Text transmission using DTMF signalling

• US 5,699,417 A
• Filed: 04/21/1995
• Issued: 12/16/1997
• Est. Priority Date: 04/21/1995
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Dies Cellular LLC (Intellectual Ventures LLC)
• Original Assignee: CIDCO, Inc. (EarthLink Incorporated)
• Inventors: Khojasteh, Kamran
• Primary Examiner(s): Zele, Krista M.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Hunter, Daniel S.
• Application Number:
  US08/426,298
• Time in Patent Office: 970 Days
• Field of Search: 379/52, 379/142, 379/283, 379/93, 379/96, 379/97, 370/94.1
• US Class Current: 379/142.01
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/575 Means for retrieving and displaying personal data about calling party

Abstract

A method and system for transmitting text information using multifrequency signals is provided. A switching center transmits a first multifrequency signal indicating the start of a text transmission. A receiver unit receives the first multifrequency signal and prepares to receive text information. The switching center transmits to the receiver unit a second and third multifrequency signals after the first multifrequency signal. The second and third multifrequency signals contain information corresponding to a text character. The receiver unit receives the second and third multifrequency signals and determines the text character transmitted. The switching center transmits a fourth multifrequency signal to the receiver unit indicating the end of the text transmission.

Claims

1. A method comprising the steps of:

transmitting from a switching unit a first signal, said first signal being selected from the group consisting of a first ring signal and a voltage polarity reversal signal;

receiving said first signal at a receiver unit;

transmitting from said switching unit a start multifrequency signal, said start multifrequency signal being indicative of a start of a text transmission;

receiving said start multifrequency signal at said receiver unit;

transmitting a second multifrequency signal from said switching unit;

receiving said second multifrequency signal at said receiver unit;

transmitting a third multifrequency signal from said switching unit;

receiving said third multifrequency signal at said receiver unit, wherein said second and third multifrequency signals contain information indicative of a text character;

transmitting an end multifrequency signal from said switching unit, said end multifrequency signal being indicative of an end of said text transmission;

receiving said end multifrequency signal at said receiver unit; and

then

transmitting from said switching unit a second signal, said second signal being a ring signal; and

receiving said second signal at said receiver unit.

2. The method of claim 1 further comprising the step of displaying said text character.

3. The method of claim 2 wherein said switching unit is a central office of a telephone system and said receiver unit is a customer premise equipment.

4. The method of claim 3 wherein said step of transmitting said start multifrequency signal comprises the step of transmitting said start multifrequency signal over a telephone line coupled between said central office and said customer premised equipment.

5. The method of claim 4 wherein said steps of transmitting said start, second, third and end multifrequency signals each comprise the step of transmitting a DTMF signal.

6. The method of claim 5 wherein said start multifrequency signal indicates DTMF symbol "A".

7. The method of claim 6 wherein said second and third multifrequency signals indicate DTMF numeric symbols corresponding to a two digit ASCII code for a text character.

26. The method of claim 1 wherein said first signal, said start, second, third and end multifrequency signals and said second signal are transmitted from said switching unit without any signal transmissions from said receiver unit.

8. A system comprising:

a switching unit capable of providing a first signal and a second signal, said first signal being selected from the group consisting of a first ring signal and a voltage polarity reversal signal, said second signal being a ring signal, said switching unit including a signal generator capable of providing a start multifrequency signal after said first signal is provided, at least a second multifrequency signal and a third multifrequency signal, and an end multifrequency signal before said second signal is provided; and

a receiver unit capable of receiving said first signal, said start multifrequency signal, said at least said second and third multifrequency signals, said end multifrequency signal and said second signal, wherein;

said start multifrequency signal is indicative of a start of a text transmission;

said at least said second and third multifrequency signals contain information indicative of at least one text character; and

said end multifrequency signal is indicative of an end of said text transmission.

9. The system of claim 8 further comprising a display, said display displaying said at least one text character.

10. The system of claim 9 wherein said switching unit is a central office of a telephone system and said receiver unit is a customer premise equipment.

11. The system of claim 10 further comprising a telephone line coupled between said central office and said customer premised equipment.

12. The system of claim 11 wherein said signal generator comprises a DTMF signal generator.

13. The system of claim 12 wherein said start multifrequency signal indicates DTMF symbol "A".

14. The system of claim 13 wherein said second and third multifrequency signals indicate DTMF numeric symbols corresponding to a two digit ASCII code for a text character.

15. The system of claim 9 further comprising a memory, said memory storing said at least one text character.

16. A device for receiving DTMF signals containing text data transmitted by a switching unit over a transmission channel, comprising:

a transmission channel interface coupled to said transmission channel;

a DTMF receiver coupled to said transmission channel interface, said DTMF receiver being capable of receiving said DTMF signals; and

a controller coupled to said DTMF receiver, said controller being capable of decoding received DTMF signals into text data;

wherein said DTMF receiver includes;

structure for receiving a start signal after transmission of a first signal from said switching unit and prior to receipt of said DTMF signals containing said text data, said first signal being selected from the group consisting of a first ring signal and a voltage polarity reversal signal; and

structure for receiving an end signal following receipt of said DTMF signals containing said text data and prior to transmission of a second signal from said switching unit, said second signal being a ring signal.

17. The device of claim 16 wherein said transmission channel interface is adapted to interface with a telephone line.

18. The device of claim 17 further comprising a ring detect circuit coupled to said telephone line and said controller.

19. The device of claim 17 further comprising a polarity detector coupled to said telephone line and said controller.

20. The device of claim 17 further comprising a display, said display adapted to display said text data.

21. The device of claim 17 further comprising a memory, said memory adapted to store said text data.

22. The device of claim 17 wherein said controller is adapted to decode a pair of DTMF signals representing a text character.

23. The device of claim 22 wherein each DTMF signal of said pair of DTMF signals represents a decimal digit whereby said pair of DTMF signals corresponds to an ASCII code of said text character.

24. A method comprising the steps of:

transmitting from a switching unit a first signal, said first signal being selected from the group consisting of a first ring signal and a voltage polarity reversal signal;

receiving said first signal at a receiving unit;

transmitting from said switching unit a start multifrequency signal, said start multifrequency signal being indicative of a start of a text transmission;

receiving said start multifrequency signal at said receiver unit;

transmitting a first selected number of multifrequency signals from said switching unit in sequence;

receiving said first selected number of multifrequency signals at said receiver unit, wherein said first selected number of multifrequency signals contain information indicative of a second selected number of text characters;

transmitting an end multifrequency signal from said switching unit, said end multifrequency signal being indicative of an end of said text transmission;

receiving said end multifrequency signal at said receiver unit; and

then

transmitting from said switching unit a second signal, said second signal being a ring signal; and

receiving said second signal at said receiver unit.

25. The method of claim 24 wherein said second selected number is one half said first selected number.

27. The method of claim 24 wherein said first signal, said start multifrequency signal, said first selected number of multifrequency signals, said end multifrequency signal and said second signal are transmitted from said switching unit without any signal transmissions from said receiver unit.