JP2003283697A - Communication terminal device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a communication terminal device which can establish a suitable communication by efficiently sequencing a priority order even when a competition of channels occurs in a plurality of communication terminals connected to one fixed channel. <P>SOLUTION: The communication terminal device can reconnect a communication of one communication terminal unit according to ending of the communication of another communication terminal device after the communication of the one terminal device is disconnected, by sensing a communication request of the another terminal device during communicating of the one terminal device in a plurality of the communication terminal devices 10 and 20 connected to the one fixed channel 2. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention aims to establish appropriate communication by efficiently prioritizing a plurality of communication terminals connected to one fixed line even if line competition occurs. A communication terminal device capable of performing

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art At present, with the diversification of communication technology and communication needs, there are increasing cases in which a plurality of communication terminal devices are connected to a single line for use. Also in this case, the number of products aiming to communicate by connecting a child device or an optional device to each communication terminal device is increasing.

Therefore, the frequency of contention of data of a plurality of communication terminal devices on one line is increasing, and in that case, all the competing communication terminal devices fall into a communication disabled state,
Alternatively, if the line is already in use, other devices may not be able to establish communication, the preceding communication may be disconnected, and the management of data that was disconnected midway Often impossible.

As one solution to such a problem, Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2000-216912 monitors the transfer coefficient of a line,
It discloses a method of giving priority to telephone communication and disconnecting other communication when a line conflict occurs.

That is, when the telephone communication and the data communication compete on one line, while giving priority to the telephone communication,
The transfer coefficient of the line is monitored during data communication. For this reason, when a telephone communication is attempted during data communication, the data communication disconnects the line connection when the transfer coefficient of the line changes regardless of whether or not the telephone communication is established. ing. In this case, the data of the disconnected data communication is not compensated and automatically reconnected.

[0006]

However, due to the recent rapid development of communication technology, various data communications other than telephone calls are possible for communications using telephone lines. In the method of monitoring, since the transfer coefficient of the line itself is not stable enough to be specified by a theoretical value, it is realistic that each communication terminal device connected to the line independently determines the state of other devices accurately. Impossible. Further, it is difficult to specify the communication content and form from the change in the transfer coefficient, and the only practical method is to disconnect the connection of itself. Furthermore, it is difficult to separately deal with communication that may be disconnected and communication that is bad.

Especially in recent data communication, especially communication on the Internet, connection time, connection frequency, importance,
In many cases, the communication data capacity exceeds the connection time, frequency, importance, and capacity of the call by the calling terminal, and disconnection of the line during communication means data loss during communication and its effect. Is too big to ignore.

In view of the above-mentioned circumstances, the present invention provides various communication terminal devices connected to one line by providing a path in which one or the other can detect the communication status and content of the plurality of communication terminal devices. It is an object of the present invention to provide a method that enables prioritization of communication modes and appropriate processing, and that also compensates the operation of a disconnected device.

[0009]

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides a plurality of communication terminal devices which are connected to one fixed line and can realize a plurality of communication means. One of them is characterized in that after detecting a communication request from the other communication terminal device and disconnecting one communication, reconnection of one communication is possible when the other communication ends. In this way, even if one communication is cut off,
Since the connection can be made again after the other communication ends, the loss of data and the like can be minimized.

Further, according to the present invention, when the one communication is disconnected, the contents of the storage device built in one communication terminal device can be displayed. In this case, the storage device may be built in the other communication terminal device, or
When one and the other communication terminal devices each have a common master unit, they can be built in the master unit, and when displaying with a communication terminal device that does not have a recording device, permission of display or display content It has a security setting means for restricting. With this configuration, even when communication is disconnected, at least the minimum necessary display can be performed to provide a pseudo operation to the user, and the display on the communication terminal device of another user who is not permitted is displayed. It is possible to restrict the data and protect sensitive data from being displayed.

Further, the plurality of communication terminal devices may be a parent-child phone having a handset connected wirelessly or by wire, or a telephone, a facsimile machine, a game machine, or a data modem connected in parallel to the one fixed line. The present invention can be implemented in various forms of communication terminal devices by including a unit capable of detecting the communication request of the other.

Further, when communicating with the one and the other communication terminal devices by using the multiplex communication method capable of multiplex communication on the one fixed line, by limiting the communication speed, The communication can be continued without disconnecting the communication. In this case, the multiplex communication system may be an xDSL system including an ADSL system.

However, one of the communication means is a communication using a multiplex communication system capable of multiplex communication on the one fixed line, and the other is a case of performing communication by analog transmission of a conventional audio frequency, When a large amount of energy is superposed on the line when connecting or receiving a call, affecting one communication, temporarily disconnecting the one communication only during the period that affects the communication and reconnecting after the period ends. ,
It is possible to minimize the interruption of one communication.
In this case, the multiplex communication system is xDSL including the ADSL system.
It may be a system.

When disconnecting the one communication, the judgment is made by a predetermined algorithm built in one communication terminal device, or when the one communication is reconnected,
If the determination of the necessity of reconnection is made by a predetermined algorithm built in one or the other communication terminal device,
Appropriate judgment can be automatically made, and inconvenience caused by the user can be reduced. But in the case of an important decision,
By providing a means for confirming the decision of the communication terminal device to be disconnected to the user of each communication terminal device, it becomes possible to prevent unintended disconnection and reconnection as much as possible. Further, when one of the communication is disconnected and the other communication is terminated, it has means for notifying one of the termination, and means for confirming necessity of reconnection of one, and execution or non-execution of the confirmation. By having a means for enabling the setting in advance, the operation can be switched according to the needs of the user.

[0015]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings, taking an example of a parent-child telephone that uses the L mode (registered trademark) and is capable of Internet communication and conventional FAX transmission / reception and communication. To do. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a parent-child telephone capable of Internet connection, FAX transmission / reception, and telephone communication. FIG. 2 is a flowchart thereof.

In FIG. 1, 1 is a communication network such as a telephone line network or the Internet, and 2 is a communication line such as a telephone line. The base unit 10 connected to the communication line includes a connection interface unit 11, a main body control unit 12, a main body storage device 13, an Internet connection control unit 14, a main unit communication unit 15, and a communication control unit 16 with a handset. There is. Also, the child device 20
Includes a child device display / operation unit 21, a child device control unit 22, a child device storage device 23, an Internet connection processing unit 24, a child device communication unit 25, and a communication control unit 26 with the parent device.

The communication network 1 includes, for example, a telephone line network or an internet network, and the communication line 2 represents a communication line for transmitting analog telephone communication for transmitting audible frequencies on the line, digital communication such as ISDN, or multiplex communication such as ADSL. , In the case of analog telephone communication, it becomes possible to make a call using the audible frequency, to send / receive FAX via a fax modem, or to connect to the Internet with a personal computer etc. using a data modem, etc., and on the same line. ADS, one of the xDSL systems that simultaneously transmit high frequency
If the multiplex communication method using the L method is used, broadband internet connection can be made with one communication line.

The line connection interface unit of the master unit 10 is an interface unit for sending the above various communication signals to the communication line 2 based on a communication request from the master unit 10 or the slave unit 20. The base unit call unit 15 is composed of a circuit that operates when the base unit is used for a call, and the Internet connection processing unit 14 is an Internet connection processing unit 2 of a slave unit, which will be described later.
4 represents a case in which 4 is installed in the master unit, and normally one of the master unit or the slave unit can perform processing. The main body storage device 13 can also store information from the Internet on the master unit side and allocate an area of the storage device for use in normal operation. The communication control unit 16 with the child device is the parent device 1
0 is a circuit that controls bidirectional communication between the slave unit 20 and the slave unit 20, and is communication via the communication control unit 26 with a master unit included in the slave unit 20 described later.

Next, circuits and devices provided in the slave unit 20 will be described. The communication control unit 26 with the base unit is 2.4 GHz.
Wireless communication by ISM method using band, IrD
Infrared communication such as A, parent-slave communication means 30 by a unique wireless system, standardized USB system or U
Both sides communicate with the master unit 10 through the communication control unit 16 with the slave unit via the master unit / slave unit communication means 30 by serial transmission such as ART or wired transmission by an original method.

The handset call section 25 represents a circuit which operates when the handset talks. Further, the Internet connection processing unit 24 is a circuit that performs processing necessary for the Internet, and is placed on the handset side for convenience in the present embodiment, but it is also provided on the main body side so as to serve as other circuits on the main body side. You can also Although the child device storage device 23 stores information from the Internet on the child device side, it is also possible to allocate an area of the memory device for use in normal operation to this. The handset display operation unit 21 displays an image and character information on a liquid crystal display, a plasma display, an EL display device, etc. as a display unit, and operates a pointing device such as a cross key or a jog dial near the display unit. It can be a means. Further, the operating means can be expanded in various forms by providing an interface such as a USB to which a keyboard and a mouse can be connected, or by mounting a touch panel on the display means.

Next, the operation of each unit described above will be described by taking as an example the case where the master device 10 is already using the communication line as shown in S1 (step 1) of FIG. Now, in S1, the parent device 10 is connected to the communication line in advance in the L mode, and as shown in S2, the child device 20 is connected.
Is waiting.

In this state, if the user of the slave unit picks up the slave unit to connect in the L mode, as in S3, S
As shown in the decision branch in FIG.
Since the usage state of the master device 10 is known, the step S11 is performed when the master device 10 is not used, and the step S11 is performed when the master device 10 is used.
Perform step 5.

In this example, since the parent device 10 is already used, the child device 20 notifies the parent device 10 of the line connection request, as shown in S5. At this time, if the parent device 10 that has received this notification in S6 can disconnect itself as shown in S7, or if both the parent device and the child device are using the multiple communication method such as the ADSL method, Then, it is determined whether the communication speed is reduced and the cordless handset 20 and the line can be used together. An example of this determination is shown below, but conditions other than the following are possible in actual operation.

The following is an example of the case where the base unit 10 cannot interrupt the communication. 1) When communication is interrupted, data communicated until then becomes useless, such as FAX. 2) Sending and receiving e-mail with indivisible data attached. 3) When making an emergency call. 4) The user of the base unit 10 is communicating with a telephone number that has been set in advance as uninterruptible. 5) The case where the user of the master device 10 determines that the interruption is not possible at the time when the request from the slave device 20 is made.

Further, there is the following example in which the base unit 10 can interrupt the communication. 1) The main unit is connected to the Internet and the history of browsing homepages (cache stored in the storage device)
If there is data that can be substituted by referring to. 2) If you are receiving multiple emails and you can pause between emails. 3) For non-urgent phone calls. 4) The user of the master device 10 is communicating with a telephone number that has not been designated in advance as uninterruptible, or is communicating with a telephone number that has been designated as interruptible. 5) The case where the user of the master device 10 determines that the interruption is possible at the time when the request from the slave device 20 is made.

The above-mentioned judgment of whether or not the communication can be interrupted can be roughly classified into the following two types. 1) A method that follows an algorithm. 2) Method of entrusting to the judgment of the user. Further, the method of using one or both of them can also realize the judgment of whether or not the communication can be interrupted. Base unit 10
Is connecting to the Internet by the ADSL method which is one of the xDSL methods on the communication line, and the communication mode of the child device 20 is also the Internet connection by the ADSL method, the communication speed of the parent device 20 is limited. Or if the handset 20 is in a telephone call or FAX transmission,
When a large amount of energy is superposed on a line such as a ringing signal at the time of sending the dial pulse or when an incoming call is received, and has a great influence on the communication quality of the master device 10, the master device 10 interrupts the communication only during that period. can do.

In S7, the content of the judgment of the master unit 10 based on the above conditions is notified at the timing of S9 of the slave unit 20 as shown in S8, and then the step of the master unit 10 shifts to S14 and at the same time The step of the machine 20 also shifts to S10.

If the line connection of the slave unit 20 is not permitted as a result of the determination as to whether or not the master unit 10 can be suspended in S10, S
21, the line connection is not notified to the child device 20, and the process goes to the standby state of S2. In this case, the notice that the line connection of the child device 20 is impossible can be displayed on the display unit to notify the user of the child device. On the contrary, if the line connection of the child device 20 is permitted, the process proceeds to S11 and the child device 2
0 line connection is started. After that, the communication of the child device 20 is S
When the process ends in 12, the slave unit 20 is notified of the completion of the slave unit connection as shown in S13, and the slave unit 20 shifts to the standby state of S2.

Returning to the flow of the master unit, S7
After notifying the handset 20 of the determination of whether or not the communication can be interrupted in S8,
The main | base station 10 performs the branch process which interrupts | continues or continues its own connection, as shown by S14. If the line connection of the child device is not possible, the connection of the child device itself can be continued, so the state shifts to S1. On the contrary, if the line connection of the child device is possible, the own device cannot be connected, so the connection is disconnected in S15. At this time, as described above, when the connection between the parent device 10 and the child device 20 is performed by the ADSL method, the process of limiting the communication speed is performed and the child device 20 and the line can be used together. Is.

Although the line is opened for the slave unit 20 or the communication speed is limited in S15, the information stored in the built-in main body storage device 13 (cache) causes S1
As shown in FIG. 6, the base unit 10 can be caused to perform an apparent operation display. At the same time, in S17, a mode for monitoring the end of communication of the child device 20 is entered. In this case, the above-mentioned cache may be carried out in the child device storage device 23 of the child device 20 and the information may be sent to the parent device 10, or if there are a plurality of child devices, it should be done in the parent device main body storage device 13. Is also possible. Although depending on the cache capacity, sharing one storage device enables effective use of the storage device, thus saving the entire storage device capacity. Furthermore, it is possible to prevent access to information such as cache of the parent device or the child device having the memory device from the parent device or the child device having no memory device, or to set the access contents so that the parent device and the child device do not have access. Mutual security may be strengthened.

In step S13, upon receipt of the connection end notification from the slave unit 20, the master unit 10 performing a pseudo operation during communication of the slave unit 20.
Shifts to S18 and determines whether or not to actually reconnect as the master device. When reconnecting, move to S19,
If the connection is not reestablished, the process proceeds to S20 and the operation ends. In this case, the following method is used to determine whether to reconnect. 1) Determine in advance whether to reconnect with the initial settings. 2) When it is determined in S7 whether or not the master unit can disconnect the communication, it is determined whether or not to reconnect the master unit after the communication of the slave unit is completed. 3) Upon receiving the connection end notification of the slave unit from S13, confirm with the user of the master unit whether to reconnect. 4) Make a judgment based on the time of day. For example, no reconnection is required at night. 5) Judgment is based on the length of connection interruption time on the master side. For example, do not reconnect if interrupted for 30 minutes or more.

The method of notifying the parent device 10 of the line connection request to the parent device 10 in S4 described above can be realized by various methods and devices, but a new or additional child device can be installed later. In order to be convenient when
An externally attachable device will be described with reference to FIGS. 3 and 4.

FIG. 3 shows a device for detecting the weight of the child device by using a charger attached to the child device and wirelessly notifying the parent device. FIG. 4 shows an ordinary telephone connected in parallel with a detection switch. It is a device attached with a notification.

As a first configuration example, as shown in FIG.
Reference numeral 40 denotes a set of a master unit, which includes an antenna 41 for wirelessly communicating with the slave unit. Reference numeral 30 denotes a set of slave units, a handset 31 of the slave unit, a charger 32, a weight detection device 34 attached near the charger, and a wireless device 33 for wirelessly notifying the master unit of the state of the slave unit. And its antenna 41
It consists of and. In this case, the weight detection device 34
Detects that the handset of the child device has been picked up, that is, notifies the parent device set 40 of the communication request of the child device via the wireless device 33, so that from the child device to the parent device described in step S4. It can be notified as a line connection request. Further, with such a retrofit device, even if a communication terminal device such as a PHS is additionally installed as a slave, it can be easily performed, and the expansion can be made flexible.

FIG. 4 shows a second configuration example for notifying the master unit of the line connection request of the slave unit. The handset 35 having the handset 36 is connected in parallel to the base unit 45 to the communication line 47 via the line cable 46. Handset 3 of handset
When a switch 6 is set, a switch 37 for detecting the state of the child device is attached to the pressing portion of a hook switch (not shown) that functions to disconnect the line, and the parent device 4 is connected via the cable 38.
If a signal indicating the state of the child device is sent to 5, the handset 36 of the child device 35 is picked up, that is, the line connection request of the child device 35 is notified to the parent device 45. According to the second configuration example, it is possible to retrofit a normal-type wired telephone as a slave unit and easily add a new one, which is an excellent effect.

[0036]

According to the present invention, even if the communication of one communication terminal device is disconnected, the connection can be made again after the communication of the other communication terminal device is completed, so that the loss of data etc. can be minimized. it can. Further, since at least one communication terminal device has a storage device, at least the minimum necessary display can be performed even when the communication is cut off, and a pseudo operation and display can be provided to the user. By adding a security function, it is possible to limit the display on the communication terminal device of other users who are not permitted.

In the communication terminal device, the parent-child phone having a child device connected wirelessly or by wire has means for allowing the other to detect a communication request between one of the parent device and the child device.
Even in the case of a plurality of communication terminal devices such as telephones, facsimiles, game machines, or data modems that are connected in parallel to one fixed line, various communication terminal devices can have various means by detecting the communication request of one communication terminal device. The present invention can be implemented for communication terminal devices of various forms.

Furthermore, when communicating with the communication means of one and the other communication terminal devices by using a multiplex communication system capable of multiplex communication on one fixed line, the communication speed is limited to limit the above-mentioned one The communication can be continued without disconnecting the communication of the communication terminal device. Further, when communication using a multiplex communication method capable of multiplex communication on one fixed line and telephone communication or FAX communication by conventional analog transmission of audio frequencies compete with each other, and when the other communication terminal device is connected. When a large amount of energy is superposed on the line at the time of receiving a call or when it affects the communication of one communication terminal device, the communication of one communication terminal device is temporarily disconnected only during the period that affects the communication, and the communication is restarted after the period. By connecting, it is possible to minimize the interruption of communication of one communication terminal device.

When the communication of one communication terminal device is disconnected, the judgment is made by a predetermined algorithm built in one communication terminal device, or when the communication of one communication terminal device is reconnected, the reconnection is made. By making the determination as to whether or not to be necessary according to a predetermined algorithm built in one or the other communication terminal device, an appropriate determination can be automatically made, and inconvenience caused by the user can be reduced. Moreover, in the case of an important judgment, it is possible to prevent unintended disconnection or reconnection as much as possible by providing a means for confirming the decision of the communication terminal device to be disconnected to the user of each communication terminal device. Further, while the communication of one communication terminal device is disconnected, when the communication of the other communication terminal device is finished, means for notifying the end to one, means for confirming the necessity of reconnection of one, By having a means for setting the execution and non-execution of the confirmation in advance, it becomes possible to switch the operation according to the needs of the user.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a parent-child telephone capable of Internet connection and FAX transmission / reception.

FIG. 2 is a flow chart for explaining the operation of FIG.

FIG. 3 is a device for detecting the weight of a child device by using a charger attached to the child device and wirelessly notifying the parent device.

FIG. 4 is a device for adding a switch to an ordinary telephone connected in parallel to notify.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 communication network 2 communication lines 10 base unit 11 Connection interface section 12 Main body control section 13 Main memory 13 Storage device 14 Internet connection processing unit 15 Base unit call section 16 Communication control unit 20 cordless handsets 21 Remote unit display operation unit 22 Remote unit control unit 23 Storage device 24 Internet connection processing unit 25 cordless handset 26 Communication controller 30 cordless handsets 31 handset 32 charger 33 wireless devices 34 Weight detection device 35 cordless handset 35 parent machine 36 handset 37 switch 38 cable 40 base unit set 41 antenna 45 base unit 46 line cable 47 communication line

Continued front page    F-term (reference) 5C062 AA02 AC38 AC39 AC44 AC58                       AE15                 5K027 AA12 FF02 FF22 KK02 KK04                 5K034 AA03 AA05 DD02 FF13 HH64                       JJ11 LL01 LL02 LL04 LL05                       MM21                 5K101 KK01 KK02 LL01 LL14 NN21                       NN32 QQ08

Claims (14)

[Claims] 1. In a plurality of communication terminal devices connected to one fixed line and capable of realizing a plurality of communication means, one communication terminal device detects a communication request from the other communication terminal device during communication. A communication terminal device that enables reconnection of one communication after disconnecting one communication and ending the other communication. 2. The communication terminal device according to claim 1, wherein the contents of a storage device built in one communication terminal device can be displayed when the one communication is disconnected. 3. The communication terminal device according to claim 1, wherein one of the communication terminal devices, which is connected wirelessly or by wire, is a master device and the other is a slave device. 4. The plurality of communication terminal devices are telephones, facsimiles, game machines, or data modems that are connected in parallel to the one fixed line, and the one can detect the communication request of the other. The communication terminal device according to claim 1, further comprising: 5. When communication is performed with the one and the other communication terminal devices using a multiplex communication method capable of multiplex communication on the one fixed line, the communication of the one communication terminal device is disconnected. The communication terminal device according to claim 1, wherein the communication speed is limited. 6. When the one communication means performs communication using a multiplex communication method capable of multiplex communication on the one fixed line, and when the other communication terminal device is connected or receives an incoming call. When a large amount of energy is superimposed on the line and affects the communication of the one communication terminal device, the communication of the one communication terminal device is temporarily disconnected only during the period that affects the communication, and reconnection is made after the period ends. The communication terminal device according to claim 1, wherein 7. The communication terminal device according to claim 5, wherein the multiplex communication system is an xDSL system including an ADSL system. 8. The communication terminal device according to claim 1, wherein when the communication of the one communication terminal device is disconnected, the determination is made by a predetermined algorithm incorporated in the one communication terminal device. . 9. The communication terminal device according to claim 1, further comprising means for confirming a decision of the communication terminal device to be disconnected to a user of the communication terminal device when disconnecting the communication of the one communication terminal device. Communication terminal equipment. 10. The reconnection of one of the communication terminal devices, the necessity of reconnection is determined by a predetermined algorithm built in the one or the other communication terminal device. 1. The communication terminal device according to 1. 11. A means for notifying the one communication terminal device of the end when the communication of the one communication terminal device is disconnected and the communication of the other communication terminal device is completed, and the one communication terminal device. 2. The communication terminal device according to claim 1, further comprising means for confirming whether or not the reconnection is required, and means for enabling execution or non-execution of the confirmation in advance. 12. The communication terminal device according to claim 2, wherein the storage device is built in the other communication terminal device. 13. The communication terminal device according to claim 2, wherein the storage device is built in the master device when the one and the other communication terminal devices each have a common master device. 14. The security setting means for permitting display or limiting display contents when the contents of the recording device are displayed by a communication terminal device not incorporating the recording device. The communication terminal device according to.