Communication apparatus and methods

• US 20040063446A1
• Filed: 06/18/2003
• Published: 04/01/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 06/18/2002
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Murray Valpy Kennett
• Original Assignee: Murray Valpy Kennett
• Inventors: Kennett, Murray Valpy
• Application Number:
  US10/463,405
• Publication Number:
  US 20040063446A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 455/466
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/7243 with interactive means for internal management of messages

Abstract

The invention relates to a communications apparatus which includes an input/output transducer interface, a text message generation means connected to the interface to generate a text message dependent on an electrical signal input to the interface, or to decode a received text message for provision to the interface.

Claims

1. A communications apparatus including

a transducer interface, input/output

a text message generation means operatively connected to the interface to

(a) generate a text message dependent on an electrical signal input to the interface, or

(b) decode a received text message for provision to the interface.

2. The interface as claimed in claim 1, is physically adapted to receive digital or analogue electrical signals, or to produce digital or analogue electrical signals dependent upon whether a text message is being generated or received.

3. The text generation means as claimed in claim 1, include processing means and wireless communication means.

11. A control or monitoring apparatus according to any of the preceding claims.

4. A processing means process digital or analogue incoming signals from the transducer interface into an appropriate symbolic format for transmission by the wireless communication means.

5. The processing means as claimed in claim 4, also receive information from the wireless communication means and process or decode that information for provision to the transducer interface which can then provide an output electrical signal to operate a transducer.

6. The wireless communication means as claimed in claim 4, include a unique identifier on a communications network, such as a cellular or mobile telephone network.

7. The processing means or the wireless communication means as claimed in claim 4, includes a destination selection means to select a required destination for the output message, such as a telephone number on a mobile or cellular telephone network or server/E-mail address.

8. The transducer interface as claimed in claim 4, is connected to an input transducer and/or output transducer.

9. An input transducer comprising a microswitch, a water level or pressure transducer, an alarm output, a PIR device or a temperature transducer.

10. An output transducer including one or more of an electric motor, a light or LED, a solenoid, a siren or alarm system input, or a valve assembly.

12. A method of communication comprising the steps of

providing a transducer interface,

providing a text message generation means operatively connected to the interface to

(c) generate a text message dependent on an electrical signal input to the interface, or

(d) decode a received text message for provision to the interface.