JPH03208456A - Communication equipment with electronic telephone directory - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To offer an electronic telephone directory with excellent operability by providing functions accessing a telephone directory database, enabling one-touch automatic dialing and storing the result of retrieval in a device so as to be used again in addition to functions generating and correcting the telephone directory. CONSTITUTION:Plural sets of digital information each being Kana (Japanese syllabary) name and KANJI (Chinese character) name and a number as a set are registered in a storage section 2. When alphanumeric, Kana characters are entered from an input section 1, a main control section 6 extracts information coincident with a capital of the kana name among the sets of the information in the storage section 2 and displays the kanji name and the number onto a display section 3. When a name of an object is selected and a selection signal corresponding to the number is sent from a communication control section 5. The user selects a desired party from the result of retrieval displayed visually on the display section 3 and a function key for telephone directory storage in the input section 1 is used and stored in the storage section 2, the destination of the result of retrieval is dialed automatically again, an NCU is controlled to select a line to a subscriber's equipment.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [Field of Industrial Application] The present invention relates to data communication equipment such as a modem with a telephone directory.

[Prior art 1] If the number is unknown when making a call, it is customary to look up the number using a telephone directory distributed or purchased from a telephone company. Also, call the "Directory Assistance Center" and
There is also a way to ask the operator to tell you what to do, but this also requires you to write it down in a notebook or create a personal telephone memo. Recently, calculators (electronic desktop calculators) and other devices have been added with a memo function, and it has become possible to store them in electronic memory and dial while looking at them. In any case, I couldn't avoid the inconvenience of looking at notes and the hassle of dialing while looking at numbers.

As a means to solve such problems, there is a method that generates "rPB signal" as a means of acoustic coupling to the handset of the telephone, and some are combined with the memo function described earlier, but as a line "rPB signal" is available. There was a drawback that you could not enjoy the above services unless you subscribed to "Butshuhon."

Furthermore, if we look at communication devices such as telephones, there are multi-function telephones called "memory dials" that allow telephone numbers to correspond to each function key on the telephone, allowing one-touch dialing. You can create and search a telephone directory, display dialed digits,
Although some telephones are capable of automatic dialing, the troublesome task of registering the telephone number in the communication device cannot be avoided.

Currently, these devices cannot be moved beyond their position as optional communication devices, and cannot satisfy the desire to use them in combination with other devices or to use a telephone of one's choice.

[Problem to be Solved by the Invention J] As described above, the conventional technology requires memos, requires subscription to a telephone service, or has the trouble of registering telephone directory information in communication equipment. There was a problem.

In addition to functions such as creating and modifying a telephone directory, this invention
In addition to being able to access the "telephone directory database", search for the desired destination, and use the results to automatically dial with a single touch, it also has a function that allows you to store the search results on the device so that they can be used again. The purpose of the present invention is to provide a communication device having a function as an adapter between other communication devices and a network, as well as providing a good electronic telephone directory.

[Means to solve the problem]

A communication device with an electronic telephone directory according to the present invention includes a storage section for electrically storing telephone directory information, a display section for displaying guidance and telephone directory information, and a display section for instructing operations and inputting telephone directory information. an external interface section consisting of an input section, a communication connector for connecting to a telephone line, and a communication connector for connecting to in-house equipment, and an external interface section for transmitting and receiving signals and information to and from the other party's terminal or center through the telephone line. It is equipped with a communication control section consisting of a data communication means and an NCU that controls the telephone network and monitors the status of in-house equipment, and a main control section that controls all of these, and also makes calls based on the telephone directory information in the storage section. With means.

The apparatus is equipped with storage means that is connected to a telephone directory database center that stores telephone numbers, retrieves a desired telephone number from the center, and stores the retrieved telephone directory information in a storage section.

[Function J] In this invention, in addition to inputting alphanumeric and kana characters from the input section and registering the name and number, the storage means accesses the so-called "Number Information Center J", extracts the number from the address 1 name, and automatically registers the name and number. You can register 9 numbers.Also,
The calling means allows you to input and select the first letter of your name, call the number, and automatically dial the number, allowing you to make calls quickly and accurately.

【Example] Hereinafter, one embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of one embodiment of the present invention. In this figure, 1 is an input section, 2 is a storage section, 3 is a display section, 4 is an external interface section, 5 is a communication control section,
6 is a main control section.

First, the operation will be explained.
For example, as shown in FIG. 2, a plurality of pieces of digital information are registered in which a kana name, a kanji name, and a number are paired to form one piece of information. A kana name is a name used for sorting when registering numbers in sequence, and 1 byte represents 1 character (kana) and is 5 characters, a kanji name is 2 bytes and represents 1 character (kana or kanji), and is 12 characters. 1 byte represents 1 number, 12 digits, all of which constitute 1 piece of information, totaling 1 x 5 + 2
It consists of X12+lX12=41 bytes.

When an alphanumeric kana character, for example, ``Riki'' is entered from the input unit 1, the main control unit 6 extracts the information in the storage unit 2 that matches the first letter ``Riki'' of the name in kana, and displays it on the display unit. Display the kanji name and number in 3. In this way, the kana name with the initial letter “power”, such as “Kato” and “Kanda ° Kamya”.
and the corresponding number are displayed, so by selecting the target person's name, for example, ``Kamya'', the communication control unit 5 sends a selection signal corresponding to that number.

For example, the communication control unit 5 monitors the other party's response while monitoring the telephone line as shown in FIG. 3 until it detects an off-footer on the telephone, and then controls the NCU to switch the line to the in-home equipment, thereby realizing the call. do.

In FIG. 3, (11 to (9) indicate each step,
The communication control unit 5 monitors the telephone line until it detects that the telephone is off-hook (1), and when dialing is performed (2), it detects whether there is a busy tone from the other party (3) YES. If so, it is assumed that the other party is busy 4), and if NO in step (3), the off-hook of the other party's telephone, etc. is detected. 5) If YES, the external device switches the line to the telephone, etc. ( 6), establishing a call (7); If No in step (5), step (3) until timeout is detected (8)
, (5).

(8) is repeated, and when a timeout occurs, it is determined that the other party is not available. (9) There are two ways to register information: inputting alphanumeric and kana characters from input section 1 to register the name and number, and registering the name and number at the telephone directory database center. There are two methods: automatically connecting to a so-called "number assistance center" and acquiring and registering a number from the center through data communication.

The method of automatically connecting to a so-called "Directory Assistance Center" (hereinafter simply referred to as "Center") and acquiring and registering a number from said center via data communication is to automatically connect to the center by pressing a function key dedicated to connection to the user's telephone directory database. Connecting. The center has a database in which a number can be searched by name and address in furigana, as shown in FIG. The user uses the display section 3 and the input section 1 through data communication to input the furigana "" according to the guidance from the center.
"Last name", "First name", "Prefecture", "City/County".

"Ward/Town/Village", "Town/Oaza", and "Aza/Lower Name" are sent to the center, and the center limits the search range based on these names and addresses and performs a database (telephone directory) search. Search results such as names in kanji, address numbers, etc. are sent to the communication device of the present invention. The user can select a desired party from the search results visually displayed on the display section 3, and store it in the memory section 2 by pressing the function key for storing the telephone directory in the input section 1, and can also select the desired party from the search results by pressing another function key. Based on this, the public telephone line is temporarily disconnected, the search result light is automatically dialed again, and the NCU is controlled to switch the line to the in-house equipment.

FIG. 5 shows an example of a system configuration using a communication device with an electronic telephone directory according to the present invention, in which 100 is a communication device with an electronic telephone directory according to the present invention (hereinafter referred to as the present device);
o1 is an external telephone or facsimile, 200 is an exchange, 201 is another telephone or facsimile, 300 is a directory assistance center, 301 is a line handling section, 302 is a control section, and 303 is a storage section.

The outline of the operation will be explained in sections ① to ②. ■~ in Figure 5
■ is the corresponding part.

■ Press the key to connect to center 300, center 300
An automatic call is made to the center 3 through the exchange 200.
00 is connected.

■ The line support section 301 of the center 300 is connected to the main device 100.
The search information (name, address, etc.) is received from the controller 302 and sent to the control unit 302.

■ Based on the search information, the control unit 302 extracts the corresponding telephone number from the telephone directory database in the storage unit 303 (there may be more than one telephone number). ■ The corresponding number is transmitted to the device 100 via the line.

(2) The corresponding numbers are displayed on the display section 3 (FIG. 1), and a desired one is selected by the user and stored in the storage section 2 of the apparatus 100.

(2) Another method for storing a telephone number in the storage section 2 of the apparatus 100 is to operate the keys on the input section 1 of the apparatus 100 and input "name" and "telephone number."

■ To make an actual call, select the desired party using the keys on the input unit 1 and press the call key,
The corresponding telephone number within is converted into a dial signal and sent to the exchange 200. After that, you will be connected to the other party.

■ During or after connection with the other party, if there is a response (off-hook, etc.) from the external device, the device 100 connects the line and the external device.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing state transitions in the case of calling and storing.

FIG. 7 is a front view showing an example of the appearance of the device 100.

In FIG. 7, the display section 3 is constructed using a liquid crystal or the like, and a power switch 100a.

Input keys 100b for katakana such as a, i, tsu, etc. and alphanumeric characters;
Center call key 100c for connecting to the QP center or transitioning from local mode to online mode
, selection key 10 for switching between kana and alphabet
0d, Cancel key 1 to delete the last character of the input sentence
00e, Cursor key to move the line cursor from top to bottom and from bottom to top 10Of, 100g, Interrupt key to return to the initial screen 100h, Open the phonebook, edit a number in the phonebook, delete a number in the phonebook a call key 100i to request retransmission while online, a return key 100j to request retransmission, a confirmation key 100 to determine input data while offline, and a confirmation key 100 to indicate the end of transmitted data while online, etc. Equipped with

[Effects of the Invention] As explained above, the present invention has a storage section that electrically stores telephone directory information, a display section that displays guidance and telephone directory information, and a display section that instructs operations and inputs telephone directory information. an external interface section consisting of an input section for connecting to a telephone line, a communication connector for connecting to a telephone line, and a communication connector for connecting to in-house equipment, and transmitting and receiving signals and information to and from the other party's terminal or center through the telephone line. NC that controls the telephone network and monitors the status of in-house equipment
It is equipped with a communication control section consisting of a U and a main control section that controls these as a whole, and further connected to a calling means for making a call based on telephone directory information in a storage section and a telephone directory database center that stores telephone numbers, Since the present invention is equipped with a storage means for searching a desired telephone number from a telephone directory database center and storing the retrieved telephone directory information in a storage section, it is possible to avoid the trouble of making a call while looking at the numbers in a personal telephone directory. Furthermore, in addition to registering your name and number from the input section, you can also obtain the number by connecting to a so-called "Directory Assistance Center" and perform "phone calls" such as number registration 1 selection and dialing. It is possible to quickly and reliably carry out a series of actions such as "hanging money".

[Brief explanation of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram showing the contents of the storage section of the present invention, and FIG. 3 is a flowchart for "making a telephone call" in the communication control section of the present invention. , Fig. 4 is a diagram showing an example of the contents of the center database, Fig. 5 is a block diagram showing an example of the system configuration, Fig. 6 is a state transition diagram, and Fig. 7 is a front view showing an example of the external appearance. be. In the figure, 1 is an input section, 2 is a storage section, 3 is a display section,
4 is an external interface section, 5 is a communication control section, and 6 is a main control section. Figure 1: Telephone lines, etc. Figure 2: Figure 2

Claims (1)

[Claims] A storage section for electrically storing telephone directory information, a display section for displaying guidance and telephone directory information, an input section for instructing operations and inputting the telephone directory information, and for connecting to a telephone line. an external interface section consisting of a communication connector for connecting to a communication connector and a communication connector for connecting to in-house equipment, a data communication means for transmitting and receiving signals and information to and from a destination terminal or a destination center through the telephone line, and a communication device for controlling the telephone network and for in-house communication. A communication control section consisting of an NCU that monitors the status of the equipment, a main control section that controls these as a whole, and further includes a calling means that makes a call based on the telephone directory information in the storage section, and a telephone that stores a telephone number. Connect to the book database center,
1. A communication device with an electronic telephone directory, comprising: storage means for searching a desired telephone number from the telephone directory database center and storing the retrieved telephone directory information in the storage section.