AU658539B2 - Cordless telephone apparatus - Google Patents

Description

AW1 CORDLESS TELEPHzONE APPARATUS This application is a divisional of application iiLo.

6573/90.BACXGROUND CF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a cordless telephone apparatus and, more particularly, to a cordless telephqrle apparatus having a connecting unit connected to a telephone channel and a cordless telephone set connected to the connecting unit by a radio channel, a wire telephone set being also connected to the telephone channel.

A cordless telephone apparatus has customarily been made up of a connecting unit connected to a telephone channel, or to subscriber line, and a cordless telephone set connected to the connecting unit by a radio channel.

After either on~e of the connecting unit and cordless telephone set has determined that a carrier does not e xist on a control channel, "No CARRIER"', an originatina or a terminating call signal is sent over the control channel. Then, only if the other party which has receives the call signal determines that the identification signal of the cordless telephone set and one included in the originating or Lerminating call signal are coincident, a voice channel between the connecting unit and the telephone set is set up.

When a wire telephone set is connected in parallel to the telephone channel of the cordless telephone apparatus, an incoming call. always causes the bell of 1- -1 2 the wire telephone set to ring before that of the cordless telephone set. As the user of the cordless telephone set who heard the wire telephone set ringing may off-hook the cordless telephone set before the connecting unit sends a terminating call signal, the cordless telephone set detects no carrier and thus commences a call origination.

Consequently, a terminating call signal from the connecting unit and an originating call signal from the cordless telephone set conflict with each other. The conflict often causes both of the originating connection and the.

terminating connection to fail, resulting in loss connections.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to provide a 15 cordless telephone unit which, when a terminating and an originating connection request conflict, processes either one of them prior to the other to thereby implement sure connection for communication.

In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, a cordless telephone set and a connecting unit of a S• cordless telephone apparatus have particular means for giving priority to call origination processing when a terminating and an originating call signal conflict, as follows. The connecting unit has means for interrupting, when an originating call signal with a coincident 3 identification signal is detected during the -ourse of transmission of a terminating call signal, the transmission of the terminating call signal and sends an originating answer signal to the telephone set to execute originating connection. The telephone set has means for sensing a carrier on a control channel on detecting off-hook while in a waiting state and, if the result is "NO CARRIER", starts on transmission. Even if the result is "CARRIER", the means starts on transmission when the telephone set has detected a terminating call signal with a coincident identification code, and then sends an originating call signal to the connecting unit. In this construction, the telephone set sends, even in a "CARRIER" condition, an originating call signal when it has detected a terminating 15 call signal with a coincident identification signal, while the connecting unit sends an originating answer signal when it has detected an originating call signal during the course of transmission of a terminating call signal.

As a result, an originating call signal'and a terminating 20 call signal from the telephone set and the connecting unit, respectively, are prevented from conflicting with each other.

An alternative embodiment of the present invention has the following means for giving priority to call S 25 termination processing when a terminating and an originating call signal conflict. Specifically, the -4 connecting unit has terminating call signal priority sending means for sending a terminating call signal to the cordless telephone set -prior to an originating answer signal sending procedure when, in the event of termination of a call, "CARRIER" is detected on the control channel and an originating call signal with a coincident identification signal is received from the telephone set.

The telephone set has terminating call signal priority sending means for sending a terminating response signal prior to an originating connection procedure when, in the event of call origination and during an interval between the off-hook and the reception of an originating answer signal from tEhe connecting unit, "CARRIER" is detected on the control channel and a terminating call signal with a coincident identification signal is received from the connecting unit.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The above-mentioned and other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent by reference to the following detailed description of the invention taken in conjunction with the -accoxpanying drawings, wherein: 1 is a schematic block diagram showing the **connection of a wire telephone set and a cordless -telephone unit; w Fig. 2 is a schematic block diagram showing a connecting unit and a cordless telephone set, according to the present invention; Figs. 3A and 3B are flowcharts demonstrating terminating connection and originating connection executed by a conventional connecting unit and a conventional cordless telephone set, respectively; Fig. 4 is a timing chart representative of the conflict of a terminating call and an originating call occurring in the conventional arrangement; Figs. 5A and 5B are flowcharts demonstrating respectively terminating connection and originating connection executed by a connecting unit and a cordless telephone set embodying the present invention; 15 Fig. 6 is a timing chart representative of the conflict of a terminating call and an originating call particular to the illustrative embodiment; and Figs. 7A and 7B are flowcharts showing respectively originating connection and terminating connection executed 20 by a connecting unit and a cordless telephone set *e representative of an alternative embodiment of the present invention.

.o o DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Referring to Fig. 1 of the drawings, a cordless telephone apparatus embodying the present invention is i I 6 shown. As shown, a wire telephone set 2 and a connecting unit 3 of the cordless telephone apparatus are connected in parallel to a public switching telephone network (PSTN) through a telephone subscriber line, or channel, 1.

A cordless telephone set 4 included in the cordless telephone apparatus is connected to the connecting unit 3 by a radio channel The cordless telephone apparatus will be described in more detail with reference to Fig. 2. A shown in Fig. 2, the connecting unit 3 has a hybrid circuit 11 connected to the telephone channel 1, a call incoming detection circuit 12 also connected to the telephone channel 1, a contrr. section 13, a transmitting section 14, a receiving section 15, a power source section 16, a power 15 switch 17, and a signal generating section 18. The receiving section 15 includes a carrier sensing.circuit 19.

The control section 13 controls the operations of the entire connecting unit 3. The transmitting section 14 converts a voice signal coming in over the telephone 20 channel 1 and control signals generated within the .onnecting unit 3 terminating call signal and originating answer signal) into radio signals.. The receiving section 15 transforms a radio signal received from the cordless telephone set 4 over the radio channel 25 into a wire signal. The signal generating section 18 generates the terminating call signal, originating answer 7 signal, etc. The carrier sensing circuit 19 detects a received carrier level by comparing it with a predetermined reference level.

The cordless telephone set 4 has a receiving section 21, a control section 22, a handset 23, power switches 24 and a hook switch 26, a transmitting section 27, a battery 28, and a signal generating section 29. The receiving section 21 includes a carrier sensing circuit 30. The receiving section 21 converts a radio signal received from the connecting unit 3 over the radio channel into a wire signal. The control section 22 controls the operations of the entire cordless telephone set 4. The handset 23 is adapted for the input and output of voice signals.

The transmitting section 27 transforms a voice signal 23 from the handset 23 and control signals generated within the telephone set 4 originating call signal and terminating response signal) into radio signals and transmits them. The signal generating section 29 generates an originating call signal, a terminating 20 call signal, etc. The carrier sensing circuit senses *5 5 a received carrier level by comparing it with a oe go 'predetermined reference level. When the telephone set 4 is in a waiting state, the control section 22 thereof turns off the transmission output by controlling the transmitting section 27 and turns the power switch on and off, thereby remaining in a battery saving mode.

-8- The handset 23 and transmitting section 27 share a single power source for the sake of economy.

The carrier sensing circuits 19 and 30 each has a predetermined reference level and produces a "CARRIER" output if the received carrier level is higher than the reference level or a "NO CARRIER" output if otherwise.

To better understand the present invention, the operation of a conventional cordless telephone unit will first be described referring to Figs. 3A and 3B. While the conventional cordless telephone unit is similar in construction to the illustrative embodiment, the former is different from the latter regarding the termination control and- origination control which are executed by the control section 13 of the connecting unit 3 and the 15 control section 22 of the cordless telephone set 4, respectively, To begin with, terminating connection particular to the conventional cordless telephone unit will be described with reference to Figs. 3A and 4. Assume that the call 20 incoming detective circuit 12 has detected a terminating call signal in the form of a sinusoidal wave whose frequency is 16 Hz (step 10, time TO) when the-connecting unit 3 is in a waiting state. Then, the control section 13 turns on the power switch 17 (step 11, time T2). At the 25 same time, the control section 13 designates, among a plurality of voice channels and control channels assigned -9to the cordless telephone unit, a single control channel (step 12) and tunes the transmitting section 14 and receiving section 15 to the designated control channel. Thereafter, the carrier sensing circuit 19 checks the designated channel to see if a carrier exists thereon (step 13). If the carrier sensing circuit 19 produces a "NO CARRIER" output, the control section 13 turns on the transmitting section 14 (step 14, time T3) so as to send to the cordless telephone set 4 a terminating call signal including an identification signal of telephone set 4 (step times T5 to T7). When the control section 13 receives a terminating response signal (step 16) after the transmission of the terminating call signal, it executes a terminating connection procedure (step S17).

Assume that the output of the carrier sensing circuit 19 has not changed to "NO CARRIER" within a predetermined period of time or the receiving section 15 has not received a terminating response call signal within a predetermined period of time after the delivery of the terminating call signal. Then, the control section 13 executes, in place of the terminating connection procedure, a terminating NG procedure such as ringing a bell which is incorporated in the connecting unit 3 (step 18).

The conventional cordless telephone unit executes originating connection, as will be described with reference to Figs 3B and 4. Assume that the user of the cordless see* oo S *°oSo oO~o ooo o STA/0502K

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10 telephone unit has pressed the hook switch (off hook) to oriciiate a call whilp the telephone set 4 is in a waiting state. Then, the control section 22 detects the off-hook (step 20, time Tl), turns on the power switches 24 and 25 (step 21, time T2), designates a single control channel (step 22), and tunes the transmitting section 27 and receiving section 21 to the designated channel.

Thereupon, the carrier sensing circuit 30 checks the designated control channel.to see if a carrier exists thereon (step 23). If the resulting output of the carrier sensing circuit 30 is "NO CARRIER", the control section 22 turns on the transmitting section 27 (step 24, time T3) and controls the signal generating section 29 to send an originating call signal including the identification 15 signal of telephone unit 4 to the connecting unit 3 (step 25, times T4 to T6). Afterwards, when the receiving g. V section 21 receives an originating answer signal (step 26), the control section 22 executes an originating connection procedure (step 27). If the-output of the carrier sensing 20 circuit 30 does not change to "NO CARRIER" within a predetermined period of time or the receiving section 21 does not receive an originating answer signal (step 26), the control section 22 outputs a busy tone via the receiving section 21 and handset 13 (step 28).

25 When the wire telephone set 2 is connected to the telephone channel 1 to which the connecting unit 3 of 11 the conventional cordless telephone unit is connected, the wire telephone set 2 rings first at all times on receiving an incoming call. Hence, as the user heard the wire telephone set 2 ringing presses the hook switch 26 of the cordless telephone set 4 (off hook), the call terminating operation (Fig. 3A) by the c6nnecting unit 3 and the call originating operation (Fig. 3B) by the cordless telephone set 4 conflict. Specifically, as shown in Fig. 4, the connecting unit 3 sends a terminating call signal at the time T5 while the cordless telephone set 4 sends an originating call signal at the time T4.

As a result, the connecting unit 3 and the telephone set 4 conflict and'detect a carrier at the same time. Then, it is likely that both of the originating call and the terminating call fall into connection NG and, therefore, loss connection.

A preferred embodiment of the cordless telephone apparatus in accordance with the present invention gives priority to originating connection when an originating 20 and a terminating call signal conflic't. 9**o A reference will be made to Figs. 5A and 6 for describing terminating connection particular to the ooo* connecting unit 3 of the illustrative embodiment.

:As shown, assume that the call incoming detective 25 circuit 12 has detected a terminating call signal (step time TO) while the connecting unit 3 is in a waiting state.

12 Then, the control section 13 turns on the power switch 17 (step 31, time T1). At the same time, the control section 13 dAsignates, among a plurality of voice channels and control channels assigned to the cordless telephone apparatus, a single control channel (step 32) and then switches the transmitting section 14 and receiving section 15 to the designated channel. In this condition, the carrier sensing circuit 19 c -acks the designated control channel to see if a carrier exists therecn (step 33). If the resulting output of the carrier detective circuit 19 is "NO CARRIER", the control section 13 turns on the transmission output of the transmitting section 14 (step 34, time T2) and controls the signal generating section 18 to send a terminacing 15 call signal to the cordless telephone set 4 via the transmitting section 14 (step 35, times T3 to T9). When the receiving section 15 receives a terminating. response signal after the delivery of the terminating call signal (step 36), the control section 13 executes terminating connection (step 37). The sequence of steps described so far is the same as in the prior art shown in Fig. 3A.

Assume that the control section 13 has received via e' the receiving section 19 an originating call signal including an identificatior signal which is coincident 25 with the identification signal assigned to the cordless telephone set 4 which should be connected to the connecting 13 unit 3 (step 38, time T8). Then, the control section 13 controls the signal generating section 18 to stop the delivery of the terminating call signal (step 39), sends an originating answer signal to the telephone set 4 (vtep 40), and executes originating connection (step 41). When the output of the carrier sensing circuit 19 (step 33) does not change to "NO CARRIER" within a predetermined period of time (stpp 33) or when a terminating response signal is not received within a predetermined period of time after the delivery of the terminating call signal (step 42), the control section 13 executes a termination NG procedure (step 43).

how the cordless telephone set 4 executes originating connection will be described with reference to Figs 5B and 6.

Assume that the user of the cordless telephone apparatus has pressed the hook switch 26 to originate a call (off hook) while the cordless telephone set 4 is in a waiting state. Then, the control section 22 detects it (step 50, time T3), turns on the power switches 24 and 25 (step 51, time T4), designates a single control channel (step 52), and tunes the transmitting section 27 and receiving section 21 to the designated channel. Subsequently, the cairier sensing circuit 30 checks the designated control channel to see if a carrier exists thereon (step 20 53). If the output of the carrier sensing eo *i *i *i STA/0502K 14 circuit 30 is "NO CARRIER", the control section-22 turns on the transmitting section 27 (step 54) and controls the signal generating section 29 to send an originating call signal to the connecting unit 3 via the transmitting section 27 (step 55, time T7). When the receiving section 21 receives the originating answer signal (step 56), the control section 22 executes originating connection (step 57). The steps described so far are the same as in the prior art shown in Fig. 3B.

Assume that an identifice'Zion signal coincident with that of t,-he cordless telephone set 4 has been detected in the terminating call signal which is included in the received carrier (step 58, time T6). Then, even if the output of the carrier sensing circuit 30 is "'CARRIER" (step 53, time T5), the control circuit 13 turns on the transmitting section 2.7 (step 54) and enters into a procedure for sending an originating call signal to the connecting unit 3 (steps 55 to 57) On the other hand, when the output of the carrier sensing circuit 30 does 20 not turn to "NO CARRIER" within a predetermined period of time (steps 58 and 59) or when the receiving section 21 9. does not receive an originating answer signal within a predetermi,xed periLod of time .step 56), the control section 22 causes'the handset 13 to output a busy tone (step 60) and does not execute originating connection.

The conflict of an originating and a terminating 15 call signal which may occur in the first embodiment and is an issue heretofore discussed will be described with reference to Figs. 5A, 5B and 6.

On detecting a call incoming signal, the connecting unit 3 turns on the power switch 17 and then designates a control channel, detects a carrier, turns on the transmitting section 14, and sends a terminating call signal (steps 30 to 35). On the other hand, as the user heard the wire telephone set 2 ringing off-hooks the cordless telephone set 4, the telephone set 4 turns on the power switches 24 and 25 and the.i designates a control channel and detects a carrier (steps 50 to 53). At the time TS, the connecting unit 3 has already started sending a terminating call signal and, therefore, the cordless 15 telephone set 4 produces "CARRIER". However, at the time T6, the terminating call signal having a coincident identification code is received step 58), so that the cordless telephone set 4 turns on the.transmitting section 27 (step 54) and sends an originating call signal 20 (step 55). At the time T8, the connecting unit 3 receives the originating call signal having the coincident identification code step 38) and, therefore, s ops sending the terminating call signal (step 39), sends an originating answer signal for designating a voibe channel of the cordless telephone set 4 (step 40), and tunes its own transmitting and receiving sections 14 and 15 to the 16 designated voice channel (step 41). On receiving the originating answer signal step 56), the telephone set 4 switches the transmitting and receiving sections 27 and 21 to the designated voice channel and sends an end-of-switch signal (step 57). On receiving the end-of-switch signal, the connecting unit 3 sends an AF ON signal indicative of the completion of radio connection and thereby sets up a communicable state (step 41). On receiving the AF ON signal, the telephone set 4 is caused into a communicable state (step 57) to allow the user to converse with the other party.

As stated above, the illustrative embodiment causes the cordless telephone set 4 to send an originating call Ssignal even in the "CARRIER" condition when it has 15 detected a terminating call signal with a coincident identification signal. When the connecting unit 3 has detected an originating call signal while transmitting a terminating call signal, it sends an originating answer signal. As a result, when the originating call* signal S 20 from the telephone set 4 and the terminating call signal from the connecting unit 3 conflic, priority i's given to Soriginating connection so as to successfully connect the telephone set 4 and connecting unit 3 to each other.

An alternative embodiment of the present invention which will be described gives priority to terminating connection in the event when an originating and a i 17 terminating call signal conflict. The alternative embodiment is also practicable with the circuitry shown in Fig. 2 except for the control systems of the control sections 13 and 22.

First, a reference will be made to Fig. 7A for describing a terminating connection flow to be executed by the connecting unit 3. Assume that the call incoming detective circuit 12 has detected a call incoming signal while in a waiting state. Then, the control section 13 turns on the power switch 17 and then designates a control channel and tunes the transmitting and receiving sections 14 and 15 to the designated control channel. When the carrier sensing circuit 19 produces a "NO CARRIER" signal *associated with the designated control channel step S. 15 the control section 13 turns on the transmitting section 14 and sends a. terminating call signal to the cordless telephone set 4 via the transmitting section 14 by controlling the signal generating section 18 (step 71).

Thereafter, when the receiving section 15 receives a 20 terminating response signal from the telephone set 4 (step 72), the control section 13 executes terminating connection (step 73).

Assume that the output of the carrier sensing circuit 19 associated with the designated control channel is "CARRIER" step 70). Then, even if an originating call signal having a coincident identification signal

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18 (calling name) has been received step 74), the control section 13 neglects it and transmits the terminating call signal from the signal generating section 18 to the cordless telephone set 4 via the transmitting section 14 (step 71). When the receiving section 15 receives a terminating response signal (step 72), the control section 13 enters into the following termination connection procedure (step 73).

The control section 13 executes the termination NG procedure (step 75) when it receives an originating call signal with a non-coincident identification signal via the receiving section 19 or when it does not receive a terminating response signal step 72).

Originating and terminating call connection executed 15 by the cordless telephone set 4 will be described with reference to Fig. 7B. When the control section 22 detects the off-hook of the hook switch 26 effected by'the user of the cordless telephone set 4 (step 80), it turns on the power switches 24 and 25 and then designates a control i* 20 channel and tunes the receiving and transmitting section 27 to that control channel. When the output of the carrier sensing circuit 30 is "CARRIER" step 81) and if it f* is representative of a terminating call signal with a coincident identification signal step 82), the control section 22 interrupts the originating connection procedure.

At the same time, :he control section'22 sends a terminating 19 response signal to the terminating call signal to the connecting unit 3 via the transmitting section 27 (step 83) and then starts on the following terminating connection procedure (step 84).

Assume that the carrier sensing circuit 30 has produced a "NO CARRIER" output associated with the designated control channel step 81) after the detection of the off-hook of the hook switch 26!(step Then, the control section 22 turns on the transmitting section 27 and, thereafter, sends an originating call signal from the signal generating section 29 to the Sconnecting unit 3 via the transmitting section 27 (step '0 When the receiving section 21 .does not receive an originating answer signal to the originating call signal 15 from the connecting unit 3 step 86) and receives a terminating call signal with a coincident identification signal step 87), the control section 22 stops sending the originating call signal from the signal generating section 29 (step 88), sends a terminating response signal 20 from the signal generating section 29 via the transmitting section 27 (step 83), and executes the following

S*

terminating connection (step 84).

When a terminating call signal with a non-coincident call number idehtification signal is received step 82 or N, step 87),.neither the originating connection nor the terminating connection is executed and, instead, a busy 20 tone is outputted via the handset 13 (step 89). When a terminating answer signal from the connecting unit 3 is received step 86), terminating connection is executed (step In summary, the alternative embodiment shown and described provides the connecting unit 3 with terminating call signal priority sending means and'provides the cordless telephone set 4 with terminating response signal priority sending means, so that terminating connection may be executed prior to originating connection-when an originating and a terminating call occur substantially at the same time. This is successful in preventing both of the terminating and originating calls from resulting in loss connection.

15 Although the invention has been described with reference to specific embodiments, this description is not meant to be construed in a limiting sense. Various modifications of the disclosed embodiments, as well as other embodiments of the invention, will become apparent 20 to persons skilled in the art upon reference to the description of the invention. It is therefore contemplated Sthat the appended claims will cover any modifications or embodiments as fall within the true cope of the invention.

embodiments as fall within the true -,cope of the invention.

Claims (9)

1. A cordless telephone apparatus comprising a connecting unit connected to a telephone channel and a cordless telephone set which is connectable to said connecting unit over a radio channel and is assigned a first identification signal, said connecting unit comprising: means for detecting an incoming call from said telephone channel to produce a detect signal; first carrier sensing means for sensing a carrier wave on a control channel between the connecting unit and the cordless telephone set and for producing a first carrier signal when it senses a carrier wave; first transmit means for transmitting a terminating call signal containing a second identification signal to said cordless telephone set over said control channel in the absence of said first carrier signal; first receive means; first control means for interrupting the transmission of said terminating call signal when detecting an originating call signal containing a first identification signal which is coincident with said second identification signal and thereafter controlling said transmit means to transmit an originating answer signal to said cordless telephone see set; and means for generating said terminating call signal in response to said detect signal and for generating said originating answer signal; said cordless telephone set comprising: second carrier sensing means for sensing a carrier wave on said control channel and for producing a second carrier signal when it senses a carrier wave; second receive means; second transmit means for transmitting an originating call signal Sto said connecting unit over said control channel even in the presence of said second carrier signal when said second receive means receives said terminating call signal containing said second identification signal which is coincident with said first identification signal; and means for generating said originating call signal. STA'/0502K 22

2. A telephone apparatus as claimed in claim 1i, wherein said connecting unit and said cordless telephone set are connected to each other by said control channel and a plurality of voice channels.

3. A telephone apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein a wire telephone set is connected to said telephone channel to which said connecting unit is connected.

4. A connecting unit for use in a cordless telephone apparatus comprising: call incoming detecting circuit means for detecting a call incoming signal from a telephone channel to produce a detect signal; signal generating section means for generating a terminating call signal and an originating answer signal in response to the detect signal; receiving section means for receiving an originating call signal and a terminating response signal from a cordless telephone set over a designated control channel; carrier sensing circuit means; transmitting section means; and control section means for designating said designated control channel when said call incoming detecting section means detects a call incoming signal, wherein said control section means transmits said terminating call signal via said transmitting section when said carrier sensing circuit means produces a "NO CARRIER" output indicating that a carrier does not exist on said designated control channel, and wherein said control section means interrupts the transmission of said terminating call signal when said receiving section means receives an originating call signal containing an identification signal coincident :with an identification signal assigned to said cordless telephone set while said terminating call signal is transmitted, controls said signal i: i•: S" generating section means to generate sa'd originating answer signal, controls said transmitting section means to transmit the generated originating answer signal to said cordless telephone set and executes 0* connection of the originating call sigial from said cordless telephone set to said connecting unit.

A cordless telephone set for use in a cordless telephone apparatus, comprising: S TA/05O2K I 23 signal generating section means for generating an originating call signal and a terminating response signal; receiving section means for receiving a terminating call signal and an originating answer signal from a connecting unit for use in said cordless telephone apparatus; carrier sensing circuit means; transmitting section means; a handset; and control section means for designating a control channel on off-hook of said handset and, when said carrier sensing circuit produces a "NO CARRIER" output indicating that a carrier does not exist on said designated control channel, sending said originating call signal via said transmitting section means and executing originating connection, said control section comprising originating connection priority processing means for controlling said signal generating section means to generate said originating call signal, even when said carrier sensing circuit means produces a "CARRIER" output indicating that a carrier exists on said designated control channel and controlling said transmitting section means to transmit the generated originating call signal to said connecting unit if said receiving section means receives a terminating Go*: call signal containing an identification signal coincident with an see identification signal assigned to said-cordless telephone set.

6. A cordless telephone apparatus comprising a connecting unit .e connected to a telephone channel and a cordless telephone set which is f connectable to said connecting unit over a radio channel and is assigned a first identification signal, said connection unit comprising: means for detecting an incoming call from said telephone channel to produce a detect signal; S"first carrier sensing means for sensing a carrier wave on a control channel between the connecting unit and the cordless telephone set and for providing a first carrier signal when it senses a carrier wave; first transmit means for transmitting a terminating call signal containing a second identification signal to said cordless telephone set over said control channel in the absence of said first carrier signal; first receive means for receiving a terminating response signal; S*A/52K A/O5O2K M 24 first control means for executing connection of the terminating call signal from said connecting unit to said cordless telephone set on reception of said terminating response signal; and means for generating said terminating call signal in response to said detect signal; said cordless telephone set comprising: second carrier sensing means for sensing a carrier wave on said control channel and for providing a second carrier signal when it senses a carrier wave; second receive means for receiving said terminating call signal; second transmit means for transmitting an originating call signal to said connecting unit in the absence of said second carrier signal and transmitting said terminating response signal to said connecting unit even in the presence of said carrier signal if said second identification signal contained in the received terminating call signal is coincident with said first identification signal; and means for generating said originating call signal and said terminating response signal.

7. A telephone apparatus as claimed in claim 6, wherein said connecting unit and said cordless telephone set are connected by said control channel and a plurality of voice channels. Soo

8. A telephone apparatus as claimed in claim 6, wherein a wire telephone set is connected to the telephone channel to which said connecting unit is connected.

9. A connecting unit for use in a cordless telephone apparatus, comprising: call incoming detecting circuit means for detecting a call incoming signal from a telephone channel to produce a detect signal; signal generating section means for generating a terminating call S"signal in response to the detect signal; receiving section means for receiving an originating call signal and a terminating response signal from a cordless telephone set over a designated control channel; carrier sensing circuit means; transmitting section means; and Scontrol section means for designating said designated control -STA/0502K 25 channel when said call incoming detecting circuit means detects a call incoming signal and, when said carrier sensing circuit means produces a "NO CARRIER" output indicating that a carrier does not exist on said designated control channel, sending said terminating call signal from said signal generating section means via said transmitting section means,-- said control section means comprising terminating call priority sa id control section means comprising terminating call priority processing means for sending, even when said carrier sensing circuit means produces a "CARRIER" output, the terminating call signal from said signal generating section means via said transmitting section means if said receiving means receives an originating call signal containing an identification signal coincident with an identification signal assigned to said cordless telephone set and, thereafter, executing the connection of the terminating call signal From said connecting unit to said cordless telephone set when said receiving section means receives said terminating response signal. A cordless telephone set for use in a cordless telephone apparatus, comprising: signal generating section means for generating an originating call signal and a terminating response signal; receiving section means for receiving a terminating call signal and an originating answer signal from a connecting unit of said cordless telephone apparatus; .carrier sensing circuit means; transmitting section means; a handset; and S: of control section means for designating a control channel on off-hook of said handset, sending said originating call signal via said transmitting section means when said carrier sensing circuit means Sproduces a "NO CARRIER" output indicating that a carrier does not eXist on said control channel, and executing connection of the originating call signal from said cordless telephone set to said connecting unit when said receiving section means receives said originating answer signal, said control section means comprising terminating call priority processing means for sending said terminating response signal via said transmitting section means when, during an interval between off-hook of ,TA/0502K rI 26 said handset and reception of the originating answer signal, said carrier sensing circuit means produces a "CARRIER" output Indicating that a carrier exists on said control channel and an Identification signal contained in the received terminating call signal is coincident with an identification signal assigned to said cordless telephone set. DATED this TNENTY-SEVENTH day of JANUARY 1995 NEC Corporation Patent Attorneys for the Applicant SPRUSON FERGUSON :o .9o 9 9 99* 9* 9* o° *o° oo oooo *o *c Cordless Telephone Apparatus Abstrac* A cordless telephone apparatus having a connecting unit and a cordless telephone set is disclosed. The apparatus processes a termininating call signal sent from the connecting unit and an originating call signal sent from the telephone set by giving priority to either one of the two signals. In a preferred embodiment which gives priority to originating call prucessing, the connecting unit stops sending a terminating call signal and, instead, sends an originating answer signal when an originating call signal with a coincident identification signal is detected during the course of transmission of the terminating call signal. The telephone set also sends an originating call signal when a carrier with a coincident identification signal is received. In an alternative embodiment which gives priority to terminating call processing, the connecting unit '3) sends a terminating call signal on receiving an originating call signal with a coincident identification signal. The telephone set, even during a call originating procedure, stops transmitting an originating call signal and, instead, sends a terminating response signal when it receives a terminating call signal with a coincident identification signal. (Figure 2) G r U JED/0134F