Patent Description:
A telephone exchange such as a private branch exchange (PBX) accommodates a plurality of telephones, and an extension number to be used in each telephone is set. Such setting needs to be performed according to an environment of an office in which the telephones are installed. For example, in a free address office employing a free address, it is desirable to set an extension number flexibly.

As related arts, for example, Patent Literatures <NUM> to <NUM> are known. Patent Literature <NUM> describes that, in an IP telephone system for a free address office, by logging in to a telephone installed on a desk, it is possible to temporarily use the telephone as one's own telephone.

Further, Patent Literature <NUM> describes that, in a telephone system having a personal authentication function, a telephone on a calling side performs user authentication and transmits identification information of a caller to a telephone on a receiving side, and the telephone on the receiving side displays the identification information of the caller being received from the telephone on the calling side. Patent Literature <NUM> describes that, in a telephone system, a plurality of extension numbers each used by each of a plurality of users are assigned to an extension telephone, and when a call is received, a user name associated to a destination extension number is audio-output.

<CIT> and <CIT> are documents of the related art.

In Patent Literature <NUM>, a telephone installed on a desk of a free address office can be temporarily used as one's own telephone. However, in the free address office, the number of telephones installed on the desks may be smaller than the number of seats, but in Patent Literature <NUM>, such a case is not considered.

For this reason, in a related art as in Patent Literature <NUM>, when there are more users than the number of installed telephones, there is a possibility that not all users can use the telephones. Therefore, in the related art, there is a problem that it may be difficult for a plurality of users each to flexibly use one telephone (telephone terminal).

In view of the above problem, an object of the present disclosure is to provide a telephone switching device, a telephone terminal, a telephone switching system, a method for controlling the telephone switching device, and a control program that enable a plurality of users to flexibly use one telephone terminal.

According to the present disclosure, it is possible to provide a telephone switching device, a telephone terminal, a telephone switching system, a method for controlling the telephone switching device, and a control program that enable a plurality of users to flexibly use one telephone terminal.

Currently, as part of work style reform, companies are introducing a telework system that enables a flexible work style that is not restricted by place and time, and a free address system that does not require fixed seats, and is trying to improve productivity, work efficiency, and work-life balance of each employee.

Satellite office work in teleworking allows workers to work at a different place from their original place of work, and office styles such as free address allow each employee to work at a freely selected seat rather than at a fixed seat that is predesignated.

One of challenges in such a work style is to ensure a means of communication between employees and customers.

There are various means of communication, such as chat, e-mail, and Web conferencing, as a means of communication between employees and customers. Among these means, voice communication by telephone has already been introduced by many companies, and voice communication by telephone is an indispensable means of communication because it enables real-time communication. However, when a mobile device such as a mobile phone or smartphone is distributed to each employee for voice communication, there is a problem that a communication cost of a company becomes large. In addition, there is a system called Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) in which private smart devices owned by individuals are used for business, but it is difficult to introduce this system easily because it requires companies to take security measures against information leakage and the like.

Therefore, the inventor has examined a system using a telephone exchange accommodating a multi-function telephone in order to secure a communication means capable of coping with such an increasingly diverse office environment. However, in order to change data of a telephone exchange, work by a person in charge of installation who specializes in such work is necessary, and there is a problem that real-time performance and flexibility are lacking.

For example, even when the number of shared telephones installed in a free address office is smaller than the number of users, it is necessary that all the users can use the installed shared telephones as their own dedicated telephones. In Patent Literature <NUM>, in a free address office in which the number of installed telephones is small compared to the number of seats, there may be a user who cannot use a telephone when the number of users who are present is more than the number of installed telephones. Further, in Patent Literatures <NUM> and <NUM>, it is not possible for a plurality of persons to jointly use one shared telephone by simultaneously personal-authenticating on the one shared telephone.

Therefore, in the following example embodiment, to enable one telephone to be shared by an unspecified number of users, data of a telephone exchange are automatically changed while security is ensured, and thereby flexible change of line information accommodated in a multi-function telephone is enabled.

<FIG> illustrates an outline of a telephone switching system according to an example embodiment, <FIG> illustrates an outline of a telephone switching device according to the example embodiment, and <FIG> illustrates an outline of a telephone terminal according to the example embodiment. As illustrated in <FIG>, a telephone switching system <NUM> according to the example embodiment includes a telephone switching device <NUM> and a telephone terminal <NUM> which are connected to each other in such a way as to be able to communicate with each other. The telephone terminal <NUM> can be shared by a plurality of users such as a user A and a user B through authentication.

As illustrated in <FIG>, the telephone switching device <NUM> includes a storage unit <NUM>, an acquisition unit <NUM>, a registration unit <NUM>, and a control unit <NUM>. The storage unit <NUM> stores a registration table 11a for registering a plurality of personal telephone numbers (extension numbers) for each telephone terminal <NUM>. The acquisition unit <NUM> acquires an authentication result of a user with respect to the telephone terminal <NUM>. The registration unit <NUM> registers the telephone terminal <NUM> and a personal telephone number of the user in the registration table 11a in association with each other, in accordance with the acquired authentication result. The control unit <NUM> controls outgoing/incoming calls using the user's personal telephone number at the telephone terminal <NUM>, based on the registered registration table.

As illustrated in <FIG>, the telephone terminal <NUM> includes an authentication unit <NUM>, an acquisition unit <NUM>, a setting unit <NUM>, and an output unit <NUM> in order to enable sharing by a plurality of users. The authentication unit <NUM> makes an authentication request to, for example, the telephone switching device <NUM> or the like that executes authentication processing, based on input authentication information of a user. The acquisition unit <NUM> acquires an authentication result in response to the authentication request and a personal telephone number of the user from, for example, the telephone switching device <NUM> that registers a personal telephone number in accordance with an authentication result. The setting unit <NUM> sets an incoming call output operation for each of a plurality of personal telephone numbers including the acquired personal telephone number. The output unit <NUM> performs an incoming call output operation according to an incoming personal telephone number, based on the set incoming call output operation.

As described above, in the example embodiment, since the telephone terminal and the personal telephone number (extension number) of the user are automatically registered in association with each other according to the authentication result of the user with respect to the telephone terminal, even when the number of users is larger than the number of shared telephones installed in the free address office, all the users can simultaneously use the shared telephone in the same way as their own dedicated telephones.

Specifically, according to the example embodiment, by installing a multi-function telephone having a function for performing personal authentication in a satellite office or a free address floor and realizing a means for flexibly and automatically changing a sub-line (extension number) accommodated in the multi-function telephone, it is possible to secure a means of voice communication while securing security and mobility of a user not only when the multi-function telephone is used by one user but also when the multi-function telephone is shared by a plurality of users.

Hereinafter, a first example embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings. First, a configuration of a telephone switching system according to the present example embodiment will be described.

<FIG> illustrates a configuration example of a telephone switching system <NUM> according to the present example embodiment. As illustrated in <FIG>, the telephone exchange system <NUM> includes a telephone exchange <NUM>, a plurality of multi-function telephones <NUM>, a personal authentication system <NUM>, and a personal database <NUM>. Note that the configuration in <FIG> is an example, and any other configuration may be used as long as an operation according to the present example embodiment described later is possible.

In the telephone switching system <NUM>, the telephone switching apparatus <NUM> accommodates the multi-function telephone <NUM> that uses a plurality of extension numbers, and the multi-function telephone <NUM> is enabled to be shared by a plurality of users by using personal authentication. In order to achieve such sharing, the multi-function telephone <NUM> has a function for performing personal authentication of a user, the personal authentication system <NUM> has a function such as biometric authentication of a user, the personal database <NUM> manages an extension number for a user to be authenticated, and the telephone exchange <NUM> has an interface that enables change of telephone data (registered data) from the personal authentication system <NUM>.

The telephone exchange <NUM>, the plurality of multi-function telephones <NUM>, and the personal authentication system <NUM> are communicably connected via a network <NUM> such as a local area network (LAN). The personal database <NUM> may be connected to the personal authentication system <NUM> directly or via a LAN <NUM>.

The multi-function telephone <NUM> is an extension telephone installed in a satellite office, a free address floor, a conference room, or the like, and is a shared telephone that can be shared by a plurality of users. When a plurality of users perform personal authentication on one multi-function telephone <NUM> and succeed in the authentication, each of the plurality of users is able to use the one multi-function telephone <NUM> as a personal dedicated telephone. Functions of the dedicated telephone include a call using a personal telephone number, setting of a one-touch button for a person, and the like.

The multi-function telephone <NUM> includes an authentication device <NUM> for inputting authentication data necessary for personal authentication of a plurality of users. The authentication device <NUM> is, for example, an ID/password input means for ID/password authentication, an IC card reader for IC card authentication (employee ID card authentication), a camera for face authentication, or another biometric information input means for biometric authentication. The authentication device <NUM> may be a device external to the multi-function telephone <NUM>, or may be an internal device of the multi-function telephone <NUM>.

The multi-function telephone <NUM> includes, for example, a communication interface (IF) <NUM>, a storage unit <NUM>, an authentication unit <NUM>, a display unit <NUM>, a speaker <NUM>, a microphone <NUM>, an operation unit <NUM>, and a control unit <NUM> in order to achieve personal authentication and functions necessary for a shared telephone.

The communication IF <NUM> is a communication unit that communicates with the telephone exchange <NUM> and the personal authentication system <NUM> via the network <NUM>. For example, the communication IF <NUM> transmits/receives data and a message related to personal authentication to/from the personal authentication system <NUM>, and transmits/receives data and messages related to outgoing/incoming calls and a call to/from the telephone exchange <NUM>.

The storage unit <NUM> stores data necessary for an operation of the multi-function telephone <NUM>. For example, the storage unit <NUM> stores identification information (unique data) of the multi-function telephone <NUM>, information such as an extension number of a plurality of users who have succeeded in personal authentication, a ringtone and an incoming call lamp, which are different for each extension number, and stores information for personal authentication (collation data associated with an extension number), and the like, as necessary. It can also be said that the storage unit <NUM> is a setting unit for setting personal setting information such as an incoming call output operation of each of a plurality of extension numbers, a one-touch button, and a telephone directory. The personal setting information for each extension number may be set in advance in the storage unit <NUM>, or may be set in accordance with an operation and the like of a user registered when a registration result is acquired from the telephone exchange <NUM>. It can also be said that the display unit <NUM> and the speaker <NUM> are output units that perform different incoming call output operations for each incoming extension number, based on personal setting information in the storage unit <NUM>.

The authentication unit <NUM> executes processing necessary for personal authentication of a plurality of users. For example, the authentication unit <NUM> acquires authentication data (ID/password information, IC card information, face image information, another type of biometric information, and the like. ) input by a user via the authentication device <NUM>, and transmits the acquired authentication data and identification information of the multi-function telephone <NUM> to the personal authentication system <NUM> via the communication IF <NUM> and the network <NUM> (performs an authentication request). In addition, the authentication unit <NUM> performs authentication processing for identifying a user as necessary when a call is made or received. The authentication unit <NUM> may identify an originating extension number, according to an authentication result of a user who performs a calling operation.

The display unit <NUM> displays necessary information when a call is made/received and during a call. The display unit <NUM> displays an originating extension number (external line number), name of a caller, a destinating extension number (external line number), name of a callee, and the like when a call is made or received. It is preferable that the display unit <NUM> provides different display for each user's extension number to be used. For example, when a call is received, the display unit <NUM> performs display by using a display method (such as a color or blinking of an incoming call lamp) assigned to an incoming extension number.

The speaker <NUM> outputs voice or the like when a call is made/ received and during a call. The speaker <NUM> preferably outputs different sounds for each user's extension number to be used. For example, when a call is received, the speaker <NUM> sounds with a ringtone assigned to an extension number being called. The microphone <NUM> is used by a user to input voice during a call. The operation unit <NUM> is a button, a touch panel, or the like, and receives a user operation necessary for personal authentication and making/receiving a call. The control unit <NUM> is a control unit that controls an operation of each unit of the multi-function telephone <NUM>. For example, the control unit (acquisition unit) <NUM> acquires an authentication result and an extension number (registration result) of an authenticated user from the telephone exchange <NUM>, and controls call origination/reception operations and a call operation for each user by using the acquired extension number.

The personal authentication system <NUM> is an authentication device that executes personal authentication processing of a plurality of users using the multi-function telephone <NUM>. The personal authentication system <NUM> may be provided inside the telephone exchange <NUM>. The personal authentication system <NUM> includes, for example, a communication IF <NUM>, a storage unit <NUM>, an authentication unit <NUM>, and a search unit <NUM> in order to achieve functions necessary for executing personal authentication processing.

The communication IF <NUM> is a communication unit that performs communication with the multi-function telephone <NUM> and the telephone exchange <NUM> via the network <NUM>. For example, the communication IF <NUM> transmits/receives data and a message related to personal authentication to/from the multi-function telephone <NUM>, and transmits/receives data and a message related to an extension number of the multi-function telephone <NUM> to/from the telephone exchange <NUM>.

The storage unit <NUM> stores data necessary for an operation of the personal authentication system <NUM>. For example, the storage unit <NUM> stores verification data for personal authentication and personal data (personal identification information) for identifying a person in association with each other.

The authentication unit <NUM> receives data and the like necessary for personal authentication of a plurality of users from the multi-function telephone <NUM> via the communication IF <NUM> and the network <NUM>, and performs personal authentication processing. The personal authentication processing is ID/password authentication processing for authenticating a user by using ID/password information, IC card authentication processing for authenticating a user by using IC card information, face authentication processing for authenticating a user by using face image information, biometric authentication processing for authenticating a user by using another type of biometric information such as a fingerprint, or the like. The authentication unit <NUM> refers to collation data in the storage unit <NUM>, and authenticates and identifies a person, based on authentication data acquired through the multi-function telephone <NUM>. Specifically, when the authentication succeeds, a person can be identified, based on personal data associated with verification data that match authentication data of a user.

The searching unit <NUM> refers to the personal database <NUM>, and searches for extension numbers and the like (authentication results) of a plurality of successfully authenticated users. The personal database (extension number database) <NUM> stores personal data and extension numbers (extension number information) in association with each other. In cooperation with the personal database <NUM>, the search unit <NUM> acquires an extension number associated with a person identified by the authentication processing, and transmits the identified extension number and the identification information of the multi-function telephone <NUM> to the telephone exchange <NUM> via the communication IF <NUM> and the network <NUM>. It can also be said that the search unit <NUM> is a conversion processing unit that converts personal data of a user who has been successfully authenticated into an extension number.

The telephone exchange <NUM> is a PBX or the like, and is a telephone switching device that accommodates a plurality of multi-function telephones <NUM> and registers an extension number of the accommodated multi-function telephone <NUM>. The telephone exchange <NUM> includes, for example, a communication IF <NUM>, a storage unit <NUM>, a registration unit <NUM>, and a control unit <NUM> in order to achieve registration of an extension number and functions necessary for the telephone switching device.

The communication IF <NUM> is a communication unit that communicates with the multi-function telephone <NUM> and the personal authentication system <NUM> via the network <NUM>. For example, the communication IF <NUM> transmits/receives data and a message related to an extension number of the multifunction telephone <NUM> to/from the personal authentication system <NUM>, and transmits/receives data and a message related to outgoing/incoming calls and a call to/from the multi-function telephone <NUM>.

The storage unit <NUM> stores data necessary for an operation of the telephone exchange <NUM>. For example, the storage unit <NUM> stores a registration table 102a for registering a plurality of extension numbers (sub-lines) for each of the multi-function telephones <NUM>. <FIG> illustrates an example of the registration table 102a registered in the storage unit <NUM>. As illustrated in <FIG>, the registration table 102a stores identification information of the multi-function telephone <NUM> and an extension number of a user who uses the multi-function telephone <NUM> in association with each other. The identification information of a telephone is any identification information capable of identifying the multi-function telephone set <NUM>, and is, for example, an IP address or the like. In the example in <FIG>, registration is performed in such a way that extension numbers "<NUM>" and "<NUM>" can be used in a telephone with identification information "XXX. <NUM>" and extension number "<NUM>" can be used in a telephone with identification information "XXX.

The registration unit <NUM> receives an extension number and the like from the personal authentication system <NUM> via the communication IF <NUM> and the network <NUM>. It can also be said that the registration unit <NUM> is an acquisition unit for acquiring an authentication result (extension number and the like) of a user with respect to the multi-function telephone <NUM>. The registration unit <NUM> receives extension numbers of a plurality of successfully authenticated users and identification information of the multi-function telephone <NUM>, and automatically registers (adds), in the registration table 102a, the plurality of extension numbers received as sub-lines of the multi-function telephone <NUM> from these pieces of information. When a user performs a registration deletion operation of the user's own extension number on the multi-function telephone <NUM>, the registration unit <NUM> deletes the extension number from the registration table 102a (cancels a sub-line setting). As a method of canceling sub-line registration, instead of a user himself/herself performing a cancel operation, a data setting of an original multi-function telephone may be changed when the user performs personal authentication with another multi-function telephone and performs sub-line registration.

The control unit <NUM> is a control unit that controls an operation of each unit of the telephone exchange <NUM>, and controls outgoing/incoming calls and a call for each extension number of the multi-function telephone <NUM>, based on, for example, the registration table 102a. The control unit <NUM> refers to the registration table 102a and performs control in such a way as that an incoming call to a registered extension number is received by the multi-function telephone <NUM>.

With the configuration as illustrated in <FIG>, a caller can make a call by dialing the same extension number without being aware of a location (a satellite office, a free address floor, a conference room, and the like) of a person who the caller wishes to call, therefore voice communication with the person can be ensured.

Next, an operation of the telephone switching system according to the present example embodiment will be described. Although registration and outgoing/incoming call by one user will be described below, in the present example embodiment, a plurality of sub-lines (extension numbers) can be accommodated in a multi-function telephone, and by performing the following operation for a plurality of users, one multi-function telephone can be shared and used.

<FIG> illustrates a flow of a registration operation of the telephone switching system <NUM> according to the present example embodiment. As illustrated in <FIG>, first, a user selects, for example, the multi-function telephone <NUM> installed closest to a work place (S101), and executes personal authentication by operating the authentication device <NUM> of the selected multi-function telephone <NUM> (S102). Then, the authentication unit <NUM> of the multi-function telephone <NUM> starts authentication processing (S103), acquires authentication data input to the authentication device <NUM> (S104), and transmits the acquired authentication data and identification information (for example, "XXX. <NUM>") of the multi-function telephone <NUM> to the personal authentication system <NUM> (S105).

Next, the authentication unit <NUM> of the personal authentication system <NUM> performs authentication processing (S106). The authentication unit <NUM> collates the authentication data received from the multi-function telephone <NUM> with collation data registered in advance in the storage unit <NUM>, and identifies a person. At this occasion, when there is no collation data in the storage unit <NUM> that match the authentication data, i.e., when the person cannot be identified, it is determined that an authentication error has occurred, and an error result is transmitted to the multi-function telephone <NUM> (S107), and the processing is suspended.

On the other hand, when the collation data matching the authentication data exist in the storage unit <NUM>, specifically, when the person is identified, the search unit <NUM> executes search processing (S108). For example, the search unit <NUM> transmits an authentication result of the user (personal data corresponding to the collation data) to the personal database <NUM>, and collates, from the personal database <NUM> storing an extension number associated with each person, the extension number associated with the personal data. The personal database <NUM> returns am extension number search result of the user (the extension number associated with the personal data) to the personal authentication system <NUM>. The search unit <NUM> transmits the extension number (e.g., "<NUM>") included in the returned result to the telephone exchange <NUM> together with the identification information of the multi-function telephone <NUM> requiring data change (S109).

Next, the registration unit <NUM> of the telephone exchange <NUM> executes data change processing of the multi-function telephone <NUM> (S110). The registration unit <NUM> changes, in the registration table 102a, sub-line data (extension number) of the multi-function telephone <NUM>. For example, when the identification information "XXX. <NUM>" and the extension number "<NUM>" of the multi-function telephone <NUM> are received, the identification information "XXX. <NUM>" and the extension number "<NUM>" are associated with each other and registered in the registration table 102a as illustrated in <FIG>. Further, the registration unit <NUM> transmits processing results (authentication result and data setting result) to the multi-function telephone <NUM> (S111). Then, the control unit <NUM> of the multi-function telephone <NUM> acquires the authentication result and the data setting result of the telephone exchange <NUM>, and the display unit <NUM> displays the acquired results to the user (S112). Thereafter, an incoming call addressed to the user is sent to the multi-function telephone <NUM> of which data setting is performed according to this procedure.

<FIG> illustrates operation of the telephone switching system according to the present example embodiment, and illustrates an incoming call operation after the registration operation in <FIG> is completed.

As illustrated in <FIG>, first, when a call origination operation for a destinating extension number is performed in an originating telephone, the telephone exchange <NUM> receives a call reception request message for the extension number of the destinating destination (for example, "<NUM><NUM>") from the originating telephone (S201). The originating telephone may be a telephone accommodated in the telephone exchange <NUM> or a telephone on an external network. Specifically, a telephone number of the originating telephone may be an extension number or an external number.

When the call reception request message is received, the control unit <NUM> of the telephone exchange <NUM> refers to the registration table 102a, selects the multi-function telephone <NUM> (for example, the telephone having the identification information "XXX. <NUM>") associated with the destinating extension number included in the received call reception request message (S202), and transmits the call reception request message to the selected multi-function telephone <NUM> (S203).

Subsequently, when the call reception request message is received from the telephone exchange <NUM>, the control unit <NUM> of the multi-function telephone <NUM> performs an incoming call operation according to the destinating extension number included in the received call reception request message. For example, a ringtone relevant to the destinating extension number is sounded from the speaker <NUM> (S204) and the destinating extension number and an incoming call lump is displayed on the display unit <NUM> (S205), based on information on the ringtone and the incoming call lump relevant to the extension number, which is registered in the storage unit <NUM> in advance.

By making it possible to set different ringtones and incoming call lamps for each extension number (sub-line) in the multi-function telephone <NUM>, it is possible to determine which user a call is addressed, based on a ringtone and an incoming call lamp, even in a case in which the multi-function telephone <NUM> is shared by a plurality of users. As a result, it is not necessary to prepare a multi-function telephone or a mobile device for each person, and it is possible to construct an efficient telephone system with a reduced running cost.

Further, the control unit <NUM> of the multi-function telephone <NUM> returns an incoming call message for the originating telephone to the telephone exchange <NUM> (S206). The incoming call message includes the destinating extension number (e.g., "<NUM>"). Further, the control unit <NUM> of the telephone exchange <NUM> transmits the returned incoming call message to the originating telephone (S207).

Subsequently, the user performs an answer operation on the operation unit <NUM> of the multi-function telephone <NUM> (S208). At this occasion, authentication processing is performed in order to identify the user who performs the answer operation (S209). This authentication processing may be executed by the authentication unit <NUM> of the multi-function telephone <NUM>, or may be executed by requesting the personal authentication system <NUM> to perform authentication. The authentication succeeds when the authentication data of the user input to the authentication device <NUM> match collation data of the user of the incoming extension number. When another user who is present answers the call on behalf of the user, the authentication processing may be omitted and the another user may answer the call.

When the authentication is successful, the control unit <NUM> of the multi-function telephone <NUM> transmits an answer message for the originating telephone to the telephone exchange <NUM> (S210). The answer message includes the extension number of the destinating extension number (e.g., "<NUM>"). Further, the control unit <NUM> of the telephone exchange <NUM> transmits the received answer message to the originating telephone (S211). As a result, communication (call) is enabled, and therefore the control unit <NUM> of the multi-function telephone <NUM> displays, on the display unit <NUM>, the extension number with which the communication is enabled (S212), and the communication using the microphone <NUM> and the speaker <NUM> with the originating telephone is initiated(S213).

<FIG> illustrates an operation of the telephone switching system according to the present example embodiment, and illustrates a call origination operation after the registration operation in <FIG> is completed.

As illustrated in <FIG>, first, the user performs a call origination operation for the destination telephone on the operation unit <NUM> of the multi-function telephone <NUM> (S301). At this occasion, authentication processing is performed in order to identify the user who performs the call origination operation (S302). This authentication processing may be executed by the authentication unit <NUM> of the multi-function telephone <NUM>, or may be executed by requesting the personal authentication system <NUM> to perform authentication from the. The authentication succeeds when the authentication data of the user input to the authentication device <NUM> match the verification data of the user using the multi-function telephone <NUM>, and the user and the extension number to be used are identified.

For example, data of a telephone directory used by the identified user may be displayed on the display unit <NUM> of the multi-function telephone <NUM>, or a one-touch button for the identified user may be used. In a case in which another user who is present originates a call on behalf of the user, the authentication processing may be omitted and the another user may select an originating extension number. A destinating telephone may be a telephone accommodated in the telephone exchange <NUM> or a telephone on an external network. Specifically, a telephone number of the destinating telephone may be an extension number or an external number.

When the authentication is successful, the control unit <NUM> of the multi-function telephone <NUM> transmits a call origination request message for the destinating telephone to the telephone exchange <NUM> (S303). The call origination request message includes a telephone number of the destinating telephone input by the user and the originating extension number (e.g., "<NUM>") of the user identified by the authentication. Further, the control unit <NUM> of the telephone exchange <NUM> transmits the received call origination request message to the destinating telephone (S304).

Next, the telephone exchange <NUM> receives an incoming call message for the extension number of the originating multi-function telephone <NUM> from the destinating telephone (S305). Then, similarly to S202 in the case of the incoming call, the control unit <NUM> of the telephone exchange <NUM> refers to the registration table 102a, selects the multi-function telephone <NUM> (for example, the telephone having the identification information "XXX. <NUM> ") associated with the originating extension number included in the received incoming call message (S306), and transmits the incoming call message to the selected multi-function telephone <NUM> (S307).

Subsequently, when the incoming call message from the telephone exchange <NUM> is received, the control unit <NUM> of the multi-function telephone <NUM> displays, on the display unit <NUM>, an indication of the incoming call (S308). At this occasion, display according to the originating extension number may be performed in a similar way as in the case of the incoming call.

Next, when the answer operation is performed on the destinating telephone, the telephone exchange <NUM> receives an answer message for the extension number of the originating multi-function telephone <NUM> from the destinating telephone (S309). Then, similarly to S202 and S306 in the case of the incoming call, the control unit <NUM> of the telephone exchange <NUM> refers to the registration table 102a, selects the multi-function telephone <NUM> associated with the originating extension number included in the received answer message (S310), and transmits the answer message to the selected multi-function telephone <NUM> (S311). As a result, communication (call) is enabled, and therefore the control unit <NUM> of the multi-function telephone <NUM> displays, on the display unit <NUM>, the extension number with which the communication is enabled (S312), and the communication using the microphone <NUM> and the speaker <NUM> with the destinating telephone is initiated(S313).

As described above, in the present example embodiment, a user who wants to use an extension telephone performs personal authentication from an extension telephone such as a multi-function telephone used in an enterprise, thereby an extension number associated with the user is identified and automatic registration of the extension number as one of lines (sub-lines) of the extension telephone is enabled. In addition, extension numbers of a plurality of users who have completed personal authentication can be registered as sub-lines in one extension telephone, and thereby the one extension telephone can be shared by the plurality of users.

Note that, such data setting of an extension telephone usually requires data change by a person in charge of installation who specialized in such work, but by enabling real-time and automatic registration and deletion in the system, a flexible telephone system can be constructed that does not fix a place where a user works.

By introducing the system according to the present example embodiment, a user can use a shared multi-function telephone as if it were his/her own terminal regardless of a place where he/she works, and can secure a voice communication means. An enterprise does not need to prepare a mobile device for each person and can construct a flexible telephone system, and therefore it is possible to reduce a burden of a communication cost.

Note that, the present disclosure is not limited to the above-mentioned example embodiment, and can be modified as appropriate within a range not deviating from the scope of the present disclosure. For example, in the above example embodiment, instead of the multi-function telephone capable of accommodating a plurality of lines (sub-lines), a telephone having a similar function and sharing a soft phone operating on a personal computer or a smartphone may be used.

Each configuration in the above-described example embodiment is configured by a hardware, software, or both, and may be configured by one hardware or software, or may be configured by a plurality of hardware or software. A function (processing) of each device may be achieved by a computer having a CPU, a memory, and the like. For example, a program for performing the method according to the example embodiment (control method for the telephone switching device) may be stored in a storage device, and each function may be achieved by executing the program stored in the storage device by the CPU.

These programs may be stored by using various types of non-transitory computer readable medium and can be supplied to the computer. The non-transitory computer readable medium includes various types of tangible storage medium. Examples of the non-transitory computer readable medium include a magnetic recording medium (e.g., a flexible disk, a magnetic tape, a hard disk drive), a magneto-optical recording medium (e.g., a magneto-optical disk), a read only memory (CD-ROM), a CD-R, a CD-R/W, and a semiconductor memory (e.g., a mask ROM, a programmable ROM (PROM), erasable PROM (EPROM), Flash ROM, random access memory (RAM)). Further, the program may be supplied to the computer by various types of transitory computer readable medium. Examples of the transitory computer-readable medium include an electrical signal, an optical signal, and an electromagnetic wave. The transitory computer readable medium may supply the program to the computer via a wired or wireless communication path, such as an electrical wire and an optical fiber.

Claim 1:
A telephone switching device (<NUM>, <NUM>) comprising:
a storage unit (<NUM>, <NUM>) configured to store a registration table (11a, 102a) registering a plurality of personal telephone numbers for each telephone terminal (<NUM>, <NUM>);
an acquisition unit (<NUM>, <NUM>) configured to acquire authentication results of a plurality of users with respect to the telephone terminal (<NUM>, <NUM>);
a registration unit (<NUM>, <NUM>) configured to associate the telephone terminal (<NUM>, <NUM>) and personal telephone numbers associated with respective users of the plurality of successfully authenticated users of the telephone terminal (<NUM>, <NUM>) with each other and register the telephone terminal (<NUM>, <NUM>) and the personal telephone numbers in the registration table (11a, 102a), according to the acquired authentication results; and
a control unit (<NUM>, <NUM>) configured to control outgoing/incoming calls using a personal telephone number of the user in the telephone terminal (<NUM>, <NUM>), based on the registered registration table (11a, 102a),
wherein when an incoming call to the personal telephone number in the registration table (11a, 102a) is received, the control unit (<NUM>, <NUM>) transmits an incoming call reception request to the telephone terminal (<NUM>, <NUM>) associated with the personal telephone number registered in the registration table (11a, 102a) and connects the incoming call to the telephone terminal by receiving an answer including the personal telephone number identified according to an authentication result of a user performing an answer operation to the telephone terminal (<NUM>, <NUM>) from the telephone terminal (<NUM>, <NUM>).