Cordless telephone system capable of transmitting abbreviated number information between base station and personal station and method therefor

A cordless telephone system includes one base station and at least one personal station. Each station includes an abbreviated dial memory for storing abbreviated dial data, a control unit for controlling the telecommunication device, an abbreviated dial transfer unit for selectively transmitting in radio the abbreviated dial data stored in the abbreviated dial memory to another telecommunication device, and a unit for receiving abbreviated dial data transmitted from another telecommunication device and writing the abbreviated dial data into the abbreviated dial memory. By using an empty channel of communication in progress or a control channel which can be freely used by a user, abbreviated dial data are transferred between stations.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
1. Field of the Invention 
The present invention relates to telecommunication terminals, such as 
telephone stations and facsimile devices, for which telephone numbers are 
registered beforehand and a desired telephone number is selected for 
telecommunication out of registered telephone numbers. In particular, the 
present invention relates to a cordless telephone system including a base 
station connected to a telecommunication line and at least one personal 
station connected in radio to the base station. 
2. Description of the Related Art 
Conventionally, in the case if a plurality of telephone numbers registered 
in a memory dial comprising an abbreviated number, one-touch dial, 
electronic telephone directory or the like of a telecomunication terminal 
such as a telephone station were to be registered into another 
telecommunication terminal, operation for registering the telephone 
numbers again is repeated without using the contents registered in the 
memory dial. By the way, the memory dial is a kind of function provided in 
telecommunication terminals to register telephone numbers and effect 
calling by means of a more simple operation. In recent years, the 
customers of New Common Carrier (NCC) such as Japan Telecom Co., Ltd., DDI 
Corp. and Teleway Japan Corp. have increased. Typically, a four digit 
number is added to an ordinary telephone number. Therefore, it is not rare 
that the telephone number reaches fourteen digits. Due to such a 
circumstance, the abbreviated number or the like also generates a great 
effect. 
As techniques for transferring memory dial data between telephone stations, 
there are techniques as described below. In JP-A-2-174448, there is 
disclosed a technique for connecting two telephone stations via a cable 
and transferring memory dial data of one of the two telephone stations to 
a memory of the other of the two telephone stations. 
In this technique, data terminals for cable connection must be provided in 
each telephone station. Therefore, this technique is not suitable for 
cordless telephone stations of which reduction in size and cost is 
required. Furthermore, in the case where two telephone stations are 
disposed at a long distance, connection via a cable is difficult and data 
cannot be transferred. 
In JP-A-5-316033, there is disclosed a technique for transferring in radio 
memory data between a base station and a personal station of a cordless 
telephone station. According to this technique, however, data transfer 
between the base station and the personal station is effected 
automatically for the purpose of data backup and the user cannot select 
data to be transferred. 
In JP-A-5-95398 as well, there is disclosed a technique for effecting data 
transfer between telephone stations. However, this is a technique applied 
between a fixed telephone device and a portable radio telephone. 
In the cordless telephone, the number of personal stations connected to one 
base station is in a range of one to five and the number of cases of 
memory dial registration sometimes amounts to several tens. From the 
property perspective of a cordless telephone system, however, users are 
usually the same person or persons in the same environment no matter how 
many personal stations are connected to one base station. Thus it is 
typically necessary to register the same abbreviated numbers and the like 
in the base station and all of the personal stations. Furthermore, when it 
becomes necessary to amend a registered number, all registered contents of 
the base station and personal stations must be amended. Therefore, 
registration or amendment of registered contents corresponding to the 
number of stations must be effected. A large amount of time and labor is 
needed for registration and amendment work. 
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
In view of the above described problems, the present invention was made. An 
object of the present invention is to provide a small-sized inexpensive 
telecommunication terminal for a cordless telephone station for 
facilitating registration and editing of memory dial data. 
In order to achieve the above described object, a telecommunication device 
capable of calling by using a telephone number stored in an abbreviatd 
dial storing means includes means for selectively transmitting by radio 
contents of the abbreviated dial storing means to other telecommunication 
devices, and means for receiving telephone number data from another 
telecommunication device and writing in radio the telephone number data in 
the abbreviated dial storing means. 
Use of a cordless telephone system according to the present invention 
configured as heretofore described makes it possible to transfer memory 
dial data between telephone stations each having a memory dial function 
such as abbreviated numbers while maintaining a small size and low cost, 
to eliminate conventional operation for inputting and amending dial data 
using individual setting and time required for the conventional operation, 
and register memory dial data rapidly.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
The case where data transmission is performed between a base station and a 
personal station in accordance with personal handy-phone system RCR 
standard (RCR STD-28) in a cordless telephone system including one base 
station and at least one personal station will hereafter be described. 
FIG. 1 is a diagram showing one embodiment of the configuration of a 
cordless telephone system according to the present invention. The cordless 
telephone system 1 according to the present invention is formed by a base 
station 2 and two personal stations, such as a first personal station 3 
and a second personal station 4. 
The base station 2 includes a keypad 21, an abbreviated dial registration 
unit (ADRV) 22 for storing association of abbreviated numbers inputted 
from the keypad with telephone numbers, a control unit 23 for controlling 
the base station, and a transfer unit (TU) 24 capable of transmitting to 
and receiving for transferring contents stored in the abbreviated dial 
registration unit 22 to a personal station, and for receiving contents 
stored in an abbreviated dial registration unit of a personal station and 
for storing the contents in the abbreviated dial registration unit 22. 
The first personal station 3 includes a keypad 31, an abbreviated dial 
registration unit (ADRV) 32, a control unit 33 for controlling the 
personal station, and a transfer unit (TU) 34 capable of transmitting and 
receiving for transferring contents stored in the abbreviated dial 
registration unit (ADRV) 32 to the base station 2, and for receiving 
contents stored in the abbreviated dial registration unit 22 of the base 
station and storing the contents in the abbreviated dial registration unit 
32 of the personal station. The second personal station 4 has the same 
configuration as the first personal station 3 has. 
The above described data transfer operation conducted between the base 
station 2 and the first personal station 3 or the second personal station 
4 can be similarly conducted between the first personal station 3 and the 
second personal station 4 in the same way. Even if additional personal 
stations are installed, the additional personal stations can be provided 
with similar functions. 
The data transfer operation will now be explained in detail. FIG. 2 is a 
block diagram showing a further detailed configuration of a personal 
station of the cordless telephone system. The personal station 3 includes 
the keypad 31 for performing key inputting, the abbreviated dial 
registration unit 32, the control unit 33, the abbreviated dial transfer 
unit 34, a display unit 35 for performing a display, an interface unit 36, 
a wireless unit 37, a baseband unit 38, a telephone receiver 39a, a 
telephone transmitter 39b, and a sounder 39c. First of all, in the case 
where abbreviated dial is to be registered in the personal station, a code 
for registration, such as #+* +an abbreviated number (00-99) +a telephone 
number +##, is inputted via the keypad 31. ("+"is not inputted.) This 
input code is taken in via the interface unit 36, and abbreviated numbers 
and telephone numbers are stored in the abbreviated dial registration unit 
32 so as to be associated. 
FIG. 3 is a block diagram of a base station 2 of the cordless telephone 
system. The base station 2 has a configuration similar to that of the 
personal station 3. The base station 2 includes the keypad 21 for 
performing key inputting, the abbreviated dial registration unit 22, the 
control unit 23, the abbreviated dial transfer unit 24, a display unit 25 
for performing a display, an interface unit 26, a wireless unit 27, a 
baseband unit 28, a telephone receiver 29a, a telephone transmitter 29b, 
and a sounder 29c. Furthermore, the base station 2 includes a telephone 
line interface unit 20. Abbreviated dial registering is possible for the 
base station 2 as well by using a procedure similar to that of the 
personal station 3 described above. In order to prevent registered 
abbreviated dial data from being rewritten freely by data transferred from 
the outside, it may be specified for each abbreviated number whether 
rewriting is possible. This information indicating whether rewriting is 
possible for each abbreviated number is also inputted from the keypad. 
FIG. 4 shows an example of configuration of abbreviated dial data stored in 
the abbreviated dial registration unit 22. The abbreviated dial data is 
formed by a abbreviated number, telephone number, and information 
indicating whether rewriting is possible. 
The method for transferring abbreviated dial data from the personal station 
3 to the base station 2 will now be described. 
First of all, the method for transferring abbreviated dial data by using an 
empty channel of communication in progress will now be described. FIG. 5 
shows a calling sequence. If the personal station 3 turns off the hook, a 
calling sequence determined by RCR STD-28 is executed between the personal 
station 3 and the base station 2 and those stations are brought into the 
communication state (state of communication in progress). 
In accordance with this standard, data can be transmitted by using an empty 
SACCH (slow associated channel) included in TCHs (traffic channels) 
between the base station and the personal station after the communication 
state has been brought about. If the operator requests the personal 
station 3 to effect abbreviated dial transfer, the personal station 3 
transmits abbreviated dial data to the base station 2 by using the SACCH. 
The base station receives abbreviated data and carries out writing the 
abbreviated data into its own abbreviated dial registration unit. Upon 
writing completion, the base station 3 transmits a result of abbreviated 
dial transmission to the personal station 2 by using a SACCH. The personal 
station 2 displays the received result of writing on its own display unit. 
FIG. 6 shows the flow chart of transfer processing of the abbreviated dial 
data in the base station 2 and the personal station 3. In the case where 
abbreviated data are to be transferred from the personal station 3 to the 
base station 2, user A of the personal station 3 makes a telephone call to 
the base station 2 and user B of the base station 2 responds to the call, 
a talk between the personal station 3 and the base station 2 being thus 
made. The user A orders transfer of abbreviated dial data by inputting a 
predetermined code indicating abbreviated dial transfer, such as #+11 
+transfer start abbreviated number+transfer end abbreviated number +##, 
via the keypad 31 of the personal station 3. The inputted code is taken in 
via the interface unit 36. In accordance with this inputted code, the 
control unit 33 effects control so that the abbreviated dial transfer unit 
34 will take out transfer data from the abbreviated dial registration unit 
32 (S31). Furthermore, the control unit 33 merges speech data supplied 
from the baseband unit 38 with abbreviated dial data (transfer data) to 
produce the TCH. Abbreviated dial data are transferred from a wireless 
unit 37 via a SACCH included in the TCH (S32). The control unit 33 effects 
transfer control of the SACCH until the dial data is finished (S33). Upon 
termination of the abbreviated dial data, an end code is transferred 
(S34). 
FIGS. 7A, 7B, 7C and 7D show formats of relevant data. 
FIG. 7A shows the format of the TCH. The SACCH included in the TCH is used 
to transfer abbreviated dial data. FIG. 7B shows a message format of the 
case where information of abbreviated dial data is sent as layer 3 
information of the SACCH. The control unit 33 encodes information in the 
form of message type, information length, and abbreviated number 
information included in the message format. As the message type, "11," for 
example, is assigned to "abbreviated dial data transmission." The 
information length indicates the length of abbreviated number information. 
The abbreviated number information indicates abbreviated dial data. The 
abbreviated dial data is formed by abbreviated numbers each inputted by 
the user via the keyboard 31 and sandwiched between a transfer start 
abbreviated number and a transfer end abbreviated number, telephone 
numbers corresponding to respective abbreviated numbers, and a start code 
and an end code added to the beginning and the end of all of those data. 
FIG. 7C shows an example obtained when abbreviated dial data of an 
abreviated number 00 is coded by using ASCII codes. FIG. 7D shows an 
example obtained when the same abbreviated dial data is coded by using BCD 
codes. 
The transfer rate of the SACCH is 3.2 kbps, whereas the transfer rate of 
the layer 3 information is 1.6 kbps. In the case where abbreviated dial 
data relating to 100 abbreviated numbers are to be coded by using BCD 
codes and transferred, the information content thereof is calculated as 
follows: 
Start code+(abbreviated number+telephone number).times.100+end code =8 bits 
+48 bits .times.100 +8 bits 4.8 Kbits 
Therefore, it takes approximately four seconds to transfer the above 
described data. 
Referring back to FIG. 6, in the base station 2, the control unit 23 
separates speech data and the SACCH from the data TCH transmitted from the 
personal station 3 and received by the wireless unit 27 and takes in the 
SACCH (S21). Then the control unit 23 determines on the basis of the 
message type whether the transferred data is transfer dial data (S22). 
When the transferred data is not transfer dial data, other processing is 
conducted. When the transferred data is transfer dial data, it is 
determined whether the end code has been received (S23). Unless 
terminated, it is determined whether data is that allowed to be written 
(S24). The abbreviated dial transfer unit 24 collates received abbreviated 
dial data with its own abbreviated dial data and rewrites abbreviated dial 
data corresponding to an unregistered number or a writable number of the 
abbreviated dial registration unit 22 (S25). Upon completion of rewriting 
the received abbreviated dial data, the base station 2 transmits a 
message, such as "data has been written", "rewriting is partially 
impossible", "writing is impossible" to the personal station 3 via the 
SACCH of the TCH in the same way as the operation in the personal station 
3 depending upon the processing contents (S26). In addition, the base 
station 2 displays this message on its own display unit 25 (S27). The 
personal station 3 determines whether there is a response from the base 
station (S35) and displays the received message on the display unit 35 
(S36). In addition, the personal station 3 outputs a sound corresponding 
to the writing result from the sounder 39c (S37). By using the channel in 
communication, it thus becomes possible to transfer abbreviated dial data 
and confirm the result of transfer. 
At the time of response transmission as well, the SACCH of the TCH is used 
and information is coded in accordance with the message format shown in 
FIG. 7B. As the message type, "12," for example, is assigned to "response 
transmission." The result of rewriting processing of abbreviated dial data 
is coded to fill the area of the abbreviated number information. 
In the case where all rewriting operations have resulted in success, the 
area is filled with "01" taking the form of BCD code. In the case where 
some numbers cannot be rewritten, the area is filled with "02" and 
thereafter the number of cases for which rewriting was impossible and 
abbreviated numbers for which rewriting was impossible. These codes 
correspond to the message displayed on the display unit and the sounder 
output. 
Heretofore, the case where abbreviated dial data is transferred from the 
personal station 3 to the base station 2 has been described. In the same 
way, however, it is also possible to transfer abbreviated dial data during 
talking from the base station 2 to the personal station 3 and between the 
personal station 3 and the personal station 4. 
Transfer of abbreviated dial data using a control channel in the standby 
status, i.e., in the status allowing both calling and calling incoming 
will now be described. According to RCR-28, there is provided an uplink 
(from personal station to base station)/ downlink (from base station to 
personal station) USCCH (user specific control channel) which can be 
freely defined and used as a control channel in the standby status. 
The base station 2 in the standby status transmits BCCH (broadcast control 
channel), SCH (service channel), PCH (paging channel) or USCCH to the 
personal station 3 in the standby status. In the case where abbreviated 
dial data is to be transferred in the standby status, however, the 
abbreviated dial data is carried by the USCCH. 
FIGS. 8A and 8B are sequence diagrams in the standby state. FIG. 8A shows 
transfer of abbreviated dial data from the base station to a personal 
station. FIG. 8B shows transfer of abbreviated dial data from a personal 
station to the base station. In transfer from the base station to a 
personal station, the base station first transfers abbreviated dial data 
to the personal station by using the USCCH in response to a command input 
of the user and the personal station takes out the abbreviated dial data 
and writes the data into the abbreviated dial data registration unit. The 
personal station transmits the result to the base station by using the 
USCCH and the registration operation is finished. These operations are 
conducted in the same way as the data transfer in communication in 
progress. In transfer of abbreviated dial data from a personal station to 
the base station, the personal station first transfers abbreviated dial 
data to the base station by using the USCCH and the base station takes out 
the abbreviated dial data and writes the data into the abbreviated dial 
data registration unit. The base station transmits the result to the 
personal station by using the USCCH and the registration operation is 
finished. 
FIGS. 9A and 9B show formats of relevant data. FIG. 9A shows the slot 
structure of an uplink USCCH, whereas FIG. 9B shows the structure of a 
downlink USCCH. In transfer of abbreviated dial data using the USCCH, data 
of (62+34) bits can be transferred per slot. 
The USCCH is formed by the message type, information length and abbreviated 
number information. The contents thereof are the same as those of 
information transmitted via the SACCH at the time of both transmission of 
abbreviated dial data and transmission of the response. 
Making a comparison between the case where an empty channel of 
communication in progress is used and the case where a USCCH in the 
standby status is used, they are different in channel in use, but they are 
identical in method for producing data to be carried by the channel and in 
method for processing after necessary data has been taken out from the 
channel. In other words, processing other than S32, S21 and S26 shown in 
FIG. 6 is common to them. 
Heretofore, the case where abbreviated dial data is transferred from the 
base station to the personal station has been described. However, transfer 
from the personal station to the base station and simultaneous transfer 
from the base station to a plurality of personal stations can also be 
effected in the same way. 
In transfer in the standby status, abbreviated dial transfer is effected 
according to user's command input. The command is inputted via the 
keyboard in the on-hook state. The command has a format of #+11 +id 
+transfer start abbreviated number+transfer end abbreviated number+##, for 
example. The "id" is an identification number of a telephone station of 
transfer destination. For example, "id" is "00" for the base station, 
"01"-"05" for personal stations, and "99" for all of the personal 
stations. 
In transfer in the standby status, transfer processing is executed when the 
user has ordered transfer in the base station or a personal station as 
described above. Besides, transfer processing of dial data may be 
conducted automatically when registration or amendment of abbreviated dial 
has been performed. 
Structures of portions representing features of the present invention, 
i.e., the abbreviated dial transfer unit, the abbreviated dial 
registration unit and the control unit will now be described by taking the 
case of the base station as an example and referring to FIG. 10. In the 
case of a personal station as well, similar structures may be adopted. To 
be concrete, each of the abbreviated dial transfer unit 24 and the control 
unit 23 is formed by a CPU 231 such as a microprocessor, a ROM 232, and an 
RAM 233. The CPU 231 executes a control program stored beforehand in the 
ROM 232. Thus the CPU 231 performs reading/writing for a non-volatile 
memory 221, forms a judgment as to whether reading and writing are 
appropriate, and effects transfer of abbreviated dial data. 
Rewriting of data set previously so as to be inhibited from being rewritten 
will now be described. As for data set previously so as to be inhibited 
from being rewritten as represented by abbreviated numbers 01 and 02 of 
FIG. 4, transferred new data cannot be written. Therefore, it becomes 
necessary to notify the transmission source of abbreviated numbers for 
which writing is impossible. Accordingly, the receiving side notifies the 
transfer source of abbreviated numbers or telephone numbers set previously 
so as to be inhibited from being rewritten and the last registration 
number, and urges the transfer source to newly register the telephone 
numbers so as to be associated with empty abbreviated numbers. An example 
thereof is shown in FIG. 11. FIG. 11 shows the display state in the 
display unit 25 of the transfer source. On the display unit 25, a 
telephone number to be registered, an abbreviated number for which writing 
is inhibited, and the last registered abbreviated number are displayed. 
Thereby, a telephone number is registered for a new abbreviated number in 
the transfer source, and it is transferred to the transfer destination and 
registered. In all telecommunication devices, common data can be provided 
with the same abbreviated number. 
When in transfer of abbreviated dial data there has been a response 
indicating that writing is impossible, it is also possible to 
automatically avoid the abbreviated number for which writing is impossible 
and instead register the data so as to be associated with an empty 
abbreviated number of both the transfer source and transfer destination. 
In this case, there is a drawback that registration contents of 
abbreviated numbers are freely changed. However, "registration content 
confirming number display" function using the display unit may be provided 
so that the contents of an abbreviated number will be confirmed. Or output 
means such as facsimile may be connected to output an abbreviated 
registration number list onto paper. 
Heretofore, the cordless telephone system conforming to RCR STD-28 has been 
described. Even in digital cordless telephone systems conforming to other 
typical standards, however, the same function can be realized by using 
channels having like functions. 
Further, personal handy-phone systems (PHS) also conform to RCR STD-28. 
Therefore, the present invention can be used for data transfer between PHS 
telephone stations as well.