GB2266431A

GB2266431A - Telecommunications apparatus

Info

Publication number: GB2266431A
Application number: GB9208611A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Michael Stanley Wappett; Nigel Alwyne Storey
Original assignee: TUNSTALL GROUP PLC
Current assignee: TUNSTALL GROUP PLC
Priority date: 1992-04-21
Filing date: 1992-04-21
Publication date: 1993-10-27
Also published as: GB9208611D0

Abstract

A telecommunications apparatus 1 includes a memory 10 for storing program data for controlling operation of the apparatus 1, eg. repertory dialling numbers, and means 19 for storing program data received from other telecommunications apparatus in the memory 10. The apparatus is also provided with means 19 for causing program data stored in the memory 10 to be transmitted to other telecommunications apparatus, and means 9 for initiating the transmission of the program data to the other telecommunications apparatus. The apparatus may also be used in emergency call alarm systems to alter stored telephone numbers used for automatic dialling. <IMAGE>

Description

TELECOMMUNICATIONS APPARATUS This invention relates to telecommunications apparatus and to a method of programming telecommunications apparatus.

Telecommunications apparatus commonly includes program data which is stored in a memory. Such data might include, for example, a repertory of numbers which are called frequently, the store allowing those numbers to be called without the caller having to remember the numbers or to locate them, for example in a directory.

Telecommunications apparatus is used in applications where it provides a number of functions, instead of or in addition to the transmission of data by manual initiation. For example, apparatus might send data automatically under control of a timer, for example to ensure that calls are made at a time when charges are relatively low. Apparatus might also be used to send data generated by other equipment, for example to send an alarm signal. Such apparatus might be used to send a signal to a security service that an intruder alarm has been activated, or to a fire station that a fire alarm has been activated.

Telecommunications apparatus is used in emergency call systems for elderly and infirm people, for example for such people living in sheltered housing schemes, where emergency calls may be transmitted from equipment in a residence to the office of a warden by way of a private telecommunications network. Such apparatus is disclosed in GB-A-2166321. In some cases, calls may be transmitted by way of a public network to a remote monitoring station, usually staffed by personnel suitably trained and equipped to summon assistance.

In non-sheltered housing, an emergency call unit is normally connected to a subscriber telephone line and would incorporate an automatic dialling device which can be actuated in response to an external event to dial a call on the public telephone network. Once a connection has been established with a remote receiving station, the unit would transmit data identifying the origin of the call and, in many cases, an indication of the nature of the emergency event; the event might be, for example, manual activation of a switch or trigger (which might be a remote trigger using radio activation), activation of a smoke or fire alarm, or inactivity of the resident, as monitored by an activity sensor.

A significant amount of time can be required to program telecommunications apparatus with data which enables it to function as required for a particular application, particularly if it is to provide a number of complicated functions. This problem is exacerbated when a number of pieces of apparatus are to be programmed, for example for use in individual housing units of a sheltered housing scheme.

The present invention provides telecommunications apparatus which comprises: (a) a memory for program data for controlling operation of the apparatus; (b) means for storing program data for controlling operation of the apparatus, received from other telecommunications apparatus, in the memory; (c) means for causing program data stored in the memory to be transmitted to other telecommunications apparatus; and (d) means for initiating the transmission of program data stored in the memory to other telecommunications apparatus.

The apparatus of the invention has components which then allow the program data stored in it to be transmitted to another piece of apparatus, thereby avoiding the need to program that piece of apparatus separately. The apparatus of the invention therefore has the advantage that the process of entering program data repeatedly into individual pieces of telecommunications apparatus is overcome, once the data has been entered into the memory of a first piece of apparatus. In particular, the apparatus of the invention is capable of being "cloned" so that a number of pieces of apparatus with identical configurations can be produced conveniently.

The memory for the program data will generally be provided by a read only memory device, especially an erasable programmable read only memory device, for example an electrically programmable read only memory device. The program data might include, for example, a repertory of stored telephone subscriber numbers, details of alarm initiators (such as personally triggered alarm switches - which might form part of a portable radio transmitter device, inactivity sensors, smoke sensors, fire sensors, intruder sensors), autodialling parameters, programmed call dialling routines (such as routines to be followed in the event that a call is unsuccessful because of the called subscriber line being busy or unanswered, or times for off-peak autodialled calls), handshake routines, and so on.

Program data might be entered into the apparatus of the invention by means of a conventional telephone keypad which can form part of the apparatus, according to instructions which will depend on the nature of the operation of the apparatus.

Such a keypad provided as part of the apparatus can be used to initiate the transmission of the program data to other apparatus so that, in use, the apparatus is initiated to transmit program data by activation of the keys of the keypad.

In another aspect, the invention provides a telecommunications system, comprising: (a) a first piece of telecommunications apparatus, as described above, which includes program data stored in its memory; (b) a second piece of telecommunications apparatus, as described above; and (c) means by which the first and second pieces of apparatus can be connected to one another so that program data can be transmitted from the memory of the first piece of apparatus to be stored in the memory of the second piece of apparatus.

The first and second pieces of apparatus will often be identical in terms of the hardware by which they are constituted, so that the program data from one of the pieces of apparatus can be transmitted to the other piece to produce two functionally identical pieces of apparatus.

The nature of the connection means will depend on the form of the signals embodying the program data transmitted from the first piece of apparatus. It is envisaged that the connection means might provide a direct connection between the first and second pieces of apparatus, so that it might be provided simply by a hard wire, optionally with appropriate connectors such as might be needed to connect the leads to each of the pieces of apparatus to one another. In many situations, however, an interface unit will be used, which might comprise a DC power source for the two pieces of apparatus, and a path for an AC signal between the pieces of apparatus.

For many applications, the connection means will be freestanding. Generally, the connection means will not include components of a telecommunications network through which data is transmitted in the network, other than the telecommunications apparatus and transmissions means, such as connection wires, by which the apparatus is connected to other components of the system or the network. The connection means will therefore be provided specifically to connect first and second pieces of apparatus to one another for the purpose of transferring program data from one piece of apparatus to the other piece, prior to connection of one, and generally each, of the pieces of apparatus to a telecommunications network for use.

In a further aspect, the invention provides a method of programming telecommunications apparatus, which includes a memory for program data for controlling operation of the apparatus, and means for causing program data received from other telecommunications apparatus to be retained in the said memory, which comprises: (a) connecting a first piece of telecommunications apparatus which comprises a memory having program data for controlling operation of the apparatus stored in its memory, to a second piece of telecommunications apparatus which is to be programmed; (b) transmitting program data from the memory of the first piece of telecommunications apparatus to the memory of the second piece of apparatus.

The method will generally include the steps of initiating the first piece of apparatus to transmit program data from its memory, and initiating the second piece of apparatus to receive program data into its memory. The pieces of apparatus may each include telephone keypads, and the initiation steps may comprise activation of the keys of the keypad.

Embodiments of the present invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a block diagram of telecommunications apparatus according to the invention; Figure 2 is a schematic representation of an interface unit for use in a telecommunications system according to the invention; and Figure 3 is a schematic representation of a telecomm unications system according to the invention.

Referring to the drawings, Figure 1 shows a telecommunications apparatus 1 connected to a public switched telephone network 4 by way of which calls can be made to an emergency call receiving station 2, or to a subscriber's telephone 3. The call unit incorporates a microprocessor and application specific integrated circuit 9, by which it is controlled. It further includes a radio signal receiver 7, and automatic dialler 8, a non-volatile memory 10, a loud speaker and microphone unit 11, a handset 12, a voice switching unit 13, a keypad 14, a call switch 15, a ring detector unit 16 having a first normal switching condition, a line switch 17, a tone ringer 18 and a tone signal 19.

The apparatus also has associated with it one or more sensors 5, which might include for example a manually operated switch or switches mounted on the unit or remote therefrom, together with environmental detectors, such as a smoke detector or a fire detector. Also associated with the apparatus is a control signal generator comprising a radio signal transmitter 6, in a form that may conveniently be carried by a subscriber. A suitable generator might be worn on a cord around the neck of the subscriber.

The memory 10 stores information concerned with the emergency call function of the unit, and containing the emergency telephone number or numbers and unique identification code of the unit. The memory is also capable of storing telephone numbers for normal non-emergency use.

In operation of the apparatus, an emergency call is initiated by operation of any one of the sensors 5, or by operation of the radio signal transmitter 6. In order to reassure the subscriber that an emergency call has been made, a call progress light on the apparatus will flash, and a reassurance tone will sound from the speaker. During this period, the alarm may be reset using a cancel switch on the apparatus, in order to abort the call, and returning the apparatus to standby mode. If, after a predetermined period, no cancel signal has been generated, an alarm signal is applied to the microprocessor 9, which causes a call to be placed to a control centre, whose telephone number is retrieved from the memory.

The call is placed by means of the automatic dialler 8 to a receiving station 2.

When a call is received at the receiving station 2, the public switched telephone network line is looped, and a handshaking routine is exchanged between the receiving station and the apparatus of the invention. The handshake signals are received and decoded at the apparatus by the tone dialler 19. Once the handshaking routine has been completed, the microprocessor 9 transmits, via the tone signal, information coded appropriately for transmission over the public switched telephone network, the information indicating at least the identity of the unit from which the call has originated, and the nature of the call (for example, as to whether the call is generated manually or in response to an alarm signal). Speech communication is then possible between the receiving section 2 and the subscriber, the subscriber using for example the speaker and microphone unit 11.

The memory may contain further emergency telephone numbers, that can be used by the microprocessor to initiate automatically dialled calls in the event that a first emergency call fails.

On receipt of an incoming call, the microprocessor can monitor the period of time during which a ringing signal is generated by the apparatus. The microprocessor is programmed to increase the volume of the ringing signal incrimentally, as the ringing time increases.

The contents of the memory of the apparatus of the invention may be copied to the memory of another piece of apparatus, by means of an appropriate interface unit. Figure 2 shows an interface unit, which comprises an AC-DC converter, by which DC power is supplied to pieces of apparatus connected to it. The unit further provides a path for an AC signal between the pieces of apparatus.

Figure 3 shows a telecommunications system which includes first and second pieces of telecommunications apparatus 51,53. Each of the pieces of apparatus 51,53 are connected by means of hard wires to an interface unit 55, such as that shown in Figure 2.

Transmission of programme data from the first piece of telecommunications apparatus 51 is initiated by activation of keys on the keypad 57 of that piece of apparatus. Similarly, keys on a keypad 59 on the second piece of apparatus 53 are activated to cause information received by the second piece of apparatus to be stored in the memory in that apparatus.

Following appropriate initiation steps, programme data can then be transferred from the first piece of apparatus 51 to the second piece of apparatus 53 through the interface unit 55.

Claims

CLAIMS:

1. Telecommunications apparatus which comprises: (a) a memory for program data for controlling operation of the apparatus; (b) means for storing program data for controlling operation of the apparatus, received from other telecommunications apparatus, in the memory; (c) means for causing program data stored in the memory to be transmitted to other telecommunications apparatus; and (d) means for initiating the transmission of program data stored in the memory to other telecommunications apparatus.

2. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1, which includes a telephone keypad, and in which the initiating means includes the said keypad.

3. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2, in which the memory comprises a programmable read only memory device.

4. Apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 3, which forms part of an alarm system by which a telecommunications alarm signal is transmitted to a control centre.

5. A telecommunications system, comprising: (a) a first piece of telecommunications apparatus, as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 4, which includes program data stored in its memory; (b) a second piece of telecommunications apparatus, as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 4; and (c) means by which the first and second pieces of apparatus can be connected to one another so that program data can be transmitted from the memory of the first piece of apparatus to be stored in the memory of the second piece of apparatus.

6. A telecommunications system as claimed in claim 5, in which the connection means comprises a hard wire.

7. A telecommunications system as claimed in claim 5 or claim 6, in which the connection means comprises an interface unit, comprising a DC power source for the two pieces of apparatus, and a path for an AC signal between the pieces of apparatus.

8. A telecommunications system as claimed in any one of claims 5 to 7, in which the connection means is free-standing.

9. A method of programming telecommunications apparatus, which includes a memory for program data for controlling operation of the apparatus, and means for causing program data received from other telecommunications apparatus to be retained in the said memory, which comprises: (a) connecting a first piece of telecommunications apparatus which comprises a memory having program data for controlling operation of the apparatus stored in the memory, to a second piece of telecommunications apparatus which is to be programmed; (b) transmitting program data from the memory of the first piece of telecommunications apparatus to the memory of the second piece of apparatus.

10. A method as claimed in claim 9, which includes the steps of initiating the first piece of apparatus to transmit program data from its memory, and initiating the second piece of apparatus to receive program data into its memory.

11. A method as claimed in claim 10, in which the first piece of apparatus includes a keypad, the said initiating steps comprising the activation of the keys of the keypad.

12. A method as claimed in claim 10 or claim 11, in which the second piece of apparatus includes a keypad, the said initiating steps comprising the activation of the keys of the keypad of the second piece of apparatus.

13. A method as claimed in any one of claims 9 to 12, in which in the connection step, the first and second pieces of telecommunications apparatus are each connected to an interface unit.

14. A method as claimed in any one of claims 9 to 12, in which the connection between the first and second pieces of telecommunications apparatus is made directly between the two pieces of apparatus.