Abstract:
A network linkage type private branch exchange system including a plurality of private branch exchanges, a plurality of telephone network interfaces for relaying data between a plurality of telephone networks and each private branch exchange, a plurality of terminal devices such as an extension for transmitting the data between the respective private branch exchanges and a plurality of operators, a plurality of computers each connected to each private branch exchange for conducting predetermined processing based on the data, and a data communication line to which each private branch exchange is connected, in which each private branch exchange transmits data to a computer connected to an arbitrary private branch exchange other than the private branch exchange in question through the data communication line.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
         [0001]    1. Field of the Invention  
           [0002]    The present invention relates to a network linkage type private branch exchange (Private Branch Exchange, hereinafter referred to as a “PBX”) system provided in an order reception center of a mail-order firm and the like, and more particularly, to a network linkage type PBX system enabling information to be exchanged among computers connected to a plurality of PBXS, a control method thereof and a recording medium recording a control program therefor.  
           [0003]    2. Description of the Related Art  
           [0004]    A network linkage type PBX system is a computer network where voice data is transmitted and received among terminal devices (e.g. telephone) connected to a plurality of PBXs through a switched line using a telephone network, while information is exchanged between computers connected to each PBX through other dedicated line than the switched line. Use of this computer network enables computers disposed in a plurality of places of business to divisionally possess programs and data and use the same among them or when a certain computer needs processing exceeding its own capacity, allows the computer to ask other computer in the network to conduct the processing and return the processing results thereafter.  
           [0005]    A network linkage type PBX system of this kind has, for example, as illustrated in FIG. 6, bases  10 ,  20  and  30  such as an order reception center of a mail-order firm. The base  10  includes a PBX 11 , a telephone network interface (e.g. trunk)  12 , a terminal device (e.g. extension)  13 , a computer (server)  14 , and a data base (DB)  15 . The base  20  includes, a PBX 21 , a trunk  22 , an extension  23 , a computer (server)  24 , a data base (DB)  25 , and computer terminals (clients)  26  and  27 . The base  30  includes a PBX 31 , a trunk  32 , an extension  33 , a computer (server)  34  and a data base (DB)  35 . Connected to the PBX 11  through a switched line L 1  using a telephone network is the PBX 21  to which the PBX 31  is connected through a switched line L 2 . To the computer (server)  14 , the computer terminal (client)  26  is connected through a dedicated line L 3 . To the computer (server)  34 , the computer terminal (client)  27  is connected through a dedicated line L 4 . These dedicated lines L 3  and L 4  are formed, for example, by a WAN (Wide Area Network).  
           [0006]    The trunks  12 ,  22  and  32  relay data between the telephone network and the PBXs  11 ,  21  and  31 , respectively. The extensions  13 ,  23  and  33  transmit the data between the PBXs  11 ,  21 ,  31  and an operator, respectively. The computers (servers)  14 ,  24 , and  34  are connected to the PBXs  11 ,  21  and  31 , respectively, to conduct predetermined processing based on the data. In the data bases (DB)  15 ,  25  and  35 , data necessary for the processing at the computers (servers)  14 ,  24  and  34  is stored. The computer terminals (clients)  26  and  27  are provided for subsidiary work for the computer (server)  24 .  
           [0007]    [0007]FIG. 7 is a diagram schematically showing one example of a structure of the PBX 11  in FIG. 6.  
           [0008]    The PBX 11  includes a channel switch  11   a , a channel switch control unit  11   b , a call control core unit  11   c , a communication control unit lid, a central processing unit (hereinafter, referred to as “CPU”)  11   e  and a memory (e.g. ROM)  11   f . The channel switch  11   a  establishes a connection between the trunk  12  and the extension  13 . The channel switch control unit  11   b  gives an instruction on operation to the channel switch  11   a.    
           [0009]    The call control core unit  11   c  controls switching operation of the PBX 11 . The communication control unit  11   d  sends data based on a low layer protocol such as TCP/IP. The CPU  11   e  controls the entire PBX 11 . In the ROM  11   f , a control program for operating the CPU  11   e  is recorded. The PBXs  21  and  31  have the same structure as that of the PBX 11 .  
           [0010]    [0010]FIG. 8 is a flow chart for use in explaining operation of the network linkage type PBX system shown in FIG. 6.  
           [0011]    With reference to the figure, description will be made of operation conducted when the network linkage type PBX system of FIG. 6 is disposed in an order reception center of a mail-order firm.  
           [0012]    Customer dials a telephone number of the base  10  by a telephone in order to order a commodity. Then, the call arrives at the PBX 11  through the trunk  12  from the telephone network and the PBX 11  is connected to the extension  13  by the control of the CPU 11   e  in the PBX 11 , so that an operator of the extension  13  conducts work for accepting an order. Also at the bases  20  and  30 , the same order reception work is conducted. Then, operation record data D 11 , D 21  and D 31  of a series of order reception work is output from the PBXs  11 ,  21  and  31 , summed up at the computers (servers)  14 ,  24  and  34  and stored in the data bases (DB)  15 ,  25  and  35 , respectively.  
           [0013]    When a failure occurs in the computer (server)  14  here, for example, an operator of the computer (server)  24  moves from the front of the computer (server)  24  to the front of the computer terminal (client)  26  as shown in FIG. 8 (Step  801 ). The operator operates the computer terminal (client)  26  to connect the computer terminal (client)  26  to the computer (server)  14  through the dedicated line L 3  (Step  802 ). The contents of the data base (DB)  15  connected to the computer (server)  14  are copied (uploaded) on the side of the computer terminal (client)  26  and sent out to a printer not shown or the like (Step  803 ).  
           [0014]    Similarly, when a failure occurs in the computer (server)  34 , the operator moves from the front of the computer (server)  34  to the front of the computer terminal (client)  27 . The operator operates the computer terminal (client)  27  to connect the computer terminal (client)  27  to the computer (server)  34  through the dedicated line L 4 . The contents of the data base (DB)  35  connected to the computer (server)  34  are appropriately copied (uploaded) on the side of the computer terminal (client)  27  and sent out to a printer not shown or the like.  
           [0015]    The above-described conventional network linkage type PBX system, however, has the following problems.  
           [0016]    More specifically, in a conventional network linkage type PBX system, the PBXs  11 ,  21  and  31  and the computers (servers)  14 ,  24  and  34  are one-to-one connected to each other. When failures occur in the computers (server)  14  and  34 , therefore, for the PBXs  11  and  31  and a remote computer terminal to inter-work, it is necessary to provide the base  20  with the computer terminals (clients)  26  and  27  for subsidiary work and also with the dedicated lines L 3  and L 4  to be disposed without the need of the PBX  21 , which makes facility complicated.  
         SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
         [0017]    An object of the present invention, taking the above-described conditions into consideration, is to provide a network linkage type PBX system having a relatively simple structure requiring no provision of the computer terminals (clients)  26  and  27  for subsidiary work and the dedicated lines L 3  and L 4 .  
           [0018]    According to one aspect of the invention, a network linkage type private branch exchange system, comprises  
           [0019]    a plurality of private branch exchanges,  
           [0020]    a plurality of telephone network interfaces for relaying data between a plurality of telephone networks and each the private branch exchange,  
           [0021]    a plurality of terminal devices for transmitting the data between each the private branch exchange and a plurality of operators,  
           [0022]    a plurality of computers each connected to each the private branch exchange for conducting predetermined processing based on the data, and  
           [0023]    a data communication line to which each the private branch exchange is connected, wherein  
           [0024]    each the private branch exchange  
           [0025]    transmits the data to the computer connected to an arbitrary private branch exchange other than the private branch exchange in question through the data communication line.  
           [0026]    In the preferred construction, the system is applied to mail-order reception work, and  
           [0027]    the private branch exchange transmits accumulated data of mail-order reception sent through the telephone network and accepted at the terminal device to the computer connected to an arbitrary private branch exchange other than the private branch exchange for summing up the accumulated data through the data communication line.  
           [0028]    In another preferred construction, each the private branch exchange automatically transmits the data to the computer through the data communication line all the time.  
           [0029]    In another preferred construction, each the private branch exchange transmits the data to the computer through the data communication line when necessary.  
           [0030]    In another preferred construction, each the private branch exchange further includes  
           [0031]    a transmission destination control unit for determining whether the data is to be transmitted to the computer connected to the private branch exchange in question or to an arbitrary private branch exchange other than the private branch exchange in question,  
           [0032]    a first communication control unit for transmitting the data to the computer connected to the private branch exchange in question based on determination results of the transmission destination control unit, and  
           [0033]    one or a plurality of second communication control units for transmitting the data to an arbitrary private branch exchange other than the private branch exchange in question based on determination results of the transmission destination control unit.  
           [0034]    In another preferred construction, the data communication line is formed of a switched line using the telephone network.  
           [0035]    According to another aspect of the invention, a method of controlling a network linkage type private branch exchange system including a plurality of private branch exchanges, a plurality of telephone network interfaces for relaying data between a plurality of telephone networks and each the private branch exchange, a plurality of terminal devices for transmitting the data between each the private branch exchange and a plurality of operators, a plurality of computers each connected to each the private branch exchange for conducting predetermined processing based on the data, and a data communication line to which each the private branch exchange is connected, wherein  
           [0036]    the data is transmitted to the computer connected to an arbitrary private branch exchange other than the private branch exchange in question through the data communication line.  
           [0037]    In the preferred construction, the network linkage type private branch exchange system is applied to mail-order reception work, and  
           [0038]    accumulated data of mail-order reception sent through the telephone network and accepted at the terminal device is transmitted to the computer connected to an arbitrary private branch exchange other than the private branch exchange for summing up the accumulated data through the data communication line.  
           [0039]    In another preferred construction, the data is automatically transmitted to the computer through the data communication line all the time.  
           [0040]    In another preferred construction, the data is transmitted to the computer through the data communication line when necessary.  
           [0041]    In another preferred construction, determination is made whether the data is to be transmitted to the computer connected to the private branch exchange in question or to an arbitrary private branch exchange other than the private branch exchange in question to transmit the data based on the determination results.  
           [0042]    In another preferred construction, determination is made whether the data is to be transmitted to the computer connected to the private branch exchange in question or to an arbitrary private branch exchange other than the private branch exchange in question to automatically transmit the data based on the determination results all the time.  
           [0043]    In another preferred construction, for the data communication line, a switched line using the telephone network is used.  
           [0044]    According to a further aspect of the invention, a computer readable memory storing a control program which realizes a function of a network linkage type private branch exchange system including a plurality of private branch exchanges, a plurality of telephone network interfaces for relaying data between a plurality of telephone networks and each the private branch exchange, a plurality of terminal devices for transmitting the data between each the private branch exchange and a plurality of operators, a plurality of computers each connected to each the private branch exchange for conducting predetermined processing based on the data, and a data communication line to which each the private branch exchange is connected, wherein  
           [0045]    the control program  
           [0046]    transmits the data to the computer connected to an arbitrary private branch exchange other than the private branch exchange in question through the data communication line.  
           [0047]    Other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become clear from the detailed description given herebelow.  
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0048]    The present invention will be understood more fully from the detailed description given herebelow and from the accompanying drawings of the preferred embodiment of the invention, which, however, should not be taken to be limitative to the invention, but are for explanation and understanding only.  
         [0049]    In the drawings:  
         [0050]    [0050]FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an electrical structure of a network linkage type PBX system according to an embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0051]    [0051]FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a structure of a PBX 41  illustrated in FIG. 1;  
         [0052]    [0052]FIG. 3 is a flow chart for use in explaining operation of the network linkage type PBX system illustrated in FIG. 1;  
         [0053]    [0053]FIG. 4 is a diagram showing operation record data;  
         [0054]    [0054]FIG. 5 is a flow chart for use in explaining operation to be conducted when a failure occurs in a computer in the network linkage type PBX system;  
         [0055]    [0055]FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a structure of a conventional network linkage type PBX system;  
         [0056]    [0056]FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a structure of a PBX 11  in FIG. 6;  
         [0057]    [0057]FIG. 8 is a flow chart for use in explaining operation of the network linkage type PBX system.  
     
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
       [0058]    The preferred embodiment of the present invention will be discussed hereinafter in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the following description, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the present invention. It will be obvious, however, to those skilled in the art that the present invention may be practiced without these specific details. In other instance, well-known structures are not shown in detail in order to unnecessary obscure the present invention.  
         [0059]    [0059]FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an electrical structure of a network linkage type PBX system according to an embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0060]    The network linkage type PBX system of this mode has, for example, as illustrated in the figure, bases  40 ,  50  and  60  such as an order reception center of a mail-order firm. The base  40  includes a PBX 41 , a telephone network interface (e.g. trunk)  42 , a terminal device (e.g. extension)  43 , an interface  44 , a computer  45 , a data base (DB)  46  and an interface  47 .  
         [0061]    The base  50  includes, a PBX 51 , a trunk  52 , an extension  53 , an interface  54 , a computer  55 , a data base (DB)  56  and interfaces  57  and  58 . The base  60  includes a PBX 61 , a trunk  62 , an extension  63 , an interface  64 , a computer  65 , a data base (DB)  66  and an interface  67 .  
         [0062]    To the interface (IF)  47 , the interface (IF)  57  is connected through a switched line L 1  using a telephone network and to the interface (IF)  58 , the interface (IF)  67  is connected through a switched line L 2 .  
         [0063]    The trunks  42 ,  52  and  62  relay data between the telephone network and the PBXs  41 ,  51  and  61 , respectively. The extensions  43 ,  53  and  63  transmit the data between the PBXs  41 ,  51  and  61  and an operator, respectively. The computers  45 ,  55  and  65  are connected to the PBXs  41 ,  51  and  61  through the interfaces (IF)  44 ,  54  and  64 , respectively, to conduct predetermined processing based on the data. In the data bases (DB)  46 ,  56  and  66 , data necessary for the processing in the computers  45 ,  55  and  65  is stored.  
         [0064]    [0064]FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing one example of a structure of the PBX 41  of the base  40  illustrated in FIG. 1.  
         [0065]    The PBX  41  includes a channel switch  41   a , a channel switch control unit  41   b , a call control core unit  41   c , a transmission destination control unit  41   d , first and second communication control units  41   f  and  41   g , a CPU  41   h  and a recording medium (e.g. ROM)  41   i.    
         [0066]    The channel switch  41   a  establishes a connection between the trunk  42  and the extension  43 . The channel switch control unit  41   b  gives an instruction on operation to the channel switch  41   a . The call control core unit  41   c  controls switching operation of the PBX 41 . The transmission destination control unit  41   d  determines a data transmission destination. The communication control units  41   f  and  41   g  send out data based on a low layer protocol such as a TCP/IP. The CPU  41   h  controls the entire PBX 41 . In the ROM  41   i , a control program for operating the CPU  41   h  is recorded. The other bases PBXs  51  and  61  have the same structure as that of the PBX 41 .  
         [0067]    [0067]FIG. 3 is a flow chart for use in explaining operation of the network linkage type PBX system illustrated in FIG. 1, FIG. 4 is a diagram showing one example of operation record data and FIG. 5 is another flow chart for use in explaining operation of the network linkage type PBX system of FIG. 1.  
         [0068]    With reference to these figures, description will be made of operation conducted when the network linkage type PBX system of this mode is disposed in an order reception center of a mail-order firm.  
         [0069]    Customer dials, for example, a telephone number of the base  40  by a telephone in order to order a commodity. Then, the call arrives at the PBX 41  through the trunk  42  from the telephone network and the PBX 41  is connected to the extension  43  by the control of the CPU 41   h  in the PBX 41 , so that an operator of the extension  43  conducts work for accepting an order. Also at the bases  50  and  60 , the same order reception work is conducted.  
         [0070]    Then, operation record data D 41 , D 51  and D 61  of a series of order reception work is output from the PBXs  41 ,  51  and  61 , summed up at the computers (servers)  45 ,  55  and  65  and stored in the data bases (DB)  46 ,  56  and  66 , respectively.  
         [0071]    At this time, as a computer for summing up the operation record data D 41 , the computer  55  or the computer  65  may be used other than the computer  45 .  
         [0072]    When the operation record data D 41  is summed up by the computer  55 , for example, the PBX 41  sends out the operation record data D 41  to both of the interfaces (IF)  44  and  47  as illustrated in FIG. 3 (Step  301 ).  
         [0073]    The BPX  51  sends out the operation record data D 41  received through the switched line L 1  to the interface (IF)  54  similarly to the operation record data D 51  generated at the PBX 51  (Step  302 ).  
         [0074]    The computer  55  receives the operation record data D 41  through the interface (IF)  54  to automatically form the same data base (DB)  56  as the data base (DB)  46  connected to the computer  45  all the time (Step  303 ).  
         [0075]    Then, operating only the computer  55 , the operator of the computer  55  sends out the contents of the data base (DB)  46  and the data base (DB)  56  (that is, operation record data D 41  and D 51 ) to a printer not shown or the like (Step  304 ).  
         [0076]    The operation record data D 41 , D 51  and D 61  is composed, for example, of a total number of calls, an average communication time period, the number of failures in collection, a total working time and the like in a certain time zone (span) at a certain collection place (for each operator, each group . . . ) as shown in FIG. 4.  
         [0077]    Here, when a failure occurs, for example, in the computer  45  in the network linkage type PBX system of FIG. 1, the computer  45  having the failure will be repaired or replaced as shown in FIG. 5 (Step  501 ).  
         [0078]    Conduct predetermined operation by using the computer  45  to download the contents of the data base (DB)  56  connected to the computer  55  into the computer  45  (Step  502 ).  
         [0079]    As a result, data lost during the failure will be remedied at the computer  45  (Step  503 ).  
         [0080]    As described in the foregoing, since in the present embodiment, the same data is accumulated also at the computer  55 , even when a failure occurs abruptly, for example, in the computer  45 , loss of management data crucial for an operator can be avoided to replace the function quickly. Moreover, even when the computer  55  is disposed at a place remote from the computer  45 , because no dedicated lines for the computers  45  and  55  other than the switched line L 1  is necessary and no computer terminal for subsidiary work is necessary, facility will be simplified to reduce operation costs. Furthermore, even when managers operating the computers  45 ,  55  and  65  and operators of the extensions  43 ,  53  and  63  have residences and relationships changed due to a change of an organization of a place of business or a change of a job system, it is unnecessary to change facilities in the bases  40 ,  50  and  60 , which makes it possible to flexibly cope with the change.  
         [0081]    Although the embodiment of the present invention has been described in detail with reference to the drawings, specific structure is not limited to that of the present embodiment and any change in design and the like within the scope of the present invention are included in the present invention. For example, although in the present embodiment, the network linkage type PBX system is formed of a bus-type network, it may be of a ring or star network. In addition, the number of the bases  40 ,  50  and  60  is not limited to three but be an arbitrary number not less than four. In this case, the operation record data D 41  output from the PBX 41  may be sent not only to the computer  55  but also to other computer at the same time.  
         [0082]    The extensions (terminal devices)  43 ,  53  and  63  may be, for example, a facsimile or the like. While in the present embodiment, the operation record data D 41  output from the PBX 41  is transmitted to the computer  55  all the time, it may be transmitted only when necessary. In addition, while in FIG. 2, the second communication control unit  41   g  is provided singly, it may be provided in the plural. In this case, the transmission destination control unit  41   d  needs to have as many functions as the number of the communication control unit  41   g.    
         [0083]    As described in the foregoing, according to the structure of the present invention, even when a failure occurs abruptly in one of a plurality of computers, loss of management data crucial for an operator can be avoided to enable quick replacement of a function because the same data is accumulated in other computer. Moreover, even when a certain computer is disposed at a place remote from other computer, no dedicated line for a computer other than a switched line is necessary, so that facilities can be simplified to reduce operation costs. Furthermore, even when managers operating the respective computers and operators of the respective terminal devices have residences and relationships changed due to a change of an organization of a place of business or a change of a job system, it is unnecessary to change facilities, which makes it possible to flexibly cope with the change.  
         [0084]    Although the invention has been illustrated and described with respect to exemplary embodiment thereof, it should be understood by those skilled in the art that the foregoing and various other changes, omissions and additions may be made therein and thereto, without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. Therefore, the present invention should not be understood as limited to the specific embodiment set out above but to include all possible embodiments which can be embodies within a scope encompassed and equivalents thereof with respect to the feature set out in the appended claims.