U.S. patent application number 09/046556 was filed with the patent office on 2001-11-22 for communication support system for providing telephone services to a telephone user by remote control of a data processing device.
This patent application is currently assigned to Fujitsu Limited. Invention is credited to AZAMI, TOSHIHIRO, FURUKAWA, KIMIKAZU, KAKUTA, JUN, SATO, YASUO, TAKEBAYASHI, TOMOYOSHI, YANO, KATSUTOSHI.
Application Number | 20010043698 09/046556 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 17283732 |
Filed Date | 2001-11-22 |
United States Patent
Application |
20010043698 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
FURUKAWA, KIMIKAZU ; et
al. |
November 22, 2001 |
COMMUNICATION SUPPORT SYSTEM FOR PROVIDING TELEPHONE SERVICES TO A
TELEPHONE USER BY REMOTE CONTROL OF A DATA PROCESSING DEVICE
Abstract
A communication support system includes a command signal
detection unit which detects a command signal sent by a telephone
unit, the command signal indicating one of a plurality of telephone
services. A telephone service recognition unit determines which of
the plurality of telephone services is indicated by the command
signal from the telephone unit. A telephone service processing unit
executes a telephone service processing for the telephone service
determined by the telephone service recognition unit, the telephone
service processing unit starting execution of the telephone service
processing in response to control data from the command signal
detection unit.
Inventors: |
FURUKAWA, KIMIKAZU;
(KAWASAKI-SHI, JP) ; TAKEBAYASHI, TOMOYOSHI;
(KAWASAKI-SHI, JP) ; AZAMI, TOSHIHIRO;
(KAWASAKI-SHI, JP) ; YANO, KATSUTOSHI;
(KAWASAKI-SHI, JP) ; KAKUTA, JUN; (KAWASAKI-SHI,
JP) ; SATO, YASUO; (KAWASAKI-SHI, JP) |
Correspondence
Address: |
STAAS & HALSEY LLP
700 11TH STREET, NW
SUITE 500
WASHINGTON
DC
20001
US
|
Assignee: |
Fujitsu Limited
Kawasaki
JP
|
Family ID: |
17283732 |
Appl. No.: |
09/046556 |
Filed: |
March 24, 1998 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
379/354 ;
379/93.23 |
Current CPC
Class: |
H04M 3/42 20130101; H04M
7/12 20130101; H04M 3/4228 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
379/354 ;
379/93.23 |
International
Class: |
H04M 011/00; H04M
001/00 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Sep 19, 1997 |
JP |
9-255794 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A communication support system in which a telephone unit is
connected through a communication control device into a data
processing device, the communication control device being connected
to a telephone network, comprising: a command signal detection unit
for detecting a command signal sent by the telephone unit, the
command signal indicating one of a plurality of telephone services;
a telephone service recognition unit for determining which of the
plurality of telephone services is indicated by the command signal
from the telephone unit; and a telephone service processing unit
for executing a telephone service processing for the telephone
service determined by the telephone service recognition unit, the
telephone service processing unit starting execution of the
telephone service processing in response to control data from the
command signal detection unit.
2. The communication support system according to claim 1, wherein
the data processing device comprises: a voice recording unit for
executing a voice recording processing to record a voice signal on
a connection line of the telephone unit and the telephone network
when the voice recording unit is controlled by the telephone
service processing unit; a voice data storing unit for storing
voice data, derived from the voice signal on the connection line,
in a memory when the voice recording processing is executed by the
voice recording unit; and a voice playback unit for executing a
voice playback processing to reproduce the voice signal from the
voice data stored in the memory, when the voice playback unit is
controlled by the telephone service processing unit.
3. The communication support system according to claim 2, wherein
the communication control device comprises a voice input/output
unit for supplying a voice signal sent from one of the telephone
unit and the telephone network, to the data processing device, and
for supplying a voice signal derived from digital data stored in
the data processing device, to one of the telephone unit and the
telephone network.
4. The communication support system according to claim 1, wherein
the data processing device comprises: a data receiving unit for
receiving transmission data when the data receiving unit is
controlled by the telephone service processing unit; a data storing
unit for storing the transmission data received by the data
receiving unit, in a memory; and a data transmitting unit for
transmitting the transmission data stored in the memory, when the
data transmitting unit is controlled by the telephone service
processing unit.
5. The communication support system according to claim 4, wherein
the communication control device comprises: a voice coding/decoding
unit; and a switch for selectively switching on and off a
connection line of the voice coding/decoding unit and the
communication control device, the switch switching off the
connection line to disconnect the voice coding/decoding unit from
the telephone network when none of the telephone services is
provided by the data processing device, and when one of the
telephone services is provided by the data processing device, the
switch switching on the connection line to connect the voice
coding/decoding unit to the telephone network.
6. The communication support system according to claim 1, wherein
the data processing device comprises: a telephone number entry unit
for executing a telephone number entry processing to register an
input telephone number from the telephone unit in a telephone
directory of a memory when the telephone number entry unit is
controlled by the telephone service processing unit; and a
telephone directory storing unit for storing the telephone
directory updated by the telephone number entry unit in the
memory.
7. The communication support system according to claim 6, wherein
the telephone unit includes a display connected to the data
processing device, said communication support system further
comprising: a dialing end timing detection unit for detecting a
dialing end timing based on a condition of a telephone line from
the telephone unit; and a display control unit for generating a
confirmation message and causing the display of the telephone unit
to display the input telephone number and the confirmation message
thereon when the dialing end timing is detected by the dialing end
timing detection unit.
8. The communication support system according to claim 1, wherein
the command signal detection unit detects one of a dual-tone
multiple frequency command signal, a dial-pulse command signal and
a frequency-based command signal as the command signal sent by the
telephone unit.
9. The communication support system according to claim 1, wherein
the telephone service processing unit executes one of a voice
recording processing, a voice playback processing, a file
transmission processing and a telephone number entry processing
based on the telephone service determined by the telephone service
recognition unit.
10. A communication control device for a communication support
system including a telephone unit and a data processing device
wherein the communication control device is connected to a
telephone network and the telephone unit sends a command signal
indicating one of a plurality of telephone services, comprising: a
line unit for connecting the telephone unit through the
communication control device into the data processing device and
the telephone network; and a command signal detection unit for
detecting the command signal sent by the telephone unit, and for
transmitting the command signal and control data to the data
processing device so that the data processing device starts
execution of a telephone service processing for the telephone
service indicated by the command signal in response to the control
data.
11. The communication control device according to claim 10, further
comprising a voice input/output unit for supplying a voice signal
sent from one of the telephone unit and the telephone network, to
the data processing device, and for supplying a voice signal
derived from digital data stored in the data processing device, to
one of the telephone unit and the telephone network.
12. The communication control device according to claim 10, further
comprising; a voice coding/decoding unit; and a switch for
selectively switching on and off a connection line of the voice
coding/decoding unit and the communication control device, the
switch switching off the connection line to disconnect the voice
coding/decoding unit from the telephone network when none of the
telephone services is provided by the data processing device, and
when one of the telephone services is provided by the data
processing device, the switch switching on the connection line to
connect the voice coding/decoding unit to the telephone
network.
13. The communication control device according to claim 10 wherein
the telephone unit includes a display connected to the data
processing device, said communication control device further
comprising a dialing end timing detection unit for detecting a
dialing end timing based on a condition of a telephone line from
the telephone unit, wherein the data processing device causes the
display of the telephone unit to display an input telephone number
and a confirmation message thereon when the dialing end timing is
detected by the dialing end timing detection unit.
14. The communication control device according to claim 10, wherein
the command signal detection unit detects one of a dual-tone
multiple frequency command signal, a dial-pulse command signal and
a frequency-based command signal as the command signal sent by the
telephone unit.
15. The communication control device according to claim 10, wherein
the line unit connects the telephone unit to the telephone network
and disconnects the command signal detection unit from the
telephone unit when power is not supplied to the communication
control device.
16. A method of executing a telephone service processing in a
communication support system wherein a telephone unit is connected
through a communication control device into a data processing
device and the communication control device is connected to a
telephone network, the method comprising the steps of: detecting a
command signal sent by the telephone unit, the command signal
indicating one of a plurality of telephone services; transmitting
the command signal and control data from the communication control
device to the data processing device; determining which of the
plurality of telephone services is indicated by the command signal
from the telephone unit; and starting execution of a telephone
service processing for the telephone service determined in said
determining step, in response to the control data.
17. A computer readable medium storing program code for causing a
processor to execute a telephone service processing in a
communication support system wherein a telephone unit is connected
through a communication control device into a data processing
device and the communication control device is connected to a
telephone network, comprising: first program code means for causing
the processor to detect a command signal sent by the telephone
unit, the command signal indicating one of a plurality of telephone
services; second program code means for causing the processor to
transmit the command signal and control data from the communication
control device to the data processing device; third program code
means for causing the processor to determine which of the plurality
of telephone services is indicated by the command signal from the
telephone unit; and fourth program code means for causing the
processor to start execution of a telephone service processing for
the telephone service determined by said third program code means,
in response to the control data.
18. The computer readable medium according to claim 17, further
comprising: fifth program code means for causing the processor to
execute a voice recording processing to record a voice signal on a
connection line of the telephone unit and the telephone network;
sixth program code means for causing the processor to store voice
data, derived from the voice signal on the connection line, in a
memory; and seventh program code means for causing the processor to
execute a voice playback processing to reproduce the voice signal
from the voice data stored in the memory.
19. The computer readable medium according to claim 17, further
comprising: eighth program code means for causing the processor to
control a voice input/output unit so that the voice input/output
unit supplies a voice signal sent from one of the telephone unit
and the telephone network, to the data processing device; and ninth
program code means for causing the processor to control the voice
input/output unit so that the voice input/output unit supplies a
voice signal derived from digital data stored in the data
processing device, to one of the telephone unit and the telephone
network.
20. The computer readable medium according to claim 17, further
comprising: tenth program code means for causing the processor to
receive transmission data from the communication control device;
eleventh program code means for causing the processor to store the
received transmission data in a memory; and twelfth program code
means for causing the processor to transmit the transmission data
stored in the memory to the communication control device.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] (1) Field of the Invention
[0002] The present invention relates to a communication support
system in which a telephone unit is connected through a
communication control device into a data processing device and the
communication control device is connected to a telephone network in
order to provide computer-assisted telephone services for a user of
the telephone unit when the user remotely controls the data
processing device by using the telephone unit. Further, the present
invention relates to a computer readable medium which stores
program code instructions for causing a processor to execute a
telephone service processing in response to the remote control by
the user of the telephone unit.
[0003] Personal computers for home use are becoming widespread.
Modems have now been shrunk to a chip size, enhancing the
popularity in personal computers. The increasing prevalence of the
personal computers having a built-in modem makes it easier to
access the Internet or other communication networks through
telephone lines. In recent years, the telephone lines have been
shared by the computers and the telephones.
[0004] In recent developments, there is a demand for a useful,
advanced communication support system which enables a telephone
user to use a telephone unit to remotely control a data processing
device in order to obtain computer-assisted telephone services.
Currently, the computer-assisted telephone services are provided
only by locally operating the data processing device, and the
telephones and the computers are separately used. Further, it is
desired to provide a communication support system which allows the
telephone user to easily transmit data to or receive data from
other communication media.
[0005] (2) Description of the Related Art
[0006] A conventional communication support system which provides
existing telephone services by executing an application program
installed in the system is known. The conventional communication
support system provides the telephone services only when the user
locally operates an input device (such as a keyboard or a mouse) of
a personal computer. That is, when one of the telephone services is
obtained from the conventional communication support system, the
user must be located in front of the personal computer and locally
operate the input device of the personal computer.
[0007] FIG. 29 shows such a conventional communication support
system.
[0008] As shown in FIG. 29, the conventional communication support
system generally has an existing telephone unit 301, a data
processing device 304, and a line unit 303. The telephone unit 301
is connected through the line unit 303 into the data processing
device 304, and the line unit 303 is connected to a telephone
network 302. The data processing device 304 is, for example, a
personal computer. The telephone network 302 is, for example, a
public switched telephone network.
[0009] In the above-described conventional system, a voice
input/output unit 305, a dialing unit 306 and a signal detection
unit 307 are connected to the line unit 303. Further, a
personal-computer (PC) interface unit 308 is provided between the
data processing device 304 and the units 305 and 306.
[0010] The voice input/output unit 305 supplies a voice signal sent
from the telephone unit 301 or the telephone network 302, to the
data processing device 304 via the PC interface unit 308, and
supplies a voice signal derived from digital data stored in the
data processing device 304, to the telephone unit 301 or the
telephone network 302. The dialing unit 306 provides an existing
dialing function to transmit a call over the telephone network 302
to a destination terminal according to a telephone number input by
an input device (such as a keyboard or a mouse) of the data
processing device 304. The signal detection unit 307 detects
various signals sent from a telephone line, such as a busy tone
signal, a ring tone signal, a ring back tone signal, an on-hook
signal, and an off-hook signal.
[0011] In the above-described conventional system, the telephone
services are provided by an existing telephone-service application
program executed by the data processing device (or the personal
computer). Such telephone services include, for example, voice
recording and playback, file transmission, and telephone number
entry.
[0012] In the above-described conventional system, when a user of
the data processing device 304 makes a call to the destination
terminal, the application program installed in the data processing
device 304 is executed. The user inputs the telephone number of the
destination terminal and presses a dialing button on a monitor of
the data processing device 304 by operating the input device (such
as the keyboard or the mouse) of the data processing device 304. In
this case, the user lifts a handset of the telephone unit 301
located away from the data processing device 304, and then the
off-hook signal is detected by the signal detection unit 307. The
telephone unit 301 is connected to the destination terminal by the
line unit 303, and this enables the user to use the handset to
communicate with a person of the destination terminal by voice.
[0013] However, in the above-described conventional system, it is
impossible for the user to make a call to the destination terminal
by using the telephone unit 301 to remotely control the application
program on the data processing device 304.
[0014] In the above-described conventional system, when a voice
recording function, as one of the telephone services, is obtained
by executing the application program on the data processing device
304, the user of the data processing device 304 presses a recording
start button on the monitor by operating the input device of the
data processing device 304. In this case, the data processing
device 304 acquires voice data from the telephone unit 301 or the
telephone network 302 through the voice input/output unit 305. The
application program on the data processing device 304 converts the
voice data into digital data in a computer-readable format and
stores the digital data in a memory of the data processing device
304. The application program continues to provide the voice
recording until a recording end button on the monitor is pressed by
the user.
[0015] However, in the above-described conventional system, it is
impossible for the user to start the voice recording processing by
using the telephone unit 301 to remotely control the application
program on the data processing device 304.
[0016] In the above-described conventional system, when a playback
function, as one of the telephone services, is obtained by
executing the application program on the data processing device
304, the user of the data processing device 304 presses a playback
start button on the monitor by operating the input device. In this
case, the application program on the data processing device 304
converts the digital data stored in the memory of the device 304
into voice data, and supplies the voice data to the voice
input/output unit 305. A voice signal is derived from the voice
data by the voice input/output unit 305, and the voice signal is
supplied to the telephone unit 301 or the telephone network 302 via
the line unit 303. The application program continues to provide the
playback function until a playback end button on the monitor is
pressed by the user or the end of the data stored in the memory is
detected.
[0017] However, in the above-described conventional system, it is
impossible for the user to start the playback processing by using
the telephone unit 301 to remotely control the application program
on the data processing device 304.
[0018] Further, in the above-described conventional system, when a
telephone number entry function, as one of the telephone services,
is obtained by executing the application program on the data
processing device 304, the user of the data processing device 304
inputs a telephone number by operating the input device. In this
case, the application program on the data processing device 304
stores the input telephone number in the memory. The application
program is executed to carry out the telephone number entry
processing when the user operates the keyboard or the mouse in
connection with the monitor in an interactive manner.
[0019] However, in the above-described conventional system, it is
impossible for the user to start the telephone number entry
processing by using the telephone unit 301 to remotely control the
application program on the data processing device 304. It is
impossible for the conventional system to detect a telephone number
input by the telephone unit 301.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0020] An object of the present invention is to provide an improved
communication support system in which the above-mentioned problems
are eliminated.
[0021] Another object of the present invention is to provide a
communication support system which enables the telephone user to
use the telephone unit to obtain computer-assisted telephone
services by remotely controlling the data processing device.
[0022] Still another object of the present invention is to provide
a communication control device for a communication support system
including a telephone unit and a data processing device, which
enables the telephone user to use the telephone unit to obtain
computer-assisted telephone services by remotely controlling the
data processing device.
[0023] A further object of the present invention is to provide a
method of executing a telephone service processing in a
communication support system which provides computer-assisted
telephone services for the telephone user of the telephone unit
when the user remotely controls the data processing device by using
the telephone unit.
[0024] Another object of the present invention is to provide a
computer readable medium storing program code instructions which
causes a processor of a communication support system to execute a
telephone service processing in response to a command signal sent
by a telephone unit.
[0025] The above-mentioned objects of the present invention are
achieved by a communication support system wherein a telephone unit
is connected through a communication control device into a data
processing device and the communication control device is connected
to a telephone network, comprising: a command signal detection unit
which detects a command signal sent by the telephone unit, the
command signal indicating one of a plurality of telephone services;
a telephone service recognition unit which determines which of the
plurality of telephone services is indicated by the command signal
from the telephone unit; and a telephone service processing unit
which executes a telephone service processing for the telephone
service determined by the telephone service recognition unit, the
telephone service processing unit starting execution of the
telephone service processing in response to control data from the
command signal detection unit.
[0026] The above-mentioned objects of the present invention are
achieved by a communication control device for a communication
support system including a telephone unit and a data processing
device wherein the communication control device is connected to a
telephone network and the telephone unit sends a command signal
indicating one of a plurality of telephone services, comprising: a
line unit which connects the telephone unit through the
communication control device into the data processing device and
the telephone network; and a command signal detection unit which
detects the command signal sent by the telephone unit, and
transmits the command signal and control data to the data
processing device so that the data processing device starts
execution of a telephone service processing for the telephone
service indicated by the command signal in response to the control
data.
[0027] The above-mentioned objects of the present invention are
achieved by a method of executing a telephone service processing in
a communication support system wherein a telephone unit is
connected through a communication control device into a data
processing device and the communication control device is connected
to a telephone network, comprising the steps of: detecting a
command signal sent by the telephone unit, the command signal
indicating one of a plurality of telephone services; transmitting
the command signal and control data from the communication control
device to the data processing device; determining which of the
plurality of telephone services is indicated by the command signal
from the telephone unit; and starting execution of a telephone
service processing for the telephone service determined in said
determining step, in response to the control data.
[0028] In the communication support system of the present
invention, it is possible to provide the computer-assisted
telephone services for the telephone user when the telephone user
uses the telephone unit to remotely control the data processing
device. The communication support system of the present invention
allows the telephone user to more easily transmit data to or
receive data from other communication media such as the data
processing device. Further, the communication support system of the
present invention allows the telephone user to use a cordless
telephone to remotely control the data processing device. It is no
longer necessary that the user be located in front of the data
processing device when obtaining the computer-assisted telephone
services from the communication support system.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0029] The above and other objects, features and advantages of the
present invention will be more apparent from the following detailed
description when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings
in which:
[0030] FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a communication support system
of the present invention;
[0031] FIG. 2 is a diagram for explaining allocation of specified
values to each of DTMF command signals and dial-pulse command
signals;
[0032] FIG. 3 is a diagram for explaining allocation of specified
frequencies to frequency-based command signals;
[0033] FIG. 4 is a block diagram of a telephone unit, a
communication control device and a data processing device in the
communication support system of the present invention;
[0034] FIG. 5 is a block diagram of a telephone unit, a
communication control device and a data processing device in the
communication support system of the present invention;
[0035] FIG. 6 is a block diagram of a telephone unit, a
communication control device and a data processing device in the
communication support system of the present invention;
[0036] FIG. 7 is a diagram for explaining a construction of
elements of the communication support system;
[0037] FIG. 8 is a diagram for explaining another construction of
elements of the communication support system;
[0038] FIG. 9 is a diagram for explaining still another
construction of elements of the communication support system;
[0039] FIG. 10 is a diagram for explaining a further construction
of elements of the communication support system;
[0040] FIG. 11 is a diagram for explaining another construction of
elements of the communication support system;
[0041] FIG. 12 is a block diagram of one embodiment of the
communication control device in the communication support
system;
[0042] FIG. 13 is a block diagram of another embodiment of the
communication control device in the communication support
system;
[0043] FIG. 14 is a flowchart for explaining a main routine of a
telephone-service processing program executed by a central
processing unit of the communication control device (CCD) of FIG.
12;
[0044] FIG. 15 is a flowchart for explaining a PC interface
initialization in the main routine of FIG. 14;
[0045] FIG. 16 is a flowchart for explaining a CCD initialization
in the main routine of FIG. 14;
[0046] FIG. 17 is a flowchart for explaining a CCD control
processing routine in the main routine of FIG. 14;
[0047] FIG. 18 is a flowchart for explaining an off-hook processing
in the CCD control processing routine of FIG. 17;
[0048] FIG. 19 is a flowchart for explaining an on-hook processing
in the CCD control processing routine of FIG. 17;
[0049] FIG. 20 is a flowchart for explaining a ring processing in
the CCD control processing routine of FIG. 17;
[0050] FIG. 21 is a flowchart for explaining a ring-back-tone
processing in the CCD control processing routine of FIG. 17;
[0051] FIG. 22 is a flowchart for explaining a DTMF processing in
the CCD control processing routine of FIG. 17;
[0052] FIG. 23 is a flowchart for explaining a busy-tone processing
in the CCD control processing routine of FIG. 17;
[0053] FIG. 24 is a flowchart for explaining a detection signal
reading in the CCD control processing routine of FIG. 17;
[0054] FIG. 25 is a flowchart for explaining an interrupt
processing executed by the central processing unit of the
communication control device (CCD) of FIG. 12;
[0055] FIG. 26 is a flowchart for explaining a main routine of a
telephone-service application program executed by a central
processor of the data processing device in the communication
support system;
[0056] FIG. 27 is a flowchart for explaining a telephone condition
dependence processing in the main routine of FIG. 26;
[0057] FIG. 28 is a flowchart for explaining a DTMF processing in
the main routine of FIG. 26; and
[0058] FIG. 29 is a block diagram of a conventional communication
support system.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0059] A description will now be given of the preferred embodiments
of the communication support system of the present invention with
reference to the accompanying drawings.
[0060] FIG. 1 shows a communication support system of the present
invention.
[0061] As shown in FIG. 1, the communication support system
generally has a telephone unit (TU) 1, a communication control
device (CCD) 2, a data processing device (DPD) 3, and a telephone
network (TN) 4. The telephone unit 1 is connected through the
communication control device 2 to the telephone network 4. The data
processing device 3 is connected through the communication control
device 2 to the telephone network 4.
[0062] The telephone unit 1 provides existing voice transmission
and reception functions and an existing dialing function.
[0063] The communication control device (CCD) 2 comprises a line
unit (LU) 5 and a command signal detection unit (CSD) 6. The LU 5
connects the telephone unit 1 to the telephone network 4, and
connects the data processing device 3 to the telephone network 4.
The communication control device (CCD) 2 provides connection of the
telephone unit 1 to the telephone network 4 and connection of the
data processing device 3 to the telephone network 4.
[0064] In the communication control device 2, the command signal
detection unit (CSD) 6 provides detection of a command signal sent
by the telephone unit 1. The command signal from the telephone unit
1 indicates one of a plurality of telephone services. The command
signal detection unit (CSD) 6 detects the command signal sent by
the telephone unit 1. The CCD 2 transmits the command signal from
the telephone unit 1 and control data from the CSD 6 to the data
processing device (DPD) 3.
[0065] In the communication support system of FIG. 1, the data
processing device (DPD) 3 comprises a telephone service processing
unit (TSP) 7 and a telephone service recognition unit (TSR) 11. The
TSR 11 determines which of the telephone services is indicated by
the command signal from the telephone unit 1. The TSP 7 executes a
telephone service processing for the telephone service determined
by the telephone service recognition unit 11. The TSP 7 starts
executing the telephone service processing in response to the
control data from the CSD 6.
[0066] In the communication support system of FIG. 1, when power is
not supplied to the CCD 2, the line unit 5 connects the telephone
unit 1 to the telephone network 4 and disconnects the command
signal detection unit (CSD) 6 from the telephone unit 1. When power
is supplied to the CCD 2, the line unit 5 connects the telephone
unit 1 through the command signal detection unit (CSD) 6 into the
DPD 3 and the telephone network 4. The CSD 6 detects the command
signal sent by the telephone unit 1 when power is supplied to the
CCD 2. The CCD 2 transmits the command signal from the telephone
unit 1 and control data from the CSD 6 to the data processing
device (DPD) 3. In the DPD 3, the telephone service recognition
unit (TSR) 11 determines which of the telephone services is
indicated by the command signal from the telephone unit 1. The
telephone service processing unit (TSP) 7 executes a telephone
service processing for the telephone service determined by the TSR
11. The TSP 7 starts executing the telephone service processing in
response to the control data from the CSD 6.
[0067] Next, a description will be given of the command signal sent
by the telephone unit 1. FIG. 2 shows allocation of specified
values to each of DTMF command signals and dial-pulse command
signals. FIG. 3 shows allocation of specified frequencies to
frequency-based command signals.
[0068] In a case in which a DTMF (dual-tone multiple frequency)
pulse is used for the telephone unit 1 to transmit the command
signal to the communication control device 2, specified values
related to the ten-key pad of the telephone unit 1 are allocated to
a plurality of DTMF command signals as shown in FIG. 2. The
plurality of DTMF command signals respectively correspond to the
plurality of telephone services which include, for example, voice
recording and playback, file transmission and telephone number
entry.
[0069] Alternatively, in a case in which a dial pulse is used for
the telephone unit 1 to transmit the command signal to the
communication control device 2, other specified values related to
the ten-key pad of the telephone unit 1 may be allocated to a
plurality of dial-pulse command signals, as shown in FIG. 2. The
plurality of dial-pulse command signals respectively correspond to
the plurality of telephone services.
[0070] Further, in a case in which a frequency-based command signal
is used for the telephone unit 1, specified frequencies may be
allocated to a plurality of frequency-based command signals as
shown in FIG. 3. The plurality of frequency-based command signals
respectively correspond to the plurality of telephone services.
[0071] Next, a description will be given of a detailed structure of
the communication support system of the present invention in which
the DTMF command signals of FIG. 2 are utilized.
[0072] However, the present invention is not limited to the case of
the DTMF command signals. In the cases of the frequency-based
command signals of FIG. 3 and the dial-pulse command signals of
FIG. 2, the DTMF command signal may be replaced by the
corresponding command signal without modification of the
communication support system. The present invention can be applied
to the communication support system in such cases in a similar
manner.
[0073] FIG. 4 shows a telephone unit, a communication control
device and a data processing device in the communication support
system of the present invention.
[0074] Similar to the communication support system of FIG. 1, the
communication support system of FIG. 4 generally has a telephone
unit 1, a communication control device (CCD) 2, a data processing
device (DPD) 3, and a telephone network (TN) 4. The telephone unit
1 is connected through the CCD 2 into the DPD 3, and the CCD 2 is
connected to the TN 4. In FIG. 4, the elements which are the same
as corresponding elements in FIG. 1 are designated by the same
reference numerals, and a description thereof will be omitted.
[0075] In the communication support system of FIG. 4, the telephone
unit 1 provides the existing voice transmission and reception
functions and the existing dialing function. The telephone unit 1
of FIG. 4 comprises a radio circuit 8 and a cordless telephone 9.
The cordless telephone 9 provides an existing radio signal
transmission and reception function at a remote location of the
radio circuit 8. The radio circuit 8 provides conversion of a radio
signal from the cordless telephone 9 into voice data and conversion
of voice data from the telephone line into a radio signal.
According to the present invention, the telephone unit 1 is not
limited to the cordless telephone 9.
[0076] The communication control device (CCD) 2 of FIG. 4 comprises
a line unit (LU) 5, a command signal detection unit (CSD) 6, and a
voice input/output unit (VOICE IN/OUT) 10. The LU 5 connects the
telephone unit 1 to the telephone network 4, and connects the data
processing device 3 to the telephone network 4. The communication
control device (CCD) 2 provides connection of the telephone unit 1
to the telephone network 4 and connection of the data processing
device 3 to the telephone network 4.
[0077] In the communication control device 2, the command signal
detection unit (CSD) 6 provides detection of a DTMF command signal
sent by the telephone unit 1. The DTMF command signal from the
telephone unit 1 indicates one of the plurality of telephone
services. The command signal detection unit (CSD) 6 detects the
DTMF command signal sent by the telephone unit 1. The CCD 2
transmits the DTMF command signal from the telephone unit 1 and the
control data from the CSD 6 to the data processing device (DPD) 3.
The voice input/output unit 10 supplies a voice signal sent from
either the telephone unit 1 or the telephone network 4, to the DPD
3, and supplies a voice signal derived from digital data stored in
the DPD 3, to either the telephone unit 1 or the telephone network
4.
[0078] In the communication support system of FIG. 4, the data
processing device (DPD) 3 comprises a telephone service processing
unit (TSP) 7, a telephone service recognition unit (TSR) 11, a
voice recording unit 12, a voice playback unit 13, a voice/data
conversion unit 14, and a voice data storing unit 15.
[0079] In the data processing device (DPD) 3, the TSR 11 determines
which of the telephone services is indicated by the DTMF command
signal from the telephone unit 1. The TSP 7 executes a telephone
service processing for the telephone service determined by the TSR
11. The TSP 7 starts executing the telephone service processing in
response to the control data from the CSD 6.
[0080] Further, in the DPD 3, the TSP 7 controls the voice
recording unit 12 so that the voice recording unit 12 executes a
voice recording processing to record a voice signal on the
connection line of the TU 1 and the TN 4. The voice/data conversion
unit 14 converts the voice signal from the voice input/output unit
10 of the CCD 2 into voice data (or digital data) in a
computer-readable format, and conversely converts the voice data
into the voice signal. The voice data storing unit 15 stores the
voice data from the voice/data conversion unit 14 in a memory of
the DPD 3. The TSP 7 controls the voice playback unit 13 so that
the voice playback unit 13 executes a voice playback processing to
reproduce the voice signal from the voice data stored in the
memory. The reproduced voice signal is transmitted from the
voice/data conversion unit 14 to the voice input/ output unit 10 of
the CCD 2.
[0081] Therefore, in the communication support system of FIG. 4,
the data processing device (DPD) 3 provides the telephone services,
such as the voice recording and playback, based on the DTMF command
signal sent by the telephone unit 1 when the telephone user uses
the telephone unit 1 to remotely control the data processing device
(DPD) 3. The communication support system of FIG. 4 allows the
telephone user to more easily transmit data to or receive data from
other communication media such as the data processing device.
Further, the communication support system of FIG. 4 allows the
telephone user to use the cordless telephone 9 in the telephone
unit 1 to remotely control the data processing device (DPD) 3. It
is no longer necessary that the user be located in front of the DPD
3 when obtaining the telephone services from the communication
support system.
[0082] In the communication support system of FIG. 4, when power is
not supplied to the CCD 2, the line unit 5 connects the telephone
unit 1 to the telephone network 4 and disconnects the command
signal detection unit (CSD) 6 from the telephone unit 1. When power
is supplied to the CCD 2, the line unit 5 connects the telephone
unit 1 through the command signal detection unit (CSD) 6 into the
DPD 3 and the telephone network 4. The CSD 6 detects the DTMF
command signal sent by the telephone unit 1 when power is supplied
to the CCD 2. When the DTMF command signal accords with one of the
DTMF command signals of FIG. 2, the CCD 2 notifies the DPD 3 that
an event has occurred due to the DTMF command signal. The CCD 2
transmits the command signal from the telephone unit 1 and the
control data from the CSD 6 to the DPD 3.
[0083] In the DPD 3, the telephone service recognition unit (TSR)
11 determines which of the telephone services is indicated by the
command signal from the telephone unit 1. The telephone service
processing unit (TSP) 7 executes a telephone service processing for
the telephone service determined by the TSR 11. The TSP 7 starts
executing the telephone service processing in response to the
control data from the CSD 6.
[0084] For example, when the DTMF command signal "*1" is sent by
the telephone unit 1, the TSR 11 determines that a recording start
processing is indicated by the DTMF command signal. The TSP 7
executes the recording start processing so that the voice recording
unit 12 is controlled to start performing the voice recording. When
the DTMF command signal "*2" is sent by the telephone unit 1, the
TSR 11 determines that a recording end processing is indicated by
the DTMF command signal. The TSP 7 executes the recording end
processing so that the voice recording unit 12 is controlled to
finish the voice recording. When the DTMF command signal "*3" is
sent by the telephone unit 1, the TSR 11 determines that a playback
start processing is indicated by the DTMF command signal. The TSP 7
executes the playback start processing so that the voice playback
unit 13 is controlled to start performing the voice playback. When
the DTMF command signal "*4" is sent by the telephone unit 1, the
TSR 11 determines that a playback end processing is indicated by
the DTMF command signal. The TSP 7 executes the playback end
processing so that the voice playback unit 13 is controlled to
finish the voice playback.
[0085] When the voice recording processing is carried out by the
voice recording unit 12, the voice data storing unit 15 stores the
voice data from the voice/data conversion unit 14 in the memory of
the DPD 3. On the other hand, when the voice playback processing is
carried out by the voice playback unit 13, the voice data stored in
the memory is read out, and the voice signal is reproduced from the
voice data by the voice/data conversion unit 14. The reproduced
voice signal is transmitted from the voice/data conversion unit 14
to the voice input/output unit 10 of the CCD 2.
[0086] FIG. 5 shows a telephone unit, a communication control
device and a data processing device in the communication support
system of the present invention.
[0087] Similar to the communication support system of FIG. 1, the
communication support system of FIG. 5 generally has a telephone
unit 1, a communication control device (CCD) 2, a data processing
device (DPD) 3, and a telephone network (TN) 4. The telephone unit
1 is connected through the CCD 2 into the DPD 3, and the CCD 2 is
connected to the TN 4. In FIG. 5, the elements which are the same
as corresponding elements in FIG. 1 are designated by the same
reference numerals, and a description thereof will be omitted.
[0088] In the communication support system of FIG. 5, the telephone
unit 1 provides the existing voice transmission and reception
functions and the existing dialing function. The telephone unit 1
of FIG. 5 comprises a radio circuit 8 and a cordless telephone 9.
The cordless telephone 9 provides an existing radio signal
transmission and reception function at a remote location of the
radio circuit 8. The radio circuit 8 provides conversion of a radio
signal from the cordless telephone 9 into voice data and conversion
of voice data from the telephone line into a radio signal.
According to the present invention, the telephone unit 1 is not
limited to the cordless telephone 9.
[0089] The communication control device (CCD) 2 of FIG. 5 comprises
a line unit (LU) 5, a command signal detection unit (CSD) 6, a
voice coding/decoding unit (VOICE CODEC) 16, a data
modulator/demodulator unit (DATA MODEM) 17, and a switch (SW) 22.
The LU 5 connects the telephone unit 1 to the telephone network 4,
and connects the data processing device 3 to the telephone network
4. The communication control device (CCD) 2 provides connection of
the telephone unit 1 to the telephone network 4 and connection of
the data processing device 3 to the telephone network 4.
[0090] In the communication control device 2, the command signal
detection unit (CSD) 6 provides detection of a DTMF command signal
sent by the telephone unit 1. The DTMF command signal from the
telephone unit 1 indicates one of the plurality of telephone
services. The command signal detection unit (CSD) 6 detects the
DTMF command signal sent by the telephone unit 1. The CCD 2
transmits the DTMF command signal from the telephone unit 1 and the
control data from the CSD 6 to the data processing device (DPD) 3.
The voice coding/decoding unit (VOICE CODEC) 16 provides coding of
a voice signal sent by the telephone unit 1 into transmission data,
and provides decoding of transmission data from the telephone
network 4 into a voice signal for the telephone unit 1. The data
modulator/demodulator unit (DATA MODEM) 17 provides modulation and
demodulation of transmission data in the CCD 2. The switch (SW) 22
switches on and off a connection line of the voice codec 16 and the
CCD 2. The switch 22 normally switches off the connection line of
the voice codec 16 and the CCD 2 to disconnect the voice codec 16
from the TN 4. When one of the telephone services is provided by
the DPD 3, the switch 22 switches on the connection line of the
voice codec 16 and the CCD 2 so that the voice codec 16 provides
coding and decoding of voice data in the CCD 2.
[0091] In the communication support system of FIG. 5, the data
processing device (DPD) 3 comprises a telephone service processing
unit (TSP) 7, a telephone service recognition unit (TSR) 18, a data
receiving unit 19, a data transmitting unit 20, and a data storing
unit 21.
[0092] In the data processing device (DPD) 3, the TSR 18 determines
which of the telephone services is indicated by the DTMF command
signal from the telephone unit 1. The TSP 7 executes a telephone
service processing for the telephone service determined by the TSR
18. The TSP 7 starts executing the telephone service processing in
response to the control data from the CSD 6.
[0093] Further, in the DPD 3, the TSP 7 controls the data receiving
unit 19 during a file transmission processing, so that the data
receiving unit 19 receives transmission data from a telephone line
connected to the telephone network 4. The data storing unit 21
stores the transmission data received by the data receiving unit
19, in a memory of the DPD 3. The TSP 7 controls the data
transmitting unit 20 during the file transmission processing, so
that the data transmitting unit 20 transmits the transmission data,
stored in the memory, to the telephone line connected to the
telephone network 4.
[0094] Therefore, in the communication support system of FIG. 5,
the data processing device (DPD) 3 provides the telephone service,
such as the file transmission, based on the DTMF command signal
sent by the telephone unit 1 when the telephone user uses the
telephone unit 1 to remotely control the data processing device
(DPD) 3. The communication support system of FIG. 5 allows the
telephone user to more easily transmit data to or receive data from
other communication media such as the data processing device.
Further, the communication support system of FIG. 5 allows the
telephone user to use the cordless telephone 9 in the telephone
unit 1 to remotely control the data processing device (DPD) 3. It
is no longer necessary that the user be located in front of the DPD
3 when obtaining the file transmission service from the
communication support system.
[0095] In the communication support system of FIG. 5, when power is
not supplied to the CCD 2, the line unit 5 connects the telephone
unit 1 to the telephone network 4 and disconnects the command
signal detection unit (CSD) 6 from the telephone unit 1. When power
is supplied to the CCD 2, the line unit 5 connects the telephone
unit 1 through the command signal detection unit (CSD) 6 into the
DPD 3 and the telephone network 4. The CSD 6 detects the DTMF
command signal sent by the telephone unit 1 when power is supplied
to the CCD 2. When the DTMF command signal accords with one of the
DTMF command signals of FIG. 2, the CCD 2 notifies the DPD 3 that
an event has occurred due to the DTMF command signal. The CCD 2
transmits the command signal from the telephone unit 1 and the
control data from the CSD 6 to the DPD 3.
[0096] In the DPD 3, the telephone service recognition unit (TSR)
18 determines which of the telephone services is indicated by the
command signal from the telephone unit 1. The telephone service
processing unit (TSP) 7 executes a telephone service processing for
the telephone service determined by the TSR 18. The TSP 7 starts
executing the telephone service processing in response to the
control data from the CSD 6.
[0097] For example, when the DTMF command signal "*7" is sent by
the telephone unit 1, the TSR 18 determines that a file
transmission start processing is indicated by the DTMF command
signal. The TSP 7 executes the file transmission start processing
so that the data receiving unit 19 and the data transmitting unit
20 are controlled to start performing the file transmission. When
the DTMF command signal "*8" is sent by the telephone unit 1, the
TSR 18 determines that a file transmission end processing is
indicated by the DTMF command signal. The TSP 7 executes the file
transmission end processing so that the data receiving unit 19 and
the data transmitting unit 20 are controlled to finish the file
transmission. The reception of the transmission data is
automatically carried out by the DPD 3, and does not require the
remote control by the telephone unit 1.
[0098] When the transmission data is received by the data receiving
unit 19, the data storing unit 21 stores the data sent to the DPD 3
by the data modem 17 of the CCD 2, in the memory of the DPD 3. On
the other hand, when the transmission data is transmitted by the
data transmitting unit 20, the transmission data stored in the
memory is read out and transmitted to the data modem 17 of the CCD
2.
[0099] FIG. 6 shows a telephone unit, a communication control
device and a data processing device in the communication support
system of the present invention.
[0100] Similar to the communication support system of FIG. 1, the
communication support system of FIG. 6 generally has a telephone
unit 1, a communication control device (CCD) 2, a data processing
device (DPD) 3, and a telephone network (TN) 4. The telephone unit
1 is connected through the CCD 2 into the DPD 3, and the CCD 2 is
connected to the TN 4. In FIG. 6, the elements which are the same
as corresponding elements in FIG. 1 are designated by the same
reference numerals, and a description thereof will be omitted.
[0101] In the communication support system of FIG. 6, the telephone
unit 1 provides the existing voice transmission and reception
functions and the existing dialing function. The telephone unit 1
of FIG. 6 comprises a radio circuit 8, a cordless telephone 9, a
radio circuit 31, and a display 32. The cordless telephone 9
provides the existing radio signal transmission and reception
function at a remote location of the radio circuit 8. The radio
circuit 8 provides conversion of a radio signal from the cordless
telephone 9 into voice data and conversion of voice data from the
telephone line into a radio signal. The display 32 provides, for
the telephone user of the telephone unit 1, a message sent by the
DPD 3 when one of the telephone services such as the telephone
number entry is provided. The radio circuit 31 provides conversion
of a radio signal from the DPD 3 into display data in a format
suitable for the display 32 to display the data. According to the
present invention, the telephone unit 1 is not limited to the
cordless telephone 9.
[0102] The communication control device (CCD) 2 of FIG. 6 comprises
a line unit (LU) 5, a command signal detection unit (CSD) 6, and a
dialing end timing detection unit 33. The LU 5 connects the
telephone unit 1 to the telephone network 4, and connects the data
processing device 3 to the telephone network 4. The communication
control device (CCD) 2 provides connection of the telephone unit 1
to the telephone network 4 and connection of the data processing
device 3 to the telephone network 4.
[0103] In the communication control device 2, the command signal
detection unit (CSD) 6 provides detection of a DTMF command signal
sent by the telephone unit 1. The DTMF command signal from the
telephone unit 1 indicates one of the plurality of telephone
services. The command signal detection unit (CSD) 6 detects the
DTMF command signal sent by the telephone unit 1. The CCD 2
transmits the DTMF command signal from the telephone unit 1 and the
control data from the CSD 6 to the data processing device (DPD) 3.
The dialing end timing detection unit 33 provides detection of a
dialing end timing based on a condition of a telephone line from
the telephone unit 1.
[0104] In the communication support system of FIG. 6, the data
processing device (DPD) 3 comprises a telephone service processing
unit (TSP) 7, a display control unit 34, a telephone service
recognition unit (TSR) 35, a command signal storing unit 36, a
telephone number entry unit 37, and a telephone directory storing
unit 38.
[0105] In the data processing device (DPD) 3, the TSR 35 determines
which of the telephone services is indicated by the DTMF command
signal from the telephone unit 1. The TSP 7 executes a telephone
number entry processing for the telephone service determined by the
TSR 35. The TSP 7 starts executing the telephone number entry
processing in response to the control data from the CSD 6. The
command signal storing unit 36 stores the DTMF command signal in
the memory of the DPD 3.
[0106] Further, in the DPD 3, the TSP 7 controls the telephone
number entry unit 37 so that the telephone number entry unit 37
executes the telephone number entry processing to register the
input telephone number (related to the destination terminal) from
the telephone unit 1 in a telephone directory of the memory. The
TSP 7 controls the display control unit 34 when the dialing end
timing is detected by the dialing end timing detection unit 33, so
that the display control unit 34 generates a confirmation message
and causes the display 32 to display the input telephone number and
the confirmation message. The telephone directory storing unit 38
stores the telephone directory updated by the telephone number
entry unit 37 in the memory.
[0107] Therefore, in the communication support system of FIG. 6,
the data processing device (DPD) 3 provides the telephone service,
such as the telephone number entry, based on the DTMF command
signal sent by the telephone unit 1 when the telephone user uses
the telephone unit 1 to remotely control the data processing device
(DPD) 3. The communication support system of FIG. 6 allows the
telephone user to more easily transmit data to or receive data from
other communication media such as the data processing device.
Further, the communication support system of FIG. 6 allows the
telephone user to use the cordless telephone 9 in the telephone
unit 1 to remotely control the data processing device (DPD) 3. It
is no longer necessary that the user be located in front of the DPD
3 when obtaining the telephone number entry service from the
communication support system.
[0108] In the communication support system of FIG. 6, when power is
not supplied to the CCD 2, the line unit 5 connects the telephone
unit 1 to the telephone network 4 and disconnects the command
signal detection unit (CSD) 6 from the telephone unit 1. When power
is supplied to the CCD 2, the line unit 5 connects the telephone
unit 1 through the command signal detection unit (CSD) 6 into the
DPD 3 and the telephone network 4. The CSD 6 detects the DTMF
command signal sent by the telephone unit 1 when power is supplied
to the CCD 2. When the DTMF command signal accords with one of the
DTMF command signals of FIG. 2, the CCD 2 notifies the DPD 3 that
an event has occurred due to the DTMF command signal. The CCD 2
transmits the command signal from the telephone unit 1 and the
control data from the CSD 6 to the DPD 3.
[0109] In the DPD 3, the telephone service recognition unit (TSR)
35 determines which of the telephone services is indicated by the
command signal from the telephone unit 1. The telephone service
processing unit (TSP) 7 executes the telephone number entry
processing for the telephone service determined by the TSR 35. The
TSP 7 starts executing the telephone number entry processing in
response to the control data from the CSD 6.
[0110] For example, when the DTMF command signal "*9" is sent by
the telephone unit 1, the TSR 35 determines that the telephone
number entry processing is indicated by the DTMF command signal.
The TSP 7 executes the telephone number entry processing so that
the telephone number entry unit 37 is controlled to start
performing the telephone number entry processing. The command
signal storing unit 36 stores the DTMF command signal in the
memory. When the dialing end timing is detected by the dialing end
timing detection unit 33 of the CCD 2, the telephone service
processing unit 7 is notified by the dialing end timing detection
unit 33 that the dialing by the telephone unit 1 is finished. The
telephone number entry unit 37 is controlled to execute the
telephone number entry processing.
[0111] The display control unit 34 is controlled to display the
input telephone number and the confirmation message on the display
32 of the telephone unit 1. The confirmation message provokes the
telephone user to decide whether the input telephone number is to
be registered into the telephone directory of the DPD 3. When a
user request for the telephone number entry is input by the
telephone unit 1, the telephone number entry unit 37 is controlled
to register the input telephone number into the telephone
directory. The telephone directory storing unit 38 stores the
telephone directory updated by the telephone number entry unit 37
in the memory.
[0112] The communication control device 2 in the communication
support system of the present invention, as shown in FIGS. 1, 4, 5
and 6, may be considered a modem or a terminal adapter that
connects both the telephone unit 1 and the data processing device 3
to the telephone network 4. FIG. 7 through FIG. 11 show various
examples of construction of the elements of the communication
support system. In the examples of FIGS. 7-11, a modem, a telephone
system with a built-in modem, and a personal computer with a
built-in telephone and modem are used to construct the
communication support system of the present invention.
[0113] The examples of FIG. 7 and FIG. 8 are essentially the same
as the construction of the elements of the communication support
system shown in FIGS. 1, 4, 5, and 6. In the examples of FIG. 7 and
FIG. 8, a modem 41 is substituted for the communication control
device 2 in the communication support system of the present
invention.
[0114] The example of FIG. 9 utilizes a telephone system 42 having
a built-in modem. In this example, the modem 41 contained in the
telephone system 42 is substituted for the communication control
device 2 in the communication support system of the present
invention.
[0115] The example of FIG. 10 utilizes a telephone system 43 having
a built-in modem. In this example, the modem 41 contained in the
telephone system 43 is substituted for the communication control
device 2 in the communication support system of the present
invention.
[0116] The example of FIG. 11 utilizes a personal computer 44
having a built-in telephone and modem. In this example, the modem
41 and the data processing device 3 contained in the personal
computer 44 are substituted for the communication control device 2
and the data processing device 3 in the communication support
system of the present invention.
[0117] Next, FIG. 12 shows one embodiment of the communication
control device in the communication support system of the present
invention.
[0118] In the present embodiment, one of the telephone services,
including the voice recording and playback, file transmission and
telephone number entry, is provided when the user on the telephone
unit remotely controls the data processing device by transmitting a
DTMF command signal from the telephone unit to the data processing
device via the communication control device.
[0119] As shown in FIG. 12, the communication support system
generally has a telephone unit (TU) 101, a communication control
device (CCD) 118, a data processing device (DPD) 112, and a
telephone network (TN) 102. The TU 101 is connected through the CCD
118 into the DPD 112, and the CCD 118 is connected to the TN 102. A
PC interface unit 111 is provided between the CCD 118 and the DPD
112.
[0120] The CCD 118 in the present embodiment comprises a relay 103,
a relay control unit (RCU) 104, a DTMF detection unit 105, a voice
input/output unit (VOICE IN/OUT) 106, a voice coding/decoding unit
(VOICE CODEC) 107, a data modulator/demodulator unit (DATA MODEM)
108, a central processing unit (CPU) 109, and a bus 110. The CCD
118 further comprises a switch (SW) 113, a signal detection unit
(SIGNAL DETECT) 114, a direct-current detection unit (DC DETECT)
116, and a direct-current detection unit (DC DETECT) 117. A display
115 is provided at a location of the telephone unit 101 and
connected to the DPD 112.
[0121] In the above-described communication support system, the
execution of one of the telephone services, including voice
recording and playback, file transmission and telephone number
entry, is requested to the DPD 112 by the CCD 118 based on a
corresponding one of a plurality of DTMF command signals sent from
the telephone unit 101.
[0122] The TU 101 provides the existing voice signal transmission
and receiving functions and the existing dialing function. The TN
102 is, for example, a public switched telephone network.
[0123] The CPU 109 receives signals from the elements of the CCD
118 connected through the bus 110, and controls these elements of
the CCD 118. The DC detection unit 116 provides detection of an
on-hook state of the TU 101. The DC detection unit 117 provides
detection of a disconnection of the CCD 118 from the TN 102.
[0124] In the CCD 118 of the present embodiment, a
telephone-service processing program related to the flowcharts of
FIGS. 14-25 (which will be described later) is program code
instructions stored in a memory (not shown) of the CCD 118. The
memory of the CCD 118 is, for example, a ROM (read-only memory).
The memory corresponds to a processor readable medium in the
claims. The processor readable medium includes any one of
instruction storage devices, such as, for example, magnetic disks
including floppy disks, optical disks including CD-ROMs,
magneto-optical disks including MOs, semiconductor memory cards
such as PC cards and miniature cards, and other types of computer
usable devices and media.
[0125] Further, in the present embodiment, the memory of the CCD
118 may store encoded or non-encoded instructions. The instructions
may be installed from a floppy disk (or a CD-ROM) to a hard disk
drive (not shown) of the CCD 118 first, transferred to a RAM (not
shown) of the CCD 118 and then read by the CPU 109. The memory of
the CCD 118 may store either all or a part of the instructions
related to the flowcharts of FIGS. 14-25.
[0126] The relay control unit (RCU) 104 controls the relay 103
under control of the CPU 109. The relay 103 switches on or off a
connection line between the TU 101 and the TN 102 when the relay
103 is controlled by the RCU 104. In the present embodiment, when
power is supplied to place the CCD 118 in an initial condition, the
relay 103 is set in an off-state by the RCU 104 so that the TU 101
and the CCD 118 are disconnected from the TN 102. When a command
from the CPU 109 is sent to the RCU 104, or when power is not
supplied to the CCD 118, the relay 103 is set in an on-state by the
RCU 104 so that the TU 101 is connected through the CCD 118 into
the TN 102.
[0127] The DTMF detection unit 105 provides detection of a DTMF
command signal sent by the TU 101. The voice input/output unit 106
provides, to the DPD 112, a voice signal on the connection line
between the TU 101 and the TN 102. The voice codec 107 provides
coding of a voice signal from the TU 101 into transmission data,
and provides decoding of transmission data from the TN 101 into a
voice signal for the TU 101. The data modem 108 provides modulation
and demodulation of transmission data in the CCD 118.
[0128] The PC interface unit 111 provides a personal-computer
interface to connect the CCD 118 and the DPD 112. The DPD 112
provides execution of the telephone-service application program in
order to provide the telephone services.
[0129] The switch 113 switches on and off a connection line of the
voice codec 107 and the CCD 118. The switch 113 normally switches
off the connection line of the voice codec 107 and the CCD 118 to
disconnect the voice codec 107 from the TN 102. When one of the
telephone services is provided by the DPD 112, the switch 113
switches on the connection line of the voice codec 107 and the CCD
118 so that the voice codec 107 provides coding and decoding of
voice data in the CCD 118.
[0130] The signal detection unit 114 provides detections of various
signals sent from or to the telephone line (the TU 101 and the TN
102), the signals including a busy-tone signal ("BUSY"), a ring
tone signal ("RING"), a ring-back-tone signal ("RBT"), an on-hook
signal ("ON-HOOK"), and an off-hook signal ("OFF-HOOK").
[0131] The display 115 provides, for the telephone user of the
telephone unit 101, a message sent by the DPD 112 when one of the
telephone services such as the telephone number entry is provided
by the DPD 112.
[0132] FIG. 13 shows another embodiment of the communication
control device in the communication support system of the present
invention. In FIG. 13, the elements which are the same as
corresponding elements in FIG. 12 are designated by the same
reference numerals, and a description thereof will be omitted.
[0133] In the present embodiment, one of the plurality of
dial-pulse command signals is sent to the CCD 118 by the telephone
unit 101, instead of the DTMF command signal, and a dial-pulse
detection unit 205 is substituted for the DTMF detection unit 105
in the communication support system. The dial pulse detection unit
205 detects one of the plurality of dial-pulse command signals sent
by the telephone unit 101.
[0134] In the embodiment of FIG. 13, one of the telephone services,
including voice recording and playback, file transmission and
telephone number entry, is provided in the same manner as in the
embodiment of FIG. 12, when the user on the telephone unit remotely
requests the data processing device to provide a corresponding
telephone service by transmitting a dial-pulse command signal to
the data processing device.
[0135] Further, in the case of the frequency-based command signals
shown in FIG. 3, a detection unit which detects one of the
frequency-based command signals sent by the telephone unit 101 may
be substituted for the DTMF detection unit 105 in the communication
system of FIG. 12. Also, in such a case, one of the telephone
services is provided in the same manner as in the embodiment of
FIG. 12.
[0136] FIG. 14 shows a main routine of a telephone service
processing program executed by the central processing unit (CPU)
109 of the communication control device (CCD) 118 of FIG. 12. FIG.
15 shows a PC interface initialization in the main routine of FIG.
14. FIG. 16 shows a CCD initialization in the main routine of FIG.
14.
[0137] As shown in FIG. 14, the program code instructions, stored
in the memory of the CCD 118, cause the CPU 109 to perform an
initialization of the CCD 118 (S1). After the CCD initialization of
the above S1 is performed, the program code instructions cause the
CPU 109 to perform an initialization of the PC interface unit 111
(S2). After the PC interface initialization of the above S2 is
performed, the program code instructions cause the CPU 109 to
perform a CCD control processing routine (S3) based on a signal
sent by the TU 101, which will be described later.
[0138] In the CCD 118 shown in FIG. 12, it is assumed that power is
supplied to the CCD 118 to place the CCD 118 in the initial
condition, and the relay 103 is set in the off-state by the RCU 104
so that the TU 101 and the CCD 118 are disconnected from the TN
102.
[0139] As shown in FIG. 16, during the CCD initialization, the
program code instructions cause the CPU 109 to initialize all
internal flags of the CCD 118 (S11). After the initialization of
the internal flags of the above S11 is performed, the program code
instructions cause the CPU 109 to set the relay 103 in the on-state
by controlling the RCU 104 (S12). In this case, the relay 103
switches on the connection line between the TU 101 and the TN 102
so that the TU 101 is connected through the CCD 118 into the TN
102. After the setting of the relay 103 of the above S12 is
performed, the CCD initialization of FIG. 16 is finished.
[0140] As shown in FIG. 15, during the PC interface initialization,
the program code instructions cause the CPU 109 to set a status
portion of the memory of the CCD 118 at a predetermined value
(S21). After the setting of the status portion of the above S21 is
performed, the program code instructions cause the CPU 109 to set a
data portion of the memory of the CCD 118 at "00" (S22). After the
setting of the data portion of the above S22 is performed, the
program code instructions cause the CPU 109 to set a data strobe
signal in an on-state (S23). After a given time period, the program
code instructions cause the CPU 109 to set the data strobe signal
in an off-state (S23). In this case, setting the status portion at
the predetermined value indicates that data is currently included
in the data portion of the memory. After the setting of the data
strobe signal of the above S23 is performed, the PC interface
initialization of FIG. 15 is finished.
[0141] During the main routine of FIG. 14, the CPU 109 of the CCD
118 simultaneously executes an interrupt processing routine in
response to an interrupt signal. In the communication support
system of the present embodiment, the interrupt signal is supplied
to the CPU 109 by either the DPD 112 or the CCD 118. In the CCD
118, the DTMF detection unit 105 or the signal detection unit 114
supplies a detection signal to the CPU 109 as the interrupt
signal.
[0142] FIG. 25 shows the interrupt processing routine executed by
the CPU 109 of the CCD 118.
[0143] As shown in FIG. 25, when an interrupt signal is received by
the CPU 109, the program code instructions cause the CPU 109 to
determine whether the interrupt has occurred due to a control
command sent by the DPD 112 (S73).
[0144] When the interrupt has occurred due to the control command
from the DPD 112 (the result of the above S73 is affirmative), the
program code instructions cause the CPU 109 to determine whether
the control command sent by the DPD 112 is an internal detection
prohibiting command (S77). When the result of the above S77 is
affirmative, the program code instructions cause the CPU 109 to set
the CCD 118 in a non-detection mode (S78). When the CCD 118 is set
in the non-detection mode, the DTMF detection unit 105 and the
signal detection unit 114 are prohibited from detecting the content
of the signal sent by the TU 101. After the setting of the CCD 118
of the above S78 is performed, the interrupt processing routine of
FIG. 25 is finished.
[0145] When the control command sent by the DPD 112 is not the
internal detection prohibiting command (the result of the above S77
is negative), the program code instructions cause the CPU 118 to
determine whether the control command is an internal detection
allowing command (S79). When the result of the above S79 is
affirmative, the program code instructions cause the CPU 109 to set
the CCD 118 in a detection mode (S80). When the CCD 118 is set in
the detection mode, the DTMF detection unit 105 and the signal
detection unit 114 are allowed to detect the content of the signal
sent by the TU 101. The CCD 118 is initially set in the detection
mode. After the setting of the CCD 118 of the above S80 is
performed, the interrupt processing routine of FIG. 25 is
finished.
[0146] When the command signal is neither the internal detection
prohibiting command nor the internal detection allowing command
(both the results of the above S77 and S79 are negative), the
interrupt processing routine of FIG. 25 is finished.
[0147] When the interrupt has occurred due to a signal other than
the control command from the DPD 112 (the result of the above S73
is negative), the program code instructions cause the CPU 109 to
detect whether the CCD 118 is set in the non-detection mode (S74).
The CCD 118 is normally set in the detection mode, such that the
result of the above S74 is negative. In such a case, the program
code instructions cause the CPU 109 to detect whether a detection
signal is internally supplied from the DTMF detection unit 105 or
the signal detection unit 114 (S75).
[0148] When the result of the above S74 is affirmative, or when the
result of the above S75 is negative, the interrupt processing
routine of FIG. 25 is finished.
[0149] When a detection signal is internally supplied from the DTMF
detection unit 105 or the signal detection unit 114 (the result of
the above S75 is affirmative), the program code instructions cause
the CPU 109 to store the detection signal in the memory of the CCD
118 (S76). In this case, when one of the off-hook signal, the
on-hook signal, the ring signal, the ring-back-tone signal and the
busy-tone signal, which is sent by the TU 101, is detected by the
signal detection unit 114, the detection signal is supplied to the
CPU 109. Alternatively, when the DTMF command signal sent by the TU
101 is detected by the DTMF detection unit 105, the detection
signal is supplied to the CPU 109. After the storing of the
detection signal of the above S76 is performed, the interrupt
processing routine of FIG. 26 is finished.
[0150] Next, FIG. 17 shows the CCD control processing routine S3 in
the main routine of FIG. 14. As described above, after the PC
interface initialization of FIG. 16 is performed, the program code
instructions cause the CPU 109 to perform the CCD control
processing routine S3 based on the signal sent by the TU 101.
[0151] As shown in FIG. 17, when the DTMF command signal from the
TU 101 is detected by the DTMF detection unit 105 during the
interrupt processing of FIG. 25, or when one of the off-hook
signal, the on-hook signal, the ring signal, the ring-back-tone
signal and the busy-tone signal, sent from the TU 101, is detected
by the signal detection unit 114, the program code instructions
cause the CPU 109 to perform a detection signal reading (S31).
[0152] FIG. 24 shows the detection signal reading S31 in the CCD
control processing routine of FIG. 17.
[0153] As shown in FIG. 24, the program code instructions cause the
CPU 109 to read out the detection signal (which has been stored in
the above S76 in the interrupt processing of FIG. 25) from the
memory of the CCD 118 (S69). After the reading of the detection
signal of the above S69 is performed, the program code instructions
cause the CPU 109 to determine whether the detection signal can be
actually read out from the memory of the CCD 118 (S70). When the
result of the above S70 is negative, the detection signal reading
of FIG. 24 is finished.
[0154] When the result of the above S70 is affirmative, the program
code instructions cause the CPU 109 to initialize a corresponding
portion of the memory of the CCD 118 in which the detection signal
was stored during the interrupt processing of FIG. 25 (S71). After
the initialization of the above S71 is performed, the program code
instructions cause the CPU 109 to return a code indicating the
content of the detection signal read out in the above S69 (S72).
After the returning of the code of the above S72 is performed, the
detection signal reading of FIG. 24 is finished.
[0155] Referring back to FIG. 17, after the detection signal
reading S31 is performed, the program code instructions cause the
CPU 109 to determine which of the off-hook signal, the on-hook
signal, the ring signal, the ring-back-tone ("RBT") signal, the
busy-tone signal and the DTMF command signal is indicated by the
return code obtained by the detection signal reading S31 (S32-S37
of FIG. 17).
[0156] As shown in FIG. 17, the program code instructions cause the
CPU 109 to determine whether the off-hook signal is indicated by
the return code (or detected by the signal detection unit 114)
(S32). When the result of the above S32 is affirmative, the program
code instructions cause the CPU 109 to perform an off-hook
processing (S39).
[0157] FIG. 18 shows the off-hook processing S39 in the CCD control
processing routine of FIG. 17.
[0158] As shown in FIG. 18, the program code instructions cause the
CPU 109 to set the status portion of the memory of the CCD 118 at
the predetermined value (S51). In this case, setting the status
portion at the predetermined value indicates that data is currently
included in the data portion of the memory. After the setting of
the status portion of the above S51 is performed, the program code
instructions cause the CPU 109 to set the data portion of the
memory at "01" (S52). In this case, setting the data portion at
"01" indicates that the off-hook signal is detected by the signal
detection unit 114. After the setting of the data portion of the
above S52 is performed, the program code instructions cause the CPU
109 to notify the DPD 112 that the event has occurred due to the
off-hook signal from the TU 101 (S53). After the off-hook
processing S39 is performed, the program code instructions cause
the CPU 109 to again perform the above detection signal reading
S31.
[0159] Referring back to FIG. 17, the program code instructions
cause the CPU 109 to determine whether the on-hook signal is
indicated by the return code (or detected by the signal detection
unit 114) (S33). When the result of the above S33 is affirmative,
the program code instructions cause the CPU 109 to perform an
on-hook processing (S40).
[0160] FIG. 19 shows the on-hook processing S40 in the CCD control
processing routine of FIG. 17.
[0161] As shown in FIG. 19, the program code instructions cause the
CPU 109 to set the status portion of the memory of the CCD 118 at
the predetermined value (S54). After the setting of the status
portion of the above S51 is performed, the program code
instructions cause the CPU 109 to set the data portion of the
memory at "02" (S55). In this case, setting the data portion at
"02" indicates that the on-hook signal is detected by the signal
detection unit 114. After the setting of the data portion of the
above S55 is performed, the program code instructions cause the CPU
109 to notify the DPD 112 that the event has occurred due to the
on-hook signal from the TU 101 (S56). After the on-hook processing
S40 is performed, the program code instructions cause the CPU 109
to again perform the above detection signal reading S31.
[0162] Referring back to FIG. 17, the program code instructions
cause the CPU 109 to determine whether the ring signal is indicated
by the return code (or detected by the signal detection unit 114)
(S34). When the result of the above S34 is affirmative, the program
code instructions cause the CPU 109 to perform a ring processing
(S41).
[0163] FIG. 20 shows the ring processing S41 in the CCD control
processing routine of FIG. 17.
[0164] As shown in FIG. 20, the program code instructions cause the
CPU 109 to set the status portion of the memory of the CCD 118 at
the predetermined value (S57). After the setting of the status
portion of the above S57 is performed, the program code
instructions cause the CPU 109 to set the data portion of the
memory at "03" (S58). In this case, setting the data portion at
"03" indicates that the ring signal is detected by the signal
detection unit 114. After the setting of the data portion of the
above S58 is performed, the program code instructions cause the CPU
109 to notify the DPD 112 that the event has occurred due to the
ring signal from the TU 101 (S59). After the ring processing S41 is
performed, the program code instructions cause the CPU 109 to again
perform the above detection signal reading S31.
[0165] Referring back to FIG. 17, the program code instructions
cause the CPU 109 to determine whether the ring-back-tone signal is
indicated by the return code (or detected by the signal detection
unit 114) (S35). When the result of the above S35 is affirmative,
the program code instructions cause the CPU 109 to perform a
ring-back-tone (RBT) processing (S42).
[0166] FIG. 21 shows the ring-back-tone (RBT) processing S42 in the
CCD control processing routine of FIG. 17.
[0167] As shown in FIG. 21, the program code instructions cause the
CPU 109 to set the status portion of the memory of the CCD 118 at
the predetermined value (S60). After the setting of the status
portion of the above S60 is performed, the program code
instructions cause the CPU 109 to set the data portion of the
memory at "04" (S61). In this case, setting the data portion at
"04" indicates that the ring-back-tone signal is detected by the
signal detection unit 114. After the setting of the data portion of
the above S61 is performed, the program code instructions cause the
CPU 109 to notify the DPD 112 that the event has occurred due to
the ring-back-tone signal from the TU 101 (S62). After the RBT
processing S42 is performed, the program code instructions cause
the CPU 109 to again perform the above detection signal reading
S31.
[0168] Referring back to FIG. 17, the program code instructions
cause the CPU 109 to determine whether the busy-tone signal is
indicated by the return code (or detected by the signal detection
unit 114) (S36). When the result of the above S36 is affirmative,
the program code instructions cause the CPU 109 to perform a
busy-tone processing (S43).
[0169] FIG. 23 shows the busy-tone processing S43 in the CCD
control processing routine of FIG. 17.
[0170] As shown in FIG. 23, the program code instructions cause the
CPU 109 to set the status portion of the memory of the CCD 118 at
the predetermined value (S66). After the setting of the status
portion of the above S66 is performed, the program code
instructions cause the CPU 109 to set the data portion of the
memory at "05" (S67). In this case, setting the data portion at
"05" indicates that the busy-tone signal is detected by the signal
detection unit 114. After the setting of the data portion of the
above S67 is performed, the program code instructions cause the CPU
109 to notify the DPD 112 that the event has occurred due to the
busy-tone signal from the TU 101 (S68). After the busy-tone
processing S43 is performed, the program code instructions cause
the CPU 109 to again perform the above detection signal reading
S31.
[0171] Referring back to FIG. 17, the program code instructions
cause the CPU 109 to determine whether the DTMF command signal is
indicated by the return code (or detected by the DTMF detection
unit 105) (S37). When the result of the above S37 is affirmative,
the program code instructions cause the CPU 109 to perform a DTMF
processing (S44).
[0172] FIG. 22 shows the DTMF processing S44 in the CCD control
processing routine of FIG. 17.
[0173] As shown in FIG. 22, the program code instructions cause the
CPU 109 to set the status portion of the memory of the CCD 118 at
the predetermined value (S63). After the setting of the status
portion of the above S63 is performed, the program code
instructions cause the CPU 109 to set the data portion of the
memory at a value indicated by the DTMF command signal (S64). The
data portion of the memory is set at, for example, "*1" which is
indicated by the DTMF command signal as shown in FIG. 2. In this
case, setting the data portion at such a value indicates that the
DTMF signal is detected by the DTMF detection unit 105. After the
setting of the data portion of the above S64 is performed, the
program code instructions cause the CPU 109 to notify the DPD 112
that the event has occurred due to the DTMF signal from the TU 101
(S65). After the DTMF processing S44 is performed, the program code
instructions cause the CPU 109 to again perform the above detection
signal reading S31.
[0174] Referring back to FIG. 17, the program code instructions
cause the CPU 109 to determine whether the end of the detection
signal is indicated by the return code (or no detection signal is
detected by the signal detection unit 114 or the DTMF detection
unit 105) (S38). When the result of the above S38 is affirmative,
the CCD control processing routine of FIG. 17 is finished. When the
result of the above S38 is negative, the program code instructions
cause the CPU 109 to again perform the above detection signal
reading S31.
[0175] Next, FIG. 26 shows a main routine of a telephone-service
application program executed by a central processor of the data
processing device 112 in the communication support system of the
present invention.
[0176] The telephone-service application program related to the
flowchart of FIG. 26 is program code instructions stored in a
memory (not shown) of the data processing device (DPD) 112. The
memory of the DPD 112 is, for example, a ROM (read-only memory).
The memory of the DPD 112 corresponds to a processor readable
medium in the claims. The processor readable medium includes any
one of instruction storage devices, such as, for example, magnetic
disks including floppy disks, optical disks including CD-ROMs,
magneto-optical disks including MOs, semiconductor memory cards
such as PC cards and miniature cards, and other types of computer
usable devices and media.
[0177] Further, the memory of the DPD 112 may store encoded or
non-encoded instructions. The instructions may be installed from a
floppy disk (or a CD-ROM) to a hard disk drive (not shown) of the
DPD 112 first, transferred to a RAM (not shown) of the DPD 112 and
then read by the CPU of the DPD 112. The memory of the DPD 112 may
store either all or a part of the instructions related to the
flowchart of FIG. 26.
[0178] The telephone-service application program as shown in FIG.
26 is executed by the central processor (which will be simply
called the processor) of the DPD 112 when, in the CCD control
processing routine of FIG. 17, one of the off-hook signal, the
on-hook signal, the ring signal, the ring-back-tone signal, the
busy-tone signal and the DTMF command signal is detected and the
DPD 112 is notified that such an event has occurred.
[0179] As shown in FIG. 26, the program code instructions cause the
processor to perform an initialization of the telephone service
application program in the DPD 112 (S101). In the initialization of
the telephone-service application program, the voice
recording/playback start/end processing, the file transmission
start/end processing, and the telephone number entry processing,
related to the DPD 112, are initialized.
[0180] After the initialization of the above S101 is performed, the
program code instructions cause the processor to perform a dialog
screen display processing related to the display 115 (S102).
[0181] After the dialog screen display processing of the above S102
is performed, the program code instructions cause the processor to
perform an event waiting processing (S103). In the event waiting
processing, the processor is placed in a waiting condition in which
the processor awaits occurrence of an event by the CPU 109 of the
CCD 118.
[0182] After the event waiting processing of the above S103 is
performed, the program code instructions cause the processor to
perform an event allocation processing (S104). As described above,
one of the off-hook signal, the on-hook signal, the ring signal,
the ring-back-tone signal, the busy-tone signal and the DTMF
command signal is detected by the CPU 109 and the DPD 112 is
notified by the CPU 109 that such an event has occurred, the
processor of the DPD 112 allocates the event to one of a telephone
condition dependence processing (S105), a DTMF processing (S106)
and an end processing (S107). These processings S105-S107 are
performed during the main routine of FIG. 26, and the processing
corresponding to the related one of the telephone services is
actually performed by the DPD 112.
[0183] When one of the off-hook signal, the on-hook signal, the
ring signal, the ring-back-tone signal and the busy-tone signal is
detected by the signal detection unit 114 of the CCD 118, the
program code instructions cause the processor of the DPD 112 to
perform the telephone condition dependence processing of the above
S105. After the telephone condition dependence processing (S105) is
performed, the program code instructions cause the processor to
again perform the event waiting processing of the above S103.
[0184] When the DTMF command signal is detected by the DTMF
detection unit 105 of the CCD 118, the program code instructions
cause the processor of the DPD 112 to perform the DTMF processing
of the above S106. After the DTMF processing (S106) is performed,
the program code instructions cause the processor to again perform
the event waiting processing of the above S103.
[0185] When a different event, other than the detection of one of
the off-hook signal, the on-hook signal, the ring signal, the
ring-back-tone signal, the busy-tone signal and the DTMF command
signal, has occurred in the CCD 118, the program code instructions
cause the processor to perform the end processing of the above
S107. After the end processing (S107) is performed, the program
code instructions cause the processor to again perform the event
waiting processing of the above S103.
[0186] FIG. 27 shows the telephone condition dependence processing
S105 in the main routine of FIG. 26.
[0187] As shown in FIG. 27, the program code instructions cause the
processor to determine which of the on-hook signal ("ON-HOOK"), the
off-hook signal ("OFF-HOOK"), the ring-back-tone signal ("RBT"),
the ring signal ("RING") and the busy-tone signal ("BUSY") has been
detected by the signal detection unit 114 of the CCD 118 (S111,
S113, S115, S123 and S125). Further, the program code instructions
cause the processor to perform a processing corresponding to the
event which is notified to the DPD 112 by the CPU 109 of the CCD
118.
[0188] When it is notified to the DPD 112 that the event has
occurred due to the on-hook signal from the TU 101 (the result of
the above S111 is affirmative), the program code instructions cause
the processor to start performing the telephone number entry
processing (S112) which is related to one of the telephone services
provided by the DPD 112.
[0189] During the telephone number entry processing, the program
code instructions cause the processor to determine whether a
dialing flag is set in an OFF state (S127). The dialing flag is
normally set in an ON state when the dialing is being performed by
the telephone user of the TU 101.
[0190] When the dialing flag is in the ON state (the result of the
above S127 is negative), the program code instructions cause the
processor of the DPD 112 to display a telephone number, currently
input by the telephone user of the TU 101, on the display 115
(S117). Further, the program code instructions cause the processor
to display a confirmation message on the display 115 (S118). The
confirmation message provokes the telephone user to decide whether
the input telephone number is to be registered into the telephone
directory of the DPD 112.
[0191] After the confirmation message is displayed, the program
code instructions cause the processor to be placed in a user
request waiting condition (S119). During the user request waiting
condition, the processor awaits inputting of a request for the
telephone number entry by the telephone user. Further, the program
code instructions cause the processor to determine whether the
request for the telephone number entry is input by the telephone
user (S120).
[0192] When the request for the telephone number entry is input by
the telephone user (the result of the above S120 is affirmative),
the program code instructions cause the processor to execute the
telephone number entry processing (S121). In the telephone number
entry processing, the input telephone number from the TU 101 is
actually registered into the telephone directory of the DPD 112.
After the telephone number entry processing of the above S121 is
performed, the program code instructions cause the processor to
initialize a DTMF signal portion of the memory (S122). Further, the
program code instructions cause the processor to set the dialing
flag in the OFF state (S128). Then, the telephone condition
dependence processing of FIG. 27 is finished.
[0193] On the other hand, when the request for the telephone number
entry is not input by the telephone user (the result of the above
S120 is negative), or when the dialing flag is in the OFF state
(the result of the above S127 is affirmative), the program code
instructions cause the processor to perform the initialization of
the DTMF signal portion of the memory of the above S122. In this
case, the telephone number entry processing of the above S121 is
not performed by the processor.
[0194] When the DPD 112 is notified that the event has occurred due
to the off-hook signal from the TU 101 (the result of the above
S113 is affirmative), the program code instructions cause the
processor to initialize the DTMF signal portion of the memory and
set the dialing flag in the ON state (S114).
[0195] When the DPD 112 is notified that the event has occurred due
to the ring-back-tone signal from the TU 101 (the result of the
above S115 is affirmative), the program code instructions cause the
processor to start performing the telephone number entry processing
(S116) in the same manner as in the above S112. Further, the
program code instructions cause the processor to execute the
above-described processing (the above S127, S117-S122 and
S128).
[0196] When the DPD 112 is notified that the event has occurred due
to the ring signal from the TU 101 (the result of the above S123 is
affirmative), the program code instructions cause the processor to
initialize the DTMF signal portion of the memory and set the
dialing flag in the OFF state (S124).
[0197] When the DPD 112 is notified that the event has occurred due
to the busy signal from the TU 101 (the result of the above S125 is
affirmative), the program code instructions cause the processor to
start performing the telephone number entry processing (S126) in
the same manner as in the above S112. Further, the program code
instructions cause the processor to execute the above-described
processing (the above S127, S117-S122 and S128).
[0198] When the DPD 112 is notified that no event has occurred (all
the results of the above S111, S113, S115, S123 and S125 are
negative), the telephone condition dependence processing of FIG. 27
is finished. In this case, none of the above-described processing
(the above S112, S114, S116, S124 and S126) is performed by the
processor.
[0199] Next, FIG. 28 shows the DTMF processing S106 in the main
routine of FIG. 26.
[0200] As described above, when the DTMF command signal from the TU
101 is detected by the DTMF detection unit 105 of the CCD 118, the
program code instructions cause the processor of the DPD 112 to
perform the DTMF processing S106 in the main routine of FIG. 26. In
the DTMF processing, the processor carries out one of the telephone
services including the recording/playback start/end processing and
the file transmission start/end processing.
[0201] As shown in FIG. 28, the program code instructions cause the
processor of the DPD 112 to determine whether the DTMF command
signal detected by the DTMF detection unit 105 includes the DTMF
"*" as a first portion thereof (S131). When the DTMF command signal
includes the DTMF "*" as the first portion thereof (the result of
the above S131 is affirmative), the program code instructions cause
the processor to set a function mode flag in an ON state (S132).
When the function mode flag is set in the ON state, the processor
is placed in a function mode in which the processor awaits
detection of a second portion of the DTMF command signal.
[0202] When the DTMF command signal does not include the DTMF "*"
as the first portion thereof (the result of the above S131 is
negative), the program code instructions cause the processor to
determine whether the processor is placed in the function mode
(S133). When the processor is not placed in the function mode (the
result of the above S133 is negative), the program code
instructions cause the processor to detect that the dialing is
being performed by the telephone user of the TU 101 (S147). After
the S147 is performed, the program code instructions cause the
processor to store the DTMF command signal in the DTMF signal
portion of the memory (S148).
[0203] On the other hand, when the processor is placed in the
function mode (the result of the above S133 is affirmative), the
program code instructions cause the processor to start a function
mode processing (S134). During the function mode processing, the
processor determines what code or number is indicated by the second
portion of the DTMF command signal (S135, S137, S139, S141, S143
and S145). Further, the processor of the DPD 112 carries out the
related one of the telephone services (S136, S138, S140, S142, S144
and S146) based on the content of the second portion of the DTMF
command signal.
[0204] For example, when the DTMF command signal includes the DTMF
"1" as the second portion thereof (S135), the program code
instructions cause the processor to perform a recording start
processing (S136) which is one of the telephone services provided
by the DPD 112. When the DTMF command signal includes the DTMF "2"
as the second portion thereof (S137), the program code instructions
cause the processor to perform a recording end processing (S138)
which is one of the telephone services provided by the DPD 112.
When the DTMF command signal includes the DTMF "3" as the second
portion thereof (S139), the program code instructions cause the
processor to perform a playback start processing (S140) which is
one of the telephone services provided by the DPD 112. When the
DTMF command signal includes the DTMF "4" as the second portion
thereof (S141), the program code instructions cause the processor
to perform a playback end processing (S142) which is one of the
telephone services provided by the DPD 112. When the DTMF command
signal includes the DTMF "7" as the second portion thereof (S143),
the program code instructions cause the processor to perform a file
transmission start processing (S144) which is one of the telephone
services provided by the DPD 112. When the DTMF command signal
includes the DTMF "8" as the second portion thereof (S145), the
program code instructions cause the processor to perform a file
transmission end processing (S146) which is one of the telephone
services provided by the DPD 112.
[0205] Further, the present invention is not limited to the
above-described embodiments, and variations and modifications may
be made without departing from the present invention.
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