CA2065858A1 - Abbreviated and enhanced dialing apparatus and methods - Google Patents

Abstract

2065858 9202096 PCTABS00010 An abbreviated dialing apparatus (10) especially suitable for cellular/mobile phone (20) use, enabling a user to dial telephone numbers having repetetive digits without directly dialing all of the repetetive digits. The user, by executing a prescribed actuation of a prescribed key, such as the SEND key, can cause the system to complete an incomplete telephone number having repetetive finishing zeroes or other repetetive finishing digits, instead of directly dialing all of the repetetive digits. By determining whether a call is local or long distance, the apparatus determines the number of digits necessary to properly complete a telephone number and completes the number by filling in any missing finishing digits. Alternatively, the user by actuating a finish digit key (17, 18) or a finish zero key (19) can cause the system to similarly fill in any missing finishing digits to complete an incomplete telephone number.

Description

WO92~02096 Z~ 358 PCr/US91/05008 . , .

ABBREVL~TED AND ENHANCED DIALING APPARATUS AND METHODS

The subiect matter of this application is related to the f ollowing five disclosure documents:
1. Telephone Key-pad Dial-out Enhancement systems-Dial-out of a Repetitive Diglt by a Slngle l(ey-Stroke Actuation. No. 197,C 5 7/18/B8

2. Long-Distance Phone Number Dialing Enhancement. No. 199,250 8/15/88

3. Abbreviated ~ Enhanced Dialing Systems for Cellular ~ other type phones.
No. 204,334 9~16/88

4. Abbreviated Voice Response Dialing. No. 240,049 11/24/89

5. Abbreviated & Enhanced Dialing Apparatus ~ Methods Particularly Adapted for Cellular or other types of Telephone Systems. No. 241,160 12/5/89 In addition, this application is rela~ed to a pending application filed by the applicant in the U.S. Patent Office on March 5, 1990, serial no. 07/491,933, entitled AUTOMATIC AREA CODE DIALI~lG APPARATUS ~ND METHODS PARTICULAR~Y
ADAPTED FOR CELLULAR OR OTHER TYPES OF TELEPHONE SYSTEMS.

BACKGROUND of the INVE~TION
This invention relates to telephone dialing apparatus and more 30 particularly to an abbreviated enhanced dialing apparatus and a method of dialing which is particularly adaptable for cellular telephone systems.
Over the past years great strides have been made in implementing the rapid dialing of telephone numbers. Thus, as one will understand, present modernsystems utilize a dialing keypad consisting o~ a series of momentary operated 35 dialing keys or switches. In conjunction with the keypad the telephone subsetmay incorporate either touch tone or pulse dialing to enable a rapid dialing sequence. Many telephone subsets also include memory systems whereby one can dial a telephone number by a~cessing separate memory keys or ac~essing a memory locatlon via the keypad.

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A prior-art search revealed numerous speed-dialing patents of this (memory-system oriented)type. The following is a listing of these patents:

No. Date Title 4,103,~5 7/25/78 MEMORY TONE DLALER
4,277,651 7/7/81 TELEPHONE DIALER
4,473,720 9/25/84 AUTOMATICDIALERFORTELEPHONENUMBERSWITH
PORTABLE MODULE
4,682,357 7/21/87 A~TOMOBILE TELEPHONE APPARATUS
4,723,265 2/2/88 ABBREVIATED DIALER WITH REDUCED KE~
OPERATION
4,736,410 4/5/88 TELEPHONE EQUIPMENT FOR REDUCED KEY
OPERATION
4,764,951 8~6/88 AUTO DIALER FOR USEWITH TELECOPIEP~S OR THE
LIKE
4,885,762 12/5/89 TELEPHONE APPARATUS
Thus, the prior art is cognlzant of various techniques to enable enhanced abbreviated dialing by a telephone user. However,the prior art does not disclose or anticipate anything except memory-system treatments and - methods for pre-storing telephone numbers under selective user control for later selective reca~, whereas the instant invention deals with enhanced abbreviated dialing of non-pre-programmed telephone numbers through the use of traditlonal system dialing resources, without forethought or prior user action, and with no "permanent" or "pre-programmed" storage.
Itis understood,of course,that any technlque which enables faster dialing wi~ enhance the operation oftelephone systems,butin particularregard to ce~ular phone systems,the process ofdialingis extremely hazardous. There have been many articles written which describe the hazards lmposed by dialing on a cel-ular system wh~e manipulating an automobile, and it is thus obvious that any lmprovement or enhancement of the diallng procedure wi~ be particularly advantageous and valuable in connection with ce~ular phones.
The apparatus and methods to be described enable abbreviated and enhanced dialing of many telephone numbers,reducing the number ofrequired key actuations by the user according to the format of the telephone number.

WO 92/02096 PCT/U~91/~8 Z ~ 5 8 The method and apparatus depend upon particular digits of the telephone number being the same and being repetitive. In this manner, one can dialcertain telephonenumbers rapidly utilizing the system to be described. The principle feature of the presentinventionis that successively repeated digits S are keyed in by the dialing user one time only. For example, an existing phone number may end with the digit zero repeating four times as for example "0000,"
and in a conventional dialing procedure the key indicative of zero would be actuated a commensurate number of times in succession (four in the above example).
As one ca~ understand, such multiple actuations may result in many errors, not to mention additional wear and tear cn the keypad assembly associated with the telephone. Thus, this invention has uniform and characterlstic advantages in the case of telephone numbers which finish or end in the particular digit repeated several times, since it eliminates the requirement of a user having to repeatedly actuate the same digit key. In regard to one aspect of this invention,the user will actuate the digit key only once upon reaching the repetitive digit, after which the system will automatica~y repeat dial the repetitive digit as many times as necessary to complete a valid telephone number.
As one can understand, the main object of the invention is to advantaqeouslyutilize the characteristics ofthe many telephonenumbers having a single digit repeated one or more times,as both a finishing digit or elsewherein the telephone number. This phenomenonls especia~y prevalent with the digit zero,and many important telephone numbers such as those ~or corporations,law firms and other businesses end in a number of zeros. Some examples of this would be "1000," "8800," "0000," and so on. Apart from this, certain other telephone numbers end in repeated non-zero digits such as "5555," "7666," and ,. , :. .

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2~ 858 so on. Numerous additional examples are readily available by accessing conventional telephone directories.
Thus, this feature of the instant invention will enable a user to automatically dial these successively repeating digits by keying in the digit 5 only once. For example, in a phone number ending with the digit "5" repeating four times, a conventional dialinq procedure would call for the "5" digit key tobe activated four times in succession. However, in the invention the user will need only activate the number "5" digit key once, and then further indicate thatit is a repeat digit. As will be explained, this operation can be implemented in10 a conventional system by a pre~cribed actuation procedure of the repeat digitkey, or unconventionally by means of separate keys such as a finish zero key anda finish final digit key. In the case of phone numbers ending with repetitive zeros, the user will merely actuate a finish zero key to cause the completion ofthe number with zeroes. For numbers ending in repetitive digits other than zero,15 the user will first access the repetitive digit key once, then actuate the finish digit key to complete the number with copies of the repetitive digit.
Alternatively, in a store ~ forward system (includinq most cellular systems), actuation of the SEND key could automatically cause the number to be completed in either form; by filling in the finishing digits either with zeros or 2û with the final digit keyed-in, depending upon which method of the invention is utilized. As will be explained, upon the user activating the SEND key, the system will recognize the last digit entered, and further recognize that in order to constitute a valid telephone number, additional digits must be added to those already keyed. The system of the invention would then proceed to transmit the 25 manually dialed digits over the cellular network, afterward automatically ~illing in the requisite repetitive digit the required number o~ times to create a validtelephone number.

WO 92/0209~ PCT/VS91/fl~8 5~58 As one will readily understand~rom the fo~ow ng descriptions,it i5 a main feature of theinstantinvention to enable a user to perform abbreviated dialing ofany successive repetitive digits associated with a telephone number.
In this manner both the cellular users and other telephone users wi~ be able to perform dialing more rapidly. It is also indicated here that the abbreviated dialing system to be described can be utilized in any typical telephone system, whether touch-tone,rotary, or pulse.

08JECTIV~S o~ the INVENTION
According to t~.e abbreviatec dialinq concept as described above, multiple copies of any digit can be generated consecutively by only a single diqit key actuation,instead of requiring sequential multiple key actuations as in conventional dialing. By utilizing such an approach, many benefits are achieved. First, the user does not have to repeatedly dial identical finishing diqits or triple repeating digits, reducing the probability of wrong numbers, since a one time actuation of a key is fundamenta~y more positive and reliable than multiple actuations. Also, in this manner, the abbreviated dialing system will save and conserve the life of a keypad.
In regard to ce~ular applications,it is also immediately apparent that due to the decrease in the number of diqit entries and the corresponding increase in the speed of dialing,the probability of road accidents while dialingis proportiona~y reduced.

DIALING b~r DIGIT CATEGORY GROUPS
A novel category segmented-dialing a?proach is set forth which treats a phone number not as a composite cc a s- ies of unrelated digits,but rather as a segmented numeric entity comprised of several possible digit categories, to wit:

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2~ 58 a) a Multiple Successive Repetition of a digit, b) a Multiple Successive ~epetition of any Finishing digit, c) a MuItiple Successive Repetition of a Zero (~0~) Finishing digit.
A one-touch key actuation may effect the dial-out o~ any multiple number of digits in any one particular category, so that each category dial-out is accomplished by only a single key actuation instead of redundant key actuations correspondinq to the individual digits, as is the case with ccaventional dialing procedures.

SUM~RY of the INVENTION
A method for accommodating abbreviated telephone dialing in a telephone system when dialing a telephone number via a keypad or other dialing means, said telephone numbe~ having a number of repetitive digits appearing sequentia~y in said telephone number, comprising the steps of dialing said telephone number in sequence via digit dialing keys of said key pad until a first repetitive digit is reached or entered, and thereafter causing said repetitive digit to be automatically dialed a given number of times without further actuation of said digit diallng keys of said keypad.

~RIEF DESCRIPTION of the FIGURES
FIG.lis a top plan view of a telephone keypad arrangement according to this invention.
FIG. 2 is a top plan view of a telephone keypad arrangement uti}ized in a ce~ular system.
FIG. 3 is a block diagram of an abbreviated dialing system according to this invention.
FIG. 4 is a circuit diagram of a key hold down circuit according to this invention.

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FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing an abbreviated dialing apparatus according to this invention.
FIG. 6 is a top plan view of partial key arrangement utilized for a keyboard according to this invention.
FIG. 7 is a blockdiagram of an a~breviated dialing methodfor a Triple Repeat Digit (TRD).
FIG. 8 is a block diagram of an abbreviated dialing method for a Final Finishing Digit (FFD).
FIG. 9 is a block diagram of an abbreviated dialing method for a lû Finishing Zero digit (FZ).
FIG.10 is a block diagram of an abbreviated dialing system according to this invention using two SEND keys, applicable to ce~ular phones, fax machines, etc.
FIG.ll is a schematic mechanicaldiagram of a momentary two-position 15 pushbutton switch.
FIG. 12 is a representative diagram of a two-position rocker type -switch.
FIG. 13 is a diagram of a keypad according to this invention having two adjacent satellite keys for each main digit key.
FIG. 14 is a diagram of a keypad according to this invention having one adjacent satellite key for each main digit key.
FIG. 15 is a diagram of a circular keypad according to this invention having one adjacent sate~ite key for each main digit key.
FIG. 16 is a diagram-of a keypad according to this invention having two dedicated keys.
FIG. 17 is a diagram of a keypad according to this invention having one dedicated Finish Zero (FZ) key.

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FIG. 18 is a diagram of a keypad according to this invention having three dedicated Finish Zero (FZ) keys.
FI~.19is a diagram of a convention telephone keypad having star~"*") and pound ("#").
FIG. 20 is a diagram of a circular keypad according to thisinvention having one dedicated Finish Zero (FZ) key and four dedicated Finish Digit (FFD) keys.
FIG. 21is a diagram of a circular keypad according to this invention having one dedicated Finish 2ero(FZ)key and one dedicated Finish Di~it(FFD)key.

STATE cS the ART COMPONENTS
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Many elements and modules of the system are we~ known in the state of the art and are therefore shown in block form without delving into the details of their design and construction. This approach is used in order to facilitate the clarity and simplicity of the specification and to avoid undue cluttering of the drawings.
A DC power supply is not shown, since any power supply suitable to the components and we~ knownin the state of the art could be used to power the various modules, components, and circuitry. Phone-line voltage could also be used to power the system directly, as is well known in the state of the art.
The various digit-detect, storing, counting, and dialing modules contained in the system are a~ in widespread use and are similarly we~ known in the state of the art.

DEFINITION of TERMS USED

Valid Telephone Number:

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A~ telephone company central office systems have certain criteria and conventions for determining what digits and what number of digits may constitute a telephone number formaking a connectionfrom a calling party to a ca~ed party. A Valid Telephone Numberis a numberin accordance with such known conventions which has been or may be forwarded to the connected central office system in order to make such a connection.
Store ~ Forward:
A common method of telephone dialing wherein a string of digits is temporarily stored when entered by the user,then sequentia~y forwarded as a unit onto the telephone line after entry, usua~y at the user's request by means of a "SEND" or "TRANSMIT" key specific to the purpose.
Some systems alternately make use of a timing algorithm whereby ~orwarding occurs when a specific time period elapses withnofurther digit or command entry having been made, and other systems alternatively lS forward upon detecting the entered digit string as constituting a valid phone number. Some systems also use various combinations and permutations of a~ of these, as none of the methods are mutua~y exclusive. They nevertheless treat the phone number and not the individual digits as the most discrete entity determining forwarding, and therefore constitute store & forward systems.
Direct Dial:
A common method oftelephonedialing whereindigits areforwarded onto the telephone line as soon as they are entered by the user, and wherein the individual digits are the most discrete entities in determining when to forward to the line. Some implementations of these systems may make use ofa temporary"buffer"memory,es~ -iallyinpulse-~ialingsystems wherein dialing a digit may require a second and a half,a~owing the user to enter digits faster than the system can dial them. Such digits are nevertheless - : .
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-10 - , put on the line as quickly thereafter as the system can manage,and such systems are sti~ Direct Dial.
Memory-system:
This refers to a system wherein by means of a specific protocol,the user may enter and transfer a number into a "permanent" storage location for later reca~ access by the user,with the location being unmodified by the system except by specific and selective user request.
Prescribed Actuation:
~ unique action by the user a_co-ding to a give.- p-otocol with accomplishes a unique predetermined task or resl-lt.
2rescribed Key:
A key assignedfor usein accordance with a prescribed actuation,which by such use accomplishes a unique predetermined task or result.
TRD ~ Triple Repeat Digit:
l) Any digit recurring three times in sequence anywhere in a given phone number, but not inclusive of the final digit of the complete number.
2) A dialed digit to be automatically iterated three times in succession upon output to the phone line.
RFD / Repeat Finishing Digit or FFD / Final Finishing Digit:
l)Any digit occurring more than oncein sequence at the end of a complete phone number.
RFZ / Repeat Finishing Zero or FZ / Finishing Zero:
1) The diqit "O"(zero~occurring more than once in sequence at the end of a complete phone number.
Dedicated Key:
Any key with single-keystroke use(s) specific to the Invention.
Sate~ite Key:

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WO 92/02096 P~/US91J05008 2~ 358 A key functiona~y associated with another specific key(typica~y a digit key) and performing subsidiary actions specific to that key.
Hold-Down Protocol ~ Press-and-Hold Protocol:
A protocol whereby a user depresses a key uninterrupted for a given interval(or longer)in order to signify an action different from that of a depression shorter thar. the interval. In order to insure a positive delayed-release action of such a key, such a protocol ~ay involve a delayed(or second)audible tone,audible phrase,or other type of systom-acknowledgement of the alternate key ~unction.
Dual-Press Protocol / Dual-Actuation Protocol: -A protocol whereby a user presses a key a second time in succession to accomplish a result different from that of a single press.
Multi-Press Protocol / Multi-Actuation Protocol:
A protocol whereby a user presses a key a predefined number of times in succession to accomplish a resultdifferentfrom that of a single or other number of presses.
Auto-Dial:
This phrase is used as a short form meaning "Automatic System Dial-out."
Timed ~Key) Depression:
Refers to a Hold-Down Key actuation as defined above.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION of the FIGURES
_ Referring to FIG. 1, there is shown a typical telephone keypad assembly 10. Essentia~y the telephone keypad assembly 10 contains a series of keys or push buttons designated as'q" to "0" and a "~" and a "~" key15 andl6.
The telephone keypad 10 has a large key 17 on the right as we~ as a large key 18 on the left side. The keys 17 and 18 are designated as FFD, which stands for , ' ' ~ ' :

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i8 Finish Final Digit, as wi~ be further explained. ~here is also shown a key l9 atthe bottom of the keypad designated as the Finish Zero Key.
As indicated briefly above,the object of the inventionis to minimize the amount of dialinq required by a user when accessing or dialing a telephone number having repetitive digits. Of present concern are repetitive digits which terminate or end the number. As explained above, a very common ending digit is the digi, zero. Many telephone numbers end in repetitive zeros as for example four zeros, three zeros, and so on.
The user of the system having a keypad as shown in FIG.l wi~ access the system as fo~ows. First,let us assume that the telephone number a user desired to dial was a local number ending in a~ zeros, such as "887-7000". In this example there are three zeros which terminate the telephone number. In order to dial this number according to the present system, the user would access the keyboard shown in FIG. l and manua~y dial "8877," then actuate key l9 which is the Finish with zero key. In a conventional Touch-Tone telephone system, the system wi~ ignore any digit in excess of the seven required for a local number or the ten required for a long distance number (excluding the leading access-digit"l"). Present telephone systems wi~ attempt to connect the ca~ing party to the ca~ed party when the required digits are received,and one can therefore insert any number of additionalzeros, with the connected system sti~ acknowledging it as the proper number of zeros to access the requested number. Thus, in regard to the telephone number "887-7000", after manua1ly dialing the final"7",one merely activates key l9 to transmit five or more zeros,which will be acknowledged as only three additional zeros regardless of the excess,and wi~ thus cause the system to connect the cal1 to"887-7000~. Hence, as one can see, if the same telephone number ended in four zeros, one would merely again dial the first three digits "887," then press the finish zero key 19 whereby five zeros would automatica~y be sent to the central station, which WO 92/02096 PCT/US91/~8 . . 2~ 358 sti~ ignores the additional digit and provides a connection to the correct telephone "887-0000". Thus, as one can see, it is not necessary in present direct-dial systems to actua~y count the number of digits dialed. This is necessaryin many ce~ular and store ~ forward systems as wi~ be explained,but may be advantageously utilized in conventional telephone systems as wel~
The same above-described procedure can also accommodatetelephone numbers which finish with repetitive digits other than zero. For example,in the telephone number "4~6-7777," the digit "7"is the finishing digit repeated four times. In order to implement the dialing procedure, the user again hill dial inthe digits "436,"then dial the first"7,"then activate key18 or key17,which is the finish final digit (FFD) key. The sys~em wi~ similarly dial four or five sevens,recognizing that thelastdigit accessedby the user prior todepressing the key17 or18 was a"7,"with the centralstation similarly ignoring the excess.
Thus, the user can insert repetitive digits which terminate a telephone number without redundant keypresses.
Keys 17 and 18 are located as shown on the right and left sides of the keyboardlO for convenience.If the finishing digit of a telephone number was "3","6", or "9"it would be easier to access key 17, while if the finishing digitwere'q,""4," or~7"it would be simpler to access key 18. Thus,the two keys are shown and can be employed as such. Itis also understood that the function of the FFD keys 17 and 18 could also be implemented by the "*" and "#"keys 15 and 16.
FIG. 20 i~ustrates -other configuration, using a telephone keypad of a circular design. This desi ffers the advantage that since the dedicated keys are located in the center the keypad,they are con~eniently accessible from allof the digit keys. In this configuration the keys designated17a and 18a are functiona~y equivalent to keys 17 an~ 18 of FIG.1, r pectively, and the center key marked 19a is functiona~y equivalent to key 19 of FIG.'.

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While the above-noted examples took advantage of the fact that the telephone system wi~ only recognize the first seven digits, it is certainly understood that one caninstead count the diglts and fillin the exactnumber of finishing digits to implement a valid telephone number. It will also be explai~ed how one can implement a triple repeat digit(TRD),which may occur elsewhere in a telephone number, and not just as a finishing digit. This can be implemented by utilizing the same techniques shown, as will be explained. Thus, 'rom the above discussion, one can readily see that the telephone keypad, apart from keys17,18 an~l9,appearsconventional. O~e can alsoimplement theabove-noted functions by a hold-down protocol,wherein a keyis pressed and heldfor a short period. When the requisite periodis over,the hold-down may be acknowledged by a beep or other signal indicating that the system has accepted the instruction for a finishing digit, finishing zero, etc. As wi~ be explained,in many cellularsystems, one cannot dial more than the requisite number of diqits in accessing a telephone number, and the actual digits dialed must therefore be known and ~ :
determined by the system.
Referring to FlG. 2, there is shown a typical cellular (or store ~
forward) telephone keyboard 20. As shown, this keyboard 20 utilizes the conventional keys '~" through "0" and the ~" and ~" keys, but also employs a send tSND) key, an end (END)key, a clear~CLR) key, and a reca~ (RCL)key. The clear and reca~ keys are for purposes of clearing the display and(for example) redialing the last dialed number.
In a ce~ular system,aftera telephone numberhas beendialedin,one must depress the SEND key ln order to transmit the number to the ce~ular network and inform the network that a connectionis desired. In such a system, one can implement aspects of the invention merely by counting digits and automatica~y filling in the proper number of digits as necessary upon depression of the SEND key. For example,iet us assume that the user desires WO 92/02096 PCT!US91/~8 Z~

to dial"775-0000". In employing finishing zero in this system, the user would dial "775" and then press the SEND key. The system wi~ recogni7e that a local ca~ is being made(because of the absence of along-distance access digit),and further determine that the user has only dialed three digits,meaning thatfour digits are missing from a local (7-digit) number. The system would therefore automatically fi~ in the last four digit places with "0000," and activating the SEND key is thus analogous to activating the Finish Zero Key l9 of F~G.1. In a simila manner, one can implement finishir.- digit by utilizing a press-and-holdprotocollinked to the digitkeys without eon'licting with the FZfunction. I' the 10user desired to dial the telephone numbe~ "777-8666", he would dial "77786,"
then hold down the "6" key until the system acknowledged the hold-down. Again the system would determine that only five digits had been dialed and that two more are necessary, and thus would automatica~y include two additional sixes to complete a valid telephone number.
15As one can ascertain, the system can as easily implement the above procedures for long distance dialing. In long distance dialing the user dials a long-distance access digit,then proceeds to dial a ten digit number, the first three digits being the area code and the remaining seven being the telephone number. The system can recognize that along distance numberis being dialed by determining that the firstdepression was the'l"key,andthereafter w.~ expect ten digits,not seven. If ten digits are not received,the system wi~ again fill in the necessary digits based on the above techniques. For example,if the user desired to dial the number "212-775-OOOOn, he would proceed by first dialing a 'q",then dialing the area code"212",then dialing"7751',and finally actuating theSEND key. The system would determine that a lonq distance number was being dialed after depression of the'q" key, and would expect ten additional digits, but since the user only dialed six of them,the system would fillin thelastfour digit places with "0000".

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Z~ 58 In conventional direct-dial telephone systems, excess digits dialed after the ten digits or seven digits are ignored, b~t if this is done on a ce~ular system,one will receive a message thatthe number dialedis not a valid telephone number. The system captioned above avoids this,and will always dial-out the correct number of finishing digits.
These capabilities a~ serve to appreciably expedite the dialing process for the many telephone numbers which end in repetitive digits.

FORM~.T OUTLINE
In ordertopresent a clearer understandingofthe speci~ication,the fo~owing format will be used.
The implementation of the abbreviated dialing of the various cited digit categories in accordance with the teachings of the invention will be described in connection with various telephone instrument types and various types of dialers, dialing apparatii, and devices.
At the outset we wi~ set forth,by way of example only,the various phone anddialer typesin use today,groupedinaccordance with their respective categories.
0 1. SEND KEY ACTUATION DIAL-OUT / STORE & FORWARD ALGORITHM
a) Cellular Phones b) Some Telecopier (Fax) Machines c) Some PBX-connected Phones (in some systems presently available) 2. DIRECT DIALING PHONES k DEVICES DIALING DIGITS AS THEY ARE ENTERED

a) Key Phones b) Residential Phones ~, : ..
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2~ 5~3 c) Cordless Phones d) Auto Dialers e) Hand-Held Dialers f) Hotel/Motel/Hospitality Phones 9) Some Telecopier (Fax) Machines h) Some PBX-connected Phones (in some systems presently available) SEND Key actuation dial-out systems store the digitsina temporary "bu~er" memory as they are keyed-in, fo- later outpul to the phone network.
The output (forwarding) of the stored digits takes place upon actuation o~ a SEND key at the conclusion of the dialing process,hence,thisisknown as Store L ~orward Dialing. This method of dial-out to the phone network is used in ce~ular phones and somefax machines,as we~ as some other typesofphones and dialing systems.
We wi~ now address the abbreviated dialing methods of theinvention as they apply to Store ~ Forward dialin~ systems.

SUCCESSIVE REPEAT FINISHING DIGIT / CELLULAR PHONES
With ce~ular phones, the dialing process represents an obvious potential safety hazard to the user and his vehicle,as we~ as any pedestrians and vehicles around him. Itis clear that anyimprovement or enhancement of the ce~ular dialing process would be advantageous and valuable in terms of more than saved tlme.
In regard to this cellular-related safety factor, there have been various voice-dialing schemes attempted. Genera~y the problems withthem have been that they are speaker-dependent and unreliable, frequently tending to mistranslate diqits and dial wrong numbers. P.. wi~ be seen, the instant invention is compatible with such voice-dialing systems, or may utilize the ~ ,:
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existing keypad on a cellular phone. The method of the invention provides that, depending upon the digit make-up of a particular phone number, the dialing motions may be reduced significantly for any phone number. At present thelarge proportion ofce~ular users are businessoriented,and since business telephone numbers tend toward repetitive, easy-to-remember sequences,such users could save 30 to 80 percent of their dialing keystrokes with a phone employing the methods of the invention.
The principle feature of theinventionis that successively repeating dlgits are keyed-in by the user only once. For example,if a phone number ends with the digit "5" repeating four times, i.e., "5555," in conventional dialing .procedures the "5" digit key would be pressed four times in succession. In comparison, in employing the method of the invention, the user woul~ need only to actuate the digit"5" key once,and subsequently would need only to activate the SEND key on the ce~ular telephone keypad. Upon actuation of the SEND key, the System of the invention wi~ recognize the last digit entered ("5" in this i~ustration), and further recognize that three additional digits are necessary in order to constitute a valid telephone number. The System will proceed to transmit the manua~y dialed digits to the ce~ular network, and then wi~
additiona~y auto dial the last digit "5" the remaining three times necessary to make the transmission into a valid telephone number.
It is now evident that by application of the instant invention's dialinglogic System to cellular dialing,the multiple keystrokes ca~ed for in thethree digit formats outlined previously;
i) Multiple Repeat Finishing Digit (MRFD);
ii~ multiple Finishing Zero Digit (FZD); and iii) Triple Repeat Digit (TRD); .
are reduced to only one keystroke, enhancing the dialing procedure and adding appreciably to the dialer's driving safe y-~hen dialing a cellular car phone.

:' . .: . : -. :. . . .......................... . .
. . , . . ., ~ ', ~ :
'~ ' ~' .'.

WO 9~020Y6 PCT/US91/~8 2~ 85~3 In a system utilizing the SEND key for FZD and a hold-down protocol for MRFD,the user could choose to use either function;i.e.,he could press and hold the "O" key and press SEND (the ~RFD protocol), or instead simply actuate SEND without accessing the"O"(the FZD protocol). Either action wouldcause the System logic to auto dial as many zeroes as needed to complete a valid telephone number.
TELECOPIER (FAX) MACHINES - Many fax machines also employ a SEND
key, and prescribed key-in procedures identical to those outlined for ce~ular phones would be used in such instances.
It should be noted here that the afore-described prescribed dialing and digit key actuation procedures can be applied to effect the abbreviated keying-in of a repetitive finishing 0, or any other digit,in reverse relative tothe above i~ustrations. Specifically,this is to say that instead of using the key hold-down actuation method to effect the system fi~-in of any repetitive finishing digit and the SEND key actuation to effect the fi~-in ofthe additionalO's,the hold-down method would serveinstead to fi~ in the necessary additional O's,while the SEND key actuation would serve to fillin the necessary additional finishing digits.
Either approach is workable, and the choice would merely be a function of which logic is desired.

At this juncture, an alternate method wi~ be described as fo~ows:

Whether to fillin the necessary number of digits with O's or thelast digitkeyed-in would be determined solely by a prescribed actuation of the SEND
key.
Specifica~y,a successive dual actuation of the SEND key would fi~
in the missing number of digits with O's,whereas a single actuation of the SE~'D

:;
:-: , .. ..
, : . ': :: ,.
:~
;.

WO 92/02096 P~T/U~911~8 , key would fi~ in the necessary number of d.igits with the last digit keyed-in.
Alternatively,here again the system could be programmed to effect the reverse;i.e., with a single actuation of the SEND key resulting in FZD,and a dual actuation would resulting in MRFD.
Sti11 another approachis disclosed,wherein a single SEND actuation would effect the fil1-in of thelast keyed-in digit,while a hold-down of the SENDkey would serve to fi11 in the missing number of 0's required to complete a valid telephone number, or vice versa.
Still another approach that could be used is to have the SEND key operate normally on only a single actuation, but operating to accomplish MRFD
on a dual actuation of SEND, and FZ on either a triple SEND key actuation or (a!ternatively~ a hold down of the SEND key. Once again, these functions could also be incorporated in the reverse manner.
CUSTOM DESIGN SEND KEY
An alternate approach to the aforementioned methods is to provide any one of a number of custom SEND key configurations as hereafter described:
FIG.l0 shows two SEND keys used; SEND Key A and SEND Key B.
FIG.~ shows a single SEND key with two switching positions;Position A and Position B.
There arenumerous types oftwo position switches available andwe~
known to the state of the art. One type which could be used is a rocker type dual position switch also well known to the state of the art. FIG.12 shows one example of same.
It should be noted that there are many other types of single,dual, and multiple position switches, a~ available and we~ known to the state of the art, which might be useful for implementing various aspects of the invention.

. . . " . . ' ' ' ! ' ,' ' : ' ' ' . ' ` ' :, ' ' ~
. '' ~

WO 92/02096 PCT/US91/~8 Z ~ 5 ~ ~ 5 8 Examples would be multiple-detente switches or membrane type switches configured to act as multiple-function keys.
In the case of the two SEND keys method (FIG. 10), S~ND Key A and SEND Key B,in order to cause the systemlogic to fill-in the necessary number oflast keyed-in digits, the user actuates SEND Key A. In order to fil1-in with the necessary number of missing zeroes, the user actuates SEND Xey 3.
Here again, the system logic can be programmed to effe.t a reverse result. This is to say that actuation of SEND Key A would fi~-in with the necessary number of missing zeroes, whereas actuation of SEND Ke~ B would operate to fi~-in the necessary number of the last keyed-in digit.
The operation of the two SEND keys is now described in connection with FIG.10:
The Digit Counter~78)counts the digits as they are keyed-in on the keypad (71). The Digit Fi~ Module (72)detects a call as local or long-distance and accordingly determines the number of digits that wi~ constitute a valid telephone number.
Upon actuation of SEND Key A,the Zero Generator(73)is enabled to generate a number of zeroes, while the Last Digit Generator (75) remains disabled. The generated zeroes are storedin the Digit Buffer(79)like ordinary digits from the keypad, and are likewise fed back to the Digit Counter(7B)which is monitored by the Digit Fi~ Module (72). When a sufficient number of zeroes have been generated,the Digit Fi~ Module(72)removes the enable from the Zero Generator (73) and enables the Digit Dial(76) section for output.
Upon actuation of SEND Key B, the Last Digit Generator (75) i5 enabled to generate a number ofcopies ofthelastdigit keyed-in,whil~ ~e Zero Generator (73) remains disabled. The generated diyit copies are st ~ in the Digit Buffer (74)like ordinary digits from the keypad, and are likewise fed backto the Digit Counter(78) which is monitored by the Digit Fill Module (7~). When ', , .

' WO 92/02096 PCT/US911~8 2~ 35~

a sufficient number of digit copies have been generated, the Digit Fill Module (72)removes the enable from the Last Digit Generator(75)and enables the Digit Dial(76) section for output.
Finally, when the Digit Fi~ Module (72) enables the Digit Dial (76) section, the Digit Dial ~76) section in turn enables the output of the entire valid telephone number from the Digit Buffer (74), accepts the information and passes it sequentia~y to the Line Interface(77) which outputs it to the phone line.

SUCCESSIVE ~EPEAT TRIPLE DIGIT
Another multiple repeat digit format which the invention addresses is Triple Repeat Digit (TRD). This is when a digit is repeated three times in succession as part of a phone number but not necessarily at the end of the phone number. This is another digit sequence found frequently in telephone numbers. To incorporate it with FZD using the SEND key, the fo~owing method could be adopted without conflict:
In the case of TRD, the user is instructed to delay the release of the diqit key for the triple repeatinq digit until a release tone, phrase, or other release signalis given by the System.
In the case of FZD, the user is instructed to delay the release of the digit key for the digit immediately preceding the FZD until a release tone, phrase or other re~ease signalis given by the System.
Subsequently,which way the System wi~ repeat-dialdependsuponthe nextkey actuation. If the next actuationis the SEND key,the Systemlogic wi~
determine that the preceding delayed key release was intended to signal an FZD
format. Accordingly,afterdialing outthedigits the user hadkeyed-in manua~y, the System would auto dial enough zeroes to constitute a valid tele~hone number.

., .... . , . .. : : . :, . . - -' , ;"";,.. ,, "1 .,~ ,,.,,," " ,~

, .,. ~ .
:

WO 92/02096 PCT/USgllO~X~
2~ sa If, on the other hand, the next actuation is another digit key (not the SEND key), the System loqic will determine that the preceding delayed key release wasintended to signala TRD forma,. Accordingly,upon actuation of the SEND key, after dialing out any digits the user had keyed-in manually prior to the held-down key,the System would autodialthe digitrepresented by theheld-down key three timesinstead of once,fo~owed by any digits the user keyed-in manually subsequent to the hold-down.
FIG. 7 is a losic flow diagram showing the system logic, by way of illustration,wherein a hold-down protocol ~f any given d git-key wi" resultin either the dial-out ofthe digit associate~ withthe given key plus RF-,or three dial-out iterations of the digit associated with the given key. As can be seen in FIG. 7, if the SEND key is actuated fo~owing the hold-down protocol, the system will then auto repeat dial one or more zeroes. If,on the other hand; the user keys in another digit fo~owing the hold-down protocol, the system wi~
instead automatica~y repeat-dial the previously held-down digit-three times.
Refer to FIG. 7, FIG. 4, FIG. 3:
If, fo~owing the key Hold-down actuation, the SEND Key ~52) is actuated,this actuation wi~l effect the activation of the Finishing Zero Module (46). The Finishing Zero Module in turn outputs information to module 37 of FIG.3 and also inhibits the Last Digit Dialed Module ~33) as shown in FIG 3.
This sequence can be fo~owed in FIG. 7 as fo~ows:
Output(95)of Amp(43,FIG.4)to One-Shot(66). The output of the O/S
to one gate input of the AND gate (67).
The secondgate inputreceives aninput signalfrom the SEND Key(52) uponits actuation. As can be seen in FIG.7, once a digit key on Dialer (30)is actuated, the Reset line on O/S (66)resets the O/S.
If the SEND Key is not actuated following the key hold-down actuation, this wi~ effect activation c~ the Triple Repeat Module output (70) .. . . .. .

WO 92/02096 PCT/US91/~X~
,' ', '`, z~

causing module(37)of FIG.3 to repeat dialthe previously held-down digit three times in succession.
This sequence can be followed in FIG.7 as fo~ows:
Output(45) of Amp(43, FIG. 4) to one input of the AND gate (68).
The second gate input receives an input signal from the Last Digit Dialed Module(33,FIG.3)resultingin an appropriate output signalon output(69) of AND gate (68), thus activating the Triple Repeat Module (70). Module (96) outputs an inhibit signal disabling the Last Digit Dialed Module (33, FIG. 3).

lQ From the above described alternate ope~ational methods, it is a~undantly clear that many other prescribed key / prescribed actuation combinations can be readily devised to accomplish the same results.
We wi~ now addressthe direct-dialingtype phones anddevices,which :~
as mentioned earlier do not possess a SEND key.
DIRECT DIALING PHONES AND DEVICES
Keyphones and other types of conventionalphones genera~y do not employ a SEND key. Accordingly, a different method of executing the teachings of the invention is required.
DELAYED RELEASE OF DIGIT KEY METHOD (DIGIT KEY HOLD-DOWN PROTOCOL) In a direct dial device, a Digit-key hold-down protocol can be used to effect one (but only one)of the following alternative functions, exemplified as fo~ows:

.

, . - .

: ~. . . : .: ~ . , :

WO 92/02096 PCI/US91/0~008 3~3 ` ." . , ! . .

Successive Re3eat Finishinq Diqit(R~D) To prompt the system to complete the total dial-out of the phone number with a finishing digit, i.e., the digit of the last digit-key actuated, the user holds said digit key until the system recognizes the held-down state of the key by some means (as indicated in FIG. 4) and thereafter announces that the key may be released; e.g.,wit~ ?n audible tone signal;a synthesi~ed orrecordedvoice announcement;av ~isplay signal. Thus, upon actuation of any given finis. 19 digit !: ~ use-maintains thekeyinits actuated postu-e momentari,y before re.. .singit.
This delayed release will prompt the system to dial-out the particular finishing digit as many times as may be required to constitute a valid phone number. This is i~ustrated in FIG. 8 in conjunction with FIG. 3 and 4.

ReDeat Finishinq Zero (RFZ) Alternatively, instead of the above hold-down protocol effecting the automatic repeat dial of a finishing digit, the system logic may be implemented to utilize this protocol to effect the dial-out of the digit associated with the actuated key,fo~owed by the repeated dialing-out ofzeroes as many times as may be reguiredto constitute a validphone number. This is illustrated in FIG. 9 in conjunction with FIG. 3 and 9.

Successive Triple-ReDeat Diqit (T~D) FIG. 7 is a diagram showing the system logic, by way of illustration, wherein a hold-down protocol of any given digit-key will resultin three dial-outiterations of the digit associated withthe given key(in the absence of a SEND key actuation,as already detailed above in connection with FIG. 7).

W092/02096 PCT/US91/O~U~ _ 3 r; B

Diqit ~ey Hold-Down Iterative Dial-Out Another method that can be implemented to effect the dial-out of a repetitive digit i5 to have a hold-down protocol for the digit keys which generates a limited or ad infinitum dial-out of the associated digit at successivelyrepeatingintervals,continuing untila limitorfor aslong as the key is held. A display screen and/or an audible tone would be provided to display and/or signal each digit as iL is generated by the system. If, for example, the digit "6" was to be repeated four times in succession,a user wouldhold-downthe digit-key"6,"withone"6"appearing and/or being signal1ed normally upon the keypress, and three more appearing at fixed intervals thereafter, each accompanied by an~ther display digit and/or audible tone,after thefourth of which the user would finally release the key.
TIME INTERVAL / NO KEY ENTRIES
It is further indicated that abbreviated dialing may occur by implementation of a timing sequence when the user dials a last digit. For example,if a user dials "7770" and then does nothing,the system,after waiting some predetermined period;3 seconds for example,would assume that this is the end of the dialed number and hence would fi~l-in the remaining three digits to complete the telephone number. In the case given,three extra zeroes would be automatically filled in to complete a valid telephone number.
This time-out sequence could also occur under more specific circumstances; e.g.,when the telephone number is to be finished explicitly with zeroes. The example used above,"777-0000," can be used to i~ustrate this as fo~oWS:

.' ' . , ' : ; . : . :' :'' :

WOg2/02096 PCT/US91/O~X~
z~ 5~

The user would dial "777," and then do nothing. The system would commence the predetermined 3 second time period,and after no key was p~essed during the period would fi~-in the remaining four digits with zeroes to completea valid telephone number.

CUSTOM ~EYPAD FORMATS
It is further understood thal the aforementioned system operation can be implemented using a different keypad format. Instead of utilizing momentary single-position switches,one can utilize a dual-position switch such as a rocker or multiple switch. Another approachis shownin FIG.6,wherein each key of a telephone keypad can be associated with an adjacent second key. Thus, In FIG. 6, the key 60 is associated with a sma~er "sate~ite" key 61, with the system operating as follows: By pressing key 60, the system wi~ dial out the digit"2" once in the ordinaryfashion. Ifinstead key 61is pressed,the balance of the remaining digits in the incomplete phone number wi~ be fi~ed and dialed out as "2's". Again,in an otherwise conventional telephone, the depression of the sate~ite key 61 could cause the digit "2" to be dialed out mult e times without counting the totalnumber ofdigits dialed. In a cel~ular or ot..er store ~ forward system, the depression of key 61 would cause the proper number of digits to be fi~ed in as exemplified acco~d.nq to the techniques shown and taught in regard to FIG. 3.
One can, of course, utilize a typical "MOM-OFF-MOM" or other two-position momentary rocker swltch for a~ digltkeysin a similar fashion, wherein for instance an actuation in the lefthand direction would dial-out the digit indicated on the face of the key, while a righthand actuation would cause dialing-out of the digit either multiple times,or as many times as necessary to complete a valid telephone number. This is, of course, an obvious modlfication of abbreviated dialing utilizing multiple keys.

: . : . . , .......... - . .' ~ : ..... : . : - . , .- ,, : : ~: . : , . . , .: . . , , , O 92/U2 ~ PCT/~S9l/O~W~ _ z ~ 3 8 Another approach that can be implemented to effect multiple digit dial-out on a single keystroke is to provide one or more dedicated keys as is detailed later in the specification.
A number of these alternate embodiments are shown in the ensuing pages, any one of which may be utilized to implement the concepts and methods disclosed in the invention.
Similarly, as previously indicated with regard to the SE~D key, the ~-digit keys can also be custom configured as two-position switching keys. An example cc this type is shown in FIG.llin connection with the SEND key, and is equa~y adaptable for use as a two-position switching digit-key.

TWO-POSITION DIGIT-KEYS

TeleDhone nu_bers Endina with Zeroes In this embodiment, each individual digit-key has a second position.
If the second positionis actuated,it commands the systemlogic tofinish a~ the remaining un-dialed digitsin the phone number withzeroes. As an example,inthe case of a phone number 664-5000, the digit-key 5 would be actuated into its second position, causing the system to dial the digit 5 norma~y, followed by three zeroes to finish the balance of the seven digit number.
It is we~ to note that the user did not need to make any use of the zero digit-key. The dial-out of the finishing three zeroes was effected solely by a prescrlbed actuation of other keys(in this instance, the digit key "5").
The automatic dial-out of the digit O at the end of a phone number as i~ustrated above would take place upon the prescribed key actuation regardless of the number of zeroes needed to complete the valid telephone number.

.

- - . . : - : ' : : . : ., : .
, , :. : ' .. . ..
.
. . : . ::

WO 92/02096 PCT/US91/0~8 - z~ 35~3 Itis well to bear in mind that the system's automaticdisit dial-out, in order to finish any particular phone number,is always comprised of the same digitregardless ofthe number ofdigitsrequiredto complete the validtelephone number. Specifically,in the example above,that digit was the digit zero dialed three times in succession by the system.

Other Repeat Finishinc Diqits Another i~ustration of a phone number would be an actual phone number for toll-free placing of mail orders,i.e. ~00-344-4444. ~tilizing the teachings of the invention the user would not have to manua~y actuate the finishing digit 4 key six timesin succession. The user would merely actuate the "4" key in a prescribed manner, prompting the system to automatica~y dial-out the digit "4" six times in succession to complete the valid telephone number.
One example of a prescribed actuation techniqueis to have the user depress the digit key associated with the repeated finishing digit ("4" in the example)into its second physical key position twice in succession. This would cause the dial-out of the disit "4" the necessary six times.
Another prescribed actuation technique that could be used is to maintain the digit-key actuated in its second position for an interval until a release tone is sounded by the system.

ROCKER SWITCH DIGIT-KEYS
Refer to FIG.12.
The following prescribedkey actuations would ef~ectthe dialing-out of digits as indicated below: ~

a) Momentary actuation in the lef.hand direction dials-out the digit ~ -associated with that key.

WO 92/02096 PCT/US9l/O~X~ ~

2~6._~58 -b) Momentary actuation in the righthand direction dials-out the digit associated with that key, fo~owed by as many automatica~y dialed O's as are necessary to complete a valid telephone number.
c) Momentary actuation in the righthand direction twice in succession within a prescribedintervaldials out the digit associated with the actuated key as many tlmes as is necessary to complete a valid telephone number.
':
USE of SA~ELLTT~ KEYS
Refer to FIG.13,14 and 1~.
Actuation of satellite key A shownin FIG.13 effects automatic digit dial-out as fo~ows:

i) Dial-out of the digit associated with the adjacent main key;
ii) fo~owed byautomaticdialing-out ofthe digit"O"as many times as is necessary to complete a valid telephone number.

^ The execution of the above with respect to sate~ite key A can be illustrated with the phone number "436-2000" and reference to FIG. 13. Upon ' 20 momentary actuation of sate~ite key A, the fo~owing dial-out sequence is effected:
:
i) first the dial-out of the digit "2";
ii) then the dial-out of the diglt "0" three times in automatic succession to complete a seven-digit valid telephone number.

Alternately,theexecutionofthe above withrespecttosatellitekey B can be illustrated with the phone number "394-44g4" an~ reference to FIG.13.

:., ~: ` '` .` :

. ' ' ' . ' ~ :

~ WO 92~02096 PCT/US91/O~X~
2~ 5~

:

Upon momentary actuation of sate~ite key B,the fo~owiny dial-out seguence is effected:

., i) Automaticdial-outofthedigit"9"associatedwiththeadjacent S main"4"key six times in succession to complete a seven-digit valid telephone number.

It is readily apparent that thls approach(the use of sate~ite keys associated with each main digit key) is applicable t~ al types of phones and dialing devices, including direct dial devices such as conventional phones and keyphones, as we~ as store-forward devices such as fax and ce~ular phones.
. ' . .

DEDICATED KEYS
; We will now proceed to describe another method in accordance withthe invention by which a user can effect multiple digit dial-outs using single keystrokes. This method utilizes one or more dedicated keys to implement the stated obiective.
FIG. 21 i~ustrates a configuration using a telephone keypad of a - circular design. This design offers the advantage that since the dedicated keys are located in the center of the keypad,they are conveniently accessible from - a~ of the digit keys. In this configuration thekey designated18B serves as the Finish Zero key~FZK),and thekey designatedl9B serves as the FinalFinish Digit ~FFD)key. These keys are functiona~y equivalent to keysl9 and18 respectively of FIG.l.

'' .: :

--: ' '' ,' - "' ' '. - '' ' '~ ' . ' ~' ' ' ' WO 92/02096 2~ P~T/USg~/O~OG8 ' ` .

.

TWO DEDICATED FINISHING_KEYS
Refer to FIG.16.
A single keystroke actuation of the "AA" key effects the multiple dial-out of the digit "0" as many times as may be required to constitute a validS telephone number.
A single keystroke actuation of the "BB" key effects the multiple dial-out of the particular digit associated with the digit key last actuated on the standard keypad, preceding the actuation of the dedicated key B', as many times as may be required to constitute a valid telephone number.
DEDICATED OVERSIZED EINISHING ZERO KEY (FZK) Refer to FIG.17 and 18.
- Another method for treating Repeat Finishing Zeroes is to add a ;; dedicated oversized Zero Key on the telephone keypad in addition to the lS standard Zero Key, preferably below the conventional Zero Key. Upon a momentary actuation of this key, the system would auto dial as many zeroes as required to constitute a valid telephone number.
, . . .

Refer to FIG.l9.
A modified approach of the additional key method that may be advantageously utilized would be to make use of existing ~unction Keys already situated on the keypad, such as tfor example) the star ("~") or pound ("#")keys,"store" or "memory" function keys, or "reca~" or "redial" type function keys. A
primary or alternate activation of one of these type keys could alternatively serve the ~inishing Zero or Zero functions of the invention.
., , - - - - - , , ; :

- ' .:~ ,:

',". . '' ' ' , ' ' ' ' WO 92/0209~? PCT/US91/0K008 ;~ ? 5 8 USE of the Z~RO KEY to EFFECT MULTIPLE ZE~O DIAL-OUT
As has already been described in connection with FIG. 9, a hold-down or delayed-release protocol for the "0" key could alternatively implement the inishing Zero functions of the invention.
; 5 Referring to FIG. 3, there is shown a typical block diagram of logic necessary to implement the automatic dial out of a finishing digit whether the digit is zero or any other digit. The dialer 30 shown in FIG. 3 is a conventional module that can be purchased from many different sources and includes a keypad as for example shown in FIG. 1 or FIG. 2. Upon dialing a numbe-, one can distinguish between the number being a local call or a long distance call by thepresence or absence of the leading access-digit'~." Hence, module 31is coupled to the dialer to determine whether or not a "l" has been dialed as a first digit.
- If this is true, the system knows to expect ten more digits, and otherwise expects a seven digit local ca~. The number of digits is monitored by counter 32, which counts the dialed digits.
Another module or register, 33, stores the last diqit dialed. In this manner, the counter 32 knows exactly the number of digits dialed while the last :digit dialed is stored in register 33. The use of registers and counters to determine the number of dialed digits and the last digit dialed is well known inthe state of the art.
;As seen in FIG. 3,there is an output from the local orlong-distance dialed module 31 to the subtractor 34. The subtractor 34 operates to subtract the number of digits required from the number of digits dialed. Hence, subtractor 34 receives information from the count dialed digits module 32 and further input from the local or LD module 31. This input from the local or LD
module 31 tells the subtractor to subtract from 10 or from 7 depending whether it is a local or long distance call. Hence, module 32 as counting the dialed digits interfaces with the subtractor 34.

., . . ., . , . .. :... . , . , . :. .

- WO 92/02096 PCT/US91lO~XX

:.

When the FFD switch as17 or18(FIG.l)is depressed,thisis detected by module 35 which for example may be a flip flop or a one shot. Module 35 now accesses the subtractor 34,which then subtracts the actualdialed digits from the required digits. Hence,the difference whichis the amount oftimes the last digitis tobe repeatedis storedin module 36indicating the digitrepeatnumber.
The output from module 36 and the last digit dialed module 33 are directed to a last digit finish and numbe- module 37. The function of module 37 is to ; respond to the last digit dialed and the number of times that this digit has to . be dialed to finish the telephone number. This information is received ~ 10 respectively from the digit repeat module 36 which has stored therein the - required number of digits needed to complete the telephone number and the last ` digit dialed module 33. This information is applied to the module 37. In this manner,module 37 provides at an output the digit value as for examplel-0 which . is to be repeated and the number of times this digit is to be repeated as for example from l-N. This information is clocked by means of a system clock 41 and sent to the dialer 30. In this manner,the dialer 30 automatica~y upon receipt of signals from the last digit finish and number module 37 causes the last digitto be dialed successively forthe propernumber oftimes to completethe number.
.,~ .
Also seen in FIG. 3 is the FZ or finish zero module 46. As shown in . FIG.l, when the finish zero key 19 is pressed, this indicates that a reguisite ~ number of zeros is to be transmitted by the system. In regard to the present :~ system operation, upon depressing of the finish zero switch l9, this is recognized by module 46 whlch inhibits the last digit dialed module 33 and indicates to module 37 that the finishing digitis to be zero. Therefore,a zero is repeated the optimum number of times in order to complete the telephone number.

.
:
'', ,, - ' ' , :: , WO 9~02096 PCT/US91/U~X~
` Z~5~58 ; :
.. . .

This also occursin a ce~ular system when the finishing digitis "0."
In the case of an incompletely keyed phone number, depression of the SEND
button automatical1y triggers the FZ module 46,which te~s the system to either repeat or end with the digit zero. In a similar manner, as will be shown,if the 5telephone number is to end in a digit other than zero, the system wi~ look for a timed depression of a particular key in order to terminate the telephone number with the proper digit as selected by the user. A timed depression of a digit key would result in an appropriate output signal on output 44 of Amp 43, as shown in FIG. 4. This output signal would be applied to module 33, thus lOdefining the last digit keyed in.
,;
Thus,as one can seefrom FIG.3,in order to execute the abbreviated -; dialing procedure as described, the system must possess the fo~owing capabilities:
l. The system must monitor and count the number of manual digit l5entries by the user as for example the number of digits dialed.
~ 2. The system must know whether the user is placing a local ca~ or ~- a long distance ca11. -3. The system must recognize and remember the last digit keyed in by the user.
20As seen in FIG. 3, the apparatus shown operates to do this. It is also understood that there are many different ways ofimplementing such logic in order to accomplish the above-described results. For example, one can use a microprocessor and program the microprocessor to fo~ow the above-described sequence.
2S~eferring to FIG.4,there is shown a simple schematicdiagram of how a key hold-downis detected and how a release signalwould be provided. As seen in FIG. 9, keys 4~ may represent any one of the push button keys which are momentary contact keys as shown on a typical keypad as for example the digit ~. .

;.' ' , ' . ' ' ' ~ ' ' .' ' , ...... ' ' ' ' ' . ~. ', ' :
. ,' ' ' ' ' ' ~ ' ,. ', .' , ' ' ,'. '., .. ' ~ '~ ., . :

WO 92/02tW~ PCT/US91/~8 2~ 35~3 ,. .

keys "l"through "O" or the "~" and "#"~eys. Upon depression of a key 40,a o~e shot 41is automatica~y triggered. If the key is released,the AND gate ~2 will not be activated due to the fact that the key 40 has been released. If key 40 is held down by the user then at the end of the one shot period, gate 92 is energized which sends a high signal to amplifier 43 which activates a suitable alarm device ~4indicating orinforming the consumer thathe can nowrelease the button. Itis also understood thatin the case ofa telephone keypad thatifkey 40 is pressed and the one shot is triggered, the depression of any other key wi~ also cause the one shot to be reset~ia its resetline. Therefore,the only time that one shot 41 wi~ time out is when key 40 is held in place and no other key is accessed by the user. This assures that the multiple utilization of key 40 during keyboard activation wi~ not cause the alarm or the reset siqnal to appear.
Thus, by using the logic as shown in FIG. 4 in conjunction with the logic sequence in FIG. 3,the system can determine that a key has been held and further determine which key itis. As indicated previously,this feature can be employed in causing the system to actuate a finish digit mode in a cellular system implementation.
Pertinent to the circuit structure shownin FIG.4,there wi~ now be a discussion concerning a triple repeat digit. As already indicated above, a triple repeat digittTRD)is a digit which repeats in the middle or elsewhere in a telephone number. For example, take the local number "777-0000". This telephone numberhas the triplerepeat digits~777"with a fourdigit zero ending.
The ca~er,upondialing such a number,wi~ firstaccess the"7"key and then hold it down until the release tone is sounded or release is otherwise indicated by the System. In this manner, the depression of the "7" key which is the digit dialed and the hold down of the "7" key informs the system to repeat the "7"
three times.

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.

The caller wi~ then diala single zeroin a ce~ular phone application, for example, or hit the finish zero key 19 to indicate to the system that zeros are needed to finish the number. Thus the system will operate to first repeat dial the digit"7"three times and then to repeat thelast digit zero four times.
S
Referring to FIG. 5, there is shown a schematic block diagram of a circ~it module which can be implemented to interface with the keypad shown ror example in FIGS.l and 2. It is understood that the above-described procedures for implementing abbreviated dialing utilizing a conventional telephone system or a cellular system can ope~atein a similar manner. As specified above,alocal phone number or long distance number must both contain a certain number of digits in order to be valid. This is of utmost importance in a cellular system, where the correct number of digits must be entered for transmission. Thus,as seen in FIG. 5,there is a keypad 50 which interfaces directly with access logic ; 15 51. The access logic 51 containslogic arrangements such as a PLA,and responds . .
to the different systems the phone associated with the circuitry is installed in. Essentia~y, the access logic interfaces with the SEND key 52, which would be a typical SEND key as employed in the ce~ular system. Another input of the access logic receives information from the ~inish final digit key via module 53,which finish final digit keys are the keys shown in FIG. 2, and also receives information from a finish zero or FZ key (19) associated with the keypad via :~ module 54. The access logic interfaces with the address logic 55 associated wlth a digit memory 56. T~e digit memory 56 has a plurality of storage locations, each of which can store a telephone numb-r digit andls associated - 25 with the keypad 50. IC components readily available and suitable to implementation of the logic as depicted in F;G.S are widely used and we~ known in the state o~ the art.

. . .

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~ --38--., As indicated, in most instances an integral function of the system operation is to monitor the phone line and to count the number of digits a phoneuser dials out manually, thereby evaluating the number of digits still remainingto be dialed out by the system in order to constitute a completed phone number.
5 This mode of operation is implemented especially in the cellular system where it is extremely important. ~iowever, as indicated above, in a normal telephone system, one does not have to dial o-lt the correct remaining finishing digits asthe telephone system wil1 ignore all disits dialed after seven or ten digits have Deen received. In this manner, the access logic 51, when associated with a 10 typical telephone system, will dial out an arbitrary number of finishing digits when the finish zero key or the FFD keys are activated by the user. Thus, when a user activates the finish zero key (for example, key 19 of FIG. 1), the access. logic 51 will cause the digit memory 56 to dial a zero digit tfor example) 5 times, even though the telephone number may have less than five digits left.
In a similar manner, the access logic 51, upon receiving an indication from the finish digit keys as keys 17 and 18 of FIG. 1, will cause the digit memory to dial out the last dialed diqit similarly, i.e., five times, to which the telephone switching system will of course respond by ignoring the excess. As one can see, this is a very simple implementation to accommodate abbreviated dialing in 20 regard to finishing digits of telephone numbers. As also seen, the logic of FIG.
5 interfaces with the SEND button as for example 52. The access logic 51 will operate when installed in a cellular system to respond to the activation of the SEND swltch and to thereby determine how many remainlng dlgits are to be filled in according to the logic. As indicated above, activation of the SEND key will ; ~ 25 complete the dialed number in the cellular system with a correct number of finishing zeros or a Final Finishing Digit. An example of this manner of operation is outlined above in connection with the configuration as shown in regard to FIG3.

-j WO 92/O~X~ PCT/US91/~8 2~ 5~3 - ~.
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As indicated, another way of finishing the telephone number with zeros or finishing the telephone number with some other digitis the utilization of a hold-down protocol. This isimplemented by the user actuating a key on the keypad and holding it down until an acknowledgement is provided by the system.
An example of the circuitry which may be employed for example is shown in FIG.
4. In any event,the access logic 51responds to the above-described operation and knows when a key has been depressed for the requisite period,so the logic will inform the caller when the key can be released.
::
Based on thisfeature,the accesslogic51 willknow whethe- tofinish the dialed telephone number with repetitive zeros or to finish the dialed telephone number with another repetitive digit as selected by the user. In the - same manner,the holding down of a digitkey and the recognition of the hold down of a digit key can cause the access logic 51 to generate three consecutive digits which three digits are not finishing digits. Repetitive digits occuring within telephone numbers can be repeated by the user by holding down the digit key to be repeated. Accordingly,one may employ this method to activate a triple repeat digit which is a digit which repeats successively three times in a telephone number. Thus, by holding down the digit key indicative of the triple digit when the digit first appears, one wi~ now be assured that digit wi~ be ~ 20 repeated three times. While a triple repeat digit is preferred, one wi~
understand thatthis couldbe alternativelyimplementedfor digitsrepeating any ~ predetermined number of times.
,. .
VOICE RECOGNITION APPLICATIONS
Voice recognition can be very suitably applied in implementing the concepts of the invention, namely to effect multiple digit dial-out by only a single word or sy~able actuation otherwise in accordance with the various embodiments of the invention as already illustrated~ The method of the .. , ~' `"'"'''.

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invention is fully suited to use in conjunction with voice-response dialing systems we~ known to the state of the art. In store & forwardimplementations of these systems, a user enters the digits of the phone number to be dialed verba~y by annunciating each individual digit, and upon completion annunciates a further"command word" such as"Send" or"Dial,"prompting the voice-response system to dial the phone number.
In the case of a phone number having a Multiple Repeat Finishing Disit, for example,"675-5555," the user must redundantly annunciate the word "Five" five times in succession.
Further complicating this is the fact that voice-response dialing systems as currently available often exhibit inherent problems of mis-recognition. If a user's pronunciation or annunciation of an instruction is not precise(for example,from the nasality of a stuffy nose),orinatmospheres with a high or changinglevel of ambient noise (for a ce~ular example,from the auto air-conditioner being on or from a noisy truck passing by), the voice-response system may misinterpret diqits,and if not corrected will dialthe wrong number.
~ . , These factors tend to make the current state of voice-dialing difficult and tedious, and it fo~ows that any reduction in the total annunciations necessary to complete and dial a number would be markedly beneficial and would represent a substantial enhancement to the state of the art. The method of the instant invention contemplates and provides the wherewith to accomplish such reduction in a manner fu~y analogous to and functiona~y compatible with the invention as implemented with a keypad.
The user would annunciate a prescribed(orpre-programmed)"command word" associated with the desired function of the invention, which would be substantially concurrent with the appropriatekey actuation orkeypad protocol.
:-' ' '- ' ' ' ~ ' ' .

W092/02~ 2 ~ PCT/US91/~8 .

;.~ ' ''' -91- , ; To wit,such commands certainly might be conceptualized as "verbalkeystrokes."

; A simplified example of a set of"command words" and their analogous functions that might embody this on a ce~ular phone might be:

"Zero"
through "Nine": Analogous to momentarily pressing the ordinary digit of the same name.
"Send": Analogous to pressing the SEND key.
"~inish": Analogous to the key orkeypad protocol produ~ing a send with RFD.
"Zip": Analogous to the key or keypad protocol producing a send with RFZ.
15 "Repeat": Analogous to the key or keypad protocol producing TRD.
.
Using such a construct, the number "777-OOOO," for instance, could be dialed aloud according to the invention by speaking the sentence: "Seven, - Repsat,Zip." Similarly, the number "675-5555" could be dialed aloud by speaking the sentence: "Six, Seven, Five, Finish," and the number "333-4441" could be dialed aloud by speaking the sentence: "Three,Repeat,Four,Repeat,One,Send." -' .:
Alternatively (and again completely analogous to keypad protosols discussed previously), it would also be straightforward enough to eliminate either"Zip"or "Finish"from the above command-set by having"Send"perform the function whenever the digits previously entered do not form a complete telephone number.
.:

WO 92/02096 PCT/US91/0~X~ _ $-~a .. :

Likewise, since itis possible for practica~y any key or protocolto . be duplicated or replaced by a voice command,it should also be noted that many sorts of mixed voice/keypad systems could be created, including complete systems wherein each key and keypad protocol would possess a voice ana~og performing theidenticalfunction,or"hybridized"systems whereinsomefunctions might be voice-only, some might be keypad-only,and/or some might be both. The principie is the same; that for such purposes a keystroke is a keystroke, whetheI it is performed verba~y, mechanica~y, or otherwise.
It should of course be understoo~ tha' the _omm3nd word set cited above is illustrative only,and should not be construed as complete or limiting in any way. Any other words or phrases might as easily be p.ogrammed or pre-programmed into a voice-recognizing device according to theinvention,thereby effecting verbal1y controlledoperations that are functiona~y analogous to the invention as implemented with a keypad.
~ 15 It is abundantly evident from a~ of the above that the inclusion of ; the method of the instant invention as part of voice-response dialing systems :
wouldconstitute a welcome advancementand a valuableimprovement to the state ~ of the art of voice-recognitiondialing. Such animprovementwould be especia~y ; beneficial in the ce~ular/mobile environment, where, in addition to the convenience benefits therearevehicular safety considerations. Itis of course :
understood that in addition to the cellular application,the benefits described are as we~ relevant to voice-response dialing systems usedin conjunction with : .
,, telephones and dialers of any other kind.

Like voice dialing,another area where the concepts of theinvention - can be very suitably appliedis in the programming of tracltional"memory"keys, namely by effecting multiple digit programming entry by only a single keystroke ;

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. actuation otherwisein accordance with the various embodiments of theinvention as already i~ustrated. Such memory-systems typica~y require the entry of a telephone number via some sort of "memory-storage" protocol that associates the entered number with one or more dedicated storagelocationsto be accessed later through a separate"memory-recall"protocol. The method of theinvention is ~u~y suited to use in conjunction with any system that requires entry of a telephone number for purposes of storage for later reca~ and use, since such : number-entry for purposes of storage is not fundamenta~y different from number-entry for purposes of dialing. There is,in fac., substanti~l analogy between the way most of these systems work and the way a store ~ forward dialing system works; i.e., in a memory-system one enters the number into a : temporary "buffer" memory and forwardsitinto a reca1lable "permanent"memory using some sort of "MEMORY" key or protocol, whereas in a store ~ forward dialing system one similarly enters the numberinto a temporary"~uffer"memory . lS and forwards it to the telephoneline using some sort of"SEND"key or protocol.
. The distinction between temporary "buffer" memories and reca~able "permanent"
; memories is a matter of function and not hardware, and can largely be defined -~
according to whether the memory in question is explicitly intended for programming and use by the user rather than the system; i.e., in the above :o 20 examples the contents of a store ~ forward "buffer" are changed by the system whenever a new phone numberis dialed,making its use generalto the system and ! primarily transparent to the user,who has no option but to enter data into the system throughit andno optlonto preserveits contentsonce newdata has been : entered. In contrast,in a "permanent"memory the contents are chanqed only by ' 25 a specific user protocol and are never altered by the system except when specifically and selectively requested by the user.
For an example, let us assume a ten location memory-system (0-9) using a single dedicated "MEMORY"key and using the protocol:"MEMORY" <memory ,. ~ '., ' . ': : : ' ': ' ' " . "' ' WO 92/0~M~ PCT/US91/~8 ~ ?~

:-_9g_ number 0-9> <telephone number> "MEMORY" for storing numbers. To store the number "777-5555" into memory location 4, one would enter the seguence:
"MEMORY""4""7775555""MEMORY," with each individualdigit being entPred singly.
Under the teachings of the invention as previously i~ustrated, one might instead postulate the same device additionally using a digit-key hold-down protocol for accomplishing TRD and a dedicated "RFD" key for repeat finishing digits, so one mightinstead enter the sequence: "MEMORY""4""~"<and hold>"5"
"RFD""MEMORY," saving four ~36%) of the original eleven keys.
The dedicated RFD key in the above example c~ld as easily function ;~ 10 to produce RFZ, and likewise the "MEMORY" key in such an application could function analogously to the "SEND" key in a store & forward embodiment, doinq either RFD or RFZ and filling in any missing digits automatica~y. The example above, assuming the "MEMORY" key instead of a dedicated key was serving to effect RED, would then become:"MEMORY" "9""7" <and hold> "5""MEMoRY," saving one extra keypress.
Note also that in software systems where key-codes rather than whole digits are used to store phone numbers in memory, this method is highly RAM-conservative and might be employed usefu~y on a software level in RAM-.
critical applications.
In any event, one can readily see that any device incorporating memory storage for dialing purposes which relies upon entry of memory numbers in a standard dialinq format could also incorporate the teachinqs of the invention for purposes of memory entry.

OT~ER APPLICATIONS INCLUDING EXTERNAL CALL-HANDLING EQ~IPMENT
This patent addresses and is directed to a~ forms of telephone dialing means and equipment, as we~ as keypads incorporated in various forms in a multitude of telephone-associated equipment.

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, WO 92/02~ PCT/US91/~8 ~ 8 : ' :
' The fo~owing speclfics are not intended to be limiting, but only serve to cite specific examples of various telephone and telephone-associated equipment which are presently in widespread use and which incorporate some telephone dialing means. Such equipment includes various telephone dialers, telephone instruments and subsets,including,forexample,cordlessandportable telephones,ce~ular and mobile telephones,faxmachines,and publicpay-phones.
It should be noted here that the teachings of the invention,in whole or in part,could be easily effected by various hardware and software means on .
many types of ca~-handling equipmentexternaltotheactualtelephone ordevice being used to place the ca~; e.g. KSU's, PBX's, or even in telephone carrier central-office systems. This equipment could be programmed with various . , .
protocols to respond to User Actuations of the various nlustrated Keys;.e.g., Digit Keys,Dedicated Keys,and/or SEND Keys,to effect automaticmultiple-digit dial-out as required for the completion of a valid telephone number.
It should also be mentioned that a~ of the various configurations, embodiments, and methods of the inventlon described are, as we~,contemplated to be used with and incorporated into Stand-Alone Dialers and Dialer/Keypads of alt types, and likewise to be used with and incorporated into various telephone gear of a~ kinds, whether it be ce~ular phones, mobile phones, key ~ 20 phones, etc., to cite some likely examples. Itisofcoursestrictlyunderstood that the claims appended hereto wi~ cover the intent and scope of the present invention,but lt is ~learly indicated that a~ of the claims apply a_ we~ to fax machines, which are of course connected to telephone lines and have means for dialing telephone numbers, and which incorporate a "SEND" type key feature as part of a "store & forward" dialing forma'. Hence, the abbreviate~ dialing apparatus as described is applicable to telecopier machines which are in widespread use and which would also receive great advantages from the use of the present invention.

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WO 92/02 ~ PCT/~S91/~8 . , - i~:
5~3 --g6--Fina~y, note that in non-store/forward applications the invention wouldbe ofsubstantialbenefitto the telephone companiesthemselves,since any device that shortens the duration of an average dialing sequence willresultin less tie-up time for the telco's very expensive capital equipment. Even a sma~
savinqs per ca~ could result in bi~ions of seconds of equipment up-time saved annua~y.
It can be readily appreciated that there are many ways ofimplementing the above-described operations and functions of the invention, including the implementation o' triple-repeat digits, a predetermined number o~ digits (finishing or otherwise), or the exact number of finishing digits necessary to form valid telephone numbers. With suitable structure,thereis no limit on how . the invention can be implemented or on the hardware and/or software permutations that could be used to implement it. For example, as indicated earlier,one can employ a voice-responsive system whereby a"keyword" becomes completely analogous to a "keystroke" or a "keypad protocol" for effecting various types of abbreviated dialinq according to the invention.
One ski~ed in the art wi~ immediately understand that there are many, probably thousands, of ways in which the teachings of this invention could be implemented in various devices with various aims. ~ such ways are deemed to be within the spirit and scope of the claims appended to this specification.
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'' , ' . ~ '~ ' ', ~ . '' ' ' : `' .

Claims (51)

THE CLAIMS

1. A method for accommodating abbreviated telephone dialing in a dialing system when dialing a telephone number via a keypad, said telephone number having a number of repetitive digits appearing sequentially in said telephone number, comprising the steps of:
dialing said telephone number in sequence via the digit dialing keys of said key pad until the digit immediately preceding the first one of saidrepetitive digits is keyed-in, a prescribed further actuation of said keypad, said repetitive digit being automatically dialed a number of times without further actuation of said keypad.

2. The method according to Claim 1, wherein said dialing system is at least part of a cellular system.

3. The method according to Claim 1, wherein said dialing system is at least part of a telecopier machine system.

4. The method according to Claim 1, wherein said dialing system is at least part of a key telephone ("keyphone") system.

5. The method according to Claim 1, wherein said dialing system is at least part of a direct dial telephone system.

6. The method according to Claim 1, wherein said dialing system is at least part of a store & forward telephone system.

7. The method according to Claim 1, wherein said repetitive digits are the finishing digits for said telephone number and are at least the last twodigits in said number.

8. The method according to Claim 1, wherein said prescribed further actuation consists of actuation of a prescribed key.

9. The method according to Claim 8, wherein said prescribed key is the digit dialing key for said repetitive digit, and wherein said prescribed further actuation is comprised of a hold-down protocol for said key.

10. The method according to Claim 8, wherein said prescribed key is the digit dialing key for said repetitive digit, and wherein said key has more than one switching position, and wherein said prescribed further actuation is comprised of actuating a different physical switching position for said key thanthat position which would produce a single digit.

11. The method according to Claim 8, wherein said prescribed key is a satellite key associated with the digit dialing key for said repetitive digit, and wherein said prescribed further actuation is comprised of actuation of said satellite key.

12. The method according to Claim 8, wherein said repetitive digits are zeros.

13. The method according to Claim 12, wherein said prescribed key is a finish zero key.

14. The method according to Claim 12, wherein the number of said zeros is a number greater than necessary to complete said telephone number as a valid telephone number.

15. The method according to Claim 12, wherein the number of said zeros is the number necessary to complete said telephone number as a valid telephone number.

16. The method according to Claims 6 and 8, wherein said prescribed further actuation is an actuation of the SEND key associated with the store forward dialing method.

17. A method for accommodating abbreviated telephone dialing in a dialing system when dialing a telephone number via a keypad, said telephone number having a number of repetitive digits appearing sequentially in said telephone number, comprising the steps of:
dialing said telephone number in sequence via the digit dialing keys of said key pad until the first one of said repetitive digits is keyed-in, a prescribed further actuation of said keypad, said repetitive digit being automatically dialed a number of times without further actuation of said keypad.

18. The method according to Claim 17, wherein said dialing system is at least part of a cellular system.

19. The method according to Claim 17, wherein said dialing system is at least part of a telecopier machine system.

20. The method according to Claim 17, wherein said dialing system is at least part of a key telephone ("keyphone") system.

21. The method according to Claim 17, wherein said dialing system is at least part of a direct dial telephone system.

22. The method according to Claim 17, wherein said dialing system is at least part of a store & forward telephone system.

23. The method according to Claim 17, wherein said repetitive digits are the finishing digits for said telephone number and are at least the last twodigits in said number.

24. The method according to Claim 17, wherein said prescribed further actuation consists of actuation of a prescribed key.

25. The method according to Claim 24, wherein said prescribed key is the digit dialing key for said keyed-in digit, and wherein said prescribed further actuation is comprised of a hold-down protocol for said key.

26. The method according to Claim 24, wherein said prescribed key is the digit dialing key for said keyed-in digit, and wherein said key has more than one switching position, and wherein said prescribed further actuation is comprised of actuating a different physical switching position for said key thanthat position which would produce a single digit.

27. The method according to Claim 29, wherein said prescribed key is a satellite key associated with the digit dialing key for said keyed-in digit, and wherein said prescribed further actuation is comprised of actuation of said satellite key.

28. The method according to Claim 24, wherein the number of said zeros is a number greater than necessary to complete said telephone number as a valid telephone number.

29. The method according to Claim 24, wherein the number of said zeros is the number necessary to complete said telephone number as a valid telephone number.

30. The method according to Claims 18 and 24, wherein said prescribed further actuation is an actuation of the SEND key associated with the store & forward dialing method.

31. The method according to Claim 17, wherein the sequence of said repetitive digits may terminate anywhere in the phone number, and not necessarily as the last digit therein.

32. The method according to Claim 31, wherein said prescribed further actuation consists of actuation of a prescribed key.

33. The method according to Claim 31, wherein the number of times that said repetitive digits are automatically dialed is predetermined.

34. The method according to Claim 33, wherein said prescribed key is the digit dialing key for said keyed-in digit, and wherein said further actuation is comprised of a hold-down protocol for said key.

35. The method according to Claim 31, wherein the number of times that said repetitive digits are automatically dialed is not predetermined.

36. The method according to Claim 35, wherein said prescribed key is the digit dialing key for said keyed-in digit, and wherein said further actuation is comprised of a hold-down protocol for said key.

37. The method according to Claim 31, wherein said prescribed key operates when actuated to produce said repetitive digits singly at predetermined intervals for as long as said actuation is maintained.

38. The method according to Claim 37, wherein said prescribed key will not operate after a valid telephone number has been effected.

39. The method according to Claim 37, wherein said prescribed key will not operate after a predetermined maximum number of said repetitive digits has been effected.

40. Apparatus for accommodating abbreviated telephone dialing in a dialing system when dialing a telephone number via a keypad, said telephone number having a number of repetitive digits appearing sequentially in said telephone number, comprising:
first means responsive to a prescribed actuation of said keypad to cause said repetitive digit to be automatically dialed a given number of times without further access to said keypad.

41. The apparatus according to Claim 40, wherein said repetitive digits are the finishing digits for said telephone number and comprise at least the last two digits in said number.

42. The apparatus according to Claim 40, wherein said repetitive digits are digits in said telephone number other than said finishing digits.

43. The apparatus according to Claim 41, wherein said finishing digits are zeros.

WO 92/02096 PCT/US91/05008 49. The apparatus according to Claim 40, wherein said keypad includes a prescribed key, and wherein said prescribed actuation is the actuation of said prescribed key.

45. The apparatus according to Claim 40, wherein said prescribed key is a finish zero key whereby activation of said key completes said telephonenumber with zeros.

46. The apparatus according to Claim 44, wherein said dialing system is at least part of a store & forward system and said prescribed key is the SEND key.

47. The apparatus according to Claim 49, further including:
second means responsive to the activation of a hold-down protocol of said prescribed key to cause said first means to automatically dial said repetitive digit a given number of times.

48. Apparatus for enabling abbreviated telephone dialing in a dialing system when dialing a telephone number having a repetitive finishing digit via a keypad, said keypad including a prescribed key, the apparatus comprising:
first keypad responsive means operative to detect the dialing of a long distance or local telephone number and output such first information, second keypad responsive means to count the digits dialed and to output such second information, dialing means responsive to said first and second informations and said prescribed key to cause the completion of said telephone number as a valid telephone number by repetition of said finishing digit.

49. The apparatus according to Claim 48, wherein said repetitive digit is a zero.

50. The apparatus according to Claim 48, further including keypad responsive means operative to store the last digit dialed and output such information to enable said dialing means to compete said telephone number with said last digit.

51. The apparatus according to Claim 9 8, wherein said dialing system is at least part of a store & forward system and said prescribed key is the SEND key.