DE2918494A1 - Remotely-controlled loudspeaking telephone - allows bedridden user to answer calls, by pressing transmitting key leaving rest of hands free - Google Patents

Abstract

Calls may be taken on a loudspeaking telephone by pressing a key or by a hand-held remote control unit which sends a signal, e.g. ultrasonic or infrared. A receiver for this signal, on the telephone unit, derives its power supply from the incoming ringing voltage. Thus the remote control only operates when the phone is ringing and false operation on interfering signals is minimised. The remote control may have an ON button for taking a call and an OFF button for hanging up, or a single large button for use by a bedridden or handicapped person.

Description

description

The invention relates to a telephone set with a hands-free device.

Hands-free devices in telephone sets contain a loudspeaker and a microphone, which enable the caller to conduct a conversation, without the need to keep the handset (receiver) close to the head during the call to keep. With such a telephone set are indeed during the conversation the hands of the phone caller are free for other activities, but it will - as well for telephones without a speakerphone - assumed that the Apparatus for dialing a number or for answering a call by picking up the phone handset is within reach of your hands.

The usual form of use of the telephone set is in many Cases not suitable for elderly, sick or disabled people, as the controls are not easily accessible from the hands of the person concerned. This can either be due to the fact that these people do not move quickly move enough to catch the telephone in time in case of a call or the telephone may not be sufficient for bedridden patients be brought close to her or he would disturb the patient if he was constantly would be appropriate in the range of motion of your hands. The usual operating means can also be used a telephone of the handicapped - as a result of the handicap - often not without further ado be operated.

The invention specified in claim 1 is based on the object to create a telephone set that has at least essential functions without direct access is operable.

The invention is based on the recognition that the conventional form of the telephone set optimally to the needs in the course of development adapted to healthy people who are not impaired in their mobility but it does not meet the needs of the disabled or the elderly will. The telephone set according to the invention provides an expanded group of people easier access to telephones and thus more contact options to the outside world.

This contact is therefore special for the people concerned important, as they are particularly sensitive to emergencies due to their physical situation are dependent on outside help.

The basic form of the invention enables calls to be received, without having to be near the telephone. That is special Advantage for people who do the necessary operations on the telephone for a call can do it yourself, but not sufficient in the case of an incoming call can quickly get to the telephone set to use the available answer the call by lifting the receiver for a limited time. By combining the two remote-controlled functions "Establishing the exchange connection" and "Activating the speakerphone" can be inevitably and easily Way trigger the required switching states.

In an advantageous development of the invention, in addition The earpiece provided enables the conversation to be continued - after the call initially was answered remotely - while maintaining the confidentiality of the incoming information to people present in the room or even guiding of conversations in the usual way.

For such a simple embodiment of the invention is only little effort is required on the part of the remote control transmitter, which in known Way can work by means of ultrasound or infrared transmission.

A preferred development of the invention for accepting calls from some distance from the telephone set is that the receiver for the remote control is activated by an incoming call signal, with the energy the call signal can be used to supply the recipient. This does not apply for technically simple configurations of the telephone according to the invention a separate power supply. The acceptance of a call can also be done by a anything in the spectrum of remote control of entertainment electronics devices Frequently used frequencies in the ultrasonic or infrared range can be released be. This is a convenience-increasing operating option of the invention Telephone set in such a way that when a call is made while for example a radio or television broadcast is received, a signal to decrease the Volume or to switch off the entertainment device at the same time - and so without wasting time - the answering of the call triggers. There are also combinations the remote control with a sol- for entertainment devices in functional and spatial form favorable.

The actuator of the transmitter part can be used for people who their limbs cannot be used normally, be trained in such a way that it can be activated via large-area sensors by any touch.

This has the advantage that a telephone set that is in large series - so inexpensive - can be produced because it increases the comfort Features is widely used without extensive changes through customization exclusively of the transmitter part can meet the needs of differently handicapped people. The transmitter part can be made so small that it can be easily accessed at any time can be carried.

An advantageous simplification is obtained when transferring of signals in the direction of the telephone through the speakerphone anyway Existing transmission path for acoustic signals is also used. That can be done in the Way done that the reception and transmission range to ultrasonic frequencies is extended towards or else coded signals that can be transmitted in the listening area are used as it is known from various call systems.

If the Possibility is provided for further operating functions of the telephone set operated via the remote control, outgoing calls can also be made without using controls provided directly on the telephone set Need to become. In this case it is related to the aforementioned Measures favorable to use those frequencies for the remote control which can be used for multi-frequency dialing (DTMF) so that the remote control signals are recoded in dialing characters is not required. There is also the advantage that The same components can be used in the remote control part as they are used for Coding of the signals entered directly via the keypad of the telephone set to serve. In an embodiment of the telephone according to the invention as a wall-mounted set is a receiver also for a remote control device with an optical transmission link optionally attainable.

In another favorable development of the telephone set according to the invention the hands-free system consists of an arrangement through which the conversation to the Remote control part is transmitted wirelessly in both directions and the remote control device is simultaneously provided with a microphone and an earpiece, so that the telecommunications secrecy can be preserved without having to go into the vicinity of the permanently installed apparatus must become. Such a remote control can be used to increase comfort Device cheap train in the form of a foldable telephone, as it is in the US-PS 4,018,998 is described, this known telephone transmission and receiving means for the call transmission are added and the transmission the remote control signals are carried out using the carrier frequency for the voice frequencies, so that the fixed telephone set forms a relay station in which the incoming and outgoing signals for the remote control on the trunk line selected transmission frequency can be modulated. The components of the remote control direction thus essentially correspond to the triggering of key-controlled functions those of the associated telephone set and conventional components be used.

Other advantageous developments of the invention are set out in the subclaims specified. Preferred embodiments are and will be shown in the figures described in more detail below. 1 shows a telephone set according to one embodiment First embodiment of the invention, Fig. La a first embodiment of a transmitter part the remote control device of the telephone set according to Fig. 1, Fig. Lb a second embodiment of a transmitter part of the remote control device of the telephone set 1, FIG. 2 shows a further embodiment of a telephone set according to of the invention, Fig. 2a shows a transmitter part of the remote control device of the telephone set according to Fig. 2, Fig. 3 is a schematic diagram of the signal flow for different Embodiments of the telephone set according to the invention in the form of a block diagram.

In the case of the telephone 1 shown in FIG. 1, a receiver 2 is used for signals that are sent by the Figs. la and lb reproduced Transmitter parts 3 and 4 of the remote control device are delivered. The speakerphone consists in the telephone shown from a loudspeaker 5 and a microphone 6, which can be used to conduct the call with the handset on-hook. That Establishing the trunk connection and activating the speakerphone can be done directly via a key switch 7. A light-emitting diode 8 shows the operational readiness remote control.

The illustrated embodiment of the telephone is at its simplest Training suitable to accept incoming calls remotely and via the Handsfree to guide. The recipient 2, who is on the for the Remote control responds to selected signals (infrared, ultrasound, etc.), activates, as soon as a call comes in. The switching operations required for this - and if necessary the energy for the amplifier belonging to the remote control receiver - are expedient generated directly by the incoming call signal. Simultaneously with the acceptance of the Call, which is usually done by closing the exchange loop, becomes the hands-free facility switched on, so that no operation to be made on the telephone 1 itself needs.

The transmitter part 3 (Fig. La) has two buttons 9 and 10, the first with a "labeled button 9 remotely controlled the acceptance of the call Actuation in the telephone 1 triggers, while the second with "off" labeled button 10 the function triggered by hanging up the handset after the call has ended effected in the telephone. The functions are differentiated by a suitable one Modulation or frequency selection of the signal used for remote control.

On the second transmission channel for an actuation function can be waived if the hook switch function corresponding to hanging up the handset delayed by a specified period after the end of the call - i.e. if no more signals are transmitted - or when the element already served to accept the call takes place. A particularly simple one Transmitter part for a remote control device operating with ultrasound consists from a mechanical sound generator without its own energy source (not shown), as used for other simple remote control purposes.

The transmitter part 3 shown in Fig. Lb has only one sensor element 11 for outputting a single signal, the sensor element having a relatively large area is designed so that it can easily be used by handicapped persons without using their hands can be operated. With a small overall size, the device can be used without difficulty can be carried along and carried on the body for easy access.

Since the telephone 1 shown in Fig. 1 also has a handset, a remotely accepted call can be "confidential" in the usual way be continued so that the handset is subsequently picked up. With a corresponding The hands-free system is linked to the switching functions by removing the Handset switched off and the conversation ended later by hanging up the same.

If the transmission of the remote control signal is single-channel, then this in a simple way by a transmitter part to be conceived how it is used to operate a consumer electronics device in the household anyway is available if the circuit of the receiver is designed with sufficient broadband is to respond to the most commonly used signals (infrared or ultrasound). So that the telephone is by any actuation of such a transmitter part can be used to receive a call, with a safeguard against incorrect operation is given by the fact that the receiver 2 only responds to incoming signals, when a call signal has been received by telephone 1.

In the illustrated in Fig. 2 further embodiment of the invention Telephone is in the housing of a keypad 12 with a speakerphone, its functions for receiving a call are those of the one shown in FIG Telephone 1 correspond, in addition to a dial pad 13, an additional target keypad 14 provided.

The destination keys are assigned to a call number memory, with A preprogrammed phone number is output at the push of a button. Such a number memory with destination keys are known. In the case of the telephone shown here, it is additional possible to trigger outgoing phone calls remotely. About a suitable also provided with a keypad transmitter part 15 of the remote control device can use the operating elements of the telephone to trigger a dialing process operated remotely.

The selection and destination buttons are in the transmitter part by a single Numeric keypad 16 formed by a Shift key 17 either to dial a number in single digits or to select a number can be used within the phone number memory. The on and off buttons 18 and 19 correspond in their function to the two keys shown in Fig. la Remote control device, while the buttons 20 control the playback volume of the is adjustable in the keypad 9 existing speaker. The transmitter part according to Fig. 2a almost corresponds to a remote control for a television set, where the number buttons correspond to the program selection buttons. The transmitter part can therefore advantageously designed such that it is optional for both devices - If necessary, its function can be switched by an additional key element - is usable. A numeric display provided in the telephone of FIG 21 shows the dialed digits or activated destination keys for confirmation.

Instead of the transmitter part shown in FIG. 2a, the in Fig. 2 reproduced telephone in the case of a version intended for the disabled Also a transmitter part according to Fig. Lb can be used if the associated telephone is designed so that for remote actuation of controls of the keypad a predetermined number of impulses or impulses of a certain duration are transmitted in each case Need to become. Then by repeatedly pressing the sensor key of the shown in Fig. lb reproduced transmitter part optionally also an outgoing call can be triggered, whereby the number of options expediently to a smaller number of destination keys is limited so that the number of pulses to be transmitted does not become too large allow. This also gives disabled people the opportunity to make targeted calls, what especially Special can serve quickly in emergency situations Call for help.

The essential functional groups of the telephone shown in FIG are shown in Fig. 3 as a block diagram. Via a keypad 22 that the Telephone number and one-touch dial buttons can be used when using the telephone the output of phone numbers can be triggered in the usual way. via a decoder 23 is either a phone number from a phone number memory corresponding to the pressed key 24 retrieved or the dialing character generator 25 addressed directly. The link takes place via an OR gate 26. Before the selection keys are pressed, with the conventional use of the telephone by lifting the handset 27 over a fork interrogation contact 28 and a switching element corresponding to the hook switch 29 closed the official loop. The OR gate shown in the block diagram 30 is intended to indicate the OR link of the relevant signal lines. After manufacture the connection can be via the handset 27 and a bistable switching element 31, which when Lifting the handset is set accordingly by the fork interrogation contact 28, the conversation can be conducted. The bistable switching element 31 is used to flip the Conversation on the speakerphone (voice-controlled amplifier 32, microphone 33 and loudspeaker 34). The "hands-free" position of the bistable switching element 31 is only possible when the receiver 27 is on-hook, since the other position is controlled by the fork interrogation contact 28 (lifting the handset), priority is given to what is indicated by an AND gate 35 is effected with an inverting input. The voice-controlled amplifier 32 normally works in the direction of speaker 34, but will, in the gain direction around switches when the microphone 33 signals of sufficient intensity be included.

A transmitter part 36 of the remote control device acts in the case of the invention Telephone to an adapted receiver 37, which in turn is connected to the decoder 23 is connected. The incoming signals from the transmitter part 36 are in the receiver 37 converted into signals which correspond to those emanating from the keypad 22 and are also evaluated in a corresponding manner by the decoder 23. In contrast the signals coming from the receiver 37 inevitably solve the signals from the keypad 22 a setting of the bistable switching element 31 in such a way that the voice-controlled Amplifier 32 and thus the speakerphone is activated. Prerequisite is, however, that the receiver 27 is placed on the fork. The signal transmission from the transmitter part to the receiver and the control options can accordingly to be chosen according to the requirements; as described in detail below.

If the transmitter part 36 of the remote control device is kept simple, so only a single type of signal is transmitted to receiver 37, in response to which the connection to the exchange (switch 29) is established in order to receive a call. At the end of the call, the exchange loop can either be triggered by a new impulse are opened (the decoder 23 contains a bistable not shown in detail for this purpose Element, so that after the second actuation of the transmitter part 36 the switch 29 signal held in position "office loop closed" is ended).

A distinction between the signals for the beginning and the end of a conversation can abey also by a different Length of the remote control generated signals take place, with this in the decoder 23 instead of a bistable element There must be links that enable a time comparison.

Another variant is shown in dashed lines in FIG. 3. Namely will a signal coming in via the receiver 37 and decrypted by the decoder 23 fed to a monoflop 38, which only returns to its Returned to the initial state, the switch 29 is activated for a minimum period of time kept closed. From the amplifier 32 - on one is also dashed illustrated signal path - a signal derived when on the voice line Minimum signal level appears. This signal triggers the monoflop 38 again, so that the connection is maintained as long as one speaks. After a If there is a pause in the conversation of a given minimum length, the monoflop 38 drops back and the office loop will be opened. This solution is particularly advantageous for a telephone which the hands-free system is only used remotely in the event of a call can be operated. Here the call is ended by the caller, so that up to there are no additional fees for the fall of the monoflop 38. Enter the conversation Intended breaks, the conversation can be maintained at any time by actuating the transmitter part 36 again, whereby the monoflop 38 is also retriggered.

For telephones that only accept a call is possible remotely, it is advantageous if the receiver 37 through the incoming Ring signal itself is activated. ' This operating function is like follows triggered: The incoming call signal arrives via the switching element 29 via a Capacitor 39 to an alarm clock 40. The ringing signal is also through a diode 41 rectified and smoothed by means of a filter capacitor 42. The rectified Voltage arrives at the receiver 37 via an OR gate 43 in order to activate it. This operating state is displayed at the same time via a light-emitting diode 44, the Also connected to the output of the OR gate 43 via a resistor 45 is. The circuit is dimensioned so that the voltage to activate the receiver 37 is maintained at least for the period between two call signals, so that the conversation can be accepted at any time via the transmitter part 36, as long as ring signals are still received.

For versions of telephones which are otherwise designed in such a way that that they do not need their own power supply or electricity during a call the office loop is used to supply the electronic components, the circuit can be designed in a preferred manner so that the call signal the auxiliary power for the receiver 37 - i.e. the power for the built-in amplifier - delivers.

In the embodiment of the invention shown in Fig. 3 Telephone assumes that the call is also supported by a signal from Transmitter part 36 can be terminated from. A arrives from the output of AND gate 35 another signal to the OR gate 43, whereby the receiver 37 is activated, when the speakerphone is switched on - i.e. the user of the telephone is not in the immediate vicinity of the same.

With more complex remote controls - as shown on the basis of the previous ones Figures have been described - is about the receiver 37 and the decoder 23 also Call number memory 24 for the purpose of outputting a complete stored call number selectable. This number can be output either by directly selecting a storage location via an agreed signal or by selection via a predetermined one Short number. Another possibility to get a number from the phone number memory retrieve, is that with a simple held transmitter part (Fig. Lb) a sequence of impulses of an agreed number or duration, which are transmitted by the decoder 23 is decrypted accordingly, so that a call can be initiated remotely can be.

In order, for example, to keep the power consumption as low as possible in battery operation hold, the receiver 37 is for its "permanent" operational readiness - too if there is no incoming call and no conversation is being held - in regular intervals over a clock 46 switched on for a short time. Since the duration of the work cycle is proportionate can be small in relation to the breaks in between is the power consumption thus low. In order to make a call, however, the sender part of the Remote control must be operated correspondingly longer in order to achieve a work cycle. The resulting higher consumption of the battery of the transmitter part 36 is but negligible for a relatively small number of calls.

In an embodiment of the invention in which the microphone 33 as a receiver for which the remote control device is used when the signal transmission in sound or ultrasound area, its function is identical to that of the catcher 37 in FIG. 3 summarized. The sound signals used for remote control are decrypted by the decoder 23. The decoder 23 can be omitted, if the signals for the multi-frequency dialing process are already received directly from the transmitter (DTMF) are generated and the telephone network works accordingly.

Another embodiment of the invention in which the hands-free device the speech instead of directly through the room via the transmission path between the transmitter part 36 and receiver 37 is transmitted differs from that shown in FIG Implementation in that the signal from the switching element 31 instead of to the amplifier 32 is led to a receiver 37 expanded by a transmitter, so that via the medium used for remote control the signal to the extended by a receiver Transmitter part 36 is transmitted, where there is a microphone provided there and a corresponding listener is converted into speech vibrations. For the execution, the Then there is a kind of telephone receiver with additional buttons forming a remote control various possibilities.

One of these is the collapsible shown in U.S. Patent 4,018,996 Design that can be accommodated in a particularly space-saving manner.

Claims (14)

Telephone set with hands-free device Claims Telephone set with a hands-free system, a remote control device, with the one in its effect the hook switch when lifting the handset in the conventional telephone set corresponding switching device and the speakerphone can be switched on at the same time. 2. Telephone according to claim 1, d a d u r c h g e k e n n z e i c h n e t that the receiver for the remote control device through an incoming Call signal for at least one the time interval between two successive ones Call signals bridging period is activated. 3. Telephone according to claim 2, d a d u r c h g e k e n n z E i c h n e t that the call signal supplies the auxiliary power for the receiver. 4. Telephone according to one of the preceding claims, d a d It is indicated that a handset is provided and a Hook switch with means for forcibly switching off the hands-free system when lifting the handset. 5. Telephone set according to one of the preceding claims, d a d u r c h e k e n n n n z e i c h n e t that further through the remote control device Operating functions of the telephone set can be triggered. 6. Telephone according to one of claims 1 to 5, d a d u r c it is noted that the transmitter part (3, 4, 15) of a wireless remote control device with a corresponding transmitter part of a remote control device for a device the entertainment electronics is summarized spatially and functionally. 7. Telephone according to one of claims 1 to 6, d a d u r c it is noted that the receiver (37> of the remote control device to the reception of any of the common consumer electronics devices frequencies used for remote controls triggers a predetermined function. 8. Telephone according to one of claims 1 to 5, d a d u r c h e k e n n n n z e i n e t that as a receiver for one with sound or ultrasound working remote control device the microphone (33) of the hands-free device is also used. 9. Telephone according to claim 8, d a d u r c h g e k e n n z e i c h n e t that as signals for the remote control device one or more the frequencies specified for multi-frequency dialing are used and for generation or decoding of the signals, the corresponding components of the dialing technology are used. 10. Telephone set according to one of the preceding claims, d a D u c h e k e k e nn n e i nt e t that loudspeaker when the device is designed as a wall-mounted unit and microphone of the hands-free device, the receiver of the remote control device and / or display elements are arranged on the front. 11. Telephone according to one of the preceding claims, d a d u r c, h g e k e n n n z e i c h n e t that the transmitter part (4) of the Remote control device is designed for the disabled. 12. Telephone according to claim 10, d a d u r c h g e k e n n z e i c h n e t that the transmitter part (3) has at least one large-area sensor button (11). 13. Telephone set according to one of the preceding claims, d a D u r c h -, e k e nnnn z e i c h n e t that within the transmitter-l of the remote control device a handset and a microphone are arranged in the manner of a handset and that the speakerphone is designed in such a way that the voice signals in the direction from the remote control device to the receiver on a wireless Signal path can be transmitted along with the remote control signals, with another wireless, secret signal path from the telephone to the remote control device is provided. 14. Telephone according to claim 13, d a d u r c h g e k e n n z e i c h n e t that the transmitter part is designed to be collapsible.