JP2009177549A - Master unit for cordless telephone, slave unit for cordless telephone, and cordless telephone system - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To ensure speech quality from a speech start to a speech end. <P>SOLUTION: When a call origination request instruction signal is received from any slave unit, a connection partner is identified, a prediction speech time is predicted based on the identified connection partner, and a speech quality for each slave unit in an entire speech time is estimated based on the estimated speech time. When it is estimated that the speech quality of the call origination requesting slave unit is excellent, the slave unit is controlled to connect to an outside line. In a case where it is estimated that the speech quality of the call origination requesting slave unit is not good, on the other hand, the call origination requesting slave unit is notified of that, and a slave unit of which the speech quality is estimated excellent, is notified of a signal that instructs ringing. Thus, a user can make a speech using the slave unit of which the speech quality is predicted high. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a cordless telephone base unit, a cordless telephone cordless handset, and a cordless telephone system that reduce radio wave interference from other devices using a similar frequency band by using a predicted call duration. .

  In a cordless telephone, a telephone call is made between a parent device and a child device using wireless communication in the 2.4 GHz band or other frequency bands. Therefore, when a wireless LAN (for example, IEEE802.11b) or a microwave oven in a frequency band similar to the 2.4 GHz band is used around the cordless telephone, the call quality is deteriorated due to radio wave interference. In order to solve this problem, various methods for reducing noise such as radio wave interference in a cordless telephone have been proposed.

  For example, in Patent Document 1 below, if a caller determines that there is a large amount of noise and the call state is not good during a call on a slave unit, the caller presses a switch indicating that the noise is large. When the switch is pressed, the master unit selects a channel with low noise and switches to the channel. At this time, the noise level data of each channel classified by the call time zone is used.

JP-A-5-153034

  In Patent Document 1, since the caller needs to press a predetermined switch every time it feels that the noise is large, the operation for switching the channel is troublesome. Further, in Patent Document 1, a channel that is considered to be low in noise when it is pressed is selected, and the state during the call time is not taken into consideration at all. The call quality is not maintained.

  The present invention has been made to solve the above problems, and provides a cordless parent device, a child device, and the like that can reduce the influence of radio wave interference during a call by using the predicted call time. With the goal.

  The invention according to claim 1 which is one aspect of the present invention is a cordless telephone master unit capable of cordless communication with a plurality of slave units, and a slave unit identifying means for identifying a slave unit that has made a call request A call request time acquisition unit for acquiring the call request time, a connection partner identification unit for identifying a connection partner of the call request, and a call time prediction unit for predicting a call time with the identified connection partner And for each of the plurality of slave units, based on the radio wave status table storing the radio wave status for each time zone, the acquired call request time, the predicted call time, and the radio wave status table A slave unit estimation means for estimating a slave unit having a good radio wave condition during the predicted call time, and a determination for determining whether the identified slave unit matches the estimated slave unit If it matches the means Connection start means for connecting an external line of the identified slave unit, and notification signal transmission means for transmitting a predetermined notification signal to the identified slave unit when they do not match, To do.

  According to the parent device, the child device that has made the call request is identified, the time of the call request is acquired, the connection partner of the call request is identified, the call time with the connection partner is predicted, Based on the start time and the predicted call time and the radio wave status table storing the radio wave status for each time zone of the slave unit, the slave unit having a good radio wave status during the predicted call time is estimated, If the identified slave unit matches the estimated slave unit, an external line connection of the identified slave unit is performed. If the identified slave unit does not match, a predetermined notification signal is sent to the identified slave unit (For example, a signal indicating that the communication quality is not a slave unit) is notified. This notifies the user who is trying to make a call using a handset that is estimated to have poor call quality from the start of the call to the end of the call, before connecting the external line. The user can change the handset used for the call.

  The invention according to claim 2, which is one aspect of the present invention, is the parent device according to claim 1, further comprising a ringing signal transmission means for transmitting a ringing instruction signal to the estimated child device. To do.

  According to the above parent device, a ringing instruction signal for instructing ringing is transmitted to a child device estimated to have good call quality from the start of the call to the end of the call. As a result, the user can easily identify the handset that is considered to have good call quality before connecting to the external line.

  The invention according to claim 3 which is one aspect of the present invention is the parent device according to claim 2, wherein the connection start means sends a call confirmation instruction from the identified child device after transmitting the notification signal. If there is an external line connection of the identified slave unit, and if there is a call confirmation instruction from the estimated slave unit, the external line connection of the estimated slave unit is performed .

  According to the master unit, after the notification signal is transmitted, if there is a call confirmation instruction from the identified slave unit, an external line connection of the identified slave unit is performed, and the estimated slave unit When there is a call confirmation instruction, the estimated external device is connected to the external line. As a result, both when the user does not change the handset and when the handset is changed, the handset that has been instructed to make a call by the user can be connected to the external line.

  The invention according to claim 4 which is an aspect of the present invention is the parent device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the slave unit estimation unit is configured such that the connection partner identification unit includes the call request request unit. When the connection partner cannot be identified, the slave unit is estimated based on the time of the call request and the radio wave status table.

  According to the above parent device, even if the connection partner cannot be identified, since the child device is selected based on the start time of the connection and the radio wave status table, it is considered that the call quality is high at the time of the call request. The child device can be estimated.

  The invention according to claim 5 which is one aspect of the present invention is the parent device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the call history table stores an average call time for each connection partner, and the termination of the connection Call time acquisition means for acquiring the call time of the connection when the connection is detected, and call history table update means for updating the call history table based on the connection partner of the connection and the call time of the connection. The call time prediction means predicts a call time with the identified connection partner using the call history table.

  According to the above parent device, the call history table storing the average call time for each connection partner is provided, and the call history table is updated based on the call time of the connection and the connection partner of the connection. In addition, a call time with the identified connection partner is predicted using the call history table. Thereby, the prediction accuracy of the call time with the identified connection partner can be increased.

  The invention according to claim 6, which is one aspect of the present invention, is a cordless telephone handset capable of cordless communication with a parent device, and includes a call instruction receiving means for receiving a call instruction with a predetermined connection partner, A calling instruction signal transmitting means for transmitting a calling instruction signal based on the calling instruction to the base unit, and a notifying means for performing a predetermined notification when a predetermined notification signal is received from the base unit. It is characterized by.

  According to the slave unit, after transmitting a call instruction signal to the master unit, when a predetermined notification signal (for example, a signal indicating that the slave unit is not good in communication quality) is received from the master unit, Predetermined notification (for example, notification indicating that the call quality of the slave unit to be used is not high) is performed. As a result, it is possible to grasp that the call quality of the handset that is going to make a call is not high before the external line is connected, so that the user can change the handset used for the call.

  The invention according to claim 7 which is one aspect of the present invention is the parent device according to claim 6, wherein after the predetermined notification is made, a call for accepting a call confirmation instruction with the predetermined connection partner It further comprises a confirmation instruction receiving means and a call confirmation instruction signal transmitting means for transmitting a call confirmation instruction signal based on the accepted call confirmation instruction to the master unit.

  According to the slave unit, after performing the notification, the slave unit accepts a call confirmation instruction with the predetermined connection partner and transmits a call confirmation instruction signal based on the accepted call confirmation instruction to the master unit. As a result, when a call confirmation instruction is received from the child device after notifying that the call quality of the child device that is trying to make a call is not high, the child device can make a call.

  The invention according to claim 8 which is one aspect of the present invention is the handset according to claim 6 or claim 7, wherein the radio condition table storing the radio condition of the own apparatus for each time zone; It is further characterized by further comprising communication control means for performing communication with the base unit by a multi-slot method in a time zone in which a radio wave condition is determined to be poor based on the radio wave condition table during a call.

  According to the above slave unit, based on the radio wave status table storing the radio wave status of its own device for each time zone, it can Communicate. As a result, communication can be performed in the multi-slot mode before the radio wave condition deteriorates, and call quality can be improved.

  The invention according to claim 9 which is one aspect of the present invention is a cordless telephone system, comprising: the parent device according to any one of claims 1 to 5; and the child device according to any one of claims 6 to 8. It is characterized by becoming.

  According to the cordless telephone system, the above-described effects can be achieved.

  ADVANTAGE OF THE INVENTION According to this invention, communication with a main | base station can be performed using the subunit | mobile_unit which is assumed that a radio wave condition is good based on the estimated call time.

[System configuration]
A cordless telephone system according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described below. FIG. 1 is an example of a configuration in the cordless telephone system of the present embodiment. As shown in FIG. 1, the cordless telephone system according to the present embodiment includes a parent device 1 and a plurality of child devices 2. Further, when used in the home, the parent device 1 and the child device 2 are respectively installed in a kitchen, a child room, and the like. Also, when used in an office, each is installed at a desired location. The communication between the parent device 1 and the child device 2 may be either digital communication or analog communication. The frequency band to be used can be set as appropriate.

  When digital communication is used, a multi-slot method can be adopted. Here, the multi-slot method refers to a multi-slot mode in which communication data between a parent device and a child device is, for example, a frame unit, and one frame data is transmitted using a plurality of time slots, and the same communication data is transmitted. This is a communication system having a single slot mode in which communication is performed using one time slot.

  For example, the voice data (V) communication is normally performed in the single slot mode, and when it is detected that the radio wave condition of the parent device or the child device is poor, the multi-slot mode (for example, plural is set to twice). ) To control. In this case, the voice data (V) is transmitted only once in the single slot mode, and the voice data (V) is transmitted twice in the multi slot mode. Then, since the same data is sent even if the voice data is wrong once, the possibility that the voice is blocked is reduced.

  Further, in the case of analog communication, for example, the possibility of radio wave interference is reduced by switching the transmission side frequency shift of FM communication or the reception side band filter between wide and narrow using a radio wave condition table (described later). .

  The base unit 1 includes a processor (CPU), a ROM, a RAM, and a communication device (not shown). The processor executes various programs including programs necessary for realizing the present invention. The ROM stores various data including data necessary for realizing the present invention. The RAM temporarily stores various data including data necessary for realizing the present invention. The communication device performs communication control using an external communication line and communication control with the slave unit 2. Needless to say, the base unit 1 is provided with interfaces (buttons and the like) for performing various operations.

  The subunit | mobile_unit 2 is equipped with the processor (CPU) which is not shown in figure, ROM, RAM, and a communication apparatus. The processor executes various programs including programs necessary for realizing the present invention. The ROM stores various data including data necessary for realizing the present invention. The RAM temporarily stores various data including data necessary for realizing the present invention. The communication device performs communication control with the parent device 1. Needless to say, the handset 2 is provided with an interface (button or the like) for performing various operations. Moreover, the display 21 for displaying various information is provided.

  When connecting to an external communication line using the handset 2, for example, after inputting a telephone number, a button for instructing a call request is pressed. Note that the telephone book may be stored in the RAM or the like of the handset 2 and the connection partner (call destination) may be selected from the telephone book.

[First Embodiment]
A first embodiment of the present invention will be described.
First, information transmitted / received between the parent device 1 and the child device 2 in connection with an external communication line using the child device 2 will be described. FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of information transmitted / received between the parent device 1 and the child device 2. In the example shown in FIG. 2, it is assumed that two slave units 2 (slave unit A and slave unit B) are wirelessly connected to the master unit 1. Further, it is assumed that a call request instruction to the external communication line is performed using the handset A.

  When handset A receives the call request instruction (1), it transmits a call request instruction signal for instructing connection to the external communication line to base unit 1 (2). The call request instruction signal includes an identification signal for identifying the handset itself and information for specifying the connection partner.

  When the base unit 1 receives the call request instruction signal, the base unit 1 estimates the communication quality for each handset (3). The estimated communication quality is the communication quality over the entire predicted communication time (that is, from the start of the call to the end of the call). At this time, communication quality may be estimated to be good for a plurality of slave units. Specific processing for estimating the communication quality for each slave will be described later. In FIG. 2, it is assumed that handset B is estimated to be “good communication quality” and handset A is estimated to be “not good communication quality”.

Base unit 1 transmits a notification instruction signal for instructing predetermined notification to handset A (4). At this time, you may comprise so that various setting information regarding alerting | reporting content, alerting | reporting continuation time, etc. may be transmitted collectively.
Base unit 1 transmits a ringing instruction signal for instructing ringing (ringing operation) to handset B (a handset determined to have good communication quality) (5). At this time, various setting information related to ringing such as the type of ringing sound may be transmitted together.

  When receiving the notification instruction signal, the slave unit A performs notification based on the notification instruction signal (6). For example, on the display 21 of the slave unit A, contents indicating that the communication quality is estimated to be poor and contents prompting an instruction to confirm a call or stop using the slave unit A (slave unit replacement) are displayed. Is done. Moreover, you may comprise so that it alert | reports with an audio | voice. After receiving the notification instruction signal, handset A stands by in a state where it can accept an instruction to confirm a call and an instruction to stop use (exchange handset).

  When receiving the ringing instruction signal, the slave unit B performs ringing based on the ringing instruction signal (7). At this time, the type of ringing sound may be configured to be different from that during normal incoming calls. In addition, a message such as “This handset has better communication quality” may be synthesized. After receiving the ringing instruction signal, handset B stands by in a state where it can accept an instruction for call confirmation.

  After transmitting the notification instruction signal and the ringing instruction signal, base unit 1 waits until a call confirmation instruction signal comes from any of the slave units (slave unit A or slave unit B).

When receiving the call confirmation instruction, handset A transmits a call confirmation instruction signal to base unit 1 (8). The call confirmation instruction signal includes an identification signal for identifying the transmitted child device itself (in this case, a signal for indicating the child device A).
When receiving the call confirmation instruction signal from handset A, base unit 1 connects handset A to the external communication line (9). At this time, a ringing end instruction signal for ending ringing is transmitted to handset B (not shown). As a result, it is possible to make a call with the connection partner using the handset A.

On the other hand, when receiving the call confirmation instruction, handset B transmits a call confirmation instruction signal to base unit 1 (10). The call confirmation instruction signal includes an identification signal for identifying the transmitted child device itself (in this case, a signal for indicating the child device B).
When receiving the call confirmation instruction signal from the slave unit B, the master unit A connects the slave unit B to the external communication line (11). Thereby, it is possible to make a call with the connection partner using the handset B.

  Through the processing described above, the user can grasp that the communication quality may not be good before connecting to the external communication line when making a call using a slave unit with poor communication quality. Therefore, it is possible to change the handset used for the call, and it is possible to make a call using the handset 2 that is estimated to have good call quality from the start to the end of the call.

(Processing on the base unit side)
Next, the process performed by the main | base station 1 in 1st Embodiment is demonstrated. FIG. 3 is a flowchart of processing executed on the base unit side. A program for executing this processing is executed by the processor of the parent device 1 when the parent device 1 receives a call request instruction signal from any of the child devices.

  First, in S1, the slave unit and connection partner for which a call request is made are identified, and the time when the call request is made is detected. Identification of the slave unit and connection partner that have made a call request is performed based on information included in the received call request signal. The time when the call request is made may be detected using a timer (not shown) provided in the base unit 1. Further, the call request instruction signal may be configured to include the time when the call request is made.

  In S2, it is determined whether or not the connection partner identified in S1 is registered in a call history table (described later). If it is determined in S2 that the connection partner identified in S1 is registered in the call history table (S2: YES), the process proceeds to S3.

  In S3, the communication quality for each handset is estimated. The communication quality for each handset is estimated with reference to the call history table and the radio wave status table. The call history table and the radio wave status table are stored in the RAM of the base unit 1.

  FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of the data structure of the call history table. As shown in FIG. 5, the call history table stores the average call time for each call partner. Note that the minimum unit of the average call time stored may be “minutes”, or may be “seconds” or “5 minutes”. In addition, the call history table is updated every time a call ends.

  FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of a data structure of the radio wave status table. As shown in FIG. 6, the radio wave status table stores the radio wave status in each call time zone for each slave unit 2 (slave unit A to slave unit D in FIG. 6) connected to the master unit 1. Has been. In the radio wave condition table shown in FIG. 6, “◯” indicates that the radio wave condition is good, and “x” indicates that the radio wave condition is not good.

  Specific processing for estimating call quality using the call history table and the radio wave condition table will be described later.

  Returning to FIG. In S4, it is determined whether or not the slave unit needs to be replaced. This determination is made based on the call quality for each handset estimated in S3. That is, it is performed based on whether or not the handset that has made a call request is estimated to have “good communication quality”. If it is estimated that the handset that has made the call request has “good call quality”, the condition determination in S4 is “YES”. Further, when it is estimated that the handset that has made the call request is “not good in call quality”, the condition determination in S4 is “NO”.

If it is determined in S4 that it is not necessary to replace the slave unit (S4: NO), the process proceeds to S5.
In S5, the handset that has made a call request is connected to the external communication line so that it can talk to the connection partner identified in S1.

On the other hand, when it is determined in S4 that the slave unit needs to be replaced (S4: YES), the process proceeds to S6.
In S6, a notification instruction signal for instructing notification of contents indicating that the communication quality is estimated to be poor is transmitted to the slave unit that has made a call request. Thereafter, the process proceeds to S7.

  In S7, a ringing instruction signal for instructing ringing is transmitted to the child device estimated to have a good communication state in S3. At this time, if it is estimated in S3 that the plurality of slave units have “good communication quality”, a ringing instruction signal may be transmitted to all of the plurality of slave units. Of these, the ringing instruction signal may be transmitted only to a predetermined slave unit.

  After the process of S7 is completed, the base unit 1 enters a standby state for receiving a call confirmation instruction signal from the handset 2. In addition, you may comprise so that the process of S6 and S7 may be performed in parallel. Further, the order of the processes of S6 and S7 may be reversed.

When a call confirmation instruction signal is received from any of the slave units, the process proceeds to S8.
In S8, the slave unit that has transmitted the call confirmation signal is specified, and the slave unit is connected to the external line so that the call can be made with the connection partner identified in S1.

Then, it waits in S9 until a telephone call is complete | finished. If it is determined that the call has ended (S9: YES), the process proceeds to S10.
In S10, the call history table is updated. Specifically, the current call time is acquired, and the average call time of the call partner in the call history table is updated. At this time, it goes without saying that the number of calls for each call partner is stored in order to calculate the average call time.

On the other hand, if it is determined “NO” in S2, the process proceeds to S11 (FIG. 4).
In S11, the communication quality for each slave unit is estimated. For example, the communication quality for each handset can be estimated using the call request time and the radio wave condition table. Thereby, the communication quality for every subunit | mobile_unit at the time of call request | requirement time can be estimated.

Moreover, you may estimate the communication quality for every subunit | mobile_unit using a telephone call history table (FIG. 5). Hereinafter, an estimation method using the call history table will be described.
First, the call time is predicted using the call history table. For example, the average value of the average call time registered in the call history table is set as the predicted call time. In the call history table shown in FIG. 5, “42 minutes” is the estimated call time. Note that the call quality estimation process for each slave unit based on the predicted call time, call request time, and radio wave status table is the same as the process of S3 (FIG. 3) described above, and is therefore omitted.

  The length of the call time is not determined based only on the other party, but also reflects the personality of the user. For example, the contents of the call history table differ depending on whether or not the user is a user who likes long calls even for the same call partner. Therefore, even if the call partner is a person who is not registered in the call history table, the accuracy of the estimated call time with the call partner can be improved by referring to the call history table of the own device (master unit 1). it can. Thereby, the call quality of the whole call time can be improved.

  Returning to FIG. Since the process of S12-S17 is the same as the process of S4-S8 mentioned above, description is abbreviate | omitted.

When the call ends (S17: YES), the process proceeds to S18.
In S18, the current call partner (connection partner) is registered in the call history table. The registration process to the call history table is performed on the parent device 1 side, but may be configured to be performed by remote operation from the child device.

  When a ringing instruction signal is transmitted to a plurality of slave units, when the slave unit is connected to the external communication line in S8 and S16, a slave unit that is not connected to the external communication line (that is, a call confirmation instruction is issued). A ringing end instruction signal for instructing the end of ringing is transmitted to the slave unit that did not exist.

(Processing on the handset side)
Next, processing on the slave unit side in the first embodiment will be described. The processing on the slave side can be broadly divided into processing when a call request instruction is received and processing when a ringing instruction signal is received.

(Processing of the slave unit that accepted the call request instruction)
Processing of the slave unit when a call request instruction is received from the master unit 1 will be described.
FIG. 7 is a flowchart of processing executed by the slave unit that has accepted the call request instruction. This process is executed by the processor included in the handset 2.

  In S21, a call request instruction from the user is accepted. In order to instruct a call request, for example, the user presses a button for instructing a call request after inputting a telephone number of a connection partner. Note that the telephone book may be stored in the RAM or the like of the handset 2 and the connection destination may be selected from the telephone book.

  In S22, a call request instruction signal is transmitted to base unit 1. The call request instruction signal includes information for identifying the connection partner (for example, the telephone number of the connection partner) and the identification number of the own device (that is, the identification number of the slave device that has made the call request). It is.

In S23, it is determined whether or not a notification instruction signal transmitted from base unit 1 is received. When the notification instruction signal is received (S23: YES), the process proceeds to S24.
If the notification instruction signal has not been received (S23), the process proceeds to S27. Note that while not receiving the notification instruction signal, it may be configured to wait in S23 and to proceed to S27 when the notification instruction signal is not received during a predetermined time.

  In S24, a notification process is performed. For example, the display 21 displays content indicating that there is a possibility that the call quality of the handset is not good. At this time, a button area for instructing call establishment and replacement of the slave unit is also displayed. FIG. 8 shows an example of contents displayed on the display 21. As shown in FIG. 8, the selection area 31 and the selection area 32 are displayed together with the content indicating that there is a possibility that the call quality of the handset may not be good.

  While the contents shown in FIG. 8 are displayed, it is in a state where it is possible to accept an instruction to confirm a call or replace a handset. The user selects the selection area 31 when instructing call origination, and selects the selection area 32 when instructing replacement of the handset. For the selection operation, for example, a button or the like of the slave unit is used. Further, the display 21 may be configured by a touch panel so that the display 21 can be selected by directly touching. Moreover, you may comprise so that it can select using a speech recognition technique.

In S25, it is determined whether or not a call confirmation instruction has been issued. That is, it is determined whether or not the selection area 31 has been selected. If it is determined that there is no call confirmation instruction (S25: NO), the process proceeds to S28.
In S28, it is determined whether or not a handset change instruction has been issued. That is, it is determined whether or not the selection area 32 has been selected. When it is determined that there is no instruction to change the slave unit (S28: NO), the process returns to S25. That is, the condition determination process in S25 and S28 is repeated until the selection area 31 or the selection area 32 is selected.

If it is determined in S25 that there has been a call confirmation instruction (S25: YES), the process proceeds to S26.
In S26, a call confirmation instruction signal is transmitted to the base unit 1. The call confirmation instruction signal includes an identification signal for identifying the transmitted child device itself.
Thereafter, the slave unit starts to connect to the external communication line and can talk with the connection partner accepted in S21.
While a call is in progress, the process waits in S27.
If it is determined that the call has ended (S27: YES), the processing on the slave side is ended.

On the other hand, if it is determined in S28 that there has been an instruction to change the slave unit (S28: YES), the process proceeds to S29.
In S29, the connection with the parent device is disconnected, and the processing on the child device side is terminated.

  When a call confirmation instruction is issued from another child device during the processing of the flowchart shown in FIG. 7, a signal indicating that is sent from the parent device 1, and the processing of the child device ends. become.

  The above-mentioned processing of the slave unit notifies that the call quality is not good after making a call and before connecting to the external communication line. Therefore, a user who wants to make a call with good call quality replaces the slave unit. be able to.

(Processing of the slave unit that accepted the ringing instruction)
Next, processing of the slave unit when a ringing instruction is received from the master unit 1 will be described.
FIG. 9 is a flowchart of processing executed by the slave unit that has received the ringing instruction. This process is executed by the processor included in the handset 2 when a ringing instruction signal is received from the base unit 1.

In S31, ringing (ringing operation) is performed. At this time, the kind of ringing sound may be configured to be different from that of a normal incoming call. Moreover, you may comprise so that it may change for every connection other party. In addition, the telephone number included in the received ringing instruction signal (that is, the telephone number of the connection partner who has made a call request in another slave unit) is displayed. As a result, the user can grasp which telephone number he / she is going to call. Moreover, you may comprise so that a connection partner's name etc. may be displayed instead of a telephone number.
Thereafter, the process proceeds to S32.

In S32, it is determined whether or not a call confirmation instruction has been issued. This determination can be made based on, for example, whether or not a predetermined button of the child device 2 has been pressed.
If it is determined that there is no call confirmation instruction (S32: NO), the process proceeds to S35.
In S35, it is determined whether or not a ringing end instruction signal has been received. If it is determined that the ringing end instruction signal has not been received (S35: NO), the process returns to S32. That is, in the state where there is no instruction to confirm the call and the ringing end instruction signal is not received, the condition judgments in S32 and S35 are repeated.

If it is determined in S32 that there has been a call confirmation instruction (S32: YES), the process proceeds to S33.
In S33, a call confirmation instruction signal is transmitted to base unit 1. The call confirmation instruction signal includes an identification signal for identifying the transmitted child device itself.

Thereafter, the slave unit starts to connect with the external communication line, and can talk with the connection partner included in the received ringing instruction signal.
While a call is in progress, the process waits at S34.
If it is determined that the call has ended (S34: YES), the processing on the handset side is ended.

On the other hand, when it is determined in S35 that the ringing end instruction signal has been received (S35: YES), the process proceeds to S36. The ringing end instruction signal is transmitted from the parent device 1 when a call confirmation instruction signal is transmitted from another child device to the parent device 1.
In S36, the ringing is terminated.

  Through the above processing, the user can make a call using the handset 2 that is estimated to have good call quality from the start to the end of the call. Further, when the connection is started with the ringing slave unit, the information on the connection partner is included in the ringing instruction signal, so that it is not necessary to input the connection partner (telephone number or the like) again.

Here, as an example, a description will be given of processing in the case where a telephone call is made to “Mr. F” at “1: 5” (calling instruction is given) using the handset C.
By referring to the call history table (FIG. 5), it is understood that the average call time of “Mr. F” is “30 minutes”. As a result, it is predicted that a call will be made from “1: 5” when the incoming call is received to “1:35”. Then, referring to the radio wave status table (FIG. 5), “1: 5” to “1:35” belong to the call time zone (1). It is judged not. In addition, “slave device A” whose radio wave condition is “◯” in the call time zone (1) is selected as a “slave device with good radio wave condition”. Here, “good radio wave condition” means “high communication quality”.

For this reason, the display of the child device C is notified to indicate that “communication quality is not good”. Further, the slave unit A starts ringing. At this time, by pressing a predetermined button (button for confirming a call) of the child device C, the child device C is connected to the external communication line. At this time, the ringing of the handset A is controlled to stop.
On the other hand, by pressing a predetermined button (button for confirming a call) of the child device A, the child device A is connected to the external communication line. Further, the slave unit C is controlled so that the connection with the master unit is disconnected.

Next, as an example, a description will be given of processing in the case where a call is made to “Mr. A” at “2:55” (calling instruction is given) using the handset B.
By referring to the call history table (FIG. 5), it is understood that the average call time of “Mr. A” is “2 hours”. As a result, it is predicted that a call will be made from “2:55” when the incoming call is received to “4:55”. And by referring to the radio wave condition table (FIG. 6),
From "2:55" to "3:00", the radio wave conditions of "Slave A" and "Slave C" are good. From "3:00" to "4:00", "Slave B" ”And“ child unit D ”have good radio wave conditions. From“ 4:00 ”to“ 4:55 ”, it can be seen that the radio wave conditions of“ child unit B ”and“ child unit C ”are good.
Then, it is determined that among the child devices A to D, the “child device B” has the longest time during which the radio wave condition is the best during the predicted call time. As a result, the handset B that has instructed the call request is connected to the external communication line.

  In the radio wave status table shown in FIG. 6, the radio wave status is stored in increments of 1 hour. However, for example, the radio wave status may be stored in increments of 10 minutes. Also, the radio wave status may be stored so as to indicate the radio wave status in a plurality of stages (for example, five stages) instead of “◯” and “x”.

  In the call history table shown in FIG. 5, one average call time is stored for each caller, but the average call is divided by time zone (for example, every morning / afternoon, every weekday / holiday). You may make it memorize | store time.

  According to the first embodiment described above, when a user makes a call using a handset whose communication quality is not good, there is a possibility that the communication quality is not good before connection to the external communication line. Therefore, it is possible to change the handset used for the call, and to make a call using the handset 2 that is estimated to have good call quality from the start to the end of the call. it can.

[Second Embodiment]
In the first embodiment described above, when it is estimated that the communication quality of the slave unit that has made a call request is not good, the fact that the communication quality is good is transmitted to the slave unit at the same time. In contrast, a ringing instruction signal is transmitted. Regardless of the communication quality, a user who intends to make a call with a handset that has issued a call request instruction may feel annoying the ringing sound of the other handset. In addition, since ringing involves a predetermined power, unnecessary ringing can unnecessarily consume the battery.
In the second embodiment, a ringing instruction signal is transmitted to a handset that is estimated to have good communication quality after a handset replacement instruction is issued from a handset that has made a call request.

  First, information transmitted / received between the parent device 1 and the child device 2 in connection with an external communication line using the child device 2 will be described. FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of information transmitted / received between the parent device 1 and the child device 2. In the example illustrated in FIG. 10, it is assumed that two slave units 2 (slave unit A and slave unit B) are wirelessly connected to the master unit 1. Further, it is assumed that a call request instruction to the external communication line is performed using the slave unit A.

  When handset A receives the call request instruction (1), it transmits a call request instruction signal for instructing connection to the external communication line to base unit 1 (2). At this time, the call request instruction signal includes an identification signal for identifying the slave unit itself and information for identifying the connection partner.

  When the base unit 1 receives the call request instruction signal, the base unit 1 estimates the communication quality for each handset (3). The estimated communication quality is the communication quality through the predicted communication time. At this time, communication quality may be estimated to be good for a plurality of slave units. The specific process for estimating the communication quality for each slave is the same as the process in the first embodiment described above. In FIG. 10, it is assumed that handset B is estimated to be “good communication quality” and handset A is estimated to be “not good communication quality”.

  Base unit 1 transmits a notification instruction signal for instructing predetermined notification to handset A (4). At this time, you may comprise so that various setting information regarding alerting | reporting content, alerting | reporting time, etc. may be transmitted.

When receiving the notification instruction signal, the slave unit A performs notification based on the notification instruction signal (5). For example, on the display 21 of the slave unit A, contents indicating that the communication quality is estimated to be poor and contents prompting an instruction to confirm a call or stop using the slave unit A (slave unit replacement) are displayed. Is done. Moreover, you may comprise so that it alert | reports with an audio | voice. After receiving the notification instruction signal, handset A stands by in a state where it can accept an instruction to confirm a call and an instruction to stop use (exchange handset).
At this time, when an instruction to replace the slave unit is received, a slave unit replacement notification signal is transmitted to the master unit 1 (6).

  When base unit 1 receives the handset replacement notification signal, base unit 1 transmits a ringing instruction signal for instructing ringing (ringing operation) to handset B (slave unit determined to have good communication quality) (7 ). At this time, various setting information related to ringing such as the type of ringing sound may be transmitted together.

  When receiving the ringing instruction signal, the slave unit B performs ringing based on the ringing instruction signal (8). At this time, the type of ringing sound may be configured to be different from that during normal incoming calls. In addition, a message such as “This handset has better communication quality” may be synthesized. After receiving the ringing instruction signal, handset B stands by in a state where it can accept an instruction for call confirmation.

  After transmitting the ringing instruction signal, base unit 1 waits until a call confirmation instruction signal comes from handset B.

  When receiving the call confirmation instruction, handset B transmits a call confirmation instruction signal to base unit 1 (9). The call confirmation instruction signal includes an identification signal for identifying the transmitted child device itself (in this case, a signal for indicating the child device B). When receiving the call confirmation instruction signal from the slave unit B, the master unit A connects the slave unit B to the external communication line (10). Thereby, it is possible to make a call with the connection partner using the handset B.

  Through the processing described above, the user can make a call using the handset 2 that is estimated to have the best call quality from the start to the end of the call. Further, unnecessary ringing can be prevented.

(Processing on the base unit side)
Next, processing executed by the base unit 1 in the second embodiment will be described. FIG. 11 is a flowchart of processing executed on the base unit side. The program for executing this processing is executed by the processor of the master unit 1 when the master unit 1 receives a call request signal from any slave unit.

  Since the processes of S41 to S46 and S50 to S52 in FIG. 11 are the same as the processes of S1 to S6 and S8 to S10 of FIG. 3 (first embodiment) described above, description thereof will be omitted.

  In S47, it is determined whether or not a call confirmation instruction signal transmitted from the handset that has made a call request has been received. When it is determined that the call confirmation instruction signal has been received (S47: YES), the process proceeds to S50. If “YES” is determined in the condition determination of S47, the handset that has made a call request is connected to the external communication line.

If it is determined that the call confirmation instruction signal has not been received (S47: NO), the process proceeds to S48.
In S48, a ringing instruction signal for instructing ringing is transmitted to the handset that is estimated to have a good communication state in S43. At this time, if it is estimated in S43 that the plurality of slave units have “good communication quality”, a ringing instruction signal may be transmitted to all of the plurality of slave units. Of these, the ringing instruction signal may be transmitted only to a predetermined slave unit.

  After the processing of S48 is completed, the base unit 1 enters a standby state for receiving a call confirmation instruction signal from the handset 2 that has transmitted the ringing instruction signal. Further, the call confirmation instruction signal is received in S49.

On the other hand, if it is determined “NO” in S42, the process proceeds to S54 (FIG. 12).
Since the process of S54 is the same as S11 of FIG. 4 (first embodiment) described above, the description thereof is omitted.
Moreover, since the process of S55-S62 is the same as the process of S44-S51 mentioned above, description is abbreviate | omitted.

When the call ends (S62: YES), the process proceeds to S63.
In S63, the current call partner (connection partner) is registered in the call history table. The registration process to the call history table is performed on the parent device 1 side, but may be configured to be performed by remote operation from the child device 2.

  When ringing instruction signals are transmitted to a plurality of slave units 2, when the slave unit is connected to an external line in S50 and S61, the ringing instruction signal is transmitted and the slave unit is not connected to the external communication line. A ringing end instruction signal for instructing the end of ringing is transmitted to the machine (that is, the slave unit that has not received the call confirmation instruction).

  In addition, since the process by the side of the subunit | mobile_unit in 2nd Embodiment is the same as the process of 1st Embodiment mentioned above, description is abbreviate | omitted.

  According to the second embodiment described above, the user can make a call using the handset 2 estimated to have the best call quality from the start to the end of the call. Further, unnecessary ringing can be prevented.

(Update radio wave status table)
Next, update of the radio wave status table (FIG. 6) will be described. Note that the radio wave status table update process described below is applicable to any of the first and second embodiments described above.
FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating information transmitted and received between the parent device 1 and the child device 2 in the radio wave state table update process. In the example illustrated in FIG. 13, it is assumed that two slave units 2 (slave unit A and slave unit B) are wirelessly connected to the master unit 1.

The subunit | mobile_unit A detects a radio wave condition at a predetermined timing (1). At this time, the radio wave condition can be detected based on the received electrolysis intensity of the external wave, the BER with the base unit 1, and the like.
Based on the detected radio wave status, the radio wave status table stored in handset A is updated (2). The contents of the radio wave condition table of the child machine A are only the part related to the child machine A in the radio wave condition table of FIG.
The subunit | mobile_unit A transmits the detection signal which shows the detected electromagnetic wave condition with respect to the main | base station 1 (3). When receiving the detection signal, the base unit 1 updates the radio wave status table of the base unit 1 (4).

Moreover, the subunit | mobile_unit B detects an electromagnetic wave condition at a predetermined timing (5). At this time, the radio wave condition can be detected based on the received electrolysis intensity of the external wave, the BER with the base unit 1, and the like.
Based on the detected radio wave condition, the radio wave condition table stored in handset B is updated (6). The contents of the radio wave status table of the slave unit B are only the part related to the slave unit B in the radio status table of FIG.
The subunit | mobile_unit B transmits the detection signal which shows the detected electromagnetic wave condition with respect to the main | base station 1 (7). When receiving the detection signal, the base unit 1 updates the radio wave status table of the base unit 1 (8).

  In addition, the detection of the radio wave status in the slave unit A and the slave unit B is performed at independent timings. The predetermined timing can be set as appropriate.

  FIG. 14 is a flowchart of the radio wave status table update process in the slave unit. A program for executing the radio wave status table update process is executed by a processor included in the handset 2 at a predetermined timing.

First, in S71, the radio wave condition is detected. As described above, the radio wave condition can be recognized based on the received electrolytic strength of the external wave, the BER with the base unit 1, and the like.
In S72, based on the detected radio wave status, the radio wave status table of the own device (slave device 2) is updated.
In S73, a detection signal indicating the detected radio wave condition is transmitted to the base unit 1. It is assumed that the detection signal includes slave unit identification information indicating which slave unit 2 is transmitted.

  FIG. 15 is a flowchart of the radio wave status table update process in the parent device. The program for executing the radio wave status table update process is repeatedly executed by the processor of the parent device 1 at a predetermined interval (for example, 100 milliseconds) while the parent device 1 is activated.

First, in S81, it is determined whether or not a detection signal transmitted from any of the wirelessly connected slave units 2 has been received.
If it is determined that the detection signal has not been received (S81: NO), the radio wave status table update process is terminated.
On the other hand, when it is determined that the detection signal has been received (S81: YES), the process proceeds to S82.

  In S82, the radio wave status table is updated. Specifically, based on the handset identification signal included in the received detection signal, the part corresponding to the sending handset 2 is updated in the contents of the radio wave status table.

  Since the radio wave status of the handset 2 is constantly updated by the radio wave status table update process described above, it is possible to improve the prediction accuracy of the radio wave status over the entire call time.

(Switching timing to multi-slot mode)
The slave unit can switch to the multi-slot mode and perform communication when the communication state with the master unit is deteriorated. Thereby, communication quality can be improved even when the radio wave condition deteriorates. That is, it is possible to prevent deterioration in call quality by repeatedly transmitting the same data a plurality of times.

  However, when configured to switch to the multi-slot mode at the timing when it is detected that the radio wave condition has deteriorated, the call quality is deteriorated immediately before switching. On the other hand, transmitting all the time zones during a call in the multi-slot mode is not preferable from the viewpoint of battery consumption.

  Hereinafter, switching timing determination processing for the multi-slot mode using the above-described radio wave condition table will be described. Note that the switching timing determination process described below is applicable to any of the first and second embodiments described above.

Here, as an example, a process for determining the switching timing to the multi-slot mode when a call is made from “2:50” using “child device A” will be described.
First, in the time zone from “2:50” to “3:00” which is the utterance start time, the radio wave condition is “O”, so the user's voice is transmitted to the base unit 1 by the normal communication method. A signal is transmitted. In the time zone from “3:00” to “4:00”, since the radio wave status is “x”, the timing at which the timer (not shown) detects that “3:00” has been reached. Then, the mode is switched to the multi-slot mode, and thereafter, the user's voice signal is transmitted to the base unit 1 in the multi-slot mode.

  According to the process for determining the switching timing to the multi-slot mode described above, since the radio wave condition is predicted in advance and switched to the multi-slot mode, high call quality can be maintained. Of course, even when the radio wave status table indicates that the call status is good, when the actual radio wave status deteriorates, the mode may be switched to the multi-slot mode.

  As described above, according to the present invention, when a call request instruction signal is received from any of the slave units, the connection partner is identified, the predicted call time is predicted based on the identified connection partner, and the predicted call time is set. Based on this, the call quality for each handset during the entire call time is estimated. If it is estimated that the call quality of the slave unit that has made a call request is good, control is performed so that the slave unit is connected to an external line. On the other hand, if it is estimated that the call quality of the slave unit that has made the call request is not good, the slave unit that has made the call request is notified to that effect, and On the other hand, a signal for instructing ringing is notified. Thereby, the user can make a call using a handset that is predicted to have high call quality. Furthermore, unnecessary ringing can be prevented from occurring by controlling the timing of the ringing instruction. In addition, by updating the radio wave status table at an appropriate timing, it is possible to improve the prediction accuracy of the call time. In addition, in a time zone in which the radio wave condition is predicted to deteriorate, since the mode is switched to the multi-slot mode, high call quality can be maintained.

  The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various improvements and modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the present invention. For example, it may be configured to have the functions of both the first embodiment and the second embodiment described above, and may be configured to allow the user to select which function to use. Furthermore, you may comprise so that the form which does not utilize any function may be selected.

  Further, when it is determined that the radio wave condition is not good in any of the slave units, the slave unit that has made a call request may be connected to an external line without performing the notification process.

  Further, each flowchart described above is merely an example, and the processing may be realized by another flowchart as long as a result equivalent to the processing of each flowchart can be obtained.

  Further, the present invention can be realized as a processing method in the above-described parent device and / or child device, a program for realizing the processing, and a recording medium on which the program is recorded.

It is the figure which showed an example of the structure in a cordless telephone system. It is the figure shown about the information transmitted / received between the main | base station and the subunit | mobile_unit in 1st Embodiment. It is a flowchart of the process by the side of the main | base station in 1st Embodiment. It is a flowchart of the process by the side of the main | base station in 1st Embodiment. It is the figure which showed an example of the data structure of a telephone call history table. It is the figure which showed an example of the data structure of a radio wave condition table. It is a flowchart of the subunit | mobile_unit which received the call request. It is an example of a display. It is a flowchart of the subunit | mobile_unit which received the ringing instruction | indication. It is the figure shown about the information transmitted / received between the main | base station and the subunit | mobile_unit in 2nd Embodiment. It is a flowchart of the process by the side of the main | base station in 2nd Embodiment. It is a flowchart of the process by the side of the main | base station in 2nd Embodiment. It is the figure shown about the information transmitted / received between a main | base station and a subunit | mobile_unit in a radio wave condition table update process. It is a flowchart of the radio wave status table update process on the slave side. It is a flowchart of the radio wave status table update process on the base side.

Explanation of symbols

1 Master unit 2 Slave unit 21 Display

Claims (9)

It is a cordless phone base unit that allows cordless communication with multiple handsets,
A handset identification means for identifying the handset that made the call request;
Call request time acquisition means for acquiring the time of the call request;
A connection partner identification means for identifying a connection partner of the call request;
A call time predicting means for predicting a call time with the identified connection partner;
For each of the plurality of slave units, a radio wave status table storing a radio wave status for each time zone;
Based on the acquired call request time, the predicted call time, and the radio wave status table, a slave unit estimation unit that estimates a slave unit having a good radio wave condition during the predicted call time among the plurality of slave units. When,
Determining means for determining whether or not the identified child device matches the estimated child device;
A connection start means for performing external line connection of the identified slave unit, if they match,
A notification signal transmitting means for transmitting a predetermined notification signal to the identified slave unit when they do not match;
A master unit characterized by comprising. Ringing signal transmission means for transmitting a ringing instruction signal to the estimated slave unit,
The base unit according to claim 1, further comprising: After the connection start means transmits the notification signal,
If there is a call confirmation instruction from the identified slave unit, connect the external line of the identified slave unit,
If there is a call confirmation instruction from the estimated slave unit, an external line connection of the estimated slave unit is performed.
The master unit according to claim 2. The slave unit estimation means estimates the slave unit based on the time of the call request and the radio wave status table when the connection partner identification unit cannot identify the connection partner of the call request,
4. The master unit according to claim 1, wherein: A call history table that stores the average call time for each connected party,
Call time acquisition means for acquiring the call time of the connection when the end of the connection is detected;
A call history table updating means for updating the call history table based on the connection partner of the connection and the call time of the connection;
With
The call time predicting means predicts a call time with the identified connection partner using the call history table.
The base unit according to claim 1, wherein the base unit is a base unit. It is a cordless phone handset capable of cordless communication with the base unit,
A call instruction receiving means for receiving a call instruction with a predetermined connection partner;
A call instruction signal transmitting means for transmitting a call instruction signal based on the accepted call instruction to the master unit;
A notification means for performing a predetermined notification when a predetermined notification signal is received from the master unit;
It is provided with the cordless handset. After performing the predetermined notification, a call confirmation instruction accepting unit for accepting a call confirmation instruction with the predetermined connection partner;
A call confirmation instruction signal transmitting means for transmitting a call confirmation instruction signal based on the accepted call confirmation instruction to the master unit;
The slave unit according to claim 6, further comprising: A radio wave status table that stores the radio wave status of your device for each time zone,
During a call, in a time zone in which the radio wave condition is determined to be bad based on the radio wave condition table, communication control means for communicating with the master unit in a multi-slot method,
The slave unit according to claim 6 or 7, further comprising:   A cordless telephone system comprising the parent device according to any one of claims 1 to 5 and the child device according to any one of claims 6 to 8.

Images