KR20010084183A - Method and Device of Telephoning and Audio using USB Signal for Internet Telephoning Service - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: A device of telephoning and audio using a USB signal for an Internet telephoning service(DTU) is provided to receive a charged and free telephone communication service through a web browser in the Internet, be used as a sound card to perform a game or a bidirectional Internet voice communication, and perform only dialing to receive the charged and free telephone communication service using the Internet. CONSTITUTION: A DTMF(2) converts a dialing signal inputted as a DTMF tone from a telephone(20) into a binary. A digital signal processor(3) converts the signal inputted from the DTMF(2) into a signal suitable for a USB standard according to a control of a microprocessor(1). A USB interface(4) transmits the signal suitable for the USB standard from the digital signal processor(3) to a computer(30) according to the control of the microprocessor(1). A PSTN signal controller(5) processes the signal transmitted and received from the telephone(20) according to the control of the microprocessor(1). A signal converter(6) converts the analog signal processed in the PSTN signal controller(5) into a digital signal, or converts a digital signal into an analog signal. A signal amplifier(7) amplifies a signal inputted from a microphone(8) or a signal outputted to a speaker(9) for using a DTU as a sound card. A telephone connecting unit(11) connects the DTU with the telephone(20). A PSTN direct connection unit(12) uses the telephone(20) as a PSTN line. A selection switch(13) is manually switched for using the telephone(20) as an Internet telephone or the PSTN line. An LED display(14) displays a power supply state and an operation state of the DTU.

Description

Add-on computer device using universal serial bus port and its method {Method and Device of Telephoning and Audio using USB Signal for Internet Telephoning Service}

The present invention relates to a computer communication system using a USB port, and more particularly, to receive a paid and free telephone communication service through a web browser on the Internet, which is rapidly increasing in use by using a general telephone used at home. It can also be used as a sound card to enable games or two-way Internet voice communication without a sound card in the PC, and even those who do not use the computer can use the Internet simply by dialing like a regular phone call. The present invention relates to a computer add-on device using a USB port (hereinafter referred to as a DTU) and a method of using the same, which allow a free telephone communication service.

Recently, as the technology related to the computer main body is newly developed and its functions are gradually increased, the number of medium and low speed peripheral devices such as a modem, a sound card, a scanner, and a game machine connected to the computer main body can be expanded. In order to provide a unified standard for the signal transmission of the universal serial bus (Universal Serial Bus) devices have been developed and used.

When data is input from the control means built in the computer main body, the USB device transmits the input data to a medium / low speed peripheral device that requires it, and the data is input from the medium / low speed peripheral device. In this case, it is transmitted through a USB cable to the control means built in the computer main body.

On the other hand, in order to be provided with Internet service, a user uses a point-to-point protocol (hereinafter referred to as PPP), which is a modem and software for accessing the Internet, to connect to an Internet service provider (hereinafter referred to as an ISP). Therefore, a member of the Internet must be assigned an Internet Protocol (hereinafter referred to as IP) address.

After registering as an Internet terminal in this manner, the Internet service can be used through a World Wide Web (WWW) browser or the like.

In addition, by using the software for the Internet phone, such as the Internet phone of the vocal tec can also make voice calls over the Internet with other users on the Internet using the same software.

In addition, voice calls and data services (WWW, file transfer, etc.) using the above-described software for Internet phones can be used simultaneously where appropriate modem speeds (18.8 Kbps or higher) and appropriate Internet band services are guaranteed. For example, the following components are required.

That is, 486 or higher PC, modem, sound card, microphone, speaker, operating system such as Windows 95, PPP, Transmission Control Protocol / Internet Protocol (hereinafter referred to as TCP / IP), Web browser (Web Browser), software for Internet phones, etc. are required.

Looking at the operation of the prior art by the above configuration as follows.

First, in order to access the Internet, the user's PC attempts to connect to the ISP's terminal server by running a modem. When the connection with the server's modem is established and data can be exchanged, PPP is activated to obtain an IP address from the server. As soon as the IP address is assigned, TCP / IP can be prepared to run, and various programs for the Internet can be run to connect with hosts (computers connected to the Internet) on the Internet.

Here, in order to receive the WWW service, a web browser such as Netscape Nevigater and Microsoft Internet Explorer is operated to access a desired web server and receive a desired document.

At this time, the protocol used is HTTP (Hyper Text Transfer Protocol), and can receive pictures, text, and various multimedia.

On the other hand, to make a voice call, an Internet phone program such as a VocalTec Internet phone is operated to attempt to connect to a user who is currently connected to the Internet and is running the same program so that the call can be divided when the other party answers. do.

In other words, for communication using the Internet, it is mostly composed of accessing a specific site using a PC, entering an ID and password, and then dialing a desired number by dialing a phone number. We solve the analog I / O of transmission and reception by using.

In addition, small personal telephones sold under the nickname "Sao-jung" are reduced in size, using ordinary telephones. A line for a public switched telephone network (hereinafter referred to as PSTN) must be introduced around a computer and user. do.

However, the prior art as described above, there is an inconvenient problem that the user should always sit in front of the computer in order to perform a telephone communication using the Internet, access to a specific paid / free site that provides telephone communication through the keyboard operation, It is inconvenient to input ID and password required by a specific site, and the microphone and audio input terminal and audio output or speaker terminal of the sound card of the PC main body are called Headset (HEADSET). Corresponds to the existing telephone's handset), which makes it difficult to use other additional devices such as MIDI or other devices that produce sound, and external amplifiers and speakers that output sound. If you can't use the Internet It is difficult to use paid / toll-free telephone service. Recently, ISDN, ADSL, HDSL,… There is a problem that the general PSTN line should be inserted around the computer because it is configured by the computer serial port and the LAN method.

Therefore, the present invention was devised to solve the above-mentioned problems, and it is possible to receive a paid and free telephone communication service through a web browser on the Internet which is rapidly increasing in use by using a general telephone used at home. It can also be used as a sound card to enable games or two-way Internet voice communication without a sound card in the PC. The purpose of the present invention is to provide a computer attachment using a USB port and a method of using the same, which enable a free / telecommunication service.

Computer additional device using a USB port of the present invention for achieving the above object,

A microprocessor controlling the entire system of the DTU;

A DTMF receiver for converting a dialing signal input from DT phone to DTMF tone into a binary;

A digital signal processor for converting a signal converted into a binary from the DTMF receiver and converted into a signal conforming to a USB standard under the control of the microprocessor;

A USB interface for transferring a signal converted to a USB standard from the digital signal processor to a computer under control of the microprocessor;

A signal controller for a PSTN for processing signals transmitted and received from a general telephone under the control of the microprocessor;

A signal converter for converting an analog signal processed from the PSTN signal controller into a digital signal and a digital signal into an analog signal;

A signal amplifier for amplifying a signal input from a microphone or a signal output from a speaker for using the DTU as a sound card;

A general telephone connection unit for connecting the DTU with a general telephone;

A PSTN direct connection unit for using the ordinary telephone as a PSTN line;

A selection switch for manually switching the telephone to use the telephone as an internet telephone or a PSTN line; And,

Characterized in that the LED display unit for displaying the power supply state and the operating state of the DTU to the outside.

In addition, a method of using a computer attachment device using the USB port of the present invention for achieving the above object,

A first process for use as an internet telephone service;

A second step of making a call using a PSTN line when not using an internet phone in the first step;

A third step of displaying, if the internet phone connection is failed in the first step, for confirming to the outside; And,

If there is no change in the handset / handset hook of the PSTN telephone in the first step (100), the sound card to output the sound signal from the computer to the speaker or the signal input from the microphone to the sound signal of the computer It is characterized by consisting of a fourth process for use.

1 is a block diagram of an apparatus for adding a computer using a USB port according to the present invention;

2 is a flowchart illustrating a method of using a computer attachment device using a USB port according to the present invention.

<Description of the symbols for the main parts of the drawings>

10: unit (DTU) 20: regular telephone

30: computer 1: microprocessor

2: DTMF receiver 3: digital signal processor

4: USB interface 5: Signal controller for PSTN

6: signal converter 7: signal amplifier

8: microphone 9: speaker

11: regular phone connection 12: PSTN direct connection

13: selection switch 14: LED display unit

Hereinafter, exemplary embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

As shown in FIG. 1, the apparatus for adding a computer using a USB port according to the present invention includes: a microprocessor (1) for controlling the entire system of the DTU (10); A DTMF receiver 2 for converting a dialing signal inputted from a standard telephone 20 into DTMF tones into a binary; A digital signal processor (3) converting the input signal converted into a binary from the DTMF receiver (2) to a signal conforming to the USB standard under the control of the microprocessor (1); A USB interface (4) for controlling the microprocessor (1) and transferring the signal converted by the digital signal processor (3) according to the USB standard to the computer (30); A signal controller (5) for the PSTN for processing signals transmitted / received from the general telephone (20) under the control of the microprocessor (1); A signal converter 6 for converting an analog signal signal-processed from the PSTN signal controller 5 into a digital signal and a digital signal into an analog signal; A signal amplifier (7) for amplifying the signal input from the microphone (8) or the signal output to the speaker (9) to use the DTU (10) as a sound card; A general telephone connection unit 11 for connecting the DTU 10 with the general telephone 20; A PSTN direct connection unit 12 for using the ordinary telephone 20 as a PSTN line; A selection switch 13 for manually switching the ordinary telephone 20 for use as an internet telephone or a PSTN line; And an LED display unit 14 for displaying the power supply state and the operating state of the DTU 10 to the outside.

The computer additional device using the USB port of the present invention configured as described above is a room separated from the local area and the PC without directly controlling the Internet telephone call service using a general telephone having a sound card function using the USB. It is to enable free / free communication service without controlling PC in long distance.

First, a case for using an Internet phone with a sound card function will be described. After connecting the DTU 10, which is a device, with the user computer 30 using a keyed connector, a general telephone to be used (20) is connected to the normal telephone connection unit 11, and if you want to use as a regular telephone, not an Internet telephone, the PSTN direct connection unit 12 connects the line for the PSTN.

In the state in which both the ordinary telephone 20 and the computer 30 are connected to the DTU 10 as described above, after the DTU driver program is installed in the user computer 30, the ordinary telephone connected to the DTU 10 ( Use the same method as for making a regular call using 20).

On the other hand, when the user wants to use a general telephone line (PSTN) rather than an internet telephone, the selection switch 13 is switched.

Referring to the signal flow diagram at this time, the dialing signal input by the ordinary telephone 20 is a DTMF tone, which is converted into a binary in the DTMF receiver 2 and is controlled by the microprocessor 1 and then digitally. The signal processor 3 is converted into a signal that satisfies the USB standard, and is transmitted to the computer 30 through the USB interface 4, thereby using a specific site selected by the DTU control program in the computer 30. Will dial.

Subsequently, the transmission / reception content of the ordinary telephone 20 is signaled by the PSTN signal controller 5 and input to the signal converter 6, and when the signal input to the signal converter 6 is a digital signal, an analog signal. On the contrary, when the signal input to the signal converter 6 is an analog signal, the signal is converted according to the signal input from the signal converter 6 for converting into a digital signal, and the digital signal processor 3 satisfies the USB standard. Is processed into a digital signal and transmitted to the computer 30 by the USB interface 4.

After that, the batch job is handled by the DTU control program and the microprocessor 1.

When the telephone is terminated as described above, the microprocessor 1 recognizes the termination of the call and delivers it to the computer 30 based on the flow described above, and the DTU program in the computer 30 confirms this. The phone call ends.

Secondly, in the case of using as a sound card, the DTU 10, which is a device, is connected to the user computer 30 using a keyed connector, and then a jack of the signal amplifier 7 is used. ) Connect the speaker (9) or headset (Headset) to use.

Referring to the signal flow diagram at this time, the sound signal output from the computer 30 is converted into a digital value quantized by the digital signal processor 3 through the USB interface 4, which is converted into a signal converter 6 Is converted into an analog signal, amplified to an audible frequency in the signal amplifier 7, and then output to the speaker 9 through an audio output jack (not shown).

Third, looking at the case to call using the PSTN line, the telephone line flowed into the general telephone connection portion 11 is used directly connected to the jack of the PSTN direct connection portion 12, and manually selector switch ( It is selected according to the direction of the switch for line switching in 13).

Looking at the signal flow at this time, the line of the general telephone 20 is directly connected to the PSTN direct connection unit 12 is enabled to use the PSTN line.

Fourth, referring to the case in which no power is applied to the computer 30, the signal flow is the same as the example of the "when a telephone call is made using the PSTN line" described above, and the DTU 10 When no power is supplied to the computer 30, the internal circuit function is changed to automatically use the PSTN line.

In this state, the LED display unit 14 becomes a function of confirming the power supply state and the operating state of the DTU 10 to the outside.

2, a first process (100) for use as an Internet telephony service; A second process 200 for making a call using a PSTN line when not using an Internet telephone in the first process 100; A third step (300) of displaying, in order to confirm to the outside, the internet phone connection failure in the first step (100); And, if there is no change in the handset hook / receiver of the PSTN telephone in the first step (100), to output the sound signal output from the computer to the speaker or the signal input from the microphone as a sound signal of the computer And a fourth process 400 for use as a card.

The first step (100) includes a first step (101) of determining whether there is a change in the handset of a PSTN telephone / handset; A second step (102) of determining whether the computer is in use when there is a change in the handset of the PSTN telephone in the first step (101); A third step (103) of checking activation of a computer-side DTU program when the computer is in use in the second step (102); A fourth step (104) of checking the activation of the computer-side DTU program in the third step (103), and then determining whether a result of checking the DTU communication flag is available; A fifth step (105) of dialing a user telephone using a PSTN telephone when the result of checking the DTU communication flag in the fourth step (104) is available; A sixth step 106 of dialing a user phone using a PSTN phone in the fifth step 105, and interpreting the DTMF tones to automatically access the specific site by automatically assigning a DTU set ID and password; A seventh step (107) of accessing a specific site by automatically granting a DTU setting ID and password in the sixth step (106) and inputting an interpreted telephone number; An eighth step 108 of inputting the phone number interpreted in the seventh step 107 and then determining whether the connection is successful; A ninth step (109) of displaying a progress status while performing a telephone communication using the Internet when the connection is successful in the eighth step (108); And determining whether the mobile communication is in use during the eighth step 108 in the eighth step 108, and sequentially performing the tenth step 110 in which the telecommunication is performed using the internet until the telephone call is terminated.

The second step 200 is to directly connect the PSTN line when the computer is not in use in the second step 102 or when the result of checking the DTU communication flag in the fourth step 104 is not available. A first step 201 of switching the signal lines in a connection manner; After the signal line is switched in the first step 201 by the direct connection of the PSTN lines, the operation is sequentially performed in the second step 202 in which the PSTN telephone call is made.

The third process 300 may include: a first step (301) of determining whether the connection fails for a specified time or more when the connection is not successful in the eighth step (108); A second step (302) of outputting a signal for a situation such as no connection during a call when the connection fails for more than the time specified in the first step (301); And outputs a signal for a situation such as no connection during a call in the second step 302, and then sequentially operates to the third step 303 for displaying the status.

As described in detail above, the computer additional device using the USB port according to the present invention provides an effect of reviving the economic aspects of the user obtained when using the Internet paid and free service using the PC, and does not use the PC. It allows you to use internet free / toll service for those who can't, and avoids the repetitive waste of time in entering ID and password when using internet phone. It solves the problem of providing user convenience, eliminating the need for a sound card inside the PC, which is necessary for using a conventional Internet phone, or utilizing the function for other purposes, even if there is no sound card inside the PC. To provide the user with audio sound, such as There is.

Although the invention has been described in detail only with respect to the specific examples described, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and variations are possible within the spirit of the invention, and such modifications and variations belong to the appended claims.

Claims (5)

A microprocessor 1 for controlling the entire system of the DTU 10; A DTMF receiver 2 for converting a dialing signal inputted from a standard telephone 20 into DTMF tones into a binary; A digital signal processor (3) converting the input signal converted into a binary from the DTMF receiver (2) to a signal conforming to the USB standard under the control of the microprocessor (1); A USB interface (4) for controlling the microprocessor (1) and transferring the signal converted by the digital signal processor (3) according to the USB standard to the computer (30); A signal controller (5) for the PSTN for processing signals transmitted / received from the general telephone (20) under the control of the microprocessor (1); A signal converter 6 for converting an analog signal signal-processed from the PSTN signal controller 5 into a digital signal and a digital signal into an analog signal; A signal amplifier (7) for amplifying the signal input from the microphone (8) or the signal output to the speaker (9) to use the DTU (10) as a sound card; A general telephone connection unit 11 for connecting the DTU 10 with the general telephone 20; A PSTN direct connection unit 12 for using the ordinary telephone 20 as a PSTN line; A selection switch 13 for manually switching the ordinary telephone 20 for use as an internet telephone or a PSTN line; And, Computer add-on using a USB port, characterized in that the LED display unit 14 configured to display the power supply state and operating state of the DTU (10) to the outside. A first process (100) for use as an internet telephony service; A second process 200 for making a call using a PSTN line when not using an Internet telephone in the first process 100; A third step (300) of displaying, in order to confirm to the outside, the internet phone connection failure in the first step (100); And, If there is no change in the handset / handset hook of the PSTN telephone in the first step (100), the sound card to output the sound signal from the computer to the speaker or the signal input from the microphone to the sound signal of the computer Method for using a computer attachment device using a USB port, characterized in that consisting of a fourth process (400) for use. The method of claim 2, The first process, A first step 101 of determining whether there is a change in the handset of a PSTN telephone / handset; A second step (102) of determining whether the computer is in use when there is a change in the handset of the PSTN telephone in the first step (101); A third step (103) of checking activation of a computer-side DTU program when the computer is in use in the second step (102); A fourth step (104) of checking the activation of the computer-side DTU program in the third step (103), and then determining whether a result of checking the DTU communication flag is available; A fifth step (105) of dialing a user telephone using a PSTN telephone when the result of checking the DTU communication flag in the fourth step (104) is available; A sixth step 106 of dialing a user phone using a PSTN phone in the fifth step 105, and interpreting the DTMF tones to automatically access the specific site by automatically assigning a DTU set ID and password; A seventh step (107) of accessing a specific site by automatically granting a DTU setting ID and password in the sixth step (106) and inputting an interpreted telephone number; An eighth step 108 of inputting the phone number interpreted in the seventh step 107 and then determining whether the connection is successful; A ninth step (109) of displaying a progress status while performing a telephone communication using the Internet when the connection is successful in the eighth step (108); And, In the eighth step 108, it is determined whether the mobile communication is in use while the telephone communication is performed using the Internet, and the operation is sequentially performed as the tenth step 110 in which the telephone communication is performed using the Internet until the telephone call is terminated. How to use computer accessories using USB port. The method of claim 2, The second process, When the computer is not in use in the second step 102 or when the result of checking the DTU communication flag in the fourth step 104 is not available, the first step of switching the signal line by direct connection of the PSTN line Step 201; In the first step 201, after switching the signal line to the direct connection method of the PSTN line, using the computer attached device using the USB port, characterized in that the second step 202 of the general PSTN telephone method to operate sequentially Way. The method of claim 2, The third process 300, A first step (301) of determining whether the connection fails for a specified time or more when the connection is not successful in the eighth step (108); A second step (302) of outputting a signal for a situation such as no connection during a call when the connection fails for more than the time specified in the first step (301); And, Method of using a computer attached device using a USB port, characterized in that the second step (302) outputs a signal for a situation such as no connection during a call, and then displays the status in a third step (303). .