×

Call box

  • US 4,817,126 A
  • Filed: 02/26/1988
  • Issued: 03/28/1989
  • Est. Priority Date: 02/26/1988
  • Status: Expired due to Fees
First Claim
Patent Images

1. Apparatus for use in an operator-controlled communication system in which one message channel is connected to and directed by each operator for use in conversing with selected field units one at a time, said apparatus noteworthy for enabling an operator to place a first field unit on HOLD in order to answer a call from a second field unit, and enabling the operator to resume her conversation with the first field unit after having conversed with the second field unit for an arbitrary length of time, said apparatus comprising in combination:

  • a base station staffed by N operators and including a central processing unit;

    a number M of field units distributed within a service area, where M is greater than N;

    first means located in part at the field units and in part at the base station and constituting N message channels, each channel connected to one of the N operators, for selective use in carrying conversations between said base station and said field units;

    second means located in part at the field units and in part at the base station and constituting a command channel for use by said base station in transmitting commands to said field units;

    said central processing unit responsive to an operator-initiated HOLD command following a conversation on message channel I between operator I and field unit J to produce and to send via the command channel a command requiring field unit J to cease transmitting on message channel I and to await a further command on the command channel, thereby permitting the operator I to employ message channel I to hold a conversation with field unit K without interruption by field unit J;

    said central processing unit responsive to an operator-initiated ANSWER CALL WAITING command following the conversation with field unit K to produce and to send via the command channel a command requiring field unit J to resume receiving and transmitting on message channel I.

View all claims
  • 2 Assignments
Timeline View
Assignment View
    ×
    ×