JPS63114357A - Communication network - Google Patents

Abstract

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

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION (Technical Field) The present invention relates to communication networks and communication methods, and more particularly to telephone/dictation networks that use computers in the communication process.

In a preferred embodiment, a single network may implement various combinations of telephone communications, such as dictation and writing, computer communications, automatic telephone answering and message recording, and private branch switching functions. More particularly, the present invention relates to networks and methods capable of delivering visible messages in a ridge-like network and method.

(Background of the Invention) Conventionally, several systems and actual devices have been proposed for intra-office communication using computers and telephones. All of these proposals were very expensive and difficult for many companies to implement, and were completely impossible for small companies to implement.

Accordingly, the primary task facing the present invention is to provide a computerized office communications system that can be implemented.

Another problem encountered is that different devices typically have to be used for both dictation and telephone functions, often requiring the use of separate computers for both devices.

As a result, the cost required to install the device in an office increases.

One of the causes of reduced efficiency in daily office work is the communication of messages between employees.

Internal phone systems are useless when the person being called is on another phone. In such cases, a handwritten "pink slip" is delivered to the person speaking, but such slips are often easy to lose and can delay the transmission of information. Also, the use of such slips is undesirable for various other well-known reasons.

There are problems with automatic dialing devices in some office telephone systems. Computerized telephone directory directories are inadequately sized, difficult to access, and require large, expensive computers to modify.

Devices have also been proposed that store appointments and issue reminders regarding these appointments. Such devices, however, can be complex, expensive, difficult to handle and unacceptable, or may give false information to the person using them or create other problems.

Another problem that arises with known computer-based internal telephone systems is the need for additional operators. This is particularly problematic in small offices where one person must perform multiple tasks using various devices. For example, an office with a private branch exchange system (PBX) requires a dedicated operator for this system, and if large computers were to be used to control internal communications, one person could In view of the complexity, size, location, etc. of the equipment, it is often impossible to handle both the equipment and the computer.

Known office telephone systems that provide telephone billing functions, i.e., determining who to charge for outbound calls, calculating amounts and billing rates, and other functions, are complex;
It was also very expensive.

In the past, computers used to computerize telephone networks were not only large and expensive, but most of their power was devoted to communication networks and could not be used for any other functions other than communication. As a result, many separate pieces of equipment are required to accomplish various tasks, resulting in increased expense and clutter in the office.

The telephone transceiver used in the network of the present invention has a programmable key, which can be programmed to perform various functions depending on the user's wishes.

However, transceiver users are often uninformed and unable to program the keys themselves, leaving many key functions unused and wasting an expensive communications tool. becomes.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, each transceiver unit has a display on which messages and other information can be displayed. However, it is difficult to use large displays due to cost and space limitations. In such a case, the problem is that when a new message arrives, the information that was previously displayed disappears or moves.

This is extremely undesirable.

Problems also arise regarding message construction and transmission from transceivers. To compose messages, you must have a complete keyboard. Keyboard input is undesirable because users typically do not have the ability or time to type, and the installation of a keyboard is undesirable due to cost and space considerations.

Systems with automatic telephone answering functions have the following problems. That is, it is desirable to keep records of calls from outside, but this is generally complex and expensive.

Other problems will become clear from the explanation below.

(Objective of the Invention) An object of the present invention is to provide an apparatus and a method capable of solving the problem of ridges.

More specifically, it is an object of the present invention to provide a network and method that is relatively simple and inexpensive, enables highly efficient and fast communication, and is particularly suitable for installation in small business offices. shall be.

Another object of the invention is to provide a dictation system that is combined with an internal communication system, thereby providing a more compact device capable of both communication and dictation.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a relatively low cost, yet complete, office communications system that includes various features including automatic telephone answering and is connectable to private branch exchanges and printers. It is in.

Yet another object of the present invention is to provide an apparatus and method by which messages may be communicated without the need for them to be written or addressed directly to the person to whom they are intended.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide a means for transmitting messages that is simple, available at relatively low cost, and that does not unduly invade the privacy of the person receiving the message.

Other objects of the invention will become apparent from the description below.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION According to the present invention, the above objects can be achieved by a communications network having a plurality of telephone transceivers connected to a relatively low cost general purpose digital computer, preferably a personal computer. The cost of the system can be kept relatively low by having a network configuration that can be operated by a personal computer.

Also, by using the various devices in the system for multiple purposes, total communication costs throughout the office are minimized.

For example, the personal computer "Pcm" in the system can be used for word processing, for calculations in the office, and for the purpose of monitoring and controlling communications.

Preferably, each transceiver unit can be used as a dictation transceiver, so that the telephone handset can be used not only as a telephone but also as a desktop dictation device, a central dictation system accessed via a private wire, or as a telephone. It is used as an input/output device for a remote dictation device accessed via a wire. The desktop Dicci-Silane device can easily be converted into an automatic telephone answering or conversation machine.

Preferably, each transceiver unit has a display for displaying messages and other information. Predetermined standard messages may be stored in the computer in advance and transmitted from the personal computer or one of the transceiver units to any other transceiver unit.

A unique message tailored to the situation can also be created on the computer and sent to one or more transceiver units.

In order to reduce the cost and size of the transceiver unit, it is desirable to limit the size of the display device provided on the transceiver unit.

It is desirable that when a message is sent to a transceiver unit, it does not displace a message that is already on the display of that unit. For example, when a message arrives, a visual and/or audio signal may be emitted to notify the user that a new message is waiting to be displayed;
The user who receives this notification operates a key or switch on the transceiver unit to search for this message. A signal representing the arrival of an important message is different from signals representing the arrival of other messages.

An optional feature of the invention is the use of a voice recognition device, which allows the user of the transceiver unit to construct and send unique messages without the need for a keyboard. It is also possible to enter data into a computer by voice.

Preferably each transceiver unit has a plurality of keys, each of which is user programmable.

Although the programming task is relatively simple, the programming may be performed from the keyboard of the personal computer by a personal computer operator in order to relieve the user from this task.

Furthermore, the computer records each program assigned to each programmable key.

Preferably each transceiver unit is provided with an automatic dialing function. Each transceiver unit has its own relatively large phone book (up to 100 names and numbers can be stored). Once each name and number is searched and displayed on the display device, dialing is performed automatically with the push of a button. An automatic redialing device is also provided.

Preferably each transceiver unit includes a microprocessor and storage device for storage and control functions.

Preferably, a separate telephone directory for each transceiver unit is maintained in the computer's memory.

Some or all of the contents of the telephone directory stored in the computer can be transferred to the memory of a given transceiver unit. Changes and updates to each telephone directory can be made either from the transceiver unit or from a personal computer.

Furthermore, the computer may be provided with an appointment calendar function so that appointments for each transceiver unit are stored in the computer, and a reminder is automatically sent to the transceiver unit before the appointment time arrives.

Appointments for each unit are listed by day, week, or month, and past, present, and future schedules can be viewed from this list.

It is desirable to save the dictation records on a computer.

Recording of voice communications also occurs, whether the communications are regular communications or communications by automatic answering equipment or automatic call recording equipment.

Also, preferably the telephone charges are calculated by a computer. The user of each transceiver unit can enter the billing rate and whether the calling or receiving party is responsible for the charges. The computer calculates the total bill accordingly and issues a bill to each party or appropriate billing agent.

A printer and modem can be connected to each transceiver unit, and the personal computer operator can give instructions for printing specific data in the computer to each predetermined printer.

Each transceiver unit is preferably equipped with a lock to prevent unauthorized persons from using it, and preferably the transceiver unit with such a lock is placed in close proximity to the computer console so that it cannot be accessed from the computer. be used as the only means of access to the program. This creates an electrical transceiver lock that prevents unauthorized access to the computer program.

In one embodiment, the system is connected to a private branch exchange (PBX) that selectively connects internal telephones to external telephones and allows communication between internal telephones. . In a preferred embodiment, the personal computer console and the PBX console are preferably located in close proximity to each other so that both can be operated by a single operator. This not only doubles the operator's work efficiency, but also allows the operator to receive and send messages on behalf of the user when the user of the transceiver unit is unable to respond to incoming calls. .

This allows the user to make a return phone call.
This eliminates the inconvenience of using cumbersome handwritten notes such as "pink slips".

The personal computer used in this system may be selected from home computers, small office computers, and small general-purpose digital computers commercially available for purposes such as word processing. However, the computer used in the system of the present invention is characterized by having a disk drive and a permanently mounted disk for receiving and storing communications from a number of transceivers in the network. By keeping such a storage disk available at all times, it is possible to prevent the system from becoming temporarily inoperable.

The minimum configuration of the network of the present invention consists of one transceiver and one computer connected to it. However, the configuration is modular and up to 16 transceiver units can be installed at once or one at a time.

The system can easily be expanded to operate additional transceiver units.

For example, a system that operates thirty or more transceiver units can be easily configured. The maximum number of transceiver units that can be operated is therefore virtually unlimited.

In order to make the system modular, it is desirable to use a standard interface unit for each transceiver. The configuration of the interfaces is initially the same, but each interface is programmed to have a unique identification code when used.

Such programming is relatively simple.

Further, for example, it is desirable to use one of the transceiver units as a master unit and to use all other transceiver units as slave units.

Each interface has a microprocessor and a storage device for temporary storage of communication data and other functions.

In the preferred embodiment, the master unit calls each slave unit in turn, retrieves data from each unit, stores the retrieved data, and sends it to the personal computer at the appropriate time. Data communication from the personal computer to the transceiver unit occurs in a similar manner. Transmission of data in the system occurs at a relatively low modulation rate, which reduces the cost of electrical system components and allows simple, relatively low cost, unshielded conductors to be used for connections between transceiver units. do.

In this way the overall system cost is minimized.

Embodiment FIG. 1 shows a communication network 110 according to the invention. Herein, we refer to this network as “
It is also sometimes referred to as "D" network.For convenience,
A. The components of the system.

It may also be indicated by a code such as B or C.

The network 110 includes a personal computer 112, which includes a housing 138, a keyboard 140, a floppy disk drive 144, and a hard disk drive 146.
and a video display device 142.

Network 110 further includes a plurality of transceiver units 10. These units are sometimes referred to as "C" units. Some of the transceiver units 10 have audio recording and playback units ("A" units) 50 connected thereto, and some of the A units have special displays attached to them. device (B” unit) 60. The network can support up to 16 transceiver units (located at 16 separate stations), of which devices at 6 stations are illustrated. 1. The vertical dashed lines in FIG. 1 indicate that more stations may be added to this network.

The transceiver unit 10 is used alone at the stations shown in the upper left corner, lower cloth corner, and right middle portion of FIG.

In addition, at the station shown in the middle part on the left side, “C
In the station shown in the lower left corner, the "A", "IIB" and "C'" units are integrated.

At the station shown in the upper cloth corner, the "A" unit and "B" unit are combined, and
The dashed line indicates an optionally additional second A'' unit 51 (which is added for purposes described below).

Each transceiver includes a telephone, a visual display, and a telephone keypad 24, along with the hardware and software described in detail below.

The A'' unit has a tape cassette receiving chamber 52 and is used for purposes such as dictation and writing purposes, automated telephone answering, and recording of telephone conversations.

The 1B' unit 60 is a special display device to support the use of the "A" unit.

The network 110 also includes interface units II, I2, 13.14. It has Is. These interfaces are connected between each terminal and data bus 116 via lines 126 and 128. The bus 116 is an interface unit ■. (master interface unit) and to computer 112 via line 114.

Network 110 also includes a private branch exchange unit (P
BX) 136. The PBX unit 136 is
It is connected via line 120 to an internal telephone line 118 which is connected via conductor 130 to each terminal. PBχ unit 136 is network 1
10 internal telephone lines to selectively connect each internal telephone line to a plurality of external telephone lines 12
4. As understood from FIG. 1, the interface device ■.

+ 1++ Il+ 131 14 and I, respectively, can be connected to the modem 184,
Interface devices other than the master unit I0 can also connect the terminal device to peripheral devices such as printers and video display devices shown at 122.

As shown in the lower corner of FIG. 1, and as shown in more detail in FIG. 6, each transceiver unit may be connected to a central dictation system via a private wire system. Alternatively, each unit 10 can be connected to a remote dictation unit via an internal telephone line 10, as shown in the center of FIG.

If desired, a key center 186 can be connected to each unit 10 to add keys to operate up to five telephone lines from one terminal.

The telephone handset 14 of each transceiver unit 10 can be used as an input/output device for at least three different types of dictation devices.

It may be used first as an input/output device for a tabletop dictation device such as one or more "A" units 50, secondly for a central dictation system 188, and thirdly for a remote dictation unit 117.

A printer 148 can be connected to a parallel output port of personal computer 112 via line 150 if desired.

FIG. 2 shows a typical example of a workstation in which the various elements of network 110 are centrally located and can be operated by a single operator.

The workstation includes a desk 132 and an operator's chair 134.

Optionally, one of the transceiver units 10 (this is preferably the master unit shown in the top left corner of FIG. 1) is provided at the station, as well as a computer 112, a printer 148 and a PBX unit 13.
6 is provided.

At this workstation, the operator can connect or disconnect any number of external telephone lines to or from the office telephone line, and also operate the personal computer 112 and transceiver unit 110 as needed.

One of the functions of the computers in the network is to send messages to the users of each transceiver unit 10. It would be advantageous for a PBX operator to be able to send a message to a user of a busy transceiver unit. Such a feature would avoid the hassle of using handwritten notes such as pink slips, and it would also eliminate the need to wait for a busy user to end their call.

Preferably, the master transceiver 10 is located in close proximity to the personal computer and is used as the only means for allowing entry to computer programs stored within the personal computer. According to this, an electric lock in the master transceiver can be used to prevent unauthorized persons from accessing the computer program.

As will be discussed in more detail later, it operates on a time-sharing basis, so it can perform tasks such as word processing and office calculations even while running within a communication network.

The minimum structural unit of the network 110 is a personal computer equipped with one transceiver terminal 110 and - interface units. (See Figure 1) However, in order to enjoy the benefits of the network, it is better to connect many transceiver units.

In this embodiment, the network 110 is a PBX 136
However, providing a PBX 136 is not an essential requirement. By providing a key set 186 and by making the keys on the transceiver programmable (in a manner described below), numerous internal and external line selections are possible without the use of a PBX.

Another advantage is that the personal computer 112, printer 148 and transceiver unit 1° can be placed on the secretary's desk. This is useful for small offices such as doctors' or lawyers' offices, small workgroups within large corporations, and the like. The Secretary is responsible for word processing, answering telephone calls, handling messages, and
``By performing dictation, writing, etc. using a unit or a central recorder, it is possible to work in response to requests from multiple people.The central recorder mentioned above was manufactured by T HOV G
It may also be one sold under the trade name TTAN K''.

Personal computers and printers can be used for both word processing and communication functions.

Other attributes and components of network 110 are as previously described, and each will be described in detail below. There are countless possible combinations with other office equipment. The flexibility of the system described herein is fundamental.

Transceiver Units FIGS. 3 and 4 are diagrams showing one of the transceiver units 10 in slightly more detail. This unit 10 is described in detail in a co-pending US patent specification (DI C537), the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference. Because of the interaction of the transceiver or "C" unit with the computer, it may be helpful to understand the invention to discuss the construction and operation of the transceiver unit in some detail.

The transceiver unit 10 has a housing 12 containing an electrical circuit. As detailed later, the electrical circuit is
Other circuit elements are shown in block diagram form in FIG. 6, including a microprocessor, such as a Hitachi Model 6303 circuit.

3-5, telephone transceiver unit 10 includes a handset 14 with a speaker and microphone. This handset is similar to that of a regular telephone. Handset 14 is held in a cradle 18 which has a hook switch (not shown) similar to that in a conventional telephone. When the handset 14 is placed in the cradle 18, the hook switch is open and the handset 14''
On the other hand, when the handset 14 is taken from the cradle 18, it is in an "off-hook" state.
state.

The handset 14 is compared to a conventional telephone handset.
The difference is that a dictation control yoke 20 and a dictation control button 22 are provided for the purpose of controlling various dictations. Such a handset is disclosed, for example, in commonly assigned US Pat. No. 3,872,263. The yoke 20 is spring biased and, when moved by the operator in one direction (to the left in Figure 1), unwinds the magnetic tape in the dictation machine (not shown) and in the opposite direction. It is designed to stop the tape when moved. To start dictation, simply press the dictation control button 22.

6. Each of the display devices 16 in the transceiver unit has 16
It has an LCD display capable of displaying two lines containing character alphabets and numbers.

Each character consists of a matrix of 5x7 dots. The alphanumeric display may also be provided by other means, such as LED, fluorescent, incandescent, or plasma type displays. If the price is competitive, the display device 16 may be constructed from a small CRT device.

Various keys are disposed on the outer surface of the housing 12 of the guarded transceiver unit 10, including a conventional push-button telephone keypad 24, modern function keys 26, 28, and user keys. includes programmable keys 30, 32 and 34, and softkeys 40.

The user of the transceiver 10 can dial and make a call by pressing the button in line with the telephone number of the other party. During dialing, a "touch tone" or normal dialing pulse is generated.

As described below, the keypad 24 can also be used as a calculator.
It can also be used as an input means for displaying alphabets and numbers.

Preferably, the reset function keys 26 and 28 are arranged in different arrangements from each other. For example, keys 26 are arranged in rows near keypad 24, and keys 28 are arranged in rows on the front edge of terminal 10.

The dial key function key 26 includes a dial key,
This may direct automatic dialing operations. As already mentioned, the transceiver unit 7) has automatic dialing means with the function of displaying a specific telephone number when activated. - Once a telephone number is displayed, simply pressing the Dl, AL primary keys will generate a tone or pulse corresponding to the displayed telephone number. Terminal 10 also has a re-dial function for redialing the last dialed number.

By pressing the DIAL key, the most recently dialed number or, if known, the name of the called party will be displayed on the display 16. DIAL
Pressing the key again will dial according to the displayed number.

ACC Key - Function keys 26 include an ACC key. This key is, for example, a second key connectable to the terminal 10.
It is operated to initiate operation of an accessory, such as the illustrated printer 122.

A select key is also included in the function keys 26. The select key may be activated when a programming mode is selected, as described below. For example, when entering a desired telephone number for use in the automatic dialing means of terminal 10,
Indicate the end of the desired number by pressing the select key.

This number may be, for example, a 2.3.4.5 or 6-digit telephone extension, a 7-digit local telephone number, a 10-digit long distance number, or a multi-digit number accessed by a computer. be. Additionally, as disclosed in co-pending application number DIC-545, the terminal 10 can store a telephone directory consisting of names and telephone numbers. These names and telephone numbers can be retrieved and displayed by pressing keys on keypad 24 and selecting characters according to the spelling of the name. Operation of the select key indicates the entry of the desired character.

Terminal 10 when Dictate/, 1 key Dictate/Pause key is operated.
is set to ``dictate'' or ``write'' mode, enabling the use of a dictation/writing device connected to the terminal. Pressing this key while a telephone number is being formed and stored in the automatic dialing means in terminal 10 also suspends dial-out operation.

Such a pause is often necessary. For example, in some PBX systems, it may be necessary to go into a "pause" state to detect dial tone in order to complete a dial-out operation.

8 Key - You can also perform addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division calculations by operating the function keys. For this purpose CALC/CLEAR
Press the key to activate the keypad 24 as a calculator. As shown in FIG. 4, marks are displayed on the right side of each key to indicate the mathematical functions that these keys perform when used in calculation mode.

hold key The lower function keys 28 include a hold key.

When this key is pressed, the telephone conversation status is held, as in the case of a normal multi-line key set telephone device.

Speaker/mute key function keys 28 further include a speaker/mute key. When this key is pressed, terminal 10 operates in speakerphone mode. The terminal 10 is
A loudspeaker is provided at the rear of the grill and a microphone (not shown) is provided so that calls can be made while the handset 14 is placed in the cradle 18.

As an additional preferred feature, terminal 10 has the ability to enable speaker 46 when handset 14 is removed from cradle 18. In this mode, when the handset 14 is in the off-footer state,
by operating the speaker/mute key when the microphone is turned on, so that the microphone built into the housing 12 is disabled or muted. During normal speakerphone operation, when the speaker/mute key is operated, the speaker 46 remains activated while the built-in microphone is disabled.

, Lヱ Emperor: j noji satoki nihi koga! The back function keys 28 further include a bank key, and when the back key is operated, messages consisting of alpha vents and numbers displayed on the display device 16 are scrolled backwards. For example, a telephone directory is stored in the terminal 10 for use in automatic dialing, but when the terminal is used, the contents entered are displayed on the display device 16, and the terminal user must press the back key. You can use this to scroll through the leather to find the desired number. Incoming telephone messages are also stored in a tabletop dictation machine or "A" unit connected to transceiver unit 10, as will be explained below. Each message is stored and data regarding these messages, such as length, recording time, order (eg, first, second, third, etc.), are recorded in the memory of unit 10. This data is displayed on display device 1.
6 and the user can scroll this display using the back key. This back key can also be used to scroll through displayed messages retrieved from the computer.

The SUP key function keys 28 further include a stop key, which when pressed stops any routine being executed by the microprocessor in the terminal 10, regardless of the type of routine. In addition, this function key is provided with a CALCULATOR/CLEAR key, and when this key is operated, it enters the calculator mode, and the keypad 24 and function key 26
can be used to perform calculations in the same manner as a conventional desktop calculator.

CALCCLEAR Key Pressing this CALC/CLEAR key allows the telephone push button to be used for the calculator. When this mode is selected, this key is illuminated to indicate that this mode is selected. Once the calculation is complete, press the stop key to exit calculation mode.

The clearing function of this key is enabled when messages can be displayed (the # key is pressed and the # mark is displayed on the display device 16. If this key is pressed in this state, The displayed message is cleared and the next message is displayed.

Butatou Nami [Key 30.32 that can be programmed by the user]
and 34 are arranged in two rows as shown. Each row has, for example, eight independent keys, each of which can be programmed to correspond to a given telephone number as required, so that dialing can be initiated by pressing the key. It can also be done. Other functions are preferably programmed when the transceiver unit is used in network 110.

Adjacent to the keys 30 is a row of paper inserts 36 on which the functions assigned to each key are written by the user. For example, if a specific telephone number is assigned to a key, the telephone number for that number may be written on a paper insert adjacent to the key. Or again,
If the terminal 10 is used with a series of telephone lines, the user may assign each of the keys 30, 32, 34 to those lines and determine which of the keys 30, 32 corresponds to which line. It may also be written on the paper insert. Similar paper inserts may be used for keys 34.

Preferably, each of the programmable keys 30, 32, 34 has a visual indicator, such as an LED, to activate the indicator when the key is in an actuated state.

The LED may be constructed integrally with each key, or alternatively, the LED may be manufactured separately from the key and located near the key.

Similar LEDs may be provided for function keys 28.

If the function programmed into one of the programmable keys 30, 32, or 34 is changed, the correspondence between key and function can be easily displayed by replacing the description on the paper insert with the new function. can do.

Below are some examples of what functions can be programmed into programmable keys.

One of the programmable keys can be programmed to connect transceiver unit 10 to a central dictation system, such as shown at 188 in FIG. By operating keys programmed in this way, the handset 14 can be connected to a central recording/playback device via special wiring.

J% Tongue 1t and keys 30, 32, and 34 can be programmed to correspond to different telephone lines, respectively, and the corresponding telephone line can be selected by pressing this key. Line selection becomes possible.

Another example of a programmable key function is the ability to record telephone messages. By programming a key in this way, it can be used to record voice messages coming from a particular telephone line. 10 (see FIG. 5) to a tabletop dictation device ("A" unit).

Dial-out feature - A dial-out inhibit feature can also be obtained by programming the programmable key. This inhibits the use of the keypad 24 or any programmable keys programmed to correspond to the desired telephone number.

Alternatively, this feature limits the number of telephone number digits dialed in unit 10. This feature can be used as a complete or partial phone lock.

The generation of the actual audible ring can be delayed until a predetermined number of ring signals have arrived.

Messages - Each programmable key can send messages up to 32 characters in length to the personal computer 112 or other "C" unit. This message is previously recorded in the memory of the personal computer by the personal computer operator.

One example of such a message is something like "Roger, please contact me immediately," and such a message can be sent to any of the other "C" units.

This message is used, for example, when an incoming call is to be taken by the party who is already busy on his or her phone and therefore cannot be connected. The party who sees this message will contact the sender of the message as soon as the current call is completed.

Other examples of messages include “out of town,” “in a meeting,”
These messages, such as "Hold all calls," are used by the terminal user to inform the personal computer operator of his or her status, availability, etc.

The message "Canceled previous message" is sent to notify the computer operator that the person concerned has returned to work and is now ready to receive a call.

This exchange of messages significantly increases the efficiency of communication within the office.

This is because there is no need to write notes, carry notes, hold the phone, or redial a busy phone multiple times.

:e''''''OFF MODE In a conventional network, the personal computer operator must enter a message that has been previously established in the personal computer's memory.

According to an optional feature of the invention, one of the programmable keys can be programmed to switch the transceiver unit into a voice recognition mode. This voice recognition mode “listens” to the user’s voice.
The voice recognition circuit converts what the user speaks into the Handsent 140 microphone into a signal representing a word, alphabet, or G symbol, and sends this to a display device for display, as well as a personal computer 112. It is also possible to send it to This allows the user of each transceiver unit 10 to use limited pre-stored "
You can send special messages instead of standard messages.

Voice recognition mode can also be used to recognize the contents of the phone book on your computer,
It may also be used to enter data into a personal computer to update appointments and other information stored in the personal computer.

A similar function could be achieved by connecting a keyboard to the transceiver unit, but keyboards are expensive, take up a large amount of space on the user's desk, and
Additionally, it is not a good idea to use a keyboard because users are generally not accustomed to keyboard operations and input takes time. The voice recognition mode can easily accomplish flexible operations without requiring any use of the hands other than pressing a predetermined key.

The programmable keys can also be programmed to transfer data to the personal computer 112. Using this means, data such as adding or changing the contents of a telephone directory, changing the program of a programmable key, etc. can be sent to a personal computer.

- One of the lock programmable keys may be programmed to perform a lock function to prevent use of the unit by unauthorized persons. If such a feature is used, the unit 10 is programmed to display on the display a request to the user to authenticate himself with a particular code that he has previously entered. Once the user enters the correct code via keypad 24, unit 10 is ready for use.

If the correct code is not entered, all functions except receiving calls will be disabled.

The 1" programmable key can also be used for other functions, such as instantaneous telephone line flashing, or modem 184 (second
) or video display terminal or printer 1
It is programmable to initiate functions such as connecting peripherals such as 22 to the transceiver unit.

A complete list of available functions for programmable keys is provided in Section XIIII(d)(ii), (ii)
i) (7) ““C” Programmable Key Feature Code and Master “C” Programmable Key Feature Code J.

Soft Keys - Referring to Figure 3.4.5, three soft keys 40 are shown and are labeled "A", "B", and "C". As will be appreciated, softkeys are used in conjunction with a microprocessor to provide different commands or functions to the microprocessor depending on a particular routine within a currently executing process.

That is, the softkeys do not pertain to specific commands or functions for all operating states or routines of the microprocessor. A predetermined soft key, such as key A, is used the first time to represent a first command, and then, in an advanced state of the microprocessor routine, to represent a second command different from the first command. It can work for.

Preferably, the softkeys 4o are aligned with the display 16, and in cooperation with this display and the microprocessor in the terminal 10, the softkeys promoted by alphanumeric messages displayed on the display W16 are It functions to enable the microprocessor to continue executing a special routine that is currently being executed. A method of using softkeys 40 to perform and control programming of programmable keys is described in the aforementioned co-pending application Ser.
C537), so it will not be described in detail herein.

■Before explaining the typical operations performed by the additional small module terminal 10, the terminal 10, the recording/playback module (
The electrical and physical connections between the A module) 50 and the display module (B module) 60 will be explained.

1. Recording/Playback Module (Module A) The recording/playback module 50 has a desk dictation machine and performs typical dictation functions, thus recording voice messages on a recording medium and reproducing them from the recording medium. let A typical recording medium comprises magnetic tape, which tape is placed in a suitable cassette, such as a standard cassette, a mini cassette, a micro cassette or a pico cassette, as described in US Pat. It is accommodated in the types described in 827. Other recording media such as magnetic disks and magnetic belts can also be used. Another option that can be used is fixed-state recording devices (previously known in digital recording devices such as bubble arrays and semiconductor memory chips). However, magnetic tape cassettes can also be used for this recording medium. For convenience, the recording and playback module 50 is of the type described in Co-pending Application Serial No. (DIC-527), the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.

The recording/playback module 50 is a transceiver unit 10
Record an audio message that will be played using the . This voice message may be dictated by the user via handset 14 or received at the terminal via one or more telephone lines.

The A module 50 thus becomes the transceiver unit 10
It also functions as a telephone answering machine, recording telephone transmission dictations or recording telephone conversations from a remote location, the details of which are discussed further below.

Further referring to FIG. 5, the recording/playback module 50 includes a cassette chamber (not shown) including a door 52 which provides access to the cassette chamber when opened for loading magnetic tape.
protected by.

An eject button 54 is configured to eject a loaded cassette from the module, and is configured to eject a loaded cassette from the module.
This is used to open the cassette and take out the cassette from the cassette chamber. The A module 50 is further provided with a display 56, which typically displays the relative position of the recording tape during recording and playback operations.For example, the display 56 displays a simple four-digit tape count,
The time and date are displayed visually using 4-digit numbers.

The recording/playback module also has various button buttons 5.
8 is set, and when operated, the function displayed on the button is normally executed.

For example, an ON button causes module 50 to enter an active mode so that dictation functions are performed.

2. The call record phone button runs the record/playback module which records calls received or sent by the transceiver unit IO. As described below, when terminal 10 is placed in a recording state for an incoming call, the telephone button on module 50 must be activated. The reset button causes the display 56 to present the display as "0000". This reset button is further actuated to reset the display on display 62 of display module 60 (described below). The stop button of the buttons 58 executes the static mode of the module 50. Typically, the stop button will cease fast forward, rewind, play or record mode operation.

When the voX button is operated during the recording mode, the recording/playback module 50 records a voice message while a call signal is present. That is, the tape runs while such speech signals are present and is stopped when such speech signals disappear. (Voice action recording is well known technology.

The conference button implements the conference mode of recording, thus increasing the amplification of the audio signal recorded on the magnetic tape. Preferably, a conference button is used to connect a conference microphone (not shown) connected to module 50 to enable recording of multi-person conferences.

The speaker button activates an internal speaker (not shown) configured on module 50.

When a voice message recorded on magnetic tape is played back, this message is played back by this internal speaker. Typically, the internal speaker of module 50 is not used when handset 14 is used to record dictation.

The insert button, when actuated, activates an insert mode of operation in which audio information is recorded onto another channel or track of the magnetic tape. This feature allows the user to dictate new information without editing the recorded message.

When actuated, the rewind button rewinds the magnetic tape at a relatively high speed until the beginning of the tape is reached or the stop button is actuated. Conversely, a fast forward button causes the magnetic tape to run at a relatively high speed. The play button, when actuated, causes the magnetic tape to run at normal speed, thus playing back the voice message recorded on the tape. These playback messages are recorded/
It can be played back by the internal speaker of the playback module 50. The erase button is activated in conjunction with either the rewind or fast forward buttons to implement the erase mode. An electromagnetic erasure circuit (not shown) is activated to erase audio information recorded on the magnetic tape.

3. Display module (B module) Display module 60 (B module) has a simultaneous engagement ratio rg
A (DIC-5'26) and co-pending application serial number (
DIC-530), the disclosure of which is included in the text for reference. The display module includes a display 62 that performs both graphical and digital displays. As described in the aforementioned co-pending application, the graphical display provides visible information regarding the type and length of each message recorded, as well as an indication indicating the location of the recorded information and special notes. In addition, a cursor display indicates the current position of the magnetic tape as it travels during various dictation operations. The digital display shows the total number of minutes and tens of minutes that the dictation was recorded. Other information may also be displayed by the digital display during dictation, but such additional displays do not constitute the invention.

The display module 60 is further provided with a display control button 64.

The functions performed by each control button are represented by symbols displayed on each button. The scroll button, when actuated, allows the user to scroll through various recorded messages, such as letters, first-come-first-served letters, instructions, or special notes.

One of the messages can be selected for fast access as specifically described in the co-pending application cited above.

Display control buttons are selectively activated to scan the dictated magnetic tape to retrieve recorded information by indicating message type, length and location. This information is used to control the display 62 to implement the aforementioned graphical display that is most conducive to transcribing the dictated information. When the rewind search control button is actuated, the magnetic tape is rewound to access the selected type of message.

Message selection is performed by actuation of the scroll button, as described above.

The display control button 64 further indicates that if a new magnetic tape is loaded into the record/playback module 50, the message will be displayed on the display 62 as dictated to the new tape, without disturbing the display associated with the previous tape.
has a hold button whose main purpose is to freeze the information displayed. Thus, the dictation is maintained on the previous tape without confusion or ambiguity.

The finish control button functions to record a summary block of data indicating the type, location, and length of all messages recorded on a particular magnetic tape. When the data is read prior to writing, the decoder presets the display 62 to indicate the type and location of the message that requires dictation.

The forward search control button serves to advance the magnetic tape at a rapid rate to access the selected message. It can be seen that the control button operates similarly to the rewind search control button.

IX, transceiver unit (C unit) 111
8M1, General Discussion FIG. 6 is a circuit diagram of some of the electrical circuit specifications associated with transceiver unit 10 and network 110. The circuitry of transceiver 10 is shown in the left part of circuit 101 in FIG. 6, and the network 110 except for the transceiver unit is shown in the right part of circuit 101.

As shown in FIG. 6, the circuitry of transceiver unit 10 includes a microprocessor sensor 70, a recorder interface 74, a telephone interface 76, a central dictation interface 78, and a digital network interface 80. Also shown in FIG. 4 are a pushbutton keypad 24 including preset function keys 26, function keys 28, and soft keys 40 as shown.
and programmable keys 30, 32 and 34, commonly referred to as programmable keys 100.

Also shown in FIG. 4 is a footer switch 98 which is normally opened as described above when the handset 14 is placed on the stand 18 and closed when the handset is removed from the stand.

2. Microprocessor - As shown, a microprocessor 70, which may be a conventional microprocessor such as a Hitachi Model 6303, is coupled to a keypad 24, function keys 28, soft keys 40, hook switches 98, and programmable keys 100. . Activation of either a key or a switch connected to the microprocessor is detected; however, for simplicity, conventional interface circuitry, such as a switch detector, is not shown here. A random access memory (RAM) 95 and a read only memory (ROM) 97 are provided, the RAM memory being used for storing data and various programs, and the ROM memory being used for storing fixed programs. A special signal source 61 is set to provide timing pulses to the unit 10 and for the date and time function of the computer 112 as described below.

The signal source 61 is backed up by a battery to avoid loss of power and time during sudden power outages at the facility location.

Microprocessor 70 is coupled via bus 72 to interfaces 74, 76 and 78, and the microprocessor is also coupled to display 16 via this bus. It will be appreciated that display 16 includes not only the visual display shown in FIGS. 3-5, but also the conventional decoder, display drive circuitry, and storage typically found in microprocessor driven displays.

3. A telephone connection bus 72 further couples the microprocessor 70 with a dial-out generator 82, a bell signal detector 84, and a ring tone generator 86.

Generator 82 and detector 84 are connected to circuit 130
via internal telephone network 11B and external telephone line 1
PBX unit 13 for selectively coupling to one of 24
6, which in turn is coupled to a telephone interface 76.

received on the telephone network and sent to the telephone interface 7
The incoming bell signals supplied to 6 are sequentially applied to a bell signal detector 84. As discussed below, a bell signal detector is provided to detect the presence of an incoming bell signal and provide an appropriate indication to microprocessor sensor 70. The bell signal detector is further coupled via bus 72 to a bell tone generator 86 for sequentially energizing the audible tone generator 88 to generate an appropriate audible tone in response to each incoming bell signal. be combined. The bell sound generator 86 is a microprocessor-7
0 and further provides different audio signals to the audio generator 88 to generate unique audio whose distinctiveness can be varied as desired, as will be described below. For example, the bell generator 86 may generate bells of different frequencies, pitches, and m durations.
Can be controlled to generate a buzzer or electronic sound.

Telephone interface 76 is further coupled to handset 14 to provide a communication channel between the handset and the telephone network. The telephone interface is further coupled to the recording/playback modules 50 and 51 such that incoming messages received on the telephone network are recorded into either of the recording/playback modules 50 and 51 under the control of the microprocessor-70. Ru. So-called voice messages are recorded in one or both of the recording/playback modules 50 and 51, and are of the type normally used in telephone answering machines. The recording/playback modules 50 and 51 respond to dictated incoming telephone calls under the control of the microprosensor;
A telephone interface 76 is coupled to a recorder interface 74 which is in turn coupled to a microprocessor 70 for playback and transmission of voice messages over the telephone network.

4. Central and Remote Dictation Central dictation interface 78 is coupled to microprocessor 70 via buses 72 and 128 and also communicates with a centrally located dictation machine 188 via private wired network 92. Controlled by a microprocessor to establish. Handset 14 is coupled to central dictation interface 78 via buses 72 and 128 for the purpose of controlling a central recorder to perform dictation functions.

Transceiver unit 10 connects telephone line 130 to control remote dictation through the telephone circuit rather than through private wired network 92 using a central dictation system.
and 118 to a remote dictation unit (also see FIG. 2).

5.0 Network Connection D Network interface Io is coupled to microprocessor-70 via bus 72 and also connected to line 12.
8.126 and 114 to the PC 112. See FIGS. 2 and 7 for further explanation.

The electrical and physical connection of the two A modules 50 and 51 is described in co-pending applications (DIC527 and DIC528).
The contents are included in the text for reference.

6. Voice Recognition Unit An optional voice recognition unit 189 is shown in FIG. The unit 189 is coupled to receive the audio signal from the microphone of the transmitter/receiver 4114 and operate a programmable key programmed in a predetermined manner to convert it into a digital signal representing words and numbers. These signals are stored in RAM memory 95 and displayed on display 16 until the message is completed, all under the control of microprocessor 70. Once the message is complete and correct, pressing the key will cause the message to be transferred to the D console for storage on disk again, or to another C unit.
Other data that returns the unit to normal operation is similarly generated and transferred.

Speech recognition unit 189 is preferably one of several types of microcircuit chips available today for speech recognition. Such circuits have a limited vocabulary of words and sounds that can be recognized by LE. A vocabulary of 100 to 250 words and characters is believed to be sufficient to construct most messages used in normal business communication. Of course, there will be demands for larger vocabularies, but this will likely come at a higher cost.

Typically, the recognition unit 189 requires training, ie, the user saying each word once or twice in a training mode of operation in order for the unit to recognize the word that is subsequently spoken.

If desired, the recognition unit 189 is located within the PC unit 112 with access to larger memory and storage disks within the PC.

One unit 189 is provided for each C unit, or
A single multi-user unit capable of recognizing several types of voices is incorporated for the same purpose.

The use of a recognition unit eliminates the need for the user to type efficiently, use both hands to complete a message, or the cost and space of installing a keyboard. Increase the flexibility of your communication network.

X,) Transceiver unit (C unit) operation The operation of the transceiver unit 10 will be described below. It can be seen that the various programmable keys 100 are preferably programmed to initiate corresponding actuation functions. A method for programming the keys is described in a co-pending application (D
IC537), but will not be described here.

1. Dial the phone number Now consider a case where the user wants to make a phone call.

- Alternatively, the handset 14 is removed from the stand 18, so that the hook switch 98 is closed.

Microprocessor 70 responds to this off-hook condition to control telephone interface 76;
In this way, connection with the telephone network 90 is realized. The microprocessor subsequently controls the dialout generator 82 to accommodate the operation of the keybat 24 and to provide the appropriate dialing signals to the telephone network. Thus,
A call can be made. When each button on the keypad 24 is pressed, the number represented by the button is displayed on the display 16. Thus, the telephone number is not only dialed, but also displayed.

2. Automatic redialing When the called telephone number is busy, a redialing operation is performed at predetermined intervals when the telephone line is notified by a busy tone.

Display 16 shows the number of previous redial attempts.
will be displayed. The user can change the number of redials by operating the keypad 24. When redialing is executed, an indication that it is being executed is displayed on the display 1-6 under the control of the microprocessor 70.

Once the dialed telephone number is connected, a normal telephone conversation can be conducted via the handset 14. Alternatively, if the user operates the speaker/mute key, the terminal 10 performs the speaker mode operation.

3. Conversation Recording While carrying out a conversation over the telephone, the user can record the conversation in the recording/playback A module 50, for example by pressing a preselected one of the programmable keys 100. . When telephone interface 76 is coupled to multiple telephone lines, the recording operation is performed upon completion of a telephone call that was being conducted over the telephone line that was previously selected to be coupled to the record/playback module. be done. Activation of the appropriate one of the programmable keys 100 indicates that the recorder interface 7
It will be clear that this is sensed by the microprosensor 70 which sequentially excites the recording/playback module via 4.

4. Automatic Dialing It is understood that each type of programmable key 100 can be assigned a desired telephone number, and that the assigned number will be automatically dialed by actuation of the programmable key. When the handset 14 is taken off the hook, actuation of a programmable key to which a telephone number has been assigned (hereinafter appropriately referred to as a stored number key) is detected by the microprocessor 70 and the assigned number is displayed. . If this telephone number is the one the user is attempting to dial, the dial key is pressed and a dial-out operation is performed in the same manner as if the keypad 24 were activated. Of course, if the user wishes to dial a different number than the one displayed, the user can activate the different number from among the stored number keys.

5. Memory list display When the handset 14 is hung on the stand 18, the hook is activated, and by activating one of the keys 2 to 9 of the keypad 24, the memorized phone number is displayed on the display 16. A number book will be displayed. For example, if key 2 is pressed, the last name of the list is displayed in order from A along with the phone number. In some embodiments of the invention, the display includes each person's postal address, thus making effective use of the information.

By successively operating Key 2 (including the letters A, B, and C), the user can read the contents of the memorized directory one by one, including the last name (alphabet starting with A) and the contents of the phone number in order. etc. can be searched and visually recognized. When item A of the list is completed, the phone number of each person whose last name starts with B is displayed by repeating the operation of key 2. Next, when B's list ends, the phone numbers of each person whose last name begins with C appear. Similarly, rewinding of names starting with other letters of the alphabet is performed by pressing keys 3-9. Once the desired name and telephone number are displayed, simply actuating the dial key will dial that telephone number.

・6. The dictation mode handset 14 is placed on the stand 1 in order to be disconnected from the hook.
When separated from 8, transceiver 10 is normally placed into operation as a telephone device.

However, if the pause/dictation key of the presented function keys 26 is activated, the microprocessor-70
controls the recorder interface 74 to activate the recording/playback A module 50 when a person is waiting in the C unit.

This module thus makes it possible to record dictations that can be communicated to it from the handset 14. It will be appreciated that functions utilized in dictation, such as typical dictation, play, fast forward and stop, are accomplished by actuation of dictation control yoke 20 and dictation control buttons 22 of handset 14. The magnetic tape located within the recording/playback module 50 is thus run;
Voice messages are recorded on the tape. Additionally, character and instruction cue signals, such as those described in co-pending application (DIC-526), are generated and recorded by actuating selected control keys included in softkeys 40. Display 16 provides a visual representation of the functions performed by one of soft keys A, B and C.

7. A-Unit Dual Operation In embodiments where two recording/playback modules 50 and 51 are coupled, for example when in parallel relationship, one or the other of the modules is activated to record dictation. . According to the preferred configuration of the present invention, the leftmost module is given priority in recording dictation.

8. Remote Dictation Machine Operation via Telephone Line In addition to the ability to record dictations to the recording/playback module 50 as described above, the terminal 10 can operate a remotely located dictation machine 117 (second (Figs. and 6) may be operated to record dictation. An example of a telephone connection statement is set forth in Co-pending Application Serial No. 4.95.756 (DIC-508). By using the terminal 10 of the present invention, by operating the keypad 24, operating the appropriate stored number key of the programmable keys 100, and selecting the number from a stored one of the telephone directory in the terminal operator 0. By accessing , it is possible to dial the telephone number of a remote station where a health insurance machine is installed.
Further dictation actions are performed. Additionally, foot pedal switches of the type typically used to perform dictated actions may be used with terminal IO.
, these switches are operated to efficiently perform dictation operations. In this method, a writing machine located at a called remote station is controlled to enable a user at terminal 10 to write down information that is being dictated to the machine.

9. According to the central dictation and further shown in FIG. Therefore, the central dictation interface 7
Control 8. The dictation then follows U.S. Patent No. 3,872.
263 by actuating the dictation control yoke 20 and dictation control button 22 of the handset 14.

When the handset 14 is placed on the stand 18, a dictation operation is performed, optionally in conjunction with a central recorder, and the display 16 indicates the dictation status. however,
When the terminal IO is left unhooked, dictation is performed in conjunction with the central recorder and the display 16 provides a visual indication of this dictation mode.

10. Telephone Message Recording If one of the programmable keys 100 is programmed to enable a telephone message recording operation, incoming voice messages received within the telephone network 90 may be recorded in the Record/Playback A module 50, for example. be done.

If the telephone network includes multiple telephone lines, one of them is selected to couple the incoming voice message to the recording/playback module. The user may use one (or more) appropriate
lines can be selected and coupled to the recording/playback module. When an incoming telephone call is then received on the selected line, it is detected by the bell signal detector 84 and the microprocessor 70 controls the telephone interface 76 to couple the cough line to the module 50. .

Furthermore, the microprocessor is the recorder interface 7.
4 to activate the recording/playback module, an incoming voice message is recorded.

11. Operation of automatic telephone answering machine As one of the operations, the recording/playback module 50 operates as an automatic telephone answering machine. In this regard, the user first records a voice message on the magnetic tape of the recording/playback module, and activates the module such that in response to an incoming telephone call, the module is excited to play the voice message. The mode is switched to enable recording of incoming voice messages. An example of using a dictation machine as a telephone answering machine is described in US Pat. No. 4,309.571.

Alternatively, if both recording/playback modules 50 and 51 are configured, one of the modules will have said voice message recorded on its magnetic tape, and the other module will have said voice message recorded on its magnetic tape. used to record.

Instead, digital recording techniques are used to record voice messages. Additionally, in response to an incoming telephone call, microprocessor 70 activates the recorder interface 74 to activate a module containing a voice message.
and then, when the message is played, the recorder interface activates other modules to record the desired incoming voice message.

12. Recording dictations by remote telephone In a similar mode of operation, the terminal 10 is coupled with a recording/playback module 50 for recording dictations transmitted via the telephone network by the user of this terminal. The user may optionally record an announcement message on the magnetic tape included in module 50 to inform the user that he or she may initiate a dictation at a preselected telephone line terminal. These announcement messages are optional and may not be used by the user if desired.

13. Combined remote dictation and telephone response Using two recording/playback modules 50 and 51, programmable keys 100 are combined with keypad 24 and control keys 40 to select a telephone line (or group of telephone lines). For example, it may be coupled to module 50 and activated to couple module 51 to another telephone line (or other telephone lines). These modules may then be arranged as telephone answering machines, as described above, and other modules may be arranged for recording remote dictation transmitted over the telephone network in the manner described above. Micro Pro Sensor 70 is a telephone interface 7
6. Bell signal detector 84 and recorder interface 7
4, energizes the appropriate one of modules 50 and 51 to record an incoming message depending on the particular telephone line on which the incoming ring signal is detected.

14. To record incoming messages for convenience, during telephone answering mode operation or remote dictation mode operation, microprocessor 70 controls display 16 to provide a visual display of the receipt and recording of the message. Each message is numbered in sequence and the time and length are stored. The user of terminal 10 can make use of any of these recorded messages. For example, the button “★
By activating the keypad 24, such as by pressing ``, the microprocessor 70 controls the display 16 to display the number of messages most recently received, the time and length of the recording. is also displayed, and the user can further use the message by actuating the indicated one of the control keys 40 to play it. If not, simply press the button ★ again and the display 16 will then display the recording time and length of the first message received.

The previous operation is then repeated, rewinding all received messages or playing the desired one.

15. Message from Console D According to FIGS. 1 and 2, a relatively short text message can be sent by operating the keyboard 140.

is generated at PC 112. This document message is then transferred via lines 114, 116 and interface unit 1 in a conventional digital manner. The text message is routed to specific or all of the C units 1°. When the interface 1 receives the message, the signal is transferred to the microprocessor 70, which causes the display 16 to indicate the receipt of the message with an audible and visible indication.
control. Specifically, a long or short beep is emitted by the speaker 88 (FIG. 6) and a steady or intermittent symbol "#" is displayed on the display. A long beep and a steady "#" symbol indicate a high priority or urgent message; a short beep and a steady "#" symbol indicate a normal message. Document messages are stored in RAM memory 9.
5 (Fig. 6), and the user presses the button “#”.
" can be accessed and displayed on the display 16. The memory 95 can store a plurality of text messages, which the user can rewind by pressing and holding the button "#".

16. Automatic dialing of phone numbers in messages Assuming that a document message contains a phone number (e.g.
Smith called (703)-552-2801.
), when restoring a stored message, the phone number will be displayed on the display 16.
Pressing the button automatically dials the telephone number in the manner described above.

17.0 Messages from Units As described above, previously stored messages can be transferred to console D 112 and/or one or more selected units C. By entering a particular code, unit C or unit D, and by pressing the desired one of the programmable keys 1oo, the message is transmitted to the selected receiver by the cooperation of the microprocessor 70. be done.

Corresponding to the audio messages, the individual messages provided by the voice recognition unit 189 are transferred in a similar manner.

Xl, Network Interface Unit FIG. 7 is a block diagram illustrating the network interface circuitry and how it couples to other components in the network.

1. The circuit interface circuitry is disposed on a network interface printed circuit board 152, as shown in FIG. Preferably plate 152 is housed within a small housing (not shown). Network interface board 1
52 is connected to a modem board 154 as shown. The latter board is optional. Plate 152 includes a master interface unit Io as shown. The network interface board 152 is the R323 of the PC 112.
R323 connected to combine with 2 boats 175
2 drive/receive circuit 176. Drive/receive circuit 176
The output of microprocessor circuit 156, UART
device 164 and, if a modem board is connected, the modem unit 184 and R323 of the Mosol board.
2 to a programmable switch 162 connected to a drive/receive circuit 178. Unit 178 is connected to external leads for connection to a printer or video display terminal or other peripheral device shown at 122 and which may be located near each transceiver unit 10. Modem 184 is configured to connect to an external telephone line via line 185 to effectuate digital data transfer, if desired. Advantageously, microprocessor 156 is the same device as microprocessor 70 used in each transceiver unit 10.

Further arranged on the network interface board 152 is a random access memory (RAM) 1
58, read-only memory (RON) 160, other UA
RT'66 and network drive circuit 170.

Also provided are a controlled power source 174, a decoder circuit 172 and a programmable switch 16.
It is 8. The circuitry 128 shown in FIG. 1 connecting each C-unit 10 to the interface unit is actually the cable shown at 128 in the upper right corner of FIG.

Included in cable 128 is conductor 17
1,173 and 177. The signal on conductor 171 determines the direction of data flow, ie, whether data is sent to or received from unit C. Circuit 73 is a conductor for transferring data from unit C to the interface board, and circuit 177 transfers data from the interface board to C unit.

The circuit 179 forming the cable 128 is the decoder 17
2 and a decoding circuit connected to the interface board of each C unit. Each C-unit interface board provides a specific identification code that is sensed by a decoding circuit that provides a corresponding signal to microprocessor-unit 156 to identify the C-unit.

The connection between the PC and the network interface board 152 is achieved via the boat 152.

Programmable switch 162 is controlled by signals from the C unit to couple various input and output circuits in desired combinations. Switch setting is PC1
12. Various states of the switches cause various switch combinations. For example, the output from the drive/receive circuit 176 is directly connected to the UART 164
can be connected to. Additionally, either the modem 184 or the drive/receiver 178 on the modem board is υ^RT1.
64 may alternatively be connected.

Alternatively, programmable switch 162 can be controlled to connect driver/receiver 176 directly to modem board driver/receiver 178, which in turn connects directly to modem 184. Is possible. Additionally, driver/receiver 178 directly connects switch 16
2 can be connected to modem 184.

UART 164 (DART is tlNIVERsAL
ASYNCIIRQNOUSRECIEIVER/T
A RANSMITTER (abbreviation for "universal heterogeneous receiver/transmitter") converts serial data into parallel data.

RAM 158 is used to store data, and ROM
160 is used to store programs for microprocessor-156.

UARTI 66 sends polling signal to cable 126
bus 116 via network driver 170 via
and operates to convert parallel data from the microprocessor into serial form for transmission to other interface ports of other terminals.

The polling signal is used to check in turn whether each C unit has data to supply. If data is present, the data is output from the C unit through a data line corresponding to line 173 in FIG.
It is supplied to its own network interface board where it is stored in RAM until the data can be transferred to the master interface board shown in FIG.

When the time comes to transfer data from the child interface board to the parent interface board 152, the network drive circuitry is transformed to receive data via circuitry 126 from other interface boards. The UART 166 converts this data into parallel form, stores the data, and sends it to the PC 112.
A microprocessor that stores information until it is released into the market - 156
Send to. Line 169 from network driver 170 to microprocessor-156 indicates whether the interface is in transmit or receive mode.

Another advantage of the present invention is that each of the network interface boards used in the network 110 shown is the same as that used to fabricate the others. When deployed in a network, however, each board is identified by a unique code number, which further allows the board to be adapted to either a parent unit or a child unit for data transfer. be programmed. Moreover, since each plate is identical in manufacture, it is a great advantage to be able to produce it using mass production techniques.

Programming is preferably performed using a programmable switch 168 that can be programmed by simply installing the network and selectively connecting one or more jumper wires.

The C unit closest to computer 112 (eg, shown in the upper left corner of FIG. 1) is designated as the master unit and is assigned identification code number O. C of each series
Units are assigned code numbers 1-15 in a network that includes C units. Master interface board conversion is child unit polling and data PC
This results in placement within the network controller that controls transfers from and to the PC.

2. Programming Ink The program stored on the multi-board and used to control the network is a modification of IBM's Binary Synchronous Communication (Bi-5YNC) protocol. The steps of the program adopted are such that, with knowledge of the interface circuitry and the explanations given above and below, proper programming will be readily apparent without special experimentation, and can be expressed by well-known techniques. Therefore, I will not discuss it here.

A variation of the standard old-5ync protocol is switch 1
The interface board selected as the network control board will always be the master, and each of the other units in the network will always be the child, unless 68 is changed due to system changes. Since switch 168 is preferably set using jumper wires, such changes are not considered a normal occurrence.

The sequence of steps is that PC 112 can transmit a message to any C unit in the network between two consecutive polls. In other words, the order is as follows.

1. The polling message is sent from the master interface Io to the unit CI (following the master unit (1
The data is sent to the interface 11 of the second unit (ie, the middle unit on the left in FIG. 1).

2. Replies, if any, are sent back from unit CI to the master board and PC. It is also possible that the length of the reply fills one data packet or frame. This data packet or frame is described below.

3. The PC sends a data packet or frame to any C unit. (If any frame is waiting for transmission) 4. A polling message is sent to unit C2.

5. A reply is sent from unit C2 (up to one frame long). 6. The PC sends a data packet or frame to one of the C units. (If a frame is waiting for transmission) 7. Otherwise, the above process is repeated many times at a rapid rate, with the master interface repeatedly asking each C unit for data;
Receive it, transfer it to the computer, and transfer the data from the PC to one of the C units. The rate at which data is transferred need not be particularly high in order for the system to operate at sufficiently high speeds. For example, the rate at which data is transferred over line 126 is 19.2 baud. The rate at which data is transferred over cable 128 is 9307 baud, and the rate at which data is transferred to and from the PC at 175 baud is 9307 baud.
．． 6 is bowed. The total length of bus 116 can be up to 4,000 feet in either system, and line 126 can be up to 50 feet long.

The relatively low bow on line 126 advantageously allows it to be fabricated with common twin stranded conductors instead of making expensive recursive cables. Bus 116 can also be of simple and inexpensive construction. This is very advantageous in terms of reducing the price. Low bounce rates also keep the cost of system components such as network drives [170] much lower than those with very high bounce rates.

Figure 9 of the attached drawings shows the C unit and computer 112.
2 shows the format of each data packet or frame 208 of a document transferred between them. Each data packet or frame includes a header portion 2101 a data portion 212 and a trailer portion 214. The maximum amount of data that can be included in any packet or frame 208 in this embodiment is 51 bytes. The total length of a packet or frame is up to 64 bytes.

The header contains the following components:

1, 5YNCBYTE 2, 5O)l (START OF HEADER)3
, DESTINATION ADDRESS4,
ACKBYTII! (Recognition byte) 5, I a
scii 1etter6, , Ml! 5SAGE
TYPII! ? , MESSAGE NUMBER8
, X5TS (beginning of text) The trailer for each data packet or frame 208 includes the following components:

1, χETX or XETB (end of text or end of text block) 2, ERRORC) IECK (2 bytes) 3,
PAD (Filler) The meanings of the above symbols are well known in the Pysync protocol, so they will not be explained in detail here.

Data is exchanged between the network controller and the PC in full duplex mode, ie, data can be in and out of the PC at the same time.

X■, Computer Flow Chart The creation and processing of data in the personal computer 112 is shown in the data flow diagram in Figure 8 and in Figure 10-
This is shown in the detailed flowchart of FIG.

1. Data Flow Diagram Figure 8 is a diagram showing a very common form of data flow within a computer. The data is connected to the network controller shown in Figure 7 vA11.
Enter and exit via 4. Communication program modules are represented by short blocks 192, application modules are represented by short blocks 204, and monitor program modules are represented by short blocks 206. A timer 194, a software module controlled by a hardware clock generator, is set and a control signal is sent along the dotted line to the location shown in FIG.

Reference numeral 200 indicates an incoming message buffer or queue, and 202 indicates an outgoing message queue or buffer.

Input messages are held in buffer 200 until a timer allows transfer to online monitoring module 206. Similarly, output messages are held in buffer 202 until timing signals permit release to communications module 192 for transfer to and from the network.

Application modules 204 are various routines that perform telephone management, message forwarding, and other functions described below.

The online monitor module 206 includes a hard disk drive 146, a printer 148, and a display 1.
42 includes a module that determines the order of operation. Keyboard 140 provides input signals to the application and online monitoring modules for entering data and controlling operation.

2. Timing and Data Power/Output According to Figure 10, data from the network controller (see top right corner of Figure 10) enters the computer and is passed to routine 21 to determine whether a full data packet has been received.
Checked within 6. If received, the message is stored in the receiver at 218.

Coimer 194 (FIG. 8) sets the timer interrupt shown at 220. The timer interruption is preferably 50
It should be milliseconds in length. Since data is created only during interruptions, the computer simultaneously monitors itself and communicates within the network 110.
Sufficient time is provided to perform other functions such as writing and processing paperwork.

When an interruption occurs, routine 222 is used to check whether a data packet is in the input buffer. If not, several routines are executed as shown in the middle right of FIG.

a. Forwarding the Packet to the Network First, routine 224 is executed to check whether the data packet is in the outbound sofa. If so, the packet is sent to a specific C unit under the control of the network controller.

b. Upload or Download Telephone Directory If there are no output data packets to emit, routine 226 determines whether there is a desire to upload or download directory data. If you wish, the first
Either the download routine shown in FIG. 7 or the upload routine shown in FIG. 18 is executed.

According to FIG. 17, in response to a request from the C unit or the PC operator to download telephone list information from the PC memory to the C unit memory, first, the recognition of the C unit to which the data is to be downloaded is performed in routine 262.
Determined by

Data is then read from the hard disk into the buffer according to routine 264. Routine 226 then converts the data into output packets as shown in FIG. The packet is then stored in the output buffer according to routine 268 and the program returns to the startup state. Next, during any interruption available for sending output data, the packet is sent to a particular C unit in routine 224. Sent. (See Figure 10).

The specific means for storing telephone directory information in the memory of each C unit is described in part in a co-pending U.S. patent application (D.
IC545), the contents of which are included in the text for reference.

According to FIG. 18, when a request to unload list information is received from a C unit, one user of the C unit changes the list information stored in the PC of that C unit to an updated state. To do this, routine 270 determines the identity of the source C unit. Routine 272 then grants permission to send the packet and, at 268, the packet is stored in the C-unit's output buffer where it is forwarded from there to the computer under control of the network controller. be done.

C. Upload or Download Programmable Key Data In FIG.
One user can change the key programming or
When the operator changes the programming of the key, it is checked whether there is a request to upload or download the programmable key data. If the request is made, Figures 17 and 18
The appropriate upload and download routines shown in the figure are executed to transfer data to or from any particular C unit.

d. Scheduled Alert Transfer In FIG. 10, routine 230 checks to see if there is a request for a scheduled alert. These requests are made available at the reserved time that has been memorized.

If a request is made, the reservation alert routine shown in FIG. 19 is executed.

Referring to FIG. 19, routine 274 collects the reservation data stored on the hard disk, routine 266 converts the data into output packets, and routine 266 converts the data into output packets.
At 68, the data packet is stored in the output sofa for forwarding to the particular C-unit for display and an audible alarm is emitted to remind the user of the reservation immediately preceding the reservation.

e. Latest parameters Figure 10 is a routine 23 that is executed when there is a request to update the system control parameters (described later).
2 is shown. If there is no request, the PC's time and date are marked to be updated at 234 and the program returns to the startup state.

The time and date are kept updated using a clock located in the master C unit (FIG. 6). However, if the PC has its own clock source, that clock source is used instead.

3. Arrival (i data packet creation input cover) If there are data packets in the sofa, routine 236 of FIG. 10 recovers the oldest data packet. Next, in routine 238, the data packet is decoded and It is determined whether the packet has date and time information, telephone information, dictation status information, incoming voice status information, telephone directory information, programmable key content information, or programmable key commands. At the bottom of FIG. 10, each piece of information is illustrated in a form similar to a list.

a0 Date and Time Information According to FIG. 11, the date and time information from the system controller board clock is in the form 240, and the date and time are set in the routine 242 for the D unit and the operating software for IBM's PCXT. The program is then returned to the starting state.

b. Telephone information According to FIG. 12, telephone information is received from the C unit, such as the telephone number called, the party for whom the call is intended, and the frequency. Routine 244 searches to see if the received data constitutes the beginning of a telephone call. The routine is
This is necessary because the memory of each C unit is not large enough to store all the information and the need to transfer it to subsequent packets. If it is the beginning of a call, routine 246 saves the information until the remaining information arrives.

When it is determined that all messages have been received,
Routine 248 determines whether the beginning of a call has already been received. If not, the program returns to startup because the data is invalid. If so, the data is formed in routine 250 and routine 2
52 to disk. A request to update the system parameters is then transmitted at 254. The request is satisfied in routine 232 (Figure 10).

C0 Dictation Status Information According to FIG. 15, dictation status information received from one of the C units is processed by the routine 250 described above and shown in FIG.
．． It is created by a routine 258 called X, which is a combination of 252 and 254.

d0 incoming call list information According to Figure 13, from one of the C units/) to the PC,
When unloaded telephone directory information is received, routine 256 searches to see if the end of the directory information has been received. If not, it is saved in a buffer by routine 260 and the program returns to start.

If so, routine 258 (Create and Write Disk, Setting Requests as in FIGS. 15 and 16) is executed.

The request is later satisfied by routine 226 shown in FIG.

f. Programmable Key Content Information According to FIG. 14, the programmable key content information received from one of the C units is processed by routine 262 to determine whether the end of the data has been retrieved. Ru. If not, it is saved in a buffer by routine 260, and if not, it is processed by routine 258 to establish a request to upload the programmable key contents. The request is the first
The routine 228 shown in FIG.

g. Programmable key instructions FIG. 20 shows the processing of programmable key instructions that can be processed.
1 to 26, so it cannot be illustrated, but it is shown in the upper right corner of FIG. 20.

(i) Transmitting Message to PC If routine 276 causes a programmable key command to transmit a message to the PC console, this is detected by routine 278. Routine 280 then determines the number of programmable keys and the C unit in which the keys come. Next, routine 28
2, the memorized message for that key is restored from the hard disk. Routine 284 saves the current screen and keyboard settings, referred to as Z.

Routine 286 outputs the message to the PC console. The message is written to disk by routine 288 and a request to update the parameters is transmitted by routine 290.

As shown at 292, the PC then waits for the PC operator to strike a key. As shown in 294,
If either of the ESC keys is pressed, the screen and keyboard settings are restored and the program returns to the beginning, as at 296.

(ii) Transmission of messages to other C units No. 20
When a command to transmit a message to another C unit is detected, such as at 298 in the figure, the program determines the key number, the starting C unit, and the destination C unit. At 302, the recorded cough key message is retrieved from the disk and formed at 304 into a data packet, which is transmitted at 306 to the output sofa.

The data packet is then transmitted to the receiving C unit for display during the next interruption that may be provided for transmitting data from the PC.

The recorded message is then written to disk again at 288, a request to update the parameters is set at 290, and the program returns to the beginning.

(iii) Starting the D-Network Administrator program (displaying the main menu) The D-Network Administrator is responsible for telephone management, appointment confirmation, calendar function, maintenance of dictation logs, and voice messages as shown at the bottom of Figure 20. , is the name given to an application program that performs remote document printing.

As mentioned above, the network administrator program is entered from the master C unit and is preferably located next to the PC console. The routine 308 that starts the D-Administrator network program is therefore recognized only when the command arrives from the network controller, ie the unit next to the PC. Thus, an electronic lock that prevents access to the master C unit without authorization can be used to protect network administrators from unauthorized access, even though the PC itself is not equipped with a locking system. Ru. Of course, if the PC itself had the lock, this precaution would be unnecessary.

It is possible to approach the network administrator via various keystrokes on the PC; if the PC is equipped with a lock, these keystrokes can be used to access programs and The controller does not need to be used for this purpose. In this case, the C unit 10 next to the PC shown in FIG. 2 can be used anywhere within the network.

As at 310, screen and keyboard settings are saved. Next, at 312, the main menu is output.

Routine 294 detects any key actuation, and specific key actuations are detected by routine 314. Routine 316 determines whether the correct key was struck.

If not, a beep as indicated at 318 will sound and the program will return to the ``actuate any key'' routine 294.

If the correct key is actuated, routine 320 displays the main menu with all application modules and selectable options shown at the bottom of FIG.

When the operator presses the escape key, as shown at 296 in FIG. 20, the screen and keyboard settings are restored and the program returns to the beginning.

(iv) Phone list upload/download 2nd
1 and 22 show the state that occurs when a command to upload or download list information is received from the programmable keys of the C unit. This is obvious from FIGS. 21 and 22.

(V) Arab Load/Download Programmable Key Information Figures 23 and 24 illustrate the situation that occurs when the command from the C unit is to upload or download programmable key information. This is obvious from FIGS. 23 and 24.

(vi) Shortcut for Sending and Inputting Messages FIG. 25 shows the situation that occurs when a command to send a message is received from the master C unit or system controller. As shown at 340, the message processing application module is provided from disk to RAM. Next, as shown in 342,
A jump routine is executed to jump to the message sending routine. This eliminates several steps normally required when transmitting a message.

Since sending messages is considered to be a task that a PC operator must perform many times, it is useful to simplify this task. Operating the C unit instead of the PC itself means that other tasks using the PC need not be interrupted.

(vi) Shortcut for inputting visual telephone number directory If a command to view the directory is received from the master C unit, the telephone directory application module 34
The list is loaded from the disk as shown at 6, and a jump routine is executed as shown at 348 to immediately view the list. This also saves work for the PC operator for the reasons mentioned above.

It must be emphasized that both routines can be performed solely from the master C unit or the program controller, as shown in Figures 25 and 26, however it is not desirable to use the master C unit as a nearby auxiliary control unit. It is within the scope of this invention to program PCs with similar work-saving routines.

xm Computer - The personal computer used in network 110 is preferably an IBM PCXT.

Preferably it is at least 256 RAM. The network requires only 128
The preferred operating program, Microsoft "l"ls DOS, requires only 2.0 to 30 MB of RAM, but the replacement program requires 30 to 30 MB of RAM.
The 256 is also preferred for safety reasons since additional rams may be required for other purposes.

As mentioned above, computer XT includes both a floppy disk drive 144 and a hard disk or Winchester disk drive 146 (FIGS. 1 and 2). This hard disk is permanently attached to the computer, and unlike a floppy disk, it is not easy to remove and is not designed to be removed frequently. Therefore, it is always in place for retaining and restoring data and programs. The use of permanently installed disks is advantageous because the network 110 may be required to store and utilize data from disks almost constantly.

The hard disk preferably has a capacity of 10 megabytes. About 2 megabytes are needed for network programs, and the remaining 8 megabytes are needed for other purposes. Preferably, the PC has one serial R3232 boat and one parallel boat. An optional printer 148 (shown in Figures 1 and 2) is connected to a parallel boat and the rest of the network is an R32
32 port 175. (See Figure 7) IBM
Personal combiators other than the IBM and ITT PC "XT" can also be used. For example, the ITT "XTRA" is also suitable, and other personal computers that are interchangeable with these IBM and ITT computers can of course also be used. .

In this specification, a personal computer refers to a general-purpose digital computer that is mass-produced at a relatively low price. Personal computers are generally R
It has an AM, keyboard, peripheral memory, and display and can economically perform small-scale calculation operations, writing, and home computer work. The computer should cost less than $10,000 new, even if purchased in small quantities, and preferably less than $5,000.

A particularly high processing speed is not required, but a relatively small size is necessary.

The DJ Network software, referred to as "Dictaphone Network Manager" or "Network Manager," is stored on a floppy disk. After MSDO3 and other operating programs are stored, the D Network disk is located on the left drive.・Charged into a boat (Figures 1 and 2),
It is stored on the hard disk and the computer is ready for use.

The network manager software containing the screen file (used to create the screen displayed on the PC) is 330 bytes long. Default hard disk storage allocation is 1,111,000 for 16 C
It's a part-time job. The default storage allocation is categorized as follows: 150 parent phonebook entries for each C 300 call records for each C 90 dictation entry records for each C 140 for each C 40 stored appointments for each logged message C and 280 stored appointments for each logged voice message C. Although the present invention has relatively large capacity, the memory requirements are relatively low. It can be seen that the system provides a low cost system. As mentioned above, the system allows data communication at relatively low speeds and therefore uses relatively low-cost conductors and components in the network, even though it can handle up to 16 Cs. It is possible to do so. In this way, the cost objectives of the invention are clearly achieved.

Regarding the programming of the various sections or modules of the Network Manager program, we will explain the functions to be performed and the actual screen, i.e., the display produced by the program on the video display when the program is in operation. Clarify through explanation. The program is written in Strafted Assembly Language, a widely used computer language, and the program steps that make up the program's various sections or modules are commonly used. Therefore, it is not necessary to provide program listings or flowcharts for a thorough explanation.

2. The Wataru File Network Manager program has an initialization and file saving section that allows the PC operator to change the phone address to an easily identifiable name and install a new phone into the system. In addition, you can change hard disk file storage allocation, perform save operations on files stored on the hard disk, and assign author identification numbers to names so that network managers can identify them. This is the section to This section of the program is used during installation and rarely thereafter.

Below is a copy of the first or "top level" screen in the initialization and file saving section of this program: ``Detailed Measurement Cleaning'' (no changes to the content).
J (i! sawagi) are the various subsections of the program, each with a set of tasks described by the name of that subsection and displayed in a box on the right side of the screen. 'AvailableOption
ns J (optional).

The currently selected option is highlighted by p, c, ie the illumination around the selected name is increased and a line is formed extending from the name to the box. For example, in the screen l listed above, s 'Te1
"ephone 5et-up" (telephone installation) is selected. Available options are modification of the current installation or addition of a phone.

The instructions at the bottom of screen A tell the PC operator what to do next; if the operator wants to use the Telephone 5et-up subsection, enter the IBM PCXT main key 14.
Press the 0 rEnter J key to display the next screen. However, if other choices are desired, the operator can move up or down through the list of choices by pressing the keys bearing the "up" arrows or the r-down arrows.

Pressing the 'ESCJ key on the keyboard will cause the computer to exit this section of the program and prepare it for other tasks.

(a) t' ” (Tele hone 5e
Telephone 5et-u
Select p) and engrave the specification (no changes to the contents) ' Press Enter J to select the next screen.

Now '5elections1 is the option that appeared on the previous screen. A partial list of telephones in the current telephone installation state and their corresponding names is shown in the box. The selection of one of the options is made similarly for screen 1 and all other screens.

If you select 'Modify Existing Set UpJ', the PC operator can modify the specification (no change to the contents).The PC operator can change the name specified for each address on the network. It is possible to make it more easily identifiable in day-to-day operations.This option can be used to identify any C
Tells you about printers connected to your computer.

When you select Modify Existing Set Up, you will see a table in the center of the Screen 3 screen with telephone address, specified name, and printer options as shown in the next screen. ,
The address that identifies each C-station on the network and the name given to each telephone station ('Te
1ephone Instead of OJ' Tom Smith
J), whether a printer is connected to that C station, and the location of the C phone.
Corner Office 5ales DeptJ
'Remar' which can be used for items such as
ks J column. Press the spacebar to
The highlighted area moves through the list. Pressing the Enter key when the desired C station is highlighted selects the station whose information can be changed. Since this screen only has the ability to display information about 11 phones, the user can use 'Page Up J and 'Page Down J' on the PC keyboard to display all phones in the network. You can look up information about the device.

Once a phone is selected by pressing the Enter key, the user can use the screen below to change the information for that particular phone.

LOCATION EPHONE ADDRESS: ot screen 4 describes the phone at the selected address. The PC operator is now free to change the name assigned to the phone, to indicate whether a printer is connected to it, and to change the remark.

Only the highlighted area can be edited. A Page Do%1n key is provided to navigate through a list of all phones on the system to facilitate initial setup. Page DOW to move to the next phone
The Fβ key must be pressed to preserve all modifications made before using the n key.

Once all modifications are complete, press the Escape key to return to the top level menu, screen 1.
Return to

After returning to screen 1, if the operator selects 'Add
If the operator wishes to use the New Telephone J option, the operator presses Enter J to display screen 2, then lowers the highlight area and selects the second option to generate the following screen: Engrave Specification ( (No change in content) Selection Screen 5 is 'Add New Telephone'
Same as screen 2 except the eJ selection technique is selected and another message appears in the box.

'Add New Telephonet feature saves memory storage needed for additional telephones.
space without having to reconfigure the entire system.

By pressing the Enter key, the PC operator can add memory space for the new phone.

The Te1ephone 5et-up screen is described in detail in this specification, in part, to establish procedures for use by operators in mastering the program's features.

The remaining options on Screen 1 will not be explained in detail. Doing so is not necessary to fully explain the invention. Suffice it to say that the following options enable the following functions: File Storage A11location - Allows the operator to reallocate disk storage space when stored data changes. enable.

Perform File Maintenance-
Allows removal of old data from disk.

Voice/Dictation Directory
-Voice/Dictation Directory- (the
Voice/Dictation Director
y) allows operators to assign author identification numbers to the names of people who use them.

When doing the latter, the PC dictates the author's dictation by name rather than by number. The name is Voice Messaging.
Appears in the section. If the name is not entered in the voice/dictation directory, the number will appear in that section instead.

It would be extremely convenient if the program could be programmed to select a choice in any list on any screen by simply typing the first letter of that choice. So instead of having to hit several keys to move from the top of the list to the bottom, you can simply type the letters ry on the keyboard and select Voice/
Dictation Directory screen 1
You can choose from. This is facilitated by using alternative names with different first letters.

In the above-mentioned screens, and in the screens described below, the r-level j (i.e., selected choices and options) of the screen typically appears in the top portion of the screen.

There are three ways to enter the main parts of the Network Manager program. It is as follows.

The "C" programmable key, programmed 1, #"21, takes the user to the top level screen or main menu (shown below).

2. The "C" programmable key, programmed with #"22, will humiliate the user to the Message Preliminary Screen. This can be used to rapidly send "pink slip" type messages.

3. Pressing the 'CJ programmable key programmed in #'23 will cause the network manager to
Enter the expanded view section of the parent phone width stored on the PC.

These programmable keys are valid only at the master C station (address 00000) adjacent to the PC. Programmable keys programmed with these codes are valid only when the user is not in the network manager program.

Therefore, this program is actually protected from access by the security code that locks the C-phone.

Although it is possible to enter the network manager by giving a series of commands when operating at the MS DOS level, entry cannot be protected with a secure access code unless the PC has its own lock. Therefore, I cannot recommend this.

When entering the Dictaphone Network Manager using the programmable keys #922 or #123, the 'llome J key on the PC keyboard is
C Returns the operator to the top level screen or main menu. At this point the statement is cleared (no change in content). Pressing the Escape key returns the operator to the task he was running before pressing the programmable key.

4. Main Menu When you enter the starting point of the program, the following main menu will be displayed.

5elections Availa
ble options main menu is '5e
The five main functions that the network can perform are shown under the heading ctions j. Each of these functions will be described in the order in which they are recorded in the list.

5.Te1ephone Management
(Telephone Management)
The options available for the (telephone management) selection are shown on screen 6. These options, as well as the options for the MessageProcessing selection technique, are shown in Screen 7 below.

Screen 7 (at Messa e Processin)
Message 几) The PC operator can compose a short message to be directed to and displayed on the desired C-unit. Upon receipt of the message,
The C unit emits a short "bi-9" sound and a standby message display consisting of a pound sign (#) appears on the C display. The user of C can view these messages by pressing the pound (#) key (see Figure 4). When a message to be deleted appears on the display, the user of C:
Calculator C belonging to key group 28 in FIG.
Those messages can be deleted by pressing the 1ear Key.

The message sent to C can be formatted in advance so that the second line contains a phone number that can be dialed automatically by pressing the Dial Key while the message is displayed. can.

When you press the Enter key, the PC prints the program description (no changes to the contents) and returns to screen 8, which is the first screen in the Message Processing section.
Showing: 5 selections Deliver Message(s) Selecting the option calls the following screen; Engrave the statement (no changes to the content) Screen 9 (i) Reusable 2 Messages can be reused To send a Reusable Message, use the Spacebar and Enter key to select the message to send. The PC screen changes as shown below to allow selection of the destination or recipient of the selected reusable message: Engraving of statement (no change in content) Screen 10 changes as shown below. Display a list of possible recipients for the selected message. A star will appear next to all selected recipients. You can choose several people to receive a given message. You can deselect (remove from the selection list for sending this particular message) a recipient by using the spacebar to move to the desired recipient and then pressing the Enter key. . The star next to that recipient will then disappear. The PC operator can select the recipient next to the capital letter 'AJ' in the list by pressing the 'A J key. Similarly, by pressing the letter r A again, the recipient next to the letter 'AJ can be excluded from selection.

By selecting item 6Q"-ALL, the message can be sent to all recipients.

Once all desired recipients have been selected, the user can send the message by pressing the Fl or F2 key on the PC keyboard.

Pressing the F1 key sends the message in non-priority format. A non-priority message will cause the receiving C unit to emit a short "beep" sound (approximately A seconds) and a static pound sign (#) will appear on the C unit's display.

If you press the F2 key, the message will be sent as a priority message and you will hear a long (approximately 1 second) "beep" from the C unit.
A flashing pound sign (#) appears on the C unit's display.

After pressing Fl or F2, the selected reusable message will be sent to the selected recipient and the PC will return to the previous screen. 'Es before Fl or F2 is pressed
If cape J is pressed, selections made on this screen will be ignored and the user will be returned to the previous screen.

Starting from screen 9, the PC operator may wish to type a new message for sending. The message is unique and is not intended to be reusable. To do this, the operator presses the F1 key to generate the following new screen: Engrave the statement (no changes to the content) The PC operator now types a two-line statement of 16 characters per line. be able to. This message says, ``As seen on the CJ display,
appear on the screen.

The second line of this message may be a phone number.

If the message is correct, press the FI primary key to send it. Now the screen 10 reappears providing a list of recipients or recipients and the selection and sending process described above is repeated.

You can include your phone number in the message you send.

Starting at screen 9, the PC operator presses the F2 key, types the phone number on the second line of the message, and sends it in the manner described above.

(iv) Sending a plain message Starting from the top level Message Processing menu (Screen 7),
The PC operator can create reusable messages that will be stored in the PC's memory for future delivery to the C unit.

Create Reusable Message(s
) from screen 7 and then press 'Enter J to use this selection, the following screen will occur: Engrave the specification (no changes to the content) Selection In the center of the screen, there will be two lines. There is a blank message format. The PC operator can type a two-line message with 16 characters per line into this blank message format and edit the message as many times as desired. If the message is correct, press Fl to save (store) the message on the hard disk.

Pressing Fl will display a new table of reusable messages. The PC operator should press F1 again to return to the Message Create screen, or press Escape? IessaHe Pro
You can return to the cessing main menu (screen 7).

(■) 1 Possible Messages 7 ', - and 2 The PC operator can edit reusable messages stored in the PC's memory. Starting from the main menu (screen 8) for processing messages, select Edit ReusableMessage
You can choose options. This will open a screen displaying all the reusable messages that exist at the time (
(not shown) is generated.

Selecting a message to edit will generate a screen similar to screen 11 that can be used to edit that message in the same way as creating a new reusable message.

When the message appears correctly on the screen, F
You can save it by pressing the 1 key.

A similar procedure can be used to remove reusable messages from the list.

(vi) Possible Messages 1 To print a list of reusable messages currently stored on the PC, the operator starts from the top level menu for message processing (screen 8).

Next, rPrintReusable Message
s Select J, press the Enter key, and select Printer 1.
48 (FIG. 1), printing is started.

(V basket) ° Yuki - Sage Log The PC maintains a log of all messages exchanged between the PC and individual C units, as well as messages exchanged between C units.

The operator is responsible for the message handling section (Message
This message log can be accessed by starting from the top level menu (Screen 8) of the ProcessingSection.

Selecting the Messages Delivered selection technique will produce the following screen: Statement Clearance IF (no changes made) ROiver(s) Select the desired recipient and then press Enter to display the following screen. will be created: Engrave the statement (no changes to the contents) 'From4Place the cursor under the first number of the date. The user can change the 'From s date, but this date is always before or on the same day as the 101st date.The arrow keys change a single number or letter, so the rFrom J date Move the cursor through. The Tab key moves the cursor to the beginning of each date.

When the displayed dates indicate the period desired by the operator, press the F1 key to print the next statement (
(No change in content) As shown in the clean screen, see the messages delivered during that period (iii) After the table of messages delivered is displayed , Reverse T
ime orderer function (Selection
s) column, the delivered messages are sorted from oldest to newest and from newest to oldest, and the engraving of the statement (
The message will be displayed in its new format.

(!×) Doko” JB, (ll Messages Delivered (Screen 15) The View More Detail 1 function under Allows the operator to view the time and sender.The following screen will appear. 16 Clean the statement (no change in content) (X) 11": ≦Erase Message (s) ) function to display the delivered message list (Screen 1
5) You can delete messages from. The following screen will then appear: After selecting all the messages to be deleted, press the F1 key to delete them.

Pressing the FIO key will delete all messages for a specific user and for a specific time period. When the FIO key is pressed, a message will immediately appear in the command area of the display indicating that 'YJ or r N should be entered on the PC keyboard to confirm the deletion selection. Entering ``YJ'' completes the deletion process; ``NJ'' causes the operator to complete the deletion process.

Return to the same position before the key was pressed.

Pressing the Escape key before the Fl or FIO key returns the operator to the previous screen and ignores any selections made for deletion.

Once the deletion is completed with the Fl or FIO key, the operator will automatically return to the previous screen.

(xi) Message Log 1 pcC Operator, Print M from Screen 15
By selecting the essage(s) function, one can print a list of delivered messages for a particular user and time period. Press the Enter key to begin printing the message. The message is printed by printer 148 (FIG. 1). The message printout includes the recipient, message delivered, date, time, and sender of the message.

(b) 1. The Network Manager program automatically detects each call made within and outside the network. When this option is selected from screen 17 above, information regarding the use of the telephone appears in tabular form. Each item in the table is the number of the C unit (or the name assigned to that unit), the number of the call made (or, for calls received by the C unit, the incoming call). call”), time, date, and call duration rounded to the nearest minute. C. If the operator uses a programmable key for call billing, the account number and customer billing amount. is added to this table.

The first screen that appears (not shown) gives the 1ITi LU of the phone and its user. After a particular phone is selected from the list, the following screen appears: Clear Statement (no changes made) Time Period for: 5ecretar
yAvailable options
After the displayed date indicates the period that the operator intends to inspect, pressing Fl will call up the next screen (i) jJ's 12, L! B'! ! -, a list of choices will appear on the left side of the screen.

These options can also be used to manipulate telephone accounting information stored for C telephones on the network.

Deleting calls, presenting calls in reverse chronological order, viewing more details, and printing a list of calls are performed in essentially the same way as similar functions are performed for messages. It is a choice branch. These functions have been sufficiently disclosed and need not be further explained here.

Additional information provided when rvish More Details is selected is the account number to which the call was attached and the amount charged for the call. All of these details are printed when the print option is selected.

Modified PC operators with (f+)''<5 are required to use the modified call charge billing function (Modif
ied Ca1l BBllin function
) allows you to change the information stored in the account number or billing column of the call calculation sheet. After selecting this option, you can press Enter to create the following screen: Engrave Statement (no changes to content) TelEdlone Cal 1 (s) Screen 2
0 After selecting one of the calls in the list above, enter the account number 6 (Account) field and billing amount (Bi) for that call.
ll) 8 can be changed. If Account 'IJ and B111l are correct, you can save the changes by pressing the F1 key.

(ii+) '1S Money In Customer's 8-4 In any of the above options, the Calculate BB111in function must be used before displaying the bill amount. After selecting the Calculate BB111in option, press the Enter key to
1culate BB111in process (billing calculation) can be started. rPlease wa
It BBllin Calculation
The words "inProgress" (Please wait while the bill is being calculated) will be displayed until the calculation is complete.

(See C1 LL [l A PC has the ability to maintain a large master phone book (over 2400 names and numbers) and one
Six personal phone books (100 names and numbers each) can be maintained. All the different numbers in the personal C phone book are in the master phone book. Phonebook entries are considered different if they have different name and number fields. Two names (
Names (or numbers) are not considered different if they differ only in capital letters, or if one contains punctuation (spaces, dashes, parentheses) that the other does not have.

Network Manager Phonebook Management (Telep)
hone Directory Management
) section: Adding, modifying, deleting phonebook entries,
In addition to inspection and copying, it is also possible to send a directory to a telephone, receive a directory from a telephone, copy a directory between telephones, and print a directory from individual telephones.

To use this part of the program, the operator must go to the top-level telephone management menu (TelephoneM
management menu) (screen 7) and go to rDirectory Management
t-Telephone J option must be selected. This will create the following screen,
This screen shows a number of options available using the present invention for phone book management.

Engraving of the specification (no changes to the contents) Selections
Available option
s screen 21 (')? Adding a new phonebook entry (new name and phone number) to the phonebook To add a new phonebook entry (new name and phone number) to the phonebook, the PC operator makes this screen according to the selection instructions.
A cursor appears after the words phone NumberJ. The PC operator should enter the appropriate telephone number there so that exactly that number will be dialed on the C-telephone. By entering the capital letter rp, you can insert a punctuation mark between numbers.

PC users should write the invoice number and 1 at the bottom of the item form.
You can enter the billing rate in dollars ($) per hour. The billing rate has a five character place for entering the amount in dollars ($) per hour and can also be entered as a fraction to allow for decimal points.

This information is used in conjunction with the programmatic key programmed in #"13. If a user at C wishes to charge an account for a particular call, the charge for the call in progress will be It can alert the PC of what should be done.

To activate the call billing feature, the 'CJ user must display the name of the person to be charged for the call in progress on the 'CJ's display, then press #”13
You must press a programmable key that is programmed with The PC searches the telephone directory for the name sent by 'CJ, and when it finds it, adds the bill number and the amount obtained by multiplying the billing rate by the call time to the call charge accounting table.

In order for a person to be billed by a 'CJ unit for a call, that person's name must be listed in the 'CJ unit's telephone directory and must be shown on display 16 before #"13 is used. It should be noted that once the telephone directory information has all appeared correctly on the new entry form, the PC operator must
You can select the phonebook to which the new entry should be added. This is done by pressing the F1 key.

This procedure can be postponed, for example, if the PC operator wants to fill in several new entries one after the other.

If you press the F2 key, the new item will be added to the parent phonebook only,
A new item official form is presented to the user. Individual items can be created using the Copy Entry method described below.
y) It can be created later from the parent phonebook using the function.

Pressing the Escape key before pressing the Fl or F2 keys returns the user to the previous screen without preserving any of the data entered in the new item form. When the F1 key is pressed, the PC displays a list of telephones that have telephone directories, so that the operator can select which telephone directory to add the engraving (no changes to the contents) of the item description.

(ii) If Modification To modify an existing phone book entry, the PC operator starts from the Phone Management Phone Book Management top level menu on screen 21. 'ModifyDirect
Selecting 'Telephone Directory Entry' creates a screen similar to screen 25 below. Next, select Phonebook from screen 25 and the following screen will appear: La5t namas 5
tartinIHwithniscreen 23 The operator is prompted to select the alphabetical section in which the desired telephone directory entry resides. The window to the right of the list displays a small portion of the phone numbers and names stored within that particular alphabetic range. If there are not enough items in a given range to fill the window, names from the next range are displayed. 'No entries for this' if there are no entries in the given range and no entries in the next range
The words range J ('There are no items in this range') are displayed in the window. After selecting the desired alphabet range, pressing the Enter key will produce the following screen: When the operator selects a particular range, a table of names, phone numbers, and remarks will appear on the PC screen. Upon selecting a name to be modified, the PC operator is presented with all of the stored phone book information for that particular entry in a format similar to the new entry format on screen 22. The operator can then delete or add characters to the phonebook entry in the usual manner.

(iii) The procedure for deleting a telephone directory entry is essentially the same as the deletion step already explained for messages, so there is no need to repeat it.

Deleting an entry consisting of a parent telephone range automatically removes that entry from all individual telephone directories.

(iv) In order to view the entries present in any telephone directory, the PC operator starts from screen 21 and then makes the following screens: Engraving of statement (no change in content) ) Telephone Directories After a particular telephone directory has been selected, the PC operator is presented with the next new screen that divides the directory into alpha-het ranges.

Lagt nallas starting wit
h: Once the alphabetic range has been selected, the following screen appears: Engraving of the specification (no changes to the content) Selection of the item to be viewed in detail is made by pressing the Enter key. This causes the following screen to appear: Engrave Statement (No Changes to Content) There are many reasons why you might want to take a closer look at the phone book entry shown on screen 28. For example, you may want to verify the correct spelling of the name of the person or company shown in the entry; you may want to verify the invoice number or rate for the person or company; According to another feature of the invention, the display can be used in a special labor-saving manner as follows. (iva) Resident J: Jihee (Inc.) Madness When the F1 key is pressed, the second to eighth lines of the telephone directory entry are printed as address labels by the printer 148 (FIGS. 1 and 2). This is a very fast way to print address labels and greatly increases the value of the system.

(ivb) When you press the F2 key, the telephone number displayed on the master C unit (address 00000) adjacent to the PC station will be dialed.

(ivc) '% 口云工“本手 - Index Page Up Primary Key The Page Down key moves the display forward or backward through the telephone directory, one entry at a time, in alphabetical order. You can move to a different section of the phone book by pressing the same alphabetic key on the PC keyboard as the phone book section.1 For example, 'AJ
Pressing the key moves to the beginning of the section of the phone book containing last names starting with A. This feature provides an alternative to a rotating phone number index or file for the entire phone book.

(■) To copy an item from an existing telephone directory to another telephone directory,
The PC operator starts from screen 21. Program telephone directory entry copy (CopyDirectory)
Selecting the ``Entry'' section creates a screen similar to screen 26 showing the alphabetic range of the parent word width. The parent phone word width encompasses all items that may be copied, so it is always seen first when the phone book entry copy mode is entered manually. Once the alpha vent range is selected, a screen similar to screen 27 is created for the parent phone number width (not the personal phone book shown on screen 27). From the list of items thus displayed, the user can select what to copy.

Engraving a Statement (No Change in Content) After all items to be copied have been selected, pressing the F1 key allows the user to select the phone book that should accept the items to be copied. After pressing the F1 key, the PC operator is prompted to select from the next screen the phone book that will accept the item to be copied.

Te1ephone Directories Screen 29 After all phone directories that should accept the phone book entry to be copied have been selected, pressing the F1 key will copy the item to the selected directory entry. The copied items are now stored both on the PC and on the individual C machines.

After the F1 key is pressed, the PC returns to the screen containing the list of Alphavent ranges so other ranges can be selected for copying.

(vi) Send the telephone directory to the telephone (Send Directory).

The Phone) option sends the entire C phone book (as far as the PC knows) to a particular C phone. Phonebook entries created on the C machine will not be known to the PC unless the entire C phonebook is uploaded to the PC. When a phonebook is sent to a particular C phone, it is written on top of the existing phonebook.

This 5end Directory to Phone
To select , the PC operator starts from screen 21 . After this is done, the PC operator is presented with a list of phone book entries that can be sent to individual telephones.

Once all items to be sent have been selected, the PC operator presses the F1 key to send the selected items to the selected telephone.

The 5end Directory to Phone function is a function that can be repeated using a programmable key on each C unit in the network. Pressing the programmable key programmed with feature code #148 causes the PC to write the phone book information it has stored for that particular C unit onto that particular C's phone book.

(vii) 1 Tongue “Kaiyukito...” PC1
12 has the ability to upload (i.e. move from C to PC) the entire contents of C's phone book. This is useful in cases where recently several C units/) have been connected to each other in the D network. All existing phone books on an individual C machine can be unloaded or accepted into the PC, so there is no need to re-enter all of the individual phone books.

To utilize its functions, the PC operator starts from the screen 21. Receive the phone book from the phone (Receive Direct) of the phone book management program.
After selecting the ``try from Phone'' section, the user is prompted to select the phone book that the PC should receive. For this purpose, a screen (not shown) enumerating the telephones is provided.

At that time, press key F1 to transfer the selected telephone directory to the PC.

This Receive Directory from
The Phone process can be repeated on individual C phones by pressing a programmable key programmed with feature code #949. When that key is pressed on the C machine, the phonebook stored on C is transferred to the PC.
is received or uploaded to and written on the personal telephone directory currently stored in P,C for that C unit.

The PC can copy the entire telephone directory from the 'CJ unit (without any changes to the contents) and send it to any other 'CJ unit in the network. When this option is selected, on the left side of the second screen 30 from which the next screen is created, there is a list of phone books that can be used as a source of phone book information. After the source phonebook is selected from screen 30, the ``^available 0p'' button on screen 30 is selected.
Use another screen (not shown) that shows a list of phone books listed under
More than one is selected.

After selecting all destinations, the PC operator can copy the source phone book to all of the selected destinations by pressing the F1 key.

”) juii! You will be prompted to select the format for the phone book printout.

The 'Name and Numbers 0nly J option, as the name suggests, prints only the names and phone numbers stored in that particular phone book.

The 'All Information J option prints all of the phonebook information stored for all of the listed phonebook entries. Immediately after the print option is selected, Printer 1 connected to the PC
Printout begins at 4B.

(d) The programmable key D unit can manage the programmable key contents of each C unit connected to the network.

rProgrammable key management 1 (Prograyim
available Key Managea+ent),
A PC can modify, copy, print, print a statement (without changing the content), send or receive the contents of a programmable key. program (r'ro
(grammable Key Management)
To history the section, the CP operator selects Screen 7, Telephone Management.
Starting from the top level menu for This menu is located in the top level Dictaphone Network Matrix on screen 6.
It appears immediately after Telephone Management is selected from Nager (Dikkufuon0 Network Management). Selecting this option will create the following screen listing the various available options: Screen 32 (i) Modify Key Content Any programmable key on any C machine in the network can be changed. When this option is selected, a list of phone numbers (not shown) is presented to the user along with a programmable key that can be modified.

Once a phone is selected from the list, the PC operator is presented with the following screen: Engrave the bill (no changes to the contents). If the desired programmable key is not in the table, identify it. You can use the Page Down key to see the remaining programmable keys for your phone. Once the desired programmable key appears on the screen, you can select it and then press En t
Press the er key to make changes to the selected key. e Enter key to engrave the specification (no changes to the contents). The next screen will display the selected key and its contents. , programmable key next remar
The contents of the ks (remarks) column are shown: τ ' Can tents The cursor is placed immediately after the word J. The user can modify the Contents and Remarks fields by changing the characters in the display of screen 34, as well as any characters. That is, the arrow keys (right or left) can be used to move the cursor to selectively modify certain characters without affecting other characters. The bank space key deletes the character the cursor is touching. User can press Enter key or arrow Up / Dosv
You can use the n key to move back and forth between the Contents and Remarks columns.

Directly under Remarksl is the programmable key C.
ontens All Available Feature Codes that can be placed in the content column
There is a list of (available feature codes). Programmable key Contents may include a phone number. The telephone number entered into the programmable key should be entered exactly as it would be turned on the C-telephone. The punctuation mark is input as a capital letter P.

If the contents and remarks 451 are correct, press the Fl key to save all changes made. If the Escape key is pressed before the Fl key, changes made on the screen will be ignored and the Contents of the programmable keys will remain intact.

'Feature code (fea) listed on screen 34
ture codes) are divided into three groups: Key numbers 1-20 are reserved for rC, unit functions only and are not acknowledged if sent to the PC.

Since feature codes 21-23 do not appear on the display of any 'CJ unit, the same codes that are not available on any 'CJ unit will appear on the PC screen. Codes 21-23, for example, do not appear on the display of any 'CJ unit. It can be used only when the master 'CJ unit is adjacent to the PC in a similar arrangement.

Feature codes 24-51 are reserved for the 'DJ unit only.

ii. Feature codes 1 to 14 displayed and used on 'CJ Blog Maple Key Code' screen 34
has the following meaning: # “01, 'Recorder Access
J, this code is used to select the central dictation system 188 (FIG. 1).

# “02.’ Line 5elect J is “
C" is used to select one of several different telephone numbers available on the transceiver unit.

#”03 and #”04. 'Voice Messa
ge LeftJ and 'Voice Message R
The right J is used to select the left or right audio recorder, respectively, when two rAj units 50, 51 are used in the same rCJ station as described above.

＃”05.’Electronic Lock
J, which is used to set an internal electronic lock on each 'CJ unit that prevents legitimate access to each 'CJ unit.

# “06. #”07. # “08.” D
1. 'Fook F1a5h
j-,,'Modem Connect J is-rCJ
This is self-evident in view of the above explanation regarding the unit.

#”09,’R3232toNetwork
J is that r C between the network and the peripheral device.
R32 interface board for J unit
Switching 32 ports.

10. 'Modem AnswerJ connects incoming calls to a modem for communication with peripheral devices or for storage.

11. 'Headset Answer connects incoming calls to the headset rather than to the telephone set, allowing the transcriptionist to answer the call by speaking into the speakerphone microphone without removing the headphone. can.

12, 'AnsaPhone Mon1tor J
allows the 'C1 user to listen to the content of an incoming call while it is recorded in the automatic call answering mode. ('AnaaPone2 is a registered trademark of Dictaphone Corporation of Sue, New York City for automatic telephone answering equipment.) It allows users to screen calls that they want answered immediately and record them for later return. be able to.

13, 'Te1ephone BBllin J
allows telephone billing information to be sent from the 'CJ unit to the 'DJ unit.

14. 'Directory ACC 13SSJ gives its rC, unit access to the phone book stored in the DJ unit 'for the CJ unit' to transfer the phone book entry as described above.

There are currently no codes in spaces 15-20. They can be used on the phone number for any other functionality desired.

21. This code is available only in the Master TC' unit and starts the 'DJ Unit Network Manager program as shown at 308 in FIG.

22, 'Deliver Message, age J This code initiates the delivery of the message as shown at 338 in FIG.

23, 'View Directory Entr
yj This code creates a view directory entry (view dir entry) as shown at 344 in FIG.
entry) routine.

(iv) Programmable Key 'i Codes The following feature codes can only be used for the D network.

#"30-45" A CJ programmable key programmed from #30 to #45 allows text messages to be sent between two C machines without PC operator intervention. #'''30 sends a text, message to the C machine (address O) adjacent to the PC. Similarly, the 'CJ programmable key programmed in #131 sends a message to station address 1, etc. The message sent to the .C display is
A copy of the message in the 'Remarks J column associated with that programmable key in PC memory.

#"46 Pressing the 'CJ programmable key programmed with #"46 sends a message to the PC display. The displayed message is the one stored in the PC for that programmable key.
It corresponds to the marks J column.

#*46 suspends work under MS-DO3.

Pressing any key returns the operator to his previous task.

#147 Download daily appointments to the 'CJ unit where the printer is installed.
oad).

#"48 #" The programmable key programmed with 48 instructs the PC to download a copy of the phone book stored for that C machine.

#"49 The programmable key programmed with #"49 instructs the PC to upload or receive the entire contents of that C unit's phone book so that it can be stored on the PC.

#"50 A programmable key programmed with #"50 instructs the PC to download or send all programmable key contents stored in the PC for a given C-unit to that C-unit. do.

#"51 The programmable keys programmed in #"51 are stored in the PC in order to store all the contents of the programmable keys programmed in a particular C unit.
Upload it to your PC or receive it.

A PC operator can copy the entire programmable key contents from one C-unit to another. This option is shown on screen 32 above. The steps to do this are to move the entire phonebook into one C
The procedure is essentially the same as previously described for copying from a unit to another C unit, so it will not be described here.

Copy Key Content
t) The feature can preserve several sets of programmable keys for a single C-telephone. For example, assume 'CJ at address 00002 wants to secure two sets of programmable keys. There is no C telephone at address 15.16. However, the programmable key memory (in the PC) can hold two sets of programmable keys for C at address 00002. This Copy function provides security and download capabilities to C2 for either set.

(vi) The contents of the programmable keys of any C telephone can be printed on a printer 148 adjacent to the PC. The procedure used is essentially the same as that for printing the contents of a phone call, so it will not be described here.

Send r key to phone J (5end Keys
t.

Te 1ephone) option or ``Receive Keys fr''
om Telephone) option allows the programmable key combination to be sent to the PC. That is, the PC can receive such a set from any telephone on the D network. The procedures used for these operations are essentially the same as those previously described for sending a telephone directory to or receiving a telephone directory from a telephone, respectively, and will not be described here.

This ability to send keys to the phone is used in the event that the programmable key content is lost from a particular C machine for some reason. Such situations may occur during business calls. The process of sending this key to the phone is #
Programmable (on C) programmed with 150
You can double it by pressing the key.

When the PC receives all programmable key content from the selected phone, it is written over the entire programmable key content of the PC for that selected phone. The process of receiving key contents from the phone is #*5
Duplication can be achieved by pressing the programmable key programmed with 1.

6. Prior Contracts The D-Network can store, edit, and delete prior contracts for each user in the D-Network.

Each time an appointment or memorable event occurs, an appropriate message is transmitted to the selected C device at a preprogrammed alarm time.

Advance appointments can be scheduled between 6:30 a.m. and 11:30 p.m. The calendar can be displayed in daily, weekly, or monthly formats.

To use the pre-contract calendar, the PC operator must start from the Network Manager top level display or main menu (Screen 6). A modified main menu for selectively illustrating features of the pre-contract calendar is repeated below as screen 35 for convenience.

■ Dictaphone Network Manager Copyright, 1
986, Dictaphone Company ■ Options Telephone Management Contact Calendar Dictation Log Voice Message Remote Document Printing ■ A, Secretary J, Shamra Sharma B
, Befseylove K, Homsud C, Staapsmith S, Brian Beroin D, Nifukudagast M, Befsey E, David Chamberlin N, Walt F, Jean Hongsu 〇, Jack Dwyer 〇, Mark Harris P
, Ernie Hoffman H, Shyla Kambri■, John Garry■ To see the next selection (Space-Bar)
Press.

Press (Enter) to use the pre-convened calendar selection.

Press (Esc) to clear the Dictaphone Network Manager's exit statement (no changes to the contents).

Spacebar (or Arrow Up/Down
Keys) will move the highlighted field through the list of choices.

When the work "Pre-contracted Calendar" is highlighted, pressing the Enter key will allow the PC operator to access the pre-contracted calendar function, press the "A" key in the PC keyboard and press the 5pace Bar/Enter key. The selection process will be repeated.

Once the previous layer part of the Dictaphone Network Manager (press the Enter key or A on the PC keyboard)
(by any of the keys), the PC operator will be presented on the following screen with a list of names for which the prior customer information will be stored.

■ Name A, Secretary B, Belashilove J, Shamra Sharma C
, Steve Smith K, Homsoud D, Nickldagast S, Pryumberin E, David Chamberlin M, Bessie F, Gee Hongsu
N., Walt G., Mali Harris 0
．． Jackled wire H, Shylan Buri P,
Ernie Hoffman■, Jimen Garry■ Available options* Add/change prior agreement* Restate prior agreement.

* Pre-orders from the crater * Pre-orders from the previous day * Pre-order calendar for each week * Pre-order calendar for each month * Printing pre-orders ■Press (Space Bar) to move through the name list.

Press (Enter) to view the secretary's pre-contract calendar.

Press (Esc) to return to the previous screen.

APPOTNTMENT CIILE)JDARVer
, X, X.

Name(s) Availa
ble 0ptionsPra! is LhnterJ
to see the appointment c
calendar for: 5ecretaryPre
ss Tocl to return to the
Previous 5clean.

Screen 36 - Once a particular name is selected, the PC operator has access to all of the pre-book options for that particular name. A description of those options follows.

(al Add/Modify to) You can add or modify a pre-order to any C-telephone user in the D-network.

To use the add/change reservation function, the PC operator starts at screen 36. By selecting the pre-book option for a particular name or phone, the following screen appears.

■ Pre-contract calendar - Secretary 1 ■　Options Add/change prior agreement deferral of prior commitments crater pre-order yesterday's appointment Pre-convened calendar for each week Pre-convened calendar for each month Printing of prior agreement ■ Time, March 6, 1986 This is a test for remote pre-emption alerts.

Deferred test ■ To see the next screen (Space Bar
)Press.

To use the current selection "Add/Change Priority" (En
ter).

Press (PgDn) to view the next page of each day's future plans.

Press (PgUp) to view the previous page of each day's future reservations.

Press (Esc) to return to the previous screen.

Engraving of the specification (no change in content) On the left hand side of the screen 37, there is a list of selection items that can be used to manipulate the prior contract information. A small portion of the preconvened calendar appears that includes 5z time. The information shown will be for the current date when the pre-contracted calendar is first entered; if that date is changed after that point, it will remain changed until it leaves the pre-contracted calendar function. Once the Add/Modify Pre-Agenda option is selected, pressing the Elt ter key allows the user to begin the Add/Modify Pre-Agenda process. The user is asked to select the date on which the prior agreement can be added or modified.
pe Date J.

■ Priority layer - Secretary - Addition/Change ■ Type Date; 0 6 / 3
Month 786 ■ Time March 6th, 1986 This is a test for distant pre-emption warnings.

Deferral Test ■ Type a new date to add or change a prior commitment.

To add or change a prior appointment for the selected date (En
ter).

To view the next page of daily advance contracts, press (PgDn).

To view the previous page of daily advance contracts, press (Fgljp).

Engraving the bill (no change in content) The date can now be changed like any other text on the screen. Note that if the date is changed, the portion of the pre-covenant calendar visible to the right of the date does not change. 0 The pre-covenant date displayed is the same as shown on the previous screen. For the entire contents of that particular day, please refer to Page'
It can be viewed using the Up or Page Do buttons.

- Once the desired date has been typed exactly after the word rType Date J, the PC operator enters the
By pressing the r key, you can view the reservations for that specific day. - Upon pressing the Enter key, the user is presented with an expanded table of prior orders for that particular day as in the next screen.

■ Prior Contract Layer - Secretary - Add/Change LEN ALARM ■ Time, January 1, 1986 (length) Alert ■ Type new prior contract or change. To change the length (
Press (Tab) to move to the next appointment time. Press F1 to save a new appointment or changes. Press F2 to dial the number of the current appointment. PressPress (PgDn) to see the next page, or (PgUp) to see the previous page.

Purification of vA Lishu (No change in content) Screen 39 The time column lists the time of the specified contract date continuously every 30 minutes. Advance commitments for any specific date can be expressed in three ranges. Each range is Page Up and Page
It can be accessed by using the Down key.

41jl (Central tri!) immediately below the date will restore all prior commitments scheduled for that particular day.LEN(
The Length) column specifies the length of the prior agreement. ALARM
The column displays the time that the text message identifying the pre-contract, such as in the center column of screen 39, is dated on a light-transmitting "C" device.

To add or change a prior appointment for the current day, the desired time slot must first appear on the screen.

The Page Up and Page Down keys can be used to move through the time available for advance commitments. When the desired time appears in the time field, press the Enter key to move the highlighted field to the desired time.

A cursor will appear on the left hand edge of the center column. If there is a prior commitment for that timeslot, you can edit it; if there is no prior commitment, you can add one.

The characters that can be used to add or edit a prior agreement are 4
There are 0. If the previous contract is already being edited, 5 pa.
The first press of the ce Bar key will completely remove the old contract. In the case of a new pre-arrangement, as soon as the first character is entered in the center field, the default parameters for length LEN) and alarm time will appear.

The default length is 30 minutes and the alarm time is 5 minutes ahead of time.
Preset minutes in advance.

- If the text in the central tank is accurate, the user can press Tab
You can move to the length field by pressing the key. The length field (LEN) will accept characters in hour and minute format separated by a colon.

The length field will accept any number entered within it. The interpretation of these numbers would be as follows. That is, lengths that are not equal to a particular half-hour increment will be rounded up to the next highest half-hour. The lengths entered in the minutes field will be changed to the exact number of 30 minute intervals if they are greater than 30.

- If the length field is accurate, the user can press Tab
You may move to the Alarm column by pressing the key.

The Alarm field will accept any characters entered into it as well as the length field, but if the time entered is in the HH;MM format followed by AM or PM for a time that is within the previous day, Otherwise, the Alarm feature will not work. Ala
The rm time is not limited to 30 minute intervals.

If the prior agreement is correct in its entirety (date, length, and the fields below the warning are filled out correctly), the Ente
When the r key is pressed, the cursor moves from the prior contract and the prior contract is set. The time slots following the pre-commitment in the center column will contain arrows within each half hour segment.

The user can now add or change prior commitments.

Once all additions or changes have been made to the currently displayed prior contract, the Fl change key must be pressed to save the changes on the screen.

(b) Telephone dialing from the prior contract calendar It is displayed among the commands at the bottom of the screen 39, so when you press the F2 key, the manually dialed telephone number will be dialed in the center field of the selected prior contract. Become. The call will be placed on the "Mask"C" device next to PC 112.

The first digit that appears in the reservation (from left to right) can be thought of as the beginning of a telephone number.

All subsequent digits will be dialed when the F2 key is pressed, a feature that is particularly useful when contacting a person to confirm or change a prior arrangement.

(C) Deferral of prior commitments The deferral of prior commitments feature may be used to transfer prior commitments to another date or time. The date and time that the pre-commitment is deferred must be known before entering this function, as other parts of the calendar are not visible at the time. To use the deferral feature, the PC operator begins at screen 37. - Once the Deferred Contract option is selected, the user is shown the date extension contract layer as in the next screen.

■ Prior Contractor - Secretary - Deferred ■ Time March 6, 1936 LEN ALARM
■ This is a test of remote reservation alert.

Test for deferring a prior contract ■ To move a block to the next prior contract (SpaceB
ar ) Press To select a contract for deferral, press (Enter) To view the next page's one-day ahead contract, press (PgDn) To view the previous page's one-day ahead contract, press (FgLIp) Press 1Esc) to return to the previous screen.

Screen 40 After the pre-commitment to be deferred is selected, the next screen appears.

■ Prior Contractor - Secretary - Deferred ■ Time March 6, 1986 LEN ALARM
This is a test for distant advance warnings.

Enter the new appointment date: 07/Mar/86 Enter the new appointment time: 08:30AM Enter the new appointment; This is a test for distant appointment alerts.

Enter the new alarm length: 00:30 Enter the new alarm time; 08:25AM ■ Press (Enter) to move the block to the next line.

Press [F1] to defer advance commitment.

To defer a prior contract and replace it with the first prior contract [F2]
Press.

Press (Esc) to return to the previous screen.

Clean statement! F (No change in content) The date of the prior agreement can be edited in the usual way. - If the date is correct, pressing the tinker key will move the highlighted field to the next prior parameter; each parameter can be edited in this way.

- If the new contract information is accurate, the PC operator can press the Fl key to create a new contract at the date and time just entered.

Old pre-contracts that appear in boxes at the top of the screen will be removed. Other prior commitments on the same day can be deferred by reappearing the prior screen.

Pressing the F2 key will create a new reservation for the time and date just entered once all new reservation information has been entered, allowing the user to replace the original reservation with the new reservation. . - Pressing the F2 key will cause the new reservation information to be entered and stored in the layer and the next screen will appear.

■ Replaces the first prior agreement Test for advance contract deferral ■ Type a new contract or change.

Type (Tab) to change the length.

Press (Enter) to move to the next scheduled time.

To save a new contract or change, press F1.

Clean statement (no change in content) To view each old contract on the next page, press (PgDn).

To view each old contract on the next page, press (PgUp).

Press (Esc) to ignore the changes and return to the previous screen.

The portion of the forward contracts currently displayed is the former contract (those that require deferral)
It will show the date and time. The PC operator must not enter a new contract instead. The PC operator may enter a new customer according to the procedure outlined in the description of adding/changing a customer above.

-If you input a new contract and press the F1 key, the new contract will be added to the calendar.

After pressing the F1 key, screen 4o reappears. P
C Operator is now free to defer other commitments for that particular date.

(dl Next Day First ContractIt is possible to advance to the next day of any first contract calendar using the next day first contract function.To use this function, the PC operator starts at screen 37, selects that function, and thus Create.

■ To see the next selection (Space-Bar)
Press the (Enter) key to use the currently selected next day reservation.

To view each old prior agreement on the next page, press (PgDn).To view each old prior agreement on the previous page, press (PgUp).Engraving of the statement (no changes to the contents).To return to the previous screen ( Press [Esc] Screen 43 If you select the next day's reservation, screen 43 will display En.
Pressing the ter key would indicate that the user can advance the pre-contract calendar displayed in the right hand by one day. Press the “N” key on the PO keyboard to enter 5 pace B.
You would be duplicating the ar/Enter key selection process. Pressing the Enter or "N" key repeatedly will progress through the day one layer at a time.

The date at the top of the pre-contract layer will remain the same (unless adjusted by another function) until the user leaves the pre-contract function.

(e) Using the reservation function, the reservation function can be used to move the reservation layer backward by one day. This is done in the same way as viewing next day reservations, except that "yesterday reservations" are selected from screen 37 rather than "next day reservations." Pressing the Enter key will move the prior layer backwards by one day. The L” key on the PC keyboard is 5pace Bar
/Enter Key selection process would be duplicated. Pressing the Enter key or "L" key repeatedly will move the prior layer backwards with each press.

(f) Each week's future contracts can be formatted so that the future contracts for the entire week can be viewed on one screen.

To use the week-ahead calendar function, engraving the PC operator statement (with no changes to the content) begins at screen 37. “When you select Calendar 2 for each week ahead, the following screen will be displayed.

■ To see the next selection screen, press (Space-Bar) To use Add/Change Appt, press (E
Press (PgDn) to see each benefit agreement on the next page.
) Press (FgLlp) to view the next page's reservations for each week. To return to the previous screen, press (CEsc).

Screen 44 Screen 44 lists all of the prior commitments for the selected week.

(i) Add/change prior contract (each week) It is possible to add a prior contract to the prior contract layer and change the current prior contract displayed in each week's calendar.

There is a list of choices on the left-hand side of the screen.

Selecting the Add/Change Appointment option allows the user to select a date and add or change a prior appointment by pressing the Enter key, as in screen 45.

■ To add or change a prior agreement, type the new date.

To add or change a prior appointment for the selected date (Enter
) Press (PgDn) to view each old customer contract on the next page Press (PgUp) to view each old customer contract on the previous page Press (Esc) to return to the previous screen Engraving (no changes in content) BEII:TNNING-Dec, 31. The date can be changed in the usual way. The cursor will be placed below the first number of the date, Ar
The rO-key (left or right) will move the cursor through the date and change a single number or letter. The Backspace key deletes 11 characters from 84 cm and moves the cursor to the left by -space.
(no change in content). The Tab key moves the cursor to each date (DD/M
MM/YY). If -day has only one digit in it, put an O in front of it. The abbreviations for the month are:

JAN, FEB, MAR, APR, MAY, JIIN.

JUL, AUG, SEP, OCT, NOV, DEC.

Note that even if the date changes, the precontractor layer visible to the right of the date does not change. Once the desired date is “Type D”
exactly after the word "ate", the PC operator can see the reservation for that particular date by pressing the Enter key.

Once the Enter key is pressed, the user is shown an expanded list of prior orders for that particular day, as shown in the following screen.

■ Type a new contract or change.

Press (Tab) to change the length.

To move to the next scheduled time, press the Enter key.

To save a new contract or change, press F1.

Press [F2] to dial the number of current reservations.

Press (PgDn) to see the next page, or press (Pgtlp) to see the previous page.

The user can now add or change prior commitments for the dates indicated as above. Once the correct reservation information appears on the screen, pressing the F1 key will save the new reservation or change. Pressing the F2 key will dial the phone number entered during the highlighted prior appointment.

(ii) Each store closing display can be advanced by one week using the Next Week selection. To use the Next Week function, the user begins at screen 44.

5pace Bar (or Arrow Up/
Pressing the Down key will move the highlighted field through the selection list. “Next
When the text ``Week'' is highlighted, En t
Pressing the er key will advance each exit shown on the right hand side by one week. Pressing the N'' key on the PC keyboard will duplicate the 5pace Bar/Enter key selection process.

Pressing the Enter key or the "N" key multiple times will successively advance each exit shown on the right hand side at one-week intervals.

Once each desired exit is displayed, Page Up
The and Page DOWR+ keys allow the PC operator to view the reservation list for each day on the screen.

(iii) If the last week's calendar is viewed in weekly format,
The Previous Week selection can be used to move backward through the calendar by one week interval.

A screen 44 is displayed to use the selection. Once the Previous 1 leak selection is highlighted, the user presses the Enter key to cause the right-hand weekly calendar to display the previous week's calendar. Press the “P” key on the PC keyboard to enter 5pace Bar/Ent
The er key selection process will be duplicated. Each time the P or Enter key is pressed, each exit is moved backward by one week.

Once the desired week is displayed, the PC operator selects P
You can use the AGE UP or PAGE DOWN keys to view the full day's reservation list for each day on the screen.

(g) Monthly Appointment Calendar
It is possible to engrave a specification (with no change to the content) to determine which days include pre-contracts over a two-month period using the ability to do so. Monthly Appo, intm
To use the ent Calendar function, the PC operator starts at screen 44 and selects the desired function to create this screen.

■ Press (Space-Bar) to see the next selection.

Current Selection 1'1onLhly Appt, Ca
Press (Enter) to use 1endar.

To view each old contract on the next page, press (PgDn).

To view each old contract on the previous page, press (Fgllp).

Press (Esc) to return to the previous screen.

5elections Av
available options screen 46 (a
) On the left-hand side of the screen is a list of choices. 5
pace Bar (or Arrow Up/D
own) will move the highlighted field through the selection list.

Monthly Appointment Calen
When dar is highlighted and the Enter key is pressed, the user can view the February portion of the pre-contracted calendar.

Press “M” key on PC keyboard to get 5paceBar
/Enter key selection process is duplicated.

Monthly Appointment C
Upon selecting the a1endar application, the user is presented with screen 47, which includes a list of selections on the left side of the screen and a condensed version of the precovenant February month on the right side.

Each day containing at least one prior commitment is highlighted on the layer. That is, the background behind each is brightly lit to stand out from the other dates. Thereafter, the D device user can use the day-to-day or week-to-week considerations described above if more details are needed for those dates ahead.

The options to the left of the pre-contract calendar allow you to add or change a pre-contract on any particular date (using 'Next Month' or 'Previous Month') or move it forward or backward through the pre-contract calendar. Can be done.

(h) Add/Change Appointm
ENT (Monthly) Pre-contracts can be added or changed from each monthly calendar part of the pre-contract calendar program.

■ To move to the next selection (Space-Bar)
Press.

Press (Enter) to use the Add/Change Appt selections.

Press (Esc) to return to the previous screen.

Engraving of the specification (no changes to the contents) A: 5elections Mar
, 6+ 1986Ad.

Mausoleum.

Pr'.

Add/Change Appointment function (
? lon th 1 yAppoint+aent calendar level), use nilevel^dd/Change
Select the Appointment item. The following screen will appear.

■ To add or change a prior appointment, type the new date.

To add or change prior reservations for the selected date [enter]
Press.

Engraving of the statement (no changes to the contents) Press (Esc) to return to the previous screen.

Type Date: 01/Jan/80
Jan, 1.1980 The date in screen 48 may be changed in the usual manner. -The desired date is “
If typed correctly after the letters Type Datej, the PC operator can press the Enter key to see the reservation for that particular date.

- After pressing the Enter key, the user will see screen 4.
8, an enlarged table for the specific day ahead is displayed.

■Type a new contract or change.

Type (Tab) to change the length.

Press (Enter) to move to the next new contracted time.

To save a new or previous contract, press (PI).

Press [F2] to dial the number of current reservations.

To view the next page, press (PgDn), or to view the previous page's reservations, press (PgUp).

rress LPglJnJ Lo see Lhe
next page, or LPgLlpJ to
see the previous paga or
appointments.

Screen 49 The user can now add or change prior commitments for the dates listed above for each day of each week. Once the correct pre-order information appears on the screen, press the F1 key to save the new pre-order or changes. When the F2 key is pressed, the telephone number entered manually during the highlighted previous appointment will be dialed.

(ii) Next Month The Next Month function can be used to move the pre-contracted calendar one month at a time at the monthly level. This function is “Nex
It operates in the same manner as the ``tWeek'' function and will not be described further.

(iii) Previous Month If you want to view the previous month in the format of each month, click Previous Month.
The Month option can be used to move the calendar backwards each month. This function is ” Prev
ious Week'' function operates in the same way, so it will not be described further.

(h) Pr1nt A ointment
A list of each old contract for any Ct talk user on the sD network can be printed. PrintApp
To use the ointments functionality, the PC operator begins at screen 37.

Once Pr1nt Appointment is highlighted, pressing the Enter key allows the user to begin pre-appointment appointments for the dates visible at the top of the pre-appointment calendar.

Printout is performed on a printer 148 connected to the PC. The printout includes a time field, date field (including prior commitment information), length of each prior commitment, and alarm time in the format shown in screen 39 for each prior commitment. For full-day prior contracts, write "Each previous contract for..." in front of the name of the C phone user.
It will be brited alongside the words .

(i) It is within the scope of the present invention to be able to transmit the pre-booked schedule displayed on the individual displays of the transceiver 10 to the pre-booked schedule display computer on the ",C" device.

If the entire data does not fit on the display, the display information can be stored in the memory of device 10 and scrolled back and forth to view the entire schedule.

Similarly, it is also possible to program one or more of the programmable keys on the "C" device to retrieve daily, weekly or monthly advance schedules from the PC and display them on the display 16 of the "C" device. within the scope of the invention.

7-゛ The cusion log PC maintains the dictation status table and time order for C/A! in the network. Monitor dictation activity on. Once the dictation is completed on the CIA device, a message is transmitted to the PC indicating the need for transcription.

This message is the C device number (or name associated with the phone), date/time, and name of the job type.

This information is stored in the status table.

A Dicty Chiron will appear in the status table whether it is zero and dictated locally or remotely.

To use the dictation log feature, the user must start from the top level display of screen 6 or the main menu.

The above information can be viewed in the same manner as the Message Preferred Log, displayed in river time order, deleted, and printed.

A description of those procedures will not be repeated here.

8 ± Varnish Ax Standing 2 The Dictavon Network Manager has the ability to provide a status table of all voice messages recorded when any given C/A device is in auto-answer mode.

To use this feature, select the 'Voice Message' option from the main menu (screen 6).

As with other telephone calls and dictations, voice message data can be viewed in detail, cleared, viewed in reverse time order, and printed.

The type of information stored within the voice message log is substantially the same as for the telephone call log described above and will not be repeated here.

9. Remote Document Printing A document created by any MS-DOS machine having an attached printer except the one next to the PC (address 0) can be printed. To use the remote document printing feature, the user must begin from the main menu on the top level screen of the Dictaphone Network Manager, Screen 6.

”Remote Document Printing
” is highlighted, press the Enter key to activate the remote document printing function.PC
Press the “R” key on the keyboard to get 5 pace Bar
/Enter Note that the process is duplicated. Once the program is started, press the Enter key or “R” on the PC keyboard.
When entered (by either the ``Description 1!F'' or ``delta'' keys), the user is presented with a list of choices for remote document printing as shown in the following screen.

■Press (Space Bar) to see new selections.

Type Name of Document to
Press (Enter) to use Pr1nt.

Press (Esc) to go to the next screen.

Screen 50 (al 7 e Name of Document
t to Pr1ntType Name of Do
cument to Pr1nt allows the PC operator to initiate a remote document printing process. As the name of the selection suggests, the user allows the remote document printing program to redirect that document to the remote printer by typing in the name of the current document.

The PC operator must know the exact name of the desired document in order to print that document. The PC operator also needs to know the directory where the document resides.

Type Name of Document to
To use Pr1nt, press the 5pace Bar (or Arrow IJp/Down key) to move the highlighted field through the selection list. Type Name of Document
o When Pr1nt is highlighted, pressing the Enter key allows the user to enter the document salt to be printed. 5pace Bar/Ente
(There is no change in the contents of the r key selection process detail entry.) Note that the text can be duplicated by pressing the "T" key on the PC keyboard.

-tanType Name of Document
When to Pr1nt is activated, the PC screen changes and the user can input the document salt as shown in the following screen.

■Type Name of Docum in block
Enter to Pr1nt1'-+Yume, Press (CEnter) to select the recipient of the entry.Press (Esc) to return to the previous screen.

REMOTE DOCUMENT PRI) JTING
-TYPE NAME OF same L'MENT
-Ver X, X.

Type Name of Document to
Pr1nt:Press l ratio cJ to return
n to the previous 5clean.

Screen 51 The PC operator can now type in the document salt exactly as it appears in the MS-DOS directory.

Use the Backspace key to delete a single character and move the cursor back one space to the left. I'lrro
You can use the w key (right or left) to edit a single character without disturbing anything around it.

Once the name appears correctly within the block, the PC operator can press the Enter key to select the recipient of the document as shown on screen 52.

■ To move through the list of phone names (Space-
Press Bar).

5teve To select Sm1th (Enter)
Press.

(Repeat the above procedure to select multiple recipients) Press [F1] to start printing.

To ignore the selection and return to the previous screen, press Esc.

REMOTE IEIJMENT PRINTING-
TYPE NAME OF MINOUMENT-RECET
VERVer X, X.

The central block of the new screen displays a list of potential recipients for remote document printout. Press - to Space to move through the list to the desired recipient and press Enter to select the recipient for remote document printing.

An asterisk will appear next to all selected recipients. Select a number of recipients using the Spacebar to highlight the recipient and the Enter key to select it.

Use the space bar to move to the desired recipient and press Enter.
One recipient can be removed (removed from the list selected for remote document printing) by pressing the r key to deselect that recipient.

The asterisk mark next to the specific person will now disappear.

Recipients can be selected or deselected using the PC keyboard.

The user can select the recipient adjacent to the capital letter "A" on the list by pressing the "A" key on the keyboard.

Similarly, the recipient next to the letter "A" can be deselected by again pressing the "A'" key on the keyboard.

Once all desired recipients for remote document printing have been selected, the user can initiate remote document printout by pressing the F1 key. If you press Escape before pressing F1
Pressing the key will ignore any selections made on this screen and return the user to the previous screen.

传） Stop Printout The PC operator can use the 5top Pr1nt Out function to stop a printout in progress. be.

Pressing the space bar (or Arrow Up/Down keys) will move the highlighted field through the selection list. 5top Pr1nt O
Once ut is highlighted, the user presses the Enter key to raise screen 53, thereby allowing the user to select which printout to stop. - Once the Stop Printing function is utilized, the user will be presented with a list of print elements in the screen 53 that the network manager is still running.

Clearance of Statement IF (no change in content) The PC operator selects one or all of the printouts in progress to be withdrawn.

■Press (Space-Bar) to see the next selection.

Press (Enter) to use the 8-bort Pr1nt Request.

Press (Esc) to go to the next screen.

REHIU DOCt1MENT PRTNTING-Ve
r X, X.

Screen 53 (iii) Chan e Pr1nt Direc
The Tor Dictaphone Network Manager can print documents that reside in the current directory. The current directory is what was left when the Dictaphone Network Manager was active. You can use the work processing program running under MS-DO3 to complete the document and immediately enter the Dictaphone Network Manager (see programmable key) to realize remote document printout without changing directories. .

However, if the directory the PC operator resides in when entering the Dictaphone Network Manager program is not the same directory that stores the remotely printed document, the user must change the directory to accommodate the remote document printing feature. There is.

By using the Change Pr1nt Directory function, the directory can be changed without leaving the Dictaphone Network Manager. C
To use the Hang6Print Directory function (see screen 51), press the Spacebar (or Arrow Up/Down keys) to move the highlighted field through the selection list.

When Change Pr1nt Directory is highlighted, the user can press the Enter key and press C.
The hange Pr1ntDirectory function can be activated.

The 5pace Bar/Enter key selection process can be duplicated by pressing the C key on the PC keyboard.

-tanChange Pr1nt Directory
Once the function is entered, the PC screen changes to show the user the current directory, which can be changed to store remote document printing as in screen 55.

■ To see the next selection (Space-Bar)
Press.

To use Change Pr1nt' Directory (Press Enter.

Engraving of the statement (no changes to the contents) Press (Esc) to go to the next screen.

■ Type in a new print directory within the block. New print directory) 1. Using
:,Yo〔. ,ter).

Press ↓ (Esc) to return to the previous screen.

Engraving of the statement (no changes to the contents) X.

Current Pr1nt Directory i
s: C:\d 5oft\Type in
new Pr1nt Directory: C:'
The JICTADAT user is asked to type in a new print directory. Use the backspace key to delete a character on the screen and move the cursor to 1
Space can be moved backwards. You can use the Arro 11 keys (right or left) to edit single characters without disturbing the surrounding characters.

- Once the desired directory name appears correctly on the screen, the user can press the Enter key to use the new print directory for remote document printing.

10. Backup D on a floppy disk All directory information, telephone accounting dictation logs, prior agreements, etc. (virtually everything stored on the hard disk) can be saved on a floppy disk.

These floppy disks can be used to record or transfer the D Network Manager to different computers. The backup function is the MSDO3 instruction. When an appropriate command is input, all files stored on the hard disk that belong to the current D network manager are transferred to the drive 114 of the PC 112 (Figure 1).
It is copied to the floppy disk inserted into the computer.

The Dictaphone Network Manager can be moved back to the hard disk by executing another command after pressing the Enter key (if the Network Manager was installed earlier, it will write over the files currently stored there). ).

This command takes all of the files stored on the floppy disk and transfers them to the network manager installed in drive 146, which is a hard disk drive.

XIV Conclusion In conclusion, the network and method described above are able to meet the above objectives very well.

The present invention provides a relatively low cost, flexible communications network and method for handling office tasks including dictation, telephone calls, message recall, and the like.

Although what the inventor considered to be the best way to carry out the present invention has been presented as a special embodiment, it is not intended to limit the scope of the present invention.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 is a schematic partial perspective view of a communication network (also referred to as D-network in this document) constructed according to the present invention; FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the apparatus used in the present invention; FIG. is a perspective view of the telephone transceiver unit (“C”) used in the present invention, FIG. 4 is a top view of the transceiver unit shown in FIG. 3, and FIG. transceiver unit connected to the audio recording/playback unit (A
Figure 6 shows the internal circuitry of the transceiver unit connected to the recording device and other units in the communication network; Figure 7 is a schematic block diagram of a network interface unit connected to a network, FIG. 8 is a schematic data flow diagram showing the flow of data inside a personal computer used in the present invention, and FIG. 9 is a system of the present invention. 10 to 26 are flowcharts showing the steps of data processing by the computer used in the present invention. 10. ...Transceiver unit 110...Network, 112...Engraving of PC drawing (no change in content) FIG, 8 FIG, 10 FIG, 15, FIG, 16F
IG, 17 TO IG, 22 F IG, 24 Director General of the Patent Office Kunio Ogawa 1. Display of case 1986 patent application No. 197320
No. 2, Name of the invention Communication Network 3, Relationship with the person making the amendment Applicant name Dictaphone Corporation 4, Agent 5, Date of amendment order October 27, 1985 6, Subject of amendment Description of the specification Examination drawing 7 of the detailed description of the invention, contents of amendment as attached.

Claims (25)

[Claims] (1) a plurality of telephone transceiver units, a small general-purpose digital computer, and interconnection means for interconnecting the transceiver units and the computer to perform data communication between the computer and each of the transceivers; each of said transceiver units having a microprocessor connected thereto and a plurality of switches operable by a user and adapted to perform functions according to computer programming; Communication characterized in that the general-purpose computer is configured to create a program for each of the switches and cause the program to be stored in the storage means. network. (2) Communication according to claim 1, wherein each of the transceiver units is adapted to send dictation to or receive dictation from the audio recording and reproducing means. network. (3) The audio recording and reproducing means includes a central recording and reproducing system including a conductor for performing audio transmission with the transceiver unit, a remote recording and reproducing means having a telephone line connection between each transceiver, and the transceiver unit. 3. The communication network according to claim 2, wherein the communication network is selected from the group consisting of a desktop cassette recording and reproducing device disposed in close proximity to at least one of the units. (4) At least one of said switches is programmable to send a predetermined message to at least one unit selected from the group consisting of another transceiver unit and said computer. Communication network according to paragraph 1. (5) A communication network according to claim 1, characterized in that each of said transceiver units has visual display means capable of displaying said message. (6) When one of the switches is operated,
The transceiver unit to which the switch is attached is programmed to connect to a remote audio recording and reproducing device, the transceiver unit having a transceiver device that functions as both a telephone handset and a dictation input/output device. The communication network according to claim 2, characterized in that: (7) one of the switches is programmed to read program content for the switch from the storage means to the computer and read data stored in the computer to program the key of a selected transceiver; The communication network according to claim 1, characterized in that: (8) the transceiver unit has a telephone handset, one of the switches has a voice recognition device;
2. A communication network as claimed in claim 1, wherein the communication network is programmed to generate messages or data from voice input to the handset. (9) private branch switching means (PB) for connecting said transceiver units to each other and to outside lines for telephone communications;
Claim 1 further comprising X)
Communication network as described in Section. (10) at least one of the transceiver units has a lock to prevent unauthorized access to the transceiver, the transceiver unit being located proximate to the computer; 2. The communication network according to claim 1, further comprising means for providing sole access to programs in said computer. (11) further comprising a telephone directory storage means, said telephone directory storage means storing identification data for identifying parties that may be called by the user of said transceiver unit and data representing telephone numbers of these parties; each transceiver unit is operable by a user of the transceiver unit and configured to retrieve data from the telephone directory data; 2. The communication network according to claim 1, further comprising search means for searching for the data, and means for notifying the user of information corresponding to the data. (12) each said transceiver unit has means for emitting a signal indicating that said unit is operating in a dictation mode, and said computer responds to said signal for each transceiver unit for a predetermined period of time. Claim 2, characterized in that data regarding the author and time of the dictation can be stored, and the computer can retrieve and display this data. communication network. (13) The computer is equipped with a communication function that only partially occupies time to perform a time share operation, the computer has a printer connected thereto, and in addition to the communication function, the computer has a printer connected thereto; The communication network according to claim 1, characterized in that the communication network is equipped with a word processing function. (14) said telephone directory means in said computer is capable of creating an independent telephone directory for each transceiver unit, and each said transceiver unit 12. The communication network according to claim 11, further comprising means for specifically identifying the communication network. (15) The communication network according to claim 11, wherein each transceiver unit has means for automatically dialing a telephone number retrieved from the telephone directory data. . (16) keypad means for each transceiver unit to manually dial a telephone number and, when actuated, call up entries of a predetermined group of data from the list of data of that transceiver unit by at least some keys of said keypad; and means for
12. Communication network according to claim 11, whereby entry into the list is possible from a relatively limited location where scrolling is initiated. (17) the computer has means for detecting and storing data relating to telephone calls made by any of the users of the network, the data identifying the transceiver unit on which the telephone call was made; The communication network according to claim 1, characterized in that the communication network includes identification data for making a call and billing information indicating to whom a call fee is to be billed. 18. The communication network of claim 1, wherein the enabling means includes at least one programmable switch programmed to identify at least one claimant. (19) means for the interconnection means to uniquely identify each of the transceiver units; and means for sequentially polling each of the transceiver units to facilitate communication of data and control signals between each of the transceiver units and the computer. 2. A communication network according to claim 1, further comprising means for performing the communication. (20) The interconnection means includes a plurality of interface units, one interface unit is connected to each transceiver unit, the interface units have the same configuration except for programming, and each interface unit is connected to the other 20. The communication network according to claim 19, wherein the communication network is programmable as a master polling device to be used as a slave interface unit, and is programmable to uniquely identify itself. (21) further comprising an application program means stored in the computer, the application program means being adapted to select and enable various communication-related functions displayed on a menu, one at a time; for stepping through a list of functions, said programming means including means for identifying each of said functions in a predetermined menu with a different alphabetical letter; 2. A communication network according to claim 1, further comprising means for quickly selecting one of the following. (22) A plurality of telephone transceiver units each equipped with a display means capable of displaying a message, a digital computer, and the computer and the transceiver unit are interconnected, thereby making the transceiver unit available for telephone calls. and interconnection means for enabling said transceiver unit to receive and display messages from said computer. (23) further comprising recording and reproducing means for recording and reproducing human voices, each of the transceiver units sending a signal representing the human voice to the recording and reproducing device and reproducing the voice recorded in the recording and reproducing device; 23. A communication network according to claim 22, wherein each transceiver unit can be used as a telephone, as a recording and reproducing device for dictation, and as a visual message communication device. . (24) means for configuring and storing standard messages reproducible by said computer, said standard messages being used for retrieval and selective communication to said transceiver unit; 23. Communication network according to claim 22, characterized in that said means are further adapted to construct unique messages at appropriate times. (25) At least one of the transceiver units has a recording and reproducing device adjacent thereto and a control means for causing the recording and reproducing device to function as an automatic telephone answering device, and further includes mutual communication between the computer and the transceiver unit. and means for connecting said transceiver unit to said computer for use as a telephone signal to said computer, said computer having a disk drive and a permanently mounted magnetic storage disk, said magnetic disk being connected to said transceiver unit for use as a telephone signal to said computer. 23. Communication network according to claim 22, characterized in that it is adapted to store log data relating to telephone calls received by a voice recording and reproducing device.