CH684141A5 - Telecommunications programming appts. connectable to telephone line - Google Patents

Abstract

The appts. (3) has a circuit (5,6,7,10,11) for reception and evaluation for diversion programme calls to be sent via a second telephone line, e.g. for facsimile appts., or its own terminal. A microcomputer (9) converts these calls to diversion commands for the public exchange for sending by the appts. itself. A switch (7) can break the output to further telecommunications appts. (2) when a diversion call arrives. A memory (9) holds codes assigned to users for comparison with a code contained in the diversion programme call. A cradle contact (8) breaks the connection if the codes do not tally.

Description

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description

The invention relates to a remote programming device that can be connected to a telephone line that forms a telephone connection, from which the calls intended for this purpose can be diverted to another telephone connection by a corresponding diversion command in a control center.

In several countries, particularly in Switzerland, the telephone authorities provide a so-called telephone diversion service. By entering a specific command and a new phone number via his telephone connection, a subscriber can cause the central office to have the calls forwarded directly by the central office to the new number entered without the caller being informed of this.

However, this telephone diversion service can only be operated from the relevant connection, i.e. switched on or off or changed. The subscriber must therefore, if he wants to influence the telephone diversion service in any way, always return to his connection and carry out the corresponding manipulations there. In particular, he cannot initiate further redirection from a connection to which he has been redirected, etc.

It is obvious that this makes the diversion service of the telephone authorities impractical. It is therefore the task of providing a device by means of which the programming of the telephone diversion service cannot only be carried out from the diversion telephone connection.

This object is achieved with the device as defined in the claims.

This results in the possibility of causing any telephone connection to issue commands to the telephone diversion service from the connection to be redirected. This service can thus be reprogrammed from any telephone connection or switched on and off. This greatly increases the usability of the system for the user by allowing calls to be made to any place at any time.

An exemplary embodiment of the invention is explained in more detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. In it show:

Fig. 1 is a block diagram of a remote programming device, which is connected to two telephone lines, and

Fig. 2 shows a possible circuit structure of this device.

As can first be seen from FIG. 1, the device described here as an exemplary embodiment requires two telephone lines. This is simply because with only one line, the corresponding connection can no longer be reached if the calls are diverted by the center to another connection.

However, it should already be pointed out here that there is also the possibility, with just one line, of a

operate device according to the invention, which will be discussed in more detail.

The telephone line labeled line 1 in the figures represents the redirectable telephone connection with a telephone set 1, whereas line 2 e.g. can be a fax or modem line to which a corresponding terminal, here a fax device 2, is connected. The line 2 runs through the remote programming device 3. The remote programming device 3 is also connected to the line 1 of the redirectable telephone connection. The basic mode of operation of the remote programming device 3 is now that it can accept reprogramming calls via the telephone line 2, in which a new function of the diversion service is defined. In device 3, these reprogramming calls are converted into transfer commands for the control center and these are transmitted to the control center via the line of the telephone connection in accordance with the regulations. Instead of the subscriber, the device 3 automatically forwards the corresponding diversion commands to the central station in accordance with the subscriber's reprogramming call.

The structure of the remote programming device 3 is explained in more detail below.

It has a line switch 4, by means of which it is possible to switch between the two telephone lines 1 and 2. In the initial state, the device 3 is connected to line 2 in order to record reprogramming calls that arrive via fax line 2. In order to issue the corresponding diversion commands to the control center, the device is then switched to line 1 by means of line switch 4, i.e. the telephone connection to be diverted.

A line monitor 6 is used to determine whether the fax line 2 is free when a reprogramming call arrives. The device 3 only accepts the call if the line is free.

A call evaluation 5 picks up the ringing signals of the reprogramming calls. After a selectable number of ringing signals, but at least two, a fork contact 8 is closed and the reprogramming call is answered. The number of rings must correspond to device 2 connected to line 2.

After picking up the reprogramming call, it is monitored whether a certain tone signal occurs in the call within a certain time, e.g. the signal. If this tone signal occurs, which must be at the beginning of the reprogramming call, the line exit 7 to the fax machine 2 is interrupted, so that the remainder of the message does not reach the fax machine 2.

If this tone signal does not occur, the fork contact 8 is opened, whereby the connection to the device 3 is interrupted, but is maintained to the fax device 2. In this way, reprogramming calls can be distinguished from messages that are intended for the fax machine 2.

The reprogramming call next contains a code that ensures the caller's authorization to reprogram. The corresponding one

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Code is stored in the microcomputer 9. If the comparison shows the agreement of the entered code with the stored code, this is confirmed with a response tone generated in the microcomputer 9. If the code is entered incorrectly, the fork contact 8 is opened immediately, i.e. the device 3 hangs up.

If the code is confirmed as correct, the command for the diversion service can be entered. The caller first presses key 1, which is acknowledged with a high answer tone, and then enters the number of the telephone number to which the calls are to be redirected. The input is ended with the # key.

If the diversion service is to be configured, the caller presses the key 2. To query whether the diversion service is switched on or off, the caller presses the * key. If it is switched on, the microprocessor 9 generates a high, otherwise a low, response tone.

These entries are of course only to be understood as possible examples for the structure of possible reprogramming calls, which can be modified in a suitable manner and supplemented by further commands. The software for this can be adapted as required. In particular, it is also possible to change the code mentioned by means of a reprogramming call after key 3 has been pressed. The number of “rings” can also be changed after the 4 key has been pressed.

The reprogramming calls contain sound signals that are generated by the caller by means of a telephone with tone dialing, or otherwise with a separate tone dialing device, as is required for the remote inquiry of telephone answering machines. In the device 3, these sound signals are decoded by means of a sound evaluation circuit 10 and converted into the functions explained. The response tones of the device 3 itself are preferably generated by the microcomputer 9.

If the reprogramming call is ended by the tone signal #, it is converted in the microcomputer 9 into the correct forwarding command for the control center. Then the device 3 is connected by means of the line switch 4 to the telephone line 1, which represents the telephone connection to be diverted. The redirection command is then transmitted via this line to the control center in the format provided, which triggers the corresponding redirection function.

Fig. 2 shows the circuit described in detail, but without the power supply, which is designed in a conventional manner.

This circuit can of course be modified and supplemented in various ways. In particular, a variant is possible in which only one line, i.e. the connection to be redirected is available. Since the remote programming device 3 can no longer be called when the call is diverted, it is provided in this case that the remote programming device itself calls certain, adjustable numbers at adjustable times, under which the user can be reached. If the connection is made in this way,

the reprogramming is carried out in the manner already described.

Overall, the remote programming device described makes it possible in a simple manner to reprogram the diversion service of the telephone authorities from a distance or to switch it on and off.

Claims (9)

Claims 1. Remote programming device that can be connected to a telephone line that forms a telephone connection (1), from which the calls intended for this purpose can be diverted to another telephone connection by a corresponding diversion command in a control center, characterized in that the device has a circuit (5, 6, 7, 10, 11) has for recording and evaluating reprogramming calls, which can be entered via a second telephone line or via the telephone connection itself, as well as a device (9) for converting these reprogramming calls into forwarding commands for the center, which are carried out by the device can be automatically output via the telephone connection to the control center. 2. Remote programming device according to claim 1, wherein the device is connected to a first and a second telephone line, characterized in that it has a switching device (4), such that the device for receiving reprogramming calls to the second telephone line, and Output of diversion commands for the control center, to which the first telephone line, which forms the diversion connection, can be connected. 3. Remote programming device according to claim 2, characterized in that it has an input and an output for the second telephone line, with a further telecommunication device (2) operable on this line being connectable to the output, and the device having a switch (7) for interrupting the exit to the further telecommunication device (2) when a reprogramming call arrives. 4. Remote programming device according to claim 3, characterized in that a device (6) for line monitoring is provided, by means of which the assignment of the second telephone line can be determined, reprogramming calls can only be recorded with a free, second telephone line. 5. Remote programming device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the circuit for receiving and evaluating reprogramming calls has a memory (9) for a user-related code, which is comparable to a code contained in the reprogramming call, and that a fork contact (8) is provided which interrupts the connection if the stored code and the code contained in the reprogramming call do not match. 6. Remote programming device according to claim 1, wherein only a telephone line is provided, characterized in that a timer circuit (9) is provided and means (9) for automatically dialing a predetermined subscriber number at a specific time, such that the 5 10th 15 20th 25th 30th 35 40 45 50 55 60 65 3rd 5 CH 684 141 A5 Reprogramming call after the connection has been established can be entered from this subscriber number via the first telephone line and the corresponding diversion command can then be issued automatically by the device via the same line. 7. Remote programming device according to one of the preceding claims with an input unit for reprogramming calls, characterized in that the input unit is formed by a telephone station with tone dialing, or by a tone dialing device which can be connected to a telephone station. 8. Remote programming device according to claim 7, characterized in that the recording and evaluation circuit has a sound evaluation circuit (10). 9. Remote programming device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the recording and evaluation circuit has a device (9) for outputting audio signals for acknowledging the reprogramming calls. 5 10th 15 20th 25th 30th 35 40 45 50 55 60 65 4th