JP3134627B2 - Terminal network controller - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a terminal network control device which is connected to a terminal such as a gas meter and relays communication between the terminal and a center via a telephone line. The present invention relates to a terminal network control device.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A terminal network control device for connecting a terminal such as a gas meter and a center via a telephone line and relaying communication between the terminal and the center is, for example, a communication request originating from a gas meter due to a gas leak or the like. When this occurs, the center is called by automatic transmission and the communication between the gas meter and the center is relayed.

[0003] Such a terminal network control device, after making a call,
When the modem receives a message from the center, it determines that the connection with the center has been completed, and relays communication between the gas meter and the center. Sending means closing the DC loop circuit of the telephone line and transmitting a selection signal (telephone number). When the DC loop circuit is closed, a 400 Hz dial tone (DT) indicating that the exchange can receive the selection signal. ) To receive. The means for transmitting the selection signal after detecting this DT is not often used to simplify the circuit, and a method of transmitting the selection signal after a sufficient time has passed after closing the DC loop circuit is usually used. ing.

[0004] After transmission, if a message from the center is not received within a predetermined time, or if a communication error occurs,
Releases the DC loop circuit and interrupts communication by transmission. Then, an attempt is made so that automatic retransmission is performed within two times within three minutes.

Further, the terminal network control device shares a telephone line with a telephone. Normally, a telephone is connected to a telephone line via a terminal network controller, and when the terminal network controller automatically makes a call, it is confirmed that the telephone is not in use before the telephone is disconnected from the telephone line. By starting the disconnection and calling operation, the use of the telephone line of the telephone and the use of the telephone line of the terminal network control device do not occur at the same time. To determine whether the phone is in use,
The fact that the telephone is off-hook to form a DC loop closed circuit of the telephone line is realized by on-hook detecting means for detecting a current flowing through the telephone line. Further, when a ringing signal (bell ringing signal) is received, a ringing signal detecting means is provided so as not to close the DC loop circuit for automatic transmission.

[0006]

However, when the terminal network controller receives a communication request from a gas meter or the like when not connected to a telephone line, the terminal network controller does not judge that the telephone is in use by the on-hook detecting means, Since it is not determined that the bell ringing signal has been received by the ringing signal detecting means, the operation shifts to a calling operation. Then, after the selection signal is transmitted, since the response message cannot be received, automatic retransmission is attempted so as not to exceed twice within three minutes.

[0007] Since such a terminal network control device uses a battery as a power source, there is a problem that the battery is consumed when a meaningless repetition of a call is performed even though the terminal network control device is not connected to a telephone line.

Accordingly, a first object of the present invention is to provide a terminal network control device which does not perform a communication operation by calling until it is connected to a telephone line.

A second object is to provide a terminal network control device having a second alternative means for achieving the first object.

[0010]

[0011]

[0012] The third object is to use a telephone exchange as an exchange.
Power from the terminal network controller
Disconnection from the telephone line, etc.
In the event of a failure, no communication operation with meaningless outgoing calls is performed.
It is an object of the present invention to provide a terminal network control device which determines that the connection with the down- call telephone line has been restored, and performs the communication operation by calling again.

[0013]

In order to achieve the first object, a terminal network control device according to the present invention comprises a power supply.
And a call signal detecting means for permitting communication when a call signal is detected, and a calling communication means for performing communication by calling when the communication is permitted.

In order to achieve the second object, the power source
It has a pond, no ringing communication means for permitting outgoing communication when no ringing communication is performed, and call communication means for performing outgoing communication when communication is permitted.

[0015]

[0016]

To achieve the fifth object, the fourth object
A communication control means for driving the line power supply means at predetermined time intervals when communication cannot be performed by transmission because a predetermined voltage is not output from the line power supply means. If a predetermined voltage is output from the controller, a retry means for performing retransmission is provided.

[0018]

The terminal network control apparatus of the present invention, which achieves the first object, permits the operation of the calling communication means for performing communication by calling when the calling signal detecting means detects the calling signal.

A terminal network control device that achieves the second object is:
When the no-ringing communication means performs the no-ringing communication, the operation of the calling communication means is permitted.

[0020]

[0021]

In order to achieve the third object, a telephone line is connected.
Communication path means to form a communication path
Current and outputs a predetermined DC voltage to
Line power source as a power source and battery operated as a power source
In both cases, when the specified voltage is output from the line power supply
Only use the communication path means to make outgoing communication
A terminal network control device comprising communication control means, wherein the communication control means drives the line power supply means at predetermined time intervals when communication by transmission cannot be performed because a predetermined voltage is not output from the line power supply means. If a predetermined voltage is output from the line power supply means, a retry means for performing retransmission is provided.

[0023]

FIG. 1 shows a first embodiment of the present invention.
It will be described based on the following.

Reference numeral 1 denotes a terminal network control device of the present invention, which is a call signal detecting means 6 for detecting an alternating current signal (call signal) of 75 Vrms at 16 Hz which is received via the telephone line 5;
The center calls the center by connecting the DC loop circuit of the telephone line 5 and transmits the selection signal, and after the connection with the center, the communication between the center and the terminal 4 is performed (communication by calling). It comprises a call communication means 2 and a flag 3 indicating whether communication by calling is possible '1' or impossible '0'. Since the means for detecting a call signal is already mounted on a telephone or the like, a specific description is omitted. This flag 3
It is assumed that “0” indicating that communication by calling is impossible is set in advance. It may be set at the time of manufacture and shipment, or a means for setting with a setting device such as a handy terminal after the terminal network control device is installed. Further, there is a method of pressing a reset switch for resetting a microcomputer which is a main component for realizing the calling communication means 2. Note that the calling communication means 2 performs the communication operation by calling only when the flag 3 is “1”. Therefore, in such a state, even if a communication request originating from the terminal 4 occurs, the flag 3
Is '0', the calling communication means 2 does not perform the communication operation by calling. Even when the telephone line 5 is connected to the telephone line 5 and power is supplied from the exchange via the telephone line 5, no communication operation by calling is performed.

Now, it is assumed that the terminal network control device 1 of the present invention is connected to the telephone line 5 and a call signal is transmitted from the exchange via the telephone line 5. The calling signal detecting means 6
When a 6 Hz AC signal is detected, the flag 3 is set to '1'. Therefore, when a communication request by outgoing call is generated from the terminal 4, the outgoing call communication means 2 performs a communication operation by outgoing call.

As described above, by receiving the calling signal, it is determined that the telephone line has been connected, and the communication service by calling is started.

Next, a second embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. Reference numeral 1 denotes a terminal network control device of the invention, which is provided with a no-ringing communication means 7 in place of the call signal detection means 6 of the first embodiment, and other components are the same as those of the first embodiment. . The no-ringing communication means 7 is a means for receiving a no-ringing communication service. The no-ringing communication service is a service for calling and connecting the terminal network control device 1 from a center without ringing the bell of a home telephone, and is a technology that has already been used, and thus description thereof is omitted. It is assumed that the flag 3 is '0' at the time of installation as in the first embodiment.

When the terminal network control device 1 of the present invention is connected to the telephone line 5 and a no-ringing call is made by the no-ringing communication service from the center via the telephone line 5 and the no-ringing communication means 7 operates, the no-ringing communication means 7 operates. Sets flag 3 to '1'. Therefore, when a communication request by outgoing call is generated from the terminal 4, the outgoing call communication means 2 performs a communication operation by outgoing call.

As described above, since the no-ringing communication is performed, it is determined that the telephone line is connected, and the communication service by calling is started.

Next, a third embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. Reference numeral 1 denotes a terminal network control device of the invention, which is provided with a voltage application detecting means 8 instead of the call signal detecting means 6 of the first embodiment, and the other components are the same as those of the first embodiment. is there. The voltage application detecting means 8 is means for detecting that a DC voltage is applied to a terminal to which the telephone line 5 is connected. A DC voltage of about 48 V is applied to the telephone line 5 when the terminal network control device 1 opens the DC loop circuit. Further, a DC voltage of about 5 V to 10 V is applied even when the telephone connected via the terminal network control device is off-hook. It is assumed that the flag 3 is '0' at the time of installation as in the first embodiment. As a specific implementation method of the voltage application detecting unit 8, for example, there is a unit that terminates a DC loop circuit of the telephone line 5 with a high resistance, draws a weak current, and detects a voltage drop across the resistance. . At the time of non-communication, the telephone line 5 needs to be terminated at 1 MΩ or more. Therefore, there is a means for turning on the transistor switch and detecting it only when a voltage is detected by providing a transistor switch or the like for terminating.

When the terminal network control device 1 according to the present invention is connected to the telephone line 5, the voltage application detecting means 8 sets the flag 3 to "1" to detect the voltage. Therefore, when a communication request by outgoing call is generated from the terminal 4, the outgoing call communication means 2 performs a communication operation by outgoing call. Further, the voltage application detecting means 8 is always or at a predetermined time interval, for example, two.
If the disconnection is detected by detecting the voltage every 0 minutes and the flag 3 is updated, the communication operation due to invalid transmission at the time of the disconnection can be eliminated. A method may be employed in which the call communication unit 2 drives the voltage application detection unit 8 every time a communication request is generated from the terminal 4.

As described above, it is possible to judge whether or not the terminal is connected to the telephone line 5 based on whether or not a voltage is applied to the terminal to which the telephone line 5 is connected, thereby eliminating a communication operation due to invalid transmission.

Next, a fourth embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. Reference numeral 1 denotes a terminal network control device of the present invention, which is a communication path means 9 for connecting to the telephone line 5 to form a communication path;
And a line power supply means 11 which outputs a predetermined DC voltage and outputs a predetermined DC voltage to supply power to the communication path means 9 and the like. The communication path means 9 is connected only when a predetermined voltage is output from the line power supply means 11. It is configured by communication control means 10 for performing communication by transmission using the communication control means 10. The communication path means 9 has a function of closing a DC loop of the telephone line 5 and amplifying a communication signal transmitted from the communication control means 10, and includes, for example, a communication path IC mounted on a telephone or the like. And so on. The calling communication means 2 described in other embodiments corresponds to the communication path means 9 and the communication control means 10. In this embodiment, the line power supply means 11 is used in place of the voltage application detecting means 8 described in the third embodiment. The point is that the power supply of the control device 1 is also used as a means for supplying power from the telephone line 5. Note that the line power supply means 11 is
Is driven by the communication control means 10 at the time when a communication request is generated by transmission from the telephone line 5, and draws a very small current from the telephone line 5 to such an extent that the exchange does not judge that the DC loop circuit is closed. For example, it is assumed that the operation is performed to convert the voltage to about 5 V and supply power. It is assumed that information corresponding to the flag 3 is stored in the line power supply unit 11.
Information or a signal corresponding to 0 'is set. Therefore, if the terminal network control device 1 is not connected to the telephone line 5, the line power supply means 11 cannot draw current from the telephone line 5 and can determine that the terminal network control device 1 is not connected to the telephone line. The means for using the power supplied from the exchange via the telephone line 5 as the power source of the terminal network control device 1 is a known technique, and a detailed description of the realizing means is omitted.

When the terminal network control device 1 of the present invention is connected to the telephone line 5 and a communication request is generated from the terminal 4 by calling, the communication control means 10 drives the line power supply means 11. The line power supply means 11 draws current from the telephone line 5 and supplies power to the communication path means 9 and the like. Communication control means 1
In the case of No. 0, it can be determined that the line power supply means 11 is supplying power, so that the communication operation by calling is performed using the communication path means 9. If the telephone line 5 is not connected, or if the telephone line 5 is disconnected, the line power supply means 11
Cannot supply power. Therefore, the communication control means 10 does not perform the communication operation by calling.

As described above, by using the line power supply means 11, it is possible to eliminate a communication operation due to invalid transmission.

Next, a fifth embodiment will be described. In this embodiment, the communication control means 10 of the terminal network control device 1 of the fourth embodiment is provided with a retry means. The retry unit is driven when a communication request is generated from the terminal 4 by transmission and the line power unit 11 is driven, but the line power unit 11 cannot supply power and gives up the transmission. Retry means
The line power supply means 11 is driven at predetermined time intervals, and when power can be supplied from the line power supply means, retransmission is performed.

[0037]

According to the terminal network control device of the present invention as described above, the following effects can be obtained.

(1) Since a call signal for calling a telephone or the like connected to the same telephone line is detected, it can be determined that the telephone line is connected. Can prevent wear
And the calling communication means detects a call signal to detect a call signal.
Perform communication operation by calling until permitted by the means
It does not consume the battery which is the power supply.
Also, the means for setting the information indicating that the terminal network control device has been connected to the telephone line and the work of the operation can be omitted.

(2) Until no-ringing communication is performed
Power supply to prevent communication operation by calling
Since the battery is not consumed and it can be determined that the telephone line is connected when the no- ringing communication is performed, it is possible to manage the operation of starting the communication service by calling when the no-ringing communication test is performed from the center.

[0040]

[0041]

(3) Supplied from the exchange via the telephone line
Means for driving using the power
Inexpensive and low consumption that can be shared by the means for determining whether or not
Power terminal network controller, even when a disconnection of the temporary telephone line can not communicate by transmitting occurs, since by the communication takes place originated the recovery stages, communication operation by meaningless calling only consuming battery And a communication system that does not generate a gas leak report or the like and does not lead to a major accident can be constructed.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a terminal network control device according to a first embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a terminal network control device according to a second embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a block diagram of a terminal network control device according to a third embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a block diagram of a terminal network control device according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention;

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Terminal network control device 2 Outgoing call communication means 3 Flag 4 Terminal 5 Telephone line 6 Call signal detection means 7 No ringing communication means 8 Voltage application detection means 9 Communication path means 10 Communication control means 11 Line power supply means

Continuation of the front page (56) References JP-A-4-151960 (JP, A) JP-A-5-252301 (JP, A) JP-A-56-145164 (JP, U) JP-A-4-15344 (JP) , U) Supervised by Minoru Akiyama, Yoshikazu Ikeda, Jun Matsumoto, Masanobu Fujioka, "ISDN Picture Book", First Edition, Ohmsha, October 1, 1988, p. 70 (58) Field surveyed (Int.Cl. ⁷ , DB name) H04M 1/00 H04M 1/24-1/253 H04M 1/58-1/62 H04M 1/66-1/82 H04M 3/02- 3/06 H04M 11/00-11/10 H04M 19/00-19/08

Claims (3)

(57) [Claims] 1. A terminal network control device comprising: a battery serving as a power supply; a call signal detecting means for permitting communication when a call signal is detected; and a calling communication means for performing communication by calling when communication is permitted. . 2. A terminal network comprising: a battery serving as a power supply; a no-ringing communication means for permitting communication by calling when no-ringing communication is performed; and a calling communication means for performing communication by calling when communication is permitted. Control device. 3. A communication path means for connecting to a telephone line to form a communication path, a line power supply means for outputting a predetermined DC voltage by a current from the telephone line to serve as a power supply for the communication path means, and a battery And a communication control means for performing communication by transmission using the communication path means only when a predetermined voltage is output from the line power supply means. The control means
When communication cannot be performed by the communication control means because a predetermined voltage is not output from the line power supply means, the line power supply means is driven at predetermined time intervals, and if the predetermined voltage is output from the line power supply means, retransmission is performed. Equipped with retry means
Terminal network controller .