JPH027656A - International time-charge display device and time designation transmitter in communication equipment - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To relieve the load of the check by a caller side by providing a storage means storing a time difference data and a communication charge data with respect to the domestic time corresponding to an overseas area identification dial data and displaying the overseas area time and the communication charge data being the destination upon the input of a dial data of the overseas area. CONSTITUTION:Upon the receipt of an international telephone identification dial data and an overseas are identification dial data from a dial data input section 1a of an operation port 1, a dial data detection means 2 detects it to access a storage means 3. A time difference data and a communication charge data are stored in the storage means 3 in advance depending on each overseas area identification dial data and the data corresponding to the input is read. Then as to the time difference data, an arithmetic means 6 adds/subtracts the data to/from the domestic time data of a timer 4, and the result is displayed on a display section 1b as the time data of the overseas area being the destination and the communication charge data is displayed on the display section 1b as it is. Thus, the load of the check is relieved.

Description

[Detailed Description of the Invention] Technical Field The present invention relates to an international time/rate display device and a time designation transmitting device in a communication device, and more specifically, it is applied to a telephone, a facsimile device, a teletex, etc. for international communication. A device that displays the time and call charge data of the destination overseas area, a device that allows time-specific transmission based on the destination overseas area time, and a device that allows time-specific transmission to be performed during the most economical communication time zone. Regarding equipment.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Recently, as international diplomacy, economic activities, and cultural exchanges have become closer, not only international communications or telephone communications, but also image communications using facsimile machines and teletex have become frequent. There is.

By the way, many facsimile machines and teletex machines have the function of displaying the domestic time on the display of the operation port, so the domestic time can be checked directly, but when there are many opportunities for international communication, it is difficult to communicate with destinations with time differences. Since you will be communicating with the destination country/region, you will need to check the time and communication charges in the destination country/region beforehand.

In other words, if you want to directly transmit information to a recipient outside of one country,
It is necessary to check the current time in the country to confirm whether the recipient is at work or not, and communication charges vary depending on the destination country and time zone, so in order to communicate more economically, it is necessary to check those charges. It may be necessary to check the data in advance.

Conventionally, the sender has used a method of researching the time and communication charges in the destination country using timetables and price lists. That is, when transmitting at a destination's desired local time, check the time table to find out what time it is in local time and set time-specific transmission. On the other hand, if there is no such request, check the most economical communication time zone at the destination local time from the price list,
Similarly, the domestic time corresponding to that time zone is found from the equal timetable and time-specific transmission is set.

Due to these circumstances, it has been pointed out that when transmitting information overseas, it takes time and effort to conduct research and convert to domestic time, making it extremely troublesome.

1 m Therefore, the present invention reduces the burden of investigation on the sender's side by displaying the time and call charge data of the destination overseas when dialing data for a foreign region is input into a communication device. , it is possible to perform time-specific transmission by specifying the overseas local time, and also automatically sets the domestic transmission time that corresponds to the deep time zone of the destination, making the most economical communication possible. It was created for the purpose of providing a time-specific transmitter.

The basic configuration of Keyaki's invention is shown in FIG. 1, and includes an operation port 1 having a dial data input section 1a and a display section 1b;
A dial data detection means 2 for detecting international telephone identification dial data and foreign region identification data, and in correspondence with the foreign region identification dial data of each country, time difference data of the foreign region with respect to domestic time and communication with the foreign region. A storage means 3 storing charge data, a timer 4 for measuring domestic time, and a foreign region identification detected when foreign region identification dial data is detected following international call identification dial data by the dial data detection means 2. Storage means 3 for time difference data and communication charge data corresponding to dial data
an access means 5 which reads out the time from the foreign region; a calculation means 6 which calculates the time in the foreign region from the domestic time measured by the timer 4 and the time difference data read by the access means 5; The present invention relates to an international time and charge display device comprising display control means 7 for displaying call charge data read out by access means 5 on display section 1b.

In the above configuration, when international call identification dial data and overseas area identification dial data are input from the dial data input section 1a of the operation port 1, the dial data detection means 2 detects this, and the access control means 5 After determining that it is an international call from the identification dial data, the storage means 3 is accessed based on the overseas region identification dial data following the same dial data.

Since time difference data and communication charge data are stored in the storage means 3 in advance in correspondence with the foreign region identification dial data of each country, those data corresponding to the input foreign region identification dial data are directly read out, and the time difference data is read out directly. The data is added or subtracted from the domestic time data of the timer 4 by the calculation means 6 to become the time data of the destination overseas area, and the communication charge data is directly transferred to the display control means 7 and displayed on the display section lb. be done.

Therefore, by inputting international call identification dial data and overseas area identification dial data from the dial data input section 1a of the operation port 1, the operator can directly display the current time of the destination and the basic charge data required for the communication on the display section 1b.
You can check it through.

The second invention is the device according to the first invention further added with a device capable of time-designated transmission at overseas local time.

The basic configuration of the present invention is shown in FIG. 2, in which a communication device having the above-mentioned international time/rate display device includes a time specified transmission mode setting section 11a and a time input section 1 at the operation port l.
1b, and from the overseas region time input from the time input section 11b and the time difference data read from the access means 5 or the first storage means 3 (corresponding to the storage means 3 in FIG. 1) in the time specified transmission mode. , a second calculation means 12 for calculating the domestic time corresponding to the foreign area time, a second storage means 13 for storing the domestic time determined by the second calculation means 12, and a second storage for storing the domestic time measured by the timer 4. The present invention relates to a time specified transmitting device in a communication device, which includes a transmitting time control means 14 that starts a transmitting operation when the domestic time stored in the means 13 reaches a domestic time. In addition, the first
The calculation means 6 corresponds to the calculation means 6 in FIG.

In the above configuration, when international call identification dial data and overseas area identification dial data are input from the dial data input unit 1a of the operation port 1, the international time and charge display are the same as those in the first invention, or When the mode setting section 11a sets the time-specified transmission mode, the following operation is performed.

The operator checks the international time and fare displayed on the display section ib and inputs the local time of the destination overseas from the time input section 11b. Then, the second calculation means 12 calculates the domestic time corresponding to the time data from the time difference data read by the access means 5 and the input time data, and stores the domestic time data in the second storage means 13. It will be done. Thereafter, in the same way as normal time specified transmission, the transmission time control means 14 or the timer 4 continues to check the time measured, and when the domestic time stored in the second storage means 13 is reached, all dial data is sent. This will initiate a transmission operation to the specified destination.

The third invention relates to deep time specified transmission to overseas areas.

The basic configuration of the present invention is shown in FIG. 3, and includes an operation auto 21 having a dial data input section 21a and a deep transmission mode setting section 21b, and a system for detecting international local identification dial data and overseas area identification dial data. A dial data detection means 22, a first storage means 23 storing time difference data of the foreign region with respect to the domestic time in correspondence with the dial data for each country's foreign region identification, a timer 24 for measuring the domestic time, and a foreign region identification device for each country. For each dial data, the second storage means 25 stores time data from each domestic time to the deep time of the foreign region, and the dial data detection means 22 detects the foreign region identification dial data following the international telephone identification dial data. In this case, the time difference data corresponding to the detected overseas area identification dial data is stored in the first storage means 2.
3, searches the second storage means 25 based on the time difference data read by the access means 26 and the time data measured by the timer 24, and searches the second storage means 25 based on the time difference data read by the access means 26 and the time data measured by the timer 24. A search/calculation means 27 for determining the domestic time corresponding to the depth time of the foreign region from the time data of the timer 24, a third storage means 28 for storing the domestic time determined by the search/calculation means 27, and the timer 2.
The present invention relates to a time specified transmitting device in a communication device, which is equipped with a transmitting time control means 29 that starts a transmitting operation when the measured domestic time reaches the domestic time stored in the third storage means 28.

In the above configuration, when international call identification dial data and overseas area identification dial data are input from the dial data input section 21a of the operation port 21, the dial data detection means 22 detects this, and the access control means 26 detects the international call identification dial data and the overseas region identification dial data.
After determining that the call is an international call from the international call identification dial data, the first storage means 23 is accessed based on the overseas region identification dial data following the international call identification dial data.

Since time difference data is stored in the first storage means 23 in advance in correspondence with the foreign region identification dial data of each country, the time difference data corresponding to the input foreign region identification dial data is directly read out. Here, if the deep transmission mode is set in the mode setting section 21b, the search/calculation means 27
Based on the time difference data and the current time of the timer 24, the second storage means 25 is searched to read out the corresponding time data, and further, based on the time data and the current time of the timer 24, the deep time of the destination overseas is determined. Find the domestic time corresponding to .

This determined domestic time is stored in the third storage means 28, and as in the second invention, the transmission time control means 29
continues to check the time measured by the timer 24, and the third
When the domestic time stored in the storage means 28 is reached, the transmission operation to the destination specified by all the dial data is started.

Embodiments Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be explained using FIGS. 4 to 11.

FIG. 4 shows a system circuit diagram of a facsimile machine to which the apparatus of the present invention is applied, in which 51 is a ROM that stores the operating program of the system, and 52 is an RA that is an image information storage memory.
M, 53 is a ROM storing management data, 54 is a line buffer, 55 is a picture information compression/reproduction device (DCR), 56
57 is a communication control unit (CCU), and 57 is a modem unit (MOD).
EM), 58 is a network control unit (NCU), 59 is a scanner unit, 60 is a plotter unit, 61 is a real-time clock with clock and calendar functions, 62 is a button dial, a liquid crystal display (LCD), and other An operation port section with function keys, 62a is an operation port I/F, and 63 is a RAM for storing various management data to be updated.
It is connected to the lotus 64a of PU64, and the system is C
It is controlled by the PU 64 reading out and executing the block diagram in the ROM 51.

The configuration of the system itself is the same as that of a normal facsimile machine, or the fifth
Figure 6 shows (time difference data and international dial call charge data corresponding to country code/domestic area code), and Figure 6 shows (domestic time by country country identification dial data (by foreign region with different time difference data)). and the depth corresponding to the corrected time from the domestic time to the depth time in the foreign region (Whether it is the time indicated by ★ or corresponds to the depth, in this example, 0:00 in the foreign region is the reference) Transmission correction data) and (various message data) are stored, and RO
As a program of M51, ■ When the dial data of the international telephone identification number and the dial data of the country code/area code input from the operation port 62 are detected, the local time data and call charge data of the destination are sent to the LC of the operation port 62.
Data processing procedure for displaying on D, ■Opport 6
2) If an international time designated communication mote is set,
Data processing procedure for automatically executing time-specified transmission by inputting international time, ■ Automatically executing time-specified transmission deep within one foreign region when deep transmission mode is set on the operation port 62 The data processing procedure for
Each is unique in that it is stored as an application program.

The international time/charge display process, international time designation transmission process, and deep transmission process of this facsimile apparatus will be described below with reference to the flowcharts of FIG. 7 and FIGS. 9 to 1.

A1 International time/price display process This process is illustrated in the flowchart of FIG.

First, when the PB double signal of an international call is input from the button dial of the operation port 62 [Step (1)],
It is determined whether or not the international telephone identification number [001] is included [Step (2) 1, if it is not included, L
Is the CD left in the normal display screen ~ (displaying the current domestic time) [Step (:l)], and if it is included, the country code to be input subsequently is detected [Step (4)] ) 1°, that is, the format of the 1 international dial is as shown in Figure 8, where the international telephone prefix number [001] → destination country code [(For example, in the United States, [1]) (Figure 5 )] → Domestic area number of the destination [For example, in Washington, D.C., [△Δ△ (see Figure 5)] → Telephone number of the destination. , destination country code,
Even the domestic area number of the destination is referenced.

When a country code is detected, if an area code is specified for each region of the country, such as the United States, Canada, or Australia, that number is entered, and the area code is detected along with the country code [Step (5) (6)].

At this stage, the CPU 64 searches the data table in the ROM 53 and reads out time difference data specified by the country code or country code/area code [Step (7) 1. Then, the CPU 64 adds the read time difference data to the current domestic time measured by the real-time clock 61, stores the added time data in the RAM 63, and transfers the data to the operation port I/F 62 a. Step (8) (September. For example, if the input time of the dial data from Operation Port 62, which is the destination or Washington, is 10:30 on October 16, 1987, then the data for 10:30 on October 15, 1987 is Or operation port I/F
62a. Additionally, if the destination phone number is entered, it will be stored in the RAM along with other dial data.
63.

In addition, the CPU 64 reads out international dial call charge data specified by the country code or country code/area code,
The same data is also transferred to Operation Port ■/F62a [Step (November).If the above example exists, the call charge data corresponding to the United States of America shown in Figure 5 will be transferred.

When this transfer is completed, the CPU 64 transfers the operation port I/
Read and execute the command to display the data transferred to the F62a on the LCD, and display the time data and call charge data after addition [Step (12) 1] Therefore,
The operator simply enters the international telephone prefix number [001], the destination's country code, and, if necessary, the destination's domestic area code using the button dial, and then checks the current time of the destination and the basic call charge to the destination. I can do something.

After confirming this on the LCD of the operation port 62, the operator presses the start button in normal transmission, and the facsimile machine transfers the image information after performing certain transmission control procedures. If it is the current time or the recipient's work time, it is assumed that the recipient will be able to check the image information directly, but if it is not the work time, set the time specified transmission according to the work time. Such measures will be taken. Furthermore, for manuscripts that do not need to be transmitted very urgently, time-specific transmission can be set to transmit at night, on Sundays, or in the middle of the day, thereby reducing the cost of one communication. Furthermore, in any case, since the operator can check the basic call charge from the LCD, he can easily know how much the communication charge will be, taking into consideration the amount of documents and the like.

B1 International Time Designation Transmission Process This process is illustrated in the flow chart of FIGS. 9 and 1O.

This process is executed in parallel with the above-mentioned international time and charge display process, and by the time the international time and charge have been displayed, the time difference data of the destination country or region has been stored in the RAM 63 [step ( 21)-(27)
Here, the CPU 64 reads the message data stored in the ROM 53 and sends it to the operation port I/F 62.
a, and display a mote selection instruction message on the LCD.

This mode menu includes "immediate transmission", "specified international time transmission", and "deep transmission".If you select the instant transmission mode from the operation port 62, the facsimile machine will start sending immediately [step (29) )(30)],
When you select the destination international time specified transmission mode, [Step (
:I])(41)], the following processing is executed.

The operator refers to the time difference data and communication fee data of the destination already displayed on the LCD of the operation port 62, and inputs the time of arrival from the operation port 62 to the destination in the local time of the destination [step (42) 1].

When this input is received, the CPU 64 subtracts the time difference data in the RAM 63 from the input time data to find the domestic time corresponding to the destination's local time, and transfers the domestic time data to the RA.
It is stored in the time specified transmission address of M63 [steps (43) (44)]. For example, if the destination is New York and the arrival time is entered as 15:30 in New York time, then 1:30 or 1:30 is entered as domestic time data.
It will be automatically stored in AM63.

Thereafter, the CPU 64 checks the flag based on the count time of the real-time clock 61 and the domestic time data of the RAM 63 stored above, and starts one transmission operation when the domestic time (transmission time) is reached. [Steps (45) to (47)]. The specified time transmission may be performed either by a reading operation by the scanner unit 60 or by a transmission operation of image information stored in advance in the RAM 52, and the image information is transferred from the line buffer 54 to the DCR 55 in the same manner as in normal transmission. →RAM52→CC
It is sent to the line via U36→MODEM57→NCU38.

C1 Deep Transmission Process This process is illustrated in the flowcharts of FIGS. 9 and 11.

In the mode setting described above, when the deep transmission mode is set [steps (32) and (51)], the following processing is executed.

First, the deep transmission correction data in the CPU 64 or ROM 53 is searched, and by referring to the time difference data already stored in the RAM 63 and the domestic time counted by the real-time clock 61, the correction time in the ROM 53 specified by both data is determined. Read the data and add the corrected time data to the domestic time counted by the real-time clock 61 [Step (51) 1] For example, if the destination is New York, the real-time clock 61 is counted by the domestic time When the time is 10 o'clock, the corrected time data becomes +4h, which is 14 o'clock or the time data after addition. This means that it corresponds to either deep (0:00) local time at the destination or 14:00 local time. In another example, if the destination is West Germany and the domestic time counted by the real-time clock 61 is 15:00, the corrected time data will be +17h, which will be 8:00 the next day or the time data after addition. .

The data after this addition is stored in the time specified transmission address of the RAM 63 [step (53)], and from then on, the same order as the time specified transmission procedure explained above will be executed [step (54)] ~(56)], in this case, the transmission operation is started at the domestic time corresponding to the destination's deep time (0:00).

In addition, in this embodiment, it is possible to execute the time specified transmission during the deep time zone, or to set the correction time data in relation to the time zone when the line is the busiest. Enables economical time-specific transmission.

Since the present invention has the above-described configuration, it has the following effects.

The invention of claim (1) provides that when performing international communication in a communication device, the international time (
It automatically displays the current time at the destination) and communication charges, which reduces the burden on operators by eliminating the need to memorize or research timetables and charge lists, and makes it easier to manage communication charges. do. In addition, by being able to check the current time of the destination, it is possible to estimate whether or not the data will reach the destination directly, and by using time-specific transmission, it is possible to save on communication charges. ing.

The invention of claim (2) performs the input of all dial data of the destination and the remote setting, inputs the time of the destination overseas, and automatically converts the time to the domestic time for time-specified transmission. In addition to the invention of claim (1), the invention of claim (3), which is characterized by an operation for time-specified transmission to an overseas area, is a method for inputting all dial data of a destination. Just by configuring the remote settings, the system automatically converts the local time in a foreign area to the domestic time and enables time-specific transmission, making it extremely easy to operate for economical and smooth international communications. make it easier.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

Figure 1 is a diagram showing the basic configuration of the first invention, Figure 2 is a diagram showing the basic configuration of the second invention, Figure 3 is a diagram showing the basic configuration of the third invention, and Figure 4 is a diagram showing the basic configuration of the third invention. The figure is a system circuit diagram of a facsimile machine, and Figure 5 is a diagram showing time difference data and international dial call charge data corresponding to country code and domestic area code.
Figure 6 is a diagram showing deep transmission correction data, Figure 7 is a flowchart showing the international time/charge display process, Figure 8 is a diagram showing the international dial format, and Figure 9 is a diagram showing the steps up to setting each mode. A flowchart showing the process, FIG. 1O is a flowchart showing the international time designation transmission process, and FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing the deep transmission process.
b...Display section 2...Dial data detection means 3.
... Storage means 4 ... Timer 5 ... Access means 6 ... Calculation means 7 ... Display control means 11a ... Mote setting section 1 l b - ... Time input section 12 ... Second Arithmetic means 13...second storage means 1
4... Transmission time control means 1... Operation port la... Atial data input section lb... Mode setting section 2... Dial data detection means 3... First storage means 24... Timer 5 ... Second storage means 26 ... Access means 7 ... Search and calculation means 28 ... Third storage means 8 ... Transmission time control means

Claims (3)

[Claims] (1) An operation port having a dial data input section and a display section, a dial data detection means for detecting international telephone identification dial data and overseas area identification dial data, and a dial data detection means for detecting international telephone identification dial data and overseas area identification dial data, and a A storage means storing time difference data of the foreign region and communication charge data with the foreign region, a timer for measuring domestic time, and a dial data detection means detect the foreign region identification dial data following the international call identification dial data. an access means for reading out time difference data and communication charge data corresponding to the detected overseas region identification dial data from the storage means, and a time difference data read out by the access means from the domestic time measured by the timer and the time difference data read by the access means; International time in a communication device characterized by comprising a calculation means for determining the local time, and a display control means for displaying on a display section the time data of the foreign region obtained by the calculation means and the call charge data read by the access means.・Price display device. (2) In the communication device having the international time/rate display device according to claim (1), the operation port has a time specified transmission mode setting section and a time input section, and in the time specified transmission mode, input from the time input section is provided. Based on the overseas local time and the time difference data read from the storage means by the access means,
a calculation means for determining a domestic time corresponding to the foreign region time; a storage means for storing the domestic time determined by the calculation means;
1. A time designation transmitting device for a communication device, comprising a transmitting time control means for starting a transmitting operation when a domestic time measured by a timer reaches a domestic time stored in a storage means. (3) An operator having a dial data input section and a deep transmission mode setting section, a dial data detection means for detecting international call identification dial data and overseas area identification dial data, and a dial data detection means that corresponds to each country's overseas area identification dial data. , a first storage means storing time difference data of the foreign region with respect to the domestic time, a timer for measuring the domestic time, and time data from each domestic time to the depth time of the foreign region for each foreign region identification dial data. and a second storage means storing time difference data corresponding to the detected overseas region identification dial data when the dial data detection means detects overseas region identification dial data subsequent to international telephone identification dial data. The access means reads from the means, the second storage means is searched based on the time difference data read by the access means, and the time data measured by the timer, and the corresponding time data of the second storage means and the time data of the timer are retrieved. a search/calculation means for determining the domestic time corresponding to the depth time of a foreign region from the source; a third storage means for storing the domestic time determined by the search/calculation means; and a third storage means for storing the domestic time measured by the timer. 1. A time-designated transmitting device for a communication device, comprising a transmitting time control means for starting a transmitting operation when a stored domestic time is reached.