U.S. patent application number 09/150233 was filed with the patent office on 2002-06-20 for communication support system in which a ringing sound control processing is performed in response to a call from a telephone network.
Invention is credited to AZAMI, TOSHIHIRO, FURUKAWA, KIMIKAZU, KAKUTA, JUN, SATOH, YASUO, TAKEBAYASHI, TOMOYOSHI, YANO, KATSUTOSHI.
Application Number | 20020076020 09/150233 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 18112700 |
Filed Date | 2002-06-20 |
United States Patent
Application |
20020076020 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
AZAMI, TOSHIHIRO ; et
al. |
June 20, 2002 |
COMMUNICATION SUPPORT SYSTEM IN WHICH A RINGING SOUND CONTROL
PROCESSING IS PERFORMED IN RESPONSE TO A CALL FROM A TELEPHONE
NETWORK
Abstract
A communication support system includes a switching unit which
connects a telephone unit through a transmission path to a
telephone network when the switching unit is set in a first state,
and disconnects the telephone unit from the telephone network by
cutting off the transmission path when the switching unit is set in
a second state. A ringer detection unit detects a ringer signal
from the telephone network. A determination unit determines, in
response to the detection of the ringer signal, whether the
switching unit is to be set in one of the first state and the
second state in accordance with first switching control data. A
switching control unit controls setting of the switching unit in
one of the first state and the second state in response to a
control signal, indicative of the determination, sent by the
determination unit.
Inventors: |
AZAMI, TOSHIHIRO;
(KAWASAKI-SHI, JP) ; YANO, KATSUTOSHI;
(KAWASAKI-SHI, JP) ; KAKUTA, JUN; (KAWASAKI-SHI,
JP) ; TAKEBAYASHI, TOMOYOSHI; (KAWASAKI-SHI, JP)
; FURUKAWA, KIMIKAZU; (KAWASAKI-SHI, JP) ; SATOH,
YASUO; (KAWASAKI-SHI, JP) |
Correspondence
Address: |
H J STAAS
STAAS & HALSEY
700 ELEVENTH STREET NW
SUITE 500
WASHINGTON
DC
20001
|
Family ID: |
18112700 |
Appl. No.: |
09/150233 |
Filed: |
September 10, 1998 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
379/142.1 ;
379/207.16 |
Current CPC
Class: |
H04M 19/041 20130101;
H04M 11/06 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
379/142.1 ;
379/207.16 |
International
Class: |
H04M 001/56; H04M
015/06; H04M 003/42 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Nov 20, 1997 |
JP |
9-319652 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A communication support system adapted to connect a telephone
unit through a transmission path of a communication control device
to a telephone network and adapted to connect a data processing
device through the communication control device to the telephone
network, comprising: a switching unit for connecting the telephone
unit through the transmission path to the telephone network when
the switching unit is set in a first state, and for disconnecting
the telephone unit from the telephone network by cutting off the
transmission path when the switching unit is set in a second state;
a ringer detection unit for detecting a ringer signal from the
telephone network; a determination unit for determining, in
response to the detection of the ringer signal by the ringer
detection unit, whether the switching unit is to be set in one of
the first state and the second state in accordance with first
switching control data stored in the data processing device; and a
switching control unit for controlling setting of the switching
unit in one of the first state and the second state in response to
a control signal, indicative of the determination, sent by the
determination unit.
2. The communication support system according to claim 1, further
comprising a timer for starting counting in response to the
detection of the ringer signal by the ringer detection unit, and
for outputting a time-out notification after the timer exceeds a
predetermined time, wherein, when the control signal is not sent by
the determination unit before the time-out notification is output
by the timer, the switching control unit controls the switching
unit so that the switching unit is set in the first state to
connect the telephone unit through the transmission path to the
telephone network.
3. The communication support system according to claim 1, further
comprising a caller ID detection unit for detecting a caller
identification signal from the telephone network, wherein the
determination unit determines, in response to the detection of the
caller identification signal by the caller ID detection unit,
whether the switching unit is to be set in one of the first state
and the second state in accordance with second switching control
data stored in the data processing device.
4. The communication support system according to claim 3, further
comprising a timer for starting counting in response to the
detection of the caller identification signal by the caller ID
detection unit, and for outputting a time-out notification after
the timer exceeds a predetermined time, wherein, when the control
signal is not sent by the determination unit before the time-out
notification is output by the timer, the switching control unit
controls the switching unit so that the switching unit is set in
the first state to connect the telephone unit through the
transmission path to the telephone network.
5. The communication support system according to claim 3, wherein,
when the ringer detection unit detects the ringer signal from the
telephone network and determines that the ringer signal is sent to
call the telephone unit, the switching control unit controls the
switching unit regardless of the control signal sent by the
determination unit, so that the switching unit is set in the first
state to connect the telephone unit through the transmission path
to the telephone network.
6. The communication support system according to claim 3, wherein,
when the ringer detection unit detects an activation signal from
the telephone network and determines that the activation signal is
sent prior to the ringer signal to notify the telephone unit of
incoming of the caller identification signal, the switching control
unit controls the switching unit regardless of the control signal
sent by the determination unit, so that the switching unit is set
in the first state and the activation signal is sent to the
telephone unit to ring the telephone unit.
7. The communication support system according to claim 1, further
comprising a timer for starting counting when a power switch of the
communication control device is turned ON, and for outputting a
time-out notification after the timer exceeds a predetermined time,
wherein, when the control signal is not sent by the determination
unit before the time-out notification is output by the timer, the
switching control unit controls the switching unit so that the
switching unit is set in the first state to connect the telephone
unit through the transmission path to the telephone network.
8. The communication support system according to claim 1, further
comprising a power supply unit for supplying power to the telephone
unit when the switching unit is set in the second state by the
switching control unit to cut off the transmission path and inhibit
supplying of power from the telephone network to the telephone
unit.
9. The communication support system according to claim 1, further
comprising: a ringer generator unit for generating a ringer signal
supplied to the telephone unit to output a ringing sound; and a
ringer determination unit for determining, in response to the
detection of the ringer signal by the ringer detection unit,
whether the ringer generator unit is to generate the ringer signal
in accordance with third switching control data stored in the data
processing device, wherein the ringer generator unit generates the
ringer signal and supplies the ringer signal to the telephone unit
in response to a ringer control signal, indicative of the
determination, sent by the ringer determination unit.
10. The communication support system according to claim 9, wherein
the ringer determination unit performs a ringing sound control
processing in which one of a plurality of predetermined ringer
patterns is specified in accordance with the third switching
control data, so that the telephone unit is allowed to ring out by
the specified ringer pattern.
11. A communication control device adapted to connect a telephone
unit through a transmission path to a telephone network and adapted
to connect a data processing device through the communication
control device to the telephone network, comprising: a switching
unit for connecting the telephone unit through the transmission
path to the telephone network when the switching unit is set in a
first state, and for disconnecting the telephone unit from the
telephone network by cutting off the transmission path when the
switching unit is set in a second state; a ringer detection unit
for detecting a ringer signal from the telephone network; and a
switching control unit for controlling setting of the switching
unit in one of the first state and the second state in response to
a control signal sent by the data processing device when the ringer
signal is detected by the ringer detection unit.
12. The communication control device according to claim 11, further
comprising a timer for starting counting in response to the
detection of the ringer signal by the ringer detection unit, and
for outputting a time-out notification after the timer exceeds a
predetermined time, wherein, when the control signal is not sent by
the data processing device before the time-out notification is
output by the timer, the switching control unit controls the
switching unit so that the switching unit is set in the first state
to connect the telephone unit through the transmission path to the
telephone network.
13. The communication control device according to claim 11, further
comprising a caller ID detection unit for detecting a caller
identification signal from the telephone network, wherein, when the
caller identification signal is detected by the caller ID detection
unit, the switching control unit controls the setting of the
switching unit in one of the first state and the second state in
response to the control signal sent by the data processing
device.
14. The communication control device according to claim 13, further
comprising a timer for starting counting in response to the
detection of the caller identification signal by the caller ID
detection unit, and for outputting a time-out notification after
the timer exceeds a predetermined time, wherein, when the control
signal is not sent by the data processing device before the
time-out notification is output by the timer, the switching control
unit controls the switching unit so that the switching unit is set
in the first state to connect the telephone unit through the
transmission path to the telephone network.
15. The communication control device according to claim 13,
wherein, when the ringer detection unit detects the ringer signal
from the telephone network and determines that the ringer signal is
sent to call the telephone unit, the switching control unit
controls the switching unit regardless of the control signal sent
by the data processing device, so that the switching unit is set in
the first state to connect the telephone unit through the
transmission path to the telephone network.
16. The communication control device according to claim 13,
wherein, when the ringer detection unit detects an activation
signal from the telephone network and determines that the
activation signal is sent prior to the ringer signal to notify the
telephone unit of incoming of the caller identification signal, the
switching control unit controls the switching unit regardless of
the control signal sent by the data processing device, so that the
switching unit is set in the first state and the activation signal
is sent to the telephone unit to ring the telephone unit.
17. The communication control device according to claim 11, further
comprising a timer for starting counting when a power switch of the
communication control device is turned ON, and for outputting a
time-out notification after the timer exceeds a predetermined time,
wherein, when the control signal is not sent by the data processing
device before the time-out notification is output by the timer, the
switching control unit controls the switching unit so that the
switching unit is set in the first state to connect the telephone
unit through the transmission path to the telephone network.
18. The communication control device according to claim 11, further
comprising a power supply unit for supplying power to the telephone
unit when the switching unit is set in the second state by the
switching control unit to cut off the transmission path and inhibit
supplying of power from the telephone network to the telephone
unit.
19. The communication control device according to claim 11, further
comprising a ringer generator unit for generating a ringer signal
supplied to the telephone unit to output a ringing sound, wherein
the ringer generator unit generates the ringer signal by a
specified one of a plurality of predetermined ringer patterns in
response to a ringer control signal sent by the data processing
device, and supplies the ringer signal to the telephone unit to
allow the telephone unit to ring out by the specified ringer
pattern.
20. A data processing device for a communication support system
which is adapted to connect a telephone unit through a transmission
path of a communication control device to a telephone network and
adapted to connect the data processing device through the
communication control device to the telephone network, the
communication control device comprising: a switching unit for
connecting the telephone unit through the transmission path to the
telephone network when the switching unit is set in a first state,
and for disconnecting the telephone unit from the telephone network
by cutting off the transmission path when the switching unit is set
in a second state; a ringer detection unit for detecting a ringer
signal from the telephone network; and a switching control unit for
controlling setting of the switching unit in one of the first state
and the second state in response to a control signal sent by the
data processing device, the data processing device comprising a
determination unit for determining, in response to the detection of
the ringer signal by the ringer detection unit, whether the
switching unit is to be set in one of the first state and the
second state in accordance with first switching control data stored
in the data processing device.
21. The data processing device according to claim 20, wherein the
determination unit determines, in response to detection of a caller
identification signal by the communication control device, whether
the switching unit is to be set in one of the first state and the
second state in accordance with second switching control data
stored in the data processing device.
22. The data processing device according to claim 20, wherein, when
a start notification is output by the communication control device
after a power switch is turned ON, the determination unit sends a
response notification to the communication control device.
23. The data processing device according to claim 20, further
comprising a ringer determination unit for determining, in response
to the detection of the ringer signal by the ringer detection unit,
whether the communication control device is to generate a ringer
signal in accordance with third switching control data stored in
the data processing device, wherein the ringer determination unit
sends a ringer control signal indicative of the determination to
the communication control device, so that the communication control
device generates the ringer signal by a specified one of a
plurality of predetermined ringer patterns in response to the
ringer control signal and supplies the ringer signal to the
telephone unit to allow the telephone unit to ring out by the
specified ringer pattern.
24. A computer readable medium storing program code for causing a
processor to execute a ringing sound control processing on a
communication control device in a communication support system
which is adapted to connect a telephone unit through a transmission
path of the communication control device to a telephone network and
adapted to connect a data processing device through the
communication control device to the telephone network, comprising:
first program code means for causing the processor to detect a
ringer signal from the telephone network by using a ringer
detection unit; and second program code means for causing the
processor to control setting of a switching unit in one of a first
state and a second state by using a switching control unit in
response to a control signal sent by the data processing device
when the ringer signal is detected.
25. The computer readable medium according to claim 24, further
comprising: third program code means for causing the processor to
start counting of a timer in response to the detection of the
ringer signal, and output a time-out notification by using the
timer after the timer exceeds a predetermined time, wherein, when
the control signal is not sent by the data processing device before
the time-out notification is output, said second program code means
controls the switching unit so that the switching unit is set in
the first state to connect the telephone unit through the
transmission path to the telephone network.
26. The computer readable medium according to claim 24, further
comprising: fourth program code means for causing the processor to
detect a caller identification signal from the telephone network by
using a caller ID detection unit, wherein, when the caller
identification signal is detected, said second program code means
controls the setting of the switching unit in one of the first
state and the second state in response to the control signal sent
by the data processing device.
27. The computer readable medium according to claim 26, further
comprising: fifth program code means for causing the processor to
start counting of a timer in response to the detection of the
caller identification signal, and output a time-out notification by
using the timer after the timer exceeds a predetermined time,
wherein, when the control signal is not sent by the data processing
device before the time-out notification is output, said second
program code means controls the switching unit so that the
switching unit is set in the first state to connect the telephone
unit through the transmission path to the telephone network.
28. The computer readable medium according to claim 26, wherein,
when the ringer detection unit detects the ringer signal from the
telephone network and determines that the ringer signal is sent to
call the telephone unit, said second program code means controls
the switching unit regardless of the control signal sent by the
data processing device, so that the switching unit is set in the
first state to connect the telephone unit through the transmission
path to the telephone network.
29. The computer readable medium according to claim 26, wherein,
when the ringer detection unit detects an activation signal from
the telephone network and determines that the activation signal is
sent prior to the ringer signal to notify the telephone unit of
incoming of the caller identification signal, said second program
code means controls the switching unit regardless of the control
signal sent by the data processing device, so that the switching
unit is set in the first state and the activation signal is sent to
the telephone unit to ring the telephone unit.
29-1. The computer readable medium according to claim 24, further
comprising: sixth program code means for causing the processor to
start counting of a timer when a power switch of the communication
control device is turned ON, and output a time-out notification by
using the timer after the timer exceeds a predetermined time,
wherein, when the control signal is not sent by the data processing
device before the time-out notification is output, said second
program code means controls the switching unit so that the
switching unit is set in the first state to connect the telephone
unit through the transmission path to the telephone network.
31. The computer readable medium according to claim 24, further
comprising: seventh program code means for causing the processor to
supply power to the telephone unit by using a power supply unit
when the switching unit is set in the second state by said second
program code means to cut off the transmission path.
32. The computer readable medium according to claim 24, further
comprising: eighth program code means for causing the processor to
generate a ringer signal by using a ringer generator unit, the
ringer signal being supplied to the telephone unit to output a
ringing sound, wherein said eighth program code means generates the
ringer signal by a specified one of a plurality of predetermined
ringer patterns in response to a ringer control signal sent by the
data processing device, and supplies the ringer signal to the
telephone unit to allow the telephone unit to ring out by the
specified ringer pattern.
33. A computer readable medium storing program code for causing a
first processor to execute a determination processing on the data
processing device in the communication support system in parallel
with the ringing sound control processing executed in accordance
with the computer readable medium according to claim 24,
comprising: ninth program code means for causing the first
processor to determine, in response to the detection of the ringer
signal by the ringer detection unit, whether the switching unit is
to be set in one of the first state and the second state in
accordance with first switching control data stored in the data
processing device.
34. The computer readable medium according to claim 33, wherein
said ninth program code means determines, in response to detection
of a caller identification signal by the communication control
device, whether the switching unit is to be set in one of the first
state and the second state in accordance with second switching
control data stored in the data processing device.
35. The computer readable medium according to claim 33, wherein,
when a start notification is output by the communication control
device after a power switch is turned ON, said ninth program code
means sends a response notification to the communication control
device.
36. The computer readable medium according to claim 33, further
comprising tenth program code means for causing the first processor
to determine, in response to the detection of the ringer signal by
the ringer detection unit, whether the communication control device
is to generate a ringer signal in accordance with third switching
control data stored in the data processing device, wherein said
tenth program code means sends a ringer control signal indicative
of the determination to the communication control device, so that
the communication control device generates the ringer signal by a
specified one of a plurality of predetermined ringer patterns in
response to the ringer control signal and supplies the ringer
signal to the telephone unit to allow the telephone unit to ring
out by the specified ringer pattern.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] (1) Field of the Invention
[0002] The present invention relates to a communication support
system adapted to connect a telephone unit and a data processing
device through a communication control device to a telephone
network, wherein a ringing sound control processing is performed in
response to a call from the telephone network to the telephone unit
by using the communication control device and the data processing
device. Further, the present invention relates to a computer
readable medium which stores program code instructions for causing
a processor to execute a ringing sound control processing in
response to a call from a telephone network to a telephone unit in
a communication support system.
[0003] In recent years, personal computers for home use are
becoming widespread and modems are 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 links through telephone lines. 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 in which a ringer signal
processing is performed upon incoming of a call from a telephone
network by using the personal computer having a built-in modem, in
order to provide computer-assisted telephone services for the
telephone user. However, in existing communication support systems,
the computer-assisted telephone services are provided only by
locally operating the data processing device, and the telephones
and the computers are separately used. It is desired to provide a
communication support system which allows the telephone user to
easily obtain such computer-assisted telephone services.
[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. Such a communication support
system is adapted to connect a telephone unit and a data processing
device through a communication control device to a telephone
network. The telephone unit is, for example, a telephone set. The
telephone network is, for example, a public switched telephone
network (PSTN) or an integrated services digital network (ISDN).
The application program is installed in the data processing device
to provide the telephone services, and the application program is
executed while the data processing device is connected through the
communication control device to the telephone unit. The data
processing device is, for example, a personal computer. The
communication control device is, for example, a modem or a terminal
adapter.
[0007] In the above-mentioned conventional system, the telephone
unit is always connected through the communication control device
to the telephone network regardless of whether a call from the
telephone network arrives at the telephone unit. The telephone unit
directly receives a ringer signal upon incoming of a call from the
telephone network, and outputs a ringing sound in accordance with
the ringer signal.
[0008] In the above-mentioned conventional system, the telephone
unit outputs a ringing sound upon incoming of a call from the
telephone network. It is impossible for the conventional
communication support system to control a ringing sound on/off in
response to the incoming call. In addition, it is impossible for
the conventional communication support system to carry out a
ringing sound control processing in which the telephone unit rings
out by one of a plurality of special ringer patterns in response to
the incoming call.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0009] An object of the present invention is to provide an improved
communication support system in which the above-mentioned problems
are eliminated.
[0010] Another object of the present invention is to provide a
communication support system which carries out a ringing sound
control processing and a determination processing in parallel
wherein the ringing sound on/off of the telephone unit is
controlled in response to the call from the telephone network, or
the telephone unit is controlled to ring out by a specified one of
a plurality of special ringer patterns.
[0011] Still another object of the present invention is to provide
a communication control device in the communication support system
in which the ringing sound on/off of the telephone unit is
controlled in response to the call from the telephone network, or
the telephone unit is controlled to ring out by a specified one of
a plurality of special ringer patterns.
[0012] A further object of the present invention is to provide a
computer readable medium in which the ringing sound on/off of the
telephone unit is controlled in response to the call from the
telephone network, or the telephone unit is controlled to ring out
by a specified one of a plurality of special ringer patterns.
[0013] The above-mentioned objects of the present invention are
achieved by a communication support system adapted to connect a
telephone unit through a transmission path of a communication
control device to a telephone network and adapted to connect a data
processing device through the communication control device to the
telephone network, the communication support system comprising: a
switching unit which connects the telephone unit through the
transmission path to the telephone network when the switching unit
is set in a first state, and disconnects the telephone unit from
the telephone network by cutting off the transmission path when the
switching unit is set in a second state; a ringer detection unit
which detects a ringer signal from the telephone network; a
determination unit which determines, in response to the detection
of the ringer signal by the ringer detection unit, whether the
switching unit is to be set in one of the first state and the
second state in accordance with first switching control data stored
in the data processing device; and a switching control unit which
controls setting of the switching unit in one of the first state
and the second state in response to a control signal, indicative of
the determination, sent by the determination unit.
[0014] The above-mentioned objects of the present invention are
achieved by a communication control device adapted to connect a
telephone unit through a transmission path to a telephone network
and adapted to connect a data processing device through the
communication control device to the telephone network, the
communication control device comprising: a switching unit which
connects the telephone unit through the transmission path to the
telephone network when the switching unit is set in a first state,
and disconnects the telephone unit from the telephone network by
cutting off the transmission path when the switching unit is set in
a second state; a ringer detection unit which detects a ringer
signal from the telephone network; and a switching control unit
which controls setting of the switching unit in one of the first
state and the second state in response to a control signal sent by
the data processing device when the ringer signal is detected.
[0015] The above-mentioned objects of the present invention are
achieved by a computer readable medium storing program code for
causing a processor to execute a ringing sound control processing
on a communication control device in a communication support system
which is adapted to connect a telephone unit through a transmission
path of the communication control device to a telephone network and
adapted to connect a data processing device through the
communication control device to the telephone network, the computer
readable medium comprising: first program code instructions which
cause the processor to detect a ringer signal from the telephone
network by using a ringer detection unit; and second program code
instructions which cause the processor to control setting of a
switching unit in one of a first state and a second state by using
a switching control unit in response to a control signal sent by
the data processing device when the ringer signal is detected.
[0016] The above-mentioned objects of the present invention are
achieved by a computer readable medium storing program code for
causing a first processor to execute a determination processing on
the data processing device in the communication support system in
parallel with the ringing sound control processing, the computer
readable medium comprising program code instructions which cause
the first processor to determine, in response to the detection of
the ringer signal by the ringer detection unit, whether the
switching unit is to be set in one of the first state and the
second state in accordance with first switching control data stored
in the data processing device.
[0017] In the communication support system of the present
invention, a ringing sound control processing routine and a
determination processing routine are carried out in parallel. It is
possible for the communication support system of the present
invention to effectively control the ringing sound on/off of the
telephone unit in response to the call from the telephone network.
In one embodiment of the communication support system of the
present invention, it is possible to set the ringing sound output
of the telephone unit in an OFF state and perform an answering
machine function when the ringer signal is sent from the telephone
network to the telephone unit at midnight.
[0018] In the communication support system of the present
invention, one of various ringing sound control processing routines
and one of various determination processing routines are carried
out by the communication control device and the data processing
device in parallel. It is possible for the communication support
system of the present invention to effectively control the
telephone unit so as to ring out by a specified one of a plurality
of special ringer patterns in response to the call from the
telephone network.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0019] 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:
[0020] FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an embodiment incorporating the
principles of the present invention;
[0021] FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a
first embodiment of a communication support system according to the
present invention;
[0022] FIG. 3 is a flowchart for explaining a ringing sound control
processing routine executed by a communication control device in
the communication support system of FIG. 2;
[0023] FIG. 4 is a flowchart for explaining a determination
processing routine executed by a data processing device in the
communication support system of FIG. 2;
[0024] FIG. 5 is a diagram for explaining an example of a first
switching control data table stored in the communication support
system of FIG. 2;
[0025] FIG. 6 is a flowchart for explaining a ringing sound control
processing routine executed by the communication control device in
the communication support system of FIG. 2;
[0026] FIG. 7 is a diagram for explaining a configuration of
elements of the data processing device in the communication support
system of FIG. 2;
[0027] FIG. 8 is a block diagram of another embodiment
incorporating the principles of the present invention;
[0028] FIG. 9 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a
second embodiment of the communication support system according to
the present invention;
[0029] FIG. 10 is a flowchart for explaining a ringing sound
control processing routine executed by a communication control
device in the communication support system of FIG. 9;
[0030] FIG. 11 is a flowchart for explaining a determination
processing routine executed by a data processing device in the
communication support system of FIG. 9;
[0031] FIG. 12 is a diagram for explaining an example of a second
switching control data table stored in the communication support
system of FIG. 9;
[0032] FIG. 13 is a flowchart for explaining a ringing sound
control processing routine executed by the communication control
device of FIG. 9;
[0033] FIG. 14 is a flowchart for explaining another ringing sound
control processing routine executed by the communication control
device of FIG. 9;
[0034] FIG. 15 is a flowchart for explaining a further ringing
sound control processing routine executed by the communication
control device of FIG. 9;
[0035] FIG. 16 is a flowchart for explaining another ringing sound
control processing routine executed by the communication control
device of FIG. 9;
[0036] FIG. 17 is a flowchart for explaining a determination
processing routine executed by the data processing device of FIG.
9;
[0037] FIG. 18 is a block diagram of a further embodiment
incorporating the principles of the present invention;
[0038] FIG. 19 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a
third embodiment of the communication support system according to
the present invention;
[0039] FIG. 20 is a flowchart for explaining a ringing sound
control processing routine executed by a communication control
device in the communication support system of FIG. 19;
[0040] FIG. 21 is a block diagram of another embodiment
incorporating the principles of the present invention;
[0041] FIG. 22 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a
fourth embodiment of the communication support system according to
the present invention;
[0042] FIG. 23 is a flowchart for explaining a ringing sound
control processing routine executed by a communication control
device in the communication support system of FIG. 22;
[0043] FIG. 24 is a diagram for explaining an example of a
plurality of special ringer patterns used to generate a ringer
signal;
[0044] FIG. 25 is a flowchart for explaining a determination
processing routine executed by a data processing device in the
communication support system of FIG. 22; and
[0045] FIG. 26 is a diagram for explaining an example of a third
switching control data table stored in the communication support
system of FIG. 22.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0046] 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.
[0047] FIG. 1 shows an embodiment of a communication support system
which incorporates the principles of the present invention.
[0048] As shown in FIG. 1, the communication support system
generally has a communication control device (hereinafter called
CCD) 1, a data processing device (hereinafter called DPD) 2, a
telephone unit (hereinafter called TU) 3, and a telephone network
(hereinafter called TN) 4. The communication support system is
adapted to connect the TU 3 through a transmission path of the CCD
1 to the TN 4 and adapted to connect the DPD 2 through the CCD 1 to
the TN 4.
[0049] The telephone unit (TU) 3 provides existing voice
transmission and reception functions and an existing dialing
function. The TU 3 may include a radio circuit and a cordless
telephone. The telephone network (TN) 4 is, for example, a public
switched telephone network. The data processing device (DPD) 2 is,
for example, a personal computer.
[0050] The communication control device (CCD) 1 includes a ringer
detection unit 11, a switching control unit 12, and a switching
unit 13. The CCD 1 provides a function to connect the TU 3 to the
TN 4 and provides a function to connect the DPD 2 to the TN 4. The
ringer detection unit 11 provides a function to detect a ringer
signal sent by the TN 4 to call the TU 3, and provides a function
to detect an activation signal sent by the TN 4 prior to the ringer
signal to notify the TU 3 of incoming of another signal. The
switching control unit 12 provides a function to control the
setting of the switching unit 13 in one of an ON state and an OFF
state in accordance with the detection of the ringer signal by the
ringer detection unit 11. The switching unit 13 provides a function
to connect the TU 3 to the TN 4 or disconnect the TU 3 from the TN
4 in accordance with the control by the switching control unit
12.
[0051] In the communication support system of FIG. 1, the switching
unit 13 connects the TU 3 through the transmission path of the CCD
1 to the TN 4 when the switching unit 13 is set in the ON state,
and disconnects the TU 3 from the TN 4 by cutting off the
transmission path when the switching unit 13 is set in the OFF
state. The ringer detection unit 11 detects a ringer signal from
the TN 4.
[0052] The DPD 2 includes a determination unit 21 which is
connected to the switching control unit 12 of the CCD 1. The
determination unit 21 determines, in response to the detection of
the ringer signal by the ringer detection unit 11, whether the
switching unit 13 is to be set in one of the ON state and the OFF
state in accordance with switching control data stored in the DPD
2.
[0053] In the CCD 1, the switching control unit 12 controls setting
of the switching unit 13 in one of the ON state and the OFF state
in response to a control signal, indicative of the determination,
sent by the determination unit 21 of the DPD 2. When the
determination unit 21 makes the determination that the switching
unit 13 is to be set in the ON state, in accordance with the
switching control data, the determination unit 21 sends the control
signal indicative of the determination to the CCD 1. The switching
control unit 12 sets the switching unit 13 in the ON state in
response to the control signal from the DPD 2, and the TU 3 is
connected through the transmission path to the TN 4. The TU 3
outputs a ringing sound in accordance with the ringer signal sent
by the TN 4.
[0054] Accordingly, in the communication support system of FIG. 1,
it is possible to control or the ringing sound on/off of the TU 3
in response to the ringer signal from the TN 4.
[0055] FIG. 2 shows a configuration of a first embodiment of a
communication support system according to the present invention.
The communication support system of FIG. 2 utilizes the embodiment
of FIG. 1. In the present embodiment, the communication support
system is capable of controlling a ringing sound on/off upon
incoming of a call from the telephone network.
[0056] As shown in FIG. 2, the communication support system of the
present embodiment generally has a telephone network 101, a
telephone unit 102, a modem 131, and a personal computer 108. In
FIG. 2, the telephone network 101, the telephone unit 102, the
modem 131, and the personal computer 108, respectively, correspond
to the TN 4, the TU 3, the CCD 1, and the DPD 2 in FIG. 1.
[0057] The telephone network 101 is, for example, a public switched
telephone network (PSTN), and hereinafter it will be called the TN
101. The telephone unit 102 is, for example, a home-use telephone
set which provides existing voice transmission and reception
functions and an existing dialing function. Hereinafter, the
telephone unit 102 will be called the TU 102. The TU 102 may
include a radio circuit and a cordless telephone. Also, the
personal computer 108 is, for example, a home-use personal
computer, and hereinafter it will be called the DPD 108.
[0058] As shown in FIG. 2, the communication support system of the
present embodiment is adapted to connect both the TU 102 and the
DPD 108 through the modem 131 to the TN 101. The modem 131 is
provided as the communication control device (DPD) in the
communication support system of the present embodiment.
[0059] In the modem 131 of the present embodiment, there are
provided a central processing unit (CPU) 103, a read-only memory
(ROM) 104, a random access memory (RAM) 105, a bus 106, a
personal-computer (PC) interface 107, a 2-line/4-line converter
unit 109, a modulation/demodulation unit 110, a 2-line/4-line
converter unit 111, a modulation/ demodulation unit 112, a direct
current (DC) detection unit 113, a relay 114, a relay control unit
115, a relay 116, a relay control unit 117, a ringer detection unit
118, and a timer 130. The modem 131 is capable of connecting the TU
102 to the TN 101 and disconnecting the TU 102 from the TN 101
through the relay 114 by using the CPU 103 and the relay control
unit 115 and in accordance with a switching control signal supplied
from the DPD 108.
[0060] In the present embodiment, when a power switch (not shown)
of the communication support system and a power switch (not shown)
of the modem 131 are turned ON, the relay 114 is initially set in
an OFF state to cut off a transmission path 124 which connects the
TN 101 and the TU 102 within the modem 131, so that the TU 102 is
disconnected from the TN 101 by the relay 114.
[0061] In the modem 131 of the present embodiment, the CPU 103
receives signals from the elements of the modem 131 interconnected
by the bus 106, and controls the elements of the modem 131 in
accordance with the received signals. The CPU 103 executes a
ringing sound control processing routine in which the relay control
unit 115 is controlled so that the relay control unit 115 sets the
relay 114 in an ON state or in an OFF state so as to connect the TU
102 to the TN 101 or disconnect the TU 102 from the TN 101
depending on the ON/OFF state of the relay 114.
[0062] The ROM 104 provides a storage area for storing the ringing
sound control processing program executed by the CPU 103. The RAM
105 provides a storage area for storing control data and parameters
used by the CPU 103 when the ringing sound control processing
program is executed. The PC interface 107 provides a command
interface between the DPD 108 and the bus 106 of the modem 131. For
example, the DPD 108 issues a command to the CPU 103, and the
command from the DPD 108 is transmitted through the PC interface
107 and the bus 106 to the CPU 103.
[0063] The 2-line/4-line converter unit 109 and the
modulation/demodulation unit 110 provide a data modem function of
the modem 131, which does not relate to the communication support
system of the present embodiment. The 2-line/4-line converter unit
111 and the modulation/demodulation unit 112 provide a voice modem
function of the modem 131, which does not relate to the
communication support system of the present embodiment. The DC
detection unit 113 monitors a change of direct current (DC) flowing
through the TU 102 from an ON state to an OFF state. When such a
change in the direct current flowing through the TU 102 is
detected, the DC detection unit 113 recognizes an off-hook state of
the TU 102. The DC detection unit 113 notifies the CPU 103 that the
TU is set in the off-hook state.
[0064] The relay control unit 115 provides a function to control
the setting of the relay 114 in one of the ON state and the OFF
state under the control of the CPU 103. The relay control unit 115
corresponds to the switching control unit 12 in the embodiment of
FIG. 1.
[0065] The relay 114 is a switching device which functions under
the control of the relay control unit 115. That is, the relay 114
functions to connect the TU 102 through the transmission path 124
to the TN 101, and functions to disconnect the TU 102 from the TN
101 by cutting off the transmission path 124. More specifically,
when the relay 114 is set in the ON state by the relay control unit
115, the TU 102 is connected to the TN 101 through the transmission
path 124 within the modem 131. When the relay 114 is set in the OFF
state by the relay control unit 115, the transmission path 124
within the modem 131 is cut off and the TU 102 is disconnected from
the TN 101. Hence, the relay 114 is switched in the ON state to
connect the TU 102 through the transmission path 124 to the TN 101
in a certain condition, and otherwise the relay 114 is switched in
the OFF state to cut off the transmission path 124 and disconnect
the TU 102 from the TN 101. The relay 114 corresponds to the
switching unit 13 in the embodiment of FIG. 1.
[0066] The relay control unit 117 provides a function to control
the setting of the relay 116 in one of an ON state and an OFF state
under the control of the CPU 103. The relay 116 is a switching
device which functions under the control of the relay control unit
117. That is, the relay 116 functions to connect a voice signal
transmission path between the DPD 108 and the TU 102 when the voice
modem function of the modem 131 is performed with the
modulation/demodulation unit 112 and the 2-line/4-line converter
unit 111. Otherwise the relay 116 functions to cut off the voice
signal transmission path between the DPD 108 and the TU 102.
[0067] The ringer detection unit 118 provides a function to detect
a ringer signal sent by the TN 101 to call the TU 102, and a
function to detect an activation signal sent by the TN 101 prior to
the ringer signal to notify the TU 102 of incoming of another
signal. The ringer detection unit 118 corresponds to the ringer
detection unit 11 in the embodiment of FIG. 1.
[0068] In the present embodiment, the ringer detection unit 118
determines whether a signal from the TN 101 is the ringer signal or
the activation signal by detecting the characteristics of the
waveform of the received signal. For example, the ringer signal,
sent by the TN 101 to call the TU 102, has a waveform of 16 Hz, 75
V rms, and the ringer signal periodically turns ON for one second
and turns OFF for two seconds. For example, the activation signal,
sent by the TN 101 prior to the ringer signal to notify the TU 102
of incoming of a caller identification signal (which will be
described later), has a waveform of 16 Hz, 75 V rms, and the
activation signal periodically turns ON for 0.5 seconds and turns
OFF for 0.5 seconds.
[0069] The timer 130 starts counting in response to detection of a
ringer signal from the TN 101 by the ringer detection unit 118, and
notifies the CPU 103 of the detection immediately after the timer
130 exceeds a predetermined time. Hence, the CPU 103 detects that
the incoming call from the TN 101 has occurred, based on the
notification sent to the CPU 103 by the timer 130 when the
predetermined time has elapsed after the ringer signal was detected
by the ringer detection unit 118.
[0070] In the communication support system of the present
embodiment, the personal computer 108 (or the DPD 108) has a
configuration shown in FIG. 7.
[0071] As shown in FIG. 7, the DPD 108 generally has a control unit
301 (including a CPU), a memory unit 302, a display unit 303, an
input unit 304, a CD-ROM drive unit 305, a disk storage 306, and a
communication unit 307. The above elements of the DPD 108 are
interconnected by a system bus A.
[0072] In the DPD 108 of FIG. 7, a determination processing
procedure related to the switching control of the modem 131 is
performed. When a ringer signal from the TN 101 is detected by the
modem 131, the determination processing procedure is performed by
the control unit 301 (or the CPU) in accordance with switching
control data stored in the memory unit 302. By the determination
processing procedure, the control unit 301 determines whether the
relay 114 in the modem 131 is to be switched to one of the ON state
and the OFF state in accordance with the switching control
data.
[0073] In the DPD 108 of FIG. 7, the control unit 301 executes a
determination processing program related to the switching control
of the modem 131. When a ringer signal from the TN 101 is detected
by the modem 131, the determination processing program is executed
by the control unit 301 in accordance with the switching control
data stored in the memory unit 302. By the determination processing
program, the control unit 301 determines whether the relay 114 in
the modem 131 is to be switched to one of the ON state and the OFF
state in accordance with the switching control data. The control
unit 301 corresponds to the determination unit 21 in the embodiment
of FIG. 1.
[0074] The memory unit 302 includes a ROM (not shown) and a RAM
(not shown). The ROM of the memory unit 302 provide a storage area
for storing the determination processing program executed by the
control unit 301. The RAM of the memory unit 302 provides a storage
area for storing control data and parameters used by the control
unit 301 when the determination processing program is executed.
[0075] The display unit 303 includes a cathode-ray-tube (CRT)
monitor or a liquid-crystal-display (LCD) monitor. The display unit
303 provides a function to display various kinds of control
information on the CRT or LCD monitor.
[0076] The input unit 304 includes a keyboard, a mouse, and other
input devices. The communication unit 307 provides a function to
receive a notification of various events sent by the modem 131, and
provides a function to transmit various control signals to the
modem 131. The system bus A of the DPD 108 is connected to the
modem 131 through the PC interface 107 to allow the communication
unit 307 to provide the receiving and transmission functions.
[0077] When the DPD 108 in the communication support system of the
present embodiment is constructed, a CD-ROM (compact-disk read-only
memory) 400 or a CD-ROM 500 is set in the CD-ROM drive unit 305. In
the CD-ROM 400, the determination processing program is
pre-recorded. In the CD-ROM 500, the ringing sound control
processing program is pre-recorded.
[0078] When the DPD 108 in the communication support system of the
present embodiment is constructed, the CD-ROM 400 is set in the
CD-ROM drive unit 305, and the determination processing program is
read from the CD-ROM 400 by using the CD-ROM drive unit 305 and
installed into the disk storage 306 by the control unit 301. When
the personal computer (DPD) 108 starts up, the determination
processing program is read from the disk storage 306 and loaded
into the memory unit 302. With the DPD 108 in such a condition,
when a ringer signal from the TN 101 is detected by the modem 131,
the determination processing program is executed by the control
unit 301 in accordance with the switching control data stored in
the memory unit 302.
[0079] In the communication support system of the present
invention, the determination processing program (or one of the
flowcharts of FIGS. 4, 11, 17, and 25) related to the determination
of the switching control of the modem 131 is program code
instructions stored in the CD-ROM 400. The CD-ROM 400 corresponds
to a computer readable medium in the claims. The computer readable
medium includes any one of instruction storage devices, such as,
for example, magnetic disks including floppy disks, optical disks,
magneto-optical disks including MOs, semiconductor memory cards,
such as PC cards and miniature cards, and other types of computer
usable devices and media.
[0080] Further, in the present embodiment, the memory unit 302 of
the DPD 108 may store encoded or non-encoded instructions. The
instructions may be installed from a floppy disk instead of the
CD-ROM 400 to the disk storage 306 of the DPD 108 first,
transferred to the ROM or RAM of the memory unit 302 and then read
by the control unit 301. Such a memory of the DPD 108 may store
either all or part of the program code instructions related to the
determination processing program. Alternatively, the program code
instructions of the determination processing program may be
installed in the ROM 104 of the modem 131. In such a case, the ROM
104 corresponds to a computer readable medium in the claims.
[0081] When the DPD 108 in the communication support system of the
present embodiment is constructed, the CD-ROM 500 is set in the
CD-ROM drive unit 305, and the ringing sound control processing
program is read from the CD-ROM 500 by the control unit 301 by
using the CD-ROM drive unit 305, and downloaded into the ROM 104
and the RAM 105 of the modem 131 by the control unit 301 and the
CPU 103 through the system bus A, the PC interface 107, and the bus
106. With the modem 131 in such a condition, when a ringer signal
from the TN 101 is detected by the modem 131, the ringing sound
control processing program is executed by the CPU 103 which
controls the relay control unit 115 so that the relay control unit
115 sets the relay 114 in one of the ON state and the OFF state so
as to connect the TU 102 to the TN 101 or disconnect the TU 102
from the TN 101 depending on the ON/OFF state of the relay 114.
[0082] In the communication support system of the present
invention, the ringing sound control processing program (or one of
the flowcharts of FIGS. 3, 6, 10, 13-16, 20, and 23) is program
code instructions stored in the CD-ROM 500. The CD-ROM 500
corresponds to a computer readable medium in the claims. The
computer readable medium includes any one of instruction storage
devices, such as, for example, magnetic disks including floppy
disks, optical disks, magneto-optical disks including MOs,
semiconductor memory cards, such as PC cards and miniature cards,
and other types of computer usable devices and media.
[0083] Further, in the present embodiment, the ROM 104 and the RAM
105 of the modem 131 may store encoded or non-encoded instructions.
The instructions may be installed from a floppy disk instead of the
CD-ROM 500 to the disk storage 306 of the DPD 108 first,
transferred to the ROM 104 or RAM 105 of the modem 131 and then
read by the CPU 103. Such a memory of the modem 131 may store
either all or part of the program code instructions related to the
ringing sound control processing program.
[0084] Next, a description will be given of various routines
performed by the communication control device or the data
processing device in the communication support system of FIG. 2
with reference to FIG. 3 through FIG. 6.
[0085] FIG. 3 shows a ringing sound control processing routine
executed by the communication control device (or the modem 131) in
the communication support system of FIG. 2. The ringing sound
control processing routine of FIG. 3 may be provided in the modem
131 by using the CD-ROM 500.
[0086] As shown in FIG. 3, at the start of the ringing sound
control processing, the program code instructions cause the CPU 103
to be initialized and placed in an idle state (S1). Various
registers and variables of the modem 131 are initialized, and the
relay 114 is initially set in the OFF state. During the idle state,
the CPU 103 waits for an event. The event includes the detection of
a ringer signal by the ringer detection unit 118, the detection of
an off-hook state of the TU 102 by the DC detection unit 113, and
the reception of a control signal sent by the DPD 108.
[0087] With the modem 131 in such a condition, when any event has
occurred, the program code instructions cause the CPU 103 to
analyze the event (S2). When a call from the TN 101 is incoming,
the ringer detection unit 118 detects the ringer signal from the TN
101 and notifies the CPU 103 of the detection of the ringer signal.
The program code instructions cause the CPU 103 to determine
whether the received signal from the TN 101 is the ringer signal
sent to call the TU 102, by detecting the characteristics of the
waveform of the received signal by using the ringer detection unit
118 (S3).
[0088] When the result at the step S3 is negative, the program code
instructions cause the CPU 103 to go back to the step S2. When the
result at the step S3 is affirmative, the program code instructions
cause the CPU 103 to send a notification of the detection of the
ringer signal to the DPD 108 through the PC interface 107 (S4).
After the step S4 is performed, the CPU 103 goes back to the step
S2.
[0089] When the reception of a control signal sent by the DPD 108
has occurred in the step S2, the program code instructions cause
the CPU 103 to analyze the control signal (S5). When it is detected
as the result of the step S5 that the control signal indicates the
determination to set the relay 114 in the ON state, the program
code instructions cause the CPU 103 to control the relay control
unit 115 so that the relay control unit 115 sets the relay 114 in
the ON state to connect the TU 102 through the transmission path
124 of the modem 131 to the TN 101 (S6). When the control signal
does not indite the determination, the program code instructions
cause the CPU 103 to perform a corresponding procedure for the
control signal. After the step S6 is performed, the CPU 103 goes
back to the step S2.
[0090] In the communication support system of the present
embodiment, the relay 114 is set in the ON state upon incoming of
the call from the TN 101 by the above ringing sound control
processing, and the TU 102 is connected through the transmission
path 124 to the TN 101. Hence, the TU 102 outputs a ringing sound
in response to the ringer signal from the TN 101.
[0091] FIG. 4 shows a determination processing routine executed by
the data processing device (or the DPD 108) in the communication
support system of FIG. 2. The determination processing routine of
FIG. 4 may be provided in the DPD 108 by using the CD-ROM 400.
[0092] As shown in FIG. 4, at the start of the determination
processing, the program code instructions cause the control unit
301 to be initialized and placed in an idle state (S11). Various
registers and variables of the DPD 108 are initialized. During the
idle state, the control unit 301 waits for an event. The event
includes the notification of the detection of a ringer signal sent
to the DPD 108 by the modem 131.
[0093] With the DPD 108 in such a condition, when an event has
occurred, the program code instructions cause the control unit 301
to analyze the event (S12). When the notification of the detection
of the ringer signal is sent to the DPD 108 by the modem 131, the
program code instructions cause the control unit 301 to determine
whether the relay 114 of the modem 131 is to be set in one of the
ON state and the OFF state in accordance with a first switching
control data table stored in the memory unit 302 (S13).
[0094] FIG. 5 shows an example of the first switching control data
table stored in the memory unit 302 of the DPD 108. As shown in
FIG. 5, in the first switching control data table, a correlation
between readout of an internal timer of the personal computer 108
at the time (S13) of the detection of the ringer signal and
switching control for setting the relay 114 in one of the ON state
and the OFF state is defined. In the example of FIG. 5, when the
readout of the internal timer of the DPD 108 upon incoming of a
call from the TN 101 is between 0:00 and 6:00, the determination is
made by the control unit 301 to set the relay 114 in the OFF state.
When the readout of the internal timer of the DPD 108 upon incoming
of a call from the TN 101 is between 6:00 and 24:00, the
determination is made by the control unit 301 to set the relay 114
in the ON state. Hence, it is possible for the communication
support system of the present embodiment to set the ringing sound
output of the TU 102 in an OFF state when a call is sent from the
TN 101 to the TU 102 at midnight, and set the ringing sound output
of the TU 102 in an ON state when a call is sent during other time
periods.
[0095] In the step S13, when the readout of the internal timer of
the DPD 108 at the time of the notification of the detection of the
ringer signal is between 6:00 and 24:00, the determination is made
by the control unit 301 to set the relay 114 in the ON state in
accordance with the first switching control data table of FIG. 5.
In this case, the program code instructions cause the control unit
301 to send a control signal indicative of the determination to the
modem 131 through the PC interface 107 (S14).
[0096] On the other hand, when the readout of the internal timer of
the DPD 108 at the time of the notification of the detection of the
ringer signal is between 0:00 and 6:00, the determination in the
step S13 is made by the control unit 301 to set the relay 114 in
the OFF state in accordance with the first switching control data
table of FIG. 5. In this case, the program code instructions cause
the control unit 301 to send a control signal indicative of the
determination to the modem 131 through the PC interface 107 and
start performing an answering machine function (S15). In the modem
131, the relay 114 is set in the OFF state, and the TU 102 is
disconnected from the TN 101 by cutting off the transmission path
124. The DPD 108 transmits a pre-recorded answering message to the
TN 101 through the PC interface 107 during the performance of the
answering machine function.
[0097] After the step S14 or the step S15 is performed, the program
code instructions cause the control unit 301 to go back to the step
S12.
[0098] FIG. 6 shows another ringing sound control processing
routine executed by the communication control device (or the modem
131) in the communication support system of FIG. 2. The ringing
sound control processing routine of FIG. 6 may be provided in the
modem 131 by using the CD-ROM 500.
[0099] As shown in FIG. 6, at the start of the ringing sound
control processing, the program code instructions cause the CPU 103
to be initialized and placed in an idle state (S21). The various
registers and variables of the modem 131 are initialized, and the
relay 114 is initially set in the OFF state. During the idle state,
the CPU 103 waits for an event. The event includes the detection of
a ringer signal by the ringer detection unit 118, the detection of
an off-hook state of the TU 102 by the DC detection unit 113, the
reception of a control signal sent by the DPD 108, and the
reception of a time-out notification output by the timer 130.
[0100] With the modem 131 in such a condition, when an event has
occurred, the program code instructions cause the CPU 103 to
analyze the event (S22). When a call from the TN 101 is incoming,
the ringer detection unit 118 detects the ringer signal from the TN
101 and notifies the CPU 103 of the detection of the ringer signal.
The program code instructions cause the CPU 103 to determine
whether the received signal from the TN 101 is the ringer signal
sent to call the TU 102, by detecting the characteristics of the
waveform of the received signal by using the ringer detection unit
118 (S23).
[0101] When the result at the step S23 is negative, the program
code instructions cause the CPU 103 to go back to the step S22.
When the result at the step S23 is affirmative, the program code
instructions cause the CPU 103 to send a notification of the
detection of the ringer signal to the DPD 108 through the PC
interface 107 (S24). Further, the program code instructions cause
the CPU 103 to activate the timer 130 so as to start counting in
response to the detection of the ringer signal by the ringer
detection unit 118 (S25). The timer 130 outputs a time-out
notification to the CPU 103 after the timer 130 exceeds a
predetermined time. In the present embodiment, the predetermined
time of the timer 130 is set at three seconds. After the step S25
is performed, the CPU 103 goes back to the step S22.
[0102] When the reception of a control signal sent by the DPD 108
has occurred in the step S22, the program code instructions cause
the CPU 103 to deactivate the timer 130 so as to stop counting at
the reception of the control signal (S26). Further, the program
code instructions cause the CPU 103 to analyze the control signal
(S27). When it is detected as the result of the step S27 that the
control signal indicates the determination to set the relay 114 in
the ON state, the program code instructions cause the CPU 103 to
control the relay control unit 115 so that the relay control unit
115 sets the relay 114 in the ON state to connect the TU 102
through the transmission path 124 of the modem 131 to the TN 101
(S28). When the control signal does not indicate the determination,
the program code instructions cause the CPU 103 to perform a
corresponding procedure for the control signal. After the step S28
is performed, the CPU 103 goes back to the step S22.
[0103] Further, in the present embodiment, when the reception of
the time-out notification output by the timer 130 has occurred in
the step S22, the program code instructions cause the CPU 103 to
perform the step S28. The steps S26 and S27 are not performed. In
this case, the CPU 103 receives no control signal from the DPD 108
after the predetermined time of the timer 130 has elapsed. The CPU
103 forcefully controls the relay control unit 115 so that the
relay control unit 115 sets the relay 114 in the ON state to
connect the TU 102 through the transmission path 124 of the modem
131 to the TN 101.
[0104] In the communication support system of the present
embodiment, the relay 114 is set in the ON state upon incoming of
the call from the TN 101 by either the control signal sent by the
DPD 108 or the forceful switching control by the CPU 103, and the
TU 102 is connected through the transmission path 124 to the TN
101. Hence, the TU 102 outputs a ringing sound in response to the
ringer signal from the TN 101.
[0105] Accordingly, by performing the determination processing
routine of FIG. 4 on the DPD 108 and one of the ringing sound
control processing routines of FIG. 3 and FIG. 6 on the modem 131
in a parallel manner, it is possible for the communication support
system of the present embodiment to control the ringing sound
on/off of the TU 102 in response to the ringer signal from the TN
101. For example, it is possible to set the ringing sound output of
the TU 102 in the OFF state and perform the answering machine
function when a call is sent from the TN 101 to the TU 102 at
midnight.
[0106] Next, FIG. 8 shows another embodiment of the communication
support system incorporating the principles of the present
invention.
[0107] As shown in FIG. 8, the communication support system
includes a caller ID detection unit 14 provided in the CCD 1, in
addition to the elements of the embodiment of FIG. 1. In FIG. 8,
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.
[0108] In the embodiment of FIG. 8, the caller ID detection unit 14
detects a caller identification (CID) signal sent to the CCD 1 by
the TN 4 prior to a ringer signal, and notifies the DPD 2 of the
detection of the CID signal from the TN 4.
[0109] Similar to the embodiment of FIG. 1, in the communication
support system of FIG. 8, the switching unit 13 connects the TU 3
through the transmission path of the CCD 1 to the TN 4 when the
switching unit 13 is set in the ON state, and disconnects the TU 3
from the TN 4 by cutting off the transmission path when the
switching unit 13 is set in the OFF state. The ringer detection
unit 11 detects a ringer signal from the TN 4.
[0110] The DPD 2 includes the determination unit 21 which is
connected to the switching control unit 12 of the CCD 1. Hence, the
determination unit 21 of FIG. 8 is capable of carrying out the same
function as the determination unit 21 in the embodiment of FIG.
1.
[0111] In addition, the determination unit 21 is connected to the
caller ID detection unit 14 of the CCD 1 via an interface (not
shown in FIG. 8) between the DPD 2 and the CCD 1. In the present
embodiment, the determination unit 21 determines, in response to
the detection of the CID signal by the caller ID detection unit 14,
whether the switching unit 13 is to be set in one of the ON state
and the OFF state in accordance with a second switching control
data table stored in the DPD 2. See FIG. 12 for the second
switching control data table, which will be described later.
[0112] In the CCD 1, the switching control unit 12 controls the
setting of the switching unit 13 in one of the ON state and the OFF
state in response to a control signal, indicative of the
determination, sent by the determination unit 21 of the DPD 2. When
the determination unit 21 makes the determination that the
switching unit 13 is to be set in the ON state, in accordance with
the second switching control data table, the determination unit 21
sends the control signal indicative of the determination to the CCD
1. The switching control unit 12 sets the switching unit 13 in the
ON state in response to the control signal from the DPD 2. In this
condition, the TU 3 is connected through the transmission path to
the TN 4. Since a ringer signal is sent to the CCD 1 by the TN 4
following the CID signal, the TU 3 outputs a ringing sound in
accordance with the ringer signal sent by the TN 4.
[0113] Accordingly, in the communication support system of FIG. 8,
it is possible to control the ringing sound on/off of the TU 3 in
response to the CID signal sent by the TN 4 prior to the ringer
signal. Further, it is possible for the communication support
system of FIG. 8 to control the ringing sound on/off of the TU 3 in
response to the ringer signal sent by the TN 4. Hence, the
communication support system of FIG. 8 can control the ringing
sound on/off of the telephone unit in response to a call (either
the CID signal or the ringer signal) from the telephone
network.
[0114] FIG. 9 shows a configuration of a second embodiment of the
communication support system according to the present invention.
The communication support system of FIG. 9 utilizes the embodiment
of FIG. 8. In the present embodiment, the communication support
system is capable of controlling a ringing sound on/off of the
telephone unit in response to a call from the telephone
network.
[0115] In FIG. 9, the elements which are the same as corresponding
elements in FIG. 2 are designated by the same reference numerals,
and a description thereof will be omitted.
[0116] As shown in FIG. 9, the communication support system of the
present embodiment includes a caller ID detection unit 119 provided
in the modem 131, in addition to the elements of the embodiment of
FIG. 2. The caller ID detection unit 119 provides a function to
detect a caller identification signal (or CID signal) sent by the
TN 101 prior to a ringer signal. The caller ID detection unit 119
corresponds to the caller ID detection unit 14 in the embodiment of
FIG. 8. The DC detection unit 113 provides a function to detect an
off-hook state of the TU 102. The ringer detection unit 118
provides a function to detect a ringer signal from the TN 101.
Other elements of the modem 131 provide functions which are the
same as the functions of the corresponding elements of the
embodiment of FIG. 2.
[0117] In the communication support system of the present
embodiment, the personal computer 108 (or the DPD 108) has the
configuration shown in FIG. 7. The DPD 108 of FIG. 9 has the
elements which are the same as corresponding elements of the DPD
108 of FIG. 7, and a description thereof will be omitted.
[0118] Similar to the embodiment of FIG. 2, in the communication
support system of the present embodiment, a ringing sound control
processing routine of FIG. 10 and a determination processing
routine of FIG. 11 are executed by the modem 131 and the DPD 108 in
parallel. In the present embodiment, it is possible to control the
ringing sound on/off of the TU 102 in response to a call from the
TN 101.
[0119] FIG. 10 shows a ringing sound control processing routine
executed by the communication control device (or the modem 131) in
the communication support system of FIG. 9. The ringing sound
control processing routine of FIG. 10 may be provided in the modem
131 by using the CD-ROM 500.
[0120] As shown in FIG. 10, at the start of the ringing sound
control processing, the program code instructions cause the CPU 103
to be initialized and placed in an idle state (S31). The registers
and variables of the modem 131 are initialized, and the relay 114
is initially set in the OFF state. During the idle state, the CPU
103 waits for an event. The event includes the detection of a
ringer signal by the ringer detection unit 118, the detection of a
CID signal by the caller ID detection unit 119, the detection of an
off-hook state of the TU 102 by the DC detection unit 113, and the
reception of a control signal sent by the DPD 108.
[0121] With the modem 131 in such a condition, when an event has
occurred, the program code instructions cause the CPU 103 to
analyze the event (S32). When a call from the TN 101 is incoming,
the caller ID detection unit 119 detects a CID signal from the TN
101 and notifies the CPU 103 of the detection of the CID signal. In
this case, the program code instructions cause the CPU 103 to send
a CID notification to the DPD 108 through the PC interface 107
(S33). After the step S33 is performed, the CPU 103 goes back to
the step S32.
[0122] In a case in which a caller identification notification
service is not used by the telephone user, the CID signal is not
sent from the TN 101 and only a ringer signal is sent from the TN
101 upon incoming of a call. In this case, the ringer detection
unit 118 detects a ringer signal from the TN 101 and notifies the
CPU 103 of the detection of the ringer signal. The program code
instructions cause the CPU 103 to determine whether the received
signal from the TN 101 is the ringer signal sent to call the TU
102, by detecting the characteristics of the waveform of the
received signal by using the ringer detection unit 118 (S36). The
CPU 103 performs the step S36 in the same manner as the steps S3
and S4 in the embodiment of FIG. 3. That is, when the result at the
step S36 is negative, the program code instructions cause the CPU
103 to go back to the step S32. When the result at the step S36 is
affirmative, the program code instructions cause the CPU 103 to
send a ringer notification to the DPD 108 through the PC interface
107. After the step S36 is performed, the CPU 103 goes back to the
step S32.
[0123] When the reception of a control signal sent by the DPD 108
has occurred in the step S32, the program code instructions cause
the CPU 103 to analyze the control signal (S34). When it is
detected as the result of the step S34 that the control signal
indicates the determination to set the relay 114 in the ON state,
the program code instructions cause the CPU 103 to control the
relay control unit 115 so that the relay control unit 115 sets the
relay 114 in the ON state to connect the TU 102 through the
transmission path 124 to the TN 101 (S35). In this condition, the
TU 102 is connected through the transmission path 124 to the TN
101. Since a ringer signal is sent by the TN 101 following the CID
signal, the TU 102 outputs a ringing sound in accordance with the
ringer signal from the TN 101. In another case, the program code
instructions cause the CPU 103 to perform a corresponding procedure
for the control signal. After the step S35 is performed, the CPU
103 goes back to the step S32.
[0124] FIG. 11 shows a determination processing routine executed by
the data processing device (or the DPD 108) in the communication
support system of FIG. 9. The determination processing routine of
FIG. 11 may be provided in the DPD 108 by using the CD-ROM 400.
[0125] As shown in FIG. 11, at the start of the determination
processing, the program code instructions cause the control unit
301 to be initialized and placed in an idle state (S41). The
registers and variables of the DPD 108 are initialized. During the
idle state, the control unit 301 waits for an event. The event
includes the reception of a ringer notification from the modem 131,
and the reception of a CID notification from the modem 131.
[0126] With the DPD 108 in such a condition, when an event has
occurred, the program code instructions cause the control unit 301
to analyze the event (S42). When a CID notification from the modem
131 is received at the step S42, the program code instructions
cause the control unit 301 to determine whether the relay 114 of
the modem 131 is to be set in one of the ON state and the OFF state
in accordance with the second switching control data table (FIG.
12) stored in the DPD 108 (S43).
[0127] FIG. 12 shows an example of the second switching control
data table stored in the memory unit 302 of the DPD 108 of FIG. 9.
As shown in FIG. 12, in the second switching control data table, a
correlation between a caller ID (the phone number), a caller
profile (the caller name), and switching control for setting the
relay 114 in one of the ON state and the OFF state is defined for
each of a plurality of predetermined caller IDs. The caller ID (the
phone number) is given to the control unit 301 by the CID
notification from the modem 131. In the example of FIG. 12, when
the caller ID given to the control unit 301 at the step S43 matches
with "044-AAA-BBBB" in the second switching control data table, the
determination is made by the control unit 301 to set the relay 114
in the ON state. When the caller ID matches with "078-CCC-DDDD" in
the second switching control data table, the determination is made
by the control unit 301 to set the relay 114 in the OFF state.
Hence, it is possible for the communication support system of the
present embodiment to set the ringing sound output of the TU 102 in
an ON state only when a call is sent from the TN 101 by a specific
caller, and set the ringing sound output of the TU 102 in an OFF
state when a call is sent from the TN 101 by callers other than the
specific one.
[0128] In the step S43, when the caller ID of the CID notification
matches with, for example, "044-AAA-BBBB", the determination is
made by the control unit 301 to set the relay 114 in the ON state
in accordance with the second switching control data table of FIG.
12. In this case, the program code instructions cause the control
unit 301 to send a control signal indicative of the determination
to the modem 131 through the PC interface 107 (S44).
[0129] On the other hand, when the caller ID of the CID
notification matches with, for example, "078-CCC-DDDD", the
determination at the step S43 is made by the control unit 301 to
set the relay 114 in the OFF state in accordance with the second
switching control data table of FIG. 12. In this case, the program
code instructions cause the control unit 301 to send a control
signal indicative of the determination to the modem 131 through the
PC interface 107 and starts performing an answering machine
function (S45). In the modem 131, the relay 114 is set in the OFF
state, and the TU 102 is disconnected from the TN 101 by cutting
off the transmission path 124. In the step S45, the DPD 108
transmits a pre-recorded answering message to the TN 101 through
the PC interface 107 by the performance of the answering machine
function.
[0130] After the step S44 or the step S45 is performed, the control
unit 301 goes back to the step S42.
[0131] When a ringer notification from the modem 131 is received at
the step S42, the program code instructions cause the control unit
301 to determine whether the relay 114 of the modem 131 is to be
set in one of the ON state and the OFF state in accordance with the
first switching control data table (FIG. 5) stored in the DPD 108
(S46). In this case, the control unit 301 performs the step S46 in
the same manner as the steps S13, S14 and S15 in the embodiment of
FIG. 4. A duplicate description will be omitted.
[0132] Accordingly, in the communication support system of the
present embodiment, it is possible to set the ringing sound on/off
of the TU 102 in response to a call from the TN 101. Further, it is
possible for the communication support system of the present
embodiment to set the ringing sound output of the TU 102 in the ON
state only when a call is sent from the TN 101 by a specific
caller, and set the ringing sound output of the TU 102 in the OFF
state when a call is sent from the TN 101 by callers other than the
specific one.
[0133] FIG. 13 shows another ringing sound control processing
routine executed by the communication control device (or the modem
131) in the communication support system of FIG. 9. The ringing
sound control processing routine of FIG. 13 may be provided in the
modem 131 of FIG. 9 by using the CD-ROM 500.
[0134] As shown in FIG. 13, at the start of the ringing sound
control processing, the program code instructions cause the CPU 103
to be initialized and placed in an idle state (S51). The registers
and variables of the modem 131 are initialized, and the relay 114
is initially set in the OFF state. During the idle state, the CPU
103 waits for an event. The event includes the detection of a
ringer signal by the ringer detection unit 118, the detection of a
CID signal by the caller ID detection unit 119, the detection of an
off-hook state of the TU 102 by the DC detection unit 113, the
reception of a control signal sent by the DPD 108, and the
reception of a time-out notification sent by the timer 130. The
time-out notification of the timer 130 will be described later.
[0135] With the modem 131 in such a condition, when an event has
occurred, the program code instructions cause the CPU 103 to
analyze the event (S52). When a call from the TN 101 is incoming,
the caller ID detection unit 119 detects a CID signal from the TN
101 and notifies the CPU 103 of the detection of the CID signal. In
this case, the program code instructions cause the CPU 103 to send
a CID notification to the DPD 108 through the PC interface 107
(S53). After the step S53 is performed, the program code
instructions cause the CPU 103 to start counting of the timer 130
(S54). In the present embodiment, the timer 130 starts counting in
response to the detection of a CID signal from the TN 101 by the
caller ID detection unit 119, and sends a time-out notification to
the CPU 103 immediately after the timer 130 exceeds 3 seconds. The
time of the timer 130 may be set at another time period instead of
3 seconds. After the step S54 is performed, the CPU 103 goes back
to the step S52.
[0136] In a case in which a caller identification notification
service is not used by the telephone user, the CID signal is not
sent from the TN 101 and only a ringer signal is sent from the TN
101 upon incoming of a call. In this case, the ringer detection
unit 118 detects a ringer signal from the TN 101 and notifies the
CPU 103 of the detection of the ringer signal. The program code
instructions cause the CPU 103 to determine whether the received
signal from the TN 101 is the ringer signal sent to call the TU
102, by detecting the characteristics of the waveform of the
received signal by using the ringer detection unit 118 (S58). The
CPU 103 performs the step S58 in the same manner as the steps S3
and S4 in the embodiment of FIG. 3, and a duplicate description
will be omitted. After the step S58 is performed, the CPU 103 goes
back to the step S52.
[0137] When the reception of a control signal sent by the DPD 108
has occurred in the step S52 before a time-out notification is sent
by the timer 130, the program code instructions cause the CPU 103
to stop counting of the timer 130 (S55). Further, the program code
instructions cause the CPU 103 to analyze the control signal (S56).
When it is detected as the result of the step S56 that the control
signal indicates the determination to set the relay 114 in the ON
state, the program code instructions cause the CPU 103 to control
the relay control unit 115 so that the relay control unit 115 sets
the relay 114 in the ON state to connect the TU 102 through the
transmission path 124 to the TN 101 (S57). In this condition, the
TU 102 is connected through the transmission path 124 to the TN
101. Since a ringer signal is sent by the TN 101 following the CID
signal, the TU 102 outputs a ringing sound in accordance with the
ringer signal from the TN 101. In another case, the program code
instructions cause the CPU 103 to perform a corresponding procedure
for the control signal. After the step S57 is performed, the CPU
103 goes back to the step S52.
[0138] In the present embodiment, when no control signal is sent by
the DPD 108 within the time period of 3 seconds and the reception
of a time-out notification from the timer 130 has occurred in the
step S52, the program code instructions cause the CPU 103 to
forcefully control the relay control unit 115 so that the relay
control unit 115 sets the relay 114 in the ON state to connect the
TU 102 through the transmission path 124 to the TN 101 (S57). In
this case, the CPU 103 does not respond to a control signal sent by
the DPD 108. With the modem 131 in this condition, the TU 102 is
connected through the transmission path 124 to the TN 101. The TU
102 outputs a ringing sound in accordance with a ringer signal sent
by the TN 101 following the CID signal. After the step S57 is
performed, the CPU 103 goes back to the step S52.
[0139] Accordingly, in the communication support system of the
present embodiment, it is possible to set the ringing sound on/off
of the TU 102 in response to a call from the TN 101. It is possible
for the communication support system of the present embodiment to
set the ringing sound output of the TU 102 in the ON state only
when a call is sent from the TN 101 by a specific caller, and set
the ringing sound output of the TU 102 in the OFF state when a call
is sent from the TN 101 by callers other than the specific one.
Further, it is possible for the communication support system of the
present embodiment to efficiently control the ringing sound on/off
of the TU 102 in response to a call from the TN 101 so as to
conform with the calling procedure of the TN 101.
[0140] FIG. 14 shows still another ringing sound control processing
routine executed by the communication control device (the modem
131) in the communication support system of FIG. 9. The ringing
sound control processing routine of FIG. 14 may be provided in the
modem 131 of FIG. 9 by using the CD-ROM 500.
[0141] As shown in FIG. 14, at the start of the ringing sound
control processing, the program code instructions cause the CPU 103
to be initialized and placed in an idle state (S61). The registers
and variables of the modem 131 are initialized, and the relay 114
is initially set in the OFF state. During the idle state, the CPU
103 waits for an event. The event includes the detection of a
ringer signal by the ringer detection unit 118, the detection of a
CID signal by the caller ID detection unit 119, the detection of an
off-hook state of the TU 102 by the DC detection unit 113, and the
reception of a control signal sent by the DPD 108.
[0142] After the step S61 is performed, the program code
instructions cause the CPU 103 to set a state variable "CID_S" at
zero (S62). When the state variable CID_S is set at zero, it
indicates that a ringer signal is sent from the TN 101 to call the
TU 102 and no CID signal is send from the TN 101. When the state
variable CID_S is set at one, it indicates that an activation
signal is sent from the TN 101 prior to the ringer signal to notify
the TU 102 of incoming of a CID signal.
[0143] With the modem 131 in such a condition, when an event has
occurred, the program code instructions cause the CPU 103 to
analyze the event (S63). When a call from the TN 101 is incoming,
the caller ID detection unit 119 detects a CID signal from the TN
101 and notifies the CPU 103 of the detection of the CID signal. In
this case, the program code instructions cause the CPU 103 to send
a CID notification to the DPD 108 through the PC interface 107
(S72). In the present embodiment, the CPU 103 performs the step S72
in the same manner as in the embodiment of FIG. 10. After the step
S72 is performed, the CPU 103 goes back to the step S63.
[0144] In a case in which a caller identification notification
service is not used by the telephone user, the CID signal is not
sent from the TN 101 and only a ringer signal is sent from the TN
101 upon incoming of a call. In this case, the ringer detection
unit 118 detects a ringer signal from the TN 101 and notifies the
CPU 103 of the detection of the ringer signal. The program code
instructions cause the CPU 103 to determine whether the received
signal from the TN 101 is the ringer signal sent to call the TU
102, by detecting the characteristics of the waveform of the
received signal by using the ringer detection unit 118 (S64).
[0145] When the result at the step S64 is negative, the program
code instructions cause the CPU 103 to determine whether the
received signal from the TN 101 is the CID activation signal sent
to notify the TU 102 of incoming of a CID signal, by detecting the
characteristics of the waveform of the received signal by using the
ringer detection unit 118 (S68).
[0146] When the result at the step S68 is negative, the CPU 103
goes back to the step S63. When the result at the step S68 is
affirmative, the program code instructions cause the CPU 103 to set
the state variable "CID_S" at one (S69). After the step S69 is
performed, the CPU 103 goes back to the step S63.
[0147] On the other hand, when the result at the step S64 is
affirmative, the program code instructions cause the CPU 103 to
send a ringer notification to the DPD 108 through the PC interface
107 (S65). The program code instructions cause the CPU 103 to
determine whether the state variable "CID_S" is equal to zero
(S66). When the result at the step S66 is negative (CID_S=1), it is
determined that the caller identification notification service is
used by the telephone user. In this case, the program code
instructions cause the CPU 103 to reset the state variable "CID_S"
to zero (S70). After the step S70 is performed, the CPU 103 goes
back to the step S63.
[0148] When the result at the step S66 is affirmative (CID_S=0), it
is determined that the caller identification notification service
is not used by the telephone user. In this case, the program code
instructions cause the CPU 103 to control the relay control unit
115 so that the relay control unit 115 sets the relay 114 in the ON
state to connect the TU 102 through the transmission path 124 to
the TN 101 (S67). After the step S67 is performed, the CPU 103 goes
back to the step S63.
[0149] When the reception of a control signal sent by the DPD 108
has occurred in the step S63, the program code instructions cause
the CPU 103 to analyze the control signal (S71). When it is
detected as the result of the step S71 that the control signal
indicates the determination to set the relay 114 in the ON state,
the program code instructions cause the CPU 103 to control the
relay control unit 115 so that the relay control unit 115 sets the
relay 114 in the ON state to connect the TU 102 through the
transmission path 124 to the TN 101 (S67). In this condition, the
TU 102 is connected through the transmission path 124 to the TN
101. Since a ringer signal is sent by the TN 101 following the CID
signal, the TU 102 outputs a ringing sound in accordance with the
ringer signal from the TN 101. In another case, the program code
instructions cause the CPU 103 to perform a corresponding procedure
for the control signal. After the step S67 is performed, the CPU
103 goes back to the step S63.
[0150] Accordingly, in the communication support system of the
present embodiment, it is possible to set the ringing sound on/off
of the TU 102 in response to a call from the TN 101. Further, it is
possible for the communication control device (the modem 131) of
the present embodiment to determine whether the caller
identification notification service is used by the telephone user,
and forcefully control the ringing sound output of the TU 102 in
the ON state in response to the call from the TN 101 if the caller
identification notification service is not used.
[0151] FIG. 15 shows a further ringing sound control processing
routine executed by the communication control device (the modem
131) in the communication support system of FIG. 9. The ringing
sound control processing routine of FIG. 15 may be provided in the
modem 131 of FIG. 9 by using the CD-ROM 500.
[0152] As shown in FIG. 15, at the start of the ringing sound
control processing, the program code instructions cause the CPU 103
to be initialized and placed in an idle state (S81). The registers
and variables of the modem 131 are initialized, and the relay 114
is initially set in the OFF state. During the idle state, the CPU
103 waits for an event. The event includes the detection of a
ringer signal by the ringer detection unit 118, the detection of a
CID signal by the caller ID detection unit 119, the detection of an
off-hook state of the TU 102 by the DC detection unit 113, the
reception of a control signal sent by the DPD 108, and the
reception of a time-out notification sent by the timer 130.
[0153] After the step S81 is performed, the program code
instructions cause the CPU 103 to set the caller ID detection unit
119 in an OFF state (S82). That is, in the modem 131, the caller ID
detection unit 119 is initially disconnected from the TN 101.
[0154] After the step S82 is performed, the program code
instructions cause the CPU 103 to set the state variable "CID_S" at
zero (S83). Similar to the embodiment of FIG. 14, when the state
variable CID_S is set at zero, it indicates that a ringer signal is
sent from the TN 101 to call the TU 102 and no CID signal is send
from the TN 101. When the state variable CID_S is set at one, it
indicates that an activation signal is sent from the TN 101 prior
to the ringer signal to notify the TU 102 of incoming of a CID
signal.
[0155] With the modem 131 in such a condition, when an event has
occurred, the program code instructions cause the CPU 103 to
analyze the event (S84). When a call from the TN 101 is incoming,
the caller ID detection unit 119 detects a CID signal from the TN
101 and notifies the CPU 103 of the detection of the CID signal. In
this case, the program code instructions cause the CPU 103 to send
a CID notification to the DPD 108 through the PC interface 107
(S92). In the present embodiment, the CPU 103 performs the step S92
in the same manner as in the embodiment of FIG. 14. After the step
S92 is performed, the CPU 103 goes back to the step S84.
[0156] In a case in which a caller identification notification
service is not used by the telephone user, the CID signal is not
sent from the TN 101 and only a ringer signal is sent from the TN
101 upon incoming of a call. In this case, the ringer detection
unit 118 detects a ringer signal from the TN 101 and notifies the
CPU 103 of the detection of the ringer signal. The program code
instructions cause the CPU 103 to determine whether the received
signal from the TN 101 is the ringer signal sent to call the TU
102, by detecting the characteristics of the waveform of the
received signal by using the ringer detection unit 118 (S85).
[0157] When the result at the step S85 is negative, the program
code instructions cause the CPU 103 to determine whether the
received signal from the TN 101 is the CID activation signal sent
to notify the TU 102 of incoming of a CID signal, by detecting the
characteristics of the waveform of the received signal by using the
ringer detection unit 118 (S86).
[0158] When the result at the step S86 is negative, the CPU 103
goes back to the step S84. When the result at the step S86 is
affirmative, the program code instructions cause the CPU 103 to set
the state variable "CID_S" at one (S87), and the program code
instructions cause the CPU 103 to start counting of the timer 130
(S88). In the present embodiment, the timer 130 starts counting in
response to the detection of a CID activation signal from the TN
101 by the ringer detection unit 118, and sends a time-out
notification to the CPU 103 immediately after the timer 130 exceeds
2 seconds. The time of the timer 130 may be set at another time
period instead of 2 seconds. After the step S88 is performed, the
program code instructions cause the CPU 103 to forcefully control
the relay control unit 115 so that the relay control unit 115 sets
the relay 114 in the ON state to connect the TU 102 through the
transmission path 124 to the TN 101 (S89). In this condition, the
TU 102 is connected through the transmission path 124 to the TN
101. Since the CID activation signal from the TN 101 is sent to the
TU 102 through the transmission path 124 of the modem 131, the TU
102 outputs a different ringing sound in accordance with the CID
activation signal from the TN 101 until the timer 130 exceeds 2
seconds. After the step S89 is performed, the CPU 103 goes back to
the step S84.
[0159] On the other hand, when the result at the step S85 is
affirmative, the program code instructions cause the CPU 103 to
perform the step S92. The CPU 103 performs the step S92 in the same
manner as in the embodiment of FIG. 14. After the step S92 is
performed, the CPU 103 goes back to the step S84.
[0160] When the reception of a time-out notification sent by the
timer 130 has occurred in the step S84, the program code
instructions cause the CPU 103 to forcefully control the relay
control unit 115 so that the relay control unit 115 sets the relay
114 in the OFF state to disconnect the TU 102 from the TN 101
(S90). After the step S90 is performed, the program code
instructions cause the CPU 103 to set the caller ID detection unit
119 in the ON state (S91). After the step S91 is performed, the CPU
103 goes back to the step S84.
[0161] When the reception of a control signal sent by the DPD 108
has occurred in the step S84, the program code instructions cause
the CPU 103 to perform the step S92. The CPU 103 performs the step
S92 in the same manner as in the embodiment of FIG. 14. After the
step S92 is performed, the CPU 103 goes back to the step S84.
[0162] Accordingly, in the communication support system of the
present embodiment, it is possible to set the ringing sound on/off
of the TU 102 in response to a call from the TN 101. Further, it is
possible for the communication control device (the modem 131) of
the present embodiment to allow the TU 102 to output a different
ringing sound in accordance with the CID activation signal from the
TN 101 for the time period of the timer 130 when the CID activation
signal is detected by the ringer detection unit 118.
[0163] FIG. 16 shows another ringing sound control processing
routine executed by the communication control device (the modem
131) in the communication support system of FIG. 9. The ringing
sound control processing routine of FIG. 16 may be provided in the
modem 131 of FIG. 9 by using the CD-ROM 500.
[0164] As shown in FIG. 15, at the start of the ringing sound
control processing, the program code instructions cause the CPU 103
to be initialized and placed in an idle state (S101). The registers
and variables of the modem 131 are initialized, and the relay 114
is initially set in the OFF state. During the idle state, the CPU
103 waits for an event. The event includes the reception of a
control signal sent by the DPD 108, and the reception of a time-out
notification sent by the timer 130.
[0165] After the step S101 is performed, the program code
instructions cause the CPU 103 to send a start notification to the
DPD 108 through the PC interface 107 (S102).
[0166] After the step S102 is performed, the program code
instructions cause the CPU 103 to start counting of the timer 130
(S103). In the present embodiment, the timer 130 starts counting in
response to the initialization of the modem 131, and sends a
time-out notification to the CPU 103 immediately after the timer
130 exceeds 3 seconds. The time of the timer 130 may be set at
another time period instead of 3 seconds.
[0167] With the modem 131 in such a condition, when an event has
occurred, the program code instructions cause the CPU 103 to
analyze the event (S104). When the reception of a control signal
sent by the DPD 108 has occurred in the step S104 before a time-out
notification is sent by the timer 130, the program code
instructions cause the CPU 103 to stop counting of the timer 130
(S105). Further, the program code instructions cause the CPU 103 to
analyze the control signal (S106). When it is detected as the
result of the step S106 that the control signal indicates a
response notification sent by the DPD 108 in response to the start
notification, the program code instructions cause the CPU 103 to
maintain the relay 114 in the OFF state.
[0168] In the present embodiment, when no control signal is sent by
the DPD 108 within the time period of 3 seconds and the reception
of a time-out notification from the timer 130 has occurred in the
step S104, the program code instructions cause the CPU 103 to
forcefully control the relay control unit 115 so that the relay
control unit 115 sets the relay 114 in the ON state to connect the
TU 102 through the transmission path 124 to the TN 101 (S107). In
this case, it is determined that the DPD 108 is not operating
normally. The CPU 103 does not respond to a control signal sent by
the DPD 108 but forcefully sets the relay 114 in the ON state. With
the modem 131 in this condition, the TU 102 is connected through
the transmission path 124 to the TN 101. After the step S107 is
performed, the CPU 103 goes back to the step S104.
[0169] Accordingly, it is possible for the communication support
system of the present embodiment to efficiently control the ringing
sound on/off of the TU 102 in response to a call from the TN 101.
In the communication support system of the present embodiment, it
is possible to prevent the delay of operation of the modem 131 due
to a malfunction in the DPD 108.
[0170] FIG. 17 shows a determination processing routine executed by
the data processing device (the DPD 108) in the communication
support system of FIG. 9 in parallel with the ringing signal
control processing routine of FIG. 16. The determination processing
routine of FIG. 17 may be provided in the DPD 108 by using the
CD-ROM 400.
[0171] As shown in FIG. 17, at the start of the determination
processing, the program code instructions cause the control unit
301 to be initialized and placed in an idle state (S111). The
registers and variables of the DPD 108 are initialized. During the
idle state, the control unit 301 waits for an event. The event
includes the reception of a start notification from the modem
131.
[0172] With the DPD 108 in such a condition, when an event has
occurred, the program code instructions cause the control unit 301
to analyze the event (S112). When a start notification from the
modem 131 is received at the step S112, the program code
instructions cause the control unit 301 to send a response
notification to the modem 131 through the PC interface 107 (S113).
After the step S113 is performed, the control unit 301 goes back to
the step S112.
[0173] Accordingly, in the communication support system of the
present embodiment, it is possible to send a response notification
back to the modem 131 in response to a start notification from the
modem 131. The start notification is sent from the modem 131 to the
DPD 108 when the initialization of the modem 131 is performed. It
is possible for the communication support system of the present
embodiment to efficiently control the ringing sound on/off of the
TU 102 in response to a call from the TN 101. In the communication
support system of the present embodiment, it is possible to prevent
the delay of operation of the modem 131 due to a malfunction in the
DPD 108.
[0174] Next, FIG. 18 shows a further embodiment of the
communication support system incorporating the principles of the
present invention.
[0175] As shown in FIG. 18, the communication support system
includes a power supply unit 16 and an off-hook detection unit 17,
in addition to the elements of the embodiment of FIG. 1. In FIG.
18, 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.
[0176] In the embodiment of FIG. 18, the off-hook detection unit 17
provides a function to detect an off-hook state of the TU 3. The
power supply unit 16 provides a function to supply power to the TU
3 when the transmission path of the CCD 1 is cut off by the
switching unit 13 and supplying of power from the TN 4 to the TU 3
is inhibited.
[0177] Similar to the embodiment of FIG. 1, in the communication
support system of FIG. 18, the switching unit 13 connects the TU 3
through the transmission path of the CCD 1 to the TN 4 when the
switching unit 13 is set in the ON state, and disconnects the TU 3
from the TN 4 by cutting off the transmission path when the
switching unit 13 is set in the OFF state. The ringer detection
unit 11 detects a ringer signal from the TN 4.
[0178] The DPD 2 includes the determination unit 21 which is
connected to the switching control unit 12 of the CCD 1. The
determination unit 21 determines, in response to the detection of
the ringer signal by the ringer detection unit 11, whether the
switching unit 13 is to be set in one of the ON state and the OFF
state in accordance with the first switching control data table
stored in the DPD 2.
[0179] In the CCD 1, the switching control unit 12 controls setting
of the switching unit 13 in one of the ON state and the OFF state
in response to the control signal, indicative of the determination,
sent by the determination unit 21 of the DPD 2. When the
determination unit 21 makes the determination that the switching
unit 13 is to be set in the ON state, in accordance with the first
switching control data table, the determination unit 21 sends the
control signal indicative of the determination to the CCD 1. The
switching control unit 12 sets the switching unit 13 in the ON
state in response to the control signal from the DPD 2, and the TU
3 is connected through the transmission path to the TN 4. The TU 3
outputs a ringing sound in accordance with the ringer signal sent
by the TN 4.
[0180] Further, in the communication support system of FIG. 18, the
power supply unit 16 supplies power to the TU 3 when the switching
unit 13 is set in the OFF state by the switching control unit 12 to
cut off the transmission path and inhibit supplying of power from
the TN 4 to the TU 3. With the CCD 1 in such a condition, the
off-hook detection unit 17 detects an off-hook state of the TU 3.
When the off-hook state of the TU 3 is detected, the switching
control unit 12 sets the switching unit 13 in the ON state. Then
the TU 3 is connected through the transmission path to the TN 4. It
is possible for the telephone user on the TU 3 to send a call to
the TN 4 through the CCD 1.
[0181] In the communication support system of FIG. 18, when the
switching unit 13 is set in the ON state, the power supply unit 16
is disconnected from the TU 3, and the power from the TN 4 is
supplied through the transmission path to the TU 3.
[0182] Accordingly, in the communication support system of FIG. 18,
it is possible to control the ringing sound on/off of the TU 3 in
response to the ringer signal from the TN 4. Further, it is
possible for the communication support system of FIG. 18 to supply
power to the TU 3 by using the power supply unit 16 when the
switching unit 13 is set in the OFF state by the switching control
unit 12 to cut off the transmission path and inhibit the supplying
of power from the TN 4 to the TU 3.
[0183] FIG. 19 shows a configuration of a third embodiment of the
communication support system according to the present invention.
The communication support system of FIG. 19 utilizes the embodiment
of FIG. 18. In the present embodiment, the communication support
system is capable of controlling a ringing sound on/off of the
telephone unit in response to a call from the telephone
network.
[0184] In FIG. 19, the elements which are the same as corresponding
elements in FIG. 9 are designated by the same reference numerals,
and a description thereof will be omitted.
[0185] As shown in FIG. 19, the communication support system of the
present embodiment includes a power supply unit 120 provided in the
modem 131, in addition to the elements of the embodiment of FIG. 9.
The power supply unit 120 provides a function to supply power to
the TU 102 when the transmission path 124 of the modem 131 is cut
off by the relay 114 and supplying of power from the TN 101 to the
TU 102 is inhibited. The power supply unit 120 corresponds to the
power supply unit 16 in the embodiment of FIG. 18. The DC detection
unit 113 provides a function to detect an off-hook state of the TU
102. The DC detection unit 113 corresponds to the off-hook
detection unit 17 in the embodiment of FIG. 18. The ringer
detection unit 118 provides a function to detect a ringer signal
from the TN 101. The caller ID detection unit 119 provides a
function to detect a caller identification signal from the TN 101.
Other elements of the modem 131 provide functions which are the
same as the functions of the corresponding elements of the
embodiment of FIG. 9.
[0186] In the communication support system of the present
embodiment, the personal computer 108 (or the DPD 108) has the
configuration shown in FIG. 7. The DPD 108 of FIG. 19 has the
elements which are the same as corresponding elements of the DPD
108 of FIG. 7, and a description thereof will be omitted.
[0187] Similar to the embodiment of FIG. 9, in the communication
support system of the present embodiment, a ringing sound control
processing routine of FIG. 20 and the determination processing
routine of one of FIGS. 4, 11, and 17 are executed by the modem 131
and the DPD 108 in parallel. In the present embodiment, it is
possible to control the ringing sound on/off of the TU 102 in
response to the ringer signal from the TN 101. Further, it is
possible for the communication support system of FIG. 19 to supply
power to the TU 102 by using the power supply unit 120 when the
relay 114 is set in the OFF state by the relay control unit 115 to
cut off the transmission path 124 and inhibit the supplying of
power from the TN 101 to the TU 102.
[0188] FIG. 20 shows a ringing sound control processing routine
executed by the communication control device (or the modem 131) in
the communication support system of FIG. 19. The ringing sound
control processing routine of FIG. 20 may be provided in the modem
131 by using the CD-ROM 500.
[0189] In the communication support system of FIG. 19, the power
supply unit 120 generates a DC voltage similar to the DC voltage
supplied from the TN 101 to the TU 102, and supplies the DC voltage
to the TU 102. In a case in which the TN 101 is a public switched
telephone network (PSTN), the DC voltage supplied from the TN 101
to the TU 102 is normally set at -48 V. In a case in which the TN
101 is a private branch exchange (PBX), the DC voltage supplied
from the TN 101 to the TU 102 is normally set at -24 V.
[0190] As shown in FIG. 20, at the start of the ringing sound
control processing, the program code instructions cause the CPU 103
to be initialized and placed in an idle state (S114). The various
registers and variables of the modem 131 are initialized, and the
relay 114 is initially set in the OFF state. During the idle state,
the CPU 103 waits for an event. The event includes the detection of
a ringer signal by the ringer detection unit 118, the detection of
an off-hook state of the TU 102 by the DC detection unit 113, and
the reception of a control signal sent by the DPD 108.
[0191] With the modem 131 in such a condition, when an event has
occurred, the program code instructions cause the CPU 103 to
analyze the event (S115). When a call from the TN 101 is incoming,
the ringer detection unit 118 detects the ringer signal from the TN
101 and notifies the CPU 103 of the detection of the ringer signal.
The program code instructions cause the CPU 103 to determine
whether the received signal from the TN 101 is the ringer signal
sent to call the TU 102, by detecting the characteristics of the
waveform of the received signal by using the ringer detection unit
118 (S116).
[0192] When the result at the step S116 is negative, the program
code instructions cause the CPU 103 to go back to the step S115.
When the result at the step S116 is affirmative, the program code
instructions cause the CPU 103 to send a notification of the
detection of the ringer signal to the DPD 108 through the PC
interface 107 (S117). After the step S117 is performed, the CPU 103
goes back to the step S115.
[0193] When the reception of a control signal sent by the DPD 108
has occurred in the step S115, the program code instructions cause
the CPU 103 to analyze the control signal (S118). When it is
detected as the result of the step S118 that the control signal
indicates the determination to set the relay 114 in the ON state,
the program code instructions cause the CPU 103 to control the
relay control unit 115 so that the relay control unit 115 sets the
relay 114 in the ON state to connect the TU 102 through the
transmission path 124 of the modem 131 to the TN 101 (S119). When
the control signal does not indicate the determination, the program
code instructions cause the CPU 103 to perform a corresponding
procedure for the control signal. After the step S119 is performed,
the CPU 103 goes back to the step S115.
[0194] On the other hand, when the detection of an off-hook state
of the TU 102 by the DC detection unit 113 has occurred in the step
S115, the program code instructions cause the CPU 103 to forcefully
control the relay control unit 115 so that the relay control unit
115 sets the relay 114 in the ON state to connect the TU 102
through the transmission path 124 of the modem 131 to the TN 101
(Sll9). At this time, the CPU 103 does not refer to the control
signal sent to the modem 131 by the DPD 108.
[0195] In the embodiment of FIG. 19, even when the relay 114 is set
in the OFF state to cut off the transmission path 124 between the
TN 101 and the TU 102, the power supply unit 120 supplies power to
the TU 102. Hence, when the telephone user lifts a handset of the
TU 102, the DC detection unit 113 outputs a detection signal to the
CPU 103 by monitoring a change (from the ON state to the OFF state)
of the direct current flowing through a DC loop of the TU 102 and
the TN 101. By sending the detection signal to the CPU 103, the DC
detection unit 113 notifies the CPU 103 that the TU 102 is set in
the off-hook state.
[0196] When the relay 114 is set in the ON state, the TU 102 is
connected through the transmission path 124 to the TN 101. In this
condition, it is possible for the telephone user on the TU 102 to
send a call to the TN 101 through the modem 131.
[0197] In the communication support system of FIG. 19, when the
relay 114 is set in the ON state, the power supply unit 120 is
disconnected from the TU 102, and the power from the TN 101 is
supplied through the transmission path to the TU 102.
[0198] Accordingly, in the communication support system of FIG. 19,
it is possible to control the ringing sound on/off of the TU 102 in
response to the ringer signal from the TN 101. It is possible for
the communication support system of FIG. 19 to supply power to the
TU 102 by using the power supply unit 120 even when the relay 114
is set in the OFF state by the switching control unit 115 to cut
off the transmission path 124 and inhibit the supplying of power
from the TN 101 to the TU 102. Further, it is possible for the
communication support system of FIG. 19 to detect an off-hook state
of the TU 102 even when the relay 114 is set in the OFF state and
the transmission path 124 is cut off.
[0199] Next, FIG. 21 shows another embodiment of the communication
support system incorporating the principles of the present
invention.
[0200] As shown in FIG. 21, the communication support system
includes a ringer generator unit 18, in addition to the elements of
the embodiment of FIG. 1. In FIG. 21, 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.
[0201] In the embodiment of FIG. 21, the ringer generator unit 18
generates a ringer signal supplied to the TU 3 to output a ringing
sound.
[0202] Similar to the embodiment of FIG. 1, in the communication
support system of FIG. 18, the switching unit 13 connects the TU 3
through the transmission path of the CCD 1 to the TN 4 when the
switching unit 13 is set in the ON state, and disconnects the TU 3
from the TN 4 by cutting off the transmission path when the
switching unit 13 is set in the OFF state, The ringer detection
unit 11 detects a ringer signal from the TN 4.
[0203] The DPD 2 includes the determination unit 21 which is
connected to the switching control unit 12 of the CCD 1. The
determination unit 21 determines, in response to the detection of
the ringer signal by the ringer detection unit 11, whether the
switching unit 13 is to be set in one of the ON state and the OFF
state in accordance with the first switching control data table
stored in the DPD 2.
[0204] In the CCD 1, the switching control unit 12 controls setting
of the switching unit 13 in one of the ON state and the OFF state
in response to the control signal, indicative of the determination,
sent by the determination unit 21 of the DPD 2. When the
determination unit 21 makes the determination that the switching
unit 13 is to be set in the ON state, in accordance with the first
switching control data table, the determination unit 21 sends the
control signal indicative of the determination to the CCD 1. The
switching control unit 12 sets the switching unit 13 in the ON
state in response to the control signal from the DPD 2, and the TU
3 is connected through the transmission path to the TN 4. The TU 3
outputs a ringing sound in accordance with the ringer signal sent
by the TN 4.
[0205] Further, in the DPD 2, the determination unit 21 determines,
in response to the detection of the ringer signal by the ringer
detection unit 11, whether the ringer generator unit 18 is to
generate the ringer signal in accordance with third switching
control data stored in the DPD 2. See FIG. 26 for the third
switching control data, which will be described later.
[0206] In the CCD 1, the ringer generator unit 18 generates the
ringer signal and supplies the ringer signal to the TU 3 in
response to a ringer control signal indicative of the
determination, sent by the determination unit 21.
[0207] Further, in the DPD 2, the determination unit 21 performs a
ringing sound control processing in which one of a plurality of
pre-determined ringer patterns is specified in accordance with the
third switching control data, so that the TU 3 is allowed to ring
out by the specified ringer pattern. See FIG. 24 for the plurality
of pre-determined ringer patterns, which will be described
later.
[0208] Accordingly, in the communication support system of FIG. 21,
it is possible to control the ringing sound on/off of the TU 3 in
response to a call from the TN 4. Further, it is possible for the
communication support system of FIG. 21 to carry out a ringing
sound control processing in which the TU 3 rings out by a specified
one among a plurality of special ringer patterns in response to a
call from the TN 4.
[0209] FIG. 22 shows a configuration of a fourth embodiment of the
communication support system according to the present invention.
The communication support system of FIG. 22 utilizes the embodiment
of FIG. 21. In the present embodiment, the communication support
system is capable of controlling a ringing sound on/off of the
telephone unit in response to a call from the telephone network,
and capable of carrying out a ringing sound control processing in
which the telephone unit rings out by a specified one among a
plurality of special ringer patterns in response to a call from the
telephone network.
[0210] In FIG. 22, the elements which are the same as corresponding
elements in FIG. 19 are designated by the same reference numerals,
and a description thereof will be omitted.
[0211] As shown in FIG. 22, the communication support system of the
present embodiment includes a ringer generator unit 121, a relay
122 and a relay control unit 123 provided in the modem 131, in
addition to the elements of the embodiment of FIG. 19. The ringer
generator unit 121 provides a function to generate a ringer signal
supplied to the TU 102 to output a ringing sound in accordance with
the contents of the ringer signal. The ringer generator unit 121
corresponds to the ringer generator unit 18 in the embodiment of
FIG. 21. The relay 122 is a switching device similar to the relay
114. The relay 122 provides a function to connect the ringer
generator unit 121 to the TU 102 when the relay 122 is set in an ON
state, and provides a function to disconnect the ringer generator
unit 121 from the TU 102 when the relay 122 is set in an OFF state.
The relay control unit 123 provides a function to control setting
of the relay 122 in one of the ON state and the OFF state under the
control of the CPU 103.
[0212] In the embodiment of FIG. 22, the power supply unit 120
provides a function to supply power to the TU 102 when the
transmission path 124 of the modem 131 is cut off by the relay 114
and supplying of power from the TN 101 to the TU 102 is inhibited.
The DC detection unit 113 provides a function to detect an off-hook
state of the TU 102. The ringer detection unit 118 provides a
function to detect a ringer signal from the TN 101. The caller ID
detection unit 119 provides a function to detect a caller
identification signal from the TN 101. Other elements of the modem
131 provide functions which are the same as the functions of the
corresponding elements of the embodiment of FIG. 19.
[0213] In the communication support system of the present
embodiment, the personal computer 108 (or the DPD 108) has the
configuration shown in FIG. 7. The DPD 108 of FIG. 22 has the
elements which are the same as corresponding elements of the DPD
108 of FIG. 7, and a description thereof will be omitted.
[0214] Similar to the embodiment of FIG. 19, in the communication
support system of the present embodiment, a ringing sound control
processing routine of FIG. 23 and a determination processing
routine of FIG. 25 are executed by the modem 131 and the DPD 108 in
parallel. In the present embodiment, it is possible to control the
ringing sound on/off of the TU 102 in response to the ringer signal
from the TN 101. Further, it is possible for the communication
support system of FIG. 22 to supply power to the TU 102 by using
the power supply unit 120 when the relay 114 is set in the OFF
state by the relay control unit 115 to cut off the transmission
path 124 and inhibit the supplying of power from the TN 101 to the
TU 102. Further, it is possible for the communication support
system of FIG. 22 to allow the TU 102 to ring out by a specified
one among a plurality of special ringer patterns in response to a
call from the TN 101.
[0215] FIG. 23 shows a ringing sound control processing routine
executed by the communication control device (or the modem 131) in
the communication support system of FIG. 22. The ringing sound
control processing routine of FIG. 23 may be provided in the modem
131 by using the CD-ROM 500.
[0216] As shown in FIG. 23, at the start of the ringing sound
control processing, the program code instructions cause the CPU 103
to be initialized and placed in an idle state (S121). The various
registers and variables of the modem 131 are initialized, and the
relay 114 is initially set in the OFF state. During the idle state,
the CPU 103 waits for an event. The event includes the detection of
a ringer signal by the ringer detection unit 118, the detection of
an off-hook state of the TU 102 by the DC detection unit 113, the
reception of a control signal sent by the DPD 108, and the
reception of a time-out notification sent by the timer 130.
[0217] In the present embodiment, the timer 130 includes a first
timer (TH1) and a second timer (TH2). The first timer TH1 starts
counting in response to an ON state of the relay 122 set by the
relay control unit 123, and sends a time-out notification to the
CPU 103 immediately after the first timer TH1 exceeds a
predetermined first time. The second timer TH2 starts counting in
response to an OFF state of the relay 122 set by the relay control
unit 123, and sends a time-out notification to the CPU 103
immediately after the second timer TH2 exceeds a predetermined
second time.
[0218] After the step S121 is performed, the program code
instructions cause the CPU 103 to set a state variable RING_STAT at
zero (S122). When the state variable RING_STAT is set at one, it
indicates that a ringer signal is being generated by the ringer
generator unit 121 in the modem 131. When the state variable
RING_STAT is set at zero, it indicates that no ringer signal is
generated by the ringer generator unit 121 in the modem 131.
[0219] With the modem 131 in such a condition, when an event has
occurred, the program code instructions cause the CPU 103 to
analyze the event (S123). When a call from the TN 101 is incoming,
the ringer detection unit 118 detects the ringer signal from the TN
101 and notifies the CPU 103 of the detection of the ringer signal.
The program code instructions cause the CPU 103 to determine
whether the received signal from the TN 101 is the ringer signal
sent to call the TU 102, by detecting the characteristics of the
waveform of the received signal by using the ringer detection unit
118 (S124).
[0220] When the result at the step S124 is negative, the program
code instructions cause the CPU 103 to go back to the step S123.
When the result at the step S124 is affirmative, the program code
instructions cause the CPU 103 to send a notification of the
detection of the ringer signal to the DPD 108 through the PC
interface 107 (S125). After the step S125 is performed, the CPU 103
goes back to the step S123.
[0221] When the reception of a control signal sent by the DPD 108
has occurred in the step S123, the program code instructions cause
the CPU 103 to analyze the control signal (S126). When it is
detected as the result of the step S126 that the control signal
indicates the determination to set the relay 114 in the ON state,
the program code instructions cause the CPU 103 to control the
relay control unit 115 so that the relay control unit 115 sets the
relay 114 in the ON state to connect the TU 102 through the
transmission path 124 to the TN 101 (S137). The TU 102 is connected
through the transmission path 124 to the TN 101, and the TU 102
outputs a ringing sound in accordance with the ringer signal sent
by the TN 101. After the step S137 is performed, the CPU 103 goes
back to the step S123.
[0222] When it is detected as the result of the step S126 that the
control signal indicates a ringer start command to the ringer
generator unit 121, the program code instructions cause the CPU 103
to set the state variable RING_STAT at one (S127). At this time,
the CPU 103 detects a ringer pattern number included in the control
signal from the DPD 108. The CPU 103 makes reference to the
plurality of special ringer patterns stored in the ROM 104 or the
RAM 105, and reads a corresponding ringer pattern (which is, in the
present embodiment, ringer ON time and ringer OFF time) from the
plurality of special ringer patterns in accordance with the
detected ringer pattern number.
[0223] FIG. 24 shows an example of the plurality of special ringer
patterns used to generate a ringer signal. In the example of FIG.
24, a correlation between ringer pattern number (N), ringer ON time
(TH1) and ringer OFF time (TH2) is defined for each of the
plurality of special ringer patterns. As described above, the
plurality of special ringer patterns are stored in the ROM 104 or
the RAM 105 in the modem 131. For example, in a case of the special
ringer pattern with the ringer pattern number #1, the ringer ON
time TH1 is 1 sec. and the ringer OFF time TH2 is 2 sec.
Hereinafter, it is supposed that the control signal sent by the DPD
108 includes the ringer pattern number #1 and the CPU 103 at the
step S127 receives this control signal from the DPD 108, for the
sake of convenience of description.
[0224] After the step S127 is performed, the program code
instructions cause the CPU 103 to set the relay 122 in the ON state
by controlling the relay control unit 123 (S128). The ringer
generator unit 121 is connected to the TU 102 through the relay
122. At the same time, the ringer generator unit 121 starts
supplying a ringer signal to the TU 102. After the step S128 is
performed, the program code instructions cause the CPU 103 to start
counting of the first timer TH1 (S129). As described above, the
first timer TH1 sends a time-out notification to the CPU 103
immediately after the first timer TH1 exceeds 1 second (or the
ringer ON time TH1). After the step S129 is performed, the CPU 103
goes back to the step S123.
[0225] When the reception of a time-out notification sent by the
first timer TH1 has occurred in the step S123 after the time period
of 1 second, the program code instructions cause the CPU 103 to set
the relay 122 in the OFF state by controlling the relay control
unit 123 (S130). After the step S130 is performed, the program code
instructions cause the CPU 103 to start counting of the second
timer TH2 (S131). As described above, the second timer TH2 sends a
time-out notification to the CPU 103 immediately after the second
timer TH2 exceeds 2 seconds (or the ringer OFF time TH2). After the
step S131 is performed, the CPU 103 goes back to the step S123.
[0226] When the reception of a time-out notification sent by the
second timer TH2 has occurred in the step S123 after the time
period of 2 seconds, the program code instructions cause the CPU
103 to set the relay 122 in the ON state by controlling the relay
control unit 123 (S132). After the step S132 is performed, the
program code instructions cause the CPU 103 to start counting of
the first timer TH1 (S133). After the step S133 is performed, the
CPU 103 goes back to the step S123. The CPU 103 repeats the step
S123 and the steps S130 through S133 in this manner. In the modem
131 of the present embodiment, it is possible that the ringer
generator unit 121 supplies, to the TU 102, the ringer signal
having a waveform of 16 Hz, 75 V rms and periodically turns ON for
1 second and turns off for 2 seconds, which is the same as the
ringer signal normally sent by the TN 101 to call the TU 102. The
ringer ON time of the first timer TH1 and the ringer OFF time of
the second timer TH2 may be set at another time period.
[0227] In the present embodiment, when the relay 122 is set in the
ON state, the ringer generator unit 121 is connected to the TU 102
through the relay 122. The TU 102 outputs a ringing sound in
accordance with the ringer signal from the ringer generator unit
121 only when the relay 122 is set in the ON state.
[0228] When the detection of an off-hook state of the TU 102 by the
DC detection unit 113 has occurred in the step S123, the program
code instructions cause the CPU 103 to send an off-hook
notification to the DPD 108 through the PC interface 107 (S134).
After the step S134 is performed, the CPU 103 goes back to the step
S123.
[0229] When the reception of a control signal sent by the DPD 108
has again occurred in the step S123, the program code instructions
cause the CPU 103 to analyze the control signal (S126). When it is
detected as the result of the step S126 that the control signal
indicates a ringer stop command to the ringer generator unit 121,
the program code instructions cause the CPU 103 to set the state
variable RING_STAT at zero (S135). The relay 122 is set in the OFF
state. After the step S135 is performed, the program code
instructions cause the CPU 103 to stop counting of both the first
timer TH1 and the second timer TH2 (S136). At the same time, the
ringer generator unit 121 stops operation, and the CPU 103 sets the
relay 114 in the ON state by controlling the relay control unit
115.
[0230] When the relay 114 is set in the ON state, the TU 102 is
connected through the transmission path 124 to the TN 101. With the
communication support system in this condition, the telephone
conversation between the TU 102 and the TN 101 starts.
[0231] FIG. 25 shows a determination processing routine executed by
the data processing device (the DPD 108) in the communication
support system of FIG. 22. The determination processing routine of
FIG. 25 may be provided in the DPD 108 of FIG. 22 by using the
CD-ROM 400.
[0232] As shown in FIG. 25, at the start of the determination
processing, the program code instructions cause the control unit
301 to be initialized and placed in an idle state (S141). The
registers and variables of the DPD 108 are initialized. During the
idle state, the control unit 301 waits for an event. The event
includes the reception of a ringer notification from the modem 131,
the reception of a CID notification from the modem 131, and the
reception of an off-hook notification from the modem 131.
[0233] After the step S141 is performed, the program code
instructions cause the control unit 301 to set a state variable
"RINGER" at zero (S142). When the state variable RINGER is set at
one, it indicates that a ringer signal is being generated by the
ringer generator unit 121 in the modem 131. When the state variable
RINGER is set at zero, it indicates that no ringer signal is
generated by the ringer generator unit 121 in the modem 131.
[0234] With the DPD 108 in such a condition, when an event has
occurred, the program code instructions cause the control unit 301
to analyze the event (S143). When a CID notification from the modem
131 is received at the step S143, the program code instructions
cause the control unit 301 to determine whether the relay 114 of
the modem 131 is to be set in one of the ON state and the OFF state
in accordance with the third switching control data table (FIG. 26)
stored in the DPD 108 (S144). For a certain CID notification, the
control unit 301 in the step S144 determines whether the ringer
generator unit 121 of the modem 131 is to generate a ringer signal
by a specified one among a plurality of special ringer patterns in
accordance with the third switching control data table which will
be described below.
[0235] FIG. 26 shows an example of the third switching control data
table stored in the memory unit 302 of the DPD 108 of FIG. 22. As
shown in FIG. 26, in the third switching control data table, a
correlation between a caller ID (the phone number), a caller
profile (the caller name), and determination of one of switching
on/off control for the relay 114 and special ringer pattern number
for the ringer generator unit 121 is defined for each of a
plurality of predetermined caller IDs.
[0236] The caller ID (the phone number) is given to the control
unit 301 by a portion of the CID notification from the modem 131.
In the example of FIG. 26, when the caller ID given to the control
unit 301 at the step S43 matches with "044-AAA-BBBB" in the third
switching control data table, the determination is made by the
control unit 301 to set the relay 114 in the ON state. When the
caller ID matches with "078-CCC-DDDD" in the third switching
control data table, the determination is made by the control unit
301 to set the relay 114 in the OFF state. When the caller ID
matches with "0423-EE-FFFF" in the third switching control data
table, the determination is made by the control unit 301 to set the
ringer generator unit 121 to generate a ringer signal by the
special ringer pattern #2. Hence, it is possible for the
communication support system of the present embodiment to set the
ringing sound pattern of the TU 102 by a specified one among the
plurality of special ringer patterns when a call is sent from the
TN 101 by a specific caller.
[0237] In the step S144, when the caller ID of the CID notification
matches with, for example, "044-AAA-BBBB", the determination is
made by the control unit 301 to set the relay 114 in the ON state
in accordance with the third switching control data table of FIG.
26. In this case, the program code instructions cause the control
unit 301 to send a control signal indicative of the determination
to the modem 131 through the PC interface 107 (S151).
[0238] When the caller ID of the CID notification matches with, for
example, "078-CCC-DDDD", the determination at the step S144 is made
by the control unit 301 to set the relay 114 in the OFF state in
accordance with the third switching control data table of FIG. 26.
In this case, the program code instructions cause the control unit
301 to send a control signal indicative of the determination to the
modem 131 through the PC interface 107 and starts performing an
answering machine function (S152). In the modem 131, the relay 114
is set in the OFF state, and the TU 102 is disconnected from the TN
101 by cutting off the transmission path 124. In the step S152, the
DPD 108 transmits a pre-recorded answering message to the TN 101
through the PC interface 107 by the performance of the answering
machine function.
[0239] When the caller ID of the CID notification matches with, for
example, "0423-EE-FFFF", the determination at the step S144 is made
by the control unit 301 to start the special ringer procedure by
the special ringer pattern #2 in accordance with the third
switching control data table of FIG. 26. In this case, the program
code instructions cause the control unit 301 to send a control
signal indicative of the determination to the modem 131 through the
PC interface 107 (S145). Further, the program code instructions
cause the control unit 301 to set the state variable RINGER at one
(S146). In the modem 131 in this case, the ringer generator unit
121 generates the ringer signal by the special ringer pattern #2
and supplies it to the TU 102. The TU 102 outputs a ringing sound
by the special ringer pattern #2 from the DPD 108.
[0240] After one of the steps S151, S146 and S152 is performed, the
control unit 301 goes back to the step S143.
[0241] When an off-hook notification from the modem 131 is received
at the step S143, the program code instructions cause the control
unit 301 to determine whether the state variable RINGER is equal to
one (S147). When the result at the step S147 is affirmative, the
program code instructions cause the control unit 301 to set the
state variable RINGER at zero (548). Further, the program code
instructions cause the control unit 301 to send a control signal
indicative of the stop of the special ringer procedure to the modem
131 through the PC interface 107 (S149). Further, the program code
instructions cause the control unit 301 to send a control signal
indicative of the switching control (the setting of the relay 114
in the ON state) to the modem 131 through the PC interface 107
(S150). After the step S150 is performed, the control unit 301 goes
back to the step S143.
[0242] When the result at the step S147 is negative, the program
code instructions cause the control unit 301 to perform the step
S150. After the step S150 is performed, the control unit 301 goes
back to the step S143.
[0243] In the communication support system of the present
embodiment, when the relay 114 is set in the ON state, the TU 102
is connected through the transmission path 124 to the TN 101. With
the communication support system in this condition, the telephone
conversation between the TU 102 and the TN 101 starts.
[0244] Accordingly, it is possible for the communication support
system of the present embodiment to effectively control the ringing
sound on/off of the telephone unit in response to the call from the
telephone network. In the communication support system of FIG. 22,
the ringing sound control processing routine of FIG. 23 and the
determination processing routine of FIG. 25 are carried out by the
communication control device and the data processing device in
parallel. It is possible for the communication support system of
the present embodiment to effectively control the telephone unit so
as to ring out by a specified one of a plurality of special ringer
patterns in response to the call from the telephone network.
[0245] Further, the present invention is not limited to the
above-described embodiments, and variations and modifications may
be made without departing from the scope of the present
invention.
[0246] The present invention is based on Japanese priority
application No. 9-319652, filed on Nov. 20, 1997, the entire
contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference.
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