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US5689549A Expired / Lapsed US ⏱️ 0.0 years remaining

Cordless telephone base unit arranged for operating with multiple portable units

Assignee: Nokia of America Corp
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Filing: 1994-12-01
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Granted: 1997-11-18
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Expires: 2014-12-01
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Abstract

Abstract A cordless telephone system includes an arrangement wherein multiple portable units operate with a common base unit using the same security code without conflict or confusion. When a portable unit attempts to establish a radio link with the base unit, for example, this originating portable unit generates a random number which is retained by this unit and also transmitted to the base unit. This random number is substituted for the common stored security code, then shared by the base unit and all of the portable units, for creating a temporary unique security code that is known only to the base unit and the originating portable unit. Interference from other portable units attempting to gain access to the base unit while the originating portable unit is actively communicating with the base unit is thereby advantageously prevented.

Inventors

  • 👤 Guido Bertocci
  • 👤 William J. Nealon
  • 👤 Siegfried F. Rehwinkel
  • 👤 Walter Tomkoski
  • 👤 Hon-Chi Yu

Bibliographic Details

Application Number —
Jurisdiction US
Data Source google_patents
Last Synchronized 2026-11-04 23:20
CPC Classifications
H; H04; H04M; H04M1/00; H04M1/72; H04M1/725; H04M1/72502; H04M1/72505; H04M1/727

Claims Analysis

Total Claims: 35
Claim 1
Independent Claim 211 words
In a cordless telephone system employing a plurality of handset units and a base unit, an arrangement for establishing communications between the base unit and one of the plurality of handset units, the arrangement comprising: means in both the base unit and each of the plurality of handset units for storing a common predetermined security code used in establishing each communication link between said base unit and one of the plurality of handset units over a communication channel; means in each one of the plurality of handset units responsive to the establishing of a communication link with said base unit for generating a substitute security code uniquely different from said predetermined security code, said substitute security code being substituted for said predetermined security code for use in subsequent communications with said base unit over said communication channel; and means for providing said substitute security code from one of the plurality of handset units to said base unit over an established communication link for use in said subsequent communications with said base unit during said established communication link, said base unit being unresponsive to communication attempts from other of the plurality of handset units unaccompanied by said substitute security code while communicating with a handset unit that provided said substitute security code.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim 211 words
In a cordless telephone system employing a plurality of handset units and a base unit, an arrangement for establishing communications between the base unit and one of the plurality of handset units, the arrangement comprising: means in both the base unit and each of the plurality of handset units for storing a common predetermined security code used in establishing each communication link between said base unit and one of the plurality of handset units over a communication channel; means in each one of the plurality of handset units responsive to the establishing of a communication link with said base unit for generating a substitute security code uniquely different from said predetermined security code, said substitute security code being substituted for said predetermined security code for use in subsequent communications with said base unit over said communication channel; and means for providing said substitute security code from one of the plurality of handset units to said base unit over an established communication link for use in said subsequent communications with said base unit during said established communication link, said base unit being unresponsive to communication attempts from other of the plurality of handset units unaccompanied by said substitute security code while communicating with a handset unit that provided said substitute security code.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim 20 words
The arrangement of claim 1 wherein said substitute security code is generated in said handset unit from a random number.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim 25 words
The arrangement of claim 1 wherein said providing means includes means in the handset unit for transmitting said substitute security code to the base unit.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim 25 words
The arrangement of claim 3 wherein said providing means further includes means in the base unit for receiving and temporarily storing said substitute security code.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim 58 words
The arrangement of claim 1 further including means in said base unit responsive to receipt of said substitute security code from said handset unit for transmitting to each of other of the plurality of handset units a base-unit busy signal, said busy signal providing a line-busy indication on each of said other of the plurality of handset units.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim 29 words
The arrangement of claim 5 wherein said busy signal is transmitted by said base unit to other of the plurality of handset units accompanied by said predetermined security code.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim 13 words
The arrangement of claim 6 wherein said busy signal is an opcode signal.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim 61 words
The arrangement of claim 5 further including means in said base unit operatively responsive to receipt of an on-hook signal from said handset unit for transmitting to each of said other of the plurality of handset units a base-unit available signal, said base unit available signal removing said line-busy indication from each of said other of the plurality of handset units.
Claim 10
Independent Claim 200 words
A method of establishing communications between a base unit and one of a plurality of handset units, the method comprising the steps of: storing a common predetermined security code in both the base unit and each of the plurality of handset units used in establishing each communication link between said base unit and one of the plurality of handset units over a communication channel; generating a substitute security code uniquely different form said predetermined security code, in at least one of the plurality of handset units responsive to the establishing of a communication link with said base unit, said substitute security code being substituted for said predetermined security code and used in subsequent communications with said base unit over said communication channel; and providing said substitute security code from said at least one of the plurality of handset units to said base unit over an established communication link for use in said subsequent communications with said base unit during said established communication link, said base unit being unresponsive to communication attempts from other of the plurality of handset units unaccompanied by said substitute security code while communicating with said at least one handset unit that provided said substitute security code.
Claim 11
Independent Claim 200 words
A method of establishing communications between a base unit and one of a plurality of handset units, the method comprising the steps of: storing a common predetermined security code in both the base unit and each of the plurality of handset units used in establishing each communication link between said base unit and one of the plurality of handset units over a communication channel; generating a substitute security code uniquely different form said predetermined security code, in at least one of the plurality of handset units responsive to the establishing of a communication link with said base unit, said substitute security code being substituted for said predetermined security code and used in subsequent communications with said base unit over said communication channel; and providing said substitute security code from said at least one of the plurality of handset units to said base unit over an established communication link for use in said subsequent communications with said base unit during said established communication link, said base unit being unresponsive to communication attempts from other of the plurality of handset units unaccompanied by said substitute security code while communicating with said at least one handset unit that provided said substitute security code.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim 27 words
The method pursuant to claim 9 further including the step of generating said substitute security code in said at least one handset unit from a random number.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim 27 words
The method pursuant to claim 9 wherein said providing step includes the step of transmitting said substitute security code from the handset unit to the base unit.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim 27 words
The method pursuant to claim 11 wherein said providing step further includes the step of receiving and temporarily storing said substitute security code in the base unit.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim 54 words
The method pursuant to claim 9 further including the step of transmitting to each of other of the plurality of handset units a base-unit busy signal responsive to receipt of said substitute security code from said handset unit for providing a line-busy indication on each of said other of the plurality of handset units.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim 35 words
The method pursuant to claim 13 wherein said transmitting step further includes the step of transmitting said base unit busy signal to other of the plurality of handset units accompanied by said predetermined security code.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim 14 words
The method pursuant to claim 14 wherein said busy signal is an opcode signal.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim 61 words
The method pursuant to claim 13 wherein said transmitting step further includes the step of transmitting a base unit available signal to other of the plurality of handset units in response to receipt of an on-hook signal from said handset unit, said base unit available signal removing said line-busy indication from each of said other of the plurality of handset units.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim 190 words
In a cordless telephone system employing a plurality of handset units for establishing communications with a base unit in the telephone system, a handset unit comprising: means in the handset unit for storing a predetermined security code used in establishing each communication link between said base unit and the handset unit over a communication channel said predetermined security code also being stored in said base unit; means in the handset unit responsive to the establishing of a communication link with said base unit for generating a substitute security code uniquely different from said predetermined security code, said substitute security code being substituted for said predetermined security code for use in subsequent communications with said base unit over said communication channel; and means for providing said substitute security code from the handset unit to said base unit over an established communication link for use in said subsequent communications with said base unit during said established communication link, said base unit being unresponsive to communication attempts from other of the plurality of handset units unaccompanied by said substitute security code while communicating with said handset unit that provided said substitute security code.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim 190 words
In a cordless telephone system employing a plurality of handset units for establishing communications with a base unit in the telephone system, a handset unit comprising: means in the handset unit for storing a predetermined security code used in establishing each communication link between said base unit and the handset unit over a communication channel said predetermined security code also being stored in said base unit; means in the handset unit responsive to the establishing of a communication link with said base unit for generating a substitute security code uniquely different from said predetermined security code, said substitute security code being substituted for said predetermined security code for use in subsequent communications with said base unit over said communication channel; and means for providing said substitute security code from the handset unit to said base unit over an established communication link for use in said subsequent communications with said base unit during said established communication link, said base unit being unresponsive to communication attempts from other of the plurality of handset units unaccompanied by said substitute security code while communicating with said handset unit that provided said substitute security code.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim 21 words
The handset unit of claim 17 wherein said substitute security code is generated in said handset unit from a random number.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim 26 words
The handset unit of claim 17 wherein said providing means includes means in the handset unit for transmitting said substitute security code to the base unit.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim 204 words
In a cordless telephone system employing a plurality of handset units and a base unit for establishing communications with the plurality of handset units, the base unit comprising: means for storing a predetermined security code used in establishing each communication link between said base unit and one of the plurality of handset units over a communication channel said predetermined security code also being stored in each one of the plurality of handset units; means responsive to the establishing of a communication link with one of the plurality of handset units for receiving a substitute security code uniquely different from said predetermined security code, said substitute security code being substituted for said predetermined security code received from said one of the plurality of handset units over said communication channel; and means for adopting said substitute security code received from said one of the plurality of handset units for use in subsequent communications with said one of the plurality of handset units during said established communication link, said base unit being unresponsive to communication attempts from other of the plurality of handset units unaccompanied by said substitute security code while communicating with said one of the plurality of handset units that provided said substituted security code.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim 204 words
In a cordless telephone system employing a plurality of handset units and a base unit for establishing communications with the plurality of handset units, the base unit comprising: means for storing a predetermined security code used in establishing each communication link between said base unit and one of the plurality of handset units over a communication channel said predetermined security code also being stored in each one of the plurality of handset units; means responsive to the establishing of a communication link with one of the plurality of handset units for receiving a substitute security code uniquely different from said predetermined security code, said substitute security code being substituted for said predetermined security code received from said one of the plurality of handset units over said communication channel; and means for adopting said substitute security code received from said one of the plurality of handset units for use in subsequent communications with said one of the plurality of handset units during said established communication link, said base unit being unresponsive to communication attempts from other of the plurality of handset units unaccompanied by said substitute security code while communicating with said one of the plurality of handset units that provided said substituted security code.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim 19 words
The base unit of claim 20 wherein said adopting means includes means for temporarily storing said substitute security code.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim 60 words
The base unit of claim 20 further including means responsive to receipt of said substitute security code from said one of the plurality of handset units for transmitting to each of other of the plurality of handset units a base-unit busy signal, said busy signal providing a line-busy indication on each of said other of the plurality of handset units.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim 26 words
The base unit of claim 22 wherein said busy signal is transmitted to other of the plurality of handset units accompanied by said predetermined security code.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim 14 words
The base unit of claim 23 wherein said busy signal is an opcode signal.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim 63 words
The base unit of claim 22 further including means operatively responsive to receipt of an on-hook signal from said one of the plurality of handset units for transmitting to each of said other of the plurality of handset units a base-unit available signal, said base unit available signal removing said line-busy indication from each of said other of the plurality of handset units.
Claim 30
Independent Claim 165 words
A method of establishing communications between a base unit and one of a plurality of handset units, the method comprising the steps of: storing a predetermined security code in a handset unit used establishing each communication link between said base unit and the handset unit over a communication channel said predetermined security code also being stored in the base unit; generating in the handset unit a substitute security code uniquely different from said predetermined security code responsive to the establishing of a communication link with said base unit over the communication channel; and providing said substitute security code from the handset unit to said base unit, said substitute security code being substituted for said predetermined security code for use in subsequent communications with said base unit during said established communication link, said base unit being unresponsive to communication attempts from other of the plurality of handset units unaccompanied by said substitute security code while communicating with said handset unit that provided said substitute security code.
Claim 31
Independent Claim 165 words
A method of establishing communications between a base unit and one of a plurality of handset units, the method comprising the steps of: storing a predetermined security code in a handset unit used establishing each communication link between said base unit and the handset unit over a communication channel said predetermined security code also being stored in the base unit; generating in the handset unit a substitute security code uniquely different from said predetermined security code responsive to the establishing of a communication link with said base unit over the communication channel; and providing said substitute security code from the handset unit to said base unit, said substitute security code being substituted for said predetermined security code for use in subsequent communications with said base unit during said established communication link, said base unit being unresponsive to communication attempts from other of the plurality of handset units unaccompanied by said substitute security code while communicating with said handset unit that provided said substitute security code.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim 21 words
The method pursuant to claim 26 wherein said substitute security code is generated in said handset unit from a random number.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim 32 words
The method pursuant to claim 26 wherein said providing step includes the step of transmitting said substitute security code from said handset unit to the base unit over an established communication link.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim 39 words
The handset unit as in claim 17 further including means for signaling on a service channel and an active channel for establishing said communication link, said handset unit alternating in signaling on said service channel and said active channel.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim 41 words
The base unit as in claim 20 further including means for monitoring a service channel and an active channel for an incoming signal from a handset unit, said base unit alternating in monitoring both said service channel and said active channel.

References Cited (Backward Citations)

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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows

Annuity Stage Window Opens Payment Deadline Surcharge Period Until Estimated Fee Status
3.5 Years (Year 4) 2000-11-17 2001-05-19 2001-11-18 $2000.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8) 2004-11-17 2005-05-19 2005-11-18 $3760.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12) 2008-11-17 2009-05-19 2009-11-18 $7700.00 Window Closed / Lapsed

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