JPH1168890A - Terminal equipment - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To enhance the probability of the user that takes notice of a call. SOLUTION: In the case that a reply operation is not consecutively for N times or over for a prescribed past time for every incoming call, a tone volume of a call tone is incremented sequentially by one step each till the tone volume reaches a maximum (ST1, ST2, ST3). When any reply operation is made with respect to a call, information of no past reply is cleared and a speech is brought enable (ST5, ST8, ST9). When no reply operation is made to a call and the opposite party interrupts the line, information of no past reply is revised and a standby state is set (ST7, ST10, ST11). In the case that reply operation with respect to the call is not consecutively made N times for a prescribed past time, the call tone volume is sequentially increased so as to enhance the probability of the user taking notice of the call and leaving an important message unheard or delay of information acquisition is reduced.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

The present invention relates to a terminal device such as a telephone. More specifically, the present invention relates to a terminal device that attempts to increase the probability that a user will notice a call by changing the form of the call when a response operation has not been performed a predetermined number of times in response to the call.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art When there is an incoming call in a telephone or a portable telephone set in a fixed place in a general home, a ringing tone is output to notify the user of the incoming call.
The volume of this ringing tone is a preset volume.

[0003]

In the conventional telephone, as described above, the volume of the ringing tone becomes a preset volume. Therefore, the further away from the telephone, the more difficult it becomes to hear the ringing tone and the surrounding noise is reduced. The higher the volume, the more difficult it is to hear the ringing tone. Therefore, with respect to a telephone set in a fixed place in a general home, for example, when the volume of the ringing tone is set on the assumption that the user is near the telephone at night when the ambient noise is small, the ambient noise is large. If the user is away from the phone during the day,
The user may not be able to hear the ringing sound and may not notice the call. On the other hand, for a mobile phone, for example, when the volume of a ringing tone is set for use in a conference room with low ambient noise, and when the mobile phone is used in crowds with a large amount of noise, the user can hear the ringing tone Difficult and may not notice call. As described above, when the call is not noticed and the response operation is not performed, an important task is missed or information acquisition is delayed.

Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide a terminal device that can increase the probability that a user will notice a call.

[0005]

A terminal device according to the present invention comprises an incoming call detecting means for detecting an incoming call, a calling means for making a call when there is an incoming call, and a response operation for the call. And a call changing means for changing a mode of calling by the calling means when a response operation to the call is not performed continuously for a predetermined number of times or more.

[0006] The determination as to whether or not the response operation has not been continuously performed a predetermined number of times or more in response to the call may be performed within a predetermined time period from the time of the incoming call.
Also, the determination as to whether or not the response operation has not been performed a predetermined number of times in response to the call may be performed with respect to the call by the same sender. For example, the caller is specified by the caller's telephone number data sent at the time of receiving the call, or the caller is specified by the caller's telephone number data sent from the caller.

When an incoming call is detected by the incoming call detecting means, a call is made by the calling means. If the calling means is to make a sound call, a sound call is made. When the calling means is for calling by sound or vibration, the calling by sound or vibration is performed depending on the setting. A response operation by the user is performed by the response operation means in response to this call, so that a call state is established.

When the response operation to the call is not performed continuously for a predetermined number of times or more, the calling mode by the calling means is changed.

For example, when a call is made by sound, the manner of calling is changed so that the volume is increased. In this case, the maximum volume is set at once from the set volume,
Alternatively, the volume is increased by one step. Further, for example, in the case of calling by sound or vibration, the calling mode is changed from sound to vibration or from vibration to sound. By changing the manner of calling in this way,
It is possible to increase the probability that the user will notice the call.

[0010] In determining whether or not the response operation to the call has been performed continuously for a predetermined number of times or more,
A means for changing the number of times may be provided. Also,
When the calling mode is changed and the user performs a response operation, the calling mode may be returned to the original setting, or the calling mode may be kept as it is.

[0011]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 shows a telephone 10 connected to a telephone line. In this case, it is assumed that a modem signal indicating the telephone number data of the calling side is inserted into the calling signal transmitted via the telephone line. Whether the modem signal indicating the telephone number data is transmitted or not can be set on the calling side, and therefore, the modem signal indicating the telephone number data on the calling side may not be inserted in the calling signal.

The telephone 10 has a microcomputer and a control unit 11 for controlling the operation of the entire system. The control unit 11 has a ROM (read o
An nly memory) 12 and a work RAM (random access memory) 13 for temporarily storing data are provided.

The telephone 10 has terminals 14a and 14b for connection to telephone lines, and an incoming call detection unit 16, a line disconnection detection unit 17 connected to the terminals 14a and 14b via a DC cut capacitor 15. And a modem circuit 18. The incoming call detection unit 16 detects an incoming call by detecting a 16 Hz calling signal intermittently supplied from the exchange, and the incoming call detection signal output from the incoming call detection unit 16 is supplied to the control unit 11. The modem circuit 18 demodulates a modem signal transmitted through a telephone line, and digital data output from the modem circuit 18 is supplied to the control unit 11.

In the case of line disconnection by the calling side, a 400 Hz continuous signal (dial tone signal) or a 400 Hz intermittent signal (busy tone signal) is sent from the exchange, or a silent state occurs. Line disconnection detector 17
In this case, the line disconnection is detected by detecting any of the above-described states, and the line disconnection detection signal output from the line disconnection detection unit 17 is supplied to the control unit 11.

The telephone 10 performs two-wire / four-wire conversion while maintaining impedance matching with the line side.
Four-wire conversion circuit 19, terminals 14a and 14b, and conversion circuit 1
9 and a connection switch 2 connected in parallel with the hook switch 20.
1 and a hook state detection unit 22.

As is well known, when a later-described handset (handset) is in an off-hook state, the hook switch 20 is turned on, the line is in a DC closed state (DC loop closed), and one handset is in a closed state. When in the on-hook state, the hook switch 20 is turned off, and the line is in a DC open (DC loop open) state.
Although not shown, the hook state detecting unit 22 is a hook switch 20.
The hook state detection signal output from the hook state detection unit 22 is supplied to the control unit 11.

The on / off of the connection switch 21 is controlled by the control unit 11.
Is controlled by For example, when a speaker key of the operation unit described later is pressed to set the use mode of the speaker, the connection switch 21 is turned on, and the line is set to the DC closed state even when the handset is in the on-hook state. You. Note that the connection switch 2
When the switch 1 is turned on and the line is in a DC closed state, when the speaker key of the operation unit is pressed, the connection switch 21 is turned off and the line is in a DC open state.

The telephone 10 is connected to the 4-wire side (reception) of the conversion circuit 19 and amplifies a received voice signal transmitted through the line. The low-frequency amplifier 23 outputs the signal from the low-frequency amplifier 23. A changeover switch 26 for selectively supplying a received voice signal to the speaker 24 or a receiver (speaker) of the handset 25; In this case, the fixed terminal on the a side of the changeover switch 26 is the speaker 2
4 and the fixed terminal on the b side is a handset 25
And its movable terminal is a low-frequency amplifier 23.
Is connected to the output side.

The telephone 10 has a changeover switch 28 for selectively extracting an audio signal from the microphone 27 or an audio signal from the transmitter (microphone) of the handset 25, and a sound extracted by the changeover switch 28. And a low-frequency amplifier 29 for amplifying a signal.
In this case, the fixed terminal on the a side of the changeover switch 28 is connected to the microphone 27, the fixed terminal on the b side is connected to the transmitter of the handset 25, and the movable terminal is connected to the input side of the low frequency amplifier 29. ing. Changeover switch 2
Switching between 6 and 28 is controlled by the control unit 11, and is connected to the a side when the speaker 24 and the microphone 27 are used, and is connected to the b side when the handset 25 is used.

Also, the telephone 10 has a 4-bit (1 nibble) DTMF (Dual Tone Mu) supplied from the control unit 11.
ltiple Frequency) A DTMF modulator 31 for converting a signal code into a DTMF signal, and a voice signal output from the low-frequency amplifier 29 and a DTMF signal output from the DTMF modulator 31 are selectively taken out and the 4-wire side of the conversion circuit 19 is extracted. (Send)
And a changeover switch 34 for supplying to the In this case, the fixed terminal on the e side of the changeover switch 34 is connected to the output side of the low frequency amplifier 29, and the fixed terminal on the f side is a DTM.
The movable terminal is connected to the output side of the F modulator 31, and the movable terminal is connected to the 4-wire side (transmission) of the conversion circuit 19. Switching of the changeover switch 34 is controlled by the control unit 11.

The telephone 10 has an operation unit 36 for the user to perform various key operations, a display unit 37 composed of a liquid crystal display and the like, and a nonvolatile memory for storing redial data, telephone directory data and the like. Memory 38 and a ring tone output unit 39 for outputting a ring tone under the control of the control unit 11 when receiving a call
And The operation unit 36, the display unit 37, the non-volatile memory 38, and the ringing tone output unit 39 are connected to the control unit 11, respectively.

Here, the operation unit 36 includes a numeric keypad for inputting a telephone number and character data, a speaker key for setting a use mode of the speaker 24, an operation key for registering telephone directory data, and redial data. Keys for retrieving call and telephone directory data, operation keys for instructing a call, keys for setting the volume of a ringing tone from the ringing tone output unit 39, and the like. The display unit 37 displays, in addition to the state of the system, redial data, telephone directory data selected in the search for telephone directory data, telephone numbers input with ten keys, and the like.

Next, the operation of the telephone 10 shown in FIG. 1 will be described. After the handset 25 is set to the off-hook state or the line is closed by pressing the speaker key of the operation unit 36, the telephone number of the other party is input by key operation of the operation unit 36, or redialing is performed. When a call operation is performed in a state where data and telephone directory data are searched and desired data is displayed on the display unit 37, a call operation is performed.

That is, the changeover switch 34 is connected to the f side under the control of the control unit 11. The control unit 11 supplies a DTMF modulator 31 with a DTMF signal code corresponding to the telephone number data of the other party, and the DTMF modulator 31 outputs a DTMF signal corresponding to the telephone number data of the other party. Then, the DTMF signal is supplied to the 4-wire side (transmission) of the conversion circuit 19 through the f side of the changeover switch 34.
And transmitted to a switch (not shown) through a telephone line. As a result, the line with the other party is connected, and a call is made possible.

When a call signal is transmitted through the telephone line in a standby state, an incoming call is detected by the incoming call detecting unit 16, and a ringing tone is output from the ringing tone output unit 39 under the control of the control unit 11. Is done. Ring output section 3
While the ringing tone is being output from handset 9, handset 2
A response can be made by setting 5 to an off-hook state or pressing a speaker key of the operation unit 36. By this response operation, the hook switch 20 or the connection switch 21 is turned on, and the line is in a DC closed state. As a result, the line with the other party is connected, and a call is made possible. When the line is connected and the telephone is in a callable state, the line is disconnected by setting the handset 20 to an on-hook state or pressing a speaker key of the operation unit 36.

In the present embodiment, when a response operation has not been performed a predetermined number of times in the past for a predetermined period of time, the volume of the call is sequentially increased every time there is an incoming call, so that the user notices the call. Try to increase the probability. Using the flowchart of FIG.
Will be described in more detail.

First, in step ST1, it is determined whether there is an incoming call. When there is an incoming call, step S
At T2, it is determined whether or not the response operation has not been performed N times or more continuously in the past fixed time. Without the above,
The user can arbitrarily set N by operating the keys of the operation unit 36. If the response operation has not been performed N times or more continuously in the past fixed time, step ST3
Then, it is determined whether or not the volume setting of the ring tone from the ring tone output unit 39 is the maximum.

If the answering operation has not been performed N times or more consecutively in the past fixed time in step ST2, or if the ring tone volume setting is the maximum in step ST3, in step ST4, the ringing tone is turned off. A ringing tone is output from the ringing tone output unit 39 without changing the volume setting. on the other hand,
If the ring volume setting is not the maximum in step ST3 (including the case where the volume setting is off), the process proceeds to step ST5.
Then, the ring tone volume setting is raised by one step, and the ring tone output unit 39
More ringtone is output.

Subsequently, in step ST6, it is determined whether or not there is a response operation by the user, and in step ST7, it is determined whether or not the other party has disconnected. If there is a response operation in step ST6, information that has not been responded in the past is cleared in step ST8, and in step ST9, a call is made possible. In step ST7, when there is a disconnection on the other side,
Since the response operation has not been performed, step ST
In step 10, the information not responding in the past is changed, and step ST1 is executed.
At 1, it is set to a standby state. Here, the information that has not responded in the past is, for example, information of each time at which the response operation was not performed, and the change is the addition of the information of the time at which the response operation was not performed this time, and a certain time has elapsed. This means deletion of time information and the like.

As described above, according to the present embodiment, when a response operation to a call has not been performed a predetermined number of times continuously for a predetermined period of time in the past, each time there is an incoming call, the call is repeated until the volume becomes maximum. Are sequentially increased, and the probability that the user notices the call can be increased. This allows you to overlook important matters,
Delay in obtaining information can be reduced.

In the above-described embodiment, the determination that the response operation has not been performed a predetermined number of times in the past for a predetermined period of time does not include the condition that the call is from the same sender. It is also conceivable to include a condition. Consecutive incoming calls from the same caller are often urgent and important tasks, and it is necessary to increase the probability that the user will notice the call. In this case, a modem signal indicating the calling party number data inserted into the above-mentioned calling signal is used to specify whether or not the callers are the same.

FIG. 3 is a flow chart showing a case where the control unit 11 receives an incoming call when the determination that the response operation has not been performed a predetermined number of times in the past predetermined time includes a condition that the incoming call is from the same sender. 3 shows the control operation. Hereinafter, this control operation will be described.

First, in step ST21, it is determined whether there is an incoming call. If there is an incoming call, it is determined in step ST22 whether or not there is a caller ID notification.
That is, when a modem signal indicating the telephone number data of the caller is inserted in the call signal and the telephone number data of the caller is detected from the output data of the modem circuit 18, it is determined that there is a caller number notification. .

If there is no caller ID notification, step S
At T23, the ring tone is output from the ring tone output unit 39 without changing the ring tone volume setting. And step ST
At 24, it is determined whether there is a response operation by the user,
In step ST25, it is determined whether or not the other party has disconnected. If there is a response operation in step ST24, in step ST26, the communication is enabled. Step ST25
If there is a disconnection on the other side, in step ST27,
Set to the standby state.

In step ST22, when there is a caller ID notification, in step ST28, a response operation to the incoming call from the caller has not been performed N times or more continuously in the past predetermined time. It is determined whether or not. If the answering operation has not been performed N times or more consecutively in the past fixed time, at step ST29, the ringing tone output unit 39
It is determined whether or not the volume setting of the ringtone from is maximum.

If the answering operation has not been performed N times or more consecutively in the past fixed time in step ST28, or if the ringing tone volume setting is the maximum in step ST29, in step ST30, the ringing tone is turned off. A ringing tone is output from the ringing tone output unit 39 without changing the volume setting.
On the other hand, if the ring volume setting is not the maximum in step ST29, the ring volume setting is set to 1 in step ST31.
The ringing tone is output from the ringing tone output unit 39.

Subsequently, in step ST32, it is determined whether or not there is a response operation by the user.
It is determined whether the other party has disconnected. Step ST
If there is a response operation in step 32, the information on the caller who has not responded in the past is cleared in step ST34, and in step ST26, the call is made ready. Step ST33
If there is a disconnection on the other side, it means that the response operation has not been performed, so in step ST35, the information on the caller who has not responded in the past is changed, and step ST27 is performed.
Then, it is in a standby state. Here, the information that did not respond in the past is, for example, information at each time when the response operation was not performed for each caller, and the change is the addition of the information at the time at which the response operation was not performed this time, a fixed time. This means, for example, deletion of information at the time when the time has elapsed.

In the operation according to the flowchart of FIG. 3, the caller is specified by using the modem signal indicating the caller number data inserted into the call signal. The caller may be specified by the telephone number data of the caller to be sent.

In the above-described embodiment, when a response operation to a call has not been performed a predetermined number of times continuously in the past predetermined time, the volume of the call is sequentially increased until the volume becomes maximum each time there is an incoming call. Although it has been raised, it is also conceivable that the volume of the call is immediately increased to the maximum when the response operation to the call has not been performed a predetermined number of times continuously in the past fixed time.

Further, in the above-described embodiment, even if there is a response operation by the user after raising the volume of the call, the volume of the call remains unchanged, but after the response operation by the user, Alternatively, the call volume setting may be automatically restored.

Further, in the above-described embodiment, when the response operation to the call has not been performed a predetermined number of times in the past fixed time, the volume of the call is increased as a change of the mode of the call. However, the change of the calling mode is not limited to this. For example, in the case of a portable terminal device such as a simple portable telephone that calls by sound or vibration according to a setting by a user, it is conceivable to change the mode of calling from sound to vibration or from vibration to sound. Also in this case, after the user performs a response operation, the mode of the call may be kept changed, or the mode of the call may be automatically restored.

In the above embodiment, the present invention is applied to a telephone connected to a telephone line. However, the present invention is applied to a portable telephone such as a simple portable telephone, a pager, a facsimile machine and the like. It goes without saying that the present invention can be similarly applied to a terminal device.

[0043]

According to the present invention, when a response operation to a call is not performed a predetermined number of times continuously, the mode of the call is changed, and the probability that the user notices the call can be increased. It is possible to reduce delays in missing important information and delaying information acquisition.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a telephone according to an embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a control operation when an incoming call is received.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating another example of a control operation when an incoming call is received.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Telephone 11 Control part 14a, 14b Terminal for telephone line connection 16 Incoming detection part 17 Line disconnection detection part 18 Modem circuit 19 Two-wire / 4-wire conversion circuit 20 Hook switch 21 Connection switch 22 Hook state detection part 24 Speaker 25 Handset 26, 28, 34 selector switch 27 microphone 31 DTMF modulator 36 operation unit 37 display unit 38 non-volatile memory 39 ringing sound output unit

Claims (7)

[Claims] 1. An incoming call detecting means for detecting that an incoming call has occurred, a calling means for making a call when the incoming call has occurred, a response operating means for performing a response operation to the call, And a call changing means for changing a mode of the call by the calling means when the response operation has not been continuously performed a predetermined number of times or more. 2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the call changing unit is configured to execute the response operation for the call for a predetermined number of times continuously within a predetermined period of time after the time of the incoming call.
The terminal device according to claim 1, wherein a mode of the call by the calling means is changed. 3. The system according to claim 2, further comprising: a caller specifying means for specifying a caller associated with the incoming call, wherein the call changing means does not continuously perform the response operation for the call by the same caller a predetermined number of times. 3. The terminal device according to claim 1, wherein a mode of the calling by the calling unit is changed. 4. The terminal device according to claim 3, wherein said caller specifying means specifies said caller by telephone number data of a caller transmitted at the time of an incoming call. 5. The terminal device according to claim 3, wherein the caller specifying means specifies the caller by telephone number data of the caller sent from the caller. 6. The calling device according to claim 1, wherein the calling unit calls by sound, and the calling changing unit changes a calling mode so as to increase the volume. Terminal device. 7. The calling means for making a call by sound or vibration, and wherein the call changing means changes a mode of calling from sound to vibration or from vibration to sound. Item 3. The terminal device according to item 1 or 2.