Portable telephone set capable of being put in a holding mode by operation of a vibration unit which is for announcing reception of an incoming call to a user

• US 5,867,796 A
• Filed: 04/26/1996
• Issued: 02/02/1999
• Est. Priority Date: 04/28/1995
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: NEC Corporation
• Original Assignee: NEC Corporation
• Inventors: Inutsuka, Kyoko
• Primary Examiner(s): Bost, Dwayne D.
• Assistant Examiner(s): MAUNG, NAY AUNG
• Application Number:
  US08/639,378
• Time in Patent Office: 1,012 Days
• Field of Search: 455/31.2, 455/31.3, 455/403, 455/426, 455/458, 455/459, 455/460, 455/461, 455/550, 455/553, 455/567, 455/575, 455/90, 455/11.1, 455/15, 370/315, 340/825.44, 340/825.46, 340/825.49
• US Class Current: 455/567
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/72513 On hold, intercom or transfer communication modes
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 19/04 the ringing-current being generated at the substations
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 19/047 Vibrating means for incoming calls

Abstract

A vibration unit is for use in combination with a portable telephone apparatus having a holding mode in which connection is held between the portable telephone apparatus and a base station assigned to the portable telephone apparatus. The portable telephone apparatus transmits a reception information signal in response to reception of an incoming call signal directed to the portable telephone apparatus. Supplied with the reception information signal, the vibration unit makes a vibrator vibrate to announce reception of the incoming call signal to a user of the portable telephone apparatus. When operated by the user, a holding switch produces a switch operation signal. In response to the switch operation signal, a unit control section controls to make a unit radio section transmit a holding indication signal towards the portable telephone apparatus. Supplied with the holding indication signal, the portable telephone apparatus is put in the holding mode.

Claims

1. A vibration unit for use in combination with a portable telephone apparatus having a holding mode in which connection is held between said portable telephone apparatus and a base station assigned to said portable telephone apparatus, said portable telephone apparatus transmitting a reception information signal in response to reception of an incoming call directed to said portable telephone apparatus, said vibration unit comprising:

unit receiving means for receiving said reception information signal;

a vibrator connected to said unit receiving means for vibrating when said unit receiving means receives said reception information signal;

a holding switch; and

unit transmitting means connected to said holding switch for transmitting a holding indication signal towards said portable telephone apparatus in response to operation of said holding switch, said holding indication signal causing said portable telephone apparatus to be put in said holding mode.

2. A vibration unit as claimed in claim 1, wherein said reception information signal carries reception information, said vibration unit further comprising unit displaying means connected to said unit receiving means for displaying said reception information.

3. A vibration unit as claimed in claim 1, further comprising vibration stopping means connected to said holding switch and said vibrator, wherein said vibrator is responsive to said operation of the holding switch for stopping said vibration of said vibrator.

4. A vibration unit for use in combination with a portable telephone apparatus having a holding mode in which connection is held between said portable telephone apparatus and a base station assigned to said portable telephone apparatus, said portable telephone apparatus transmitting a reception information signal in response to reception of an incoming call signal directed to said portable telephone apparatus, said vibration unit comprising:

a vibrator;

a holding switch for producing a switch operation signal when said holding switch is operated;

a unit radio section for receiving said reception information signal to produce a unit reception signal and for transmitting a holding indication signal towards said portable telephone apparatus, said holding indication signal causing said portable telephone apparatus to be put in said holding mode; and

a unit control section connected to said vibrator, said holding switch, and said unit radio section for controlling operation of said vibrator in response to said unit reception signal and said switch operation signal and for controlling said unit radio section in response to said switch operation signal to cause said unit radio section to transmit said holding indication signal towards said portable telephone apparatus.

5. A vibration unit as claimed in claim 4, wherein said reception information signal carries reception information, said vibration unit further comprising unit displaying means connected to said unit control section for displaying said reception information.

6. A vibration unit for use in combination with a portable telephone apparatus, said portable telephone apparatus transmitting a reception information signal when supplied with an incoming call signal directed to said portable telephone apparatus, said vibration unit comprising:

unit receiving means for receiving said reception information signal;

a vibrator connected to said unit receiving means for vibrating when said unit receiving means receives said reception information signal;

a unit display section connected to said unit receiving means for displaying reception information relating to said reception information signal;

signal producing means for producing a holding indication signal which indicates that said incoming call is to be put in a holding mode; and

unit transmitting means connected to said signal producing means for transmitting said holding indication signal towards said portable telephone apparatus.

7. A portable telephone apparatus for use in communication with a base station assigned to said portable telephone apparatus, said portable telephone apparatus having a holding mode in which connection is held between said portable telephone apparatus and said base station, said portable telephone apparatus comprising:

first receiving means for receiving an incoming call signal directed to said portable telephone apparatus from said base station;

second receiving means for receiving a holding indication signal transmitted from a device external to said portable telephone apparatus; and

hold making means connected to said first and said second receiving means and responsive to said holding indication signal for placing said portable telephone apparatus in said holding mode when said first receiving means receives said incoming call signal.

8. A portable telephone apparatus as claimed in claim 7, wherein said incoming call signal has a first frequency band, said holding indication signal having a second frequency band different from said first frequency band, and wherein said first receiving means is adapted to said first frequency band, said second receiving means being adapted to said second frequency band.

9. A portable telephone apparatus as claimed in claim 7, wherein said incoming call signal has a first frequency band, said holding indication signal having a second frequency band different from said first frequency band, and wherein said first receiving means comprises:

a first filter having said first frequency band; and

a first radio section connected to said first filter and said hold making means for receiving said incoming call signal,

said second receiving means comprises;

a second filter having said second frequency band; and

a second radio section connected to said second filter and said hold making means for receiving said holding indication signal.

10. A portable telephone apparatus as claimed in claim 7, wherein said incoming call signal has a first frequency band, said holding indication signal having a second frequency band different from said first frequency band, and wherein said first and said second receiving means distinguish between said incoming call and said holding indication signals with reference to a difference between said first and said second frequencies, respectively.

11. A portable telephone apparatus as claimed in claim 7, wherein said second receiving means further receives an identification code together with said holding indication signal, said first and said second receiving means distinguishing between said incoming call and said holding indication signals with reference to presence or absence of said identification code.

12. A combination of a portable telephone apparatus and a vibration unit, said portable telephone apparatus comprising:

first receiving means for receiving an incoming call signal directed to said portable telephone apparatus from a base station which is assigned to said portable telephone apparatus;

first transmitting means connected to said first receiving means for transmitting a reception information signal when said first receiving means receives said incoming call signal;

second receiving means for receiving a holding indication signal transmitted from said vibration unit towards said portable telephone apparatus; and

second transmitting means connected to said second receiving means for transmitting a holding signal towards said base station when said second receiving means receives said holding indication signal, said base station being responsive to said holding signal to place said portable telephone apparatus in a holding mode in which connection is held between said portable telephone apparatus and said base station,

said vibration unit comprising;

unit receiving means for receiving said reception information signal;

a vibrator connected to said unit receiving means for vibrating when said unit receiving means receives said reception information signal;

a holding switch; and

unit transmitting means connected to said holding switch for transmitting said holding indication signal towards said portable telephone apparatus in response to operation of said holding switch.