GB2269721A

GB2269721A - A communications device

Info

Publication number: GB2269721A
Application number: GB9214180A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Zakman Schwartzman; Aharon Kashtan
Original assignee: Motorola Israel Ltd
Current assignee: Motorola Solutions Israel Ltd
Priority date: 1992-07-02
Filing date: 1992-07-02
Publication date: 1994-02-16
Anticipated expiration: 2012-07-02
Also published as: GB9214180D0; GB2269721B

Abstract

The communications device 30 is operable in a radio dispatch mode or a telephone interconnect mode. It comprises a handset containing an ear-piece 38 arranged to be operable in at least the telephone interconnect mode and having a relatively low audio power output. The handset further comprises a microphone 42 and a speaker 40. The speaker 40 has a relatively high audio power output and is arranged to be operable in said dispatch mode. Furthermore, the speaker 40 is substantially co-located with the microphone 42. The ear-piece 38 and speaker 40 are located on the same side of the handset and, when in use, are located such as to be positioned adjacent to a user's ear and mouth respectively. <IMAGE>

Description

A Communications Device.

Background to the Invention.

This invention relates, in general, to a speaker/microphone combination of a handheld portable radio and is particularly applicable to the operation of said combination to provide dispatch, trunking and telephone interconnect facilities therein.

Summarv of the Prior Art.

Portable full duplex radio equipment has particular applications in the communications industry and, more specifically, the cellular radio telephone communications industry. The portable full duplex equipment is packaged into units designed to enable a user to use the portable unit in a similar way to a conventional telephone handset. With reference to Fig. 1, these units comprise an internally built ear piece 12 and a separate microphone 14. The ear piece 12 and microphone 14 are located such that when the portable unit is desired to be used as a telephone handset 16, the ear piece 12 is located in close proximity to a user's ear whilst the microphone 14 is located in close proximity to the user's mouth. A key board 18 and a display 20 for such a portable unit is located at either the front or back of the unit; the position determined from the viewpoint of design convenience.This configuration supports the operation of the portable unit in a full duplex telephone type system. However, there is a growing demand to combine despatch type two way communication together with full duplex telephone type operation in a single portable unit. Unfortunately, design difficulties arise from the inherent differences between despatch type and full duplex type communication.

When a portable unit is in a standby mode, and the portable unit is operating in a telephone type full duplex system, the unit is typically held in either a specially designed holster or base unit 22 or in the hand of a user. In the instance when the portable unit resides in the base unit 22, such as when the portable unit is a transportable, the portable unit is temporarily coupled to the base unit 22 through a cable 23. A hook switch 24, located on the base unit 22 is depressed by the pressure of the unit thereon and, as a consequence thereof, activates a loud speaker 26 mounted on a side of the base unit. When a call is directed towards a particular unit, that portable unit attracts the attention of the user by issuing a call received tone 28 through the loud speaker 26.In response to such a tone 28, the user activates an answer button on the portable unit and then correctly orientates the portable unit towards their head in order to facilitate a telephone conversation. Furthermore, the release of the hook switch 22 de-activates the loud speaker 26 and enables the ear-piece 12. Alternatively, if a user initiates a call, the user dials the required number and then correctly orientates the unit such that the ear piece 12 is in close proximity to one of their ears. The user will then be able to identify when the call has been answered. It will be appreciated that during typical operation of a full duplex telephone system, a received message is usually routed to an ear piece so as to ensure adequate acoustic reception by the human ear at a sufficiently low sound pressure.If the portable unit is hand held, announciation of an incoming call is made through the ear piece 12.

In dispatch mode type operation, a dispatch unit will either be held in a specially designed holster or in the hand of a user. A relatively high powered speaker (1-2 watts) is internally mounted on the dispatch unit such that a received message is broadcast at a sufficiently high enough audio level therefrom. The audio level must be such that the broadcast is legibly detectable by a user even when the despatch unit is remotely located in the holster. Typically, there are ten or more users who share the same talk group in a two way despatch communications system. A user only has to respond if his name or call sign has been broadcast through the speaker.

Clearly, most of the messages received by a portable two way despatch communications unit are not directed to a particular user and will normally be ignored. However, when the user is addressed, the user instantly places the despatch unit in front of his mouth whilst activating a push to talk (PTT) button. Furthermore, the user will wait for further messages to be broadcast through the speaker whilst the despatch unit is located in front of the user's face.

In order to combine both dispatch and telephone interconnect modes in one portable unit, it is necessary to design a unit which supports the different acoustic and operational requirements therefor. The obvious solution to this problem is to substitute a loud speaker for the ear piece of Fig. 1, and then regulate the audio power of the speaker during the dispatch and interconnect operating modes. Specifically, full audio power would be administered during dispatch operation whilst reduced audio power would be administered during telephone interconnect operation.

Unfortunately, this approach does not mitigate the potentially hazardous condition arising from a user holding the unit is in close proximity to their ear and simultaneously receiving a dispatch call therefrom. The relatively high acoustic pressure of the dispatch mode, corresponding to a 1-2 watt audio drive, is an unpleasant experience and can cause temporary or permanent hearing damage.

From a statistical view-point, the foregoing scenario would occur far too frequently in a communications device exhibiting a telephone handset design. Moreover, the occurrence of this scenario might also contravene pertinent health and safety regulations.

In addressing the problem by providing a buzzer alert in combination with a low speaker level for default operation, further difficulties arise in that a user cannot immediately identify who has paged him and may, additionally, fail to respond to a call.

Furthermore, if a caller directs a message to the user in a format wherein the caller only identifies a user after the message has been relayed, emphasis of the message is lost since the message is not directed at a particular individual or group.

Present techniques attempt to overcome the inherent problems associated with dual dispatch and radio interconnect operation by providing a communications device with a sliding or hinged mouth-piece. When the mouth-piece is extended, the device operates in a radio interconnect mode, and when the mouth-piece is closed, the device operates in a dispatch mode. Consequentially, the audio output of the device is automatically controlled according to the position of the mouth-piece. However, this well known approach has certain drawbacks. Specifically, the space provided for electronic circuitry and batteries is reduced, with the result that substantial constraints are imposed on the mechanical design thereof.

It can be appreciated that there is a requirement within the art for a combined full duplex/half duplex portable radio.

Moreover, such a combination radio must address the inherent differences in paging methodologies thereof and thereby prevent the possibility of damage to a user's ear from excessive audio levels emanating from a speaker thereof, or the possibility of not alerting the user by not generating a sufficient audio level during signalling.

Furthermore, it is desirable to retain a sufficient amount of space within a device exhibiting full duplex/half duplex operating modes so as to not impose constraints on either the design of circuits and batteries therefor or the mechanical design thereof.

Summarv of the Invention.

This invention addresses at least some of the deficiencies that prevail in the prior art described herein above. In accordance with the inventiori there is provided a communications device operable in a radio dispatch mode and a telephone interconnect mode. The communications device comprises a handset containing an ear-piece arranged to be operable in at least the telephone interconnect mode and having a relatively low audio power output.

The handset further comprises a microphone and a speaker. The speaker has a relatively high audio power output and is arranged to be operable in said dispatch mode. Furthermore, the speaker is substantially co-located with the microphone. Moreover, the ear-piece and speaker are located on the same side of the handset and, when in use, are located such as to be positioned adjacent to a user's ear and mouth respectively.

In the preferred embodiment, the dispatch mode further defines a default mode in which the user is alerted to a call directed at the communications device by the generation an audible call sign through the speaker. Moreover, the speaker is muted during operation of the communications device in the telephone interconnect mode. Furthermore, the communications device further comprises a first response key, whereby actuation of the first response key allows the user to respond to a dispatch call. In a similar manner, actuation of a second response key causes the communication device to enter the telephone interconnect mode.

Additionally, actuation of the second response key causes the muting of the speaker and facilitates the response of the user to a telephone interconnect call. Actuation of a cancellation key causes the communications device to terminate operation in the telephone interconnect mode and resume operation in said default mode.

In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the communications device further comprises a visual display unit. In addition, the microphone may be constructed with an acoustic wave guide, and the speaker has a typical audio power output of between 1 and 2 watts.

An exemplary embodiment of the present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Brief Description of the Drawings, Fig. 1 illustrates a prior art radio telephone handset arrangement.

Fig. 2 illustrates a preferred embodiment of a combined despatch radio and radio telephone in accordance with the present invention.

Detailed Descrintion of a Preferred Embodiment.

With reference to Fig. 2, a preferred embodiment of a full duplex/half duplex radio telephone 30, configured to support dispatch, trunking and interconnect communication therein, is shown. The radio telephone 30 comprises a unit configured in the shape of a conventional telephone or radio telephone handset, such as FieldmanrM transportable radios, manufactured by Motorola Inc.

An antenna 32, a display 34 for displaying user information and a keypad 36, incorporating "send" and "answer" buttons, are configured on the handset 30 in accordance with techniques obvious to those skilled in the art. An ear-piece 38 is mounted at an upper end of the handset and in close proximity to the antenna 32.

Fieldman?u is a trade mark of Motorola Inc.

A relatively high audio power speaker 40, typically 1-2 watts power output, is located at a lower end of the handset and on the same side as the ear-piece 38. A transducer 42, such as a microphone, is mounted close to the speaker 42 such that, when in operation, the transducer 42 and speaker 40 face the mouth of a user. It will be appreciated that the transducer may be constructed with or without an acoustic guide and that the transducer may be of the capsule variety. The radio telephone 30 further comprises a push to talk (PTT) button 44 located on the side of the handset.

The novel configuration described above ensures that a user can operate the radio telephone 30 with the ear-piece 38 in close contact with their ear whilst receiving a dispatch call. The position of the relatively high power speaker 30 is near the mouth and, therefore, a safe distance from both ears. Not only does this position avoid possible damage to the hearing of a user, it also represents a desirable attribute in that it mimics a common operating position for a half duplex dispatch radio i.e. the unit is in close proximity to a user mouth during conversation.

When the radio telephone 30 is held in the hand or located in a holster, a dispatch or radio interconnect call signal is broadcast loudly through the speaker 40. In the dispatch mode, a user may chose to respond to a particular dispatch call, identified by either a received name or call-sign, by depressing the PTT button 44, orienting the handset accordingly and operating the radio telephone 30 in accordance with known radio dispatch procedures.

Alternatively, if a telephone interconnect call is received, a user will respond by pressing the "answer" button, thereby disabling the speaker 40 but retaining the use of the ear-piece 38, and orienting the radio telephone 30 accordingly. If a user intends to place a call in the interconnect mode, the user dials a number on the keypad 36 and then activates the "send" button, whereby the radio telephone 30 registers that it is in the interconnect mode and therefore disables the speaker 40. When a telephone interconnect call is terminated, the radio telephone 30 returns to a default mode, characterised in that the default mode is also the dispatch mode.

Clearly, with the default mode being the dispatch mode, all received calls will be audible. Moreover, the distinct procedural steps involved in operating the radio telephone 30 in the dispatch and interconnect modes, ensures that a user should not sustain hearing damage caused by the relatively high audio power speaker 40.

It can be appreciated that an invention so designed and described provides a communications device capable of supporting dispatch, trunking and interconnect communication therein, whilst inhibiting undesirable and potentially hazardous conditions associated with audio output levels from each of the distinct operating modes. Moreover, the device is configured such that the different acoustic and operational requirements for radio dispatch and radio telephone interconnect methodologies are satisfied

Claims

Claims.

1. A communications device (30), operable in a radio dispatch mode and a telephone interconnect mode, comprising a handset containing: a) an ear-piece (38) arranged to be operable in at least the telephone interconnect mode and having a relatively low audio power output; b) a microphone (42); and c) a speaker (40), having a relatively high audio power output, arranged to be operable in said dispatch mode and substantially co-located with said microphone (42); wherein the ear-piece (38) and speaker (40) are located on the same side of the handset and, when in use, are located such as to be positioned adjacent to a user's ear and mouth respectively.

2. The communications device (30) of claim 1, wherein the dispatch mode further defines a default mode in which the user is alerted to a call directed at the communications device (30) by the generation an audible call sign through the speaker (40).

3. The communications device (30) of claim 2, wherein the speaker is muted during operation of the communications device (30) in the telephone interconnect mode.

4. The communications device (30) of claim 3, wherein the communications device (30) further comprises a first response key, whereby actuation of the first response key allows the user to respond to a dispatch call.

5. The communications device (30) of claim 3 or 4, wherein the communications device (30) further comprises a second response key, whereby actuation of the second response key: i) causes the communication device (30) to enter the telephone interconnect mode; and ii) causes said muting of said speaker (40); and thereby allows the user to respond to a telephone interconnect call.

6. The communications device (30) of claim 5, wherein the communications device (30) further comprises a cancellation key, wherein actuation of said cancellation key causes the communications device (30) to terminate operation in the telephone interconnect mode and resume operation in said default mode.

7. The communications device (30) of any preceding claim, wherein the device (30) further comprises a visual display unit (34).

8. The communications device (30) of any preceding claim, wherein the microphone (42) is constructed with an acoustic wave guide.

9. The communications device (30) of any preceding claim, wherein the speaker has an audio output power of between 1 to 2 watts.

10. The communications device (30) of any preceding claim, wherein the communications device (30) is one of either a cellular radio telephone and a transportable.

11. A method of operating a communications device (30), operable in a radio dispatch mode and a telephone interconnect mode, comprising a handset containing an ear-piece (38) arranged to be operable in at least the telephone interconnect mode and having a relatively low audio power output, a microphone (42) and a speaker (40), having a relatively high audio power output, arranged to be operable in said dispatch mode and substantially co-located with said microphone (42); wherein the ear-piece (38) and speaker (40) are located on the same side of the handset and, when in use, are located such as to be positioned adjacent to a user's ear and mouth respectively; the method comprising the steps of: a) operating the device (30) in the dispatch mode; b) alerting a user that a call has been directed at the communications device (30) by generating an audible call sign through said speaker (40); c) responding to said audible call sign by selecting a relevant operating mode from either said dispatch mode or said telephone interconnect mode, whereby the selection of the relevant operating mode is dependent upon whether the call sign was generated in response to a dispatch or telephone interconnect message; d) muting the speaker (40) when the telephone interconnect mode has been selected; e) relaying the message through at least the ear-piece (38).

12. The method of operating a communications device (30) in accordance with claim 11, the method further comprising the step of: f) orienting the handset such that the ear-piece (38) and speaker (40) are positioned adjacent to the user's ear and mouth respectively.

13. The method of operating a communications device (30) in accordance with claim 11 or 12, wherein the device further comprises a telephone interconnect response key and the step of selecting is characterised in that: actuation of the telephone interconnect response key causes: the communication device (30) to enter the telephone interconnect mode; and said muting of the speaker (40) to occur, thereby allowing the user to respond to a telephone interconnect call.

14. The method of operating a communications device (30) in accordance with claim 13, wherein the communications device further comprises a cancellation key, and the method further comprises the step of: g) terminating operation in said telephone interconnect mode by actuating said cancellation key, whereby the communications device (30) resumes operation in said dispatch mode.

15. The method of operating a communications device (30) in accordance with any one of claims 11 to 14, wherein the communications device (30) further comprising a dispatch mode response key, and the step of selecting is characterised in that: actuation of the dispatch mode response key (44) allows the user to respond to a dispatch message; and the step of relaying a dispatch message is characterised in that: the dispatch message is relayed through at least the speaker (40).

16. A method of operating a communications device substantially as described herein and with reference to Fig. 2 of the accompanying drawings.

17. A communications device substantially as described herein and with reference to Fig. 2 of the accompanying drawings.