JPS62263748A - Data communication equipment - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To simplify the constitution of a master equipment side comparatively by providing a detection means detecting a fault of a telephone line and making a signal received from a receiver ineffective when the fault is detected so as to reduce the necessity for the confirmation of an input data at each occasion. CONSTITUTION:A CPU 35 of a master equipment always detects a fault of a communication line via an interface 31, outputs a control signal to a recording/reproducing device 24 when the fault exists to raise a prescribed alarm(message) to a slave equipment, a telephone line is opened to complete the incoming operation. If a fault is detected, e.g., on the way of data reception, a signal is outputted from the CPU 35 to the computer 1, and the data at the incoming is all made ineffective and a message representing it is sent from the recording/ reproducing device 24. When no fault exists in the communication line, whether or not the data sending is finished is supervised by the master equipment.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [Field of Industrial Application] The present invention relates to a data communication device that transmits and receives data via a telephone line.

[Summary of the invention]

In the present invention, data transmitted via a telephone line as a DTMF signal is invalidated when an abnormality in the telephone line is detected.

[Traditional technique camellia]

FIG. 20 shows a configuration for transmitting and receiving data between computers via a telephone line.

For example, a relatively small computer 1 such as a personal computer includes a main body 2, an input device 3 such as a keyboard,
It is composed of a display device 4 such as a CRT. 5 is a modem telephone, and as shown in FIG. 21, for example, data sent from the computer 1 to the telephone line 6 is converted into FSK,
a modem 11 that modulates using a predetermined method such as PSK and demodulates the modulated signal from the telephone line 6 into high-level and low-level digital signals and outputs them to the computer 1;
It is integrated with the telephone unit 12. NCU (Netw)
Ork Control Unit) section 13 switches and connects telephone line 6 to modem 11 and telephone section 12 . The audio signal to the telephone unit 12 is sent to the monitor speaker 14.
It is now possible to monitor. 15 is an auto-dial device, which outputs a signal corresponding to a predetermined telephone number to the telephone line 6;

Devices with such a configuration are installed at locations A and B. For example, the autodial device 15 at location A (or location B) calls the telephone of the device at location B (or location A), and the device at location B calls the telephone of the device at location B (or location A). Upon response, a digital signal from the computer 1 at location A is modulated by the modem 5 and sent via the telephone line 6 to the modem 11 at location B (or location A). The modem 11 at location B (or location A) demodulates the modulated signal from the telephone line 6 into the original signal and supplies it to the computer 1.

When performing data communication via a telephone line in this way, there is a drawback that a computer 1 and a modem 11 are required on both the sending and receiving sides. Using a telephone of the type,
A system has been proposed as a non-store sales system in which a voice signal input from each telephone is recognized by a voice recognition device on the receiving side, and the recognized signal is input as a digital signal to a computer on the receiving side. In this system, data can also be input by key operations on a so-called telephone, and it is also possible to call a telephone from the computer side and request input of data from the telephone, a so-called request.

[Problem that the invention seeks to solve]

Since such a system sends out a voice signal corresponding to the data for confirmation every time data is input via the telephone line, j5! There was a drawback that the configuration on the n side was complicated.

[Means for solving problems]

The present invention provides a data communication device that includes a receiving device that receives a DTMF signal transmitted from a telephone line, a relatively small computer that processes the signal received by the receiving device according to a predetermined program, and a computer that detects abnormalities in the telephone line. The computer includes a detection means for detecting an abnormality and a means for outputting a predetermined signal to the computer when the detection means detects an abnormality, and the computer invalidates the signal received from the receiving device when the predetermined signal is input. 6 [Function] Data input as a DTMF signal via a telephone line is received by a receiving device and input into a computer. The condition of the telephone line is monitored and when an abnormality is detected, the received data is invalidated.

〔Example〕

FIG. 1 represents a network of data communication devices according to the present invention. As in the case 9 mentioned above, the main unit 2 and
A relatively small computer 1, such as a personal computer, including an input device 3 and a display device 4 is prepared. 2
1 is a controller, which is connected to the telephone line 6 of an attached telephone 22, and which is connected to the computer 1. Modem 23. Controls the recording/reproducing device 24 and the like.

FIG. 3 shows a more detailed block diagram of the controller 21. 31 is a line interface, which includes a closing part that closes and opens the telephone line, a calling signal detecting part that detects an incoming calling signal, a polarity detecting part that detects the polarity of the DC loop of the telephone line, and CPC (Calling Party) detects when the handset is placed (on-hook)
Control) detection unit, attached telephone 22
The telephone line 6 has a hook detection section that detects the hook state of the telephone line 6, and a voice detection section that detects the presence or absence of a voice signal on the telephone line 6. 32 is a computer interface such as RS 232C. 33 is a transmitting/receiving device, which is a so-called DTMF (Dual T).

ne Multi-frequency) signals and receives them. When the controller 21 is configured integrally with the attached telephone 22, the transmitting/receiving device 33 can also be used as an original device of the telephone that generates a DTMF signal when a key of the telephone 22 is operated. , 34 is a switch, which switches the signal flow path (indicated by a thick line in the figure). 35 is a cPU such as a microprocessor as a control device, which issues control signals (indicated by thin lines in the figure) to each circuit, device, means, etc. to control them.

For base units installed at locations A and B (of course, location A may be the only location), calls are made to location C via predetermined telephone stations 41 such as terminal stations, centralized stations, central stations, general offices, etc., and their telephone lines 6. , a plurality of slave units are connected to locations B and E. The handset at ground C receives the dial type telephone 42 and the dial pulse output when dialing the telephone 42, and transmits the corresponding DTMF.
It is composed of an adapter 43 that outputs a signal. E
The handset on the ground is composed of a button 44 that outputs a DTMF signal. On the other hand, the handset installed in a land includes a telephone 47, a dedicated terminal 45 connected thereto for carrying out the data communication of the present invention, and a printer 46 (necessary) that prints information as characters on paper and outputs it. (included according to the requirements) and more.

FIG. 4 shows a block diagram of the terminal 45.

51 is a line interface, which closes the telephone line;
A closing part that opens, a calling signal detecting part that detects an incoming calling signal, a polarity detecting part that detects the polarity of the direct current loop of the telephone line, a CPC detecting part that detects the on-footer of the other party, and an attached telephone set. 47, and a voice detection section that detects the presence or absence of a voice signal on the telephone line 6. 52 is a transmitting/receiving device that transmits and receives DTMF signals, and if it is integrated with the attached telephone 47 as in the case described above, it is the original transmitting/receiving device of the telephone 8!47. It can also be used with. 53 is an input device such as a keyboard, and 54 is a display device such as an LED, LCD, CRT, or the like. 55 is a memory such as a RAM for storing data to be communicated, and 56 is a CP such as a microprocessor as a control device.
It is U. 57 is an interface of the printer 46;
Reference numeral 8 denotes an interface for an external memory 59 that is provided as required. As the external memory 59, for example, a tape recorder, a magnetic disk recording/reproducing device, a solid state memory, etc. are used.

Data communication is between the base units at locations A and B (in this case, one base unit can be considered a slave unit for the other base unit)
, is carried out between the base unit at location A or B and the slave unit at location C, B, or E. The former case is similar to conventional modem-modem communication (the modem 23 is necessary in this case, but unnecessary in the following cases), so its explanation will be omitted.

The present invention relates to the latter case, and particularly relates to the case where the child device calls the parent device, and this will be described below.

When a child device calls a parent device, the operation is performed according to the flowchart shown in FIG. 9, for example.

That is, first, it is determined whether or not the handset is a dedicated terminal 45, and if it is not the terminal 45 (if the handset is a general-purpose dial telephone 42 or a button phone 44), the telephone is manually operated. The selected number (phone number of the base unit) is called.

The user of the slave device determines whether the parent device (other party) has responded or not based on whether any message is sent from the parent device. This message can include the name, telephone number, etc. of the base unit. If the i-machine does not respond, it waits for a predetermined period of time, and when the predetermined period of time has elapsed, the calling operation is terminated, and the call is made again if necessary. Of course, if the call is busy, the caller will hang up the call without waiting for a predetermined time, and then call again after a while. When the base unit responds, the user operates the keys on the telephone to send out predetermined data. When a key is operated, a DTM F signal consisting of an HF signal and an LF multiplied signal as shown in Table 1 is sent out.

Table 1 When a master unit responds to a call from a slave unit, it sends messages such as input operation guidance to the slave unit as necessary. The handset inputs predetermined data according to the message.

The CPU 3 E+ of the base unit constantly detects the presence of an abnormality in the communication line via the interface 31.

When there is an abnormality, a control signal is output to the recording/reproducing device 24 to issue a predetermined message to the handset, open the telephone line, and terminate the incoming call operation. Further, for example, when an abnormality is detected during data reception, the CPU 35 outputs a signal to the computer 1, all the data received at that time is invalidated, and the recording/reproducing device 24 sends a message to that effect.

When there is no abnormality in the communication line, the base unit monitors whether the data transmission operation has been completed. When the data transmission is completed, the user sends a predetermined end code signal that is predetermined and registered on the 11 machine side, and if there is no correction, the operation ends there, and if there is a correction (modification), After performing the correction operation, the operation is terminated.

Next, in the case of a dedicated terminal 45, the operation is started by first specifying the telephone number (selected number) of the M1 machine to be called, but this start can be performed manually or automatically. In the case of manual operation, the user operates a predetermined key on the input device 53. In the case of automatic operation, the operation is started, for example, when a timer built in the CP'U 56 measures a predetermined time or when a predetermined alarm is detected.

The phone number of the base unit is stored in advance in the memory 55 of the terminal 45, and the CPU 56 searches for a predetermined number from among the stored numbers and outputs it to the sending/receiving device 52. is the DTM corresponding to the specified number
Send F signal. This signal is sent to the telephone line 6 via the interface 51. Of course, the transmitting/receiving device 52
A dial pulse generator can also be attached to the dial pulse generator, so that only the calling operation (not the data sending operation) is performed by the pulse train. In this way, there is no need to make the telephone line 6 a so-called bush line, and costs can be reduced.

When the calling operation is performed automatically, the designation of the number to be called is performed according to the program of the CPU 56. When manually making a call, the keys of the input device 53 or the keys of the attached telephone 47 are operated. The number D specified by the operation when this key was created
A TMF signal is output from the transmitting/receiving device 52 (or the transmitting/receiving device of the telephone 47). Therefore, a calling operation can be performed at any time even to a base unit that is not stored in the memory 55. Once the telephone number is manually operated, it is automatically stored in the memory 55, and automatic calls can be made from the next time onwards.

When the calling operation is started, the CPU 56 starts a built-in timer. Then, the polarity detection section of the interface 51 detects the response of the base unit.

When the base unit does not respond (the polarity of the telephone line 6 is not reversed), it is determined whether or not a call is in progress. When the call is not in progress, it is determined whether the timer has counted a predetermined time (it may also count a ring back tone or the like) (whether it is a time amplifier or not). When the time has elapsed, the calling operation is terminated, and if the time has not elapsed yet, the timer is incremented (the timekeeping operation continues).

If the base unit is on a call, it is determined whether redial is specified, and if there is no specification, the call operation is terminated,
It will be dialed when specified.

When the base unit responds, automatic/manual data transmission is then determined. When a manual specification is being made using the input device S3, the user operates the keys on the input device 53 to enter the terminal identification signal (for example, the telephone number of the telephone 47 to which the terminal is connected), and also input the order. Enter data related to the product. At this time, for example, the identification signal of the terminal 45 may be automatically transmitted. When the automatic data transfer mode is set, not only the identification signal but also the data signal stored in advance in the memory 55 are automatically read out by the CPU 5G, and the transmission/reception device 52
interface 51 as a DTM F signal.
, is sent to the base unit via the telephone line 6.

Next, it is determined whether or not the data transmission has been completed (whether or not a termination signal previously stored in the memory 55 has been sent), and if it has not been completed, it is further determined whether or not there is an abnormality in the communication line. When there is no abnormality, data transmission continues, and when an abnormality is detected, the CPU 35 of the base unit issues a predetermined warning to the slave unit (or the CPU 56 of the terminal unit 45). This warning is recorded and displayed on at least one of the display device 54, printer 46, and memory 59. Alternatively, it may be output to the telephone 47 as an audio signal.

The telephone line 6 is opened after this warning. After that, if redial is specified, it will be redialed to glare.

When the data transmission is finished, the CPU 56
Detects the presence or absence of a response from the device, and ends the operation if there is no response. When there is a response from the base unit, it is received and
Display device 54. It is stored and displayed in the printer 46 or memory 59. Further, the telephone line 6 is opened, and after processing for completing the transmission and reception of data is performed, the operation is terminated.

The base unit is connected to the Bush line (of course, it is possible to connect to the dial line by adding a dial pulse generator for calling operations to the transmitting/receiving device 33), and the slave unit is also preferably connected to the Bush line. be done. In this case, both the calling operation and the data sending operation are performed using the DTMF signal. A general-purpose telephone 42 with a handset connected to a dial line
At this time, the calling signal to the base unit is a dial pulse, but the data signal sent thereafter is a DTMF signal by manually switching the switch of the adapter 43. When the dedicated terminal 45 is connected to the dial line, the CPU 56 controls the transmitting/receiving device 52 to send out a calling signal using dial pulses, and then automatically switches the subsequent data signals to DTMF signals. (1st
Figure 0).

When the parent device is called from the slave device, it is also possible to have it operate according to the flowchart shown in FIG. In other words, in this case, the terminal 45 sends the phone number of the base unit (
When the host (host) responds to this, it sends out only an identification (ID) signal and temporarily releases the telephone line. After the telephone line is once opened, the base unit then makes a call to the telephone number corresponding to the ID that has just been input.

For this reason, the memory of the computer 1 stores in advance the telephone numbers of a plurality of slave devices corresponding to the ID.

When the terminal device 45 detects a call signal from the base device, it responds to the call signal, and when the base device further sends a predetermined control signal, it automatically transfers the data stored in the memory 55 to the base device. and send it.

When the base unit receives all the data, it opens the telephone line and terminates the operation. Of course, if there is data to be sent from the parent device to the child device, this data is stored in the memory 55, and further sent to the printer 46, display device 54, etc. as necessary.
The data is sent to the memory 59 or the like.

In this way, it is possible not only to prevent erroneous orders due to mischief, etc., but also to make the amount that the handset side has to pay for using the telephone line constant and cheap, regardless of the amount of data sent.

The data sent to the telephone line 6 is configured as shown in FIG. 7, for example, and is stored in advance in the memory 55 by operating the input device 53. That is, a data number (for example, a product number) and a corresponding number (quantity) are stored. A general-purpose phone has only the 12 types of keys shown in Table 1, but the dedicated terminal 45 has keys A, B, C, and D added to it, as shown in Table 2, for example.
There can be 16 types of keys.

Table 2 Of course, 12 types of keys can be used in the terminal 45, but in this case, for example, characters, symbols, etc., are expressed in decimal notation.

In the case of 16 types of keys, even more characters can be represented by hexadecimal numbers.

For example, according to ASCII code (hexadecimal), Figure 8 (a
), the operation pattern of key 4 and key 1 (4
1) is "A", operation pattern of key 5 and key A (5A)
represent rZJ, respectively. The operation pattern (91
) is “a”, the operation pattern (9 (F)) is “so”, the operation pattern (D6) in the same figure (C) is “yo”, the operation (
# (E)C) respectively represent "rfu". Note that the characters may be separated by a space longer than a predetermined time, or by a predetermined key operation such as city or #. In this way, by expressing one letter of the alphabet with two consecutive key operation patterns, more detailed data can be input. For example, in addition to product numbers, model numbers, etc.
It is also possible to specify the color, size, delivery date, etc. of the product.

The data previously stored in the memory 55 by operating a key on the input device 53 can be displayed on the display device 54 by operating a predetermined key on the input device 53, and can be confirmed before being sent. Then, when sending the confirmed data 1, for example, the first
Processing can be performed as shown in the flowchart shown in FIG. First, reset the data number to O, and set the data number■
It is determined whether there is no number (data) corresponding to , (whether it is zero or not), and when it is zero, the data number is incremented by one unless the data has ended (I is the maximum value). When the number (data) of data number I is not zero, the number is sent as data and is printed by the printer 46 as necessary. When the data sending operation is completed, the data number r is incremented by one. In this way, when the number is zero, that data can be skipped and not sent, making it possible to send data efficiently in a short time.

The CPU 35 of the controller 21 reads and decodes the data input via the telephone line 6, and outputs the data to the recording/reproducing device 24.
A corresponding audio signal is sent out from the audio synthesis IC constituting the system. This allows the user of the handset to input numbers (or symbols) and check the transmitted data.

This audio signal sent from the base unit to the slave unit to confirm incoming data is stored in a tape recorder constituting the memory 59 of the slave unit. For this reason, for example, if a confirmation audio signal is generated every time data arrives, the CPU 56 on the handset side determines whether data confirmation is specified when data transmission is started, as shown in FIG. and input device 5
When the data confirmation is designated from 3, the recording operation of the memory 59 is started at the same time as data transmission is started.

As a result, a return (audio signal for confirmation) from the base device side is automatically recorded in the memo IJ59. When the data sending operation is completed, the recording operation is also stopped. Furthermore, when the confirmation audio signal is issued after the end of data transmission, as shown in FIG. 14, the recording operation is started at the same time as the data transmission is completed, and the recording operation is stopped at the same time as the end of the confirmation audio signal.

With this configuration, the user of the handset side can reproduce the voice i-sign recorded in the memory 59 at any time and check the transmitted data.

If you listen to the audio signal from m@ (receiving side) and find out that there is an incorrect input, you can correct (correct) the data that was once sent. Therefore, when a predetermined coat is sent from the input device 53, the currently sent data is invalidated. When the base unit detects this code, it outputs an audio signal indicating that the previous data is invalid, and prompts the user to input the correct data again. In response to this voice recognition, the user re-enters the correct data. Previous data may be invalidated one by one, or all data may be invalidated. Such processing is performed, for example, according to a flowchart as shown in FIG.

The sent data can also be confirmed according to the flowchart shown in FIG. That is, the CPU 56 determines whether it is necessary to take a copy of the transmission at the same time as the start of data transmission or at the end of data transmission. If the input device 53 specifies that a transmission copy be taken, the interface 51 detects N, the reversal (or re-reversal) of the polarity of the DC loop of the communication line 6, or the key corresponding to the data communication start button. is operated, the CPU 56 outputs a control signal to the printer 46 via the interface 57 and sends it (
The data (stored in the memory 55) is printed as characters by the printer 46. In this case, if the date, time, and destination (phone number of the base unit) of the transmission are also specified, these are also printed at the same time (of course, the display device 54
).

In this way, there is no need to use the telephone line for a long time to confirm the transmitted data.

A polarity detector is provided in the interface 51 to detect that the base unit has responded when the dedicated terminal 45 makes a call, but in PBXs, etc., the polarity is reversed even if the called party responds. It may not. Therefore, it is preferable that the interface 51 be provided with a means for detecting the response of the called party based on the presence or absence of a ringback tone, so that it can be used even between extension telephones. Further, the input device 53 may be provided with a key corresponding to a data sending switch that is manually operated when sending data.

The basic operations of the base unit when a call is received from the slave unit are summarized as shown in FIG. telephone line 6
When a calling signal arrives, the CPU 35 first determines whether preparations are made for data reception. For this reason, the CPU 35 checks the data etc. supplied from the computer 1 via the interface 32, and does not respond to the call signal if preparations are not completed. Therefore, for example, if the computer 1 is not connected to the interface 32, or if the computer 1 is not equipped with a memory such as a floppy disk for storing data sent from the slave unit, the slave unit may be inadvertently connected. This prevents

When a calling signal arrives in a state where the reception $u has been completed, the calling signal detecting section of the interface 31 detects this. When a call signal is detected, the CPU 35 determines whether or not audio signal recording has been specified from the input device 3 of the computer 1, and if the specification has been made, it issues a control signal to the recording/playback device 24, and The audio signal from the device and, if necessary, the audio signal sent from the parent device to the child device are recorded. This allows the master device to later check the data (order) input from the slave device.

Next, when a predetermined code signal indicating that the handset is a dedicated terminal 45 is sent, this is detected, the data stored in the memory 55 of the handset is sent, and the input processing is performed. Perform protection against incorrect input.

If the handset is not a dedicated terminal 45 and sending of a message is not specified, input processing of data sent from the handset, protection against erroneous input, etc. are performed.

If message sending is specified, the CPU 35
issues a control signal to the recording/reproducing device 24, causing it to issue a response message, guidance for data input, announcement of whether the input data is appropriate or not, etc. Since the currently connected handset is not a dedicated terminal 45, for convenience of manual input, a so-called Q&'A (answer) method may be used in which a predetermined input is made every time an announcement is made from the base unit. (Of course, even if the dedicated terminal 45 is used, the Q&A method may be used for manual input as well).

If you need to respond to input data, C
The PU 35 is input with a DTMF signal, and the transmitting/receiving device 33
The received data is decoded, and if the input data is a product number, the product name of the product number is sent from the recording/reproducing device 24 to the slave device to the voice message 8 corresponding to the data. If the entered data is not appropriate, a message to that effect (for example, a message requesting re-input, which is different from the message if the data is correct) is sent. These confirmation audio signals may be sent each time one piece of data is input, or
It may be possible to perform the process all at once after all the data has been extracted. The latter method can shorten the time that the telephone line is occupied.

After confirmation, if a code for a predetermined mode such as modification, addition, cancellation, etc. is input, that processing will be performed.

Furthermore, whether or not keyboard input is specified is interrupted by 1'.

This designation may be entered from the input device 3, but it may also be configured to automatically enable keyboard input when the attached telephone 22 is off-hook, for example. can. With this configuration, the base unit user who is accustomed to operating the phone 2
2, the order from the user on the handset side is sent directly to the voice signal (
You can input the data (order) of the handset by operating the keyboard (input device 3) on the spot (it is not necessary to input new data, and corrections can also be made).
. A calling signal arrives from a slave unit, which is a dedicated terminal 45,
For example, if the telephone 22 rings twice and you respond, and immediately after that a code signal for automatic data transfer mode is sent, the CPU 35 automatically opens the telephone line when all data has been transferred. let On the other hand, when the bell tone temporarily stops in response to a call signal from the handset) and a manual transfer mode code signal is sent (when an automatic transfer mode code signal is not transferred), the CP
U35 further causes the bell of telephone 22 to ring, for example, three or more times. Alternatively, a bell sound different from the normal bell sound (for example, a bell sound with a different period, pitch, tone color, etc.) is sounded.

As a result, the user on the base unit side can use the handset as a general-purpose telephone 42,
44 or a dedicated terminal 45 and the telephone 22
You can know that people are requesting to come out. In other words, the user on the base unit only needs to answer the telephone 22 when the bell rings three or more times. When the user of the base unit answers the telephone 22, data can be automatically entered manually from the input device 3. If the handset is a dedicated terminal 45 and an identification signal identifying the handset is input immediately after receiving the call, the computer 1 searches the built-in memory for data regarding the handset (customer) corresponding to the identification signal. and display it on the display device 4. Therefore, the user on the 1lhl side inputs only the order data when information such as the name and telephone number of the handset side is displayed on the display device 4.

When nothing is displayed on the display device 4, the user of the slave unit is asked for data specifying the slave unit, and the user of the base unit manually inputs the data from the input device 3.

When manually inputting information, pre-stored information about the slave device is displayed on the display device 4. From then on, input the order data in the same way as in the case described above. Name as information on the handset side
, address, phone number, past orders, payment status, etc., as well as age, date of birth, occupation, hobbies, family, etc.
This allows for more intimate conversations. It is preferable that the data inputted from the slave device side and the data inputted from the master device side be distinguished by, for example, attaching a predetermined code signal. In this way, troubles (liability issues) with customers in the event of input errors etc. can be appropriately handled. Also, from this point of view, it is preferable to automatically store the input date, time, etc. in the memory in correspondence with the input data.

When waiting for a calling operation from the handset, the display device 4 may display, for example, the number of incoming calls (number of inputs) from the handset. The data input to the computer 1 is processed each time or in batches, and when the processing is completed, the incoming frequency up to that point is reset.When processing 6 data at once, when a key on the input device 3 is operated. , when the number of incoming calls reaches a predetermined value, or C
Each of the triggers can be triggered when the timer of the PU 35 measures a predetermined time. When the computer 1 receives a call while it is executing a predetermined process, the process is temporarily interrupted and priority is given to the 1st and 4th operations. Therefore, the handset is not used more than necessary.

FIG. 18 shows a more detailed flowchart of data input processing and protection processing against erroneous input. That is, when the input vibration from the slave device is started, the CPU 35 first starts the built-in timer from 1 to 1. If no data is input after the timer starts, the timer value will not reach the specified value (predetermined value before time-up), and the operation of incrementing and incrementing the timer by one (clock operation) will be repeated until time-up occurs. It will be done. When the timer value reaches the specified value, a message (enemy, warning) urging input is output from the recording/reproducing device 24. If no input is made and the timer expires, a closing message is sent requesting a call again, and then the telephone line is released. When a time-up occurs, the data entered at the time of the incoming call is automatically invalidated.

When data is input, it is determined whether the data is appropriate. If it is not appropriate, a message to that effect is sent to the handset. When the number of incorrect data inputs is less than a predetermined specified value, the timer is restarted. When the number of inappropriate data inputs becomes equal to the specified value, the timer is restarted if input protection is not specified, but if input protection is specified, the timer is restarted. A predetermined closing message is sent and the telephone line is released. In this way, inputs caused by mischief or the like are prevented. The input data in this case is automatically invalidated.

If the input data is correct, the data is stored (registered) in the memory of the computer 1.

This operation is repeated until the last data is input.

On the other hand, data correction is performed as shown in FIG.

That is, the CPU 35 performs normal processing when a code for a predetermined mode is not input, but when a code for correction, addition, cancellation, etc. is input, the CPU 35 performs the corresponding process. Even though a predetermined code has been input, if there is no modification, addition, or cancellation process, it is determined as Nil.

In order to make such correction possible, the CPO 56 of the terminal 45 adds a different code signal to each call operation and sends the data. This code signal can be, for example, consecutive order numbers for the first day of the month, week 0, etc., during which the base unit responded. That is, for example, suppose that orders were placed (data sent) twice on March 5th and four times on March 20th.

The date and the order order for that day are made to correspond to the data entered at that time. Therefore, on March 24th.

If you want to correct the quantity of product number 5 ordered from 12 pieces to 6 pieces in the 4th data sending operation on March 20th, specify the date of March 20th and the order of 4th time, and then change the quantity of product number 5. Enter the quantity as 6. Then computer 1
processes the data inputted on March 24th as data inputted by the fourth operation on March 20th in accordance with the code. As a result, the quantity of item number 5 is 6
will be corrected.

In such data communication devices, in order to prevent mischief by a third party, it is common to define an identification (ID) signal corresponding to each slave device. However, if this identification signal is known to a third party, it will be difficult to prevent mischief unless it is changed, but changing the identification signal requires relatively troublesome changes on the base unit side. Must be. Therefore, in the present invention, the user inputs the input table @5
3 to freely set, change, and store a code as a data transmission end signal in the memory 55. When this code is set or changed, the CPU 56 automatically makes a call to the base unit and stores it in the memory of the computer 1. After the computer 1 receives the data, if a code as a data transmission end signal corresponding to the identification signal is not transmitted,
Invalidates the entered data. Also at this time, CPU3
5 controls the recording/reproducing device 24 to send out a predetermined closing message, but the content does not indicate that the code is inappropriate; 1, for example, the one that occurs when a communication line abnormality or time-up occurs. It is assumed that the content is the same as that of This prevents third parties from knowing that the code is incorrect. Therefore, by changing this code as necessary for the usage sound of the slave unit, tampering can be prevented.

The data communication device according to the present invention is basically configured with one computer 1 and a plurality of slave devices connected to it, as shown in FIG. When the number of child devices increases, one M1 device controlling a plurality of parent devices may be increased in parallel, as shown in FIG.

As shown in FIG. 6, it is also possible to sequentially and serially manage a plurality of base units using one base unit. Note that the slave units are omitted in these figures.

In addition, in the above explanation, the number of telephone lines controlled by the base unit is assumed to be one, but if multiple telephone lines are managed, the multiple telephone lines are stored in the memory 5S of the slave unit. be able to. For example, when one telephone number is busy, the primary can automatically redial another telephone number. In this way, there is no need for the base unit to receive services from the telephone company as a representative.

〔effect〕

As described above, the present invention relates to a data communication device.

a receiving device that receives DTMF signals transmitted from a telephone line; a relatively small computer that processes the signals received by the receiving device according to a predetermined program;
The computer includes detection means for detecting an abnormality in the telephone line, and means for outputting a predetermined signal to the computer when the detection means detects the abnormality, and the computer receives the signal received from the receiving device when the predetermined signal is input. Since it has been disabled, if a handset user who is not familiar with the operation opens the telephone line during operation, or if any other abnormality in the telephone line is detected during operation, the message will be sent at that time. Because the data is invalidated, there is less chance that incorrect data will be entered and processed. Therefore, it is possible to reduce the need to check input data each time, and to make the configuration of the base device relatively simple.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

1, 2, 5 and 6 are network diagrams of the data communication device of the present invention, FIG. 3 is a block diagram of its controller, FIG. 4 is a block diagram of its terminal, and FIG. 7 8 is an explanatory diagram of stored data, FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram of key operation patterns, FIGS. 9 to 19 are flowcharts, FIG. 20 is a network diagram of a conventional data communication device, and FIG.
FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a conventional modem telephone. 1... Computer 2... Main body 3... Input device 4... Display device 5... Modem telephone 6... Telephone line 11... Modem 13... NCU section 15... Auto Dial device 21...controller 23...modem 24...recording/reproducing device 31.32...interface 33...transmission/reception device 34...switch 35...CPU 41...telephone return 43 . . . Adapter 45 . . Terminal 46 . . . Printer SL . . . Interface 52 . .58...Interface 59...External memory 61...Printer Fig. 2 Fig. 3
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Claims (1)

[Scope of Claims] A receiving device that receives a DTMF signal transmitted from a telephone line, a relatively small computer that processes the signal received by the receiving device according to a predetermined program, and a computer that detects abnormalities in the telephone line. and means for outputting a predetermined signal to the computer when the detecting means detects an abnormality, and the computer outputs the signal received from the receiving device when the predetermined signal is input. A data communication device characterized in that it is disabled.