GB2293255A

GB2293255A - Radio paging system

Info

Publication number: GB2293255A
Application number: GB9518804A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Paul David Williams
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1994-09-14
Filing date: 1995-09-14
Publication date: 1996-03-20
Also published as: GB9418458D0; GB9518804D0

Abstract

A radio paging system enables a message to be sent to a radio pager (10) from a telecommunications device for the deaf (TDD) (22). The system has an interface (20) which employs a method comprising answering an incoming call from a call originator on a telephone line (32), and receiving a message and a pager number from the call originator entered by the originator on the TDD (22). Following termination of the call the interface (20) sends a message to a radio communications system (12) for onward transmission to the radio pager (10). Calls may be received from the TDD over a public switched telephone network or from a cellular network. <IMAGE>

Description

RADIO PAGING SYSTEM The present invention relates to a radio paging system.

More particularly, but not exclusively, it relates to a radio paging system suitable for use by deaf people or people with impaired hearing.

The use of radio pagers to pass messages to people whose whereabouts is variable is well known. When a message must be transmitted to a radio pager, a telephone call to a pager operator is made. The operator is told verbally the number of the radio pager and the message text. Once the telephone call is complete, the operator places a call containing the message onto the radio communications system which is transmitted to the pager. The radio pager then alerts its user of the presence of the call, either by emitting an audible alarm or by other means, for example by activating a non-aural alerting device such as vibration device.

This system works well for most users. The presence in most radio pagers of a non-aural alerting device in many pagers means that a deaf person may use the system to receive messages. However, because of the need to use a conventional telephone the system cannot be used by a deaf person to transmit a message. For this reason, radio pagers have not generally been considered as a useful means by which a deaf person can contact another (deaf or hearing) person.

It is the aim of the invention to provide a radio pager system by means of which a deaf person can send a message to a radio pager, without the need to use expressive or cumbersome equipment such as might be required for direct communication with the pager control system.

To gain access to a system of the present invention, a telecommunication device for the deaf (hereinafter referred to as a "TDD") is used. Very many deaf people, and those hearing people with whom they wish to communicate posses a TDD and its use is familiar to them. Put simply, a TDD device comprises a keyboard, an alphanumeric display, and an acoustic coupler by means of which the TDD may be connected to a telephone handset.

In use, a telephone call is made in the conventional manner, and the telephone handset is placed on the acoustic coupler. When the call is answered, the handset at the receiving end is also placed on the acoustic coupler of a TDD. Bi-directional text communication can then take place between the TDD units.

According to a first aspect of the invention there is provided a method of sending a message to a radio pager comprising answering an incoming call from a call originator cn a telephone line, receiving a message and a pager number from the call originator, the message and the pager number being entered by the originator on a TDD, and following terminatIon of the call, sending a message to a radio communications system for onward transmission to the radio pager.

Thus, a deaf person may use a TDD unit to send a message to a radio pager without the need to use any verbal communication, for example with an operator.

Preferably, during the call, a message is sent to the call originator to enter the information required.

Additionally, it is desirable that further messages are sent to the originator to confirm that the message has been accepted and will be transmitted to the pager.

Advantageously, the originator is required first to enter the pager number, following which the number is verified as being acceptable before the message is entered.

Preferably, in the event that the number is found to be unacceptable, a message is sent to the originator to indicate that the number should be re-entered.

In a preferred embodiment, the call is received from a public switched telephone network. This means that the call may originate from substantially any location in which access to a telephone can be obtained. Furthermore, connection may be achieved over a cellular telephone system, so further increasing versatility.

Most TDD units operate in two modes: a 45 baud Baudot mode and a 300 baud CCITT mode. Preferably, on answering the call, a signal is transmitted to the originator to set the TDD to operate is one or other mode. It has been found that the Baudot mode may be more reliable but that the greater speed of the CCITT mode is desirable if communication in that mode can be established. More preferably, therefore, on answering the call it is first attempted to establish communication in CCITT mode and, if this fails, Baudot mode is then tried.

In a second of its aspects the invention provides a communication interface comprising input means, processing means, and output means, the input means being adapted for connection to a telephone line and operative to answer a call received on that line from a call originator equipped with a TDD and establish bidirectional communication therewith, the processing means being adapted to transmit and receive messages over the telephone line through the communication means and being operative to receive a number of a radio pager and a message to be transmitted thereto from the originator, and the output means being adapted to send messages to a radio communication system for onward transmission to a radio pager, the control means, in use, sending to the output means a message and pager number received during a recently terminated call.

The interface may be installed by a service provider such that service subscribers are provided with information identifying the telephone line to which the interface is connected, any subscriber then being able to originate a call to the interface to send a message to a radio pager.

An embodiment of the invention will now be described in detail, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawing in which the sole figure represents diagrammatically the stages in sending a message from a TDD to a radio pager.

With reference to the figure, a radio pager 10 receives signals from a remote radio transmitter 12. The transmitter is controlled by a control system 14 of conventional type.

In normal use, the control system 14 receives commands to send a signal to a radio pager 10 entered by an operator at a terminal 16. Thus, when used conventionally, a member of the public must make a voice telephone call to an operator in order to send a message to a pager 10.

In the present invention there is provided an interface 20 which allows access to a pager from TDD.

The interface 20 comprises processing means, for example a computer 23, a modem 24 constituting input means and a codec 26 constituting output means.

The modem 24 is connected to an incoming telephone line 30 which is part of a public switched telephone network (PSTN) 32, a private telephone network, a cellular network, or any other suitable communications system. The modem 24 monitors the line 30 for incoming telephone calls. The codec 26 provides a digital link, for example via a public digital network 34 or a leased line to the control system 14.

When a call is to be placed to a radio pager 10, a call originator can locate a convenient telephone 40 connected to the PSTN, or may use a cellular telephone, to make a call to the interface 20, the number of its line 30 being made available to authorised users, for example, subscribers to a commercial pager service. The handset 42 of the telephone 40 is then placed on the acoustic coupler of the TDD 22.

The modem 24 and the TDD 22 then establish communication using known protocols. Most preferably, the CCITT 300 baud protocol is used, this being the fastest available on a TDD 22, higher speeds being generally unreliable for use with acoustic couplers. If communication cannot be established, the modem 24 preferably re-tries using Baudot 45 baud protocol. This is more likely to succeed, but if it fails, the modem 24 will hang-up the line and this will cause an error message to be displayed on the display of the TDD 22.

Once communication has been established, the modem 24 will alert the computer 23, and will allow bi-directional communication between the computer 23 and the TDD 22.

Immediately after connection, the computer 23 sends a message to the TDD 22 to inform the originator that they have connected to the pager system, and asking the originator to enter the number of the radio pager 10 to which they wish to send a message. Once this infirmation has been entered, it Is checked by the computer to ensure that it is valid. If it is invalid, the originator is sent an informatory message and asked to re-enter the number.

Once a valid number has been entered, the computer 23 sends a message to the TDD 22 asking the originator to enter the message to be sent. Once this is received by the computer 23, it sends a confirmatory message to the TDD 22 and instructs the modem 24 to hang-up the telephone line 30.

Following completion of the above described procedure, the computer establishes a digital link with the radio pager control system 14 through the codec 26 and the digital network 34. The computer 23 then packages the information received from the originator into a data sequence in accordance with the protocol used by the control system 14 to instruct it to send the originator's message to the specified radio pager 10.

The radio pager may be a self-contained device or it may, alternatively, be incorporated into another device, for example, a mobile telephone.

Claims

CLAIMS:

1. A method of sending a message to a radio pager comprising answering an incoming call from a call originator on a telephone line, receiving a message and a pager number from the call originator, the message and the pager number being entered by the originator on a TDD, and following termination of the call, sending a message to a radio communications system for onward transmission to the radio pager.

2. A method according to claim 1 in which, during the call, a message is sent to the call originator to enter the information required.

3. A method according to claim 2 in which further messages are sent to the originator to confirm that the message has been accepted and will be transmitted to the pager.

4. A method according to any preceding claim in which the originator is required first to enter the pager number, following which the number is verified as being acceptable before the message is entered.

5. A method according to claim 4 in which in the event that the number is found to be unacceptable, a message is sent to the originator to indicate that the number should be re-enterea.

6. A method according to any preceding claim in which the call is received from or originated upon a public switched telephone network.

7. A method according to any preceding claim in which the call is received from or originated upon a cellular telephone system.

8. A method according to any preceding claim in which, on answering the call first an attempt is made to establish communication with the TDD in CCITT mode and, if this fails, Baudot mode is then tried.

9. A method of sending a message to a radio pager substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawing.

10. A communication interface comprising input means, processing means, and output means, the input means being adapted for connection to a telephone line and operative to answer a call received on that line from a call originator equipped with a TDD and establish bidirectional communication therewith, the processing means being adapted to transmit and receive messages over the telephone line through the communication means and being operative to receive a number of a radio pager and a message to be transmitted thereto from the originator, and the output means being adapted to send messages to a radio communication system for onward transmission to a radio pager, the control means, in use, sending to the output means a message and pager number received during a recently terminated call.

11. A communication interface substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawing.

13. A telecommunication installation comprising a communication interface according to claim 10 or claim 11 installed by a service provider such that service subscribers are provided with information identifying the telephone line to which the interface is connected, any subscriber then being able to originate a call to the interface to send a message to a radio pager.