Communications webs with personal communications links for PSTN subscribers

• US 6,404,761 B1
• Filed: 05/22/1998
• Issued: 06/11/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 06/17/1994
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Inter-Tel (Delaware) Incorporated (Mitel Networks Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Home Wireless Networks Incorporated
• Inventors: Snelling, Richard K., McIntosh, P. Stuckey, Taylor, John C. W., Tucker, Mark
• Primary Examiner(s): Patel, Ajit
• Assistant Examiner(s): SHAND, ROBERTA A
• Application Number:
  US09/084,113
• Time in Patent Office: 1,481 Days
• Field of Search: 455/422, 455/557, 455/558, 455/517, 455/419, 455/420, 455/421, 370/328, 370/338, 370/493, 370/536, 370/537, 370/535, 370/542, 370/352, 370/401, 370/419, 375/220, 375/222, 375/257
• US Class Current: 370/352
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/2535 adapted for voice communication over an Internet Protocol [IP] network Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) network equipment and services H04M7/006; implementation or adaptation of Internet protocol [IP], of transmission control protocol [TCP] or of user datagram protocol [UDP] H04L69/16
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/715 using two or more extensions per line cordless telephones H04M1/725
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/725 Cordless telephones user interfaces specially adapted therefor H04M1/724
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/72505 Radio link set-up procedures
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/56 Arrangements for connecting several subscribers to a common circuit, i.e. affording conference facilities video conference systems H04N7/15
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 11/04 for time-division multiplexing H04Q11/0001 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 11/0435 Details
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13034 A/D conversion, code compression/expansion
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/1305 Software aspects
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13076 Distributing frame, MDF, cross-connect switch
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/1308 Power supply
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13092 Scanning of subscriber lines, monitoring
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13093 Personal computer, PC
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13096 Digital apparatus individually associated with a subscriber line, digital line circuits
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13098 Mobile subscriber
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13106 Microprocessor, CPU
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13175 Graphical user interface [GUI], WWW interface, visual indication
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13179 Fax, still picture
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/1319 Amplifier, attenuation circuit, echo suppressor
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13209 ISDN
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/1324 : Conference call
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13292 : Time division multiplexing, TDM
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/1332 : Logic circuits
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13322 : Integrated circuits
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13389 : LAN, internet
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13405 : Dual frequency signaling, DTMF
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 84/16 : WPBX [Wireless Private Branch Exchange]

Abstract

Systems for connecting telecommunications infrastructure lines to telephones, handsets, computers, telecopy machines and other end user interfaces or consumer electronics devices in a residence or business. Systems according to the present invention include Network Control Units which form the center of a star topology and which communicate via RF link with Wireless Access Units and handsets. Wireless Access Units feature an interface, such as, for example, a standard telephone jack, for accommodating a telephone, a fax machine, a compute modem or other device. Computers or other devices may also be accommodated by Wireless Access Units having other physical and virtual interfaces, including, for instance, serial ports or network interfaces. The Wireless Access Units may also be digital to accommodate ISDN or any other digital standard. Wireless control/monitoring accessories may also be employed to communicate with the Network Control Unit and provide additional functionality such as entrance monitoring, baby monitoring, HVAC control and other services. Personal Communication Links provide wireless handset and speakerphone services. The Personal Communication Links include independent talk/listen paths from the unit to the Network Control Unit. In addition, each Personal Communication Link includes circuitry for automatically adjusting from high-volume/high-microphone sensitivity for speakerphone operation to low-volume/low-microphone sensitivity for conventional handset operation.

Claims

1. A communications web for use by a public switched telecommunications network (“

PSTN”

) subscriber, the web comprising;

a. at least one Web Control Unit, the Web Control unit in turn comprising;

i. at least one web interface, the web interface adapted to be connected to the PSTN, the interface adapted to render the signals from the PSTN compatible with circuitry in the Web Control Unit, and to render the upstream signals compatible with the PSTN;

ii. at least one switch adapted to couple signals from each of the at least one web interface to at least one output, in accordance with control signals provided by a programmable controller;

iii. a programmable controller adapted to control said switch according to the number and types of PSTN connections coupled to the at least one web interface;

the number, types and locations of telephones, handsets and other devices serviced by the communications web; and

the desires of the subscriber;

iv. multiplex/demultiplex circuitry coupled to the switch and adapted to multiplex downstream signals received from said switch outputs into form compatible for delivery to multiplex/demultiplex circuitry, and to demultiplex upstream signals received from the multiplex/demultiplex circuitry for delivery to the switch;

b. at least one communications link, the communications link comprising;

i. multiplex/demultiplex circuitry adapted to demultiplex downstream signals received from the web control unit and to multiplex upstream signals received from generator/detector circuitry for delivery to the Web Control Unit and compatible for eventual demultiplexing by the multiplex/demultiplex circuitry in the Web Control Unit; and

iii. generator/detector circuitry for generating and detecting dual tone multiple frequency tones and call progress tones;

iv. a loudspeaker; and

v. a microphone.

2. The web according to claim 1, wherein the communications link further comprises means for controlling sensitivity of the loudspeaker and a sensitivity of the microphone.

3. The web according to claim 2 wherein the means for controlling a sensitivity of said loudspeaker and sensitivity of said microphone further comprises:

at least one tactile conductive strip;

gain circuitry coupled to the conductive strip, the gain circuitry reducing gain to the loudspeaker and the microphone in response to a touching of the conductive strip.

4. The web according to claim 2 wherein the means for controlling sensitivity of said loudspeaker and a sensitivity of said microphone further comprises means for broadcasting a spread spectrum audio signal on an ultrasonic carrier from said speaker, said controlling means reducing gain to said loudspeaker and said microphone when an echo of said audio signal is returned.

5. The web according to claim 1, wherein the generator detector circuitry generates tones in response to signals received from the microphone.

6. The web according to claim 1, wherein the communications link further comprises a liquid crystal display.

7. The web according to claim 6, wherein the display lists a PSTN line in use by the subscriber.

8. The web according to claim 6, wherein the communications link further comprises global positioning system circuitry displaying a location of the communications link on the display.

9. The web according to claim 1, wherein the communications link further comprises a cathode ray tube display.

10. The web according to claim 1, wherein the communications link further comprises microcamera circuitry that transmits upstream signals to the multiplex/demultiplex circuitry.

11. The web according to claim 1 further comprising:

at least one digital Wireless Access Unit, comprising;

i. transceiver circuitry adapted to receive downstream signals via RF link from said Web Control Unit and to demodulate said downstream signals for delivery to multiplex/demultiplex circuitry, and to modulate upstream signals delivered from said multiplex/demultiplex circuitry onto at least one RF carrier in order to transport said signals via RF link to said Web Control Unit,

ii. multiplex/demultiplex circuitry adapted to demultiplex downstream signals received from said transceiver circuitry and to multiplex upstream signals received from interface circuitry for delivery to said transceiver circuitry and compatible for eventual demultiplexing by the multiplex/demultiplex circuitry in said Web Control Unit; and

iii. interface circuitry adapted to receive downstream signals from said multiplex/demultiplex circuitry and render said downstream signals compatible for use by the subscriber'"'"'s equipment for delivery to at least one interface to said subscriber'"'"'s equipment, and to receive upstream signals from said at least one interface and render said upstream signals compatible for use by and delivery to said multiplex/demultiplex circuitry.

12. A communications web for use by a public switched telecommunications network (“

PSTN”

) subscriber, the web comprising;

a. at least one Web Control Unit, the Web Control Unit in turn comprising;

i. at least one web analog interface, the interface adapted to be connected to the PSTN; and

ii. transceiver circuitry coupled to the interface and adapted to modulate the downstream digital signals onto at least one radiofrequency carrier in order to transmit the signals via radiofrequency link, and to receive upstream digital signals on the radiofrequency link and demodulate them;

b. at least one communications link (“

PCL”

), said PCL comprising;

i. transceiver circuitry adapted to receive the downstream digital signals via radiofrequency link from the Web Control Unit and to demodulate said downstream signals; and

to modulate upstream signals onto at least one RF carrier in order to transport said signals via RF link to the Web Control Unit; and

ii. multiplex/demultiplex circuitry adapted to demultiplex downstream signals received from the transceiver circuitry and to multiplex upstream signals received from interface circuitry for delivery to said transceiver circuitry and compatible for eventual demultiplexing by the multiplex/demultiplex circuitry in said Web Control Unit; and

iii. interface circuitry adapted to receive downstream signals from the multiplex/demultiplex circuitry, convert the downstream signals to analog and render the downstream signals compatible for use by at least one loudspeaker and at least one display, and to receive upstream signals from a microphone, convert said upstream signals to digital and render the upstream signals compatible for use by and delivery to said multiplex/demultiplex circuitry.

13. The web according to claim 12, wherein the communications link further comprises:

circuitry for sensing when the communications link is outside of a predetermined range of the control unit.

14. The web according to claim 13, wherein the sensing circuitry further comprises:

filtering circuitry that receives demodulated data from the transceiver circuitry, the filtering circuitry performing a direct sequence spread spectrum algorithm on the demodulated data;

accumulator circuitry that receives a result of the direct sequence spread spectrum algorithm and triggers a sync algorithm when a predetermined threshold has been reached.

15. The web according to claim 12, further comprising:

a second communications link in direct communication with the first communications link when the first and the second communications link are outside a predetermined range of the Web Control Unit.

16. The web according to claim 15, wherein the first communications link and the second communications link may be configured by a personal computer.

17. The web according to claim 12, wherein the communications link further comprises:

mode switching circuitry that switches the communications link to a cellular telephone when outside of the range of the Web Control Unit.

18. The web according to claim 12, wherein the communications link further comprises means for controlling sensitivity of the loudspeaker and a sensitivity of the microphone.

19. The web according to claim 18 wherein the means for controlling a sensitivity of said loudspeaker and sensitivity of said microphone further comprises:

at least one tactile conductive strip;

gain circuitry coupled to the conductive strip, the gain circuitry reducing gain to the loudspeaker and the microphone in response to a touching of the conductive strip.

20. The web according to claim 18 wherein the means for controlling sensitivity of said loudspeaker and a sensitivity of said microphone further comprises means for broadcasting a spread spectrum audio signal on an ultrasonic carrier from said speaker, said controlling means reducing gain to said loudspeaker and said microphone when an echo of said audio signal is returned.

21. The web according to claim 12, wherein the generator detector circuitry generates tones in response to signals received from the microphone.

22. The web according to claim 12, wherein the communications link further comprises a liquid crystal display.

23. The web according to claim 22, wherein the display lists a PSTN line in use by the subscriber.

24. The web according to claim 22, wherein the communications link further comprises global positioning system circuitry displaying a location of the communications link on the display.

25. The web according to claim 12, wherein the communications link further comprises a cathode ray tube display.

26. The web according to claim 12, wherein the communications link further comprises microcamera circuitry that transmits upstream signals to the multiplex/demultiplex circuitry.

27. The web according to claim 12, wherein the communications link further comprises circuitry for receiving alphanumeric messages from the web control unit.

28. The web according to claim 27, wherein the communications link further comprises circuitry for displaying the alphanumeric messages received from the web control unit.

29. The web according to claim 12, wherein the communications link further comprises a touch screen display.