Patent Publication Number: US-RE39612-E

Title: Communicating apparatus

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to a communicating apparatus for a telephone speech conducted via an external telephone connected to a personal computer. 
     It is possible today to achieve a telephone call from a personal computer (PC) in which an application software of telephone functions is installed. Moreover, image data can also be directly transmitted from a personal computer in which an application software of facsimile communications is loaded. 
     Most application programs of this type include a telephone directory function. Namely, in a case a telephone and facsimile numbers of a communication partner are beforehand registered to the directory of the application software, it is possible to automatically transmit the telephone or facsimile number to the partner only by indicating the partner in the directory list. Additionally, also when an external telephone is linked with the computer, the user desires to conduct a telephone call via the telephone book in many cases. After the directory is opened and the telephone call is established through a dialing operation, the call is carried out via the external telephone. Therefore, other operations can be accomplished by the computer. 
     Moreover, when a facsimile transmission is achieved to send a manuscript, it will be more efficient depending on cases that the telephone directory is opened only to dial the call number of the partner and the contents of the manuscript are actually read and transmitted by an external facsimile device. 
     However, in the conventional method above, when conducting a call, the user is required to make a search for the telephone directory application in the computer and to initiate the application. When it is desired to immediately make a telephone call, the operation is troublesome and annoyance for the user. In some computer applications, when using the external telephone, the user is required to set the external telephone to an off-hook state so as to set the computer to an on-hook state. This leads to a drawback that the operation is bothersome and the telephone set can be used only by those who are versed in the operation technique. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     It is therefore an object of the present invention, which has been devised to remove the problem above, to provide a communication apparatus for use with external communication terminals such as external telephones and facsimile facilities in which the user can immediately conduct a visual check of the telephone directory without conducting the troublesome initiating operation. 
     To achieve the object above in accordance with the present invention, there is provided a communicating apparatus comprising an interface unit for establishing connection to a personal computer, an off-hook detecting unit for detecting an event that a telephone line is set to an off-hook state at initiation of communication, and a control unit for transmitting information of the detection from the off-hook detecting unit to a directory application initiation request unit integrally included in the personal computer. Thanks to this configuration, the troublesome operation and knowledge conventionally required for the telephone call from an external telephone using a personal computer become unnecessary. Namely, with the provision of this communicating apparatus, the telephone call can be easily achieved without any particular knowledge. 
     In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a communicating apparatus comprising an off-hook detecting unit for detecting an event that the telephone line is set to an off-hook state at initiation of communication and outputting therefrom information of the detection, a bell signal detecting unit for detecting a bell signal received from the telephone line and outputting therefrom information of the detection, a caller information detecting unit for detecting a caller telephone number notified to a call receiver by a caller telephone number notification service, and interface unit for controlling a serial communication with a personal computer. The central control unit transmits information of the detection from the off-hook detecting unit and the bell signal detecting unit to a directory application initiation request unit incorporated in the personal computer and information of a partner detected by the caller information detecting unit to the personal computer. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The objects and features of the present invention will be come more apparent from the consideration of the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which: 
         FIG. 1  is a diagram schematically showing a configuration of an embodiment of the communicating apparatus in accordance with the present invention; 
         FIG. 2  is a perspective view showing an appearance of the communicating apparatus connected to a personal computer; 
         FIG. 3  is a diagram showing constitution of a line control unit of the communicating apparatus; 
         FIG. 4  is a flowchart showing a control procedure of a call issuing or originating operation in the embodiment; 
         FIG. 5  is a flowchart showing a control procedure of a call terminating operation in the embodiment; and 
         FIG. 6  is a flowchart showing a control procedure of a call terminating operation in another embodiment of the present invention. 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     Referring now to the drawings, description will be given of an embodiment in accordance with the present invention. 
       FIG. 1  shows in a block diagram the configuration of an embodiment of the communicating apparatus including an off-hook information detector and a call originator information detector in accordance with the present invention,  FIG. 2  shows an appearance of the apparatus operated in connection with a personal computer,  FIG. 3  shows in a circuit diagram the structure of a line controller of the communicating apparatus, and  FIGS. 4 and 5  are flowcharts showing operation of the apparatus. 
     The constitution of  FIG. 1  includes a communication network  1  through which the communicating apparatus of the embodiment communicates with other terminals and a line controller  2  to conduct functions such as a function to establish interface for the network  1 . The controller  2  includes an off-hook detecting unit  2 a to detect at initiation of a communication that the telephone line is set to the off-hook state and a bell signal detecting unit  2 b to detect a bell signal received via the network  1 . The controller  2  further achieves various functions such as an impedance matching function with respect to the network  1 , a signal amplifying function, and a two-wire to four-wire converting or transforming function. 
     Moreover, the embodiment includes a personal computer (PC) interface  4  for the connection with a personal computer  8  and a modem  5  to connect thereto an external data communicating device  30 , or an external facsimile apparatus, or the like for data communication. 
     The system further includes a caller identifier (ID) detecting unit  6  to detect a caller&#39;s telephone number notified to the receiver through an originating telephone number notification service. Specifically, the unit  6  extracts telephone number information from signals demodulated by the modem  5 . There is also included a central control unit  7  to control the off-hook detector  2 a, the modem  5 , the caller ID detector  6 , and the PC interface  4  linked with personal computer  8 . The central control unit  7  supervises these units in accordance with a procedure shown in the flowcharts of  FIGS. 4 and 5  to resultantly transmit off-hook information and caller information to the computer  8 . The central control unit  7  includes a storage  7 a. 
     The line controller  2  will be described by referring to FIG.  3 . In the diagram,  16 a,  16 b, and  17  respectively indicate a chip wire, a ring wire, and a rectifier. A photo-interrupter  18  is disposed in the off-hook detector  2 a. When an external telephone or the like is set to an off-hook state to lower a voltage between the chip wire  16 a and the ring wire  16 b of the telephone line, off-hook information is outputted to the output the terminal hook of the photo-interrupter  18  to be sent to the central control unit  7 . A photo-interrupter  19  is also arranged in the bell signal detector  2 b. When a bell signal is received from the network  1 , a pulse wave is outputted to the output terminal bell to be delivered to the central control unit  7 . A transformer  20  interrupts a direct current and to conduct a two-wire/four-wire conversion. A receiver amplifier  21  is installed in a receiver-side signal path, and a sender amplifier  22  is disposed in a sender-side signal path. 
     A microphone  24  and a loudspeaker  25  allow a user to conduct telephone speech without using hands. An amplifier  26  amplifies a signal outputted from the microphone  24  and an amplifier  27  causes the speaker  25  to sound. A jack  28  connects a handset to the system and a switching unit  29  establishes and changes connections of signal paths between the receiving and transmitting sides. 
     As can be seen from  FIG. 2 , the communicating apparatus  3  of the embodiment is coupled with the personal computer  8  in which telephone directory application software is loaded. The PC interface of the apparatus  3  is linked with a serial interface of the computer and hence the apparatus  3  can communicate information with the computer  3  in a serial communication. A liquid-crystal display  15  is arranged in the apparatus  3  and a display  8 a is integrally disposed in the computer  8 . 
     In  FIG. 1 , an application (APL) initiation request unit  9  operates in the computer  8 . The unit  9  continuously monitors an event from the off-hook detector  2 a of the apparatus  3  in accordance with the present invention. 
     The computer  8  includes a hard disk device  10 . Information stored in the device  10  can be displayed on the display  8 a.  FIG. 1  also shows a display example  11  of a directory window of the directory window application software initiated by the request unit  9 , a display example  12  of caller information by the software at call termination, and a display example  13  in which the user inputs a memo during a speech. 
     An external telephone set  14  allows the user to conduct speech by phone. The telephone set  14  is connected to the chip and ring wires  16 a and  16 b in a parallel fashion. When the telephone  14  is set to an off-hook state, the voltage between the chip and ring wires  16 a and  16 b is reduced. 
     Referring next to the flowcharts of  FIGS. 4 and 5 , description will be given of the operation of the communicating apparatus constructed as above in accordance with the present invention. 
     First, referring to  FIG. 4 , description will be given of an operation to originate call. The application initiation request unit  9  appropriately monitors the serial interface of the computer  8  to receive an off-hook event from the off-hook detector  2 a (step S 1 ). 
     At the same time, the detector  2 a continuously makes a check to determine whether or not the external telephone  14  is set to an off-hook state (step S 2 ). When the telephone  14  is set to an off-hook state, there flows a current between two wires  16 a and  16 b of the telephone line and hence the voltage therebetween is decreased. The detector  2 a detects the voltage drop (step S 2 ) to transmit off-hook information via the serial interface to the computer  8  (step S 3 ). 
     Having recognized the off-hook state of the telephone  14  in accordance with the off-hook information, the application initiation request unit  9  of the computer  8  initiates the telephone directory application software (step S 4 ). 
     With provision of the unit  9  and the detector  2 a above, when the user carries out a speech through an external telephone by use of a personal computer, the troublesome operation to detect the telephone application software and/or the telephone directory application becomes unnecessary software. It is not required for the user to be versed in the telephone application software connected to the personal computer. Additionally, after the directory is opened and the partner&#39;s call number is dialed, the speech is accomplished by the external telephone. Consequently, the personal computer is not solely dedicated to be used for speech, namely, it is possible to achieve another operation by the computer. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 5 , description will be given of the operation of the apparatus at call termination. When a bell signal is received from the network  1 , the external telephone  14  rings (step S 1 ). At the same time, the caller ID detector  6  detects under control of the line controller  2  information of a partner (caller information) having issued the telephone call and then notifies the information to the central control unit  7  (step S 2 ). The central control unit  7  at once stores the caller information in the storage  7 a. 
     The number of bell signals from the network  1  is counted (step S 3 ) to determine whether or not the count value is equal to a predetermined value (step S 4 ). If this is the case, the line controller  2  automatically closes the telephone line (step S 5 ) and then a current flows between two wires of the telephone line to lower the voltage therebetween. 
     Having detected the voltage drop, the off-hook detector  2 a sends off-hook information via the serial interface to the computer  8  (step S 6 ). 
     Moreover, the information including the partner&#39;s telephone number and the like which has been notified from the network  1  and which has been stored in the storage  7 a as described above is also sent via the PC interface  4  to the computer  8  (step S 7 ). 
     The application initiation request unit  9  continuously monitors the serial interface of the computer  8  to receive an off-hook event from the off-hook detector  2 a. On receiving the event (step S 8 ), the unit  9  of the computer  8  invokes the directory application software in accordance with the off-hook information (step S 9 ). 
     Having received the caller information via the PC interface  4  of the apparatus (step S 10 ), the software of the computer  8  accesses a database stored in the hard disk device  10  to read therefrom detailed information related to the received caller information (step S 11 ) and then displays the detailed information on the display  8 a as shown in the display example  12  of  FIG. 1  (step S 12 ). It is therefore possible to obtain partner&#39;s information in the past. 
     As described above, in accordance with the communicating apparatus of the embodiment, the application software of the personal computer can be initiated in association with the closing of the telephone line. Consequently, detailed information of the partner can be read from the storage of the computer  8  to be displayed on the screen, namely, it is possible to confirm the partner&#39;s detailed information before the telephone speech is started. 
     Subsequently, description will be given of a function to input memos in the system. Detailed information of a partner as a call originator can be inputted from a memo input screen to the system during or after a speech. When the external telephone  14  is set to the off-hook state or the memory input screen is activated in the directory application software, the processing of  FIG. 5  is executed and then the memo input screen is displayed as the display example  13  of FIG.  1 . In this situation, the user can input a record of the speech with the call originating partner to the system (step S 13 ). 
     For example, when the user inputs the contents of speech to the system and terminates the computer application software, a record of the contents thus inputted is stored in the hard disk device  10  corresponding to caller information of the partner (step S 14 ). Thanks to the provision, when a call is received from the same partner, the contents previously recorded can be displayed on the screen. 
     Referring next to  FIG. 6 , description will be given of an alternative embodiment of the communicating apparatus in accordance with the present invention. This embodiment differs in the operating procedure from the preceding embodiment. In  FIG. 6 , when a bell signal in received via the network  1 , the external telephone  14  rings. On this occasion, the bell signal detector  2 b detects the reception of the bell signal to send information of the signal detection to the central control unit  7 . As a result, bell signal detection information is passed from the central control unit  7  via the serial interface to the computer  8  (step S 1 ). Simultaneously, under supervision of the line controller  2 , the caller ID detector  6  senses information of the originating partner, i.e., caller information to notify the information to the central control unit  7 . The central control unit  7  immediately transmits the caller information via the serial interface to the computer  8  (step S 2 ). 
     In the computer  8 , the application initiation request unit  9  continuously monitors the serial interface thereof to detect a bell signal event sent thereto. When such an event is received (step S 5 ), the unit  9  immediately activates the directory application software (step S 6 ). On receiving thereafter caller information from the communicating apparatus (step S 7 ), the computer  8  accesses by the software the database stored in the hard disk device  10  to obtain a caller name corresponding to the notified caller information and then displays the name on the screen (step S 8 ). 
     Recognizing the ringing of the telephone  14 , the user raises the handset of the telephone  14  to set the off-hook state. This causes a current to flow between two wires of the telephone line to lower the voltage therebetween. The off-hook detector  2 a then detects the voltage drop (step S 3 ) and sends off-hook information via the serial interface to the computer  8  (step S 4 ). 
     Having received the off-hook information, the computer  8  reads by the software the database in the disk device  10  to attain detailed information associated with the caller information (step S 9 ) and then presents the detailed information on the display  8 a as shown in the display example  12  of  FIG. 1  (step  10 ). 
     In accordance with the communication apparatus of this embodiment described above, immediately after the reception of the bell signal the directory application software is initiated in the computer  8  before the user raises the handset of the telephone  14 . Consequently, the user can visually check the caller information as early as possible. In addition, when the caller information transmitted together with the bell signal is detected, only the caller name corresponding to the caller information is read by the directory application software to be presented on the display. This advantageously reduces the period of time to access the objective item. The user can recognize the caller name during quite a short period of time after the telephone bell starts ringing to thereby recognize whether or not the handset is to be raised. 
     In the example above, the telephone speech is accomplished by an external telephone. However, the communicating apparatus of the present invention may be a facility including a function of voice speech, i.e., a voice amplifying function, a handset, and the like. In operation of any communicating apparatus integrally including the voice speech function, the directory application software can be initiated in the personal computer only by raising the handset thereof. Only by specifying a call terminating partner in a directory list, a telephone number of the partner can be automatically transmitted therefrom, which advantageously simplify the telephone operation. 
     Furthermore, the communicating apparatus in accordance with the present invention may include, for example, an image reading device for facsimile communication. After the contents of a manuscript are read by the image reader, the user can initiate the directory application software in the computer by a simple operation to close the line, i.e., by depressing an off-hook or monitor button. The user then need only specify a call terminating partner in a directory list to automatically send a telephone number of the partner therefrom. 
     As above, in accordance with the present invention, there is provided a communicating apparatus in which when the user to easily carry out a telephone speech with an external telephone of a personal computer, the troublesome operation and knowledge required to make a search for a telephone or telephone directory application software of the computer become unnecessary, which advantageously facilitates the telephone operation. 
     While the present invention has been described with reference to the particular illustrative embodiments it is not to be restricted by those embodiments but only by the appended claims. It is to be appreciated that those skilled in the art can change or modify the embodiments without departing from the scope and spirit of the present invention.