FR2888457A1 - Information e.g. data, transmitting method for e.g. rate-fixing of electric power, involves transcoding information, to be transmitted between equipments, in bi-unique manner from called numbers, calling numbers and call timings - Google Patents

Abstract

The method involves transcoding information, to be transmitted between equipments (82-85, 87), in a bi-unique manner from called numbers, calling numbers and call timings. The transmitted information are simple transcoded information in the form of a single call whose significance for a called equipment is determined based on the calling number or for a calling equipment determines the called number. Independent claims are also included for the following: (1) a functional unit used in an information transmitting method (2) a system for transmitting information.

Description

Method and system for transmitting information over the network

  BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a method for transmitting information over the very low speed telephone network. The present invention also relates to a system implementing this method, and equipment used in this system.

  Examples of fields of application of the invention may be, but not limited to, meter reading, services related to the monitoring, management or pricing of energy such as electrical energy, or the management of energy. distance from an automation park.

  PRIOR ART State-of-the-art teletransmission systems using the switched telephone network rely on communication protocols and devices such as modems, which are well known and perfectly standardized. The R & D efforts of the companies concerned are aimed at increasing throughputs to transmit more information as well as reducing the costs of implementation.

  However, there are uses for which a high bit rate is not necessary but where other characteristics are decisive, such as the lowering of operating costs and the non-intrusive nature with respect to at least one end of the link .

  For example, a supplier of energy or fluids must periodically record metering data at the places of consumption of its customers. The volumes of information to be transmitted and the frequency of updates of these data are low. On the other hand, the cumulative operating costs that would be generated by state-of-the-art teletransmission links would be prohibitive given the large number of customers. This partly explains why remote telegrams via the telephone network have not been developed apart from the case of industrial sites for which the telecommunication costs are negligible compared to the amounts invoiced. Another cost factor in the traditional approach is the need to install a telephone line dedicated to remote reading so as not to charge costs to the customer in a calling mode or not to disturb him by untimely ringing in a called mode. In the business models used by telecommunications operators, in addition to the cost of communications, a subscription cost is generally associated with each installed telephone line.

  Beyond the need to automate meter readings to make it more frequent and less expensive, the deregulation of this sector pushes the companies concerned to seek new services to differentiate themselves and increase their profitability. An alternative approach to telemetry through the telephone network was attempted in Italy on a large scale by ENEL. Communication between the energy supplier and its customers is based on the use of power lines. The major disadvantage of this solution is the cumbersome investment required since it is necessary to deploy concentrators and communication relays throughout the power distribution network. Moreover, this approach was conceivable at a time when the same national company controlled the entire chain from energy production to distribution. In a context of deregulation and fragmentation of the sector into different trades carried out by legally distinct companies, this type of solution is no longer appropriate.

  DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION The object of the present invention is to remedy these problems by proposing a method of transmitting information over a network.

  The invention relates to a method for transmitting information between equipment connected to a telephone network, characterized in that information to be transmitted is transcoded in a one-to-one manner from called numbers, calling numbers and call times.

  The transmitted information can be: - simple information transcoded in the form of a single call whose meaning for the called equipment is determined according to all or part of the calling number, or - simple information transcoded in the form of a single call whose meaning for the calling equipment determines the called number, or - simple information transcoded as a single call and whose meaning for the called equipment is determined by the calling number in combination with a time stamp information associated with the call, or - simple information transcoded as a single call and whose meaning for the calling equipment is determined according to the called number in combination with a time stamp information associated with the call.

  The information to be transmitted may consist of information elements.

  In a first embodiment, the transmitted information can still be complex information consisting of information elements and transcoded in the form of a plurality of successive calls, the elements of said information being transcoded in a one-to-one manner with numbers called predetermined. In a first example of a calling number transmitting a base ten meter reading, ten telephone numbers called a digit from 0 to 9 can be associated with it. The information element, a number, is transcoded by a number of called phone. The information transmitted is transcoded from the calling numbers (counter identity), called numbers (digits of the statement), and call times (the chronology of calls giving the order of digits). In a second example, we can associate with ten telephone numbers called a digit from 0 to 9 for the units, to ten telephone numbers called a digit from 10 to 90 for the tens, etc ... The information transmitted is transcoded from the calling numbers (counter identity), called numbers (digits and numbers to be added to get the value of the statement), and call times (date of the statement).

  In a second embodiment, the transmitted information may still be complex information consisting of information elements and transcoded in the form of a plurality of successive calls, the elements of said information being transcoded in a one-to-one manner with instants predetermined calls to at least one predetermined called number. In a first example of a calling number transmitting a counter reading in base ten, it is possible to associate with time slots, for at least one called telephone number, a number from 0 to 9. In a second example, it is possible to associate to time slots, for at least one phone number called, a digit from 0 to 9 for units, or a digit from 10 to 90 for tens, etc.

  In a variant, the transmitted information may be complex information consisting of information elements and transcoded in the form of a plurality of successive calls to specific numbers, in a given chronological order, the information being reconstituted from calling numbers, called numbers and the chronological order of calls. In this variant, the information can be transmitted according to the following steps: - an opening of a transmission session, successive calls to specific numbers corresponding in a one-to-one way to the elements composing the information to be transmitted, in a chronological order determined in according to the scheduling of the elements composing the information to be transmitted, until the elements composing the information have been entirely transmitted, a closure of the transmission session.

  In this variant, the opening of a transmission session can be implicit without a dedicated call, or explicit by calling a specific number corresponding one-to-one to a generic session or a given type. The closing of the transmission session can be implicit with no dedicated call, or explicit by calling a specific number corresponding one-to-one with a generic session closure or a given type. In this variant, the information can be received according to the following steps: a storage of the received call events comprising at least the following information elements: a called line number, or a piece of information linked one-to-one with called line number or its associated meaning, - a calling number, - a timestamp of the call.

  a detection of an event-signifying the end of session, - an implicit or explicit sorting of the call events according to the calling number with retention of the chronological order of reception, an extraction of the call events having the same calling number in relation to the end-of-session event that has been detected with retention of the receiving chronological order, and - reverse transcoding of reconstitution of the information transmitted from rules that apply to the elements of information related to the called line number.

  In another variant, the transmitted information may be complex information consisting of information elements and transcoded in the form of a plurality of successive calls at specified times and whose meaning is reconstituted from the calling numbers and the Timestamp information associated with calls In this other variant, the information can be transmitted according to the following steps: an opening of a transmission session, - successive calls at times included in a specific time range corresponding in a one-to-one way to the elements composing the information to be transmitted, in a chronological order determined according to the scheduling of the elements composing the information to be transmitted, until the elements composing the information have been entirely transmitted, - a closing of the transmission session.

  In this alternative embodiment, the opening of a transmission session may be implicit with no dedicated, exclusive call, or explicit by calling at a time within a specific time range corresponding in a one-to-one manner to a generic login or to a a given type. The closing of the transmission session can be implicit with no dedicated, exclusive call, or explicit by call at a time within a specific time range corresponding in a one-to-one manner to a generic session closure or a given type. In this other variant, the information can be received according to the following steps: a storage of the received call events comprising at least the following information elements: a calling number; a time stamp of the call.

  a detection of an event signifying the end of the session; an implicit or explicit sorting of the call events according to the calling number with preservation of the chronological order of reception; an extraction of the call events having the same calling number in connection with the end-of-session event that has been detected with retention of the receiving chronological order, - reverse transcoding of reconstitution of the information transmitted from the timestamp information of the call times memorized relative to the correspondence rules with the information elements applied to the broadcast.

  In the two previous variants, the reception may further comprise a provision of the reconstituted information, in direct or indirect association with the relevant calling number, to a process external to the invention. This reception may furthermore comprise a sorting of the call events having the same calling number in chronological order from the memorized time stamp information elements, this sorting step preserving the chronological order of reception in the event of identity of the timestamp information elements stored. 15 20

  The method of the invention may further include extracting timestamp information from one or more calls and using such timestamp information as clock setting data and / or schedule embedded.

  The method according to the invention may further comprise selective filtering on a calling number, comprising an identity test between a given part of the calling number and a comparable number previously placed in a memory of a receiving functional unit.

  The method according to the invention may comprise a reception of a temporary escape command to a transmission according to the invention, followed by an opening of a traditional transmission session involving a line connection, an end of this session. traditional transmission causing a return to a transmission mode according to the invention.

  In the method according to the invention, dialing or dialing on a calling line can be aborted if activity on another terminal connected to the same line is detected.

  The method according to the invention can comprise, after any dialing step on a calling line, an analysis of the return tones followed by either a subsequent numbering in case of detection of a busy tone, or a declaration of the call is successful when a remote ringing tone is detected for a time or for a specified number of tone trains.

  According to yet another aspect of the invention, there is provided a functional unit used in the method according to the invention, comprising means for being connected to a telephone network, means for calling a called number and / or means for receiving a call of a calling number, characterized in that it further comprises means for transcribing information from called numbers, calling numbers and call times.

  A functional unit according to the invention may further comprise means for storing called numbers, calling numbers and call times.

  A functional unit according to the invention may further comprise means for recalling, after receiving a call, the calling number obtained from caller identification information received during this call.

  A functional unit according to the invention may furthermore comprise means for using a timestamp information received as an information source to automatically set an onboard clock or calendar.

  According to yet another aspect of the invention, there is provided an information transmission system implementing the method according to the invention, comprising a telephone network, characterized in that it further comprises functional units according to the invention. invention connected by said telephone network.

  The new services that an energy distributor can offer if it has an adequate means of communication between the part of the system installed at its customers and its computer system mainly concerns new charging principles, more real time, more relative to the marginal cost of energy that the producer supports, offering interactivity to the customer or allowing the selective erasure of certain loads according to production constraints.

  Other services can also be offered in a package such as the management of additional metering data relating for example to gas, water, heat or services related to the safety of goods or people or still services involving third party operators.

  The method according to the invention perfectly meets all the needs previously expressed in that its implementation does not generate any telecommunication costs, neither for the customer nor the operator and does not restrict the freedom of access of the customer. customer to his phone line. In addition, the invention can be implemented throughout the territories where conventional or wireless telephone networks are deployed unlike broadband solutions such as ADSL which operate only a short distance from the telephone exchanges. . The invention has important additional advantages such as being able to be implemented from standard devices such as modems approved by the authorities concerned and to be temporarily able to switch to a traditional operating mode to meet occasional volume transmission needs. more important information, for example to update embedded software in system devices. In these cases of exceptional use of the means implemented, there are the traditional operating conditions of the telephone network giving rise to billing by the telecommunication operator concerned. This is not a problem given the low frequency of such cases and the savings they generate compared to other solutions, for example human interventions on site.

  In an implementation context comprising clients and a service provider operator, the system according to the invention makes it possible to share the customer's telephone line in that it can include means for detecting a priority customer activity on its premises. line allowing stopping of any use of the line by the system implementing the method according to the invention.

  The method according to the invention offers the additional advantage of being bidirectional and thus enabling the transmission of information or commands in the customer's direction to the operator but also in the operator-to-customer or customer-to-customer sense in certain modes of implementation. The implementation of the method generates no communication costs at both ends of the point-to-point link.

  In the non-limiting example of a power supplier, the main mode of exploitation of the invention is in the sense of calling client, operator called what, whatever the time of the call, does not cause no gene for the customer and leaves no trace on the bills of his telephone service provider. The periodicity of the calls to the initiative of the functional unit according to the invention installed in a customer can be daily or multi-day. On the operator's side, calls may also be made according to the invention for transmitting to customers information such as parameters conditioning the provision of specific services, changing the characteristics of the subscription, determining the conditions for sharing a service. common electrical line on which it should not exceed a given cumulative power or load shedding orders.

  The method according to the invention is based on a one-to-one transcoding (transcoding and reverse transcoding) of the information to be transmitted which combines the calling number, the called number and the instant of call without having to establish communication in the traditional sense. by the line taken from the called party.

  The invention is based on a feature of modern telephone networks which is to propagate the caller's identification information from a switch to a switch, from the call location to the destination, in particular to provide additional services. such as caller ID, call time, caller name, etc. This information is finally transmitted in a standardized way on the line of the called party between the first and the second ring pulse train.

  The caller identification information is standardized and includes at least the calling number and time stamp information of the call time.

  On wired access to the telephone network, receipt of the caller identification information is by a high impedance connection on the called telephone line and does not require stall by low impedance. Similarly in the case of wireless access to the telephone network, the receipt of the caller identification information is via a signaling link. Regardless of the means of access to the telephone network, including voice over IP techniques, the receipt of the identification information does not generate any communication costs for the caller or, of course, for the called party.

  The method according to the invention makes it possible to transmit any type of information such as data or commands via the switched telephone network.

  Additional refinements can be implemented as an encoding of different types of sessions allowing the system to handle the transmission of information of different nature and / or meaning by implementing the same functional units. The management of different types of session, differentiated by the associated call number, can allow the same functional unit according to the invention to successively transmit an index of electric energy hour count, an index of electrical energy hour, a gas count, a water count, etc. It is also possible, without departing from the invention, to code the type of session, which determines the type of information transmitted, by a sub-coding of the transmitted data. For example, it is possible to assign to the first digit immediately following a call to the number signifying the opening of a generic session, the role of descriptor of the type of session. The value of this first digit will indicate in this case in the example of an energy supplier whether the following data represent a counting index in off-peak, full hour, gas consumption etc. It is of course possible to add to the information to be transmitted additional control and / or error correction information without departing from the scope of the invention, but it is more advantageous, given the low speed of the system, to limit to the strictest necessary the quantity of information to be transmitted and to carry out consistency checks of the information received outside the scope of the invention. Counting data transmission applications lend themselves well to posterior consistency checks in that these data are always incremented (modulo the maximum counting capacity). Similar values transmitted previously, the time spent since the last transmission, characteristics related to the information or the conditions of its production are known. this information can be advantageously used, alone or in combination, to validate the last received data before exploiting it or rejecting it. In the particular case of a data representing a counting index, it is possible for example to compare the received data with a theoretical value calculated by adding to the value previously received the maximum possible increment over the period elapsed between the two readings taking into account the known characteristics of the installation, for example the maximum power that can technically or statistically be consumed.

  To reduce the volume of information to be transmitted to the strictest necessary given the very low rate of the process, it is advantageous to transmit a numerical value not to transmit the zeros that may be to the left of the first non-zero digit of the strongest weight. . If necessary a simple framing on the right with the addition of zeros to the left of the number received makes it possible to reconstruct the original number.

  Similarly, to limit the volume of information to be transmitted, it is possible in certain applications of the invention to transmit only the value of the difference with respect to the value previously transmitted, which may also be a difference or an integral value. In the implementation of the invention, it is possible and advantageous to mix transmissions of digital values in integral mode and in differential mode to find the appropriate compromise between reducing the volume of information to be transmitted and reducing the risk of loss. information in case of non-routing of differential values. It is thus possible to periodically open a session for transmitting the integral digital value to secure and, if necessary, readjust the reference value, for example after a given number of session of transmission of values in differential mode or at the end of a determined time of transmissions in this mode. Of course, an identification means must be implemented on transmission so that the receiver can know if the received data is expressed in differential mode or in integral mode.

2888457 - 13 -

  Description of the Figures and Embodiments

  Other features and advantages of the invention will become apparent in the description below. In the accompanying drawings given by way of non-limiting examples: FIG. 1 illustrates the case of the transmission of simple information according to the invention first in the sending direction and then in the receiving direction for the same functional unit. This example also implements a functional unit according to the particular invention called transponder, which returns to the sender of a request for setting the time, the requested information; FIG. 2 illustrates the case of the transmission of complex information according to a first preferred embodiment in which the transcoding of the information is based on a one-to-one correspondence between the pieces of information to be transmitted and predetermined telephone numbers. In this figure the process is illustrated in the simplest case of a single caller; FIG. 3 illustrates the case of the transmission of complex information according to the first embodiment as above but in the case of a plurality of callers and seen from the transmission side; Figure 4 completes this illustration by showing what is happening on the receiving subsystem side; FIG. 5 illustrates the case of the transmission of complex information according to a second embodiment in which the transcoding of the information is based on a one-to-one correspondence between the pieces of information to be transmitted and predetermined call times. FIG. 5 illustrates the principle of cutting a cyclic recurrence time block into coding time ranges; FIG. 6 illustrates the addition, to the basic principle of FIG. 5, of the notion of zones of inhibition of the transmission around the theoretical instants of change of coding time range. These zones of inhibition allow the method according to the invention to work in time ranges where the bi univocity of the transcoding is certain in view of the uncertainties on the synchronization of the clocks between the transmitting and receiving functional units; FIG. 7 illustrates the case of the transmission of complex information according to a hybrid of the two evoked variants. This is a compromise in which several telephone lines can be used but not as much as would be necessary to be able to transcode all the information elements according to the first embodiment; - Figure 8 illustrates a system according to the invention. It is a plurality of devices specific to the invention, functional units comprising several equipment or functional units dedicated to the implementation of the invention which are integrated within equipment offering additional functions. external to the invention; FIG. 9 illustrates the case of the transmission of complex information according to the second embodiment in which the transcoding of the information is based on a one-to-one correspondence between the information elements to be transmitted and predetermined call times. In this figure the process is illustrated in the simplest case of a single caller; FIG. 10 further illustrates the case of the transmission of complex information according to the second embodiment, but here in the case of a plurality of callers and on the transmission side; - Figure 11 continues in the illustration of this case but this time on the receiving side; FIG. 12 is a block diagram of a functional unit according to the invention. It contains elementary blocks whose presence is absolutely necessary for the implementation of the invention, other blocks providing additional benefits or functional refinements; FIG. 13 illustrates the case of a functional unit for implementing the first embodiment in which there are at least as many telephone lines as elements of information to be transcoded. This same configuration of equipment is not limited to this example, it could also be the illustration of a functional unit implementing a hybrid variant that differs only by a smaller number of telephone lines to manage. This same functional unit can integrate information transmission capabilities such as commands according to the invention, management functions of the system as a whole, an ability to serve as an information gathering center, the ability to update of embedded software in remote equipment according to the invention by the implementation of temporary escape capabilities for file transfers to the state of the art.

  A first category of variants of the method according to the invention allows the transmission of simple commands or state information. This category groups all the commands or the binary state information or can be reduced to an external combination of commands or binary state information transmitted according to the invention. The different variants of the invention concerned by this category of information have in common that they require only one telephone call to transmit the information according to the invention. The transmission of complex commands or states can be done by simple transmission arrangements combined by the implementation of a higher level process outside the invention. The transmission of data, commands or information complex states can be advantageously in the context of the present invention by implementing appropriate variants of the process which will be described later.

  In a first variant of the method according to the invention for the transmission of simple information that can represent for example commands or state information, the transmitted information is transcoded in the form of a single call, possible at any time, including the meaning for the called equipment is determined according to all or part of the calling number. This variant applies for example in a nonlimiting manner in the case of the transmission of a load shed control or time setting information.

  In a second variant of the method according to the invention for the transmission of simple information that can represent for example commands or state information, the transmitted information is transcoded in the form of a single call, possible at any time, including the meaning for the calling equipment determines the called number. This variant is appropriate for example in the case of the transmission of a request for time setting.

  FIG. 1 illustrates the example of sending a request for setting the time and receiving the time information by implementing the method. A first functional unit 11 implementing the method according to the invention and connected to the telephone network 1 by a line 2 requires setting the time of its internal clock. The functional unit sends at a time, according to the second variant of the method, a time-setting request to a second functional unit called a transponder whose number has been previously stored in the memory of the first unit 11 and associated with this action. The transponder receives the caller identification data from which it retrieves the calling number and immediately calls back this number to transmit according to said first variant the time information associated with the instant of the callback 13. Receiving a call according to the first variant and being able to recognize that the calling number is the one which was previously associated in its memory with the time setting, the first functional unit 11 will extract the caller identification information timestamp data 14 to update the registers of its internal clock 15 with a possible adaptation of the data format.

  In a third variant of the method according to the invention allowing the transmission of simple information that can represent for example commands or state information, the transmitted information is transcoded in the form of a single call and whose meaning for the called equipment is determined based on the calling number in combination with the timestamp information associated with the call. This variant applies for example in a nonlimiting manner in the case of the transmission of a load shed control or time setting information.

  In a fourth variant of the method according to the invention allowing the transmission of simple information that can represent for example commands or state information, the transmitted information is transcoded in the form of a single call and whose meaning for the calling equipment is determined according to the called number in combination with the time stamp information associated with the call. This variant is appropriate for example in the case of the transmission of a request for time setting.

  As previously announced, the invention makes it possible to directly transmit data, commands or complex state information.

  In its preferred embodiment, the method according to the invention favors the choice of the allocation of a telephone line by information element to be transmitted. This choice, when possible, has the advantage of allowing a functional unit of the system to open a transmission session at any time. In this variant, only the relative position in time of the instants of calls relative to each other within the same transmission session according to the invention counts in this variant. This variant of implementation is illustrated in FIG. 2. A functional unit 23 according to the invention must transmit information, in this example, the value of a count index 21 to another functional unit 24 according to the invention the role of information collection center. In this alternative embodiment of the invention, the asymmetric distribution of the resources of the system corresponds to the situation of an operator having one or more data collection center and a plurality of customers, subscribers or remote automations. In this distribution of resources, the functional units of the system according to the invention are devices that have access to the telephone network 1 only by a single line 2 that they must share with the other uses of the customer. On the other hand, on the operator's side, the multiplication of resources, in particular telephone lines 3, to implement the method according to the invention and is not a problem since these are installations which it controls in a place of his choice.

  The transmitting functional unit will begin by sending the login information by calling a number reserved for this purpose and corresponding to a telephone line among those 3 arriving at the operator's relevant information collection center. The event of receiving this call will be recorded in the collection center of the receiving functional unit 24 by storing identification information of the called line, the telephone number of the caller and the caller. the time of the call. In the reception mode according to the invention and contrary to the standard mode, the called modem does not take the line. The value of the information to be transmitted is then transmitted in a sequence determined by successive calls 22 to numbers which correspond to subsets of the information to be transmitted in a one-to-one and identical manner throughout the system according to the invention. These subsets may be for example directly the numbers forming the number to be transmitted expressed in base ten but they could be of a completely different nature, provided that it respects the criterion of one-to-one correspondence in the transcoding allowing the return to the original information after application of the corresponding inverse transcoding, without departing from the scope of the invention. At the other end of the system according to the invention, in the collection center, the call events are stored as they arrive and give rise to the construction of a table 25 in the memory of the device. management of the collection center. In the implementation example described above, the logon is explicit by calling a dedicated number. It is also possible without departing from the scope of the invention to open the transmission session implicitly. Implicit log-on means are for example a first call to a coding number of the information after a minimum period of idle time of the sender, a call to a particular number coding at the same time of the information but which is also associated with a logon or with a call coding information at a particular time interpreted as a logon act.

  Within a receiving equipment implementing the method according to the invention, the occurrence of an event corresponding to a session closure allows the execution of the reconstruction sequence of the transmitted information. This reconstruction by inverse transcoding is based on a first sorting to extract from the table all the call events of the current session corresponding to the same calling number. In principle, the preservation of the chronological order of the arrival of the call events in memory respects the chronology of the transmissions since each transmitter according to the invention transmits by successive calls in an order fixed by the transcoding rules.

  However, it is advantageously possible to eliminate the residual risks of error that may arise from changing the routing between switches within the telephone network by performing a second sorting the call events in the appropriate chronological order from the time stamp information received for recover in a certain way the initial order of the components of the transmitted information 26 in order to reconstitute it identically. There are many possible variants of processes and algorithms to arrive at the desired result of the reconstitution of the starting information from the data received according to the invention. Of course, whatever the choice of treatments used one remains well within the scope of the invention.

  In this variant embodiment of the invention, the inverse transcoding rules use the called line number as data. In most of the professional systems according to the invention there is a communication front end (see FIG. 13 element 13C or FIG. 8 element 81) which can advantageously pre-process the line number data by providing the computer in charge of implementing the method according to the invention, information elements corresponding to them in a one-to-one manner such as a number in the enumeration of the lines connected to the functional unit or directly the meaning associated with them in the transcoding, for example a digit.

  As in the case of the logon described above, the event corresponding to a logout may be implicit or explicit in nature such as the receipt of a dedicated call event. The following examples illustrate, in a non-limiting way, what an implicit session closure may be. It can be for example the reception of a determined number of information elements, the flow of a given time since the last reception of information from the same transmitter, the reception of a information from the same transmitter but does not correspond directly to a session closure such as a new request for logon or a transcoding call useful information to transmit and meaning jointly that is the last call of the session in progress.

  The information transmitted is complex information transcoded in the form of a plurality of successive calls, at predetermined numbers, in a given chronological order, the information being reconstituted in the equipment called from the calling numbers, numbers called and the chronological order of the calls.

  FIGS. 3 and 4 illustrate the nonlimiting but representative case of transmissions originating from a plurality of functional units 33, 34 according to the invention connected to the telephone network 1 respectively by the telephone lines 37 and 38. In this example, the information transmitted are received by a functional unit 41 according to the invention, of another type, fulfilling the function of information collection center and connected to the telephone network 1 by a plurality of ports 3.

  The process steps described below assume that the functional units that are to communicate according to the invention have in memory all the transcoding rules selected including in particular the tables of correspondence between the information elements to be transmitted and the numbers to be called. .

  The part of the method implemented for the transmission of information 31, comprises the following steps 32, 36: opening of the transmission session that can be implicit without a call exclusively dedicated or explicit by calling a corresponding specific number of one-to-one way to a generic login or a given type, successive calls to specific numbers corresponding in a one-to-one way to the elements composing the information to be transmitted, in a chronological order determined according to the scheduling of the elements composing the information to be transmitted, until the elements composing the information have been transmitted in full, closing the transmission session which can be implicit without any dedicated or explicit call by calling a specific number corresponding one-to-one to a log off generic or of a given type.

  The part of the method implemented for the reception of information 15 comprises the following steps: storage of received call events including at least the following information elements: called line number or information element linked to one-to-one way to the called line number or the associated meaning, calling number, time stamp of the call.

  detection of an event-signifying the end of the session, implicit or explicit sorting of call events in the memory according to the calling number with preservation of the chronological order of reception, extraction of events from call in relation to the end of session event that has been detected and with retention of the chronological order of reception, - reverse transcoding of reconstitution of the information transmitted from rules that apply to the related information elements at the called line number, providing the reconstructed information 44 in direct or indirect association with the relevant calling number to a process external to the invention. Such external processes may be, for example, without being limited thereto, means for managing a database or means of transfer to an external management system.

  The calling functional unit can manage the succession of calls necessary for the transmission of information by the method according to the invention indifferently in the form of the prior construction of a call event table before transmission or by the creation call events one after another along the water. In the case of a run-of-the-river management, care will be taken to apply the process not on the data to be transmitted, but on a copy made at the opening of the transmission session, which will remain constant throughout its duration. duration. This precaution is essential to avoid errors that could arise from the evolution of value of the data during its transmission.

  In a second embodiment, the coding of the information uses the time variable as the main support for the transcoding of the information. As illustrated in FIG. 5, the time is previously divided into coding periods which are repeated according to a periodicity and at determined times known and interpreted in the same way throughout the system according to the invention. Each cyclic recurrence time block 51 is divided into coding time ranges to which one or a given piece of information 52 corresponds in a one-to-one manner.

  Take the example of information to be transmitted according to this variant of the invention shown in Figure 9. Either a functional unit 9a according to the invention and to transmit the information 9b present in its memory. The functional unit will create an array of call events 9c listing the various successive calls necessary to transmit the information according to the invention via a 9d access. The transcoding will be based on a one-to-one correspondence between the subsets of information and call times, as for example illustrated in FIG. 5. The recipient functional unit 9f, connected to the telephone network 1 by a 2888457 - 23 - 9th access, stores the received call events 9g. The detection of the event whose meaning is the end of transmission session triggers the step of reconstituting the information transmitted from the timestamp information of the instants of stored calls relative to the rules of correspondence with the elements of information applied to the show. The reconstituted information 9h may be provided to a process external to the invention for use.

  In this example, the arbitrary and simplistic choice has been made to split each clock hour into twelve time slots in order to be able to encode the ten digits of the decimal numbering and the two service commands that are opening and closing of transmission session. We have cut into time slots of equal duration but we could have chosen any period value and time ranges of different duration and not necessarily equal to each other without departing from the invention, the only constraint being that the choices made for transcoding, the functional units that are to perform reverse transcoding are known to be able to reconstitute the transmitted information.

  The division of the cyclically recurring time block into time slots corresponding in a one-to-one way to the information elements to be transmitted, it is necessary that the clocks of the transmitting and receiving functional units are perfectly synchronized. In practice, perfect synchronization of the clocks is impossible, which can lead to transmission errors when they occur at times close to transitions between adjacent areas of significance. As illustrated by FIG. 6, in order to eliminate the risks of such transmission errors, intermediate zones called call inhibition zones 63 will advantageously be created in the cyclic recurrence time blocks 61 between adjacent time slots 62. These intermediate zones are implemented to prevent calls at times that may give rise to interpretation errors on the receiving side given the uncertainties on the timing of clocks. These call inhibition zones will most often be centered on the theoretical value of change of time range but they can also be off-center without going beyond the scope of the invention. The receivers will be able to continue to make their decision as to the meaning of the calls based on the information received from the timestamp of the instant of call relative to the theoretical cutting according to the predetermined time slots.

  The tolerances to be taken into account in order to determine the width of the call inhibition zones integrate all the possible contributions such as derived from the on-board clocks between two realignment, the resolution of the time-stamping information that can be used as a source of setting. time, the inaccuracies in the implementation of the mechanisms of setting automatic time retained etc. For example, the timestamp information commonly transmitted in the caller ID information includes the month, day, hour, and minute, the seconds are not transmitted. Thus, the call inhibition zones should be at least one minus one minute to one minute around the theoretical time, but it is preferable to take a safety margin and widen the intermediate zones of inhibition of minus two to two minutes around theoretical moments agreed between transmitters and receivers according to the invention.

  In this second embodiment, it is possible, for example, to code the type of session, which determines the type of information transmitted, by means of specific time slots or by a sub-coding of the transmitted data. For example, the first digit immediately following the logon can be assigned as the session type descriptor. The value of this first digit will indicate, for example, for an energy supplier whether the following data represent a counting index in off-peak, full hour, peak hour, gas consumption, etc. The use of this second embodiment is particularly well suited to cases in which callers and called have only one telephone line, however it is not limited to this case. It is also possible to envisage, without departing from the scope of the invention, a combination of the two embodiments, the one that transcode the information to be transmitted exclusively according to the called numbers and the one that transcode it exclusively according to the times call. The advantage of such a combination is to offer a compromise to reduce the number of telephone lines needed for transcoding without penalizing the availability of the system as a function of time. For example, it is possible, as illustrated in FIG. 7, to use line numbers dedicated to service information such as the opening and closing of sessions and to transcode the information to be transmitted according to the principle of the second variant. In the exemplary combination of the two variants illustrated in FIG. 7, the cyclic recurrence time block 71 is divided into time slots 72 coding the digits from zero to nine, the adjacent time slots being separated by zones of inhibition of the time. Call 73. The information is transmitted according to the second embodiment and the opening and closing sessions are by calling specific numbers according to the first embodiment.

  FIG. 8 illustrates a system according to the invention comprising a plurality of devices specific to the invention, functional units grouping a plurality of equipment or functional units dedicated to the implementation of the invention which are integrated within equipment offering additional functions external to the invention. In this system is implemented the method according to the invention for transmitting equipment information 82, 83, 84, 85, 87 to equipment 82, 83, 84, 85, 87, said equipment being connected to the telephone network 1 by any type of physical link and in particular by conventional analog lines 2, 3 or wireless 86. The transmission of information is very low speed and uses hardware connection means compliant with current standards.

  Figures 10 and 11 illustrate the non-limiting case but representative of transmissions from a plurality of functional units 10c, 10f according to the invention connected to the telephone network 1 respectively by the telephone lines 10d and 10e. The transmitted information is received by a functional unit 11a according to the invention connected to the telephone network 1 by a telephone line 2.

  The steps of the method described below assume that the functional units to be communicated according to the invention have in memory the number or numbers to be called as well as the set of transcoding rules selected including in particular the tables of correspondence between the elements of information to be transmitted and the time ranges of calls.

  The part of the method implemented for the transmission of information 10a, 10g comprises the following steps 10b, 10h: opening of the transmission session that can be implicit, with no call exclusively dedicated or explicit by calling at a time within a time range specific corresponding in a one-to-one manner to a generic session or a given type, - successive calls to instants within a specific time range corresponding in a one-to-one way to the elements composing the information to be transmitted, in a chronological order determined according to the scheduling of the elements composing the information to be transmitted, until the elements composing the information have been transmitted in full, - closing of the transmission session that can be implicit without a call exclusively dedicated or explicit by call at a given moment within a specific time range corresponding bi unambiguous to a generic logoff or a given type. The part of this variant of the method implemented for the reception

  information comprises the following steps: - storage 11 b received call events including at least the following information elements: - calling number, - timestamp of the call. 20 25

  - detection of an event signifying the end of session, - sorting 11c implicit or explicit call events in the memory according to the calling number with retention of the chronological order of reception, - extraction of call events in relation to the end-of-session event that has been detected and with retention of the receiving chronological order, reverse transcoding of reconstitution of the information transmitted from the timestamp information of the stored call instants with respect to the rules correspondence with the information elements applied to the transmission, - provision of the reconstituted information 11 d, 11 e in direct or indirect association with the calling number concerned to a process external to the invention. Such external processes may be, for example, without being limited thereto, means for managing a database or means of transfer to an external management system.

  The method according to the invention, in particular in its second embodiment, requires synchronization of the clocks embedded in the functional units concerned in the system. This setting of time from a common reference can be done by means of broadcast time signal receivers embedded within each functional unit concerned. The time signal receivers can be for example receive and decode the signals emitted according to the DCF77 standard since Frankfort for implementation in continental Europe, equivalent systems existing in other regions of the world.

  However, another alternative embodiment of the method according to the invention can advantageously be used to synchronize the clocks. Indeed, among the identification information of the call transmitted on the called line are the timestamp information of the call. The receipt of a telephone call by the functional unit according to the invention is an opportunity to re-synchronize its internal clock. A functional unit according to the invention can also cause this event by calling a specific number previously stored and associated with a request for time setting. A functional unit may transmit a time-setting request according to the invention, for example during a reset or a resumption of operation after interruption with loss of time concept. A particular functional unit called transponder receiving a call, still without taking the line, calls back to the calling number after retrieving this number in the credentials received with the initial call. The receipt of the time stamp data included in the identification information of the return call causes the time delivery of the remote functional unit having initiated the procedure. Given the short routing times offered by electronic switches implemented in modern telephone networks, the error that is introduced by the discrepancy that exists between the actual call to which the timestamp data corresponds and the moment where the remote equipment receives the information, can be neglected at first approach. The order of magnitude of this offset is a few seconds. In addition, the error introduced has a statistically substantially identical value in all the functional units of the system which are set to the time of the telephone network by the same method. This offset proximity means that the units are well synchronized relatively to one another. Without departing from the invention, it is however possible to increase the accuracy of the time setting of the clocks by the implementation of refinement such as the application of compensation calculations on the hourly value received as a function of time previously measured or evaluated.

  The method according to the invention includes an escape procedure allowing a temporary passage in a conventional operating mode. In the functional units according to the invention which implement this functionality, the calling numbers are compared with one or more escape numbers previously placed in the memory of the functional unit. If there is an identity between the calling number and one of the escape numbers, or else in the case of an identity on a predetermined portion of the numbers, the functional unit leaves the transmission mode according to the invention to adopt a traditional behavior starting with the taking of line, ensuring the transfer of the data then ending up hanging up the line. After having hung up the line, the functional unit returns to the operating mode according to the invention.

  In both modes dedicated to the transmission of complex data according to the invention, the transmission session openings may be explicit or implicit. The choice of an explicit logon is more robust in that the transmitter can transmit at any time the signal to open a new session. This can be useful for raising doubts within the receiver, for example in case of resumption of a previous session aborted and not correctly closed. On the other hand, the explicit log-in has the disadvantage of costing a transmission step and this can be considered as reducing the efficiency of the system, in particular in the case of the implementation of said second variant of the method. It may therefore be chosen if necessary not to transmit the logon signal. A new implicit session may be opened by the receiver upon receipt of the first piece of information after a specified minimum duration has elapsed since the last call received from the same issuer. Waiting for this period to elapse will not be necessary if an end-of-session call from the same issuer is received during the waiting period.

  The logoff event may also be mistaken for the logon event, the interpretation being done according to the context, if a session was previously open, the receipt of the session event information closed the current session there was one open and opens a new one if not. In this latter variant it is safer for the system to always be in a certain state, to ensure that the receipt of the session event information closed any current session, reset the operating variables and opens a new session .

  Whatever the variant of the complex information transmission method according to the invention, the part of the method implemented for the reception of information may comprise an additional step of sorting the call events having the same calling number in chronological order from the stored call timestamp information elements, this sorting step retaining the reception chronological order in case of identity of the time stamp information elements of the call stored. Indeed, the calling equipment controls the scheduling of calls and only switches to the next call if the previous call was successful. In principle, the order of recording of the incoming call events in the memory of the receiving functional unit naturally reproduces the order in which the calls were made. However, it is advantageous to reduce the risk of call scheduling errors which would necessarily introduce an error in the data by applying this additional sorting step.

  The functional units according to the invention can extract the timestamp information included in the caller ID information received during a call and use this timestamp information as a clock setting data. and / or an embedded calendar after a possible adaptation of the data format.

  In the part of the method according to the invention concerning the reception of calls, it is possible to add a selective filtering step on the calling number whose result conditions the taking into account of the call or the interpretation of its meaning. This filtering consists of an identity test between a given part of the calling number and a comparable number previously placed in the memory of the receiving functional unit according to the invention. The comparison between the calling number and the previously stored numbers may advantageously be done on only part of the numbers by not taking into account a predetermined number of the leftmost digits. The interest of this refinement is to allow the operator a certain flexibility in the allocation of the lines at his disposal while allowing the functional unit according to the invention to identify with sufficient precision the source of the call. and to correctly interpret its meaning. This facility is particularly useful in the case of variants of implementation of the invention for receiving simple commands such as load shedding orders, a temporary escape control to the method according to the invention, a setting information. time etc. A flexibility and an increase in the efficiency of the implementation of the invention in the use of resources can also be introduced by a grouping of lines called by the telephone operator within the network. A similar result can be obtained by storing in the functional units that can transmit according to the invention lists of telephone numbers instead of a single number. Of course, all the numbers of the same list have the same meaning for the transcoding of the information, but this makes it possible to decongest the network in the event of a large load, frequently resulting in trying to call busy lines.

  The functional units implementing the method according to the invention, in particular those which are intended to be installed at the customers of an operator whose personal telephone line is used, advantageously incorporate a stage of detection of third activity in the process. for the purpose of causing the adjournment of a future numbering or the abortion of a current numbering. The objective is to provide an implementation of the method according to the invention which is non-intrusive and always gives priority to the customer for the use of his telephone line. Any dialing or dialing step on the calling line is aborted if activity on another terminal connected to the same line is detected. Of course, the functional units must integrate appropriate hardware means to detect the line taken by another terminal on the same line.

  The transmitting part of the method according to the invention, in all its variants, will advantageously integrate a step of analysis of the tones of return to reduce as much as possible the duration of the calls and thus increase the efficiency of the system. After each numbering step, a step of analysis of the return tones is carried out with the object of starting the dialing step again if a busy tone is detected and to declare the call for a passage successful. in the next step of the higher order process when a remote ringing tone is detected for a time or for a specified number of tone trains. A call declared successful induces the passage to the next step within the process. The other advantage induced by the implementation of this refinement is the reduction as much as possible of the activation of the ringing of the customer's terminals when his line is called for example in the context of a load shedding command transmitted according to the invention.

  When a call in the context of the implementation of the method according to the invention has been aborted because of the detection of third activity on the line, the resumption of the operations according to the invention will be advantageously at the step which would have to immediately follow the last call declared successful if the session had not been interrupted.

  The method according to the invention may advantageously include a verification step of the fact that a received call, detected by conventional ringing detection equipment means gives rise between the first two sets of ringing, the receipt of data identification of the appellant as expected by the means of reception provided for this purpose. The functional units implementing this refinement of the method according to the invention will have to incorporate a circuit for detecting a ringing signal on the line. This option is advantageous for an operator who distributes the equipment implementing the invention to his customers and who wants to remotely detect any anomalies. Anomalies may not be detected by the customer where the equipment is installed while preventing the proper operation of the system according to the invention. The most likely of these anomalies, after the simple physical disconnection of the functional unit or its power supply, is the non-subscription of said customer to the service of presentation of the caller's number with his telephone operator 2888457 - 33 -. Since this anomaly affects only the capacity of the functional unit according to the invention to receive information, it is possible for this functional unit to periodically call the predetermined service number or numbers of the operator to transmit according to the state information means that the client functional unit is incapable of receiving information according to the invention. The calling number received on the service line of the operator, who is able to receive the calling party's identification information, enables the caller to identify the customer concerned by means of a request in the database concerned and allows him to take the appropriate measures. Of course, all these network management operations can and will benefit from being automated.

  It is not beyond the scope of the invention to use wireless telephone networks as well as IP telephony means resulting from Internet technologies instead of the wired network at one or both ends of a link the process according to the invention. In fact, the wireless telephone networks operate on the same principle as the wired networks with regard to billing only if it is called and picks up the same functionality for transmitting the caller's identification information during the ring and before stall. Devices implementing IP telephony offer an emulation of the behavior of the switched network and manage the signaling in a manner consistent with the habits. In addition, there is continuity of service between the different types of access and sub-networks, in particular between wireless and wired networks, this allows the implementation of the invention in mixed networks regardless of the connection means. functional units.

  The invention is implemented in functional units, for example devices or device functions that have the possibility of being connected to the telephone network. The connection to the various types of telephone networks is made by means adapted and in accordance with the standards in force to initiate a communication, number, analyze the tones or the digital information of return, receive and decode the identification information of the caller and if necessary, be able to detect a ring signal and establish a conventional data transmission in a temporary derogation mode to the method according to the invention.

  FIG. 12 non-restrictively illustrates a first type of functional unit 12a which allows the implementation of all the variants of the method according to the invention with the exception of receiving calls of the preferred embodiment. The functional unit comprises a microcontroller 12c for managing and implementing the method according to the invention, said microcontroller managing a memory 12d. The functional unit of FIG. 12 is arranged to be connected to the telephone network by a conventional analog line. The line arrives on a state-of-the-art modem interface 12b or there is a 12g switching means for presenting a low impedance for a line taken prior to the dialing step. A high impedance circuit 12h allows the routing of the modulated signal, usually according to the standard V23, to the modem when the line is hooked. It is this modulated signal that carries the caller identification information on which the method according to the invention is based. It should be noted that in the derogatory mode that integrates the invention, this same modem is used in a traditional way. A conventional ring detection circuit 12f may advantageously be added to allow anomaly detection and transmission of this information remotely by the method according to the invention to the network manager. Time counting means 12e are essential for the proper execution of the steps of the method in the second embodiment. Theoretically in the implementation of the preferred embodiment, a real-time clock is not essential to the proper functioning of the invention which is based solely on the respect of the chronological order of the times of calls. In practice a clock will certainly be used by the external processes embedded with the invention and will, if necessary, change the variant of the invention in the same system. The functional unit further comprises wired or programmed logic means for implementing the steps of the method in their variant corresponding to the functional need to be satisfied and means for the interface between the method according to the invention and the external means to the invention using its transmission capabilities FIG. 13 non-limitatively illustrates a second type of functional unit for implementing the call reception of the first embodiment. The functional unit of FIG. 13 comprises a plurality of access means to the telephone network 3 and interfaces 13c adapted to the type of access chosen, for example a set of modems. These transmission means 13b are connected to computer means 13a implementing the method via any 13d multiplexing means or local networking. Other means of communication such as access to a local network 13e will allow the computer equipment to provide the information received, advantageously post-processed to external processes to the invention.

  Of course, the invention is not limited to the examples that have just been described and many adjustments can be made to these examples without departing from the scope of the invention.

  The transmission system according to the invention can be used by public and private operators, commercial companies in the context of service offerings, especially in relation to energy, in particular for its pricing and to offer a more efficient management thereof. or to remotely manage a fleet of resources such as automation. The invention also perfectly meets the needs of operators whose job requires metering.

  Still in the energy sector, the invention can be implemented in devices for eliminating or deferring the need for reinforcement of infrastructure equipment such as lines and transformers. Functional units implementing the invention placed at each point of consumption behind the equipment at the potential capacity limit, automatically organize, continuously and free of charge, without hindering the users the sharing of the resource by ensuring that the capacity limits set never be reached.

  The invention can also be used in the context of technical management systems for professional buildings and also in home automation for functions such as the safety of people and goods, the sharing of energy resources, the improvement of energy efficiency and occupant comfort etc.

Claims (30)

  A method for transmitting information between equipment connected to a telephone network, characterized in that information to be transmitted is transcoded in a one-to-one manner from called numbers, calling numbers and call times.   2. Method according to claim 1, characterized in that the transmitted information is simple information transcoded in the form of a single call whose meaning for the called equipment is determined according to all or part of the calling number.   3. Method according to claim 1, characterized in that the transmitted information is simple information transcoded in the form of a single call whose meaning for the calling device determines the called number.   4. Method according to claim 1, characterized in that the transmitted information is simple information transcoded in the form of a single call and whose meaning for the called equipment is determined according to the calling number in combination with information of the timestamp associated with the call.   5. Method according to claim 1, characterized in that the transmitted information is simple information transcoded in the form of a single call and whose meaning for the calling equipment is determined according to the called number in combination with information of the timestamp associated with the call.   6. Method according to claim 1, characterized in that the transmitted information is complex information consisting of information elements and transcoded in the form of a plurality of successive calls, the elements of said information being transcoded in a one-to-one manner. with predetermined called numbers.   The method according to claim 1, characterized in that the transmitted information is complex information consisting of information elements and transcoded in the form of a plurality of successive calls, the elements of said information being transcoded. one-to-one with predetermined call times to at least one predetermined called number.   8. Method according to claim 1, characterized in that the transmitted information is complex information consisting of information elements and transcoded in the form of a plurality of successive calls to specific numbers, in a given chronological order, the information is reconstructed from the calling numbers, the called numbers and the chronological order of the calls.   9. Method according to claim 8, characterized in that the information is transmitted according to the following steps: - an opening of a transmission session, - successive calls to specific numbers corresponding one-to-one to the elements composing the information to transmitting, in a chronological order determined according to the scheduling of the elements composing the information to be transmitted, until the elements composing the information have been entirely transmitted, a closing of the transmission session.   12. The method as claimed in claim 9, characterized in that the opening of a transmission session is implicit with no dedicated call.   13. The method of claim 9, characterized in that the opening of a transmission session is explicit by calling a specific number one-to-one correspondence to a generic login or type. 25   - 39 - 12. Method according to one of claims 9 to 11, characterized in that the closing of the transmission session is implicit with no dedicated call.   13. Method according to one of claims 9 to 11, characterized in that the closing of the transmission session is explicit by calling a specific number one-to-one correspondence to a generic session closure or a given type.   14. Method according to one of claims 9 to 13, characterized in that the information is received according to the following steps: - a storage of the received call events comprising at least the following information elements: a line number called , or an item of information that is uniquely related to the called line number or its associated meaning, - a calling number, - a time stamp of the call.   - a detection of an event-signifying the end of the session, - an implicit or explicit sorting of the call events according to the calling number with conservation of the chronological order of reception, - an extraction of the call events having the same calling number in connection with the end-of-session event that has been detected with retention of the receiving chronological order, and - reverse transcoding of reconstitution of information transmitted from rules that apply to information elements related to the called line number.   15. Method according to claim 1, characterized in that the information transmitted is complex information consisting of information elements and transcoded in the form of a plurality of successive calls at specified times and whose meaning is reconstructed from the calling numbers and time stamp information associated with the calls.   16. Method according to claim 15, characterized in that the information is transmitted according to the following steps: - an opening of a transmission session, - successive calls at times within a specific time range corresponding in a one-to-one way to the elements. composing the information to be transmitted, in a chronological order determined according to the scheduling of the elements composing the information to be transmitted, until the elements composing the information have been entirely transmitted, - a closing of the session of transmission.   17. The method as claimed in claim 16, characterized in that the opening of a transmission session is implicit with no dedicated call.   18. The method of claim 16, characterized in that the opening of a transmission session is explicit by calling at a time within a specific time range corresponding in a one-to-one manner to a generic session opening or a given type. .   19. The method as claimed in one of claims 16 to 18, characterized in that the closing of the transmission session is implicit with no dedicated call.   20. Method according to one of claims 16 to 18, characterized in that the closing of the transmission session is explicit by calling at a time within a specific time range corresponding in a one-to-one manner to a generic session closure or a given type. 15   21. Method according to one of claims 16 to 20, characterized in that the information is received according to the following steps: a storage of the received call events comprising at least the following information elements: - a calling number, a timestamp of the call.   a detection of an event signifying the end of the session, an implicit or explicit sorting of the call events according to the calling number with preservation of the chronological order of reception, an extraction of the call events having the same calling number in connection with the end of session event that has been detected with preservation of the chronological order of reception, - an inverse transcoding of reconstitution of the information transmitted from the time stamp information of the instants of stored calls relating to the matching rules with the information elements applied to the broadcast.   22. Method according to one of claims 14 or 21, characterized in that the reception further comprises a supply of the reconstituted information, in direct or indirect association with the relevant calling number, to a process external to the invention.   The method of claim 14 or 21, characterized in that the information reception further comprises a sorting of call events having the same calling number in chronological order from the stored time stamp information elements. this sorting step retaining the chronological order of reception in the case of identity of the memorized timestamp information elements.   24. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it further comprises an extraction of timestamp information of one or more calls and a use of this timestamp information as data. time setting of a clock and / or an embedded calendar.   25. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it further comprises a selective filtering on a calling number, comprising an identity test between a given part of the calling number and a comparable number previously placed in a memory a receiving functional unit.   26. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it further comprises a reception of a temporary escape command to a transmission according to the invention, followed by an opening of a traditional transmission session. involving a line connection, an end of this traditional transmission session causing a return to a transmission mode according to the invention.   27. Method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a dialing or dialing tracking on a calling line is aborted if an activity on another terminal connected to the same line is detected.   28. A method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises, after any dialing step on a calling line, an analysis of the return tones followed by a subsequent numbering in case of detection of a occupancy tone, that is, a call declaration is successful when a remote ringing tone is detected for a time or for a number of determined tone trains.   29. Functional unit used in the method according to one of the preceding claims, comprising means for being connected to a telephone network, means for calling a called number and / or means for receiving a call from a number. calling, characterized in that it further comprises means for transcoding information from called numbers, calling numbers and call times.   30. Functional unit according to claim 29, characterized in that it further comprises means for storing called numbers, calling numbers and call times.   31. Functional unit according to one of claims 29 or 30 characterized in that it further comprises means for recalling, after receiving a call, the calling number obtained from identification information of the caller received during this call.   32. Functional unit according to one of claims 29 to 31 characterized in that it further comprises means for using a timestamp information received as a source of information to automatically set a clock or an onboard calendar .   33. Information transmission system implementing the method according to one of claims 1 to 28, comprising a telephone network, characterized in that it further comprises functional units according to one of claims 29 to 32 connected by said telephone network.