Intercom system, intercom device, main unit, program, and method for controlling incoming calls in an intercom system

Abstract

To enable an intercom device to respond to outside line call incoming.SOLUTION: When receiving a hold request from an extension 2 on a call with a telephone set 4, a main device 1 holds the call with the telephone set 4. After that, when receiving a connection request addressed to an intercom device 3 is received from the extension 2, the hold request's source; the main device calls the intercom device 3 and connects the extension 2, the hold request's source, with the intercom device 3 having automatically responded to the call. And, when a call button 36 of the intercom device 3 is operated during the connection between the intercom device 3 and the extension 2, the hold request's source, or within a predetermined time after disconnection of the connection; the intercom device 3 transmits a holding response to the main device 1. When receiving it, the main device 1 cancels outside call holding and connects the intercom device 3 with telephone set 4.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an internal telephone, an intercom device, and an intercom system including a main device that houses these devices, and particularly relates to a technique for connecting an incoming outside call to the main device to the intercom device.

Background Art

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a technique in a push-button telephone system having a plurality of internal telephones and a push-button telephone device that houses these internal telephones, in which a calling broadcast of a called party can be performed from a speaker included in the push-button telephone device. In this push-button telephone system, when the push-button telephone device that has received an incoming outside call makes a group call to the internal telephones and any one of the internal telephones responds according to the user's instruction and communicates with the caller, the called party (the communication partner desired by the caller) may not be the user. In this case, when the push-button telephone device that has received the incoming outside call puts the ongoing call on hold and calls the internal telephone of the called party but there is no response from this internal telephone, while keeping the ongoing call on hold, a calling broadcast of the called party is performed from the speaker included in this push-button telephone device.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] However, in the push-button telephone system described in Patent Document 1, when the called party who has heard the calling broadcast is outside the house, the called party has to hurry back to a place where there is an internal telephone inside the house. Even so, there is a possibility of making the caller wait for a long time.

[0005] It would be convenient if an intercom (door phone) installed outdoors could answer incoming external calls. In recent years, intercom systems that house both a main unit and an intercom have become popular. In this type of intercom system, when the call button on the intercom is pressed, the main unit calls a designated extension telephone, and this extension telephone responds according to the user's instructions, enabling communication between the intercom and the extension telephone. However, in this type of intercom system, while the intercom can call extension telephones, it cannot answer incoming external calls.

[0006] This invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and its purpose is to enable an intercom system to answer incoming external calls. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] To solve the above problems, in a first aspect of the present invention, when the main unit receives a hold request from an extension telephone that is in a call with an external line, it puts the call on hold. Subsequently, when the main unit receives a connection request from the extension telephone that made the hold request, destined for the intercom device, it calls the intercom device and connects the intercom device, which automatically responds to the call, with the extension telephone that made the hold request. If the call button on the intercom device is operated while the connection between the intercom device and the extension telephone that made the hold request is established, or within a predetermined time after the connection is terminated, the intercom device sends a hold response to the main unit. Upon receiving this, the main unit releases the external line hold and connects the intercom device to the released external line. Here, the hold response may be a number information (hold response special number) that is pre-registered in the intercom device, or it may be a number information that is notified when the main unit calls the intercom device.

[0008] For example, a first aspect of the present invention is: An intercom system comprising a main unit for housing extension telephones, and an intercom device housed in the main unit together with the extension telephones, The main device is A hold means for putting an external call on hold when a hold request is received from the internal telephone that is currently on a call with an external line, When, while the aforementioned external line is on hold, a connection request is received from the aforementioned extension telephone that sent the hold request, destined for the intercom device, the connection means calls the intercom device, receives a response from the intercom device, and connects the aforementioned extension telephone and the intercom device. The system includes a hold release means that, when the external line is on hold and a hold response is received from the intercom device while the connection between the internal telephone that sent the hold request and the intercom device is active or within a predetermined time after the connection is disconnected, releases the hold on the external line and connects the external line to the intercom device. The aforementioned intercom device is The call button and An automatic response means that automatically responds to a call from the main unit and connects itself to the extension telephone, The system includes a hold response means that transmits the hold response to the main unit when the call button is operated while the system is connected to the extension telephone via the automatic response means or within a predetermined time after the connection is disconnected.

[0009] Furthermore, in a second embodiment of the present invention, when the main unit receives an incoming external call, it sends a paging notification, which is a notification to the intercom device it connects to, for the purpose of performing paging (public address announcement). When the intercom device automatically responds to the paging notification, the main unit connects itself to the intercom device and outputs the caller's contact information as an audio signal from the intercom device. If the call button on the intercom device is operated while the main unit and the intercom device are connected or within a predetermined time after the connection is disconnected, the intercom device sends a proxy response to the main unit. Upon receiving this, the main unit connects the intercom device to the incoming external line. Here, the proxy response may be a number information (proxy response special number) that has been registered in advance in the intercom device, or it may be a number information that was notified by the main unit when the paging notification was sent.

[0010] For example, a second aspect of the present invention is: An intercom system comprising a main unit for housing extension telephones, and an intercom device housed in the main unit together with the extension telephones, The main device is A connection means that, upon receiving an incoming external call, sends a paging notification to the intercom device, which is a notification for performing paging, receives a response from the intercom device, and connects itself to the intercom device, A paging processing means that outputs audio information of the caller of the incoming external line from the intercom device connected to itself by the aforementioned connection means, The system includes a proxy response processing means that, when a proxy response is received from the intercom device while the external line is incoming and connected to the intercom device, or within a predetermined time after the connection is disconnected, connects the external line to the intercom device. The aforementioned intercom device is Call button and An automatic response means that automatically responds to the aforementioned paging notification and connects itself to the main unit, The system includes a proxy response means that transmits the proxy response to the main unit when the call button is operated while the system is connected to the main unit by the automatic response means or within a predetermined time after the connection is disconnected. [Effects of the Invention]

[0011] In a first aspect of the present invention, if the call button on the intercom device is operated while the intercom device is connected to the extension telephone that requested the hold, or within a predetermined time after the connection is disconnected, the intercom device sends a hold response to the main unit. The main unit, upon receiving this, releases the external line hold and connects the intercom device to the released external line. In a second aspect of the present invention, when an external line is received, the main unit sends a paging notification to the intercom device. The intercom device automatically responds and connects to the intercom device, outputting the caller's information as an audio signal from the intercom device. If the call button on the intercom device is operated while the main unit and the intercom device are connected, or within a predetermined time after the connection is disconnected, the intercom device sends a proxy response to the main unit. The main unit, upon receiving this, connects the intercom device to the incoming external line. Therefore, according to the present invention, an intercom device can respond to incoming external lines. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0012] [Figure 1] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of an intercom system according to a first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] Figure 2 is a sequence diagram illustrating the hold response operation by the intercom device 3 of the intercom system according to the first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 3] Figure 3 is a sequence diagram illustrating the hold response operation by the intercom device 3 of the intercom system according to the first embodiment of the present invention, and is a continuation of Figure 2. [Figure 4] Figure 4 is a schematic functional configuration diagram of the main unit 1. [Figure 5] Figure 5 is a flowchart illustrating the pending response processing performed by the main unit 1. [Figure 6] Figure 6 is a flowchart illustrating the pending response processing by the main unit 1, and is a continuation of Figure 5. [Figure 7] Figure 7 is a schematic diagram of the functional configuration of the intercom device 3. [Figure 8] Figure 8 is a flowchart illustrating the hold response processing by the intercom device 3. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is a sequence diagram for explaining the proxy response operation by the intercom device 3a of the intercom system according to the second embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a schematic functional configuration diagram of the main device 1a. [[ID=[6]] [Figure 11] FIG. 11 is a flowchart for explaining the proxy response process by the main device 1a. [Figure 12] FIG. 12 is a schematic functional configuration diagram of the intercom device 3a. [Figure 13] FIG. 13 is a flowchart for explaining the proxy response process by the intercom device 3a. Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0013] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described.

[0014] [First Embodiment] First, the first embodiment of the present invention will be described.

[0015] FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of the intercom system according to the present embodiment.

[0016] As shown in the figure, the intercom system according to the present embodiment includes a plurality of extension telephones 2-1 to 2-n (hereinafter also simply referred to as extension telephone 2) installed in the office, an intercom device 3 installed outside the office (such as the entrance of the office), and a main device 1 that houses the extension telephone 2 and the intercom device 3. The main device 1 is connected to the extension telephone 2 and the intercom device 3 via the extension telephone network 5. Further, the main device 1 is connected to the external telephone network 6, and a telephone 4 is connected to the external telephone network 6.

[0017] FIGS. 2 and 3 are sequence diagrams for explaining the hold response operation by the intercom device 3 of the intercom system according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

[0018] First, telephone 4 sends a connection request to main unit 1 (S100). When this connection request arrives at main unit 1 via the external telephone network 6 (S101), main unit 1 calls some or all of the predetermined extension telephones 2 (S102). As a result, the called extension telephone 2 rings (S103).

[0019] Next, when any of the incoming extension telephones 2 receive an answer command from the user (S104), this extension telephone 2 stops ringing and sends a response to the main unit 1 (S105). In response, the main unit 1 terminates the call on extension telephone 2, stops the ringing on the other extension telephones 2, and sends a response to the originating telephone 4 via the external telephone network 6 (S106). The main unit 1 then establishes a communication path with both the originating extension telephone 2 and the originating telephone 4 (S107, S108) and relays the two communication paths (S109). As a result, the originating extension telephone 2 and the originating telephone 4 are connected, and communication between them becomes possible.

[0020] Suppose the user of extension telephone 2, the source of the response, starts a call with the caller (the user of telephone 4, the originating phone), and the caller specifies another user outside the office (for example, in a waiting room located in the office entrance) as the desired recipient of the call. When extension telephone 2, the source of the response, receives a hold request from the user (S110), it sends a hold request to the main unit 1 (S111). In response, the main unit 1 releases the call path with extension telephone 2, the source of the response, and puts the call path with telephone 4 on hold (S112).

[0021] Next, when the extension telephone 2 that initiated the hold request receives an extension call operation from the user specifying the intercom device 3 (S113), it sends a connection request to the main unit 1 with the intercom device 3 as the destination (extension call) (S114). In response, the main unit 1 calls the intercom device 3 (S115). The intercom device 3 then automatically responds to the call from the main unit 1 (S116) and sends a response back to the main unit 1 (S117).

[0022] When the main unit 1 receives a response from the intercom device 3, it sends a response to the extension telephone 2 that made the hold request (S118), establishes a communication path with both the extension telephone 2 and the intercom device 3 (S119, S120), and relays the communication between the two paths (S121). As a result, the extension telephone 2 that made the hold request and the intercom device 3 are connected, enabling communication between them, and the user of the extension telephone 2 that made the hold request can use the speaker of the intercom device 3 to broadcast to the person being called and ask them to move to the location where the intercom device 3 is installed.

[0023] Next, the person being called hears a broadcast using the speaker of the intercom device 3, moves to the location where the intercom device 3 is installed, and speaks with the user of the extension telephone 2 that requested the call to be put on hold. The person being called is then notified that the call from the caller to the person being called is on hold. Upon receiving this, the person being called presses the call button on the intercom device 3 to initiate the call (S122), at which point the intercom device 3 sends a release request to the main unit 1 (S123). As a result, the main unit 1 releases the communication paths to both the extension telephone 2 that requested the call to be put on hold and the intercom device 3, severing the connection between them and ending the call (S124).

[0024] Then, the intercom device 3 transmits a pre-registered number information (a special hold response number) to the main unit 1 as a hold response (S125). In response, the main unit 1 establishes a communication path with the intercom device 3 (S126) and releases the hold on the communication path with the originating telephone 4, relaying both communication paths (S127). As a result, the originating telephone 4 and the intercom device 3 are connected, and communication between the two becomes possible.

[0025] Next, the main unit 1 and the intercom device 3 that constitute the intercom system according to this embodiment will be described. Note that an existing button telephone with a hold function can be used as the extension telephone 2, so a detailed explanation of it will be omitted.

[0026] First, let me explain the details of main unit 1.

[0027] Figure 4 is a schematic functional configuration diagram of the main unit 1.

[0028] As shown in the figure, the main unit 1 includes an internal telephone network interface unit 10, an external telephone network interface unit 11, a call control unit 12, and a relay unit 13.

[0029] The internal telephone network interface unit 10 is an interface for connecting to the internal telephone network 5, and the external telephone network interface unit 11 is an interface for connecting to the external telephone network 6.

[0030] The call control unit 12 establishes and releases a call path (external line) to telephone 4 via the external telephone network 6, and establishes and releases a call path (internal line) to internal telephone 2 via the internal telephone network 5, in accordance with a call control protocol such as SIP (Session Initiation Protocol; however, this is only if the internal telephone network 5 and the external telephone network 6 are built on an IP (Internet Protocol) network). Then, it relays the call between the call path to telephone 4 and the call path to internal telephone 2, or between the call paths to internal telephone 2 themselves, to the relay unit 13.

[0031] Furthermore, the call control unit 12 includes a holding unit 14, a connection unit 15, and a holding release unit 16.

[0032] When the hold unit 14 receives a hold request from an extension telephone 2 that is currently on a call with telephone 4, it releases the call path with the extension telephone 2 that made the hold request and puts the call path with telephone 4 on hold.

[0033] When the connection unit 15 receives a connection request (extension call) from the extension telephone 2 that requested the hold while the call path with telephone 4 is on hold, it calls the extension destination (destination) of the connection request and establishes a call path with this extension destination by receiving a response from this extension destination. It also establishes a call path with the extension telephone 2 that requested the hold by sending a response to the extension telephone 2 that requested the hold. The relay unit 13 then relays the call path with the extension telephone 2 that requested the hold and the call path with the extension destination, connecting the extension telephone 2 that requested the hold and the extension destination.

[0034] The hold release unit 16, while holding a call path with telephone 4 and while the extension telephone 2 that requested the hold is connected to the extension destination, receives a release request from either the extension telephone 2 that requested the hold or the extension destination, and releases the call path with the extension telephone 2 that requested the hold and disconnects the two. Furthermore, if a hold response is received from the extension destination within a predetermined time after this disconnection, the unit establishes a call path with the extension destination (the one that responded to the hold), relays the call path with the one that responded to the hold and the call path with telephone 4 to the relay unit 13, and releases the hold on the call path with telephone 4.

[0035] The relay unit 13 relays calls between call paths established by the call control unit 12, in accordance with the instructions of the call control unit 12. Specifically, it relays calls between the call path to telephone 4 and the call path to extension telephone 2, between the call path to extension telephone 2 and the call path to the intercom device 3, between the call path to telephone 4 and the intercom device 3, and between the call paths of extension telephones 2. As a result, connections are made between telephone 4 and extension telephone 2, between extension telephone 2 and the intercom device 3, between telephone 4 and the intercom device 3, and between extension telephones 2, enabling communication between them.

[0036] The functional configuration of the main unit 1 shown in Figure 4 may be implemented in hardware using integrated logic ICs such as ASICs (Application Specific Integrated Circuits) and FPGAs (Field Programmable Gate Arrays), or it may be implemented in software using a computer such as a DSP (Digital Signal Processor). Alternatively, it may be implemented as a process in a general-purpose computer such as a PC (Personal Computer) equipped with a CPU (Central Processing Unit), memory, auxiliary storage devices such as SSDs (Solid State Drives) and HDDs (Hard Disk Drives), and communication devices such as NICs (Network Interface Cards), by the CPU loading a predetermined program from the auxiliary storage device into memory and executing it.

[0037] Figures 5 and 6 are flowcharts illustrating the pending response processing performed by the main unit 1.

[0038] This flow is initiated when, during a call between telephone 4 and extension telephone 2, the call control unit 12 receives a hold request from extension telephone 2, which is currently on a call with telephone 4, via the extension telephone network interface unit 10.

[0039] First, the holding unit 14 releases the call path to the extension telephone 2 that requested the hold (S200), and puts the call path to telephone 4 on hold (S201).

[0040] Next, when the connection unit 15 receives a connection request (extension call) from the extension telephone 2 that requested the hold (YES in S202), it checks the destination extension for this connection request (S203). If the destination extension is another extension telephone 2 (other than the one that requested the hold) ("extension telephone 2" in S203), it calls the destination extension telephone 2 (S215) and performs the normal hold release process (S216).

[0041] In other words, when an extension phone 2 is called, it rings and, upon receiving an answer command from the user, sends a response to the main unit 1. In response, the connection unit 15 sends a response to the extension phone 2 that made the hold request, establishing a call path with both the extension phone 2 that made the hold request and the extension phone 2 that is connected, and relays both call paths to the relay unit 13. As a result, the extension phone 2 that made the hold request and the extension phone 2 that is connected are connected, and a call between them becomes possible. Next, when the hold release unit 16 receives a release request from either the extension phone 2 that made the hold request or the extension phone 2 that is connected, it releases the call path with both the extension phone 2 that made the hold request and the extension phone 2 that is connected, thus severing the connection between them. Subsequently, when the hold release unit 16 receives a hold response from the extension telephone 2 to which it is connected, it establishes a call path with this extension telephone 2, relays the call path between the extension telephone 2 (the source of the hold response) and the call path with telephone 4 to the relay unit 13, and releases the hold on the call path with telephone 4.

[0042] On the other hand, in S203, if the extension connection destination of the connection request is the intercom device 3 (referred to as "intercom device 3" in S203), the connection unit 15 calls the intercom device 3 (S204). When it receives a response from the intercom device 3 (YES in S205), it sends a response to the extension telephone 2 that made the hold request (S206), establishing a communication path with both the extension telephone 2 that made the hold request and the intercom device 3, and has the relay unit 13 relay both communication paths (S207). As a result, the extension telephone 2 that made the hold request and the intercom device 3 are connected, and the user of the extension telephone 2 that made the hold request can broadcast their message using the speaker of the intercom device 3.

[0043] Subsequently, when the hold release unit 16 receives a release request from the extension telephone 2 or intercom device 3 that requested the hold (YES in S208), it releases the communication paths to the extension telephone 2 and intercom device 3 respectively, severing the connection between them (S209). Then, within a predetermined time (NO in S213), when the hold release unit 16 receives a hold response from the intercom device 3 (YES in S210), it establishes a communication path with the intercom device 3 (S211), relays the communication path with the intercom device 3 and the communication path with the telephone 4 to the relay unit 13, and releases the hold on the communication path with the telephone 4 (S212). Furthermore, if the hold release unit 16 does not receive a hold response from the intercom device 3 (NO in S210) and a predetermined time has elapsed (YES in S213), it calls the extension telephone 2 that requested the hold, establishes a call path with the extension telephone 2 that requested the hold, relays this call path and the call path with telephone 4 to the relay unit 13, and performs predetermined error processing, such as releasing the hold on the call path with telephone 4 (S214).

[0044] Next, we will explain the details of the intercom device 3.

[0045] Figure 7 is a schematic diagram of the functional configuration of the intercom device 3.

[0046] As shown in the figure, the intercom device 3 includes an internal telephone network interface unit 30, a human-machine interface unit 31, a call control unit 32, and a call processing unit 33.

[0047] The internal telephone network interface unit 30 is an interface for connecting to the internal telephone network 5.

[0048] The human-machine interface unit 31 is an interface for the user to communicate with the other party, and includes a microphone 34 for picking up the user's voice, a speaker 35 for outputting the other party's voice, and a call button 36 for receiving various operations from the user.

[0049] The call control unit 32, in accordance with a call control protocol such as SIP (provided the extension telephone network 5 is built on an IP network), cooperates with the main unit 1 to establish and release a call path (extension) to the main unit 1 via the extension telephone network 5.

[0050] Furthermore, the call control unit 32 includes an automatic response unit 37 and a hold response unit 38.

[0051] The automatic response unit 37 automatically responds to calls from the main unit 1. This establishes a communication path with the main unit 1, and connects the intercom device 3 to the extension telephone 2 that requested the connection via this communication path.

[0052] The hold response unit 38, when the call button 36 is operated while connected to the extension telephone 2 by the automatic response unit 37, sends a release request to the main unit 1, and after sending the release request, sends a hold response (a pre-registered hold response special number) within a predetermined time.

[0053] The call processing unit 33 transmits and receives call data to and from the main unit 1 via the call path established by the call control unit 32. Specifically, it encodes the voice signal input from the user via the microphone 34 into call data and transmits this to the main unit 1 via the call path, and also receives call data from the main unit 1 via the call path, decodes it into a voice signal, and outputs it from the speaker 35.

[0054] The functional configuration of the intercom device 3 shown in Figure 7 may be implemented in hardware using integrated logic ICs such as ASICs and FPGAs, or in software using a computer such as a DSP. Alternatively, it may be implemented as a process in a general-purpose computer such as a PC equipped with a CPU, memory, auxiliary storage devices such as flash memory, communication devices such as NICs, and human-machine interfaces such as microphones, speakers, and touch panel displays, by having the CPU load a predetermined program from the auxiliary storage device into memory and execute it.

[0055] Figure 8 is a flowchart illustrating the hold response processing by the intercom device 3.

[0056] This flow is initiated when the call control unit 32 is called from the main unit 1 via the internal telephone network interface unit 30.

[0057] First, the automatic response unit 37 automatically responds to the call from the main unit 1 (S300). This establishes a communication path with the main unit 1, and through this communication path, the intercom device 3 and the extension telephone 2 that made the connection request (caller) are connected (S301). Then, the call processing unit 33 decodes the call data received from the extension telephone 2 connected via the communication path into an audio signal and outputs it from the speaker 35. As a result, the user of the extension telephone 2 connected can call the person who is actually on the other end of the line on the telephone 4, who is on hold, to the intercom device 3 via broadcast using the speaker 35 of the intercom device 3.

[0058] Next, when a person called via a broadcast using the speaker 35 of the intercom device 3 is notified by the user of the connected extension telephone 2 that a call for the person being called is on hold, and they press the call button 36 (YES in S302), the hold response unit 38 sends a release request to the main unit 1 via the extension telephone network interface unit 30 (S303). As a result, the communication path with the main unit 1 is released, and the connection with the connected extension telephone 2 is disconnected.

[0059] Then, after sending the release request, the hold response unit 38 sends a hold response to the main unit 1 via the internal telephone network interface unit 30 within a predetermined time (S304). This establishes a communication path with the main unit 1, and the intercom device 3 and the released telephone 4 are connected via this communication path. The call processing unit 33 then decodes the call data received from the telephone 4 connected via the communication path into an audio signal and outputs it from the speaker 35, and also encodes the audio data input to the microphone 34 into call data and transmits it to the telephone 4.

[0060] The first embodiment of the present invention has been described above.

[0061] In this embodiment, when the call button 36 of the intercom device 3 is operated while the intercom device 3 is connected to the extension telephone 2 that requested the call to be put on hold, the intercom device 3 sends a release request to the main unit 1 and then sends a hold response within a predetermined time. In response to this, the main unit 1 releases the communication path to the intercom device 3 and the communication path to the extension telephone 2 that requested the call to be put on hold, thereby disconnecting them. After this disconnection, according to the hold response received within a predetermined time, the main unit 1 establishes a communication path to the intercom device 3 and relays the call between this communication path and the communication path to the telephone 4 that is on hold, thereby releasing the hold on the telephone 4 and connecting the telephone 4 to the intercom device 3. Therefore, according to this embodiment, an incoming external call can be answered on the intercom device 3 simply by operating the call button 36.

[0062] In this embodiment, if the call button 36 of the intercom device 3 is operated while connected to the extension telephone 2 that requested the hold, the intercom device 3 sends a release request to the main unit 1 and then sends a hold response within a predetermined time. However, the release request may be omitted, and only the hold response may be sent to the main unit 1. In this case, the main unit 1, in accordance with the hold response, releases the call path to the extension telephone 2 that requested the hold while maintaining the call path with the intercom device 3, thereby severing the connection between the two. Subsequently, by relaying the call path with the intercom device 3 and the call path with the telephone 4 that is on hold, the main unit 1 releases the hold on the telephone 4 and connects the telephone 4 to the intercom device 3.

[0063] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the intercom device 3 transmits a hold response when the call button 36 is operated while connected to the extension telephone 2 that requested the hold. However, the present invention is not limited to this. Even if the connection between the two has been disconnected by a release request issued by the extension telephone 2 that requested the hold, the intercom device 3 may transmit a hold response to the main unit 1 in response to the press of the call button 36 within a predetermined time after the disconnection. In this case, an indicator lamp such as an LED (Light Emitting Diode) indicating the status of the intercom device 3 may be provided in the man-machine interface unit 31, and the hold response unit 38 of the intercom device 3 or the hold release unit 16 of the main unit 1 may notify the user that a hold response is possible by lighting the indicator lamp in a predetermined color and / or pattern until a predetermined time has elapsed after the connection between the intercom device 3 and the extension telephone 2 that requested the hold is disconnected.

[0064] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the intercom device 3 transmits a special hold response number, which is pre-registered as a hold response, to the main unit 1. However, the present invention is not limited to this. When the main unit 1 is holding an external line and calls the intercom device 3 in accordance with a connection request received from the extension telephone 2 that requested the hold (S115 in Figure 2, S204 in Figure 5), it may notify the intercom device 3 of a special hold response number, and the intercom device 3 may use the special hold response number notified by the main unit 1 as the hold response.

[0065] [Second Embodiment] Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described.

[0066] The differences between the intercom system according to this embodiment and the intercom system according to the first embodiment shown in Figure 1 are that a main unit 1a is used instead of the main unit 1, and an intercom device 3a is used instead of the intercom device 3. The other configurations are the same as those of the intercom system according to the first embodiment shown in Figure 1.

[0067] Figure 9 is a sequence diagram illustrating the proxy response operation by the intercom device 3a of the intercom system according to this embodiment.

[0068] First, telephone 4 sends a connection request to main unit 1a (S400). When this connection request arrives at main unit 1a via the external telephone network 6 (S401), main unit 1a calls some or all of the predetermined extension telephones 2 (S402). As a result, the called extension telephone 2 rings (S403).

[0069] Furthermore, the main unit 1a sends a notification (paging notification) to the intercom device 3a for the purpose of performing paging (public address announcement) (S404). The intercom device 3a automatically responds to the paging notification from the main unit 1a (S405) and sends a response back to the main unit 1a (S406).

[0070] When the main unit 1a receives a response from the intercom device 3a, it establishes a communication path with the intercom device 3a (S407), and uses the speaker of the intercom device 3a to perform paging via this communication path to indicate that there is an incoming call from the telephone 4 (S408). As a result, users outside the office can determine whether the incoming call is for them by the paging using the speaker of the intercom device 3a.

[0071] Next, when a user hears the paging using the speaker of the intercom device 3a, moves to the location where the intercom device 3a is installed, and presses the call button on the intercom device 3a to make a call (S409), the intercom device 3a transmits pre-registered number information (proxy response special number) as a proxy response to the main unit 1a (S410).

[0072] In response, the main unit 1a terminates the call on the extension telephone 2 and stops the incoming ringing of the extension telephone 2, and also sends a response to the originating telephone 4 via the external telephone network 6 (S411). Then, the main unit 1a establishes a communication path with both the intercom device 3a and the originating telephone 4 (S412, S413) and relays the call through both paths (S414). As a result, the intercom device 3a and the originating telephone 4 are connected, and communication between them becomes possible.

[0073] Next, the main unit 1a and the intercom device 3a that constitute the intercom system according to this embodiment will be described.

[0074] First, let me explain the details of the main unit 1a.

[0075] Figure 10 is a schematic functional configuration diagram of the main unit 1a.

[0076] The main unit 1a differs from the main unit 1 shown in Figure 4 in that it uses a call control unit 12a instead of a call control unit 12. The other configurations are the same as those of the main unit 1 shown in Figure 4.

[0077] The call control unit 12a establishes and disconnects a call path (external) to telephone 4 via the external telephone network 6, and establishes and disconnects a call path (internal) to internal telephone 2 via the internal telephone network 5, in accordance with a call control protocol such as SIP (provided that the internal telephone network 5 and external telephone network 6 are built on an IP network). Then, it relays the call between telephone 4 and the call path to internal telephone 2, or between internal telephone 2's call paths to each other, to the relay unit 13.

[0078] Furthermore, the call control unit 12a includes a connection unit 17, a paging processing unit 18, and a proxy response processing unit 19.

[0079] When an external call is received from the telephone 4 via the external telephone network interface unit 11, the connection unit 17 sends a paging notification to the intercom device 3a. Then, it receives a response from the intercom device 3a and connects the main unit 1a to the intercom device 3a.

[0080] The paging processing unit 18 sends an audio signal containing caller information, such as the phone number of the incoming telephone 4, to the intercom device 3a connected to the main unit 1a by the connection unit 17, and performs paging using the speaker of the intercom device 3a to inform the caller that an incoming call is coming in from the telephone 4.

[0081] When the proxy answering processing unit 19 receives a proxy answer from the intercom device 3a while an external call is being received from the telephone 4 and connected to the intercom device 3a, it establishes a communication path to the intercom device 3a and a communication path to the telephone 4, and relays both communication paths to the relay unit 13 to connect the intercom device 3a and the telephone 4.

[0082] The functional configuration of the main unit 1a shown in Figure 10 may be implemented in hardware using integrated logic ICs such as ASICs and FPGAs, similar to the functional configuration of the main unit 1 shown in Figure 4, or it may be implemented in software using a computer such as a DSP. Alternatively, it may be implemented as a process in a general-purpose computer such as a PC equipped with a CPU, memory, auxiliary storage devices such as SSDs and HDDs, and communication devices such as NICs, by having the CPU load a predetermined program from the auxiliary storage device into memory and execute it.

[0083] Figure 11 is a flowchart illustrating the proxy response processing performed by the main unit 1a.

[0084] This flow is initiated when a connection request is received via the external telephone network interface unit 11 from the telephone 4.

[0085] First, the call control unit 12a calls some or all of the predetermined extension telephones 2, and the connection unit 17 sends a paging notification to the intercom device 3a (S500). Then, the connection unit 17 receives a response from the intercom device 3a via the extension telephone network interface unit 10 and establishes a communication path with the intercom device 3a (S501).

[0086] Next, the paging processing unit 18 sends an audio signal to the intercom device 3a via the communication path established by the connection unit 17, which contains the number information of the incoming telephone 4 and / or the caller's name and other information that has been pre-registered and associated with this number information. The paging unit then uses the speaker of the intercom device 3a to indicate that an incoming call is coming in from the telephone 4 (S502).

[0087] Subsequently, when the call control unit 12a receives a response from one of the incoming extension telephones 2 via the internal telephone network interface unit 10 (YES in S503), the call control unit 12a stops calling extension telephone 2, and the connection unit 17 releases the communication path to the intercom device 3a (S504). As a result, the paging processing unit 18 terminates paging using the speaker of the intercom device 3a. The call control unit 12a also sends a response to the telephone 4 that requested the connection via the external telephone network interface unit 11 (S505). Then, the call control unit 12a establishes a communication path with the incoming extension telephone 2 and the telephone 4 that requested the connection, and relays the two communication paths to the relay unit 13 (S506). As a result, the incoming extension telephone 2 and the telephone 4 that requested the connection are connected, and communication between them becomes possible.

[0088] On the other hand, when the call control unit 12a receives a proxy response from the intercom device 3a via the internal telephone network interface unit 10 (NO in S503, YES in S507), it stops calling the internal telephone 2 (S508). The call control unit 12a also sends a response to the telephone 4 that requested the connection via the external telephone network interface unit 11 (S509). Then, the call control unit 12a establishes a communication path with the telephone 4 that requested the connection and relays the communication path between the telephone 4 and the intercom device 3a to the relay unit 13 (S510). As a result, the intercom device 3a and the telephone 4 that requested the connection are connected, and communication between the two becomes possible.

[0089] Next, we will explain the details of the intercom device 3a.

[0090] Figure 12 is a schematic diagram of the functional configuration of the intercom device 3a.

[0091] The difference between the intercom device 3a and the intercom device 3 shown in Figure 7 is that the call control unit 32a is used instead of the call control unit 32. The other configurations are the same as those of the intercom device 3 shown in Figure 7.

[0092] The call control unit 32a, in accordance with a call control protocol such as SIP (provided the extension telephone network 5 is built on an IP network), cooperates with the main unit 1a to establish and release a call path (extension) to the main unit 1a via the extension telephone network 5.

[0093] Furthermore, the call control unit 32a includes an automatic response unit 39 and a proxy response unit 40.

[0094] The automatic response unit 39 automatically responds to the paging notification from the main unit 1a. This establishes a communication path with the main unit 1a and connects the intercom device 3a to the main unit 1a.

[0095] The proxy response unit 40 transmits a proxy response (a pre-registered proxy response special number) to the main unit 1a when the call button 36 is operated while the automatic response unit 39 is connected to the main unit 1a.

[0096] The functional configuration of the intercom device 3a shown in Figure 12 may be implemented in hardware using integrated logic ICs such as ASICs and FPGAs, similar to the intercom device 3 shown in Figure 7, or it may be implemented in software using a computer such as a DSP. Alternatively, it may be implemented as a process in a general-purpose computer such as a PC equipped with a CPU, memory, auxiliary storage devices such as flash memory, communication devices such as NICs, and human-machine interfaces such as microphones, speakers, and touch panel displays, by having the CPU load a predetermined program from the auxiliary storage device into memory and execute it.

[0097] Figure 13 is a flowchart illustrating the proxy response processing performed by the intercom device 3a.

[0098] First, the automatic response unit 39 automatically responds to the paging notification from the main unit 1a (S600). This establishes a communication path with the main unit 1a, and the call processing unit 33 outputs the caller information of the incoming external line telephone 4, which has been sent from the main unit 1a via this communication path, through the speaker 35 (S601).

[0099] Next, when a user hears the caller information of the incoming telephone 4, which is output as voice from the speaker 35 of the intercom device 3a, and moves to the location where the intercom device 3a is installed and operates the call button 36 of the intercom device 3a (YES in S602), the proxy answering unit 40 sends a proxy answer to the main unit 1a via the internal telephone network interface unit 30 (S603). From this, a communication path with the main unit 1a is established, and the intercom device 3a and the incoming telephone 4 are connected via this communication path. The call processing unit 33 then decodes the call data received from the telephone 4 via the communication path into an audio signal and outputs it from the speaker 35, and also encodes the audio data input to the microphone 34 into call data and transmits it to the telephone 4.

[0100] The second embodiment of the present invention has been described above.

[0101] In this embodiment, when an external call is received from the telephone 4, the main unit 1a sends a paging notification to the intercom device 3a, and the intercom device 3a automatically responds, connecting to the intercom device 3a and outputting the caller information from the telephone 4 as an audio signal from the intercom device 3a. Then, when the call button 36 of the intercom device 3a is operated while the main unit 1a and the intercom device 3a are connected, the intercom device 3a sends a proxy response to the main unit 1a, and in response, the main unit 1a connects the intercom device 3a to the telephone 4 that is receiving the external call. Therefore, according to this embodiment, as in the first embodiment of the present invention, an external call can be answered by the intercom device 3a simply by operating the call button 36.

[0102] In this embodiment, if the call button 36 of the intercom device 3a is operated while the intercom device 3a is connected to the main unit 1a, the intercom device 3a sends a proxy response to the main unit 1a. However, it is also possible to send a release request prior to this proxy response, and then send the proxy response within a predetermined time. In this case, the main unit 1a releases the communication path with the intercom device 3a in accordance with the release request, disconnects the connection with the main unit 1a, and stops the call on the extension telephone 2. Then, in accordance with the proxy response, it establishes communication paths with both the intercom device 3a and the telephone 4 which is receiving an external call, and connects the intercom device 3a and the telephone 4 by relaying the two communication paths.

[0103] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the intercom device 3a transmits a proxy response when the call button 36 is operated while the intercom device 3a is connected to the main unit 1a (during paging). However, the present invention is not limited to this. The intercom device 3a may also transmit a proxy response to the main unit 1a in response to the press of the call button 36 within a predetermined time after the main unit 1a has disconnected due to the end of paging. In this case, an indicator lamp such as an LED indicating the status of the intercom device 3a may be provided in the man-machine interface unit 31, and the proxy response unit 40 of the intercom device 3a or the proxy response processing unit 19 of the main unit 1a may notify the user that a proxy response is possible by lighting the indicator lamp in a predetermined color and / or pattern until a predetermined time has elapsed after the connection between the main unit 1a and the intercom device 3a has been disconnected.

[0104] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the intercom device 3a transmits a pre-registered proxy response special number to the main unit 1a as a proxy response. However, the present invention is not limited thereto. When the main unit 1a sends a paging notification to the intercom device 3a in response to an incoming external call from the telephone 4 (S404 in Figure 9, S500 in Figure 11), it may notify the intercom device 3a of a proxy response special number, and the intercom device 3a may then use the proxy response special number notified by the main unit 1a as a proxy response.

[0105] It should be noted that the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, and numerous modifications are possible within the scope of its essence. [Explanation of symbols]

[0106] 1. 1a: Main unit 2. 2-1~2-n: Extension telephones 3, 3a: Intercom system 4: Telephone 5: Internal telephone network 6: External telephone network 10, 30: Internal telephone network interface section 11: External Telephone Network Interface Unit 12, 12a, 32, 32a: Call control unit 13: Relay unit 14: Holding unit 15, 17: Connection section 16: Hold release section 18: Paging processing section 19: Proxy response processing unit 31: Human-machine interface unit 33: Call processing unit 34: Microphone 35: Speaker 36: Call button 37, 39: Automated response unit 38: Hold response unit 40: Proxy response unit

Claims

1. An intercom system comprising a main unit for housing extension telephones, and an intercom device housed in the main unit together with the extension telephones, The main device is A hold means for putting an external call on hold when a hold request is received from the internal telephone that is currently on a call with an external line, When, while the aforementioned external line is on hold, a connection request is received from the aforementioned extension telephone that sent the hold request, destined for the aforementioned intercom device, the connection means calls the aforementioned intercom device, receives a response from the aforementioned intercom device, and connects the aforementioned extension telephone and the aforementioned intercom device. The system includes a hold release means that, when the external line is on hold and a hold response is received from the intercom device while the connection between the internal telephone that sent the hold request and the intercom device is active or within a predetermined time after the connection is disconnected, releases the hold on the external line and connects the external line to the intercom device. The aforementioned intercom device is The call button and An automatic response means that automatically responds to a call from the main unit and connects itself to the extension telephone, The system includes a hold response means that transmits the hold response to the main unit when the call button is operated while the system is connected to the extension telephone via the automatic response means or within a predetermined time after the connection is disconnected. An intercom system characterized by the following features.

2. The intercom system according to claim 1, The aforementioned hold response is a number that has been pre-registered in the intercom device as a special hold response number. An intercom system characterized by the following features.

3. The intercom system according to claim 1, The aforementioned hold response is the number information notified as a special hold response number when the main unit calls the intercom device. An intercom system characterized by the following features.

4. An intercom system according to any one of claims 1 to 3, The aforementioned intercom device further includes a status indicator lamp, The aforementioned hold release means or the aforementioned hold response means While the external call is on hold and within a predetermined time after the connection between the internal telephone and the intercom device is disconnected, the status indicator lamp is illuminated in a predetermined display pattern. An intercom system characterized by the following features.

5. An intercom system comprising a main unit for housing extension telephones, and an intercom device housed in the main unit together with the extension telephones, The main device is A connection means that, upon receiving an incoming external call, sends a paging notification to the intercom device, which is a notification for performing paging, receives a response from the intercom device, and connects itself to the intercom device, A paging processing means that outputs audio information of the caller of the incoming external line from the intercom device connected to itself by the aforementioned connection means, The system includes a proxy response processing means that, when a proxy response is received from the intercom device while the external line is incoming and connected to the intercom device, or within a predetermined time after the connection is disconnected, connects the external line to the intercom device. The aforementioned intercom device is The call button and An automatic response means that automatically responds to the aforementioned paging notification and connects itself to the main unit, The system includes a proxy response means that transmits the proxy response to the main unit when the call button is operated while the system is connected to the main unit by the automatic response means or within a predetermined time after the connection is disconnected. An intercom system characterized by the following features.

6. The intercom system according to claim 5, The aforementioned proxy response is a number that has been pre-registered in the intercom device as a special proxy response number. An intercom system characterized by the following features.

7. The intercom system according to claim 5, The aforementioned proxy response is the number information notified as a special proxy response number when the main unit calls the intercom device. An intercom system characterized by the following features.

8. An intercom system according to any one of claims 5 to 7, The aforementioned intercom device further includes a status indicator lamp. The proxy response processing means or the proxy response means is While an incoming call is being made on the aforementioned external line and within a predetermined time after the connection between the internal telephone and the intercom device is disconnected, the status indicator lamp is illuminated in a predetermined display pattern. An intercom system characterized by the following features.

9. It is an intercom device, The call button and An automatic response means that automatically responds to calls from the main unit to which it is connected and connects itself to an extension telephone connected to the main unit, The system includes a hold response means that transmits a hold response to the main unit when the call button is operated while the system is connected to the extension telephone via the automatic response means or within a predetermined time after the connection is disconnected. An intercom device characterized by the following features.

10. It is an intercom device, The call button and An automatic response means that automatically responds to a paging notification, which is a notification to perform paging, received from the main unit that houses itself, and connects itself to the main unit, The system includes a proxy response means that transmits a proxy response to the main unit when the call button is operated while the system is connected to the main unit by the automatic response means or within a predetermined time after the connection is disconnected. An intercom device characterized by the following features.

11. A main unit that houses internal telephones and intercom equipment, A hold means for putting an external call on hold when a hold request is received from the internal telephone that is currently on a call with an external line, When, while the aforementioned external line is on hold, a connection request is received from the aforementioned extension telephone that sent the hold request, destined for the intercom device, the connection means calls the intercom device, receives a response from the intercom device, and connects the aforementioned extension telephone and the intercom device. The device includes a hold release means that, when the external line is on hold and a hold response is received from the intercom device while the connection between the internal telephone that sent the hold request and the intercom device is active or within a predetermined time after the connection is disconnected, releases the hold on the external line and connects the external line to the intercom device. A main unit characterized by the following features.

12. A main unit that houses internal telephones and intercom equipment, A connection means that, upon receiving an incoming external call, sends a paging notification to the intercom device, which is a notification for performing paging, receives a response from the intercom device, and connects itself to the intercom device, A paging processing means that outputs audio information of the caller of the incoming external line from the intercom device connected to itself by the aforementioned connection means, The system includes a proxy response processing means that connects the external line to the intercom device when a proxy response is received from the intercom device while the external line is incoming and connected to the intercom device, or within a predetermined time after the connection is disconnected. A main unit characterized by the following features.

13. A program that causes a computer to function as a main unit for housing internal telephones and intercom equipment, When a hold request is received from the extension telephone which is in a call with an external line, a hold means is provided to put the call on hold. When, while the aforementioned external line is on hold, a connection request is received from the aforementioned extension telephone that sent the hold request, destined for the intercom device, the connection means calls the intercom device, receives a response from the intercom device, and connects the aforementioned extension telephone and the intercom device, and If, while the aforementioned external line is on hold, and while the connection between the internal telephone that sent the hold request and the intercom device is still active, or within a predetermined time after the connection is disconnected, the computer functions as a hold release means to release the hold on the external line and connect the external line to the intercom device. A program characterized by the following features.

14. A program that causes a computer to function as a main unit for housing internal telephones and intercom equipment, When an external call is received, a connection means sends a paging notification, which is a notification to perform paging, to the intercom device, receives a response from the intercom device, and connects itself to the intercom device. A paging processing means that outputs audio information of the caller of the incoming external line from the intercom device connected to itself by the aforementioned connection means, and When an incoming call on the aforementioned external line is connected to the intercom device, or when a proxy response is received from the intercom device within a predetermined time after the connection is disconnected, the computer is to function as a proxy response processing means for connecting the external line to the intercom device. A program characterized by the following features.

15. An incoming call control method for an intercom system comprising a main unit for housing extension telephones and an intercom device housed in the main unit together with the extension telephones, The main device is When a hold request is received from the aforementioned extension telephone that is currently on a call with an external line, the external call will be put on hold. While the aforementioned external call is on hold, if a connection request is received from the extension telephone that sent the hold request, destined for the intercom device, the intercom device is called, a response is received from the intercom device, and the extension telephone and the intercom device are connected. If, while the aforementioned external line is on hold, and while the connection between the extension telephone that sent the hold request and the intercom device is active, or within a predetermined time after the connection is disconnected, a hold response is received from the intercom device, the hold on the external line is released, and the external line is connected to the intercom device. The aforementioned intercom device is The system automatically responds to the call from the main unit and connects itself to the extension telephone. If the call button on the device is pressed while the device is connected to the extension telephone via the automatic response system, or within a predetermined time after the connection is disconnected, the device will transmit the hold response to the main unit. A method for controlling incoming calls in an intercom system, characterized by the following features.

16. An incoming call control method for an intercom system comprising a main unit for housing extension telephones and an intercom device housed in the main unit together with the extension telephones, The main device is When an external call is received, a paging notification, which is a notification to perform paging, is sent to the intercom device. The system receives a response to the paging notification from the intercom device, connects itself to the intercom device, and outputs the caller information of the incoming external line from the intercom device as audio. If, while an incoming call on the aforementioned external line is connected to the intercom device, or within a predetermined time after the connection is disconnected, a proxy response is received from the intercom device, the external line is connected to the intercom device. The aforementioned intercom device is In response to the aforementioned paging notification, it connects itself to the main unit, If the call button on the device is operated while the device is connected to the main unit via the automatic response system, or within a predetermined time after the connection is disconnected, the device will transmit the proxy response to the main unit. A method for controlling incoming calls in an intercom system, characterized by the following features.

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