Telephone apparatus

Abstract

To provide a telephone apparatus capable of removing an oxide film or the like of a contact point of a key.SOLUTION: A telephone apparatus includes: a plurality of keys that makes a plurality of contact points to be conducted by depressing them; a detection part that detects the number of depressions of each of the plurality of keys; a selection part that compares the number of depressions in each detection key detected by the detection part in each predetermined period with a predetermined setting value, and selects the detection key as the number of depressions that is less than the predetermined setting values; and a notification part that notifies the selection key selected by the setting part.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a telephone device, and more particularly to a method for preventing oxidation of switch contacts of each key of a keyboard of a telephone device. [Background technology]

[0002] Generally, in a telephone device such as a multi-function telephone provided with a keyboard containing conventional dial keys, function keys, etc., a technique is known in which the keys of the keyboard are arranged in a matrix in the row and column directions, and key matrix control is implemented to detect the depression of each key (for example, Patent Document 1).

[0003] Generally, in products with many keys such as multi-function phones, in order to limit current and save the number of general-purpose pin ports of the microcomputer chip used, keys (switches) are connected to the intersections of a matrix of grid-like wiring to implement key matrix control. The keys are of the press contact type, and include switches with positive and negative contacts that make the switch conductive or non-conductive depending on whether they are in contact or not. Key mechanisms include membrane switches, pantograph switches, and mechanical switches. Carbon contacts and metal contacts are used as key components. In one example of key matrix control, one column of key switches can be read by setting only one column of key output to L and the rest to H. When a key is pressed, the key switch input of the connected row becomes L, making it possible to detect the key press. By sending a pulse that sequentially changes the key output to L for each column, it is possible to detect all key presses. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] JP 2000-165505 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] However, when the key contacts are made of metal, even if they are gold-plated, there is a possibility that the surface will oxidize due to pinholes or cracks if the key is not pressed for a long time, resulting in poor contact when the key is pressed. For contacts that do not have a wiping structure, it is necessary to increase the current value and remove the oxide film by arc discharge, but in devices that are equipped with a large number of contact parts such as those that use a key matrix, the current value is set small, making it difficult to remove the oxide film. The oxide film can be removed by increasing the current value, but this method has the problem that it is not possible to remove the oxide film by arc discharge while suppressing power consumption.

[0006] Furthermore, since the control method is dynamic rather than static, current flows only during the pulse transmission time, resulting in low power.

[0007] The present invention has been made in consideration of the above problems, and aims to provide a telephone device in which a keyboard can be used to solve the problem of oxidation of the switch contacts of each key on the keyboard, the keyboard can maintain a key-press operating state, temporarily increase the power to the key contacts depending on the time the key is not pressed, and remove oxide films, etc. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] The telephone device of the present invention is characterized in having a plurality of keys each of which causes a respective one of a plurality of contacts to become conductive when pressed, a detection unit which detects the number of times each of the plurality of keys is pressed, a selection unit which compares the number of times each detected key is pressed, detected by the detection unit at predetermined intervals with a predetermined set value, and selects a detected key whose number of presses is less than the predetermined set value, and a notification unit which notifies the user of the selected key selected by the selection unit. Effect of the Invention

[0009] According to the telephone device of the present invention, it is possible to prevent poor contact in the switches of the keyboard when the keys are pressed. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0010] [Figure 1] 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a multifunction telephone as a telephone device of an embodiment; [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a front view of the multifunction telephone according to the embodiment. [Diagram 3] 2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a detection unit and a key power control unit of a control unit of a multifunction telephone of an embodiment, and a main part of an operation unit which is a target for contact cleaning. FIG. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a time chart showing an example of key matrix control of the telephone device according to the embodiment. [Diagram 5] 10 is a flowchart showing a contact cleaning process according to a modified example of the embodiment. [Figure 6] 13 is a flowchart showing a contact cleaning process according to another modified example of the embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0011] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In the description of the embodiments and the accompanying drawings, substantially the same or equivalent parts are designated by the same reference numerals, and duplicated explanations will be omitted.

[0012] (First embodiment) (Configuration Description) 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a multifunction telephone 11, which is a telephone device of this embodiment. The multifunction telephone 11 includes a control unit 12, a handset unit 14, a communication unit 15, an operation unit 16, a display unit 17, an LED unit 18, and a notification unit 19.

[0013] 2 is a diagram showing the front of an example of the multifunction telephone 11 of this embodiment. On the telephone panel of the multifunction telephone 11, there are provided a receiver PRC of the handset unit 14, multifunction keys MFK (6×5 keys KY) of the operation unit 16, dial keys NKP, cursor keys CK, clear key C, enter key ENTER and other keys, a liquid crystal display DPY of the display unit 17, light-emitting units LED of the LED unit 18 (provided for each of the 6×5 keys KY of the multifunction keys MFK), and a speaker SPK of the notification unit 19. Some of the multifunction keys MFK etc. can be assigned the role of starting functions of the main unit 20, such as call recording, pick-up / substitute answering, outside line, PB transmission, and day / night switching.

[0014] The control unit 12 is a computer device that is connected to the handset unit 14, communication unit 15, operation unit 16, display unit 17, LED unit 18, and notification unit 19 via respective predetermined transmission lines and controls them. The control unit 12 includes a memory unit 13, a CPU (Central Processing Unit) (not shown), and a timer (not shown), and realizes the functions of the main unit 20 by sending control data signals to each unit of the multifunction telephone 11 according to a multifunction telephone application software program (not shown) installed in the memory unit 13, and by processing various information data sent from each unit (mainly the operation unit 16).

[0015] The storage unit 13 is composed of an SSD or the like that stores the operation program of the control unit 12, a RAM that stores various information data such as detection data processed by the control unit 12, a flash memory, or the like.

[0016] The handset unit 14 includes a receiver PRC that is connected to the telephone body and held by the user, a microphone that converts the user's voice into an electrical signal, and a speaker that reproduces the voice of the other party. The handset unit 14 outputs an electrical voice signal to the control unit 12, and the control unit 12 generates voice data according to the electrical voice signal and sends it to the communication unit 15.

[0017] The communication unit 15 is connected to the main device 20 via a communication line TL. The communication unit 15 has a function of transmitting and receiving voice data, information data, control data signals, and the like between the main device 20 and the terminating device 40 and other IP networks, etc., via the external IP network NW.

[0018] The operation unit 16 includes a plurality of keys KY (see FIG. 2) that accept a pressing operation by a user. The operation unit 16 outputs to the control unit 12 a pressing signal that indicates the accepted pressing.

[0019] The display unit 17 includes, for example, a liquid crystal display DPY, and displays various information data such as detection data from the control unit 12. The display unit 17 may be a touch panel.

[0020] The LED section 18 includes a plurality of LEDs. Some of the LEDs are provided for each key KY of the operation section 16, for example. Other LEDs function as, for example, incoming call lamps. The control section 12 controls the lighting and blinking of each LED. That is, the control section 12 lights or blinks the corresponding LED in response to a user operation and an incoming / outgoing call operation of the multi-function telephone 11.

[0021] The notification unit 19 includes, for example, a speaker SPK, and notifies various information from the control unit 12, such as an incoming call tone and a conversation voice.

[0022] 1 indicate transmission or reception of control / information data signals such as request signals between the various sections within the multifunction telephone 11 and between the multifunction telephone 11 and the main unit 20. Also, dashed arrows indicate transmission or reception of voice signals between the handset unit 14, the control unit 12, the communication unit 15, and the main unit 20.

[0023] The main unit 20 is a device that accommodates the multifunction telephone 11 and has a VoIP gateway function, for example, an IP-PBX (Internet Protocol Private Branch eXchange) private branch exchange connected to the IP network NW. In this case, the main unit 20 is IP-connected to the IP network NW via a termination device 40, and transmits IP packet data signals via the IP network. The main unit 20 transmits and receives voice data, information data, control data signals, etc. to and from the multifunction telephone 11 via the communication line TL.

[0024] (Contact cleaning) In the control unit 12 of the multi-function telephone 11, a contact cleaning application software program is installed and deployed in the storage unit 13. According to the program, the CPU has the following functional units: (1) As the detection unit DP, (2) As the selection part SP, (3) As the Notification Department NP, (4) Function as the key power control unit KP and perform contact cleaning.

[0025] 3 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the detection unit DP and key power control unit KP of the control unit 12 of the multi-function telephone 11, and the main parts of the operation unit 16 that is the target of contact cleaning. The operation unit 16 has a key matrix unit 16A in which a plurality of keys KY are arranged in row and column directions, and a key matrix control unit 16B consisting of an FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array) or the like having row output ports and column input ports.

[0026] The key matrix unit 16A is configured so that keys (switches) are connected to each intersection of the matrix of the grid wiring, and key matrix control, so-called key scanning, can be performed. Here, among the switches connected to the grid wiring, the side connected to the row output port of the key matrix control unit 16B is called the "row wiring RL," and the side connected to the same column input port is called the "column wiring CL."

[0027] The key matrix control unit 16B is equipped with a resistance control unit TSP, a resistance selector SEL (normal resistance unit Ra and cleaning resistance unit Rb), and a pulse width control unit WCP so as to perform key scanning of the key matrix unit 16A. The resistance control unit TSP is used to control power to the row output port. The pulse width control unit WCP is used to control power to the column input port. The resistance selector SEL is used to switch between the normal resistance unit Ra and the cleaning resistance unit Rb. The normal resistance unit Ra has a resistor that generates a current used in normal mode. The cleaning resistance unit Rb has a resistor with a lower resistance value than the resistor of the normal resistance unit Ra that generates a current used in cleaning mode (a current larger than the current used in normal mode).

[0028] To detect the pressed (ON) / released (OFF) state of these matrix-arranged keys (switches), the row output port of the key matrix control unit 16B sequentially outputs H (high level current) one bit at a time to the row wiring RL, and each time, the column input port is read, and the detection unit DP of the control unit 12 checks the H (high level current) or L (low level current) state of the column wiring CL of the column input port. This read operation for each row specified by the row output port is repeated at a fixed period of several milliseconds (key scan). Each column wiring CL is grounded by a pull-down resistor (not shown). A diode is provided for each row wiring RL to protect the row output port. Although not shown, it is preferable to provide a diode in series for each individual switch to prevent erroneous recognition when multiple keys are pressed.

[0029] FIG. 4 is a time chart showing an example of key matrix control (key scan) (when a key at an intersection of row wiring R2 and column wiring C2 is pressed). Row output ports R1 to R6 ... sequentially output H to row wiring RL in this order, and each time, column input ports C1 to C6 ... of column wiring CL are read, and the detection unit DP of the control unit 12 sequentially detects whether these bits are H or L. Here, the key press at the intersection can be detected at the timing when only the column input port C2 (second row) becomes level H. However, instead of reading the column wiring CL input immediately after switching the row wiring RL output, the column wiring CL input is read just before switching the row wiring RL as in C2. This is to avoid delays due to the operating speed of the row output ports and the capacitance of the wiring.

[0030] Each functional unit for contact cleaning in the control unit 12 functions as follows.

[0031] (1: Detection part DP) The detection unit DP constantly monitors the key matrix control (key scan) and detects the number of times each of the multiple keys KY is pressed based on press signals indicating presses received from the multiple keys KY. Each time detection is performed, the detection unit DP associates the number of presses for each key with each key and stores the detection result in a list in the storage unit 13. The data stored for each key can be overwritten and stored to indicate the presence or absence of key input (press), with zero no presses being "0" (initial value) and one press being "1". The data stored for each key may also be accumulated for each key input (press) and the accumulated value stored with an upper limit set.

[0032] (2: Selection section SP) The selection unit SP compares the number of presses for each detection key KY detected by the detection unit DP stored in the memory unit 13 with a predetermined set value at predetermined intervals, and selects a detection key KY for which contact cleaning is to be performed when the number of presses is less than the predetermined set value. The predetermined period and the predetermined set value are set in the initial settings of the multifunction telephone 11. The predetermined set value is "1" when detecting the presence or absence of key input (pressing). The predetermined period may be one to several years, depending on the operating environment of the multifunction telephone 11. When the selection unit SP selects a detection key KY for which contact cleaning is to be performed, the selection unit SP sends position data of the detection key KY to the notification unit NP, and sends a command to the key power control unit KP to transition from normal mode to contact cleaning mode.

[0033] (3: Notification Department NP) The notification unit NP notifies the outside of the multi-function telephone 11 of the position of the selection key KY for which contact cleaning is to be performed, selected by the selection unit SP. The notification unit NP sends position information of the selection key KY for which contact cleaning is to be performed to the display unit 17, and causes the display unit 17 to display the position of the selection key KY for which contact cleaning is to be performed, and also displays to the user that "the selection key KY should be pressed for contact cleaning." The notification unit NP also sends the position information of the selection key KY to the LED unit 18, and can also guide the user to press the selection key KY by, for example, blinking the light-emitting unit LED corresponding to the position of the selection key KY.

[0034] (4: Key power control unit KP) The key power control unit KP controls the key matrix control unit 16B to supply normal power to the contacts of the multiple keys KY in the normal mode, and controls the key matrix control unit 16B to supply contact cleaning power to the contacts of the selected key KY in the cleaning mode in which the selection unit SP has notified the detected key KY to be cleaned.

[0035] As shown in Fig. 3, the key power control unit KP controls the current of the row output port via the resistance control unit TSP of the key matrix control unit 16B. In the normal mode, the resistance control unit TSP supplies a current to the row output port via the normal resistance unit Ra that generates a current used in the normal mode in response to a command from the key power control unit KP, and outputs a normal level H to the row wiring RL. In the cleaning mode, the resistance control unit TSP switches the resistance selector SEL to the cleaning resistance unit Rb in response to a command from the key power control unit KP, supplies a higher current to the row output port, and outputs a cleaning mode level H that is higher than that in the normal mode to the row wiring RL.

[0036] In this way, when supplying power for cleaning the contacts in the cleaning mode, the key power control unit KP switches between multiple resistors (normal resistance unit Ra, cleaning resistance unit Rb) to change the current and power applied to the contacts of the selected key KY from those in normal operation.

[0037] In addition, the key power control unit KP controls the pulse width and period of the column wiring of the column input port via the pulse width control unit WCP of the key matrix control unit 16 B. In response to a command from the key power control unit KP, the pulse width control unit WCP increases the pulse width and period in the cleaning mode compared to the normal mode.

[0038] In this embodiment, the row output port and the column input port are described as positive and negative poles, but in other embodiments, the row input port and the column output port can be configured as negative and positive poles. Therefore, the detection unit DP is connected to each of the multiple keys KY of the key matrix unit 16A via multiple row wirings RL and column wirings CL, and can select either one of the row wirings RL and column wirings CL to detect the number of times each of the multiple keys KY is pressed via the other of the row wirings RL and column wirings CL.

[0039] (Explanation of operation) First, in the normal mode, the key matrix control unit 16B detects the presence or absence of input (pressing) to the key matrix unit 16A by key scanning and notifies the detection unit DP. The detection unit DP detects the number of times each key KY is pressed and stores it in the memory unit 13 as a list.

[0040] The selection unit SP periodically refers to the storage unit 13 and judges whether all the keys KY are pressed. When a key KY that has not been pressed for a certain period is detected, the selection unit SP transitions to a cleaning mode and sends the position data of the detected key KY that has not been pressed for a certain period to the notification unit NP, and at the same time, transitions the key power control unit KP from a normal mode to a contact cleaning mode.

[0041] In the cleaning mode, the key power control unit KP performs two types of control on the column wirings and row wirings of the key matrix unit 16A. (1) The resistance control unit TSP controls the resistance selector SEL to change the resistance component (normal resistance unit Ra) of each row of the key matrix unit 16A, and connects the cleaning resistance unit Rb to the row output port so that a cleaning current flows. (2) The pulse width and period of the column wiring to be controlled are changed by controlling the pulses of the column input port using the pulse width control unit WCP. For example, in the cleaning mode, they are increased from those in the normal mode.

[0042] Furthermore, the notification unit NP notifies the user of the transition to the cleaning mode via the display unit 17 and the LED unit 18, and displays, for example, a message urging the user to press all the keys KY or a detection key KY that has not been pressed for a certain period of time. Then, when all the keys KY or a detection key KY that has not been pressed for a certain period of time is pressed, the cleaning mode is released.

[0043] Then, the selection unit SP clears the list stored in the memory unit 13. Also, if the selection unit SP constantly monitors the list in the memory unit 13, it can clear the timer and the list when all the keys KY are pressed even if a certain period of time has not passed.

[0044] (Explanation of effect) As described above, according to the first embodiment, if the key KY is not pressed for a certain period of time, the mode transitions to the cleaning mode. The cleaning mode increases the power when the key KY contact is in contact, removes oxide films on the metal contacts, and enables the detection unit DP to detect the presence or absence of key KY input with reduced power consumption.

[0045] In the first embodiment, the removal of oxide film was explained using the example of a telephone, but the present invention can be applied to any product that has metal contacts.

[0046] Although the detection of the presence or absence of key KY input has been described in the example of detecting all keys KY, it is also possible to control the detection of keys KY for each row or column.

[0047] In the embodiment, it is installed and deployed in the storage unit 13 as a contact cleaning application software program, but the detection unit DP, selection unit SP, notification unit NP, and key power control unit KP of the functional units can also be built into the FPGA key matrix control unit 16B. It is also possible to provide the FPGA with a flash memory and provide it with a storage function. Moreover, the functional units can be built into the key matrix control unit 16B of an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit) instead of an FPGA.

[0048] Regarding the notification by notification unit NP, an example of notification on display unit 17 has been described, but it is also possible to notify the outside via communication unit 15.

[0049] (Modification) In the first embodiment, when a key press is detected, the presence or absence of a key press is overwritten and stored in the memory unit 13 with zero no presses being set to "0" (initial value) and one press being set to "1". In the modified example, the multifunction telephone 11 is the same as in the first embodiment, except that the program configuration counts and accumulates each key press and stores the accumulated value in the memory unit 13.

[0050] 5 is a flow chart showing the contact cleaning process of this modified example. The outline of the operation of the contact cleaning process of the multifunction telephone 11 in which the contact cleaning application software program is installed in the storage unit 13 will be described below. The multifunction telephone 11 is connected to the main unit 20 for a user to make a call and is used in normal mode. First, at the time of startup, a predetermined setting value for the number of key presses for contact cleaning is initially set to, for example, "2," and a predetermined period for which the selection unit SP refers to the storage unit 13 is initially set to, for example, "31536000 seconds (1 year)" (step S1), and then time measurement is started (step S2).

[0051] Each time the user uses the multifunction telephone 11, the detection unit DP counts the number of times a key is pressed for each key, accumulates the depression increment value for each key, and stores each accumulated value in a list in the flash memory of the storage unit 13 (step S3).

[0052] The selection unit SP compares the accumulated number of times each key is pressed with a predetermined set value at each predetermined period to determine whether or not there is a key that has been pressed less than the predetermined set value (step S4). If there is no key that has been pressed less than the predetermined set value (step S4: N), the process returns to step S3.

[0053] If there is a key that has been pressed fewer times than the predetermined set value (step S4: Y), the selection unit SP transitions to contact cleaning mode (causes the key power control unit KP to transition from normal mode to contact cleaning mode), and then causes the display unit 17 etc. to display a reminder via the notification unit NP (step S5).

[0054] The selection unit SP determines whether or not a key for which the contact points are to be cleaned has been pressed (step S6). If a key for which the contact points are to be cleaned has not been pressed (step S6: N), the process returns to step S5.

[0055] If a key for which contact cleaning is to be performed is pressed (step S6: Y), the selection unit SP stops contact cleaning, clears the integrated value stored in the flash memory, and returns to the initial state (step S7).

[0056] (Other variations) In the above modification, the contact cleaning mode is switched to in step S5, and the display prompting the pressing of a key less than a predetermined set value is repeated, but in the other modification, the display prompting the pressing of the key is repeated, but the other modification is the same as the above modification. Therefore, only the parts that are different from the above modification will be described here.

[0057] 6 is the same as the above-mentioned modified example up to step S6, and the selection unit SP, after determining whether or not the key to be cleaned has been pressed (step S6), if the key to be cleaned has not been pressed (step S6: N), stops the contact cleaning mode and the prompt display after a preset time, for example, several minutes, and returns to step S1 while reading a second preset time, for example, several tens of minutes, shorter than the preset preset time, from the storage unit 13 and setting it as the preset time (step S8). As a result, for example, the contact cleaning mode is resumed the next time the multi-function telephone 11 is used. [Explanation of symbols]

[0058] 11 Multifunction telephone 12 Control section 13 Storage section 14 Handset 15 Communications Department 16 Control section 16A Key matrix section 16B Key matrix control unit 17 Display 18 LED section 19. Notification Department DP detection section SP Selection Section NP Notification Department KP Key power control section TSP Resistance Control Unit SEL Resistor Selector Ra Normal resistance section Rb Cleaning resistor WCP Pulse width control unit

Claims

1. a plurality of keys each of which, when pressed, causes a respective one of a plurality of contacts to become conductive; A detection unit that detects the number of times each of the plurality of keys is pressed; a selection unit that compares the number of times each detected key has been pressed, detected by the detection unit, with a predetermined set value at each predetermined time period, and selects a detected key whose number of times the key has been pressed is less than the predetermined set value; a notification unit that notifies a user of a selection key selected by the selection unit; 13. A telephone device comprising:

2. a key matrix section in which the keys are arranged in rows and columns; 2. The telephone device according to claim 1, wherein the detection unit is connected to each of the plurality of keys of the key matrix unit via a plurality of row wirings and column wirings, and selects one of the row wirings or the column wirings to detect the number of times each of the plurality of keys is pressed via the other of the row wirings or the column wirings.

3. 3. The telephone device according to claim 1, further comprising a key power control section for supplying contact cleaning power to the contact of the selected key when the detection key is selected by the selection section.

4. 4. The telephone device according to claim 3, wherein said key power control unit changes a current applied to the contact of said selection key from a current applied to the contact of said selection key in normal operation by switching a plurality of resistors when supplying said contact cleaning power.

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