JPS6259455A - Videotex equipment - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To improve the cost performance by using a screen display guide to send a dial signal automatically when not connected to an information center, raising calls for an optional number of times after a prescribed time when busy and connecting the line and a telephone set when the talking state is obtained. CONSTITUTION:A line connection section 36 of a video disc device 20 is switched to the position D at power-off and hook ON/OFF detection section 37 connects the connected position D and a telephone set 39. When power is applied, a key input section 26 uses a control section 21 to switch the connection section 36 to the position E to cause hook-on state and the 1st dial tone is sent via a line 38. Then a line detection section 29 in a circuit detection block 28 detects said tone, which is sent to the line 38 via a line transmission section 35. Then a telephone network identifies a communication identification code and a subscriber to generate the 2nd dial tone, which is detected by a circuit detection section 30, and the number of the information center is sent to the line 38 through the transmission section 35 and the connection section 36.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Field of Industrial Application The present invention relates to a system that is connected to an information center, etc. using a telephone line, such as a captain system, and converts data transmitted via the telephone line and displays it on a display. This relates to videotex equipment for displaying images.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Today, so-called new media, video information systems, are attracting attention. Among them, videotex, which is interactive, is viewed as promising.

In order to use the telephone line, the Videotex device uses a telephone to call the information center, and after confirming the dial tone indicating that it has been connected to the information center, the telephone line is switched from the telephone side using the ileum switching device. These connection procedures for connection to the information center must be performed by the user of the Videotex device himself, giving a sense of alienation to general users.

In order to improve this, attempts have been made to automate the connection to the information center using key human-powered devices.

A conventional example will be explained below with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 6 shows an example of a conventional Videotex device equipped with an automatic calling function.

In Fig. 6, 1 is a videotex device, 2 is a control unit consisting of a microcomputer, etc., 3 is a display memory, 4 is a video composition unit, 5 is a display such as a cathode ray tube (CRT), 6 is an information center, etc. A non-volatile memory that stores various numbers and is backed up by a battery or the like to retain the stored contents even when the power is turned off. 7 is a key input section for inputting key data. 8 is a device that converts analog signals into digital signals and converts digital signals into analog signals. 1 is a modem to be converted, 9 is a line detection block that detects various signals from the line, 10 is a line detection section, 11 is a line detection section, 12 is a line detection section, 1
Reference numeral 3 designates a line sending unit that sends out a signal equivalent to a telephone dial call; 14 a line connection unit that switches and connects the telephone line 15 and each functional block; 15 a line indicating a telephone line; and 16 a telephone set.

The operation of the Videotex apparatus configured as described above will be explained below.

When the power is turned off, the line connection section 14 of the Videotex device 1 is switched to the telephone 16 side (A side). That is, when the Videotex device 1 is not in use, the line 15 is connected to the telephone 16.

When the power of the Videotex device 1 is on, when a request for connection with the information center is made from the key human power section 7, the control section 2 switches the line connection section 14 to the B side.

The line connection unit 14 is switched to the B side, resulting in an off-hook state. The telephone network via line 15 detects off-hook and sends a first dial tone (DT). A line detection section 10 in the line detection block 9 detects DT. After confirming the DT, the control section 2 sends a communication identification code (for example, 166) from the line sending section 13 to the line 15 via the line connecting section 14 .

After the communication identification code and subscriber verification, the telephone network transmits a second dial tone (SDT).

The line detection section 11 of the line detection block 9 detects this SDT.

After confirming the detection of the SDT, the control unit 2 sends the number of the information center from the line sending unit 13 to the line 15 via the line connecting unit 14.

The telephone network processes the transmitted information center number and connects to the information center. When the information center is connected, it transmits a videotex switching instruction signal via the line 15. The line detection section 12 of the line detection block 9 detects a videotex switching instruction signal. After confirming that the videotex switching instruction signal has been detected, the control unit 2 switches the line connection unit 1 to
4 to the C side. As a result, the modem 8 is connected to the information center via the line connection section 14 and the line 15. Thereafter, after initial confirmation such as timing alignment between the modem 8 and the modem of the information center, screen information is transmitted from the information center.

The screen information is processed as display data by the control unit 2 and written into the display memory 3. The data written in the display memory 3 is read out by the video synthesis section 4, converted into a video signal, and displayed on the display 5. When requesting further screen information, the screen number is input from the key input section 7. The key human input data is processed by the control unit 2, processed by the modem 8, and transmitted to the information center via the line connection unit 14 and line 15. Request screen information transmitted from the information center is displayed on the display 5 in the same manner as described above.

The non-volatile memory 6 stores the communication identification code, information center number, request screen number, etc. When an individual user performs number shortening or automatic dialing,
The idea is to make it easier to obtain information with fewer key operations.

Problems to be Solved by the Invention However, although the above configuration has the function of automatically sending a dial signal to the line, it is not possible to communicate with anything other than the Videotex information center, resulting in poor cost performance. It had become a bad thing.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In view of the above-mentioned problems, the present invention provides a Videotex device that can automatically connect to a Videotex information center and to a general subscriber telephone.

Means for Solving the Problems To achieve this object, the present invention provides means for detecting a ring tone for a general subscription telephone from a line, means for detecting a busy tone for a general subscription telephone from a line, Means for detecting from the line that the telephone is in a talking state; Means for displaying the status of the above-mentioned ringing optical telephone on a display; The videotex device has means for detecting whether or not the telephone is in use, and means for connecting the line to the telephone when it is in a talking state and hooked off.

With this configuration, even when the Videotex device is not connected to the information center, it automatically sends a dial signal according to the guidance on the screen, calls the general subscriber phone, and if necessary after a certain period of time if the phone is busy. calls the number of times, and when a call is established, it detects that the phone is hooked up and connects the line to the phone.

As a result, the Videotex device, which was mainly used to display characters from an information center, can now shorten calls to general subscriber telephones and send out automatic dialing signals, making it extremely cost-effective.

EXAMPLE An example of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a videotex device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

In FIG. 1, 2o is a videotex device, 21 is a control unit composed of a microcomputer, etc., 22 is a display memory, 23 is a video composition unit, and 24 is a cathode ray tube (CRT).
26 is a non-volatile memory that memorizes various numbers of the information center, etc., and is backed up by a battery or the like and retains the stored contents even when the power is turned off; 26 is a key input unit for inputting key data; 27 is an analog signal 28 is a line detection block that detects various signals from the line, 29 is a line detection unit for the first dial tone, and 30 is a line detection unit for the second dial tone. 31 is a line detection unit for a videotex switching instruction signal, 32 is a line detection unit, 33 is a line detection unit, and 34 is a line detection unit. Further, 35 is a line transmission section, 36 is a line connection section, 37 is a hook-on/off detection section, 38 is a line, and 39 is a telephone set.

The Videotex device configured as described above will be explained below with reference to FIG.

When the power is turned off, the line connection section 36 of the Videotex device 20
is switched to the D side, and if the hook-on/off detection section 3 is successful, the D side of the line connection section 36 and the telephone 39 are unconditionally connected.゛When the power of the Videotex device 2o is on, when a connection request with the information center is made from the key human power section 26, the control section 21 switches the line connection section 36 to the E side. Line connection part 3
6 becomes off-hook by switching to the K side, and the telephone network detects the off-hook via the line 38 and transmits a first dial tone (DT) e. The line detection section 29 in the line detection block 28 detects this DT. After confirming the DT detection, the control unit 21 sends a communication identification code (for example, 166) to the line 38 via the line sending unit 35.

After the communication identification code and subscriber verification, the telephone network sends a second dial tone (SvT).

The line detection section 30 of the line detection block 28 detects this SDT.
Detection is performed. After confirming the SDT detection, the control section 21 sends the number of the information center from the line sending section 36 to the line 38 via the line connecting section 36 .

The telephone network processes the transmitted information center number and connects to the information center. When the information center is connected, it transmits a videotex switching instruction signal via the line 38. The line detection section 31 of the line detection block 28 detects the videotex switching instruction signal. After confirming the detection of the videotex switching instruction signal, the control unit 21 switches the line connection unit 3
6 to the F side. As a result, the modem 27 is connected to the information center via the line connection section 36 and the circuit 38.

Thereafter, after initial confirmation such as timing alignment between the modem 27 and the modem of the information center, screen information is transmitted from the information center.

The screen information is processed by the control section 2 as display data, written into the display memory 22, read out by the video synthesis section 23, converted into a video signal, and displayed on the display 24.

After that, when screen information is requested from the key input unit 26, the input key data is processed by the control unit 21, further converted into a signal by the modem 27, and sent to the line connection unit 36,
8 to the information center. The information center transmits screen information according to the request number. Screen information from the information center is displayed on the display 24 in the same manner as described above.

The non-volatile memory 25 stores the communication identification code.

The information center number, request screen number, etc. are stored, as well as the general subscription telephone number described below.

This allows individual users to enjoy the convenience of obtaining information with fewer key operations when shortening programs or sending out automatic dialing signals.

Next, when the key power section 26 requests termination of the connection with the information center, the control section 21 switches the line connection section 36 from the F side to the E or D side and puts the line 38 in a hook-on state.

Next, when sending an automatic dialing signal to a general subscriber telephone, when the key operator 26 presses the key υ at the request, the control unit 21 reads data from the non-volatile memory 25 and displays the information on the display 24 as shown in FIG. Displays the number screen of the regular subscriber phone. When the user inputs a keystroke from the keystroke unit 26 to call the telephone number registered with the roJ number, the control unit 21 switches the line connection unit 36 to side 2 and indicates a hook-off state on the line 38. The telephone network detects a shut-off condition and sends a first dial tone (DT). The line detection section 29 in the line detection block 28 detects this DT.
Detect. After confirming the DT detection, the control section 21 reads out the telephone number registered as number "0" from the non-volatile memory 25 and transmits it from the line sending section 35 to the line 38 via the line connecting section 36. At this time, the control unit 21 causes, for example, the line numbered "0" to blink on the screen of the display 24 to indicate that transmission or calling is in progress. The line detection section 32 in the line detection block 28 is
Detection of ringing tone, line detection unit 33 detects call status,
The line detection unit 34 detects a busy tone. When the line detection unit 32 detects a ring tone for a certain period of time or more, the control unit 21 displays a message as shown in FIG. 3 on the display 24, switches the line connection unit 3e to the D side, and enters a hook-on state. and connect the line 38 and telephone 39. Further, when the line detection unit 33 detects a call state with the called telephone, that is, when the called telephone is hooked off, the control unit 21 displays a message as shown in FIG. 4 on the display 24. At the same time, the hook-on/off detection section 37 detects the hook-on of the telephone 39, and if the hook-off is detected, the line connection section 3
6 to the D side and connect the telephone 39 and line 38.

If it is hook-on, it will be put on hold for a certain period of time until hook-off. If the hook-off continues for a certain period of time or more, the control unit 21 causes the line connection unit 36 to create a hook-on state for the line 38. When the line detection section 34 detects the busy tone of the called telephone, the control section 21 displays a message as shown in FIG. The line connection section 36 is switched to the D side and the telephone 39 is connected to the line side.

In one embodiment of the present invention, line detection units corresponding to each detection item are used in the line detection block 28. This is to facilitate the explanation of the present invention, and it goes without saying that the present invention also includes a case where the line detection section is combined and corresponds to each detection item. Furthermore, it goes without saying that the present invention also includes a case where the display is placed outside the device and a case where the key-operated part is a wireless remote control.

Effects of the Invention As described above, the present invention enables the automatic dialing signal sending function not only to Videotex's information center but also to general subscriber telephones, and also enables the display function to be used for calling general subscriber telephones. By using this method, it is possible to achieve the effect of further promoting the integration of display function and telephone function, and realizing a videotex device with extremely excellent cost performance.

-i is 1. H people (home automation) / OA (
This has the effect of providing videotex equipment that is more suitable for the (office automation) era.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

Fig. 1 is a block diagram of a Videotex device according to an embodiment of the present invention, Fig. 2 is a front view showing an example of a screen displaying automatic dial transmission registration for a general subscriber telephone, and Fig. 3 is a block diagram of a video tex device according to an embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 4 is a front view showing an example of the display when no one is there, Fig. 4 is a front view showing an example of the display when the telephone to be called is hooked off, and Fig. 5 is an example of the display when the telephone to be called is busy. The front view shown in FIG. 6 is a block diagram of a conventional Videotex device. 21...Control unit, 24...Display, 25...Nonvolatile memory, 26...
Key human power section, 28...Line detection block, 36
. . . line connection section, 37 . . . hook-on detection section, 39 . . . telephone set. Name of agent: Patent attorney Toshio Nakao and 1 other person 2nd
figure

Claims (1)

[Claims] It is connected to a line such as a telephone line and sends and receives display data in both directions, and writes the processed display data to the display memory by a control unit consisting of a microcomputer, etc.
It is configured to read display data written in the display memory and display it on a display such as a cathode ray tube, and
hook-on/off detection means for detecting hook-on or hook-off regardless of whether the telephone is connected to a line; ring tone detection means for detecting a ring tone from the line to a general subscriber telephone; a busy tone detecting means for detecting from the line; a call state detecting means for detecting from the line that the general subscriber telephone is in a talking state; means for displaying the status of the general subscriber telephone on the display; A videotex device characterized in that it is provided with means for connecting a line to its own telephone when the general subscriber telephone is in a talking state and the hook-on/off detecting means detects that its own telephone is hook-off.