CA2011842C - Telephone device and method of controlling same - Google Patents
Telephone device and method of controlling sameInfo
- Publication number
- CA2011842C CA2011842C CA 2011842 CA2011842A CA2011842C CA 2011842 C CA2011842 C CA 2011842C CA 2011842 CA2011842 CA 2011842 CA 2011842 A CA2011842 A CA 2011842A CA 2011842 C CA2011842 C CA 2011842C
- Authority
- CA
- Canada
- Prior art keywords
- control information
- telephone
- recording medium
- telephone device
- call
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Expired - Lifetime
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- Mobile Radio Communication Systems (AREA)
Abstract
A telephone device and method for preventing an illegal use of a telephone. A card reader for reading control information recorded on a card-like recording medium is provided in the telephone. The recording medium is inserted in the card reader and predetermined control information is keyed into the telephone from the dial key pad unit of the telephone. Only when the control information input from the dial key pad unit has coincided with the control information on the recording medium read by the card reader, a predetermined speech function of the telephone is enabled.
Description
-- 201 ~842 The present invention relates to telephone devices and methods of controlling same, especially, suitable for radio telephone devices such as automobile telephone devices.
As well known, a telephone device establishes a radio circuit for telephone communication with a base unit to thereby make telephone communication with a target telephone terminal (generally, a domestic telephone or another automobile telephone device) through the base unit. It includes a controller which, in turn, includes a transmitter-receiver unit and a control unit, and a handset whichincludes an ear and a mouth piece and a dial key pad unit.
In such an automobile telephone device, it is dangerous and virtually difficult to dial for placing a call during travelling.
Published Examined Japanese Patent Application Sho No.
58-20176 proposes a device in which an authorized card-like recording medium which stores information on the identification of the card owner himself and one or more addresses' telephone numbers is inserted into a signal coupler of a controller when a call is to be placed to thereby call a target telephone terminal without dialing the target telephone number.
According to this device, it is easy to place a call even if the car is travelling and only the person who possDccec that card can place a call and receive an incoming -- 1 -- .~
~F
~r - 201 ~842 call, so that illegal use of that automobile telephone device by another person is prevented.
In the conventional device, since, however, only the insertion of such recording medium into the signal coupler enables the function of telephonic communication, the dialing operation itself hecQmes easy and all~LGdy who has a recording medium of the same recording format as the authorized recording medium can easily use the telephone device.
Therefore, if such a telephone device is installed, for example, in a rental car, it is impossible to allow only a specific user who has paid a rental fee for that device to make a telephone call even if it is desired to do so.
The present invention provides a telephone device which prevents illegal use of that telephone device even if a person wants to do so with a card-like recording medium of the same recording format as the authorized one.
According to the present invention, a telephone includes a card reader which reads control information recorded on a card-like recording medium. It is arranged that in use of the recording medium is inserted in the card reader and predetermined control information is input via a dial key pad unit of the telephone, and that only when the input control information coincides with the control information recorded on the recording medium read by the card reader, a predetermined speech function of the telephone is enabled.
~j 5-201 ~8~
According to the present invention, only when the control information coinciding with the control information read from the recording medium is input via the dial key pad unit, the speech function is enabled, so that even if a S person has a card-like recording medium of the same recording format as the authorized one, he cannot make a telephone call at all unless he knows the control information. Thus, illegal use of the recording medium by others than a person who is informed of the control information by fair means is inhibited. Therefore, the application of the invention to automobile telephone devices mounted on taxies, rental cars, etc., will be very advantageous.
This invention will be further illustrated by way of the accompanying drawings, in which:
FIG. 1 is a schematic of one embodiment of a telephone device according to the present invention:
FIG. 2 is a flow chart explaining the operation of the telephone device shown in Fig. l;
FIG. 3. is a schematic of one embodiment of an automobile telephone device composed of the telephone device shown in FIG. 1.
FIG. 4 is a flowchart explaining the operation of a mobile station of the automobile telephone device shown in FIG. 3;
FIG. 5 is a flowchart explaining the operation of the base unit of the automobile telephone device shown in FIG. 3;
FIG. 6 is a simplified schematic of another embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 7 is a flowchart explaining the registration of the locking function of the embodiment shown in FIG. 6; and FIG. 8 is a flowchart explaining a release of the locking function of the embodiment shown in FIG. 6.
FIG. 1 is a schem~tic of one embodiment of the present invention applied to a mobile telephone such as an automobile telephone. A mobile telephone 100 of FIG. 1 includes a controller 1 which includes a transmitter-receiver unit 10 and a control unit 11; and a h~n~t 2 which includes a key pad unit 20, a display 21, a mouthpiece 22 and an earpiece 23. A card reader 3 which reads information recorded on a card-like recording medium 4 is connected to the control unit 11.
The card-like recording medium 4 may include a medium on which information providing various control items is recorded magnetically, a medium on which such information is recorded with barcodes or a medium of an IC memory which records such information electrically. The card reader 3 is of a read type corresponding to the information recording type of the medium 4. The read information is input to the~control unit 11.
X
201 ~842 Locking code information as the control information to permit the use of the appropriate mobile telephone is recorded beforehand on the recording medium 4.
In the arrangement, the calling operation by a person who possecses the card-like recording medium 4 will now be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. 2. First, the recording medium 4 is inserted into the card reader 3 (step 101). Then, the card reader 3 inputs to the control unit 11 a signal indicative of the insertion of the recording medium 4 thereby to switch the key pad unit 20 to an operating state, to start to read control information on the recording medium 4 (step 102) and to input the read control information to the control unit ll.
At this time, the control unit ll waits for information from the key pad unit 20 (step 103). If information, which coincides with the locking code information in the control information read from the recording medium 4, is input from the key pad unit 20 (step 104), the radio unit 10, display 21, mouthpiece 22 and earpiece 23 are placed in a communicable state (step 105).
Thus, if a calling operation corresponding to the off-hook operation is performed at the key pad unit 20 and ,,X
201 ~842 the teLephone number of the addressee is keyed in, telephone communlcation with the addressee is possible.
According to this arrangement, only a person who knows the locking code information and who has the recording medium 4 ifi allowed to make a telephone call.
Therefore, a person who has paid a predetermined rental fee for such a telephone device mounted, for example, on a rental car and which is informed of the locking code information is allowed to ~se the device. Even if a person has a card-like recording medium 4 of the same recording type as the authorized one, he cannot make a telephone call unless he knows the locking code information itself.
Therefore, unfair use of a lost recording medium 4 is completely inhibited.
Whilè in this case the locking code information ~ay be common to a plurality of card recording mediums 4, it may vary from medium to medium and the communication time may be managed for each locking code information. In this case, a fee for the telephone call may be charged for each piece of locking code information.
If information for limiting various functions is recorded as the control information and the control unit 11 enables only the functions which are not limited by the information, abbreviated dial numbers used, for example, exclusively for the taxi drivars can be protected. If a passenger wants to make a telephone call in a taxi on which a usable mobile telephone is mounted, the driver hands to the passenger a card-like recording medium 4 ~ 7 - 201 1842 which records information for limiting the abbreviated-dial number functions and the number of figures of dialed telephone numbers and requests the passenger to insert the card into the card re,ader 3. This causes the control unit 11 to enable only the function, not limited, to thereby permit a calling operation. Therefore, rewriti~g an abbreviated dial number which the driver uses exclusively is prevented and the calling operation to a remote place, which charges a high fee for the telephone call, are inhibited. By recording information to inhibit either the call-placing or call-receiving operation itself or information to receive an incoming call or an outgoi~g call, the device becomes a mobile telephone used exclusively for an incoming call o~ an outgoing call to thereby inhibi~ the call placing and receiving operations from many and unspecified persons.
If information on an outgoing call which additionally includes unique information or code on the identification of a person who possesses a card-recording medium 4 recorded as a part of the control information is transmitted to the base unlt, and the base unit manages chargi~g for that identification code, a mobile telephone, for example, mounted on a taxi can be used like a pay telephone.
FIG. 3 schematically illustrates the entire structure of an automobile telQphone device as another embodiment of the pre8Q~t ihvention in which the charging is managed for each identification code of the card-like recording medium 4 in the base unit. In FIG. 3, a plurality of mobile stations lOo-l to 100-n (these are each represented hereinafter by the number 100) are connected via a radio circuit to the base unit 50 which includes a charge processor 51 to perform charging management.
The operations of the mobile station 100 and the base unit 50 shown in the particular embodiment will now be described respectively with reference to the flowchart of FIGs. ~ and 5. When the communication function of the mobile station 100 of FIG. 4 is enabled tstep 105), a call-placing operation corresponding to the off-hook operation is performed at the key pad unit 20 and the addressee is then dialed (step 106), the control unit 11 drives the transmitter-receiver unit 10 to establish a radio circuit between the mobile station 100 and the base unit 50 and transmits a call signal including the identification code of the inserted recording medium 4 and the addressee's telephone number via the radio circuit (step 107). The identification code of the recording medium 4 is read by the card reader 3 at step 102 of FIG. 2.
When the base unit 50 receives the call signal from the mobile unit lOo (step 111), it confirms the identification code included in the call signal (step 112) and determines the station to be charged from the confirmed identification code (step 113). Thus, the base unit is able to manage the charging for each ,~
~, . ..
- - 9 - 201 ~842 identification code on the, recording medium 4. The charging management is performed by the charging processor 51 of the base unit 50.
The base unit 50 provides the connection between the calling mobile station and the addresse~'s terminal on the basis of information on the addressee's telephone number contained in the received call signal (step 114).
The mobile station 100 enters telephonic communication with the addres~QQ's terminal when same responds (step 108).
In the particular embodiment, it is necessary to record the individual identification codes of stations beforehand in the base unit 50 and it is ne,cessary to allocate information on a different locking code to each person because`if the information on the locking codes is the same, a person who knows the contents of the locking code might illegally USQ a stolQn medium 4, for example, As ~ust described above, by supervising the i~formation on the locking codQs and the respective identification codes of the individuals doubly, illegal use of the recording medium by many and unspecified persons and an obstacle to the charging management are completely eliminated.
While the above embodiment relates to the automobile telephone devic~ by way of example, it is applicable to cordless telephoQe devices and cable telephone devices used genQrally in households, offices, hospitals, etc. WheQ it i5 applied to a cordless - lo 2 0 1 ~ 8 4 2 telephone device in a hospital, etc., the telephone device may be operated in such a manner that only the personnels of the hospital are permitted to place a call, that the patlents in the hospital are permitted only to receive incoming calls, and that the visitors are permittQd neither to place a call nor to receive an incoming call.
In this case, the base unit corresponds to the host unit in a cordless telephone device or a cable telephone device.
FIG. 6 illustrates another embodiment of the present invention. The telephone circuit 61 of FIG. 6 places a call, receives an incoming call, establishes a telephonic communication path and realizes various other operations of the basic telephone under control of the control unit 6~. If thQ device is an automobile telephone device, a radio unit (not shown) to form a radio circuit is also included in the telephone circuit.
The control unit 62 includes a storage 63 and provides systematic control of the entire device. The storage 63 stores various data when required.
The control u~it 62 includes numeral keys "1"
_ ngn ~ a n*n key, a tl#" key, a "STO" key, a "FUNCTION" key and a n RCL" key. The ksying-in unit 64 keys in a regular telephone number and an abbreviated dial number, and sets various functions, etc. A predetermined key signal corresponding to the pressing of any particular key of the keying-in unit 64 is delivered to the contro~ unit 62, which provides control correspondlng to the key signal.
The display 65 includes a liquid crystal display (not shown), and displays telephone numbers, etc., in accordance with a display signal delivered by the control unit 62.
A power supply 66 supplies source voltages to the telephone circuit 61, the control unit 62, etc., for operating purposes.
The operation of the telephone device constructed thus and related to the present invention will be described.
First, the registration of the locking function will be described. It relates to registration for setting only a part of the functions of the telephone device, for example, only placing a call or receiving an incoming call or changing thè contents of an abbreviated dial number at a locked state and performed us~ally by keying in a password number at the keying-in unit 64 and data on a locking function to be regl~tered. A key signal indicative of the registration performed at the keying-in unit 64 is delivered to the control unit 62 for registration. That registration is performed, for example, by storing the pas~word input in a table format and the registered locking function in the memory 63 in corresponding relationship to each other.
The flowchart of ~IG. 7 is a specific example of registration of the locking f~nction. First, if a predetermined main password ~mber is keyed in (step 201), and the n*n key to report the start of registration of the _ 201 184~
locking function is pressed (step 202), the device is placed into a state in which the registration of locking function starts.
First, a new password number is keyed in (step 203), and the "#" key to report the termination of the keying-in of the password number is pressed (step 204).
Subsequently, the "FUNCTION" key and a ~X" key indicative of a predetermined numeral is pressed (step 205) and finaLly the "STO" key to report the termination of registration of the locking function is pressed (step 206).
The "X" key corresponds to a predetermined registrable locking function conforming to that ~umeral.
For example, n 1 n corresponds to the locking of all the functions; "2n~to the locking of the calling operation, "3" to the locking of an lncoming call "4" to the locking of the registration of a changed abbreviated dial number and "5" to the fu~ction of llmlting the number of figures of an outgoing call dial n~mber or the function of limiting a toll cali.
Therefore, if, for example, the "2" key is pressed as the "X" key in the particular embodiment, the function of locking an o~tgOing call is set in accordance with the new input password number.
In the particular embodiment, a desired locking functio~ can be set in the above manner. If the same locking function as mentloned above, for example the locking of an outgoing call, ls registered in accordance ` - 13 - 201 1842 with another new password number different from the above mentioned new one, the same locking function can be set using the two kinds of pas~word numbers. Similarly, it can be set using three or four kinds of password numbers.
The setting of the locking function will now be described. It is performed by pressing the "FUNCTION" key to report the setting of the locking function, and keying in the password number corresponding to the registered locking function through the keying-in unit 64.
When the n FUNCTION" key is pressed and the password number is keyed in at the key-in unit 64, the corresponding key signal is delivered to the control unit 62.
The control unit 62 checks whether there is a password numbet coinciding with the input password number.
If it does, the locking function corresponding to that password number is set.
~ elease of the locklng function will now be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. 8. It is performed by keying in at the keying-in unit 64 a password number corresponding to the registered locking function in a set predetermined locking function state (step 301) (step 302j.
If a numeral key is prQssed at the keying-in unit 64, the corresponding key slgnal is delivered to the control unit 62. The control unit 62 checks whether the password number is a registered o~e in accordance with the k~y signal (step 303). If 80, the locking function ` - 14 - 2 0 I t 84 2 corresponding to the password number is unlocked (steps 304 - 308).
For example, if the function of locking all the functions is released (step 304), all the functions are placed to their normal state (step 305). For the function of locking the call origination and call reception, etc., (step 306, 307), the appropriate locking function alone is released (step 308). In the particular embodiment, a desired locking function is set in the manner mentioned above.
In the past, which locking function should be rendered stoppable is set and fixed at the manufacturing step, for example, in the factory and cannot be selected by the user, which is inconvenient for the user.
If the registration, setting and unlocking of thé respective locking functions are performed in accordance with predetermined keyed-in data as in the particular embodiment, user's selection as to which locking function should be rendered stoppable is possible and the device will be a very convenient one.
In the past, since registered password numbers are provided one for each locking function, many users felt very inconvenient when they use a single telephone set.
If the registration, setting and releasing of the same locking function are rendered possible using two or more password numbers, the joint ownership of that function by a plurality of users becomes easily realized, . - 15 - 20 1 1 842 which improves the convenience of the telephone device t~
the users.
This invention is not limited to the above embodiment. While, for example in the above embodiment, the registration, setting and releasing of the locking function are performed with keyed-in data, they may be performed by adding input means used exclusively for other registration, etc.
The partial locklng function may include those shown in the above embodiment as well as all other functions, of course.
The present i~vention is applicable to general telephone devices in addition to automobile telephone devices.
As well known, a telephone device establishes a radio circuit for telephone communication with a base unit to thereby make telephone communication with a target telephone terminal (generally, a domestic telephone or another automobile telephone device) through the base unit. It includes a controller which, in turn, includes a transmitter-receiver unit and a control unit, and a handset whichincludes an ear and a mouth piece and a dial key pad unit.
In such an automobile telephone device, it is dangerous and virtually difficult to dial for placing a call during travelling.
Published Examined Japanese Patent Application Sho No.
58-20176 proposes a device in which an authorized card-like recording medium which stores information on the identification of the card owner himself and one or more addresses' telephone numbers is inserted into a signal coupler of a controller when a call is to be placed to thereby call a target telephone terminal without dialing the target telephone number.
According to this device, it is easy to place a call even if the car is travelling and only the person who possDccec that card can place a call and receive an incoming -- 1 -- .~
~F
~r - 201 ~842 call, so that illegal use of that automobile telephone device by another person is prevented.
In the conventional device, since, however, only the insertion of such recording medium into the signal coupler enables the function of telephonic communication, the dialing operation itself hecQmes easy and all~LGdy who has a recording medium of the same recording format as the authorized recording medium can easily use the telephone device.
Therefore, if such a telephone device is installed, for example, in a rental car, it is impossible to allow only a specific user who has paid a rental fee for that device to make a telephone call even if it is desired to do so.
The present invention provides a telephone device which prevents illegal use of that telephone device even if a person wants to do so with a card-like recording medium of the same recording format as the authorized one.
According to the present invention, a telephone includes a card reader which reads control information recorded on a card-like recording medium. It is arranged that in use of the recording medium is inserted in the card reader and predetermined control information is input via a dial key pad unit of the telephone, and that only when the input control information coincides with the control information recorded on the recording medium read by the card reader, a predetermined speech function of the telephone is enabled.
~j 5-201 ~8~
According to the present invention, only when the control information coinciding with the control information read from the recording medium is input via the dial key pad unit, the speech function is enabled, so that even if a S person has a card-like recording medium of the same recording format as the authorized one, he cannot make a telephone call at all unless he knows the control information. Thus, illegal use of the recording medium by others than a person who is informed of the control information by fair means is inhibited. Therefore, the application of the invention to automobile telephone devices mounted on taxies, rental cars, etc., will be very advantageous.
This invention will be further illustrated by way of the accompanying drawings, in which:
FIG. 1 is a schematic of one embodiment of a telephone device according to the present invention:
FIG. 2 is a flow chart explaining the operation of the telephone device shown in Fig. l;
FIG. 3. is a schematic of one embodiment of an automobile telephone device composed of the telephone device shown in FIG. 1.
FIG. 4 is a flowchart explaining the operation of a mobile station of the automobile telephone device shown in FIG. 3;
FIG. 5 is a flowchart explaining the operation of the base unit of the automobile telephone device shown in FIG. 3;
FIG. 6 is a simplified schematic of another embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 7 is a flowchart explaining the registration of the locking function of the embodiment shown in FIG. 6; and FIG. 8 is a flowchart explaining a release of the locking function of the embodiment shown in FIG. 6.
FIG. 1 is a schem~tic of one embodiment of the present invention applied to a mobile telephone such as an automobile telephone. A mobile telephone 100 of FIG. 1 includes a controller 1 which includes a transmitter-receiver unit 10 and a control unit 11; and a h~n~t 2 which includes a key pad unit 20, a display 21, a mouthpiece 22 and an earpiece 23. A card reader 3 which reads information recorded on a card-like recording medium 4 is connected to the control unit 11.
The card-like recording medium 4 may include a medium on which information providing various control items is recorded magnetically, a medium on which such information is recorded with barcodes or a medium of an IC memory which records such information electrically. The card reader 3 is of a read type corresponding to the information recording type of the medium 4. The read information is input to the~control unit 11.
X
201 ~842 Locking code information as the control information to permit the use of the appropriate mobile telephone is recorded beforehand on the recording medium 4.
In the arrangement, the calling operation by a person who possecses the card-like recording medium 4 will now be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. 2. First, the recording medium 4 is inserted into the card reader 3 (step 101). Then, the card reader 3 inputs to the control unit 11 a signal indicative of the insertion of the recording medium 4 thereby to switch the key pad unit 20 to an operating state, to start to read control information on the recording medium 4 (step 102) and to input the read control information to the control unit ll.
At this time, the control unit ll waits for information from the key pad unit 20 (step 103). If information, which coincides with the locking code information in the control information read from the recording medium 4, is input from the key pad unit 20 (step 104), the radio unit 10, display 21, mouthpiece 22 and earpiece 23 are placed in a communicable state (step 105).
Thus, if a calling operation corresponding to the off-hook operation is performed at the key pad unit 20 and ,,X
201 ~842 the teLephone number of the addressee is keyed in, telephone communlcation with the addressee is possible.
According to this arrangement, only a person who knows the locking code information and who has the recording medium 4 ifi allowed to make a telephone call.
Therefore, a person who has paid a predetermined rental fee for such a telephone device mounted, for example, on a rental car and which is informed of the locking code information is allowed to ~se the device. Even if a person has a card-like recording medium 4 of the same recording type as the authorized one, he cannot make a telephone call unless he knows the locking code information itself.
Therefore, unfair use of a lost recording medium 4 is completely inhibited.
Whilè in this case the locking code information ~ay be common to a plurality of card recording mediums 4, it may vary from medium to medium and the communication time may be managed for each locking code information. In this case, a fee for the telephone call may be charged for each piece of locking code information.
If information for limiting various functions is recorded as the control information and the control unit 11 enables only the functions which are not limited by the information, abbreviated dial numbers used, for example, exclusively for the taxi drivars can be protected. If a passenger wants to make a telephone call in a taxi on which a usable mobile telephone is mounted, the driver hands to the passenger a card-like recording medium 4 ~ 7 - 201 1842 which records information for limiting the abbreviated-dial number functions and the number of figures of dialed telephone numbers and requests the passenger to insert the card into the card re,ader 3. This causes the control unit 11 to enable only the function, not limited, to thereby permit a calling operation. Therefore, rewriti~g an abbreviated dial number which the driver uses exclusively is prevented and the calling operation to a remote place, which charges a high fee for the telephone call, are inhibited. By recording information to inhibit either the call-placing or call-receiving operation itself or information to receive an incoming call or an outgoi~g call, the device becomes a mobile telephone used exclusively for an incoming call o~ an outgoing call to thereby inhibi~ the call placing and receiving operations from many and unspecified persons.
If information on an outgoing call which additionally includes unique information or code on the identification of a person who possesses a card-recording medium 4 recorded as a part of the control information is transmitted to the base unlt, and the base unit manages chargi~g for that identification code, a mobile telephone, for example, mounted on a taxi can be used like a pay telephone.
FIG. 3 schematically illustrates the entire structure of an automobile telQphone device as another embodiment of the pre8Q~t ihvention in which the charging is managed for each identification code of the card-like recording medium 4 in the base unit. In FIG. 3, a plurality of mobile stations lOo-l to 100-n (these are each represented hereinafter by the number 100) are connected via a radio circuit to the base unit 50 which includes a charge processor 51 to perform charging management.
The operations of the mobile station 100 and the base unit 50 shown in the particular embodiment will now be described respectively with reference to the flowchart of FIGs. ~ and 5. When the communication function of the mobile station 100 of FIG. 4 is enabled tstep 105), a call-placing operation corresponding to the off-hook operation is performed at the key pad unit 20 and the addressee is then dialed (step 106), the control unit 11 drives the transmitter-receiver unit 10 to establish a radio circuit between the mobile station 100 and the base unit 50 and transmits a call signal including the identification code of the inserted recording medium 4 and the addressee's telephone number via the radio circuit (step 107). The identification code of the recording medium 4 is read by the card reader 3 at step 102 of FIG. 2.
When the base unit 50 receives the call signal from the mobile unit lOo (step 111), it confirms the identification code included in the call signal (step 112) and determines the station to be charged from the confirmed identification code (step 113). Thus, the base unit is able to manage the charging for each ,~
~, . ..
- - 9 - 201 ~842 identification code on the, recording medium 4. The charging management is performed by the charging processor 51 of the base unit 50.
The base unit 50 provides the connection between the calling mobile station and the addresse~'s terminal on the basis of information on the addressee's telephone number contained in the received call signal (step 114).
The mobile station 100 enters telephonic communication with the addres~QQ's terminal when same responds (step 108).
In the particular embodiment, it is necessary to record the individual identification codes of stations beforehand in the base unit 50 and it is ne,cessary to allocate information on a different locking code to each person because`if the information on the locking codes is the same, a person who knows the contents of the locking code might illegally USQ a stolQn medium 4, for example, As ~ust described above, by supervising the i~formation on the locking codQs and the respective identification codes of the individuals doubly, illegal use of the recording medium by many and unspecified persons and an obstacle to the charging management are completely eliminated.
While the above embodiment relates to the automobile telephone devic~ by way of example, it is applicable to cordless telephoQe devices and cable telephone devices used genQrally in households, offices, hospitals, etc. WheQ it i5 applied to a cordless - lo 2 0 1 ~ 8 4 2 telephone device in a hospital, etc., the telephone device may be operated in such a manner that only the personnels of the hospital are permitted to place a call, that the patlents in the hospital are permitted only to receive incoming calls, and that the visitors are permittQd neither to place a call nor to receive an incoming call.
In this case, the base unit corresponds to the host unit in a cordless telephone device or a cable telephone device.
FIG. 6 illustrates another embodiment of the present invention. The telephone circuit 61 of FIG. 6 places a call, receives an incoming call, establishes a telephonic communication path and realizes various other operations of the basic telephone under control of the control unit 6~. If thQ device is an automobile telephone device, a radio unit (not shown) to form a radio circuit is also included in the telephone circuit.
The control unit 62 includes a storage 63 and provides systematic control of the entire device. The storage 63 stores various data when required.
The control u~it 62 includes numeral keys "1"
_ ngn ~ a n*n key, a tl#" key, a "STO" key, a "FUNCTION" key and a n RCL" key. The ksying-in unit 64 keys in a regular telephone number and an abbreviated dial number, and sets various functions, etc. A predetermined key signal corresponding to the pressing of any particular key of the keying-in unit 64 is delivered to the contro~ unit 62, which provides control correspondlng to the key signal.
The display 65 includes a liquid crystal display (not shown), and displays telephone numbers, etc., in accordance with a display signal delivered by the control unit 62.
A power supply 66 supplies source voltages to the telephone circuit 61, the control unit 62, etc., for operating purposes.
The operation of the telephone device constructed thus and related to the present invention will be described.
First, the registration of the locking function will be described. It relates to registration for setting only a part of the functions of the telephone device, for example, only placing a call or receiving an incoming call or changing thè contents of an abbreviated dial number at a locked state and performed us~ally by keying in a password number at the keying-in unit 64 and data on a locking function to be regl~tered. A key signal indicative of the registration performed at the keying-in unit 64 is delivered to the control unit 62 for registration. That registration is performed, for example, by storing the pas~word input in a table format and the registered locking function in the memory 63 in corresponding relationship to each other.
The flowchart of ~IG. 7 is a specific example of registration of the locking f~nction. First, if a predetermined main password ~mber is keyed in (step 201), and the n*n key to report the start of registration of the _ 201 184~
locking function is pressed (step 202), the device is placed into a state in which the registration of locking function starts.
First, a new password number is keyed in (step 203), and the "#" key to report the termination of the keying-in of the password number is pressed (step 204).
Subsequently, the "FUNCTION" key and a ~X" key indicative of a predetermined numeral is pressed (step 205) and finaLly the "STO" key to report the termination of registration of the locking function is pressed (step 206).
The "X" key corresponds to a predetermined registrable locking function conforming to that ~umeral.
For example, n 1 n corresponds to the locking of all the functions; "2n~to the locking of the calling operation, "3" to the locking of an lncoming call "4" to the locking of the registration of a changed abbreviated dial number and "5" to the fu~ction of llmlting the number of figures of an outgoing call dial n~mber or the function of limiting a toll cali.
Therefore, if, for example, the "2" key is pressed as the "X" key in the particular embodiment, the function of locking an o~tgOing call is set in accordance with the new input password number.
In the particular embodiment, a desired locking functio~ can be set in the above manner. If the same locking function as mentloned above, for example the locking of an outgoing call, ls registered in accordance ` - 13 - 201 1842 with another new password number different from the above mentioned new one, the same locking function can be set using the two kinds of pas~word numbers. Similarly, it can be set using three or four kinds of password numbers.
The setting of the locking function will now be described. It is performed by pressing the "FUNCTION" key to report the setting of the locking function, and keying in the password number corresponding to the registered locking function through the keying-in unit 64.
When the n FUNCTION" key is pressed and the password number is keyed in at the key-in unit 64, the corresponding key signal is delivered to the control unit 62.
The control unit 62 checks whether there is a password numbet coinciding with the input password number.
If it does, the locking function corresponding to that password number is set.
~ elease of the locklng function will now be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. 8. It is performed by keying in at the keying-in unit 64 a password number corresponding to the registered locking function in a set predetermined locking function state (step 301) (step 302j.
If a numeral key is prQssed at the keying-in unit 64, the corresponding key slgnal is delivered to the control unit 62. The control unit 62 checks whether the password number is a registered o~e in accordance with the k~y signal (step 303). If 80, the locking function ` - 14 - 2 0 I t 84 2 corresponding to the password number is unlocked (steps 304 - 308).
For example, if the function of locking all the functions is released (step 304), all the functions are placed to their normal state (step 305). For the function of locking the call origination and call reception, etc., (step 306, 307), the appropriate locking function alone is released (step 308). In the particular embodiment, a desired locking function is set in the manner mentioned above.
In the past, which locking function should be rendered stoppable is set and fixed at the manufacturing step, for example, in the factory and cannot be selected by the user, which is inconvenient for the user.
If the registration, setting and unlocking of thé respective locking functions are performed in accordance with predetermined keyed-in data as in the particular embodiment, user's selection as to which locking function should be rendered stoppable is possible and the device will be a very convenient one.
In the past, since registered password numbers are provided one for each locking function, many users felt very inconvenient when they use a single telephone set.
If the registration, setting and releasing of the same locking function are rendered possible using two or more password numbers, the joint ownership of that function by a plurality of users becomes easily realized, . - 15 - 20 1 1 842 which improves the convenience of the telephone device t~
the users.
This invention is not limited to the above embodiment. While, for example in the above embodiment, the registration, setting and releasing of the locking function are performed with keyed-in data, they may be performed by adding input means used exclusively for other registration, etc.
The partial locklng function may include those shown in the above embodiment as well as all other functions, of course.
The present i~vention is applicable to general telephone devices in addition to automobile telephone devices.
Claims (17)
1. A telephone device comprising: means for reading control information recorded on an inserted card-like recording medium; means for inputting control information to the device; means for checking the control information read by the reading means against the control information input by the control information inputting means; and means for enabling a specified call function of the telephone device when the checking means has confirmed that the control information read by the reading means coincides with the control information input by the control information inputting means.
2. A telephone device according to Claim 1, wherein the enabling means enables the telephone device to perform a call operation for issuing a call.
3. A telephone device according to Claim 1, wherein the enabling means enables the telephone device to perform a call operation for issuing a call to a specified telephone number.
4. A telephone device according to Claim 1, wherein the recording medium stores an abbreviated number indicative of an addresses's telephone number, and wherein the enabling means enables the telephone device to perform a call operation for issuing a call on the basis of the abbreviated number stored in the recording medium.
5. A telephone device according to Claim 1, wherein the recording medium stores data on telephone functions which are differently operable in accordance with a plurality of pieces of control information, and wherein the enabling means enables the telephone device to perform a telephone function corresponding to the control information input by the control information inputting means.
6. A telephone device according to Claim 1, wherein the recording medium stores data on functions of the device which disable the respective operations of the device in accordance with a plurality of pieces of control information; and wherein the enabling means enables the telephone device to perform other functions of the device except for the function of disabling the operations of the device corresponding to the control information input by the control information inputting means.
7. A telephone device according to Claim 1, wherein the control information inputting means comprises a key pad of the telephone device, provided with a plurality of keys for dialing operation.
8. A telephone device comprising: means for reading control information recorded on an inserted card-like recording medium; means including a plurality of keys for a dialing operation, for keying in the control information; means for causing the keying-in means to be operable by inserting the recording medium; means for checking the control information read by the reading means against the control information input by the keying-in means; and means for enabling a specified call function of the telephone device when the checking means has confirmed that the control information read by the reading means coincides with the control information input by the keying-in means.
9. A telephone device comprising: means for storing, in association with control information, a specified call function of the device; means including a plurality of keys for a dialing operation, for keying in the control information; means for checking the control information stored in the storing means against the control information input by the keying-in means; and means for enabling a specified call function of the telephone device when the checking means has confirmed that the control information in the storing means coincides with the control information input by the keying-in means.
10. A telephone device comprising: a base unit connected to a cable telephone line; and a mobile telephone connected via a radio circuit to the base unit; wherein the mobile telephone comprises: means for reading control information recorded on an inserted card-like recording medium; means including a plurality of keys for a dialing operation, for keying in the control information; means for checking the control information read by the reading means against the control information input by the keying-in means; and means for enabling a specified call function of the mobile telephone when the checking means has confirmed that the control information read by the reading means has coincided with the control information input by the keying-in means.
11. A telephone device according to Claim 10, wherein the enabling means enables the mobile telephone to perform a call operation for issuing a call.
12. A telephone device according to Claim 10, wherein the enabling means enables the mobile telephone to perform a call operation for issuing a call to a specified telephone number.
13. A telephone device according to Claim 10, wherein the recording medium stores an abbreviated number indicative of an addressee's telephone number, and wherein the enabling means enables the mobile telephone to perform a call operation for issuing a call using an abbreviated dial number on the basis of the abbreviated number stored in the recording medium.
14. A telephone device according to Claim 10, wherein the recording medium stores data on mobile telephone functions which are differently operable in accordance with a plurality of pieces of control information; and wherein the enabling means enables the mobile telephone to perform a telephone function corresponding to the control information input by the keying-in means.
15. A telephone device according to Claim 10, wherein the recording medium stores data on functions of the mobile telephone which disables the respective operations of the telephone in accordance with a plurality of pieces of control information; and wherein the enabling means enables the mobile telephone to perform other functions of the telephone except for the function of disabling the operations of the telephone corresponding to the control information input by the keying-in means.
16. A telephone device according to Claim 10, wherein the recording medium stores information for identifying the user of the recording medium; the reading means reads the identification information when a call is placed; the mobile telephone includes means for sending to the base unit the identification information read by the reading means; and the base unit includes means for managing charging based on the identification information sent by the mobile telephone.
17. A method of controlling a telephone device, comprising the steps of: detecting insertion of a card-like recording medium; reading by reading means control information recorded on the inserted recording medium; causing keying-in means including a plurality of keys for dialing operation to be operable by the insertion of the recording medium; checking by checking means the control information read by the reading means against the control information input by the keying-in means; and enabling a specified call function of the telephone device when the checking means has confirmed that the control information read by the reading means coincides with the control information input by the keying-in means.
Applications Claiming Priority (4)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| JP59248/1989 | 1989-03-10 | ||
| JP1059248A JPH02238754A (en) | 1989-03-10 | 1989-03-10 | Radio telephone system |
| JP81931/1989 | 1989-03-31 | ||
| JP8193189A JPH02260954A (en) | 1989-03-31 | 1989-03-31 | Telephone set |
Publications (2)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA2011842A1 CA2011842A1 (en) | 1990-09-10 |
| CA2011842C true CA2011842C (en) | 1995-02-14 |
Family
ID=26400300
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA 2011842 Expired - Lifetime CA2011842C (en) | 1989-03-10 | 1990-03-09 | Telephone device and method of controlling same |
Country Status (1)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| CA (1) | CA2011842C (en) |
-
1990
- 1990-03-09 CA CA 2011842 patent/CA2011842C/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| CA2011842A1 (en) | 1990-09-10 |
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| EEER | Examination request | ||
| MKEX | Expiry |