JP2781105B2 - Device for canceling malfunction of terminal with automatic response function - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention is installed between an exchange and a terminal, and prompts a called terminal to disconnect only when an invalid response is detected due to abandonment of the calling terminal. A terminal with an automatic answering function that sends out a signal and immediately releases the line at the called terminal that receives this signal and prepares for the next incoming call to ensure efficient use of the public line. Erroneous operation canceling device.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art FIG. 12 shows a connection configuration of a terminal having an automatic response function connected to an exchange. The functions of terminals such as telephones are also diversifying. Answering machines automatically respond to incoming calls, send and record various messages, automatically recover, and open lines. I do.

When automatically responding to an incoming call of the called terminal TR accommodated in the exchange EX of a system for transmitting a dial using a DTMF (Dual Tone Multi Frequency) signal, the calling terminal TS is automatically turned on. If abandoned on the way, the time difference required for the called terminal TR to respond will cause the called terminal TR to call the exchange EX instead of responding. Therefore, the exchange EX sends a dial tone to the called terminal TR and waits for dialing, and sends a busy tone after the monitoring time of the exchange EX has elapsed. Here, the called terminal TR detects that the line is busy, and the line is opened. However, since the response message contains a sound component equivalent to the DTMF signal in the response message, the exchange EX mistakenly recognizes the dial as a dial, stops transmitting the dial tone, and waits for the next digit. Or a guidance for notifying that the number is not used by the exchange EX depending on the misrecognized dial. On the other hand, the called terminal TR
After the response message is sent, the other party's message is recorded, and the silence is detected and the message is recovered or the message from the exchange EX is continuously recorded.

FIG. 13 shows a series of sequences in the above case, and [1] to [5] show the sequence order. The description is given below. [1] The caller (calling terminal TS) picks up the handset,
(Off-hook) After listening to the dial tone, dial the subscriber number of the other party (called side). [2] The exchange EX identifies the subscriber number, sends a call signal to the subscriber, and a call signal is sent to the calling terminal TS to the called terminal TR. An RBT is sent to confirm that this is the case. The caller listens, but places the handset (on-hook) and abandons it halfway. [3] The called terminal TR detects that there is an incoming call and prepares for a response. It automatically responds to the set number of ringing signals, but it takes a little time, but the line is already open. [4] The exchange EX because the called terminal TR automatically responded
Is regarded as a call connection because it has already been released, a dial tone is transmitted to the called terminal TR, and dialing is awaited.
The called terminal TR sends out a response message. The exchange EX mistakenly recognizes the dial as the first digit by the sound component equivalent to the DTMF signal included in the response message.
Depending on the misrecognized number, the exchange EX sends a message (DN talk key) for waiting for the next digit number or notifying that the number is not used to the called terminal TR. [5] The called terminal TR mistakenly recognizes the DN talkie from the exchange EX as a normal message, and recovers or records the DN talkie as a message according to recovery conditions. During this time, incoming calls are busy for the caller, seize the line to record meaningless messages, and consume recording media.

[0005]

Conventionally, terminals having an automatic answering function include a facsimile, an answering machine, a modem, and the like. Each of the terminals has a pulse, a dial tone, and a busy tone generated when the caller gives up. It has a function of automatically opening a line by a sound or silence detection circuit, or by time limitation, etc., but has the following problems. (1) If the caller abandons between receiving the incoming signal and responding, the processing time required for the response and the calling signal (the incoming signal) are periodic in the called terminal TR.
It catches already opened lines. (2) When the called terminal TR is an answering machine, the dial tone is drowned out by the response message sent by itself, so that the dial tone (DT tone) cannot be detected or is included in the response message. Since the exchange EX mistakenly recognizes the first digit dial signal due to the same acoustic component as the DTMF signal, it stops sending the dial tone and waits for the next dial digit, but the normal dial number is 3 digits or 6 digits or less. The exchange EX determines that the dial is invalid due to the passage of time while waiting for the dial, and transmits a busy tone. Here, the answering machine detects the busy tone for the first time and interrupts the continuation of the response operation. (3) In response to an invalid response, it is not determined whether to continue or stop the response operation based on the presence or absence of a dial tone before transmitting the response message. (4) On the exchange EX side, it is not possible to determine the invalid response of the terminal equipment with the change of the equipment and the software. (5) In the DTMF signal method based on two frequencies in the voice band, although it has a low probability due to equivalent components included in the voice, it is erroneously recognized as a dial signal.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to detect a dial tone when a called terminal having an automatic answering function is placed in a response state immediately after detection of an incoming signal, which is installed on a line between the exchange and the terminal. In such a case, it is necessary to provide a malfunction canceling device that determines that the call connection is based on an invalid response and generates a signal similar to that in a case where the caller abandons the call in the middle, thereby prompting the stop of the answering operation of the terminal with the automatic answering function. It is in.

[0007]

Means for Solving the Problems] malfunction releasing device of an automatic response function equipped terminal according to the present invention, an automatic answering machine to the exchange
Multiple terminals including functional terminals are connected via their respective lines
Connected and before the calling terminal goes off-hook
The switch is ready to accept dial signals
Outgoing tone to the calling terminal,
The calling terminal dials the subscriber number of the called terminal.
When the call is made, the exchange identifies the subscriber number and calls.
An incoming signal, which is a call-out signal, is sent to the called terminal.
And the called terminal has an automatic answering function.
When automatically responding, the exchange and the called terminal
If a DC loop is formed between the switch and the
The calling terminal determines that the line of the called terminal has been seized.
Between the exchange and the terminal in the communication line to determine
A installed is malfunctioning releasing device, and the incoming signal detecting unit for detecting the incoming call signal, the callee terminal is connected
A loop detection unit line to detect whether captured the, the dial tone detector for detecting a tone from the line,
Instantaneous interruption pulse generator for generating a short break pulse to momentarily disconnect the line, in a state in which the incoming signal obtained is no longer the incoming signal detecting unit, the loop detection unit
Detection of a DC loop, and the dial tone detector
And a control unit for operating the instantaneous interruption pulse generation unit when a dial tone is detected to disconnect the line.

Further, the dial tone detector has a bandpass filter that allows only dial tone to pass.

In addition, the exchange includes a terminal with an automatic response function.
Multiple terminals are connected via their respective lines to make outgoing calls
When the terminal on the other side goes off-hook, the exchange
Call indicating that you are ready to accept a dial signal
Sending a sound to the calling terminal,
Before dialing the subscriber number of the called terminal
The exchange identifies the subscriber number and generates a call signal.
Outgoing call signal to the called terminal.
The calling terminal has an automatic answering function, and
When automatically responding, the exchange and the called terminal
If a DC loop is formed between the switch and the
The calling terminal determines that the line of the called terminal has been seized.
The malfunction release device installed on the communication line
The automatic response function terminal detects the incoming signal.
Incoming call signal detecting unit and the calling terminal are connected.
A loop detector for detecting whether the line has been seized,
A dial tone detector for detecting a dial tone from the line.
And the incoming signal obtained by the incoming signal detection unit is
In the state where it has disappeared, the DC
A loop is detected, and the tone is detected by the dial tone detector.
If a tone is detected, the control unit that disconnects the line
It is provided in a terminal with a dynamic response function .

[0010]

According to the present invention, when there is an incoming call on the line,
The incoming signal detection unit determines whether there is an incoming signal of 16 Hz, determines whether the caller abandoned halfway based on whether or not the incoming signal of 16 Hz has disappeared, and then acquires the line by automatic answering of the called side. The loop detection unit determines whether or not there is a tone, and the dial tone detection unit detects a 400 Hz dial tone. The control unit loses the incoming signal in the incoming signal detection unit,
Thereafter, when a loop is formed and there is a dial tone, a malfunction is determined, an instantaneous interruption pulse is generated from the instantaneous interruption pulse generator, and the line is momentarily disconnected. Further, only the dial tone can be detected by the bandpass filter. Further, the malfunction is canceled by using the incoming signal detection unit and the outgoing signal detection unit already provided in the terminal with the automatic response function.

[0011]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of an embodiment of the present invention. In this figure, reference numeral 1 denotes an incoming signal (IR) detection unit which detects an incoming signal of 16 Hz. Reference numeral 2 denotes a loop detection unit for detecting whether or not a line has been captured. Reference numeral 3 denotes a dial tone (DT) detection unit which detects a dial tone of 400 Hz, and includes a bandpass filter 3A and a tone detector 3B. Reference numeral 4 denotes a waveform shaping unit, which determines whether or not the output of the incoming signal detection unit 1 does not arrive even after a certain period has elapsed. Reference numeral 5 denotes a waveform shaping unit, which shapes the output of the loop detection unit 2.

Reference numeral 6 denotes a control unit which receives the outputs of the waveform shaping units 4 and 5 and the output of the dial tone detector 3 as inputs and terminates after an incoming signal is detected, and thereafter performs loop detection and dial tone detection. Only when is the instantaneous interruption pulse generator 7 activated.
The instantaneous interruption pulse generator 7 generates an instantaneous interruption pulse and instantaneously disconnects the line. Note that reference numeral 100 denotes a malfunction release device.

FIG. 2 is a timing chart for the embodiment of FIG. 1, and FIG. 3 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the embodiment of FIG. Hereinafter, the operation of the embodiment of FIG. 1 will be mainly described with reference to FIG. Note that FIG.
S1 to S6 indicate each step.

In FIG. 3, when there is an incoming call on the line, 1
The incoming signal detection unit 1 determines whether there is an incoming signal of 6 Hz. As shown in FIG. 2, the period of the incoming signal repeats ringing for 1 second and pausing for 2 seconds, so that it is longer than 3 seconds. Determine if there is an incoming signal in time. The presence or absence of an incoming call can be confirmed by the output of the waveform shaping unit (timer) 4 (S1). Here, if the caller abandons halfway and there is no incoming signal at 16 Hz (S2), and a certain time has elapsed (S3), and if the line is caught by the automatic answer of the called side (S4), loop detection is performed. After the output information of the section 2 is eliminated by the waveform shaping section 5 from erroneous detection due to noise or the like, the control section 6
Tell In addition, the dial tone detection unit 3 displays 400 tone on the line.
A dial tone is detected based on the presence or absence of a signal of Hz (S5). Here, in order to prevent erroneous detection due to noise existing on the line, other voice components, etc., a 400 Hz bandpass filter 3A is used.
, The detection of the dial tone is made more accurate. As shown in FIG. 2, the control unit 6 instantaneously switches the line to the line simultaneously with the recovery of the timer only when the loop is detected immediately after the detection of the incoming signal and when the dial tone is detected. Is cut off (generation of instantaneous interruption pulse) (S6). The called terminal determines (erroneously recognizes) the instantaneous interruption pulse by this apparatus as a signal due to abandonment of the caller, and releases the line.

In a normal transmission, no incoming signal is detected immediately before the line is captured, so that no instantaneous interruption pulse is generated even if a dial tone is detected. Also, even if the incoming signal is immediately before the instantaneous interruption pulse does not occur after the elapse of the timer. Therefore, there is no influence on the line during normal transmission. FIG. 4 shows an example of the incoming signal detection unit 1. When an incoming signal is applied to the point A in FIG. 4, the signal is passed through the capacitor C1, is rectified by a rectifier having a diode D connected in a bridge, and is determined by the zener diode Z1 to be an incoming signal higher than a normal voltage (48V). Noise such as back electromotive force generated when the terminal is on-hook or off-hook due to the inductive reactance on the communication line is not detected as a transient pulse by the integration circuit formed by the capacitor C2. Turn on the photocoupler PC only when the signal is continuous
By doing so, information is transferred to the subsequent waveform shaping unit (timer) 4 and the control unit 6. In addition, the Zener diode Z2 protects the primary side of the photocoupler PC from applying a voltage higher than a specified value.

FIG. 5 shows an example of the loop detector 2. When the off-hook communication current flows through the resistor R in FIG. 5, a voltage is generated at both ends. Diode D is bridged to make it non-polar by rectification and photo coupler PC is turned on
By doing so, information is transferred to the subsequent waveform shaping unit 5 and control unit 6. Zener diode Z1 is a photocoupler PC
Is protected from abnormal voltage.

FIG. 6 shows an example of the dial tone (DT) detector 3. In a state where DC is cut off by connecting to the line concerned by the capacitor C and the transformer T, and it is cut off from the ground potential of the subsequent circuit, it is not affected by both the exchange side and the device. , Get the required signal. The two diodes D bypass the voltage higher than the forward voltage existing on the line and protect the subsequent circuits. The subsequent tone detector (IC7) removes sounds other than the dial tone (DT) by the bandpass filters IC1 to IC6.
The information is transferred to a subsequent control unit assuming that the detection of the dial tone by the control unit is assured.

FIG. 7 shows an example of the circuits of the waveform shaping units 4 and 5 and the control unit 6. Incoming signal (IR) detector 1 shown in FIG.
Is shaped by the monostable multivibrator IC 11 with a time constant of about 3.3 seconds shown in FIG. 2, and the intermittent incoming signal (IR) is made continuous and passed to the control unit 6. Information from the loop detector 2 shown in FIG. 5 is partially shaped by the monostable multivibrator IC11,
It is connected to an AND circuit IC14. The other is delayed by delay circuits IC12 and IC13 and AND circuit IC14.
To prevent chattering at the time of loop detection by AND of both signals. The AND circuit IC 15 ANDs the information from the dial tone (DT) detection unit 3 in FIG. 6 with the loop information without chattering, and determines that there is a loop and there is a dial tone. By taking the further AND incoming signal (IR) by the AND circuit IC17, after a constant 3.3 seconds when the incoming signal (IR), the output of AND circuit IC17 becomes zero potential, by the one-shot vibrator consisting IC16 The semiconductor relay IC 18 transmits a signal of about 100 msec to the semiconductor relay IC 18, and upon receiving the signal, the semiconductor relay IC 18 generates an instantaneous interruption pulse. In this case, the signal generated by the exchange determines that the recognition is erroneous, and the line is restored and released.

FIG. 8 shows an overall connection diagram when the device of the present invention is realized using the circuits of FIGS. In FIG. 8, L1 and L2 are lines, IN is an input side, OUT is an output side, 11 to 18 are contacts, 19 to 22 are contacts, 23 is a power supply, and 24 is a relay. Switch all at once. Reference numeral 25 denotes a three-terminal regulator, 26 denotes a power switch, 27 denotes a display LED, and 28 denotes an AC adapter.
The connection and direct connection of the malfunction canceling device (this device) 100 are linked by turning on and off the power switch 26. By turning off the power supply 23, the contacts 15 to 18 of the relay 24 are restored,
The input and output of the device 100 are directly connected. Display LED of Fig. 8
Reference numeral 27 denotes an operation state of each of the detection units 1 to 3 of the apparatus 100.

FIG. 9 is a flow chart for explaining a function addition portion when the same operation as the device of the present invention is applied to a terminal having an automatic response function by adding software to the control section.
1 to S7 indicate each step. The part surrounded by the dotted line is the added processing. It is determined whether there is an incoming signal (S
1) After detecting a set number of incoming signals (S2),
(S3) When the telephone line is captured (S4), the presence or absence of a dial tone is determined (S5), and the processing is continued or interrupted to release the telephone line (S6). Since the 400 Hz detection function is already provided as a busy tone detection unit, it can be realized by additionally changing the response processing program. If there is no dial tone at step S5, a response message is sent (S7).

According to the above-described embodiment, by converting a periodic incoming signal into a continuous signal, it is easy to determine the presence or absence of an incoming signal, and the voltage applied to the bandpass filter 3A is reduced by using a diode. In this case, the circuit can be protected from abnormal voltage, and the effect on the line can be minimized by the capacitor C and the transformer T. Furthermore, by taking an AND using a delay circuit and a multivibrator, chattering at the time of loop detection is eliminated, thereby eliminating a malfunction.

Further, by using this device, the line can be quickly restored to an invalid response without modifying the exchange or changing the software, and the relay operates in conjunction with the power switch. Is used, the line can be directly connected at the time of failure, inspection, or the like according to the present invention, and the operation status of each unit can be visually observed.

FIG. 10 shows the appearance of the apparatus 100. FIG. 10A shows the front panel, and FIG. 10B shows the rear panel. Reference numeral 31 denotes an incoming call indicator lamp, which detects a call signal when there is an incoming call on the line and displays it. Reference numeral 32 denotes a loop display lamp, which detects that a DC loop has been formed, and indicates that the terminal has captured the line by calling response. 33
Is a DT detection lamp, which indicates when a 400 Hz signal is detected on the line. Reference numeral 34 denotes an instantaneous interruption pulse display lamp, which is displayed when an instantaneous interruption pulse is transmitted when a terminal erroneously responds. Reference numeral 35 denotes a pilot lamp for displaying an operation state of the power supply.

Further, 36 is a power switch and 37 is L
1, L2 input, a terminal for connecting the exchange side of the line,
Reference numeral 38 denotes an L1 and L2 output terminal for connecting the terminal side of the line, and reference numeral 39 denotes a power input, which is an input terminal of a power supply required for operation of the present apparatus. The control circuit is constituted by a logic circuit, but can be miniaturized by a microcomputer or the like.

FIG. 11 is an external view of an example in which the same operation as that of the apparatus of the present invention is implemented by software and applied to a terminal.
40 is a terminal, 41 is a main body, 42 is a handset, 43 is P
B.

[0026]

According to the present invention, as described in detail above,
The incoming signal detector that detects the signal is connected to the called terminal.
A loop detection unit that detects whether a connected line is captured, a dial tone detection unit that detects a dial tone from the line,
An instantaneous interruption pulse generator that generates an instantaneous interruption pulse that momentarily disconnects the line, and an instantaneous interruption pulse generator when a loop is detected and a dial tone is detected when there is no incoming signal And a control unit for disconnecting the line by operating the device, it is possible to determine whether there is a dial tone before sending a response message, and if there is, a response process can be interrupted to open the line. Thus, efficient use of the public line can be achieved. In addition, since the dial tone detector includes the bandpass filter, noise other than dial tone is removed, so that dial tone can be detected more accurately. Further, in the case of a terminal having an automatic response function already provided with an incoming signal detection unit, a loop detection unit, and a dial tone detection unit, there is an advantage that it can be realized by adding software to the control unit.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a timing chart for explaining the operation of the embodiment of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the embodiment of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a circuit diagram showing details of an incoming signal detection unit in the embodiment of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a circuit diagram showing details of a loop detector in the embodiment of FIG. 1;

FIG. 6 is a circuit diagram showing details of a dial tone detection unit in the embodiment of FIG. 1;

FIG. 7 is a circuit diagram showing details of a waveform shaping unit and a control unit in the embodiment of FIG. 1;

FIG. 8 is an overall connection diagram when the device of the present invention is realized using the circuits of FIGS. 4 to 7;

FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing a function addition portion when the same operation as the device of the present invention is applied to a terminal by adding software.

FIG. 10 is a front view of a front panel and a rear panel of the apparatus of the present invention.

FIG. 11 is a diagram showing an example in which the same operation as that of the device of the present invention is implemented by software and applied to a terminal.

FIG. 12 is a diagram showing an example of a connection relationship between a conventional exchange and a terminal.

FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a series of sequences in FIG.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Incoming signal detection part 2 Loop detection part 3 Outgoing sound detection part 3A Band filter 3B Tone detector 4 Waveform shaping part 5 Waveform shaping part 6 Control part 7 Instantaneous interruption pulse generation part 100 Malfunction canceling device

──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continuation of front page (56) References JP-A-52-55416 (JP, A) JP-A-3-276948 (JP, A) JP-B-61-59582 (JP, B2) (58) Field (Int.Cl. ⁶ , DB name) H04M 1/64-1/65 H04M 3/08-3/14 H04M 3/22-3/36 H04Q 1/20-1/26

Claims (3)

(57) [Claims] 1. A plurality of exchanges including a terminal with an automatic response function
Terminals are connected via their respective lines, and the calling side
The switch dials when the terminal goes off-hook
A beep to signal that you are ready to accept the signal
The call is sent to the calling terminal, and the calling terminal is
When the subscriber number of the calling terminal is dialed,
The exchange identifies the subscriber number, and
Sending a call signal to the called terminal.
Terminal has an automatic answering function and automatically responds to the incoming signal.
Between the exchange and the called terminal
If a DC loop is formed, the exchange and the called party
Terminal determines that the line of the called terminal has been seized.
Installed between the exchange and the terminal in the communication line
A malfunction release device is a ring detection unit for detecting the incoming call signal, and a loop detecting unit callee terminal machine connected times <br/> line to detect whether captured Before
A dial tone detector for detecting a dial tone from the serial line, the instantaneous interruption pulse generator for generating a short break pulse to momentarily disconnect the times <br/> line, obtained by the ring detection unit the When there is no incoming signal , the loop detector detects the
And a control unit for operating the instantaneous interruption pulse generating unit and disconnecting the line when the outgoing loop is detected and the dial tone detector detects the dial tone. Characteristic malfunction release device for terminals with automatic response function. 2. The device according to claim 1, wherein the dial tone detector includes a bandpass filter for passing only dial tone. 3. A plurality of exchanges including a terminal with an automatic response function.
Terminals are connected via their respective lines, and the calling side
The switch dials when the terminal goes off-hook
A beep to signal that you are ready to accept the signal
The call is sent to the calling terminal, and the calling terminal is
When the subscriber number of the calling terminal is dialed,
The exchange identifies the subscriber number, and
Sending a call signal to the called terminal.
Terminal has an automatic answering function and automatically responds to the incoming signal.
Between the exchange and the called terminal
If a DC loop is formed, the exchange and the called party
Terminal determines that the line of the called terminal has been seized.
To a malfunction releasing device installed on the communication line, before
Serial automated attendant terminal includes a ring detection unit for detecting the incoming call signal, the calling party line terminal is connected to the
A loop detecting unit for detecting whether or not the captured Bei Eteo a dial tone detector for detecting a tone from the times <br/> line
Therefore, there is no incoming signal obtained by the incoming signal detecting unit.
In the state, the DC loop is detected by the loop detection unit.
When a dial tone is detected by the dial tone detector and the dial tone is detected by the dial tone detector, the control unit for disconnecting the line is automatically responded to.
A malfunction canceling device for a terminal with an automatic response function, which is provided in the terminal with an answer function .