JPH04503437A - Communication system that automatically identifies calling subscribers - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Summary] This bulletin contains application data before electronic filing, so abstract data is not recorded.

Description

[Detailed description of the invention] Communication system technology field that automatically identifies calling subscribers The present invention relates generally to radio frequency (RF) communication systems, and more particularly, to automatically connecting The calling party (calling party) It relates to RF communication systems that reveal the identity of Identifies the calling party and instructs the called party whether to call or accept the call. For RF communication systems that give the option of directing the call to a recording unit. shall be.

Background technology Operators of RF communications systems typically use Billing fees to subscribers. Such fee schedules are based on the number of "broadcast hours" used by the subscriber. It is based on quantity. This “broadcast time (ai r-t time) J fee is, It is usually so high that the subscriber receiving the call has no prior knowledge of the calling subscriber's ID. It's convenient to know that. This allows the called party to decide whether or not to answer the call. You can decide.

Even in RF communications systems that do not charge according to "broadcast time," It would be convenient if the subscriber knew the ID of the calling party. In this way, the called party The called party may be in the middle of a meeting, interview, conference, etc., or if the called party is relatively disturbed. You can decide whether or not to answer calls you receive at off-peak hours.

Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide an RF communication system for identifying calling parties. That is.

Summary of the invention In summary, the present invention provides a central office (or communication resources) by requesting that they reveal their identity and gain access to communications resources. The ID of the calling subscriber unit is given to the called subscriber unit. central office However, by sending this calling party's ID to the called party, the called party can You can decide whether to respond (answer) or not. If the called party answers, An RF communication link is established between the two subscriber units. Conversely, if the called party answers If you do not answer (or answer in the negative), the calling subscriber unit is notified of the "Busy" is displayed.

In another aspect of the invention, the central office initiates calls for unresponsive (busy) subscribers. As a system-wide message recording device that stores messages from subscribers. work. Therefore, the calling party may leave a message for later retrieval. I can do it.

Brief description of the drawing FIG. 1 illustrates a communication system according to the present invention.

2a to 2e are flowcharts representing the operation of the control device of FIG. 1. FIG.

FIG. 3 is a flow diagram illustrating the operation of a calling subscriber unit in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a flow diagram illustrating the operation of a called subscriber unit in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a flow diagram representing the operation of the present invention from the perspective of a conventional telephone (an interconnected subscriber). be.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS FIG. 1 shows a block diagram of a communication system 100 according to the present invention. system 100 is coupled to and controls a plurality of repeaters 104a-104c, and a plurality of repeaters 104a-104c. A control device]702 that enables communication between subscriber units (only two shown) a central unit (or station) with This central office is preferably a telephone includes an interface 108, which allows the controller 102 to: Interconnects with the traditional public switched telephone network (PSTN).

In order to access the communication resources of communication system 100, the present invention provides a Consider unit 106 to send a call request 112 to the central office. preferably The call request includes the identification code and singular number associated with the calling subscriber unit 106. or includes a code identifying multiple called parties.

If a communication channel is available, the central office can communicate with one or more called subscriber units. A message 114 containing the ID of the calling subscriber 106 is sent to the subscriber 106 . this Once the ID of the calling party 106 is received, the called party unit(s) 10 6' is activated and the calling party's ID or identity is displayed on the display device. and activate an enunciator to alert him or her to the subscriber. Let me know that you are being called. After verifying the calling party's ID, each called party The person then decides whether to answer the call or send the call to the central office for later retrieval. You can decide whether to send a recording command instructing the device to remember the message. Wear. In this way, the called party may be in the middle of a meeting, interview, conference, etc., or during an important message. Decide whether or not to answer a call when the called party does not want to be disturbed. can be determined. Additionally, for calls that the called party chooses not to answer. , the present invention records and retrieves messages from a central office of communication system 100. provide the means for

According to the invention, the central office includes a controller 102 and a conventional public switched telephone line. A telephone interface 108 is provided between the network and the telephone network (PSTN) 110. The network is thereby interconnected to the PSTN. In this way, traditional telephone subscribers An interconnected calling party) accesses communication system 100 and operates within the communication system. You can communicate with the subscribers you create.

To take advantage of the present invention, each interconnect calling party must (caller) uses DTMF:ID or other suitable signaling mechanism. You must send the code. The controller 102 controls this interconnection calling party's I D code is received and this code is sent to the control device (control 1er) 102. A cross-reference is made to the ID of the calling party stored in the ID of the calling party. Please send this ID to Message 11 4 to the called party 106°, which causes the called party(s) to number) may display the ID of the calling interconnect subscriber. Of course, this This is an interconnection I that can be cross-referenced with the ID stored in the control device 102. Valid only for interconnected subscribers who have been assigned a D code. For this purpose, Interconnection callers who wish to use this system (e.g., from time to time) may Contact your system operator to receive the assigned interconnect ID code and The code is cross-referenced to its ID stored in the control device 102. This control device For interconnected callers who do not have an ID stored in the device 102, the present invention: The ID of the interconnection caller is [Telephone Ca1l]J or The calling subscriber is an interconnecting subscriber using a word label of similar meaning. Although I cannot confirm this beyond displaying the information, I am thinking of starting communication. .

Figures 2a to 2e show flowcharts illustrating the operation of the central office (central unit). . In FIG. 2a, the routine receives a call request from a calling subscriber unit. It begins with judgment 200 to decide whether or not. Due to the negative decision made in decision 200, the control is Directed to the reference characters in FIG. 2C. However, decision 200 indicates that the call request is If it is determined that the calling party It is determined whether any message is currently stored in the control device 102 of the computer. call to join If a message for the calling subscriber is stored, a message waiting message will be displayed to the calling subscriber. medium” code (step 204). In this way, subscribers can contact the central office for Sage is made aware that he is waiting.

Of course, there is no need to search for messages at this time, but subscribers can Be notified when available to check. After the transition in step 204, Alternatively, immediately after a negative determination at decision 202, the routine proceeds to decision 206, where the communication system Determine whether the channel at 100 is available. If it doesn't work, A "Channel Unavailable" message is sent (step 208) and the routine returns to step 2b. Proceed to reference letter C in the figure. If there are channels available, the routine returns to decision 210. If the called party is currently on another call and is therefore busy Determine whether the request cannot be responded to. The controller 102 indicates that the called party is busy. If it is determined that there is, the routine proceeds to step 212 and indicates that the unit is in use. The message is sent to the calling party and control is then directed to reference character C in FIG. 2b.

However, if the called party is not busy, the routine Proceeding to step 214, the central office sends message 11 containing the ID of the calling subscriber unit. Send 4. Alternatively, the central office may optionally send channel information at this point. (Step 216) The called subscriber unit appropriately moves to the communication channel and, if desired, It may also be possible to start communication. Or, as will become clear later in the explanation , give the channel information to the called party later, and the called party does not want to join the call. Minimize the initial traffic (initial atr traffic) in case Also good. Following step 204 and optional step 216, the routine Go to reference letter B in figure 2b.

With reference to FIG. 2b, central office operation continues at decision 218 where the called unit Determine whether a response has been received. If not, the routine determines Proceeding to step 220, it is determined whether a predetermined time interval for a response has elapsed.

If not, the central office operates in a loop created by decisions 218 and 220 and Continue waiting for a response until the specified time expires. In contrast, decision 218 If it is determined that a response from the entrant has been received, the routine proceeds to decision 222; determining whether a recording command is received in response to transmission of the calling subscriber unit's ID; . If not instructed, the called party responds to the call and takes action and the calling party communicate with. To do this, both subscriber units must identify the channel on which they want to communicate. must have channel information. Therefore, this information (step 21 6), the central unit sends an optional step The central unit then operates to route the call normally. (step 226). When the call ends, the routine returns to Go to letter A.

However, if decision 222 determines that a recording command from the called party has been received. Assuming that The process begins at step 228, where a ``record page'' command is sent. This is for the calling party. Inform the calling party that the called party is busy or unavailable. and gives the called party an opportunity to send a message that can be retrieved later. .

Thus, decision 230 determines whether a message from the calling party has been received. Ru. If not, the routine returns to reference letter A in FIG. 2a. reverse If a message is received from the calling party, the message is memorized ( Step 232) Return to reference letter A in Figure 2a.

Referring to FIG. 2c, central office operation continues with decision 234, where the Determine whether an interconnect call is received. If you receive If not, the routine proceeds to reference letter G in FIG. 2e. However, judgment 2 34, the routine determines that an interconnect call is being received by decision 236. to determine if the channel is available. If not available, central station sends a “Channel Unavailable” message (step 238) to the interconnecting subscriber. After that, control is directed to reference letter F in Figure 2d. Conversely, if the channel is available If so, the routine proceeds to decision 240 and the called subscriber unit joins the call at the current location. Determine whether you are involved. In that case, the message "Unit in use" will be displayed. to the interconnected calling party (step 242), proceeding to reference character F in FIG. 2d. . Conversely, if the called subscriber unit is not in use, the routine skips from decision 240. Proceeding to step 244, the central unit determines the interconnection ID of the interconnection subscriber. Start presenting. Alternatively, decision 240 and step 242 can be omitted and the routine You can also proceed to step 244. Thus, the identity of the calling interconnection subscriber is ( is always sent to the called party (regardless of whether it is in use) and thereby can decide whether to terminate the current call and answer the cross-connect call. this allows the subscriber unit to prioritize interconnect calls over subscriber-to-subscriber calls. I can do it.

Preferably, an interconnected calling party who sometimes needs to use communication system 100 , the interconnection ID may be assigned by the system operator. This interconnection I D cross-references the ID of the calling party stored in the storage unit of the control device 102. Rukoto can. Accordingly, in response to receiving the interconnect ID request of step 244, Interconnecting subscribers may use the telephone's DTMF keypad or other suitable means to Send the interconnection ID. Thus, decision 246 determines whether the interconnected subscriber Determine whether a response including the ID is received. If not received, judgment 24 8 determines whether the response time interval has elapsed. Judgment 248 is negative. An operational loop occurs with breaks 246 and 248 and continues until the end of the time interval. response is received, the routine proceeds from decision 246 to step 250. , where the central office cross-references the received interconnect ID to determine the calling subscriber's ID. Put on. In step 252, this ID is sent to the called party. After this, The process proceeds to reference letter E in FIG. 2d.

With reference to FIG. 2d, the central office routine continues to step 254, which The central station is connected to the same receiver so that the subscriber can quickly move to the communication channel if he/she wishes to communicate. This is an optional step that allows channel information to be sent to the call subscriber. Ru. Alternatively, this channel information may be sent at a later time, as explained below. stomach In either case, the routine continues with decision 256 to determine if a response is received from the called unit. Decide whether it is believed. If not, the routine continues to decision 258. and determine whether the time interval for response has elapsed. This time interval has elapsed If not, then decisions 256 and 258 form a loop and the predetermined time interval It is determined whether a response can be obtained before the time period elapses. Once a response is obtained, the routine makes a decision. Step 260 to determine whether a "record command" from the called subscriber unit has been received. do.

If not, the called party is willing to join the call with the calling party; Therefore, it is necessary to move to a communication channel and communicate. In this way, the central optionally receives channel information in step 262 (or step 254). The central unit then processes the call normally (step 2). 64). Upon termination of this call, the routine proceeds to reference letter A in FIG. 2a.

Assume that decision 260 determines that a "record command" has been received from the called party. , the routine advances to reference character F and calls the interconnect addition to display the ``recorded message.'' It begins with step 266 of sending to the subscriber. Preferably this is a voice recording , voice synthesizer, or other suitable equipment to the interconnected subscribers. make it clear that he or she can leave messages for the called party. It is good to display it on The routine then proceeds to decision 268, where the interconnect caller Determine whether a message that should be recorded is being transmitted. Such a message was sent If not, the routine proceeds to reference letter A in FIG. 2a. However, the interconnection If the caller is transmitting a message to be recorded, the central office transmits the message in step 270. Remember this and then proceed to reference letter A in Figure 2a.

With reference to FIG. 2e, the central office routine continues to decision 272, where communication system 100 A ``Message Request'' code is received from any subscriber unit operating within determine whether it has been done. According to the invention, a subscriber unit desiring access to a communication facility are automatically made aware of waiting messages (decision 202 and step 20). 4). On the contrary, the subscriber unit is specifically designed to retrieve stored messages. You can contact the central office directly. Thus, the affirmative judgment by judgment 272 is If so, control is directed to decision 274 to send the message to the requesting subscriber unit. Determine if Sage is waiting. If there is no message, the central office 276).

If decision 272 determines that there is a message for this subscriber unit, then , sends this message in step 278, and then returns to reference character A in FIG. 2a. Ru.

FIG. 3 shows a flowchart representing the operation of a calling subscriber unit in accordance with the present invention. le The process begins at step 300 with a calling party sending a call request to a central office. . Preferably, the call request includes the identity of the calling party, the identity of the called party, and its communications. It may also include other signals or control information that the system deems appropriate. After this , the routine proceeds to decision 302 and determines whether a response from the central office is obtained.

If no response has been obtained, the routine proceeds to decision 304 and determines the response time interval. Determine whether the time period has elapsed. If not, the routine makes decisions 302 and 3. 04, and a response is obtained within a predetermined time interval. To judge. If a response is not obtained before the time expires, the routine makes decision 3. 06, it is determined whether the subscriber should attempt the call request again. According to the present invention In this case, each subscriber can use optional This call request may be attempted again after a time interval of . Decision 306 calls If it is determined to try the request again, the routine continues at step 300. Go ahead and send the call request again. However, it should be re-requested via 306. If not, the routine exits (step 307) and returns the subscriber unit to operates to execute other steps according to its operating program.

Assuming decision 302 determines that a response has been received, the routine Proceeding to step 308, it is determined whether a message containing channel information was received from the central office. to decide.

If so, the called party has decided to join the call and is processed as usual (step 310). After this call ends, the routine references Proceed to letter H.

However, if it is determined in decision 308 that the channel information has not been received, the The process proceeds to decision 312 and determines whether a ``record message'' instruction has been received. Ru. A negative decision at decision 312 directs control to the letter H; For example, control is directed to step 314 where the calling party enters the message to be stored at the central office. Send messages. In this way, the called party can be contacted at a time convenient for the called party. page is conveyed.

FIG. 4 shows a flowchart representing the operation of a called subscriber unit in accordance with the present invention. le The process begins at step 400, where the called party enters the ID of the calling subscriber unit. Receive.

Alternatively, the called subscriber optionally receives channel information from the central office at this time. It is also possible to do so (step 402).

In either case, the called subscriber unit determines whether the called subscriber answers the call or not. The ID of the calling subscriber (step 404) is displayed so that it can be determined. thus, Decision 406 determines whether the subscriber is activating a "record message" command signal. do. If so, the routine continues to step 408 where the called party do not respond, but indicate that you are willing to receive a recorded message at a later time. A "record message" command is sent to the central station. On the contrary, negative judgment of judgment 406 means that the called party accepts the call and communicates with the calling party. to this , the called subscriber unit receives channel information (as in step 402). If the channel information has not yet been received, the channel information is received in step 410, and then The call can be processed normally at step 412.

FIG. 5 shows a flowchart representing the operation of the present invention from the perspective of a conventional telephone interconnection calling party. vinegar. The routine begins at step 500, where an interconnected caller calls over the PSTN. Access the central office. Decision 502 indicates that the system is busy and the called party is busy. , or a “message” indicating that the called party does not wish to accept the call at this time. Determine whether you have received the "Record" instruction. Receives the command "Record message" If the interconnect caller wants to leave a message, the routine Proceed to Step 504 to send the message and record it for later retrieval by the called party. I remember. Conversely, if the command "record message" is not received, the routine The process proceeds from decision 502 to step 506, in which the interconnection calling party identifies the interconnection ID. Receive a send request. Preferably, all communications with interconnected subscribers are clear voice messages to interconnected subscribers who are not fully familiar with the operation of the communication system. conducted through audio recording, voice synthesizers, or other suitable equipment to That's good. Thus, the interconnected caller can use the telephone's DTMF keypad or other Transmit the interconnection ID (step 508) using an appropriate signaling device. child In response to receiving the interconnection ID of the central office, invisibly to the interconnection calling party, determine its ID and send it to the called subscriber unit so that the called subscriber answers the call. be able to judge whether or not Conversely, if the interconnection caller does not have an interconnection ID, If the interconnection calling party has access to the communications system, the invention provides The calling party must have a restriction on the identity of the calling interconnection subscriber (such as "telephone caller"). You may only be given the information that is given to you. In any case, the called party answers If the interconnected caller joins the call normally (steps 510).

FIG.1 FIG, 2e FIG.4 Copy and translation of written amendment) Submission (Article 184-8 of the Patent Law) May 98, 1991 1 fart

Claims (10)

[Claims] 1. at least one central unit and each corresponding unit identification code; a called subscriber in an RF communication system comprising a plurality of subscriber units having A method for causing a unit to identify a calling subscriber unit, the subscriber unit In, (a) receiving information indicating the identity (ID) of the calling subscriber unit; (b) displaying the ID of the calling subscriber unit; and (c) displaying the ID of the calling subscriber unit; or transmit messages from the calling subscriber unit to the central unit. transmitting a code representing an instruction for the central unit to record the identifying a calling subscriber unit to a called subscriber unit comprising a step; Method. 2. The method according to claim 1, (a) receiving a code representing a call request from the calling subscriber unit; (b) transmit information indicating the identity of the calling subscriber unit to at least one other subscriber unit; and (c) record the message from the calling subscriber unit. including a step of the central unit receiving a code representing the instruction to A method characterized by: 3. The method according to claim 2, (a1) determining whether to store a message for the calling subscriber unit; (a2) Messages can be stored and retrieved for the calling subscriber unit. Features include a central unit step that sends a code indicating the How to do it. 4. at least one central unit and each corresponding unit identification code; a called subscriber in an RF communication system comprising a plurality of subscriber units having A method for causing a unit to identify a calling subscriber unit, the subscriber unit In, (a) displays information representing the channel on which communication is initiated and the ID of the calling subscriber unit; (b) displaying the ID of the calling subscriber unit; and (c) communicating. The central unit operates on the channel where the Sends a code representing an instruction to record a message from the calling subscriber unit , identifying the calling subscriber unit to the called subscriber unit comprising steps How to do it. 5. at least one central unit and each corresponding unit identification code; a called subscriber in an RF communication system comprising a plurality of subscriber units having A method for causing a unit to identify a calling subscriber unit, the subscriber unit In, (a) receiving information representative of the identity of the calling subscriber unit; and (b) receiving information representing the identity of the calling subscriber unit; (c) send a code representing a channel request to the central controller; or the central unit sends messages from the calling subscriber unit to the central unit. send a code representing a command to record the message, and (d) communication begins when said code representing a channel request is sent to the central unit; receive information representing a channel to be identifying a calling subscriber unit to a called subscriber unit comprising a step; Method. 6. at least one central unit and each corresponding unit identification code; a called subscriber in an RF communication system comprising a plurality of subscriber units having A method for causing a unit to identify a calling subscriber unit, the subscriber unit In, (a) receiving information representative of the identity of the calling subscriber unit; and (b) receiving information representing the identity of the calling subscriber unit; and (c) inform the central unit that the central unit identifies the calling subscriber. Sends a code representing a command to record a message from the unit, In the central unit, (a) receiving a code representing a call request from the calling subscriber unit; (b) transmitting said information representing the ID of said calling subscriber unit to at least one or more other add-ons; (c) recording the message from the calling subscriber unit; (d) to the calling subscriber unit; A step that sends a code indicating that the message from the same unit can be recorded. method for identifying a calling subscriber unit to a called subscriber unit having a . 7. A central unit interconnected with the wireline telephone network that receives calls from telephone subscribers. a plurality of subscriber units, each having a unit identification code associated with it; In an RF communication system with A method for identifying a person in a central unit, the method comprising: (a) receiving a signal from the calling telephone subscriber; and (b) processing the signal to Determine the ID of the subscriber, and (c) transmit information representing the identity of the calling telephone subscriber to at least one subscriber unit; Send, identifying the calling telephone subscriber to a called subscriber unit comprising a step; the method of. 8. A central unit interconnected with the wireline telephone network that receives calls from telephone subscribers. a plurality of subscriber units, each having a unit identification code associated with it; In an RF communication system with A method for identifying, in a central unit, (a) receiving a signal from the calling telephone subscriber; and (b) processing the signal to (c) determining the identity of the calling telephone subscriber; and (c) at least determining the identity of the calling telephone subscriber. is also sent to one subscriber unit, (d) a code representing said instruction to record a message from said calling telephone subscriber; receive, (e) sends a signal to the calling telephone subscriber indicating that the message from the calling telephone subscriber can be recorded; The call is sent to the subscriber, and at the subscriber unit, (a) receiving said information representative of the identity of said calling telephone subscriber; and (b) receiving said information representative of said calling telephone subscriber; (c) to the central unit, the central unit displays the ID of the transmitting the code representing the instruction to record a message from the subscriber; A method for identifying a calling telephone subscriber to a called subscriber unit, comprising the steps of: . 9. at least one central unit and each associated unit identification code; A subscriber unit capable of operating in an RF communication system with multiple subscriber units having In knitting, (a) receiving means for receiving information representative of the ID of the calling subscriber unit; (b) display means for displaying the ID of the calling subscriber unit; and (c) to a central unit, when the central unit receives messages from the calling subscriber unit; said calling subscriber, including means for transmitting a code representing an instruction to record a message; means operative to communicate with the unit; A subscriber unit comprising: 10. A central unit interconnected with a wireline telephone network that receives calls from telephone subscribers. multiple subscribers each having a unit identification code associated with it In a central unit that can operate in an RF communication system with units hand, (a) receiving means for receiving signals from said calling telephone subscriber; (b) processing said signals; processing means for determining the identity of the calling telephone subscriber; and (c) information representing the identity of the calling telephone subscriber to at least one subscriber unit; a central unit comprising transmitting means for transmitting.