DE19515197A1 - System for locally flexible telecommunications - Google Patents

Abstract

A telecommuter uses pocket computer POC which communicates with a home telephone terminal ISPBX via an infra-red link IFRL. The link is set up, maintained and terminated automatically, set-up including automatic identification and validation of the pocket computer. The telephone terminal is connected to a home desk-top computer DTPC and, via a telephone network, to another desk-top computer DTPC in the office. The office also has provision for receiving the infra-red link, possibly at a number of different places.

Description

The invention relates to a system for locally flexible telephoto communication. The user of a pocket computer (Pocket Computer, organizer, personal digital assistant, etc.) one Notebook computers or a similar mobile device, wel ches by connecting to the telephone network or another Communication network with stationary network connections (e.g. public public digital network, private branch exchange, local Area Network, etc.) temporarily or permanently as a stationary one Communication terminal can be used, the would like resulting different communication possible use as flexibly as possible. In doing so, he becomes frequent want to change the mains connection without having to go through cumbersome Ka to establish or dismantle cable connections need to initiate authentication procedures. This meets, for example, the telecommuter (commuter, the Uses telecommunications equipment) with two workstations (e.g. office, home) but also on the employee of a company with its own company network (Corporate Network) to which frequently changes jobs.

The invention has for its object a system for to indicate locally flexible telecommunications, which the Flexible operation in the simplest possible way for users of his mobile devices as a temporary or permanent communica cation terminals of a communication network with stationary Network connections enabled. This task is fiction according to a device according to one of the claims solved. All of these devices according to the invention have ge together that through them a wireless and contactless communication cation between a mobile communication terminal and egg nem stationary communication terminal of a communication network is enabled, with the mobile device using the home database of the communication network (e.g. the Ne  substation) to which the station när device is connected, and a bilateral com communication relationship between the two devices comes, whereby the mobile device at least temporarily like a stationary communication terminal can be used.

The term "identification" is used in the context of this patent message used so that he different degrees of Ge knowledge of an identification, in particular a simple one Identification without authentication, but also more complex Identification procedures including authentification tion procedures - differently for the specialist are common - includes. Although the invention will be preferably implemented in a way that is sufficient appropriate certainty of identification with the help of this ter, preferably automatic authentication procedures guaranteed. However, the invention is not based on such cases are limited, but can in principle also without such authentication methods can be implemented. Around to express this in a simple and clear language, the word identification was used, with the Identification including authentication is meant.

The term stationary communication terminal becomes so used in addition to the stationary communication endge advise in the narrower sense, such as B. telephones, data visual devices, fax machines, ISDN terminals, etc. also sta tional communication terminals in a broader sense, such as. B. Computers with communication functionality that e.g. B. via PC Cards, DCI adapter (DCI = Data Communication Interface) or a dialing aid interface to another communication terminal or can be connected directly to a mains connection and therefore services such as e-mail, PC fax or file transfers, etc. enable, includes. The concept of mobile Communication terminal should be next to notebooks or pocket  Computers, organizers and personal digital assistants too Include cellular phones and the like.

The invention will u. a. realized by a stationary Communication terminal according to Claim 1 with a device for wireless and contactless communication with mobile commu nikationsendgeräte, means for identifying a derar term mobile communication terminal and means to the car matic structure, to maintain and abort one bilateral communication relationship to such a identified mobile communication terminal.

Furthermore, the invention is implemented by a mobile commu nicationstergerät acc. Claim 2 with a device for wireless and contactless communication with stationary commu nikationsendgeräte, means to support his Identi fication by such a stationary communication end device and means for automatic assembly, for upright and to abort a bilateral communication draw to such a stationary communication end advises.

According to the invention, preferably one (versus radio) cheaper infrared connection of the mobile to the statio communication terminals (e.g. to an ISPBX telephone) provided, if not already via the table personal Com puter an infrared connection is possible, and this PC with connected to the phone. With the infrared access at the ISPBX Network (ISPBX = ISDN Private Branch Exchange) is also a (Contactless) room access and access control system in a private communication network (e.g. corporate network) integrable what z. B. equipped with a radio only Cordless system (e.g. DECT = Digital European Cordless Telephony) is not possible.  

Advantageous developments of the invention are the subject further claims.

According to a preferred embodiment of the invention a stationary communication terminal with means for auto automatic detection of mobile communication terminals seen. This has the advantage that the user of one he mobile communication terminal according to the invention Do not enter a room specifically with one available there stationary communication terminal must register, but that its presence is automatically detected by it.

The invention is further implemented by a communica tion system with stationary communication terminals and with time to follow the construction and demolition changing bilateral communication relationships between several stationary and mobile communication terminals according to one of the preceding claims.

In the following the invention is based on a preferred embodiment Example and described in more detail with the help of the figures.

Fig. 1 shows schematically an exemplary arrangement according to the present invention, which is particularly advantageous for telecommuting applications (e.g. commuting between office and home work).

Fig. 2 shows schematically a preferred embodiment of a mobile communication terminal according to the present invention.

Fig. 3 shows schematically a communication protocol for realizing a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

In the figures, the following abbreviations and references characters used:

DTPC Desktop PC, Personal Computer (desktop model)
ISPBX private branch exchange, ISDN Private Branch Exchange
Phone phone
POC Pocket Computer, pocket computer
IFRL infrared link, infrared connection
V.24 serial connection
VNE virtual network emulator
PublicNet, PubNet public communication network
Office office workplace, first workplace
Home home workplace, second workplace
Telecommuting Use of different, locally separated network connections at different times by one user
D1, D2 device (transmitter / receiver) for communication via infrared connection
PC1, PC2 spatially separate (stationary) PCs
POC Pocket Computer, mobile communication end device
Tel1, Tel1a telephones in the same room of a first workstation
Tel2 from Tel1 and Tel1a spatially separate telephone at the second workstation
ISPBX1, 2 spatially separate private branch exchanges
PubN public communication network
HDB Home Data Base, database of the ISPBX1
301 Start a timer (POC) and send an identity when entering a first room and, if necessary, switch on the POC
302, 303, 305 Send the identity of the POC
304 Start a timer (Tel1) when receiving the identity of the POC
308, 309 authentication request and communication number
310, 311 authentication response and communication number
312 Communication number and features
313 Retracing of the subscriber performance characteristics (e.g. display of the letter box lamp)
301 a expiry of timer 301
314 Authentication response and communication number (as a result of further presence triggers)
315 Start of backup on PC
316, 317 data
318, 319 receipt
320 time cut when the POC changes location
304 b expiry of timer 304
321 Communication number and absence
323, 324 Set: incoming calls 322 on voice mail
322 incoming missed call
330 logon on arrival at the second workplace
329, 328, 325, 332, 333, 334 authentication request
335 authentication response
326, 327 Set: forward incoming calls 336
336 incoming call
337 Call forwarding (e.g. with caller data, if necessary, voice mail lamp on).

The interaction of mobile communication devices such as Pocket computers (POC, organizers), POC’s with audio and fax Functionalities, notebooks, cell phones, etc. with the phone a private branch exchange (ISPBX) and a stationary Ren desktop computer (PC) is not only a problem of the interior formation and communication technology (internetworking), but is also a challenge in terms of loading usability and user interfaces. The mobility of a POC's brings the advantage of the possibility of permanent Switching the connection with itself, with cable clutter and cumbersome insertion is just as undesirable as um  permanent authentication procedures in the user interface surface.

The interaction of mobile POC’s with the telephone world is useful to z. B. existing on the PC or POC, old Ge voice memos and personal data before the start of the conversation to be able to show. Here, for. B. in ISDN included Remote caller number evaluated. Also securing new, e.g. B. entered into meetings in the pocket computer If possible, data in the PC should be without cumbersome Cable can be plugged in. In addition to being easy to use Mobile communication devices are another pro blemfeld the question of the legitimation of a user Communication system. This requires solutions which makes sense in existing operational and access security systems systems can be integrated.

In the area of networked computers there are wireless transmissions systems (Local Area Networks Emulations and Desktop Area Networks, DAN’s) known, these systems occasionally by radio, in other cases via infrared links (IrDA, Infrared Data Association) communicate. In the area of the Ne Benstellenanlagen are known systems based on so-called Based on DCI adapters, PC cards or dialer interfaces, which connect the telephone world via cable to PC’s and thus services such as electronic mail, PC fax, file transfer gen, etc. enable.

Mobile functionality is typically characterized by the possibility of tracing personal telephone lines feature profiles on other telephones (e.g. telephones other user). The authentications required for this tion procedures are either unavailable with the entry " mutable "key sequences connected or by combinations Keystrokes and the insertion of extension chip cards ge indicates.  

While in the larger, non-mobile desktop computers one Connection via cable is generally not a big problem is an ISPBX connection of portable bags computing via cable is impractical because the user every time pull a plug when leaving his workplace or would have to plug in. To solve legitimation problems extension chip card systems are known on the telephone network. The disadvantage of these systems is that even with only one briefly leaving a job each time Chip card must be removed, which is usually too long Problems with acceptance among users.

Here the invention tries to remedy this by a communica relation between mobile communication terminals and stationary communication terminals is built, the one flexible handling of existing communication networks with sta tional communication terminals by users more mobile Communication terminals enabled. The An happens binding of mobile communication terminals preferably with With the help of an infrared connection, which is compared to a connection radio will generally be cheaper. The Pocket computers, notebooks or cell phones are used for example using infrared links to an ISPBX phone (Tel1, Tel2) connected, if not already over the table PC (PC1, PC2) an infrared connection is possible and this PC is connected to the phone. With the infrared access on ISPBX network is also a (contactless) room access and Access control system in a private network (e.g. Cor porate network) integrable, which, for. B. with only with Wireless cordless system (DECT) is not possible.

The unique identification and assignment of a signal from an infrared signal mixture located in the room is ensured according to the present invention with a special, higher-level protocol between the chip card in the POC with the telephone and the home database HDB in the ISPBX ( FIG. 3), which the arrangement and distribution of functions enables additional functions (e.g. call forwarding to an answering machine when you are away). The home database HDB contains, among other things, all the information necessary for identi fication and authentication of a mobile device or its user. This maintains a bilateral communication relationship from a POC to only one of the telephones Tel1 located in the office (namely to the one closest to the operator in the direction of operation). In the home data base (HDB), the temporary stay of a user on the specific telephone Tel1 until a defined termination (leaving the table area) is recorded centrally at the HDB. Special information elements that are added to the signaling messages start with z. B. also automatic redirection 326 , 327 to an answering machine if a phone is not busy.

Further telephones Tel1a receiving the same, but slightly weaker infrared signal in the same room also send the home database instance HDB the connection request, provided with signal strength information. After evaluating the signal strength of the connection, the HDB instance assigns a running temporary communication number (call reference) to 308 and tells the other telephones in the room which communication number they no longer need to process. By temporarily storing this information and running the evaluation in the phones, the lines to the ISPBX are kept free.

The start and thus temporary establishment of a communication relationship is triggered after the POC is switched to the corresponding operating mode by exceeding a certain signal level on the telephone infrared receiver. If necessary, the user can support this by briefly physically approaching the phone. If the signal level is undershot, a timer 301 is triggered , which signals the exit from the workplace after expiry 304 b. The setting of the timer depends on the set call time (ringing time) to avoid that calls are not forwarded despite the presence of the person in the room, just because the infrared signal has been interrupted.

By integrating the conventional extension chip card functionality (for legitimation) into the POC, their action location is shifted there, ie inserting a chip card on the phone can be omitted; at the same time a Te lefon network access (ISDN, ATM) of the POC's is made possible. However, the wireless access method requires a so-called handshaking authentication 308 , 311 in order to prevent misuse by "masquerade", for example. prevent with learnable infrared remote controls.

The handshaking authentication by means of a chip card, which is caused by the wireless access procedure, is advantageously suitable for use in a cross-location corporate network due to the security that can be achieved. Over the public network z. B. with a special server and a (protocol container) process (including the extended Siemens Cornet-VNE for branch offices), including remote workstations in branch offices, branches or home workplaces. For the application "change of work" (telecommuting) the home data base in the company z. B. via ISDN user-user signaling the current presence reported 326 , 335 , so that, for. B. incoming calls are automatically routed from the office to the home office 337.

The infrared transmitter / receiver in the POC is equipped with at least two main radiation / reception directions D1, D2, so that direct (line of sight) contact to the infrared transmitter / receiver can take place on the phone, even if the pocket computer stuck in a shirt or rever pocket ( Fig. 2). This means that the POC can be reached via the telephone network without any action (without inserting or typing anything) and an automatic drawing of personal ISPBX features and authorizations, as well as an evaluation of ISPBX features paint in this case by the desktop PC possible (legitimized with the help of the POC's).

In addition, the authentication described in FIG. 3 can be carried out simultaneously by the PC and thus also enable a logon there or automatically switch the screen light or dark. Furthermore, the integration of a contactless room access control or time accounting system is made possible with the arrangement.

For the configuration in which the desktop PC does not have its own Having infrared interface is through a direct path switching data exchange between pocket computer and PC the phone without ISPBX network involvement possible. In a simplified modification with a unidirectional infrared Interface in the POC is implemented (only) dialing from the POC (without authentication).

In addition to the, as in Handy’s usual, mechanical design a special slot for the chip card (or SIM Subscriber Identity Module) is alternatively used on other POC Interfaces (e.g. at the PCMCIA interface) one plug Retrofit solution as interface plug, SIM combined provided with infrared communication module.

Additional equipment for cordless phones (cell phone’s) in private branch exchanges with an infrared interface enables the integration of these cell phones into the ge above mentioned functions, with the exception of none in the cell phone which POC functionalities. This makes the automati attracting incoming calls to the workplace Fixed apparatus possible while the cell phone is being charged. In addition, the not unproblematic continuous calls with Cordless devices bypassed user-friendly. The stuck in the cell phone  existing identity replaces the extension chip map.

Claims (10)

1. Stationary communication terminal with one device for wireless and contactless communication with mobile commu nikationsendgeräte, means for identifying a derar term mobile communication terminal and means to the car matic structure, to maintain and abort one bilateral communication relationship to such a identified mobile communication terminal. 2. Mobile communication terminal with a device for wireless and contactless communication with stationary commu nikationsendgeräte, means to support his Identi fication by such a stationary communication end device and means for automatic assembly, for upright and to abort a bilateral communication draw to such a stationary communication end advises. 3. Stationary communication terminal according to claim 1 with Means for the automatic detection of mobile communications onsendgeräte according to claim 2. 4. Communication system with stationary communication endge advise according to one of claims 1 or 3 and means for Ver follow the construction and demolition changes over time bilateral communication relationships between several sta tional and mobile communication terminals according to one of the previous claims. 5. Communication system according to claim 4 with means for automatic transfer of calls for mobile communications tion terminals via the respective currently with these mobile Communication terminals in a bilateral communication related stationary communication terminals.   6. Communication system according to one of the preceding claims che, with means for the automatic activation of a call answering a call for mobile communication terminals, which currently has no bilateral communication relationship one of the stationary communication terminals of this communication can maintain or build cation system or which have signaled to the communication system in another way, that they are currently not ready to take calls. 7. Communication system according to one of the preceding claims che, with means for automatic call diversion of a call for a mobile communication terminal, which is currently not ready to take calls to another Communication terminal in the vicinity of this not to call ready, mobile communication terminal. 8. Device according to one of the preceding claims, at the wireless and contactless communication with means happens whose reach is closed by the borders Rooms is bordered by buildings. 9. Communication system according to one of the preceding claims che, with means for preventing the build-up of wireless Communication relationships of a mobile communication endge recommends more than one stationary communication terminal, choosing one to establish a wireless communication cation relationship used stationary device in depend from the one received by this stationary terminal Signal strength of the signals of the mobile device happens. 10. Mobile communication terminal with means for infrared communication in an upright and lying position.