WO1992002096A1 - Abbreviated and enhanced dialing apparatus and methods - Google Patents

Abbreviated and enhanced dialing apparatus and methods Download PDF

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Publication number
WO1992002096A1
WO1992002096A1 PCT/US1991/005008 US9105008W WO9202096A1 WO 1992002096 A1 WO1992002096 A1 WO 1992002096A1 US 9105008 W US9105008 W US 9105008W WO 9202096 A1 WO9202096 A1 WO 9202096A1
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WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
key
digit
dialing
digits
prescribed
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/US1991/005008
Other languages
French (fr)
Inventor
Herbert H. Waldman
Original Assignee
Advanced Cellular Telecom, Inc.
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Advanced Cellular Telecom, Inc. filed Critical Advanced Cellular Telecom, Inc.
Publication of WO1992002096A1 publication Critical patent/WO1992002096A1/en

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Classifications

    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04M—TELEPHONIC COMMUNICATION
    • H04M1/00—Substation equipment, e.g. for use by subscribers
    • H04M1/26—Devices for calling a subscriber
    • H04M1/27—Devices whereby a plurality of signals may be stored simultaneously
    • H04M1/271—Devices whereby a plurality of signals may be stored simultaneously controlled by voice recognition
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04M—TELEPHONIC COMMUNICATION
    • H04M1/00—Substation equipment, e.g. for use by subscribers
    • H04M1/26—Devices for calling a subscriber
    • H04M1/27—Devices whereby a plurality of signals may be stored simultaneously
    • H04M1/274—Devices whereby a plurality of signals may be stored simultaneously with provision for storing more than one subscriber number at a time, e.g. using toothed disc
    • H04M1/2745—Devices whereby a plurality of signals may be stored simultaneously with provision for storing more than one subscriber number at a time, e.g. using toothed disc using static electronic memories, e.g. chips
    • H04M1/27485—Appending a prefix to or inserting a pause into a dialling sequence
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04M—TELEPHONIC COMMUNICATION
    • H04M1/00—Substation equipment, e.g. for use by subscribers
    • H04M1/02—Constructional features of telephone sets
    • H04M1/0202—Portable telephone sets, e.g. cordless phones, mobile phones or bar type handsets
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04M—TELEPHONIC COMMUNICATION
    • H04M1/00—Substation equipment, e.g. for use by subscribers
    • H04M1/02—Constructional features of telephone sets
    • H04M1/23—Construction or mounting of dials or of equivalent devices; Means for facilitating the use thereof
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04M—TELEPHONIC COMMUNICATION
    • H04M1/00—Substation equipment, e.g. for use by subscribers
    • H04M1/72—Mobile telephones; Cordless telephones, i.e. devices for establishing wireless links to base stations without route selection
    • H04M1/724—User interfaces specially adapted for cordless or mobile telephones

Definitions

  • This invention relates to telephone dialing apparatus and more particularly to an abbreviated enhanced dialing apparatus and a method of dialing which is particularly adaptable for cellular telephone systems.
  • the prior art is cognizant of various techniques to enabl enhanced abbreviated dialing by a telephone user.
  • the prior art doe not disclose or anticipate anything except memory-system treatments an methods for pre-storing telephone numbers under selective user control fo later selective recall, whereas the instant invention deals with enhance abbreviated dialing of non-pre-programmed telephone numbers through the us of traditional system dialing resources, without forethought or prior use action, and with no "permanent" or "pre-programmed” storage.
  • the apparatus and methods to be described enable abbreviated an enhanced dialing of many telephone numbers, reducing the number of required ke actuations by the user according to the format of the telephone number.
  • the method and apparatus depend upon particular digits of the telephone number being the same and being repetitive. In this manner, one can dial certain telephone numbers rapidly utilizing the system to be described.
  • the principle feature of the present invention is that successively repeated digits 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).
  • this invention has uniform and characteristic 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.
  • the user will actuate the digit key only once upon reaching the repetitive digit, after which the system will automatically repeat dial the repetitive digit as many times as necessary to complete a valid telephone number.
  • the main object of the invention is to advantageously utilize the characteristics of the many telephone numbers having a single digit repeated one or more times, as both a finishing digit or elsewhere in the telephone number.
  • this feature of the instant invention will enable a user automatically dial these successively repeating digits by keying in the dig only once. For example, in a phone number ending with the digit "5" repeati four times, a conventional dialing procedure would call for the "5" digit key be activated four times in succession. However, in the invention the user w need only activate the number "5" digit key once, and then further indicate th it is a repeat digit. As will be explained, this operation can be implemented a conventional system by a prescribed actuation procedure of the repeat dig key, or unconventionally by means of separate keys such as a finish zero key a a finish final digit key.
  • actuation of the SEND key could automatically cause the number to completed in either form; by filling in the finishing digits either with zeros with the final digit keyed-in, depending upon which method of the invention utilized.
  • the syst will recognize the last digit entered, and further recognize that in order constitute a valid telephone number, additional digits must be added to tho already keyed.
  • the system of the invention would then proceed to transmit t manually dialed digits over the cellular network, afterward automatically filli in the requisite repetitive digit the required number of times to create a val telephone number.
  • a one-touch key actuation may effect the dial-out of any multip number of digits in any one particular category, so that each category dia out is accomplished by only a single key actuation instead of redundant k actuations corresponding to the individual digits, as is the case wi conventional dialing procedures.
  • FIG. 1 is a top plan view of a telephone keypad arrangement accordi to this invention.
  • FIG. 2 is a top plan view of a telephone keypad arrangement utiliz in a cellular system.
  • FIG. 3 is a block diagram of an abbreviated dialing system accordi to this invention.
  • FIG. 4 is a circuit diagram of a key hold down circuit according this invention.
  • FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing an abbreviated dialing apparatu according to this invention.
  • FIG. 6 is a top plan view of partial key arrangement utilized for keyboard according to this invention.
  • FIG. 7 is a block diagram of an abbreviated dialing method for a Tripl
  • FIG. 8 is a block diagram of an abbreviated dialing method for a Fina Finishing Digit (FFD).
  • FFD Fina Finishing Digit
  • FIG. 9 is a block diagram of an abbreviated dialing method for Finishing Zero digit (FZ).
  • FIG. 10 is a block diagram of an abbreviated dialing system accordin to this invention using two SEND keys, applicable to cellular phones, fa machines, etc.
  • FIG. 11 is a schematic mechanical diagram of a momentary two -positio pushbutton switch.
  • FIG. 12 is a representative diagram of a two-position rocker typ switch.
  • FIG. 13 is a diagram of a keypad according to this invention havin two adjacent satellite keys for each main digit key.
  • FIG. 14 is a diagram of a keypad according to this invention havin one adjacent satellite key for each main digit key.
  • FIG. 15 is a diagram of a circular keypad according to this inventio having one adjacent satellite key for each main digit key.
  • FIG. 16 is a diagram of a keypad according to this invention havin two dedicated keys.
  • FIG. 17 is a diagram of a keypad according to this invention havin one dedicated Finish Zero (FZ) key.
  • FIG. 18 is a diagram of a keypad according to this invention hav three dedicated Finish Zero (FZ) keys.
  • FIG. 19 is a diagram of a convention telephone keypad having star (" and pound ("#").
  • FIG. 20 is a diagram of a circular keypad according to this inventi having one dedicated Finish Zero (FZ) key and four dedicated Finish Digit (F keys.
  • FZ Finish Zero
  • F keys four dedicated Finish Digit
  • FIG. 21 is a diagram of a circular keypad according to this inventi having one dedicated Finish Zero (FZ) key and one dedicated Finish Digit (FFD) k
  • a DC power supply is not shown, since any power supply suitable the components and well known in the state of the art could be used to power t various modules, components, and circuitry. Phone-line voltage could also used to power the system directly, as is well known in the state of the art.
  • Valid Telephone Number All telephone company central office systems have certain criteria and conventions for determining what digits and what number of digits may constitute a telephone number for making a connection from a calling party to a called party.
  • a Valid Telephone Number is a number in 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.
  • a common method of telephone dialing wherein a string of digits is temporarily stored when entered by the user, then sequentially forwarded as a unit onto the telephone line after entry, usually 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 forwarding occurs when a specific time period elapses with no further digit or command entry having been made, and other systems alternatively forward upon detecting the entered digit string as constituting a valid phone number.
  • Some systems also use various combinations and permutations of all of these, a ⁇ none of the methods are mutually exclusive. They nevertheless treat the phone number and not the individual digits a ⁇ the most discrete entity determining forwarding, and therefore constitute store & forward systems.
  • a common method of telephone dialing wherein digits are forwarded onto the telephone line as soon as they are entered by the user, and wherein the individual digits are the most discrete entitie in determining when to forward to the line.
  • Some implementations of these systems may make use of a temporary "buffer" memory, especially in pulse-dialing systems wherein dialing a digit may require a second and a half, allowing the user to enter digits faster than the system can dial them.
  • Such digits are nevertheless put on the line as quickly thereafter as the ⁇ y ⁇ tem can manage, and ⁇ u systems are still Direct Dial.
  • a unique action by the user according to a given protocol wit accomplishes a unique predetermined task or result.
  • TRD / Triple Repeat Digit 1) Any digit recurring three times in sequence anywhere in a given phon number, but not inclusive of the final digit of the complete number. 2) A dialed digit to be automatically iterated three times in ⁇ ucce ⁇ io upon output to the phone line.
  • RFD / Repeat Fini ⁇ hing Digit or FFD / Final Finishing Digit 1) Any digit occurring more than once in sequence at the end of a complet phone number.
  • RFZ / Repeat Finishing Zero or FZ / Finishing Zero
  • Satellite Key A key functionally associated with another specific key (typically a digit key) and performing subsidiary actions specific to that key.
  • Hold-Down Protocol / Press-and-Hold Protocol A key functionally associated with another specific key (typically a digit key) and performing subsidiary actions specific to that key.
  • such a protocol may involve a delayed (or second) audible tone, audible phrase, or other type of system- acknowledgement of the alternate key function.
  • Multi-Press Protocol / Multi-Actuation Protocol A protocol whereby a user presse ⁇ a key a second time in succession to accomplish a result different from that of a single press.
  • Timed (Key) Depression Refers to a Hold-Down Key actuation as defined above.
  • the telephone keypad assembly 10 contains a series of keys or push buttons designated as "1" to "0" and a "*" and a "#" key 15 and 16.
  • the telephone keypad 10 has a large key 17 on the right as well as a large key
  • the keys 17 and 18 are designated as FFD, which stands for Fini ⁇ h Final Digit, a ⁇ will be further explained. There is also shown a key 19 the bottom of the keypad designated a ⁇ the Fini ⁇ h Zero Key.
  • the object of the invention i ⁇ to minim the amount of dialing required by a user when accessing or dialing a teleph number having repetitive digits.
  • repetitive digits wh terminate or end the number.
  • a very common ending digit the digit zero.
  • Many telephone numbers end in repetitive zero ⁇ a ⁇ for exam four zeros, three zeros, and ⁇ o on.
  • the user of the system having a keypad as shown in FIG. 1 will acce the system as follows. Fir ⁇ t, let u ⁇ assume that the telephone number a us desired to dial was a local number ending in all zeros, ⁇ uch a ⁇ "887-7000". this example there are three zeros which terminate the telephone number. order to dial thi ⁇ number according to the pre ⁇ ent ⁇ ystem, the user wo acce ⁇ the keyboard ⁇ hown in FIG. 1 and manually dial "8877,” then actuate k 19 which i ⁇ the Fini ⁇ h with zero key.
  • the same above-de ⁇ cribed procedure can al ⁇ o accommodate telephone numbers which finish with repetitive digit ⁇ other than zero.
  • the digit "7" is the finishing digit repeated four times.
  • the user again will dial in the digits "435,” then dial the first "7,” then activate key 18 or key 17, which is the finish final digit (FFD) key.
  • the system will similarly dial four or five sevens, recognizing that the last digit accessed by the user prior to depressing the key 17 or 18 was a "7,” with the central ⁇ tation similarly ignoring the excess.
  • 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 keyboard 10 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 digit were "1,” "4,” or “7” it would be simpler to acces ⁇ key 18. Thu ⁇ , the two key ⁇ are ⁇ hown and can be employed a ⁇ such. It is 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 illustrates another 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 acce ⁇ ible from all of the digit keys.
  • the keys designated 17a and 18a are functionally equivalent to keys 17 and 18 of FIG. 1, respectively, and the center key marked 19a is functionally equivalent to key 19 of FIG. 1. While the above-noted examples took advantage of the fact that t telephone sy ⁇ tem will only recognize the fir ⁇ t ⁇ even digit ⁇ , it is certain understood that one can instead count the digits and fill in the exact number finishing digits to implement a valid telephone number.
  • TRD triple repeat digit
  • FIG. 2 there is shown a typical cellular (or store forward) telephone keyboard 20.
  • this keyboard 20 utilizes t conventional keys “1" through “0” and the "*" and “#” keys, but also employs send (SND) key, an end (END) key, a clear (CLR) key, and a recall (RCL) key.
  • SND send
  • END end
  • CLR clear
  • RCL recall
  • T clear and recall keys are for purpose ⁇ of clearing the di ⁇ play and (for exampl redialing the last dialed number.
  • the system will recognize that a local call is being made (because of the absence of a long-distance access digit), and further determine that the user has only dialed three digit ⁇ , meaning that f our digit ⁇ are mi ⁇ sing from a local (7 -digit) number.
  • the sy ⁇ tem would therefore automatically fill in the la ⁇ t four digit place ⁇ with "0000,” and activating the SEND key is thus analogous to activating the Finish Zero Key 19 of FIG. 1.
  • one can implement finishing digit by utilizing a press-and-hold protocol linked to the digit keys without conflicting with the FZ function.
  • the sy ⁇ tem can as easily implement the above procedures f or long distance dialing. In long distance dialing the user dial ⁇ 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 a long distance number i ⁇ being dialed by determining that the first depression was the "1" key, and thereafter will expect ten digits, not seven. If ten digits are not received, the system will again fill in the necessary digits based on the above techniques. For example, if the user desired to dial the number "212-775-0000", he would proceed by first dialing a "1”, then dialing the area code "212", then dialing "775", and finally actuating the SEND key.
  • the system would determine that a long distance number was being dialed after depression of the "1" key, and would expect ten additional digits, but since the user only dialed six of them, the system would fill in the last f our digit places with "0000".
  • exces ⁇ digits diale after the ten digits or ⁇ even digit ⁇ are ignored, but if this is done on cellular sy ⁇ tem, one will receive a message that the number dialed is not a val telephone number.
  • the sy ⁇ tem captioned above avoids this, and will alway ⁇ dial out the correct number of finishing digits.
  • SEND Key actuation dial-out ⁇ y ⁇ tems store the digits in a temporary "buffer" memory as they are keyed-in, for later output to the phone ⁇ twork.
  • the output (forwarding) of the stored digits takes place upon actua * . ⁇ of a
  • the instant invention is compatible with such voice-dialing systems, or may utilize the exi ⁇ ting keypad on a cellular phone.
  • the method of the invention provides th depending upon the digit make-up of a particular phone number, the dial motions may be reduced significantly for an phone number.
  • the principle feature of the invention is that successively repeat digits are keyed-in by the user only once. For example, if a phone number e with the digit "5" repeating four times, i.e., "5555,” in conventional dial procedures the "5" digit key would be pres ⁇ ed four time ⁇ in ⁇ uccession. comparison, in employing the method of the invention, the user would need o to actuate the digit "5" key once, and subsequently would need only to activ the SEND key on the cellular telephone keypad. Upon actuation of the SEND k the System of the invention will recognize the last digit entered ("5" in t illustration), and further recognize that three additional digits are necess in order to constitute a valid telephone number. The System will proceed transmit the manually dialed digits to the cellular network, and then additionally auto dial the last digit "5" the remaining three times nece ⁇ ary make the transmission into a valid telephone number.
  • the user could choose to use either function; i.e., he could press and hold the "0" key and pres ⁇ SEND (the MRFD protocol), or in ⁇ tead ⁇ imply actuate SEND without acce ⁇ ing the "0" (the FZD protocol). Either action would cause the System logic to auto dial as many zeroe ⁇ 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 cellular 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 to the above illustration ⁇ . Specifically, this is to say that instead of using the key hold-down actuation method to effect the system fill-in of any repetitive finishing digit and the SEND key actuation to effect the fill-in of the additional
  • the hold-down method would serve instead to fill in the neces ⁇ ary additional 0' ⁇ , while the SEND key actuation would ⁇ erve to fill in the necessary additional finishing digit ⁇ .
  • a succe ⁇ ive dual actuation of the SEND key would fill in the missing number of digits with O's, wherea ⁇ a ⁇ ingle actuation of the SEND key would fill in the nece ⁇ sary number of digits with the last digit keye in.
  • the system could be programmed to effe the reverse; i.e., with a single actuation of the SEND key resulting in FZD, a a dual actuation would resulting in MRFD.
  • Still another approach is disclo ⁇ ed, wherein a ⁇ ingle SEND actuati would effect the fill-in of the last keyed-in digit, while a hold-down of the SEN key would serve to fill in the missing number of O's required to complete a vali telephone number, or vice versa.
  • Still another approach that could be used is to have the SEND ke operate normally on only a single actuation, but operating to accomplish MRF on a dual actuation of SEND, and FZ on either a triple SEND key actuation o (alternatively) a hold down of the SEND key.
  • FIG. 10 show ⁇ two SEND key ⁇ u ⁇ ed; SEND Key A and SEND Key B.
  • FIG. 11 shows a single SEND key with two switching po ⁇ ition ⁇ ; Po ⁇ itio
  • SEND Key A In the case of the two SEND keys method (FIG. 10), SEND Key A and SEND Key B, in order to cause the sy ⁇ tem logic to fill-in the nece ⁇ sary number of last keyed-in digits, the user actuates SEND Key A. In order to fill-in with the necessary number of missing zeroes, the u ⁇ er actuates SEND Key B.
  • system logic can be programmed to effect a reverse result. This is to say that actuation of SEND Key A would fill-in with the nece ⁇ sary number of missing zeroes, whereas actuation of SEND Key B would operate to fill-in the necessary number of the last keyed-in digit.
  • the Digit Counter (78) counts the digits as they are keyed-in on the keypad (71).
  • the Digit Fill Module (72) detects a call as local or long-distance and according! determines the number of digits that will constitute a valid telephone number.
  • the Zero Generator (73) i ⁇ enabled to generate a number of zeroes, while the Last Digit Generator (75) remains disabled.
  • the generated zeroes are stored in the Digit Buffer (74) like ordinary digits from the keypad, and are likewise fed back to the Digit Counter (78) which is monitored by the Digit Fill Module (72).
  • the Digit Fill Module (72) removes the enable from the Zero Generator (73) and enables the Digit Dial (76) section for output.
  • the Last Digit Generator (75) Upon actuation of SL D Key B, the Last Digit Generator (75) is enabled to generate a number of copie ⁇ of the la ⁇ t digit keyed-in, while the Zero
  • Digit Buffer (74) like ordinary digit ⁇ from the keypad, and are likewise fed back to the Digit Counter (78) which i ⁇ monitored by the Digit Fill Module (72).
  • Digit Fill Modu (72) remove ⁇ the enable from the La ⁇ t Digit Generator (75) and enable ⁇ the Dig Dial (76) section for output.
  • the Digit Dial (76) section in turn enables the output of the entir valid telephone number from the Digit Buffer (74), accepts the information a passes it sequentially to the Line Interface (77) which outputs it to the phon line.
  • TRD Triple Repeat Digit
  • the user i ⁇ in ⁇ tructed to delay the relea ⁇ e o the digit key for the digit immediately preceding the FZD until a relea ⁇ e ton phra ⁇ e or other release signal is given by the System.
  • the System logic wi determine that the preceding delayed key release was intended to signal an FZ format. Accordingly, after dialing out the digit ⁇ the. u ⁇ er had keyed-in manuall the Sy ⁇ tem would auto dial enough zeroe ⁇ to con ⁇ titute a valid telephon number. If, on the other hand, the next actuation is another digit key (not the SEND key), the System logic will determine that the preceding delayed key release was intended to signal a TRD format.
  • the System 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 auto dial the digit represented by the held- down key three times in ⁇ tead of once, followed by any digit ⁇ the u ⁇ er keyed-in manually ⁇ ub ⁇ equent to the hold-down.
  • FIG. 7 i ⁇ a logic flow diagram showing the system logic, by way of illustration, wherein a hold-down protocol of any given digit-key will result in either the dial-out of the digit associated with the given key plus RFZ, or three dial-out iterations of the digit as ⁇ ociated with the given key.
  • the system will then auto repeat dial one or more zeroes. If, on the other hand, the user keys in another digit following the hold-down protocol, the system will instead automatically repeat-dial the previously held-down digit three time ⁇ .
  • FIG. 7 Refer to FIG. 7, FIG. 4, FIG. 3:
  • the SEND Key (52) is actuated, this actuation will 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.
  • the second gate input receives an input signal from the SEND Key (52) upon its actuation.
  • SEND Key an input signal from the SEND Key (52) upon its actuation.
  • the Reset line on O/S (66) resets the O/S.
  • Thi ⁇ ⁇ equence can be followed in FIG. 7 as follows: 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 Digi
  • Dialed Module (33, FIG. 3) resulting in an appropriate output signal on output (69 of AND gate (68), thus activating the Triple Repeat Module (70).
  • Module (46 outputs an inhibit signal disabling the Last Digit Dialed Module (33, FIG. 3).
  • a Digit-key hold-down protocol can be use to effect one (but only one) of the following alternative functions, exemplifie as follows: Successive Repeat Fini ⁇ hing Digit (RFD)
  • the user holds said digit key until the system recognizes the held-down ⁇ tate of the key by some means (as indicated in FIG. 4) and thereafter announces that the key may be released; e.g., with an audible tone signal; a ⁇ ynthesized or recorded voice announcement; a visual display signal.
  • a user upon actuation of any given fini ⁇ hing digit key, a user maintains the key in it ⁇ actuated posture momentarily fore releasing it. 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.
  • T.. ⁇ is illustrated in FIG. 8 in conjunction with FIG. 3 and 4.
  • the system logic may be implemented to utilize this protocol to effect the dial-out of the digit associated with the actuated key, followed by the repeated dialing- out of zeroes as many times a ⁇ may be required to constitute a valid phone number. This is illustrated in FIG. 9 in conjunction with FIG. 3 and 4.
  • FIG. 7 is a diagram showing the system logic, by way of illustration, wherein a hold-down protocol of any given digit-key will re ⁇ ult in three dial-out iterations of the digit associated with the given key (in the absence of a SEND key actuation, as already detailed above in connection with FIG. 7). Diqit Key Hold-Down Iterative Dial-Out
  • Another method that can be implemented to effect the dial-o of a repetitive digit is to have a hold-down protocol for the digit ke which generates a limited or ad infinitum dial-out of the as ⁇ ociated dig at ⁇ ucce ⁇ ively repeating interval ⁇ , continuing until a limit or for a ⁇ lo as the key is held.
  • a display screen and/or an audible tone would b provided to display and/or signal each digit as it is generated by th system.
  • abbreviated dialing may occur b implementation of a timing sequence when the user dial ⁇ a la ⁇ t digit.
  • a u ⁇ er dial ⁇ "7770" and then doe ⁇ nothing the ⁇ ystem, after waitin some predetermined period; 3 seconds for example, would assume that this is th end of the dialed number and hence would fill-in the remaining three digits t complete the telephone number.
  • three extra zeroe ⁇ would b automatically filled in to complete a valid telephone number.
  • Thi ⁇ time-out sequence could also occur under more specifi circumstances; e.g., when the telephone number is to be finished explicitly wit zeroes.
  • the example used above, "777 -0000,” can be used to illustrate this a follows: The user would dial "777,” and then do nothing. The ⁇ ystem would commence the predetermined 3 second time period, and after no key was pres ⁇ ed during the period would fill-in the remaining four digit ⁇ with zeroe ⁇ to complete a valid telephone number.
  • each key of a telephone keypad can be as ⁇ ociated with an adjacent ⁇ econd key.
  • the key 60 is as ⁇ ociated with a ⁇ maller "satellite" key 61, with the system operating as follow ⁇ :
  • the ⁇ ystem will dial out the digit "2" once in the ordinary fashion.
  • Thi ⁇ is, of course, an obvious modification of abbreviated dialing utilizing multiple keys.
  • Another approach that can be implemented to effect multiple dig dial-out on a single keystroke is to provide one or more dedicated keys a ⁇ detailed later in the specification.
  • t digit keys can also be custom configured as two-position switching keys. example of this type is shown in FIG. 11 in connection with the SEND key, and equally adaptable for use as a two-position switching digit-key.
  • each individual digit-key has a second positio
  • the second po ⁇ ition i ⁇ actuated, it command ⁇ the ⁇ y ⁇ tem logic to finish all th remaining un-dialed digits in the phone number with zeroes.
  • the digit-key 5 would be actuated into it second position, causing the sy ⁇ tem to dial the digit 5 normally, followed b three zeroe ⁇ to fini ⁇ h the balance of the ⁇ even digit number.
  • 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.
  • Thi ⁇ method utilize ⁇ one or more dedicated key ⁇ to implement th ⁇ tated objective.
  • FIG. 21 illustrates a configuration using a telephone keypad of circular design. This design offers the advantage that since the dedicated key are located in the center of the keypad, they are conveniently acces ⁇ ible fro all of the digit keys. In this configuration the key designated 18B serves as th
  • a single keystroke actuation of the "AA" key effects the multip dial-out of the digit "0" as many time ⁇ a ⁇ may be required to con ⁇ titute a val telephone number.
  • a single keystroke actuation of the "BB" key effects the multip dial-out of the particular digit as ⁇ ociated with the digit key la ⁇ t actuated the standard keypad, preceding the actuation of the dedicated key B', as ma times as may be required to constitute a valid telephone number.
  • Another method for treating Repeat Finishing Zeroes is to add dedicated oversized Zero Key on the telephone keypad in addition to t standard Zero Key, preferably below the conventional Zero Key. Upon momentary actuation of this key, the ⁇ y ⁇ tem would auto dial a ⁇ many zeroe ⁇ required to con ⁇ titute a valid telephone number.
  • a modified approach of the additional key method that may advantageously utilized would be to make use of existing Function Keys alrea ⁇ ituated on the keypad, such a ⁇ (for example) the star ( ⁇ • * ⁇ ) or pound ("#") key "store” or “memory” function keys, or "recall” or “redial” type function keys. primary or alternate activation of one of these type keys could alternative serve the Finishing Zero or Zero functions of the invention.
  • FIG. 3 there is shown a typical block diagram of logic neces ⁇ ary 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 source ⁇ and includes a keypad as for example shown in FIG. 1 or FIG. 2. Upon dialing a number, one can distingui ⁇ h between the number being a local call or a long distance call by the presence or absence of the le ⁇ .
  • module 31 is coupled to the dialer to determine whether or not a "1" 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 call. The number of digits is monitored by counter 32, which counts the dialed digits.
  • Another module or register, 33 store ⁇ the la ⁇ t digit 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 la ⁇ t digit dialed is well known in the ⁇ tate of the art.
  • the subtractor 34 operates to subtract the number of digits required from the number of digits dialed.
  • 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 ⁇ ubtractor to ⁇ ubtract from 10 or from 7 depending whether it is a local or long distance call.
  • module 32 as counting the dialed digits interfaces with the ⁇ ubtractor 34.
  • module 35 which for example may be a flip flop or a one shot.
  • Module 35 n accesses the subtractor 34, which then subtracts the actual dialed digits fr the required digits. Hence, the difference which is the amount of times the la digit is to be repeated is stored in module 36 indicating the digit repeat numb
  • module 37 The output from module 36 and the last digit dialed module 33 are directed a last digit finish and number module 37.
  • the function of module 37 is respond to the last digit dialed and the number of times that this digit has be dialed to finish the telephone number.
  • This information is receiv respectively from the digit repeat module 36 which has stored therein t required number of digits needed to complete the telephone number and the la digit dialed module 33.
  • This information is applied to the module 37.
  • module 37 provides at an output the digit value as for example 1-0 whi is to be repeated and the number of time ⁇ this digit is to be repeated as f example from 1-N.
  • This information is clocked by means of a system clock 41 a sent to the dialer 30.
  • thi ⁇ manner the dialer 30 automatically upon recei of signals from the last digit finish and number module 37 causes the last di to be dialed successively for the proper number of times to complete the numb
  • FZ or finish zero module 46 is also seen in FIG. 3 . As shown
  • FIG. 1 when the finish zero key 19 is pres ⁇ ed, this indicates that a requisi number of zeros is to be transmitted by the system.
  • this recognized by module 46 which inhibit ⁇ the la ⁇ t digit dialed module 33 a indicates to module 37 that the finishing digit is to be zero. Therefore, a ze is repeated the optimum number of times in order to complete the telepho number. This also occurs in a cellular system when the finishing digit is "0.”
  • depression of the SEND button automatically triggers the FZ module 46, which tells the system to either repeat or end with the digit zero.
  • the system must monitor and count the number of manual digit entries by the user as for example the number of digits dialed.
  • the system must know whether the user is placing a local call or a long distance call.
  • FIG. 3 The system must recognize and remember the last digit keyed in by the user. As seen in FIG. 3, the apparatus shown operates to do thi ⁇ . It i ⁇ al ⁇ o under ⁇ tood that there are many different ways of implementing such logic in order to accomplish the above-described results. For example, one can use a microprocessor and program the microprocessor to follow the above-described sequence. Referring to FIG. 4, there is shown a simple schematic diagram of how a key hold-down is detected and how a release signal would be provided. As seen in FIG. 4, keys 40 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 key ⁇ "1" through “0" or the "*" and "#" keys.
  • a o shot 41 is automatically triggered. If the key is relea ⁇ ed, the AND gate 42 w not be activated due to the fact that the key 40 ha ⁇ been released. If key is held down by the user then at the end of the one shot period, gate 42 energized which send ⁇ a high ⁇ ignal to amplifier 43 which activate ⁇ a ⁇ uitab alarm device 44 indicating or informing the con ⁇ umer that he can now release t button. It is also understood that in the case of a telephone keypad that if k 40 is pressed and the one shot is triggered, the depression of any other k will also cause the one ⁇ hot to be re ⁇ et via its reset line.
  • the on time that one ⁇ hot 41 will time out is when key 40 is held in place and no oth key is acces ⁇ ed by the u ⁇ er.
  • the system can determine that a key has been held a further determine which key it is. As indicated previously, this feature can employed in causing the sy ⁇ tem to actuate a finish digit mode in a cellul system implementation.
  • triple repeat digit is a digit which repeats in the middle or el ⁇ ewhere a telephone number. For example, take the local number "777-0000”. Th telephone number has the triple repeat digits "777" with a four digit zero endin The caller, upon dialing such a number, will first access the "7" key and then ho it down until the release tone is sounded or release is otherwise indicated the System.
  • the depres ⁇ ion of the "7" key which i ⁇ the dig dialed and the hold down of the "7” key inform ⁇ the ⁇ y ⁇ tem to repeat the " three times.
  • the caller will then dial a single zero in a cellular phone application, for example, or hit the finish zero key 19 to indicate to the sy ⁇ tem that zeros are needed to finish the number.
  • the sy ⁇ tem will operate to fir ⁇ t repeat dial the digit "7" three time ⁇ and then to repeat the la ⁇ t digit zero four time ⁇ .
  • FIG. 5 there is shown a schematic block diagram of a circuit module which can be implemented to interface with the keypad shown for example in FIGS. 1 and 2. It is understood that the above-described procedures for implementing abbreviated dialing utilizing a conventional telephone sy ⁇ tem or a cellular ⁇ ystem can operate in a similar manner.
  • a ⁇ ⁇ pecified above a local phone number or long di ⁇ tance number mu ⁇ t both contain a certain number of digit ⁇ in order to be valid.
  • Thu ⁇ as seen in FIG. 5, there is a keypad 50 which interfaces directly with access logic 51.
  • acces ⁇ logic 51 contain ⁇ logic arrangement ⁇ ⁇ uch a ⁇ a PLA, and re ⁇ pond ⁇ to the different ⁇ y ⁇ tems the phone a ⁇ ociated with the circuitry i ⁇ in ⁇ talled in.
  • the acces ⁇ logic interfaces with the SEND key 52, which would be a typical SEND key as employed in the cellular system.
  • Another input of the acces ⁇ logic receive ⁇ information from the fini ⁇ h final digit key via module 53, which fini ⁇ h final digit key ⁇ are the key ⁇ shown in FIG. 2, and also receive ⁇ 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 with a digit memory 56.
  • the digit memory 56 has a plurality of storage locations, each of which can store a telephone number digit and is associated with the keypad 50.
  • 1 components readily available and suitable to implementation of the lc as depicted in FIG. 5 are widely used a 3 well known in the state of the art.
  • a ⁇ indicated, in mo ⁇ t in ⁇ tances an integral function of the syste operation is to monitor the phone line and to count the number of digits a phon user dial ⁇ out manually, thereby evaluating the number of digit ⁇ still remainin to be dialed out by the system in order to constitute a completed phone numbe
  • This mode of operation is implemented e ⁇ pecially in the cellular ⁇ y ⁇ tem where i i ⁇ extremely important.
  • the access logic 51 when associated with typical telephone sy ⁇ tem, will dial out an arbitrary number of finishing digit when the fini ⁇ h zero key or the FFD key ⁇ are activated by the u ⁇ er. Thu ⁇ , whe a user activates the finish zero key (for example, key 19 of FIG. 1), the acces logic 51 will cau ⁇ e the digit memory 56 to dial a zero digit (for example) 5 time ⁇ even though the telephone number may have le ⁇ than five digit ⁇ left.
  • the acce ⁇ logic 51 upon receiving an indicatio from the fini ⁇ h digit key ⁇ as keys 17 and 18 of FIG. 1, will cause the digit memor to dial out the la ⁇ t dialed digit ⁇ imilarly, i.e., five time ⁇ , to which the telephon switching system will of course respond by ignoring the exce ⁇ .
  • this i ⁇ a very simple implementation to accommodate abbreviated dialing i regard to finishing digits of telephone numbers.
  • the acce ⁇ s logic 51 wil operate when installed in a cellular system to respond to the activation of th SEND switch and to thereby determine how many remaining digits are to be fille in according to the logic.
  • activation of the SEND key wil complete the dialed number in the cellular system with a correct number o finishing zeros or a Final Fini ⁇ hing Digit.
  • An example of thi ⁇ manner of operatio is outlined above in connection with the configuration a ⁇ ⁇ hown in regard to FI 3.
  • a ⁇ indicated, another way of fini ⁇ hing the telephone number with zero ⁇ or finishing the telephone number with some other digit is the utilization of a hold-down protocol. This is implemented by the user actuating a key on the keypad and holding it down until an acknowledgement is provided by the sy ⁇ tem.
  • An example of the circuitry which may be employed for example is shown in FIG.
  • the access logic 51 responds to the above-described operation and knows when a key has been depres ⁇ ed for the requisite period, so the logic will inform the caller when the key can be released.
  • the acce ⁇ logic 51 will know whether to fini ⁇ h the dialed telephone number with repetitive zero ⁇ or to finish the dialed telephone number with another repetitive digit as selected by the user.
  • the holding down of a digit key and the recognition of the hold down of a digit key can cau ⁇ e the access logic 51 to generate three consecutive digits which three digit ⁇ are not finishing digits.
  • Repetitive digits occuring within telephone numbers can be repeated by the u ⁇ er by holding down the digit key to be repeated. Accordingly, one may employ thi ⁇ method to activate a triple repeat digit which i ⁇ a digit which repeat ⁇ ⁇ ucce ⁇ ively three times in a telephone number.
  • 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 syllable actuation otherwise in accordance with the various embodiments of the invention a ⁇ already illu ⁇ trated.
  • the method of the invention is fully suited to use in conjunction with voice-response dialin systems well known to the state of the art.
  • a user enters the digit ⁇ of the phone number to be diale verbally by annunciating each individual digit, and upon completion annunciate a further "command word” ⁇ uch a ⁇ "Send” or "Dial,” prompting the voice-re ⁇ pons sy ⁇ tem to dial the phone number.
  • the voice-respons system may misinterpret digits, and if not corrected will dial the wrong numbe
  • the method of the instant invention contemplates and provides th wherewith to accomplish such reduction in a manner fully analogous to an functionally compatible with the invention as implemented with a keypad.
  • the user would annunciate a prescribed (or pre-programmed) "comman word" associated with the desired function of the invention, which would b substantially concurrent with the appropriate key actuation or keypad protoco To wit, such commands certainly might be conceptualized as "verbal keystrokes.”
  • command word set cit above is illustrative only, and should not be construed as complete or limiti in any way. Any other words or phrase ⁇ might as ea ⁇ ily be programmed or pr programmed into a voice-recognizing device according to the invention, there effecting verbally controlled operation ⁇ that are functionally analogou ⁇ ' to t invention as implemented with a keypad. It i ⁇ abundantly evident from all of the above that the inclusion the method of the instant invention as part of voice-response dialing sy ⁇ te would constitute a welcome advancement and a valuable improvement to the sta of the art of voice-recognition dialing.
  • the dedicated RFD key in the above example could as easily functionalo to produce RFZ, and likewi ⁇ e the "MEMORY” key in ⁇ uch an application cou function analogou ⁇ ly to the "SEND" key in a store & forward embodiment, doi either RFD or RFZ and filling in any mis ⁇ ing digits automatically.
  • a ⁇ uming the "MEMORY” key instead of a dedicated key was ⁇ erving t effect RFD, would then become: "MEMORY” "4" "7” ⁇ and hold> "5" "MEMORY,” savin one extra keypress.
  • the abbreviated dialing apparatus as de ⁇ cribed is applicable to telecopier machines which are in widespread use and which would also receive great advantages from the use of the present invention.
  • the inventi would be of ⁇ ubstantial benefit to the telephone companies themselves, since a device that shorten ⁇ the duration of an average dialing ⁇ equence will result less tie-up time for the telco's very expensive capital equipment. Even a ⁇ m ⁇ avings per call could result in billions of second ⁇ of equipment up-time ⁇ av annually.

Abstract

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

ABBREVIATED AND ENHANCED DIALING APPARATUS AND METHODS
The subject matter of this application is related to the following five disclosure documents:
1. Telephone Key-pad Dial-out Enhancement systems-Dial-out of a Repetitive Digit by a Single Key-Stroke Actuation. No. 197,095 7/18/88
2. Long-Distance Phone Number Dialing Enhancement. No. 199,250 8Λ5/88
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 related 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 DIALING APPARATUS AND METHODS PARTICULARLY ADAPTED FOR CELLULAR OR OTHER TYPES OF TELEPHONE SYSTEMS.
BACKGROUND of the INVENTION
This invention relates to telephone dialing apparatus and more 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 modern systems utilize a dialing keypad consisting of a series of momentary operated dialing keys or switches. In conjunction with the keypad the telephone subset may incorporate either touch tone or pulse dialing to enable a rapid dialing segue ϊ. Many telephone subsets also indude memory systems whereby one can dial a telephone number by accessing separate memory keys or accessing a memory location via the keypad. A prior-art search revealed numerous speed-dialing patents of thi (memory-system oriented) type. The following is a listing of these patents:
No. Date Title
4,103,115 7/25/78 MEMORY TONE DIALER 4,277,651 7/7/81 TELEPHONE DIALER
4,473,720 9/25/84 AUTOMATIC DIALER FOR TELEPHONE NUMBERS WIT
PORTABLE MODULE 4 ,682,357 7/21/87 AUTOMOBILE TELEPHONE APPARATUS
4,723,265 2/2/88 ABBREVIATED DIALER WITH REDUCED KE
OPERATION 4,736,410 4/5/88 TELEPHONE EQUIPMENT FOR REDUCED KE
OPERATION 4,764,951 8/16/88 AUTO DIALER FOR USE WITH TELECOPIERS OR TH
LIKE 4,885,762 12/5/89 TELEPHONE APPARATUS
Thus, the prior art is cognizant of various techniques to enabl enhanced abbreviated dialing by a telephone user. However, the prior art doe not disclose or anticipate anything except memory-system treatments an methods for pre-storing telephone numbers under selective user control fo later selective recall, whereas the instant invention deals with enhance abbreviated dialing of non-pre-programmed telephone numbers through the us of traditional system dialing resources, without forethought or prior use action, and with no "permanent" or "pre-programmed" storage.
It is understood, of course, that any technique which enables faste dialing will enhance the operation of telephone systems, but in particular regar to cellular phone systems, the process of dialing is extremely hazardous. Ther have been many articles written which describe the hazards imposed by dialin on a cellular system while manipulating an automobile, and it is thus obviou that any improvement or enhancement of the dialing procedure will b particularly advantageous and valuable in connection with cellular phones.
The apparatus and methods to be described enable abbreviated an enhanced dialing of many telephone numbers, reducing the number of required ke actuations by the user according to the format of the telephone number. The method and apparatus depend upon particular digits of the telephone number being the same and being repetitive. In this manner, one can dial certain telephone numbers rapidly utilizing the system to be described. The principle feature of the present invention is that successively repeated digits 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 can understand, such multiple actuations may result in many errors, not to mention additional wear and tear on the keypad assembly associated with the telephone. Thus, this invention has uniform and characteristic 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 automatically 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 advantageously utilize the characteristics of the many telephone numbers having a single digit repeated one or more times, as both a finishing digit or elsewhere in the telephone number. This phenomenon is especially prevalent with the digit zero, and many important telephone numbers such as those for 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 so on. Numerous additional examples are readily available by accessi conventional telephone directories.
Thus, this feature of the instant invention will enable a user automatically dial these successively repeating digits by keying in the dig only once. For example, in a phone number ending with the digit "5" repeati four times, a conventional dialing procedure would call for the "5" digit key be activated four times in succession. However, in the invention the user w need only activate the number "5" digit key once, and then further indicate th it is a repeat digit. As will be explained, this operation can be implemented a conventional system by a prescribed actuation procedure of the repeat dig key, or unconventionally by means of separate keys such as a finish zero key a a finish final digit key. In the case of phone numbers ending with repetiti zeros, the user will merely actuate a finish zero key to cause the completion the number with zeroes. For numbers ending in repetitive digits other than zer the user will first access the repetitive digit key once, then actuate the fini digit key to complete the number with copies of the repetitive digit.
Alternatively, in a store & forward system (including most cellul systems), actuation of the SEND key could automatically cause the number to completed in either form; by filling in the finishing digits either with zeros with the final digit keyed-in, depending upon which method of the invention utilized. As will be explained, upon the user activating the SEND key, the syst will recognize the last digit entered, and further recognize that in order constitute a valid telephone number, additional digits must be added to tho already keyed. The system of the invention would then proceed to transmit t manually dialed digits over the cellular network, afterward automatically filli in the requisite repetitive digit the required number of times to create a val telephone number. As one will readily understand from the following descriptions, it is a main feature of the instant invention to enable a user to perform abbreviated dialing of any successive repetitive digits associated with a telephone number. In this manner both the cellular users and other telephone users will be able to perform dialing more rapidly. It iε also indicated here that the abbreviated dialing system to be deεcribed can be utilized in any typical telephone system, whether touch-tone, rotary, or pulse.
OBJECTIVES of the INVENTION According to the abbreviated dialing concept aε described above, multiple copies of any digit can be generated consecutively by only a single digit 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 digits or triple repeating digits, reducing the probability of wrong numbers, since a one time actuation of a key is fundamentally 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 cellular applications, it is also immediately apparent that due to the decrease in the number of digit entries and the corresponding increase in the speed of dialing, the probability of road accidents while dialing is proportionally reduced.
DIALING bv DIGIT CATEGORY GROUPS A novel category segmented-dialing approach is set forth which
• treats a phone number not as a composite of a series of unrelated digits, but rather as a segmented numeric entity comprised of several possible digit categories, to wit: a) a Multiple Successive Repetition of a digit, b) a Multiple Successive Repetition of any Finishing digit, c) a Multiple Successive Repetition of a Zero ("0") Finishing digit.
A one-touch key actuation may effect the dial-out of any multip number of digits in any one particular category, so that each category dia out is accomplished by only a single key actuation instead of redundant k actuations corresponding to the individual digits, as is the case wi conventional dialing procedures.
SUMMARY of the INVENTION
A method for accommodating abbreviated telephone dialing in telephone system when dialing a telephone number via a keypad or other diali means, said telephone number having a number of repetitive digits appeari sequentially in said telephone number, comprising the steps of dialing sa telephone number in sequence via digit dialing keys of said key pad until a fir repetitive digit is reached or entered, and thereafter causing said repetiti digit to be automatically dialed a given number of times without furth actuation of said digit dialing keys of said keypad.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION of the FIGURES
FIG. 1 is a top plan view of a telephone keypad arrangement accordi to this invention.
FIG. 2 is a top plan view of a telephone keypad arrangement utiliz in a cellular system. FIG. 3 is a block diagram of an abbreviated dialing system accordi to this invention.
FIG. 4 is a circuit diagram of a key hold down circuit according this invention. FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing an abbreviated dialing apparatu according to this invention.
FIG. 6 is a top plan view of partial key arrangement utilized for keyboard according to this invention. FIG. 7 is a block diagram of an abbreviated dialing method for a Tripl
Repeat Digit (TRD).
FIG. 8 is a block diagram of an abbreviated dialing method for a Fina Finishing Digit (FFD).
FIG. 9 is a block diagram of an abbreviated dialing method for Finishing Zero digit (FZ).
FIG. 10 is a block diagram of an abbreviated dialing system accordin to this invention using two SEND keys, applicable to cellular phones, fa machines, etc.
FIG. 11 is a schematic mechanical diagram of a momentary two -positio pushbutton switch.
FIG. 12 is a representative diagram of a two-position rocker typ switch.
FIG. 13 is a diagram of a keypad according to this invention havin two adjacent satellite keys for each main digit key. FIG. 14 is a diagram of a keypad according to this invention havin one adjacent satellite key for each main digit key.
FIG. 15 is a diagram of a circular keypad according to this inventio having one adjacent satellite key for each main digit key.
FIG. 16 is a diagram of a keypad according to this invention havin two dedicated keys.
FIG. 17 is a diagram of a keypad according to this invention havin one dedicated Finish Zero (FZ) key. FIG. 18 is a diagram of a keypad according to this invention hav three dedicated Finish Zero (FZ) keys.
FIG. 19 is a diagram of a convention telephone keypad having star (" and pound ("#").
FIG. 20 is a diagram of a circular keypad according to this inventi having one dedicated Finish Zero (FZ) key and four dedicated Finish Digit (F keys.
FIG. 21 is a diagram of a circular keypad according to this inventi having one dedicated Finish Zero (FZ) key and one dedicated Finish Digit (FFD) k
STATE of the ART COMPONENTS
Many elements and modules of the system are well known in the sta of the art and are therefore shown in block form without delving into the deta of their design and construction. This approach is used in order to facilita the clarity and simplicity of the specification and to avoid undue cluttering the drawings.
A DC power supply is not shown, since any power supply suitable the components and well known in the state of the art could be used to power t various modules, components, and circuitry. Phone-line voltage could also used to power the system directly, as is well known in the state of the art.
The various digit-detect, storing, counting, and dialing modul contained in the system are all in widespread use and are similarly well kno in the state of the art.
DEFINITION of TERMS USED
Valid Telephone Number: All telephone company central office systems have certain criteria and conventions for determining what digits and what number of digits may constitute a telephone number for making a connection from a calling party to a called party. A Valid Telephone Number is a number in 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 sequentially forwarded as a unit onto the telephone line after entry, usually 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 forwarding occurs when a specific time period elapses with no further digit or command entry having been made, and other systems alternatively forward upon detecting the entered digit string as constituting a valid phone number. Some systems also use various combinations and permutations of all of these, aε none of the methods are mutually exclusive. They nevertheless treat the phone number and not the individual digits aε the most discrete entity determining forwarding, and therefore constitute store & forward systems.
Direct Dial:
A common method of telephone dialing wherein digits are forwarded onto the telephone line as soon as they are entered by the user, and wherein the individual digits are the most discrete entitie in determining when to forward to the line. Some implementations of these systems may make use of a temporary "buffer" memory, especially in pulse-dialing systems wherein dialing a digit may require a second and a half, allowing the user to enter digits faster than the system can dial them. Such digits are nevertheless put on the line as quickly thereafter as the εyεtem can manage, and εu systems are still Direct Dial. Me ory-syεtem:
This refers to a system wherein by means of a specific protocol, the use may enter and transfer a number into a "permanent" storage location fo later recall access by the user, with the location being unmodified by th system except by specific and selective user request. Prescribed Actuation:
A unique action by the user according to a given protocol wit accomplishes a unique predetermined task or result.
Prescribed Key:
A key asεigned for uεe in accordance with a preεcribed actuation, which b such use accomplisheε a unique predetermined taεk or reεult. TRD / Triple Repeat Digit: 1) Any digit recurring three times in sequence anywhere in a given phon number, but not inclusive of the final digit of the complete number. 2) A dialed digit to be automatically iterated three times in εucceεεio upon output to the phone line. RFD / Repeat Finiεhing Digit or FFD / Final Finishing Digit: 1) Any digit occurring more than once in sequence at the end of a complet phone number. RFZ / Repeat Finishing Zero or FZ / Finishing Zero:
1) The digit "0" (zero) occurring more than once in sequence at the end o a complete phone number. Dedicated Key:
Any key with εingle-keystroke use(s) specific to the Invention. Satellite Key: A key functionally associated with another specific key (typically 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 depresεion shorter than the interval. In order to insure a positive delayed-release action of such a key, such a protocol may involve a delayed (or second) audible tone, audible phrase, or other type of system- acknowledgement of the alternate key function. Dual-Press Protocol / Dual-Actuation Protocol:
A protocol whereby a user presseε 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 result different from that of a single or other number of presεeε. 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. Esεentially the telephone keypad assembly 10 contains a series of keys or push buttons designated as "1" to "0" and a "*" and a "#" key 15 and 16.
The telephone keypad 10 has a large key 17 on the right as well as a large key
18 on the left side. The keys 17 and 18 are designated as FFD, which stands for Finiεh Final Digit, aε will be further explained. There is also shown a key 19 the bottom of the keypad designated aε the Finiεh Zero Key.
As indicated briefly above, the object of the invention iε to minim the amount of dialing required by a user when accessing or dialing a teleph number having repetitive digits. Of present concern are repetitive digits wh terminate or end the number. As explained above, a very common ending digit the digit zero. Many telephone numbers end in repetitive zeroε aε for exam four zeros, three zeros, and εo on.
The user of the system having a keypad as shown in FIG. 1 will acce the system as follows. Firεt, let uε assume that the telephone number a us desired to dial was a local number ending in all zeros, εuch aε "887-7000". this example there are three zeros which terminate the telephone number. order to dial thiε number according to the preεent εystem, the user wo acceεε the keyboard εhown in FIG. 1 and manually dial "8877," then actuate k 19 which iε the Finiεh with zero key. In a conventional Touch-Tone telepho εystem, the system will ignore any digit in excess of the εeven required fo local number or the ten required for a long diεtance number (excluding t leading acceεs-digit "1"). Present telephone systems will attempt to connect t calling party to the called party when the required digits are received, and o can therefore insert any number of additional zeros, with the connected εyεt still acknowledging it as the proper number of zeros to access the request number. Thus, in regard to the telephone number "887-7000", after manua dialing the final "7", one merely activates key 19 to transmit five or more zer which will be acknowledged as only three additional zeros regardless of t excess, and will thus cause the system to connect the call to "887-7000". Hen as one can see, if the same telephone number ended in four zeros, one wo merely again dial the first three digits "887," then press the finish zero key whereby five zeros would automatically be sent to the central station, whi still 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 systemε to actually count the number of digitε dialed. Thiε is necessary in many cellular and store & forward systems as will be explained, but may be advantageously utilized in conventional telephone systemε as well.
The same above-deεcribed procedure can alεo accommodate telephone numbers which finish with repetitive digitε other than zero. For example, in the telephone number "436-7777," the digit "7" is the finishing digit repeated four times. In order to implement the dialing procedure, the user again will dial in the digits "435," then dial the first "7," then activate key 18 or key 17, which is the finish final digit (FFD) key. The system will similarly dial four or five sevens, recognizing that the last digit accessed by the user prior to depressing the key 17 or 18 was a "7," with the central εtation 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 keyboard 10 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 digit were "1," "4," or "7" it would be simpler to accesε key 18. Thuε, the two keyε are εhown and can be employed aε such. It is 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 illustrates another 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 acceεεible from all of the digit keys. In this configuration the keys designated 17a and 18a are functionally equivalent to keys 17 and 18 of FIG. 1, respectively, and the center key marked 19a is functionally equivalent to key 19 of FIG. 1. While the above-noted examples took advantage of the fact that t telephone syεtem will only recognize the firεt εeven digitε, it is certain understood that one can instead count the digits and fill in the exact number finishing digits to implement a valid telephone number. It will also be explain how one can implement a triple repeat digit (TRD), which may occur elsewhere a telephone number, and not just as a finishing digit. This can be implement by utilizing the same techniques shown, as will be explained. Thus, from t above discuεεion, one can readily εee that the telephone keypad, apart fr keys 17, 18 and 19, appears conventional. One can also implement the above-not functions by a hold-down protocol, wherein a key is pressed and held for a sho period. When the requisite period is over, the hold-down may be acknowledged a beep or other signal indicating that the syεtem haε accepted the instructi for a finiεhing digit, finiεhing zero, etc. As will be explained, in many cellul systems, one cannot dial more than the requisite number of digits in accessi a telephone number, and the actual digits dialed must therefore be known a determined by the system.
Referring to FIG. 2, there is shown a typical cellular (or store forward) telephone keyboard 20. Aε shown, this keyboard 20 utilizes t conventional keys "1" through "0" and the "*" and "#" keys, but also employs send (SND) key, an end (END) key, a clear (CLR) key, and a recall (RCL) key. T clear and recall keys are for purposeε of clearing the diεplay and (for exampl redialing the last dialed number.
In a cellular system, after a telephone number has been dialed in, o must depress the SEND key in order to transmit the number to the cellul network and inform the network that a connection is desired. In such a syste one can implement aspects of the invention merely by counting digits a automatically filling in the proper number of digits aε necesεary up depression of the SEND key. For example, let us assume that the user desir to dial "775-0000". In employing finishing zero in this system, the user would dial "775" and then press the SEND key. The system will recognize that a local call is being made (because of the absence of a long-distance access digit), and further determine that the user has only dialed three digitε, meaning that f our digitε are miεsing from a local (7 -digit) number. The syεtem would therefore automatically fill in the laεt four digit placeε with "0000," and activating the SEND key is thus analogous to activating the Finish Zero Key 19 of FIG. 1. In a similar manner, one can implement finishing digit by utilizing a press-and-hold protocol linked to the digit keys without conflicting with the FZ function. If the uεer deεired to dial the telephone number "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 automatically include two additional sixes to complete a valid telephone number. As one can ascertain, the syεtem can as easily implement the above procedures f or long distance dialing. In long distance dialing the user dialε 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 a long distance number iε being dialed by determining that the first depression was the "1" key, and thereafter will expect ten digits, not seven. If ten digits are not received, the system will again fill in the necessary digits based on the above techniques. For example, if the user desired to dial the number "212-775-0000", he would proceed by first dialing a "1", then dialing the area code "212", then dialing "775", and finally actuating the SEND key. The system would determine that a long distance number was being dialed after depression of the "1" key, and would expect ten additional digits, but since the user only dialed six of them, the system would fill in the last f our digit places with "0000". In conventional direct-dial telephone syεtems, excesε digits diale after the ten digits or εeven digitε are ignored, but if this is done on cellular syεtem, one will receive a message that the number dialed is not a val telephone number. The syεtem captioned above avoids this, and will alwayε dial out the correct number of finishing digits.
These capabilities all serve to appreciably expedite the dialing proces for the many telephone numbers which end in repetitive digits.
FORMAT OUTLINE In order to present a clearer understanding of the εpecification, th following format will be uεed.
The implementation of the abbreviated dialing of the various cite digit categories in accordance with the teachings of the invention will b described in connection with various telephone instrument types and variou types of dialers, dialing apparatii, and devices.
At the outset we will set forth, by way of example only, the variou phone and dialer types in use today, grouped in accordance with their respectiv categories.
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 & DEVICES DIALING DIGITS AS THEY ARE ENTERED
a) Key Phones b) Residential Phones c) Cordlesε Phoneε d) Auto Dialerε e) Hand-Held Dialerε f) Hotel/Motel/Hospitality Phoneε g) Some Telecopier (Fax) Machineε h) Some PBX-connected Phoneε (in some systems presently available)
SEND Key actuation dial-out εyεtems store the digits in a temporary "buffer" memory as they are keyed-in, for later output to the phone βtwork. The output (forwarding) of the stored digits takes place upon actua*. ■■ of a
SEND key at the conclusion of the dialing process, hence, this is known as Store & Forward Dialing. This method of dial-out to the phone network iε uεed in cellular phones and some fax machines, as well aε some other types of phones and dialing systems. We will now addresε the abbreviated dialing methods of the invention aε they apply to Store & Forward dialing systemε.
SUCCESSIVE REPEAT FINISHING DIGIT / CELLULAR PHONES
With cellular phoneε, the dialing process represents an obvious potential safety hazard to the user and his vehicle, as well as any pedestrians and vehicles around him. It is clear that any improvement or enhancement of the cellular dialing process would be advantageous and valuable in terms of more than saved time.
In regard to this cellular -related safety factor, there have been various voice-dialing schemeε attempted. Generally the problems with them have been that they are εpeaker-dependent and unreliable, frequently tending to miεtranεlate digits and dial wrong numbers. As will be seen, the instant invention is compatible with such voice-dialing systems, or may utilize the exiεting keypad on a cellular phone. The method of the invention provides th depending upon the digit make-up of a particular phone number, the dial motions may be reduced significantly for an phone number. At present the la proportion of cellular users are business oriented, and since busineεs teleph numberε tend toward repetitive, eaεy-to-remember εequenceε, such users co save 30 to 80 percent of their dialing keystrokes with a phone employing methods of the invention.
The principle feature of the invention is that successively repeat digits are keyed-in by the user only once. For example, if a phone number e with the digit "5" repeating four times, i.e., "5555," in conventional dial procedures the "5" digit key would be presεed four timeε in εuccession. comparison, in employing the method of the invention, the user would need o to actuate the digit "5" key once, and subsequently would need only to activ the SEND key on the cellular telephone keypad. Upon actuation of the SEND k the System of the invention will recognize the last digit entered ("5" in t illustration), and further recognize that three additional digits are necess in order to constitute a valid telephone number. The System will proceed transmit the manually dialed digits to the cellular network, and then additionally auto dial the last digit "5" the remaining three times neceεεary make the transmission into a valid telephone number.
It is now evident that by application of the instant inventio dialing logic System to cellular dialing, the multiple keystrokeε called for in three 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 add appreciably to the dialer'ε driving safety when dialing a cellular car phone. 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 "0" key and presε SEND (the MRFD protocol), or inεtead εimply actuate SEND without acceεεing the "0" (the FZD protocol). Either action would cause the System logic to auto dial as many zeroeε 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 cellular 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 to the above illustrationε. Specifically, this is to say that instead of using the key hold-down actuation method to effect the system fill-in of any repetitive finishing digit and the SEND key actuation to effect the fill-in of the additional
O's, the hold-down method would serve instead to fill in the necesεary additional 0'ε, while the SEND key actuation would εerve to fill in the necessary additional finishing digitε.
Either approach is workable, and the choice would merely be a function of which logic is desired.
At this juncture, an alternate method will be described as follows:
Whether to fill in the necessary number of digits with O's or the last digit keyed-in would be determined solely by a prescribed actuation of the SEND key.
Specifically, a succeεεive dual actuation of the SEND key would fill in the missing number of digits with O's, whereaε a εingle actuation of the SEND key would fill in the neceεsary number of digits with the last digit keye in.
Alternatively, here again the system could be programmed to effe the reverse; i.e., with a single actuation of the SEND key resulting in FZD, a a dual actuation would resulting in MRFD.
Still another approach is discloεed, wherein a εingle SEND actuati would effect the fill-in of the last keyed-in digit, while a hold-down of the SEN key would serve to fill in the missing number of O's required to complete a vali telephone number, or vice versa. Still another approach that could be used is to have the SEND ke operate normally on only a single actuation, but operating to accomplish MRF on a dual actuation of SEND, and FZ on either a triple SEND key actuation o (alternatively) a hold down of the SEND key. Once again, these functionε cou also be incorporated in the reverεe manner.
CUSTOM DESIGN SEND KEY
An alternate approach to the aforementioned methodε iε to provid any one of a number of custom SEND key configurations aε hereafter describe FIG. 10 showε two SEND keyε uεed; SEND Key A and SEND Key B. FIG. 11 shows a single SEND key with two switching poεitionε; Poεitio
A and Poεition B.
There are numerous types of two position switcheε available and we known to the εtate of the art. One type which could be uεed iε a rocker typ dual poεition εwitch alεo well known to the εtate of the art. FIG. 12 εhowε on example of same.
It εhould be noted that there are many other typeε of εingle, dua and multiple poεition εwitcheε, all available and well known to the εtate of th art, which might be uεeful for implementing various aspectε of the inventio Exampleε would be multiple-detente εwitcheε or membrane type switches configured to act as multiple -function keys.
In the case of the two SEND keys method (FIG. 10), SEND Key A and SEND Key B, in order to cause the syεtem logic to fill-in the neceεsary number of last keyed-in digits, the user actuates SEND Key A. In order to fill-in with the necessary number of missing zeroes, the uεer actuates SEND Key B.
Here again, the system logic can be programmed to effect a reverse result. This is to say that actuation of SEND Key A would fill-in with the neceεsary number of missing zeroes, whereas actuation of SEND Key B would operate to fill-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 Fill Module (72) detects a call as local or long-distance and according! determines the number of digits that will constitute a valid telephone number.
Upon actuation of SEND Key A, the Zero Generator (73) iε enabled to generate a number of zeroes, while the Last Digit Generator (75) remains disabled. The generated zeroes are stored in the Digit Buffer (74) like ordinary digits from the keypad, and are likewise fed back to the Digit Counter (78) which is monitored by the Digit Fill Module (72). When a sufficient number of zeroes have been generated, the Digit Fill Module (72) removes the enable from the Zero Generator (73) and enables the Digit Dial (76) section for output.
Upon actuation of SL D Key B, the Last Digit Generator (75) is enabled to generate a number of copieε of the laεt digit keyed-in, while the Zero
Generator (73) remainε disabled. The generated digit copies are εtored in the
Digit Buffer (74) like ordinary digitε from the keypad, and are likewise fed back to the Digit Counter (78) which iε monitored by the Digit Fill Module (72). When a εufficient number of digit copieε have been generated, the Digit Fill Modu (72) removeε the enable from the Laεt Digit Generator (75) and enableε the Dig Dial (76) section for output.
Finally, when the Digit Fill Module (72) enables the Digit Dial (7 section, the Digit Dial (76) section in turn enables the output of the entir valid telephone number from the Digit Buffer (74), accepts the information a passes it sequentially to the Line Interface (77) which outputs it to the phon line.
SUCCESSIVE REPEAT TRIPLE DIGIT
Another multiple repeat digit format which the invention addresεe is Triple Repeat Digit (TRD). Thiε iε when a digit iε repeated three timeε succession as part of a phone number but not neceεsarily at the end of th phone number. This is another digit sequence found frequently in telephon numbers. To incorporate it with FZD using the SEND key, the following metho could be adopted without conflict:
In the caεe of TRD, the user iε inεtructed to delay the releaεe the digit key for the triple repeating digit until a release tone, phrase, o other release signal iε given by the System. In the case of FZD, the user iε inεtructed to delay the releaεe o the digit key for the digit immediately preceding the FZD until a releaεe ton phraεe or other release signal is given by the System.
Subsequently, which way the System will repeat-dial depends upon th next key actuation. If the next actuation is the SEND key, the System logic wi determine that the preceding delayed key release was intended to signal an FZ format. Accordingly, after dialing out the digitε the. uεer had keyed-in manuall the Syεtem would auto dial enough zeroeε to conεtitute a valid telephon number. If, on the other hand, the next actuation is another digit key (not the SEND key), the System logic will determine that the preceding delayed key release was intended to signal a TRD format. 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 auto dial the digit represented by the held- down key three times inεtead of once, followed by any digitε the uεer keyed-in manually εubεequent to the hold-down.
FIG. 7 iε a logic flow diagram showing the system logic, by way of illustration, wherein a hold-down protocol of any given digit-key will result in either the dial-out of the digit associated with the given key plus RFZ, or three dial-out iterations of the digit asεociated with the given key. As can be seen in FIG. 7, if the SEND key is actuated following 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 following the hold-down protocol, the system will instead automatically repeat-dial the previously held-down digit three timeε.
Refer to FIG. 7, FIG. 4, FIG. 3:
If, following the key Hold-down actuation, the SEND Key (52) is actuated, this actuation will 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 followed in FIG. 7 as follows: Output (45) 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 second gate input receives an input signal from the SEND Key (52) upon its 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 will effect activation of the Triple Repeat Module output (70) causing module (37) of FIG. 3 to repeat dial the previously held-down digit thre times in succeεεion.
Thiε εequence can be followed in FIG. 7 as follows: 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 Digi
Dialed Module (33, FIG. 3) resulting in an appropriate output signal on output (69 of AND gate (68), thus activating the Triple Repeat Module (70). Module (46 outputs an inhibit signal disabling the Last Digit Dialed Module (33, FIG. 3).
From the above described alternate operational methods, it i abundantly clear that many other prescribed key / prescribed actuatio combinations can be readily devised to accomplish the same results.
We will now addresε the direct-dialing type phones and devices, whic as mentioned earlier do not poεεeεε a SEND key.
DIRECT DIALING PHONES AND DEVICES
Keyphoneε and other typeε of conventional phones generally do no employ a SEND key. Accordingly, a different method of executing the teaching 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 use to effect one (but only one) of the following alternative functions, exemplifie as follows: Successive Repeat Finiεhing Digit (RFD)
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 εtate of the key by some means (as indicated in FIG. 4) and thereafter announces that the key may be released; e.g., with an audible tone signal; a εynthesized or recorded voice announcement; a visual display signal. Thus, upon actuation of any given finiεhing digit key, a user maintains the key in itε actuated posture momentarily fore releasing it. 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. T..ιε is illustrated in FIG. 8 in conjunction with FIG. 3 and 4.
Repeat Finishing 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, followed by the repeated dialing- out of zeroes as many times aε may be required to constitute a valid phone number. This is illustrated in FIG. 9 in conjunction with FIG. 3 and 4.
Successive Triple-Repeat Digit (TRD)
FIG. 7 is a diagram showing the system logic, by way of illustration, wherein a hold-down protocol of any given digit-key will reεult in three dial-out iterations of the digit associated with the given key (in the absence of a SEND key actuation, as already detailed above in connection with FIG. 7). Diqit Key Hold-Down Iterative Dial-Out
Another method that can be implemented to effect the dial-o of a repetitive digit is to have a hold-down protocol for the digit ke which generates a limited or ad infinitum dial-out of the asεociated dig at εucceεεively repeating intervalε, continuing until a limit or for aε lo as the key is held. A display screen and/or an audible tone would b provided to display and/or signal each digit as it is generated by th system. If, for example, the digit "6" was to be repeated four times i succession, a user would hold-down the digit-key "6," with one "6" appearin and/or being signalled normally upon the keypress, and three mor appearing at fixed intervals thereafter, each accompanied by anothe display digit and/or audible tone, after the fourth of which the user woul finally release the key.
TIME INTERVAL / NO KEY ENTRIES
It is further indicated that abbreviated dialing may occur b implementation of a timing sequence when the user dialε a laεt digit. Fo example, if a uεer dialε "7770" and then doeε nothing, the εystem, after waitin some predetermined period; 3 seconds for example, would assume that this is th end of the dialed number and hence would fill-in the remaining three digits t complete the telephone number. In the caεe given, three extra zeroeε would b automatically filled in to complete a valid telephone number.
Thiε time-out sequence could also occur under more specifi circumstances; e.g., when the telephone number is to be finished explicitly wit zeroes. The example used above, "777 -0000," can be used to illustrate this a follows: The user would dial "777," and then do nothing. The εystem would commence the predetermined 3 second time period, and after no key was presεed during the period would fill-in the remaining four digitε with zeroeε to complete a valid telephone number.
CUSTOM KEYPAD FORMATS
It is further understood that the aforementioned system operation can be implemented using a different keypad format. Instead of utilizing momentary single-poεition εwitches, one can utilize a dual-position switch such as a rocker or multiple switch. Another approach is shown in FIG. 6, wherein each key of a telephone keypad can be asεociated with an adjacent εecond key. Thus, In FIG. 6, the key 60 is asεociated with a εmaller "satellite" key 61, with the system operating as followε: By preεεing key 60, the εystem will dial out the digit "2" once in the ordinary fashion. If instead key 61 is pressed, the balance of the remaining digitε in the incomplete phone number will be filled and dialed out aε "2's". Again, in an otherwise conventional telephone, the depreεεion of the satellite key 61 could cause the digit "2" to be dialed out multiple times without counting the total number of digits dialed. In a cellular or other store & forward syεtem, the depression of key 61 would cause the proper number of digits to be filled in as exemplified according to the techniqueε shown and taught in regard to FIG. 3.
One can, of course, utilize a typical "MOM-OFF-MOM" or other two- position momentary rocker switch for all digit keys in 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 neceεεary to complete a valid telephone number. Thiε is, of course, an obvious modification of abbreviated dialing utilizing multiple keys. Another approach that can be implemented to effect multiple dig dial-out on a single keystroke is to provide one or more dedicated keys aε detailed later in the specification.
A number of these alternate embodiments are shown in the ensui pages, any one of which may be utilized to implement the concepts and etho diεclosed in the invention.
Similarly, as previously indicated with regard to the SEND key, t digit keys can also be custom configured as two-position switching keys. example of this type is shown in FIG. 11 in connection with the SEND key, and equally adaptable for use as a two-position switching digit-key.
TWO-POSITION DIGIT-KEYS
Telephone numbers Ending with Zeroeε In this embodiment, each individual digit-key has a second positio
If the second poεition iε actuated, it commandε the εyεtem logic to finish all th remaining un-dialed digits in the phone number with zeroes. Aε an example, in t case of a phone number 664-5000, the digit-key 5 would be actuated into it second position, causing the syεtem to dial the digit 5 normally, followed b three zeroeε to finiεh the balance of the εeven digit number.
It iε well to note that the uεer did not need to make any uεe of th zero digit-key. The dial-out of the finishing three zeroes was effected sole by a prescribed actuation of other keys (in this instance, the digit key "5").
The automatic dial-out of the digit 0 at the end of a phone numbe as illustrated above would take place upon the prescribed key actuatio regardleεs of the number of zeroes needed to complete the valid telephon number. It is well to bear in mind that the εyεtem'ε automatic digit dial-out, in order to finiεh any particular phone number, is always comprised of the same digit regardlesε of the number of digits required to complete the valid telephone number. Specifically, in the example above, that digit waε the digit zero dialed three times in succession by the system.
Other Repeat Finishing Diqitε
Another illustration of a phone number would be an actu? "! phone number f or toll-free placing of mail orders, i.e. 800- 344 -4444. Utili.:.ng the teachings of the invention the user would not have to manually actuate the finishing digit 4 key six times in succession. The user would merely actuate the "4" key in a prescribed manner, prompting the system to automatically dial-out the digit "4" six times in succession to complete the valid telephone number.
One example of a prescribed actuation technique iε to have the uεer depreεs the digit key aεsociated with the repeated finishing digit ("4" in the example) into its second phyεical key poεition twice in εuccession. This would cause the dial-out of the digit "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 prescribed key actuations would effect the dialing-out of digits as indicated below:
a) Momentary actuation in the lefthand direction dials-out the digit asεociated with that key. b) Momentary actuation in the righthand direction dials-out the dig associated with that key, followed by as many automatically dial O's as are necessary to complete a valid telephone number. c) Momentary actuation in the righthand direction twice in successi within a prescribed interval dials out the digit associated with t actuated key as many times as is necessary to complete a val telephone number.
USE of SATELLITE KEYS Refer to FIG. 13, 14 and 15.
Actuation of satellite key A shown in FIG. 13 effects automatic dig dial-out as follows:
i) Dial-out of the digit associated with the adjacent main key ii) followed by automatic dialing-out of the digit "0" as many tim as is necesεary to complete a valid telephone number.
The execution of the above with respect to εatellite key A can illuεtrated with the phone number "436-2000" and reference to FIG. 13. Up momentary actuation of satellite key A, the following dial-out sequence effected:
i) first the dial-out of the digit "2"; ii) then the dial-out of the digit "0" three timeε in automat εucceεsion to complete a εeven-digit valid telephone numbe
Alternately, the execution of the above with reεpect to εatellite k B can be illustrated with the phone number "344- 4444" and reference to FIG. 1 Upon momentary actuation of satellite key B, the following dial-out sequence i effected:
i) Automatic dial-out of the digit "4" aεsociated with the adjacen main "4" key six times in succession to complete a seven-digi valid telephone number.
It is readily apparent that this approach (the use of satellite key associated with each main digit key) is applicable to all types of phoneε an dialing deviceε, including direct dial deviceε εuch aε conventional phoneε an keyphones, as well as store-forward devices such aε fax and cellular phones.
DEDICATED KEYS
We will now proceed to describe another method in accordance wit the invention by which a user can effect multiple digit dial-outs using singl keystrokeε. Thiε method utilizeε one or more dedicated keyε to implement th εtated objective.
FIG. 21 illustrates a configuration using a telephone keypad of circular design. This design offers the advantage that since the dedicated key are located in the center of the keypad, they are conveniently accesεible fro all of the digit keys. In this configuration the key designated 18B serves as th
Finish Zero key (FZK), and the key designated 19B serves as the Final Finish Digi
(FFD) key. These keys are functionally equivalent to keys 19 and 18 respectivel of FIG. 1. TWO DEDICATED FINISHING KEYS
Refer to FIG. 16.
A single keystroke actuation of the "AA" key effects the multip dial-out of the digit "0" as many timeε aε may be required to conεtitute a val telephone number.
A single keystroke actuation of the "BB" key effects the multip dial-out of the particular digit asεociated with the digit key laεt actuated the standard keypad, preceding the actuation of the dedicated key B', as ma times as may be required to constitute a valid telephone number.
DEDICATED OVERSIZED FINISHING ZERO KEY (FZK)
Refer to FIG. 17 and 18.
Another method for treating Repeat Finishing Zeroes is to add dedicated oversized Zero Key on the telephone keypad in addition to t standard Zero Key, preferably below the conventional Zero Key. Upon momentary actuation of this key, the εyεtem would auto dial aε many zeroeε required to conεtitute a valid telephone number.
ALTERNATIVE FINISHING ZERO KEY POSSIBILITIES Refer to FIG. 19.
A modified approach of the additional key method that may advantageously utilized would be to make use of existing Function Keys alrea εituated on the keypad, such aε (for example) the star (■•*■■) or pound ("#") key "store" or "memory" function keys, or "recall" or "redial" type function keys. primary or alternate activation of one of these type keys could alternative serve the Finishing Zero or Zero functions of the invention. USE of the ZERO KEY to EFFECT MULTIPLE ZERO DIAL-OUT
Aε haε already been deεcribed in connection with FIG. 4, a hold-down or delayed-release protocol for the ■■0" key could alternatively implement the Finishing Zero functions of the invention. Referring to FIG. 3, there is shown a typical block diagram of logic necesεary 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 sourceε and includes a keypad as for example shown in FIG. 1 or FIG. 2. Upon dialing a number, one can distinguiεh between the number being a local call or a long distance call by the presence or absence of the le<. Jing access-digit "1." Hence, module 31 is coupled to the dialer to determine whether or not a "1" 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 call. The number of digits is monitored by counter 32, which counts the dialed digits.
Another module or register, 33, storeε the laεt digit 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 laεt digit dialed is well known in the εtate of the art.
As seen in FIG. " there is an output from the local or long-distance dialed module 31 to the subt.actor 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 εubtractor to εubtract 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 εubtractor 34. When the FFD switch as 17 or 18 (FIG. 1) is depressed, this is detec by module 35 which for example may be a flip flop or a one shot. Module 35 n accesses the subtractor 34, which then subtracts the actual dialed digits fr the required digits. Hence, the difference which is the amount of times the la digit is to be repeated is stored in module 36 indicating the digit repeat numb
The output from module 36 and the last digit dialed module 33 are directed a last digit finish and number module 37. The function of module 37 is respond to the last digit dialed and the number of times that this digit has be dialed to finish the telephone number. This information is receiv respectively from the digit repeat module 36 which has stored therein t required number of digits needed to complete the telephone number and the la digit dialed module 33. This information is applied to the module 37. In t manner, module 37 provides at an output the digit value as for example 1-0 whi is to be repeated and the number of timeε this digit is to be repeated as f example from 1-N. This information is clocked by means of a system clock 41 a sent to the dialer 30. In thiε manner, the dialer 30 automatically upon recei of signals from the last digit finish and number module 37 causes the last di to be dialed successively for the proper number of times to complete the numb
Also seen in FIG. 3 is the FZ or finish zero module 46. As shown
FIG. 1, when the finish zero key 19 is presεed, this indicates that a requisi number of zeros is to be transmitted by the system. In regard to the prese εyεtem operation, upon depressing of the finish zero switch 19, this recognized by module 46 which inhibitε the laεt digit dialed module 33 a indicates to module 37 that the finishing digit is to be zero. Therefore, a ze is repeated the optimum number of times in order to complete the telepho number. This also occurs in a cellular system when the finishing digit is "0." In the case of an incompletely keyed phone number, depression of the SEND button automatically triggers the FZ module 46, which tells the system to either repeat or end with the digit zero. In a similar manner, as will be shown, if the telephone number is to end in a digit other than zero, the system will look for a timed depresεion of a particular key in order to terminate the telephone number with the proper digit aε εelected 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 εignal would be applied to module 33, thuε defining the last digit keyed in.
Thus, aε one can see from FIG. 3, in order to execute the abbreviated dialing procedure as described, the εystem must posεess the following capabilities:
1. The system must monitor and count the number of manual digit entries by the user as for example the number of digits dialed.
2. The system must know whether the user is placing a local call or a long distance call.
3. The system must recognize and remember the last digit keyed in by the user. As seen in FIG. 3, the apparatus shown operates to do thiε. It iε alεo underεtood that there are many different ways of implementing such logic in order to accomplish the above-described results. For example, one can use a microprocessor and program the microprocessor to follow the above-described sequence. Referring to FIG. 4, there is shown a simple schematic diagram of how a key hold-down is detected and how a release signal would be provided. As seen in FIG. 4, keys 40 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 keyε "1" through "0" or the "*" and "#" keys. Upon depresεion of a key 40, a o shot 41 is automatically triggered. If the key is releaεed, the AND gate 42 w not be activated due to the fact that the key 40 haε been released. If key is held down by the user then at the end of the one shot period, gate 42 energized which sendε a high εignal to amplifier 43 which activateε a εuitab alarm device 44 indicating or informing the conεumer that he can now release t button. It is also understood that in the case of a telephone keypad that if k 40 is pressed and the one shot is triggered, the depression of any other k will also cause the one εhot to be reεet via its reset line. Therefore, the on time that one εhot 41 will time out is when key 40 is held in place and no oth key is accesεed by the uεer. Thiε aεsures that the multiple utilization of k 40 during keyboard activation will not cause the alarm or the reset signal appear.
Thus, by using the logic as shown in FIG. 4 in conjunction with t logic sequence in FIG. 3, the system can determine that a key has been held a further determine which key it is. As indicated previously, this feature can employed in causing the syεtem to actuate a finish digit mode in a cellul system implementation.
Pertinent to the circuit structure shown in FIG. 4, there will now a discusεion concerning a triple repeat digit. Aε already indicated above, triple repeat digit (TRD) is a digit which repeats in the middle or elεewhere a telephone number. For example, take the local number "777-0000". Th telephone number has the triple repeat digits "777" with a four digit zero endin The caller, upon dialing such a number, will first access the "7" key and then ho it down until the release tone is sounded or release is otherwise indicated the System. In this manner, the depresεion of the "7" key which iε the dig dialed and the hold down of the "7" key informε the εyεtem to repeat the " three times. The caller will then dial a single zero in a cellular phone application, for example, or hit the finish zero key 19 to indicate to the syεtem that zeros are needed to finish the number. Thus the syεtem will operate to firεt repeat dial the digit "7" three timeε and then to repeat the laεt digit zero four timeε.
Referring to FIG. 5, there is shown a schematic block diagram of a circuit module which can be implemented to interface with the keypad shown for example in FIGS. 1 and 2. It is understood that the above-described procedures for implementing abbreviated dialing utilizing a conventional telephone syεtem or a cellular εystem can operate in a similar manner. Aε εpecified above, a local phone number or long diεtance number muεt both contain a certain number of digitε in order to be valid. Thiε iε o* utmost importance in a cellular system, where the correct number of digits must be entered for transmiεεion. Thuε, as seen in FIG. 5, there is a keypad 50 which interfaces directly with access logic 51. The accesε logic 51 containε logic arrangementε εuch aε a PLA, and reεpondε to the different εyεtems the phone aεεociated with the circuitry iε inεtalled in. Essentially, the accesε logic interfaces with the SEND key 52, which would be a typical SEND key as employed in the cellular system. Another input of the accesε logic receiveε information from the finiεh final digit key via module 53, which finiεh final digit keyε are the keyε shown in FIG. 2, and also receiveε 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 with a digit memory 56. The digit memory 56 has a plurality of storage locations, each of which can store a telephone number digit and is associated with the keypad 50. 1 components readily available and suitable to implementation of the lc as depicted in FIG. 5 are widely used a 3 well known in the state of the art. Aε indicated, in moεt inεtances an integral function of the syste operation is to monitor the phone line and to count the number of digits a phon user dialε out manually, thereby evaluating the number of digitε still remainin to be dialed out by the system in order to constitute a completed phone numbe This mode of operation is implemented eεpecially in the cellular εyεtem where i iε extremely important. However, as indicated above, in a normal telephon system, one does not have to dial out the correct remaining finishing digitε a the telephone εystem will ignore all digits dialed after seven or ten digits hav been received. In this manner, the access logic 51, when associated with typical telephone syεtem, will dial out an arbitrary number of finishing digit when the finiεh zero key or the FFD keyε are activated by the uεer. Thuε, whe a user activates the finish zero key (for example, key 19 of FIG. 1), the acces logic 51 will cauεe the digit memory 56 to dial a zero digit (for example) 5 timeε even though the telephone number may have leεε than five digitε left. In a εimilar manner, the acceεε logic 51, upon receiving an indicatio from the finiεh digit keyε as keys 17 and 18 of FIG. 1, will cause the digit memor to dial out the laεt dialed digit εimilarly, i.e., five timeε, to which the telephon switching system will of course respond by ignoring the exceεε. Aε one can see this iε a very simple implementation to accommodate abbreviated dialing i regard to finishing digits of telephone numbers. As alεo seen, the logic of FIG
5 interfaces with the SEND button as for example 52. The acceεs logic 51 wil operate when installed in a cellular system to respond to the activation of th SEND switch and to thereby determine how many remaining digits are to be fille in according to the logic. Aε indicated above, activation of the SEND key wil complete the dialed number in the cellular system with a correct number o finishing zeros or a Final Finiεhing Digit. An example of thiε manner of operatio is outlined above in connection with the configuration aε εhown in regard to FI 3. Aε indicated, another way of finiεhing the telephone number with zeroε or finishing the telephone number with some other digit is the utilization of a hold-down protocol. This is implemented by the user actuating a key on the keypad and holding it down until an acknowledgement is provided by the syεtem. An example of the circuitry which may be employed for example is shown in FIG.
4. In any event, the access logic 51 responds to the above-described operation and knows when a key has been depresεed for the requisite period, so the logic will inform the caller when the key can be released.
Bas ed on this feature, the acceεε logic 51 will know whether to finiεh the dialed telephone number with repetitive zeroε or to finish the dialed telephone number with another repetitive digit as selected by the user. In the εame manner, the holding down of a digit key and the recognition of the hold down of a digit key can cauεe the access logic 51 to generate three consecutive digits which three digitε are not finishing digits. Repetitive digits occuring within telephone numbers can be repeated by the uεer by holding down the digit key to be repeated. Accordingly, one may employ thiε method to activate a triple repeat digit which iε a digit which repeatε εucceεεively three times in a telephone number. Thus, by holding down the digit key indicative of the triple digit when the digit first appears, one will now be assured that digit will be repeated three times. While a triple repeat digit is preferred, one will understand that this could be alternatively implemented for digits repeating 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 syllable actuation otherwise in accordance with the various embodiments of the invention aε already illuεtrated. The method of the invention is fully suited to use in conjunction with voice-response dialin systems well known to the state of the art. In store & forward implementation of these systems, a user enters the digitε of the phone number to be diale verbally by annunciating each individual digit, and upon completion annunciate a further "command word" εuch aε "Send" or "Dial," prompting the voice-reεpons syεtem to dial the phone number.
In the caεe of a phone number having a Multiple Repeat Finiεhin Digit, for example, "675-5555," the uεer muεt redundantly annunciate the wor "Five" five timeε in succesεion. Further complicating thiε iε the fact that voice-reεponεe dialin systems as currently available often exhibit inherent problems of mis recognition. If a user's pronunciation or annunciation of an instruction is no precise (for example, from the nasality of a stuffy noεe), or in atmoεpheres wit a high or changing level of ambient noise (for a cellular example, from the aut air-conditioner being on or from a noisy truck passing by), the voice-respons system may misinterpret digits, and if not corrected will dial the wrong numbe
These factors tend to make the current state of voice-dialin difficult and tediouε, and it follows that any reduction in the tota annunciations neceεεary to complete and dial a number would be markedl beneficial and would represent a substantial enhancement to the state of th art. The method of the instant invention contemplates and provides th wherewith to accomplish such reduction in a manner fully analogous to an functionally compatible with the invention as implemented with a keypad. The user would annunciate a prescribed (or pre-programmed) "comman word" associated with the desired function of the invention, which would b substantially concurrent with the appropriate key actuation or keypad protoco To wit, such commands certainly might be conceptualized as "verbal keystrokes."
A simplified example of a set of "command words" and their analogous functions that might embody thiε on a cellular phone might be:
"Zero" through
"Nine": Analogous to momentarily pressing the ordinary digit of the same name. • "Send": Analogous to pressing the SEND key.
• "Finish": Analogous to the key or keypad protocol producing a send with
RFD.
• "Zip": Analogouε to the key or keypad protocol producing a εend with
RFZ. • "Repeat": Analogous to the key or keypad protocol producing TRD.
Using such a construct, the number "777-0000," for instance, could be dialed aloud according to the invention by speaking the sentence: "Seven,
Repeat, 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 protocols 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. Likewiεe, since it is possible for practically any key or protocol be duplicated or replaced by a voice command, it should also be noted that ma sortε of mixed voice/keypad systems could be created, including comple systems wherein each key and keypad protocol would possess a voice anal performing the identical function, or "hybridized" systems wherein some functio might be voice-only, some might be keypad-only, and/or some might be both. T principle is the same; that for such purposes a keystroke is a keystrok whether it is performed verbally, mechanically, or otherwise.
It should of course be understood that the command word set cit above is illustrative only, and should not be construed as complete or limiti in any way. Any other words or phraseε might as eaεily be programmed or pr programmed into a voice-recognizing device according to the invention, there effecting verbally controlled operationε that are functionally analogouε' to t invention as implemented with a keypad. It iε abundantly evident from all of the above that the inclusion the method of the instant invention as part of voice-response dialing syεte would constitute a welcome advancement and a valuable improvement to the sta of the art of voice-recognition dialing. Such an improvement would be especial beneficial in the cellular/mobile environment, where, in addition to t convenience benefits there are vehicular safety considerationε. It is of cour understood that in addition to the cellular application, the benefits describ are as well relevant to voice-response dialing syεtemε uεed in conjunction wi telephoneε and dialerε of any other kind.
MEMORY-SYSTEM PROGRAMMING APPLICATIONS
Like voice dialing, another area where the concepts of the inventi can be very suitably applied is in the programming of traditional "memory" key namely by effecting multiple digit programming entry by only a single keystro actuation otherwise in accordance with the various embodiments of the invention as already illustrated. Such memory-systems typically require the entry of a telephone number via some sort of "memory-storage" protocol that associates the entered number with one or more dedicated storage locations to be accessed later through a separate "memory-recall" protocol. The method of the invention is fully suited to use in conjunction with any system that requires entry of a telephone number for purposes of storage for later recall and use, since such number-entry for purposes of storage is not fundamentally different from number-entry for purposes of dialing. There is, in fact, subεtantial analogy between the way moεt of these systemε 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 forwardε it into a recallable "permanent" memory uεing εome sort of "MEMORY" key or protocol, whereas in a store & forward dialing εystem one similarly enters the number into a temporary "buffer" memory and forwards it to the telephone line using some sort of "SEND" key or protocol.
The distinction between temporary "buffer" memorieε and recallable "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 examples the contents of a store & forward "buffer" are changed by the system whenever a new phone number is dialed, making its use general to the system and primarily transparent to the user, who has no option but to enter data into the system through it and no option to preserve its contents once new data has been entered. In contrast, in a "permanent" memory the contents are changed only by a specific user protocol and are never altered by the syεtem 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 number 0-9> <telephone number> "MEMORY" for storing numberε. To store t number "777-5555" into memory location 4, one would enter the εequenc "MEMORY" "4" "7775555" "MEMORY," with each individual digit being entered εingl Under the teachingε of the invention aε previouεly illustrated, one mig instead postulate the same device additionally using a digit-key hold-do protocol for accomplishing TRD and a dedicated "RFD" key for repeat finishi digitε, εo one might inεtead enter the εequence: "MEMORY" "4" "7" <and hold> " "RFD" "MEMORY," εaving four (36%) of the original eleven keys.
The dedicated RFD key in the above example could as easily functio to produce RFZ, and likewiεe the "MEMORY" key in εuch an application cou function analogouεly to the "SEND" key in a store & forward embodiment, doi either RFD or RFZ and filling in any misεing digits automatically. The exampl above, aεεuming the "MEMORY" key instead of a dedicated key was εerving t effect RFD, would then become: "MEMORY" "4" "7" <and hold> "5" "MEMORY," savin one extra keypress.
Note also that in εoftware εyεtemε where key-codes rather tha whole digits are used to store phone numbers in memory, this method is highl RAM-conservative and might be employed usefully on a software level in RAM critical applications. In any event, one can readily see that any device incorporatin memory storage for dialing purposes which relies upon entry of memory number in a standard dialing format could also incorporate the teachings of th invention for purposes of memory entry.
OTHER APPLICATIONS INCLUDING EXTERNAL CALL-HANDLING EQUIPMENT
This patent addresses and is directed to all forms of telephon dialing means and equipment, as well aε keypadε incorporated in variouε form in a multitude of telephone-aεεociated equipment. The following specifics 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, for example, cordless and portable telephones, cellular and mobile telephoneε, fax machines, and public pay-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 call-handling equipment external to the actual telephone or device being uεed to place the call; e.g. KSU's, PBX's, or even in telephone carrier central-office systems. This equipment could be programmed with various protocols to reεpond to Uεer Actuationε of the various Illustrated Keys; e.g., Digit Keys, Dedicated Keys, and/or SEND Keys, to effect automatic multiple-digit dial-out as required for the completion of a valid telephone number. It should also be mentioned that all of the various configurationε, embodiments, and methods of the invention described are, as well, contemplated to be used with and incorporated into Stand-Alone Dialers and Dialer/Keypads of all types, and likewise to be used with and incorporated into various telephone gear of all kinds, whether it be cellular phones, mobile phones, key phones, etc., to cite some likely examples. It is of course strictly underεtood that the claimε appended hereto will cover the intent and scope of the present invention, but it is clearly indicated that all of the claims apply as well 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 format. Hence, the abbreviated dialing apparatus as deεcribed is applicable to telecopier machines which are in widespread use and which would also receive great advantages from the use of the present invention. Finally, note that in non-store/forward applications the inventi would be of εubstantial benefit to the telephone companies themselves, since a device that shortenε the duration of an average dialing εequence will result less tie-up time for the telco's very expensive capital equipment. Even a εm εavings per call could result in billions of secondε of equipment up-time εav annually.
It can be readily appreciated that there are many wayε of implementing t above-described operationε and functionε of the invention, including t implementation of triple-repeat digits, a predetermined number of digi (finishing or otherwise), or the exact number of finishing digits necessary form valid telephone numbers. With suitable εtructure, there iε no limit on h the invention can be implemented or on the hardware and/or softwa permutationε that could be uεed to implement it. For example, aε indicat earlier, one can employ a voice-reεponεive system whereby a "keyword" becom completely analogous to a "keystroke" or a "keypad protocol" for effecti various types of abbreviated dialing according to the invention.
One skilled in the art will immediately understand that there are man probably thousands, of ways in which the teachings of this invention could implemented in various devices with various aims. All such ways are deemed be within the spirit and scope of the claims appended to this specification.

Claims

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 εaid telephone number, comprising the steps of: dialing said telephone number in εequence via the digit dialing keyε of εaid key pad until the digit immediately preceding the firεt one of εaid repetitive digitε is keyed-in, a preεcribed further actuation of εaid 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 leaεt part of a direct dial telephone system.
6. The method according to Claim 1, wherein said dialing syεtem iε 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 two digits in said number.
8. The method according to Claim 1, wherein said prescribed further actuation consistε 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 compriεed of a hold-down protocol for εaid key.
10. The method according to Claim 8, wherein εaid 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 than that position which would produce a single digit.
11. The method according to Claim 8, wherein said prescribed key is a satellite key asεociated with the digit dialing key for said repetitive digit, and wherein said prescribed further actuation is comprised of actuation of said εatellite key.
12. The method according to Claim 8, wherein εaid repetitive digitε are zeroε.
13. The method according to Claim 12, wherein εaid prescribed key is a finiεh zero key.
14. The method according to Claim 12, wherein the number of εaid 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 iε the number neceεεary to complete εaid telephone number aε a valid telephone number.
16. The method according to Claimε 6 and 8, wherein εaid 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 syεtem 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 stepε of: dialing said telephone number in εequence via the digit dialing keyε of εaid key pad until the firεt one of εaid 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 syεtem.
19. The method according to Claim 17, wherein εaid dialing εystem 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 leaεt part of a direct dial telephone εystem.
22. The method according to Claim 17, wherein said dialing system is at leaεt part of a εtore & forward telephone εystem.
23. The method according to Claim 17, wherein said repetitive digits are the finishing digits for said telephone number and are at least the laεt two digits in said number.
24. The method according to Claim 17, wherein εaid 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 poεition, and wherein said prescribed further actuation is compriεed of actuating a different physical switching poεition for εaid key than that position which would produce a single digit.
27. The method according to Claim 24, wherein said preεcribed key iε a satellite key associated with the digit dialing key for said keyed-in digit, * and wherein said prescribed further actuation is compriεed of actuation of εaid εatellite key.
28. The method according to Claim 24, wherein the number of εaid zeros is a number greater than neceεεary 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 necesεarily aε 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 εaid 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 iε the digit dialing key for εaid keyed-in digit, and wherein said further actuation iε compriεed of a hold-down protocol for said key.
37. The method according to Claim 31, wherein said prescribed key operateε when actuated to produce said repetitive digits singly at predetermined intervals for aε long aε εaid actuation iε maintained.
38. The method according to Claim 37, wherein εaid preεcribed key will not operate after a valid telephone number haε been effected.
39. The method according to Claim 37, wherein εaid 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 syεtem when dialing a telephone number via a keypad, εaid telephone number having a number of repetitive digitε appearing sequentially in said telephone number, comprising: first means reεponsive 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 finiεhing 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.
44. The apparatuε according to Claim 40, wherein εaid keypad includes a preεcribed key, and wherein said prescribed actuation is the actuation of said prescribed key.
45. The apparatus according to Claim 40, wherein said preεcribed key iε a finish zero key whereby activation of said key completes said telephone number 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 44, 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, εaid keypad including a preεcribed key, the apparatuε compriεing: first keypad responsive means operative to detect the dialing of a long distance or local telephone number and output such firεt 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 preεcribed key to cauεe the completion of εaid telephone number as a valid telephone number by repetition of said finishing digit.
49. The apparatus according to Claim 48, wherein said repetitive digit iε a zero.
50. The apparatus according to Claim 48, further including keypad responsive means operative to store the laεt digit dialed and output εuch information to enable said dialing means to compete said telephone number with said last digit.
51. The apparatus according to Claim 48, wherein said dialing syεtem iε at least part of a εtore & forward εyεtem and εaid prescribed key is the SEND key.
PCT/US1991/005008 1990-07-17 1991-07-16 Abbreviated and enhanced dialing apparatus and methods WO1992002096A1 (en)

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