Telecommunication system and method of providing a virtual memory extension for a subscriber set

The invention relates to a telecommunications system for virtual storage expansion in a subscriber terminal as well as an associated method and more particularly to a cordless DECT communication system having a plurality from a base station satellite formation arranged subscriber terminals.

To increase the number of subscriber terminals on a phone main terminal or a telephone private branch exchange Telecommunication systems are increasingly used, consisting of a base station and a plurality of subscriber terminals consist. The base station here is a public connected or private Neztwerk and assigns it addition, each of its subscriber terminals in a specific identifier to. This allows both an internal connection between the subscriber terminals and an external connection of a respective subscriber terminal to the public or private network can be realized.

Usually has each of the plurality of subscriber terminals a nonvolatile memory unit for storing of terminal-specific data, redial lists, Speed ​​dial lists, phone book lists, etc .. Because of the limited is this capacity non-volatile memory units However, in particular the number of phone entries in a Phonebook list is limited (about 80-100 items). on the other hand is an enlargement of the capacity of these non-volatile Storage units with high costs for the necessary and expensive memory devices connected.

The invention is therefore based on the object, a telecommunications system of the kind described in the opening and an associated creating method in which a storage capacity is increased without any additional costs.

This object is in terms of the process by the measures of claim 1 and in terms the telecommunications system by the features of patent claim 5 dissolved.

In particular, by selecting a further subscriber terminal, on the storage unit is a read access via the base station is to take place, and the subsequent step for reading the data contents of this memory unit is obtained decentralized storage management, in which each subscriber terminal not only on the phone records of its local Storage unit, but also to the phone messages of Storage units of other telecommunications system can access subscriber terminals located.

Each subscriber terminal has this in addition to his local write / read unit to the local write / read Phone entries to its own storage unit, a reading unit decentralized reading phone entries of the storage units the other subscriber terminals. In this way can without costly expansion of the storage capacity of a each subscriber terminal its virtual memory be increased considerably.

In the dependent claims are advantageous embodiments of the Invention is characterized.

The invention is described using an exemplary embodiment described in more detail with reference to the drawing.

Show it:<sl><li>Figure 1 is a schematic representation of the invention Telecommunications system for virtual memory expansion; </li><li>Figure 2 is a schematic representation of a subscriber terminal, as used in the telecommunication system according to Figure 1 becomes; and</li><li>Figure 3 is a signaling protocol of a process for virtual memory expansion according to a preferred embodiment.</li></sl>

1 shows a schematic representation of an inventive Telecommunications system for virtual storage expansion in a subscriber terminal. The telecommunications system preferably consists of a base station according to figure 1 B, with a public or private network N communicates. The base station B is thus either as a main phone terminal or a telephone private branch exchange operated. can with the base station B a plurality of subscriber terminals 1, 2, 3 is connected to n will. If the subscriber terminals 1 to n according to FIG 1, it is preferably DECT cordless phones, via a radio link with the base station B in compound to stand. Each of the telecommunications system in accordance with the Figure 1 located subscriber terminal is an internal assigned number or identifier. Similarly, the assigned to the base station B, a station number or station identification are (thereby allowing the use of multiple base stations B possible in the telecommunications system).

Due to the assignment of internal telephone numbers for the individual Subscriber terminals 1 to n (and of station numbers for the base stations B) is both an internal communication among the subscriber terminals via the base station (s) B as an external communication of a subscriber terminal via the base station (s) B and a public or private network N to an external, not shown, Subscriber terminal possible.

According to Figure 1 has each subscriber terminal 1 - n a Memory unit SP1 - SPn, in the usually both terminal-specific Data and lists of telephone messages stored are. Preferably, each of these memory Einheitn SP1, SP2, SP3, ..., SPn of a non-volatile memory such. as an EEPROM or a flash ROM. to save of each name with an associated phone number has each of these subscriber terminals, a commonly called phonebook in the phone book list non-volatile memory unit SP1 - SPn is filed. On This enables each user of a subscriber terminal its special phonebook with special phone entries Creating TE. For the issue of the so stored telephone messages having each user terminal 1 - n a respective Output unit A1 - An. Preferably, this Output unit A1 - An of a graphic display unit, However, it can also be an acoustic reproduction unit or a combination of graphic and acoustic reproduction unit exhibit.

According to the present invention has now each subscriber terminal in addition to its local read / write unit for writing / reading of the local storage unit a Reading unit for decentralized reading phone entries in the Storage units of other subscriber terminals. More accurate said one subscriber terminal 1, according to Figure 1 not only the phone messages "Name X" and "Y Name" from his own read memory unit SP1 and display on the output unit A1, but also, for example, a phone record "Name Z" from the storage unit 2 of the subscriber terminal 2 and a telephone entry "Name U" from the storage unit SPn of the subscriber terminal n. In this way, enables the telecommunications system of Figure 1 a virtual memory extension for the subscriber terminal 1, without its associated storage unit 1 actually enlarge. Costs are characterized for each subscriber terminal further reduced. Further, the user comfort for a will each user improved because an often tedious punching phonebook entries deleted, unless a Member (Subscriber terminal) of the telecommunication system a predetermined Phone entry has been performed.

Preferably, each subscriber terminal 1 has to a n no memory access display shown, the external one Memory access indicates its users. This allows each Searching a memory access to its storage unit are displayed by another user. in principle could this also the internal number of each Subscriber terminal displayed or stored. to Preventing nichtauthorisierten memory access by one of the other subscriber terminals to a local storage unit may further individual telephone messages or groups be provided by phone entries with an identifier, allowing only a local reading phone messages, but prevent a decentralized reading these telephone messages. This is the reading of private or personal Phone entries by third parties, ie other members the telecommunications system is prevented.

The method of operation of a subscriber terminal 1 in the telecommunications system of Figure 1 described in detail.

Figure 2 shows a schematic representation of the subscriber terminal 1 with its essential for the invention function blocks. Preferably, when the subscriber terminal 1 to a cordless DECT phone that has a Radio communication with the base station B in combination. The over the radio link transmitted data are a data path DIN / DOUT a data processing unit DV1 supplied, which is preferably a microprocessor or microcomputer consists. The data processing unit DV1 is BS1 over a bus system both with its own non-volatile Memory unit SP1 and its output unit A1 in connection. Further, the data processing unit communicates with an input unit not shown in conjunction and controls all the essential functions of the subscriber terminal 1.

The non-volatile memory unit SP1 is preferably from an EEPROM, but it may also be a flash ROM or a have other persistent storage. An already known from conventional subscriber terminals read / write unit L1 allows the writing and reading of the each subscriber terminal associated non-volatile memory unit SP1. More specifically, on the Read / write unit L1 for example, a phone record TE with a name and a corresponding telephone number in a stored phone book list of non-volatile memory unit SP1 will. For quick and comfortable performing Connection establishment may at a later time via below Suchtunktionen unspecified in wanted phonebook list by the respective names and associated numbers are selected. such a Search and Browse in the phone book lists, redial lists and speed dial lists is usually on below Menu items not described in detail, in conjunction can be selected with the output unit A1.

In addition to this already known write / read unit L1 but has a subscriber terminal according to the invention Reading unit TR1 to remote reading of telephone entries. More specifically has the reading unit TR1 to decentralized Reading phone entries in the memory units of the other Subscriber terminals in telecommunications system, a transmitter unit T1 for sending a remote store request and a receiving unit R1 for receiving a decentralized Memory request. For example, if the subscriber terminal 1 on a phone entry in another user terminal be accessed, so a user selects the subscriber terminal 1 a corresponding menu item or dedicated button for this decentralized read access , whereby the transmitting unit T1 decentralized storage request stating the respective subscriber terminal (internal Phone number) to the base station B via the data path DIN / DOUT outputs. The memory request is from the base station B in the direction indicated by the internal number forwarded subscriber terminal and there by an equally existing receiver unit Rx (x = 2 to n) received. Receives now a receiving unit Rx such a decentralized Memory request, so sends the associated transmission unit Tx predetermined one corresponding to the request Telephone number of entries from its own storage unit SPx via the base station B to which the memory request transmitting subscriber terminal 1 back. The receiving unit R1 in the user terminal 1 receives this decentralized read Telephone messages TE and outputs via the output unit A1.

According to Figure 2, each read PhoneEntry TE next his given name "Name_A", "Name_B" further includes a source identifier "1", "x" exhibit, the place of origin to (Source) and the respective subscriber terminal of the displayed Phone Record TE features. This enables a use the virtual memory expansion further simplified.

Below is a method for remote reading of telephone entries TE described in detail.

Figure 3 shows a DECT signaling protocol of the essential Process steps for virtual storage expansion in a telecommunication system consisting of the subscriber terminal 1, the base station B and the subscriber terminal the second In a step S1 signaling is via the DECT command "CC_SETUP" an internal connection to the subscriber terminal 2 and reading a predetermined number of phone entries from a Phonebook list TB of the subscriber terminal 2 at the base station B requested. In a signaling step S2 is the command for establishing an internal Link from the base station B to the corresponding subscriber terminal 2 passed. In a signaling step S3 is the internal connection of the base station B to the user terminal 2 to the subscriber terminal 1 informed. In a signaling step S4 now sends the base station B, the request "vorbestimme number Read from phone entries from the phonebook list TB "on the signaling command "CC_INFO" to the subscriber terminal 2, whereby an internal reading of the requested phone records is carried out. In a signaling step S5, after reading out the desired number of Phone entries in the subscriber terminal 2, the respective information via the signaling command "CC_INFO" at first the base station B and from this in a signaling step S6 sent to the subscriber terminal first So delegated Information in the subscriber terminal 1 of the Receiving unit received R1 and via the output unit A1 output.

To search or leaves for decentralized read phone messages For example, the signaling steps described below be performed. Here is the decentralized reading the storage unit 2 in the subscriber terminal 2 is a profile ( "scroll down") are illustrated.

In signaling step S 7 is a corresponding Request for scrolling ( "scroll down") on the Signalislerungsbefehl "CC_INFO" initially to the base station B and by this forwarded to the subscriber terminal the second In turn these information by the receiving unit R2 of Subscriber terminal 2 is received and a corresponding "scrolling" for reading out the other entries in the phone Storage unit SP2 performed. In a signaling step S8 then this read phone messages from the phone book list first TB to the base station B and from this to the subscriber terminal 1 via the signaling command transmitted "CC_INFO". In a similar way can return to already decentralized read phone entries scroll ( "scroll up").

If the subscriber terminal 1, a suitable telephone listing TE determines the above-described remote reading, he can turn over a menu item or a hard button be confirmed ( "OK"). This confirmation is in a signaling step S9 of the transmitter unit of the subscriber terminal T1 1 to the base station B and from this to the subscriber terminal 2 transfer. The transmission of the acknowledgment information will turn the signaling command "CC_INFO" instead of. In the subscriber terminal 2 is this from the subscriber terminal evaluated 1 transmitted confirmation, whereby, for example the second part of Telefonbucheintrgs, ie associated number of unverified phone entry in a Signaling step S10 at first to the base station B and is transferred from this to the subscriber terminal. 1

After receiving the corresponding number of confirmed Phone Record is preferably the internal connection to Subscriber terminal 2 dissolved, one in a step S11 corresponding command to the base station B and from this issued the command "CC_RELEASE" to the subscriber terminal 2 becomes. In a signaling step S12 is then the resolution of the internal connection from the subscriber terminal 2 confirms to the base station B, thereby following a Signaling step S13, a connection from Subscriber terminal 1 to the base station B for the selected external number can be initiated.

The invention described above has been for cordless DECT telephones described. However, it is not limited to, and can also refer to corded subscriber terminals or a combination of cordless and corded Subscriber terminals relate. In particular, there also the possibility of a plurality of base stations B in the telecommunication system to use, thereby reducing the number the subscriber terminals and thus the virtual memory extension further increased. Furthermore, instead of the described DECT signaling protocol, a different Transfer protocol for transferring the respective instructions used for the remote readout of telephone entries will. For example, the data of phone messages, eg "Name" and "telephone number", will read together, thereby a read operation is simplified. Furthermore, a decentralized Seek instead the commands "scroll up / down" by inputting and transmitting a respective first letter of this phone entry be realized.