GB2205217A - A communication system - Google Patents
A communication system Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- GB2205217A GB2205217A GB08812335A GB8812335A GB2205217A GB 2205217 A GB2205217 A GB 2205217A GB 08812335 A GB08812335 A GB 08812335A GB 8812335 A GB8812335 A GB 8812335A GB 2205217 A GB2205217 A GB 2205217A
- Authority
- GB
- United Kingdom
- Prior art keywords
- communication unit
- messages
- transmission
- unit
- remote
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Withdrawn
Links
Classifications
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
- H04M—TELEPHONIC COMMUNICATION
- H04M3/00—Automatic or semi-automatic exchanges
- H04M3/42—Systems providing special services or facilities to subscribers
- H04M3/50—Centralised arrangements for answering calls; Centralised arrangements for recording messages for absent or busy subscribers ; Centralised arrangements for recording messages
- H04M3/51—Centralised call answering arrangements requiring operator intervention, e.g. call or contact centers for telemarketing
- H04M3/5108—Secretarial services
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
- H04M—TELEPHONIC COMMUNICATION
- H04M11/00—Telephonic communication systems specially adapted for combination with other electrical systems
- H04M11/06—Simultaneous speech and data transmission, e.g. telegraphic transmission over the same conductors
- H04M11/066—Telephone sets adapted for data transmision
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
- H04M—TELEPHONIC COMMUNICATION
- H04M11/00—Telephonic communication systems specially adapted for combination with other electrical systems
- H04M11/10—Telephonic communication systems specially adapted for combination with other electrical systems with dictation recording and playback systems
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
- H04M—TELEPHONIC COMMUNICATION
- H04M3/00—Automatic or semi-automatic exchanges
- H04M3/42—Systems providing special services or facilities to subscribers
- H04M3/50—Centralised arrangements for answering calls; Centralised arrangements for recording messages for absent or busy subscribers ; Centralised arrangements for recording messages
- H04M3/53—Centralised arrangements for recording incoming messages, i.e. mailbox systems
- H04M3/5322—Centralised arrangements for recording incoming messages, i.e. mailbox systems for recording text messages
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
- H04M—TELEPHONIC COMMUNICATION
- H04M2203/00—Aspects of automatic or semi-automatic exchanges
- H04M2203/45—Aspects of automatic or semi-automatic exchanges related to voicemail messaging
- H04M2203/4581—Sending message identifiers instead of whole messages
Landscapes
- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Signal Processing (AREA)
- Computer Networks & Wireless Communication (AREA)
- Business, Economics & Management (AREA)
- Marketing (AREA)
- Interconnected Communication Systems, Intercoms, And Interphones (AREA)
- Mobile Radio Communication Systems (AREA)
- Transceivers (AREA)
Abstract
A textual communication system 1 has an interconnected secretarial unit 2 and one or more remote executive units 3. The system allows communication between two people, for example, a secretary and executive by transmission of messages which are displayed. Messages are inputted using a keypad and some of the keys have associated pre-programmed messages. The communication units can be connected to a telephone to perform automatic dialling and they may also be connected to a printer or computer for transmission of messages. Each communication unit may also include an intercom, speaker and microphone. <IMAGE>
Description
A CCIMUNICATION SYSTEM
The present invention relates to a communication system.
One of the major disadvantages with the use of a telephone in the office is that once an executive is having a telephone conversation, he or she (for simplicity hereinafter assumed to be male) cannot be interrupted without either physically entering his office using some form of interruption device on the telephone itself, or by having an additional telephone or intercom system. The same applies to a lesser extent when he is in conference and the use of a telephone would be too intrusive. This is clearly an unsatisfactory situation as one would prefer not to be interrupted by somebody entering the room.
Similarly, having a second telephone is also unsatisfactory as it disturbs the conversation taking place. Lastly, any form of tone or interrupting voice on the telephone line is annoying, intrusive and in some cases will also annoy the person with whom the executive is talking.
There is thus a need for a communication system to overcome these problems.
The present invention is directed towards providing such a system.
According to the invention there is provided a communication unit comprising:
control means;
user input means for inputting user messages;
remote unit reception means for reception of
messages from a remote communication unit;
display means for displaying messages; and
a transmission means for transmitting messages
to a remote communication unit.
Preferably the user input means is a keypad.
In one embodiment of the invention the control means has memory means for storage of pre-programmed messages for transmission to a remote communication unit.
In one embodiment of the reception means and the transmission means each comprise a serial interface for transmission of signals by cable.
Preferably the the reception means comprises a radio receiver and the transmission means comprises a radio transmitter.
In one embodiment of the communication unit further comprises a microphone and means for transmission of detected sound to a remote communication unit.
In another embodiment to the invention the the communication unit further comprises means for reception of microphone output signals from a remote communication unit and speaker means for outputting of corresponding sound signals.
In one embodiment of the invention the control means comprises a dialed circuit for a telephone.
Alternatively or additionally the control means comprises printer interface means for transmission of messages to a printer.
Alternatively or additionally the control means comprises computer interface means for transmission of messages to a computer.
In one aspect the invention provides a textual communication system comprising a plurality of communication units according to the invention.
The invention will be more clearly understood from the following description of a preferred embodiment thereof given by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:
Fig. 1 is a perspective view from above of a textual
communication system according to the invention; and
Figs. 2 and 3 are block diagrams illustrating portions
of the textual communication system in more detail.
Referring to the drawings, there is illustrated a textual communication system according to the invention, indicating generally by the reference numeral 1. The textual communication system 1 comprises a secretarial unit 2 and an executive unit 3, interconnected by a cable 4. Each unit 2 and 3 has an associated power supply transformer 5. The secretarial unit 2 has an associated printer 6.
In more detail, the secretarial unit 2 comprises a control circuit 10 (see Fig. 2) connected to à keyboard 11 and a liquid crystal display (LCD) 12. The secretarial unit 2 also comprises a voice transmitter/receiver 13, a sound emitter 14 and a telephone interface 15, each of which is connected to the control circuit 10. Indicator lights 16 are also provided (not shown in Fig. 1). The various portions of the control circuit 10 are as follows:
Display controller - 10(a)
Microprocessor/Clock - 10(b)
Serial Interface Unit - 10(c)
Power feed/conditioning/battery - 10(d)
PROM - 10(e)
RAM - 10(f)
Dial circuitry - 10(g)
The executive unit 3 includes a control circuit 30 connected to a keypad 31 and a liquid crystal display (LCD) 32.A voice transmitter/receiver 33, indicating lights 34, a sound emitter 35 and a telephone interface 36 are also connected to the control circuit 30. The various portions of the circuit 30 are as follows:
Display controller - 30(a)
Microprocessor/Clock - 30(b)
Serial Interface Unit - 30(c)
Power Conditioning - 30(d)
PROM - 30(e)
RAM - 30(f)
Dial Circuitry - 30(g)
In use, both the secretarial unit 2 and the executive unit 3 are connected to their respective power supply transformer 5 which is, in turn, connected to a mains supply. If desired, the secretarial unit 2 is connected to a printer or computer, in this case, the printer 6.
Either or both of the units 2 and 3 may also be connected to a telephone by the telephone interfaces 15 and 36, respectively.
When it is desired to transmit a message to an executive, a secretary uses the keyboard 11 to input a message which is displayed on the LCD 12. It is possible to input some messages by the pressing of a single key, for example, "is here", and "is on line". Pressing of the "print" key allows the message to be printed on the printer 6 and pressing of the "send" causes the message to be transmitted to the executive unit 3. In this case a maximum of 32 characters may be transmitted. Errors in the operation of the secretarial unit 2 or the executive unit 3 are indicated by a bleep sound from the sound emitters 14 and 35 respectively. When a message to be transmitted is longer than 32 characters, the "cony" key is used to indicate a continuation from one display to another.Meanwhile, the executive unit 3 receives the various messages and will store up to a maximum of seven messages. Keys with arrows indicated on them are used for selecting messages from memory so that they are displayed on the LCD 32. On the executive unit 3, the indicator lights 34 include various displays for time, date and the message number selected. When an executive wishes to reply to his secretary, one of the keys with preprogrammed messages is simply pressed. In this case some of the messages are as follows; "Come in", "Coffee please", and "I'll take the call". The keys for these messages are on the left side of the executive unit 3.
The portion of the keypad 31 on the right side of the executive unit 3 allows the unit to be used as a calculator. Other keys are provided for automatic dialling of telephone numbers when the executive unit 3 is connected to a telephone.
Many variations of the textual communication system of the invention are envisaged. For example, the executive unit 3 may have a keyboard similar to the keyboard 11 and further, it may be connected to a printer. It is envisaged that either of the units may be used to store messages and the user's diary together with relevant phone numbers etc. It is also envisaged that there may be several executive units associated with one secretarial unit. In this way, the textual communication system may also be used as an alternative to a paging system.
Claims (13)
1. A communication unit for a communication system,
the communication unit comprising:
control means;
user input means for inputting user messages;
remote unit reception means for reception of
messages from a remote communication unit;
display means for displaying messages; and
a transmission means for transmitting messages
to a remote communication unit.
2. A communication unit as claimed in Claim 1 in which
the user input means is a keypad.
3. A communication unit as claimed in Claims 1 or 2,
in which the control means has memory means for
storage of pre-programmed messages for transmission
to a remote communication unit.
4. A communication unit as claimed in any preceding
claim, in which the reception means and the
transmission means each comprise a serial interface
for transmission of signals by cable.
5. A communication unit as claimed in any of Claims 1
to 5 in which the reception means comprises a radio
receiver and the transmission means comprises a
radio transmitter.
6. A communication unit as claimed in any preceding
claim, wherein the communication unit further
comprises a microphone and means for transmission
of detected sound to a remote communication unit.
7. A communication unit as claimed in Claim 6, in
which the communication unit further comprises
means for reception of microphone output signals
from a remote communication unit and speaker means
for outputting of corresponding sound signals.
8. A communication unit as claimed in any preceding
claim, in which the control means comprises a
dialed circuit for a telephone.
9. A communication unit as claimed in any preceding
claim, in which the control means comprises
printer interface means for transmission of
messages to a printer.
10. A communication unit as claimed in any preceding
claim in which the control means comprises computer
interface means for transmission of messages to a
computer.
11. A textual communication system comprising a
plurality of communication units as claimed in any
preceding claim.
12. A communication unit substantially as hereinbefore
described with reference to and as illustrated by
the accompanying drawings.
13. A textual communication system substantially as
hereinbefore described with reference to and as
illustrated in the accompanying drawings.
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| IE137987A IE871379L (en) | 1987-05-27 | 1987-05-27 | A communication system |
Publications (2)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| GB8812335D0 GB8812335D0 (en) | 1988-06-29 |
| GB2205217A true GB2205217A (en) | 1988-11-30 |
Family
ID=11026325
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| GB08812335A Withdrawn GB2205217A (en) | 1987-05-27 | 1988-05-25 | A communication system |
Country Status (3)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| BE (1) | BE1000182A6 (en) |
| GB (1) | GB2205217A (en) |
| IE (1) | IE871379L (en) |
Cited By (1)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| GB2332810A (en) * | 1997-12-29 | 1999-06-30 | Mitel Corp | Telephone messaging system |
Citations (6)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| EP0100084A2 (en) * | 1982-07-28 | 1984-02-08 | Siemens Aktiengesellschaft | Telephone with a video screen |
| US4440977A (en) * | 1979-07-25 | 1984-04-03 | John Pao | Pushbutton decoder and printer |
| GB2156186A (en) * | 1984-03-15 | 1985-10-02 | Int Standard Electric Corp | Communication terminal |
| EP0193713A2 (en) * | 1985-03-02 | 1986-09-10 | TELENORMA Telefonbau und Normalzeit GmbH | Terminal for a digital telecommunication exchange |
| GB2178927A (en) * | 1985-07-09 | 1987-02-18 | Canon Kk | Alphanumeric character transmission |
| GB2195864A (en) * | 1986-08-08 | 1988-04-13 | Dictaphone Corp | Communications network and method with visible message transmission capabilities |
-
1987
- 1987-05-27 IE IE137987A patent/IE871379L/en unknown
-
1988
- 1988-05-25 GB GB08812335A patent/GB2205217A/en not_active Withdrawn
- 1988-05-27 BE BE8800593A patent/BE1000182A6/en not_active IP Right Cessation
Patent Citations (6)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US4440977A (en) * | 1979-07-25 | 1984-04-03 | John Pao | Pushbutton decoder and printer |
| EP0100084A2 (en) * | 1982-07-28 | 1984-02-08 | Siemens Aktiengesellschaft | Telephone with a video screen |
| GB2156186A (en) * | 1984-03-15 | 1985-10-02 | Int Standard Electric Corp | Communication terminal |
| EP0193713A2 (en) * | 1985-03-02 | 1986-09-10 | TELENORMA Telefonbau und Normalzeit GmbH | Terminal for a digital telecommunication exchange |
| GB2178927A (en) * | 1985-07-09 | 1987-02-18 | Canon Kk | Alphanumeric character transmission |
| GB2195864A (en) * | 1986-08-08 | 1988-04-13 | Dictaphone Corp | Communications network and method with visible message transmission capabilities |
Cited By (2)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| GB2332810A (en) * | 1997-12-29 | 1999-06-30 | Mitel Corp | Telephone messaging system |
| GB2332810B (en) * | 1997-12-29 | 2000-05-24 | Mitel Corp | Telephone call messaging |
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| BE1000182A6 (en) | 1988-07-12 |
| GB8812335D0 (en) | 1988-06-29 |
| IE871379L (en) | 1988-11-27 |
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Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| WAP | Application withdrawn, taken to be withdrawn or refused ** after publication under section 16(1) |