GB2296158A

GB2296158A - Dialling apparatus

Info

Publication number: GB2296158A
Application number: GB9425355A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Simon Andrew Brenchley
Original assignee: Nokia Mobile Phones Ltd
Current assignee: Nokia Oyj
Priority date: 1994-12-15
Filing date: 1994-12-15
Publication date: 1996-06-19
Anticipated expiration: 2014-12-15
Also published as: JPH08223267A; GB2296158B; GB9425355D0

Abstract

A telephone or other telecommunications terminal is provided with dialling apparatus which permits a user to change the prefix of a previously selected number to form a new telephone number. The changing of a prefix may be done automatically by the telephone in response to a signal from the telecommunications network that the previously selected telephone number had an incorrect prefix. Deactivation or termination of the selection means results in the new telephone number being dialled by the telephone. Additionally, there is provided a telecommunications system which responds to paged telephone numbers with an incorrect prefix, by transmitting to the paging telephone a control signal indicating that an incorrect prefix has been used. <IMAGE>

Description

DIALLING APPARATUS The present invention relates to dialling apparatus, in particular to dialling apparatus for a radiotelephone.

In known radioteiephone networks, notably the Japanese RCR network, different prefixes have to be appended to the front of telephone numbers to be paged depending upon the distance between the paged telephone and the dialling telephone. In the Japanese system, calls made over a distance greater than about 160 km must use a "040" prefix to the paged telephone number, and calls made over a distance of less than about 1 60 km must have the paged telephone number prefixed by "030".

Very often a caller does not know where a paged radio telephone is located. Thus it is possible that the caller dials the wrong prefix. In such circumstances the network plays a pre-recorded voice message over the caller's telephone informing the caller that they must redial using the other prefix. This can be very annoying and irritating to users since they have to redial and re-enter the telephone number again using the correct prefix.

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided selection means operative to select one or a sequence of predetermined digits as a prefix for a previously selected telephone number and substituting the one or sequence of predetermined digits for a corresponding number of leading digits of the previously selected telephone number thereby forming a new telephone number, and dialling means for dialling the new telephone number.

This has an advantage in that if a previously selected and dialled telephone number is unobtainable because an incorrect prefix was used, a correct prefix can easily be substituted. Additionally, it is possible to change a prefix of a telephone number without having to dial the separate digits. These are particular advantages in telephones or the like which do not permit editing or only limited editing of a telephone number, since in such telephones typically the whole or a substantial part of the telephone number has to be input again.

In a preferred embodiment there are provided storage means for storing a plurality of single predetermined digits or sequences of predetermined digits for selection by the selection means. Thus, different prefixes for different uses, such as calling telephones in certain geographical areas, or over a certain distance away or in different charge bands, can be stored and easily selected.

The sequence of predetermined digits is selectable from "030" and "040", which is particularly appropriate for use with the Japanese radio telephone network.

Suitably a telephone in accordance with the present invention further comprises a prefix identity means for determining whether the leading digits of the previously selected telephone number are one or other of the sequences "030" and "040", and substituting the other sequence for the determined sequence. Thus, the selection means can automatically avoid selecting a prefix which is the same as the leading digits of the previously selected telephone number i.e. the same prefix, which increases the speed with which a new telephone number may be dialled.

The selection means may be automatically responsive to a signal indicative of the previously selected telephone number having an incorrect prefix. Thus, predetermined digits or sequences of digits may be automatically displayed to a user for selection, thereby removing the need for the user to display each digit or sequence in turn. This is particularly useful in the Japanese system where if the previously selected telephone number was identified as being prefixed by "030", "040" could be automatically substituted and the telephone number automatically redialled, or vice versa.

Typically, the signal originates from a telecommunication network for which the previously selected telephone number is operable and has just been dialled.

Optionally, for a manually operably selection means, the other prefix i.e. "040 or "030" can be automatically selected upon manual operation of the selection means.

In a particular embodiment in accordance with the invention the signal indicative of the previously selected telephone number comprising an incorrect prefix is a voice message and the dialling apparatus further comprises voice recognition means responsive to the voice message to activate the selection means. This has the advantage that a telephone can be made automatically responsive to the network indication that an incorrect prefix was used, without any changes in the network signalling or control messages being required.

Typically the new telephone number is dialled when the selection means is deactivated. For a manually actuable selection means this may be when the user releases a key on a telephone key pad, such as a SEND key or special function key.

According to a second aspect of the invention there is provided a telecommunication system comprising a first means for determining an origin of a call from a first terminal paging a second terminal disposed in the telecommunication system, a second means for determining whether a prefix appended to an identity number of the second terminal paged by the first terminal corresponds to the origin of the call from the first terminal, and a third means for transmitting a control signal indicative of an incorrect prefix to the first terminal.

This has an advantage in that a calling telephone can receive machine readable control signals indicating the use of an incorrect prefix, thereby facilitating automatic redialling of the identity number with a correct prefix.

Specific embodiments of the invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 shows a schematic representation of the Japanese RCR radio telephone network; Figure 2 shows a diagram of a radio telephone in accordance with the preserit invention; and Figure 3 is a flow chart showing suitable steps to be taken by apparatus in accordance with the present invention.

Figure 1 shows a schematic diagram of three radio telephones 101,102 and 103, respectively logged onto or in communication with three base stations 104,105 and 106 in the Japanese RCR radio telephone network. Base station 104 located in Tokyo and base station 106 located in Osaka are greater than 160 km apart.

However, base station 105 is less than 160 km from the Tokyo base station 104.

It is a feature of the Japanese radio telephone network that if a radio telephone 103 is paged from another radio telephone 101 or land line telephone which is greater than 160 km away then the telephone number of the paged radio telephone must be prefixed by "040". Calls made to a radio telephone 102 which is less than 160 km away from another radio telephone 101 or land line telephone must have the telephone number of the called radio telephone 102 prefixed by "030". In figure 1, the distance which determines whether the "030" or "040" prefix should be used is shown to be measured between the base stations 104, 105, 106 on to which respective radio telephones 101, 102 and 103 are logged or in communication with. For land line telephones a suitable point from which to measure the distance would be the location of the exchange to which the land line telephone is connected. However, the exact method of determining the distance, and the geographical locations between which the distance is measured is not relevant to the instant invention. It is sufficient to say that calls made to radio telephones over a certain distance away must have the called telephone number prefixed by "040", and those less than that distance have their number prefixed by "030". For example, calls made to radio telephones in Osaka from Tokyo, and vice versa must have the called telephone number prefixed by "040".

If an attempt is made to dial a radio telephone using an incorrect prefix then no connection with the dialled radio telephone can be made. In such circumstances the radio telephone network sends a disconnect or release signal to the calling telephone. Subsequently the radio telephone network sends an "in-band tone" to the calling telephone which opens up the audio channel to that telephone, and plays a pre-recorded voice message which requests the dialler to use the other prefix, i.e. "030" or "040".

Figure 2 shows a telephone 200 which is a radio telephone powered by a rechargeable battery pack. The telephone 200 includes a transceiver and all the other features conventionally found in a radio telephone. However, since not all the conventional features of a radio telephone are directly relevant to the instant invention no further details will be given here, except to say that a microprocessor 202 is employed to control all the basic functions of the telephone 200 and to control the key pad and display functions. Alternatively, the telephone functions may be controlled by a master microcomputer, while the key pad and display functions are under the control of a separate slave microcomputer coupled to communicated with the master microcomputer.

The user interface of telephone 200 comprises a display, e.g. a liquid crystal display 204, itself well-known in the art and a key pad 201 on the front of the telephone 200. The display 204 is coupled to the microprocessor 202 via a LCD Driver 203, and is regulated by the microprocessor 202 in the usual manner. The keypad 201 typically comprises two main sets of keys, namely alpha-numeric keys 201 a associated with alpha numeric data especially for dialling telephone numbers, and a set of function keys 201b for enabling various predetermined functions or operations.

As is usual in radio telephones, the set of function keys 201 b include a "SEND" (S) and "END" (E) key for respectively initiating and terminating a telephone call. There may also be a "MENU" (M) key for selecting predetermined functions or operational modes for the telephone 200. Depression of this key enables a variety of pre-set menus, the related instructions of which are stored in memory, to be viewed and selectively enabled.

In an embodiment in accordance with the present invention, microprocessor 202 includes a prefix identifier register 205. The prefix identifier register 205 stores information regarding which prefix "030" or "040" is displayed, or optionally has just been displayed, on LCD 204. If a dialler receives a voice message informing the user that the other prefix has to be used, the dialler has to press the "END" (E) key to clear the audio channel after receiving the voice message, otherwise a busy tone will be received. There can also be a "time out" where after a few seconds have elapsed from the end of the voice message the audio channel is automatically cleared. Typically on pressing the "END" key or after the time out, the display is cleared and it is necessary to input the desired telephone number again.The radio telephone 200 may be provided with the known "last number redial" feature in which depressing the "SEND" key, or another designated key or key combination e.g. SEND and SCROLL, results in the last number dialled being displayed on the display 204. Such a function can be under control of the microprocessor 202. In accordance with the invention, continued depression of the "SEND" key e.g. 2 seconds, causes the prefix identifier register 205 to select the other prefix and to update the display such that the last number dialled is displayed with the other prefix. That is to say, a telephone number beginning with "030" will be changed to begin with "040" and vice versa. Continued depression of the "SEND" key can result in the prefix being changed every 2 seconds. Release of the "SEND" key initiates dialling of the telephone number currently on the display.

Optionally, after the voice message has been cleared by pressing "END" or time out the telephone number can remain displayed, and then when the "SEND" key is depressed the prefix identifier register 205 updates the display to display the telephone number with the other prefix appended to it. For toggling between prefixes for continued depression of the "SEND" key, it is helpful if the prefix identifier register 205 has identified that the displayed and dialled telephone number has "030" or "040" as a prefix.

The prefix identifier register 205 and microprocessor 202 can be appropriately arranged and/or programmed such that continued depression of the "SEND" key ie at least 2 seconds, always results in a prefix being added to a displayed number and periodically toggled. Thus, for the first two seconds there is no prefix and thereafter the prefix is toggled every two seconds. Release of the "SEND" key then dials a telephone number with the currently displayed number.

Figure 3 shows a flow chart describing the steps taken by an appropriately conditioned microprocessor 202 and prefix identifier register 205 by apparatus in accordance with the invention. At step 302 numbers input from the key pad 201 a are displayed on the liquid crystal display 204. The prefix identifier register 205 then determines whether the number has a "030" or "040" prefix, and if so which prefix it is, at step 304. The microprocessor 202 then determines if the "SEND" key has been depressed 306, and if not has a "Time-out" occurred 308. If a "Time-out" has occurred then the microprocessor 202 ends the current process 309 and returns to a standby mode. If the "SEND" key has been depressed and no Time-out has occurred then the microprocessor 202 waits for a release or disconnect signal 310.If no release signal is received than typically the call is connected 312 with the paged telephone. If a release signal is received 310 the microprocessor 202 waits for an in-band tone 314 to open up the audio channel.

If no in-band tone is received within a predetermined time period the call is disconnected 316. If the in-band tone is received 314 the microprocessor 202 waits 318 during which time the voice message is transmitted to the radio telephone 200 by the network. At step 320 the microprocessor 202 determines whether a time-out or "END" signal is received. If the result of step 320 is no the microprocessor 202 continues to wait, and if yes the liquid crystal display is cleared 322.

If the "last number redial" key is pressed 324 then the previously dialled number is displayed 328, otherwise the microprocessor 202 ends the current process 326 and goes into a standby mode. At 328 the microprocessor 202 determines if the "SEND" key has been depressed for greater than two seconds. If no, then the last number dialled is still displayed, if yes then the prefix is changed 322. On releasing the "SEND" key 334, the displayed number is paged 336. If the "SEND" key is not released then the microprocessor 202 returns to step 328 of the process and steps 330 to 334 are repeated.

In the Japanese RCR radio telephone network, control messages sent from the network have a "cause or reason" field. In particular, this field is available with disconnect and release messages. Thus, if a wrong prefix was dialled the network could send a release message with a value in the "cause or reason" field indicating that the release has been sent due to an incorrect prefix on the dialled telephone number. Microprocessor 202 can be appropriately programmed to identify such a "cause or reason" value and to automatically redial the telephone number with a new prefix appended to it determined by the prefix identifier register 205. Thus, there would be no need for the network to send a voice message. Optionally, voice recognition circuitry 206 disposed in the MCU 202 or in a DSP or other suitable location may be used to recognise the voice message from the network.On recognising the voice message informing the caller an incorrect prefix had been used, the voice recognition means can automatically activate the selection means.

In view of the foregoing description it will be evident to a person skilled in the art that various modifications may be made within the scope of the invention. For example, a telephone in accordance with the present invention need not be a radio telephone, but a land line telephone. Additionally, a key or keys other than the "SEND" key can be used for toggling the prefix, such as programmable keys, a special key or mode key. Although the specific embodiment relates to a radio telephone, it should be noted that other types of telephonic apparatus could be employed, for example facsimile machines and where the terms "telephone" and "telephone number" have been used corresponding terms for other types of telephonic apparatus can be substituted. This also applies to the claims.

Optionally, apparatus in accordance with the invention may be discrete circuitry or a combination of such circuitry with an appropriately conditioned microprocessor.

The scope of the present disclosure includes any novel feature or combination of features disclosed therein either explicitly or implicitly or any generalisation thereof irrespective of whether or not it relates to the claimed invention or mitigates ariy or all o the problems addressed by the present invention. The applicant hereby gives notice that new claims maybe formulated to such features during prosecution of this application or of any such further application derived therefrom.

Claims

1. Dialling apparatus for a telephone, comprising: selection means operative to select one or a sequence of predetermined digits as a prefix for a previously selected telephone number and substituting the one or sequence of predetermined digits for a corresponding number of leading digits of the previously selected telephone number thereby forming a new telephone number, and dialling means for dialling the new telephone number.

2. Dialling apparatus according to Claim 1, further comprising storage means for storing a plurality of single predetermined digits or sequences of predetermined digits for selection by the selection means.

3. Dialling apparatus according to Claim 1 or Claim 2 wherein the sequence of predetermined digits is selectable from "030" and "040".

4. Dialling apparatus according to Claim 3, further comprising a prefix identity means for determining whether the leading digits of the previously selected telephone number are one or other of the sequences "030" and "040", and substituting the other sequence for the determined sequence.

5. Dialling apparatus according to any preceding Claim, wherein the selection means is automatically responsive to a signal indicative of the previously selected telephone number comprising an incorrect prefix.

6. Dialling apparatus according to Claim 5, wherein the signal originates from a telecommunications network for which the previously selected telephone number is operabie and which has just been dialled.

7. Dialling apparatus according to Claim 5 or 6, wherein the signal indicative of the previously selected telephone number comprising an incorrect prefix is a voice message and the dialling apparatus further comprises voice recognition means responsive to the voice message to activate the selection means.

8. Dialling apparatus according to any of Claims 1 to 4, wherein the selection means is manually actuable.

9. Apparatus according to any preceding Claim, wherein deactivation of the selection means results in the new telephone number being dialled.

10. Dialling apparatus substantially as hereinbefore described for respective embodiments, and with reference to the drawings.

11. A telecommunication system comprising a first means for determining an origin of a call from a first terminal paging to a second terminal disposed in the telecommunication system, a second means for determining whether a prefix appended to an identity number of the second terminal paged by the first terminal corresponds to the origin of the call from the first terminal, and a third means for transmitting a control signal indicative of an incorrect prefix to the first terminal.

12. A telecommunication system according to Claim 11, wherein the control signal comprises a "cause or reason" field indicating the prefix is incorrect.

1 3. A telecommunication system according to Claim 11 or Claim 1 2, wherein the origin of the call from the first terminal is: a geographical location greater than a predetermined distance away from the second terminal; or a predetermined charge band; or a predetermined geographical location.

14. A telecommunication system substantially as hereinbefore described and with reference to the drawings.