JPH09270845A - Telephone number list generating device and method therefor - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To automatically generate a list of telephone numbers, by searching an access point at a desired area among plural access points. SOLUTION: A CPU 24 acts as a message area(MA) retrieval section 24 to read MA list data 34 from a hard disk unit 32. Toll station numbers and local station numbers stored in a memory 28 are compared sequentially with toll station numbers and local station numbers set to each MA in the MA list data 34, and a coincident MA is led out as a specific MA. The CPU 22 acts as an access point(AP) retrieval section 26 to read AP list data 36 from the hard disk unit 32. The specific MA name is compared sequentially with each AP name in the AP list data 36, and a telephone number of the AP is led out from the AP list data 36, when there is any AP coincident with the specific MA name. The telephone number is written onto a head of a telephone number list. The telephone number list is stored in the memory 28 or the hard disk unit 32.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a telephone number list creating apparatus and method for creating a telephone number list of access points within a predetermined area among a plurality of access points connected to a communication host. is there.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Generally, when a user receives a VAN service such as a so-called personal computer communication service or a line connection service to a network such as the Internet, the user calls an access point using a communication terminal such as a terminal computer. To establish a connection with a communication host such as a host computer (including a server).

At this time, usually, a plurality of access points connected to the communication host are provided so that no trouble occurs even if a large number of users access. Especially when the service providers are large in scale, such access points are scattered all over the country.

However, even if there are a plurality of access points in this way, if the user makes a call to an access point far from his present location, the call charge will be high, so the access actually made by the user Points are limited to near your current location.

[0005] Generally, the list of locations and telephone numbers of each access point is provided to the user by the service provider or the like. Therefore, when the user makes a call to the access point, the list is included in the list. To find the phone number of the access point closest to your current location and call that access point.

[0006]

As described above, conventionally, when a user makes a call to an access point, an access point near his or her current location is selected from a list of many access points. I had to find myself. This kind of work was very troublesome for the user.

In recent years, communication terminals have become portable, and for example, some users may desire to access a communication host at a business trip destination or a travel destination. In such a case, it would be very convenient if an access point near the user's location at a business trip destination or a travel destination could be immediately found from the above list.

Therefore, an object of the present invention is to find out an access point in a desired area from a plurality of access points and create a list of telephone numbers thereof in order to solve such a conventional problem. It is to provide a telephone number list creation device capable of performing the above.

[0009]

[Means for Solving the Problem and Its Action / Effect] In order to achieve at least a part of the above-mentioned object, the first invention is to access a communication host from a communication terminal through a telephone line. A telephone number list creation device for creating a telephone number list of access points in a predetermined area among a plurality of access points of the communication host, which can make a call from a communication terminal, Input means for inputting the designation information for designating the area, the first storage means for storing the charge area information indicating a plurality of charge areas divided as an area serving as a unit of the call charge, and the access point of each access point. Second storage means for storing access point information including a telephone number;
Searching for a specific charge area including the specific area indicated by the designation information input by the input means from the plurality of charge areas indicated by the charge area information stored in the first storage means; 1 search means and the access point information stored in the second storage means,
Second search means for searching the telephone numbers of the access points within the specific charge area searched by the first search means and creating a list of the obtained telephone numbers;
The gist is to provide.

As described above, in the first aspect of the invention, the first storage means stores charge area information indicating a plurality of charge areas. Here, each charge area is divided as an area serving as a unit of a call charge. Generally, the callable time per unit call charge is determined by the distance to the other party who makes a call, and the longer the distance, the shorter the callable time. Normally, the distance between the charge areas is the distance to the other party to call. Therefore, when there is a person making a call in the same charge area, the distance to the other party is the shortest, and the callable time per unit call charge is the longest.

The second storage means stores access point information including the telephone number of each access point. Then, when the designation information for designating the specific area is input by the input means, the first searching means sets the specific charge area including the specific area indicated by the specific information to the plurality of charges stored in the first storage means. Search within the area. The second search means searches the access point information stored in the second storage means for the telephone numbers of the access points in the specific area obtained by the search, and the list of the obtained telephone numbers. To create.

Therefore, according to the first aspect of the invention, the user simply inputs the designation information designating the desired area (specific area) by the input means, and the access point within the specific charge area including the specific area. The telephone number list of can be automatically created. Therefore, the user is freed from the troublesome work of searching the telephone number of the access point. Also, no matter where the user is, if he / she inputs the specified information to specify his / her location, a list of telephone numbers of access points near that location can be obtained. It is also convenient if you want to access. In addition, since the specified specific area and the access point obtained by searching are within the same charge area (specific charge area), when making a call to that access point from the specific area, the call per unit call charge is possible. The time is the longest and the call charges are low.

In the first aspect of the invention, the phrase "to make a call from a communication terminal" refers to a case where a call is made using the communication terminal and a case where a call is made using the attached telephone or communication device. Is also included.

In the telephone number list creating apparatus of the first invention, the first searching means inputs the input from the plurality of charge areas indicated by the charge area information stored in the first storage means. The second search means includes means for searching a specific charge area including the specific area indicated by the designation information input by the means and a charge area adjacent to the specific charge area, and the second search means is the second storage means. It is preferable to include means for searching the access point information stored in the above for the telephone numbers of the access points in the specific charge area and the adjacent charge area and creating a list of the obtained phone numbers. .

As described above, not only in the specific charge area including the specified specific area, but also in the charge area adjacent to the specified charge area, the access point is searched, so that the telephone number of the access point in the adjacent charge area is searched. Can also be added to the list, so that even if there are no access points within the specified tariff area, it can be sufficiently dealt with. Also, if you want to call the access point of the adjacent charge area obtained by searching from the specified specific area,
The callable time per unit call charge is shorter than when calling within a specific charge area, but it is longer than when calling to another charge area, so the call charge is low.

Further, in the telephone number list creating apparatus of the first invention, the second searching means may be such that the telephone number of each access point included in the access point information is
A telephone number of an access point within the toll zone is searched based on whether or not the toll zone searched by the first search means includes a specific number set as a part of a telephone number. Preferably.

In general, the telephone number partially includes a specific number (for example, an area code or a local code) set for each toll area. Therefore, whether or not the telephone number is within the searched charge area can be determined by whether or not it includes the specific number set for the charge area.

Further, in the telephone number list creating apparatus of the first invention, the input means is a specific information set as a part of a telephone number for the specific area, as the specification information for specifying the specific area. A number is input, and the first search means causes the specific number set as a part of the telephone number for each charge area indicated by the charge area information to be input as the specified information. It is preferable to search for the specific charge area based on whether or not a number is included.

As mentioned above, a part of the telephone number includes a specific number set for each toll area. Therefore, whether or not the charge area includes the specified specific area can be determined by whether or not the specific number set for the charge area includes the specific number set for the specific area.

In a second aspect of the present invention, in order to access a communication host from a communication terminal via a telephone line, a predetermined number is selected from a plurality of access points for the communication host that can make a call from the communication terminal. Is a method of creating a telephone number list of access points in the area of (a), which stores (a) charge area information indicating a plurality of charge areas divided as areas serving as a unit of call charges. And a second storage means for storing access point information including a telephone number of each access point, and (b) an input means for designating a specific area. Inputting information by the input means from among the plurality of charge areas indicated by the charge area information stored in the first storage means (c), Searching a specific charge area including the specific area indicated by the specified information, and (d) the access point information stored in the second storage means by the first search means. Searching the telephone numbers of the access points in the searched specific charge area and creating a list of the obtained telephone numbers;
The gist is to provide.

As described above, in the second invention, the step (a)
In 1, the first storage means for storing the charge area information indicating a plurality of charge areas and the second storage means for storing the access point information including the telephone number of each access point are prepared. Next, in step (b), the designation information for designating the specific area is input by the input means. Step (c)
Then, a specific charge area including the specific area indicated by the designation information input by the input means is searched from among the plurality of charge areas stored in the first storage means. In step (d),
The access point information stored in the second storage means is searched for the telephone numbers of the access points within the specific charge area obtained by the retrieval, and a list of the telephone numbers is created. Therefore, also in the second invention, the same effect as that of the first invention can be obtained.

[0022]

Other Embodiments of the Invention The present invention can also adopt the following other embodiments. That is, in one aspect, a storage medium for storing information, which when read into a processing device, can cause the processing device to operate as the first and second searching means in the first invention. The main point is to store various programs as the information.

In this aspect, if the program stored in the storage medium is read into the processing device such as a computer, the processing device can be operated as the first and second searching means.

[0024]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

A. Configuration of Example Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described based on an example. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a telephone number list creating apparatus as an embodiment of the present invention. The telephone number list creation device 20 of this embodiment is composed of a computer and peripheral devices. As shown in FIG. 1, the computer includes a CPU (central processing unit) 22, a memory 28,
It mainly includes a disk interface 30, an I / O interface (input / output interface) 38, and a communication interface 46, which are connected to each other via a bus 48.

A hard disk device 32 is connected to the disk interface 30 as a peripheral device.
To the I / O interface 38, a keyboard 40 and a mouse 42 that are input devices, a monitor 44 that is an output device, and a printer 50 are connected as peripheral devices. The communication interface 46 is connected to a telephone line 52 directly through a peripheral device such as a modem (not shown) or a terminal adapter (not shown).

The CPU 22 is a processing device that performs various processing operations based on programs stored in the memory 28 or the like. In the present embodiment, in particular, a telephone number list creation program (not shown) stored in the memory 28. Function) as a unit charge area (hereinafter referred to as MA) search unit 24 and an access point (hereinafter referred to as AP) search unit 26. Further, the hard disk device 32 is a storage device for storing various programs and data, and in the present embodiment, particularly the MA list data 34 and the AP list data 36 are respectively stored therein. In this embodiment, the above-mentioned telephone number creation program is the hard disk device 3
It is stored in No. 2, and when you run the program,
It is read from the hard disk device 32 into the memory 28 and stored in the memory 28.

B. Unit Charge Area (MA) Telephone charges include a fixed monthly charge such as a basic charge and a line usage charge, and a pay-as-you-go charge calculated according to the amount of telephone usage such as a call charge. Of these, call charges are usually
It is determined by the distance to the other party who makes a call and the call time. Specifically, the callable time per unit charge is decided according to the distance. At this time, the area that is the unit of the call charge is set in consideration of the configuration status of the living area, geographical conditions, etc., and this area is called a unit charge area (MA). This call charge within the MA is generally called a local call charge, and when making a call to a party within the same MA, the callable time per unit charge is the longest.

Since the area code and the local area code (in some cases only the area code) are set in association with each MA, the area code of the other party's telephone number to be called is set. From the local area code (in some cases only the area code), you can tell which MA the other party belongs to. That is, each MA can be determined only by the area code and the local area code or the area code.

FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of the MA list. As shown in the legend of FIG. 2, for each MA, the first line shows the prefecture name and MA name, and the second line shows the telephone numbers (area code and city code) set for that MA. The third line shows a list of adjacent MA names adjacent to the MA, and the fourth line shows by numbers the approximate location of the MA on the map of Japan described later.

As shown in FIG. 1, such a MA list is stored in the hard disk device 32 as the MA list data 34.
It is stored as

C. Access Point (AP) When using VAN services such as personal computer communication services and videotex services and line connection services to networks such as the Internet, access points are used by communication terminals to access communication hosts through telephone lines. To be done. That is, the service provider installs an access point connected to the communication host in each place, and the user makes a call to one of the access points using the communication terminal, and the access point is connected between the communication terminal and the access point. Establishes a connection with the communication host via a telephone line and a dedicated line or the like between the access point and the communication host.

Further, depending on the service provider, a plurality of access points may be installed in one area for the convenience of the user, and the access points may be divided according to the difference in communication speed.

A list (AP list) listing the telephone numbers of the access points is provided to the users by the service provider.

FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a list of APs provided by a personal computer communication service provider. As shown in the legend of FIG. 3, the left column shows the AP name, the center column shows the area code of the AP's telephone number, and the right column shows the local code and subscriber number. . The AP name is made up of an area name and a subscript, of which the subscript represents the type of AP. As described above, some service providers may install a plurality of APs with different communication speeds in the same MA, and the personal computer communication service provider who provides this list also has four APs with different communication speeds. We offer one type of AP for digital lines. That is, of the subscripts, "2" is 24
00 bps (bit / sec) AP, “3” is 9600 bps AP, and “4” is 1440.
"5" is 28800bp because it is an AP of 0bps.
"t" is an ISDN (Integrated Services Digital Network) A for TA (Terminal Adapter)
It shows that it is P respectively.

As shown in FIG. 1, such an AP list is stored in the hard disk device 32 as AP list data 36.
It is stored as

D. Method for Creating Telephone Number List FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing an outline of a processing procedure when a telephone number list is created by the telephone number list creating apparatus in FIG. As shown in FIG. 4, first, the user uses the keyboard 40 and the mouse 42 to display the current location of the user, etc.
Enter the area code and local area code of the telephone number of the desired area (step S20). The entered area code and city code are stored in the memory 28.

As a method of inputting a telephone number, an "add / change dial group" screen as shown in FIG. 5 is displayed on the monitor 44, and the keyboard 40 is displayed in the "current area code-area code" input field. Alternatively, the area code and city code may be directly input. Alternatively, the "City list button" on the right side of the input field is clicked with the mouse 42 to display the "Main city list" screen as shown in FIG.
Alternatively, the area code and the city code set for the city may be indirectly input by clicking on the prefecture name and the city name with the mouse 42 in FIG.

In FIGS. 5 and 6, the case where the area code “0263” of Matsumoto City, Nagano Prefecture is input is shown as an example.
In the case of Matsumoto City, the MA to which Matsumoto City belongs can be determined by entering only the area code as the telephone number, so only the area code is entered.

Next, when the user gives an instruction to create a telephone number list, the CPU 22 selects the M to which the desired area belongs from the MA list based on the entered area code and city code.
A (hereinafter, referred to as a specific MA) is searched and obtained (step S22).

That is, after displaying the "add / change dial group" screen as shown in FIG. 5 on the monitor 44, the user uses the mouse 42 to click the "automatic creation button" in the "dial list". When clicked, the CPU 22 starts processing for creating a telephone number list. CPU22 is MA
It functions as the search unit 24 and reads the MA list data 34 as shown in FIG. 2 from the hard disk device 32.
Then, the area code and the local area code stored in the memory 28 are sequentially compared with the area code and the local area code that are set for each MA in the MA list data 34, and they match. When it does, the matched MA is derived as a specific MA. Therefore, for example, as described above, when "0263" is entered as the area code, the area code set for MA "Matsumoto" is the same as shown in FIG. 2, so MA "Matsumoto" As a specific MA.

Next, the CPU 22 searches the AP list for the telephone number of the AP belonging to the specific MA based on the specific MA (step S24), and determines whether or not the telephone number has been obtained by the search (step S24). Step S26). That is, C
The PU 22 functions as the AP search unit 26, and first reads the AP list data 36 from the hard disk device 32 as shown in FIG. Then, the specific MA name obtained in step S22 is sequentially compared with each AP name in the AP list data 36 to determine whether or not there is an AP having a matching name. If there is an AP with the same name, A
The telephone number of P is derived from the AP list data 36.

When the telephone number is obtained in this way, the telephone number is written at the top of the telephone number list (step S28). The telephone number list is stored in the memory 28 or the hard disk device 32. As described above, for example, when the specific MA is MA “Matsumoto”, as shown in FIG. 3, the AP name matching “Matsumoto” is “Matsumoto: 2”, so that AP “Matsumoto: 2”. Telephone number "0263-"
Write "35-79XX" at the beginning of the telephone number list.

Since APs are not installed in all MAs nationwide, there may be cases where no APs belong to a specific MA. In such a case, nothing is written in the telephone number list and the process proceeds to step S30.

Next, the CPU 22 derives one adjacent MA adjacent to the specific MA from the MA list (step S3).
0). That is, the CPU 22 derives one adjacent MA from the “list of adjacent MA names” for the specific MA in the MA list data 34 shown in FIG. For example, specific M
If A is a MA "Matsumoto", as shown in FIG. 2, there are eight adjacent MAs, so one of them is MA "Ueda".
Derive.

Subsequently, the CPU 22 retrieves the telephone number of the AP belonging to the neighboring MA from the AP list based on the neighboring MA (step S32), and determines whether or not the telephone number has been obtained by the retrieval (step S32). Step S34). That is,
The CPU 22 uses the step S disk interface 30.
The adjacent MA name derived in step 1 is sequentially compared with each AP name in the AP list data 36 to determine whether there is an AP having a matching name. Then, if there is an AP having the same name, the telephone number of the AP is derived and written in the telephone number list (step S36). As described above, for example, when the adjacent MA is the MA “Ueda”, the AP name matching “Ueda” is “Ueda: 2”, as shown in FIG. Phone number of "0268-2
Write 5-8800 "in the phone number list.

If no AP belonging to the adjacent MA exists, nothing is written in the telephone number list and the process proceeds to step S38.

In step S38, the CPU 22 causes the MA
It is determined whether or not all the adjacent MAs adjacent to the specific MA have been derived from the list (step S38). If the neighboring MA still remains, step S30.
Then, the processing described above is repeated to search for an AP belonging to another adjacent MA. On the contrary, when all the neighboring MAs have already been derived, the processing for creating the telephone number list is ended.

As described above, the specific M including the desired area
A telephone number list of APs belonging to A and adjacent MAs is created.

By the way, as described above, some service providers may install a plurality of APs having different communication speeds in the same MA. In such a case, in general, when the communication host is accessed via the AP having a high communication speed, the service usage fee per unit time is higher than when accessing the communication host via the AP having a low communication speed. It is set to be high. Therefore,
When a communication host is accessed by manual communication, it usually takes a long communication time. Therefore, access is made via an AP with a low communication speed but a low service charge, and conversely, by automatic communication. Since communication time is short, access efficiency can be improved and communication cost can be reduced by accessing via an AP having a high service usage fee but a high communication speed.

Therefore, in the present embodiment, a telephone number list is created separately for manual communication (navigation communication; navigation communication) and automatic communication, and the telephone number list for manual communication includes APs with slow communication speeds. A telephone number is put, and the telephone number of the AP having a high communication speed is put in the telephone number list for automatic communication. Specifically, the telephone number list for manual communication includes the AP telephone number with the suffix "2", and the telephone number list for automatic communication includes the telephone number for the AP with "3" or more. Put the number.

FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of the created telephone number list for manual communication, and FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of the created telephone number list for automatic communication. All of these telephone number lists are APs obtained when the area code "0263" of Matsumoto City, Nagano Prefecture, is input.
Is a list of telephone numbers. That is, FIG. 7 shows the telephone numbers of APs with a low communication speed, and FIG. 8 shows the telephone numbers of APs with a high communication speed.

When the telephone number list is created in this manner, the CPU 22 displays the "add / change dial group" screen as shown in FIG. 9 on the monitor 44 based on the telephone number list. That is, the manual communication list corresponding to the telephone number list of FIG. 7 is displayed in the “navigation communication:” list field of the “dial list”, and the telephone list of FIG. 8 is displayed in the “automatic communication:” list field. Display the automatic communication list corresponding to the number list.

It should be noted that "2400", "14400", "2880" in the respective list columns of "for navigation communication:", "for automatic communication:", and "access point list:" in FIG.
0 "represents the communication speed, respectively, and the unit is bit /
sec.

The telephone number list created as described above is
Registered as one of the dial groups. For example, as described above, when the area code "0263" of Matsumoto City, Nagano Prefecture is input to instruct automatic creation of the telephone number list, as shown in FIG. 10, "Matsumoto (company)" is displayed. Register the created phone number list under the dial group name "".

In FIG. 10, in addition to Matsumoto, telephone number lists are created for Osaka, Tokyo, and Fukuoka.
Registered under the dial group names "Osaka branch", "Tokyo head office", and "Fukuoka sales office". FIG. 10 shows which telephone number list is used among these dial groups.
The user can make a selection by clicking with the mouse 42 on the "dial setting" screen shown in FIG.

Incidentally, such a dial group name may be displayed on the screen of the monitor 44 together with the icon marking the corresponding area on the map of Japan as shown in FIG. Such an icon indicates the MA shown in FIG. 2 when the specific MA is obtained in step S22 of FIG.
It is created by reading the number indicating the position of the specific MA on the map of Japan from the list and marking the area corresponding to the number on the map of Japan.

FIG. 12 is an explanatory diagram showing the correspondence between the numbers listed in the MA list and the regions on the map of Japan. That is, when the specific MA is the MA "Matsumoto" as in the example described above, the number "10" corresponding to the MA "Matsumoto" is read from the MA list shown in FIG. And FIG.
From 2, the area corresponding to the number "10" is "Koshinetsu"
As shown in FIG. 11, an icon marking the Koshinetsu area on the map of Japan is created.

Therefore, by using the display with icons as shown in FIG. 11 instead of the display of only the dial group name shown in FIG. 10, the corresponding area of each dial group can be seen at a glance. It is also convenient when the user selects a dial group.

E. Access to Communication Host Now, when making a call to access the communication host, for example, a main screen (not shown) is displayed on the monitor 44.
When is displayed, the user uses the mouse 42 to click the navigation communication start button or the automatic communication start button to instruct execution of the auto dial. This allows
Auto dialing is executed using the telephone number list of the dial group selected on the "Dial setting" screen shown in FIG. Specifically, for example, as shown in FIG. 10, when the navigation communication start button is clicked while the dial group "Matsumoto (company)" is selected, the "Matsumoto (company)" dial The telephone number (“0263-35-79XX”) of the AP (“Matsumoto; 2”) located at the highest level is automatically dialed from the list shown in FIG. 7, which is a list of telephone numbers for navigation communication of the group. And make a phone call. At that time, if the user is busy, the telephone number of the same AP (“Matsumoto; 2”) is redialed, or the second AP (“Nagano;
2 ”) telephone number is newly dialed. In this way, auto dialing is executed.
Whether to dial the next AP is based on the "redial: x times" and "circular dial: y laps" set in the "dial list" field of the "add / change dial group" screen shown in FIG. It is determined. In the example of FIG. 9, the same AP is not redialed, but the next AP is dialed.

Further, in the "auto dial" screen as shown in FIG. 13, the user clicks the "previous access point button" and "next access point button" with the mouse 42 to forcefully It is also possible to switch the access point to be dialed. Therefore, searching for an AP that is not busy or returning to an AP in the same city can be easily performed.

As described above, it is possible to automatically call the AP and access the communication host by using the created telephone number list. Also, even while busy, you can automatically redial to the same AP or to the next AP, so you can shorten the connection waiting time and make efficient calls. .

To make a call more efficiently,
The following method may be used. That is, first, dial each of a plurality of predetermined APs several tens of times, and for each AP,
Data is collected whether the connection was successful (that is, the phone was connected) or if the user was busy. FIG. 14 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of the date and time of dialing and success or failure of connection when dialing to each AP. FIG. 14 shows a case where the three APs listed in the telephone number list for automatic communication shown in FIG. 8 are dialed. In FIG. 14, a circle indicates that the connection is successful, and a cross indicates that the user is busy. Until some data is collected (for example,
(50 cases), each AP is dialed in sequence so that the number of dials is even.

Next, based on the obtained data, each AP
For each, the connection success rate is obtained, and they are arranged in the order of high success rate. FIG. 15 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of the connection success rate of each AP. That is, in FIG. 15, the connection success rate is calculated for each of the three APs from the data shown in FIG. 14, and the APs are arranged in descending order of success rate.

Then, when making a call from the telephone number list, the APs having the highest connection success rates are dialed in order. In this way, the connection waiting time can be surely shortened.

F. As described above, according to the present embodiment, the user only needs to input the area code and the local area code of the telephone number of the desired area by using the keyboard 40, the mouse 42 or the like. A telephone number list of APs in a specific MA including a desired area can be automatically created. Therefore, the user is freed from the troublesome work of searching for the AP telephone number. In addition, no matter where the user is, if he / she inputs the area code and city code of his / her current location, he / she can obtain the telephone number list of APs near the current location. It is also convenient if you want to access the communication host. In addition, when an AP in a specific MA is obtained by searching, the AP and the current location belong to the same MA, so when making a call from the current location to that AP, the maximum available call time per unit call charge is the longest. , Call charges are cheap. Further, even if no AP exists in the specific MA, if an AP in the adjacent MA is obtained, if the user makes a call from the current location to that AP, the callable time per unit call charge is within the specific MA. Although it is shorter than when calling to, it is longer than when calling to other charge areas, so the call charge is cheaper.

The present invention is not limited to the above-described examples and embodiments, but can be implemented in various modes without departing from the scope of the invention.

In the above embodiment, step S2 in FIG.
As shown in FIG. 4, when searching for a telephone number of an AP belonging to the specific MA from the AP list based on the specific MA, the specific MA name is sequentially compared with each AP name in the AP list data 36. , I searched by matching / mismatching names,
The present invention is not limited to this. That is, for example, the area code and local area code of the telephone number set for the specific MA are sequentially compared with the area code and local area code of the telephone number of each AP, and there is an AP having the same number. The search may be performed by determining whether or not. When such a method is adopted, the AP shown in FIG.
As a list, the item of AP name is unnecessary, and it is sufficient if only the item of telephone number is included.

Further, in the above-mentioned embodiment, the telephone numbers of the APs belonging to the specific MA and the adjacent MA are obtained by searching in step S24 and step S32 of FIG. 4, but the present invention is not limited to this. Alternatively, the search range of the MA to which the AP belongs may be widened as necessary. In that case, the callable time per unit charge usually becomes shorter as the distance from the specific MA increases. Therefore, even when the search range is widened, it is preferable to select the MAs to be searched in the order of decreasing distance from the specific MA.

Further, in the above-mentioned embodiment, the telephone number list creating program is stored in the hard disk device 32 and is read into the memory 28 when the program is operated. Then, the CPU 22 operates to create a telephone number list based on the program read into the memory 28. However, the storage medium for storing the telephone number list creation program is not limited to such a hard disk, but may be any storage medium such as a flexible disk, a magneto-optical disk, or a CD-ROM that can be used for an input / output device connectable to a computer. Any storage medium may be used. In this case, the computer directly stores the program stored in the storage medium (CD-
This also includes a case where the data cannot be read from a ROM or a flexible disk, and can be read only after being installed in the hard disk device 32 by a predetermined method.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a telephone number list creation device as an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a list of MAs.

FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a list of APs provided by a personal computer communication service provider.

4 is a flowchart showing an outline of a processing procedure when a telephone number list is created by the telephone number list creation device of FIG.

FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a monitor screen when the area code of the current location is input.

FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a monitor screen when a list of major cities is displayed.

FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a created telephone number list for manual communication.

FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a created telephone number list for automatic communication.

FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a monitor screen when a manual communication list and an automatic communication list are displayed.

FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a monitor screen when selecting a dial group.

FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of an icon with a map of Japan.

FIG. 12 is an explanatory diagram showing a correspondence relationship between numbers listed in the MA list and regions on a map of Japan.

FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a monitor screen when executing an auto dial.

FIG. 14 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of dial dates and times and success / failure of connection when dialing to each AP.

FIG. 15 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a connection success rate of each AP.

[Explanation of symbols]

 20 ... Telephone number list creation device 22 ... CPU 24 ... MA search unit 26 ... AP search unit 28 ... Memory 30 ... Disk interface 32 ... Hard disk device 34 ... MA list data 36 ... AP list data 38 ... I / O interface 40 ... Keyboard 42 ... Mouse 44 ... Monitor 46 ... Communication interface 48 ... Bus 50 ... Printer 52 ... Telephone line

Claims (5)

[Claims] 1. Within a predetermined area among a plurality of access points for the communication host, which can make a call from the communication terminal in order to access the communication host from the communication terminal via a telephone line. A telephone number list creation device for creating a telephone number list of a certain access point, which comprises an input means for inputting designated information for designating a specific area and a plurality of areas separated as areas for call charges. First storage means for storing charge area information indicating the charge area, second storage means for storing access point information including a telephone number of each access point, and the first storage means stored in the first storage means. A specific charge area including the specific area indicated by the designation information input by the input means from among the plurality of charge areas indicated by the charge area information A first search means for searching, and a telephone number of an access point in the specific charge area searched by the first search means from the access point information stored in the second storage means. The second of searching and creating a list of the obtained telephone numbers
A telephone number list creation device comprising: 2. The telephone number list creation device according to claim 1, wherein the first search means selects from among the plurality of charge areas indicated by the charge area information stored in the first storage means. And a means for searching a specific charge area including the specific area indicated by the designation information input by the input means and a charge area adjacent to the specific charge area, wherein the second search means is the second search means. From the access point information stored in the storage means, searching for telephone numbers of access points in the specific charge area and the adjacent charge area, and creating a list of the obtained phone numbers. Telephone number list creation device. 3. The telephone number list creation device according to claim 1, wherein the second search means uses the telephone number of each access point included in the access point information by the first search means. A telephone which searches for a telephone number of an access point within the toll area based on whether or not it includes a specific number set as a part of a telephone number for the toll area searched. Number list creation device. 4. The telephone number list creation device according to claim 1, 2, or 3, wherein the input means sets as specific information for designating the specific area as part of a telephone number for the specific area. The specified specific number set as a part of the telephone number for each charge area indicated by the charge area information is input as the designation information. A telephone number list creating device for searching the specific charge area based on whether or not the specific charge area is included. 5. In order to access a communication host from a communication terminal via a telephone line, within a predetermined area among a plurality of access points for the communication host that can make a call from the communication terminal. A method of creating a phone number list for a certain access point, comprising: (a) storing first charge area information indicating a plurality of charge areas divided as areas serving as a unit of call charges. A step of preparing a storage means and a second storage means for storing access point information including a telephone number of each access point; and (b) inputting designation information for designating a specific area by the input means. (C) The input by the input means from among the plurality of charge areas indicated by the charge area information stored in the first storage means Searching for a specific charge area including the specific area indicated by the fixed information, and (d) searched by the first searching means from the access point information stored in the second storage means. A method for creating a telephone number list, comprising the steps of: searching for telephone numbers of access points in the specific charge area and creating a list of the obtained telephone numbers.