JP2001053909A - Telephone equipment - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To exactly perform line selection in an international call. SOLUTION: Concerning this telephone equipment, when instructing line selection to a line selecting part 8, a control part 3 corrects the current time of a local area provided by a clock part 11 and designates it to the line selecting part 8 as reference time on the basis of a time lag from time for tariff calculation of each network stored in a storage part 13, operating time switching information concerning time for tariff calculation and the operating time switching information of the local area.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

The present invention relates to a telephone device,
In particular, the present invention relates to a telephone device for selecting and calling one of a plurality of networks during an international call.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In general, when a telephone device has a plurality of networks that can be used for making an international call, an inexpensive line carrier network is automatically established based on the telephone number of the other party, similarly to domestic long-distance calls. A function of selecting and transmitting is considered. FIGS. 7A and 7B are explanatory diagrams showing a general line selecting operation, in which FIG. 7A is a block diagram, and FIG. 7B is a flowchart showing a line selecting process of a calling telephone.

At the time of calling, in the telephone device 82 in the calling area 81, a line selecting unit 84 executes a line selecting process shown in FIG. First, the current time is acquired from the clock unit 83 (step 91), and the time for charge calculation is calculated (step 92).

Normally, in each of the networks 87A and 87B, the unit call charge differs for each time zone, so that the receiving telephone 8 when each of the networks 87A and 87B is used.
When calculating the call charges up to 6, a time serving as a reference for calculating the charges, that is, a time for calculating the charges is required. Here, the time for charge calculation applied to each of the networks 87A and 87B does not always use the current time of the originating area 81, but the time determined by the line carrier, for example, the current time of the receiving area 85 or the like. Since the time of the transit country that relays the network 87A (that is, the transit point when the line operator is not in the receiving side area but at the transit point of the network) is used, the time for calculating the fee is calculated individually. It is necessary to keep.

[0005] For example, when the current time of the receiving area 85 is used as the charge calculation time applied to the network 87A, the current time of the transmitting area 81 is changed to the current time of the transmitting area 81. It is obtained by adding the time difference. When the current time of the transit country is used as the time for calculating the fee applied to the network 87A, the current time of the transit country 81 is added to the current time of the transit country 81 to obtain the time difference between the transit country 81 and the transit country. . Then, a call charge is calculated based on the charge calculation time (step 93), and one of the cheaper networks is selected based on the call charge calculated for each of the networks 87A and 87B.

[0006]

However, in such a conventional telephone device, the charge calculation time is calculated based on the current time and the time difference of the calling area 81, so that the calling area 81 and the charge calculation time are calculated. In the region where the time is used,
When the operation time switching system is introduced, there is a problem that an actual charge calculation time cannot be calculated and an accurate line selection process cannot be performed.

[0007] The operation time switching system (hereinafter referred to as DST system: Daylight Saving Time) is, as shown in FIG.
This is a system in which the standard time is switched to a time shifted by a predetermined adjustment time during a predetermined period of one year, that is, a DST period, and this time is used as an actual operation time.

The standard time period is a period in which the local standard time (time based on Greenwich Mean Time GMT) is used as it is as the operation time, and corresponds to so-called winter time. The DST period is a period in which a time shifted from the standard time in the area by a predetermined adjustment time is used as the operation time, and corresponds to a so-called summer time in which winter time is advanced by one hour.

Therefore, for example, at the switching date and time T1 from winter to summer, that is, at the start date and time of the DST period, processing is performed to advance the operating time used so far by the adjustment time, that is, one hour. Conversely, the switching date and time T2 from summer to winter,
That is, at the end date and time of the DST period, a process of delaying the operation time used so far by the adjustment time is performed.

[0010] Here, when such a DST system is introduced in the transmitting side area 81, and the current time of the receiving side area 85 is used as the time for charge calculation in any network, FIG. As shown, an error occurs in the call charge used for the comparison. For example, as a charge table of the network 87A, as shown in FIG. 9A, a case is considered in which the current time of the receiving side area is discounted in the time zone of "18:00 to 8:00".

The current time of the calling area 81 is "8:30"
When the time difference from the receiving side area 85 is “−14: 00”, the current time of the receiving side area 85 is calculated as “18:30”. In this case, the call charge discount target is calculated from FIG. Becomes However, if the originating area 81 is in the DST period and the current time is corrected by the adjustment time “−1 hour” to be “7:30”, the above-described calculation method uses
The current time of the receiving side area 85 is calculated as “17:30”. In this case, the call charge is not discounted from FIG. 9A.

That is, since the DST system in the transmitting side area 81 is not taken into consideration, the time for calculating the fee is shifted, and it is impossible to perform an accurate line selection process. This has a similar problem not only in the case where the DST system is introduced in the receiving side area 85 but also in the receiving side.
The present invention is to solve such a problem,
It is an object of the present invention to provide a telephone device capable of accurately selecting a line in an international call.

[0013]

In order to achieve the above object, a telephone device according to the present invention uses a clock means for measuring the current time in a local area and a telephone call for overseas calls based on a designated reference time. Line selection means for calculating the time for calculating the charge of each network, calculating and comparing the call charges for each network based on the time for calculating the charges, and selecting one of the networks based on the comparison result, and calling overseas. Storage means for storing the time difference from the respective charge calculation times and the operation time switching information relating to the charge calculation times, and storing the operation time switch information of the own area, corresponding to each network used for Means for controlling the time difference between the charge calculation time of each network stored in the storage means and the charge calculation time. And use the time switching information, and a management time switching information of the own region is obtained so as to specify the line selection device as the reference time to correct the current time of its own region obtained by the clock means.

Further, the control means corrects the current time of the local area obtained by the clock means and designates it as the reference time to the line selecting means for each international call request. Further, the control means corrects the current time of the own area obtained by the clock means at predetermined time intervals, calculates a reference time, stores the reference time in the storage means, and updates the latest time from the storage means in response to an international call request. The reference time is read out and specified to the line selecting means.

[0015]

Next, the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a telephone device according to an embodiment of the present invention. In the figure, 1 is a network, 2 is an incoming call detecting unit for detecting an incoming call to the network 1, 3 is a control unit for controlling the entire telephone device, 4 is a line capturing unit for capturing the network 1 at the time of calling or answering a call, Reference numeral 5 denotes a communication circuit, HS denotes a handset, 6 denotes a sound source unit for outputting various sounds such as ringtones and alarm sounds, and 7 denotes an amplifying sound signal from the communication circuit 5 and the sound source unit 6 and a speaker SP.
Amplifying unit that outputs the signal to

Reference numeral 8 denotes a line selection unit for selecting an optimum network for a call with a destination telephone number based on a predetermined reference time from among a plurality of networks available for making outgoing telephone calls. A key input unit comprising function keys, a telephone number sending unit 10 for outputting a dial signal to the network 1 when making a call, a clock unit 11 for measuring the date and time of the local area, a display unit 12 for displaying a telephone number and time, and a reference numeral 13 Is a storage unit for storing various information.

In particular, when the control unit 3 instructs the line selecting unit 8 to select a line, the time difference between the time for calculating the fee of each network stored in the storage unit 13 and the time for calculating the fee are described. By correcting the current time of the own area obtained by the clock unit 11 from the operation time switching information and the operation time switching information of the own area and designating the current time in the own area to the line selecting unit 8 as a reference time, the DST system is caused. The time difference between the current time in the local area and the time for calculating the charge of each network is corrected.

FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram showing a configuration example of the management table, which is stored in the storage unit 13 in advance. here,
As shown in FIG. 2 (a), for each network that can be used for outgoing telephone calls, the time for calculating the charge (standard time) used for calculating the communication charge of the network and the time of the local area, in this case, the local country, ie, Japan (Japan) The time difference from the standard time (JST) is set.

In addition to the time difference, switching information of the DST system used in the area (operation time switching information)
The switching date and time, that is, the start date and time of the DST period, the end date and time, and the adjustment time thereof are set. Note that FIG.
As shown in (a), the switching date and time and the adjustment time are similarly set in the storage unit 13 as the switching information of the DST system used in the own area.

Next, a processing operation according to the first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. 3A and 3B are explanatory diagrams showing processing operations according to the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3A shows a case where the own area is in the DST period, and FIG. 3B shows a case where the network charge calculation time is in the DST period. Each is shown.

First, in FIG. 3A, when the current time on the calling side is "8:30", this is designated as a reference time to the line selecting unit 8, and the current time in the own area and the time for charge calculation are calculated. Since the time difference is “−14: 00”, the line selecting unit 8 calculates the charge calculation time as “18:30”. Here, the DST system is applied only in your area,
In the case of the DST period, a case where the adjustment time is corrected by one hour and becomes “7:30” will be considered.

When this "7:30" is designated as the reference time to the line selecting unit 8, "18:30" should be used as the charge calculation time in practice, but the charge calculation time is "17:30", and a shift occurs. In the present invention, when the own area is during the DST period, the current time of the own area is corrected to the reference time by the DST adjustment time of the own area, and is designated to the line selecting unit 8. Thereby, the line selection unit 8
Is calculated as "18:30".

Similarly, as shown in FIG. 3B, when the network charge calculation time is in the DST period, if "8:30" is designated as the reference time, the time difference "-14: 00" The line selecting unit 8 calculates the charge calculation time as “18:30” and sets “1:30” during the DST period.
7:30 "is shifted. In the present invention, when the time for charge calculation is in the DST period, the current time in the own area is corrected to the reference time by the DST adjustment time of the time for charge calculation, and is designated to the line selecting unit 8. As a result, the line calculation unit 8 calculates the charge calculation time as “17:30”.

As described above, according to the present invention, when the control unit 3 instructs the line selection unit 8 to select a line, the time difference between the charge calculation time of each network stored in the storage unit 13 and The clock unit 1 is obtained from the operation time switching information relating to the time for the charge calculation and the operation time switching information of the own area.
Since the current time of the own area obtained in step 1 is corrected and designated as the reference time to the line selecting unit 8, the current time of the own area and the time for calculating the charge of each network are included due to the DST system. Time deviation can be corrected, and line selection can be made accurately in international calls.

Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing a DST management process according to the second embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing an international calling process according to the second embodiment of the present invention. In the present embodiment, the control unit 3 corrects the current time of the local area obtained by the clock unit 111 and designates it as the reference time to the line selection unit 8 for each international call request. .

In the control unit 3, the DS shown in FIG.
The T management process is executed to correct the date and time measured by the clock unit 11 during the DST period by the adjustment time. First, the DST switching information of the own area stored in the storage unit 13 is read, and it is determined whether the current time obtained from the clock unit 11 matches the start date and time of the DST period (step 4).
1).

Here, if the current time and the DST start date and time match (step 41: YES), only when the DST flag indicating that the DST period is in progress is reset (step 42: YES), The current time is corrected by the local adjustment time (step 43). Then, the current time is set in the clock unit 8 to update the clock (step 44), the DST flag is set to indicate that the DST period is in progress (step 45), and a series of processing ends.

On the other hand, in step 41, the current time and D
If the ST start date and time do not match (step 4
1: NO), it is determined whether or not the current time matches the DST end date and time of the own area (step 46). If the current time coincides with the DST end date and time (step 46: YES), the current time is returned and adjusted by the adjustment time of the own area (step 47), and the current time is set in the clock unit 8. After updating the clock (step 48),
The DST flag is reset to set it outside the DST period (step 49), and the series of processing ends.

When the control unit 3 confirms the request for making an international call from the country code included in the telephone number of the call destination, the control unit 3 executes the international call processing shown in FIG. First, the current time is read from the clock unit 11 (step 51), and D
If the ST flag is set and the own area is in the DST period (step 52: YES), the read current time is corrected back by the DST adjustment time of the own area (step 53).

Next, the time difference between the current time and the charge calculation time of the predetermined network is added to calculate the charge calculation time.
With reference to the T switching information, it is determined whether the charge calculation time is during the DST period (step 54). Where D
Only during the ST period (step 54: YE
S), the current time is corrected by the DST adjustment time of the charge calculation time (step 55).

Subsequently, the obtained time is designated as a reference time, and a line selection process is instructed to the line selection unit 8 (step 56), and an international call is originated using the access number of the network selected as a result. (Step 5
7), a series of processing ends. As described above, in the present embodiment, the reference time is calculated in response to an outgoing call request for an international call, so that the latest reference time based on the current time of the own area can be obtained, and accurate line selection can be performed.

If the networks available for international calls use different rates for calculating the charges, steps 54 and 55 are repeated to calculate the reference times for each network, and these are individually designated to the line selector. Then, an optimal network may be selected.

Next, a third embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing a DST management process according to the third embodiment of the present invention. In the present embodiment, the control unit 3 corrects the current time of the own area obtained by the clock unit 11 every predetermined period, calculates and stores a reference time, and responds to an international call originating request. The stored latest reference time is read out and specified to the line selection unit 8.

In the control section 3, the DS shown in FIG.
The T management process is executed to correct the date and time measured by the clock unit 11 during the DST period by the adjustment time. Steps 61 to 69 are the same as steps 41 to 49 in FIG. 4, and a description thereof will be omitted.

After the updating of the clock section 11 is performed in steps 61 to 69 of FIG. 6, the current time is read from the clock section 11 and stored in a variable called time A (step 71). Next, when the DST flag is set and the own area is in the DST period (step 72: Y
ES), the current time read back is corrected by the DST adjustment time of the own area (step 73).

Next, the time difference between the current time and the charge calculation time of the predetermined network is added to calculate the charge calculation time.
With reference to the T switching information, it is determined whether or not the time for charge calculation is during the DST period (step 74). Where D
Only during the ST period (step 74: YE
S), the current time is corrected by the DST adjustment time of the charge calculation time (step 75).

As a result, with respect to the current time of the local area,
A reference time is calculated in consideration of the DST system used in the own area and the time for charge calculation, and the calculated reference time is stored in the storage unit 13 (step 76), and a series of processing ends. Therefore, after this, the reference time corresponding to the network is read from the storage unit 13 in response to the outgoing call request for the international call,
It is specified to the line selection unit 8.

As described above, the reference time is calculated and stored by correcting the current time of the own area obtained by the clock unit 11 at predetermined intervals, and is stored in response to an international call request. The latest reference time is read out and specified to the line selection unit 8. Therefore, by executing this processing at an interval as required, the latest reference time can be obtained immediately when a line is selected.

In the above description, the case where the line selector 8 is provided inside the telephone device and directly controlled by the controller 3 of the telephone device has been described as an example. However, the present invention is not limited to this. Absent. For example, when the line selecting unit 8 is provided between the network 1 and the telephone device, a specific dial signal is transmitted from the telephone number transmitting unit 10,
The reference time may be specified in the line selector 8. Thereby, the same operation and effect as described above can be obtained.

[0040]

As described above, according to the present invention, the time difference from each charge calculation time and the operation time switching information related to the charge calculation time are stored in correspondence with each network used for overseas call transmission. At the same time, the operation time switching information of the own area is stored, and the time difference between the time for calculating the charge of each network, the operation time switching information on the time for calculating the charge, and the operation time switching information of the own area are stored. Since the obtained current time of the own area is corrected and designated as the reference time to the line selection unit, the time included in the current time of the own area and the time included in the charge calculation time of each network due to the DST system is determined. Deviation can be corrected, and line selection can be made accurately in international calls.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a telephone device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram showing a configuration example of a management table.

FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a processing operation according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating a DST management process according to a second embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing an international call originating process according to the second embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating a DST management process according to a third embodiment.

FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram showing a general line selection operation.

FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram showing a DST system.

FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram showing a conventional line selection process.

[Explanation of symbols]

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Network, 2 ... Incoming detection part, 3 ... Control part, 4 ...
Line capturing unit, 5: communication circuit, 6: sound source unit, 7: amplifying unit,
8 line selection unit, 9 key input unit, 10 telephone number transmission unit, 11 clock unit, 12 display unit, 13 storage unit, HS
... handset, SP ... speaker, SW ... hook switch.

 ────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuing on the front page (72) Inventor Kazunari Miwa 2-3-3 Shimomeguro, Meguro-ku, Tokyo F-term in Tamura Electric Co., Ltd. (Reference) 5K025 AA03 BB04 DD03 EE05 EE08 HH06 HH09 HH17 KK08 5K036 AA16 BB11 EE14 HH08 KK14

Claims (3)

[Claims] 1. Clock means for measuring the current time of the local area, calculating a charge calculation time for each network used for outgoing telephone calls based on a designated reference time, and calculating a charge for each network based on the charge calculation time. Line selection means for calculating and comparing call charges and selecting one of the networks based on the comparison result, and the time difference between each charge calculation time and the corresponding charge for each network used for making overseas calls Storage means for storing the operation time switching information relating to the calculation time, and for storing the operation time switching information of the own area; a time difference between the charge calculation time of each network stored in the storage means; From the operation time switching information on the calculation time and the operation time switching information of the own area, the current time of the own area obtained by the clock means is corrected and set as the reference time. A telephone unit comprising a control unit for designating the telephone line to the line selection unit. 2. The telephone device according to claim 1, wherein the control means corrects the current time of the own area obtained by the clock means and designates it as a reference time to the line selection means every time an international call is requested. A telephone device characterized by the above-mentioned. 3. The telephone device according to claim 1, wherein the control means corrects the current time of the local area obtained by the clock means at predetermined time intervals, calculates a reference time, and stores the reference time in the storage means. A telephone device for reading out the latest reference time from a storage means in response to a call origination request and designating the latest reference time to a line selection means.