Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
CA 02370552 2001-10-15
WO 00/64200 PCT/US00/09019
1
A FIXED CELLULAR TERMINAL
SYSTEM AND METHOD OF USING THE SAME
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to fixed cellular terminal systems. More
specifically, the present invention relates to a system and method for
allowing use
of a cellular telephone in conjunction with a fixed cellular terminal system.
Description of the Related Art
In many locations in the world, people are forced to either do without
or wait long periods for standard telephone service due to a lack of a wire
telephone
infrastructure. Such is the case in many remote locations, and in markets that
cannot support or justify the investment in a wire telephone infrastructure.
One
solution to such a problem is a fixed cellular terminal system that provides
standard
telephone service by combining an analog telephone and a cellular
communications
device to provide telephone service over a cellular network.
A fixed cellular terminal system is available from the assignee herein.
The system includes a single line module and a power supply with a battery
backup
unit. The system is intended to be installed in a consumer's home or office.
The
single line module includes a line interface controller and a radio
transceiver. The
line interface controller makes it possible to use multiple dual tone multi-
frequency
("DTMF") telecommunication units at a single location. The DTMF
telecommunication units may be telephones, facsimile machines, or modems. The
DTMF units are connected to the line interface controller via the single line
module
using ordinary telephone jacks. The radio transceiver provides the interface
to the
cellular network. The radio transceiver is similar to a conventional
cellulartelephone,
only it has modified software to perform the interface with the line interface
controller.
The interface to the cellular network conforms to cellular telephony
standards,
through normal operation of the radio transceiver. The system generates
ringing,
signal, dial, congestion, holler and any other needed tone to the DTMF units.
The
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line interface controller also converts tone into a serial data stream, and
sends the
data to the radio transceiver. The system may also include an echo canceler
and
metering functionality to support pay phone functionality.
However, one major limitation in a fixed cellular terminal system is the
inability to use the radio transceiver as a conventional portable cellular
telephone.
Thus, if a consumer of the fixed cellular terminal system desired to also have
a
conventional portable cellular telephone, the consumer would need a separate
subscription to the cellular telephone network. PCT Publication WO 98147300
(published 22 October 1998) and EP-A-0 863 648 disclose cellular terminals
used
in fixed locations.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
One aspect of the present invention is a fixed cellular terminal system
for utilization of a DTMF telecommunication unit and a conventional portable
cellular
telephone in a cellular network. The system includes a line interface system,
a radio
transceiver and a docking mechanism. The line intertace system includes a line
interface controller. The line interface controller is capable of providing a
connection
between a DTMF telecommunication unit and a cellular network. The radio
transceiver connects the line interface system to a cellular network, and may
also
be used as a conventional portable cellular telephone. The docking mechanism
connects the radio transceiver to the line interface system. A detector
detects a
connection from the line interface controller to the radio transceiver, with
the line
interface controller Is adapted to activate the cellular telephone speaker and
microphone when the detector detects that the radio transceiver has been
disconnected from the docking mechanism while the system is in a conversation
mode.
The radio transceiver may be capable of operating in a fixed mode for
connection of a DTMF telecommunication network with a cellular network, and a
portable mode for use as a conventional portable cellular telephone. The radio
transceiver may also be capable of detecting if power is being supplied to the
radio
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transceiver by the power supply of the line interface system. The fixed
cellular
terminal system may also be capable of switching between use of a DTMF
telecommunication unit and the radio transceiver as a conventional cellular
telephone during a telephone conversation over the cellular network. The DTMF
telecommunication unit may be selected from the group consisting of
telephones,
modems, and facsimile machines.
Another aspect of the present invention is a radio transceiver capable
of utilization with a fixed cellular terminal system as a component of a fine
interface
system of the fixed cellular terminal system and also as a stand alone
conventional
portable cellular telephone. The radio transceiver is capable of detecting
communications from the line interface controller. The radio transceiver may
provide
connection to a cellular network for a DTMF telecommunication unit connected
to the
line interface system. The radio transceiver may also be capable of switching
from
a fixed mode to a portable mode during a conversation. The radio transceiver
may
function as one of a digital cellular telephone and an analog cellular
telephone. A
cellular telephone speaker and cellular telephone microphone may be activated
when the transceiver detects that the radio transceiver has been disconnected
from
the docking mechanism while the system is in a conversation mode.
Another aspect of the present invention is a method of using the radio
transceiver in a fixed cellular terminal system in a cellular network. The
radio
transceiver is operable in one of a fixed mode by interfacing with one of a
modem,
telephone, or facsimile machine through the radio transceiver to a cellular
network
and a portable mode as a conventional cellular telephone using the cellular
network.
The radio transceiver may be changed to the other of the fixed mode and the
portable mode. Changing the operation from the fixed mode to the portable mode
when in a conversation mode may include activating a speaker and microphone on
the cellular telephone. The method may also include placing the radio
transceiver
in a conversation mode and changing the operation of the radio transceiver to
the
other of the fixed mode and the portable mode while maintaining the radio
transceiver in the conversation mode. The method may also include verifying
the
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supply of power to the radio transceiver. The method may also include
verifying a
communication fink between the line interface controller and the radio
transceiver
at predetermined time intervals. The method may also include switching from
the
fixed mode to the portable mode if a communication link between the fine
interface
controller and the radio transceiver has been terminated. The method may also
include inquiring if the radio transceiver is in a conversation mode or in
idle mode.
The method may also include charging the radio transceiver when the radio
transceiver is in the fixed mode.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
There is illustrated in Figure 1 a block diagram of a fixed cellular
terminal system of the present invention with multiple DTMF telecommunication
units
that may include telephones, facsimile machines and modems.
There is illustrated in Figure 1A a block diagram of an alternative
embodiment of the fixed cellular terminal system of the present invention with
multiple DTMF telecommunication units that may include telephones, facsimile
machines and modems.
There is illustrated in Figure 2 a flow chart of the logic in determining
whether to operate the fixed cellular terminal system in a fixed mode through
use of
the DTMF units, or in a portable mode through use of the radio transceiver as
a
conventional cellular telephone when the radio transceiver is in an idle mode,
wherein it is waiting for a telecommunication.
There is illustrated in Figure 3 a flow chart of the communication
sequences between the radio transceiver and the line interface controller of
the fixed
cellular terminal system to determine if the fixed cellular system should
operate in
the fixed mode or the portable mode.
There is illustrated in Figure 4 a flow chart of the logic in determining
whether to operate the fixed cellular terminal system in a fixed mode through
use of
the DTMF units, or in a portable mode through use of the radio transceiver as
a
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conventional cellular telephone when the radio transceiver is in a
conversation
mode, in which a telecommunication is occurring over the cellular network.
There is illustrated in Figure 5 a block diagram of the interface, via a
docking mechanism, between the radio transceiver and the line interface
system.
. 5 DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
As shown in Figures 1 and 1A, a fixed cellular terminal system of the
present invention is generally designated 20. The system 20 includes a line
interface system 22, a radio transceiver 24, a computer 26 and a docking unit
28.
A plurality of DTMF telecommunication units 30a-a (modern 30a; telephones
30b-30d; and Fax Sae) are connected to the line interface system 22. The line
interface system 22 includes a line interface controller 31, a power supply 32
with
a backup battery 34, and an indoor antenna 36. The docking unit 28 provides
connection between the radio transceiver 24 and the line interface system 22.
As
shown in Figure 1 A, the docking unit 28a may be an integrated component of
the
line interface system 22. The radio transceiver 24 may be used as a
conventional
portable cellular telephone when it is not connected with the docking unit 28,
28a.
However, when the radio transceiver 24 is connected~to the docking unit
28,28a, the
DTMF units 30a-e may use the same telephone number as the radio transceiver 24
through their connection via the fine interface system 22. The computer 26 is
used
to program and reprogram the line interface system 22 and, if necessary, the
radio
transceiver 24.
The radio transceiver 24 is programmed to recognize when it is being
used in a portable mode as a conventional portable cellulartelephane, and in a
fixed
as a component of the line interface system 22. The fixed mode is similar to
the
fixed mode of the current fixed cellular terminal systems of the prior art
where the
radio transceiver 24 is physically connected to the line interface system 22.
The
portable mode is similar to the mobile mode of a conventional portable
cellular
telephone. The fixed cellular terminal system 20 operates in an idle mode and
a
conversation mode. The system is in the idle mode when it is waiting for a
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telecommunication to occur between a user of the fixed cellular terminal
system 20
and another party over the cellular network. The system is in the conversation
mode
when a telecommunication occurs between a user of the fixed cellular terminal
system 20 and another party over the cellular network. For example, the
telecommunication may be a telephone call, a facsimile transmission, or
communication link to the intemet. The present invention allows for the radio
transceiver 24 to distinguish between the fixed mode and the portable mode,
and to
switch between the fixed mode and the portable mode even in the middle of a
conversation.
As shown in Figure 2, when the radio transceiver 24 is in the idle mode
(as compared to the conversation mode), the radio transceiver 24 is programmed
to
inquire at predetermined intervals if there has been a change between fixed
and
portable modes. At block 100, the radio transceiver 24 is activated and
automatically goes into the portable mode as its initial mode. Within a
predetermined time period (usually 2 seconds), an inquiry is sent from the
radio
transceiver 24, as shown at block 102, to determine if the radio transceiver
24 is
connected to an external power supply and if it is receiving communications
from the
line interface controller 31 of the line interface system 22. If the response
to this
inquiry is negative, then the radio transceiver 24 remains in the portable
mode.
However, if the response to this inquiry is positive, the radio transceiver 24
will
switch to the fixed mode, as shown at block 104. At predetermined time
intervals
when the radio transceiver 24 is in the fixed mode, as shown at block 106,the
radio
transceiver 24 will send out inquiries as to the status of communications with
the line
interface controller 31 and as to a connection to the power supply 32 for the
line
interface system 22. If the inquiries are positive, then the radio transceiver
24
remains in the fixed mode. However, if the inquiry is negative, the radio
transceiver
24 switches to the portable mode.
The communication sequences between the radio transceiver 24 and
the line intertace controller 31 of the line intertace system 22 are shown in
Figure 3.
The format of the communications may be AT commands in ASCII format andlor
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binary commands. However, those skilled in the pertinent art will recognize
that
other commands and formats may be utilized in the communications sequences
between the radio transceiver 24 and the line intertace controller 22 without
departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. As shown in
Figure 3,
the line interface controller 31 of the line interface system 22 at block 120
is
activated and waits for a predetermined time period (usually 2 seconds) before
sending off a communication to the radio transceiver 24 which is in the
portable
mode represented by block 122. A communication 124 from the line intertace
controller 31 to the radio transceiver 24 inquires whether the radio
transceiver 24 is
connected to the docking unit 28, 28a. An inquiry, as shown at block 126, as
to the
availability of external power, is sent out from the radio transceiver 24. A
positive
response 127 sent to the line intertace controller 31 elicits an
initialization success
reply 128 that initiates the communication sequences for the radio transceiver
24 to
switch to the fixed mode as represented by block 130. At predetermined time
intervals, the line interface controller 31 sends status request inquiries 132
to the
radio transceiver 24. The radio transceiver 24 will reply with a status
response 134
indicating that it is still connected to the docking unit 28, 28a. However, as
indicated
at block 13fi, if the predetermined time period expires and a status request
is not
received by the radio transceiver 24, the radio transceiver 24 changes from
the fixed
mode into the portable mode. If at a later time a status request 138 is again
sent by
the line interface controller 31 to the radio transceiver 24, a response 140
will be
sent from the radio transceiver 24 indicating that it is again connected to
the docking
unit 28,28a, and an initialization success 128 communication will be sent from
the
line interface controller 31 to the radio transceiver 24.
The logic involved in switching between the portable mode and the
fixed mode is illustrated in Figure 4. As seen at block 150, the radio
transceiver 24
is activated in a default portable mode. An inquiry 152 is sent to determine
if there
is a connection to an external power supply, and to determine if any
communication
sequences have been received from the fine interface controller 31 of the line
interface system 22. A positive response will place the radio transceiver 24
in the
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fixed mode as indicated at block 154. An inquiry 156 concerning the
conversation
mode is sent from the radio transceiver 24.
If a positive response is received to this inquiry 156, then as indicated
at block 158, the radio transceiver 24 generates a ring via the telephone 30d
to
indicate that the switching is completed and the conversation can be continued
by
using the telephone, DTMF unit 30a. A negative response to the conversation
mode
inquiry 156 will elicit a second response 160 as to the presence of external
power
and the status of communication sequences from the line interface controller
31 to
the radio transceiver 24. A positive response to this inquiry 160 will
maintain the
radio transceiver 24 in the fixed mode, and after a predetermined time period
the
conversation mode inquiry 156 will again be sent out by the radio transceiver
24.
A negative response to this inquiry 160 will elicit a second conversation mode
inquiry
162 from the radio transceiver 24. !f the response to this inquiry 162 is
positive, then
the DTMF unit 30 is not being used and the radio transceiver 24 is being used
as a
conventional portable cellular telephone. Thus, as indicated at block 164, the
software program of the radio transceiver 24 switches the audio path from the
DTMF
unit 30a to the internal speaker microphone of the radio transceiver 24.
However,
if the response to this conversation mode inquiry 162 is negative, then the
conversation, if any was present, was terminated and the radio transceiver 24
switches to the portable mode.
As shown in Figure 5, the docking unit 28 has an ;interface 200 for
operably connecting the radio transceiver 24. The receptorlinterface 200
provides
the necessary connections between the docking unit 28 and the radio
transceiver 24
for providing connections to the line interfiace system 22. The docking unit
28
provides a power connection 202 for receiving power from the power supply 32
of
the line interface system 22. The docking unit 28 also has a communication
interface 204 for providing communications between the radio transceiver 24
and a
corresponding communication interface 206 of the line interface controller 31
of the
line interface system 22. The docking unit 28 also has an antenna interface
206 for
providing access for the radio transceiver 24 to the antenna 36 of the line
interface
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system 22. Those skilled in the art will recognize that other intertace
connections
may be integrated into the docking unit 28 without departing from the spirit
and
scope of the present invention.
Although the docking unit 28 as shown in Figure 5 is a separate
component, the interface units 200, 202, 204, and 206 may be integrated into
the
line interface system 22. The docking unit 28 may consist of a stand-alone
component with connections to the line interface system 22, or it may be
integrated
into the line interface system 22 as illustrated in Figure 1A.
In using the present invention, only one telephone number need be
assigned to the consumer for both the cellular telephone use and also the DTMF
use. Thus, a consumer may be reached on hislher cellular phone/radio
transceiver
24 or at hislher home at one of the DTMF units such as the telephone 30a
through
the use of a single telephone number. The fixed cellular terminal system 20
allows
for the radio transceiver battery to be charged while operably connected in
the
docking unit 28. The radio transceiver 24 may retain all of the functions of a
conventional cellular telephone including voice privacy, caller lD, three-way
calling,
as well as storage of caller ID numbers. Thus, the radio transceiver 24 may be
used
as an external caller ID display for one of the DTMF units 30a-f. Further, the
radio
transceiver 24 may be charged during use of the DTMF units 30a-e. Also,
billing
which is a competitive factor for the operator, may be easily controlled by
using the
Intelligent Roaming Data-Base (IRDB) data with different SIDs (Residential,
Private,
Preferred, Favored, etc.). The user may be offered different rate plans
depending
on the system identifier the phone uses to get service. When the radio
transceiver
24 is connected to the Line interface system 22, the radio transceiver 24 may
automatically be forced to select a special system identification number.
Thus, the
present invention has the potential to make a fixed cellular terminal system
flexible
and user friendly.
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