Call box with keyboard communication

• US 5,701,338 A
• Filed: 04/11/1995
• Issued: 12/23/1997
• Est. Priority Date: 04/11/1995
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: CNE Group, Inc. (Arrow Resources Development, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: DNB Datawave Sciences, Inc. Technologies
• Inventors: Macias, Moises, Leyen, Thomas, Burks, Warren, Sheldrup, Ronald
• Primary Examiner(s): Kuntz, Curtis
• Assistant Examiner(s): TIEU, BINH KIEN
• Application Number:
  US08/419,662
• Time in Patent Office: 987 Days
• Field of Search: 379/52, 379/56, 379/57, 379/58, 379/59, 379/96, 379/182, 379/45, 379/155, 379/37, 434/111, D14/144, 220/36, 317/120, 445/127, 235/1 D
• US Class Current: 455/465
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 11/066 Telephone sets adapted for data transmision
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 17/026 Constructional features

Abstract

A keyboard and attached interface for a conventional call box is disclosed. The interface constitutes an interrupt between the cellular telephone handset and cellular transceiver which is activated either by a conventional keypad "On" switch or in conjunction with the telephone hook switch. The TDD keyboard is contained within the call box behind its own discrete door where interference with conventional voice communication cannot occur. Upon opening of the keyboard door, the keyboard activates an interactive display which scrolls status messages to the user informing him of call status upon activation of the keyboard. Switching from voice to keyboard communication is enabled until the answering dispatch center interrogates the call box for identity and necessarily location. Assuming that keyboard communication is selected, necessary communication delay is accepted until communication with a TDD capable dispatcher is established. The keypad is of standard layout and is simply altered for rapid emergency communication including "Yes" and "No" questions typically asked pursuant to a conventional decision tree for rapid screening of the situation attendant the caller. Provision made to customize the interface to the cellular telephone environment include enabling transmission to continue despite line interruptions and providing a switched filter to enhance attached modem transmission. Call termination is dispatch center actuated. There is provided a simple TDD interface which is both a service to the hearing impaired as well as providing superior communication in high noise environments.

Claims

1. A cellular telephone call box With switching between voice signal and keyboard signal comprising:

a cellular transceiver having an inactive state and an active state for transceiving with a remote station;

a cabinet for containing the cellular transceiver;

a door closing over the cabinet containing the cellular transceiver;

a handset operatively connected to the cellular transceiver;

means connected to the door for activating the cellular transceiver from the inactive state to the active state responsive to opening of the door;

a keyboard device having a keypad switch for activating the keyboard;

a keyboard interface connected between the handset and the cellular transceiver, the keyboard interface responsive to the keypad switch for disconnecting the handset and connecting the keyboard to the cellular transceiver;

a display connected to the keyboard;

first means for causing the display to identify function of the keyboard;

second means responsive to the keypad switch for causing the display announce call status to a user utilizing the keyboard through the display; and

,

third means for displaying transceiver messages between the cellular transceiver and a remote receiving station.

2. A cellular telephone call box with switching between voice signal and keyboard signal of claim 1 further comprising:

the first means for causing the display to identify the function of the keyboard includes;

a second door over the keyboard inside the cabinet and first door; and

,

means connected to the second door for causing the function of the keyboard to be displayed on the display responsive to opening of said second door.

3. A cellular telephone call box with switching between voice signal and keyboard signal of claim 1 further comprising:

the second means responsive to the switch for causing the display announce call status to a user includes monitoring of call status of the transceiver; and

,

a first message for indicating that a call has been placed; and

,

a second message for indicating that a call has been completed.

4. A cellular telephone call box with switching between voice signal and keyboard signal comprising:

a dispatch center for answering a call of a cellular transceiver;

a cellular transceiver having an inactive state and an active state for placing a call to transceive with the dispatch center;

a cabinet for containing the cellular transceiver;

a door closing over the cabinet containing the cellular transceiver;

a handset operatively connected to the cellular transceiver;

means connected to the door for activating the cellular transceiver from the inactive state to the active state for placing a call to transceive with the dispatch center responsive to opening of the door;

a keyboard having a keypad switch for activating the keyboard;

a keyboard interface connected between the handset and the cellular transceiver, the keyboard interface responsive to the keypad switch for switching the interface alternately between the handset and the keyboard;

means for detecting answering the call of the cellular transceiver by the dispatch center; and

,

means for deactivating the keypad switch responsive to detected answer by the dispatch center.

5. A cellular telephone call box with switching between voice signal and keyboard signal of claim 4 further comprising:

means in the cellular transceiver for identifying the cellular transceiver to the dispatch center; and

,

the means for detecting answering the call of the cellular transceiver by the dispatch center operatively connected to the means in the cellular transceiver for identifying the cellular transceiver to the dispatch center to indicate answering of the call.

6. A cellular telephone call box with switching between voice signal and keyboard signal comprising:

a cellular transceiver having an inactive state and an active state for transceiving with a remote station, the cellular transceiver adapted to send and receive touch tone communication;

a cabinet for containing the cellular transceiver;

a door closing over the cabinet containing the cellular transceiver;

a handset operatively connected to the cellular transceiver;

means connected to the door for activating the cellular transceiver from the inactive state to the active state responsive to opening of the door;

a keyboard having a keypad switch for activating the keyboard;

a keyboard interface connected between the handset and the cellular transceiver, the keyboard interface responsive to the keypad switch for disconnecting the handset and connecting the keyboard to the cellular transceiver;

at least one filter connected between the keyboard and cellular transceiver for preferentially receiving signals to the display from the cellular transceiver and preferentially receiving signals to the keyboard from the cellular transceiver.

7. A cellular telephone call box with switching between voice signal and keyboard signal of claim 6 further comprising:

the at least one filter includes a first filter for preferentially passing signals from the keyboard and a second filter for preferentially passing the touch tone communication to and from the cellular transceiver.