Method and apparatus for speed dialing via one-touch and two-touch operation

• US 5,509,067 A
• Filed: 02/25/1993
• Issued: 04/16/1996
• Est. Priority Date: 02/26/1992
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha (Canon Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha (Canon Inc.)
• Inventors: Murata, Yukio
• Primary Examiner(s): Matar, Ahmad F.
• Assistant Examiner(s): WEAVER, SCOTT LOUIS
• Application Number:
  US08/022,547
• Time in Patent Office: 1,146 Days
• Field of Search: 379/354, 379/355, 379/356, 379/357, 379/396, 379/368, 379/200, 379/369, 379/188, 379/368, 341/23
• US Class Current: 379/355.09
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/2745 using static electronic memories, e.g. chips
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/27467 Methods of retrieving data

Abstract

A dial calling method in which a multiplicity of dialing information items can be registered while decreasing the number of keys and simplifying the operation and which is capable of abbreviated-dialing and one-touch-dialing a multiplicity of called parties in accordance with the registered dialing information, and to a communication apparatus which use the method. Dialing information concerning the called party, inputted by using function keys and a ten-key keyboard, is registered in a storage unit, whose address is specified in accordance with the input sequential number of the dialing information and in accordance with the depressed function key. If the abbreviated dialing is performed, the registered dialing information is read by depressing the function key and by inputting the number which corresponds to the input sequential number by using the ten-key, so that dialing is performed.

Claims

1. A communication apparatus capable of abbreviated-dialing comprising:

a ten-key keyboard;

a function key;

storage means capable of storing a plurality of dialing numbers which correspond to the function key;

discriminating means for discriminating whether one dial number or a plurality of dialing numbers are stored in said storage means; and

dialing means for dialing based on the one dialing number in accordance with an operation of the function key when said discriminating means discriminates that the one dialing number is stored, corresponding to the function key, and dialing based on one of the plurality of dialing numbers in accordance with the operation of the function key and input from the ten-key keyboard when said discriminating means discriminates that the plurality of dialing numbers are stored, corresponding to the function key.

2. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a relationship between said one dialing number and said function key is stored in a memory.

3. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a storage address of the one of the plurality of dialing numbers stored in said storage means is specified by the input from the ten-key keyboard and the operation of the function key.

4. The apparatus according to claim 2, wherein when only the one dialing number is stored in said storage means corresponding to said function key, a storage address of the dialing number is specified by said function key, and only the one dialing number is read from said storage means by the operation of the function key.

5. A dial method adapted to a communication apparatus having a ten-key keyboard and speed dialing keys, comprising:

an input step of inputting a registration number which specifies a particular user, a code number which is a password for a registration function and dialing information which specifies a called party;

a comparison step of comparing the code number inputted in said input step with a pre-registered code number corresponding to the registration number inputted in said input step;

a registration step of registering the dialing information corresponding to the registration number inputted in said input step and a speed dialing key when the inputted code number coincides with the pre-registered code number;

a readout step of reading the dialing information registered in said registration step in response to a key operation for specifying the dialing information; and

a dialing step of dialing by using the dialing information read in said readout step in response to said readout step.

6. The method according to claim 5, wherein the dialing information in said readout step is read out in accordance with a number inputted from the ten-key keyboard and the speed dialing key.

7. A communication apparatus comprising:

a ten-key keyboard;

a speed dialing key;

storage means capable of storing a plurality of dialing numbers in accordance with a plurality of identification numbers and the speed dialing key;

discriminating means for discriminating whether a single dialing number is stored in said storage means, or a plurality of dialing numbers are stored in said storage means, corresponding to the speed dialing key; and

dialing means for dialing based on the single dialing number in accordance with an operation of the speed dialing key when said discriminating means discriminates that the single dialing number is stored, and dialing based on one of the plurality of dialing numbers in accordance with the operation of the speed dialing key and a number inputted from the ten-key keyboard when said discriminating means discriminates that the plurality of the dialing numbers are stored.

8. The apparatus according to claim 7, wherein when the single dialing number related to the speed dialing key is stored in said storage means, said dialing means performs dialing only based on the operation of the speed dialing key.

9. The apparatus according to claim 7, wherein when a plurality of the dialing numbers related to the speed dialing key are stored in said storage means, said dialing means performs dialing based on the inputted number from said ten-key keyboard and a subsequent operation of the speed dialing key.

10. The apparatus according to claim 7, wherein said storage means has restriction means for restricting storage of the single or the plurality of dialing numbers.

11. The apparatus according to claim 10, wherein said restriction means has:

code number registration means for registering a code number for restriction;

code number input means for enabling a user to input a code at the time the single dialing number is stored or the plurality of dialing numbers are stored if said code number has been registered; and

compare means for comparing the code inputted via said code number input means and the code number registered by said code number registration means, and restricting the storage if the code does not coincide with the code number.

12. The apparatus according to claim 7, further comprising output means for outputting the single or the plurality of dialing numbers stored in said storage means to a recording medium.

13. The apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the plurality of identification numbers identify registered users.

14. A dial method adapted to a communication apparatus having selecting means and a speed dialing key comprising the steps of:

discriminating whether one dialing number is registered, or plural dialing numbers are registered, corresponding to the speed dialing key;

dialing based on the one dialing number corresponding to the speed dialing key when it is discriminated in said discriminating step that the one dialing is registered; and

dialing based on one of the plural dialing numbers corresponding to the speed dialing key and an input from said selecting means when it is discriminated in said discriminating step that the plural dialing numbers are registered.

15. The method according to claim 14, wherein the one of the plural dialing numbers is selected via a ten-key keyboard as said selecting means.

16. A calling apparatus for performing a process of calling, comprising:

a function key;

memory means capable of storing plural identifications for the function key;

discriminating means for discriminating whether one identification or plural identifications are stored in said memory means;

selecting means for enabling selection of one of the plural identifications stored in said memory means; and

performing means for performing a first process based on the one identification when said discriminating means discriminates that the one identification is stored, and performing a second process based on one of the plural identifications selected via said selecting means when said discriminating means discriminates that the plural identifications are stored.

17. The apparatus according to claim 16, wherein said selecting means includes a ten-key keyboard.

18. The apparatus according to claim 16, wherein said performing means performs the first and second processes in accordance with an operation of the function key.

19. A method of performing a process in accordance with an operation of a function key for calling, comprising the steps of:

discriminating whether one identification or plural identifications are registered corresponding to the function key;

performing a first process based on the one identification when it is discriminated in said discriminating step that the one identification is registered; and

performing a second process based on one of the plural identifications selected by a selecting operation when it is discriminated in said discriminating step that the plural identifications are registered.

20. The method according to claim 19, wherein the second process is performed based on the one of the plural identifications selected by the selecting operation using a ten-key board.

21. The method according to claim 19, wherein the first and second processes are performed in accordance with an operation of the function key.