KR20010096035A - Internet phone with a direct dialing function and method thereof - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: An Internet telephony system having a direct dialing function and a method for operating the same are provided to seek convenience in use by enabling a user to directly execute dialing in the same manner as a generic telephone, without the necessity of operating a PC. CONSTITUTION: An Internet telephony system having a direct dialing function consists of a communication program(21) and an Internet telephone(20). The communication program(21), installed in a PC, executes communication control processing. The Internet telephone(20) is comprised of an interface module(11), a control module(12), an A/D conversion module(13), a keypad module(14), a hook switch module(15) and a handset(16). The interface module(11), connected to the PC, executes interfacing. The control module(12) checks the key input of the keypad module(14) according to the hook on/off state of the hook switch module(15) and executes control operations so that signal conversion can be carried out by the A/D conversion module(13). The A/D conversion module(13) converts a voice signal to transmit into digital voice data and received voice data into an analog voice signal. The keypad module(14) is composed of a plurality of keys corresponding to numbers, Hangul consonants or the alphabet. The hook switch module(15) supplies a call request signal and a call end signal to the control module(12). The handset(16) converts the analog voice signal supplied from the AD conversion module(13) into an audible sound and provides it to the user. Also the handset(16) converts the user's voice into an analog electric signal and supplies it to the A/D conversion module(13).

Description

Internet telephony device with direct dialing function and its operation method {INTERNET PHONE WITH A DIRECT DIALING FUNCTION AND METHOD THEREOF}

The present invention relates to an internet telephony, and more particularly, to an internet telephony having a direct dialing function, which can be dialed directly from an internet telephone, like a normal telephone, rather than dialing by a keyboard input or a mouse operation of a computer. An apparatus and a method of operating the same.

Since Alexander Graham Bell invented the telephone more than 120 years ago, voice communications have been carried out over the telephone network (PSTN). However, such a telephone network uses a circuit switch network (circuit switch network) is occupied between the two subscribers during the call is expensive, and it is difficult to add various functions like a computer.

In addition, when making international calls, call charges can be burdensome and the calls cannot be made properly.

In recent years, as the communication between computers has been developed, the Internet phone, a telephone service using the Internet, has been proposed, which has been rapidly increasing due to the low cost since it was introduced by Vocaltec of Israel in 1995. Costly calls, such as long distance calls, tend to favor Internet calls over regular calls, despite poor communication quality.

The Internet phone provides a telephone service through the Internet, and its overall configuration is not only the Internet 5, but also the Internet phones 1 and 3, the terminals 2 and 4, and the gateway, as shown in FIG. (7) and the like device. The terminals 2 and 4 refer to personal computers (PCs) that can be connected to the Internet. The telephones 1 and 3 for the Internet are generally in the form of a headset equipped with a microphone. The gateway 7 is a device that connects the Internet with an existing telephone network.

In the above configuration, the Internet program is installed in the terminals 2 and 4, and in order to use an Internet phone, the Internet program installed in the terminals 2 and 4 is executed, and then the IP address or telephone number of the person to be called. Is input using an input device of the terminals 2 and 4, for example, a mouse or a keyboard, and the dialing function of the Internet program must be executed.

As described above, since the conventional Internet phone is made based on computer communication, there is a problem in that it may be inconvenient for ordinary people who are used to the general phone. Therefore, it is very convenient to remove the hassle of running an Internet program and wearing a headset, and to make a call by holding a handset and entering a phone number of the other party, like a conventional PSTN phone.

It would also be more convenient if you could use a variety of names, addresses, companies, positions, etc. instead of phone numbers. This means that each person has different characteristics, so if you have a company name that you don't remember, or a company friend who doesn't remember your name, it's your company name. You won't have to memorize your phone number.

However, in the Internet telephone system based on computer communication technology, there is no way to designate a partner in various ways.

The present invention has been invented to solve various inconveniences caused by the use of the existing Internet phone described above, and its object is to enable direct dialing from the phone itself, rather than the operation of a computer, in the same manner as a general telephone. The present invention provides an internet telephony device having a direct dialing function and a method of operating the same.

As another object of the present invention, an Internet telephony device having a direct dialing function, which is more convenient to use by allowing dialing to input only a part of memorized matters such as name, title, address, etc. of a call partner as well as a telephone number. And a method of operation thereof.

1 is an overall configuration diagram of an internet telephone system.

2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of an Internet telephone apparatus with a dialing function according to the present invention.

3 is a block diagram showing an example of a keypad configuration for dialing provided in the Internet telephone according to the present invention.

4 is a circuit diagram showing the configuration of a hook switch provided in the Internet telephone according to the present invention.

5 is a flowchart of operation of the Internet telephone according to the present invention.

* Description of the symbols for the main parts of the drawings *

11: interface module 12: control module

13: AD conversion module 14: keypad module

15 hook switch module 16: handset

21: computer communication program

As a construction means for achieving the above object of the present invention, the Internet telephone apparatus having a direct dialing function according to the present invention

First means installed in a terminal capable of accessing the Internet and implemented as a communication program for executing communication control processing;

The interface module connected to the terminal and interfacing with each other, the key input of the keypad module is checked according to the hook on / off state of the hook switch module and applied to the communication program installed in the computer, and the A / D conversion module operates to convert the signals. A control module for controlling a mobile phone, an AD conversion module for converting a voice signal to be transmitted into digital voice data and converting a received voice data into an analog voice signal, and a plurality of keys corresponding to numbers or Korean consonants or alphabets. A keypad module for inputting an identification keyword of a target person, a hook switch module for applying a call request and call termination signal to a control module by turning on / off depending on whether the user lifts or lowers the handset, and the A / D conversion module The analog voice signal from the user is converted into an audible sound and applied to the user. And second means comprising a handset for converting a user's voice into an analog electric signal and applying the same to the A / D conversion module.

In addition, the operation method of the Internet telephone apparatus configured as described above

Initializing the second means by the first means;

Checking a hookoff state according to whether the handset of the second means is lifted;

Inputting a key for designating a communication partner when in a hook-off state;

Searching the personal communication list table in the first means using the key input by the user to find the other party's IP address;

Connecting an internet telephone using the retrieved IP address;

Calling by internet telephone;

Inspecting the hook-on state;

Ending the call when in the hook-on state;

Characterized in that consists of.

Hereinafter, with reference to the accompanying drawings will be described in detail the configuration and operation method of the Internet telephone system according to the present invention.

2 is a block diagram of a direct dialing Internet telephone apparatus according to the present invention, which is installed in a computer, communicates with a communication program 21 for opening a communication channel with a user specified by the user and exchanging voice data to enable a call; The Internet telephone 20 is connected to a personal computer (PC) 2,4 interface to interface with the 11, and the hook on / off state of the hook switch module 15, the key input of the keypad module 14 The control module 12 for checking and applying to the communication program 21 installed in the computer and controlling the A / D conversion module 13 to perform a signal conversion, and converts the voice signal to be transmitted into digital voice data and receives it. AD conversion module 13 for converting the voice data into an analog voice signal, and a plurality of keys corresponding to numbers or Korean consonants or alphabets to identify identification keywords of the user to whom the user is to speak. A keypad module 14 for outputting, a hook switch module 15 for applying a call request and a call termination signal to the control module 12 by turning on / off depending on whether the user lifts or lowers the handset 16; The handset 16 converts the analog voice signal applied from the A / D conversion module 13 into an audible sound and applies it to the user, and converts the user's voice into an analog electric signal and applies it to the A / D conversion module 13. It is composed.

Each means constituting the Internet telephone apparatus according to the present invention will be described in more detail.

The interface module 11 is connected to a personal computer (PC) according to the USB interface standard, and performs a function of sending and receiving data between the PC (2, 4) and the Internet phone (20).

The control module 12 retrieves the state of the hook switch module 15 and notifies the PCs 2 and 4, and the communication partner key input from the keypad module 14 passes through the interface module 11 to the PC 2. 4). In addition, the voice signal input from the AD conversion module 13 is transmitted to the PC (2, 4) and the voice signal sent from the PC 21 to the AD conversion module 13 performs a function.

The AD conversion module 13 converts the analog voice signal input through the handset 16 into a digital signal and sends it to the control module 12, and also sends the digital voice signal sent from the PC 2 through the control module 12. It receives it, converts it into an analog signal, and sends it out to the handset 16.

In addition, the keypad module 14 is a device for inputting a key for designating a call partner, and the hook switch module 15 is turned on or off depending on whether the handset 16 is lifted by the user, so that it is in a hook-off state or a hook-on state. It informs the control module 12 of the state.

Here, the interface module, the control module, and the AD conversion module use the same structure as a general voice device connected to the USB port.

3 is a block diagram of the keypad module 14, which is an input device for designating a call partner, in order to designate a communication counterpart, name, telephone number, user ID, IP address, e-mail address, URL, address, company, position. It is composed of a plurality of keys for inputting a back light.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 3, a total of 12 keys are configured similarly to the keypad of a general telephone, and numbers, Korean, and alphabet are assigned to each key at a time.

In the above, numbers are used for input of telephone number, mobile phone number, fax number, IP address and the like. If the key used for input is a phone number, it is composed only of numbers. If it is an IP address, it is divided into numbers and. Hangul keys are used to enter part of the name or part of company / address / title. The vowel is used without consonants. For example, Hong Gil-dong enters 'ㅎㄱㄷ', if the company name is Wiznet, 'ㅇㅈㅇ', if the address is Haeundae, 'ㅎㅇㄷ', and the position is president, 'ㅅㅈ'.

In the input method, when a specific key is pressed, the key pressed by the control module 12 is scanned and read, and numbers, Korean, and English are input without distinction. That is, as shown, the 0 and 140 keys are assigned to the Korean 한글 and the English t at the same time, the 1st key 141 is a, g, and the 2nd key 142 is b, n, 3 keys ( 143, c, d, 4 key 144, d, r, l, 5 key 145, ㅁ, m, 6 key 146, ㅂ, b, v, 7 key (147) The, s, x, and ninth key (149) are the ㅈ, j, z, and the eighth key (148) are the Korean vowels and the English vowels a, i, u, e, o, w, y, and * keys. The letter c, k, g, and., # Are assigned to (14A) and the letter f, h, and p, f, h are assigned to the key 14B.

In addition to the key, a selector may be further provided for selecting whether the input value is alphabetical, Korean consonant or numeric.

The control module 12 searches for the IP address by searching the corresponding field of the personal communication list of the user stored in the communication program 21 by using the key signal input from the keypad module 15. That is, in the case of numeric input, the telephone number field of the personal communication list is searched for a person whose value matches. In the case of alphabetical input, part of English name, user ID, e-mail address, part of URL, part of URL, English address Since it may be a part of / company / position, the corresponding fields are searched for a matching subject, and in the case of inputting Korean consonants, the subject is searched by searching for Korean name field, address field, company field, and position field.

When the subject appears by the search as described above, the control module 12 controls to attempt a dialing operation to the IP address of the subject, and the call is made when the call channel is opened according to the response of the counterpart.

At this time, if the predetermined voice data is stored and there are two or more search results, the user may be guided by voice to be selected by the user.

4 shows a circuit diagram of the hook switch module 15 used in the Internet telephone 1. The hook switch module 15 is connected to the control module 12. In the hook-on state, a “Low” state is input to the control module 12, and when the handset 16 is lifted up to a hook-off state, the control module 12 is connected to the control module 12. The state "High" is entered.

The following table shows an example of the table structure of the personal communication list stored in the communication program 21.

Field name Usage Name Field to store the user's name Tel (H) Field to store the user's home phone number Tel (O) Field that stores the user's office phone number Tel (M) Field to store mobile phone number of user Tel (F) Field to store your fax number IP Field to store IP address of user Mail Field that stores the user's email address User ID Field that stores the user's ID URL Field to store URL address of user Address Field to store the user's address Company Field to store user's company name Title Field that stores the user's title Other Shortcut field

Table 1 shows a table of one person in the personal communication list stored in the communication program 21 operating on the PC 2,4. In this table, the Name field is the name, the Tel (H) field is the home phone number, the Tel (O) field is the office phone number, the Tel (M) field is the mobile phone number, the Tel (F) field is the fax number, and the IP field is IP. The address and mail fields are email addresses, the User ID field is a user ID, the URL field is a URL address, the Address field is an address, the Company field is a company, the Title field is a title, and the other field is a field for storing special information. .

Each field is provided with a flag indicating whether or not it is Default, so that the field marked with this flag is searched first when searching, thereby improving the search speed. If the default field is not indicated, the company telephone number is assumed to be the default field. The personal communication list is composed of the above records. The personal communication list is created by the user. The personal communication list does not need to be filled in at the time of writing.

Fig. 5 is a flowchart showing an operation algorithm in the direct dialing Internet telephone apparatus according to the present invention.

Hereinafter, a telephone call process using the Internet telephone apparatus according to the present invention will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. 5.

The communication program 21 first initializes the Internet telephone 20 (S212). Then, it is checked whether it has changed to the hookoff state (S213). In the hook-off state, when the control module 12 of the Internet telephone 20 checks the operation of the hook switch module 15 and the high level signal is applied from the hook switch module 15, the hook-off state is determined as a hook off state. It can be seen by applying a signal to the communication program 21 through the interface module (11).

If not in the hook-off state in the check step (S213), and waits until the hook-off state, the user picks up the handset 16 when the hook-off state receives the key signal input from the Internet phone 20 afterwards ( S214).

That is, when a user wants to make a call, the user holds the handset 16 like a normal telephone, and operates a key of the keypad module 14 to call a person's telephone number, or the name or position of the other party. Enter something related to the call partner. Then, the key operation state of the keypad module 14 is checked by the control module 12, and the corresponding numeric, alphabetic or Korean consonant values are applied to the communication program 21.

Accordingly, the communication program 21 searches the personal communication list using the input key and finds the IP address of the counterpart to communicate with (S215). If a plurality of people matching the keyword entered in this process is searched, a voice message for notifying the person searched by the Internet phone 20 is authorized by using the prepared voice data, and the user is guided by voice. Finally choose the opponent you want.

Through this process, if the IP address of the call partner is found, the communication program 21 attempts to connect with the other party using this address, and when the other party receives the call, the call program is opened to the user and the selected call partner ( S216, S217).

Then, when the user completes the call and puts down the handset 16, the hook switch module 15 is in a hook-on state and the control module 12 checks this and communicates the communication program 21 through the interface module 11. If the communication program 21 receives the signal and determines that it is in the hook-on state (S218), it terminates the call (S219).

In the above, the personal communication list stored in the communication program 21, as described above, the name, home phone number, company phone number, fax number, mobile phone number, user ID, IP address, e-mail address of the person to communicate with It consists of fields that store the URL, address, company, and position of the homepage. In addition, the following keyword may be used to designate a communication partner.

(1) Phone number: Call the internet using a phone number (e.g. 02-123-456) like the current PSTN phone.If a phone number is entered, use this value as a key to search and match the personal communication list. When you get the IP address of the person who has your phone number, make an Internet call using this IP address. The phone number can be any one of a home phone number, a company phone number, a fax number, and a mobile phone number. The method of operation is the same.

(2) Part of the name: Part of the name of the party to be called (e.g. ㅎㄱㄷ instead of Hong Gil-dong) as a key to search the personal communication list and make an Internet phone call using the IP address of the other party.

(3) User ID: Search the personal communication list using the user ID (eg kdhong) as a key and make an Internet phone call using the corresponding IP address.

(4) IP Address: Enter an IP address to make an Internet phone call directly.

(5) Part of the e-mail address: Search the personal communication list by using a part of the e-mail address (for example, wiznet at kdhong@wiznet.co.kr), and find the IP address of the correspondent and make an internet phone call.

(6) Part of URL address: Search the URL field of personal communication list by using a part of URL address (for example, wizent at www.wiznet.com), and make internet phone call by searching the IP address of matching party.

(7) Address: Search the address field of personal communication list by using a part of the entered address (eg instead of Haeundae-gu, Haeundae-gu, Busan) and make an internet phone call to find the IP address of the other party.

(8) Company: Search the relevant field of the personal communication list by using a part of the name of the company with whom the caller works (for example, instead of Wiznet) and make an Internet phone call with a matching IP address.

(9) Position: Enter a part of the position of the person to be called (e.g. s instead of the president), search the position field of the personal communication list, and make an Internet phone call with a matching IP address.

(10) Others: Like a speed dialing function, search for a communication partner using a specific number or symbol (eg: 1 Honggil-dong, 2 Honggu-dong, etc.) as a key and make an Internet phone call with a matching IP address.

If there are several matching persons in the search process, a guide voice message (for example, a guide message outputted to 1 Honggil-dong, 2 Honggu-dong, etc.) is output, and when the sender selects one of the given numbers, Make an Internet call with an IP address.

In order to speed up the search, a flag indicating whether or not it is a default field is provided in each field of the personal communication list, and the default field is searched first to improve the search speed.

Until now, the voice communication has been used by a person according to the technology, the Internet telephone apparatus according to the present invention, as described above, do not operate the keyboard or the mouse of the computer, the handset in the same way as a general telephone, the handset of the keypad Direct dialing is possible by manipulating keys, which provides an excellent user experience, and allows you to use not only IP addresses but also phone numbers or other parties' names, addresses, positions, company names, etc. as keywords. By enabling the dialing, there is an excellent effect for the convenience of the user, and brings the effect of elevating the dimension of the communication service.

Claims (9)

First means installed in a terminal capable of accessing the Internet and implemented as a communication program for executing communication control processing; The interface module connected to the terminal and interfacing with each other, the key input of the keypad module is checked according to the hook on / off state of the hook switch module and applied to the communication program installed in the computer, and the A / D conversion module operates to convert the signals. A control module for controlling a mobile phone, an AD conversion module for converting a voice signal to be transmitted into digital voice data and a received voice data to an analog voice signal, and a plurality of keys corresponding to numbers, Korean consonants or alphabets. A keypad module for inputting an identification keyword of a target person, a hook switch module for applying a call request and call termination signal to a control module by turning on / off depending on whether the user lifts or lowers the handset, and the A / D conversion module The analog voice signal from the user is converted into an audible sound and applied to the user. Second means comprising a handset for converting a user's voice into an analog electric signal and applying the same to the A / D conversion module; Internet telephone apparatus having a direct dialing function, characterized in that consisting of. The method of claim 1, wherein the hook switch module When the user picks up the handset, it enters the hook-on state and enters a low (or high) state into the control module. When the handset is lowered, the user enters the hook-off state and enters a high (or low) state into the control module. An Internet telephone apparatus having a direct dialing function, which notifies a control module. The method of claim 1, wherein the keypad module Internet with a direct dialing function comprising a plurality of keys, each of which is assigned an alphabet, a number, and a Korean consonant, each of which is assigned one or more keys, and when a key is pressed, a key signal corresponding to the corresponding key is applied to the control module. Telephone device. The method of claim 1, wherein the first means An Internet telephone apparatus having a direct dialing function, comprising a personal communication list table for storing an IP address and a keyword indicating a corresponding party of a call partner of a user. 5. The personal communication list table of claim 4, wherein A field for storing a user's name; A field for storing a home telephone number of a user; A field for storing a user's office telephone number; A field for storing a mobile phone number of a user; A field for storing a user's fax number; A field for storing a user's IP address; A field for storing an e-mail address of the user; A field for storing a user ID of a user; A field for storing a URL address of a user; A field for storing a user's address; A field for storing a user's company name; A field for storing the position of the user; A field for storing information such as other shortcut keys; Internet telephone apparatus having a direct dialing function, characterized in that consisting of. 5. The Internet telephone apparatus having a direct dialing function according to claim 4, wherein each field in the personal communication list has a flag indicating whether a default field is present, and a field marked with this indication is searched first. Internet with direct dialing function, comprising: first means installed in a terminal accessible to the Internet and performing communication control processing; and second means externally connected to the terminal and having a handset and a keypad for designating a user. In the operation method of the telephone apparatus, Initializing the second means by the first means; Checking a hookoff state according to whether the handset of the second means is lifted; Inputting a key for designating a communication partner when in a hook-off state; Searching the personal communication list table in the first means using the key input by the user to find the other party's IP address; Connecting an internet telephone using the retrieved IP address; Calling by internet telephone; Inspecting the hook-on state; Ending the call when in the hook-on state; Operation method of the Internet telephone apparatus having a direct dialing function, characterized in that consisting of. 8. The method of claim 7, wherein in the step of entering a key to designate a communication partner, The user enters a phone number, part of name, part of user ID, part of IP address, part of e-mail address, part of URL address, part of address, part of company name, part of job title, A method of operating an Internet telephone apparatus having a direct dialing function, characterized by searching for a personal communication list using an input keyword to find an IP address. 8. The method of claim 7, wherein retrieving the IP address If there is more than one call partner who matches the input keyword, a voice prompt message is output to allow the user to finally select a communication partner, and to directly connect an Internet phone using the selected partner's IP address. Operation method of the Internet telephone apparatus provided with.