquires the connection information of the call destination terminals 5-C and 5-D (S356). The call switching server 1 transmits an outgoing message to the call terminals 5-C and 5-D using the acquired connection information of the call destination terminals 5-C and 5-D (S357). The outgoing message transmitted in step S357 may be one outgoing message that calls multiple call destination candidate terminals 5, or multiple outgoing messages that each call one call destination candidate terminal 5.

[0069] Thereafter, when the call switching server 1 receives a response from the base station 4-B to which the call destination terminal 5-C is connected (S358), it judges whether the received response is an incoming call response (S359). If the received response is not an incoming call response, it cannot connect to the call destination terminal 5-C, so the call switching server 1 judges whether it has received a rejection response from all call terminals 5 that are destinations of the outgoing message (S363). If it has received a rejection response from all call terminals 5 that are destinations of the outgoing message, the call switching server 1 transmits a call refusal response to the base station 4-A to which the call originating terminal 5-A is connected (S364).

[0070] On the other hand, if rejection responses have not been received from some of the call terminals 5 that are destinations of the outgoing message, the process returns to step S358, and the call switching server 1 waits for responses to the outgoing message from the call terminals 5 of other destinations.

[0071] When it is determined in step S359 that the call response has been received, the call switching server 1 transmits the received call response to the base station 4 connected to the call terminal 5-A of the call originator (S360). Then, when the call switching server 1 receives an ACK from the base station 4-A connected to the call terminal 5-A of the call originator (S361), it transmits the received ACK to the base station 4-B connected to the call terminal 5-B of the call destination (S362).

[0072] <Example 2> In the second embodiment of the present invention, a receiving terminal is selected in consideration of the attributes of the user of the call terminal 5. In the description of the second embodiment, the same configurations and functions as those in the first embodiment are given the same reference numerals, and the description thereof will be omitted.

[0073] FIG. 11 is a configuration diagram of a voice communication system according to the second embodiment.

[0074] The voice communication system of the second embodiment is composed of a communication switching server 1, a location management server 2, a network 3, one or more base stations 4, and a plurality of communication terminals 5.

[0075] The call switching server 1 is a control device that builds a communication path between a call terminal 5 of a call origin and a call terminal 5 of a call destination by referring to a user connection information database 10 and a location information database 20. The call switching server 1 also refers to a user attribute information database 11 to select a call terminal 5 that is a call destination candidate. The configuration of the user attribute information database 11 will be described later with reference to FIG. 12.

[0076] FIG. 12 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of the user attribute information database 11. As shown in FIG.

[0077] The user attribute information database 11 is configured by an attribute information table 110 shown in FIG. 12. The attribute information table 110 includes data of a terminal ID 111, a user name 112, a group 113, an affiliation 114, and a skill 115. The terminal ID 111 is unique identification information given to the call terminal 5. The user name 112 is the name of the user using the call terminal 5. The group 113 is the name of the group to which the user using the call terminal 5 belongs. The affiliation 114 is the name of the organization to which the user using the call terminal 5 belongs (e.g., a medical department). The skill 115 is the ability that the user using the call terminal 5 can provide (e.g., a doctor, a nurse, a qualification to operate a specific device, etc.).

[0078] Fig. 13 is a sequence diagram showing an example of the call origination / reception process of this embodiment. In the call origination / reception process shown in Fig. 13, a call is originated by specifying a location (X, Y) on floor 1 and a specific skill holder.

[0079] First, the telephone terminal 5-A (1000) makes a call by specifying the location (X, Y) of floor 1, and transmits a call message [From: 1000 To: 1, (X, Y)] to the base station 4-A (S400). The base station 4-A transfers the call message transmitted from the telephone terminal 5-A to the telephone exchange server 1 (S401).

[0080] When the call switching server 1 receives the outgoing message sent from the call terminal 5-A, it searches the location information database 20 using the location information (location (X, Y) on floor 1) specified in the outgoing message as a key (S402), and acquires the identification information of the call terminal 5 located near the location (X, Y) on floor 1 (S403). The location information database 20 outputs the search results of the call terminal 5 located outside the refusal range.

[0081] When the call switching server 1 acquires the identification information of the call terminal 5-B (2000) located near the position (X, Y) on floor 1, it searches the user attribute information database 11 using the attribute information specified in the outgoing message as a key (S404), and identifies the identification information of the call terminal 5 that matches the specified attribute information among the call destination call terminals 5 acquired from the location information database 20 (S405).

[0082] When the call switching server 1 acquires the identification information of the call terminal 5-B (2000) that is in the vicinity of the position (X, Y) on the floor 1 and has specific attribute information, it searches the user connection information database 10 using the identification information of the destination call terminal 5-B acquired from the location information database 20 as a key (S406), and acquires information on the base station 4 for connecting to the call terminal 5-B (S407).

[0083] When the call switching server 1 acquires information that the base station for connecting to the destination call terminal 5-B is the base station 4-B, it transmits an outgoing message [From: 1000 To: 2000] to the base station 4-B (S408). The base station 4-B transfers the outgoing message transmitted from the call switching server 1 to the call terminal 5-B (S409).

[0084] When the telephone terminal 5-B receives an outgoing message addressed to itself, it makes an incoming call ringing sound, and when the user responds to the incoming call, it returns an incoming call response message to the base station 4-A via the base station 4-B and the telephone switching server 1 (S410, S411, S412).

[0085] When the base station 4-A receives the incoming call response message, it returns an ACK message to the base station 4-B via the call switching server 1 (S413, S414). Then, negotiation is performed between the base station 4-A and the base station 4-B to set up a communication path, and a communication path that enables communication between the base stations is established (S415). After that, the base station 4-A returns a response notification to the call terminal 5-A that is the originator of the call (S416).

[0086] Through the above sequence, a call can be established between the call originating terminal 5-A and the call destination terminal 5-B (S417).

[0087] FIG. 14 is a flowchart of the call originating / receiving process executed by the call switching server 1 in the process sequence of FIG.

[0088] First, the call switching server 1 receives an outgoing message from the call terminal 5-A (S450). After that, the call switching server 1 searches the location information database 20 using the location information specified in the outgoing message as a key (S451).

[0089] The call switching server 1 judges whether there is an unselected call terminal 5 in the vicinity of the location indicated by the call message (S452). If there is no unselected call terminal 5 in the vicinity of the location information, the call switching server 1 transmits a call unavailability response to the base station 4-A to which the caller call terminal 5-A is connected (S463).

[0090] On the other hand, if there is an unselected call terminal 5 within the range, the call switching server 1 acquires the terminal ID that is unselected and closest to the location indicated by the location information (S453), searches the user attribute information database 11 using the acquired terminal ID as a key, and acquires attribute information of the call terminal 5 that is a candidate for the call destination (S454). The call switching server 1 identifies the call terminal 5-B that matches the location information and attribute information specified in the outgoing message.

[0091] Thereafter, the call switching server 1 searches the user connection information database 10 using the identified terminal ID as a key, and acquires the connection information of the call destination terminal 5-B (S456). The call switching server 1 uses the acquired connection information of the call destination terminal 5-B to transmit an outgoing message to the call terminal 5-B (S457).

[0092] After that, when the call switching server 1 receives a response from the base station 4-B to which the call destination terminal 5-B is connected (S458), it judges whether the received response is an incoming call response (S459). If the received response is not an incoming call response, it cannot connect to the call destination terminal 5-B, so the process returns to step S451 and the call switching server 1 searches the location information database 20 again.

[0093] On the other hand, if the received response is an incoming call response, the call switching server 1 transmits the received incoming call response to the base station 4 connected to the call terminal 5-A of the call originator (S460). Then, when the call switching server 1 receives an ACK from the base station 4-A connected to the call terminal 5-A of the call originator (S461), it transmits the received ACK to the base station 4-B connected to the call terminal 5-B of the call destination (S462).

[0094] As described above, the voice call system of an embodiment of the present invention includes a location management server 2 that manages the location information of the call terminal 5, and a call switching server 1 that performs connection processing to the destination call terminal 5 in accordance with an outgoing message from the call terminal 5. The call switching server 1 determines the destination call terminal 5 based on the location information included in the outgoing message and the location information of the call terminal 5 managed by the location management server 2, and performs connection processing between the calling call terminal 5 and the determined destination call terminal 5. Therefore, in the case of a call opportunity with high urgency, it is possible to quickly communicate with a target person close to a specific location.

[0095] In addition, since the location management server 2 calculates the location information of the call terminal 5 based on the sensor information collected from the call terminal 5, there is no need to install a special device for identifying the location in the call terminal 5, which reduces the system construction costs.

[0096] In addition, the outgoing message contains attribute information of the user using the calling terminal 5, and the call switching server 1 determines the calling terminal 5 of the destination based on the location information contained in the outgoing message, the location information of the calling terminal 5 managed by the location management server 2, and the attribute information contained in the outgoing message, so that it is possible to select a person who is close to the location specified by the calling calling terminal 5 and who can handle the case in question and place a call thereto.

[0097] In addition, based on the location information included in the outgoing message and the location information of the call terminals 5 managed by the location management server 2, the call switching server 1 determines the call terminal 5 of the destination that is closest to the location information included in the outgoing message, and performs connection processing between the call terminal 5 of the originating call and the determined call terminal 5 of the destination. If it is not possible to connect to the call terminal 5 of the destination, it newly determines the call terminal 5 of the destination that is next closest to the location information included in the outgoing message, and performs connection processing between the call terminal 5 of the originating call and the newly determined call terminal 5 of the destination. Therefore, even if it is not possible to connect to the call terminal 5 of the first candidate for receiving the call, there is no need to redial, and the call can automatically be made to the call terminal 5 of the next candidate for receiving the call (i.e., another suitable person).

[0098] In addition, the location management server 2 manages the call rejection range, and the call switching server 1 does not perform connection processing to the call terminal 5 located within the call rejection range, so that concentrated work performed within the call rejection range is not interrupted.

[0099] Furthermore, the call switching server 1 determines multiple call terminals 5 existing within the range of location information included in the outgoing message as the call terminals 5 of the called party, and performs connection processing between the call terminal 5 of the calling party and the determined multiple call terminals 5 of the called party, so that multiple call terminals 5 can be called simultaneously, and a call can be quickly started with the call terminal 5 of the called party candidate.

[0100] In addition, the outgoing message contains information about the call terminal 5 to be preferentially connected, and if the call switching server 1 attempts to connect to the call terminal 5 to be preferentially connected and is unable to connect to the call terminal 5 to be preferentially connected, it newly determines the call terminal 5 of the destination based on the location information contained in the outgoing message and the location information of the call terminal 5 managed by the location management server 2, and performs connection processing between the call terminal 5 of the origin and the newly determined call terminal 5 of the destination, so that a call can be made to the person who should actually be speaking and to the proxy in a series.

[0101] The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and includes various modified examples and equivalent configurations within the spirit of the appended claims. For example, the above-described embodiments have been described in detail to clearly explain the present invention, and the present invention is not necessarily limited to those including all of the configurations described. Furthermore, a part of the configuration of one embodiment may be replaced with the configuration of another embodiment. Furthermore, the configuration of another embodiment may be added to the configuration of one embodiment. Furthermore, a part of the configuration of each embodiment may be added, deleted, or replaced with another configuration.

[0102] In addition, each of the above-mentioned configurations, functions, processing units, processing means, etc. may be realized in hardware, for example by designing some or all of them as an integrated circuit, or may be realized in software by a processor interpreting and executing a program that realizes each function.

[0103] Information such as programs, tables, and files that realize each function can be stored in a storage device such as a memory, a hard disk, or an SSD (Solid State Drive), or in a recording medium such as an IC card, an SD card, or a DVD.

[0104] In addition, the control lines and information lines shown are those considered necessary for the explanation, and do not necessarily show all the control lines and information lines necessary for implementation. In reality, it can be considered that almost all components are connected to each other. [Explanation of symbols]

[0105] 1. Call switching server 2. Location Management Server 3. Network 4, 4-A, 4-B base station 5, 5-A, 5-B, 5-C, 5-D Telephone terminal 6. Management Terminal 10 User connection information database 11 User attribute information database 20 Location Database 50 Wireless Communication Division 51 Display section 52 Operation section 53 Sensor section 54 Position specification section 55 Attribute specification section 56 Sensor information transmission unit 100 Connection Information Table 200 Location Information Table

Claims

1. A call system for enabling calls between multiple terminals, a call switching server that performs connection processing for a destination terminal according to a call message from the terminal; A location management server that manages location information of the terminal, The outgoing message further includes information of a terminal to be preferentially connected; The call switching server includes: Attempting a connection process with the terminal to be preferentially connected, If the terminal to be preferentially connected cannot be connected, a destination terminal is determined based on location information included in the outgoing message and location information of terminals managed by the location management server; A telephone call system, characterized in that a connection process is performed between a caller terminal and the determined called terminal.

2. The telephone system according to claim 1, The position management server calculates position information of the terminal based on sensor information collected from the terminal.

3. The telephone system according to claim 1, The outgoing message further includes attribute information of a user who uses the terminal, A call system characterized in that the call switching server determines the destination terminal based on location information contained in the outgoing message, location information of terminals managed by the location management server, and attribute information contained in the outgoing message.

4. The telephone system according to claim 1, The call switching server includes: determining a destination terminal that is closest to the location information included in the outgoing message based on location information included in the outgoing message and location information of terminals managed by the location management server, and performing a connection process between the outgoing message originating terminal and the determined destination terminal; A call system characterized in that, if it is not possible to connect to the destination terminal, a new destination terminal that is next closest to the location information included in the outgoing message is determined, and connection processing is performed between the calling terminal and the newly determined destination terminal.

5. The telephone system according to claim 1, The location management server manages an incoming call rejection range, A telephone system characterized in that the telephone exchange server does not perform connection processing to terminals within the call rejection range.

6. The telephone system according to claim 1, The call switching server includes: determining a plurality of terminals present within a range of the location information included in the outgoing message as destination terminals; A telephone call system, characterized in that connection processing is performed between a caller terminal and the determined plurality of call destination terminals.

7. A communication control method for a call system that realizes calls between multiple terminals, comprising: The telephone system includes a telephone exchange server that performs a connection process to a destination terminal in accordance with an outgoing message from the terminal, and a location management server that manages location information of the terminal; The outgoing message further includes information of a terminal to be preferentially connected; The communication control method includes: The call switching server attempts a connection process with the terminal to be preferentially connected, When the call switching server cannot connect to the terminal to be preferentially connected, the call switching server determines a destination terminal based on location information included in the call message and location information of terminals managed by the location management server; A communication control method, comprising the steps of: said call switching server carrying out connection processing between a call originating terminal and said determined called terminal.

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