US5539803A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Wireless test mode for a cordless telephone
Assignee: Avaya Inc
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Filing: 1994-09-09
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Granted: 1996-07-23
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Expires: 2014-09-09
Abstract
Abstract A cordless telephone set advantageously includes a wireless test mode accessible by a user for evaluating performance levels of operating parameters in the cordless telephone set in diverse geographical locations. When configured in a normal operating mode, the cordless telephone set provides normal wireless communications. When configured in the wireless test mode, the cordless telephone set provides audible and visual input to its user for use in determining a maximum acceptable separation distance for satisfactory communications between a telephone handset unit and its associated base unit in the cordless telephone set. This operating range determination for the cordless telephone set is achieved by providing a simulation of a recognizable tone, such as dial tone, to which a user subjectively listens while testing an application environment. At the same time, statistical readings of signal strength and voice quality also are provided in a display on the telephone handset unit while in this wireless test mode. The simulated tone and the statistical readings allow the user to quickly and easily correlate effective, usable operating range for the cordless telephone set.
Inventors
- 👤 Ghanshyam A. Bhat
- 👤 Arthur F. Corvo
- 👤 Gerard W. Elson
- 👤 Donato J. Forlenzo
- 👤 Douglas P. Greeley
- 👤 Richard Y. Hsia
- 👤 Vandy W. Lee
- 👤 Frank W. Lescinsky
- 👤 Thorp Rivingston
- 👤 Donald J. Weber
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-02 23:30
CPC Classifications
H; H04; H04M; H04M1/00; H04M1/72; H04M1/725; H04M1/733; H04B; H04B17/00; H04B17/30; H04B17/309; H04B17/318; H04M1/24; H04M1/72502; H04M1/72505; H04M1/72516
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 34
Claim 1
Independent Claim
170 words
A cordless telephone comprising: A handset unit and a base unit; circuit means for configuring both the handset unit and the base unit in a first operating mode for providing wireless telephone communications between said handset unit and said base unit, and in a second operating mode for testing said wireless telephone communications between the handset unit and the base unit; control means for selectably configuring said circuit means for operation of the handset unit and base unit in either said first operating mode or said second operating mode; and means for generating a test signal and providing said test signal in said wireless telephone communications between the handset unit and the base unit while said units are configured in the second operating mode, said handset unit and base unit being further configured while in said second operating mode for obtaining signal parameters from said test signal for testing said wireless telephone communications, said signal parameters determining the quality of signal communications between said handset unit and said base unit.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
170 words
A cordless telephone comprising: A handset unit and a base unit; circuit means for configuring both the handset unit and the base unit in a first operating mode for providing wireless telephone communications between said handset unit and said base unit, and in a second operating mode for testing said wireless telephone communications between the handset unit and the base unit; control means for selectably configuring said circuit means for operation of the handset unit and base unit in either said first operating mode or said second operating mode; and means for generating a test signal and providing said test signal in said wireless telephone communications between the handset unit and the base unit while said units are configured in the second operating mode, said handset unit and base unit being further configured while in said second operating mode for obtaining signal parameters from said test signal for testing said wireless telephone communications, said signal parameters determining the quality of signal communications between said handset unit and said base unit.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
20 words
The cordless telephone as in claim 1 wherein said test signal includes an audible tone generated on a communication channel.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
28 words
The cordless telephone as in claim 1 wherein said signal parameters include statistical indications of both a received signal strength and a voice quality of said test signal.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
23 words
The cordless telephone as in claim 3 wherein said signal parameters further include an audible indication of the quality of said test signal.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
30 words
The cordless telephone as in claim 1 wherein the test signal is generated by the base unit and received by the handset unit while operating in the second operating mode.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
19 words
The cordless telephone as in claim 4 further including means for transmitting the test signal over a communication channel.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
21 words
The cordless telephone as in claim 4 further including means for transmitting the test signal over a plurality of communication channels.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
41 words
The cordless telephone as in claim 1 wherein said wireless telephone communications include establishing a radio link between said handset unit and said base unit for transmitting and receiving audio information and data between said handset unit and said base unit.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
27 words
The cordless telephone as in claim 7 arranged for operating in a frequency hopping system, said plurality of communication channels being generated in the frequency hopping system.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
71 words
The cordless telephone as in claim 1 wherein the control means includes keyboard entry means for entering predetermined codes for configuring said circuit means, entering a first predetermined code configuring the circuit means for operation of the handset unit and base unit in the first operating mode and entering a second predetermined code configuring the circuit means for operation of the handset unit and base unit in the second operating mode.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
47 words
The cordless telephone as in claim 10 wherein the control means further includes selectable predetermined codes for accessing selected information contained in memory within the cordless telephone, said information being available while the handset unit and the base unit are both configured in the second operating mode.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
163 words
In a cordless telephone, a handset unit for providing communications with a base unit, the handset unit comprising: circuit means for configuring the handset unit in a first operating mode for providing wireless telephone communications between said handset unit and said base unit, and in a second operating mode for testing said wireless telephone communications between the handset unit and the base unit; control means for selectably configuring said circuit means for operation of the handset unit in either said first operating mode or said second operating mode; and means for receiving a test signal provided in said wireless telephone communications from the base unit to the handset unit while said handset unit is configured in the second operating mode, said handset unit being further configured while in said second operating mode for obtaining signal parameters from said test signal for testing said wireless telephone communications, said signal parameters determining the quality of signal communications between said handset unit and said base unit.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
163 words
In a cordless telephone, a handset unit for providing communications with a base unit, the handset unit comprising: circuit means for configuring the handset unit in a first operating mode for providing wireless telephone communications between said handset unit and said base unit, and in a second operating mode for testing said wireless telephone communications between the handset unit and the base unit; control means for selectably configuring said circuit means for operation of the handset unit in either said first operating mode or said second operating mode; and means for receiving a test signal provided in said wireless telephone communications from the base unit to the handset unit while said handset unit is configured in the second operating mode, said handset unit being further configured while in said second operating mode for obtaining signal parameters from said test signal for testing said wireless telephone communications, said signal parameters determining the quality of signal communications between said handset unit and said base unit.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
17 words
The handset unit as in claim 12 wherein the test signal is received over a communication channel.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
19 words
The handset unit as in claim 12 wherein the test signal is received over a plurality of communication channels.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
27 words
The handset unit as in claim 14 arranged for operating in a frequency hopping system, said plurality of communication channels being generated in the frequency hopping system.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
65 words
The handset unit as in claim 12 wherein the control means includes keyboard entry means for entering predetermined codes for configuring said circuit means, entering a first predetermined code configuring the circuit means for operation of the handset unit in the first operating mode and entering a second predetermined code configuring the circuit means for operation of the handset unit in the second operating mode.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
43 words
The handset unit as in claim 16 wherein the control means further includes selectable predetermined codes for accessing selected information stored in memory contained within the handset unit, said information being available while the handset unit is configured in the second operating mode.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
167 words
In a cordless telephone, a base unit for providing communications with a handset unit, the base unit comprising: circuit means for configuring the base unit in a first operating mode for providing wireless telephone communications between said base unit and said handset unit, and in a second operating mode for testing said wireless telephone communications between the base unit and the handset unit; control means for selectably configuring said circuit means for operation of the base unit in either said first operating mode or said second operating mode; and means for generating a test signal and providing said test signal in said wireless telephone communications between the handset unit and the base unit while said base unit is configured in the second operating mode, said base unit being further configured while in said second operating mode for obtaining signal parameters from said test signal for testing said wireless telephone communications, said signal parameters determining the quality of signal communications between said handset unit and said base unit.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
167 words
In a cordless telephone, a base unit for providing communications with a handset unit, the base unit comprising: circuit means for configuring the base unit in a first operating mode for providing wireless telephone communications between said base unit and said handset unit, and in a second operating mode for testing said wireless telephone communications between the base unit and the handset unit; control means for selectably configuring said circuit means for operation of the base unit in either said first operating mode or said second operating mode; and means for generating a test signal and providing said test signal in said wireless telephone communications between the handset unit and the base unit while said base unit is configured in the second operating mode, said base unit being further configured while in said second operating mode for obtaining signal parameters from said test signal for testing said wireless telephone communications, said signal parameters determining the quality of signal communications between said handset unit and said base unit.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
28 words
The base unit as in claim 18 wherein said signal parameters include statistical indications of both a received signal strength and a voice quality of said test signal.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
19 words
The base unit as in claim 18 further including means for transmitting the test signal over a communication channel.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
21 words
The base unit as in claim 19 further including means for transmitting the test signal over a plurality of communication channels.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
27 words
The base unit as in claim 21 arranged for operating in a frequency hopping system, said plurality of communication channels being generated in the frequency hopping system.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
65 words
The base unit as in claim 18 wherein the control means includes keyboard entry means for entering predetermined codes for configuring said circuit means, entering a first predetermined code configuring the circuit means for operation of the base unit in the first operating mode and entering a second predetermined code configuring the circuit means for operation of the base unit in the second operating mode.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
42 words
The base unit as in claim 23 wherein the control means further includes selectable predetermined codes for accessing selected information contained in memory within the base unit, said information being available while the base unit is configured in the second operating mode.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
199 words
A cordless telephone system comprising: A handset unit and a base unit; circuit means in said handset unit for configuring both the handset unit and the base unit in a first operating mode and a second operating mode, while in said first operating mode, said handset unit and said base unit are configured for providing wireless telephone communications with each other and, while in said second operating mode, said handset unit and base unit are configured for testing said wireless telephone communications; control means in said handset unit for selectably configuring said circuit means for operation of the handset unit and base unit in either said first operating mode or said second operating mode; and means in said base unit for generating a test signal and providing said test signal in said wireless telephone communications between the handset unit and the base unit while said units are configured in the second operating mode, said handset unit and base unit being further configured while in said second operating mode for obtaining signal parameters from said test signal for testing said wireless telephone communications, said signal parameters determining the quality of signal communications between said handset unit and said base unit.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
199 words
A cordless telephone system comprising: A handset unit and a base unit; circuit means in said handset unit for configuring both the handset unit and the base unit in a first operating mode and a second operating mode, while in said first operating mode, said handset unit and said base unit are configured for providing wireless telephone communications with each other and, while in said second operating mode, said handset unit and base unit are configured for testing said wireless telephone communications; control means in said handset unit for selectably configuring said circuit means for operation of the handset unit and base unit in either said first operating mode or said second operating mode; and means in said base unit for generating a test signal and providing said test signal in said wireless telephone communications between the handset unit and the base unit while said units are configured in the second operating mode, said handset unit and base unit being further configured while in said second operating mode for obtaining signal parameters from said test signal for testing said wireless telephone communications, said signal parameters determining the quality of signal communications between said handset unit and said base unit.
Claim 30
Independent Claim
191 words
A method of communicating between a base unit and a handset unit in a cordless telephone, the method comprising the steps of; configuring both the handset unit and the base unit in a first operating mode for providing wireless telephone communications between said handset unit and said base unit, and in a second operating mode for testing said wireless telephone communications between the handset unit and the base unit; selectably operating the handset unit and base unit in either said first operating mode or said second operating mode responsive to said configuring step; generating a test signal for testing said wireless telephone communications while said handset unit and base unit are configured in the second operating mode; providing said test signal in said wireless telephone communications between the handset unit and the base unit while said units are configured in the second operating mode; and further configuring said base unit and said handset unit while in said second operating mode for obtaining signal parameters from said test signal for testing said wireless telephone communications, said signal parameters determining the quality of signal communications between the handset unit and the base unit.
Claim 31
Independent Claim
191 words
A method of communicating between a base unit and a handset unit in a cordless telephone, the method comprising the steps of; configuring both the handset unit and the base unit in a first operating mode for providing wireless telephone communications between said handset unit and said base unit, and in a second operating mode for testing said wireless telephone communications between the handset unit and the base unit; selectably operating the handset unit and base unit in either said first operating mode or said second operating mode responsive to said configuring step; generating a test signal for testing said wireless telephone communications while said handset unit and base unit are configured in the second operating mode; providing said test signal in said wireless telephone communications between the handset unit and the base unit while said units are configured in the second operating mode; and further configuring said base unit and said handset unit while in said second operating mode for obtaining signal parameters from said test signal for testing said wireless telephone communications, said signal parameters determining the quality of signal communications between the handset unit and the base unit.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
28 words
The method of claim 26 wherein the test signal is generated by the base unit and received by the handset unit while operating in the second operating mode.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
57 words
The method of claim 26 further including the step of entering predetermined codes for configuring said handset unit and said base unit, entering a first predetermined code configuring the handset unit and base unit in the first operating mode and entering a second predetermined code configuring the handset unit and base unit in the second operating mode.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
45 words
The method of claim 28 wherein the predetermined codes further includes selectable predetermined codes for accessing selected information contained in memory within the cordless telephone, said information being available while the handset unit and the base unit are both configured in the second operating mode.
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) | 1999-07-23 | 2000-01-22 | 2000-07-23 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2003-07-23 | 2004-01-22 | 2004-07-23 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2007-07-23 | 2008-01-22 | 2008-07-23 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |