JP3584330B2 - Communication terminal, data communication method using the same, and network control device - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a communication terminal, a data communication method using the same, and a network control device, and more specifically to an improvement in a calling function.
[0002]
[Prior art]
Recently, mobile communication devices (mobile telephones) such as PHS and mobile phones have been rapidly spreading. And personal computer communication and Internet connection are also performed using such a mobile communication device. FIG. 1 shows an example of a system configuration when personal computer communication is performed using this mobile communication device.
[0003]
As shown in FIG. 1, a PHS 3 as a mobile communication device is connected to a modem 2 connected to a personal computer 1 on the user side. The PHS 3 receives a call to a network 5 via a relay station 4 around the PHS 3, and is connected to a computer 6 of a communication partner connected to the network 5 via a partner modem 7. Note that the communication partner computer 6 may be a commercial network, a host computer, or a single personal computer having an equal relationship.
[0004]
In order to actually perform communication using the PHS 3, the user first manually dials the telephone number of the communication partner from the PHS 3. Then, after confirming that the call has been received, the user performs a process for connecting to the computer 6 such as an ID number and a password from his / her personal computer 1 via the modem 2, and subsequently transmits and receives actual data.
[0005]
In addition, in the above method, everything must be processed manually, and the processing becomes complicated. That is, the auto-dial / auto-login function incorporated in the communication software cannot be used. Therefore, a predetermined dummy symbol is input to the dial number registered in the communication software, and after manually dialing out the call from the PHS 3, the personal computer 1 is delayed at a predetermined timing (for example, about 1 second later). Originates the above-mentioned dummy symbol registered as a dial number, and enters a dialing standby state. Then, when the timing is properly matched, there is a method in which an incoming call is made to the communication partner by calling dial from the PHS3, and thereafter, an automatic login by communication software is started. This method is introduced in PCWAVE, January 1996, pp. 140-142.
[0006]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, all of the above-mentioned conventional devices require manual dialing using the PHS3, which is complicated. Also, the auto-login function using the communication software built into the personal computer does not succeed if the timing is not correct. According to the above-mentioned magazine article, the success rate is about 50% depending on the model. ing.
[0007]
In the case of the PHS, the automatic call dial processing from the personal computer cannot be performed because the NCU (network control device) built in the modem 2 and the NCU built in the PHS 3 are connected in series. Even if a call dial command (performed by a command from the personal computer 1) output from the NCU on the modem 2 side is received, the contents cannot be understood on the PHS 3 side, and the NCU of the PHS 3 operates. Because it does not.
[0008]
On the other hand, in the case of a mobile phone, an automatic call from a personal computer side and an automatic login based on the automatic call can be performed. This is realized by connecting both using a dedicated modem unit manufactured in consideration of both the mobile phone and the personal computer. However, such a dedicated modem unit is very expensive and is not compatible with PHS.
[0009]
Further, if the dedicated modem unit is manufactured, both a modem for connecting to a normal wired telephone and the dedicated modem unit must be prepared. If a person purchases a completely new personal computer and communication equipment, and the communication means is limited to only mobile communication such as PHS, a dedicated modem unit for PHS can be purchased from the beginning. There is no need to buy a regular modem twice. However, recently, there is a personal computer with a built-in modem, and it is not preferable that the built-in modem cannot be used. This point exists as a common problem not only in PHS but also in mobile phones.
[0010]
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above background, and has as its object to solve the above-described problems and use a communication device such as a normal modem, and connect a PHS, a mobile phone, and the like connected in series with the communication device. An object of the present invention is to provide a communication terminal capable of performing call processing and communication via a communication terminal such as a mobile communication device, a data communication method using the communication terminal, and a network control device.
[0011]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to achieve the above object, a communication terminal according to the present invention is a communication terminal that performs wireless communication, and includes a command from an NCU main body and an NCU in another communication device serially connected to the communication terminal. NCU control means for operating the NCU main body in accordance with the following. The NCU control means determines whether or not there is a call request from the NCU, and the command from the NCU is a tone signal. Output means for determining which of the button numbers the tone signal corresponds to, in the case of a tone signal, and outputting the corresponding code number; and In the case of a call request, the NCU main body is operated based on the function of operating the NCU main body to make a call state and the code number data indicated by the tone signal obtained from the output means. And to a control unit having a function of requesting the output of the call dialing identifying the communication partner of one button number.
[0012]
In the case where the data provided from the another communication device is normal communication data, the NCU control means may output the data as it is.
[0013]
Further, the data communication method according to the present invention is a data communication method in a communication terminal that performs wireless communication, wherein when data is given from another communication device serially connected to the communication terminal, the communication terminal The NCU control means incorporated in the communication terminal detects the type of the data, and when the type of the data is a call request, causes the NCU main body mounted on the communication terminal to execute a call process, and If the type of the tone signal is a tone signal, the tone signal is detected to correspond to any of the button numbers, the corresponding code number is given to the NCU main body, and the same button number is assigned to the NCU main body. Output processing of the outgoing dial to specify the destination of communication.
[0014]
When the data provided from the another communication device is ordinary communication data, it is preferable to perform predetermined modulation processing and transmit data having the same content as the provided data.
[0015]
Further, the network control device according to the present invention is a network control device mounted on a communication terminal that performs wireless communication, and includes a NCU main body and an NCU in another communication device connected in series to the communication terminal. NCU control means for operating the NCU main body in response to a command, wherein the NCU control means determines whether or not there is a call request from the NCU, and the command from the NCU is a tone signal. Output means for determining whether the tone signal is a signal corresponding to one of the button numbers, and outputting the corresponding code number; and When the request is a call request, the NCU main body is operated and set to a calling state, and the code number data indicated by the tone signal obtained from the output means is used to control the NCU main body. And configured to include a control unit having a function of requesting the output of the call dialing identifying the communication partner of one button number.
[0016]
* Definition of term The communication terminal is a mobile phone such as a PHS or a mobile phone in the embodiment, but is not limited to this and includes a terminal in which an NCU is mounted. Similarly, another communication device corresponds to a modem in the embodiment, but is not limited thereto, and is not limited to a modem as long as it has an NCU.
[0017]
That is, in the present invention, it is assumed that a system configuration is adopted in which a plurality of NCUs are interposed in series between a communication data source and a network, and NCUs arranged on the network side (in the present invention, This is applied to a device on the “side of the NCU” and a communication method using the same.
[0018]
In the embodiment, ordinary communication data is information and data sent from a computer when performing personal computer communication or the like. That is, the call instruction / selection number (dial) is not included.
[0019]
According to the present invention, when a closed loop request / calling command (selection signal) is issued from an NCU in another communication device serially connected to a communication terminal connectable to a network via wireless communication. The control means in the terminal detects this, and performs a predetermined process such as a call command to the NCU main body. Accordingly, the NCU main body in the communication terminal performs a closed loop and / or a selection signal transmission process in accordance with a protocol suitable for the communication terminal, in the same process as the process that the NCU attempted to perform.
[0020]
Then, after being connected to the other party, normal data transmission / reception is performed. At this time, in the present invention, the control means detects the type of data transmitted from another communication device, and transmits the normal data. In this case, the data is output as it is in the through state. Therefore, in accordance with the original transmission function of the communication terminal, modulation processing is performed as necessary, data is converted to a state in which it can be wirelessly transmitted, and the data is transmitted.
[0021]
In this way, from the viewpoint of another communication device, there is no NCU in the communication terminal, and processing is performed according to a command issued from the NCU in the communication device. Therefore, when the communication device is a modem connected to a computer such as a personal computer, for example, the process from the calling process to the actual connection with the other party is performed by the auto dial / auto login function of the communication software installed in the computer. A series of processes can be automatically performed via a modem.
[0022]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
2 and 3 show a preferred embodiment of a mobile phone such as a PHS as an example of a communication terminal according to the present invention. As shown in FIG. 1, the mobile phone 10 is provided with a liquid crystal display unit 12 and an operation unit 13 such as a numeric keypad (push button) so as to be exposed on the surface of the main body. An on-hook / off-hook instruction, input of a telephone number of a called party, and registration of various other functions can be performed via the operation unit 13, and the contents being processed are displayed via the display unit 12. You can check it visually. That is, the display unit 12 and the operation unit 13 are connected to the control unit 14, and the data actually input via the operation unit 13 is given to the control unit 14, and performs predetermined processing. In the middle of or after the processing, the display is displayed on the display unit 12 based on a control signal from the control unit 14 as needed.
[0023]
Further, when a call is dialed via the operation unit 13, the control unit 14 operates the NCU in the control unit 14 to generate and output a call command. Then, the calling instruction (the one obtained by adding a predetermined control signal to the telephone number of the called party) is transmitted to a predetermined relay station via the wireless unit 15 and the antenna 16.
[0024]
Further, an analog input / output unit 17 is built in the mobile telephone 10. The analog input / output unit 17 mainly transmits and receives audio, and includes a speaker 17a and a microphone 17b. By using the speaker 17a and the microphone 17b, a normal call can be made with the other party.
[0025]
Further, in this example, an external input / output terminal 17c is provided. Specifically, the external input / output terminal 17c uses a modular jack, through which data can be transmitted / received to / from an external device such as a personal computer 30 (modem 31) as shown in the figure. . Note that the modem 31 is connected to the external input / output terminal 17c via the impedance matching device 32.
[0026]
Further, a power supply unit 18 including a secondary battery is provided, and each component such as the control unit 14 described above can be driven. Each of the above-described configurations is the same as that of a device used in a conventional PHS or the like (however, the external input / output terminals are different because an earphone jack is used), and a detailed description thereof will be omitted. .
[0027]
Here, in the present invention, the NCU control detection unit 20 is provided. The NCU control detection unit 20 is connected to the external input / output terminal 17c, detects a signal from an external communication device such as the modem 31, and outputs a predetermined control signal to the control unit 14 and the like. I have. Specifically, it has an internal structure as shown in FIG.
[0028]
That is, first, the closed-loop detector 21, the DTMF detector 22, and the hybrid circuit 23 are connected in parallel to the external input / output terminal 17c. The closed-loop detecting unit 21 determines whether there is an off-hook (call request) from the NCU side of the modem 31 which is a communication device connected to the external device (computer 30), and sends the detection result to the control unit 14. It has become. Specifically, a minute current (1 mA or less) is supplied to the external input / output terminal 17c, and it is detected whether or not the current flows. When a current flows, it is determined that a closed loop has been formed.
[0029]
In addition, since some types of NCUs built in the modem do not operate at 15 mA or less, a function for switching to 15 mA may be added when a closed loop is configured to cope with the NCU.
[0030]
The DTMF detection unit 22 determines whether the data input from the outside via the external input / output terminal 17c is a DTMF signal (tone signal indicating a telephone number or the like of a communication destination). Then, when the DTMF signal is detected, the detection signal is transmitted to the control unit 14. Further, the received tone signal is directly provided to a DTMF-code conversion unit 24 connected to the subsequent stage of the DTMF detection unit 22, and a DTMF signal provided from the outside receives a DTMF signal such as "1 to 9,0, #, *". A signal corresponding to any of the button numbers is detected, and the corresponding code number is sent to the control unit 14.
[0031]
The hybrid circuit 23 converts a standard modem 2-wire (mixed transmission / reception signal) signal and a 4-wire (separated transmission / reception signal) signal, and is also called a 2-wire 4-wire converter. Is what it is. At the same time, matching with the impedance of 600 ohm of the modem interface is performed.
[0032]
As a result, the signal sent from the modem side is sent to the control unit 14 via the buffer 25a at the subsequent stage, and wirelessly transmitted. Conversely, data sent from the other party via the antenna 16 and the wireless unit 15 is input to the hybrid circuit 23 via the buffer 25b, converted into a two-wire signal, and transmitted to the external modem 31. ing. The gains of the buffers 25a and 25b are adjusted to appropriate values by the gain controller 26. When the DTMF signal is input, the output of the hybrid circuit 23 to the buffer 25a may be turned off.
[0033]
Although not shown, an A / D converter is connected to the output side of the buffer 15a so that communication data (analog) is converted into digital data and then output wirelessly. A D / A converter is connected to the input side of the buffer 15b so that data (digital) sent from the other computer is converted into analog data and transmitted to the modem.
[0034]
The function of the control unit 14 that operates based on signals transmitted from the units 21, 22, 23, and 2425a constituting the NCU control detection unit 20 is as follows.
[0035]
First, information on the presence or absence of a closed loop is received from the closed loop detection unit 21. When the control unit 14 receives the information, in the case of “closed loop detection”, the NCU main unit (corresponding to a conventional built-in NCU) of the self (mobile telephone) is operated, and the call state is set. I do. If the closed loop is not satisfied (on-hook state), its own NCU is operated to disconnect the connection (on-hook). That is, the off-hook / on-hook request output from the modem is determined by detecting whether or not the loop is a closed loop, and the NCU main unit of the self performs the same processing.
[0036]
Also, the DTMF detection unit 22 gives data on the input of the DTMF signal and the code number that the input DTMF signal means. Therefore, when receiving the "DTMF signal input", the control unit 14 turns off (mute) the input from the microphone 17b in order to prevent a malfunction due to ambient noise. At this time, a function of turning off the output from the speaker 17a may be added. Further, when a code number is given, the same processing as when a button of the corresponding operation unit 13 is pressed is performed based on the code number. That is, dialing is performed with a predetermined control signal added as necessary, and a call is made.
[0037]
Further, a signal (excluding the ON / OFF of the closed loop and the DTMF signal) supplied from the hybrid circuit 23 (via the buffer 25a) is wirelessly transmitted as it is in a through state.
[0038]
The actual processing is, for example, as shown in the flowchart of FIG. Note that the flow of the flowchart shown in FIG. 4 is also an example of the embodiment of the communication method according to the present invention.
[0039]
As shown in the figure, first, an output signal from the closed loop detecting unit 21 is obtained, and it is determined whether or not the modem 31 side is in a closed loop. In response, a closed loop request is made (ST1, ST2).
[0040]
Next, it is determined whether or not there is a detection signal from the DTMF detection unit 22 (ST3). If there is, a microphone input is prohibited (ST4). At this time, the output of the speaker is simultaneously turned off. In this state, the data from the DTMF-code conversion unit 24 is obtained (ST5), and the obtained number is dialed (ST6). As a result, a call is made with the other computer.
[0041]
Thereafter, it is determined whether or not the received signal is a data signal (ST7). If the received signal is a data signal, the given signal is transmitted and received as it is (ST8). That is, the information received from the modem received via the hybrid circuit 23 is wirelessly transmitted, and the signal received from the other computer is transmitted to the modem.
[0042]
On the other hand, if it is determined in step 7 that the signal is not a data signal, the process jumps to step 9 to determine whether or not the closed loop is continued (ST9). Specifically, the determination is made by obtaining the output of the closed loop detection circuit 21. Then, if it is ongoing, the process returns to step 7, and furthermore, transmission and reception of data are continued. If the closed loop is broken, on-hook processing is performed and the line is disconnected (ST10). Then, the process returns to step 1 to prepare for the next communication. Note that even after the on-hook processing is once performed in step 2, the detection signal from the closed loop detection unit 21 is input as an interrupt command, and when the closed loop is broken, the detection signal in the flowchart in FIG. Regardless of which step is being executed, the NCU itself performs on-hook processing to reset the data communication mode.
[0043]
In the present embodiment, the control means of the present invention is configured by the above-described NCU control detection section 20 and the functions of the flowchart section shown in FIG.
[0044]
Further, in the above-described embodiment, since the modular terminal is used as the external input / output terminal 17c, the connection with the modem 21 connected to the personal computer 20 can be simplified by the same processing as the connection with the ordinary telephone by wire. Can be done. That is, a dedicated connection line is not required.
[0045]
However, an earphone jack may be used as an external input / output terminal, as is also used in a conventional PHS. In that case, the hybrid circuit is externally provided.
[0046]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, in the communication terminal according to the present invention, the data communication method using the same, and the network control device, according to the present invention, the communication terminal is connected in series to the communication terminal connectable to the network via wireless communication. When a closed-loop request / calling command (selection signal) is issued from the NCU in another communication device, the control means in the communication terminal detects this, and a predetermined process such as a calling command is performed on the NCU main body. Therefore, when viewed from another communication device, there is no NCU in the communication terminal, and processing can be performed according to a command issued from the NCU in the communication device.
[0047]
As a result, when the communication device is, for example, a modem connected to a computer such as a personal computer, the communication software installed in the computer has an auto-dial / auto-login function from the calling processing to the actual connection with the other party. Since the series of processes described above can be automatically performed, the connection is simple and there is no erroneous pressing of the number, and there is no time lag. Moreover, a modem (communication device) dedicated to a communication terminal is not required, and a highly versatile communication device can be used.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of a connection mode of a personal computer communication system performed using a PHS.
FIG. 2 is a diagram showing one embodiment of a communication terminal according to the present invention.
FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an internal structure of an NCU detection control unit.
FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating functions of a control unit.
[Explanation of symbols]
10 mobile telephone 14 control unit (control means)
20 NCU control detection unit (control means)
31 Modem (another communication device)

Claims (5)

A communication terminal that performs wireless communication,
The NCU body,
NCU control means for operating the NCU main body in response to a command from an NCU in another communication device serially connected to the communication terminal,
The NCU control means includes:
Closed-loop detection means for determining the presence or absence of a call request from the NCU;
It is determined whether or not the command from the NCU is a tone signal. If the command is a tone signal, it is detected which of the button numbers the tone signal corresponds to, and a corresponding code number is output. Output means;
When the output of the closed loop detecting means is a call request, the NCU main body is operated to make a call state, and based on the data of the code number indicated by the tone signal obtained from the output means, the NCU main body is And a control unit having a function of requesting output of a calling dial for specifying a communication partner having the same button number. 2. The communication terminal according to claim 1, wherein the NCU control unit outputs the data provided from the another communication device as it is when the data is normal communication data. A network control device mounted on a communication terminal that performs wireless communication,
The NCU body,
NCU control means for operating the NCU main body in response to a command from an NCU in another communication device serially connected to the communication terminal,
The NCU control means includes:
The closed loop detecting means for determining the presence / absence of a call request from the NCU and the command from the NCU determine whether or not the tone signal is a tone signal. If the tone signal is a tone signal, the tone signal corresponds to any of the button numbers. Output means for detecting whether the signal is
When the output of the closed loop detecting means is a call request, the NCU main body is operated to make a call state, and based on the data of the code number indicated by the tone signal obtained from the output means, the NCU main body is And a control unit having a function of requesting output of a calling dial for specifying a communication partner having the same button number. A data communication method in a communication terminal that performs wireless communication,
When data is given from another communication device serially connected to the communication terminal, NCU control means built in the communication terminal detects the type of the data,
When the type of the data is a call request, the call processing is performed by the NCU main body mounted on the communication terminal,
When the type of the data is a tone signal, it detects which tone signal is the signal corresponding to the button number, gives the corresponding code number to the NCU main body, and outputs the same code to the NCU main body. A data communication method in a communication terminal, wherein output processing of a calling dial for specifying a communication partner of a button number is executed. 5. The method according to claim 4, wherein when the data provided from said another communication device is normal communication data, a predetermined modulation process is performed and data having the same content as the provided data is transmitted. A data communication method in a communication terminal according to claim 1.

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