Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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TELECOMMUNICATIONS ENHANCEMENT USER
INTERFACE SYSTEM AND METHOD
Technical Field
This invention relates to teleco.. -~.ications, and more particularly, to a
telephone enhancement user int~rf~re operatively connected to a telephone
station or f~rsimile m~rhine that allows a user to selectively place a long
distance call using one of a plurality of long distance service providers, and to
easily dial frequently used long ~ t~n~e prefixes and "800" or "888" toll free
10 numbers.
Dialing a long (1i~t~nr,e call often requires dialing a myriad of numbers
for pl~rl~es and codes before actually dialing a telephone number to connect thecall to a target ~lestin~tion. Telephone co~ ies have in-lir~tr~l that with the
proliferation of cellular telephones, f~r~imile m~chin~s and computer modem
15 usage, the problem is only going to get worse. Additional area codes recently have been assigned by many regional telecommunications colllpa~ies, and
"888" toll free services are being introduced since the supply of available "800"
toll free numbers is nearly e.~h~n~tecl
Furthermore, the Teleco.~....-...ications Act that was recently en~rterl in
20 the United States has opened the floodgates for competition among long
dist~nce service providers. The Act also permits long dist~nce service providersto enter the local service market. Various long distance providers offer attractive
packages to attract subscribers, such as reduced peak and off-peak rates, lower
weekend rates, fixed rates at all times for int~rn~tional calls, etc. While a
25 customer must "sign up" with one long distance carrier to be able to make alltypes of long tli~t~nre calls, it is not necessary to use the long ~ t~nre services
provided by that carrier for all long ~ t~nre calls. As a cllctomer, it is oftenmore economically advantageous to use one long dist~nce provider for certain
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calls (e.g., national calls during peak hours), and one or more additional
providers for other types of calls (e.g., i~ l;onal calls and national calls
during off-peak hours). However, bec~use of the confusion ~eeoci~tecl with
remembering various access codes to place calls with dirr~relll long distance
S telecolll-llul~ications colll~a.lies, many individuals subscribe to and use only one
long distance service to place all long distance calls, thus failing to take
advantage of more reasonable rates that may be offered by other providers.
Furth~rmore, often subscribers to reduced-price telecommnnications services do
not utilize the service because of the many numbers that must be dialed to
10 access the service.
B~ck~round ~rt
Accordingly, one object of the present invention is to provide a new and
hl~lvv~d telecommllnic~tions enh~nrement user interface system and method
that is o~ liv~ly c~ nn~cte~ to customer premises termination equipment such
15 as a conventional telephone set or f~csimile machine to control certain dialing
functions otherwise ~t;lrolllled by the terminzltion equipment.
Another object of this invention is to provide a telecollllllullications
~-nh~n-~ment user interf~e system and method that allows for tr~n~mi~ion of a
dial signal indicating area code information (e.g., 1314) used to place a long
20 distance call by simply pressing one push-button switch.
Another object of this invention is to provide a telecollmlullications
enhanc~-ment user interface system and method that allows a user to modify or
create area code inform~ti~ n .
Another object of this invention is to provide a telecommunications
25 ~nh~n.~ement user inttorf~e system and method that allows for quick and easy
dialing of toll-free prefix codes (e.g., 1800 or 188g) by simply pressing a push-
button.
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Another object of this invention is to provide a telecommlmications
enhancP-m~nt user int~rf~ce system and method that allows a user to select a
long rli~t~nce telecolllll.~ications provider from a preprogrammed group of
available providers, and then place a long ~ t~n~e call using the selected
5 provider's service.
Another object of this invention is to provide a telecot,.~ "-ic~til-ns
enh~nr~om~nt user int~rf~re system and method that allows a user to update or
modify information relating to long ~ t~n~ e telecommunications providers.
Another object of this invention is to provide a teleco,.i.. ~ic~ti~-ns
10 enhancement user int~rf~-e system and method that s~ti~fies FCC testing
requirements.
Still another object ofthis invention is to provide a teleco,.,...l..~ications
enhancement user intt~ ce system and method that allows for tr~n~mi.~ion of a
dial signal intlic~ting prepaid calling card information by simply pressing a
15 pushbutton switch.
Another object of this invention is to provide a telecommunications
enhancement user int~rf~e system and method contained in a housing that is
e~tern~lly conn~cte~l to ~ io;1l;on equipment during operation of the
invention, wh~leil~ the housing can be transported from one location (e.g., the
20 office) to another location (e.g., a hotel room) for connection to different
tennin~tion e41.;l....~nt without erasing preprogrammed area code, toll code or
long distance provider illfc,ll~alion.
Yet another object of this invention is to provide a teleco...nlul.ications
enh~n-~ement user interf~ee system and method that is incorporated into
25 customer premises te....;l ~l;on eqllipment such as a conventional telephone set
or f~ccimile m~rllin~
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These and other objects and advantages ~,-vill become a~ l to those
skilled in the art in light of the following disclosure and accol,l~a,,yillg
drawings.
In accordance with the invention, generally stated, a telecommlmic~tions
S intt~ ce system operably coupled to customer premises term;n~tiQn eqnirment
is disclosed for controlling signal tr~n.cmi~irn to and from a co~ ---ic~tion
network. The int~rf~t~e system in~ des a memory device having data stored
therein ,~leswll~liv~ of a plurality of access codes and a plurality of long
t~n~e co.n---~ tiQn service providers. Each access code provides access to
10 a long ~lict~n~e co.~....-l..ic~tion service provided by one of the long ~ t~nre
c~ .;cation providers. The system also includes a data pr~ces~ing system
operably colmectecl to the memory device for performing input, proce~.~in~,
storage, output and control functions on data stored in the memory device. A
visual display device is operably connected to the data processing system for
15 displaying data relating to one of the long distance providers stored in the
memory device. Means is provided for çh~nging data displayed on the display
device to show data relating to another long ~ t~nre provider stored in the
memory device. The system also inclncles means for selecting a desired long
~li.et~nf~e c"~"~ ic~tion service based upon presently displayed data on the
20 display device, and means for tr~n~mitting a dial signal indicating the access
code for the selected long ~ t~n-~e communication service to the
cwn,llu,fication network.
Another aspect of the present invention is of a telec~ ...ications
interf~e system used in conjunction with a conventional touch tone telephone
25 set for controlling signal tr~n.~mi.~ m~ between the telephone and a
teleco.. ications network. The int~ .e system includes a memory device
for storing data inflll<linp name inf~rm~tion identifying one or more long
distance telec~.. -ic~tions service providers, access code information for
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S
~cceeeing a long ~liet~nl~e telec~ -",-",;cations service provided by each of the
long tliet~n~e providers, and area code information ,~ esellL~live of one or
more area codes. A data processing device is operably conn~c~cl to the
memory device for ~1 rO",.i,-g data proceeein~ functions on data stored in the
5 memory device, and for controlling the operation of the interf~ce system. The
data processing device monitors signals received from the telephone set
in-lic~ting whether the telephone set is ~ f~ ed in an off-hook or on-hook
condition. The system also inch~ s a visual display device operably cormected
to the data processing system for displaying il~fo~ ;on based upon data stored
10 in the memory device. A power source is provided for supplying power to the
int~rf~ e system. A ringing detector circuit is o~ .dlivt;ly conn~ct~d between
the data proceeeinf~ device and the teleco~ ll~ ications network for mo,~ .;.,g
signals received from the teleco."lll-.ll;cations network to dçtermine whether aringing signal indicative of an incoming call is present, and tr~nemitting a
15 message signal to the data proctoeein~ device indicating when a ringing signal is
received. The int~rf~re system also includes a switching circuit operatively
c~ nn~ctç-l to the data processing device, the telecommunications network and
the telephone set for routing and processing signals transmitted to and from thet~lecc-"",--,.-ications network and the telephone set. The data processing device
20 controls the operation of the swiLching circuit when the interf~c~e system isenergized by the power source. A dual tone multifrequency circuit is included
that is operatively c~ nnPcte~i between the microprocessor and the ~wiLcllillg
circuit for cc~nvelLillg signals lldll~lllilled from the microprocessor to the
teleco"""-l"ications network into a format readable by the telecommunications
25 network. The system also has one or more m~ml~lly actl~tçcl area code push-
button switches op~;ldLively cormected to the data procçeeing device. The
number of area code ~wiLclles is at least equal to the number of area codes stored
in the memory device. Each switch triggers the data processing device to
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iCVC infor n~tion relating to a co,l~s~ollding area code when ~ctll~tt?~l The
data pr~cç~ing device then l.,.~ a dial signal to the teleco.. ic~tion~
netvvork lc~l~s~ live ofthe area code information associated with the ZlCtllslt~cl
switch. Means is provided for rh~n~ing presently displayed inforrnation on the
S display device to show narne inform~tion relating to a diL~c;lll long ~li.ct~nr.e
provider stored in the memory device. Means is filrther provided for selecting adesired long ~ t~nre c~,..~...~...;cation service based upon ~i~se.-lly displayed
name information on the display device. The system includes a m~nu~lly
actn~t~d carrier push-button switch operatively cormected to the data proces~ing10 device for triggering the data prc!cP~ing device to transmit a dial signal to the
telec~ ications network l~ ,;,ell~liv~ of the access code for the selected
long distance col,--l,ul-ication service upon actuation ofthe carrier switch.
Yet another aspect of the present invention is that of a method for
g a long distance call using a telecommunications interf~re system
15 operably connected to cll~t- m~r premises terrnin~tion equipment to remote
.l;on e~lui~",~"~l via a commlmication line associated with a
teleco.. l.. -ication network, comprising the steps of:
~ inputting data into a memory device relating to a plurality of long
~ t~nre communication service providers in a memory device,
including an access code used to access a long distance
c~...i-~....ication services provided by each long distance provider,
and a name identifying each long distance provider;
~ storing the data in the memory device;
~ displaying i,lfc,....i~l;on associated with a particular long distance
provider stored in the memory device on a visual display device;
~ selectively ch~ngin~ information shown on the display device to
information relating to a dirr~,~n~ long distance provider;
. .
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~ selecting a desired long ~1i.et~n~e provider based upon the
h rolmalion pl~3_.llly displayed on the display device;
~ ll,."~i".ill;"g a first dial signal across the c-)mmunic~ti~n line
le~lcselll~livt; of the access code stored in the memory device used
S to access the long ~liet~n~e service provided by the selected long
distance provider;
~ tr~nemitting a second dial signal across the co~"",ll"ic~til n line
cst;~ live of an area code ~esi~n~ting a geogr~phic~l area
including the remote t~",.i..~ion equipment; and
~ tr~nemittin~ a third dial signal across the communication line
lcplcsclll~Liv~ of an çxtPn.eic)n number ~eeign~l to the remote
tP,rmin~tion eqllirmP.nt
Other objects and r~ ulcs will be ~pdlClll and in part pointed out
he~cil~rL~ f3rief Description of D~dwi~
The objects of the invention are achieved as set forth in the illustrative
embo-lim~.nte shown in the drawings which form a part of the specification.
FIG. 1 is a sectional top plan view of a telephone station having the
present invention incorporated therein, illustrating one arrangement of the
display screen and push-button switches;
FIG. 2 is a sl~.hPm~tic block ~ gr~m showing the wiring configuration of
an ~xt~rn~lly connected system of the present invention between customer
premises t~",~i"s,l;nn eqnirm~nt and a wall jack;
FIG. 3 is a top plan view of the çxtPrn~lly connected system, showing
one arrangement of the display screen and push-button switches,
FIG. 4 is a schem~tic block diagram illu~Lldlillg the interconnection of
electrical components associated with the extPrn~lly connected system;
,
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FIG. S is a srh~ I;c block diagram illustrating the interconnection of
electrical components of the present invention intPrn~lly inc~ oldled into
customerpremises l~-",;,-~l;on e~ cnt, and
FIG. 6A and 6B are srht?m~tic diagrams of electrical ci~ / associated
S with the rx~rrn~lly connf~cted system of the present invention.
Corresponding reference characters indicate colle~ollding parts
throughout the several views of the drawings.
TAT~T F OF COMPONFNTS IN FIGS. 6A AND 6T~
COMPONF~T V~T UF/MODFT NUMT~FR
CAPACITORS
Cl 1 ~lF
C2 0.001 ,uF
C3 5.0 ~F /25 V
C4 2.0~LF /lOV
CS 0.1 ,uF
C6 0.1 ~lF
C8 1 ,uF
Cl 1 0.1 ~lF
C13 0.1 ~F
C14 10 ,uF
C15 0.1 ~LF
C16 10 ,uF
C17 0.1 ~lF
C18 10 ~lF
moDF~!~
D1 lN4148
D2 lN4148
D3 lN4148
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_ 9 _
D4, D5, D6, D7 lN400X
D8 lN4148
FUSF~
Fl .3
F2 RXE017
JUMPF.R ~;
Jl RJ-l lJ
J2 RJ-l lJ
CONNFCTO~ !~
KEY 1 5 PIN
KEY 2 5 PIN
OPTOISOT ~TO~
Ol 4N35N
02 Hl lAAlP
TR~NSISTOR !~
Ql 2N2222A
Q2 MPSA12
Q3 2N2222A
RESISTORS
RlA 3.3KQ
RlB 3.3KQ
R2 180KQ
R3 1.8KQ
R4 1 KQ
R5 100Q
R6 100Q
R7 220Q
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R8 2.2KQ
R9 l OOKQ
R10 lKQ
Rl l 220Q
R12 lOOKQ
R13 l OOKQ
R15 2.2KQ
R16 6.8KQ
R17 lOKQ rçcict~nce bay
R18 lMQ
R20 1 OKQ
R21 1 OKQ
R22 1 OKQ
TNTFGRATFn CIRCUITS
Ul MC34012
U2 74HC165
U3 87C750
U4 MN13812-S
US 24LCXX
U6 75T2090
U7 LM78LOSAC7A
U8 LM7812CTB
VART~TOR
Vl VAL (unknown value) / 300V
7.FNFR nIODF~
VRl 20V
VR2 20V
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~ QSCTT T ~TOR~
Xl 4 MHz
X2 3.57954 MHz
~est Mode for Carryir~ Out the Invention
l~eff rring now to FIGS. 1 - 3, a telecom...~ ic~tions çnh~ncement user
int~ e system is shown, indicated generally at 10a (FIG. 1) and 10b (FIGS. 2
and 3), for providing enhanced telephone operation by red~lcin~ the nurnber of
5 push-buttons or keys 1 1 that a user must push on a dial pad or keypad 12 whendialing long ~liet~nce numbers from customer premises tt~rmin~tion equipment
14 (FIG. 2), such as a telephl nP f~ceimile m~rhin~, or other electric~l data
tr~nemiesion system that cu,nlllu"icates with another similar system disposed ata remote location by dialing an address associated with that remote location to
10 establish a data link via a co,-.lication line. The co"~l~nLIlication line
includes the conductors and their supporting or cont~ininp structures which are
used for public or private signal or co".lnu"ication service. The system 10
allows the user to chose a long ~liet~n~e provider with which to place a call from
a group of various long ~ t~n~e providers. Throughout this disclosure, long
15 ~ t~n~e numbers that are in the same area code as the user are referred to ascalls within a "local" area code or "local" long distance calls. Long distance
numbers placed outside the region serviced by the local (same) area code are
referred to as calls to a "foreign" area code or "foreign" long distance calls. In
general, long distance numbers include area code information (e.g., 1-214), and
20 a remote extension number (e.g., 213-1000) indicating a particular extension
address that is dialed to contact remote t~rmin~tion equipment disposed at a
remote location.
As fli~c~l~se-1 below in greater detail, the telecon~ ications user
interface system of the present invention can be implemented as an intt-mz~l
25 system 10a that is incorporated directly into the customer premises l~ ni~ ion
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e~l..ip...~ 14 (e.g., telephone station or f~csimile m~-~hin~) (FIGS. 1 and 5), or
in an ~tPrn~l system 10b that is co~lLailled in a housing cQnn~cte~l b~;L~ a
jack or conn~ctnr 42 associated with the t~ ;on eq--ipment 14 and a wall
jack or c~mntoctQr 43 providing access to the telecn."~ lll;cations network
(FIGS.2-4, 6A and 6B). The int~rn~l system 10a and the e~tern~l system 10b
are referred to collectively as system 10 throughout the disclosure.
The system 10 incl~ Ps electrical cil-;uiLIy 18a, 18b (FIGS. 4-6B) set
forth below having a plurality of electrical components, including a data
proce~in~ device 20 such as a microprocessor or microcontroller for processing
data such as area code il~,n,aLion, access code information associated with a
plurality of long distance carriers, and ~wiLcl,illg system infnrm~tion used to
access an outside telephone line. As tli~cl-~ecl below, the information is stored
in the nonvolatile memory device 22 such as an electrically erasable
programmable read only memory device.
The telecn,,,.. l.. ,ic~tinn~ user interface system 10 includes at least one
area code ("AC") push-button switch 24 that the user can press to dial a
preprogrammed area code, such as the local area code, when the tt?rmin~tion
eqllipm~nt is off-hook (closed station line). If more than one AC push-button
switch 24 is provided, the system is programmed to ~ tom~tically dial a
di~e.,L pred~ cl area code when each push-button 24is pressed. As is
known in the att, a push-button switch includes a master switch, mounted
behind a cover or panel, and a plunger or button extending forwardly through
the opening. Operation of the switch 24is n~nz~lly obtained by ~lt;S~ule of a
finger against the end of the button. In the plefe.l~d embo~lim~nt~ of the
internal system 10a and the ~tl-rn~l system 10b shown in FIGS. 1 and 3,
e~;Lively, three AC push-button switches 24 are employed. However, as will
be appreciated by those skilled in the at~, the number of AC push-buttons used
in either system 1 Oa or 1 Ob can be increased or decreased easily.
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PlGfeLdbly, the area codes associated with each push-button switch 24
es~.-l those area codes that are frequently dialed by the user. For example,
when the termin~tinn eqllirment 14 is off-hook, the system lOb shown in FIG. 3
can be programmed to dial "1202" when the first AC push-button switch 24
S desi~n~te(l as "1" is pressed, to dial "1303" when the second AC push-button
switch 24 rleL~ign~tecl as "2" is pressed, and to dial "1404" when the third AC
push-button switch 24 ~lecign~te~l as "3" is pressed. In this hypothetical
example, one area code preferably l~lesGllL~ the local area code, and the other
two area codes LGP1GS~11t frequently dialed foreign area codes. After the prefix10 "1" and the three digit area code are dialed by the system 10, the user then
m~ml~lly dials the .e,.,~ g numbers in a conventional fashion using the
keypad 12 associated with the termin~tion eqllirmçnt 14 to contact a desired
remote exten~ic n This enh~nr~ment feature saves the user from having to push
"1" plus the local or foreign area code on the keypad 12 associated with the
15 terrnin~tion eqnirment 14 for frequently dialed numbers. The preprogr~mme~
information can include up to 16 digits or characters, ~ s~ i ve of
inforrn~tion such as the area code, PBX codes used to obtain a telephone line, or
the like.
~ 1iti~n~l enhsm~ement rc~LulGs associated with the system 10 include
20 at least one toll free push-button switch 26 that automatically dials a toll free
prefix codes such as "1800" or "1888" when pressed by the user and t_e
ion eqllirment 14 is off-hook. In the plef~ .led embodiment, two toll
free push-button switches 26 are used, with one push-button 26 triggering the
system to dial the code "1800" when pressed, and the other push-button 26
25 triggering the system to dial the code "1888" when pressed. After the toll free
code is dialed, the user can dial the l~ g numbers m~nn~lly using the
keypad 12.
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The system 10 also allows the user to select a long ~ t~nre carrier from
a group of such providers, and dials the nPcç~ access code information to
place a long ~ re call using the selected carrier. To accomplish this
fnnrtion, the system 10 inrl~ s an ~lph~nllm~ric visual display device 28 such
5 as an LCD (liquid crystal display) device that displays one carrier name at a
tirne on an associated display screen 30, and three push-button switches 32 thatallow the user to select a desired carrier (FIGS. 1,3). These three push-buttons32 are referred to as a "carrier" push-button switch 32a, a "next" or "scroll up"
push-button switch 32b, and a "previous" or "scroll down" push-button switch
10 32c.
The previous and next push-buttons 32b, 32c and display 28 allow the
user to scroll through each of the preprogrammed long ~lict<qnce carrier names
displayed on the display screen 30 by selectively advancing to the next name or
previous name by pressing the next or previous push-button, respectively. One
15 carrier name is displayed on the screen 30 at a time, with each name having up
to eight ch~r~r,tçr.c in the plcr. ll~ d embodiment. To the left of the carrier name
when looking at the display screen 30 is a number having ~e value of 0 through
n where n refers to the m;lxi~ --- nurnber of carriers that can be stored in thememory device 22. In the plcr~.cd embodiment, information relating to up to
20 18 dirrc.~ carriers can be stored in the memory device 22. As will be
appreciated by those skilled in the art, the number of carriers easily can be
increased based upon the type of memory device 22 used. If no carrier name is
programmed for a particular carrier number, the display screen 30 is blank
where the carrier name would otherwise be displayed, and only the number is
25 displayed. The carrier numbers are displayed in sequential order based upon the
scrolling push-button key 32b, 32c pressed by the user. Pressing the "next" key
32b causes inforrn~ticn displayed on the display screen 32 to change from a
lower number carrier to a higher nurnber carrier (e.g., "3 Al~" to "4 MCI").
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Pressing the 'previous" key 32c causes information displayed on the screen 30
to change from a higher number carrier to a lower number carrier (e.g., "4 MCI"
to "3 ATT"). Both the next and previous switches 32b, 32c allow carrier
inform~tion shown on the display to wrap around such that if the nth carrier is
displayed and the next button 32b is pressed, the display screen 30 will show the
first carrier name. Similarly, pressing the previous button 32c when the first
carrier name is displayed causes the display screen 30 to change to the nth
carner name.
To choose a long ~ t~nee carrier, the user places the t~-rmin~tion
eqnirment 14 in an off-hook condition (e.g., removes the telephone handset
from the base), waits for the tone, and then selects the desired carrier by
scrolling through the list of providers. When the desired long distance carrier
name and number appears on the display screen 30, the user selects that carrier
by pressing the carrier push-button switch 32a, thereby triggering the system 10to dial switching system codes, if any, and the access code for the selected long
distance carrier. The long distance carrier is selected by narne, thus e~ g
the need for the user to memorize various access codes. When the carrier is
selected by call~in~ the t~"~ ion equipment 14 to go off-hook and pressing
the carrier push-button 32a, the system 10 dials the access code numbers such
as "77777-1" where 77777 represents the access code for the desired carrier.
The system can be prograrnmed to dial up to 16 digits or characters for each
carrier, allowing for access and PBX or other switching system requir~ment~, if
needed to access an outside line. The user then m~nn~lly dials the rem~inin~
numbers in a conventional fashion using keys 11 associated with the keypad 12
associated with the termin~ti~n eqllipment 14 to contact a desired extension.
~It~ tively, the user can then press an area code (AC) button 24 to trigger the
system 10 to dial one of the preprogrammed area codes after the carrier access
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-16-
inform~ti~n is dialed. In this situation, the user then dials the rem~inin5~ -
numbers using the keypad 12.
To ~l~Lr~ the carrier access information or area code info~ lion
stored in the memory device 22 for a particular carrier name or AC button 24
5 without actually dialing the number, the tf ..~ on equipment 14 is left on-
hook (open station line). To view the inform~tic~n associated with a particular
carrier, the scroll buttons 32b, 32c are used to select the desired carrier. When
the desired carrier name is displayed, the carrier button 32a is pressed and thedisplay screen 30 shows as many digits of the switching system information and
10 access code as can be displayed on the screen 30. Similarly, if one of the AC buttons 24 is pressed while the l~ 1;on equirmfnt 14 is on-hook, the
~wiLchillg system information (if any) and area code associated with that button24 are displayed to the extent possible based upon the type of display device 28used. When the AC button 24 is released in this situation, the previously~5 displayed carrier name is redisplayed. Since the tfrrnin~tion eqllipmfnt 14
hls on-hook at all times, no numbers are dialed by the system 10.
The access code for each long distance provider is the same throughout
the United States. The telecn...l-....-;c~tions system 10 of the present invention
can be preprogld,l..llcd with access codes and carrier names for any number of
20 long ~i~t~nre carriers in a given country or region (e.g., the United States). As
~ cll~se-l above, in the pl~r~,,led embodiment, up to eighteen long distance
providers and their access codes can be stored in the nonvolatile memory device
22 associated with the system 10. As discussed below in detail, to add
additional carriers to the group of available long ~ t~n~e providers or modify
25 ~xi.~ting carrier inform~tion after the system 10 is in use at the customer
premises, a "program" pushbutton switch 34 is included in the plcfc~led
embodiment of the ext~?rn~l and internal systems lOa and lOb that activates the
system 10 into a pro~.,~.. ;.~g mode when the push-button 34 is pressed for a
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period of time. If the program push-button switch 34 is not included, the system10 can be configured such that the carrier push-button 32a is used to activate the
system into the pro~-A.,-"-;-,p mode.
To program the AC push-buttons 24 and the long ~ t~n-e carrier
S information, the user is required perform a series of pro~l,.,."..;l-p tasks by
m~ml~lly pressing various push-button switches 24, 26, 32, 34, and keys 11 on
the keypad 12 to input and store information into the memory device 22.
Progl~.. i~.g ofthe internal system 10a differs from that ofthe extçrn~l system
10b in that the te. "~ on eqnirm~llt remains on-hook at all times during the
10 pro~ of the internal system 10a. In the ~r~ d embodiment of the
~xt~.rn~l unit 10b, all long distance carrier information is input by the user after
the çxt~.rn?l unit 10b is installed between the jack 42 associated with the
t~ ;on eqnirm~nt 14 and the wall jack 43 providing access to the
telecolll~ ications n~;lw~lk.
To start pro~ ".. ~g ofthe intt-rn~l system 10a and the çxtPrn~l system
10b, the user presses the program push-button 34 for a period of time (e.g., 5
seconds) while the tçrmin~tion equipment 14 is on-hook. This triggers the
microprocessor 20 into a pro~ "--";,-g mode. The display screen 30 displays a
message such as "PROGRAM" indicating the pro~,l,l....-.;l-~ mode is initiated.
20 When pro~ "";"g the ~xtPrn~l system 10b, the user then places the
t~rmin~tion e~ lllent 14 in an off-hook condition, but no audible dial tone is
emitted from the t~rnin~tion eqllipment 14 in this situation. However, the
t~rmin~tion equipment 14 is activated in this situation, and a pulse tone can beheard when a key 11 on the keypad 12 is pressed. When pro~,.n"...-i..g the
25 int~-.rn~l system 10a, the ~ ;on eqllipm~nt 14 remains on-hook during the entire progl,,.. il-g process.
With the termin~tion eqllipment 14 in an on-hook state when
prog-t-------il-g the internal system 10a or an off-hook state when pro~;l""....;..p
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the ~t~rn~l system 10b, and after the message indicating activation of the
proY~ g mode is displayed on the display screen 30, the user presses an
"*" key 36 on the keypad 12 to go to the step of pro~ .;..g the inform~tion
for the area code (AC) buttons 24. When the "*" key 36 is pressed, the display
S screen 30 shows infor~nation such as "LOCAL 1" indicating information can be
entered will be dialed when the "1" AC local button 24 is pressed. If desired
il~ru~ Lion is already stored for this button 24 or no h~ ldLion is desired to
be input, the user can press a "#" key 46 on the keypad 12 to move to the next
step. To program information for the first AC button 24, the user presses the
"*" key 36 on the keypad 12. The display screen 30 then shows either a blank
screen or numbers which are presently stored in the memory device 22 for that
button 24. The "#" key 46 can be pressed at this time to leave the information
displayed on the screen 30 llnch~n~ed, and move on to the next step.
If the user wants to change the displayed area code infonn~tion, the
15 a~lu~l;ate ~wilclli~g inf~ tiQn and area code numbers are input as follows.
If a number is to be entered, the user presses the dL"~lupliate key 11 on the
keypad 12 having the corresponding number depicted thereon. The user can
include a time delay (e.g., 0.5 seconds) in the dialing sequence by pressing the"*" key 36 associated with the keypad. For example, a user can proY.,....,..;..g20 ~wil~ g system hlfol..ldLion such as "9**" and then the area code information to provide a time delay or pause before the system dials the area code
inform~tion, thereby allowing for a PBX system to access an outside line.
The display screen 30 shows each number or character as it is input by
the user.
25 The user can input up to 16 numbers or characters into the nonvolatile memory22 using the keypad 12, with the numbers and characters being displayed on the
screen 30 as they are input by the user. When the data entry for the first AC
button 24 is complete, the user presses the "#" key 46 to store this information
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in the memory device 22, and move on to the next step. If the user enters 16
digits, the system 10a, 10b automatically stores the information in the memory
device 22, and moves to the next step.
This process is repeated for each AC push-button 24, where the
5 plc~r~ ;d embodiment incl~ s three AC push-buttons 24. When the screen 30
displays inforrnation such as "LOCAL 2" in the pl~r~.led embodiment, before
enttorin~ any additional inform~ti~-n, the user can press the "*" key 36 to change
the number dialed for the "2" push-button 24, or can press the "#" key 46 to skip
to the next step. Otherwise, the user can input the area code information using
10 the same steps as set forth above for the "1" push-button. Similarly, when the
display screen 30 then shows information such as "LOCAL 3" in~ic~ting
pro~ """;~g of the "3" push-button 24 is activated, the user can press the "*"
key 36 to change the number dialed for this push-button 24, or can press the "#"key 46 to proceed to the next step.
After the prog-,-.---";--~ of the AC push-buttons 24 is complete, the
screen 30 displays inr~ ion such as "CARRIER 1" indicating the user can
now input or modify carrier inforrnation for the first carrier stored in the
nonvolatile memory 22 of the system 1 Oa, 1 Ob. First, the user can edit OT input a
long tli~t~nre carrier name. If the user does not want to change the carrier
infnnn~tion for the first carrier, the user presses the "#" key 46 to skip to the
next step. The carrier name can include up to 8 ~lph~nllnneric characters in thepler~l~,d embodiment. To input or change the carrier name, the user presses the
"*" key 36 and the display screen 30 shows information such as "NAME ?" and
the name of the carrier, if any, presently stored as the first carrier.
To enter a number in the carrier name, the user presses an a~plv~liate
nurnber key 11 on the keypad 12 one time. To enter a letter, the user selects the
key 11 having the letter displayed thereon (e.g., the "2" key has letters A, B and
C displayed thereon, as shown in FIG. 1), and presses the key 11 twice for the
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first displayed letter, three times for the second displayed letter, and four times
for the third displayed letter. For eY~mrle7 to input the letter B in the carrier
name, the user must press the "2" key three times. The screen 30 displays a
number or letter based upon the total nurnber of times the selected key 11 is
S pressed. For example, if a user wishes to enter a "C" letter in the carrier name,
the first time the "2" key is pressed, the screen 30 displays the number "2". The
second time the key is pressed, the "2" is replaced with the letter "A" on the
screen 30. The third time the "2" key is pressed, the screen 30 shows "B"
instead of "A", and then the fourth time the key is pressed, the "B" is replaced10 with a "C" on the screen 30, as desired. If the "2" key is pressed again (a fifth
tirne), a "2" replaces the "C" and the cycle starts over.
When ent~nng the carrier name, the user presses the "*" key 36 on the
keypad 12 to move to the next character in the name. After data entry is
complete, the user presses the "#" key 46 on the keypad 12 to save the carrier
15 name in the memory device 22, and to move on to the next step of entPnn~ the
access code infi-rm~tion
When the carrier name entry is complete and the "i~" key 46 is pressed,
the display screen 30 shows a message such as "CODE ?" indicating the PBX or
~wi~clfillg system code (if applicable) and carrier access code for that carrier20 name can be entered by the user. If carrier access information previously wasprogr~mmed into this memory 22 location, the display 28 shows this access
hlr~ lalion (or a portion thereof) on the screen 30 after the message (e.g.,
"CODE '.~"). If no access inf~rm~tinn is stored in the memory 22 for that entry,the display screen 30 is blank after the message. The user can press the "#" key25 46 again if the carrier access i.,r~ ion displayed on the screen is acceptable
and no modification is n.oc~e~ry.
If the user wants to change ~e exi~ting displayed access infnnn~tion, or
input a new access information, the user presses the a~lopliate keys 11 on the
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keypad 12 for the ~wiL~ g code (if needed) and the carrier access code. As
mentioned above, the "*" key 36 can be used to add a time delay in the dialing
sequence. The numbers input by the user o~ wlite any exi~tinp hlfolllldLion
stored in the memory device 22. In the pl~r~ d embo~lim~nt up to 16
5 numbers or characters can be entered for the ~wit~llillg and access codes. When
the ~wilcl~illg and access codes are entered, the "#" key 46 is pressed to save the
inf rm~ti-n in the memory device 22 and move on to the next progl,....i..i,.g
step.
After accepting or updating the carrier information, the display 28
10 ~lltom~tic~lly lJr~ t~ the user to verify or modify the next carrier name stored
in the memory 22. For example, after completing data entry for the first carrier("CARRIER 1"), the display screen 30 shows a message such as "CARRIER
2". Data entry for the carrier name, ~witcl1illg code and access code is repeated
using the steps set forth above. This process repeats for each carrier position
15 available for the system lOa, lOb (through the nth carrier). As discussed above,
data entry for each carrier name or access information can be skipped by
pressing the '#" key 46 when appl~liate, thereby accepting ~ ltly stored
information without modification. When data entry for the last carrier (e.g.,
CARRIER 18 in the plc;~ d embodiment) is complete and the "#" key 46 is
20 pressed, the system ~.lo...n~ically exits the pro~ ...."i.~g mode and returns to
the normal op~ ldtillg mode.
To better illustrate the foregoing progr~mming steps associated with the
extlo-rn~l system 1 Ob of the present invention, the following hypothetical
example is provided. For this example, the m~ximllm number of long distance
25 catriers ~u~pult~d by the system is two (n = 2), and three AC push-buttons 24are associated with the extern~l system lOb. Further assume for this example
that following parameters are stored in the memory device: (a) the first carrier(CARRIER 1) has a carrier name of "SPRINT" and the associated access code
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of "10333", (b) no infnrm~tion is stored irl the memory 22 for the second carrier
(CARRIER 2); and (c) "1314" is stored as the area code inforrnation for the first
push-button (LOCAL 1). The following steps illustrate how the user can
change the ca~rier name for CARRIER 1 to "ATT" and the access code to
"10288", change the area code ;.-ro.. zt~;on to "1573" for the LOCAL 1 push-button, and add the carrier name of"MCI" for CARRIER 2 along with the
access code of "10456".
a) The display initially shows the message "1 SPRINT 10333" before
pro~.,.. ~.;.. ~ begins.
b) Press the PROGRAM key for S seconds. This causes the display to
show "PROGRAM".
c) Cause the ~ rhf~ l;on equipment 14 to go off-hook, and
press the"*" key on the keypad. This causes the display screen 30 to
show"LOCAL 1".
d) Press the "*" key on the keypad. This causes the display screen 30 to
show "13 14".
e) Press "1573" on the keypad. This causes the display screen 30 to
show "1573".
f) Press the "#" key on the keypad. This causes the display screen 30 to
show "LOCAL 2".
g) Press the "#" key on the keypad. This causes the display screen 30 to
show "LOCAL 3".
h) Press the "#" key on the keypad. This causes the display screen 30 to
show "CARRIER 1".
i) Press the "2" key on the keypad (note in FIG. 1, the "2" key also has
the characters "ABC" associated with it). This causes the display
screen 30 to show "NAME ? 2".
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j) Press the "2" key on the keypad. This causes the display screen 30 to
show "NAME ? A".
k) Press the "*" key on the keypad. This causes the display screen 30 to
show "NAME ? A_".
5l) Press the "8" key on the keypad twice. This causes the display screen
30 to show "NAME ? Ar'.
m) Press the "*" key on the keypad. This causes the display screen 30 to
show "NAME ? AT_".
n) Press the "8" key on the keypad twice. This causes the display screen
1030 to show "NAME ? ATT".
o) Press the "*" key on the keypad. This causes the display screen 30 to
show "NAME ? ATT_".
p) Press the "#" key on the keypad. This causes the display screen 30 to
show "CODE ? 10333".
15q) Press "10288" on the keypad. This causes the display screen 30 to
show "CODE ? 10288".
r) Press the "#" key on the keypad. This causes the display screen 30 to
show "CA~RRUER 2".
s) Press the "*" key on the keypad. This causes the display screen 30 to
20show "NAME ?".
t) Press the "6" key on the keypad twice. This causes the display screen
30 to show "NAME ? M".
u) Press the "*" key on the keypad. This causes the display screen 30 to
show "NAME ? M_".
25v) Press the "2" key on the keypad four times. This causes the display
screen 30 to show "NAME ? MC".
w) Press the "*" key on the keypad. This causes the display screen 30 to
show "NAME ? MC_".
.
= ~ =
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x) Press the "4" key on the keypad four times. This causes the display
screen 30 to show "NAME ? MCI".
y) Press the "*" key on the keypad. This causes the display screen 30 to
show "NAME ? MCI_".
z) Press the "#" key on the keypad. This causes the display screen 30 to
show "CODE ?".
aa) Press "10456" on the keypad. This causes the display screen 30 to
show "CODE ? 10456".
bb) Press the "#" key on the keypad. This causes the system 10b to exit
the pro~ .. i.. g mode, and the display screen to show "1 ATT
10288".
Area code information can be prograrnmed in the nonvolatile memory of
the system 10 for any carrier position, if desired. For example, using the
pro~ n...;.~g steps outlined above for the internal system 10a or below for the
15 I?xtorn~l system 10b, the user can enter "CHICAGO" as the 'carrier name,' and"1708~' as area code information (instead of, or in addition to, switching system
and access code inform~ticn) for any carrier position. This allows the user to
scroll through various geographic regions by name on the display device 28.
When the desired geogr~rhic region or area code is displayed, the user triggers
20 the system 10 to dial the area code and switching system information, if any, by
pressing the carrier button 32a.
FIG. 1 illu~LIdLes the preferred embodiment of the invention having the
push-button ~wilclles 24, 26, 32, 34 and display device 28 incorporated into thet~rmin~tion eqllipment 14 as shown in close proximity to the keypad 12. In this
25 embodiment, the electrical cil.;uil~y 18 is disposed inside the housing of the
t~ on eqllipment 14 (e.g., inside a telephone base). ~ltern~tively, the
electrical ch.iuilly 18, push-button switches 24, 26, 32, 34 and display device 28
can be disposed in an extt?rn~l housing 38 that is electrically conn~ctecl between
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the wall jack 43 providing access to the telec~ .ications network and the
jack 42 associated with the t~ n eq li~m~nt 14 as shown in FIG. 2, in a
similar to the connection of a telephone answering m~chine. This
~tt~rllment method allows the system lOb to control the operation of the user's
5 t~ ....;..~I;on eq -ipm~nt 14 as required for various functions. In ~itl~tinne where
a telephone a,~.ling m~rhin~ or other device is conn~cte~l bclw~;en the
termin~tion eqllip~nt 14 and the wall jack 43, the extern~l system lOb
preferably is connected closest to the tP~rmin~tion equipment 14 (e.g., between
an answering m~rhin~ and the telephone station). Both the internal and ext.-rn~l10 systems lOa, lOb satisfy FCC testing requirements.
More specifically, the extt-rn~lly connecte~l enh~nrem~nt system lOb
shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 preferably is contained in a small box housing 38 with
the display screen 30 such as a sixteen (16) character LCD display and a
plurality of push-button switches 24, 26, 32,34 disposed on a top panel 40 of
15 the housing 38, and two telephone type (RJ-l l) jacks Jl and J2. Jack Jl allows
for connection of the e~tPrn~l system lOb to the wall jack 43, and jack J2
allows for connection to the jack 42 associated with the t~rmin~tion eq -ipm~nt
14 via wiring 44. FIG. 3 shows a possible top panel 40 design approximately
actual size. The ~lim~n~ions of the housing 38 are preferably 4" in length and 3"
20 in width. The ç~ 1 system lOb preferably is powered by a local ac power
supply as shown in FIG. 2. It is also possible to construct an ~xtern~l system
lOb that is powered by baU~,~;cs c-~nt~in~-l in an easily zl~ce~ihle enclosure
inside the ext~rnAl device (not shown). In this configuration, batteries increase
the size of the ext~rn~l housing 38 by ~roxilllately 1 inch in length or width
25 and a~lo~ ately 0.75 inch in depth.
The box housing 38 for the ~xt~rnzll system lOb is constructed from any
suitable m~t~ri~l such as high quality ABS plastic or other similar m~teri~l Thehousing 38 is designed to be cosmetically appealing, and have a durable
-
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construction. The push-button switches 24, 26, 32, 34 have high quality
cc~ ion with good feel, and are mounted in a manner similar to the
mounting of keys on a conv~llLional telephone keypad so as to extend through
the top panel 40 of the housing 38. A polyca,l,onate overlay is printed with theS required text and graphics that are ~ he~1 to the housing 3 8.
The ~.~ttqrn~l connection of the system lOb also allows for transportation
of the system lOb and housing 38 from one location to another. For example,
the system lOb can be ~ connected from a telephone or f~l simile m~hine at
one's office, and then reconn~cte~ to a telephone or f~c~imile m~hine at home
or at a hotel room. Information stored in the memory device 22 iS retained
during transit, and not erased or de~L.~Jy~d when the system 10 is disconnected
from the local ac power source.
The e~ct~orn~l system lOb preferably also includes remote dialing I~ u-es
that allow the user to activate the system lOb to dial the number sequences
programmed for the AC push-button switches 24 and the carrier names using
only the keypad 12 and without pressing any push-buttons associated with the
ç~ l system lOb. When the remote dialing features are used, the user
triggers the system lOb to autom~tic~lly dial the digits associated with each ACpush-button by pressing the "*" key associated with the keypad 12, followed by
a single digit key 1 1 on the keypad 12, where the key 1 1 pressed c~ onds to
the AC push-button 24. For example, in the p-c~f~,led embodiment shown in
FIG. 3, the user can press "*1" on the keypad 12 to trigger dialing of the
number sequence associated with the "1" push-button 24, or "*2" to dial the
area code information associated with the "2" push-button 24, or "*3" for the
"3" push-button 24. This feature allows the user to use the keypad 12 to access
information stored in the nonvolatile memory device 22, instead of using the
AC ~wiL~,hes 24. In the p l~r~ d embodiment, area code information
corresponding to up to nine AC push-buttons can be access by pressing "*1"
=
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through "*9" on the keypad 12. The "0" (zero) key is not used in the pl~;r~,ed
embodiment to dial infom~tion relating to AC push-buttons 24. As rlicc~-~secl
below, the "0" (zero) key 11 is used when dialing access code information using
the remote dialing feature.
To select a long ~lict~nce carrier and trigger dialing of the associated
inro"ncllion using the remote dialing feature for the ext~rn~l system lOb, the
user can press the "*" key on the keypad, followed by the "0" (zero) key, then
two keys 11 corresponding to the carrier number 1 - n in~1ic~tin~ the desired
carrier. The "1" key is pressed to select the first carrier name, and so on up to
10 the nth carrier. As menti~n~o~l above, information relating to up to 18 dirr~carriers can be stored in the memory device 22 in the pl~erel,ed embodiment.
The "0" (zero) key on the keypad is pressed to select the tenth carrier name. Ifcarrier number 1-0 is selected, the user must press the "*" key as the second key
after entt?ring the single digit carrier number. For example, if XYZ carrier is the
15 fourth carrier entered in the group of carriers stored in the memory device 22,
the user would press "*04*" to select the fourth carrier (XYZ) and dial the
corresponding access code and ~wiLcl~ g system information. If carrier
number 11-18 in the ~.~;;r~ .led embodiment is desired, the user is not required to
press the"*" key after dialing the carrier number since the microprocessor is
20 progr~nnme~l to recognize only two ch~r~qcters after "*0" is entered. For
e~ nrle, if ABC carrier is the thirteenth carrier stored in the memory device 22,
the user would press "*013" to trigger the system lOb to select and transmit
illfc.""cllion relating to that carrier. Clearly, the same remote dialing procedures
can be used to access carrier h~o~."~lion for up to 99 carriers, if the number of
- 25 carriers stored in the memory device 22 is increased past the 18 carriers of the
p~c;r~llcd embodiment. When the remote dialing method is used, the display
screen 30 shows the carrier name and corresponding key number selected by the
user as the access code and PBX codes are dialed.
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The teleco~ c~tions system 10 used in the intPnl~l and PYtern~l
embo(1im~nt~ also retains inform~tion relating to the most ~ccellLly selected long
tzln~e carrier as default information for future calls so that the user does nothave to select a long distance carrier each time a long distance call is placed. If
5 no new carrier is selected, the system 10 ~7Ccçeees the provider that was used to
place the previous long ~ t~n~e call.
Electrical ci~;uiLI~ 18b associated with the extPrn~lly conn~cted
telec~....l.-.l~ications system lOb shown in FIG. 4 requires several dirr~ ,.lL
colll~onents when colll~ ;d to electrical cil.;uill y 18a associated with the
10 intPrn~lly ccnnPctçcl system lOa shown in FIG. 5 that is installed directly into
the tPl~nin~tion eqllipmPnt 14. For example, as discussed below the intPrn:~l
system lOa 1~ UhC:S a key press ~lPtecti(-n circuit that is not present in the
extPrn~l system lOb. Furthermore, the external system lOb requires dual tone
multifrequency (DTMF) decoding and encoding circuitry 50, while the int.?rnz~l
15 system 1 Oa requires only DTMF encoding circuitry 52. The following
cllc~ion sets forth in detail the cil.;uiky 18a employed in the e~tPrns~lly
connPcte~l system lOb, and describes ~liL~l~:llces between the çxtern~l system
lOb and internal system lOa when ~ liate. As will be appa~ l to those
skilled in the art, the Cil~;uill~ 18b set forth for the external system lOb can be
20 easily adapted for use in the internal system 1 Oa.
FIG. 4 shows a block diagram of the electrical cil~;uilly 18b associated
with the çxt~rn~lly c~-nnPctf d telec~ mmllnications system lOb. Detailed
scl~Pm~tic drawings showing the interconnection of circuit component
associated with PYtPrn~lly connected system are set forth in FIGS. 6A and 6B.
25 As shown in FIG. 2, the ~xtP~n~l system lOb is electrically connected betweenthe jack 42 associated with the t~"~ fi~-n equipment 14 and the wall jack 43
via wiring 44. The ~xtPm~l device lOb is also connected to an ac power outlet
(e.g., 60 Hz outlet) at the customer premises such that the chL;uiky 18b is
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powered locally. As mentioned above, it is also possible to include a battery
power source ~not shown) within the housing, if desired, such that the
cl nn~cti~ n to the ac outlet is not n~ecle-l
As ~liecnese~l above, the electrical ~;h~;uiLIy 18b shown in FIG. 4 includes
5 the microprocessor 20 which p~,~lllls data processing functions including
input, procçeeing, storage, output and control functions to accomrlieh a
sequence of operations on data stored in the memory device 22. The
microprocessor 20 also performs data proceeeing functions based upon signals
received from the telecollllllullications network, termination eqllipment 14 andthe push-button switches 24,26,32,34 associated with the ç~tern~l system 1 Ob.
The microprocessor 20 inputs and retrieves ~lu~l;ate information from the
nonvolatile memory device 22 based upon the keys 11 or push-buttons 24, 26,
32, 34 pressed. In addition, the microprocessor 20 controls the display of
information on the display screen 30. As ~iicclle~e~l below in greater detail, if
lS area code information or carrier information is requested by the user to initiate a
long distance call, the microprocessor retrieves the necessary data from the
memory device 22. The microprocessor 20 monitors signals received from the
~rmin~tioneqllirmentl4 indicating whether the termination equipment 14is in
an off-hook or on-hook condition.
The microprocessor 20 also ~leterminee whether a ringing signal is
Ll~ from the network to the t~rmin~tion eqnipment 14 based upon an
output signal generat~tl by a ringing detector circuit 56. The ringing detector
circuit 56 monitors signals received from the telecommnnications network to
clet~rmin~ whether a ringing signal is being lldllslllilL~d from the network.
- 25 When a ringing signal is ~letecte~l the ringing detector circuit 56 notifies the
microprocessor 20. As discussed below, the microprocessor 20 uses this
information to control the operation of the system 1 Ob.
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As shown in FIG. 4, the microprocessor 20 also controls the operation of
a ~wilchillg circuit 58 that is ope~dliv~ly conn~cte-l to the t. . ~ ;on eqllirment
14. As ~licc~ e~l below in greater detail, the switching circuit 58 routes and
processes signals received from the telecommunications network, t~rmin~tion
5 eqllirm~nt 14, and the microprocessor 20. More speçific~lly, the
microprocessor 20 ~ e in which of six possible states the switching
circuit 58 is ",~;.,/;1i"f~1 Based upon the state of the switching circuit 58, the
user's t~rmin~tiQn eqlliI~ment 14 is connected to the telecf~.. ications
network or the ~-~tt-rn~l system 10b, and the ç~tcrn~l system IOb is connected to
10 or disconn~cted from the telecommunications network. The ~wil~ g circuit 58
allows the system 10b to lld-lslllil signals to the telecolm~ul~ications networkwhen the system 10b is activated to dial and Ll~ iL information such as an
area code, toll or carrier information. The switching circuit 58 disconnects thesystem 10b from the teleco.. ,.. ications network when the system 10b is not
15 tr~n.~mittin~ signals to the network. The switching circuit further allows the
user to hear a dial tone supplied by the telecommunications network when the
tf . . - - i ~ ;on equipment is off-hook.
When no power is supplied to the system 1 Ob from the ac power supply,
the switching circuit 58 is in a first state (state 1 ) representative of a "no power"
20 default state associated with the ~wilclling circuit 58. In this state, the external
system lOb is effectively bypassed, allowing for signals to pass directly between
the telec~-.. -.. ications network and the terrnin~tion eqllipm~nt 14. This state
occurs because of a no-power default state associated with relays K1 and K2
(i.e., K2:A and K2:B) discussed below and shown in FIG. 6A.
The microprocessor causes the switching circuit 58 to enter the second
state (state 2) from state 1 when power is applied to the system lOb, or upon
completion of states 4, 5 or 6 (~ cllc~e~1 below) and power is applied to the
system lOb. In this state, the t.-.rmin~tion equipment 14 is on-hook and no
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ringing signal is being l~ from the teleco~.. l--.i~tione network. The
extern~l system 10b allows for "one way" signal flow from the
telecc,~ ications network to the t~ ion equipm~nt 14 in state 2. All
signals tr~n~mitte~l from the termin~tion equipment 14 are i..l~ilce~l~d and
S routed through the ext~rn~l system 10b.
In state 2, the system 10b continuously monitors the state of the
termin~tion eqllirment 14 and the co~ ications line to ~leterrnine whether
the ~ 1ion eql-ipment 14 is off-hook, or a ringing signal is present on the
co.. l.. ications line. As will be discussed below in greater detail with respect
10 to FIGS. 6A and 6B, the microprocessor 20 continuously monitors an output
signal LINEOH ~ t~c~ by an optoisolator 02 included in the ~wiLcl~illg
circuit 58 as shown in FIG. 6A and ~1iec~leee~ below in greater detail. The state
of the LINEOH signal indicates whether the termin~tion eq--ipment 14 is in an
off-hook state or an on-hook state. When the LINEOH signal indicates the
15 termin~tion eqnirmPnt 14 is off-hook, the microprocessor 20 causes the
:jwiLchillg circuit 58 to enter state 3 (discussed below). If the microprocessor 20
~l~L~ , using a RIN G output signal discussed below with respect to FIGS.
6A and 6B, that a ringing signal is present on the cc.,.,l-m"ication line, then the
microprocessor 20 causes the ~wiLcllillg circuit 58 to enter state 5 (discussed
20 below). If the microprocessor 20 det.ormin~oe that the program push-button
switch 34 has been pressed for a length of time such as five seconds, then the
microprocessor 20 triggers the ~wilchillg circuit 58 into state 6 (lieclleee~l
below).
The microprocessor 20 causes the ~wilcl~illg circuit 58 to enter the third
25 state (state 3) when power is supplied to the system 10b from the ac power
source, no ringing signal is ~letecte~l on the co.mnu~ication line, and the
termin~tion eqllirment 14 is in an off-hook condition. In this state, the system10b allows, through configuration of the switching circuit 58, for "one-way"
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signal tr~n.emis~ion from the telecommllnications network to the t~ . ..,i.,i1li~ n
eqllipment 14. However, signals l~ d by the te~min~ti- n equipment are
h~t~ d and routed through the P~tern~l system lOb. No signals tr~n~mitted
from the 1~ ;on eqllipm~nt 14 are permitted to pass to the network. In this
5 situation, the user can hear or recognize network signals. The microprocessor 20
continuously m~mitors output signals generated by the decoding portion of the
DTMF circuit 50 ( ~ c~ e~1 below) to ~letermint- whether the user pressed any
keys 11 on the keypad 12, and if so, which keys 11 were pressed. The
microprocessor 20 also continuously monitors whether the user has pressed the
AC buttons 24, the toll free buttons 26 or the carrier button 32a. Depending
upon the user's ~eti-~ns, the system lOb responds in a dirrerellL manner, and then
triggers the ~wilcl~illg circuit 58 to enter state 4 (~li.ccll~secl below) after it
responds.
For the e~tern~l system lOb only, if the user presses the "*" key on the
15 keypad 12, then the system lOb waits for one or more digit keys 11 on the
keypad 12 to be pressed after the "*" key is released, indicating the user is
implementing the remote dialing features. As discussed above, based upon the
digit key(s) 11 pressed, the system lOb dials either area code information or
carrier h,r~ ation stored for the AC push-button 24 or carrier position having
20 the same reference number as the digit(s) pressed. If the next key pressed
collespol~ds to digit "1" through "9", then the microprocessor 20 retrieves the
area code information associated with the corresponding AC push-button from
the memory device 20, the system lOb transmits a corresponding dial signal to
the teleco.. ~ ications network. If the next digit pressed corresponds to digit
25 "0", then the system waits for two additional keys 11 to be pressed by the user
in~iie~ting the particular carrier information the user wishes the system lOb totr~n~mit to the telec~ .;cations network. As discussed above, if one of the
first ten carriers is select~1 (i.e., caITier number 1 - 0), the user presses the "*"
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key after çnt~ring the al)pn~ ;ate digit key. If a carrier is selected that has a two
digit carrier number (i.e., carrier number 11-99, or carrier number 11-18 in thecr~ d embodiment), then the user presses the a~l,ropl;ate two digit keys, and
is not required to press the "*" key. After the two keys are pressed, the
5 microprocessor 20 retrieves the ~lo~l;ate carrier information from the
memory device 22, and ~.,...~...ilx a repres~nt~tive dial signal to the
telec.,.. u.. ic~tions network.
After the dial signal is Ll~ e~l to the telecommllni~tiQns network by
the system lOb, the microprocessor 20 triggers the switching circuit 58 into the10 fourth state as set forth below. If the user presses any key 11 on the keypad 12
other than described above, the microprocessor 20 triggers the switching circuit58 into the fourth state imme~ t~ly. If one of the AC buttons 24, toll free
buttons 26 or the carrier button 32a is pressed, the microprocessor retrieves the
correspondir g information stored in the memory device 22, and the system lOb
15 tr~n~mit~ an a~plu~l;ate dial signal to the telecommunications network. AfterLl~slllilling the dial signal, the microprocessor 20 causes the switching circuit
58 to enter the fourth state.
For the internal system lOa, no remote dialing features are employed.
Therefore, in the internal system 1 Oa, the microprocessor 20 triggers the
20 ~wilclfing circuit 58 into the fourth state when any key 11 on the keypad 12 is
pressed, including the "*" key 36. The switching circuit 58 and microprocessor
20 of the internal system lOa operate in the same manner as discussed above
with respect to the ~t~rn~l system 1 Ob when one of the AC buttons 24, toll freebuttons 26, or carrier button 32a is pressed.
- 25 The fourth state (state 4) of the switching circuit 58 is entered from state
3 when the microprocessor 20 ~et~rmin~ the tt?rmin~tion eqllirm~nt 14 is still
off-hook (using the LINEOH signal), and power is supplied to the system 10.
In this state, the ~wiLclling circuit allows for two way signal tr~n~mi~ion to and
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from the telecomml-nic~tic~ns network and the t~rmin~tion equipment 14. The
microprocessor 20 continuously monitors the LINEOH signal (FIC~S. 6A and
6B) to ~1~tfnnin.o if the ~f ~ ;on equipment 14 remains off-hook. When the
t~rmin~tion e~ ....rnt 14 is placed in an on-hook condition, the microprocessor
5 causes the ~wi~cl~ g circuit 58 to exit state 4 and enter state 2.
The rnicroprocessor 20 causes the switching circuit 58 to exit the second
state and enter the fifth state (state 5) when the microprocessor 20 d~L~ s a
ringing signal is present on the co~l,.llullication line (based upon the
RING signal discussed below), the t~rmin~tion equipment 14 is on-hook, and
10 power is supplied to the system 10. In this state, the microprocessor 20 causes
the ~wiLcllillg circuit 58 to opc~dlively connect the comml]nication line to thet~rmin~tion equipm~nt 14 for the duration of the ringing signal. This allows thetermin~tion eqnirmf nt 14 to generate an audible ringing sound while the ringingsignal is active or present on the comrnunication line. Based upon the
15 RIN G signal, if the microprocessor 20 deterrnines the ringing signal is inactive
or absent for a period of time longer than two (2) seconds, then the
microprocessor 20 causes the switching circuit 58 to enter state 2. If the
microprocessor detormines the t~rmin~tion equipment is off-hook based upon
the LINEOH signal (e.g., an incoming call is answered), then the
20 microprocessor 20 causes the ~wiLcl~illg circuit to enter state 4.
The sixth state (state 6) of the switching circuit 58 is triggered by the
microprocessor 20 when the program key 34 is pressed for a period of time
(e.g., S seconds), thereby activating the pro~ mode as discussed above.
State 6 is entered from state 2, and is referred to as the prog~ state. In
25 this state, signals tr~n~mitt~c~ by the t~rmin~tion eq~lipment 14 when the keys 11
are pressed are processed by the system 10, and not tr~n~mitt~ to the
teleco"""l-"ications nclw~k~ In the circuit diagram shown in FIGS. 6A and
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6B, the ~wiLchillg circuit 58 allows a ringing signal to pass from the
telec~ .ir~tions network to the t~ )n eqllirm~.nt 14 in state 6.
~Altern~tively, the ringing signal can be blocked by the switching circuit by
connectinP a tr~neietor to the base of the D~rlingtQn tr~neietor pair Q2
S (~lieclleee-l below and shown in FIG. 6A) that shorts the base of tr~neietQr Q2 to
ground.
As shown in FIG. 4, the electrical ch~;uiLI~y 18b of the ext-orn~l system
lOb also includes the dual tone multifrequency (DTMF) circuit 50 that p~.rQ~l"s
decoding and encoding functions on signals tr~n.emitte(1 between the
10 telecf)llllll~ tions network, t~rmin~finn eqllirment 14 and the microprocessor
20. As is known in the art, DTMF ei~n~ling is an address ei~n~lin~ method for
teleco-------~-~ic~tic)ne service using sixteen (16) pairs of frequencies to l~csel~l
digits and other ~ ."ul~ .i (e.g., the "#" key and the "*" key). It is most
commonly used by t~rmin~ti~n eqnirment such as a station set to signal to a
15 network ~wik~l~illg system. The DTMF codes are pairs of tones or freqll.onciee,
one from a low frequency group and the other from a high frequency group.
Each of these frequency groups coneiete of four voice band frequency tones, no
two of which are harmonically related. As discussed below, the DTMF circuit
50 processes data signals received from the microprocessor 20 such that the
20 signals are encoded with the a~,ulupliate tones (DTMF codes) for use in the
teleconl.l,ul.ications network. The DTMF circuit 50 also data processes and
decodes signals received from the termin~tion equipment 14 for the remote
dialing feature and during pro~,-------;--g such that the signals are in a format
usable by the microprocessor 20.
The electrical ci~ 18a used for the telecommllnications system lOa
that is inc~"~u~dl~d into the tlormin~tion eqllipment 14 operates eimil~rly to the
cil-;uill~ 18b rliecneeer1 above for the e~tern~l system lOb. As shown in FIG. 5,
the microprocessor 20, display 28, number memory 22, push-button switches
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24,26,32,34, ring detector circuit 56 and switching circuit 58 operate in the
int.-rn~l system lOa as set forth above with respect to the ext~-m~1 system lOb.The microprocessor 20 can be a sep~r~te component in.,lll<le.l in the Cil~;ui.'
18a, or can be the microprocessor 20 used in the termin~tion eql~irment14 (e.g.,S in col~ l-lional touch tone telephone sets) that performs various ~Miti3n:~1
functions known in art, such as speed dialing and redial functions. The
nonvolatile memory device 22 shown in FIG. 5 can be a s~,~dL~ component
added to the t~ on eqllipment14, or can be pa~ of a memory device used
to store other inforrn~ti- n used by the t-~rmin~tion equipment's microprocessor,
10 such as information stored for speed dial features. The ci~ y co..l~ollents of
the internal system lOa are powered by a conventional power supply associated
with the te- ,..;.",I;~n equipment 14.
Differences between the ~;i..;uiLl ~ associated with the internal system l Oa
and .-~t.-rn~l system lOb include that the internal system lOa requires only
15 DTMF encoding functions to be ~ .lled on signals l~ ",;lle-l from the
microprocessor 20 to the telecommunications network (via the switching circuit
58). Decoding functions are not necessary in this embodiment since
microprocessor 20 is electrically conn~cte~ to the keys l l of the keypad 12
either directly or via the key press detection circuit 48. Asis known in the art,
20 the keys 11 associated with conventional keypads 12 are on/off switches that
L al.si. il unique signals when pressed. In the internal system 1 Oa, output signals
from the keys 11 are not converted to tones, and therefore no decoding of the
tones is needed for the signals to be i.lL~ led by the microprocessor 20. The
key press detection circuit 60 is connected between the microprocessor 20 and
25 the keys 11 when the on/off switch keys 11 are multiplexed or when the on/offswitch keys 11 are not metallic contact switches (e.g., capacitive switches). Inthese configurations, the key press detection circuit 48 detects and processes the
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signal ~ell~ldled by a particular key 11, and transmits an output signal to the
microprocessor 20 indicating that key 11 was pressed.
Referring now to FIGS. 6A and 6B, the plert led embodiment of the
electrical cil~iuiLl~ 18b used in the extt-rn~l system 10b is ill~letr~ted The
S microprocessor 20 is deeign~te-l as U3 in FIG. 6B. In the ~-.,r~ d
embodiment, the microprocessor 20 is m~nllf~ct~lred by Phillips Inc. and sold asmodel number 87C751. However, any general purpose microprocessor 20 can
be used. As shown in the srh~m~tics, the microprocessor 20 is operatively
co.~lecLt:d to the display 28 via a jumper J3, the nonvolatile memory device 22
10 ( ieeign~ted as U5), and the DTMF circuit 50. As mentioned above, the
nonvolatile memory device U5 is preferably a serially ~qcceseed electric~lly
erasable pro~ lable read only memory (EEPROM) device having a
pro~ ,lable read only memory in which cells can be erased electrically and in
which each cell can be reprogrammed electrically. Furthermore, the
15 microprocessor U3 controls the states of the switching circuit 58.
As shown in FIG. 6B, the DTMF circuit 50 includes an integrated circuit
(IC) device U6 which ~,.rOlllls encoding functions and decoding functions on
data transmitted between the microprocessor and the switching device. Signals
tr~n~mitted from the mi~.upluce~ol U3 are processed by the IC device U6.
20 Based upon signals received from the microprocessor U3, the IC device U6
generates a DTMF signal referred to as DTMFOUT in FIGS. 6A and 6B. As
shown in FIG. 6A, the DTMFOUT signal is transmitted from the IC device U6
to a co--"--u-lication line via a first resistor R10 and a second resistor R5, arol-ller Tl, a third resistor R5, a relay switch K2:B, a public network
25 interface circuit 62 (discussed below), and jack Jl.
The decoding function of the IC device U6 receives an input signal
RECDTMF from the keypad 12 associated with the termin~tion eqllirment 14
via jack J2, a relay ~wiL~ illg device Kl, and a c~p~ritor C6. A decoded signal
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representative of the tones received from the termin~tion e~ui~ l 14 is then
tr~n~mitted from the IC device U6 to the microprocessor U3 for further data
procç~ing operations.
The ch~;uill,y 18b also incllld~s a power supply circuit 54 shown in FIG.
5 6B that is connected to the local All~...;.li~g current (ac) power source as shown
in FIG. 2. The power supply 54 includes a jumper J4 which is c~ nnPcted to and
receives local ac power from a wall plug mounted tr~n.cformer (not shown)
located at the cll~tcm~?r's premises, and then converts the power signal into
required regulated and unregulated voltages using a positive tellll~ldLule
coefficient fuse (PTCF) F2, a zener diode VR2, capacitor C14, c~r~Citr~r C15, a
voltage regulator U7, c~r~citor C16, capacitor C17 and a voltage regulator U8.
The switching circuit set forth in FIG. 6A includes a tr~n.~i~tor Ql for
driving relay Kl which, in turn, causes the ~ rh~d termination eqllirment 14
to be connected to the telecolllllluuications network or to the extern~1 system
15 1 Ob. The operation of transistor ~1 is controlled by the microprocessor U3 . The
microprocessor U3 gener~tes a LOCAL output signal that is supplied to relay
Kl via tr~n~i~tor Q1 when the operation of the termination eqllipment 14 is
controlled by the system lOb (i.e., the switching circuit 58 is in the second
state). Thus, when the LOCAL signal is generated, the relay K1 changes
20 position such that the system lOb controls operation of the termin~ti~n
e~ 14.
The ~wiLcl~il~g circuit 58 also includes the optoisolator 02, a group of
diodes D4, D5, D6, D7, and a resistor R19 that determine whether the
termin~tion eqnirment 14 is l~ ed in an off-hook or on-hook condition.
25 As ~ cll~se~l above, the optoisolator 02 generates the output signal LINEOH
having one state indicating the eqllipm~nt 14 is off-hook, and another state
indicating the e~l..;l....ent 14 is on-hook. The LINEOH signal is supplied to
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. -39-
~ microprocessor U3, which uses this information to control the state of the
~wiLclfing circuit 58.
A D~rlington tr~n~i~tor pair Q2, resistors Rll, R12, and R13, and
c~p~ritor C8 are also included in the swiLcl~illg circuit 58. These components
5 allow for tr~n~mi.~ion of an audible dial tone from the colllnlul.ication line to
the termin~tiQn eql-ipment 14 when it is off-hook and the system 10b is
connecte(l to the tf . ~ ion eqllipmPnt
The ~wi~-,l~illg circuit 58 also inchl(lPs a tr~n~i~tl~r Q3 and a relay
~wiLcllillg device K2:A,K2:B which allow the system lOb to transmit signals to
10 the pubic network when the system lObis activated by the user to ~ area
code, toll or carrier illfollllation. These components Q3,K2:A,K2:B also allow
the system lOb to disconnect from the telecoll..llullications network when the
system lOb is deactivated (i.e., no signal tr~n.~mi~sion from the system lOb to
the telec- ,.""l...ic~tions network is required). Energization of a relay coil K2:A,
15 which in turn controls the operation of relay switch K2:B,is controlled by the
microprocessor U3. An output signal DRVOH is generated by the
microprocessor U3 when the t~ ion eqnipment 14 goes off-hook. This
signal is supplied to the base lead of a transistor Q3 as shown in FIG. 6A.
When the DRVOH signal is supplied to the transistor Q3, a signal indicating the
off-hook condition of the t~ ion eqlliI-ment 14 is transmitted to the
telecolmnul.ications network via resistor R5, transformer Tl, relay switch K2:B,the public ll~lw~lh int~ e circuit 62, and jack Jl .
The system 10b also includes the ringing detection circuit 56 shown in
FIG. 6A having an ring detector integrated circuit Ul, an optoisolator Ol and
associated passive co~ ollents, all desi n~te~l as block 56. As mentioned
above, the ringing cletecti~n circuit 56 ~etermin~?s whether the tcrmin~tion
eq--ipment 14 is ringing, in(1ic~ting the presence of an incoming call. The
optoisolator Ol generates an output signal RING that is l,~ l to the
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microprocessor U3, thereby allowing the microprocessor U3 to trigger the
:jwil~ g circuit 58 to connect the l~ n eql-ipm~nt to the public or
private telec-~.. l.llications network (Cc~.. l~.~ic~tion line) for the duration of
the ringing signal. The microprocessor U3 ~l~oterminps whether the call has beenS ~l~ ,r~,d based upon the LlNEOH signal discussed above.
Before the signal is tr~n.emittlo(l from the system 1 Ob to the
telecollllllullications network, the signal is processed by the public network
interface circuit 62 that is conn~ctecl between the switching circuit 58 and jack
J1. The int.orf~.e circuit 62 is required by the Federal C~-mmllnic~tions
10 C~)mmiccion (FCC), Part 68, since the telecommur~ications system 10b is
cormected to the public teleco.. l-.. ications network. This interf~ce device 62
provides the uece~s~ protection to the public telec(-.,.. ~.ic~tionc net~vork
from line transients that may occur for various reasons. As shown in FIG. 6A,
the int~rf~re circuit 62 includes jack J1 connected to the conventional wall jack
43 that provides access to the public or private telecommunications network via
cll.ctcmer premises equipment (CPE) (not shown). A fuse F1, a metal oxide
varistor (surge ~lvh~;Lor) V1, and a bi-directional transient ~u~ sser (back-to-back zener diodes) VR1 are also included in the interface circuit 62 to proteet
the teleeo.. ic~ti-~nc network from line transients and undesirable signals
that otherwise may damage the net~vork.
KEY 1 and KEY 2 shown in FIG. 6B provide connection for the push-
button switches 24, 26, 32, 34 to the electrical circuitry 18b. As discussed
above, the ~ler~lc;d embodiment of the e~tern~l system l Ob includes nine push-
button switches (three area code (AC) switches 24, three switches used to selectlong ~lict~nre carriers 32, one program switch 34, and two toll switch 26). The
KEYS 1 and 2 are o~ lively co~ cle~l to the microprocessor U3 via a
parallel-to-serial COll~ h. U2 and a bay of resistors R17 as shown in FIG. 6B.
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Other electrical co~l~ollents inclnfle~l in the ~lcrc~l~d embodiment of the
cil~ for the e~t~orn~l system 10b include an integrated circuit U4 shown in
FIG. 6B which g~n~r~tes a reset signal RST which is used to reset the
miclu~lucessor U3.
Numerûus variatiûns in the present inventiûn will occur to those skilled
in the art. For example, the area code (AC) push-buttons 24 can be programIned
to autom~tic~lly choose a carrier and dial that carrier's access code. After
L~ g a dial signal intlic~tin~ the access code inform~tion, the system 10
can be program~ned to dial a preprograrnmed area code as well. ~lttorn~tively~
the system 10 can be programmed to only dial the access code and then allow
the user to either m~ml~lly input an area code, or press another AC button to
dial the desired area code. The user can change the carrier access code
il~lllldlion, if desired, using the progr~mming steps set forth above for
pro~,l,"n-"i--~ of the AC buttons. The present invention also allows a user to
program information relating to prepaid calling card numbers in the system lû.
The calling card infolllldlion is stored in the memory device 22. This
hlfc.llll~lion can be programmed in place of carrier information in a carrier slot,
or instead of area code information for an AC button. Thus, the user can triggerthe system to dial the prepaid calling card information by selecting the
a~opl;dLe "catrier" col,c i,~olldirlg to the calling card information, or by
pressing the a~lu~ul;ate AC button 24. This feature is particularly time saving
when placing long ~ t~n~c calls since some prepaid calling cards require a user
to dial up to 20 numbers before dialing the desired extension address. Other
possible configurations of the system 10 allow the user to dial a telephone
number to update the carrier information or obtain information indicating the
carrier offering the least c~Cll:iiVC rates for a particular type of call. This
information could be uploaded into the system 10 autom~tic~lly by modem
transfer. ~lt~rn~tively, information indicating rates charged by various carriers
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could be provided by calling a customer service information center (e.g., calling
an "800" or "900" telephone number), or by posting such rates on an Tntt-rn~t
site. These variations are merely ill~ ;v~.
