DE2752074A1 - Automatic electronic dialling unit - has programmable store for subscriber numbers controlled by keys through microprocessor - Google Patents

Abstract

The device is intended for telephone instruments and teleprinters with a built-in programmable store for complete subscriber numbers. The stone is programmed through a program keyboard and its contents read as often as required in response to subscriber operation of a key. The store delivers dialling pulses at its output. The store is controlled by the keys through a microprocessor. A pause key may be included in the program key field to program a pause of predetermined duration between two dialling pulses.

Description

Electronic voting machine

The invention relates to an electric automatic voting machine for dispensing of dialing impulses in telephone or teleprinter systems with built-in programmable Memory for complete phone numbers, which can be programmed via a program keypad and can be called up as often as required using the participant keys, the programmable Memory can be addressed by a subscriber key and on the output side for Delivery of dialing pulses is equipped.

Such a known automatic dialing machine (cf. DT-OS24 54 269) has a diode matrix on the keypads for the programming keys and the participant keys to encode the key information in each case in a binary number. Starting from These binary numbers are controlled by logic elements and flip-flops that are suitable are switched to write or write the programmed information in e.g. RAm's. to overwrite and to call up the stored information non-destructively to be able to.

Such a voting machine has numerous disadvantages. The participant keypad requires numerous discrete components for the diode matrix, for example at 30 keys 79 diodes or with 60 keys 18B diodes. After actuation one Key, the key input signal is recognized via a logic element, whereby the subsequent Flip-flop emits a clock pulse. The address register takes over at this clock pulse the coded signal corresponding to the key.

The key address storage is therefore done with very little Cost of integrated circuits (IC), however, disadvantageously depends on the safe Storage of addresses depends heavily on the tolerances of the components, especially the discrete components. In addition, since the buttons are not debounced, such Errors occur more often. By delaying the clock pulse by means of an RC element this behavior can be improved, but not avoided. In the end can, especially with large quantities, possibly semi-defective diodes in be contained in the matrix without this being noticed immediately, which leads to different Switching times occur, which leads to incorrect programming and thus also to incorrect connections can lead.

So that in the event of a power or network failure, the stored information i.e. the phone numbers of subscribers that can be dialed via the subscriber keys, not are lost immediately, a battery is provided in the known automatic dialing machine, which, depending on the memory occupancy, supply the components for up to 24 hours can. Since a lot of discrete components and integrated circuits are provided the battery is despite this relatively short maximum supply time very big and bulky.

After all, you have to use the familiar dialing machine at the different To adapt the conditions of the various postal administrations, each time new components must be installed, i.e. the printed circuits supporting the components must must be replaced or other printed circuits must be used during production are used, which makes warehousing and manufacturing costly and therefore costly the vending machine sales price will be high.

It is the object of the invention to provide a voting machine of the type mentioned at the beginning Type in such a way that a safe programming and addressing with little Effort is achievable.

The object is achieved according to the invention in that the memory can be controlled from the buttons via a microprocessor.

microprocessors are known to use special semiconductor technologies manufactured programmable central units for computer units and are already used in numerous technical fields such as controlling peripheral devices.

In addition to this universal applicability in principle a microprocessor when used according to the invention in an electronic Voting machine as its central unit, however, compared to the known electronic Vending machines with further advantages.

In particular, power-saving, ie only low power consuming components can be used, whereby in particular the previously necessary large battery can be replaced by a very small battery, which can consist of three small microcells, which store the programmed or stored information for approx.

h can guarantee.

The memory or the stored phone numbers.

its storage elements are advantageous from a microprocessor as well as its functional units having printed circuit or circuit board separated and separable on its own printed circuit or circuit board arranged, with the storage-preserving battery also advantageous is arranged on this latter circuit board. This can not only result in Power failure or the like. The storage is thereby preserved for a long time that the storage cement , if necessary with the battery, can be removed from the device, but it can also use the Storage capacity can be expanded, i.e. the device can be used without any other changes easily euf a larger number automatically eligible participant be expanded. It can even be done by simply inserting additional storage elements the storage capacity can be expanded in the same circuit board (e.g. instead of 30 automatically selectable participants up to 120 automatically selectable participants).

On the other hand, because of the low power requirement, there is also warming of the device is very low, which means that it is tropicalized, i.e. also relatively in surroundings can be used without any problems at high ambient temperatures.

Another major advantage is that the according to the invention 3 "Jähautomatomat without installing additional components, such as integrated Circuits, especially used for systems in other countries or postal administrations can only be done by appropriately programming the microprocessor what can be done via the program keypad.

While in the known automatic dialing machine to change e.g.

the breaks or the intermediate stop new components, such as resistors, integrated circuits or capacitors must be installed, this will be the case automatic dialing machine according to the invention by merely programming the microprocessor achieved. The same applies to other special functions, such as an automatic one Pause after the first and / or the second digit, an automatic one End button, the provision of a key switch that is programmable programming or block the whole device.

These functions can also be achieved through special programming of the microprocessor can be achieved without changing a printed circuit. In addition, through easy programming of the microprocessor using a call tracker if allowed and, if necessary, the pulse ratio (nsa / nsi) can be reversed. That means, all with the well-known electronic voting machine through cumbersome retrofitting costly achievable possibilities are in the electronic according to the invention Automatic dialing machines can be reached by simply programming the microprocessor, whereby also inadequacies to be accepted in the known electronic voting machine can no longer occur.

For example, previously when using a call tracer at Pressing a subscriber key on the telephone directly to the test circuit "Handset picked up or not" placed, which is disadvantageous in the telephone set Contained capacitor (possibly of different polarity) over the test circuit has discharged. Depending on the operating voltage of the system, the TYPE of the telephone set (i.e. the type and size of the capacitor) the discharge pulse varies in strength. For example, the test circuit must be insensitive at high operating voltages be, while they are sensitive at low operating voltages have to be. This adjustment difficulty can be overcome with a relay, wherein when you turn on the call tracer, the telephone set loop over the Relay contacts are placed on a resistor, over which the capacitor is then can discharge, only then placed the telephone set to the test circuit will.

The invention is based on the embodiment shown in the drawing explained in more detail. The figures show: FIG. 1 a schematic representation of the data flow in an electronic voting machine according to the invention, FIG. 2 schematically Principle block diagram of an electronic voting machine according to the invention, Fig. 3 a flow chart for the dialing process.

In Fig. 1, the essential structural units of a telephone set Fs connectable electronic dialing machine shown, with the calling subscriber with the called party on the one hand over the telephone set rs or, if the number of the called subscriber is stored in the dialing machine only pressing the corresponding subscriber key can enter into a connection.

The electronic voting machine according to the invention has a subscriber test field Subscriber keys Al, A2, B1, 82, ..., a program key field Pr with the Numbers 1 ... 9, 0 corresponding keys as well as others for programming resp. buttons provided for function triggering and with a display field Anz, e.g. may have a seven segment display and lamps, a memory Sp, a microprocessor mp and a functional unit Fu assigned to it. By arrows are the possible ones The flow directions of the data are shown schematically.

For programming, i.e. for storing a key on the subscriber keypad Subscriber number to be assigned is first of all a command "Store a telephone number." corresponding key of the program keypad Tr actuated, then the corresponding Key of the subscriber keypad Tln pressed, whereupon the desired subscriber number Pr entered via the program keypad and in a corresponding memory location is saved. The functional status and the programmed Number can be displayed in the display field Num. When entering the desired Subscriber call number can be adapted to other additional conditions at the same time such as a pause after the first and / or the second digit, and an intermediate stop can also be made, for example when the desired number should be entered incorrectly.

To call a desired subscriber, i.e. to dial his or her number, the calling subscriber only actuates the one corresponding to the called subscriber Key of the subscriber keypad Tln, whereupon the desired from the memory Sp Telephone number, if necessary taking into account the special functions entered, i.e. in particular taking into account the conditions of foreign postal administrations and delivered as a suitable pulse train over the telephone line. Included dialing can be interrupted by pressing an intermediate stop key and the phone number just dialed can be tracked and monitored on the display panel.

To achieve this, a microprocessor mp is provided according to the invention, which receives information from input / output units assigned to it, namely the subscriber keypad Tln, the memory Sp, the program keypad Pr, the Display field Anz as well as the telephone set Fs, resp.

returns to this, as shown in Fig. 1 by arrowheads is.

The inventive Vsrwondung a microprocessor can numerous components previously required can be dispensed with, in particular integrated circuits, such as logic gates and flip-flops, as well as discrete components, such as capacitors, resistors and especially diodes from until now for the subscriber keypad Tln and the program keypad Pr necessary diode matrices. As a result of this great reduction in power-consuming components, the total power consumption is of the electronic dialing machine according to the invention is very low, making a for backup battery provided in the event of a power failure, which is expediently the Memory Sp is allocated in order to preserve the memory contents over a longer period of time, can be made very small. For example, a spatially very small one NiCd battery is used, which stores the stored phone numbers can guarantee up to 200 hours even in the event of a power failure. While with known electronic A diode matrix is required to recognize which key is pressed is what sometimes led to very high failures, for example in the subscriber keypad 188 diodes are necessary for 60 keys, with the failure of one diode Can lead to incorrect assignments, in the case of the automatic dialing machine according to the invention, per participant test a spring contact can be provided which works practically flawlessly. To be the individual spring contacts are arranged in rows and columns. For addressing of a participant key, the microprocessor mp, the rows and columns, expediently via decoder, continuously queried, i.e. examined to see whether a signal is present or not. When a signal is present, i.e. when a key is pressed, the microprocessor receives an information over the column of the actuated key and holds an address counter that contains the information about the line of the pressed key, from which the microprocessor derives the necessary subscriber address calculated.

In Fig. 2 is a schematic block diagram of an inventive Dialing machine reproduced, the microprocessor mp a commercially available microprocessor, E.g. an 8-bit microprocessor of the type 2650 from Valvo-Signetics is used, its essential connections (address connections, data connections, control resp. Control connections and clock connections) are shown schematically.

For example, the microprocessor mp is with a clock frequency of 1 mHz from a frequency generator such as an integrated crystal oscillator and generates all other required pulse frequencies from this clock frequency.

From the microprocessor mp and the functional unit assigned to it Fu and keypads Tln and Pr are the storage units of the memory Sp as well a buffer battery assigned to them spatially separated on a separate, interchangeable circuit board arranged, which is shown by a dashed line is.

The special functions already mentioned are via the program keypad Pr and the microprocessor mp in the programmable memory of the functional unit Fu, e.g. pRnmts can be saved, then no key on the subscriber keypad Tln may be actuated, and can also be called up again. For example, the program keypad the digits 1 to 9 as binary numbers 1 to 9, the digit 0 as binary number 10, the Signal "intermediate stop" (key Z) as binary number 11, the signal "pause" (key P) as Binary number 12, the "Start" signal (key X) as binary number 14 and the "Programming" signal a subscriber number "(Pr key) entered or coded as a binary number 15, whereby the keys or the corresponding key positions are queried for a signal will.

As mentioned, the buttons on the subscriber keypad are also used Tln continuously checks whether one of them is actuated. During this When searching for a key, the mp microprocessor continuously runs through addresses 0 to 10.

As soon as the microprocessor mp receives information that a key on the subscriber keypad Tln is pressed, the address counter is stopped, whereupon the microprocessor mp then uses the information available to determine the subscriber address calculated, i.e., determines the memory space in which the subscriber number is or should be saved. At the same time it is also determined whether the Sending the subscriber number special features must be observed (see dialing process flowchart according to Fig. 3). The dialing process itself is carried out by means of two relay contacts of the relay according to FIG. 2 causes. At the expiration the impulse closes for a digit first a working contact nsa. Sends after a first time (e.g. t1 X 70 ms) a break contact nsi depending on the respective digit 1 to 10 pulses of a period from, for example, to = 100 ms, which results in an opening time and a closing time is divided (e.g. opening time t2 = 62 ms, closing time t3 = 38 ms). Be there for the digit 0 10 pulses are transmitted.

After the last opening time of a digit, there is a after a specified time (e.g. t1), the nsa contact drops again, followed by a pause certain duration (e.g. t4 = 950 ms) until the start of the dial pulse sequence for the next digit follows. Is it now necessary to press the earth button, such as with certain private branch exchanges, a Pause of a certain duration (e.g. 1.6 s) until the earth button relay receives an earth button pulse of, for example, 330 ms. After a further time of, for example The choice then takes place after 3 seconds. There is a corresponding pause of, for example, 3 s even if an or Two digits are to be dialed before the actual dialing of the subscriber number can be done.

Is a busy signal during the automatic dialing of the subscriber number reached, the dialing process can be interrupted e.g. with the start test (button X), the Telephone line can also be interrupted for e.g. 2 s and a new one can be created Dialing process, if necessary automatically or by pressing the start button again, can be solved without having to hang up the phone.

Appropriately, a maximum of 16 digits can be stored per subscriber key If fewer than 16 digits are required, the end of the sequence of digits must be displayed, expediently by pressing the stop button (button +).

A pause between the digits of the digit sequence is created by pressing the pause key (Tsste P) entered, z.O.

between area code and phone number, whereby the pause between consecutive digits are extended, for example doubled.

The effort and thus the space required for the participant keys of the Subscriber keypad Tln can be reduced by multiple assignment of the subscriber keys in which case, of course, a selector switch must be provided, through which the respective occupancy area (e.g. 8th 1st to 30th, 31st to 60th, ... is saved Subscriber number for e.g.

30 user keys).

Finally, the dialing machine according to the invention can also a Have loudspeaker amplifier, which is activated by a key on the program keypad Pr (key V) can be put into operation and its amplification by means of a potentiometer, e.g. a slide potentiometer.

Claims (12)

Claims 2; ' Electronic dialing machine for issuing dialing pulses in automatic telephones and teleprinters with built-in programmable memory for complete numbers, ### are programmable via a program keypad and can be called up as often as required using user keys, with the programmable memory can be addressed by a subscriber key and on the output side for delivery is equipped with dialing impulses, that is, that the memory (Sp) can be controlled from the keys via a microprocessor (mp). 2. dialing machine according to claim 1, g e k e n n z e i c h ne t d u r c h an intermediate stop key in the program keypad (Pr) for programming an intermediate stop predefined or predefinable period of time between two counting pulses. 3. automatic dialing machine according to claim 1 or 2, 9 e k e n n -z e i c h n e t means the programmable definition of an intermediate stop after the first and / or the second digit dialed. 4. automatic dialing machine according to one of claims 1 to 3, g e k e n n z e i A permanently chargeable buffer battery as power failure protection. 5. automatic dialing machine according to claim 4, g e k e n n z e i c h n e t d u r c h a NiCd collector. 6. dialing machine according to one of claims 1 to 5, g e k e n n z e i c h n e t d u r c h a numeric display, in particular a seven-segment display, to display the digits when programming and / or when dialing. 7. automatic dialing machine according to one of claims 1 to 6, g e k e n n z e i a call tracker. 8. dialing machine according to one of claims 1 to 7, G e k e n n n z e i n e t d u r c h if necessary, programmable pulse reversal and / or Pulse number change. 9. Ulählautomat according to one of claims 1 to 8, d a d u r c h g e k e nn n n z e i n e t that programmable by a key switch either programming or programming and dialing can be blocked. In. Automatic dialing machine according to one of Claims 1 to 9, g e k e n n z e i c h n e t th e programmable character recognition of in particular free characters and busy tone in dialing mode. 11. automatic dialing machine according to one of claims 1 to 10, d a d u r c h g e k e n n n n e i c h n e t that the memory (Sp) or the individual memory elements are arranged on a separate detachably attached printed circuit. 12. Ulählautomat according to claim 4 or 5 and claim 11, d a d u r c h g e k e n n n z e i c h n e t that the backup battery is on the storage elements associated printed circuit is arranged.