Remotely-activated telephone system for communication with the disabled

• US 5,237,602 A
• Filed: 03/25/1992
• Issued: 08/17/1993
• Est. Priority Date: 10/01/1990
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: George L. Lazik
• Original Assignee: George L. Lazik
• Inventors: Lazik, George L.
• Primary Examiner(s): Dwyer, James L.
• Assistant Examiner(s): MATAR, AHMAD
• Application Number:
  US07/857,721
• Time in Patent Office: 510 Days
• Field of Search: 379/38, 379/52, 379/61, 379/62, 379/63, 379/95, 379/102
• US Class Current: 379/38
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/2474 Telephone terminals specially adapted for disabled people user interfaces for cordless or mobile telephones specially adapted for disabled users H04M1/72475; network based special services or facilities for hearing-impaired persons H04M3/42391; devices for conversing with the deaf-blind G09B21/04
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/725 Cordless telephones user interfaces specially adapted therefor H04M1/724
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 11/02 with bell or annunciator systems

Abstract

A remotely-activated telephone system for remote caller controlled communication with the disabled having a master unit connected to a telephone line and at least one satellite unit. The disclosed system provides channel means for bi-directional coupling of acoustic signals between the satellite unit and the telephone line through the master unit and control means responsive to a control signal received from a remote caller by way of the telephone line. The disclosed control means allow a remote caller to select a satellite unit and to establish two-way speech communications without intervention by the disabled party.

Claims

1. A phone system for remote caller controlled communication with the disabled comprising:

master unit connected to a telephone line for answering an incoming call from a remote caller;

a plurality of satellite units each having a microphone and a speaker;

channel means for bi-directional coupling of acoustic signals between each said satellite unit and said telephone line through said master unit; and

control means responsive to a select code signal received from said remote caller by way of said telephone line after said master unit has answered said incoming call, said control means comprising at least one of;

selection control means responsive to said select code signal for selecting one said satellite unit and for connecting said microphone of said selected satellite unit to said channel means; and

broadcast control means responsive to said select code signal for connecting said speakers of all said satellite units to said channel means simultaneously.

2. The telephone system described in claim 1 further comprising access control security means for evaluating the privilege of said remote caller for access to said control means and for denying said access to said remote caller without a selected privilege.

3. The telephone system described in claim 2, wherein said channel means comprises:

at least one Frequency Modulation (FM) radio transmitter and receiver means disposed in said master unit and at least one FM radio transmitter and receiver means disposed in each said satellite unit.

4. A telephone system for remote caller controlled communication with the disabled comprising:

a master unit connected to a telephone line;

a first FM transmitter and receiver within said master unit;

a security code decoder means for evaluating a security code signal received from a remote caller by way of said telephone line after said master unit has answered a telephone call from said remote caller;

a plurality of satellite units;

a second FM transmitter and receiver within each said satellite unit;

a microphone and speaker within each said satellite unit; and

select code decoder means within each said satellite unit for activating said microphone and speaker of said satellite unit in response to a satellite unit select code signal received from a remote caller by way of said telephone line after said master unit has answered a telephone call from said remote caller.

5. The telephone system described in claim 4 wherein said first and second FM transmitters and receivers are connected to a local power line so that FM signals are propagated on said local power line.

6. The telephone system described in claim 4 further comprising ring signal counting means for connecting said master unit to said telephone line in response to detection of a selected number of ring signals on said telephone line.

7. The telephone system described in claim 6 further comprising a message generator for repeating an outgoing message to a remote caller in response to connection of said master unit to said telephone line.

8. A method for controlling by a remote caller of a telephone system of the type wherein a connection between a telephone line and one or more satellite units each having at least one acoustic transducer means is accomplished through a single master unit having transmitter and a receiver means, said method comprising the steps of:

detecting a ring signal on said telephone line;

establishing a connection with said telephone line in response to said ring signal;

detecting a security code signal on said telephone line;

decoding said security code signal;

authenticating said security code signal and interrupting said connection with said telephone line in response to failure of authentication;

detecting a select code signal on said telephone line;

decoding said select code signal;

selecting at least one satellite unit for connection to said telephone line in accordance with said select code signal; and

connecting at least one said acoustic transducer means of each said selected satellite unit to said telephone line.