Telecommunications – Transmitter and receiver at same station – Radiotelephone equipment detail
Reexamination Certificate
1998-08-14
2001-07-10
Hunter, Daniel (Department: 2684)
Telecommunications
Transmitter and receiver at same station
Radiotelephone equipment detail
C455S575100, C455S566000, C455S550100
Reexamination Certificate
active
06259931
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to the field of telecommunication signaling, and more specifically, to a telecommunication device that communicates with and through a telecommunications network by signaling messages and by dual-tone, multi-frequency signaling.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Communication devices of the present are capable of as many functions as communications devices from science fiction of the past. As communication moves from desk or wall telephones to cellular phones, voice paging and personal communication systems (better known as PCS), the shrinking size of communications devices coupled with the increase in functionality requires very small, multi-functional controls. As a result, there may be confusion as to how to operate these devices.
One area of confusion is signaling; specifically, how to set up a call and how to send further signaling tones through the network once the call is set up. Users are used to one paradigm for a dual-tone, multi-frequency (DTMF) or A touch-tones signaling (referred to herein as DTMF mode or DTMF signaling). Most anyone can use a DTMF keypad to generate signaling that performs tasks as diverse as dialing a telephone number to registering for classes and banking. DTMF signaling presumes that a pair of tones is generated for each key or button pushed and, once the key is pushed, the signal it represents cannot be changed. Call routing menu systems are examples of systems that expect one button, immediate generation of DTMF signaling in this paradigm.
Wireless telephones (also called cell phones, mobile stations and mobile telephones) use a different signaling paradigm. In this paradigm, the user enters digits, which are usually displayed on a screen, and then the user presses a “send” or “enter” key to send the digits into the network as a message. Commonly, there is a “backspace” or “erase” key that permits the user to change one or more entered digits, and a “clear” key to remove all entered digits before the signaling message is sent. This form of signaling will be referred to herein as “dialed digit” or “DD” mode. Once the signaling message is sent, some wireless telephones then cue to a DTMF mode, wherein the user may send DTMF signals through the telecommunication network to perform tasks such as banking, etc.
In the dual mode telephones that have two paradigms operating at any given time, however, it is not always clear to the user operating the telephone which mode a communication device is in (DTMF or DD), and the user cannot control the mode. Furthermore, there are times in the DTMF mode when it is desirable to be able to correct digits before they are sent into the network (i.e., when entering a string of digits representing a credit card number). Consequently, users of new communication devices can easily be confused by the two different signaling paradigms.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In one aspect of this invention, a communications device is provided for use in a communications network having a control system configured to transmit signaling to and through the communications network in either of a first or a second mode. The user interface is configured to receive user input to select the signaling mode. According to another aspect of this invention, the first mode comprises transmitting signaling messages. According to a different aspect of this invention, the control system transmits signaling in the first mode comprises as either signaling messages or as a plurality of dual-tone, multi frequency (DTMF) signals. In accordance with another aspect of this invention, the control system transmits signaling in the second mode as individual DTMF signals.
According to another aspect of the invention, the user interface includes a number pad, and the control system is configured to receive a number from the number pad and generate a DTMF tone corresponding to the number when the control system is in the second mode. According to another aspect of this invention, the number pad comprises a display of a telephone keypad on a touchscreen.
According to a different aspect of this invention, a method is provided for controlling a communication device having a plurality of input buttons including at least a send button and a plurality of digit buttons. The method comprises collecting digits responsive to digit buttons being pressed and sending the collected digits in a message responsive to the send button being pressed. Thereafter digits are sent as dual-tone, multi-frequency (DTMF) signals in a first mode, wherein digits are transmitted as DTMF tones as digit buttons are pressed, and a second mode wherein digits are collected as said digit buttons are pressed and transmitted as a series of DTMF tones responsive to a send button. The mode is switchable from the first mode to the second mode responsive to user input.
According to a further aspect of this invention, the communication device includes a display displaying a mode indication and a plurality of entered digits, and, when the communications device is in the first mode, the display indicates the first mode and right justifies the entered digits. According to yet another aspect of this invention, the display also displays a mode indication and a plurality of entered digits, and, when the communication device is in the second mode, the display indicates the mode and left justifies the entered digits.
A further aspect of this invention provides a communication device that uses signaling messages and DTMF signaling to communicate with and through a telecommunication network. The communications device includes a control system including a memory and a user interface to accept user signaling input and commands, wherein the control system is configured to operate in a first mode and a second mode. The control system comprises a processor that is responsive in the first mode to store user signaling input in the memory and send the signal responsive to user command and is responsive in the second mode to send DTMF signals into the telecommunication network as they are entered. The processor is also configured to switch between the first and the second mode responsive to user input.
According to another aspect of this invention, the processor includes an editor for changing signals before they are sent. According to a further aspect of this invention, the user interface includes a plurality of numbered keys in the form of a keypad, a send key and a backspace key, and wherein the send and backspace keys are inoperable in the second mode.
REFERENCES:
patent: 5127042 (1992-06-01), Gillig et al.
patent: 5465401 (1995-11-01), Thompson
patent: 5497507 (1996-03-01), Komaki
patent: 5796338 (1998-08-01), Mardirossian
Ericsson Inc.
Hunter Daniel
Le Lana
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