WO1995019086A1

WO1995019086A1 - Telecommunications conferencing/communications apparatus and method

Info

Publication number: WO1995019086A1
Application number: PCT/US1995/000015
Authority: WO
Inventors: Dennis Laberdie
Original assignee: Physicians World Communications Group
Priority date: 1994-01-11
Filing date: 1995-01-11
Publication date: 1995-07-13
Also published as: AU2590795A

Abstract

A telecommunications apparatus (1) has an interface (7) which receives voice and data information from a telephonic device (4) and outputs the information to a first signal path (9) with a time delay and a second, undelayed signal path (13). A squelch circuit (15) includes a muting circuit (21) which squelches outputs from the first, time-delayed signal path (9) when a detector (17) in the squelch circuit (15) determines that signals in the second, undelayed signal path (13) have certain predetermined characteristics, such as characteristics of DTMF signals. The telecommunications apparatus (1) is connected between a telephone (5) and a data processor (3), such as a personal computer. Voice and graphical information are transmitted via the telephone among participating stations. At stations having the telecommunications apparatus, DTMF signals are detected and squelched in the delayed signal path so that unpleasant noise is not reproduced therein. The delayed signal path is then used to drive a speaker (23) which provides voice information. Non-voice information in the second signal path, such as DTMF signals, is non-voice converted to a form which can be displayed, stored or otherwise used by the computer at the station. Since all communications is D1-directional, the system provides interactive communications without modems or other custom equipment.

Description

TELECOMMUNICATIONS CONFERENCING/COMMUNICATIONS APPARATUS AND METHOD

Field of t-tae-r-Enven ion

The invention concerns telecommunications conferencing systems, in general. In particular, the invention concerns an apparatus for use with a telecommunications system to facilitate oral and graphical presentations using standard telephones and data processing equipment connected via standard telephone lines.

Related Art

The "conference call" has become a standard practice for bringing persons together for discussion without requiring the participants to travel from their current locations. Although conventional conference calls save time and travel expense, they are of limited usefulness when graphical information, such as drawings, schematics, etc., is the subject of discussion. Such graphical information can also be particularly persuasive in sales presentations. As a result, a system which provides both oral and visual presentations among multiple locations is highly desirable. Such a system would be further enhanced- by an interactive capability which allows attendees at remote locations to communicate with each other in an interactive manner.

Various video conferencing systems have been developed to provide such capabilities. Such systems, however, require expensive video equipment and are not highly portable. Communication among computers over telephone lines is also well known. U.S. Patent 4,320,522 to Hayes discloses that a broad range of frequency and signal formats have been developed over the years and are used in present day tone frequency signalling systems. U.S. Patent 4,716,583 to Groner et al. discloses a multi¬ channel communications system that accepts dual tone multiple frequency (DTMF) encoded commands also known as Touch-Tone commands froπr* -Λ— telephone caller and translates the encoded text, such as ASCII text, from a plurality of distinct data bases into verbal English or any other language regardless of the content of the data base. This system uses a text to speech translator, a telephone interface and a data base access interface with the central processor. The telephone interface provides a telephone connection with the user by detecting incoming calls and by instigating calls, decodes DTMF instructions by the user and transmits verbal responses back to the user. A processor controls the system and responds to signals from the telephonic interface.

U.S. Patent 4,922,517 to West discloses an interface system for interfacing a standard telephone set with a radio transceiver as part of a telephone network. West discloses muting an audio channel for 200 milliseconds after a telephone key is pressed. Muting also takes place when a transceiver receives tone generated signals and regenerates and transmits the tones, since such tones will be heard over a connected audio channel unless muted.

Nowhere, however, is there disclosed a relatively simple system which can be used to provide data and voice communications over telephone lines for interactive, multi-participant communications without the need for specialized equipment.

Summary and Objects of the Invention

In view of the foregoing, it is an object of the invention to provide a telecommunication system which allows inter-active communications among participants using standard telephone and computer equipment without requiring specialized equipment such as a modem.

This and other objects of the invention are accomplished by a telecommunications apparatus which can be connected between a standard telephone and a data processing device, such as- "a—personal computer. The telecommunications apparatus according to the invention includes an interface which receives information from a telephone or telephone line and outputs the received information to two signal paths. The first signal path has a time delay while the second signal path does not. Outputs from the first signal path are used to drive a speaker. A squelch circuit is used to squelch outputs from the first signal path when signals in the second signal path have selected predetermined characteristics. In particular, a decoder in the squelch circuit determines if undelayed signals in the second signal path are data signals, such as DTMF signals. If so, a muting circuit in the first signal path is activated to suppress the output of signals from the first signal path. Since signals in the first signal path are used to drive a speaker, muting the DTMF signals prevents the speaker from producing unpleasant noise. The DTMF signals in the second path are encoded into data compatible with the processing device and routed via an interface, such as a RS-232 interface, to the data processing device, such as a personal computer. The computer can also transmit information through the same interface to the encoder/decoder, which encodes the information into DTMF signals to be transmitted through the telephone to another device communicating with the telephone.

An apparatus according to the invention also provides a key pad which allows the user to output sixteen discrete Touch-Tone signals locally, without the need for the speaker phone and telephone lines, or remotely using the speaker and telephone lines, to be used as input for the touch-tone encoder/decoder. In a system configuration, a telephonic device, such as a speaker phone, and telephone lines are used to establish an analog telephone connection between two or more modules. A Touch-Tone encoder accepts a standard ASCII 8-bit binary data stream from an RS-232 serial port on a computer and converts"=-rt to standard telephone Touch-Tones to be sent over the telephone lines. The decoder accepts audio input via the speaker phone. The decoder recognizes the standard Touch-Tones and converts them to standard ASCII 8-bit binary data to be sent to control software via an RS-232 serial port on a computer. The apparatus according to the invention has a delay and a mute circuit which, when it recognizes a Touch-Tone signal, mutes the audio output so that the Touch-Tone is not heard. The apparatus according to the invention thus provides signals to an amplifier and speaker used to amplify and project the audio.

Brief Description of the Drawings

An understanding of the invention may be obtained from a consideration of the following description read in conjunction with the drawings in which:

Figure 1 is a block diagram of an apparatus according to the invention;

Figure 2 is a diagram illustrating timing relationships in a system according to the invention;

Figure 3 is a schematic diagram showing an implementation of an apparatus according to the invention;

Figure 4 illustrates a telecommunication system employing a teleconference apparatus according to the invention.

Description of the Embodiments

Figure 1 illustrates a telecommunications apparatus or conference device 1 used with a data processing device 3, such as a personal computer, and a telephonic device 5, such as a telephone having a line side 2 for connection to a telephonic communications medium. According to the invention, telecommunications apparatus 1 has a telephonic interface 7. Telephonic interface 7 includes circuitry for interfacing telecommunications apparatus 1 with a signal side 4 of telephonic device 5. Telephone 5 provides both voice and non-voice signals to telephonic interface 7 of telecommunications apparatus 1. Telephonic interface 7 then provides the signals to a first signal path 9 having a time delay circuit 11 therein. The signals from telephonic interface 7 are also provided to a second signal path 13. Second signal path 13 has no delay element. Signals output from telephonic interface 7 along second signal path 13 are applied to one input of a squelch circuit 15. Another input of squelch circuit 15 receives outputs from delay circuit 11. Squelch circuit 15 detects predetermined characteristics of the signals from the second, undelayed signal path 13. In particular, encoder/decoder 17 within squelch circuit 15 detects if the signals output from telephonic interface 7 are DTMF or Touch-Tone signals. If so, encoder/decoder circuit 17 provides a squelch command on signal line 19 to activate muting circuit 21. In response, muting circuit 21 squelches outputs from delay circuit 11, thereby preventing signals from reaching speaker 23.

Time delay circuit 11 is configured to allow sufficient time for encoder/decoder non-voice signals circuit 17 to recognize the non-voice signals. Recognition of these before they are output from the delay circuit permits them to be squelched by muting circuit 21 non-voice signals so that speaker 23 produces only voice signals for the listener. Thus, by activating muting circuit 21, squelch circuit 15 prevents unpleasant noise generated by the data signals, such as DTMF signals, from being reproduced by speaker 23. Encoder/decoder 17 also receives the DTMF signals and translates them into data which can be used by a standard data processing device 3, such as a personal computer. A computer interface 28, such as an RS-232 serial interface is shown used with encoder/decoder 17 to transmit the information to "=-t-tata processing device 3. Encoder/decoder 17 can also interface with keypad 25 to provide DTMF signals from the encoder/decoder 17 to telephone 5 through telephonic interface 7. Similarly,. data processing device 3 can communicate through interface 28 with encoder/decoder 17. Encoder/decoder 17 converts data received from the computer 3 into DTMF signals which can then be transmitted by telephone 5, thereby providing an inter-active capability for the system. When signals from data processing device 3 or keypad 25 are being transmitted as DTMF signals from encoder/decoder 17, a squelch command can be sent on signal line 19 to activate muting circuit 21, thereby preventing speaker 23 from producing unpleasant noise. Figure 2 illustrates the timing relationship among the delayed and non-delayed signals. Signal line A indicates a composite signal of audio and DTMF signals which appears at signal line 13. These signals can be any combination of signals from the telephone 5 and data processing device 3. Signal B illustrates that the output of delay element 11 is signal A shifted in time by a predetermined amount. Squelch command C appears on signal 19 in response to detection by the encoder/decoder 17 of DTMF signals. Squelch command C causes muting circuit 21 to prevent DTMF signals from reaching speaker 23, as shown by speaker input signal D in Figure 2.

Figure 3 is a more detailed diagram of an apparatus according to the invention. A phone line input is introduced at lines LI and L2 through transformer Tl. DTMF input is coupled through capacitor 27 to encode/decode circuits, which are commercially available chips U5 and U6. Since no delay is incorporated in this path, DTMF signals are decoded and transmitted to a computer through RS-232 interface U7. In addition, data from the computer can be transmitted through interface U7 to encoder/decoder U5 and U6 to provide DTMF output of computer data to the telephone line. In the delayed signal path, a pre-amp and filter circuit may be used to amplify-and tailor the frequency characteristics of voice data. The processed signal is then routed through delay unit U2. Since the processed signal contains both voice data and DTMF signals, signal line 19 provides a mute command from the encoder/decoder formed by circuits U5 and U6. The mute command turns on transistor Ql when DTMF signals are detected. Activating transistor Ql to the on state shunts the output from the delay circuit which is coupled to the collector of transistor Ql to ground, thereby eliminating from the speaker any noise that would be produced by the DTMF signals. When transistor Ql is not turned on, signals are transferred through an output amplifier to the speaker for reproduction. Since only non-DTMF signals are reproduced, DTMF induced noise is not output by the speaker.

Figure 4 illustrates that a system according to the invention can incorporate one or more of the apparatus shown in Figures 1 and 3. Figure 4 shows several devices connected to a transmission medium 40. It will be known to those of ordinary skill that transmission medium 40 is typically a telephone line which may be interconnected to other transmission medium ordinarily used for telephonic communications. In a typical implementation, a plurality of telephones 5 communicating over transmission medium 40 would be connected to telecommunications apparatus 1. In each case telecommunications apparatus 1 would then be connected to data processing unit 3. Participants having only a telephone 42 are restricted to voice only participation. In addition, it is of course possible to construct a unit 44 which would include telephone 5 and telecommunications apparatus 1 or a unit 46 which would include telephone 5, telecommunications apparatus 1 and data processing unit 3 in an integrated assembly.

According to the invention, interactive capability is provided among all teleconference participants shown in Figure 4. A participant can place graphic information on computer 3 and transmit"=^εuch information through telecommunications apparatus 1 and telephone 5 to the other participants at the same time that voice discussions proceed. The graphic or other information would be processed by each participant's computer or other data processing device to be displayed, stored or otherwise processed as desired. As with an ordinary conference call, each participant could participate in the voice conference. In addition, each participant could have the capability to adjust the display, for example, to highlight areas to highlight areas on the display requiring further explanation or comment or to generate a new display for discussion. Thus, a completely interactive system is formed without the need for complex modems or non-standard equipment.

An apparatus according to the invention would have application across a wide spectrum of communications users. For example, the apparatus and communication method according to the invention could be used in interactive educational applications for communication between any number of students and teachers. Similarly the invention finds application in medical or other scientific fields for transmission of voice, text and graphic information relating to a topic being discussed among participants, such as experts or consultants. Another application of the invention is found in sales and other business presentations where interactive capability is useful.

While several embodiments of the invention have been described, it will be understood that it is capable of further modifications and uses, and this application is intended to cover any variations, uses, or adaptations of the invention, following in general the principles of the invention and including such departures from the present disclosure as to come within knowledge or customary practice in the art to which the invention pertains, and as may be applied to the essential features hereinbefore set forth and falling within the scope of the invention or the limits of the appended-^claims.

Claims

What Is Claimed Is;

1. A telecommunications apparatus comprising: an interface connected to receive information from a telephonic device and to output said information to a first signal path having a time delay and a second, undelayed signal path; •-•- —— a squelch circuit, said squelch circuit squelching outputs from said first signal path having a delay when signals in said second, undelayed signal path have predetermined characteristics.

2. The apparatus recited in claim 1, wherein said squelch circuit comprises: a decoder connected to receive said information in said second undelayed path and output a detect signal, said detect signal indicating when said signals in said second, undelayed path have said predetermined characteristics; and a muting circuit in said first signal path, said muting circuit being connected to receive said detect signal and to squelch output from said first signal path when said detect signal indicates said signals having said predetermined characteristics are present in said second, undelayed signal path.

3. The apparatus recited in claim 2, wherein voice and non-voice information is received by said receiver.

4. The apparatus recited in claim 3, wherein said predetermined characteristics comprise characteristics of non-voice signals.

5. The apparatus recited in claim 4, wherein said non-voice signals comprise DTMF signals.

6. The apparatus recited in claim 4, wherein said non-voice signals comprise data signals.

7. The apparatus recited in claim 4, f rther comprising a speaker receiving voice signals from an output of said muting circuit when said muting circuit is not squelching output from said first signal path.

8. The apparatus recited-in claim 3, wherein said telecommunications apparatus is integrated in said telephonic device.

9. The apparatus recited in claim 1, further comprising a transmit and receive device in said second, undelayed signal path, said transmit and receive device transmitting information to and receiving information from a data processing device.

10. The apparatus recited in claim 9, wherein said transmit and receive device receives data from said data processing device, provides signals representing said data to said interface and activates said squelch circuit to squelch outputs from said first signal path when providing said signals representing said data to said receiver.

11. The apparatus recited in claim 10, wherein said transmit and receive device comprises an encoder, said encoder translating said data from said data processing device into said signals representing said data in a predetermined format to be provided by said interface to said telephonic device.

12. The apparatus recited in claim 11, wherein said predetermined format is a DTMF format.

13. A telecommunication apparatus for use with a telephonic device having a line side and a signal side, said line said being connected to a telephone line to receive and transmit audio and DTMF data, comprising: an interface connected to said signal side said interface routing signals from said telephonic device to a first signal path having an audio delay line and a second, undelayed signal path; said first signal path comprising a muting device connected to receive"^τrτ->utput of said delay line and a speaker connected to receive an output of said muting device; and said second signal path comprising a data transmit and receive device, said data transmit and receive device providing a signal to activate said muting device to prevent signals from reach said speaker when DTMF data is transmitted by said telephonic device to said interface.

14. The apparatus recited in claim 13, wherein said data transmit and receive device communicates with a data processing device, decodes DTMF data from said telephonic device for transmission to said data processing device and encodes data from said processor into DTMF data for transmission by said telephonic device over said telephone line.

15. The apparatus recited in claim 14, wherein said data transmit and receive device provides said signal to activate said muting device while providing encoded said DTMF data through said interface to said telephonic device for transmission by said telephonic device over said telephone line.

16. A telecommunications system wherein a plurality of telephonic devices communicate over a transmission medium, said system comprising: at least one conference device having i) an interface connected to output information received from one of said telephonic devices to a first signal path having a time delay and a second, undelayed signal path and ii) a squelch circuit, said squelch circuit squelching outputs from said first signal path having a delay when signals in said second, undelayed signal path have predetermined characteristics.

17. The apparatus recited in claim 16, wherein said squelch circuit further comørdses: a decoder connected to receive said information in said second undelayed path and output a detect signal, said detect signal indicating when said signals in said second, undelayed path have said predetermined characteristics; and a muting circuit in said first signal path, said muting circuit being connected to receive said detect signal and to squelch output from said first signal path when said detect signal indicates said signals having said predetermined characteristics are present in said second, undelayed signal path.

18. The apparatus recited in claim 17, wherein said predetermined characteristics comprise characteristics of non-voice signals and further comprising a speaker receiving voice signals from an output of said muting circuit when said muting circuit is not squelching output from said first signal path.

19. The apparatus recited in claim 16, wherein said at least one conference device further comprises: a transmit and receive device in said second, undelayed signal path, said transmit and receive device transmitting information to and receiving information from a data processing device; and wherein said transmit and receive device receives data from said data processing device, provides signals representing said data to said interface and activates said squelch circuit to squelch outputs from said first signal path when providing said signals representing said data to said interface.

20. A telecommunications system comprising: a plurality of telephonic devices each having a line side and a signal side, said line side being connected to a telephone line to receive and transmit audio and DTMF data, at least one of said telephonic devices being connected to^~a"conference device; said signal side of said at least one of said telephonic devices being connected to an interface in said conference device, said interface being connected to a first signal path having an audio delay circuit and a second, undelayed signal path; said first signal path comprising a muting device connected to receive an output of said delay circuit and a speaker connected to receive an output of said muting device; said second signal path comprising a data transmit and receive device, said data transmit and receive device providing a signal to activate said muting device to prevent signals from reaching said speaker when DTMF data is transmitted to said interface from said telephonic device.

21. The apparatus recited in claim 20, wherein said data transmit and receive device communicates with a data processing device, decodes DTMF data from said telephonic device for transmission to said data processing device and encodes data from said processor into DTMF data for transmission by said at least one telephonic device over said telephone line; and wherein said data transmit and receive device provides said signal to activate said muting device while providing encoded said DTMF data to said at least one telephonic device for transmission by said telephone over said telephone line.

22. A method of transmitting and receiving information over a telecommunications medium, the method comprising the steps of: receiving information from a telephonic device connected to said telecommunications medium and outputting said information to a first signal path having a time delay and a second, undelayed signal path; squelching outputs from said first signal path having a time delay whert *=^ignals in said second, undelayed signal path have predetermined characteristics.

23. The method recited in claim 22, wherein said squelching step comprises: decoding said information in said second, undelayed path and outputting a detect signal to a muting circuit in said first signal path, said detect signal indicating when said signals in said second, undelayed path have said predetermined characteristics; and receiving said detect signal and squelching output from said first signal path when said detect signal indicates said signals having said predetermined characteristics are present in said second, undelayed signal path.

24. The method recited in claim 23, wherein voice and non-voice information are received and said predetermined characteristics comprise characteristics of said non-voice information.

25. The method recited in claim 24, wherein said non-voice information comprise DTMF signals.

26. The method is recited in claim 24, wherein said non-voice information comprise data signals.

27. The method recited in claim 24, further comprising receiving in a speaker voice signals from an output of said muting circuit when said muting circuit is not squelching output from said first signal path.

28. The method recited in claim 24, wherein said information is received into a unit including said telephonic device.

29. The method recited in claim 22, wherein a transmit and receive deviαό "=±n said second, undelayed signal path, transmits information to and receives information from a data processing device, provides signals representing said data to an interface with said telephone device and activates squelching of outputs from said first signal path when providing said signals representing said data to said interface.

30. The method recited in claim 29, wherein said transmit and receive device translates said data from said data processing device into said signals representing said data in a predetermined format to be provided by said interface to said telephone device.

31. The method recited in claim 30, wherein said format is a DTMF format.

32. A telecommunications method, the method comprising the steps of: connecting to a telephone line a plurality of telephonic device each having a line side and a signal side, to receive and transmit audio and DTMF data, connecting said signal side of at least one of said telephonic device to an interface of a conference device, said interface being connected to a first signal path having an audio delay line and a second, undelayed signal path; receiving an output of said delay line in a muting device in said first signal path and receiving an output of said muting device in a speaker; and providing a muting signal that activates said muting device to prevent signals from reaching said speaker, said muting signal being provided from a data transmit and receive device in said second signal path when DTMF data is transmitted to said at least one telephonic device over said telephone line.

33. The method recited in claim 32, wherein said data transmit and receive defies communicates with a data processing device, decodes DTMF data from said telephone line for transmission to said data processing device and encodes data from said processor into DTMF data for transmission from said at least one telephonic device over said telephone line.

34. The method recited in claim 33, wherein said data transmit and receive device further provides said muting signal to activate said muting device while providing encoded said DTMF data to said at least one telephonic device for transmission by said telephonic device over said at least one telephone line.

35. A telecommunication method, the method comprising the steps of: communicating among a plurality of receivers and transmitters over a transmission medium, wherein at least one of said receivers outputs information received from said transmission medium, wherein at least one of said receivers outputs information received from said transmission medium to conference device having a first signal path having a time delay and a second, undelayed signal path wherein said conference device squelches outputs from said first signal path having a time delay when signals in said second undelayed signal path have a predetermined characteristic.

36. The method recited in claim 35, wherein said outputs are squelched by: decoding said information in said second, undelayed path and outputting a detect signal to a muting circuit in said first signal path, said detect signal indicating when said signals in said second, undelayed path have a said predetermined characteristic; and receiving said detect signal and squelching output from said first signal path when said detect signal indicates said signals having said predetermined characteristic are present? "=-±1. said second undelayed signal path.

37. The method recited in claim 36, wherein said predetermined characteristics comprise characteristics of a non-voice signal and wherein voice signals from an output of said muting circuit are received in a speaker in said receiver when said muting circuit is not squelching output from said first signal path.

38. A telecommunications method, the method comprising the steps of: communicating among a plurality of telephonic devices over a transmission medium, each of said telephonic devices having a line side and a signal side, receiving and transmitting audio and DTMF data, said signal side being connected to a first signal path having an audio delay line and a second, undelayed signal path; receiving an output of said delay line in a muting device in said first signal path and receiving an output of said muting device, in a speaker; and providing from a data transmit and receive device in said second signal path, a signal to activate said muting device to prevent signals from reaching said speaker when DTMF data is transmitted to said telephonic device over said telephone line.

39. The method recited in claim 38, wherein said data transmit and receive device communicates with a data processing device, decodes DTMF data from said telephone line for transmission to said data processing device and encodes data from said processing device into DTMF data for transmission by said telephonic device over said transmission medium.

/ 40. The method recited in claim 39, wherein said data transmit and receive device provides said signal to activate said muting device-±wto±le providing encoded said

DTMF data to said telephonic device for transmission by said telephonic device over said transmission medium.