WO2003069878A1

WO2003069878A1 - Information for a caller on the state of the refusal of calls by the callee

Info

Publication number: WO2003069878A1
Application number: PCT/DE2003/000374
Authority: WO
Inventors: Dietmar KÖSTERS
Original assignee: Koesters Dietmar
Priority date: 2002-02-13
Filing date: 2003-02-10
Publication date: 2003-08-21
Also published as: DE10206118A1; AU2003206659A1

Abstract

The invention relates to a method for processing a call incoming to a telecommunication terminal but not answered. Variable output information is subsequently transmitted to the caller, whereby the telecommunication terminal is placed in a call-refusal condition given by the user and output information, dependent on the call-refusal condition is transmitted independently of an output information unit.

Description

NOTIFICATION OF A CALLER ABOUT THE CONDITION OF NO ACCEPTANCE OF CALLS BY THE CALLED PARTY

The invention relates to a method for processing an incoming and unanswered call in a telecommunication terminal according to the preamble of patent claim 1.

The invention further relates to a device for performing the method according to the preamble of patent claim 7.

From DE 199 06 953 AI a method and a device for controlling incoming telephone calls is known, whereby depending on the state of the connection, namely for example in the case of a "busy connection" or "unoccupied connection", information about the availability by announcement to the caller is communicated. With the status "busy", for example, the text "which you selected employee speaks at the moment ". The output information thus results solely from the current state of the telephone system or the telephone.

The object of the present invention is to provide a method and a device for processing a call that is received and not accepted in a telecommunications terminal in such a way that, on the one hand, a called party cannot be reached for a certain time and, on the other hand, the caller is easily informed of the unavailability becomes.

To achieve this object, the method according to the invention has the features of patent claim 1.

The particular advantage of the method according to the invention is that the user of the telecommunication terminal conveniently and quickly specifies the time of inaccessibility by a single or repeated keystroke and that a caller is simultaneously informed about this non-acceptance state of the telecommunication terminal. If a call is made during the non-acceptance state of the telecommunication terminal, the called party receives output information depending on the non-acceptance state so that he is informed individually about the circumstances of the non-acceptance state.

According to a preferred development of the invention, the user sets the telecommunications terminal into the non-acceptance state for a predetermined non-acceptance time interval, after which the telecommunication terminal is automatically returned to the acceptance state. Advantageously takes place during the non-acceptance time tervalls a dynamic delivery of output information that is formed depending on the time. Depending on the current call time of the caller, a remaining time is calculated in connection with the duration of the non-acceptance time interval, which are communicated to the caller as part of the output information. In this way, the caller is currently informed of how long the non-acceptance state of the telecommunications terminal continues. He thus receives a clear statement about when he can successfully make a call again to contact the addressee. The core idea of the invention is therefore to provide a dynamic change in the output information so that the caller is currently informed about the availability of the person to be called.

According to a development of the invention, the user of the telecommunication terminal can choose from a selection of different non-acceptance time intervals which are assigned to corresponding output information via an allocation table in a memory of the output information unit. It is thus advantageously possible, on the one hand, to initiate a muting of the telecommunication terminal and, on the other hand, to issue output information.

To achieve the object, the device according to the invention has the features of patent claim 7.

The particular advantage of the device according to the invention is that time-dependent output information is output during a non-acceptance state of the telecommunications terminal, the time-dependent output information being dependent on that of the user of the Telecommunication terminal predetermined non-acceptance time interval. In this way, the caller receives information about when another call can successfully lead to a connection with the person to be called.

According to a development of the invention, a time unit is provided, which is preferably in the form of a program and determines a remaining time from the current time of the call, the time of activation of the non-acceptance state and the non-acceptance time interval, which the caller receives via output information in the case of a call in the non-acceptance state is communicated. This remaining time can advantageously be integrated into an information output unit or into a speech synthesis unit, by means of which output information or output texts are transmitted to the caller via the telecommunications interface.

According to a development of the device, the output information device can be integrated into a telecommunications terminal or can be connected directly to a telephone socket as a separate answering machine, wherein the input unit of an upstream terminal can be used for programming. Alternatively, it is also possible to integrate the output information device in a computer, so that, as an alternative to announcement texts, texts that can be visualized are transmitted via a data network, such as the Internet, for example, the output unit can also be controlled in this way.

Further advantages of the invention result from the further subclaims. An embodiment of the invention is explained below with reference to the drawings.

Show it:

FIG. 1 shows a block diagram of a device according to the invention,

FIG. 2 shows a time diagram of the device in an acceptance and non-acceptance state,

Figure 3 shows a control panel of the device according to the invention according to a first embodiment and

Figure 4 shows a control panel of the device according to the invention according to a second embodiment.

The device according to the invention can be used wherever a user of a telecommunications terminal desires not to be disturbed for a predetermined time and at the same time wants to give the caller the option of ensuring availability in the event of a repeated call.

FIG. 1 shows a mobile or a wired telecommunication terminal 1 of a user, which consists of a telephone with an integrated output information device 2. The telecommunications terminal 1 is a participant in an analog or digital telecommunications network 3, to which it is connected via a telecommunications interface 4. The telecommunications interface 4 is one with a first control unit 5 usual telephone 6 connected. If it is lekommunikationsnetz in which Te ^¬ 3 to an analog telecommunications network ^¬, it is between the first control unit 5 and the telecommunications interface 4 is arranged a decoding circuit not shown. In the present case, it is a digital telecommunications network, in particular an ISDN (Integrated Services Digital Network). The first control unit 5 is connected in a conventional manner to a first memory 7, a loudspeaker 8, a display unit 9 and an input unit 10.

The first control unit 5 of the telephone 6 is connected to a second control unit 11 of the output information device 2, which forms a common structural unit in the present exemplary embodiment. In the present exemplary embodiment, the two control units 5 and 11 can also be formed by a single control unit.

Alternatively, the output information device 2 can also be designed as a separate unit, in the manner of an answering machine, and can be connected to the telecommunications interface 4 independently of the telephone 6.

The second control unit 11 is connected to a second memory 12 and a time unit 13. Output information data are stored in the second memory 12 and, when activated by the user of the telecommunication terminal 1, are passed on to an information output unit 14 by means of the input unit 10. The information output unit 14 can preferably be designed as a speech synthesis unit, which is able to convert a predetermined text into speech. Such an output text is then sent directly to the telecommunications Section 4 and subsequently transmitted to the caller via the telecommunications network 3. In the time unit 13, a remaining time tR is formed from the existing time data, which the second control unit 11 forwards to the information output unit 14, in such a way that this remaining time, converted into speech, is assigned to a predetermined output text. For this purpose, an assignment table is provided in the second memory 12, which assigns the output texts to the respective remaining times. Dynamic output texts or announcement texts are thus formed, the announcement texts having a different wording for a long remaining period than an announcement text for a short remaining period.

The mode of operation of the output information device 2 is explained in more detail below with reference to FIG. The telephone 6 is usually in an acceptance state A, in which a blade signal sounds by means of the loudspeaker 8 when a call is present. By pressing a function key F30 of an input unit 10 designed as a key unit, the user of the telecommunication terminal 1 can set a non-acceptance time interval tNzi with a duration of 30 minutes. By pressing this key F30, the terminal 1 is switched from the acceptance state to the non-acceptance state N for a period of time that corresponds to the duration of the non-acceptance time interval tNzi. On the one hand, this keystroke has the consequence that the telephone 6 is muted by the first control unit 5, which means that no telephone call can be accepted. On the other hand, the second control unit 11 provides an announcement text that can be changed as a function of a call time t ™. As can be seen from FIGS. 3 and 4, a separate display unit 15 is provided, in which, on the one hand, an activation time ta is shown, in which the telecommunication terminal 1 changes from the acceptance condition A to the non-acceptance state N. Furthermore, the time duration of the non-acceptance time interval t τ is shown as well as the end time tEND, in which the terminal 1 is automatically reset from the non-acceptance state N to the acceptance state A.

If a call is now made at a point in time taNi after which a quarter of the non-acceptance time interval tmx has elapsed, a remaining time determination is carried out in the time unit 13. The remaining time tu is determined using the following formula:

This remaining time determination can preferably be carried out by a time determination program which is stored in the second memory 12. Alternatively, a timer can also be provided, which is designed as a dual counter with a plurality of flip-flops. At the time of the call tANi, the remaining time tm can thus be determined virtually simultaneously, so that this remaining time information tm can be integrated into the predefined announcement text AI which is output by the speech synthesis unit 14. For example, the following output text can be sent to the caller: "The Mr Meier you selected is in a meeting. It will be available again if you call in 20 minutes." Thus, if a call is made after 20 minutes of the non-acceptance time interval t »aι, the remaining time tm is determined using the same procedure. This Remaining time t _R 2 is then integrated into the announcement text A2, which is output by the speech synthesis unit 14. The text can read as follows: "The Mister Meier you selected is in a meeting. He will be available again if you call in 10 minutes."

The caller thus receives clear information about when the person to be called can be reached again. After the non-acceptance time interval tNzi has elapsed, the acceptance state nd is automatically restored, the corresponding times tκκ _t s and t τ being deleted in the display unit 15. This signals to the user of the terminal 1 that the telephone function is switched on again.

In a control panel 16 according to a first exemplary embodiment according to FIG. 3 of the input unit 10, a plurality of function keys F5, F10, F15, F30 are provided, by means of which a direct assignment of non-acceptance time intervals tNzi to output texts can be established. Alternatively, an arbitrary non-acceptance time interval tκzι can also be set by means of a numeric keypad 17, which can alternatively also be connected externally to the telephone 6 via a transmitting / receiving device. After setting the appropriate time, a confirmation is made with the confirmation button 18. Only then is the programming carried out. For example, both the activation time tAK and the non-acceptance time interval twzi can be programmed. A delete key 19 enables the entered data to be deleted.

In an upper area of the control panel 16, a number of keys 20 are provided, for example for storing one of the times not specified by the function keys F5, F10, F15, F30.

According to one embodiment of the control panel according to FIG. 4, a numeric keyboard 17 has been dispensed with, so that only the predetermined function keys F5, F10, F15, F30 can be selected.

The invention advantageously enables a quick switchover to the non-acceptance state, which is particularly useful in the case of unforeseen meetings at the location of the telecommunications terminal 1. The invention also relates to mobile phones in which it is found to be particularly annoying when a call is signaled by ringtones. The invention can be used particularly useful for fixed times in which the user of the telecommunications terminal 1 does not want to be reachable, for example during a breakfast break, a lunch break or during fixed service meetings.

The output information device 2 can be integrated in a conventional answering machine, the device either being in a state in which only the output information device 2 or the answering machine is in operation. The output information device 2 according to the invention does not provide for the possibility that the caller leaves information to the user of the output information device 2.

The non-acceptance state N of the output information device 2 can be predefined or can be variably programmed. In the non-acceptance state N the output information Onseinrichtung 2 can be provided that the transmitted phone number is stored in the memory 7 of the phone 6, so that the user of the device according to the invention can initiate a call back, namely after the non-acceptance state N.

According to a preferred embodiment, it is provided that the user of the device according to the invention, even in the non-acceptance state N, has the option of initiating a telephone call by dialing a telephone number. If necessary, a second line of an ISDN connection can be used. It is preferably provided that preprogrammed numbers, in particular an emergency number, give the user the possibility to initiate the telephone function, i.e. the establishment of a telephone connection, even during the non-acceptance state N.

According to one embodiment of the invention, the output information device 2 can also be designed as a mobile device which is equipped with a transmitting / receiving device, so that it can be operated in conjunction with a fixed telephone.

According to an alternative embodiment, the telecommunications terminal can also be designed as a conventional telephone, in particular as a digital telephone, with a digital answering machine. The digital telephone has a central control unit which is designed as a microcontroller or microprocessor. The control unit of the telephone and / or the answering machine is assigned a memory with a dynamic answering machine program which controls the announcement text in accordance with the method described in FIG. This answering machine Depending on the requirements of the user, the program accesses correspondingly stored voice data which are called up depending on the time of the call in the non-acceptance time interval Nzi. This announcement text can be digitized and stored for various times in the corresponding voice memory. Alternatively, it can be provided that the time announcement of the stored registration text can be programmed by the user or the entire text can be generated by the user himself with his own voice.

According to a variant of the invention, the answering machine program can also be downloaded from a central server via the telecommunications network into the memory of the telephone. For this purpose, the telephone has an application memory in which any telecommunication-related applications can be stored via the network or by means of a portable data carrier that can be inserted into the telephone and can be contacted with it. After installing the answering machine program in the phone, this application is immediately available. This telephone can be designed as a stationary or as a mobile telecommunication terminal.

The answering machine program can thus be provided as a computer program product by a central server or by means of a digital storage medium.

According to an alternative embodiment of the invention, the answering machine program can also be provided together with the display unit 9 and input unit 10 required for the function of the invention as well as the control unit in the form of an additional device which is provided with a conventional telephone interacts. This additional device can be provided as an accessory in the accessories trade.

The answering machine program can be stored on a digital storage medium, in particular on a CD-Rom, a DVD, a flash card or a smart card, which can be implemented, for example, by means of a computer in the memory of the telephone or in an in-house telephone system. Alternatively, the digital storage medium can also be designed as a chip card which can be inserted into a corresponding card reader, the card reader being connected to the telephone or the computer.

The answering machine program is thus designed as a telecommunication program product, which in particular forms part of a telecommunication system, the telecommunication system having in particular several telephones connected via a telecommunication network.

Claims

Claims:

1. A method for processing a call that is received and not accepted in a telecommunication terminal, the caller then being sent a variable output information, characterized in that the telecommunication terminal (1) is provided by the user

Non-acceptance state (N) is set and that output information (AI, A2) dependent on the non-acceptance state (N) is automatically output by an output information unit (14).

2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that the telecommunication terminal (1) for the duration of a non-acceptance interval specified by the user (tNzi) in the non-acceptance state (N) and subsequently automatically in the acceptance state (A).

3. The method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that at the same time as the activation of the non-acceptance state (N) a residual time determination is activated, so that in connection with the predetermined non-acceptance time interval (tκzι) always the current remaining time (tκι, tR ₂ ) of the non-acceptance time interval (tNzi) is determined, and that in the event of a call, output information (AI, A2) with the indication of the remaining time (tRi, t _R2 ) is always communicated.

4. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the user of the telecommunications terminal (1) from the output information (AI, A2) a selection of output texts predetermined in each case by means of an allocation table and a different non-acceptance time interval (t-izi) and that at the same time the telecommunication terminal (1) is put into the non-acceptance state (N).

5. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the telecommunications terminal (1) in the non-acceptance state (N) is muted.

6. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the user of the telecommunications terminal (1) the duration (NZI) of the non-acceptance status (N) and / or the activation time (tAK) of the transition from the acceptance state (A) is displayed in the non-acceptance state (N) and / or the end time (tsasro) of the non-acceptance state (N).

7. Device for carrying out the method according to one of claims 1 to 6, with a control unit for controlling the output of output information, with a memory for output information and with a telecommunications interface (4) to a telecommunications network (3), characterized in that the control unit (11) and the memory (12) are integrated in an output information device (2) and that output information (AI, A2) is stored in the memory (12), such that when a non-acceptance state (N) is activated for a predetermined non-acceptance time interval (ÜNZI ) by the user of the telecommunication terminal (1) on the one hand depending on the non-acceptance time interval (t _NZ ι) Ge output information (AI, A2) to the telecommunications interface (4) and secondly a muting of the telecommunications terminal (1) is effected.

8. The device according to claim 7, characterized in that the control unit (11) with a time unit

(13) is connected, in which the current clock time determination and on the other hand a remaining time determination is available, the remaining time (tR2, ti) from the call time (tAw) of a caller, an activation time (tAic) of the beginning of the non-acceptance state ( N) and the non-acceptance time interval

can be calculated, and that the output information (AI, A2) is generated when a call is made depending on the determined remaining time (tκι, tR2).

9. The device according to claim 7 or 8, characterized in that the output information (AI, A2) contains the information about the remaining time (tRi, tκ2).

10. Device according to one of claims 7 to 9, characterized in that the time unit (13) is designed as a program stored in the memory (12).

11. The device according to one of claims 7 to 10, characterized in that the output information device (2) is integrated in a telephone (6) or is coupled as a separate structural unit to the telecommunications interface (4).

12. Device according to one of claims 7 to 10, characterized in that the output information device (2) is integrated in a computer connected to a telecommunications interface (4).

13. Device according to one of claims 7 to 12, characterized in that the output information

(AI, A2) can be conveyed by language and / or by visualized text.

14. Telecommunications system, characterized in that the telecommunications system has been modified to carry out a method according to one of claims 1 to 6.

15. Telecommunication program product which can be loaded directly into an internal memory of a telephone, characterized in that the telecommunication program product has program sections with which the method according to one of claims 1 to 6 is carried out when the product runs in the telephone.

16. Digital storage medium with electronically readable control signals which can cooperate with a programmable telephone system such that a method according to one of claims 1 to 6 is carried out.