JP2001077913A - Cordless phone - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a cordless phone that satisfies a request for speech to proceed by a user, while maintaining a function of automatically interrupting a line when a time of a received signal from a slave set reaching a level less than a threshold exceeds the grace time in order to avoid wasteful interruption and re-connection. SOLUTION: A master set sets a timer to '0' after start of a speech. The master set clears the timer to '0', when a signal denoting electric field strength reaches a 2nd threshold or higher. Furthermore, the master set outputs an alarm tone, when the signal denoting the electric field strength is less than a 1st threshold. Upon receipt of data denoting an extension request of a grace time until line interruption from a slave set, the master set delays the timer by a time t2. Moreover, the master set increments the timer by a time Δt when it does not receive the data denoting the extension request of the grace time, until the line interruption from the slave set. The master set hooks on the line, when the time of the timer reaches the grace time.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a cordless telephone having a function of automatically disconnecting a relayed line when a handset moves out of a service area.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, in a cordless telephone, when a handset moves from a service area to an outside service area during a call, the time when the level of a radio signal transmitted from the handset on the master side is less than a threshold value is reduced. If a certain grace period is exceeded, the line will be forcibly disconnected. A description will be given of such a line forced disconnection function in a conventional cordless telephone.

[0003] The base unit of the cordless telephone, when the electric field strength of the radio signal received from the sub unit during the call is less than the first threshold, that is, when the sub unit moves from the service area to the outside of the service area, Start the timer. Then, when the timer has passed a certain grace time, the master unit hooks up the line connection. Further, the master unit continues to transmit an alarm sound to the slave unit while the electric field strength is less than the first threshold, that is, while the slave unit is out of the service area.

The master unit resets the timer to 0 when the electric field strength becomes equal to or higher than a second threshold value (a value equal to or higher than the first threshold value), that is, when the slave unit moves into the service area. The two thresholds are provided for the following reason. When it is determined that the mobile device is outside the service area using one threshold value, as a determination result when the slave unit is moving near the boundary between the service area and the service area, the service area and the outside service area are constantly changed, and as a result, processing that is not meaningful is switched. Frequently occurs, a first threshold for determining that the vehicle has gone out of the service area and a second threshold value for determining that the vehicle has entered the service area from outside the service area are provided.
When the second threshold value is set to be larger than the first threshold value, after returning to the service area after exceeding the second threshold value, it is difficult for the second threshold value to be less than the first threshold value immediately. This is because it can be prevented.

[0005] As described above, the master unit forcibly disconnects the line when the slave unit does not return to the service area after a certain grace period after the slave unit goes out of the service area during a call. It is to notify the slave unit by an alarm sound that the slave unit is out of the service area. Also, with cordless phone handset,
By outputting the alarm sound sent from the master unit to the speaker, the user is notified that the user is out of the service area and the line will be disconnected soon.

[0006] As described above, in the conventional cordless telephone, when the slave unit moves from the service area to the outside of the service area during a call, if the slave apparatus does not return from the service area to the service area within the deferred time, the line is Forcibly disconnecting the phone line, in spite of the inability to make a call, uselessly using the line to protect users from unnecessary call charges, and to prevent unnecessary use of the public line. Preventing. In a conventional cordless telephone, even when the slave unit moves out of the service area, the line is not suddenly disconnected, but a certain grace time is given, and the user is notified of the progress of the grace time by an alarm sound. I have to do that.

[0007]

By the way, even when the slave unit goes out of the service area, near the boundary between the service area and the outside of the service area, the sound quality is poor, but it is not possible to hear the voice of the other party at all. Is not something that cannot be transmitted to the other party at all. Poor call quality may be sufficient to meet the minimum requirements.

[0008] However, in the conventional cordless telephone, the user may be in a poor communication state outside the service area. Therefore, even if the user wants to continue the call, the line is forcibly disconnected after the grace period has elapsed. I will. In addition, if the user wants to continue the call beyond the grace time, it is conceivable that the user may hold the handset and return to the service area, but at this time, the handset When moving from a service area to a service area, the strength of the electric field for determining that the slave unit has entered the service area when the slave unit returns from the service area to the service area is smaller than the magnitude of the electric field strength (first threshold value) for determining that the service apparatus is out of the service area (The second threshold value) is larger. In other words, the slave unit is not determined to be within the service area unless it moves closer to the master unit than the point determined to be out of service area when it comes from the service area. As a result, even if the user returns to the original position in hopes of continuing the call, since the point is still out of the service area, the user will either give up continuing the call or proceed to the base unit further than the original position. In some cases, the line was automatically disconnected because the grace period was exceeded before reaching the service area even if the user moved to approach the area.

Thus, in a conventional cordless telephone,
Even when the user wants to continue the call, the line is forcibly disconnected against the user's intention, and the user cannot complete the necessary tasks, which is not inconvenient. Therefore, the present invention has been made in view of such a problem, and from the viewpoint of avoiding unnecessary disconnection and reconnection, when the time that the slave unit is out of the service area exceeds a predetermined grace time, the present invention is automatically performed. It is an object of the present invention to provide a cordless telephone capable of satisfying a user's request to continue a call while maintaining an automatic disconnection function for disconnecting a line.

[0010]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION To achieve the above object, the present invention provides a method for delaying the time during which a level of a signal received from a slave unit is less than a threshold during a call between the slave units connected via radio. Transmitting means for transmitting a notification indicating that the received signal level is less than a threshold value to the slave unit, wherein the slave unit is a base unit of the cordless telephone that on-hook the relayed line when the time is exceeded. A receiving means for receiving the request for extending the grace time transmitted from the device as a response to the notification; and an extending means for extending the grace time in accordance with the received extension request.

[0011] Further, according to the present invention, during a call, when the time during which the level of the received signal is less than the threshold exceeds the grace time, the master unit is connected via a wireless connection to the master unit for on-hooking the relayed line. A receiving unit for receiving, from the parent device, a notification indicating that the received signal level is less than the threshold, and an input for receiving, after receiving the notification, an operation for instructing the user to extend the grace time Means for transmitting a grace time extension request to the master unit when the input means receives the operation.

[0012] Further, the present invention provides a method for connecting a relaying line to a base station when a time during which a received signal level from a base station connected via radio is less than a threshold exceeds a grace period during a call. Cordless telephone handset to be hooked on
After the start of the grace time, there is provided input means for receiving an operation to instruct the user to extend the grace time, and extension means for extending the grace time in accordance with the instruction received by the input means.

[0013]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS A cordless telephone according to the present embodiment relates to a cordless telephone that can extend a grace period until line disconnection when a slave unit moves out of service area. Here, the grace time is the time from when the slave unit goes out of the service area to when the line is disconnected, and is uniformly provided for a fixed time or when the extension is made, it is uniformly provided. It is the sum of a certain amount of time and an extension time.

[0014] Even in the conventional cordless telephone, when the slave unit moves out of the service area, a fixed delay time is given uniformly until the line is disconnected. May fall, but there may be no problem in listening to the other party's voice and in transmitting his / her own voice. In such a case, the user wants to continue the call for more than a given grace period. There are cases.

Therefore, in the cordless telephone according to the present embodiment, a grace time obtained by extending a uniformly given grace time can be provided in response to a user's request. Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. <Structure> FIG. 1 is a functional block diagram showing the structure of the cordless telephone according to the present embodiment. As shown in the figure, base unit 120 of cordless telephone according to the present embodiment
Are an antenna 101, an RF unit 102, a baseband unit 103, a control unit 104, a Hook switch 105
Consists of

The antenna 101 is connected to the slave unit 130.
It transmits and receives radio signals. RF section 102 modulates the baseband signal sent from baseband section 103 into a radio signal, and demodulates the radio signal sent from antenna 101 into a baseband signal. RF unit 1
02 includes a detector 131, and the detector 131 includes:
An electric field strength is measured from a radio signal received by the antenna 101, and a signal indicating the electric field strength is sent to the control unit 104. RF section 102 transmits the demodulated baseband signal to control section 104 as received data.

The baseband unit 103 performs baseband processing on the audio signal for wireless transmission, generates a baseband signal, outputs the baseband signal to the RF unit 102, and outputs the baseband signal transmitted from the RF unit 102. Is converted to the original voice signal and the voice signal is transmitted to the public telephone network 140. Here, the baseband processing of the alarm sound
Sent to F section 102.

The control unit 104 activates a timer when the signal indicating the electric field strength falls below the first threshold value, that is, when the slave unit goes out of the service area, and the timer elapses the grace time. Then, instruct the Hook switch 105,
Make the line go on-hook. As the most characteristic feature of the present embodiment, when data requesting extension of the grace time is transmitted from RF unit 102, control unit 104 extends the grace time. The control unit 10
4, when the signal indicating the electric field strength is less than the first threshold value x, that is, when the slave unit is out of the service area, the slave unit instructs the baseband unit 103 to output an alarm sound. Notify the user that he is out of range. The control unit 104 sets the timer to 0 when the signal indicating the electric field strength becomes equal to or more than the second threshold value (a value equal to or more than the first threshold value), that is, when the slave unit returns from the outside of the service area to the service area. Return.

The Hook switch 105 is connected to the control unit 104
And on-hook the line. That is, Hook switch 105 disconnects the line connection to public telephone network 140. Handset 130 of the cordless telephone according to the present embodiment includes antenna 106, RF unit 107
, Baseband unit 108, control unit 109, extended key switch 110, microphone 111, speaker 112
Consists of

The antenna 106 is connected to the base unit 120,
It transmits and receives radio signals. RF section 107 modulates the baseband signal sent from baseband section 108 into a radio signal and demodulates the radio signal sent from antenna 106 into a baseband signal. Also, R
The F unit 107 modulates the data of the request for extending the grace time until the line disconnection sent from the control unit 109 into a wireless signal.

The baseband unit 108 converts an audio signal into a baseband signal for wireless transmission, and
7, the baseband signal sent from the RF unit 107 is restored to the original audio signal, and the audio signal is output to the speaker 112. Also, the baseband unit 103
Converts an alarm sound represented by a baseband signal into an audio signal.

The extension key switch 110 receives an input of a request to extend the grace time until the line is disconnected by a user operation, and outputs an extension request to the control unit 109. Control unit 1
In step 09, when a request to extend the grace time until the line is disconnected is sent from the extension key switch 110, the audio signal input from the microphone 111 is instructed to the baseband unit 108 to temporarily mute and extend the grace period. Data requesting extension of time is output to RF section 107.

The microphone 111 and the speaker 112 input and output an audio signal. The speaker 112 outputs an alarm sound. <Operation> Next, the operation of the cordless telephone according to the present embodiment will be described. FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing an operation procedure of the base unit of the cordless telephone.

First, the control unit 104 sets the timer t to 0 after starting a call (step S201). RF unit 10
2 measures the electric field strength and sends a signal indicating the electric field strength to the control unit 104. Then, if the signal indicating the electric field strength is equal to or greater than the second threshold, the control unit 104 determines that the slave unit has returned to the service area, and returns the timer t to 0 (steps S202 and S2).
01).

If the signal indicating the electric field strength is less than the first threshold value, the control unit 104 determines that the slave unit is out of the service area, and instructs the baseband unit 103 to output an alarm sound (steps S202 and S203). . When receiving the data of the request for extending the grace time until the line is disconnected from the slave unit, the RF unit 102 sends the data to the control unit 104. The control unit 104 delays the timer t by the time t2 (for example, one minute), and returns to step S202 (step S20).
4, S205).

When the RF unit 102 does not receive the data of the request for extending the grace time until the line is disconnected from the slave unit, the control unit 104 increments the timer t by the time Δt (steps S204 and S206). . Control unit 1
In step 04, if the timer t is less than the grace time t1 (for example, one minute), the process returns to step S202 (step S20).
7, S202).

The control unit 104 determines that the timer t has a grace time t1.
In this case, the Hook switch 105 is instructed to make the line on-hook. That is, a call end signal is transmitted to the public telephone network 140 to disconnect the line (step S208). As described above, in the cordless telephone according to the present embodiment, a request to extend the grace time until the line is disconnected is input from the user through extension key switch 110 of slave unit 130, and the extension request is
0, and the base unit 120 can extend the grace period until the line is disconnected based on the request for extending the grace period until the line disconnection sent from the slave unit. By the time the request is made, if the user wants more grace time than is uniformly provided, the request can be satisfied.

Although the cordless telephone according to the present invention has been described above, it is needless to say that the present invention is not limited to the above embodiment. (1) When there is a request from the extension key switch 110 of the slave unit 130 according to the present embodiment to extend the grace time until the line is disconnected, the control unit 104 of the master unit 120 always sets the timer for a fixed Δt time. However, the present invention is not limited to this.

The Δt time may be arbitrarily set and input in advance to the control unit 104 of the master unit 120 by a user operation. Alternatively, when there is a request to extend the grace time until the line is disconnected, the timer may be stopped until the user gives an instruction, that is, the grace time may be extended indefinitely.

The extension key switch is composed of a plurality of key switches, and which key is operated is transmitted from the slave unit 130 to the master unit 120, and the control unit 104 of the master unit 120 determines which key is operated. The extension time may be changed depending on whether the operation has been performed. For example, if the key switch "1" is input, the grace time may be extended by one minute, and if the key switch "2" is input, the grace time may be extended by two minutes. As a result, the master unit receives the information indicating the extension time from the user requesting the extension of the grace time until the line disconnection, and extends the grace time by the requested extension time. Can be arbitrarily selected for the extension time. (2) A request to extend the grace time until the line is disconnected from the extension key switch 110 of the slave unit 130 according to the present embodiment is:
Although it is allowed to be accepted any number of times during a call, the present invention is not limited to this, and a certain limit may be set for the number of extensions. For example, if there is a request for extension 10 times or more from the child device 130 during one call, the control unit 104 of the parent device
The grace time may not be extended more than 0 times. (3) In the present embodiment, even when the grace time until the line disconnection is extended by the base unit 130 in accordance with an extension request from the slave unit 130, the slave unit is not notified of whether or not the extension has been performed. But not limited to this. If there is no assurance that the request for extending the grace time from the slave unit to the line disconnection will surely reach the master unit, for example, the master unit 13
When the line connection is extended at 0, the grace period before disconnecting the line is changed by changing the loudness, pitch, cycle, etc. of the alarm sound that is continuously transmitted to the slave unit after detecting out of service. The extension may be notified to the slave unit. (4) Baseband section 103 of parent device according to present embodiment
Although the volume and the period of the alarm sound for notifying the child device that is out of range are output are fixed, the present invention is not limited to this, and may be changed over time. For example, 10 seconds before the line is disconnected, the volume of the alarm sound may be increased and the cycle may be shortened, so that the user is notified of the disconnection of the line. (5) The control unit 109 according to the present embodiment temporarily mutes the audio signal input from the microphone 111 when transmitting a request to extend the grace time until the line disconnection to the master unit, and Is transmitted only as an extension request data, but the present invention is not limited to this. The audio signal input from the microphone 111 and the extension request data for the grace time until line disconnection are combined and transmitted as a baseband signal. And
The baseband unit 103 of the master unit may separate the audio signal from the baseband signal and the request data for extending the grace time until the line is disconnected. (6) The extension key switch 110 of the slave unit 130 according to the present embodiment is a dedicated key, but is not limited to this. For example, the numeric keypad originally provided in the slave unit 130 is also used as an extension key switch, and the slave unit 1
At 30, it is assumed that the pattern of the alarm sound sent from the base unit 120 can be distinguished from the other sound patterns, and after the alarm sound is received (that is, after it is determined that the area is out of the service area).
Alternatively, the numeric keypad may accept an input for an extension request instead of accepting a normal input such as a dial. (7) In the present embodiment, RF section 102 of base unit 120
Measures the electric field intensity from the wireless signal transmitted from the slave unit 130, generates a signal indicating the electric field intensity,
04, the control unit 104 determines whether or not the slave unit 130 is out of the service area based on the magnitude of the signal indicating the electric field strength. However, the present invention is not limited to this.
It may be determined at 30 whether or not the slave unit 130 is out of the service area. That is, the RF unit 107 of the slave unit 130
Then, the electric field intensity is measured from the wireless signal transmitted from master device 120, a signal indicating the electric field intensity is generated, and control unit 1
09, and the control unit 109 may determine whether or not the slave unit 130 is out of the service area based on the magnitude of the signal indicating the electric field strength. (8) In the present embodiment, application to a cordless telephone has been described, but the present invention is not limited to this.
Needless to say, it can be applied to mobile phones and the like.
In this case, the base station plays a role of a base unit of the cordless telephone. That is, when the PHS terminal or the like is out of the service area for a predetermined grace time, the base station on-hooks the line relayed by the PHS terminal or the like, and requests the extension of the grace time until the line is disconnected from the PHS terminal or the like. May be accepted to extend the grace time until the line is disconnected.

[0031]

As is apparent from the above description, according to the present invention, the time during which the level of the signal received from the slave unit is less than the threshold exceeds the grace period during the call of the slave unit connected via radio. In the case of, the base unit of the cordless telephone to hook on the line being relayed, the transmitting means for transmitting a notification indicating that the received signal level is less than the threshold to the slave unit, from the slave unit, It is characterized by comprising receiving means for receiving the grace time extension request transmitted as a response to the notification, and extension means for extending the grace time in accordance with the received extension request.

Thus, when the slave unit is out of the service area, a request to extend the grace time until the line disconnection is received from the slave unit,
Since the grace time until the line disconnection is extended, the user can notify the other party of the necessary business within the extended grace time until the line connection is disconnected. Here, when the extension unit receives the extension request by the receiving unit,
The grace time may be extended by a certain time.

Thus, the master unit receives the request for extending the grace time until the line is disconnected from the slave unit and extends the grace time for a fixed time, so that the user uses the grace time extended for the fixed time. The required information can be communicated to the other party. Further, the extension means may extend the grace time indefinitely when the extension means is received by the reception means.

Thus, when the master unit receives a request to extend the grace time until the line is disconnected from the slave unit, the line is not disconnected until the user goes on-hook. It is possible to eliminate the inconvenience of key operation for the extension request. Further, the base unit of the cordless telephone may further include a transmission unit configured to transmit a notification indicating that the grace time has been extended to the sub unit.

By this, the fact that the request for extending the grace time until the line disconnection from the slave is received by the master is transmitted to the slave, so that the user talks in consideration of the remaining connection time. be able to. In addition, the present invention provides a master unit that on-hooks a relayed line when a time during which a level of a received signal is less than a threshold exceeds a grace period during a call, and a slave unit that is connected via wireless. There, receiving means for receiving a notification indicating that the received signal level is less than the threshold from the parent device, and after receiving the notification, input means for receiving an operation to instruct the user to extend the grace time,
When the input means receives the operation, a transmission means for transmitting a request for extending the grace time to the master unit is provided.

Thus, the slave unit receives an input of a request for extending the grace time until the line is disconnected from the user and transmits the request to the master unit. Can have time before the line is disconnected. Here, the cordless telephone handset is
Furthermore, the present invention can be characterized in that it comprises a receiving means for receiving a notification indicating that the grace time has been extended from the master unit, and a means for presenting to the user that the grace time has been extended.

As a result, the slave unit receives from the master unit that the request for extension of the grace time until the line disconnection has been received, and presents the fact to the user, so that the user can determine the remaining connection time. Calls can be made with consideration. Here, the input unit may be a numeric keypad, and may receive an input of a request for extending the grace time from a user only after receiving the notification.

Thus, after receiving the message that the terminal is out of the service area, the slave unit can use the originally provided numeric keypad as an input means for an extension request. It is not necessary to provide it, and the space efficiency of the slave unit can be improved. In addition, the present invention, during a call,
A cordless telephone cordless handset that, when the time during which the received signal level from the base unit connected via radio is less than the threshold exceeds the grace time, causes the base unit to hook on a relayed line, After the start of the grace time, the input means for receiving an operation for instructing the user to extend the grace time from the user, and the extension means for extending the grace time in accordance with the instruction received by the input means. Features.

Thus, when the slave unit is out of the service area,
It is determined whether or not the slave itself is out of the service area, and in the case where the slave is out of the service area and instructs the base machine to disconnect the line, the slave unit can extend the line connection. As described above, according to the present invention, after the child device moves out of the service area, if the grace period uniformly given elapses, it is possible to prevent the line from being forcibly disconnected against the user's intention and to achieve cordless operation. The practical effect is extremely large because it can be provided to the convenience of the user who uses the telephone.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a functional block diagram showing a configuration of a cordless telephone according to an embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing an operation procedure of a base unit of the cordless telephone according to the embodiment.

[Explanation of symbols]

 Reference Signs List 101 antenna 102 RF unit 103 baseband unit 104 control unit 105 Hook switch 106 antenna 107 RF unit 108 baseband unit 109 control unit 110 extended key switch 111 microphone 112 speaker 120 master unit 130 slave unit 140 public telephone network

Claims (8)

[Claims] 1. A cordless cordless telephone for on-hooking a relayed line when a time during which a signal level received from a slave unit is less than a threshold exceeds a grace period during a call between the slave units connected via wireless communication. Transmitting means for transmitting a notification indicating that the received signal level is less than a threshold value to the slave unit, wherein the grace period transmitted as a response to the notification from the slave unit; A cordless telephone base unit, comprising: receiving means for receiving an extension request; and extension means for extending the grace time in accordance with the received extension request. 2. The cordless telephone base unit according to claim 1, wherein said extension means extends said grace time by a predetermined time when said extension means receives said extension request. 3. The cordless telephone base unit according to claim 1, wherein the extension unit extends the grace time infinitely when the extension unit receives the extension request. 4. The cordless telephone according to claim 1, wherein the base unit of the cordless telephone further comprises a transmitting unit for transmitting a notification indicating that the grace time has been extended to the child unit. Parent machine. 5. A master unit for on-hooking a line being relayed when a time during which a level of a received signal is less than a threshold exceeds a grace period during a call, and a slave unit connected via radio. Receiving means for receiving, from the master unit, a notification indicating that the received signal level is less than the threshold value; input means for receiving, after receiving the notification, an operation for instructing the user to extend the grace time; A cordless telephone cordless handset comprising: a sending means for sending a grace time extension request to the master unit when the input means receives the operation. 6. The cordless telephone handset further includes: a receiving unit that receives a notification from the master unit that the grace time has been extended; and a unit that presents to the user that the grace time has been extended. The cordless telephone handset according to claim 5, comprising: 7. The cordless telephone handset according to claim 5, wherein the input means is a numeric keypad and accepts an input of the grace time extension request from the user only after receiving the notification. . 8. A cordless unit for making a base station on-hook a relayed line when a time during which a received signal level from a base unit connected via radio is less than a threshold exceeds a grace time during a call. An input unit for receiving an operation to instruct the user to extend the grace time after the grace time has started, and extending the grace time in accordance with the instruction received by the input unit. A cordless telephone handset, comprising: