Telephone system, and call origination alternative method

Abstract

To make it possible, even when a call origination source telephone number is hidden, for a call origination destination to take a call with as high safety as possible.SOLUTION: A telephone system comprises: a relay device 6 for relaying a call from a call origination source; and a call origination alternative system that performs call origination to an origination destination instead of the call origination source. The relay device 6 reports a call origination destination telephone number or an identifier corresponding to the call origination destination telephone number to the call origination alternative system. The call origination alternative system performs call origination to the call origination destination telephone number using a call origination source telephone number differing from that of the call origination source, on the basis of the call origination destination telephone number or the identifier reported from the relay device 6.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 5

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a telephone system and an alternative method of making a call.

Background Art

[0002] In recent years, for example, when a call is made from a customer of Company A to the representative telephone number of Company B, a system has been provided that can automatically transfer the call to an appropriate organization of Company B or the personal telephone terminal of an employee (Non-Patent Document 1).

Prior Art Documents

Non-Patent Documents

[0003]

Non-Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] However, when making a call back from the telephone terminal of an employee of Company B to the telephone terminal of Company A, for example, the telephone number of the personal telephone terminal of the employee of Company B is notified as the incoming call number to the telephone terminal of Company A, resulting in leakage of personal information, which is an undesirable problem. Also, when an employee of Company B makes a call using the caller ID blocking service by adding "184" at the beginning of the destination telephone number, the customer of Company A may be suspicious of the call from the unnotified telephone number and may not answer the call with confidence, which is another problem.

[0005] The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object thereof is to enable the called party to answer the call with as much confidence as possible even when the caller's telephone number is concealed.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] The invention according to claim 1 comprises a relay device that relays calls from a call origin, and a call substitution system that makes a call to a call destination on behalf of the call origin. The relay device notifies the call substitution system of the call destination telephone number or an identifier corresponding to the call destination telephone number. The call substitution system makes a call to the call destination telephone number using a call origin telephone number different from the call origin based on the call destination telephone number or the identifier notified by the relay device. Then, the relay device encrypts the specified destination telephone number or the identifier and notifies it in a notifiable format, and the call substitution system decrypts the notifiable format received from the relay device and converts it into a callable telephone number It is a telephone system characterized by the above.

Advantages of the Invention

[0007] As described above, according to the present invention, even when the call origin telephone number is concealed, the call destination can answer the call with as much peace of mind as possible.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0008]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Figure 6

Figure 7

Figure 8

Modes for Carrying Out the Invention

[0009] Hereinafter, each embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0010] ●First Embodiment First, a first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 5. FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing the overall configuration of a telephone system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0011] As shown in FIG. 1, the telephone system 1 of the present embodiment is constructed by a telephone terminal 2, a call substitution system 3, a relay device 6, and a telephone terminal 7. Further, the call substitution system 3 is constructed by a PBX 4 and an IP telephone GW device 5. Note that, although there are actually a large number of telephone terminals and the like shown in FIG. 1, here, the description will be simplified using the telephone terminals and the like shown in FIG. 1.

[0012] The telephone terminal 2 is installed in Company A and has a telephone number α in the present embodiment. The telephone number α is the final destination telephone number from the perspective of the telephone terminal 7.

[0013] The PBX 4 and the IP telephone GW device 5 are installed in Company B. The PBX (Private Branch eXchange) 4 is composed of one or more computers and is, for example, an in-house switch, and has a telephone number β in the present embodiment. The IP telephone GW (Gateway) device 5 is composed of one or more computers and is a device that connects an analog telephone network and an IP telephone network by mutually converting IP (Internet Protocol) packets and voice signals, and has a telephone number γ in the present embodiment. The telephone number γ is the representative telephone number of Company B. Note that the PBX 4 may already be installed in Company B, and in such a case, the IP telephone GW device 5 is constructed to operate in accordance with the functions of the PBX 4.

[0014] The relay device 6 is installed on the cloud, for example. The relay device 6 is composed of one or more computers and relays calls from the originator. The relay device 6 relays, for example, between the telephone terminal 7 and the PBX 4 (or IP telephone GW device), and in this embodiment, the telephone cipher is δ.

[0015] The telephone terminal 7 is a telephone terminal distributed by Company B to its employees or a personal telephone terminal of an employee of Company B, and is a fixed telephone, mobile phone, smartphone, tablet terminal, or the like. In this embodiment, the telephone number of the telephone terminal 7 is ε. A telephone application (hereinafter referred to as "telephone app") is installed on the telephone terminal 7. The processing of the telephone app will be described later.

[0016] The telephone terminal 2, the call substitution system 3 (PBX 4, IP telephone GW device 5), and the telephone terminal 7 can be connected through the public telephone line network 100.

[0017] The PBX 4 and the IP telephone GW device 5 can be connected to each other through the public telephone line network 100 or the in-house extension telephone line network 300. Note that the PBX 4 and the IP telephone GW device 5 may be connected to each other through the data communication network 200 or a telephone line network such as a dedicated line. Note that the data communication network 200 may be constructed by a LAN (Local Area Network) or the like.

[0018] The relay device 6 can be connected to the call substitution system 3 and the telephone terminal 7 through the public telephone line network 100 or the data communication network 200. The relay device 6 may be connected to the call substitution system 3 and the telephone terminal 7 through a telephone line network such as a dedicated line.

[0019] Note that a part of the public telephone line network 100, the data communication network 200, and the extension telephone line network 300 may be wireless communication.

[0020] 〔Hardware Configuration of the First Embodiment〕 <Hardware Configuration of Telephone Terminal 2> First, the hardware configuration of the telephone terminal 2 will be described with reference to FIG. 2. FIG. 2 is a hardware configuration diagram of the telephone terminal according to the present embodiment.

[0021] As shown in FIG. 2, the telephone terminal 2 includes a processor 201, a memory 202, an auxiliary storage device 203, a communication device 204, and an input device 205. The telephone terminal 2 also includes a voice input device 206, a voice output device 207, and a display device 208. Each hardware component constituting the telephone terminal 2 is interconnected via a bus 210.

[0022] The processor 201 serves as a control unit that controls the entire telephone terminal 2 and has various arithmetic devices such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit). The processor 201 reads and executes various programs on the memory 202. Note that the processor 201 may include a GPGPU (General-purpose computing on graphics processing units).

[0023] The memory 202 includes main storage devices such as a ROM (Read Only Memory) and a RAM (Random Access Memory). By executing various programs read by the processor 201 on the memory 202, various functions are realized.

[0024] The auxiliary storage device 203 stores various programs and various information used when the various programs are executed by the processor 201.

[0025] The communication device 204 is a communication device for making calls (telephone calls) with other devices and performs outgoing calls (calling) and incoming calls (receiving calls) via the public switched telephone network 100.

[0026] The input device 205 is a device that receives operation inputs from the user. The input device 205 of the telephone terminal 2 is a push button, a touch panel, or the like.

[0027] The voice input device 206 detects voice information such as the user's voice and ambient sounds. The voice output device 207 is a device that outputs various information received from other devices as voice, for example.

[0028] The display device 208 is a device that displays various information received from other devices as an image, for example. The calling party number, which is the originating telephone number, is displayed on the display device 208 as the called party number or incoming call number.

[0029] The data communication device 209 is a communication device for performing data communication with other devices, and performs data communication via the data communication network 200.

[0030] <Hardware Configuration of Telephone Terminal 7> The hardware configuration of the telephone terminal 7 is the same as that of the telephone terminal 74 in FIG. 2, except that the code in the 200s is changed to the 700s and the data communication device 709 is added. Therefore, only the data communication device 709 will be described. Note that the input device 705 of the telephone terminal 7 is a touch panel or the like.

[0031] The data communication device 709 is a communication device for performing data communication with other devices via the data communication network 200, and performs data communication via the data communication network 200.

[0032] <Hardware Configuration of PBX 4> Next, the hardware configuration of the PBX 4 will be described with reference to FIG. 3. FIG. 3 is a hardware configuration diagram of the PBX, IP telephone GW device, and relay device of the present embodiment.

[0033] As shown in FIG. 3, the PBX 4 includes a processor 401, a memory 402, an auxiliary storage device 403, a calling device 404, a connection device 405, a drive device 406, and a data communication device 609. Each piece of hardware constituting the PBX 4 is interconnected via a bus 410.

[0034] The processor 401 serves as a control unit that controls the entire PBX 4 and has various computing devices such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit). The processor 401 reads various programs onto the memory 402 and executes them. Note that the processor 401 may include a GPGPU (General-purpose computing on graphics processing units).

[0035] The memory 402 has main memory devices such as a ROM (Read Only Memory) and a RAM (Random Access Memory). By executing the various programs read by the processor 401 onto the memory 402, various functions are realized.

[0036] The auxiliary storage device 403 stores various programs and various information used when the various programs are executed by the processor 401.

[0037] The communication device 404 is a communication device for performing telephone communication with other devices, and makes outgoing calls (initiate calls) and incoming calls (receive calls) via the public telephone line network 100.

[0038] The connection device 405 is a connection device that connects an external device (for example, a display device such as a display, an operating device such as a keyboard) to the PBX 4.

[0039] The drive device 406 is a device for setting the recording medium 430. The recording medium 430 here includes media that optically, electrically, or magnetically record information, such as a CD-ROM (Compact Disc Read-Only Memory), a flexible disk, and a magneto-optical disk. Further, the recording medium 430 may include semiconductor memories that electrically record information, such as a ROM (Read Only Memory) and a flash memory.

[0040] Note that various programs installed in the auxiliary storage device 403 are installed, for example, when the distributed recording medium 430 is set in the drive device 406 and the various programs recorded on the recording medium 430 are read by the drive device 406. Alternatively, various programs installed in the auxiliary storage device 403 may be installed by being downloaded from a network via the communication device 405.

[0041] <Hardware Configuration of IP Phone GW Device 5> The hardware configuration of the IP phone GW device 5 is the same as that of the PBX 4 except that the numbers in the 400 series are changed to the 500 series in Fig. 3, so the description is omitted.

[0042] <Hardware Configuration of Relay Device 6> The hardware configuration of the relay device 6 is the same as that of the PBX 4 except that the numbers in the 400 series are changed to the 600 series in Fig. 3 and the data communication device 609 is added. Therefore, only the data communication device 609 will be described.

[0043] The data communication device 609 is a communication device for performing data communication with other devices and performs data communication via the data communication network 200.

[0044] 〔Functional Configuration of the First Embodiment〕 Subsequently, with reference to Fig. 4, each functional configuration of the telephone system according to the first embodiment will be described. Fig. 4 is a diagram showing the functional configuration of the telephone system of this embodiment.

[0045] <Functional Configuration of Telephone Terminal 2> The telephone terminal 2 has a calling section 23. The calling section 23 is realized by the instructions of the processor 201 and the calling device 204 and makes a call with other devices via the public switched telephone network 100.

[0046] <Functional Configuration of PBX 4> PBX4 has a connection unit 43. The connection unit 43 is realized by the instructions of the processor 401 and the communication device 404, and connects a number of communicable devices to the public switched telephone network 100.

[0047] <Functional Configuration of IP Telephone GW Device 5> The IP telephone GW device 5 has a communication unit 53, a conversion unit 56, and a decoding unit 57.

[0048] The communication unit 53 is realized by the instructions of the processor 501 and the communication device 505, and makes a call by making an outgoing call or receiving an incoming call to / from another device via the public switched telephone network 100.

[0049] The conversion unit 56 extracts the final destination telephone number added to the normal outgoing call protocol and converts it into DTMF (Dual-Tone Multi-Frequency: tone signal), or converts the DTMF added to the normal outgoing call protocol into the final destination telephone number.

[0050] The decoding unit 57 is realized by the instructions of the processor 501, and decodes the telephone number encrypted by the relay device 6.

[0051] <Functional Configuration of Relay Device 6> The relay device 6 has a transceiver unit 61, a relay unit 63, an encryption unit 65, and a conversion unit 66.

[0052] The transceiver unit 61 is realized by the instructions of the processor 601 and the data communication device 609, and performs data communication with other devices via the data communication network 200.

[0053] The relay unit 63 is realized by the instructions of the processor 601 and the communication device 604, and relays the calls between two devices via the public switched telephone network 100.

[0054] The encryption unit 65 is realized by the instructions of the processor 601, and encrypts the telephone number.

[0055] <Functional Configuration of Telephone Terminal 7> The telephone terminal 7 has a transmission / reception unit 71, a reception unit 72, and a call unit 73.

[0056] The transmission / reception unit 71 is realized by the instructions of the processor 701 and the data communication device 709, and performs data communication with other devices via the data communication network 200.

[0057] The reception unit 72 is realized by the instructions of the processor 701 and the input device 705, and receives the input of a telephone number from a user (for example, an employee of Company B).

[0058] The call unit 73 is realized by the instructions of the processor 701 and the call device 704, and makes a call with other devices via the public telephone line network 100.

[0059] 〔Processing or Operation of the Telephone System According to the First Embodiment〕 Subsequently, with reference to FIG. 5, the processing or operation of the telephone system according to the first embodiment will be described. FIG. 5 is a diagram showing the processing or operation of the telephone system according to the first embodiment.

[0060] First, an employee of Company B uses the telephone application of the telephone terminal 7 to transmit a call request to the relay device 6 to the telephone terminal 7 via the data communication network 200 from the transmission / reception unit 71 (S11). This call request includes the telephone number ε of the telephone terminal 7. As a result, the transmission / reception unit 61 of the relay device 6 receives the call request.

[0061] Next, the relay unit 63 of the relay device 6 makes a call to the telephone number ε received by the process (S11) via the public telephone line network 100 and notifies the telephone number δ of the relay device 6. (S12). As a result, the call unit 73 of the telephone terminal 7 receives the call from the relay device 6 and is notified of the telephone number δ of the relay device 6. Then, when the employee of Company B inputs the destination telephone number α to the telephone terminal 7, the reception unit 72 receives the input of the destination telephone number α and inputs the destination telephone number α to the telephone application of the telephone terminal 7 (S13).

[0062] Next, the transceiver unit 71 of the telephone terminal 7 transmits the destination telephone number α received by the processing (13) to the relay device 6 via the public telephone line network 100 or the data communication network 200 (S14). As a result, the relay unit 63 or the transceiver unit 61 of the relay device 6 receives the destination telephone number α.

[0063] Next, in the relay device 6, the encryption unit 65 encrypts the destination telephone number α (S15). Further, the conversion unit 66 converts the encrypted destination telephone number α into DTMF (S16). Then, the relay unit 63 makes a call to the PBX 4 and notifies the telephone number δ of the relay device 6 (S17). In this case, the DTMF obtained by encrypting and converting the destination telephone number α is added to the normal call protocol and transmitted. As a result, the connection unit 43 of the PBX 4 receives the call from the relay device 6 and is notified of the telephone number δ of the relay device 6.

[0064] Next, the connection unit 43 of the PBX 4 makes a call to the IP telephone GW device 5 by transmitting the source telephone number (S18). Also, in this case, the DTMF obtained by encrypting and converting the destination telephone number α is transmitted as it is. As a result, the call unit 53 of the IP telephone GW device 5 receives the call from the PBX 4 whose source is the relay device 6.

[0065] Next, in the IP telephone GW device 5, the conversion unit 56 converts the DTMF into the encrypted destination telephone number α (S19). Further, the decryption unit 57 decrypts the encrypted destination telephone number α (S20).

[0066] Next, the call unit 53 makes a call to the destination telephone number α of the telephone terminal 2 of Company A, replacing the source telephone number from the telephone number δ (originally the telephone number ε) with the telephone number γ of its own device (IP telephone GW device 5), and notifies the telephone number γ of the IP telephone GW device 5 (S21). As a result, the call unit 23 of the telephone terminal 2 receives the call from the telephone number γ of the representative of Company B instead of the telephone number ε of the telephone terminal 7 of the employee of Company B, and is notified of the telephone number γ of the representative of Company B.

[0067] As described above, a call can be made between the telephone terminal 2 of Company A and the telephone terminal 7 of an employee of Company B (S22).

[0068] 〔Effects of the First Embodiment〕 As described above, according to this embodiment, by substituting the caller's telephone number, that is, by notifying the called party of a telephone number that replaces the caller's telephone number, the incoming call number on the telephone terminal 2 becomes the telephone number γ of the representative of Company B. Therefore, an employee of Company B can make a call without the other party knowing the telephone number of his or her own telephone terminal 7, and a customer of Company A can answer the call with as much peace of mind as possible, which has the effect of

[0069] In addition, since the relay device 6 encrypts the called party's telephone number α and passes it to the PBX 4 and the IP telephone GW device, it is possible to prevent the leakage of customer information (here, the telephone number α of the telephone terminal 2 of Company A), which has the effect of

[0070] ●Second Embodiment Subsequently, with reference to FIG. 6, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described. FIG. 6 is a diagram showing the processing or operation of a telephone system according to the second embodiment. In the second embodiment, the PBX 4 is not installed as compared with the first embodiment. That is, the call substitution system 3 is constructed by the IP telephone GW device 5. In addition, although a telephone application is not installed in the telephone terminal 7, since the other hardware configuration and functional configuration are the same, the description will be omitted and the processing or operation will be described.

[0071] 〔Processing or Operation of the Telephone System According to the Second Embodiment〕 First, an employee of Company B uses the telephone terminal 7 to specify the telephone number α of the telephone terminal 2 of Company A with a prefix, and the call unit 73 of the telephone terminal 7 makes a call to the telephone number δ of the relay device 6 and notifies the telephone number ε of the telephone terminal 7 (S31). As a result, the relay unit 63 of the relay device 6 receives the call from the telephone terminal 7 and is notified of the telephone number ε of the telephone terminal 7.

[0072] Next, in the relay device 6, the encryption unit 65 encrypts the destination phone number α (S32). Further, the conversion unit 66 converts the encrypted destination phone number α into DTMF (S33). Then, the relay unit 63 makes a call to the IP phone GW device 5 and notifies the phone number δ of the relay device 6 (S34). In this case, the DTMF obtained by encrypting and converting the destination phone number α is added and the call is made. As a result, the call unit 53 of the IP phone GW device 5 receives the call from the relay device 6 and is notified of the phone number δ of the relay device 6.

[0073] Next, in the IP phone GW device 5, the conversion unit 56 converts the DTMF into the encrypted destination phone number α (S35). Further, the decryption unit 57 decrypts the encrypted destination phone number α (S36).

[0074] Next, the call unit 53 makes a call to the destination phone number α of the phone terminal 2 of Company A, replacing the caller ID phone number from the phone number δ (originally the phone number ε) with the phone number γ of its own device (IP phone GW device 5), and notifies the phone number γ of the IP phone GW device 5 (S37). As a result, the call unit 23 of the phone terminal 2 receives the call from the phone number γ of the representative of Company B instead of the phone number ε of the phone terminal 7 of the employee of Company B, and is notified of the phone number γ of the representative of Company B.

[0075] As described above, a call can be made between the phone terminal 2 of Company A and the phone terminal 7 of the employee of Company B (S38).

[0076] 〔Effect of the Second Embodiment〕 As described above, according to the present embodiment, the same effects as those of the first embodiment are achieved.

[0077] Furthermore, according to the present embodiment, it is possible to replace the caller ID phone number without using a phone application or even without the PBX 4.

[0078] ●Third Embodiment Next, a third embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 7 and 8. FIGS. 7 and 8 are diagrams showing the processing or operation of a telephone system according to the third embodiment. In the third embodiment, the PBX 4 is not installed as compared with the first embodiment. That is, the call substitution system 3 is constructed by the IP telephone GW device 5. Further, the telephone terminal 7 has an encryption unit 75 and a conversion unit 76. Furthermore, the relay device 6 has a decryption unit 67. Since the other hardware configurations and functional configurations are the same as those of the first embodiment, the description thereof is omitted, and hereinafter, only the functional units newly added to the functional configuration of the third embodiment will be described.

[0079] 〔Functional Configuration of the Third Embodiment〕 <Functional Configuration of the Relay Device 6> The decryption unit 67 is realized by the instruction of the processor 601 and decrypts the telephone number encrypted by the encryption unit 75 of the telephone terminal 7.

[0080] <Functional Configuration of the Telephone Terminal 7> The encryption unit 75 is realized by the instruction of the processor 701 and encrypts the telephone number by the telephone application. In this case, the decryption is performed by the decryption unit 67 of the relay measure 6.

[0081] The conversion unit 76 converts the telephone number into DTMF by the telephone application.

[0082] 〔Processing or Operation of the Telephone System According to the Third Embodiment〕 As shown in FIG. 7, first, when an employee of Company B inputs the destination telephone number α into the telephone terminal 7, the reception unit 72 receives the input of the destination telephone number α and inputs the destination telephone number α into the telephone application of the telephone terminal 7 (S51). Then, the encryption unit 75 by the telephone application encrypts the destination telephone number α (first encryption) (S52). Further, the conversion unit 76 by the telephone application converts the encrypted destination telephone number α into DTMF (S53).

[0083] Next, the calling unit 73 of the telephone terminal 7 makes a call to the telephone number δ of the relay device 6 and notifies the telephone number ε of the telephone terminal 7 (S54). In this case, a DTMF to which the encrypted and converted destination telephone number α is added is transmitted. As a result, the relay unit 63 of the relay device 6 receives the call from the telephone terminal 7 and is notified of the telephone number ε of the telephone terminal 7.

[0084] Next, in the relay device 6, the conversion unit 66 converts the encrypted destination telephone number α from the DTMF (S55). Further, the decryption unit 67 decrypts (first decryption) the encrypted destination telephone number α (S56).

[0085] Subsequently, as shown in FIG. 8, in the relay device 6, the encryption unit 65 encrypts (second encryption) the destination telephone number α (S61). Further, the conversion unit 66 converts the encrypted destination telephone number α into DTMF (S62). Then, the relay unit 63 makes a call to the IP telephone GW device 5 and notifies the telephone number δ of the relay device 6 (S63). In this case, a DTMF to which the encrypted and converted destination telephone number α is added is transmitted. As a result, the calling unit 53 of the IP telephone GW device 5 receives the call from the relay device 6 and is notified of the telephone number δ of the relay device 6.

[0086] Next, in the IP telephone GW device 5, the conversion unit 56 converts the encrypted destination telephone number α from the DTMF (S64). Further, the decryption unit 57 decrypts (second decryption) the encrypted destination telephone number α (S65).

[0087] Next, the calling unit 53 makes a call to the destination telephone number α of the telephone terminal 2 of Company A, replacing the calling party telephone number from the telephone number δ (originally the telephone number ε) with the telephone number γ of its own device (IP telephone GW device 5), and notifies the telephone number γ of the IP telephone GW device 5 (S66). As a result, the calling unit 23 of the telephone terminal 2 receives the call from the telephone number γ of the representative of Company B instead of the telephone number ε of the telephone terminal 7 of the employee of Company B, and is notified of the telephone number γ of the representative of Company B.

[0088] As described above, a call can be made between the telephone terminal 2 of Company A and the telephone terminal 7 of the employee of Company B (S67).

[0089] 〔Effects of the Third Embodiment〕 As described above, according to this embodiment, the same effects as those of the first embodiment can be obtained.

[0090] Furthermore, according to this embodiment, even when there is no PBX 4, it is possible to substitute the calling party's telephone number.

[0091] ●Supplementary Explanation The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and may have the following configurations or processes (operations).

[0092] (1) Program Providing Method Each of the above functions can also be realized by a computer and each program. However, it is also possible to record each program on a (non-transitory) recording medium and provide it, or to provide it via the data communication network 200. That is, the programs in each device can be recorded not only on the recording medium in the device but also, for example, on a virtual computer or storage device in the cloud, and can be called and executed or downloaded and executed as needed.

[0093] (2) Security Measures The following-described modification examples can be used to improve security. (2-1) In the first embodiment, it is also possible to make outgoing and incoming calls between the PBX 4 and the relay device 6 via an optical line or a VPN (Virtual Private Network) line. Also, in the second and third embodiments, it is also possible to make outgoing and incoming calls between the IP telephone GW device 5 and the relay device 6 via an optical line or a VPN line. This improves security and can further improve the confidentiality of the destination telephone number α. (2-2) In the above processing (S19, S35, S64), the IP phone GW device 5 may confirm (identify) the relay device 6 as a legitimate device or terminal using the phone number. Further, the IP phone GW device 5 may use an (terminal) identifier instead of the phone number, or use a terminal identifier in addition to the phone number, to confirm (identify) it as a legitimate device or terminal. Similarly, in the above processing (S55), the relay device 6 may confirm (identify) the telephone terminal 7 as a legitimate device or terminal using not only the phone number but also the terminal identifier. Similarly, in processing (S12, S31), etc., the relay device 6 may confirm (identify) the telephone terminal 7 using the phone number, the terminal identifier, and combinations thereof. Note that the terminal identifier may be an IP (Internet Protocol) address, a Mac (Media Access Control) address, a manufacturing number of the device, a device ID, etc., as long as it can identify the device. When using an identifier other than the phone number, it may be converted to DTMF based on certain rules, added to the outgoing protocol, or notified using IP communication, etc., according to a predetermined protocol separate from the outgoing protocol. Further, in the outgoing call request (S11) from the telephone terminal 7 to the relay device 6 in the first embodiment, the telephone terminal 7 may notify the terminal identifier instead of the phone number ε. The relay device 6 can make an outgoing call to the telephone terminal 7 by holding the association between the terminal identifier and the phone number ε in a table or the like in advance. (2-3) The telephone system 1 of each of the above embodiments encrypts the destination phone number α and then converts it to DTMF, but it may also be encrypted after conversion to DTMF. In this case, the telephone system 1 decrypts the destination phone number α and then converts it from DTMF to the destination phone number α. However, the result of encryption needs to be representable by DTMF. (2-4) In each of the above embodiments, a series of processes of encryption and decryption may use different encryption algorithms, encryption keys, and decryption keys for each opposing device, or may use disposable (temporary) encryption keys. For example, in the third embodiment, the telephone terminal 7 may periodically generate a change in the encryption algorithm, or generation or change of the encryption key and the decryption key, and may simply notify in advance an opposing device such as the relay device 6 so that it can be decrypted each time. In this way, necessary information such as changes and sharing regarding the encryption and decryption algorithms, as well as the encryption key and the decryption key, may be realized using methods existing in the market. (2-5) In the above third embodiment, the telephone application of the telephone terminal 7 encrypts the destination telephone number α for the first time (see S52), the relay device 6 decrypts it for the first time (see S56), and further encrypts it for the second time (see S61), and the IP telephone GW device 5 decrypts it for the second time (see S65), but it is not limited to this. For example, after the telephone application of the telephone terminal 7 encrypts the destination telephone number α for the first time (see S52), the relay device 6 does not perform the first decryption (see S56) and the second encryption (see S61), and the IP telephone GW device 5 may perform the first decryption as the process (S65). (2-6) In each of the above embodiments, the telephone terminal 7 may specify, as the destination telephone number α, a telephone number registered in advance in a device such as the PBX 4, the IP telephone GW device 5, etc., or the relay device 6 that relays calls or makes calls to customers (by DTMF). In this case, the telephone terminal 7 may display, synchronize, or download and save the destination telephone number stored in the device that relays calls or makes calls to customers to the telephone terminal 7 so that it can be specified. (2-7) In each of the above embodiments, each originating telephone terminal such as the telephone terminal 7 may specify the telephone number registered in each originating telephone terminal.

[0094] (3) Configuration change (3-1) As shown in the above embodiments, it can be said that the call origination alternative system 3 is constructed by one or more devices including the device for making an outgoing call to a customer of Company A among the PBX 4 and the IP phone GW device 5. Also, a call origination alternative system 3 having the function of the relay device 6 may be constructed. Therefore, the device for making an outgoing call to the destination phone number α may be appropriately changed, such as being performed by any one of the PBX 4, the IP phone GW device 5, and the relay device 6 of the call origination alternative system 3. (3-2) In the above embodiments, the configurations of the PBX 4, the IP phone GW device 5, and the relay device 6 and the communication / connection methods such as the telephone line and the data communication network may be appropriately changed. For example, the PBX 4 and the IP phone GW device 5 may be arranged on the cloud. (3-3) In the above embodiments, the configurations of the PBX 4, the IP phone GW device 5, and the relay device 6 may be appropriately changed. If the functions of each device can be realized, the enclosures may be combined into one or the function allocation for each enclosure may be changed. For example, in the above first embodiment, when not adhering to the 0AB-J outgoing call (PBX 4 installed in Company B), the PBX 4, the IP phone GW device 5, the relay device 6, etc. may be virtual PBXs or relay devices on the cloud, and the enclosures may be integrated. Note that 0AB-J is one of the standard forms of Japanese phone numbers, a 10-digit phone number starting with 0 assigned to a general subscriber phone (landline). (3-4) In the above first or second embodiment, instead of the relay device 6 converting the destination phone number α into DTMF, the phone terminal (phone app) may convert the destination phone number α into DTMF. When encryption of the destination phone number α is required, the encryption unit 65 of the relay device 6 may encrypt the destination phone number α that has already been converted into DTMF, or the phone terminal 7 (or phone app) may perform the encryption. Also, in the input of the destination phone number α using the phone terminal 7 or the phone app, when the input exceeds the number of digits of the phone number δ of the relay device 6 for designating the relay device 6, or in the operation of inputting the destination phone number α or the management number corresponding to the destination phone number α, etc., the input and the notification of the input result of the tone signal sound and the key touch sound may be made silent and not emitted. (3-5) In the processes (S11, S14) of the first embodiment above, the communication between the phone application of the phone terminal 7 and the relay device 6 may be a communication method as a phone including an IP phone, or may be other communication methods. (3-6) In the process (S14) of the first embodiment above, when the phone terminal 7 makes a callback call, the process (S12) may not establish a call (so-called one-cut), or may establish a call (so-called callback). Note that one-cut is a method of ringing the call to the phone terminal one or two times and then immediately cutting it, and leaving one's own phone number in the other party's incoming call history.

[0095] (4) Change of the phone terminal (4-1) In the second embodiment above, if it is possible to use IP phone software or the like capable of notifying the destination phone number by DTMF instead of the phone terminal 7, it can be used as an alternative to the relay device 6 (including from the phone terminal 7 to the relay device 6). (4-2) Also, in each embodiment, the function implemented as the phone application of the phone terminal 7 may be provided as a function of the phone terminal, or may be downloaded and executed from the cloud, or executed on a virtual computer on the cloud. At this time, calls and communications may be made between the phone terminal 7 and the relay device 6 through a normal phone line, an IP phone network, or a data communication network.

[0096] (5) Setting of the incoming call number (5-1) In each of the above embodiments, the IP phone GW device 5 may manage using a table or the like that associates in advance a destination phone number α with an alternative phone number. Thereby, for example, even if the phone number γ is not the phone number of the representative of Company B, it is possible to substitute a phone number for each customer (destination phone number α). Thus, when a customer of Company A makes a callback call, even if the call from the phone number α is not notified or the call is made from a phone different from the phone number α, it is possible to identify the customer of Company A by the source phone number γ and take corresponding measures. (5-2) In the second embodiment, a prefix is used when making a call from the telephone terminal 7 to the relay device 6. However, the destination telephone number α may be directly input on the telephone terminal 7, and the input timing may be any timing regardless of the call to the relay device 6. (5-3) Furthermore, by configuring to specify the relay device 6 having a telephone number Δ other than the telephone number δ from the telephone terminal 7 each time, to change the telephone number Δ to be called by the relay device 6 according to the source telephone number ε, or to convert the telephone number ε into DTMF and add it after the relay device 6 for notification in the same manner as the destination telephone number α, it is possible to change the telephone number γ notified to the customers of Company A according to the source telephone number ε, the telephone numbers δ and Δ of the relay device 6, etc. As a result, for example, it is possible to substitute the telephone number γ with the telephone number of one of a plurality of organizations within Company B (for example, the extension number) or according to the matter for the customer. Thus, the employees of Company B can make a call without the other party to the call knowing their telephone number of their own telephone terminal 7, and the customers of Company A can know more specific information such as the contact information and the matter of the department to which Company B belongs from the specified telephone number, and then answer the call with confidence. Furthermore, when the customers of Company A make a callback call, they can call by specifying the organization of Company B or the matter. (6) Change of protocol In each embodiment, the destination telephone number α is converted and assigned into a format that can be expressed by the normal call protocol, but it may be changed or extended as appropriate. For example, it may be changed as appropriate, such as being transmitted after a call is established between devices. Also, in the telephone terminal 7 and the relay device 6, the destination telephone number α may be notified according to a protocol defined separately from the call protocol, such as the SIP (Session Initiation Protocol), a protocol extending the SIP, or a protocol defined independently. The same applies to the notification to the relay device 6 and the call substitution system 3. For example, in a data structure in a format that can be expressed in a protocol related to a telephone call, in the SIP, the side making the notification may convert the destination telephone number α or the identifier corresponding to the destination telephone number α into DTMF or a character string and notify it according to an extension of the request for session establishment or a protocol defined independently after the session is established. The side receiving the notification may acquire the corresponding DTMF or character string from the notification content, and if it matches the processing conditions of a normal telephone number including an international call based on the number of characters of the character string and a part of the character string from the beginning, it may be processed as a telephone number, and if it does not match the processing conditions of a normal telephone number, it may be processed as an identifier. Also, the side receiving the notification may process it as an identifier when the number of characters of the character string is different from the number of characters (number of digits) of a general telephone number, etc. (7) Others Regarding the telephone terminal 2 and the call substitution system 3, calls and communications may also be performed through a telephone line, an IP telephone network, a data communication network, etc.

Explanation of Signs

[0097] 1 Telephone system 2 Telephone terminal 3 Call substitution system 4 PBX (Second relay device) 5 IP telephone GW device 6 Relay device 7 Telephone terminal 23 Call section 43 Connection section 53 Call section (Transmission section) 56 Conversion section (Destination extraction section) 57 Decryption section 61 Transmission / Reception Unit 63 Relay Unit (Transmission Unit, Notification Unit) 65 Encryption Unit 66 Conversion Unit (Destination Extraction Unit) 67 Decryption Unit 71 Transmission / Reception Unit (Call Request Unit) 72 Reception Unit 73 Call Unit 75 Encryption Unit 76 Conversion Unit 100 Telephone Line Network 200 Data Communication Network

Claims

1. A relay device that relays calls from a caller, A call substitution system that makes a call to a callee on behalf of the caller, Comprising: The relay device notifies the call substitution system of the callee phone number or an identifier corresponding to the callee phone number, The call substitution system makes a call to the callee phone number using a caller phone number different from the caller based on the callee phone number or the identifier notified by the relay device, The relay device notifies the specified callee phone number or the identifier in an encrypted and notifiable format, The call substitution system decrypts the notifiable format received from the relay device and converts it into a callable phone number A telephone system characterized by the above.

2. A relay device that relays calls from a caller, A call substitution system that makes a call to a callee on behalf of the caller, Comprising: The relay device notifies the call substitution system of the callee phone number or an identifier corresponding to the callee phone number, The call substitution system makes a call to the callee phone number using a caller phone number different from the caller based on the callee phone number or the identifier notified by the relay device, The caller notifies the relay device of the specified callee phone number or the identifier in a notifiable format at the caller. A telephone system characterized by the above.

3. A relay device that relays calls from a caller, A call substitution system that makes a call to a callee on behalf of the caller, Comprising: The relay device notifies the call substitution system of the callee phone number or an identifier corresponding to the callee phone number, The call substitution system makes a call to the callee phone number using a caller phone number different from the caller based on the callee phone number or the identifier notified by the relay device, A telephone system characterized in that the relay device is set in advance as the call destination from the caller.

4. The relay device executes a relay process for relaying calls from a caller, The call substitution system executes a call substitution process for making a call to a callee on behalf of the caller, The relay process includes a process of notifying the call substitution system of the callee phone number or an identifier corresponding to the callee phone number, The call substitution process includes a process of making a call to the callee phone number using a caller phone number different from the caller based on the callee phone number or the identifier notified by the relay process. The relay process includes a process of encrypting the specified destination telephone number or the identifier and notifying it in a notifiable format. The call substitution process includes a process of decrypting the notifiable format received from the relay device and converting it into a callable telephone number. A telephone system characterized by the above.

5. The relay device executes a relay process for relaying a call from the caller. The call substitution system executes a call substitution process for making a call to the callee on behalf of the caller. The relay process includes a process of notifying the call substitution system of the destination telephone number or the identifier corresponding to the destination telephone number. The call substitution process includes a process of making a call to the destination telephone number using a caller telephone number different from the caller based on the destination telephone number or the identifier notified by the relay process. The caller executes a notification process of notifying the relay device of the destination telephone number or the identifier specified at the caller in a notifiable format. A call substitution method characterized by the above.

6. The relay device executes a relay process for relaying a call from the caller. The call substitution system executes a call substitution process for making a call to the callee on behalf of the caller. The relay process includes a process of notifying the call substitution system of the destination telephone number or the identifier corresponding to the destination telephone number. The call substitution process includes a process of making a call to the destination telephone number using a caller telephone number different from the caller based on the destination telephone number or the identifier notified by the relay process. A call substitution method characterized in that the relay device is set in advance as the call destination from the caller.

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