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Claims  |
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What is claimed is:
1. A method of controlling an advanced-function universal personal
telecommunication service (UPT), for providing a service over an exchange
network for a subscriber having a unique personal telecommunication number
(PTN), said exchange network having an exchange control portion and a
service control portion, said service control portion having a personal
telecommunication number management table for storing data including a
telephone number according to said personal telecommunication number and
for executing said service according to first and second special numbers,
said method comprising the steps of:
(a) dialing the first special number of said universal personal
telecommunication service to activate said service control portion;
(b) sending to a sending subscriber a personal telecommunication number
sending command;
(c) receiving information representing the personal telecommunication
number of said sending subscriber or information representing a
non-personal telecommunication number of said sending subscriber from said
sending subscriber;
(d) checking said sending subscriber with said information;
(e) sending to said sending subscriber a receiving subscriber input
command;
(f) receiving the personal telecommunication number or telephone number of
said receiving subscriber from said sending subscriber;
(g) detecting the telephone number of said receiving subscriber using said
personal telecommunication number management table when the personal
telecommunication number of said receiving subscriber is received; and
(h) connecting said sending subscriber to said receiving subscriber using
the telephone number of said receiving subscriber received or detected,
wherein, said step (a) is performed by said sending subscriber, said steps
(b) to (g) are performed by said service control portion, and said step
(h) is performed by said exchange control portion, wherein said service
control portion is adapted to:
(a) be activated when receiving the second special number for a telephone
number change and location-changing announcement process from a
subscriber,
(b) receive the personal telecommunication number of said subscriber, a
telephone number to which a call is transferred, and time information
about the time on which said telephone number can be changed or
transferred,
(c) store the personal telecommunication number of said subscriber, the
telephone number, and the time information in the area according to the
personal telecommunication number of said subscriber of said personal
telecommunication number management table,
(d) determine whether or not said subscriber is changing locations by using
said personal telecommunication number management table when a call with
the personal telecommunication number of said subscriber is received,
(e) announce the changing of location of said subscriber to a calling
subscriber of the call, when the call is received during the changing
locations of said subscriber, and
(f) transfer the call to the telephone number when the call is received
after the time defined by the time information passes.
2. A method of controlling an advanced-function universal personal
telecommunication service as set forth in claim 1, wherein said service
control portion is adapted to (a) register in said personal
telecommunication number management table a telephone number to be
transferred for said subscriber and time information representing at what
time the transferring is validated, (b) record in a moving subscriber call
history table the personal telecommunication number and the time of the
call taking place before the transferring valid time, and (c) announce to
said subscriber the personal telecommunication number or directory number
and time of each call stored in said moving subscriber history table when
said subscriber dials a special number for a call history retrieval
process.
3. A method of controlling an advanced-function universal personal
telecommunication service, for providing a personal telephone directory
service utilizing a unique personal telecommunication number assigned to a
subscriber and providing a service over an exchange network with said
personal telecommunication number, said exchange network having an
exchange control portion and a service control portion, said method
comprising the steps of:
(a) updating content of a telephone directory table or newly performing a
registration in said telephone directory table when a call sent from said
subscriber registered for said service is connected to a receiving
subscriber,
(b) calling a special number for a number retrieval process;
(c) sequentially sending to said subscriber information stored in said
telephone directory table for said subscriber;
(d) receiving a sending request signal according to said information from
said subscriber; and
(e) calling and connecting said subscriber to a receiving subscriber
according to said information,
wherein said step (b) is performed by said subscriber and said steps (a)
and (c) to (e) are performed by said service control portion, and
wherein said service control portion has a personal telephone directory
service control portion, and said personal telephone directory service
control portion has a telephone directory table for storing the personal
telecommunication number or telephone number of each receiving subscriber
according to the personal telecommunication number of said subscriber and
a call counter,
wherein said telephone directory table has two tables according to each
personal telecommunication number, one of which is adapted to register
data taking place according to calls, the other of which is adapted to
retrieve data from said telephone directory table, said two tables being
adapted to be switched at predetermined intervals.
4. The method of controlling an advanced-function universal personal
telecommunication service according to claim 3 wherein a retrieval of the
storage table is conducted in the order of an access frequency
corresponding to the value of said call counter.
5. The method of controlling an advanced-function universal personal
telecommunication service according to claim 3 wherein said sequentially
sending step comprises the steps of determining whether a sequential
retrieval is conducted;
displaying information stored in a top of one of the storage table to the
sending subscriber;
connecting the sending subscriber to a displayed subscriber when the
sending subscriber requests it, and displaying information stored in the
next position in said storage table when the sending subscriber does not
request it.
6. The method of controlling an advanced-function universal personal
telecommunication service according to claim 3 wherein said sequentially
sending steps further comprises the steps of:
receiving from a sending subscriber a request for starting the retrieval at
the bottom of the storage table; and
displaying information stored in the bottom of the storage table to the
sending subscriber.
7. A service control device as claimed in claim 3, wherein said personal
telecommunication number is retrieved from said storage table in the order
of an access frequency corresponding to the value of said call counter.
8. A method of controlling an advanced-function universal personal
telecommunication service, for providing a personal telephone directory
service utilizing a unique personal telecommunication number assigned to a
subscriber and providing a service over an exchange network with said
personal telecommunication number, said exchange network having an
exchange control portion and a service control portion, said method
comprising the steps of:
(a) updating content of a telephone directory table or newly performing a
registration in said telephone directory table when a call sent from said
subscriber registered for said service is connected to a receiving
subscriber;
(b) calling a special number for a number retrieval process;
(c) sequentially sending to said subscriber information stored in said
telephone directory table for said subscriber;
(d) receiving a sending request signal according to said information from
said subscriber; and
(e) calling and connecting said subscriber to a receiving subscriber
according to said information,
wherein said step (b) is performed by said subscriber and said steps (a)
and (c) to (e) are performed by said service control portion,
wherein said service control portion has a personal telephone directory
service control portion, and said personal telephone directory service
control portion has a telephone directory table for storing the personal
telecommunication number or telephone number of each receiving subscriber
according to the personal telecommunication number of said subscriber and
a call counter, and
wherein said sequentially sending steps comprises the steps of:
determining whether a number retrieval is conducted;
receiving some part of a first number corresponding to a receiving
subscriber;
retrieving a second number, a part of which is coincident with said some
part of the first number;
sending said second number to the sending subscriber;
connecting the subscriber to the second number when the subscriber requests
the second number; and
retrieving the next number, a part of which is coincident with said part of
the first number, when the subscriber does not request the second number.
9. A service control device for controlling an advanced-function universal
personal telecommunication service (UPT), in which each subscriber has a
unique personal telecommunication number (PTN), and for providing a
service over an exchange network with said personal telecommunications
number, said exchange network having an exchange control device, said
service control device having a personal telecommunication number
management table for storing data including a telephone number according
to said personal telecommunication number and for executing said service
according to first and second special numbers, said service control
device, comprising:
means for receiving a call placed as a result of dialing the first special
number of said universal personal telecommunication service;
means for sending to a sending subscriber a personal telecommunication
number sending command;
means for receiving information representing said personal
telecommunication number of said sending subscriber or information
representing a non-personal telecommunication number of said sending
subscriber from said sending subscriber;
means for checking said sending subscriber with said information;
means for sending to said sending subscriber a receiving subscriber input
command;
means for receiving the personal telecommunication number of said receiving
subscriber from said sending subscriber;
means for detecting the telephone number of said receiving subscriber using
said personal telecommunication number management table when the personal
telecommunication number of said receiving subscriber is received; and
means for connecting said sending subscriber to said receiving subscriber
using the telephone number of said receiving subscriber received to
protect, wherein said service control device is adapted to:
(a) be activated when receiving the second special number for a telephone
number change and location changing announcement process from a
subscriber,
(b) receive the personal telecommunication number of said subscriber, a
telephone number to which a call is transferred, and time information
about the time on which said telephone number can be changed or
transferred,
(c) store the personal telecommunication number of said subscriber, the
telephone number, and the time information in the area according to the
personal telecommunication number of said subscriber of said personal
telecommunication number management table,
(d) determine whether or not said subscriber is changing locations by using
said personal telecommunication number management table when a call with
the personal telecommunication number of said subscriber is received,
(e) announce the changing of location of said subscriber to a calling
sending subscriber of the call, when the call is received during the
changing locations of said subscriber, and
(f) transfer the call to the telephone number when the call is received
after the time defined by the time information passes.
10. A service control device as claimed in claim 9, wherein said service
control device further comprises:
means for registering in said personal telecommunication number management
table a telephone number to be transferred for said subscriber and time
information representing at what time the transferring is validated;
means for recording in a moving subscriber call history table the personal
telecommunication number at the time of the call taking place before the
transferring of valid; and
means for announcing to said subscriber the personal telecommunication
number or director number and a time of each call stored in said moving
subscriber history table when said subscriber dials a special number of a
call history retrieval process.
11. A service control device for controlling an advanced-function universal
telecommunications service, for providing a personal telephone director
service utilizing a unique personal telecommunication number assigned to a
subscriber and providing a service over an exchange network with said
personal telecommunication number, said exchange network having an
exchange control device, said service control device comprising:
means for updating content of a telephone directory table or newly
performing a registration in said telephone director table when a call
sent from said subscriber registered for said service is connected to a
receiving subscriber;
means for receiving a call placed as a result of dialing a special number
for a number retrieval process;
sequentially sending means for sequentially sending to said subscriber
information stored in said telephone directory table for said subscriber;
means for receiving a sending request signal according to said information
from said subscriber; and
means for connecting said subscriber to a receiving subscriber according to
said information,
wherein said service control device has a personal telephone directory
service control device, and said personal telephone directory service
control device has a telephone directory table for storing the personal
telecommunication number or telephone number of each receiving subscriber
according to the personal telecommunication number of said subscriber and
a call counter, and
wherein said telephone directory table has two tables according to each
personal telecommunication number, one of which is adapted to register
data taking place according to calls, the other of which is a adapted to
retrieve data from said telephone directory table, said two tables being
adapted to be switched at predetermined intervals.
12. A service control device as claimed in claim 11, wherein said
sequentially sending means comprises:
means for displaying information stored in a top of one of the storage
table to the sending subscriber; and
means for connecting the sending subscriber to a displayed subscriber when
the sending subscriber requests it, and when displaying information stored
in the next position in said storage table when the sending subscriber
does not request it.
13. A service control device as claimed in claim 11 wherein said
sequentially sending means comprises:
means for receiving from a sending subscriber a request for starting the
retrieval at the bottom of the storage table; and
means for displaying information stored in the bottom of the storage table
to the sending subscriber.
14. A service control device for controlling an advanced-function universal
personal telecommunication service, for providing a personal telephone
directory service utilizing a unique personal telecommunication number
assigned to a subscriber and providing a service over an exchange network
with said personal telecommunications number, said exchange network having
an exchange control device, said service control device comprising:
means for updating content of a telephone directory table or means for
newly performing a registration in said telephone directory table when a
call sent from said subscriber registered for said service is connected to
a receiving subscriber;
means for receiving a call placed as a result of dialing a special number
for a number retrieval process;
sequentially sending means for sequentially sending to said subscriber
information;
means for receiving a sending request signal according to said information
from said subscriber; and
means for connecting said subscriber to a receiving subscriber according to
said information, wherein said service control device has a personal
telephone director service control device, and said personal telephone
directory service control device has a telephone directory table for
storing the personal telecommunication number or telephone number of each
receiving subscriber according to the personal telecommunication number of
said subscriber and a call counter, and wherein said sequentially sending
means comprises:
means for determining whether a number retrieval is conducted,
means for receiving some part of a first number corresponding to receiving
subscriber,
means for receiving a second number, a part of which is coincident with
said some part of the first number,
means for sending said second number to the sending subscriber,
means for connecting the subscriber to the second number when the
subscriber requests the second number, and
means for retrieving the next number, part of which is coincident with said
part of the first number, when the subscriber does not request the second
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Claims |
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Description |
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BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a method for controlling advanced-function
universal personal telecommunication (UPT) services.
2. Description of the Related Art
In recent years, UPT services have been studied with regard to new
telecommunication service techniques by the CCITT (Consultative Committee
for International Telephony and Telegraphy) and others. The UPT services
are designed to provide subscribers with a variety of services using
personal numbers assigned them through a public exchange network. An
implementation of the method for controlling the UPT services at a
realistic level is desired.
Although the UPT services are still being studied by the CCITT, it is said
that they will provide subscribers with such communication services as
calling other subscribers using personal numbers assigned them as well as
their telephone numbers. PTNs (Personal Telecommunication Numbers) which
are different from conventional telephone numbers (also referred to as DNs
(Directory Numbers)) are special for subscribers. When a sending
subscriber dials the PTN of a receiving subscriber, the former can access
the latter. Moreover, when a sending subscriber dials a special number for
a PTN charging service, the connection charge for a call that follows is
charged to his PTN rather than the DN with which he will call.
These services will be provided by a new network system referred to as an
AIN (Advanced Intelligent Network), which is an improved system of the new
network system referred to as an IN (Intelligent Network).
Of the UPT services, the following service is known. In an exchange network
where the terminal number (telephone number) of a telephone set and so
forth of a receiving subscriber according to his PTN has been registered,
when a sending subscriber dials the PTN of the receiving subscriber, the
DN according to the PTN is retrieved from the network and then the
telephone set of the sending subscriber is connected to the telephone set
of the receiving subscriber so as to call the receiving subscriber.
However, in this service controlling method, if a receiving subscriber who
is going from one site to another site is called or if an access to a
subscriber who is not at a registered site is attempted, when the network
calls a telephone set registered to the receiving subscriber since the
receiving subscriber cannot answer the call, the sending subscriber cannot
communicate with the receiving subscriber.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
An object of the present invention is to provide advanced-function UPT
services such as calling a subscriber with his PTN, registering sites
different from a permanent site, and recording and retrieving a call
history.
Another object of the present invention is to provide advanced UPT services
such as calling a receiving subscriber with either his PTN or his DN,
announcing an absence of a receiving subscriber who is changing locations,
and recording a retrievable call history of calls received when a
receiving subscriber is absent.
The present invention is a method of controlling an advanced-function UPT
(Universal Personal Telecommunication) service, for assigning to a
subscriber a unique PTN (Personal Telecommunication Number) and providing
the service over an exchange network with the PTN, the exchange network
having an exchange control portion and a service control portion, the
service control portion having a PTN management table for storing data
such as a telephone number corresponding to the PTN and for executing the
service according to a special number, the method comprising the steps of
(a) dialing a special number of the UPT service so as to activate the
service control portion, (b) sending to a sending subscriber a PTN sending
command, (c) receiving information representing the PTN or information
representing a non-PTN from the sending subscriber, (d) checking and
matching the sending subscriber with the information, (e) sending to the
sending subscriber a receiving subscriber input command, (f) receiving the
PTN or telephone number of the receiving subscriber from the sending
subscriber, (g) detecting the telephone number of the receiving subscriber
using the PTN management table when the PTN is received, and (h)
connecting the sending subscriber to the receiving subscriber using the
telephone number received or detected, wherein the step (a) is performed
by the sending subscriber, the steps (b) to (g) are performed by the
service control portion, and the step (h) is performed by the exchange
control portion.
According to the present invention, a subscriber can select whether to use
his PTN (Personal Telecommunication Number). When the subscriber uses the
PTN, the connection charge can be charged to the PTN rather than the
telephone set that he uses. In addition, since a sending subscriber can
designate a receiving subscriber by his PTN or DN, the flexibility of
operation increases.
When a subscriber changes the telephone number corresponding to his PTN,
while he is changing locations, he can designate a time period for which
it takes for him to arrive at his destination. Thus, even if other
subscribers call the PTN, they can receive an announcement of his changing
locations. In addition, since a history of calls received while the
subscriber is changing locations is recorded and he can retrieve
information such as the names and DNs of the sending subscribers, he can
insure making contact with them.
When a receiving subscriber is called using his PTN and he does not answer,
DNs which have been registered in the sequential retrieval dialing table
can be sequentially and automatically called.
A telephone directory corresponding to a PTN user is automatically updated
without registration thereof whenever he is accessed. When a subscriber
uses his telephone directory, the content thereof is displayed
sequentially. When the user sends a signal for designating a desired
receiving subscriber, the subscriber is automatically called and
connected.
These and other objects, features and advantages of the present invention
will become more apparent in light of the following detailed description
of a best mode embodiment thereof, as illustrated in the accompanying
drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a block diagram for explaining the theory of the present
invention;
FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the construction of a system in
accordance with the present invention.
FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing the first half of the sequence of a calling
and basic connecting process of an embodiment;
FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing the second half of the sequence of FIG. 3;
FIG. 5 (A) is a schematic diagram for explaining a PTN management table
stored in a database;
FIG. 5 (B) is a schematic diagram for explaining a moving subscriber call
history table stored in the database;
FIG. 5 (C) is a schematic diagram for explaining a sequential retrieval
dialing table stored in the database;
FIGS. 6A, 6B and 6C are schematic diagrams for explaining tables stored in
the database;
FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing the sequence of a moving subscriber
announcement service registration process;
FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing the sequence of a moving subscriber access
process;
FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing the sequence of a history access retrieval
process;
FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing the sequence of a sequential retrieval
dialing process;
FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing the sequence of a sequential retrieval
dialing table registration process;
FIG. 12 is a flowchart of a personal telephone directory registration
process;
FIG. 13 is a flowchart of a storage table substitution process;
FIG. 14 is a flowchart showing the first half of a telephone directory
retrieval process; and
FIG. 15 is a flowchart showing the second half of FIG. 14.
DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
FIG. 1 is a block diagram for explaining the theory of the present
invention. In the figure, reference numeral 1 is a telephone set.
Reference numeral 2 is another telephone set. Reference numeral 3 is an
exchange control portion containing a switching mechanism. Reference
numeral 4 is a service control portion. Reference numeral 5 is a service
identification portion. Reference numeral 6 is an individual service
control means for executing a plurality of services (6a to 6d). Reference
numeral 7 is a table portion for storing tables for use in the services.
Reference numeral 7a is a PTN management table. Reference numeral 7b is a
sequential retrieval dialing table. Reference numeral 7c is a
location-changing subscriber call history table. Reference numeral 7d is a
telephone directory table.
Next, with reference to FIG. 1, the operation of each portion in accordance
with the present invention will be described.
To allow subscribers to have UPT services, PTNs (Personal Telecommunication
Numbers) should have been assigned them and DNs and data corresponding to
the PTNs should have been registered in the table portion 7 of the service
control portion 4.
(1) UPT calling service
When a subscriber dials a special number for a UPT calling service from his
telephone set 1 to call the telephone set 2 of another subscriber, this
special number is sent to the service control portion 4 through the
exchange control portion 3. When the service identification portion 5
identifies the special number and the requested service type, it activates
the individual service control means 6 (for example, the UPT connection
service control means 6a). When the subscriber of the telephone set 1
(hereinafter referred to as the subscriber 1) sends his PTN to the UPT
connection service control means 6a through the exchange control portion
3, it determines whether or not his PTN has been authorized by using data
stored in the PTN management table 7a. When the PTN has been authorized,
the UPT connection service control means 6a requests the subscriber 1 to
input information designating the receiving subscriber.
When the subscriber 1 sends the PTN or DN of the receiving subscriber, the
UPT connection service means 6a identifies it. When receiving the PTN, the
UPT connection service means 6a converts it into a DN by using the PTN
management table 7a. The UPT connection service means 6a sends to the
exchange control portion 3 the telephone number, which has been converted
from the PTN or received directly from the subscriber 1, along with a
connection command. The exchange control portion 3 connects the telephone
set 2 of the receiving subscriber with the DN (this subscriber is
hereinafter referred to as the subscriber 2) to the subscriber 1.
(2) Change and moving subscriber registration service
When the subscriber 1 dials a special number for a change and moving
subscriber registration service, this special number is sent to the
service control portion 4 through the exchange control portion 3. The
special number is identified by the service identification portion 5. The
service identification portion 5 activates the change and moving
subscriber registration service control portion 6b. Thereafter, the change
and moving subscriber registration service control portion 6b sends an
input request to the subscriber 1 through the exchange control portion 3.
When the subscriber 1 inputs his PTN, a DN to be changed or transferred,
time information (date and time) relevant to validity of the change or
transferring, and so forth, these data are registered in the PTN area of
the subscriber 1 in the PTN management table 7a. While the subscriber 1 is
changing locations, when the telephone set 2 of the other subscriber calls
the PTN of the subscriber 1, the service control portion 4 determines
whether or not the subscriber 1 is changing locations in accordance with
the time information stored in the PTN management table 7a. When the
subscriber 1 is changing locations, the service control portion 4 commands
the exchange control portion 3 to inform the subscriber 2 that the
subscriber 1 is now changing locations and the subscriber 1 will call back
the subscriber 2 later.
The DN and the time of each call received while the subscriber 1 was
changing locations are stored in the moving subscriber call history table
7b. When the subscriber 1 dials a special number for retrieving calls
received while he was changing locations and then inputs his PTN, the
change and moving subscriber service control means 6b of the service
control portion 4 retrieves the DN and time of each call received that
were stored in the moving subscriber call history table 7b and
successively sends them to the subscriber 1.
(3) Sequential retrieval dialing service
When the subscriber of the telephone set 2 dials the PTN of a receiving
subscriber (the subscriber of the telephone set 1) using the normal UPT
service and the subscriber of the telephone set 1 does not answer in a
predetermined time period the call received through the exchange control
portion 3 and the service control portion 4, the sequential retrieval
dialing service control means 6c is activated. In the sequential retrieval
dialing table 7c used for this service, a plurality of DNs registered by
the subscriber of the PTN have been stored.
The sequential retrieval dialing service control portion 6c of the service
control portion 4 retrieves the DN listed at the top of the sequential
retrieval dialing table 7c and sends this DN to the exchange control
portion 3 along with a connection command. Then, the exchange control
portion 3 connects the telephone set 2 of the subscriber to the telephone
set with this DN and calls it. When the telephone set with the DN does not
answer, the sequential retrieval dialing service control portion 6c
retrieves the DN listed at the second from the top of the sequential
retrieval dialing table 7c and sends this DN to the exchange control
portion 3 along with a connection command. These processes are repeated
until the sequential retrieval dialing service control portion 6c finds a
telephone set which answers.
(4) Personal telephone directory service
When the subscriber of the telephone set 1 inputs his PTN for the UPT
service and then dials the PTN or DN of a receiving subscriber, the
telephone directory service control means 6d of the service control
portion 4 not only commands the exchange control portion 3 to connect the
telephone set 1 to the corresponding telephone set, but also records the
DN data in the telephone directory table 7d which is provided for each
PTN. In other words, the telephone directory service control means 6d
records the PTN or DN, the name thereof, and so forth of each call made by
a sending subscriber in the telephone directory table 7d. This telephone
directory table 7d works as a telephone directory for the PTN of each
sending subscriber. Whenever a sending subscriber makes a call to a
receiving subscriber, the cumulative number of calls to the receiving
subscriber recorded in the telephone directory table 7d is incremented.
When a subscriber dials a special number for the telephone directory
service and inputs his PTN to reference his telephone directory, the
telephone directory service control means 6d is activated and thereby the
subscriber can retrieve the content of the telephone directory table 7d.
In this case, when the telephone set of the subscriber is of a digital
telephone type with a display function, the service control portion 4
sends each access (call) data recorded in the telephone directory table 7d
to the telephone set 1 one at a time. Thus, each access data is displayed
on the telephone set 1 of the subscriber. When the telephone set 1 of the
subscriber is of a non-digital type, he can listen to each of the access
data.
After receiving access data stored in the telephone directory table 7d,
when the subscriber finds a receiving subscriber to call (by identifying
the name, PTN, or DN) and sends a particular signal from the telephone set
1, the service control portion 4 detects this signal and sends a
connection command to the exchange control portion 3 using the PTN or DN
of the subscriber. As a result, the telephone set 1 of the subscriber is
connected to the designated subscriber.
FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the construction of a system in
accordance with the present invention. FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing the
first half of the sequence of a calling and basic connecting process in
accordance with an embodiment. FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing the second
half of FIG. 3. FIG. 5 (A) is a schematic diagram for explaining a PTN
management table stored in a database. FIG. 5 (B) is a schematic diagram
for explaining a moving subscriber call history table stored in the
database. FIG. 5 (C) is a schematic diagram for explaining a sequential
retrieval dialing table stored in the database. FIG. 6 is a schematic
diagram for explaining a telephone directory table.
In FIG. 2, reference numeral 20 is a telephone set used for each of many
subscribers. Reference numeral 21 is an exchange (corresponding to the
exchange control portion 3 shown in FIG. 1). The exchange 21 constructs an
SSP (Service Switching Point) in an IN (Intelligent Network). Reference
numeral 26 is a communication path. Reference numeral 27 is a computer
(corresponding to the service control portion 4) connected to the
telephone set 20 through the exchange 21 and the communication path 26,
for controlling UPT services. The computer 27 constructs an SCP (Service
Control Point) in the IN. The communication path 26 for connecting the
exchange 21 and the computer 27 is constructed of a high speed line
according to X.25 protocol (packet), Ethernet, or FDDI (Fiber Distributed
Digital Interface) which uses an optical fiber cable and a high speed bus
interface. By placing UPT application data over such lower layers, the
processes are accomplished.
The exchange 21 comprises a switching portion 22 (abbreviated as SW), a
processor 23 (abbreviated as CC), a memory 24 (abbreviated as MM), and a
signal processor 25. The CC 23 executes such processes as switching
requests of subscribers, detecting requests of UPT services and sending
relevant information to the computer 27, and executing commands received
from the computer 27. The MM 24 stores programs and various data for use
in controlling switching functions and detecting special numbers for UPT
services. The signal processor 25 interfaces with both the switching
portion 22 and the computer 27.
The computer 27 comprises a signal processor 28, a processor 29
(abbreviated as CC), a memory 30 (abbreviated as MM), and a disk unit 31.
The signal processor 28 inter-works with the exchange 21 and controls
protocols thereof. The CC 29 performs processes for executing UPT
services. The MM 30 stores programs for controlling UPT services. The disk
unit 31 stores a large capacity database relevant to the UPT services. The
disk unit 31 preferably uses a RAM disk unit which can be accessed at high
speed.
FIGS. 3 and 4 are flowcharts showing the sequence of a calling and basic
connecting process for use in the UPT services accomplished by the
above-mentioned system. With reference to these figures, this sequence
will be described. In FIG. 3, when a sending subscriber who wants to have
a UPT service sends a special number for the UPT calling service to the
exchange 21 through the telephone set 20 (see FIG. 3, step (a)), the
exchange 21 receives this special number and then detects the service type
of the special number (see FIG. 3, step (b)). After the exchange 21
detects the service type, it sends the special number for the UPT calling
service to the computer 27 (see FIG. 3, step (c)). When the computer 27
receives the special number, it checks the special number (see FIG. 3,
step (d)). After the computer 27 determines that the received number is
the special number for the UPT calling service, it commands the exchange
21 to send a digit collection announcement (see FIG. 3, step (e)). In
other words, the computer 27 sends to the exchange 21 a "Collect Digits
(ANA)" signal which commands the exchange 21 to collect a PTN (see FIG. 3,
step (f)). (In the figures, this step is represented simply by "Command
(ANA).")
When the exchange 21 receives this signal, an announcement unit of the
exchange 21 (not shown in FIG. 2) sends an announcement "Dial your PSI.
Otherwise, dial #." to the telephone set 20 of the sending subscriber (see
FIG. 3, steps (g) and (h)). The PSI stands for Personal Subscriber
Identification and is composed of a PTN (Personal Telecommunication
Number) and a password added thereafter.
When the subscriber of the telephone set 20 inputs his PSI according to the
announcement (see FIG. 3, step (i)), the exchange 21 collects digits of
each number of the PSI (PTN+password) (see FIG. 3, step (j)) and sends the
PSI to the computer 27 as an answer signal (see FIG. 3, step (k)). When
the computer 27 receives the PSI, it accesses the PTN management table
(see FIG. 3, step (m)) and compares the password of the PSI with a
password registered in the area corresponding to the PTN of the
subscriber, of the PTN management table (see FIG. 3, step (n)). When these
passwords match, the connection charge for a call that follows is charged
to the sending subscriber, not his telephone set. Thus, even if a
subscriber does not have a lot of change or a prepaid card, he can make
international calls as well as local calls.
When the subscriber of the telephone set 20 inputs a "#" rather than his
PSI, the process for checking the PSI is skipped (see FIG. 3, step (l)).
The composition of each of various tables for use in the UPT services in
accordance with the present invention is shown in FIGS. 5 and 6. These
tables are stored in the disk unit 31 of the computer 27. An example of
the PTN management table is shown in FIG. 5 (A). In the area corresponding
to each PTN, such data as "name" (for example, person name, or company
name), "PSI", and "DN to be transferred" are stored. The "DN to be
transferred" is followed by "moving timer", which will be described later.
Returning to FIG. 3, the remaining steps of the sequence will be described.
When the PSI received from the su | | |
