US4775997A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
System for interfacing a standard telephone set with a radio transceiver
Assignee: METROFONE Inc
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Filing: 1987-04-08
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Granted: 1988-10-04
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Expires: 2007-04-08
Abstract
Abstract An interface system for interfacing a standard telephone set with a radio transceiver as part of a telephone network is provided. The radio transceiver may be a conventional cellular-type transceiver or other transceiver having typical control inputs and outputs similar to that provided by cellular transceivers. The interface system converts tone-dial or pulse-dial inputs from the telephone into a serial data stream for storage in the transceiver. The interface system automatically determines when the last numeral or digit is dialed and provides a send signal to the transceiver when such determination is made. The system responds to incoming call signals, such as alert signals, from the transceiver and rings the telephone accordingly. The system similates ring and dial-tone type signals under conditions typical of standard telephone set usage.
Inventors
- 👤 William L. West, Jr.
- 👤 James E. Shafer
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-24 12:43
CPC Classifications
H; H04; H04W; H04W88/00; H04W88/02; H04W88/021; H04W84/00; H04W84/02; H04W84/10; H04W84/14
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 18
Claim 1
Independent Claim
143 words
A method of interfacing a telephone communications-type device which is capable of providing a touch-tone/rotary dial-type telephone signal with a radio transceiver used in a telephone communication system wherein the transceiver is capable of radio communication with a remote radio transmitter-receiver system that is part of a telephone network, said method comprising: coupling a transceiver to a telephone communications-type device which is capable of providing touch-tone/rotary dial-type telephone signals in order to allow for at least one-way communication between the transceiver and the telephone communications-type device; said step of coupling comprising converting each dialed number of the telephone communications-type device into digital data; said step of coupling further comprising automatically determining at least the last-dialed number of the telephone number dialed on the telephone communications-type device; and sending each digitally-converted number formed by said step of converting to the transceiver for subsequent transmittal.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
143 words
A method of interfacing a telephone communications-type device which is capable of providing a touch-tone/rotary dial-type telephone signal with a radio transceiver used in a telephone communication system wherein the transceiver is capable of radio communication with a remote radio transmitter-receiver system that is part of a telephone network, said method comprising: coupling a transceiver to a telephone communications-type device which is capable of providing touch-tone/rotary dial-type telephone signals in order to allow for at least one-way communication between the transceiver and the telephone communications-type device; said step of coupling comprising converting each dialed number of the telephone communications-type device into digital data; said step of coupling further comprising automatically determining at least the last-dialed number of the telephone number dialed on the telephone communications-type device; and sending each digitally-converted number formed by said step of converting to the transceiver for subsequent transmittal.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method according to claim 1, wherein said step of coupling comprises providing two-way communication between the transceiver and the telephone communications-type device.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method according to claim 1, wherein said step of sending comprises storing the digital data in the transceiver memory.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
62 words
The method according to claim 1, wherein said step of coupling further comprises transmitting each digitally-converted number formed by said step of converting, said step of transmitting being carried out in response to said step of automatically determining, whereby, upon the dialing of the last or only number on the telephone communications-type device, the transceiver is actuated to transmit the digital data.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
78 words
The method according to claim 4, wherein said step of automatically determining comprises automatically determining the dialing of a single number representative of a telephone number to be called, and automatically discriminating between a single number that is not a useable number to be called, so that, when the number zero is dialed, said step of transmitting may be carried out, and, for at least one other single-digit telephone number, said step of transmitting is not carried out.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
28 words
The method according to claim 1, wherein said step of automatically determining comprises automatically differentiating between the dialing of a single-digit telephone number and a multi-digit telephone number.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
28 words
The method according to claim 6, wherein said step of automatically differentiating further comprises automatically differentiating between dialing a local telephone number and dialing a long-distance telephone number.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method according to claim 6, wherein step of automatically differentiating further comprises discriminating between dialing a long-distance telephone number and dialing an overseas telephone number.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method of claim 6, wherein said step of automatically differentiating further comprises discriminating between dialing a three-digit telephone number and dialing a seven-digit telephone number.
Claim 11
Independent Claim
204 words
A method of interfacing a telephone communications-type device which is capable of providing touch-tone/rotary dial-type telephone signals with a radio transceiver used in a telephone communication system, wherein the transceiver is capable of radio communication with a remote radio transmitter-receiver system that is part of a telephone network, wherein the method comprises: coupling a telephone communications-type device to a coupling means for providing a two-way communication link with the telephone communications-type device; coupling to a transceiver a coupling means for providing a two-way communication link with the radio transceiver; providing a telephone number digital conversion means for receiving a group of touch-tone or rotary-dialed telephone numbers from the telephone coupling means, said step of providing comprising converting the group of telephone numbers into digital data, and providing the digital data to the transceiver coupling means; determining the last digit of the group of telephone numbers provided at the transceiver coupling means; providing a send signal to the transceiver; detecting an incoming call signal provided at the transceiver coupling means; detecting an off-hook signal provided at the telephone coupling means; providing a two-way audio signal path between the telephone coupling means and the transceiver coupling means; and providing audio frequency ring-tone and dial-tone signals thereto.
Claim 12
Independent Claim
204 words
A method of interfacing a telephone communications-type device which is capable of providing touch-tone/rotary dial-type telephone signals with a radio transceiver used in a telephone communication system, wherein the transceiver is capable of radio communication with a remote radio transmitter-receiver system that is part of a telephone network, wherein the method comprises: coupling a telephone communications-type device to a coupling means for providing a two-way communication link with the telephone communications-type device; coupling to a transceiver a coupling means for providing a two-way communication link with the radio transceiver; providing a telephone number digital conversion means for receiving a group of touch-tone or rotary-dialed telephone numbers from the telephone coupling means, said step of providing comprising converting the group of telephone numbers into digital data, and providing the digital data to the transceiver coupling means; determining the last digit of the group of telephone numbers provided at the transceiver coupling means; providing a send signal to the transceiver; detecting an incoming call signal provided at the transceiver coupling means; detecting an off-hook signal provided at the telephone coupling means; providing a two-way audio signal path between the telephone coupling means and the transceiver coupling means; and providing audio frequency ring-tone and dial-tone signals thereto.
Claim 13
Independent Claim
94 words
A method of coupling a telephone communications-type device which is capable of providing touch-tone/rotary dial-type telephone signals with a cellular-type radio transceiver, comprising: (a) converting a group of telephone numbers to digital data and providing the digital data to a transceiver; (b) automatically determining the last digit dialed in a telephone number; (c) sending a predetermined send code signal to the transceiver in response to said step (b); (d) detecting an incoming call from the transceiver; and (e) generating a ring frequency for providing periodic audio ring-tone frequency signals to said telephone communications-type device.
Claim 14
Independent Claim
94 words
A method of coupling a telephone communications-type device which is capable of providing touch-tone/rotary dial-type telephone signals with a cellular-type radio transceiver, comprising: (a) converting a group of telephone numbers to digital data and providing the digital data to a transceiver; (b) automatically determining the last digit dialed in a telephone number; (c) sending a predetermined send code signal to the transceiver in response to said step (b); (d) detecting an incoming call from the transceiver; and (e) generating a ring frequency for providing periodic audio ring-tone frequency signals to said telephone communications-type device.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
35 words
The method according to claim 11, further comprising detecting a hang-up condition from the telephone communications-type device, and sending a predetermined end code signal to the tansceiver in response to detection of the hang-up signal.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
30 words
The method according to claim 11, wherein said step (a) comprises sending a predetermined coded signal to the transceiver upon the completion of each numeral of the group of numerals.
Claim 17
Independent Claim
98 words
A method for coupling a telephone communications-type device which is capable of providing a touch-tone/rotary dial-type telephone signal with a radio transceiver used in a telephone communication system wherein the transceiver is capable of radio communication with a telephone network, wherein the method comprises: converting a group of telephone numbers to digital data and providing the digital data to a transceiver; providing a send signal to the transceiver for enabling the transceiver to transmit the digital data; automatically determining when the send signal is to be provided to the transceiver; and detecting an incoming call from the transceiver.
Claim 18
Independent Claim
98 words
A method for coupling a telephone communications-type device which is capable of providing a touch-tone/rotary dial-type telephone signal with a radio transceiver used in a telephone communication system wherein the transceiver is capable of radio communication with a telephone network, wherein the method comprises: converting a group of telephone numbers to digital data and providing the digital data to a transceiver; providing a send signal to the transceiver for enabling the transceiver to transmit the digital data; automatically determining when the send signal is to be provided to the transceiver; and detecting an incoming call from the transceiver.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1991-10-04 | 1992-04-04 | 1992-10-04 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1995-10-04 | 1996-04-04 | 1996-10-04 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1999-10-04 | 2000-04-04 | 2000-10-04 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |