Telephone device and method for operating a telephone device

• US 4,790,002 A
• Filed: 08/08/1986
• Issued: 12/06/1988
• Est. Priority Date: 08/08/1986
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Dictaphone Corporation (Microsoft Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Dictaphone Corporation (Microsoft Corporation)
• Inventors: Chamberlin, David B., D'Agosto, Nicholas A. III
• Primary Examiner(s): Cardillo, Raymond F.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Tomassini, James E.
• Application Number:
  US06/894,549
• Time in Patent Office: 851 Days
• Field of Search: 379/67, 379/68, 379/75, 379/70, 379/74, 379/77, 379/78, 379/79, 379/82, 379/388-390, 379/420, 369/25, 369/29
• US Class Current: 379/70
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/0289 Telephone sets for operators
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/6033 for providing handsfree use or a loudspeaker mode in telephone sets arrangements for preventing acoustic echo H04M9/08
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/65 Recording arrangements for recording a message from the calling party in the exchange H04M3/50

Abstract

A telephone terminal or a combined telephone-dictation terminal is disclosed. Such telephone apparatus includes a handset having a microphone and a speaker together with a speakerphone having a microphone and a speaker. Such telephone apparatus also includes a hook switch, which detects on-hook and off-hook conditions of the handset, a speakerphone switch, and a control mechanism, which is responsive to the hook switch and the speakerphone switch. The control mechanism may successively enable and disable at least one of the speakerphone microphone and the speakerphone speaker in response to successive operations of the speakerphone switch during the on-hook condition. Preferably, such a control mechanism (a) enables the speakerphone microphone and the speakerphone speaker when the speakerphone switch is operated a first time during the on-hook condition; (b) disables the speakerphone microphone when the speakerphone switch is operated a second time during the on-hook condition; and (c) reenables the speakerphone microphone when the speakerphone switch is operated a third time during the on-hook condition. The control mechanism may enable the headset microphone and the headset speaker in response to a change from the on-hook condition to the off-hook condition and then enable the speakerphone speaker when the speakerphone switch is operated a first time during the on-hook condition. Such a control mechanism desirably disables the headset microphone when the speakerphone switch is operated a second time during the off-hook condition and reenables the headset microphone when the speakerphone switch is operated a third time during the off-hook condition.

Claims

1. Telephone apparatus for transmitting and receiving audio signals, comprising:

a handset having a first microphone and a first speaker;

speakerphone means having a second microphone and a second speaker;

hook switch means for detecting an on-hook condition of the handset and for detecting an off-hook condition of the handset;

a speakerphone switch; and

control means, responsive to said hook switch means and to said speakerphone switch, for successively enabling and disabling at least one of said second microphone and said second speaker in response to successive operations of said speakerphone switch during the on-hook condition; and

wherein said control means includes means for enabling said first microphone and said first speaker in response to a change from the on-hook condition to the off-hook condition and means for enabling said second speaker in response to the operation of said speakerphone switch during the off-hook condition.

2. Telephone apparatus as recited in claim 1, wherein said control means further includes means for successively disabling and enabling said first microphone in response to successive operations of said speakerphone switch during the off-hook condition.

3. Telephone apparatus as recited in claim 1, wherein said control means includes means for enabling said first microphone and said first speaker and for disabling said second microphone and said second speaker in response to a change from the on-hook condition to the off-hook condition.

4. Telephone apparatus as recited in claim 1, further comprising an additional switch and automatic control means, responsive to said additional switch, for automatically dialing a preselected telephone number, wherein said control means enables said second microphone and said second speaker in response to a signal from said automatic control means during the on-hook condition.

5. Telephone apparatus as recited in claim 1, further comprising:

a selectively connectable headset having a third speaker; and

a headset switch with a first state and a second state; and

wherein said control means is responsive to said headset switch and includes means for enabling said second microphone and said second speaker when said speakerphone switch is operated a first time during the on-hook condition while said headset switch is in the first state, and means for enabling said second microphone and said third speaker when said speakerphone switch is operated a first time during the on-hook condition while said headset switch is in the second state.

6. Telephone apparatus as recited in claim 5, wherein said control means additionally includes means for disabling said second microphone when said speakerphone switch is operated a second time during the on-hook condition while said headset switch is in the second state and means for reenabling said second microphone when said speakerphone switch is operated a third time during the on-hook condition while said headset switch is in the second state.

7. Telephone apparatus for transmitting and receiving audio signals, comprising:

a handset having a first microphone and a first speaker;

speakerphone means having a second microphone and a second speaker;

hook switch means for detecting an on-hook condition of the handset and for detecting an off-hook condition of the handset;

a speakerphone switch; and

control means, responsive to said hook switch means and to said speakerphone switch, for enabling said first microphone and said first speaker in response to a change from the on-hook condition to the off-hook condition and for enabling said second speaker when said speakerphone switch is operated a first time during the off-hook condition.

8. Telephone apparatus as recited in claim 7, wherein said control means includes means for disabling said first microphone when said speakerphone switch is operated a second time during the off-hook condition and means for reenabling said first microphone when said speakerphone switch is operated a third time during the off-hook condition.

9. Telephone apparatus as in claim 7, wherein said control means includes means for enabling said second microphone and for disabling said first microphone and said first speaker in response to a change from the off-hook condition to the on-hook condition.

10. Telephone apparatus as recited in claim 7, wherein said control means includes means for enabling said second microphone and said second speaker when said speakerphone switch is operated a first time during the on-hook condition and additionally includes means for disabling said second microphone when said speakerphone switch is operated a second time during the on-hook condition and means for reenabling said second microphone when said speakerphone switch is operated a third time during the on-hook condition.

11. Telephone apparatus as recited in claim 7, further comprising an additional switch and automatic control means, responsive to said additional switch, for automatically dialing a preselected telephone number, wherein said control means enables said second microphone and said second speaker in response to a signal from said automatic control means during the on-hook condition.

12. Telephone apparatus as recited in claim 7, further comprising:

a selectively connectable headset having a third speaker; and

a headset switch with a first state and a second state;

wherein said control means is responsive to said headset switch; and

wherein said control means includes means for enabling said second microphone and said second speaker when said speakerphone switch is operated a first time during the on-hook condition while said headset switch is in the first state and means for enabling said second microphone and said third speaker when said speakerphone switch is operated a first time during the on-hook condition while said headset switch is in the second state.

13. Telephone apparatus as recited in claim 12, wherein said control means additionally includes means for disabling said second microphone when said speakerphone switch is operated a second time during the on-hook condition whiles said headset switch is in the second state and means for reenabling said second microphone when said speakerphone switch is operated a third time during the on-hook condition while said headset switch is in the second state.

14. Telephone apparatus for transmitting and receiving audio signals, comprising:

a handset having a first microphone and a first speaker;

speakerphone means having a second microphone and a second speaker;

a selectively connectable headset having a third speaker;

hook switch means for detecting an on-hook condition of the handset and for detecting an off-hook condition of the handset;

a speakerphone switch;

a headset switch with a first state and a second state; and

control means, responsive to said hook switch means and to said speakerphone and headset switches, for enabling said second microphone and said second speaker when said speakerphone switch is operated a first time during the on-hook condition while said headset switch is in the first state and for enabling said second microphone and said third speaker when said speakerphone switch is operated a first time during the on-hook condition while said headset switch is in the second state, wherein said control means includes means for disabling said second microphone when said speakerphone switch is operated a second time during the on-hook condition while said headset switch is in the second state and means for reenabling said second microphone when said speakerphone switch is operated a third time during the on-hook condition while said headset switch is in the second state.

15. Telephone apparatus as recited in claim 14, wherein said control means includes means for enabling said first microphone and said first speaker in response to a change from the on-hook condition to the off-hook condition while said headset switch is in the second state and means for enabling said second speaker when said speakerphone switch is operated a first time during the off-hook condition.

16. Telephone apparatus as recited in claim 15, wherein said control means further includes means for disabling said first microphone when said speakerphone switch is operated a second time during the off-hook condition while said headset switch is in the second state and means for reenabling said first microphone when said speakerphone switch is operated a third time during the off-hook condition while said headset switch is in the second state.

17. Telephone apparatus as in claim 15, wherein said control means includes means for enabling said second microphone and said third speaker and for disabling said first microphone, said first speaker, and said second speaker in response to a change from the off-hook condition to the on-hook condition while said headset switch is in the second state.

18. Telephone apparatus as recited in claim 14, wherein said control means includes means for disabling said second microphone and said third speaker and for enabling said first microphone and said first speaker in response to a change from the on-hook condition to the off-hook condition while said headset switch is in the second state.

19. Telephone apparatus as recited in claim 14, further comprising an additional switch and automatic control means, responsive to said additional switch, for automatically dialing a preselected telephone number, wherein said control means enables said second microphone and said third speaker in response to a signal from said automatic control means during the on-hook condition while said headset switch is in the second state.

20. A method of operating telephone apparatus of the type including a handset having a first microphone and a first speaker;

speakerphone means having a second microphone and a second speaker;

hook switch means for detecting off-hook and on-hook conditions of the handset; and

a speakerphone switch;

the method comprising the steps of;

enabling the second microphone and the second speaker when the speakerphone switch is operated a first time during the on-hook condition;

disabling the second microphone when the speakerphone switch is operated a second time during the on-hook condition;

reenabling the second microphone when the speakerphone switch is operated a third time during the on-hook condition;

enabling said first microphone and said first speaker in response to a change from the on-hook condition to the off-hook condition; and

enabling the second speaker when the speakerphone switch is operated a first time during the off-hook condition.

21. A method as recited in claim 20, further comprising the steps of:

disabling the first microphone when the speakerphone switch is operated a second time during the off-hook condition; and

reenabling the first microphone when the speakerphone switch is operated a third time during the off-hook condition.

22. A method as recited in claim 20, further comprising the steps of:

enabling the first microphone and the first speaker in response to a change from the on-hook condition to the off-hook condition; and

disabling the second microphone and the second speaker in response to said change from the on-hook condition to the off-hook condition.

23. A method as recited in claim 20, further comprising the steps of:

manually operating an additional switch;

automatically dialing a preselected telephone number in response to the operation of the additional switch during the on-hook condition; and

automatically enabling the second microphone and the second speaker in response to the operation of the additional switch during the on-hook condition.

24. A method of operating telephone apparatus of the type including a handset having a first microphone and a first speaker;

speakerphone means having a second microphone and a second speaker;

hook switch means for detecting an on-hook condition of the handset and for detecting an off-hook condition of the handset; and

a speakerphone switch;

the method comprising the steps of;

enabling the first microphone and the first speaker in response to a change from the on-hook condition to the off-hook condition; and

enabling the second speaker when the speakerphone switch is operated a first time during the off-hook condition.

25. A method as recited in claim 24, further comprising the steps of:

disabling the first microphone when the speakerphone switch is operated a second time during the off-hook condition; and

reenabling the first microphone when the speakerphone switch is operated a third time during the off-hook condition.

26. A method as recited in claim 24, further comprising the steps of:

enabling the second microphone in response to a change from the off-hook condition to the on-hook condition; and

disabling the first microphone and the first speaker in response to said change from the off-hook condition to the on-hook condition.

27. A method as recited in claim 24, further comprising the steps of:

enabling the second microphone and the second speaker when the speakerphone switch is operated a first time during the on-hook condition;

disabling the second microphone when the speakerphone switch is operated a second time during the on-hook condition;

reenabling the second microphone when the speakerphone switch is operated a third time during the on-hook condition.

28. A method as recited in claim 24, further comprising the steps of:

manually operating an additional switch;

automatically dialing a preselected telephone number in response to the operation of the additional switch during the on-hook condition; and

automatically enabling the second microphone and the second speaker in response to the operation of the additional switch during the on-hook condition.

29. A method of operating telephone apparatus of the type including a handset having a first microphone and a first speaker;

speakerphone means having a second microphone and a second speaker;

a selectively connectable headset having a third speaker;

hook switch means for detecting an on-hook condition of the handset and for detecting an off-hook condition of the handset;

a speakerphone switch; and

a headset switch with a first state and a second state;

the method comprising the steps of;

enabling the second microphone and the second speaker when the speakerphone switch is operated a first time during the on-hook condition while the headset switch is in the first state;

manually operating an additional switch;

automatically dialing a preselected telephone number in response to the operation of the additional switch during the on-hook condition while the headset switch is in the second state; and

automatically enabling the second microphone and the third speaker in response to the operation of the additional switch during the on-hook condition while the headset switch is in the second state.

30. A modular telephone/dictation system disposable in respective modes of operation for use by a user to carry out different system operating functions including a dictation function and a telecommunication function, said system comprising:

a recording module for recording dictation on a record medium; and

a physically independent communication module connectable to said recording module to form an integral structure therewith and for transmitting and receiving audio signals telephonically, said communication module including a handset having a first microphone and a first speaker;

speakerphone means having a second microphone and a second speaker;

hook switch means for detecting an on-hook condition of the handset and for detecting an off-hook condition of the handset;

a speakerphone switch; and

control means, responsive to said hook switch means and to said speakerphone switch, for enabling said first microphone and said first speaker in response to a change from the on-hook condition to the off-hook condition and for enabling said second speaker when said speakerphone switch is operated a first time during the off-hook condition. PG,67

31. A method of operating telephone apparatus of the type including a handset having a first microphone and a first speaker;

speakerphone means having a second microphone and a second speaker;

a selectively connectable headset having a third speaker;

hook switch means for detecting an on-hook condition of the handset and for detecting an off-hook condition of the handset;

a speakerphone switch; and

a headset switch with a first state and a second state;

the method comprising the steps of;

enabling the second microphone and the second speaker when the speakerphone switch is operated a first time during the on-hook condition while the headset switch is in the first state; and

enabling the second microphone and the third speaker when the speakerphone switch is operated a first time during the on-hook condition while the headset switch is in the second state;

enabling the first microphone and the first speaker in response to a change from the on-hook condition to the off-hook condition while the headset switch is in the second state; and

enabling the second speaker when the speakerphone switch is operated a first time during the off-hook condition while the headset switch is in the second state.

32. A method as recited in claim 31, further comprising, after the step of enabling the first microphone and the first speaker and the step of enabling the second speaker, the steps of:

disabling the first microphone when the speakerphone switch is operated a second time during the off-hook condition while the headset switch is in the second state; and

reenabling the first microphone when the speakerphone switch is operated a third time during the off-hook condition while the headset switch is in the second state.

33. A method as recited in claim 31, further comprising, after the step of enabling the first microphone and the first speaker and the step of enabling the second speaker, the steps of:

enabling the second microphone and the third speaker in response to a change from the off-hook condition to the on-hook condition while the headset switch is in the second state; and

disabling the first microphone, the first speaker, and the second speaker in response to said change from the off-hook condition to the on-hook condition while the headset switch is in the second state.

34. A method as recited in claim 31, further comprising, after the step of enabling the second microphone and the third speaker, the steps of:

enabling the first microphone and the first speaker in response to a change from the on-hook condition to the off-hook condition while the headset switch is in the second state; and

disabling the second microphone and the third speaker in response to said change from the on-hook condition to the off-hook condition while the headset switch is in the second state.