GB2111349A - Telecommunications terminal - Google Patents

Abstract

A telecommunications terminal includes a viewdata decoder (1), which can, in response to requests via a keyboard (8), request information from a remote centre. The terminal's usefulness is extended to enable it to act as an "electronic mail" terminal. For this it has a ringing detector (13) which responds to an incoming call and, after a period to permit human intervention, connects the line to the decoder (1). When the latter is satisfied that it is the correct destination for a call it sends a "proceed" signal to the remote terminal as a result of which the message is sent therefrom. On reception it is placed in temporary storage (3), possibly with error detection and correction, whereafter it is printed out (10) or put on tape (11), and the call released. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Telecommunications terminal This invention relates to a telecommunications terminal such as usable for the reception of viewdata transmission.

A viewdata decoder with one or more page stores for received information and for the control of a recording tape recorder and/or a printer is known. Such a decoder may be connected to a line to a remote exchange via a modem. An object of the present invention is to enable such a decoder to be used as a receiving device for "electronic mail".

According to the invention there is provided a telecommunications subscriber's terminal, which includes a viewdata decoder responsive to information requested from a remote control station to cause that information to be displayed, which decoder includes processing means, a ringing detector responsive to a telephone ringing signal, connections from the ringing detector to the decoder over which the ringing signal or a signal derived therefrom is applied to the decoder, the processor in the decoder then being effective to check that the ringing signal is in fact directed to the said terminal, means responsive to said detection to cause a proceed to send signal to be sent to the remote calling terminal, further connections over which an incoming message received from the remote terminal after the transmission of said proceed to send signal is recorded in storage means, and means responsive to the completion of the reception of a said message to send a message received signal to the remote terminal, whereafter the terminal reverts to its non-busy condition.

An embodiment of the invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawing, which is a simplified block diagram of a telecommunications terminal embodying the invention.

In the drawing, the viewdata decoder 1 includes a control processor 2, page stores 3, character and deploy generator 4, an optional UART or second processor 5, and a non-volatile memory 6. This decoder is connected to an incoming line via a modem 7, there being lines from the decoder 1 to the modem 7 for transmitting data from the decoder and for receiving data from the modem. There are also control lines from the decoder 1 to the modem 7, and an output for data to the display device.

Associated with the decoder there is a keyboard 8 and remote control data inpur 9, usable for sending information, under control of the processor 2, to request information from the remote viewdata centre. The drawing also shows a printer 10 to which information may be sent from the decoder 1 for print out, and two tape recorders 11 and 12, both controllable from the decoders processor. Note that the tape recorder 12 can be used, as will be seen below, to store information for transmission from the terminal.

The terminal also includes a ringing detector 1 3 whose main function is to respond to an incoming call for electronic mail purposes. When the detector 13 responds to an incoming call the terminal allows a preset period to allow for human intervention, and if this period elapses without any such intervention, the terminal seizes the incoming line. When this occurs a tone is sent to the remote caller which indicates thereto that the called terminal is unattended. If the call was initiated by another terminal, i.e. by a "non-human caller", there now follows a period in which the terminals transmit to each other their respective identities, e.g. on a "hand-shaking" basis. This advises the calling terminal that it has the right receiving terminal and enables the receiving terminal to identify the calling terminal.

When the identification sequence has been satisfactorily completed, the calling terminal transmits its message, and awaits a response from the receiving terminal. The reception of the message takes place under the control of the processor 2, and includes error detection checks.

Hence the response which is awaited is either a "message received" signal, or a request for retransmission if errors have been detected. The message on reception is temporarily stored in the page stores 3.

After the "message received" signal has been sent and received, both terminals disconnect themselves from the telephone line and the connection therebetween is thus broken down.

The receiving terminal then stores the message, e.g. by initiating a print out, or by recording it on a tape cassette, or some other storage medium.

The terminals are preferably arranged to operate at 1 200 bauds.

The effectiveness of the transmitting terminal can be improved by adding to it a storage medium such as a cassette recorder on which a series of messages can be recorded. These can then be transmitted at some suitable time, either when it is more convenient to the terminals, or at "off peak" times with some economy in charges.

To economize in power consumption, some or all of the sections of the terminal can be placed in a powered-down mode when not processing an incoming message, in which case the arrival of an incoming message removes the powered-down condition.

1. A telecommunications subscriber's terminal, which includes a viewdata decoder responsive to information requested from a remote control station to cause that information to be displayed which decoder includes processing means, a ringing detector responsive to a telephone ringing signal, connections from the ringing detector to the decoder over which the ringing signal or a signal derived therefrom is applied to the decoder, the processor in the decoder then being effective to check that the ringing signal is in fact directed to the said terminal, means responsive to said detection to cause a proceed to send signal to be sent to the remote calling terminal, further

**WARNING** end of DESC field may overlap start of CLMS **.

Claims (4)

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. SPECIFICATION Telecommunications terminal This invention relates to a telecommunications terminal such as usable for the reception of viewdata transmission. A viewdata decoder with one or more page stores for received information and for the control of a recording tape recorder and/or a printer is known. Such a decoder may be connected to a line to a remote exchange via a modem. An object of the present invention is to enable such a decoder to be used as a receiving device for "electronic mail". According to the invention there is provided a telecommunications subscriber's terminal, which includes a viewdata decoder responsive to information requested from a remote control station to cause that information to be displayed, which decoder includes processing means, a ringing detector responsive to a telephone ringing signal, connections from the ringing detector to the decoder over which the ringing signal or a signal derived therefrom is applied to the decoder, the processor in the decoder then being effective to check that the ringing signal is in fact directed to the said terminal, means responsive to said detection to cause a proceed to send signal to be sent to the remote calling terminal, further connections over which an incoming message received from the remote terminal after the transmission of said proceed to send signal is recorded in storage means, and means responsive to the completion of the reception of a said message to send a message received signal to the remote terminal, whereafter the terminal reverts to its non-busy condition. An embodiment of the invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawing, which is a simplified block diagram of a telecommunications terminal embodying the invention. In the drawing, the viewdata decoder 1 includes a control processor 2, page stores 3, character and deploy generator 4, an optional UART or second processor 5, and a non-volatile memory 6. This decoder is connected to an incoming line via a modem 7, there being lines from the decoder 1 to the modem 7 for transmitting data from the decoder and for receiving data from the modem. There are also control lines from the decoder 1 to the modem 7, and an output for data to the display device. Associated with the decoder there is a keyboard 8 and remote control data inpur 9, usable for sending information, under control of the processor 2, to request information from the remote viewdata centre. The drawing also shows a printer 10 to which information may be sent from the decoder 1 for print out, and two tape recorders 11 and 12, both controllable from the decoders processor. Note that the tape recorder 12 can be used, as will be seen below, to store information for transmission from the terminal. The terminal also includes a ringing detector 1 3 whose main function is to respond to an incoming call for electronic mail purposes. When the detector 13 responds to an incoming call the terminal allows a preset period to allow for human intervention, and if this period elapses without any such intervention, the terminal seizes the incoming line. When this occurs a tone is sent to the remote caller which indicates thereto that the called terminal is unattended. If the call was initiated by another terminal, i.e. by a "non-human caller", there now follows a period in which the terminals transmit to each other their respective identities, e.g. on a "hand-shaking" basis. This advises the calling terminal that it has the right receiving terminal and enables the receiving terminal to identify the calling terminal. When the identification sequence has been satisfactorily completed, the calling terminal transmits its message, and awaits a response from the receiving terminal. The reception of the message takes place under the control of the processor 2, and includes error detection checks. Hence the response which is awaited is either a "message received" signal, or a request for retransmission if errors have been detected. The message on reception is temporarily stored in the page stores 3. After the "message received" signal has been sent and received, both terminals disconnect themselves from the telephone line and the connection therebetween is thus broken down. The receiving terminal then stores the message, e.g. by initiating a print out, or by recording it on a tape cassette, or some other storage medium. The terminals are preferably arranged to operate at 1 200 bauds. The effectiveness of the transmitting terminal can be improved by adding to it a storage medium such as a cassette recorder on which a series of messages can be recorded. These can then be transmitted at some suitable time, either when it is more convenient to the terminals, or at "off peak" times with some economy in charges. To economize in power consumption, some or all of the sections of the terminal can be placed in a powered-down mode when not processing an incoming message, in which case the arrival of an incoming message removes the powered-down condition. CLAIMS

1. A telecommunications subscriber's terminal, which includes a viewdata decoder responsive to information requested from a remote control station to cause that information to be displayed which decoder includes processing means, a ringing detector responsive to a telephone ringing signal, connections from the ringing detector to the decoder over which the ringing signal or a signal derived therefrom is applied to the decoder, the processor in the decoder then being effective to check that the ringing signal is in fact directed to the said terminal, means responsive to said detection to cause a proceed to send signal to be sent to the remote calling terminal, further connections over which an incoming message received from the remote terminal after the transmission of said proceed to send signal is recorded in storage means, and means responsive to the completion of the reception of a said message to send a message received signal to the remote terminal, whereafter the terminal reverts to its non-busy condition.

2. A terminal as claimed in claim 1, and which includes means to transmit messages to other terminals, which means can store messages to be transmitted until such time as transmission is convenient.

3. A terminal as claimed in claim 1 or 2, wherein sections of the terminal can be placed in a powered-down mode until required to process an incoming message.

4. A telecommunications subscriber's terminal, substantially as described with refernece to the accompanying drawing.