JP2008258999A - Telephone system having e-mail response function - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To enable a user of a telephone system notifies an origination partner of his/her situation by an e-mail telegram by a simple operation even when the user of the telephone system can not immediately answer the telephone. <P>SOLUTION: The telephone system has: a selection means for selecting a required telegram from among a plurality of e-mail telegrams accumulated in an e-mail telegram storage part 10-2 in order to deliver the situation here when an incoming call can not be answered; an originator information receiving means for acquiring originator information such as a telephone number of a caller; a storage means for storing an e-mail address associated with the originator information and a transmitting means for transmitting the e-mail telegram to the origination partner and is provided with a means for automatically or manually transmitting the selected telegram to the origination partner when communication can not be immediately performed to the incoming call from the origination partner. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a telephone device, particularly a portable telephone device. When an incoming call is received, the user is in a place where use of a mobile phone or the like is restricted or a car is being driven. The present invention relates to a telephone device that can easily inform a calling party of this state when a telephone call cannot be immediately made to the calling party.

  When a telephone device receives an incoming call, the user must be on the telephone, but not necessarily immediately. Especially in portable telephone devices that can be used in various places (hereinafter also referred to as mobile phones), when the user is in a place where the use of mobile phones or the like is restricted, or when driving a car, I cannot answer the phone immediately.

  In preparation for such a case, when a telephone call cannot be received immediately, a message indicating that the other party cannot be answered immediately by pressing a specific button is notified to the calling party through the base station, and the telephone line is connected. There is a function to start a call after the call condition is satisfied. Such a portable telephone is disclosed in Patent Document 1.

  In addition, since only a single response message function as disclosed in Patent Document 1 cannot notify the caller of any reason why the user cannot answer the call, the message can be selected and sent to the caller. There is a function to notify. Such a cellular phone is disclosed in Patent Document 2.

JP-A-8-163208 JP 2006-238492 A

  In the above-described message notification in the background art, there is a problem that a call charge is generated for the caller because the message is notified to the caller once in response to the incoming call. In addition, in the case of a message by voice, there is a problem that sufficient contents cannot be transmitted because it is usually limited to short-time recording. In addition, there is a thing that the caller can tell the message by voice following the message by the answering machine recording function, but in most cases it is limited to a short time recording, so it can not tell enough content There's a problem. Further, in the case of voice guidance, for example, when a telephone number is notified, there is a problem that if the user misses the telephone number, he / she has to call again.

  The object of the present invention is that even if the user of the telephone device cannot immediately answer the call, the user of the telephone device can notify the caller of the situation by e-mail by a simple operation. It is an object of the present invention to provide a telephone device that can reduce anxiety and burden on a caller.

  In order to achieve the above object, in the present invention, a telephone device having a mail transmission function, a mail message storage means for storing a plurality of mail messages, and a selection means for selecting a required message from a plurality of mail messages Caller information receiving means for obtaining caller information such as a caller's telephone number, mail address storage means for storing a mail address associated with the caller information, and whether or not to enable the mail response function A function storage means for storing in advance and a mail sending means for sending a mail message to the other party, and when an incoming call is received in a state set in a predetermined operation mode, When the operation mode is set to a predetermined operation mode, it is determined whether the mail response function of the incoming call partner is valid, and the mail response function of the incoming call partner is valid. If, without answering to the call, in which the predetermined mail message that has been registered in advance, was set to send mail to the originating party of the incoming call.

  Further, an identification means for identifying whether or not the caller can receive a mail by a telephone number from the incoming caller's caller number is provided so that a mail can be sent by a telephone number when the mail address is not stored. It is a thing.

  Further, the predetermined mail message includes contents that prompt the user to send a message to the terminal by replying to the mail to be transmitted to the caller.

  In addition, when the incoming call state continues even after a predetermined time has passed, when a predetermined operation is performed, or when the mail response function cannot be implemented, such as when the mail response function is disabled, In response to the incoming call, a voice guidance indicating that the telephone cannot be answered is transmitted.

  The telephone device of the present invention can notify the calling party of the situation by e-mail even when the user of the telephone device cannot immediately make a phone call, thereby reducing the caller's anxiety and burden. Can do.

  Embodiments of a telephone apparatus having a mail response function according to the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a telephone apparatus having a mail response function according to the present invention. In this embodiment, a mobile phone device will be described as an example. However, the present invention can also be implemented in various telephone devices having a telephone function and a mail transmission / reception function such as a telephone in a general household and a button telephone device in a business office in addition to the mobile phone device.

  In FIG. 1, a cellular phone device 1 includes an antenna 2, a wireless communication processing unit 3, a voice processing unit 4, a receiver 5, a transmitter 6, a speaker 7, a control unit 8, and a mail transmission / reception unit 9. And a storage unit 10, a key input unit 11, a display unit 12, a vibrator 13, and a power supply unit 14.

  A radio communication signal transmitted from the radio base station is received by the radio communication processing unit 3 via the antenna 2. The received wireless communication signal is input to the control unit 8 and analyzed. The voice signal received by the wireless communication processing unit 3 is converted into an analog voice signal by the voice processing unit 4 and output from the receiver 5.

  The information input by the key input unit 11 is input to the control unit 8 and analyzed. When the information is to be transmitted to the radio base station, the information is transmitted to the radio base station via the radio communication processing unit 3 and the antenna 2. The The voice input to the transmitter 6 is converted by the voice control unit 4 and transmitted to the radio base station via the radio communication processing unit 3 and the antenna 2.

  The control unit 8 performs analysis, determination and control for input information from each unit in the mobile phone device, input / output of information to and from the storage unit 10, and the like.

  The mail transmission / reception unit 9 transmits / receives mail to / from the wireless base station via the wireless communication processing unit 3 and the antenna 2 under the control of the control unit 8.

  The storage unit 10 has functions of a mail address storage unit 10-1, a mail message storage unit 10-2, a function storage unit 10-3, and a voice message storage unit 10-4. In this embodiment, the case where the memory medium is common is described, but it may be common or independent. The mail address storage unit 10-1 stores the mail address of the automatic return destination for each caller number. The mail message storage unit 10-2 stores a mail message for each message number. In addition to the functions such as the function storage unit 10-3 and the normal temporary storage unit, the presence / absence of various functions is stored. The voice message storage unit 10-4 stores a voice message for voice guidance and the voice of the other party.

  The key input unit 11 is various information input means such as dial keys and function keys. Further, the display unit 12 performs dial display at the time of outgoing call, caller number display at the time of incoming call, display at the time of inputting various information, and the like.

  The speaker 7 is used for outputting a ringtone or receiving a loud sound from the speaker. In addition, the vibrator 13 notifies the state of an incoming call or the like not by sound but by vibration in a situation where the ring tone cannot be played.

  The power supply unit 14 supplies power to each circuit.

  Next, an embodiment of a telephone device having a mail response function according to the present invention will be described. FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an operation flowchart of the embodiment.

  When the mobile phone device 1 receives an incoming call in the normal standby state (S1), the control unit 8 recognizes the incoming call (S2). At this time, the control unit 8 identifies whether or not the mail message automatic return mode is already set (S3). If the mail message automatic return mode is not set, an incoming ringing sound is transmitted from the speaker 7 or the vibrator 13 is sent. When the phone number or name of the caller is notified, the incoming call is notified by displaying the number or name on the display unit 12 (S4). If the mail message automatic return mode has already been set, the incoming mail notification is not performed, and the mail message automatic return operation from step 10 onward is performed.

  When an incoming call notification is made (S4), and if the incoming call can be answered here, a response operation such as pressing the call button of the key input unit 11 is performed (S5), and the handset 5 and the outgoing call are sent in response to the incoming call. A telephone call is made using the device 6 (S6).

  On the other hand, when an incoming call notification is recognized and a response cannot be made immediately during a meeting or the like, the user selects a function button previously assigned to the key input unit 11 of the cellular phone device 1 for switching the mail message return mode. And press (S7) to perform the mail message automatic return mode operation after step 10.

  In response to the incoming call notification, neither the response operation nor the mail message return mode switching operation is performed even when the time set in advance and stored in the function storage unit 10-3 of the storage unit 10 is reached (S8). Then, the control unit 8 determines whether or not the setting is automatically set to the mail message automatic return mode (S9). If the setting is automatically set to the mail message automatic return mode, the mail message automatic return after step 10 is performed. Perform mode operation. In the case of setting not to automatically enter the mail message automatic return mode, the predetermined operation stored in advance in the storage unit 10-3 such as the function of the storage unit 10 is performed (S22). When answering is selected at step 22, the control unit 8 responds to the incoming call once and uses the voice guidance stored in the voice message storage unit 10-4 of the storage unit 10 as a voice. The caller can be heard via the wireless communication processing unit 3 and the antenna 2. When recording the caller's voice, the voice of the caller can be stored in the voice message storage unit 10-4 of the storage unit 10 under the control of the control unit 8. Further, the operation of step 22 is an example, and any operation may be realized as long as it is an operation for incoming calls.

  In the mail message automatic return mode (S10), it is set in advance whether or not the mail message is automatically returned for each caller number, and the control unit 8 identifies the incoming call from the number set to return. If so (S13), mail return processing is performed. When the control unit 8 recognizes that it is set without returning, the control unit 8 performs a predetermined operation set in advance and stored in the function storage unit 10-3 of the storage unit 10 (S22). Further, the operation of step 22 is an example, and any operation may be realized as long as it is an operation for incoming calls. The setting of the presence or absence of automatic return is stored in the function storage unit 10-3 of the storage unit 10, and an example thereof is shown in FIG.

  In the case of an incoming call from a number set for automatic return of mail message (S13), the control unit 8 reads out a mail address set in advance for each caller number from the mail address storage unit 10-1 of the storage unit 10, and sends a mail. When the address is set (S14), the mail message group set in advance for each caller number is read from the mail message storage unit 10-2 of the storage unit 10 (S15), and the mail transmission / reception unit is sent from the control unit 8 to the mail transmission / reception unit. 9 is transmitted (S16), and when the incoming call notification is in progress, the incoming call notification is stopped (S17). However, the incoming notification may be continued depending on the setting or the like. At this time, if the mail is not delivered to the other party for some reason, a message indicating that the mail has not been delivered is notified. If this notification is received, a sound is transmitted from the speaker 7 or a vibrator is set depending on the setting. It is also possible to notify the other party that mail could not be sent by vibrating at 13 or performing a specific display on the display unit 12. FIG. 3 shows the relationship between the caller number and the mail address and the relationship between the caller number and the mail message group.

  In the case of an incoming call from a number set to mail message automatic return (S13), if the mail address is not set, the control unit 8 identifies the caller number and is the mobile phone number. (S18), the telephone number is set as a mail address, a mail message set in advance for each caller number is read from the mail message storage unit 10-2 of the storage unit 10 (S19), and the mail transmission / reception unit is transmitted from the control unit 8. 9 is sent to send a short mail (S20), and if the incoming call notification is in progress, the incoming call notification is stopped (S21). However, the incoming notification may be continued depending on the setting or the like. Further, the telephone number for transmitting the short mail is not limited to the cellular phone, and the short mail can be transmitted as long as the short mail can be received and the telephone number can be identified by the control unit 8. Also, at this time, if the sender does not support short mail or refuses, the mail will not reach the other party and a message will be sent indicating that it has not arrived. In some cases, by sending a sound from the speaker 7 according to the setting, vibrating the vibrator 13, or performing a specific display on the display unit 12, a notification that the mail could not be sent may be sent to the other party. it can.

  If the phone number is received from an unregistered number, whether or not to automatically return the mail message to the unregistered phone number is set, and the control unit 8 starts from the number set to return. If the incoming call is identified (S12), mail return processing is performed. The mail return process in this case is the same as the case of the short mail because no mail address is set. When the control unit 8 recognizes that it is set without returning, the control unit 8 performs a predetermined operation set in advance and stored in the function storage unit 10-3 of the storage unit 10 (S22). Further, the operation of step 22 is an example, and any operation may be realized as long as it is an operation for incoming calls. The setting of the presence or absence of automatic return is stored in the function storage unit 10-3 of the storage unit 10, and an example is shown in FIG.

  Although not shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, a plurality of function buttons assigned to the key input unit 11 for switching the e-mail message return mode can be prepared, and the relationship between the function buttons and the message is stored in the function of the storage unit 10. By storing in the equal storage unit 10-3, a message to be returned can be selected by a push button. In addition, by setting the relationship between the caller ID and message group in advance, the message sent back in the mail message automatic return mode will not send the same message to all parties, but the same function button will be used to send the message. Even when the automatic return mode is set, a different message can be transmitted for each group. FIG. 3 shows an example of the relationship between the caller number and the group at this time, FIG. 4 shows the relationship of the message group when the caller number is not registered, FIG. 6 shows the relationship between the function button and the message number, and FIG. FIG. 5 shows the relationship between the message and each message group.

  In addition, since the function buttons assigned to the key input unit 11 for switching the mail message return mode cannot be physically prepared with a portable mobile phone, the function buttons can be switched to the mail message automatic return mode. A message number may be designated and selected by pressing another button (for example, a dial button) after pressing the button.

  When selecting a message by using a function button assigned to the key input unit 11 for switching the mail message return mode, after pressing the function button for switching the mail message return mode, another button (for example, a dial button) is pressed. By pressing, for example, if the content of the message registered to function button a is “I am currently in a meeting. I will contact you in% time,” function button a + dial 2 By pressing, "2" is automatically entered in the part of%, and a specific symbol part can be made variable, such as selecting an arbitrary time. The “%” in this case is an example, and any symbol such as a predetermined symbol may be used.

  Switching to the mail message automatic transfer mode can be performed after the incoming call is recognized, or by switching the mode in advance in a standby state and automatically returning a mail message when the incoming call is recognized. At this time, whether or not to notify the incoming call by the ring tone or the like can be set in advance, and it is selected in advance whether the notification is made by all notification means, the notification is made only for the vibrator, or the volume of the ringtone is lowered. be able to.

  It is also possible to put a word prompting a reply mail such as “Please reply back to the message” in the automatically sent mail message. As a result, contents that cannot be expressed by voice constraints can be delivered by e-mail.

  In addition, when switching to mail message automatic transfer mode during an incoming call, it is set in advance whether to continue the mail message automatic transfer mode for subsequent incoming calls, or for normal incoming calls for subsequent incoming calls. Can be selected.

  Automatically switch to mail message automatic return mode without selecting and pressing the function button assigned to the key input unit 11 for switching the mail message return mode when the incoming call cannot be answered for a certain period of time. (S9).

  Switching to the automatic mail message return mode can be done by pressing any button with the any key answer function in addition to the dedicated function buttons.

  Switching to the mail message automatic return mode is not limited to pressing a function button, but the same function may be realized by performing information input means such as voice recognition and fingerprint authentication.

  The mail message automatic return mode is not limited to the incoming call, but may be automatically returned to the received mail even when the mail is received.

The block diagram of the mobile telephone apparatus in the Example of this invention. The figure which shows the operation | movement flowchart of the mobile telephone apparatus in the Example of this invention. The figure which shows the comparison table of a telephone number, an e-mail address, etc. in the Example of this invention. The figure which shows the operation | movement setting table at the time of the telephone number unregistered in the Example of this invention. The figure which shows the mail message | telegram table in the Example of this invention. The figure which shows the function button and message | telegram in the Example of this invention.

Explanation of symbols

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Mobile telephone apparatus, 2 ... Antenna, 3 ... Wireless communication processing part, 4 ... Call processing part, 5 ... Handset, 6 ... Transmitter, 7 ... Speaker, 8 ... Control part, 9 ... Mail transmission / reception part, 10 ... Storage unit, 10-1 ... mail address storage unit, 10-2 ... mail message storage unit, 10-3 ... function storage unit, 10-4 ... voice message storage unit, 11 ... key input unit, 12 ... display unit, 13 ... vibrator, 14 ... power supply

Claims (4)

  A telephone device having a mail transmission function, a mail message storage means for storing a plurality of mail messages, a selection means for selecting a required message from a plurality of mail messages, and a caller such as a telephone number of a caller A sender information receiving means for acquiring information, a mail address storage means for storing a mail address associated with the sender information, a function storage means for storing in advance whether or not to enable the mail response function, and a mail message. When there is an incoming mail with a mail sending means to be sent to the calling party and is set in the predetermined operation mode, or when the predetermined operation mode is set by a predetermined operation during the incoming call, It is determined whether or not the mail response function of the incoming call partner is valid, and if the mail response function of the incoming call partner is valid, it is registered in advance without responding to the incoming call. That the predetermined mail message, the telephone device having a mail response function, characterized in that mail sent to the calling party of the incoming call.   2. The identification means according to claim 1, further comprising identification means for identifying whether or not the caller can receive a mail by a telephone number from the incoming caller's caller number, and if the mail address is not stored, the mail is sent by a telephone number. A telephone device having a mail response function characterized by sending.   3. The telephone having a mail response function according to claim 1, wherein the predetermined mail telegram includes a content prompting a message to be transmitted to the terminal by replying to the mail transmitted to the caller. apparatus.   3. The mail response function according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the incoming call state continues even after a predetermined time elapses, a predetermined operation is performed, or the mail response function is disabled. A telephone device having a mail response function, characterized by transmitting voice guidance indicating that the user cannot answer the incoming call and cannot answer the call.

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