GB2189062A - Electronic call system - Google Patents

Abstract

Coded numbers are sent by cable from call stations to display stations in e.g. a restaurant. At a display station, received numbers relevant to that station are displayed in a column of display areas, previous numbers being moved up.

Description

SPECIFICATION Electronic call system This invention relates to a custom built Electronic Call System operating under Zone Control.

There are many commercial applications where it is desireable to be able to transmit a coded number from either one or more locations to one or more remote locations, incorporating a series of timed prompts.

This invention provides a system comprising of One Call Station and One Display Station, connected by data cable, into which, additional Call Stations and Display Stations may be connected either in series or parallel.

A call Station consists of a 10 Key Keyboard and function keys and contains its own identity number and software. See Drawing no 1.

A Display Station consists its own identity number, software and six 4 Digit LED Displays stacked one on top of the other.

The invention has been designed for multipurpose applictions one of these being a restaurant. See Drawings 3-6.

In basic format, when one or more Display Stations are connected to one or more Call Stations, the operator may program the following options into the call stations.

a. The identity number of the display station.

b. The first number allowed to display.

c. The last number allowed to display.

d. The duration (0-3) of the rippling of a called number.

e. The intensity of brightness (0-3) of the LED display.

f. The volume (0-3) of the audio signal.

g. The option of number buffering (if exceeding 6 calls).

h. The flashing of a called number if unattended for a predetermined period.

Any number of Call Stations and Display Stations may be connected together.

When an operator enters a number on the Call Station and then presses the Call Key.

That number will display in the lower LED Set of the Display Station that such a number has been allocated to, according to the relevant programmed Duration, Brightness, Volume and Buffer program.

When an operator enters a further number, the 1st number entered moves up to the 2nd LED Display Set and the new number is now displayed in the lower LED Display Set as above, and so on for six numbers.

When the 7th Number is entered the 1st Number exits from the display station. At this stage the option program is: a. For the 1st number to exit as above, or, b. For the 1st number to remain displayed in the Display Station with the 7th number held in BUFFER and to only display in the Lower LED Display Set, in priority order, after the operator cancels one of 1st to 6th Displayed Numbers.

An Overide facility is provided, should an operator require the same number to display in all Display Stations simultaneously regardless of designated (Zone) program.

1. A call system comprising one or more calling stations and one or more display stations, means at the calling station for transmitting coded data, and means at the display stations including a series of code display areas for displaying data received from the calling stations, the displaying means applying received data to a first one of the display areas and for shifting previously-received data cyclically through the series of display areas.

2. A system according to claim 1, in which each calling station comprises manually-operable data input means.

3. A system according to claim 1 or 2, in which the calling and display stations are connected by a data cable.

4. A system according to any preceding claim, in which the series of display areas comprises a stack of LED displays in a common unitary housing.

5. A calling device substantially as herein described with reference to and as shown in drawings Nos. 1 and 1A.

6. A display station subatantially as herein described with reference to and as shown in drawing No. 2.

**WARNING** end of DESC field may overlap start of CLMS **.

Claims (6)

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. SPECIFICATION Electronic call system This invention relates to a custom built Electronic Call System operating under Zone Control. There are many commercial applications where it is desireable to be able to transmit a coded number from either one or more locations to one or more remote locations, incorporating a series of timed prompts. This invention provides a system comprising of One Call Station and One Display Station, connected by data cable, into which, additional Call Stations and Display Stations may be connected either in series or parallel. A call Station consists of a 10 Key Keyboard and function keys and contains its own identity number and software. See Drawing no 1. A Display Station consists its own identity number, software and six 4 Digit LED Displays stacked one on top of the other. The invention has been designed for multipurpose applictions one of these being a restaurant. See Drawings 3-6. In basic format, when one or more Display Stations are connected to one or more Call Stations, the operator may program the following options into the call stations. a. The identity number of the display station. b. The first number allowed to display. c. The last number allowed to display. d. The duration (0-3) of the rippling of a called number. e. The intensity of brightness (0-3) of the LED display. f. The volume (0-3) of the audio signal. g. The option of number buffering (if exceeding 6 calls). h. The flashing of a called number if unattended for a predetermined period. Any number of Call Stations and Display Stations may be connected together. When an operator enters a number on the Call Station and then presses the Call Key. That number will display in the lower LED Set of the Display Station that such a number has been allocated to, according to the relevant programmed Duration, Brightness, Volume and Buffer program. When an operator enters a further number, the 1st number entered moves up to the 2nd LED Display Set and the new number is now displayed in the lower LED Display Set as above, and so on for six numbers. When the 7th Number is entered the 1st Number exits from the display station. At this stage the option program is: a. For the 1st number to exit as above, or, b. For the 1st number to remain displayed in the Display Station with the 7th number held in BUFFER and to only display in the Lower LED Display Set, in priority order, after the operator cancels one of 1st to 6th Displayed Numbers. An Overide facility is provided, should an operator require the same number to display in all Display Stations simultaneously regardless of designated (Zone) program. CLAIMS

1. A call system comprising one or more calling stations and one or more display stations, means at the calling station for transmitting coded data, and means at the display stations including a series of code display areas for displaying data received from the calling stations, the displaying means applying received data to a first one of the display areas and for shifting previously-received data cyclically through the series of display areas.

2. A system according to claim 1, in which each calling station comprises manually-operable data input means.

3. A system according to claim 1 or 2, in which the calling and display stations are connected by a data cable.

4. A system according to any preceding claim, in which the series of display areas comprises a stack of LED displays in a common unitary housing.

5. A calling device substantially as herein described with reference to and as shown in drawings Nos. 1 and 1A.

6. A display station subatantially as herein described with reference to and as shown in drawing No. 2.