Multiplex communications – Pathfinding or routing – Combined circuit switching and packet switching
Reexamination Certificate
1998-03-17
2004-07-06
Yao, Kwang Bin (Department: 2664)
Multiplex communications
Pathfinding or routing
Combined circuit switching and packet switching
C370S395200
Reexamination Certificate
active
06760322
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to the CTI technology of setting a schedule for line connection through telephone networks.
2. Description of the Related Art
With the growing popularity of the Internet and LANs (Local Area Networks), a media signal of an exchange unit such as a voice/FAX message, etc. conventionally controlled only by an exchange unit, can be communicated between a computer terminal unit and a destination terminal unit (telephone terminal unit, FAX terminal unit, etc.) in a switching network (local area switching network and public switching network) by connecting the computer terminal unit to the exchange unit through a modem and a terminal adapter connected to the computer terminal unit, or through a server unit to which the computer terminal unit is connected in a network.
Recently, a technology has been developed to communicate in real time a voice message, etc. between computer terminal units connected to the Internet, a LAN, etc., without switching networks. This technology is recognized as a new technology replacing the conventional international telephone switching network.
Furthermore, an interface between a computer and an exchange unit is being standardized, and technology called CTI (Computer Telephony Integration) for controlling the storage/reproduction of a voice/FAX message when connecting a line or through a connected line by controlling a private branch exchange, etc. using a computer terminal unit such as a personal computer, a work station, etc. is being developed.
A camp-on service can be considered a part of the conventional CTI technology.
The camp-on service enables a retrial for a communications connection based on a specified scheduling (setting a time to come back to the office, specific time, etc.) when a destination terminal unit does not answer or when the terminal units such as telephone terminal units connected to a predetermined exchange unit are busy.
Implementing the camp-on service remarkably increases the operability of telephone communications etc. in and between organizations.
However, in the conventional camp-on service, terminal units allowed to receive a service are limited to those connected to the same exchange unit, or to those belonging to a switching network connected via a private line controlled by a No.7 common line signal system, etc., and no services can be provided to terminal units connected via a public switching network such as a public telephone network, a public ISDN network, etc.
The technology of communicating between a computer terminal unit and a telephone terminal unit, etc. through a switching network, by connecting from the computer terminal unit to an exchange unit, enables the computer terminal unit to replace the conventional telephone terminal unit and FAX terminal unit, but does not realize an advanced CTI technology, for example, a camp-on service, including control of a destination terminal unit.
Furthermore, the technology of communicating a voice message, etc. in real time between computer terminal units connected to a network without an exchange unit realizes communications of a voice message, etc. through a connectionless network, which is quite different from a line switching network connected by an exchange unit, and belongs to a category different from the CTI technology for realizing a high-performance line switching network through an exchange unit.
Additionally, the CTI technology of controlling an exchange unit such as a private branch exchange, etc. using a computer terminal unit such as a personal computer, a work station, etc., has recently been standardized and high-level services from this technology are being prepared.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention has been developed under the above described background and aims at realizing CTI covering a large line switching network independent of a type of a telephone network.
The present invention is based on the CTI control system to implement the CTI control for controlling the connection of an exchange line terminated by an exchange unit.
The first aspect of the present invention includes the following configuration.
First, a CTI client unit (WS
3
) transmits CTI control request information (camp-on request information) through which CTI control is requested.
A CTI server unit (CTI server
2
) is connected to a computer network (computer network
5
) accessible by the CTI client unit, receives CTI control request information from the CTI client unit, and executes CTI control on an exchange unit (private branch exchange
1
) based on the CTI control request information.
With the above described configuration according to the first aspect of the present invention, CTI control can be realized between offices connected through, for example, a public telephone network, if it is possible to access the CTI server unit from the CTI client unit through a computer network such as the Internet, etc., and if an exchange unit is located within a range in which a call can be issued. Thus, CTI control can be realized over a large line switching network regardless of the type of telephone network.
The second aspect of the present invention includes the following configuration.
First, a CTI client unit (WS
3
) transmits CTI control request information (telephone connection request information) through which CTI control is requested.
A CTI server unit (a CTI server
2
a,
for example, etc.) is connected to a computer network (computer network
5
) accessible by the CTI client unit, receives CTI control request information from the CTI client unit in an area under control of the CTI server unit, and executes CTI control on an exchange unit (private branch exchange
1
a
, etc.) according to the CTI control request information if the CTI control request information is to be processed by the CTI server unit. If the CTI control request information is not to be processed by the CTI server unit, it transfers the CTI control request information (camp-on request information) to another CTI server unit (CTI server
2
b,
etc.) which is to process the CTI control request information.
In this case, the present invention further includes a CTI database unit (CTIDB
2
-
4
) for storing a host address information of the CTI server unit in a computer network which is to process, for each destination number, the CTI control request information containing a destination number. The CTI server unit can be designed such that, when the CTI control request information is not to be processed by the CTI server unit itself, the CTI server unit can obtain host address information corresponding to another CTI server unit which is to process the CTI control request information by accessing the CTI database unit, based on the destination number contained in the CTI control request information, and transmit the CTI control request information using the host address information as the destination.
With the above described configuration according to the second aspect of the present invention in addition to the configuration according to the first aspect of the present invention, the required CTI server unit can execute the CTI control according to the destination number, etc. set in the CTI control request information, thereby automatically distinguishing, for example, the CTI control within an office from the CTI control between two offices, that is, realizing flexible and extended CTI control. Since the CTI database unit is referred to according to the destination number set in the CTI control request information, the required CTI server unit corresponding to each CTI control request information can be efficiently determined.
With the configuration according to the above described first and second aspects of the present invention, the CTI server unit can be designed to include the following configuration.
That is, the CTI server unit first includes a first communications control unit (communications control unit
2
-
2
) for communicating the CTI control request information and information related to the CTI c
Fukuda Hisashi
Matsune Hideaki
Fujitsu Limited
Katten Muchin Zavis & Rosenman
Yao Kwang Bin
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