JPH07226738A - Communication terminal equipment and communication control method - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To provide a communication terminal equipment and a communication control method by which a call is detected while an application program other than a communication program is conducted so as to relieve a load at the communication start of a called party even when an operating system for a single task is provided in the terminal equipment. CONSTITUTION:A personal computer 10 operated as a communication terminal equipment includes an ISDN communication board 12 and a device driver 18 controlling the ISDN communication board 12 operated under the management of an OS20. A path management section 34 in the device driver 18 opens a path A automonously when no communication application program(AP) 14 is started and closes the path A having been open automonously when the AP14 is started and an open request of a path B is generated and opens the path B making an open request. Even when the AP14 is not started, since the path A is open, a call from other communication terminal equipment is received.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a communication terminal device and a communication control method for performing communication using a personal computer (personal computer) or the like that operates by a single task operating system.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, various communication services have been enhanced with the development of an advanced information society.
The full-scale services of N (Integrated Services Digital Communication Network) have reached a practical level, albeit partially.

This ISDN is capable of performing voice and data communication by circuit switching or data communication by packet switching in one digital communication network. The existing analog telephone network, the DDX network, or the packet network can be functionally included and replaced, and image communication and the like can be realized by further diversifying the information channels.

Various devices have been developed as ISDN communication terminals, and the main ones are digital telephones,
G4 facsimile apparatus, voice conference apparatus, TV conference apparatus, etc. have been put to practical use, but there is also a method of using a personal computer as a communication terminal device by mounting an ISDN communication board in an expansion slot of a widely used personal computer.
For example, "Telecom Promotion Foundation Recommended Version API Layer 3 compatible IS" issued by Telecom Advanced Utilization Promotion Center
PC API FRAPI for DN communication control
A specification version 1.3 "discloses a basic control method when a personal computer is used as a communication terminal.

When a personal computer is used as a communication terminal device, first, prior to communication, a communication application program is run as a server program on the called personal computer as a communication partner, and a client program is executed on the calling personal computer. Run the same kind of communication application program as.

As described above, while both communication application programs are running, the calling side and the called side perform processing to open the communication path, and then one of the personal computers makes a call. In response to this, the other personal computer makes an incoming call and sends an incoming call response back to the calling personal computer, whereby the desired communications can be performed between the personal computers via the communication path thereafter.

[0007]

By the way, in the above-mentioned conventional communication system in which a personal computer is used as a communication terminal device, it is necessary to execute a communication application program in both personal computers prior to communication. Therefore, for example, the communication time must be discussed in advance, or the communication partner must call the communication partner before starting communication, and the communication application program (server program) must be run on the communication partner's PC. There was a problem that it took.

On the other hand, in order to avoid such a problem, it is considered that the communication application program is always executed to open the communication path so that the call from the communication partner can be accepted at any time. However, since the personal computer is used only for waiting for communication, there is a problem that the personal computer is wasteful and cannot be effectively used. In particular, when a single-task operating system (OS) is used, if a communication application program is executed for communication standby on the called personal computer, no application program other than communication can be executed. It becomes impossible to effectively use a personal computer capable of general-purpose processing.

When a multitasking OS is used, it is possible to execute another application program in parallel with the communication application program, but generally, in order to run the multitasking OS, It is necessary to use a CPU capable of high-speed processing. Therefore, in many cases, a multitasking OS cannot be applied when using an inexpensive personal computer that is already widespread as a terminal, and a communication method applicable even when using a single task OS has been desired.

The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and an object thereof is to eliminate the need for executing a communication application program in advance on the called side, and to reduce the trouble at the start of communication. It is to provide a communication terminal device and a communication control method that can be performed.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a communication terminal device capable of detecting a call and starting communication even while having a single-task OS even while executing an application program other than communication. And to provide a communication control device.

[0012]

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, a communication terminal device according to a first aspect of the present invention comprises a communication means realized by executing a communication program by an operating system, and a physical communication line. A communication unit that makes a dynamic connection, and a driver unit that controls the communication unit under the control of the operating system and that provides a predetermined communication function to the communication unit. The driver means
When the driver means is resident under the control of the operating system system, it includes path management means for voluntarily sending a request to the communication unit to open the first communication path when the communication means is not operating. Therefore, even if the communication unit is not operating, the call from the outside is accepted through the first communication path opened in response to the request from the path management unit.

A communication terminal device according to a second aspect is the communication terminal device according to the first aspect, wherein the path management means sends the call from the communication means before there is an incoming call through the first communication path which is opened voluntarily. When there is a request to open the second communication path,
After the request to close the first communication path is sent to the communication unit, a request from the communication means to open the second communication path is sent to the communication unit.

A communication terminal device according to a third aspect is the communication terminal device according to the first aspect, wherein the path management means receives from the communication means after receiving an incoming call through the first communication path which is opened voluntarily. When there is a request to open the second communication path, the first communication path that has already been opened is not closed, and the first communication path and the second communication path are not opened. It is characterized in that it is associated with a second communication path, and returns a response indicating that the second communication path has been opened to the communication means.

A communication terminal device according to a fourth aspect is the communication terminal device according to the first aspect, wherein the first communication path voluntarily opened by the path management means is a plurality, and different communication attributes are set for each of the first communication paths. It is characterized by doing.

A communication terminal device according to a fifth aspect is the communication terminal device according to the fourth aspect, in which the path management means receives an incoming call through a plurality of the first communication paths that are opened voluntarily. When there is a request from the communication means to open the second communication path, a request for closing a plurality of the first communication paths is sent to the communication unit, and then the first communication path from the communication means is sent. A request for opening a second communication path is sent to the communication unit.

A communication terminal device according to claim 6 is the communication terminal device according to claim 2 or 5, wherein the path management means further opens the second communication path in response to a request from the communication means. When there is a request from the communication means to open an additional communication path, this request is sent to the communication unit as it is.

A communication terminal device according to a seventh aspect is the communication terminal device according to the fourth aspect, wherein the path management means receives an incoming call through any one of a plurality of the first communication paths that are opened voluntarily. When there is a request to open the second communication path from the communication means after that, all but the first communication path that received the call are closed, and the second communication path is not opened. In addition, the first communication path that has not been closed and the second communication path are associated with each other, and a response that the second communication path is opened is returned to the communication means. To do.

The communication terminal device according to claim 8 is the communication terminal device according to claim 3 or 7, wherein the path management means returns a response to the communication means to the effect that the second communication path is opened. Further, when there is a request from the communication means to open an additional communication path, this request is sent to the communication unit as it is.

A communication terminal device according to a ninth aspect is a communication terminal device according to any one of the first to eighth aspects.
In any one of the communication terminal devices described above, the driver means notifies the user of an incoming call when there is an incoming call through the first communication path that the path management means voluntarily opens. It is characterized by further including an incoming call notification means.

A communication terminal device according to a tenth aspect of the present invention is a communication terminal device according to any one of the first to third aspects.
In any one of the communication terminal devices of 9 above, the presence / absence of an incoming call through the first communication path by the path management unit or the incoming call notification means is determined by an interrupt from the communication unit or by specific hardware. The feature is that it is performed in response to an interrupt.

A communication terminal device according to an eleventh aspect is the communication terminal device according to the ninth or tenth aspect, wherein the incoming call notifying means saves data in a partial area of the video RAM, and the video RAM. Message writing means for writing predetermined message data to a partial area of the memory, and memory restoring means for writing and restoring the data saved by the memory saving means in a partial area of the video RAM at a predetermined timing. And a predetermined message is displayed on a part of the screen of the display device that displays the contents of the video RAM when an incoming call is received through the first communication path. .

A communication terminal device according to a twelfth aspect of the present invention is the communication terminal device according to the first aspect.
In any one of the communication terminal devices of 11, the driver means executes an application program other than the communication program under the control of the operating system when an incoming call is received via the first communication path. It is characterized by including application execution determination means for determining that the application program is not in operation, and application automatic startup means for activating the communication program when the application program is not being executed.

A communication terminal device according to a thirteenth aspect is the communication terminal device according to the ninth aspect.
In any one of the communication terminal devices of No. 11, the driver means further includes calling side application detecting means for detecting information about a communication application sent from the calling side at the time of an incoming call through the first communication path. In addition to or in lieu of this notification, the user is notified of the information related to the communication application by the incoming call notification means.

The communication terminal device according to claim 14 is the communication terminal device according to claim 12.
In the communication terminal device, the driver means further includes calling side application detection means for detecting information regarding a communication application sent from the calling side at the time of an incoming call via the first communication path, The automatic activation means activates an appropriate communication program corresponding to the communication application on the calling side.

According to a fifteenth aspect of the present invention, in the communication control method, the first communication path is opened in advance under the control of the operating system when the communication program is not executed, and the first communication is performed regardless of the execution state of the communication program. It is characterized by receiving a call from the outside through a path.

According to a sixteenth aspect of the communication control method of the present invention, the first communication path is opened in advance under the control of the operating system when the communication program is not executed, and an incoming call is made via the first communication path. When the communication program is activated and a request is made to open the second communication path, the second communication path is opened after closing the first communication path.

According to a seventeenth aspect of the present invention, in the communication control method according to the seventeenth aspect, the first communication path is opened in advance under the control of the operating system when the communication program is not executed, and after an incoming call is made via the first communication path. If the communication program is activated and a request is made to open the second communication path,
The first communication path is associated with the second communication path without closing the first communication path, and the already opened first communication path is used as the second communication path. It is characterized by doing.

A communication control method according to an eighteenth aspect is the fifteenth aspect.
In any one of the communication control methods 1 to 17, when there is an incoming call through the first communication path, a notification to that effect is given to the user.

A communication control method according to a nineteenth aspect is the fifteenth aspect.
18. In the communication control method according to any one of claims 1 to 18, when an incoming call is received via the first communication path, the application program other than the communication program is not being executed under the control of the operating system. It is characterized in that the communication program is automatically started after the determination.

The communication control method according to claim 20 is the method according to claim 15.
In the communication control method according to any one of 1 to 18, when a call is received via the first communication path, information about a communication application sent from the calling side via the first communication path is transmitted. It is characterized by detecting and notifying the user of this information.

The communication control method according to claim 21 is the method according to claim 19.
In the communication control method, the information about the communication application sent from the calling side via the first communication path is detected when an incoming call is received via the first communication path, and this information is detected. It is characterized by starting an appropriate communication program corresponding to.

[0033]

According to the first aspect of the present invention, when the driver means is resident under the control of the operating system, even if the communication program is not executed and the communication means is not activated, the driver means The first communication path is opened voluntarily by the path management means.

Therefore, since the call from the other communication terminal device can be received even when the communication program is not being executed, it is not necessary to execute the communication program in advance on the called side, and the called side of the communication is called. It is possible to reduce the time and effort at the start of communication such that both callers are in contact with each other. In particular, since it is not necessary to execute a communication program during communication standby, it is possible to detect a call and start communication even when an application program other than communication is being executed by the single-task operating system.

Further, according to the invention of claim 2, there is shown a case where the communication means is activated to perform communication before an incoming call is made via the first communication path. In this case, the path management is performed. After closing the first communication path opened voluntarily by the means, the second communication path is opened according to the request of the communication means. Therefore, the communication means itself need only start the normal communication operation without being aware of the path management means, the existing communication program can be used as it is, and the change in the communication terminal device can be minimized. be able to.

According to the third aspect of the invention, there is shown a case where the communication means is activated and communication is performed after an incoming call is received via the first communication path. In this case, since it is necessary to perform communication via the first communication path that has already been called in, the second communication path requested to be opened by the communication means is not opened, and the second communication path is opened in the path management means. 1 communication path and 2
And the response to the communication means indicating that the second communication path has been opened is returned to the communication means. After that, the communication means instructs transmission / reception of data and the like via the second communication path, but the communication is actually carried out via the first communication path.

Therefore, the communication means itself that has received the call may start a normal communication operation without being aware of the path management means, and the conventional communication program can be used as it is. The changes in can be minimized.

Further, according to the invention of claim 4, the path management means voluntarily opens a plurality of first communication paths and sets different communication attributes for each first communication path. Therefore, it is possible to receive several types of calls having different communication attributes, and even when a plurality of communication terminal devices of different types are used as communication partners to receive incoming calls at any time, the communication terminal device itself does not perform communication other than communication. The application program can be executed and the device can be effectively used.

Further, according to the invention of claim 5, there is shown a case where the communication means is activated to perform communication before an incoming call is made via the plurality of first communication paths. In this case,
After closing all of the plurality of first communication paths opened voluntarily by the path management means, the second communication path is opened according to the request of the communication means. Therefore, similarly to the invention of claim 2, the communication means itself may start a normal communication operation without being aware of the path management means, and a conventional communication program can be used as it is.
Changes in the communication terminal device can be minimized.

Further, according to the invention of claim 7, there is shown a case where the communication means is activated to perform communication after an incoming call is made via any of the plurality of first communication paths. In this case, the first communication path other than the already-received first communication path is closed, the second communication path is not opened, and the first communication path is received in the path management means. The first communication path and the second communication path are associated with each other, and a response indicating that the second communication path is opened is returned to the communication means as requested. After that, the communication means instructs transmission / reception of data or the like via the second communication path, but in reality, communication is performed via the first communication path which received the incoming call. Therefore, as in the third aspect of the invention, the communication means itself may start a normal communication operation without being aware of the path management means, and the communication program that has been used up to now can be used as it is. Changes in the device can be minimized.

According to the inventions of claims 6 and 8,
The case where a request to open a second communication path is made after the request to open the second communication path is made by the activated communication means is shown. In this case, the path management means does not perform any special operation and sends the request as it is to the communication unit side. Therefore, even when an additional communication path is used, the communication means itself may perform the same communication operation as in the conventional case without paying attention to the path management means, and it is not necessary to change the communication program.

Further, according to the invention of claim 9, when the path management means makes an incoming call through the first communication path opened voluntarily, the incoming call notifying means informs the user to that effect. The user who has been performing work other than communication for notification can promptly execute the communication program and activate the communication means. In other words, it is possible to know that an incoming call has been made to the first communication path opened by the path management means even if a work other than communication is performed, so that communication of the device can be performed without any trouble. It can be effectively used.

According to the tenth aspect of the invention, the fact that the path management means has received an incoming call through the first communication path opened by itself is detected by an interrupt from the communication unit or specific hardware. is doing. For example, when a program is executed by a single-task operating system, if an application program other than communication is executed, the incoming call cannot be detected unless this execution is interrupted. Therefore, the presence or absence of an incoming call is determined by generating an interrupt from the communication unit when an incoming call is received, or by generating an interrupt of a fixed cycle by specific hardware. In this way, by determining the presence or absence of an incoming call according to the occurrence of an interrupt, incoming call detection can be performed even when an application program other than communication is being executed in a device having a single-task operating system. Even when other work other than the above is performed, the communication can be prevented and the device can be effectively used.

According to the eleventh aspect of the present invention, when notifying the user that there is an incoming call through the first communication path, a message is temporarily displayed in a partial area of the video RAM. I am writing and a message is displayed on a part of the display screen. For example, when a computer is used as a communication terminal device and the like, a display device is provided. Therefore, if a message can be displayed using this display device, changes in the device can be minimized. Also, for a user who is working by executing an application program other than communication while looking at the display screen, displaying the message on a part of this display screen is the most efficient way to convey the message. Can be said. Therefore,
The user can work without worrying about whether there is an incoming call, and can effectively use the device.

According to the twelfth aspect of the present invention, when an incoming call is received through the first communication path, and when it is under the control of the operating system at that time (an application program other than the communication program is used). If is not running), the communication program is automatically started.
Therefore, even when an incoming call is received via the first communication path, the communication means can be started quickly to start communication, and the communication program is executed to start the communication means when waiting for a call. It is not necessary to do so, and an application program other than communication can be executed as necessary to perform work other than communication.

According to the thirteenth aspect of the present invention, the information regarding the communication application sent from the calling side at the time of the incoming call through the first communication path is detected, and the user is based on this information. It is possible to instruct execution of an optimum communication program.

According to the fourteenth aspect of the present invention, the information regarding the communication application sent from the calling side at the time of the incoming call via the first communication path is detected, and the optimum communication program is detected based on this information. The application can be started automatically.

Further, the inventions of claims 15 to 21 show a concrete control method in the case where the above-mentioned path management means voluntarily opens the first communication path to carry out communication. It is the same as the invention of each of the above-mentioned claims that a call from another communication terminal device can be received even when the call is not being executed. Therefore, it is not necessary to execute the communication program in advance on the called side prior to the communication, and it is possible to reduce the trouble at the time of starting the communication such that both the calling side and the called side communicate with each other. In particular, since there is no need to execute a communication program during communication standby, even if a single-task operating system is included, a call can be detected and communication can be promptly performed even when an application program other than communication is being executed. You can start.

[0049]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An embodiment to which a communication terminal device and a communication control method of the present invention are applied will be specifically described below with reference to the drawings.

First Embodiment (1-1) Configuration of Communication Terminal Device FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the details of the configuration of the communication terminal device of one embodiment using a personal computer, mainly for communication. Only the relevant configurations are shown.

Personal computer 10 operating as a communication terminal device
Is an ISDN communication board 12, a communication application program (AP) 14 for ISDN control, an application program interface library (hereinafter referred to as “API library”) 16, a device driver 18, an operating system (OS) 20.
It is configured to include.

The ISDN communication board 12 is the personal computer 10.
It is installed in the expansion slot of the Open System Interconnection (OSI) 7
It supports lower layers 1 to 3 among the layers. This I
The SDN communication board 12 is a digital line connection device (DS
U) 22 is connected to the ISDN network 24 which is a public line.

The communication application program 14 is
A layer above the OSI layer 4 is supported to specifically control the communication procedure. For example, F distributed by the Telecom Advanced Utilization Promotion Center
RAPI-A file transfer program (FILT-A)
When communication is performed using, various communication control is performed by the communication application program 14 by designating a predetermined function defined corresponding to each communication operation.

The API library 16 is a collection of the various functions described above, and one function among them is designated by the communication application program 14 and passed to the device driver 18 in the subsequent stage. For example, "Personal Computer API FRAPI-A Specification for Telecom Promotion Foundation Recommended Version API Layer 3 compliant ISDN communication control issued by the Telecom Advanced Utilization Promotion Center 1.
"3rd Edition" discloses a basic control method when a personal computer is used as a communication terminal. Various functions defined therein ("isdn call" for instructing a call and data transmission are instructed). "Isdn send", etc.) that constitutes the API library 16.

The device driver 18 interprets a function designated by the communication application program 14 from the API library 16 under the control of the OS 20,
The ISDN communication board 12 is controlled. The device driver 18 further includes an application program interface (hereinafter, referred to as “API”) 30 serving as an interface with the API library 16 and an ISD.
ISDN-which interfaces with the N communication board 12
It includes a basic input / output routine (BIOS) 12 and a path management unit 34 for opening or closing a logical communication path (logical path) under the control of the device driver 18 itself.

Each component in the personal computer 10 described above is an IS
The components other than the DN communication board 12 are realized by the software of the personal computer 10, and are realized by executing a predetermined program corresponding to each configuration by the OS 20. The OS 20 is MS-DOS.
(Registered trademark) or the like that operates in a single task is used.

In the present embodiment and each embodiment described later, when the device driver 18 is resident under the control of the OS 20, the path management unit 34 in the device driver 18 is resident.
Has voluntarily opened a logical path having a predetermined communication attribute, which allows the call to be accepted even when the communication application program 14 is not activated.

Hereinafter, when the personal computer 10 is used as a communication terminal device, the operation of making a call from the personal computer and the operation of making an incoming call will be described separately.

(1-2) Operation of Communication Terminal Device (When Calling Before Incoming Call 1) FIG. 2 shows a case where the personal computer 10 is used as a communication terminal device on the calling side, and a communication application program is used. 14 is a diagram showing an operation procedure in the case of making a call by a voluntary request from 14 to open a single communication path, and shows the operation of the path management unit 34. FIG.

The device driver 18 is started and the OS 2
When resident under management of 0, the path management unit 34 voluntarily performs processing (open processing) for opening the logical path A having a predetermined attribute (step a1). Actually, the path management unit 34
Calls the function "isdn ope" to open the path A.
n ”is issued, and the ISDN-BIOS 32 interprets this and the open processing of the path A to the ISDN communication board 12 is performed. It is preferable that the path A is set to a communication attribute that is most frequently used or a communication attribute that is required for incoming calls that are always desired to be accepted. For example, as the communication attribute,
Physical channel (Dch or Bch), switching mode (circuit switching or packet switching), information transfer capability (unlimited digital or voice), packet switching usage (VC)
Or PVC). After that, an incoming call from another communication terminal device can be accepted via this path A.

After that, the path management unit 34 judges whether or not the resident of the device driver 18 under the control of the OS 20 is completed (step a2). It is determined whether or not there is a request (open request) to open the logical path (named as path B) (step a3). When there is no path B open request from the communication application program 14, it is judged whether or not the residence is terminated (step a2) and whether there is a path B open request (step a3).
repeat.

When a path B open request is issued from the communication application program 14, the path management unit 34 performs processing (close processing) to close the path A that has already been opened (step a4), and the path requested to be opened subsequently. B
Open processing is performed (step a5).

For example, the newly started communication application program 14 specifies the function "isdn open" of the API library 16 to request the device driver 18 to open the path B. The path management unit 34, which has received the open request via the API 30, performs the close processing of the path A already opened, and instead performs the open processing of the path B requested by the communication application program 14.

Thereafter, communication is performed between the communication application program 14 and another communication terminal via the path B.

In parallel with the communication operation via the path B, the path management unit 34 judges whether or not there is a close request for the path B from the communication application program 14 (step a6), and the close request is issued. This determination process is repeated until there is.

When the communication application program 14 terminates a predetermined communication operation and issues a close request to the device driver 18 from the communication application program 14, the path management unit 34 responds to the close request and determines the path B. Close processing is performed (step a
7) After that, the process returns to step a1 to perform the open processing of the path A.

When the device driver 18 is no longer resident, the path management unit 34 makes a negative determination in step a2, closes the path A opened voluntarily (step a8), and ends the series of processes. .

FIG. 3 is a diagram for explaining the setting state of the logical path.

FIG. 9A shows a state in which the device driver 18 is resident but communication by the communication application program 14 is not being performed. In this case,
The path A is voluntarily opened by the path management unit 34. Therefore, since the path A is opened even when the communication application program 14 is not activated as described above, an incoming call from another communication terminal device can be accepted.

On the other hand, in the same figure (B), the communication application program 14 before the incoming call via the path A is received.
When there is an open request from the path management unit 34, the path A that has been opened voluntarily by the path management unit 34 is closed, and instead the path B is opened in response to the open request.

As described above, when the communication application program 14 is the communication source (calling side), it is possible to make a call and subsequent data communication after making an open request for the path B to be used. It is possible to use the communication application program 14 that has been widely used in the past without any change. On the other hand, even when the communication application program 14 is not activated, that is, even when an application program other than communication, such as word processing software, is being executed, the path A that the path management unit 34 voluntarily opened. It is possible to receive a call from another communication terminal device via the personal computer, and it is possible to effectively use the personal computer 10 without waste such as waiting the personal computer 10 for communication.

(1-3) Operation of Communication Terminal Device (When Calling Before Incoming Call 2) By the way, in the above-mentioned example, an open request for one path B is issued after the communication application program 14 is activated. Although the case has been described, the communication application program 14 may simultaneously communicate via a plurality of communication paths. For example, in the basic ISDN service, since two B channels and one D channel are used, there are physically three paths, and depending on the setting of communication attributes, a plurality of logical paths may be set. Is possible. Therefore, after the communication application program 14 is activated, the communication application program 14 may issue an open request for the path B and subsequently issue open requests for a plurality of additional paths.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an operation procedure when the communication application program 14 makes an open request for a plurality of paths. In step a5 shown in FIG. 2, a case where an open request for an additional path B2 or the like is issued after the open request for the first path B (B1) is issued from the communication application program 14 is shown. Hereinafter, a description will be given focusing on the points different from FIG.

In order to simplify the explanation, when the communication application program 14 makes a close request, it is assumed that first, a close request for the additional path B2 and the like is made, and finally a close request for the path B1 is made.

First, the path management unit 34 performs a process of opening the path B (B1) in response to the opening request of the first path of the communication application program 14 (step a).
5), path B from the communication application program 14
It is determined whether there is a close request of 1 (step b
1).

If there is no request to close path B1,
Next, the path management unit 34 determines whether or not there is an open request for the additional path B2 from the communication application program 14 (step b2), and if there is an open request, the path B2 is opened. (Step b3).

When the open processing in step b3 is completed, or when there is no open request and a negative determination is made in step b2, the path management unit 34 next determines whether there is a close request for the path B2 added from the communication application program 14. It is determined whether or not (step b4). When there is a close request, the path management unit 34 performs the close processing of the additional path for which the close request is made (step b5). After that, or if there is no close request and a negative determination is made in step b4, the path management unit 34 returns to step b1 and repeats the determination as to whether or not there is a close request for the first opened path B1.

FIG. 3C shows the path setting state when an additional path is opened. As shown in the figure,
In response to an open request for the path B1 from the communication application program 14, the path A is closed and the path B1 is closed.
After opening, the additional path B2 or the like is opened according to the open request from the communication application program 14.

In this way, when there is a request for opening a plurality of paths from the activated communication application program 14, the path management unit 34 first sets the path B1.
When the open request is made, the path A that has been opened voluntarily is closed and the path B for which the open request is made are processed, and the subsequent additional paths B2 and the like are processed according to the request. Perform open processing. Therefore, the path management unit 34 does not perform any special processing for the additional path B2 or the like, but merely transmits the open request from the communication application program 14 to the ISDN-BIOS 32 as it is, and the started communication application program is executed. It does not affect the operation itself of 14. Therefore, multiple paths B
Even when communication is performed using 1, B2, ..., The communication application program 14 that has been widely used in the past can be used without being changed.

(1-4) Operation of communication terminal device (when opening a path after receiving a call 1) FIG. 5 shows a case where the personal computer 10 having the configuration shown in FIG. 1 is used as a communication terminal device on the called side. FIG. 11 is a diagram showing an operation procedure in the case where a single path B is opened by a request from the communication application program 14 after receiving an incoming call from an external communication terminal device.

The device driver 18 is started and the OS2
When resident under the control of 0, the path management unit 34 voluntarily performs a process of opening the path A having a predetermined communication attribute (step c1).

Thereafter, the path management unit 34 determines whether the resident of the device driver 18 under the control of the OS 20 is completed (step c2). If the resident is continuing, it is judged whether or not there is an incoming call through the path A opened voluntarily (step c3). If there is an incoming call, the communication application program 14 continuously sends the incoming call. It is determined whether there is an open request for the path B (step c4).
When there is no incoming call (when a negative judgment is made in step c3) and when there is no open request from the communication application program 14 (when a negative judgment is made in step c4), the path management unit 34:
Both return to step c2 and repeat the processes after the determination as to whether the resident of the device driver 18 is completed.

When the communication application program 14 is activated after an incoming call is received from another communication terminal device and an open request for the path B is issued from this communication application program 14, the path management unit 34 next responds to this open request. A response is sent back to the communication application program 14 (step c5). At that time, the path management unit 3
No. 4 does not actually perform the process of opening the path B in response to this open request, but internally associates the path A that has already been opened with the path B that has been requested to open (hereinafter, this correspondence The description is referred to as "mapping"), and the same response as when the open processing of the path B is completed is sent back to the communication application program 14.
After that, the communication application program 14 uses the path B
Although the communication is performed via the communication path recognized as, the communication is actually performed via the path A set by the path management unit 34.

Next, the path management unit 34 judges whether or not there is a close request for the path B from the communication application program 14 (step c6), and this judgment process is repeated until there is a close request.

When the communication application program 14 terminates a predetermined communication operation and issues a close request to the device driver 18 from the communication application program 14, the path management unit 34 performs a close process in response to the close request. The same response as when it is sent is sent back to the communication application program 14 (step c7). However, since it is necessary to keep the path A open while the device driver 18 is resident thereafter, the path management unit 34 does not perform the closing processing of the path A associated with the path B, and the above-mentioned processing is performed. Only the response is sent back to the communication application program 14.

When the device driver 18 is no longer resident, the path management unit 34 makes a negative determination in step c2, closes the path A opened voluntarily (step c8), and ends the series of processes. .

3A and 3D schematically show the series of processes described above. As shown in FIG. 9A, when the communication application program 14 is not communicating, the path A opened by the path management unit 34.
Only exists. However, when the communication application program 14 issues a path B open request, the path management unit 34 returns a response to the communication application program 14 with the path A open, as shown in FIG. The program 14 actually recognizes the path A opened by the path management unit 34 as the opened path B requested by the communication application program 14 itself to perform the subsequent communication operation.

As described above, by opening the path A by the path management unit 34 regardless of the operating state of the communication application program 14, the device driver 1
If it is 8 resident, it is possible to always accept an incoming call from another communication terminal device. Further, when the communication application program 14 is activated after receiving an incoming call, the communication application program 14 is activated by the path management unit 34.
The path A opened by is recognized as the path B requested to be opened by itself, and communication is performed. Therefore, as the communication application program 14 itself, a widely used one can be used as it is, so that an increase in cost can be minimized.

(1-5) Operation of Communication Terminal Device (When Opening Path after Incoming Call 2) In the above-mentioned example, the communication application program 14 is activated after receiving an incoming call and an open request for one path B is made. Although the case has been described, the communication application program 14 may simultaneously perform communication via a plurality of communication paths.

FIG. 6 shows an operation procedure when the communication application program 14 issues an open request for a plurality of paths after receiving an incoming call from another communication terminal device via the path A opened by the path management unit 34. FIG. In step c5 shown in FIG. 5, a case is shown in which an open request for an additional path B2 or the like is made after the open request for the first path B (B1) is made from the communication application program 14. Hereinafter, description will be made focusing on the points different from FIG.

In order to simplify the explanation, when the communication application program 14 makes a close request, first, a close request for the additional bus B2, etc. is made, and the close request for the path B1, which was initially requested, is made last. Assumed to be performed.

First, the path management unit 34 has to maintain the path A which has already been opened in response to the open request of the communication application program 14 started after the call is received via the path A. A response indicating that the open processing of the path B (B1) is completed is sent back to the communication application program 14 (step c5). After that, the path management unit 34 determines whether or not there is a request for closing the path B1 from the communication application program 14 (step d1).

If there is no request to close the path B1,
Next, the path management unit 34 determines whether or not there is an open request for the additional path B2 from the communication application program 14 (step d2), and if there is an open request, the open processing for the corresponding path B2 is actually performed. (Step d3).

When the open processing in step d3 is completed, or if there is no open request and a negative judgment is made in step d2, the path management unit 34 next determines whether there is a close request for the additional path B2 or the like from the communication application program 14. It is determined whether or not (step d4). When there is a close request, the path management unit 34 performs a close process for the additional path for which the close request is made (step d5). After that, or if there is no close request and a negative judgment is made in step d4, the path management unit 34 returns to step d1 and repeats the judgment as to whether or not there is a close request for the first opened path B1.

When there is a close request for the path B1 which is the first open request, the configuration is judged in step d1 and the processing shown in step c7 of FIG. 5 is executed (the close processing of the path B1 is completed. A response to that effect is sent back to the communication application program 14, but the path A is actually
Keep it open).

3A and 3E schematically show the series of processes described above. As shown in FIG. 9A, when the communication application program 14 is not communicating, the path A opened by the path management unit 34.
Only exists. However, when the communication application program 14 first requests to open the path B1, as shown in FIG.
Since the response is returned to the communication application program 14 in the state where the
Actually recognizes the path A opened by the path management unit 34 as the opened path B1 requested to be opened by the communication application program 14 itself. Next, when there is an open request for the additional path B2 from the communication application program 14, the path management unit 34 performs the open processing for the path B2 in accordance with the open request, so the path management unit 34 for the additional path B2 and the like. No special processing is performed, and the processing for opening the path is performed according to the open request.

As described above, when there is an open request for a plurality of paths from the communication application program 14 activated after the call is received via the path A opened by the path management unit 34, the path management unit The reference numeral 34 maps only to the path B1 for which the open request is made first, and performs the open processing for the other additional paths B2 etc. in accordance with the open request. Therefore,
From the viewpoint of the communication application program 14, it is recognized that all the paths have been set as requested by the user, so the communication application program 1
As for 4 itself, the one widely used from the past can be used as it is, and the increase in cost can be suppressed to a minimum.

Second Embodiment Next, a second embodiment when the personal computer 10 is used as a communication terminal device will be described. The communication terminal device of the second embodiment is characterized in that an incoming call notification unit 36 is added to the device driver 18 in the personal computer 10 of the first embodiment shown in FIG.

That is, in the first embodiment, since the path management unit 34 can open the path A and accept the incoming call, the communication application program 14 is activated until the incoming call is received. It is not necessary to perform the above, and it is possible to execute other application programs such as word processing software and make the personal computer 10 perform work other than communication. Therefore, it is necessary to provide a means for notifying a personal computer user who is performing a work other than communication that there is an incoming call through the path A, and this notifying means is added in the present embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing the details of the case where the communication terminal device of the second embodiment is constituted by using a personal computer, and only the constitution mainly relating to communication is shown. In comparison with the configuration shown in FIG.
The difference is that 6 is added. The configurations corresponding to those in FIG.

When the path management unit 34 detects an incoming call via the path A opened by itself, the incoming call notification unit 36 notifies the personal computer user that there is an incoming call. As a notification method, a method of displaying a message to that effect on a part of the monitor screen (CRT screen) of the personal computer 10, sounding a buzzer, or giving a voice notification through a speaker can be considered.

For example, in FIG. 5, when the path management unit 34 makes an affirmative judgment in step c3 (whether or not there is an incoming call via the path A), the incoming call notification unit 36 informs the personal computer user to that effect. Notice. After receiving this notification, the personal computer user activates the communication application program 14 after finishing the work other than the communication currently being performed. After that, this started communication application program 1
4, a path B open request is issued, and the path management unit 34
The processing from step c4 onward is performed.

As described above, by providing the incoming call notification section 36, the personal computer user can promptly activate the communication application program 14 even when he / she is performing a work other than communication. In the above, it is not necessary to keep the communication application program 14 running all the time, and the personal computer 10 can be effectively used.

By the way, since the personal computer 10 is operated by the single-task OS 20, when the application program other than communication is executed, the OS 2
Path A by the device driver 18 under the control of 0
Some kind of trigger is required to detect whether or not there is an incoming call via.

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an outline of a case where an incoming call is detected by using an interrupt from the ISDN communication board 12 as a trigger. Further, FIG. 9 is a diagram showing an operation procedure at the time of detecting an incoming call.

When there is an incoming call through the path A, the ISDN communication board 12 causes an interrupt to the path management unit 34. The path management unit 34 determines whether or not there is an interrupt corresponding to an incoming call via the path A (step e1), and when the interrupt is received, the incoming call is detected (step e).
2). The incoming call notification unit 36 notifies the personal computer user of the incoming call in response to the incoming call detection by the path management unit 34 (step e3).

Strictly speaking, when there is an incoming call via the path A, the ISDN communication board 12 causes the CPU of the personal computer 10 to
An interrupt to (not shown) occurs. CPU is
When an interrupt occurs, the work currently being performed (for example, the work being performed by executing an application program other than communication) is interrupted, and a process corresponding to the interrupt (incoming call detection process by the path management unit 34) is performed.

Further, in FIG. 8, the ISDN communication board 12 interrupts the path management unit 34 when an incoming call is received via the path A.
The DN communication board 12 may directly interrupt the incoming call notification unit 36, and the incoming call notification unit 36 may be notified that the incoming call is directly or indirectly.

FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a detailed configuration of the incoming call notification unit 36, and shows a case where a message is displayed on a part of the CRT screen as an example. In addition, FIG.
It is a figure which shows the operation procedure at the time of displaying a predetermined message on a CRT screen by the structure shown in FIG.

In general, the personal computer 10 uses a text VRAM to display a text screen on the CRT 66.
60, a CRT controller 62, and a character generator (CG) 64. Text VRAM60
Stores the text data (character code) corresponding to each display address of the CRT screen, the display pixel data corresponding to each text data is created by the CRT controller 62 and the character generator 64, and is displayed on the screen of the CRT 66. The display is done. Therefore, if a part of the text data stored in the text VRAM 60 can be rewritten, an arbitrary character can be displayed on only a part of the display screen of the CRT 66.

As shown in FIG. 10, the incoming call notification unit 36 is
The memory saving unit 38, the message writing unit 40, the event detecting unit 42, and the memory restoring unit 44 are included.

When the path management unit 34 detects an incoming call through the path A (step f1), the memory saving unit 38
Temporarily saves the text data stored in a partial area of the text VRAM 60 into a partial area of a RAM (not shown) (step f2). After the saving operation, the message writing unit 40 writes the text data corresponding to the predetermined message in a partial area of the text VRAM 38 (step f3). Thus, the text VRA
By rewriting a part of M38, a predetermined message is displayed on a part of the display screen of the CRT 66. When the personal computer user who sees this message executes the communication application program 14, the event detection unit 42
The execution of the communication application program 14 is detected as an event (step f4). After that, the memory restoration unit 44 restores a part of the area of the text VRAM 38 to the state before writing the message (step f
5) The message display ends.

In this way, by displaying the fact that the incoming call is made via the path A by using a part of the screen of the CRT 66, the person who is working on the personal computer 10 receives the call. It is possible to promptly notify that there is a call. Therefore, the personal computer user can promptly start the communication application program 14, and it is not necessary to keep the communication application program 14 running at all times, and the personal computer 10 can be effectively used.

[Third Embodiment] Next, a third embodiment in which the personal computer 10 is used as a communication terminal device will be described.

The communication terminal device of the third embodiment is the device driver 18 in the personal computer 10 of the second embodiment shown in FIG.
Is characterized in that a calling side application detection unit 46 is further added.

That is, in the personal computer 10 of the above-mentioned first and second embodiments, the resident device driver 1
Since the path management unit 34 in 8 voluntarily opens the path A and accepts an incoming call from another communication terminal device, communication is performed via a public line such as an ISDN line. In some cases, there are various communication methods. Therefore, it is necessary to start the appropriate communication application program 14 corresponding to the communication application started by the communication terminal device that is the communication destination on the called-side personal computer 10, and in this embodiment, a configuration necessary for that is added. Has been done.

FIG. 12 is a diagram showing the details of the case where the communication terminal device of the third embodiment is constituted by using a personal computer, and only the constitution mainly relating to communication is shown. The difference from the configuration shown in FIG. 7 is that a calling side application detection unit 46 is added to the device driver 18. The components corresponding to those in FIG. 7 are designated by the same reference numerals, and the operation of the calling side application detection unit 46 will be mainly described.

The calling-side application detection unit 46, when the path management unit 34 receives an incoming call through the path A opened voluntarily, is the name of the communication application used by the calling-side communication terminal device. Is for detecting. For example, in the case of communication, as one of the parameters of the calling packet, the communication application name of the calling side is included in the user / user information area, and the calling packet is received to receive the calling application. The communication application name used by the communication terminal device is detected.

The calling side application detecting section 46.
If the communication application name of the calling side detected by is written in a partial area of the text VRAM 60 by the message writing section 40 in the incoming call notification section 36 shown in FIG. 10 and displayed on the CRT screen, Can notify PC users. Alternatively, it may be displayed on the CRT screen only when the personal computer user operates an input device (not shown) such as a keyboard.

As described above, by providing the calling-side application detection unit 46, the communication application name used by the calling-side communication terminal device is detected, so that the appropriate communication is performed in the called-side personal computer 10. Since the application program 14 can be activated, efficient communication becomes possible.

By the way, as described above, in order to detect the calling side communication application name in the calling side application detecting section 46, a function of sending out the communication application name to the calling side communication terminal device at the time of calling is provided. Need to have.

FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a structure in the case where the personal computer 10 having the structure shown in FIG. 1 has a function of transmitting the communication application program name on the calling side,
The configuration of only the device driver 18 is shown.

As shown in the figure, the calling personal computer 10
The device driver 18 includes a calling-side application notifying unit 48, which notifies the destination of the calling-side communication application name at the time of calling. As a specific method of notification, there is a method of including the communication application program name of the calling side as one of the parameters of the calling packet as described above. The name may be transmitted.

Although the above-mentioned calling side application notifying unit 48 is included in the device driver 18, the function of the calling side application notifying unit 48 is provided in the communication application program of the calling side communication terminal device. May be.

[Fourth Embodiment] Next, a fourth embodiment in which the personal computer 10 is used as a communication terminal device will be described. The communication terminal device of the fourth embodiment is characterized in that an application execution determination unit 50 and an application automatic start unit 52 are added to the device driver 18 in the personal computer 10 shown in FIG.

That is, in the second embodiment, when the path management unit 34 receives an incoming call through the path A opened by itself, the incoming call notification unit 36 notifies the personal computer user of the fact, and the personal computer Although the user himself / herself instructs to start the communication application program 14, it is convenient if the communication application program 14 can be automatically started directly when the personal computer 10 itself is not executing any application program. Yes, a function for this purpose is added in this embodiment.

FIG. 14 is a diagram showing the details of the case where the communication terminal device of the fourth embodiment is constructed by using a personal computer, and only the device driver 18 shown in FIG. 7 and the like is shown. The difference from the configuration shown in FIG. 7 is that an application execution determination unit 50 and an application automatic start unit 52 are added to the device driver 18. The configurations corresponding to those in FIG. 7 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the operation of these added configurations will be mainly described.

The application execution determination unit 50 determines whether any application program is being executed,
Alternatively, it detects whether any application program is under execution and is under the control of the OS 20. In addition, when the application execution determination unit 50 detects that the application execution determination unit 52 is under the control of the OS 20 (when there is no application program being executed), the communication application program 1
Automatically start 4.

As described above, when the path management unit 34 voluntarily opens the incoming path A and there is no application program currently being executed, the communication application program 14 is automatically executed. Due to
It is possible to quickly start the communication operation corresponding to the incoming call. Further, if there is an application program being executed, a predetermined notification can be given to the personal computer user from the incoming call notification unit 36 in the device driver 18, as described in the second embodiment. Therefore, it is not necessary to always run the communication application program 14, and the personal computer 10 can be effectively used.

If the communication application program 14 has already been activated when an incoming call is received,
The notification by the incoming call notification unit 36 and the automatic activation of the communication application program 14 by the application automatic activation unit 52 are not required. Therefore, if there is a program being executed, the application execution determination unit 50 must identify whether it is the communication application program 14 or another application program. For example, a request from a certain program When the open processing of the path B has already been performed, the program may be identified as the communication application program 14.

Also, the communication application program 1
When 4 is automatically started, there is not always a PC user in front of the PC 10. Therefore, it is preferable to provide a means for notifying the PC user that the communication application program 14 has been automatically started. However, such notification means does not necessarily have to be provided in the device driver 18, and therefore, for example, an application program for automatic start notification may be activated to notify.

Further, in the above-described embodiment, the case where the application execution determining unit 50 and the application automatic starting unit 52 are added to the device driver 18 shown in FIG. 7 has been described as an example, but in the third embodiment, FIG. The application execution determination unit 50 and the application automatic start unit 52 may be added to the device driver 18 shown in FIG. In this case, the calling-side application detection unit 46 knows the calling-side communication application name. Therefore, several kinds of communication application programs 14 are prepared, and the application automatic starting unit 52 automatically selects the optimum communication application program 14. You may make it start.

[Other Embodiments] In each of the above-described embodiments, the path management unit 34 in the device driver 18 voluntarily opens a single path A and receives an incoming call from another communication terminal device. Although the path A is accepted at an arbitrary timing, it is necessary to set a certain communication attribute for this path A, so that only an incoming call having this communication attribute can be accepted. Actually, there is no particular inconvenience if it is set to a communication attribute that is frequently used or a communication attribute that wants to accept incoming calls, but a modification in which incoming calls having multiple communication attributes can be arbitrarily accepted Will be described below.

As already described in the case where the communication application program 14 is activated to make a call, I
The SDN line physically has three channels even if it is a basic service, and since a plurality of logical paths can be set in each physical channel, a plurality of paths can be opened at the same time. Therefore, by setting the number of paths that the path management unit 34 of each of the above-described embodiments voluntarily opens to a plurality, and setting different communication attributes for each of the plurality of paths, the destinations having different communication attributes are set. Can accept calls.

For example, the path management unit 34 voluntarily opens three paths A (paths A1, A2, A3) and sets the respective communication attributes as follows.

Path A1: Bch, circuit switching, three-layer data transfer Path A2: Bch, packet switching (VC), multi-layer data transfer Path A3: Dch, packet switching (VC), multi-layer data transfer By voluntarily opening a plurality of paths A having different communication attributes by means of 34, it is possible to accept incoming calls from other communication terminal devices having various communication attributes.

In particular, as is conventionally done, when both the calling side and the called side are in contact with each other prior to communication to activate the communication application program, the communication attribute at that time is set. You don't need to have multiple paths with different communication attributes, as you can contact each other. However, as described above, when the path management unit 34 voluntarily opens a path, since the communication attributes are not communicated with each other prior to the communication, a plurality of paths A having different communication attributes are voluntarily set. Open it,
If all incoming calls included in these communication attributes are accepted, the opportunity for communication is secured accordingly.

Therefore, the personal computer user can execute the work by executing the application programs other than communication without worrying about the communication attribute, and can effectively utilize the personal computer 10. In particular, even when a plurality of communication terminal devices of different types are used as communication partners to receive incoming calls at any time, the personal computer 10 can execute an application program other than communication to perform work other than communication. .

FIG. 15 is a diagram for explaining the path setting state when the path management unit 34 voluntarily opens a plurality of paths A, and corresponds to FIG. 3 described in the first embodiment. It is a thing.

FIG. 15A shows a state in which the communication application program 14 is not activated, and the path management unit 34 in the device driver 18 shown in FIG. 1 etc.
By this, a plurality of (for example, three) paths A1 to A3 are opened voluntarily.

FIG. 16B shows the case where the communication application program 14 is activated before the call is received via the path A1 and the like, and the communication application program 14 issues an open request for one path B. ing. In this way, when the communication application program 14 is activated and a path B open request is made before an incoming call is received from another communication terminal device, the management unit 34 determines that the three paths that have already been opened. The close processing is performed for all of A1 to A3, and then the open processing of the path B for which the open request is made is performed.

Further, in FIG. 9C, the communication application program 14 is activated before an incoming call is made via the path A1 or the like, and the communication application program 14 requests opening of a plurality of paths B1 and B2. The case is shown. Also in this case, as in the case of FIG. 7B, when the communication application program 14 issues an open request for the first path B1, the path management unit 34 selects all three paths A1 to A3 that have already been opened. For the path B1 for which the open request is made. Moreover, for the path B2 etc. for which an open request has been issued after that, the request is sent as is to the IS.
The open processing is performed by sending to the DN communication board 12 side, and the additional path B2 and the like are opened.

FIGS. 14D and 14E show the path management unit 3
4 shows a case where an incoming call is made through one of the opened paths A1 to A3 which are opened voluntarily. In this case, when the communication application program 14 is activated after that and there is an open request for one path B (when there is an open request for a plurality of paths B1, B2, etc., the first path B1 is Only) is mapped to the path A and the path B as shown in the first embodiment. At this time, only the path A that actually received the call is used as an actual communication path without being closed, but the other two paths A are closed.

The present invention is not limited to the above embodiments, and various modifications can be made within the scope of the gist of the present invention.

For example, in each of the above-mentioned embodiments, ISDN
The description has been given by taking the communication terminal device that performs communication via a line as an example, but the same applies to the case where communication is performed via a line other than the ISDN line (for example, a dedicated line by the DDX network). Further, not only the case of having a plurality of physical channels such as an ISDN line, but the case of physically having only one channel may be used. The same applies to the case of receiving a voice call from another communication terminal device other than the data communication using the circuit switching or the packet switching.

Further, in each of the above-mentioned embodiments, the personal computer 1
Although the communication terminal device is configured by 0, the present invention is applied to a case where an information processing device or the like having a single task operating system has a communication function, or a personal computer or the like having a multitasking operating system. You can also In a personal computer having a multitasking operating system, a communication application program and an application program other than communication can be executed at the same time.
The respective processing speeds are reduced due to the simultaneous execution. However, if the present invention is applied, the processing speed does not decrease, so that the processing speed can be increased and the personal computer can be effectively used.

[0147]

As described above, according to the first aspect of the invention, the first communication path is voluntarily opened by the path management means when the driver means is resident under the control of the operating system. It is possible to receive a call from another communication terminal device even when the communication program is not being executed. Therefore, it is not necessary to execute the communication program in advance on the called side, and it is possible to reduce the time and effort required at the start of communication such that both the calling side and the called side of communication communicate with each other. Further, since it is not necessary to execute the communication program during the communication standby, the call can be detected and the communication can be started by the single-task operating system even while the application program other than the communication is being executed.

According to the second aspect of the invention, when the communication means is activated and communicates before an incoming call is made via the first communication path, the path management means voluntarily opens the communication. After closing the first communication path, the second communication path is opened according to the request of the communication means, so that the communication means itself may start normal communication operation without being aware of the path management means. The existing one can be used as it is, and the change in the communication terminal device can be minimized.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, when the communication means is activated after the incoming call is received via the first communication path and the communication is performed, the second opening request is issued from the communication means. No communication path is opened, the first communication path and the second communication path are associated in the path management means, and a response indicating that the second communication path is opened is returned to the communication means as requested. ,
After that, the communication means instructs transmission / reception of data and the like via the second communication path, but the communication is actually carried out via the first communication path. Therefore, the communication means itself that receives the call may start normal communication operation without being aware of the path management means, and the existing communication program can be used as it is, and the change in the communication terminal device can be made. Can be kept to a minimum.

According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, the path management means voluntarily opens a plurality of first communication paths, and different communication attributes are set for each first communication path. , Even if it is possible to receive several types of calls with different communication attributes, and in particular to receive incoming calls with a plurality of communication terminal devices of different types as communication partners at any time, the communication terminal device itself is not an application other than communication. The program can be executed and the device can be effectively used.

Further, according to the invention of claim 5, when the communication means is activated and communicates before the incoming call is made via the plurality of first communication paths, the path management means voluntarily operates. After closing all the opened first communication paths, the second communication path is opened according to the request of the communication means.
Therefore, similarly to the invention of claim 2, the communication means itself may start a normal communication operation without being aware of the path management means, and the communication program can be used as it is. Changes in the device can be minimized.

Further, according to the invention of claim 7, when the communication means is activated and communication is performed after the call is received via any of the plurality of first communication paths, the call is already received. The first communication path other than the first communication path being closed and the other first communication paths are closed, and the second communication path is not opened. Corresponding to the communication path, the communication means returns a response to the effect that the second communication path has been opened, and thereafter, the communication means instructs transmission / reception of data and the like via the second communication path. Actually, communication is performed via the first communication path that received the incoming call. Therefore, as in the third aspect of the invention, the communication means itself may start a normal communication operation without being aware of the path management means, and the communication program that has been used up to now can be used as it is. Changes in the device can be minimized.

According to the inventions of claims 6 and 8,
When a request to open a second communication path is made by the activated communication means and then a request to open an additional communication path is made, the path management means does not perform any special operation, and the request is directly transmitted to the communication unit side. I am sending it to. Therefore, even when an additional communication path is used, the communication means itself may perform the same communication operation as in the conventional case without paying attention to the path management means, and it is not necessary to change the communication program.

Further, according to the invention of claim 9, when the path management means makes an incoming call through the first communication path opened voluntarily, the incoming call notifying means notifies the user of the fact. The user who has been performing work other than communication for notification can promptly execute the communication program and activate the communication means. In other words, it is possible to know that an incoming call has been made to the first communication path opened by the path management means even if a work other than communication is performed, so that communication of the device can be performed without any trouble. It can be effectively used.

According to the tenth aspect of the invention, it is detected by the interrupt from the communication unit or the specific hardware that the path management means has received an incoming call through the first communication path opened by itself. Therefore, incoming call detection can be performed even when an application program other than communication is being executed in a device having a single-task operating system, and even when other work other than communication is being performed. It is possible to effectively use the device without disturbing communication.

According to the invention of claim 11, when notifying the user that there is an incoming call through the first communication path, a message is temporarily displayed in a partial area of the video RAM. By writing, a message is displayed on a part of the display screen, so the message can be transmitted most efficiently to the PC user who is performing work other than communication, and the user is concerned about whether there is an incoming call. The work can be performed without doing so, and the device can be effectively used.

According to the twelfth aspect of the present invention, the communication program is automatically started when an incoming call is received through the first communication path and it is under the control of the operating system at that time. Therefore, even when an incoming call is received via the first communication path, the communication means can be promptly activated to start the communication, and the communication program is executed when the call waits to execute the communication means. It is not necessary to start it up, and an application program other than communication can be executed to perform work other than communication as necessary.

According to the thirteenth aspect of the present invention, the information regarding the communication application sent from the calling side at the time of the incoming call through the first communication path is detected, and the user is based on this information. It is possible to instruct execution of an optimum communication program.

According to the fourteenth aspect of the present invention, the information regarding the communication application sent from the calling side at the time of the incoming call through the first communication path is detected, and the optimum communication program is detected based on this information. The application can be started automatically.

Further, the invention of claims 15 to 21 shows a concrete control method in the case of performing communication by voluntarily opening the first communication path by the above-mentioned path management means. It is the same as the invention of each of the above-mentioned claims that a call from another communication terminal device can be received even when the call is not being executed. Therefore, it is not necessary to execute the communication program in advance on the called side prior to the communication, and it is possible to reduce the trouble at the time of starting the communication such that both the calling side and the called side communicate with each other. In particular, since there is no need to execute a communication program during communication standby, even if a single-task operating system is included, a call can be detected and communication can be promptly performed even when an application program other than communication is being executed. You can start.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing details of a case where a communication terminal device of a first embodiment is configured using a personal computer.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an operation procedure in the case where a communication application program is activated to perform communication before an incoming call is received.

FIG. 3 is a diagram for explaining a path setting state.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an operation procedure in the case where a communication application program is activated to perform communication before an incoming call is received.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an operation procedure in the case where a communication application program is activated to perform communication after receiving an incoming call.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an operation procedure in the case where a communication application program is activated to perform communication after receiving an incoming call.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing details of a case where the communication terminal device of the second embodiment is configured using a personal computer.

FIG. 8 is a diagram for explaining an outline of a case where an incoming call is detected by using an interrupt as a trigger.

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing an operation procedure when an incoming call is detected by using an interrupt as a trigger.

10 is a diagram showing an example of a detailed configuration of an incoming call notification unit shown in FIG.

11 is a diagram showing an operation procedure of the incoming call notification unit shown in FIG.

FIG. 12 is a diagram showing details of a case where the communication terminal device of the third embodiment is configured using a personal computer.

FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of a communication terminal device on the calling side.

FIG. 14 is a diagram showing details of a case where the communication terminal device of the fourth embodiment is configured using a personal computer.

FIG. 15 is a diagram for explaining a path setting state when a plurality of paths having different communication attributes are opened by the path management unit.

[Explanation of symbols]

10 personal computer 12 ISDN communication board 14 communication application program (AP) 16 API library 18 device driver 20 operating system (OS) 30 application program interface (API) 32 ISDN-BIOS 34 path management unit 36 incoming call notification unit 38 memory Evacuation unit 40 Message writing unit 42 Event detection unit 44 Memory restoration unit 46 Calling side application detection unit 48 Calling side application notification unit 50 Application execution determination unit 52 Application automatic start unit

Claims (21)

[Claims] 1. A communication unit realized by executing a communication program by an operating system, a communication unit for physically connecting to a communication line, and control of the communication unit under the control of the operating system. A communication unit having a driver unit that provides a predetermined communication function to the communication unit, and the driver unit is resident when the driver unit is resident under the control of the operating system system. A path management unit that voluntarily sends a request to the communication unit to open the first communication path when the communication unit is not operating, and the path management unit includes a path management unit that sends the request even if the communication unit is not operating. A call is received from the outside through the first communication path opened in response to a request from the management means. Communication terminal apparatus that. 2. The path management means according to claim 1, wherein the communication means issues a request to open the second communication path before an incoming call is received via the first communication path which is opened voluntarily. When there is, a request to close the first communication path is sent to the communication unit, and then a request to open the second communication path from the communication means is sent to the communication unit. Communication terminal device. 3. The path management means according to claim 1, wherein there is a request from the communication means to open the second communication path after receiving an incoming call through the first communication path which is opened voluntarily. When the first one already open
The first communication path and the second communication path are associated with each other without closing the communication path of the second communication path and without opening the second communication path. Two
A communication terminal device, which returns a response indicating that the communication path has been opened. 4. The communication terminal device according to claim 1, wherein there are a plurality of the first communication paths that the path management means autonomously opens, and different communication attributes are set for each of them. 5. The path management means according to claim 4, wherein the path management unit is a plurality of voluntarily opened first paths.
When there is a request from the communication means to open the second communication path before there is an incoming call via the communication path, the communication unit is requested to close a plurality of the first communication paths. A communication terminal device, characterized in that a request for opening a second communication path from the communication means is sent to the communication unit after sending to the communication unit. 6. The path management means according to claim 2 or 5, after the path management means opens a second communication path in response to a request from the communication means, a request to open an additional communication path is further issued from the communication means. When there is, the communication terminal device, which sends the request as it is to the communication unit. 7. The path management unit according to claim 4, wherein the path management unit voluntarily opens the plurality of first paths.
When there is a request from the communication means to open the second communication path after receiving an incoming call via any of the communication paths
Correspondence between the first communication path and the second communication path that have not been closed without closing the second communication path except for the first communication path that received the call. A communication terminal device, wherein the communication terminal device adds a response to the communication means and returns a response to the effect that the second communication path has been opened. 8. The path management unit according to claim 3 or 7, after returning a response to the communication unit to the effect that the second communication path has been opened, further opens an additional communication path from the communication unit. A communication terminal device, characterized in that, when there is a request, the request is sent to the communication unit as it is. 9. The driver according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the driver means gives a notification to that effect when an incoming call is received via the first communication path which the path management means has opened voluntarily. A communication terminal device further comprising an incoming call notifying means for performing a user. 10. The method according to claim 1, wherein the presence or absence of an incoming call through the first communication path by the path management unit or the incoming call notification means is determined by an interrupt from the communication unit or A communication terminal device characterized in that it is performed in response to an interrupt by specific hardware. 11. The incoming call notification means according to claim 9, wherein the incoming call notification means saves data in a partial area of the video RAM, and a predetermined message for the partial area of the video RAM. Message writing means for writing data, and memory restoring means for writing and restoring the data saved by the memory saving means in a partial area of the video RAM at a predetermined timing, the first communication A communication terminal device, wherein when a call is received via a path, a predetermined message is displayed on a part of a screen of a display device for displaying the contents of the video RAM. 12. The driver unit according to any one of claims 1 to 11, other than the communication program under the control of the operating system when an incoming call is received via the first communication path. A communication terminal device comprising: an application execution determination unit that determines that the application program is not being executed; and an application automatic start unit that starts the communication program when the application program is not being executed. . 13. The calling side according to claim 9, wherein the driver means detects information related to a communication application sent from the calling side at the time of an incoming call via the first communication path. The system further includes application detection means, wherein the incoming call notification means notifies the user of information regarding the communication application in addition to or in place of the notification of the incoming call. Communication terminal equipment. 14. The calling-side application detecting means according to claim 12, wherein the driver means further detects information regarding a communication application sent from the calling side at the time of an incoming call through the first communication path. A communication terminal device is included, wherein the automatic start-up means starts an appropriate communication program corresponding to the communication application on the calling side. 15. A first communication path is opened in advance under the control of the operating system when the communication program is not executed, and the external communication via the first communication path is performed regardless of the execution state of the communication program. A communication control method characterized by receiving a call. 16. The first communication path is opened in advance under the control of the operating system when the communication program is not executed, and before an incoming call is made via the first communication path.
A communication control method comprising: opening the second communication path after closing the first communication path when a request to open the second communication path is made by starting the communication program. 17. The first communication path is opened in advance under the control of the operating system when the communication program is not executed, and the communication program is started after a call is received through the first communication path. If a request is made to open the second communication path, the first communication path is associated with the second communication path without closing the first communication path, and the second communication path is already opened. A communication control method comprising using the first communication path that is present as the second communication path. 18. The communication control method according to claim 15, wherein when an incoming call is received via the first communication path, a notification to that effect is given to the user. . 19. The application program other than the communication program according to claim 15, when an incoming call is received via the first communication path, under the control of the operating system. A communication control method comprising determining that the communication program is not in operation and automatically starting the communication program. 20. The communication sent from the calling side via the first communication path according to any one of claims 15 to 18, when an incoming call is received via the first communication path. A communication control method comprising detecting information about an application and notifying the user of this information. 21. The information according to claim 19, wherein when a call is received via the first communication path, information regarding a communication application sent from the calling side via the first communication path is detected. Then, the communication control method is characterized by activating an appropriate communication program corresponding to this information.