Display console and user interface for multisite RF trunked system

• US 5,754,960 A
• Filed: 02/14/1992
• Issued: 05/19/1998
• Est. Priority Date: 02/22/1991
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Pine Valley Investments, Inc. (L3Harris Technologies, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Ericsson, Inc. (Telefonaktiebolaget LM Ericsson)
• Inventors: Kappagantula, Satish, Brame, Charles P., Downs, Stephen R.
• Primary Examiner(s): Urban, Edward F.
• Application Number:
  US07/835,689
• Time in Patent Office: 2,286 Days
• Field of Search: 455/15, 455/33.1, 455/53.1, 455/54.1, 379/59, 379/63, 379/203, 379/204, 379/267, 379/142, 340/721, 340/712, 381/123
• US Class Current: 455/508
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/10 Push-to-Talk [PTT] or Push-On-Call services
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 76/45 for Push-to-Talk [PTT] or Push-to-Talk over cellular [PoC] services
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 84/08 Trunked mobile radio systems

Abstract

A dispatcher console for use in a digitally trunked, multisite public service radio system. The dispatcher counsel comprises a personal computer having a co-processor logic board, an audio switching tower, and user I/Os including a customized keyboard, display screen, audio speakers, headset and a transmit foot pedal. The switching tower routes audio communications between the console and multisite switch. The tower is controlled by and connected directly to the co-processor board. The customized keyboard is also connected directly to the co-processor board and has dedicated keys for commonly performed functions. The display screen presents information in a standard format such that the dispatcher knows precisely where to find particular information.

Claims

1. In a public service radio system including a multisite switch, a dispatcher console operatively coupled to said multisite switch, said console comprising:

a personal computer including a co-processor board, a display screen, and a keyboard directly connected to said co-processor board,

said co-processor board communicating command messages from said computer to an audio switching tower, said tower routing audio communications between said multisite switch and audio input/output devices at said console;

wherein said display screen is segmented into windows including a window of communication modules, said communication modules presenting information regarding individual system groups, said communication modules having a module background color distinctive of a background color for said display screen, the module background color of an individual communication module changes when a predetermined key or key sequence is activated on said keyboard.

2. A dispatcher console as in claim 1 wherein said module background color changes to red in a predetermined communication module when an emergency key or key sequence is activated on said keyboard.

3. A dispatcher console as in claim 1 wherein said module background color changes to green in a select communication module when a predetermined key sequence is activated.

4. In a public service radio system including a multisite switch, a dispatcher console operatively coupled to said multisite switch, said console comprising:

a personal computer including a co-processor board, a display screen, and a keyboard directly connected to said co-processor board,

said co-processor board communicating command messages from said computer to an audio switching tower, said tower routing audio communications between said multisite switch and audio input/output devices at said console,

wherein said personal computer stores historical information on numerous terminated audio communications in said system, and

wherein said display screen is segmented into windows including a call history window, said call history window presenting historical information partially listing said numerous terminated audio communications, said call history window being operable in a real time mode whereby historical information on the most recent terminated calls is presented, and operable in a scrolling mode whereby historical information is presented in a scrolling manner on other of said numerous audio communications.

5. A dispatcher console as in claim 4 wherein said call history window presents the elapsed time of terminated communications and wherein said elapsed time is the time between a call initiation message and a call termination message as received by said console from said multisite switch.

6. In a public service radio system including a multisite switch, a dispatcher console operatively coupled to said multisite switch, said console comprising a personal computer including a co-processor board, a display screen having a window of communication modules, and a keyboard directly connected to said co-processor board, a method for transmitting from said console comprising the following steps:

a. selecting an individual communication module as the select module by depressing a dedicated key corresponding to that individual communication module and then depressing a module select key;

b. transmitting an audio signal over the multisite system to a group corresponding to the select module by activating a transmit key; and

c. transmitting an audio signal over the multisite system to another group other than the select group by depressing a transmit key dedicated to a communications module for that another group.

7. A method as in claim 6 wherein the step of transmitting to a group corresponding to the select module is initiated by depressing a key on a microphone at the dispatcher console.

8. A method as in claim 6 wherein the step of transmitting to a group corresponding to the select module is initiated by depressing a pedal on a foot activated switch.

9. In a public service radio system including a multisite switch, a dispatcher console operatively coupled to said multisite switch, said console comprising:

a memory storing historical information on numerous terminated audio communications in said system, and

a display screen operatively coupled to said memory, said display screen being segmented into windows including a call history window, said call history window presenting historical information partially listing said numerous terminated audio communications, said call history window being operable in a real time mode whereby historical information on the most recent terminated calls is presented, and operable in a scrolling mode whereby historical information is presented in a scrolling manner on other of said numerous audio communications.