WO1994010781A1

WO1994010781A1 - Display telephones with automatic repertory dialler control system

Info

Publication number: WO1994010781A1
Application number: PCT/GB1993/002247
Authority: WO
Inventors: Alan Dixon; Alec Campbell
Original assignee: Amstrad Public Limited Company
Priority date: 1992-10-30
Filing date: 1993-11-01
Publication date: 1994-05-11

Abstract

A display telephone comprises a handset (10) and a body (12). A display (20) forms a part of a body and is arranged to display fields of name, address and telephone number data stored in an internal database. The data displayed is varied by rotating index wheel (24) which scrools the data base. Once displayed, a number is dialled by depressing an auto dial key. The internal database in divided into public and personal sections. The personal section can be loaded from the terminal using a keyboard housed under flap (18). Both parts of the database may be loaded and amended from a remote PC which communicates with the telephone terminal via a serial port.

Description

Display Telephones with Automatic Repertory Dialler Control System

This invention relates to telecommunications apparatus, and in particular to the storage of predetermined line numbers for selection by a user, for example in a telephone or facsimile machine.

Many existing telephone and facsimile systems have the ability to store several numbers for selection by a short code. A typical example in an internal system would be for each extension to be able to store five internal extension numbers and ten external numbers, each of which could be recalled by a two or three digit short reference with an appropriate select command. In some systems the local exchange has the ability to store a much larger selection of numbers but these are not accessible directly by each extension. A problem with these systems is that either a manual record must be kept of the prestored numbers or the user of a particular extension must memorise which code relates to which number.

The present invention aims to provide an improved system for storing and recalling line numbers.

We have identified the need for a system in which each item of telecommunications apparatus, whether free standing or an extension of a larger system can have access to a large amount of pre-stored numbers without reference to manual directories or a local operator.

A preferred embodiment of the invention will now be described, by way of example, and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a schematic perspective view of a telephone handset embodying the invention;

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SUBSTITUTESHEET Figure 2 is a schematic block diagram of the main components of a number storage and display system embodying the invention; Figure 3 is a view of a keyboard for entering data in one operational mode;

Figure 4 is a schematic diagram showing transmission of training pubes to compensate for group delay;

Figure 5 is a flow diagram illustrating operation of the thumbwheel; and

Figure 6 is a flow diagram illustrating operation of the variable data rate.

The telephone illustrated in Figure 1 has a handset 10 which communicates with the body 12 by a conventional coiled cord 14. The body carries a number of push button keys 16. As well as the conventional 0-9 keys, keys are provided for * and # functions, a mute key, autodial key, redial key and recall key.

A flap 18 covers a keyboard illustrated in Figure 3. A display 20 is arranged on a angled headpiece 22. The display may be an LCD panel having an alphanumeric matrix of 24 columns by 6 rows. Each character matrix may comprise 9 X 6 pixels allowing for the display of characters, numbers, punctuation and graphics characters of other pixel sizes. Other displays may be used. The information displayed is varied by rotation of scrolling means, here a rotatable index knob 24 on the side of the telephone opposite to the handset 10.

Although a rotatable knob is convenient, it should be appreciated that the scrolling means may take a number of forms, for example it could be a rotatable ball or even a joystick.

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SUBSTITUTESHEET The majority of the unit functions in a conventional manner and will not be described in further detail. The remaining description is concerned with the display 20 and associated components, and their operation.

Data stored in an internal memory can be displayed on the LCD display device. The index knob 24 can be rotated clockwise or counter-clockwise to move the display up or down one screen. Displayed numbers can be selected automatically for dialling. The database is an alphabetical list of names and telephone numbers, with, typically, one display screen for one entry. The entry may include a name, address and one or more telephone numbers. The index knob is arranged to display about 30-50 screens of data per rotation and communicates with the software using two optoelectrical sensor pairs (transmitter and receiver). The software reads the levels from the optical sensors and acts on each change bearing in mind the direction of rotation. For rotation in one direction the logic levels from the sensors change in the order 00-10-11-01 and for the other direction in the order 00-01-11-10. Where the memory holds a large number of records, for example 500 or more, the software accelerates the display of records when the knob is spun quickly.

The knob is arranged such that it clicks a number of times per revolution. At normal operating speeds the thumbwheel or control knob steps through a single record for each click. If turning speed is increased, a stepped acceleration comes into force so that one or more records are skipped for each click. The number skipped is related to the total number of records held in the unit and the speed or rotration. In the ultimate instance, it is intended to step through half the number of records with half a turn of the wheel which is about the lsargest single turn physically possible. The wheel is arranged preferably such that there are 40 clicks per revolution so at maximum acceleration twenty clicks will step through half a record database.

SUBSTITUTESHEET Thus, the rate at which the database is scrolled through is dependent on the speed of movement of the thumbwheel by the user. Once the thumbwheel rotation speed exceeds a predetermined threshold one or more data records is skipped independence upon the speed

Acceleration is determined by measuring the time interval between clicks. This can be done by using internal counters in the central microprocessor 32. the process is illustrated by the flow diagram of figure 5.

Turning now to Figure 2, the control circuit for the display is based on a system controller 32 which is an H8/323 microprocessor. Other suitable microprocessors may be used. The system controller has its own Random Access Memory (RAM) for holding variable and system data and a Read Only Memory (ROM) for holding the programme which it executes.

The system controller 32 communicates with index memory 26 which is a Randon Access Memory. Index Memory 26 holds name, address and telephone number information as ASCII characters in conventional fashion and can be read and written to under control of the controller 32. The RAM 28 has a battery back up circuit 28 which ensures the integrity of the database stored in memory 26 is maintained in the event of a power failure. The RAM 26 is also in communication with a real time clock 30 which is again under the control of the system controller 32.

Transfer of data to and from the Index RAM 26 and the real time clock 30 is managed by the system controller in conjunction with address decoder 31 which decodes the address bus to allow separate selection of specific peripherals so that data is transferred to or from that peripheral.

The system controller 32 communicates with a serial data port 34 via an RS232 interface 36. Data to be stored in memory 26 can be

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SUBSTITUTE SHEET downloaded through the link from an external PC (not shown). Alternatively updates to the data only can be downloaded.

The database stored in RAM 26 is divided into public and personal areas. Rotation of the index knob 24 searches both areas of the database unless the personal area is locked. The public areas, for example, contains an address and telephone list common to and accessible by all extensions on the system. Data downloaded through the serial link 34 is stored in this part of the memory.

The data stored in the public area cannot be edited from an individual extension, and can only be replaced or amended over the serial link from the master list.

The personal areas contains entries specific to the user of the extension in question. This data may be entered automatically via the serial link but may also be entered manually from an ASCII keyboard 38 via a keyboard decoder 40. This area of memory can be locked by depressing a lock key on the keyboard and may only be accessed again by insertion of the extension user's personal identification number PIN.

In operation, when the user rotates the index knob 24, the system controller determines firstly the sense of the rotation and secondly the amount of rotation. The index RAM 26 is examined and read to retrieve the record which corresponds to the measured rotation and the data is sent to the LCD display 20 for display.

Turning now to Figure 3, the keyboard 38 is located under flap 18 on the body of the telephone.

Data is entered into the personal area of the RAM 26 using the keyboard alphanumerical characters in combination with the ENTER, NEW LINE, left, right, up and down arrow keys. In the idle state, the display 20 will show day, data and time generated by

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SUBSTITUTESHEET clock 30. Pressing the ENTER key permits a new entry to be written into the database, and causes the following display to be generated:

NAME: - DETAILS:

Tel:

The cursor may be moved using the arrow keys. On the line relating to the telephone number an X is interpreted as the extension required. Thus, the number 0277 228888 X 431 indicates extension 431. When the number is selected for dialing the extension will be displayed indicating to the user which extension is to be asked for.

The SET UP key may be used when there are more than one numbers to be entered. When SET UP is depressed, the following is displayed:

TEL 1 No: 0277 228888 TEL 1 LOCATION:

The first line represents the number already entered. The user enters the location of the number entered, for example 'office' and then depresses the ENTER or NEW LINE key to enable the next number and then its location to be entered. A typical display would be as follows:

NAME: ALAN DIXON DETAILS: AMSTRAD PLC BWD HOUSE, 169 KINGS ROAD

3) (AIRCRAFT) 0806 321654 2) (CAR) 0836 987654 1) (OFFICE) 0277 228888

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SUBSTITUTE SHEET To select the number labelled 1), the user merely depresses the AUTO DIAL key on the main panel 16. To select one of the other two entries, AUTO DIAL is depressed and 2 or 3 on the main keypad is depressed when the AUTODIAL key is held down.

As well as selecting records using the index knob 24, records may be selected from the keyboard. The user selects the first letter of the name to be searched. If there is no entry beginning with this letter the unit will emit an audible signal. If there is, it will display the first entry beginning with that letter, the database being arranged in alphabetical order. The user then enters the second entry, and so on until the correct entry is displayed. Dialling is as described previously.

As mentioned previously, the database can be down loaded via the serial data port. This is an asynchronous link with a PC and may load the complete database to a telephone. It may be used to upload the personal storage area into the PC for editing and storage.

Alternatively, the data could be downloaded using Manchester encoded data at 1250 bps in half-duplex mode. The slave telephone is dialled up and then the data is sent. Typically 64k of data (a possible capacity of RAM 26) would take 7 minutes. Updates only may be sent in this mode. As this relies on the information in the slave's database being known by the PC program, -editing of the public database by users cannot be possible.

The software which runs on the PC must be able to edit, organise and upload data to individual telephones. It must also be able to instruct the telephone to which it is connected to dial a specified number and attempt to transfer the phonelist database or message data.

SUB_STITUTE SHEET The file is preferably created in ASCII format making it possible to generate a phonelist database file with a normal text editor. In addition to software is able to generate and make a change file to update the database of a telephone over the serial link and to instruct the telephone to updata a remote telephone over the PBX with these records.

The database user can enter record details manually and the software is arranged to ensure compatability with the display in use, for example by limiting line length to 24 characters and by allowing only those combinations usable by the telephone, that is all possible dial string parameters. The user may select records for change or deletion by use of a scrolling list of names or by use of a FIND feature which searches the database for a given name.

The serial link between the PC and a given telephone enables a number of operations to be performed. These are as follows:

(i) send a complete public database

(ii) send a complete personal database

(iii) read back personal database onto disk

(iv) delete existing records

(v) send new individual records

(vi) instruct the telephone to dial a given number and transfer its public database to that number (vii) instruct transfer of add and delete commands for the public database to a remote number (viii) record on disk those numbers which received the disk successfully, those which did not answer and those which attempted to receive the database but failed.

In the case of (vii) above it is necessary that the PC remains connected to the master telephone which dials the remote numbers as the master phone may not have sufficient memory to store all the additions and deletions.

- 8 - SUBSTITUTESHEET In addition to transferring the public and personal databases, the serial port and the PC can be used to send messages to one or more telephones in a system. Messages can be sent when a telephone has not been manually answered by the user. The caller dials the number required and waits for a reply. After a given time, eg. 70 seconds, a tone is sent from the called telephone which is identified by the calling telephone as a prompt to send a message or to manipulate the database as described previously.

If the called telephone incorporates an answerphone, the process is more quick. After a predetermined number of rings, the answerphone will send its outgoing message (OGM). The calling phone then sends a PIN (personal identification number) followed by an indication to the called telephone that a message is about to be received, for example a DTMF "*#*#^■' or "**##". A similar technique is used for transfer of data but the identifier DTMF code is different.

When sending a message, the caller depresses the autodial key when a tone is heard from the dialled telephone. The display then prompts a message, for example by the following display:

ENTER MESSAGE - 1 LINE ONLY

^>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

After the message has been entered, depressing the ENTER key causes the message to be sent. The message will be displayed at the called telephone. As the display in the embodiment described has six lines, six messages may be sent. If the display is full, the called telephone will send a signal to that effect back to the calling phone which will display the fact, for example:

CANNOT SEND MESSAGE REMOTE DISPLAY FULL

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SUBSTITUTE SHEET _{nnJ in},₀₁ O94/10781

It is possible to dispense with the PC link and arrange for one extension to download its database to another extension. This may be initiated by pressing an appropriate sequence of keys which commands the extension to dial a particular extension and, when answered, to send the contents of the database as an ASCII file over the telephone line. This method of communicating data does not require the serial port.

It is desirable that data be transferred over the link as fast as possible. When connection is first initiated the PC and terminal try and establish connection at a first data rate, for example 115200 bps including 1 start bit, 7 data bits and 1 even parity bit and 1 stop bit. The PC sends an ASCII enquiry code, eg. [ENQ]($05) 18 times per second. On detection the terminal replies with an acknowledge code, for example ASCII [ACK]($06). On receipt of a predetermined number of acknowledge characters, eg. 4, the connection is considered good and transfer can proceed.

If the high speed attempt is not successful, for example if communication is not established after one second, the PC will send enquiry codes at a second, lower, data rate, eg. 57600 bps. In this case codes are sent 9 times per second and the terminal will respond with acknowledge codes accordingly. If this speed is unsuccessful after two seconds the PC will reduce the speed again to one third, eg. 38400 bps sending 18/3 enquiries for another two seconds, and then 19200 bps at 18/4 per second followed by 9600 bps at 18/5 per second both for 3 seconds. If the latter does not work the entire process will be repeated starting at 115 200 bps. This process is illustrated in the flow chart of Figure 6.

As mentioned previously, the data may be transmitted over telephone lines from one terminal to another either under control of a PC or not. A problem which arises from the transmission of data over telephone lines is group delay. Group delay variations

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SUB_STITUTE SHEET 0781 across the frequency spectrum can cause pulse distortion in the time delay. The normal method of pulse reception is to measure the pulse width at the receivingt end, ie. the terminal. Variations in group delay across the frequency spectrum cause temporal distortion of pulse spacing and lengths if the pulse is preceded by one of a different width.

This problem may be overcome by transmitting a sequence of training pulses at the beginning of the communications session such that the receiver/terminal can obtain values for typical pulse combinations and use these to determine the original pulse widths and spaces transmitted from the transmitter/PC.

This technique can be extended to the transmission end so that when the receiver/terminal has monitored the training pulse sequence, information is passed back to the transmitter to allow modification of the transmitter to allow modification of the transmitted pulse widths and spaces to overcome group delay distortion encountered by the receiver. The transmission of training pulses and return of information is illustrated in Figure 4, wherein unit 50 generates training pulses and transmits them to unit 52 at the receiver over telephone line 54. On reception, unit 50 monitors the training pulses and sends the information as to received pulse width and spacing back to unit 50 which then modifies the pulse widths and spaces which are actually transmitted.

The description has been given with respect to a telephone. However, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to telephones but may be applied to other telecommunications apparatus such as facsimile machines.

The application of the invention to a facsimile machine is very similar to the embodiment described, and the major circuit components of Figure 2 will apply equally to a facsimile machine. The database of the facsimile may be loaded or updated from a

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TITUTE SHEET remote PC or other computer as described and may conveniently form a part of the same network as the telephone system such that it can be dialled from the master telephone communicating with the PC. It could take the place of the master telephone. The facsimile database may also be updated or loaded from another telephone or facsimile without reference to a PC or other computer.

The invention may also be applied to cordless, portable or mobile telecommunications equipment including, but not limited to, cordless telephones, car telephones and car facsimile machines.

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Claims

1. A telecommunications terminal comprising a body housing a storage means for storing data including line numbers, the body including a display means for displaying data stored in the storage means, means operable by the user to vary the data from the storage means displayed by the display means, and means for selecting a displayed telephone line number for dialling.

2. A telecommunications terminal according to Claim 1, wherein the means operable by the user comprises means for scrolling through the data stored in the storage means.

3. A telecommunications terminal according to Claim 2, wherein the means operable by the user comprises means moveable in a first or second direction to scroll up or down respectively the data stored in the storage device.

4. A telecommunications terminal according to Claim 3, wherein the means operable by the user comprises means rotatable in the first and second directions.

5. A telecommunications terminal according to any of Claims 1 to 4, wherein the storage means comprise a random access memory divided into first and second portions, the terminal further comprising means for preventing access to data stored in any of the first and second portions.

6. A telecommunications terminal according to any of Claims 1 to 5, wherein the display means is an alphanumeric display and the data stored in the storage means comprises name, address and telephone number details.

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7. A telecommunications terminal according to Claim 6, wherein the data stored in the storage means comprise a plurality of telephone numbers for a given name and address the terminal further comprising means for selecting a given one of said plurality of numbers for dialling.

8. A telecommunications terminal according to any preceding claim comprising means for downloading data into the storage means from a remote source.

9. A telecommunications terminal according to Claim 8, wherein the downloading means comprises a serial data port.

10. A telecommunications terminal according to any preceding claim comprising a keyboard means for entering data into the storage means.

11. A telecommunications system comprising a plurality of telecommunications terminals according to any of Claims 1 to 10, means for creating a database for storage in the storage means of each terminal and means for downloading the database from the database creating means to the storage means of each terminal.

12. A method of loading data into the storage means of a telecommunications terminal according to any of Claims 1 to 10, comprising compiling a database of data to be stored at a remote location, creating a file of data from the database to be stored in the storage means and downloading the data from the remote location to the terminal via a serial link.

13. A method according to Claim 12, wherein the terminal is one of a plurality of terminals, further comprising dialling from said terminal to which the data is downloaded, one or more of the plurality of terminals, and, on establishing

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SUBSTITUTESHEET communications with the terminal dialled, uploading the data downloaded from the remote location to the storage means of the terminal dialled, wherein the dialling and uploading are performed under the control of a remote controller.

14. A method according to Claim 12, comprising: a) transmitting data at a first data rate from the remote location to the terminal, b) monitoring receipt of return data from the terminal at the remote location, and, c) if the return data does not conform to a predetermined format, repeating steps a) and b) at a lower data rate.

15. A telecommunications system comprising a plurality of telephone terminals according to any of Claims 1 to 10, each terminal comprising means for sending a prompt signal to another terminal of the plurality when called by that terminal and in the absence of a manual answer, and means for generating and sending a message for display on the display means at the terminal called on receipt of the prompt signal.

16. A telecommunications system according to Claim 15, wherein each terminal further comprises means for receiving and displaying a plurality of messages, and means for sending a default signal to the calling terminal on receipt of a message when the display is full.

17. A method of loading data into the storage means of a telecommmunications terminal according to any of Claims 1 to 10, comprising dialing the telecommunications terminal from a further telecommunications terminal according to any of Claims 1 to 10 and having a storage means in which the data is stored, and downloading the data from the further terminal to the said terminal via the telephone link.

18. A telecommunications terminal according to any of Claims 1 to 10 wherein the terminal is a telephone terminal.

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19. A telecommunications terminal according to any of Claims 1 to 10 wherein the terminal is a facsimile terminal.

20. A telecommunications terminal according to claim 3 or 4, wherein the rate at which the user moveable means scrolls through the memory is dependent on the speed of movement of the user moveable means by the user.

21. A telecommunications terminal according to claim 4, wherein on rotation of the rotatable means at a speed greater than a threshold speed, one or more data records is skipped in dependence upon the speed of rotation.

22. A method according to claim 17, further comprising prior to downloading of data, transmitting a sequence of training pulses from the dialing terminal to the terminal dialed.

23. A method according to claim 22, comprising monitoring the received training pulses at the dialed terminal and sending information back to the dialing terminal about the received training pulses.

24. A method according to claim 23, wherein the information sent back to the dialing terminal includes information about the pulse width and spaces of received training pulses.

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