JP2006157978A - Communication support apparatus, method of executing communication support service, and storage medium - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a highly convenient communication support apparatus with which telephone service can be used, by controlling an information processing apparatus by an operation from a telephone set so that information exchange with other media is facilitated, and to provide a method of executing communication support service, and a storage medium. <P>SOLUTION: The communication support apparatus, in which the telephone set and the information processing apparatus are connected to a network via a communication control apparatus, comprises a control-signal detection means for detecting a predetermined control signal from the telephone set, a control-signal analysis means for analyzing the predetermined control signal detected by the control-signal detection means, and an information control means for controlling the information processing apparatus, based on the predetermined control signal analyzed by the control-signal analysis means. The information processing apparatus is constituted by a data receiving means for receiving communication data by the control of the information control means, a communication data storage means for storing the communication data received by the data receiving means, and a data-transmitting means for transmitting communication data stored in the communication data storage means by the control of the information control means. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a communication support apparatus in which a telephone and an information processing apparatus are connected to a communication network via a communication control apparatus, a communication support apparatus that executes a telephone service using the information processing apparatus, a communication support service execution method, and a storage medium About.

  In recent years, personal computers are becoming popular in Japan as well. In addition, modems that use telephone lines for the purpose of using the Internet or personal computer communication are also becoming widespread. That is, at present, conventional telephones and personal computers use telephone lines.

  However, the application of the telephone service is built in the personal computer, but the operation of this application is performed by an input device such as a keyboard and a mouse connected to the personal computer, and there is no sense of unity with the telephone. And computers are used differently.

  At present, there is a demand for a high-level and convenient communication support device that can use a telephone service of a personal computer by controlling the personal computer by operation from a telephone, and further facilitates exchange of information with other media. .

  A conventional communication support apparatus is equipped with an application capable of executing an existing telephone service, and executes a telephone service by input / output of the information processing apparatus, for example, an input of a keyboard or a mouse.

  FIG. 29 shows a configuration of a conventional communication support apparatus.

  29, a conventional communication support apparatus includes an existing telephone 301, an information processing apparatus 304, a communication network 302 as a telephone line, and a line connection unit 303 that connects the telephone 301, the information processing apparatus 304, and the communication network 302. A voice input / output circuit that inputs voice data from the telephone set 301 and the communication network 302 to the information processing apparatus 304 and outputs voice data recorded in the information processing apparatus 304 to a line connecting the telephone set 301 and the communication network 302. 305, a dial circuit 306 that transmits a telephone number input from the keyboard or mouse of the information processing device 304, and various detection circuits 307 that detect busy tone, RING tone, RBT (ringback tone), on-hook, and off-hook from the line. And a PC interface that interfaces the signal from the line with the information processing device. Composed Esu unit 308.

  In the conventional communication support apparatus configured as described above, when dialing a third party is executed by a telephone service application stored in the information processing apparatus, the user of the information processing apparatus For example, a telephone number is input from a keyboard and a mouse, and a dial button is pressed. Here, when the user lifts the handset of the telephone 30, various detection circuits 307 detect off-hook, the line connection unit 303 connects the telephone 301 and the communication network 302, and the user can talk with a third party. Become.

  In addition, when recording during conversation is performed by a telephone service application, the user of the information processing apparatus 304 presses the conversation recording button on the application. Here, the information processing apparatus 304 obtains voice data on the line during a call via the voice input / output circuit 305. The application of the information processing device 304 converts the audio data into a format that can be stored by the information processing device 304 and stores the converted data in the information processing device 304. The recording process continues until the user presses the recording stop button on the application.

  Further, when the voice data recorded in the information processing apparatus 304 is reproduced by a telephone service application, the user of the information processing apparatus 304 presses a reproduction button on the application. Here, the application converts data stored in the information processing apparatus into audio data, and connects the line via the audio input / output circuit 305. The playback is continued until the user presses the playback stop button of the application or the playback data ends.

  In addition, when a telephone number is registered in the information processing apparatus 304 using a telephone service application, the user of the information processing apparatus 304 stores the telephone number input by the operation of the application, The phone number registration process is executed by the operation from the mouse.

  However, the conventional communication support apparatus has a problem in that it cannot execute telephone service applications such as voice recording and reproduction by operation from a telephone, transfer of communication data, and telephone number registration to an information processing apparatus.

  The present invention is capable of using a telephone service by controlling an information processing apparatus by operation from a telephone, and further, an advanced and convenient communication support apparatus and communication support service that facilitate exchange of information with other media. It is an object to provide an execution method and a storage medium.

In order to solve the above problems, a communication support apparatus according to the present invention is a communication support apparatus in which a telephone and an information processing apparatus are connected to a communication network via a communication control apparatus. Control signal detection means for detecting a predetermined control signal (corresponding to control signal detection circuit 6, DTMF detection circuit 105, and pulse signal detection circuit 205 in an embodiment described later), and predetermined signal detected by the control signal detection means Control signal analyzing means for analyzing the control signal (corresponding to the control signal analyzing circuit 11 and the information processing device 112 in the embodiment described later) and information processing based on the predetermined control signal analyzed by the control signal analyzing means Information control means for controlling the device (equivalent to the information control circuit 7 and the information processing device 112 in the embodiment described later),
The information processing apparatus includes a data receiving means (corresponding to a data receiving circuit 20 and an information processing apparatus 112 in an embodiment described later) that receives communication data under the control of the information control means, and a communication received by the data receiving means. Communication data storage means for storing data (corresponding to the data storage circuit 21 and the information processing device 112 in the embodiment described later) and the communication data stored in the communication data storage means are transmitted under the control of the information control means. Data transmission means (corresponding to the data transmission circuit 19 and the information processing apparatus 112 in the embodiment described later).

The information processing apparatus includes a data receiving means (corresponding to a data receiving circuit 20 and an information processing apparatus 112 in an embodiment described later) that receives communication data under the control of the information control means, and a communication received by the data receiving means. Communication data storage means for storing data (corresponding to the data storage circuit 21 and the information processing device 112 in the embodiment described later) and the communication data stored in the communication data storage means are transmitted under the control of the information control means. Data transmission means (corresponding to the data transmission circuit 19 and the information processing apparatus 112 in the embodiment described later).

  The information processing apparatus of the communication support apparatus according to the present invention includes a data reception unit, a communication data storage unit, and a data transmission unit, so that, for example, communication data can be transferred as a telephone service application.

  Further, the communication support apparatus according to the present invention is the communication support apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the communication support apparatus according to the present invention connects the voice data from the telephone directly to the communication network or the voice data from the telephone. It is configured to include switching means (corresponding to a switcher 22 and a switcher 113 in an embodiment to be described later) for switching whether to modulate and demodulate to the same data format as the communication data from the information processing apparatus and connect to the communication network.

  In the communication support apparatus of the present invention, when the switching means connects the voice data from the telephone directly to the communication network, only the voice data from the telephone is connected to the communication network, and the voice data from the telephone is sent from the information processing apparatus. When modulating and demodulating to the same data format as the communication data and connecting to the communication network, it is possible to simultaneously transmit voice data from the telephone and communication data from the information processing apparatus.

  The communication support apparatus according to the present invention is the communication support apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the information processing apparatus is notified from the communication network under the control of the information control means. Phone book registration means for registering a telephone number (corresponding to a telephone book registration circuit 37 and an information processing device path 112 in an embodiment to be described later), and a telephone book for storing the telephone number notified by the processing of the telephone book registration means And a storage unit.

  The information processing apparatus of the communication support apparatus according to the present invention includes a telephone directory registration unit and a telephone directory storage unit, so that, for example, telephone number registration in the information processing apparatus can be executed as a telephone service application.

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a communication support apparatus according to the third aspect, wherein the call end signal detecting means detects a call end signal (a dial end signal of an embodiment described later). Detection circuit 33, corresponding to various detection circuits 114), and display control means (corresponding to display control circuit 34, information processing apparatus 112 in an embodiment described later) for executing control for displaying the telephone number on the telephone. The telephone directory registration means displays the telephone number notified by the display control means on the telephone after detecting the dial end signal by the dial end signal detection means, and allows the telephone user to permit The number is stored in the telephone directory storage means.

  The information processing apparatus of the communication support apparatus according to the present invention can store only a necessary telephone number in the telephone directory storage means according to the intention of the telephone user.

  The communication support apparatus according to the present invention is the communication support apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the predetermined control signal is a dial pulse, a DTMF signal, or a specific frequency. And at least one of the signals assigned to each of the signals, and the information control means performs control of voice recording, playback, reception and transmission of communication data, and registration of telephone numbers based on the signals. And Therefore, the communication support apparatus of the present invention can use an existing telephone as it is.

  The method of executing a communication support service that operates on the communication support apparatus according to the present invention operates on a communication support apparatus in which a telephone and an information processing apparatus are connected to a communication network via a communication control apparatus. And a control signal detection step (corresponding to S32, S33, S34, S35, S36, S37, and S38 in the embodiments described later) for detecting a predetermined control signal from the telephone, and the control signal A control signal analysis step (corresponding to S101, S102, S103, and S104 in the embodiments described later) for analyzing the predetermined control signal detected in the detection step, and the predetermined control signal analyzed in the control signal analysis step Information control step (corresponding to S105 and S106 in the embodiments described later) for controlling the information processing device based on the information processing device, A data reception step for receiving communication data in the control step; a communication data storage step for storing the communication data received in the data reception step; and the communication data stored in the communication data storage step in the information control step. A data transmission step of transmitting.

  The storage medium storing the program to be executed by the communication support apparatus according to the present invention is executed by the communication support apparatus in which the telephone and the information processing apparatus are connected to the communication network via the communication control apparatus. A control signal detection function (corresponding to a control signal detection circuit 6, a DTMF detection circuit 105, and a pulse signal detection circuit 205 in an embodiment to be described later) for detecting a predetermined control signal from a telephone in a storage medium storing a program to be executed; A control signal analysis function for analyzing a predetermined control signal detected by the control signal detection function (corresponding to a control signal analysis circuit 11 and an information processing device 112 in an embodiment described later), and a control signal analysis function An information control function for controlling the information processing device based on the analyzed predetermined control signal (corresponding to the information control circuit 7 and the information processing device 112 in an embodiment described later); A data receiving function (corresponding to a data receiving circuit 20 and an information processing apparatus 112 in an embodiment to be described later) for receiving communication data by the information control function and a communication data received by the data receiving function A communication data storage function, and a data transmission function (corresponding to a data transmission circuit 19 and an information processing device 112 in an embodiment to be described later) for transmitting communication data stored by the communication data storage function by the information control function. make it happen.

  According to the communication support apparatus of the present invention, the telephone service of the information processing apparatus can be used by controlling the information processing apparatus by operation from the telephone, and further, it is possible to easily exchange information with other media. It is possible to provide a convenient communication support apparatus.

  In addition, by using a cordless telephone, a telephone service application can be executed from the telephone without moving near the information processing apparatus.

  Embodiments of a communication support apparatus according to the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 shows a conceptual diagram of a communication support apparatus of the present invention.

  In FIG. 1, the communication support apparatus includes a telephone set 1, a communication control apparatus 2, an information processing apparatus 3, and a communication network 4, and connects the telephone set 1 and the information processing apparatus 3 to the communication network 4 via the communication control apparatus 2. ing.

  The telephone 1 has an existing voice transmission / reception and dial function.

  The communication control apparatus 2 is assigned as a predetermined control signal from the line connection unit 5 for connecting the telephone 1 and the information processing apparatus 3 to the line and the telephone 1, for example, for each dial pulse, DTMF signal, or specific frequency. And has a function of connecting the telephone 1 and the information processing apparatus 3 to the communication network 4.

  The information processing apparatus 3 includes an information control circuit 7 that controls the information processing apparatus 3 based on the predetermined control signal from the telephone 1, and has a function of executing a telephone service application of the information processing apparatus 3.

  In the communication support apparatus configured as shown in FIG. 1, when power is not supplied to the communication control apparatus 2, the line connection unit 5 directly connects the telephone 1 and the communication network 4, and power is supplied to the communication control apparatus 2. If supplied, the line connection unit 5 connects the telephone 1 and the control signal detection circuit 6. The control signal detection circuit 6 detects a predetermined control signal on a line connecting the telephone 1 and the communication network 4. The detected result is notified to the information control circuit 7 as an event. The information control circuit 7 executes conversational recording and playback, communication data transfer, telephone book registration, and the like, which are telephone service applications of the information processing apparatus 3 corresponding to the notified event.

  The predetermined control signal here is defined as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, for example, and executes a telephone service application assigned to a dial pulse, a DTMF signal, or a signal assigned for each specific frequency. Is defined as a command for Further, the signal assigned for each specific frequency refers to, for example, a recording button, a playback button, etc., as a specially set button for generating a tone signal of a predetermined frequency as shown in FIG. Note that the application of the telephone service for each signal defined in FIGS. 2 and 3 is set for convenience of explanation, and the type of service and the type of command are not limited to this.

  Hereinafter, a communication support apparatus in which the DTMF signal shown in FIG. 2 is associated with a telephone service application will be described with reference to the conceptual diagrams of FIGS. 4, 5, and 6. The description of the dial tone and the signal assigned to each specific frequency can be explained by replacing it with a DTMF signal.

  FIG. 4 shows a conceptual diagram of the first embodiment of the present invention.

  In FIG. 4, the communication support apparatus includes a telephone set 1, a communication control apparatus 2, an information processing apparatus 3, and a communication network 4 as in FIG. 1, and communicates the telephone set 1 and the information processing apparatus 3 via the communication control apparatus 2. Connected to the network 4. In addition, about the structure same as FIG. 4 demonstrated in FIG. 1, the same code | symbol is attached | subjected and description is abbreviate | omitted.

  The telephone 1 includes a cordless telephone 9 that can transmit and receive wireless data from a remote location, a radio signal conversion circuit 8 that converts a radio signal from the cordless telephone 9 into voice data, and further converts voice data from the line into a radio signal. It has an existing voice transmission / reception and dial function. Note that the telephone 1 is not limited to a cordless telephone. The communication control device 2 includes a line connection unit 5 that connects the telephone 1 and the information processing device 3 to a line, a control signal detection circuit 6 that detects a DTMF signal from the telephone 1, and voice from the telephone 1 and the communication network 4. The voice input / output control circuit 10 controls input / output of data to / from the information processing apparatus, and has a function of connecting the telephone 1 and the information processing apparatus 3 to the communication network 4.

  The information processing device 3 analyzes the DTMF signal from the telephone set 1 and notifies the information control circuit 7 of the analysis result, and the information processing device 3 based on the notification from the control signal analysis circuit 11. An information control circuit 7 to be controlled, a voice recording circuit 12 for executing recording processing of conversation on the line connecting the telephone 1 and the communication network 4 under the control of the information control circuit 7, and a data format capable of storing voice from the line Audio format conversion circuit 14 for converting to audio format, audio data storage circuit 15 for storing audio data converted by the audio format conversion circuit 14, and audio for reading out and reproducing the audio data stored in the audio data storage circuit 15 The playback circuit 13 is an application of a telephone service of the information processing device 3 based on the DTMF signal from the telephone 1, for example, recording and playback of voice It has a function to be executed.

  In the communication support apparatus configured as shown in FIG. 4, when power is not supplied to the communication control apparatus 2, the line connection unit 5 directly connects the telephone 1 and the communication network 4, and the communication control apparatus 2 is supplied with power. When supplied, the line connection unit 5 connects the telephone 1 and the communication network 4 via the control signal detection circuit 6. The control signal detection circuit 6 detects a DTMF signal on a line connecting the telephone 1 and the communication network 4. When the detected result corresponds to the control signal shown in FIG. 2, the control signal detection circuit 6 notifies the information control circuit 7 of the information as an event.

  Here, as a result of the analysis of the DTMF signal by the control signal analysis circuit 11, for example, when the DTMF signal “* 1” is pressed from the telephone set 1, the information control circuit 7 sends the information processing device to the voice recording circuit 12. 3 is controlled so as to start recording during conversation, which is an application of the telephone service 3, and when the DTMF signal “* 2” is pressed from the telephone 1, it is controlled to end recording during conversation. Furthermore, when the DTMF signal “* 3” is pressed from the telephone set 1, the information control circuit 7 controls the voice recording circuit 12 to reproduce the recorded voice data, and the DTMF signal “ * Controls to stop playback when 4 'is pressed.

  The voice recording circuit 12 performs a recording process by storing the voice data converted by the voice format conversion circuit 14 in the voice data storage circuit 15. Further, the audio reproduction circuit 13 performs reproduction processing by reading out audio data stored in the audio data storage circuit 15 and further outputting the audio data converted by the audio format conversion circuit 14 to the audio input / output circuit 10. Yes.

  FIG. 5 shows a conceptual diagram of the second embodiment of the present invention.

  In FIG. 5, the communication support apparatus includes a telephone set 1, a communication control apparatus 2, an information processing apparatus 3, and a communication network 4 as in FIG. 1, and communicates the telephone set 1 and the information processing apparatus 3 via the communication control apparatus 2. Connected to the network 4. In addition, about the structure same as FIG. 5 demonstrated in FIG. 1, the same code | symbol is attached | subjected and description is abbreviate | omitted.

  The telephone 1 includes a cordless telephone 9 and a radio signal conversion circuit 8, and has an existing voice transmission / reception and dial function. Note that the telephone 1 is not limited to a cordless telephone.

  The communication control device 2 includes a line connection unit 5 that connects the telephone 1 and the information processing device 3 to a line, a control signal detection circuit 6 that detects a DTMF signal from the telephone 1, and voice from the telephone 1 as communication data. A voice encoding / combining circuit 16 that modulates the voice data of the same data format as that of the communication data from the communication network 4 to the voice of the telephone 1, and data modulation / demodulation for communication of the communication data The circuit 17 is connected to the voice encoding / combining circuit 16 when executing a service for communicating the communication data and voice data of the telephone service simultaneously or separately, and is usually connected to the switch 22 connected to the communication network 4 side. And has a function of connecting the telephone 1 and the information processing apparatus 3 to the communication network 4.

  The information processing apparatus 3 analyzes the DTMF signal from the telephone 1 and notifies the information control circuit 7 of the analysis result, and the information processing apparatus 3 based on the notification from the control signal analysis circuit 18. An information control circuit 7 to be controlled, a data receiving circuit 20 for receiving communication data from a line connecting the communication network 4 and the information processing device 3 under the control of the information control circuit 7, and a data storage for storing communication data from the line A circuit 21 and a data transmission circuit 19 that reads out and transmits communication data stored in the data storage circuit 21, and is a telephone service application of the information processing device 3 based on a DTMF signal from the telephone 1, for example, And having a function of executing communication data transfer.

  In the communication support apparatus configured as shown in FIG. 5, when power is not supplied to the communication control apparatus 2, the line connection unit 5 directly connects the telephone 1 and the communication network 4, and the communication control apparatus 2 is supplied with power. When supplied, the line connection unit 5 connects the telephone 1 and the communication network 4 via the control signal detection circuit 6. The control signal detection circuit 6 detects a DTMF signal on a line connecting the telephone 1 and the communication network 4. When the detected result corresponds to the control signal shown in FIG. 2, the control signal detection circuit 6 notifies the information control circuit 7 of the information as an event.

  Here, as a result of the analysis of the DTMF signal by the control signal analysis circuit 18, for example, when the DTMF signal “* 7” is pressed from the telephone set 1, the information control circuit 7 sends an information processing device to the data transmission circuit 19. 3 is controlled so as to start transmission of communication data, which is an application of the telephone service 3, and when the DTMF signal “* 8” is pressed from the telephone set 1, the transmission of communication data is terminated. Note that the communication data is automatically received by the information processing device 3, and therefore no particular control is required from the telephone 1.

  In the data receiving circuit 20, the communication data from the data modulation / demodulation circuit 17 is processed as a data storage circuit 21 as a telephone service of the information processing apparatus 3. The data transmission circuit 19 reads out the communication data stored in the data storage circuit 21 and outputs it to the data modulation / demodulation circuit 17.

  FIG. 6 shows a conceptual diagram of the third embodiment of the present invention.

  In FIG. 6, the communication support apparatus includes a telephone set 1, a communication control apparatus 2, an information processing apparatus 3, and a communication network 4 as in FIG. 1, and communicates the telephone set 1 and the information processing apparatus 3 via the communication control apparatus 2. Connected to the network 4. In addition, about the structure same as FIG. 6 demonstrated in FIG. 1, the same code | symbol is attached | subjected and description is abbreviate | omitted.

  The telephone 1 includes a cordless telephone 9, a radio signal conversion circuit 8, a display unit 32 that displays information from the information processing device 3, and a radio signal from the information processing device 3 that is converted into a data format that can be displayed on the display unit 32. The radio signal conversion circuit 31 is configured to have an existing voice transmission / reception and dial function. Note that the telephone 1 is not limited to a cordless telephone.

  The communication control apparatus 2 includes a line connection unit 5 that connects the telephone 1 and the information processing apparatus 3 to a line, a control signal detection circuit 6 that detects a DTMF signal from the telephone 1, a user of the telephone 1, and a third party. The dial end signal detection circuit 33 detects that the telephone call has ended, and has a function of connecting the telephone 1 and the information processing apparatus 3 to the communication network 4.

  The information processing apparatus 3 analyzes a DTMF signal from the telephone 1 and notifies the information control circuit 7 of the analysis result, an analysis result storage circuit 36 that stores the analysis result, and a control signal analysis An information control circuit 7 that controls the information processing device 3 based on a notification from the circuit 36; a telephone directory registration circuit 37 that executes a process of registering a third-party telephone number under the control of the information control circuit 7; A display control circuit 34 that generates data to be displayed on the display unit 32 under the control of the circuit 7 and a telephone directory storage circuit 38 that registers a telephone number through the processing of the telephone directory registration circuit 37. For example, it has a function of executing registration of a telephone number, which is an application of a telephone service of the information processing apparatus 3.

  In the communication support apparatus configured as shown in FIG. 6, when power is not supplied to the communication control apparatus 2, the line connection unit 5 directly connects the telephone 1 and the communication network 4, and the communication control apparatus 2 is supplied with power. When supplied, the line connection unit 5 connects the telephone 1 and the communication network 4 via the control signal detection circuit 6. The control signal detection circuit 6 detects a DTMF signal on a line connecting the telephone 1 and the communication network 4. When the detected result corresponds to the control signal shown in FIG. 2, the control signal detection circuit 6 notifies the information control circuit 7 of the information as an event.

  Here, as a result of the analysis of the DTMF signal by the control signal analysis circuit 35, for example, when the DTMF signal '* 9' is pressed from the telephone set 1, the information control circuit 7 Is stored in the analysis result storage circuit 36.

  When dialing is completed, the dial end signal detection circuit 33 notifies the information control circuit 7 of the end of dialing, and the information control circuit 7 that has received the notification notifies the telephone book registration circuit 37 of the telephone service of the information processing apparatus 3. Control to execute the registration process of the phone number that is an application.

  The display control circuit 34 displays that fact on the display unit 3 in order to make the user of the telephone set 1 determine whether or not to register a third party telephone number. When it is determined that the user of the telephone 1 registers, the telephone directory registration circuit 37 reads out the third party telephone number stored in the analysis result storage circuit 36 and stores the third party telephone number in the telephone directory storage circuit 38. Remember phone number. On the other hand, when it is determined that the user of the telephone 1 does not register, the telephone directory registration circuit 37 deletes the third party telephone number stored in the analysis result storage circuit 36.

  1, 4, 5, and 6 can be considered as a modem or a terminal adapter that connects the telephone 1 and the information processing apparatus 3 to the communication network 4. 7, 8, 9, 10, and 11 show configuration examples of a communication support apparatus using a modem or a terminal adapter.

  FIGS. 7 and 8 are configuration examples when the communication control device 2 is replaced with a modem 41 having the same configuration as that of FIGS. 1, 4, 5, and 6.

  FIGS. 9 and 10 are configuration examples when a modem built-in telephone 43 having a modem built-in telephone 42 and a cordless telephone 9 is used. The modem built-in telephone 42 and the modem built-in telephone 43 may be a telephone with a built-in modem. FIG. 11 shows an example of the configuration when a telephone-equipped modem-equipped personal computer 44 is used.

  FIG. 12 shows an embodiment of the communication support apparatus of the present invention that performs telephone conversation application recording and playback during conversation, transfer of communication data, telephone number telephone directory registration, and the like.

  In FIG. 12, the communication support apparatus includes a telephone set 101, a communication network 102, a relay 103, a relay control 104, a DTMF detection circuit 105, a voice input / output circuit 106, a voice encoding / combining circuit 107, a data modulation / demodulation circuit 108, and a CPU 109. And a bus 110, a PC interface 111, an information processing device 112, a switch 113, various detection circuits 114, a telephone display unit 115, a DC detection circuit 116, and a DC detection circuit 117. Applications such as recording and playback during conversation, transfer of communication data, phone number registration in the phone book, etc.

  The telephone 101 has an existing voice transmission / reception and dial function.

  A communication network 102 indicates a communication network such as a public line.

  The CPU 109 has a function of processing a notification from each circuit connected to the bus 110 and further controlling each circuit connected to the bus 110.

  The DC detection circuit 116 and the DC detection circuit 117 have a function of detecting line disconnection and on-hook of the telephone set 101.

  The relay control 104 has a function of controlling a relay 103 described later under the control of the CPU 109.

  The relay 103 has a function of opening and closing a line connecting the telephone set 101 and the communication network 102. When power is supplied to the communication support apparatus, the relay 103 is released by the control of the relay control 104, and when the power is not supplied, the relay 103 is closed. The DTMF detection circuit 105 has a function of detecting a DTMF signal from the telephone set 101.

  The voice input / output circuit 106 has a function of connecting voice data on a line connecting the telephone set 101 and the communication network 102 to the information processing apparatus 112.

  The speech encoding / combining circuit 107 has a function of modulating and demodulating speech.

  The data modulation / demodulation circuit 108 has a function of modulating and demodulating communication data.

  The PC interface 111 has a function of connecting the communication control means 118 as a modem and the information processing apparatus 112.

  The information processing apparatus 112 has a function of executing a telephone service.

  The switch 113 is connected to the voice encoding / combining circuit 107 when recording and playback during conversation of telephone service, and is normally connected to the communication network 102 side.

  Various detection circuits 114 are in various states of busy tone (indicating busy), RING tone (indicating ringing tone from a third party), RBT (ringback tone: indicating ringing tone in third party), on-hook, and off-hook. It has a function to detect.

  The telephone display unit 115 has a function of displaying a message from the information processing apparatus 112 when performing telephone directory registration of telephone numbers for telephone services.

  If the control signal from the telephone set 101 is not a DTMF signal but a dial pulse as shown in FIG. 12, the communication support apparatus shown in FIG. 12 is obtained by replacing the DTMF detection circuit 105 with the pulse signal detection circuit 205 as shown in FIG. The phone service can be executed in the same way. Further, when the control signal from the telephone 101 is a signal assigned for each specific frequency as shown in FIG. 3, by replacing the DTMF detection circuit 105 with a circuit capable of detecting the signal, the communication support apparatus of FIG. The phone service can be executed in the same way.

  The basic operation of the communication control means 118 of the communication support apparatus configured as shown in FIG. 12 will be described with reference to FIG.

  When the user of the communication support device supplies power to the communication control device 118, the CPU 109 initializes the communication control device 118 (S1). As shown in FIG. 16, the initialization of the communication control device 118 initializes all setting values of each circuit constituting the communication control device 118 (S11), and further, by the notification from the DC detection circuits 116 and 117, the CPU 109 The relay control circuit 104 is controlled to switch the relay 103 so that the telephone set 101 is connected to the communication network 102 without passing through the relay 103 (S12). Next, the CPU 109 initializes the PC interface 111 (S2). As shown in FIG. 15, the CPU 109 sets the status information part to “data present” (S21), sets the data information part to “00” (S22), and sets the data strobe signal to “ON” as shown in FIG. After a predetermined time, “OFF” is executed (S23).

  When the initialization of the communication control device 118 and the PC interface 111 is completed, the CPU 109 executes control processing from the telephone set 101 (S3). Note that the communication control device 118 in FIG. 12 is in a powered state, the relay 103 is released, and the telephone set 101 and the communication network 102 are separated.

  The CPU 109 copes with the notification from each circuit constituting the communication control device 11 and the notification from the information processing device 112 by executing an interrupt process.

  The interrupt processing program is shown in FIG. When receiving the interrupt, the CPU 109 checks whether the interrupt is caused by a control command from the information processing apparatus 112 (S73).

  When the interrupt is an interrupt from the information processing apparatus 112 (S73, YES), the CPU 109 confirms whether the control command is an internal detection prohibition command or an internal detection permission command (S77, S79). If neither of these is the case (S77, NO) (S79, NO), the CPU 109 ends the interrupt process. When the control command is an internal detection prohibition command (S77, YES), the CPU 109 sets a mode in which each detection circuit does not detect a signal (S78). When the control command is an internal detection permission command (S79, YES), the CPU 109 sets a mode in which each detection circuit detects a signal (S80). It is assumed that the communication control device 118 is set in advance to a mode in which each detection circuit detects a signal.

  On the other hand, when the interrupt to the CPU 109 is not an interrupt from the information processing device 112 (S73, NO), the CPU 109 confirms whether each detection circuit is in a mode in which no signal is detected (S74). Since the signal detection mode is set (S74, NO), it is further confirmed whether the signal is from each detection circuit (S75). When the interrupt is not a signal from each detection circuit (S75, NO), the CPU 109 ends the interrupt process. When the interrupt is a signal from each detection circuit (S75, YES), for example, the various detection circuits 114 are busy tones. When any one of various states of RING tone, RBT, on-hook, and off-hook is detected, or when the DTMF detection circuit 105 detects a DTMF signal, the signal from each detection circuit is stored (S76).

  Based on the previously stored state and the DTMF signal, the information processing device 112 performs telephone service application recording and playback during conversation, transfer of communication data, telephone number phonebook registration, and the like.

  When a signal is detected from either the DTMF detection circuit 105 or the various detection circuits 114 by the interrupt processing program of FIG. 25, the CPU 109 of the communication control device 118 performs the detection signal reading process of FIG. 17 (S31). Details of the detection signal reading process will be described with reference to FIG.

  The CPU 109 reads a detection signal from either the DTMF detection circuit 105 or the various detection circuits 114 stored by the interrupt processing program (S69). If there is no detection signal (S70, NO), the CPU 109 ends the detection signal reading process.

  If the detection signal is stored (S70, YES), the detection signal from either the DTMF detection circuit 105 or the various detection circuits 114 stored by the interrupt processing program is erased (initialized) (S71), step 69. The detection signal reading process is terminated using the detection signal read in step S3 as a return value (S72).

  In FIG. 17, when the detection signal reading process ends at step 72 in FIG. 24, the CPU 109 detects the off-hook, on-hook, ring tone, RBT, busy tone, and DTMF signals detected by the various detection circuits 114 and the DTMF detection circuit 105. It is confirmed which detection signal is stored (S32, S33, S34, S35, S36, S37).

  When off-hook is detected by the various detection circuits 114 (S32, YES), the CPU 109 executes off-hook processing (S39). Details of the off-hook processing will be described with reference to FIG. The CPU 109 sets the presence of the detection signal in the status information section for storing the state, for example, with data such as “data present” (S51). Further, the CPU 109 sets “01”, which means off-hook in the data information section, for example (S52), and notifies the information processing apparatus 112 of off-hook “01” as an event (S53).

  When the on-hook is detected by the various detection circuits 114 (S33, YES), the CPU 109 executes an on-hook process (S40). Details of the on-hook processing will be described with reference to FIG. The CPU 109 sets the presence of the detection signal in the status information section that stores the state, for example, with data such as “data present” (S54). Further, the CPU 109 sets on-hook in the data information section, for example, “02” (S55), and notifies the information processing apparatus 112 of on-hook “02” as an event (S56).

  When a ring tone is detected by the various detection circuits 114 (S34, YES), the CPU 109 executes ring processing (S41). Details of the ring processing will be described with reference to FIG. The CPU 109 sets the presence of the detection signal in the status information section for storing the state, for example, with data such as “data present” (S57). Further, the CPU 109 sets a ring tone in the data information section, for example, “03” (S58), and notifies the information processing apparatus 112 of the ring tone “03” as an event (S59).

  When the RBT is detected by the various detection circuits 114 (S35, YES), the CPU 109 executes RBT processing (S42). Details of the RBT process will be described with reference to FIG. The CPU 109 sets the presence of the detection signal in the status information section that stores the state, for example, with data such as “data present” (S60). Further, the CPU 109 sets RBT in the data information section, for example, “04” (S61), and notifies the information processing apparatus 112 of RBT “04” as an event (S62).

  When a busy tone is detected by the various detection circuits 114 (S36, YES), the CPU 109 executes a busy tone process (S43). Details of the busy tone processing will be described with reference to FIG. The CPU 109 sets the presence of the detection signal in the status information section for storing the state, for example, with data such as “data present” (S66). Further, the CPU 109 sets a busy tone in the data information section, for example, “05” (S67), and notifies the information processing apparatus 112 of the busy tone “05” as an event (S68).

  When the DTMF signal is detected by the DTMF detection circuit 105 (S37, YES), the CPU 109 executes DTMF processing (S44). Details of the DTMF processing will be described with reference to FIG. The CPU 109 sets the presence of the detection signal in the status information section for storing the state, for example, with data such as “data present” (S63). Further, the CPU 109 sets a DTMF signal in the data information section, for example, “* 1” shown in FIG. 2 (S64), and sends two events of DTMF “*” and “1” to the information processing apparatus 112. Notification is made (S65).

  In the processing of FIG. 17, the off-hook, on-hook, ring tone, RBT, busy tone, and DTMF signals are detected by the various detection circuits 114 and DTMF detection circuit 105, and when an event occurs, the information processing apparatus 112 as shown in FIG. A phone service application works.

  Processing from when power is supplied to the information processing apparatus 112 until the application is terminated will be described with reference to FIG.

  The information processing apparatus 112 activates a built-in application, initializes recording and playback processing during conversation as a telephone service, communication data transfer processing, and telephone number telephone directory registration processing (S101), and further displays a dialog screen The process is executed (S102), and the process shifts to an event waiting process from the CPU 109 (S103).

  Here, when the various detection circuits 114 and DTMF detection circuit 105 detect off-hook, on-hook, ring tone, RBT, busy tone, and DTMF signals and an event occurs, the information processing apparatus 112 performs each process for executing the telephone service. Event distribution processing for notifying the event is executed (S104).

  When off-hook, on-hook, ring tone, RBT, busy tone are detected by the various detection circuits 114, the information processing apparatus 112 executes a telephone state detection process to be executed by detecting an event (S105), and the telephone state When the detection process is completed, the process proceeds to a process of waiting for the next event to occur (S103).

  When the DTMF signal is detected by the DTMF detection circuit 105, the information processing apparatus 112 executes post-DTMF detection processing that is executed by detecting an event of the DTMF signal (S106). The process proceeds to a process of waiting for the next event (S103). If another event occurs (S107), the process proceeds to a process of waiting for the next event to occur (S103).

  FIG. 27 is a flowchart showing details of the telephone state detection process in step 105 of FIG. The telephone state detection process will be described with reference to FIG.

  The information processing apparatus 112 performs processing when an event due to off-hook, on-hook, ring tone, RBT, or busy tone occurs (S111, S113, S115, S123, S125).

  When an event due to an on-hook occurs (S111, YES), the information processing apparatus 112 executes a telephone number registration process, which is one of telephone services (S112). In the telephone number registration processing, when the dialing flag is on (S127, NO), the information processing apparatus 112 displays the current telephone number on the telephone display unit 115 (S117), and further calls the telephone number. A message as to whether to register in the book is displayed (S118), and the process proceeds to a process of waiting for an input based on the judgment of the user of the telephone 101 (S119). When it is determined that the user of the telephone set 101 registers (S120, YES), the information processing apparatus 112 executes a telephone number registration process (S121), initializes all data in the DTMF storage unit (S122), and further dials. The middle flag is turned off and the telephone directory registration process is terminated (S128). If it is determined in step 120 that the user of the telephone set 101 does not register (S120, NO) and if the dialing flag is off in step 127 (S127, YES), the information processing apparatus 112 stores the information in the DTMF storage unit. All data is initialized (S122).

  Even when an off-hook event occurs (S113, TES), the information processing apparatus 112 initializes all the data in the DTMF storage unit (S114).

  When an event due to RBT has occurred (S115, YES), the information processing apparatus 112 executes registration processing of a telephone number, which is one of telephone services (S116). In the telephone number registration processing, when the dialing flag is on (S127, NO), the information processing apparatus 112 displays the current telephone number on the telephone display unit 115 (S117), and further calls the telephone number. A message as to whether to register in the book is displayed (S118), and the process proceeds to a process of waiting for an input based on the judgment of the user of the telephone 101 (S119). When it is determined that the user of the telephone set 101 registers (S120, YES), the information processing apparatus 112 executes a telephone number registration process (S121), initializes all data in the DTMF storage unit (S122), and further dials. The middle flag is turned off and the telephone directory registration process is terminated (S128). If it is determined in step 120 that the user of the telephone set 101 does not register (S120, NO) and if the dialing flag is off in step 127 (S127, YES), the information processing apparatus 112 stores the information in the DTMF storage unit. All data is initialized (S122).

  When an event due to a ring tone occurs (S123, YES), the information processing apparatus 112 initializes all data in the DTMF storage unit (S124).

  When an event due to a busy tone occurs (S125, YES), the information processing apparatus 112 executes registration processing of a telephone number, which is one of telephone services (S116). In the telephone number registration processing, when the dialing flag is on (S127, NO), the information processing apparatus 112 displays the current telephone number on the telephone display unit 115 (S117), and further calls the telephone number. A message as to whether to register in the book is displayed (S118), and the process proceeds to a process of waiting for an input based on the judgment of the user of the telephone 101 (S119). When it is determined that the user of the telephone set 101 registers (S120, YES), the information processing apparatus 112 executes a telephone number registration process (S121), initializes all data in the DTMF storage unit (S122), and further dials. The middle flag is turned off and the telephone directory registration process is terminated (S128). If it is determined in step 120 that the user of the telephone set 101 does not register (S120, NO) and if the dialing flag is off in step 127 (S127, YES), the information processing apparatus 112 stores the information in the DTMF storage unit. All data is initialized (S122).

  Further, the information processing apparatus 112 determines that an event due to off-hook, on-hook, ring tone, RBT, or busy tone has not occurred (S111, NO) (S113, NO) (S115, NO) (S123, NO) (S125, NO ), The telephone state detection process is terminated.

  FIG. 28 is a flowchart showing details of the DTMF detection post-processing in step 106 of FIG. The post-DTMF detection process will be described with reference to FIG.

  When the DTMF signal is detected by the DTMF detection circuit 105, the information processing apparatus 112 performs recording and playback during conversation, which is a telephone service application, and transfer of communication data.

  The information processing apparatus 112 checks whether, for example, “*” is pressed as the DTMF signal (S131). When the DTMF signal “*” is pressed (S131, YES), the information processing apparatus 112 shifts to a function state waiting for the next DTMF signal (S132). On the other hand, when a DTMF signal other than “*” is pressed (S131, NO), it is confirmed whether the information processing apparatus 112 is in the function state (S133).

  When the information processing device 112 is not in the function state (S133, NO), if the user of the telephone set 101 is dialing (S147), the information processing device 112 stores the DTMF signal in the DTMF storage unit (S148). .

  On the other hand, when the information processing apparatus 112 is in the function state (S133, YES), the information processing apparatus 112 shifts to function processing for executing a telephone service (S134). In the function processing, the information processing apparatus 112 detects the DTMF signal pressed next to the DTMF signal “*” (S135, S137, S139, S141, S143, S145).

  For example, when the DTMF signal “1” is pressed as shown in FIG. 2 (S135), the information processing apparatus 112 starts recording a conversation, which is one of telephone services (S136).

  For example, when the DTMF signal “2” is pressed as shown in FIG. 2 (S137), the information processing apparatus 112 finishes recording the conversation, which is one of telephone services (S138).

  For example, when the DTMF signal “3” is pressed as shown in FIG. 2 (S139), the information processing apparatus 112 starts playing a recorded conversation, which is one of telephone services (S140).

  For example, when the DTMF signal “4” is pressed as shown in FIG. 2 (S141), the information processing apparatus 112 ends the reproduction of the recorded conversation which is one of the telephone services (S142).

  For example, when the DTMF signal “7” is pressed as shown in FIG. 2 (S143), the information processing apparatus 112 starts transferring communication data, which is one of telephone services (S144).

  For example, when the DTMF signal “8” is pressed as shown in FIG. 2 (S145), the information processing apparatus 112 ends the transfer of communication data, which is one of telephone services (S146).

  The CPU 109 in FIGS. 12 and 13 operates with a program stored in a memory. The information processing apparatus 112 has a processor and a memory inside and processes a program in the memory. The operations of various flowcharts disclosed in the present embodiment may be operated by these programs. In that case, these programs are provided on a medium such as a floppy (registered trademark) or a CD-ROM, and can be installed in the apparatus of the embodiment.

It is a conceptual diagram of the communication assistance apparatus of this invention. It is an example of the control signal using a DTMF signal and a dial tone. It is an example of the control signal allocated for every frequency. It is a key map of a 1st embodiment. It is a conceptual diagram of 2nd Embodiment. It is a conceptual diagram of 3rd Embodiment. It is a structural example of a communication assistance apparatus. It is a structural example of a communication assistance apparatus. It is a structural example of a communication assistance apparatus. It is a structural example of a communication assistance apparatus. It is a structural example of a communication assistance apparatus. It is an Example of this invention. It is an Example of this invention. It is a basic flow of the CPU. It is a flow of PC interface initialization. This is an initialization flow. This is the main flow of control processing. It is a flow of off-hook processing. It is a flow of on-hook processing. It is a flow of ring processing. It is a flow of RBT processing. It is a flow of DTMF processing. It is a flow of busy tone processing. It is a flow of a detection signal reading process. This is an interrupt processing flow. It is a flow of application main processing. It is a flow of a telephone state detection process. It is a flow of post-processing of DTMF signal detection. This is a conventional communication support apparatus.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Telephone 2 Communication control apparatus 3 Information processing apparatus 4 Communication network 5 Line connection part 6 Control signal detection circuit 7 Information control circuit 8 Radio signal conversion circuit 9 Cordless telephone 10 Voice input / output control circuit 11 Control signal analysis circuit 12 Voice recording circuit DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 13 Audio | voice reproduction circuit 14 Audio | voice format conversion circuit 15 Audio | voice data storage circuit 16 Audio | voice encoding composite circuit 17 Data modulation / demodulation circuit 18 Control signal analysis circuit 19 Data transmission circuit 20 Data reception circuit 21 Data storage circuit 22 Switch 31 Radio signal Conversion circuit 32 Display unit 33 Dial end signal detection circuit 34 Display control circuit 35 Control signal analysis circuit 36 Analysis result storage circuit 37 Telephone book registration circuit 38 Telephone book storage circuit 41 Modem 42 Telephone with built-in modem 43 Telephone with built-in modem 44 Built-in modem with telephone PC 101 Telephone 1 02 Communication Network 103 Relay 104 Relay Control 105 DTMF Detection Circuit 106 Audio Input / Output Circuit 107 Audio Coding Combined Circuit 108 Data Modulation Demodulation Circuit 109 CPU
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 110 Bus 111 PC interface 112 Information processing apparatus 113 Switching device 114 Various detection circuits 115 Telephone display part 116 DC detection circuit 117 DC detection circuit 205 Pulse signal detection circuit 301 Telephone 302 Communication network 303 Line connection part 304 Information processing apparatus 305 Voice input / output Circuit 306 Dial circuit 307 Various detection circuits 308 PC interface

Claims (7)

In a communication support device in which a telephone and an information processing device are connected to a communication network via a communication control device,
Control signal detecting means for detecting a predetermined control signal from the telephone;
Control signal analyzing means for analyzing a predetermined control signal detected by the control signal detecting means;
Information control means for controlling the information processing device based on the predetermined control signal analyzed by the control signal analysis means,
The information processing apparatus includes data receiving means for receiving communication data under the control of the information control means;
Communication data storage means for storing communication data received by the data receiving means;
A communication support apparatus comprising: data transmission means for transmitting communication data stored in the communication data storage means under the control of the information control means. The communication support apparatus according to claim 1,
Switching means for switching whether voice data from a telephone is directly connected to a communication network, or whether voice data from a telephone is modulated and demodulated into a data format similar to that of communication data from an information processing apparatus and connected to the communication network A communication support apparatus comprising: The communication support apparatus according to claim 1 or 2,
The information processing apparatus includes a telephone directory registration unit for registering a telephone number notified from a communication network under the control of the information control unit;
A communication support apparatus comprising telephone book storage means for storing a telephone number notified by processing of the telephone book registration means. The communication support apparatus according to claim 3,
A dial end signal detecting means for detecting a dial end signal;
Display control means for executing control to display the telephone number on a telephone;
The telephone directory registration means displays the telephone number notified by the display control means on the telephone after detecting the dial end signal by the dial end signal detection means, and the telephone number permitted by the user of the telephone Is stored in the telephone directory storage means. The communication support device according to any one of claims 1 to 4,
The predetermined control signal is at least one of a dial pulse, a DTMF signal, and a signal assigned for each specific frequency, and the information control means records and reproduces voice and receives communication data based on the signal. And a communication support apparatus for controlling transmission and telephone number registration. In a method of executing a communication support service that operates on a communication support device in which a telephone and an information processing device are connected to a communication network via a communication control device,
A control signal detection step for detecting a predetermined control signal from the telephone;
A control signal analyzing step for analyzing the predetermined control signal detected in the control signal detecting step;
An information control step of controlling the information processing device based on the predetermined control signal analyzed in the control signal analysis step;
A data receiving step in which the information processing apparatus receives communication data in the information control step;
A communication data storage step for storing the communication data received in the data reception step;
And a data transmission step of transmitting the communication data accumulated in the communication data accumulation step by the information control step. In a storage medium storing a program to be executed by a communication support apparatus connected to a communication network by a telephone and an information processing apparatus via a communication control apparatus,
A control signal detection function for detecting a predetermined control signal from the telephone;
A control signal analysis function for analyzing a predetermined control signal detected by the control signal detection function;
An information control function for controlling the information processing device based on a predetermined control signal analyzed by the control signal analysis function;
A data receiving function in which the information processing apparatus receives communication data by the information control function;
A communication data storage function for storing communication data received by the data reception function;
A computer-readable storage medium storing a program for further realizing a data transmission function of transmitting communication data stored by the communication data storage function by the information control function.

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