MXPA97002324A - Method and apparatus for closed circuit access local multiple option - Google Patents

Abstract

A telephone (100,200) that can access wired and wireless communication systems has a telephone company interconnection (21) to establish a connection with a local closed circuit cable (110), a transceiver (220) to establish a connection with a wireless local closed loop (120) and a subscriber interconnect circuit (255) to allow a subscriber to select a local closed circuit access system by wire or wireless to make a telephone call. An interconnection circuit (290) electrically interconnects a local closed circuit access connection by wire (210), a wireless local closed circuit access connection (220), an extension device connection (270) and an interconnection circuit subscriber (255). The interconnect circuit (290) includes a computer processor section (296) for controlling the circulation of sound and control signals to the various interconnections and a microprocessor (297) and electronic memory (298) to allow default selection and manual of a loc closed loop access system

Description

METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR CLOSED CIRCUIT ACCESS LOCAL MULTIPLE OPTIONS • and Field of the Invention 5 This invention relates in general to telephones and telephone systems and more particularly to various methods for accessing multiple local closed circuit technologies for making and receiving calls or telephone calls. "•" Background of the Invention The landline telephone devices are limited to making and receiving only telephone calls through a local closed circuit by cable. However, the new access technologies today provide various wireless local closed circuit access systems for making and receiving telephone calls. These new or wireless technologies include the cellular telephone service and the personal communications service. For a landline telephone device to make or receive a call from a wireless unit, however, the landline telephone must first access a local closed circuit by cable which then provides a connection to the wireless system; The ground line telephone device, when connected with a local closed circuit by wire, can not directly access a local closed circuit of the wireless system.

With the growing deregulation of local and long-distance telephone communication services, cellular telephone service providers can offer long-distance services and other services T-telephones that were previously inaccessible through wireless systems. Today, however, a landline phone must first access a local closed-circuit cable before connecting to a cellular telephone system provider. If long distance access is desired, both local closed loop access and wireless long distance access are necessary, which increases the costs of using a cellular system for long distance telephone calls. It would be simpler and less expensive to allow a user to directly access a wireless local closed circuit and continue using the wireless system for long distance access while simultaneously maintaining the possibility of the subscriber accessing the local closed circuit by cable when making long telephone calls. distance by cable. Therefore, there is a need to create a method and apparatus for replacing terrestrial line telephony devices and allow subscribers to select among multiple local closed circuit access systems, "for example a local closed circuit access system. by cable and a local wireless closed circuit access system, to make and receive telephone calls.

Brief Description of the Drawings } "Fig. 1 shows a telephone according to a preferred embodiment, Fig. 2 shows a diagram of a telephone according to a preferred embodiment, Fig. 3 shows a flow diagram of a call reception according to a preferred embodiment. preferred embodiment Fig. 4 shows a flowchart of establishing a call according to a preferred embodiment.

Detailed description of the invention A single telephone according to the invention supports the selective operation either through a local closed circuit by cable or by a wireless local closed circuit. For example, the telephone can directly access a cell in a cellular system to establish or receive calls through a wireless system as well as directly access a landline to establish or receive telephone calls through a closed circuit cable. As additional technology access systems are implemented, the telephone can support more than two access technology methods. For example, the telephone can be expanded to support a variety of local wireless local loop access systems including cellular systems, mobile satellite systems (MSS), and telephone service.

Personal Communications (PCS) as well as a traditional landline system. A multi-choice multiple circuit closed-circuit telephone apparatus and method according to the invention can replace current landline telephones and offer the choice of a cable or wireless base vehicle called per call, day of the week , or other. / 0 Fig. 1 shows a telephone according to a preferred embodiment. The telephone 100 includes a closed circuit access connection by cable 110, for example a connection RJ11 with an analog multiple switched telephone network (PSTN), a connection to a digital PSTN, or a connection 5 to a fiber optic cable. The telephone 100 also includes a wireless local closed circuit access connection 120 with a wireless system, for example a cellular telephone system. As additional wireless technologies such as MSS and PCS are implemented, wireless local loop access connections can be added to the telephone either by adding antennas or by modifying an existing wireless local loop access connection antenna. The telephone 100 can also be modified to hold features of 0 paging through an access connection of T wireless local closed circuit. Similarly, additional wired access connections can be added when additional local wired loop configurations are installed. The telephone 100 preferably also includes a connection with a power supply line 160 and an interconnection equipment including a sound telephone handset. / 132, a hands-free communication device for example a 0 speaker 134 and a microphone 136, a display 138, a common twelve-key alphanumeric keyboard 153 and a keyboard for special functions 156. The keyboard for special functions 156 may include keys for switch between wired and wireless closed circuit access systems, keys to connect wired and wireless systems to each other in a three-way or conference call configuration, or keys to download a call connection to lso systems of access to the local closed circuit by cable or wireless. Alternatively, the special function keys can be implemented by pressing a predetermined key sequence (eg * 3WC for three-way calls and * DWL for downloading a call connection to a local wireless closed circuit access system).

In a preferred embodiment, telephone 100 has an extension device connection 170 for increasing subscriber interconnection and providing connection to extension devices 180 such as a telephone extension 182, a personal computer having a modem 184, a fax machine 186 or other electronic devices. The extension device connection 170 may be an RJ11 connection, which is currently compatible with various electronic devices.

Fig.2 shows a schematic of a telephone according to a preferred embodiment. Preferably, the telephone base 200 is a static device, not a portable telephone. To ensure that the telephone base remains within a certain geographical area, a wireless local cell is programmed to accept calls only from certain telephone bases. If a telephone base is transported outside your local cell scale, you will not be able to access a local wireless closed circuit. Of course, the telephone base can be modified to act as a portable telephone if desired.

The telephone base 200 includes an interconnection circuit 290 for routing the information and establishing connections between a local closed circuit access system by ^ "" cable, a local wireless local loop access system and the subscriber. Local cable closed circuit access connection 210 electrically connects a local closed circuit access system with a subscriber interconnection circuit 255 through a telephone company interconnection 215, a computer processor section 296 and a sound / power interconnection 240. The local closed circuit circuit access system * connects the subscriber with a PSTn which can be an analog network or a digital network such as a Service Network Integrated Digital (ISDN). The telephone company interconnection 215 provides dynamic telephone protection, presents appropriate DC and alternating current pedals with a local telephone company according to the state of the call (eg impedances of idle condition and busy condition), detects signals of high voltage ring and connects and disconnects telephone calls using relays and switches controlled by microprocessor.

The interconnect circuit 290 outputs and receives sound signal control signals through the connection 223 to the transceiver 220 that provides wireless closed circuit access to a wireless network. Preferably the connection 223 is a universal connection with a standardized architecture * "'ae transceiver, therefore the transceiver 220 may be changed as necessary so that the telephone base 200 is compatible with any wireless protocol, e.g. the Advanced Mobile Telephone System (AMPS), AMPS Narrow Band (NAMPS), Cellular System Total Access (TACS), Time Division Multiple Access (TDMA) or other site to wireless standards, simply by replacing the transceiver panel. The circuit of - automatic connection 226 ensures that the transceiver 220 is "connected" even when transient overvoltages cause the transceiver to be disconnected.

The telephone base 200 obtains power through the power supply connection 260. Preferably, an external transformer is connected to the power supply connection 260 to reduce manufacturing costs. Alternatively, an internal transformer can be provided at a higher cost but with more convenience for the subscriber. A power regulator 263 5 electrically connected to the transformer via the power supply connection 260 supplies operational power to the transceiver 220. The power regulator 263 is preferably connected to a battery 266 to supply a power return for the base 0 telephone 200 in case of lack of power. The battery should provide sufficient power return for the subscriber to be able to make emergency calls during a period of prolonged power failure and also provide power return so that a telephone call 5 is not disconnected "by a momentary power cut. transceiver 220 contains a regulator that supplies power to the components of the interconnection circuit 290 and to the subscriber interconnection circuit ~ 255. C The subscriber interconnect circuit 255 has a screen driver 238 for controlling a screen, a key pressure decoder 250 for decoding the presses of alphanumeric keys and for special functions by a subscriber and a bar interconnection. collective data 257 to establish a three-wire collective bus connection with the computer processor section 296 of the interconnect circuit 290. In addition, the subscriber interconnect circuit 255 may include a driver exciter 234 and a microphone exciter 236 to implement hands-free communications. In a preferred embodiment, the subscriber interconnect circuit 255 emulates a cellular handset interconnection.

Extension interconnection 275 allows extension devices to interact with local closed circuits by wire and wireless. The extension interconnect 275 decodes dual tone multi-frequency signals or pulses received through the extension device connection 270. The extension interconnect 275, together with the microprocessor 297, generates dial tones, produces high-ring signals. voltage, and provides impedances of direct current and alternating current together with the voltages necessary to make the extension devices work properly.

The sound / power interconnection 240 provides analog or digital sound signals and power to and from the local wired closed loop access system, the local wireless local loop access system and the subscriber interconnect equipment. The sonic signals not only include voice signals, but also include data signals from a modem, fax machine, or other type of extension device. The sound signals and control signals received and decoded by the transceiver 220 are transmitted through the transceiver connection 223 to the computer processor section 296 and to the sound / power interconnection 240. The section The computer processor routes sound signals to the sound / power interconnection 240. The sound / power interconnection includes a regulator and power filter to further regulate the power received from the transceiver connection 223. The sound signals are send to the subscriber interconnect circuit 255, sound handset connection 232, and / or extension interconnect 275 and device connection * I extension 270, depending on which components of the subscriber interconnection are activated.

The sound signals received from the interconnect circuit 255, the extension device connection 270 or the sound handset connection 232 is sent to the sound / power interconnection 240 and the computer processor section 296 coordinates the routing of sound signals to the transceiver connection 223, the telephone company interconnection or both according to the cable system or the wireless system is selected.

The interconnection circuit 290 acts as a system selector that allows the subscriber to choose between local closed circuit access via cable or wireless. The computer processor section 296 has a microprocessor 297 running software, an electronic memory 298 for The exemplary erasable electronic programmable read-only memory (EEPROM) for storing local closed circuit access preferences and the corresponding parameters and a three-wire collective bus connection with the subscriber interconnect circuit 255 for sending and receiving control signals. The electronic memory 298 stores local closed circuit access preferences by default based on parameters such as if a number «Dial-up telephone is a local or long-distance telephone number, information about the day of the week and the time, if a data transmission device such as a modem or fax machine is initiating a telephone call or other parameters that the subscriber Choose store.

Fig.3 and Fig.4 illustrate functions that the interconnection circuit 290 accomplishes during the course of receiving a call and establishing a call. Fig. 3 shows a flow chart of the reception of a call according to a preferred embodiment. A telephone call can be received can be received through a local closed circuit by cable or directly from a wireless local closed circuit. After the first step 30, the beginning of the reception of a call, an alarm signal is received as shown in step 31. An alarm signal, such as a high-voltage ring signal from a local telephone company through a local closed circuit by cable or an incoming call message from a wireless local circuit is passed to a microprocessor in an interconnection circuit.

The type of alarm signal received indicates whether the alarm signal is coming through a wired system as "shown in step 32. If the microprocessor detects a high-voltage bell signal at an input to an interconnect circuit telephone company, the alarm signal is entering through a cable system, and the interconnection circuit connects to the subscriber interconnection equipment, which includes extension devices as well as sound handset, hands-free equipment and telephone keypad, towards the local wireline circuit of a local telephone company as shown in step 33. However, if the microprocessor receives an incoming call message, the alarm signal is from a local closed circuit and the interconnect circuit connects the subscriber interconnection equipment with the wireless local closed circuit When a subscriber operates the subscriber interconnection equipment (eg, lift the croteléfono, select the operation without hands, or choose an extension device) establishes the ^ call.

Because a telephone in accordance with this invention accesses the local closed circuit systems both wired and wireless, the telephone can process both a cable telephone call and a wireless telephone call simultaneously. If a second call is received on a wireless system when a subscriber , "" "Is connected to a landline signal, the subscriber can choose to answer it. Similarly, a subscriber can make a second call on a wireless system after establishing a first call on a cable system. If a second is not desired in the wireless system after considering step 34, the ongoing cable telephone call is processed until the completion of both parties simply as a system telephone call. .-by conventional cable. However, if a second call is desired in the wireless system after reaching step 34, a subscriber presses a special function key on the telephone to answer or establish a second wireless call as shown in step 36.

Note that Fig. 4 details the establishment of a call according to a preferred embodiment. A special function key to answer or establish a second call can be a "TAP" key, a quick press of a * ~ busy condition button, or a sequence of default keys. If the subscriber wants a three-way call or a conference call after reaching the step 37, the subscriber presses another special function key (or predetermined key sequence) to connect the second call and the first call in a three-way or conference configuration as shown in step 38. Otherwise, the pressure of a special function * key can switch the subscriber between the cable system telephone call and the wireless system telephone call as shown in step 39. Many other special function keys, for example Intercom call, hold or call transfer can be created and implemented using keys for special functions or various predetermined key sequences.

Returning to step 32, if the alarm signal does not come through the wired system, the subscriber interconnect equipment connects to the wireless system as shown in step 321. If a second call is desired in the wired system after reaching step 322, the subscriber presses a special function button (or predetermined key sequence) to switch to the system by cable. Once the subscriber is connected to the wired system, the subscriber can initiate a wired system telephone call or receive a wired system telephone call through the local closed terrestrial circuit. Again, a special function button can implement three-way or conference calling or allow the subscriber to switch between wired and wireless systems as shown in steps 36-39. If a second call is not desired, the wireless telephone call is processed to completion by both parties as shown in step 323.

Fig. 4 shows a flow chart of the establishment of a call according to a preferred embodiment. After the start step 40, a subscriber initiates a telephone call by operating the subscriber interconnection equipment by lifting a sound handset, selecting hands-free communication or choosing an extension device as contemplated in step 41. The subscriber will then hear a dial tone generated by a telephone company switch transmitted through a telephone company interconnection circuit or locally generated by an interconnection circuit. A microprocessor in a computer processor section controls whether the telephone company or extension interconnection circuit is the source of the dial tone.

An electronic memory in the processor section of * r 'computer stores a default preference for a local closed circuit connection via cable or a wireless local loop connection according to various parameters. If the default preference is to be used after considering step 42, the subscriber simply dials the desired telephone number as shown in step 43. The computer processor section stores and analyzes the telephone number'dialing. If the local telephone number is discounted as determined in step 44, an interconnect panel connects the subscriber interconnect equipment with the preferred local telephone system and transmits the dial-up telephone number to the local closed circuit by default associated with the local telephone system preferred as shown in step 45. If the local telephone number is not dialed as determined in step 44, the interconnect panel connects the subscriber interconnect equipment with a preferred long-distance provider and transmits the long-distance number to the local closed circuit by default with the preferred long distance provider as shown in step 46. In this particular embodiment, the default preferences are chosen according to the parameter of whether a telephone call is established with a long telephone number. distance or local.

. { "" A cellular system may be the preferred long-distance access technology if a cellular provider is offering long-distance telephone service at a price lower than the cost of long-distance service provided by a cable telephone system. Conventional technology would require a landline telephone to access a local closed circuit by cable before reaching the cellular system. This use of the circuit .- "Local closed cable increases the cost of the long distance telephone call, which is ultimately provided by the cellular system The deviation of the closed circuit by telephone company cable when accessing a cellular provider for a service Long-distance service reduces the price of long-distance services by eliminating the cost of using the local cable circuit.

In addition to assigning local closed-loop access preferences based on local or long-distance dial-up telephone numbers, the default system can assign local closed-circuit access preferences based on each telephone number, type of extension device, time of day, day, day of the week, or other parameters stored in memory. For example, a subscriber may prefer closed-circuit cable access for all data transmission calls, for example calls to and from a modem or fax machine, despite the fact that local cable closed-loop access it can be more expensive than wireless local loop access, in order to obtain a high proportion of bit transmission and a low error rate. If this preference was stored in the memory, the microprocessor would ask if a data transmission extension device is being used. The microprocessor will then select the local closed loop access by cable if a modem or fax machine is being used, but will select the local wireless closed circuit access when a voice extension is being used eg a handset or telephone extension.

If the subscriber wishes to deviate from the default parameters after reaching step 42, the subscriber enters a key sequence to manually select the system to be used as shown in step 421. The key sequence can be a special function key. or an alphanumeric code or a combination of both. Then, the subscriber dials a telephone number as shown in step 422, A. "" "which is stored by a computer processor section If step 423 determines that a wired system was selected, the subscriber interconnection equipment is connected by a panel of interconnects with the wired system and the number Dial-up telephone is transmitted to the closed circuit by cable as shown in step 424.

If step 423 determines that a wireless system has been selected, the subscriber interconnection equipment is "connects to the selected wireless system and the stored telephone number is transmitted to the wireless local loop as shown in step 425. Note that once the first call is established in one system, a second call in the other system can be received or set up in accordance with steps 34-39 and 322-323 shown in Fig.3.

Therefore, a telephone method and apparatus can access closed circuit systems by wire and wireless. While specific components and functions of the apparatus and method have been described for multiple circuit local closed circuit access, one skilled in the art may employ fewer functions within the spirit and scope of the invention. The invention should be limited only by the appended claims.

Claims (10)

RESIGNATIONS

1. A telephone (200) for accessing wired and wireless communications systems having a telephone company interconnection (125) for accessing a local closed circuit by cable, characterized by: a transceiver (220) for access to a local closed circuit wireless; a subscriber interconnection (255) for receiving a subscriber entry; and an interconnect circuit (290) for electrically connecting the subscriber interconnection (255) with the telephone company interconnection (215), the transceiver (220), or both the telephone company interconnection (215) and the transceiver (220) in response to a selection of the telephone company interconnection (215), the transceiver (22) or both the telephone company interconnection (215) and the transceiver (220), made after initiating a telephone call.

2. A telephone (200) for accessing wired and wireless communication systems having a wired access connection (210) to a local closed circuit wired characterized by: a wireless access connection (220) to a wireless local closed circuit; a subscriber interconnection (255) for receiving a subscriber entry; and an interconnect circuit (290) connected to the cable access connection (210), the wireless access connection (220), and the subscriber interface (255) for electrically connecting the subscriber interconnect (255) with one or more access connections in response to an access connection selection after the initiation of a telephone call.

3. A telephone (200) according to claim 2 characterized in that the wireless access connection (220) operates only within a limited geographical area.

4. A telephone (200) according to claim 3 characterized in that the limited geographical area corresponds to a scale of a single cell in the local wireless closed loop.

5. A telephone (200) according to claim 2 characterized in that the 'access connection selection is normally determined by the subscriber.

6. A telephone (200) according to claim 2, characterized in that the access connection selection is automatically determined by the interconnection circuit (290).

7. A telephone (200) according to claim 6, characterized in that the interconnection circuit (290) includes: a microprocessor (297); and an electronic erasable programmable read-only memory (298) for storing a default connection selection and a corresponding parameter.

8. A telephone (200) according to claim 7 characterized in that the microprocessor (297) retrieves the default access connection selection of the erasable programmable electronic read-only memory (298) when the corresponding parameter matches.

9. A telephone (200) according to claim 8, characterized in that the corresponding parameter is a change to the local telephone.

10. A telephone (200) according to claim 8 characterized in that the corresponding parameter is a day of the week.