WO2002041612A2 - Methods and apparatus for communicating information from a remote wireless device to a cordless telephone system - Google Patents
Methods and apparatus for communicating information from a remote wireless device to a cordless telephone system Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- WO2002041612A2 WO2002041612A2 PCT/US2001/046220 US0146220W WO0241612A2 WO 2002041612 A2 WO2002041612 A2 WO 2002041612A2 US 0146220 W US0146220 W US 0146220W WO 0241612 A2 WO0241612 A2 WO 0241612A2
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- WIPO (PCT)
- Prior art keywords
- remote wireless
- intercom
- cordless telephone
- cordless
- information
- Prior art date
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Classifications
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- 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
- H04M1/725—Cordless telephones
- H04M1/72502—Cordless telephones with one base station connected to a single line
- H04M1/72505—Radio link set-up procedures
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- H—ELECTRICITY
- H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
- H04B—TRANSMISSION
- H04B7/00—Radio transmission systems, i.e. using radiation field
-
- 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
- H04M1/72403—User interfaces specially adapted for cordless or mobile telephones with means for local support of applications that increase the functionality
- H04M1/72409—User interfaces specially adapted for cordless or mobile telephones with means for local support of applications that increase the functionality by interfacing with external accessories
- H04M1/72412—User interfaces specially adapted for cordless or mobile telephones with means for local support of applications that increase the functionality by interfacing with external accessories using two-way short-range wireless interfaces
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- 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
- H04M1/72403—User interfaces specially adapted for cordless or mobile telephones with means for local support of applications that increase the functionality
- H04M1/72409—User interfaces specially adapted for cordless or mobile telephones with means for local support of applications that increase the functionality by interfacing with external accessories
- H04M1/72415—User interfaces specially adapted for cordless or mobile telephones with means for local support of applications that increase the functionality by interfacing with external accessories for remote control of appliances
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- 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
- H04M1/725—Cordless telephones
- H04M1/72502—Cordless telephones with one base station connected to a single line
- H04M1/72505—Radio link set-up procedures
- H04M1/72513—On hold, intercom or transfer communication modes
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
- H04M—TELEPHONIC COMMUNICATION
- H04M2250/00—Details of telephonic subscriber devices
- H04M2250/02—Details of telephonic subscriber devices including a Bluetooth interface
Definitions
- the present invention relates generally to cordless telephone systems and other various devices, such as intercoms, computers, and televisions; and more particularly to devices that are configured to communicate information to cordless telephone systems.
- FIG. 1 is a schematic block diagram of a cordless telephone system 100 of the prior art.
- Cordless telephone system 100 includes a cordless base station 102, which may be referred to as a cordless base unit, and a cordless handset 108, which may be referred to as a cordless telephone unit.
- Cordless telephone system 100 provides wireless telephone communications within a relatively small geographical area for an end-user.
- Cordless handset 108 typically includes a user interface which includes a speaker, a microphone, a display, and a keypad having conventional dual-tone multiple frequency (DTMF) keys for telephone number dialing.
- Cordless handset 108 may be one handset of a plurality of cordless handsets 104 utilized in connection with cordless base station 102. As shown in FIG. 1 , the plurality of cordless handsets 104 include cordless handsets 108-1 12, designated as cordless handsets 1 through N.
- DTMF dual-tone multiple frequency
- Cordless base station 102 has an interface for coupling to an alternating current (AC) power source 1 14, such as that commonly provided in a home residence or business.
- Cordless base station 102 has another interface for coupling to a land line 1 16, which couples cordless base station 102 to a public switched telephone network (PSTN) for land line telephone communication.
- a plurality of other various devices 120 are also shown in FIG. 1.
- the plurality of devices 120 include devices 128-132, designated as devices 1 through M, which are incompatible with cordless telephone system 100. That is, the plurality of devices 120 and cordless telephone system 100 are not configured to interact or communicate information with each other.
- the plurality of devices 120 may include devices such as an intercom which is installed in a home residence or business, a computer such as a personal computer (PC) or laptop (with or without browser software for the Internet or World Wide Web), an AM/FM radio (including its related tape and CD player) and its associated wireless remote controller, a television and its associated wireless remote controller, a video camera recorder (VCR) and its associated wireless remote controller, and sensors such as temperature sensors, weather sensors, and motion detection sensors.
- a computer such as a personal computer (PC) or laptop (with or without browser software for the Internet or World Wide Web)
- AM/FM radio including its related tape and CD player
- VCR video camera recorder
- sensors such as temperature sensors, weather sensors, and motion detection sensors.
- WWW World Wide Web
- cordless telephone system 100 cannot communicate with them nor utilize any information from them. Having many different devices that are incompatible with each another is frustrating to end- users who must utilize the interface of each device separately for its specific purpose. Accordingly, what are needed are methods and apparatus for communicating information from various devices to cordless telephone systems.
- a communication system of the present invention involves a cordless telephone system including at least one cordless base station and at least one cordless telephone unit for communicating with the at least one cordless base station.
- the at least one cordless telephone unit has a user interface, such as a visual display or a speaker, for conveying user information to an end-user of the cordless telephone unit.
- the cordless telephone system and a remote wireless device are configured for communicating with each other.
- the remote wireless device includes a controller which generates or obtains the user information, and a transmitter which transmits the user information to the cordless telephone system to be conveyed at the user interface of the cordless telephone unit.
- the remote wireless device may be a remote wireless intercom which includes a speaker, a microphone, a receiver, a battery interface, and a housing which carries all of these components.
- the user information involves voice signals
- the speaker, the microphone, the receiver, and the transmitter are used for engaging in an intercom voice communication session with the cordless telephone system.
- a method of communicating between the remote wireless intercom and a cordless telephone device involves the acts of detecting an intercom voice communication request at the remote wireless intercom; transmitting the intercom voice communication request from the remote wireless intercom to a cordless telephone device; and engaging the remote wireless intercom in an intercom voice communication session with the cordless telephone device after transmitting the intercom voice communication request.
- the act of detecting the intercom voice communication request may involve detecting a switch actuation at the remote wireless intercom, or detecting a motion sensor signal at the remote wireless intercom.
- the intercom communication session may involve communication between the remote wireless device and the cordless base station directly, or between the remote wireless device and the cordless telephone unit through the cordless base station.
- a unique intercom alert is provided at the cordless telephone device when the intercom voice communication request is received.
- the remote wireless device may have a communication interface configured for coupling to a computer.
- the computer has an application program residing in memory which is executable to generate the user information which is sent to the remote wireless device for transmission to the cordless telephone system.
- the application program may be any suitable application program, such as a scheduling notification program, an electronic mail program, or an audio delivery program.
- the remote wireless device may be coupled to and receive the user information from other various devices, such as a sensor which can be a temperature sensor, a weather sensor, or a motion detector sensor.
- the remote wireless devices and the cordless telephone system are able to communicate with each other and provide useful information.
- FIG. 1 is a schematic block diagram of a cordless telephone system and various incompatible devices of the prior art
- FIG. 2 is a schematic block diagram of a cordless telephone system and various remote wireless devices of the present invention
- FIG. 3 is a schematic block diagram of a cordless telephone device
- FIG. 4 is a schematic block diagram of a computer and a remote wireless device
- FIG. 5 is a flowchart describing a method of sending information from the remote wireless intercom to the cordless telephone device of FIG. 3;
- FIG. 6 is a flowchart describing a method of receiving information at the cordless telephone device from the remote wireless intercom of FIG. 2;
- FIG. 7 is a flowchart describing a method of sending information to the cordless telephone system from the remote wireless device of FIG. 4; and FIG. 8 is a flowchart describing a method of receiving information at the cordless telephone system from the remote wireless device of FIG. 4.
- the remote wireless intercom may include a transmitter, a receiver, a speaker, a microphone, a battery interface, and a housing which carries these components.
- a method of communicating between the remote wireless intercom and a cordless telephone device involves the steps of detecting an intercom voice communication request at the remote wireless intercom; transmitting the intercom voice communication request from the remote wireless intercom to the a cordless telephone device; and engaging the remote wireless intercom in an intercom voice communication session with the cordless telephone device after transmitting the intercom voice communication request.
- a unique intercom alert is provided at the cordless telephone device when the intercom voice communication request is received.
- FIG. 2 is a schematic block diagram of a cordless telephone system 200 as well as a plurality of devices 220 and remote wireless devices 240.
- Cordless telephone system 200 includes a cordless base station 202, which may be referred to as a cordless base unit, and a plurality of cordless handsets 204, each of which may be referred to as a cordless telephone unit.
- the plurality of cordless handsets 204 includes cordless handsets 208-212, designated as cordless handsets 1 through N in FIG. 2.
- cordless telephone system 200 provides for wireless telephone communications within a relatively small geographical area for an end- user.
- Cordless base station 202 and cordless handset 208 communicate with each other via radio frequency (RF) signals 206.
- RF radio frequency
- Cordless base station 202 has an interface for coupling to an alternating current (AC) power source 214, such as that commonly provided in a home residence or business.
- Cordless base station 202 has another interface for coupling to land line 216, which couples cordless base station 202 to the public switched telephone network (PSTN) for land line telephone communication.
- PSTN public switched telephone network
- Cordless handset 208 which is representative of other cordless handsets 210-212, typically includes a user interface which includes a speaker, a microphone, a display, and a keypad having conventional dual-tone multiple frequency (DTMF) keys for dialing.
- Cordless base station 202 may or may not have the same or similar interface. Thus, cordless base station 202, cordless handset 208, or both devices can be used to make and receive telephone calls.
- FIG. 3 is a schematic block diagram of cordless base station 202 or cordless handset 208 of FIG. 2, as well as remote wireless device 242 of FIG. 2.
- the schematic block diagram is illustrated for either cordless base station 202 or cordless handset 208 since similar components exist in each device.
- the schematic diagram of FIG. 3 will be referred to as illustrating cordless handset 208.
- cordless handset 208 of FIG. 3 includes electrical components such as a controller 302, user interface circuitry 304, and transceiver circuitry 306.
- User interface circuitry 304 includes display circuitry 308 for use in connection with a visual display such as a Liquid Crystal Display (LCD), keypad circuitry 310 for use in connection with a keypad, and audio circuitry 316 for use in connection with a speaker 312 and a microphone 314.
- Transceiver circuitry 306 includes a transmitter 318, a receiver 320, and an antenna 322.
- Transceiver circuitry 306 uses RF techniques for communication and, in particular, frequency modulation (FM) techniques.
- FM frequency modulation
- transceiver circuitry 306 utilize FM techniques in the 900 MHz or 2.4 GHz Industrial,
- transceiver circuitry 306 may utilize other well-known communication techniques, such as Time Division Multiple Access (TDMA) or Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA) communication schemes.
- TDMA Time Division Multiple Access
- CDMA Code Division Multiple Access
- cordless handset 208 When an end-user of cordless handset 208 is engaged in a telephone call, the end-user speaks or conveys audible voice signals into microphone 314 which provides low-level analog signals to audio circuitry 316 for processing the information. This information is conveyed to transmitter 318 and transmitted through antenna 322 via RF signals to cordless base station 202 (FIG. 2).
- cordless handset 208 of FIG. 3 receives RF signals from cordless base station 202 (FIG. 2) through antenna 322 and receiver 320 which processes them and provides them to audio circuitry 31 6. Audio circuitry 31 6 processes these signals and provides them to speaker 312, which generates audible voice signals for the end-user.
- Controller 302 provides general control over transmitter 31 8, receiver 320, and audio circuitry 31 6 as needed.
- the keypad which is used with keypad circuitry 310 typically includes conventional telephone keys (i.e., dual-tone multiple frequency or DTMF keys 0- 9, *, and #) as well as control keys.
- the end-user initiates telephone calls by pressing the keys of the keypad, where keypad circuitry 310 uniquely detects each key that is pressed and provides this information to controller 302.
- Controller 302 then passes this DTMF key selection data to transmitter 31 8 in suitable form so that it can be transmitted from antenna 322 to cordless base station 202 (FIG. 2).
- cordless base station 202 (FIG. 2) generates DTMF tones based on the DTMF key selection data for originating the telephone call.
- the keypad is used for other reasons as well, such as for changing the channel that cordless base station 202 and handset 208 use for communications.
- the visual display e.g., LCD which is used with display circuitry 308 confirms the identification of the keys that were pressed by visually displaying them upon actuation.
- the visual display also displays other useful information to the end-user, such as caller identification (ID) information, the current date and time, as well as the current channel number.
- ID caller identification
- the caller ID information is transmitted to cordless handset 208 from cordless base station 202 (FIG. 2) when a telephone call over the PSTN is received.
- Controller 302 receives such data from receiver 320 and passes it in suitable form to display circuitry 308 for display.
- the plurality of devices 220 include various devices 228-232, designated as devices 1 through M in the figure, which are compatible with cordless telephone system 200.
- the plurality of devices 220 include devices such as an intercom installed in a home residence or business, a computer such as a personal computer (PC) or laptop (with or without browser software for the Internet or WWW), an AM/FM radio (including its associated tape and CD players) and its remote controllers, a television and its remote controllers, a video camera recorder (VCR) and its remote controllers, and sensors such as temperature sensors, weather sensors, and motion detection sensors.
- devices 220 and remote wireless devices 240 are shown as separate devices in FIG.
- cordless telephone system 200 is able to communicate with them and utilize their information. Having many different devices that are compatible with each other ends the frustration of end-users who would otherwise have to utilize the interface of each device separately for its specific purpose.
- remote wireless device 242 of FIG. 3 is configured as a remote wireless intercom.
- Remote wireless device 242 includes a controller 326, a transmitter 328, a receiver 330, an antenna 332, a microphone 334, a speaker 336, audio circuitry 344, and actuators 338 and 340. All of these components may be carried and included in a housing 342.
- FIG. 3 The schematic diagram of FIG. 3 is now described as illustrating cordless base station 202 (as opposed to cordless handset 208) operating in connection with remote wireless device 242.
- Transmitter 328 and receiver 330 of remote wireless device 242 are configured for communicating with receiver 320 and transmitter 318 of cordless base station 202, respectively.
- remote wireless device 242 also has a battery interface (not shown) which is physically and electrically configured to receive battery cells for supplying power to these components.
- microphone 334 and speaker 336 may be a combined speaker-microphone where an end-user may either only talk or listen at any one time.
- cordless base station 202 has two pairs of transceivers where one transceiver is utilized for communications with cordless handsets 204 (FIG.
- FIG. 5 is a flowchart describing a method of sending information from remote wireless device 242 to cordless base station 202
- FIG. 6 is a flowchart describing a method of receiving information at cordless base station 202 from remote wireless device 242.
- remote wireless device 242 monitors one of its actuators 338 and 340 to detect any intercom communication request (step 502). This can be performed by, for example, controller 326 detecting a change in voltage by an end-user pressing actuator 338, or controller 326 detecting a change in voltage from an end-user walking sufficiently close to actuator 338 where actuator 338 is a motion detector sensor. If the intercom communication request is not detected, remote wireless device 242 keeps monitoring. In this state, remote wireless device 242 preferably operates in a low power consumption mode where little if any transmission occurs. If the intercom communication request is detected at step 502, remote wireless device 242 wirelessly transmits an intercom call request to cordless base station 202 (step 504).
- controller 326 sends a suitable unique message to cordless base station 202 through transmitter 328 and antenna 332.
- remote wireless device 242 waits for a voice communication session to be established (step 506).
- controller 326 sends the message to cordless base station 202 at step 504 only once and, if the voice communication session is not established within a predetermined time period (e.g., twenty seconds), the request is canceled and the method begins again at step 502.
- controller 326 sends the message to cordless base station 202 at step 504 a predetermined number of times (e.g., five times) before canceling the request and going back to step 502.
- remote wireless device 242 engages in a two-way voice communication session with cordless base station 202 (step 508), which may establish a communication session with its cordless handsets 204 (FIG. 2).
- the two-way voice communication session emulates a two-way telephone call.
- This session may be a full duplex two-way communication where two voice channels are established between the devices, or a half duplex two-way communication where a single voice channel is established between the devices.
- Remote wireless device 242 exits its low power consumption mode and begins transmitting and receiving voice information using transmitter 328 and receiver 330. This mode may be referred to as a talk mode or a high power consumption mode.
- the end-user of remote wireless device 242 speaks or conveys audible voice signals into microphone 334, which provides low-level analog signals to audio circuitry 344 for processing the information.
- This information is conveyed to transmitter 328 and transmitted through antenna 332 via RF signals to cordless base station 202.
- Cordless base station 202 receives these RF signals through antenna 322 and receiver 320 which processes them and provides them to audio circuitry 316.
- Audio circuitry 316 processes these signals and provides them to speaker 312, which generates audible voice signals for the end-user of cordless base station 202.
- the end-user of cordless base station 202 speaks or conveys audible voice signals into microphone 312, which provides low-level analog signals to audio circuitry 316 for processing the information.
- This information is conveyed to transmitter 318 and transmitted through antenna 322 via RF signals to remote wireless device 242.
- Remote wireless device 242 receives these RF signals through antenna 332 and receiver 330 which processes them and provides them to audio circuitry 344.
- Audio circuitry 344 processes these signals and provides them to speaker 336, which generates audible voice signals for the end-user of remote wireless device 242.
- Remote wireless device 242 continues with the communication of voice signals while its controller 326 monitors for the termination of the session (step 510).
- cordless base station 202 monitors for the detection of any intercom communication request (step 602). This can be performed by, for example, controller 302 detecting a suitable unique message from remote wireless device 242 which would be received by receiver 320. If the intercom communication request is not detected, cordless base station 202 keeps monitoring. In this state, cordless base station 202 and cordless handset 208 preferably operate in a low power consumption mode where little if any transmission occurs.
- cordless base station 202 If the intercom communication request is detected at step 602, cordless base station 202 generates an audible intercom alert signal from speaker 312 or other device (step 604). After receiving the intercom call request at step 604, cordless base station 202 waits for a call pickup to be detected (step 606).
- controller 302 receives the intercom call request message from remote wireless device 242 at step 602 only once and, if a call pickup is not detected within a predetermined time period (e.g., twenty seconds), the request is canceled and the method begins again at step 602.
- controller 302 receives the message from remote wireless device 242 at step 602 a predetermined number of times (e.g., five times) while monitoring for the call pickup before canceling the request and going back to step 602.
- cordless base station 202 establishes a two-way communication session with remote wireless device 242 (step 608).
- the two-way voice communication session emulates a two-way telephone call.
- This session may be a full duplex two-way communication where two voice channels are established between the devices, or a half duplex two-way communication where a single voice channel is established between the devices.
- Cordless base station 202 exits its low power consumption mode and begins transmitting and receiving voice information using transmitter 328 and receiver 330. This mode may be referred to as the talk mode or the high power consumption mode.
- Cordless base station 202 continues with the communication of voice signals while its controller 302 monitors for a call hang-up (step 610).
- the voice channels that were established for the intercom session are torn down and voice communication ceases (step 612).
- Cordless base station 202 resumes the operation in its low power consumption mode where it does little if any transmission.
- the flowchart repeats starting again at step 602.
- a remote wireless intercom can be placed outside a home residence or business and utilized with the cordless telephone system with little if any significant installation effort. Also, an end-user of the cordless telephone system does not have to interact with a separate intercom user-interface, but rather only with his or her cordless telephone system.
- FIG. 4 is a schematic block diagram of another type of communication system which involves a remote wireless device 400, a computer 402 which connects to remote wireless device 400, and cordless telephone system 200 (FIG. 2).
- Computer 402 is mostly a conventional operating personal computer (PC) or laptop computer, having a keyboard 404 and a display 406.
- Computer 402 also has an audio interface 412 for coupling to a microphone 408 and a speaker 410, and a communication interface 414.
- computer 402 has a processor 416, a memory 418 which holds an application program 420 that processor 416 executes, and audio circuitry 422 coupled to audio interface 412.
- Application program 420 may be any suitable software program, such as a calendar/scheduling program, an electronic mail (or e-mail) program, or an audio delivery program.
- Remote wireless device 400 of FIG. 4 includes a processor 424, a transmitter 426, a receiver 428, an antenna 430, a communication interface 434, and an audio interface 438. All of these components may be carried and included in a housing (not shown). Transmitter 426 and receiver 428 are configured for communicating with receiver 320 and transmitter 318, respectively, of cordless base station 202 (FIG. 3). Remote wireless device 400 may also have a battery interface (not shown) which is physically and electrically configured to receive battery cells for supplying power to its electrical components. In an alternate embodiment, cordless base station 202 (FIG. 3) has two pairs of transceivers where one transceiver is utilized for communications with its cordless base station and the other transceiver is utilized for communications with remote wireless device 400.
- Communication interface 434 of remote wireless device 400 is configured for coupling with communication interface 414 of computer 402 through a cord and connector 436.
- Communication interface 414 of computer 402 may be, for example, a standard I/O data port (serial, parallel, USB, or other).
- audio interface 438 of remote wireless device 400 is configured for coupling with audio interface 412 of computer 402 through a cord and connector 440.
- FIG. 7 is a flowchart describing a method of sending information from remote wireless device 400 of FIG. 4 to cordless base station 202 of FIG. 3; and
- FIG. 8 is a flowchart describing a method of receiving information at cordless base station 202 of FIG. 3 from remote wireless device 400 of FIG. 4.
- remote wireless device 400 monitors for a notification or other information from computer 402 (step 702).
- application program 420 is a calendar/scheduling program which includes a scheduling notification function
- application program 420 will generate notification data which will be sent to communication interface 414 at a time corresponding to a scheduled event (e.g., a scheduled conference call at 10:00 A.M.) entered into the scheduling program.
- a scheduled event e.g., a scheduled conference call at 10:00 A.M.
- application program 420 is an e-mail program which includes an e-mail notification function
- application program 420 will generate notification data which will be sent to communication interface 414 upon receipt of every new e-mail message.
- processor 424 monitors, detects, and receives the information through communication interface 436.
- remote wireless device 400 sends a download request message to the cordless base station (step 704). More particularly, processor 424 detects and receives the notification information at communication interface 434 and causes a download request message to be sent via transmitter 426 and antenna 430. After sending the download request message, the notification or other information is sent from remote wireless device 400 to the cordless base station (step 706). Again, the information is received at communication interface 434 by processor 424 and is sent via transmitter 426 and antenna 430. The downloading may be invoked immediately after sending the download request message or, alternatively, after receiving an acknowledgment of the download request message from the cordless base station.
- the cordless base station receives a download request message from remote wireless device 400 (step 802).
- the cordless base station generates an audible alert signal to be heard by the end-user (step 804).
- the audible signal generated at the cordless base station in response to the message is one that is distinguishable from the audible signal heard when a telephone call or intercom call is received.
- the alert for a standard telephone call is a standard ring signal
- the alert for an intercom call is a ring signal having a unique cadence
- the alert for the receipt of computer information is one or more "beep" signals.
- the notification or other information is received by the cordless base station for display in its visual display (step 806).
- This information may include, for example, identification of the date, time, persons, and subject matter of a corresponding scheduled event; or identification of the sending party and the subject matter of a recently received e-mail as well as the e-mail message text, which may be received upon further request by the end-user via a key press.
- remote wireless device 400 may also be configured to send other signals, such as audio signals, to the cordless base station which are initially processed at computer 402.
- audio signals may be received from a compact disc (CD) inserted into a CD-ROM drive of computer 402 or from a remote server on the Internet.
- CD compact disc
- the audio signals are obtained by processor 416 of computer 402, fed to audio circuitry 422, sent to audio interface 412 and over cable 440 to audio interface 438 of remote wireless device 400, and transmitted from transmitter 426 and antenna 430.
- the audio signals are received by the cordless base station and/or cordless handset and played out of its speaker for the end-user to listen to in a similar fashion.
- remote wireless device 400 is configured to receive the audio signals from the cordless handset for recording and storage by computer 402.
- remote wireless device 400 and computer 402. This includes features such as audible alerting, LCD, and/or voice reminders of appointments and scheduled events such as birthdays, meetings, and TV shows; audible altering, LCD text and graphics, and/or voice notifications of updates, outcomes, or events such as weather forecasts, stock quotes, sports scores, and email arrival; voice-over-IP telephone calls; voice-synthesized information for reviewing email or any Web text converted into voice; and handset control and selection through text, graphics, or voice menus.
- remote wireless devices can be utilized with an AM/FM radio (including its associated tape and CD players) and its remote controllers, a television and its remote controllers, a VCR and its remote controllers, and sensors such as temperature sensors, weather sensors, and motion detection sensors.
- AM/FM radio including its associated tape and CD players
- the remote wireless device is configured to communicatively control the operation of such device or devices.
- the remote wireless device may be installed within the TV, VCR, or radio, or alternatively be externally connected to the TV, VCR, or radio.
- the user interface of the cordless handset utilized to control the TV, VCR, or radio is the same user interface utilized for telephone operations.
- the cordless handset sends, in response to user key actuations, the appropriate commands for changing channels, programming, powering on and off, muting and unmuting audio by key actuation or automatically when calls are placed or answered, etc.
- an infared-to-RF converter may be utilized in the cordless telephone system to convert the infared signals from the TV, VCR, or radio into RF signals, and an RF-to-infared converter may also be utilized.
- a sensor such as a temperature sensor
- the remote wireless device receives temperature information from the sensor and sends this information to the cordless handset for visual display. The sending may take place periodically, or only in response to temperature changes, or only when polled by the cordless base station.
- weather sensors may be used for wind speed, wind direction, rain fall, humidity, air pressure, etc.
- a delivery sensor may be used which can detect when physical objects, such as mail or newspapers, have been deposited.
- a motion detector sensor may be used in a variety of locations where alerts and status information are provided accordingly.
- Cordless handset 208 of FIG. 2 may also be a "universal" device capable of operating with two or more of these different devices.
- cordless handset 208 is capable of engaging in telephone calls, receiving intercom calls, receiving notifications and information (scheduling, e-mail, audio) from a computer, receiving the temperature and other weather parameters, and controlling the operation of a television, VCR, and radio.
- each cordless base station and handset may be configured such that it can accommodate and be accommodated when it is desired to expand the system. For example, an end-user may wish to obtain an additional cordless handset for his or her already-existing cordless system involving a single cordless base station and a single cordless handset. With this feature, the additional cordless handset is programmed to operate within the end-user's system where both the original and additional handsets receive the user information in accordance with the present invention.
- a communication system of the present invention more generally involves a cordless telephone system including at least one cordless base station and at least one cordless telephone unit for communicating with the at least one cordless base station.
- the at least one cordless telephone unit has a user interface, such as a visual display or a speaker, for conveying user information to an end-user of the cordless telephone unit.
- the cordless telephone system and a remote wireless device are configured for communicating with each other.
- the remote wireless device includes a controller which generates or obtains the user information, and a transmitter which transmits the user information to the cordless telephone system to be conveyed at the user interface of the cordless telephone unit.
- the remote wireless device may be a remote wireless intercom.
- the remote wireless intercom may include a speaker, a microphone, a receiver, a battery interface, and a housing which carries all of these components.
- the user information involves voice signals, and the speaker, the microphone, the receiver, and the transmitter are used for engaging in an intercom voice communication session with the cordless telephone system.
- a method of communicating between the remote wireless intercom and a cordless telephone device involves the acts of detecting an intercom voice communication request at a remote wireless intercom; transmitting the intercom voice communication request from the remote wireless intercom to a cordless telephone device; and engaging the remote wireless intercom in an intercom voice communication session with the cordless telephone device after transmitting the intercom voice communication request.
- the act of detecting the intercom voice communication request may involve detecting a switch actuation at the remote wireless intercom, or detecting a motion sensor signal at the remote wireless intercom.
- the intercom communication session may involve direct communication between the remote wireless device and a cordless telephone unit, or indirectly between the remote wireless device and the cordless telephone unit through a cordless base station.
- a remote wireless device may have a communication interface configured for coupling to a computer.
- the computer has an application program residing in memory which is executable to generate the user information which is sent to the remote wireless device for transmission to the cordless telephone system.
- the application program may be a scheduling notification program, an electronic mail notification program, or an audio delivery program.
- the remote wireless device may be coupled to and receive user information from other various devices, such as a sensor which is either a temperature sensor, a weather sensor, or a motion detector sensor.
- the remote wireless devices are electrical in nature and have wireless communication capabilities, and the cordless telephone system is able to communicate with them and utilize their information. Having different devices that are compatible with each other ends the frustration of end-users who would otherwise have to utilize the interface of each device separately for each specific purpose.
Abstract
Description
Claims
Priority Applications (7)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
CA002428974A CA2428974A1 (en) | 2000-11-15 | 2001-11-15 | Methods and apparatus for communicating information from a remote wireless device to a cordless telephone system |
KR10-2003-7006605A KR20030070030A (en) | 2000-11-15 | 2001-11-15 | Methods and apparatus for communicating information from a remote wireless device to a cordless telephone system |
AU2002225879A AU2002225879A8 (en) | 2000-11-15 | 2001-11-15 | Methods and apparatus for communicating information from a remote wireless device to a cordless telephone system |
EP01995330A EP1380152A2 (en) | 2000-11-15 | 2001-11-15 | Methods and apparatus for communicating information from a remote wireless device to a cordless telephone system |
MXPA03004264A MXPA03004264A (en) | 2000-11-15 | 2001-11-15 | Methods and apparatus for communicating information from a remote wireless device to a cordless telephone system. |
JP2002543211A JP2004531101A (en) | 2000-11-15 | 2001-11-15 | Method and apparatus for communicating information from a remote wireless device to a cordless telephone system |
AU2002225879A AU2002225879A1 (en) | 2000-11-15 | 2001-11-15 | Methods and apparatus for communicating information from a remote wireless device to a cordless telephone system |
Applications Claiming Priority (4)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US24843300P | 2000-11-15 | 2000-11-15 | |
US60/248,433 | 2000-11-15 | ||
US10/007,242 | 2001-11-09 | ||
US10/007,242 US20030092453A1 (en) | 2001-11-10 | 2001-11-10 | Methods and apparatus for communicating information from a remote wireless device to a cordless telephone system |
Publications (3)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
WO2002041612A2 true WO2002041612A2 (en) | 2002-05-23 |
WO2002041612A3 WO2002041612A3 (en) | 2003-11-13 |
WO2002041612A8 WO2002041612A8 (en) | 2009-11-12 |
Family
ID=27615861
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
PCT/US2001/046220 WO2002041612A2 (en) | 2000-11-15 | 2001-11-15 | Methods and apparatus for communicating information from a remote wireless device to a cordless telephone system |
Country Status (6)
Country | Link |
---|---|
EP (1) | EP1380152A2 (en) |
KR (1) | KR20030070030A (en) |
CN (1) | CN1611057A (en) |
AU (1) | AU2002225879A8 (en) |
CA (1) | CA2428974A1 (en) |
WO (1) | WO2002041612A2 (en) |
Cited By (3)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
GB2397472A (en) * | 2003-01-03 | 2004-07-21 | Vtech Telecomm Ltd | Sharing mutual resources between two devices via a communications medium |
WO2004080032A2 (en) * | 2003-03-07 | 2004-09-16 | Matsushita Electric Industrial Co. Ltd. | Control of a facsimile apparatus connected to plural cordless telephone handsets |
US7428225B2 (en) | 2004-02-19 | 2008-09-23 | Hitachi Kokusai Electric Inc. | Wireless communication system and wireless communication method |
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EP0766438A1 (en) * | 1995-09-29 | 1997-04-02 | Philips Electronique Grand Public | Cordless telephone system with a remote controlled peripheral device |
US5802467A (en) * | 1995-09-28 | 1998-09-01 | Innovative Intelcom Industries | Wireless and wired communications, command, control and sensing system for sound and/or data transmission and reception |
DE19739392A1 (en) * | 1997-09-09 | 1999-03-11 | Grothe & Soehne Gmbh & Co Kg A | Door entry phone and intercom |
US5898919A (en) * | 1996-02-26 | 1999-04-27 | E Guide, Inc. | Cordless phone back link for interactive television system |
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2001
- 2001-11-15 CA CA002428974A patent/CA2428974A1/en not_active Abandoned
- 2001-11-15 WO PCT/US2001/046220 patent/WO2002041612A2/en active Search and Examination
- 2001-11-15 KR KR10-2003-7006605A patent/KR20030070030A/en not_active Application Discontinuation
- 2001-11-15 AU AU2002225879A patent/AU2002225879A8/en not_active Abandoned
- 2001-11-15 CN CNA018220266A patent/CN1611057A/en active Pending
- 2001-11-15 EP EP01995330A patent/EP1380152A2/en not_active Withdrawn
Patent Citations (4)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
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US5802467A (en) * | 1995-09-28 | 1998-09-01 | Innovative Intelcom Industries | Wireless and wired communications, command, control and sensing system for sound and/or data transmission and reception |
EP0766438A1 (en) * | 1995-09-29 | 1997-04-02 | Philips Electronique Grand Public | Cordless telephone system with a remote controlled peripheral device |
US5898919A (en) * | 1996-02-26 | 1999-04-27 | E Guide, Inc. | Cordless phone back link for interactive television system |
DE19739392A1 (en) * | 1997-09-09 | 1999-03-11 | Grothe & Soehne Gmbh & Co Kg A | Door entry phone and intercom |
Cited By (6)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
GB2397472A (en) * | 2003-01-03 | 2004-07-21 | Vtech Telecomm Ltd | Sharing mutual resources between two devices via a communications medium |
GB2397472B (en) * | 2003-01-03 | 2006-05-03 | Vtech Telecomm Ltd | Methods and systems of sharing mutual resources between an external device and a cordless telephone via a communications medium |
WO2004080032A2 (en) * | 2003-03-07 | 2004-09-16 | Matsushita Electric Industrial Co. Ltd. | Control of a facsimile apparatus connected to plural cordless telephone handsets |
WO2004080032A3 (en) * | 2003-03-07 | 2004-12-02 | Matsushita Electric Ind Co Ltd | Control of a facsimile apparatus connected to plural cordless telephone handsets |
US7428225B2 (en) | 2004-02-19 | 2008-09-23 | Hitachi Kokusai Electric Inc. | Wireless communication system and wireless communication method |
CN100454784C (en) * | 2004-02-19 | 2009-01-21 | 株式会社日立国际电气 | Radio communication system and radio communication method |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
KR20030070030A (en) | 2003-08-27 |
WO2002041612A8 (en) | 2009-11-12 |
EP1380152A2 (en) | 2004-01-14 |
AU2002225879A8 (en) | 2009-12-24 |
CA2428974A1 (en) | 2002-05-23 |
WO2002041612A3 (en) | 2003-11-13 |
CN1611057A (en) | 2005-04-27 |
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