Call box with keyboard communication

• US 6,047,173 A
• Filed: 12/12/1997
• Issued: 04/04/2000
• 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 A.
• Assistant Examiner(s): TIEU, BINH KIEN
• Application Number:
  US08/990,081
• Time in Patent Office: 844 Days
• Field of Search: 455/403, 455/404, 455/414, 455/127, 455/67.7, 455/550, 455/552, 455/565, 455/90, 379/45, 379/52, 379/93.01, 379/93.09, 379/93.17, 379/100.15, 379/100.16, 379/143, 379/155, 379/428, 379/430, 379/434
• US Class Current: 455/404.1
• 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 switch for activating the keyboard;

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

a display connected to the keyboard.

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

the switch is a keypad switch.

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

the keyboard interface responsive to the switch for switching the interface alternatively between the handset and the keyboard.

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 switch for activating the keyboard;

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

means for sending a decision tree series of inquiries to the display; and

,

keypad means for responding to the decision tree series of inquiries.

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

the switch includes using a key on the keypad.

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 switch for activating the keyboard;

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

,

an alarm connected to the keypad for reporting operability of the keypad.

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

an enclosure for separately enclosing the keypad.