GB2329555A - Audible Radio Transceiver Programming System - Google Patents

Abstract

An audible programming system for programming a radio communications transceiver (115) having a radio speaker and radio microphone includes an interface such as telephone (109) and is attached to a telephone network (105). The telephone network works with an interactive voice prompting system (103) for receiving radio programming information from a data base (101). The telephone (109) includes an interface speaker (113) and interface microphone (111) for receiving information and prompting the user with questions for selecting programming from data base (101). After the programming is selected, the interface speaker (113) transmits acoustical programming information to the radio microphone in the communications transceiver (115). The invention enables a radio to be easily programmed without the need for additional radio hardware or software.

Description

AUDIBLE RADIO PROGRAMMING SYSTEM AND METHOD OF USING SAME TECHNICAL FIELD This invention relates in general to two-way radio and more specifically software programming for two-way radio equipment.

BACKGROUND Today's two-way radio equipment can often be programmed to operate in a particular manner and for a specific set of frequencies depending on user requirements. Any desired options or operating parameters can be selected during the programming process. As seen in prior art FIG. 1, the programming process generally involves a programming system 10 that includes a computer 11 for loading radio system software (RSS) through the use of a programming cable 13, radio interface box (RIB) 15 and radio 17 and attachment cable 19. In the case of consumer radio products, this may burden the consumer by requiring them to purchase additional hardware and software in order to select the proper option and/or programming in order to program a radio to their particular requirements.

To alleviate the cost and complexity of programming consumer radio products, many products allow programming by setting DIP switches inside the radio. Other products allow setting options by entering a special programming mode and using various combinations of switches and button presses to set the desired operation. Such programming methods are generally non-intuitive, and require the presence of an operator's manual. Both experienced and inexperienced users often find such methods difficult, annoying, and prone to error, and often call the manufacturer for help.

Thus, the need exists to provide a simplified system and method for programming a consumer two way radio product without the requirement for additional programming hardware to accomplish this task.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a prior art diagram showing a typical programming system for programming a two-way radio with software and user options.

FIG. 2 .is a block diagram showing the audible radio programming system in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the transceiver hardware in accordance with the present invention.

FIGs. 4A, 4B and 4C are flow charts showing the preferred method of practicing the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring now to FIG. 2, the audible programming system 100 includes an interactive telephone voice prompting system 103 connected to a telephone network 105 for receiving programming information and transmitting programming data requests through a standard telephone line 107. This programming information is typically received from a remotely connected to a computer network such as data base 101 that supplies desired programming information based on user prompting.

Connected to telephone network 105 is an audible interface such as telephone 109, which contains microphone 111 and an speaker 113 for conveying acoustic or audible information to and from the radio communications transceiver 115. The audible information may be in any data format however dual-tone multi-frequency (DTMF) signaling and frequency shift keying (FSK) may be selected since their formats are readily available.

As described in more detail below, a radio generates audible data into the microphone 111 where this information is then transmitted through a telephone network 105 to the 103 voice prompting system.

Upon proper authorization, the appropriate programming information is returned to the telephone 109 where it is audibly transmitted through speaker 113 to the microphone on the radio 115. In this manner the radio 115 can be easily programmed without the need for external hardware and cable interconnections. The process is facilitated by the interactive telephone voice prompting system 103. The voice prompting system 103 provides voice prompting commands to the user and allows user selection of options by the keypad of telephone 109. A database 101 contains information regarding the capabilities, options and configurations of various types of radios formulates programming information based on user response to these commands. The Voice prompting system 103 also encodes and decodes the audible information in a format suitable for communication with the radio transceiver 115.

FIG. 3 illustrates a block diagram of a two-way radio transceiver 115 used to implement acoustical programming shown in FIG. 2. A microphone 151 of the transceiver is connected to an analog-to-digital converter 155 used to convert the analog signal from the telephone earpiece to the transceiver microprocessor 159. The microprocessor also connects to a digital-to-analog converter 157 which connects to the transceiver speaker 153 to generate appropriate status tones or to optionally generate acoustical tones that are sent to the telephone microphone and the remote programming system. When the microprocessor receives valid programming information, the radio memory device 161 is reprogrammed.

With regard to the preferred method 300 of practicing the invention, FIGs. 4A, 4B and 4C are flowcharts showing the preferred operation of the invention. The user begins the programming process by dialing 301 the phone number associated with the voice prompting system. The system, through the use of voice prompts, asks 303 the user for information about the radio, such as a model number. The user replies to this information by entering 305 responses to the telephone keypad or alternatively with a voice response. If this information is determined 307 to be invalid, the user is asked to re-enter the information. The voice prompting system should typically offer informative, easy to follow prompting to guide even the most inexperienced of users through the programming process. An on-line help feature might even be provided.

The system accesses the database for the selected radio and determines what options are available. The system then sequentially explains 309, 315, 317 each option available for the radio and asks the user to make a selection 311 about that option using the telephone keypad or a voice response. If the user makes a mistake or provides an invalid or out-of-range entry, the user is given feedback and is asked to re-enter 313 the selection. This ensures that when the user completes all selections, the information to be programmed is valid and will be properly accepted by the radio.

Before programming can begin, the radio must first be placed in a programming mode, which allows the radio to respond to audible data signals and to optionally communicate to the remote programming system. This is typically accomplished by turning the radio on while some designated button is being actuated or pressed. This procedure can be explained 319 to the user by the voice prompting system.

Two programming methods are defined 325. In a manual system the radio microphone is placed close to the telephone earpiece. In an automatic system the radio microphone is placed close to the telephone earpiece and the radio speaker is placed close to the telephone microphone. A mechanical adapter can be provided to ensure good acoustic coupling and to shield ambient noise from adversely affecting the acoustic link.

In a manually operated implementation the user is then prompted 321 to place the radio next to the telephone handset. The user then presses 323 the "star" key on the keypad, or some other designated key identified by voice prompting, to begin the programming sequence. The system sends 351 the programming information and a checksum to the radio. The radio compares 353 the received checksum to one calculated based on the received programming information. If they match the radio programs 359 the memory device with the received information and generates an acknowledgment display and/or tone. If they do not match 355 the radio generates an error display and/or tone to alert the operator to manually press 357 an appropriate button on the keypad to initiate a retransmission of the programming information.

In an automatic implementation the user is then prompted 321 to place the radio next to the telephone handset The user then presses 323 the "star" key on the keypad, or some other designated key identified by voice prompting, to begin the programming sequence. The system transmits 327 a "programming request" packet to the radio. The radio, upon decoding such a packet, will respond 329 with identifying information, such as a model number and serial number. This ensures that the correct radio type is being programmed. If the system determines that the connected radio can be programmed, programming information and a checksum are transmitted to the radio. The radio compares 333 the received checksum to one calculated based on the received programming information and generates 337 an acknowledgment display and tone if they match. If they do not match the radio will send 335 a negative acknowledgment requesting the system to re-transmit the programming information.

Upon completion of either method of programming, the user can program 339 additional radios by placing the next radio in programming mode and pressing an appropriate key on the telephone.

An unlimited number of radios can now be programmed without the need to re-enter configuration information, provided the radios are of the same type and the same configuration is desired on all radios. It would be common, for example, for a user to purchase several radios and program them identically. The user is guided with voice prompting on how to configure the radios, which he must only do once. Then, the radios can be quickly programmed in a sequential fashion. If the radio to be programmed has software control over its volume, the radio may select a pre-determined volume level independent of the volume control setting to ensure reliable transmission of audible data.

Moreover, it will be desirable for the radio to exchange information with the interactive voice prompting system in a secure manner. If the data is encrypted in some format this acts to prohibit altering of the radio's operation beyond the manufacturer's specifications or intended capabilities. Thus, it will be evident to those skilled in the art that all or a portion of the data exchange between the radio and the remote system may be optionally encrypted.

Encryption allows for the ability to control access to radio functionality. A feature set upgrade, for example, may be purchased by a user entering a credit card number along with radio information. To ensure that the upgrade is only applicable to one radio, the configuration file may contain identifying information such as a serial number. The radio will only process a programming file that it determines to be valid for that specific radio.

While the preferred embodiments of the invention have been illustrated and described, it will be clear that the invention is not so limited. Numerous modifications, changes, variations, substitutions and equivalents will occur to those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention as defined by the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

Claims (10)

1. An audible programming system for programming a radio communications transceiver having a radio speaker and radio microphone comprising: an audible interface connected with a communications network having an interface speaker and interface microphone for receiving information from a computer network and transmitting audible programming information to the radio communications transceiver; and wherein the audible interface provides voice prompting commands to a user and supplies audible programming information to the radio communications transceiver based upon user response.

2. An audible programming system as in claim 1, wherein the communications network is a telephone system.

3. An audible programming system as in claim 1, wherein the user response is supplied by a keypad telephone entry.

4. An audible programming system as in claim 1, wherein the user response is supplied by the user's voice.

5. An audible programming system as in claim 1, wherein the audible programming information use a dual-tone multi-frequency (DTMF) protocol.

6. An audible programming system as in claim 1, wherein the audible programming information use a frequency shift keyed (FSK) protocol.

7. A system for audibly programming a two-way radio transceiver comprising: a computer data base for processing radio programming information; and an audio interface for receiving radio programming information from the computer data base and audibly conveying the programming information to the two-way radio transceiver.

8. A system for audibly programming a two-way radio transceiver as in claim 7, wherein the audio interface prompts a user with audible voice inquiries for accessing programming information from the computer data base.

9. A system for audibly programming a two-way radio transceiver as in claim 7, wherein the audio interface includes at least one speaker for conveying audible programming information to the two-way radio transceiver.

10. A system for audibly programming a two-way radio transceiver as in claim 7, wherein the audible programming information in conveyed to the two-way radio transceiver in an encrypted format.