GB2373962A - Mechanical autodialler for a mobile phone - Google Patents

Abstract

A mechanical autodialler comprises an actuating mechanism 3 and a loudspeaker 4. A mobile phone 5 is removably clamped to a mounting means (figs 3,4) allowing adjustment in three dimensions relative to the actuating mechanism such that the actuating mechanism is aligned with the phone's last number redial button. In response to an operating signal, a control signal is generated which causes the actuating mechanism to press the redial button, whilst the loudspeaker plays an audio signal which may comprise a recorded or digitally stored message. The control signal sent to the actuator may comprise a number of time spaced signals to thereby cause a corresponding number of successive depressions of the button and the control signal may be repeated after a predetermined lapse of time. The message may be repeated continuously whilst the operating signal is present. The actuating mechanism may comprise a solenoid. The operating signal will typically be generated in response to an alarm condition.

Description

UNIVERSAL MOBILE TELEPHONE AUTO-DIALLER This invention relates to a mobile telephone auto-daller Auto-diallers are in common usage for domestic and commercial alarm systems, though most depend upon a land-line connection to the telephone network.

This invention is an auto-dialler for connection to the wireless cellular network and is designed in particular for use with alarm systems for remote and mobile locations such as agricultural buildings and machinery, inland and dockside marine, mobile homes and automotive use.

The invention utilises mechanical actuation of the telephone keypad. Thus, most types of mobile telephone will function within the invention The user's choice of telephone/network package is not limited by the capabilities of the invention nor any requirement to match the electronic protocol adopted by the telephone designer. By use of mechanical actuation, the invention is simulating the actions of a human user, and as such any telephone number may be dialled from it, mobile, land-line or international.

The number called in the event of actuation is set on the telephone (as last number dialled) and the subsequent voice message is user recordable at the invention. Use of the telephone keypad avoids the need to learn a different user interface.

The invention utilises 12V dc, which may be derived from existing systems (as on marine, mobile home or automotive applications) or from separate batteries (for remote buildings). The telephone's internal battery is kept charged by an internal charger within the invention.

The invention may be used as an extension device to some form of existing alarm system. The operating signal may be an output from that alarm system.

Dependent upon the design of the external system, it may be possible to derive the operating contact from a time limited contact (e. g. that for a sounder, which will be limited to say 10-15 minutes), or it may be derived from an external interposing timer relay.

In the event that the operating signal is present, the invention performs the following operations. a. A voice message is played on continuous loop independent of the dialling state (e. g. whether the remote telephone is picked up or not). The voice message will only stop when the operating signal is removed. b. The control electronics initiate the first dialling attempt. c. The invention utilises the cellular telephone network for automatic disconnection. The following four scenarios detail how this is performed: 1. The remote telephone is picked up. The remote user hears the message, then replaces the receiver. When a connection is terminated in this manner, the cellular telephone network will terminate the call automatically after a number of seconds, resetting the mobile telephone at the invention.

2. The remote telephone is busy. The cellular telephone network will terminate the call automatically after a number of seconds, resetting the mobile telephone at the invention.

3. The cellular telephone network is busy, oversubscribed or no signal is available. The call will fail to get through. The network will reset the line automatically after a number of seconds, resetting the mobile telephone at the invention.

4. The remote telephone is unanswered. After a period of time the cellular telephone network will reset the line automatically, resetting the mobile telephone at the invention. d. Redial is performed by the invention after a preset time period. Redial is necessary in the event of c2, c3 and c4 above. The invention will also redial in the event of cl. Redial attempts are made at preset intervals for the duration that the operating signal is present.

A specific application of the invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 shows a block diagram of the invention Figure 2 shows details of the actuating mechanism Figure 3 shows the mounting of the telephone and actuating mechanism Figure 4 shows details of the height adjustment Figure 5 shows the voltage regulation, overcurrent protection and common function electronics Figure 6 shows the timing, control and power switching electronics Figure 1 shows an overview of invention operation. The invention has 3 inputs, +12v supply, Ov supply and operating signal (switched negative). When the operating signal is received (or the test switch 6 is closed), the invention performs two simultaneous operations. Firstly, the actuating mechanism 3 is actuated a preset number of times (default twice) by the control electronics 2, giving the equivalent of finger presses on the'call'button of the telephone 5, hence performing a last number redial operation. Secondly, a voice message (recorded by, and stored in, the control electronics) is initiated to play back via the loudspeaker 4 on continuous loop for the duration of the operating signal. In the event that the operating signal remains, the control electronics will attempt to dial again, with a preset number of pulses to the actuating mechanism after a period user-definable on the invention and will continue to redial after the same period for the duration of the operating signal.

The appropriate automotive style charger 1 for the telephone in use is plugged into a cigar lighter socket built into the invention.

The actuating mechanism is shown in Figure 2. It consists of 7 Solenoid (pull action, spring loaded to'out'position) 8 Lever 9 Pushrod 10 Mounting The solenoid 7 energises and pulls in direction'Y'when subject to a pulse input from the control electronics. This pulls one side of the lever 8. The other side of the lever 8 pushes forward on the pushrod 9 in direction'X'. The mounting 10 is arranged such that in the de-energised state the end of the pushrod is close to, or resting on, the'call'button of the telephone. Therefore, when energised and the pushrod is pushed forward in direction'X'it presses the telephone'call'button.

The pushrod presses the'call'button on the telephone with sufficient force for it to operate.

The position of the'call'button will vary dependent upon the manufacturer and model of mobile telephone as do the physical dimensions of the telephone: height, width and depth. Thus, the relative positions of the telephone and actuating mechanism must be adjustable in all three dimensions. Figure 3 demonstrates how this is achieved.

The device is mounted within a hinged enclosure with base 11 and lid 12.

Within the lid 12, the actuating mechanism 13 and interface unit 14 are on fixed mountings. The interface unit 14 houses the loudspeaker, microphone, redial period switch, record button and indicator.

The base 11 houses the control and audio electronics and the telephone universal mounting, which is described in detail below. The telephone is mounted at 5.

The telephone universal mounting consists of a mounting plate 17, four height adjusters 15 and two telephone clamps 16. The height adjusters 15 allow for different depths of telephones. Figure 4 shows a cutaway view of the base and the height adjusters in more detail. Each height adjuster consists of a coarse threaded rod 21 secured firmly in the base. Around the rod is a compression spring 18. Loosening the wing nut 19 will allow the spring to elongate and raise the mounting plate 17 higher. Tightening the wing nut will force the mounting plate down and compress the spring.

The two telephone clamps 16 allow width and height adjustment. With reference to figure 4, these consist of a captive screw 20, wing nut 19 and rubber block 22 Each captive screw runs in a horizontal slot. The telephone should be placed in the correct position. Upon tightening of the clamps, the rubber blocks deform slightly to adopt the telephone's shape hence gripping it firmly.

The control and audio electronics are mounted on a PCB with wired connections to interface components mounted elsewhere within the invention. The PCB is mounted within the base of the invention The control and audio electronics perform three functions - Voltage regulation, overcurrent protection and common functions Timing, control and power switching for the actuating mechanism Recording, storing and playback of the voice message Figure 5 shows the voltage regulation, overcurrent protection and common function circuitry. Three inputs are on the left, 12V dc inputs and switched negative operating input. When the 12V dc input (or'permanent') supply is available the LED'unit ready'indication 23 will be permanently lit, and the cigar socket (for the telephone charger) 24 will be permanently energised.

Closure of an external contact 28 or the test switch 25 will switch the switched negative rail to negative. This then lights a'device operated'LED 26 and provides power to the voltage regulator 27 which in turn provides the 5V dc power for the rest of the invention.

Figure 6 shows the circuit for timing, control and power switching for the actuating mechanism. An astable clock 35 with a frequency of approx. IHz drives an edge triggered binary counter 29. Each of the outputs (to 29 seconds) are combined via a discrete IC logic network 34 such that there is an output only for two seconds after power up or reset. This is then combined with the clock signal to give two one second long pulses, which are fed into the base of a power transistor [as shown in Figure 6, the circuit gives two one second long pulses.

The IC logic network may be re-arranged in such a way as to give a different number of pulses]. When'on'the transistor energises the coil of a relay 31, the n/o contacts of which close onto +12v to energise the solenoid 32 within the actuating mechanism. A freewheeling diode 33 is connected across the solenoid to prevent harmful overvoltage on de-energisation.

The counter 29 is reset either by loss of power (e. g. the operating contact has opened) or via a reset circuit. This reset circuit performs the'redial'operation.

The reset pin of the IC is normally held low via a potential divider. The redial selector switch 30 connects to outputs of the counter, which correspond to 64, 128,256 or 512 seconds after power up. When the selected output goes'high', this is connected back to the reset pin, causing a reset and thus commencing counting back at zero. This will continue to happen until such time as the operating contact is opened.

The circuit for recording, storing and playback of the voice message is based upon a proprietary voice recorder IC, with record button, indicator, loudspeaker, microphone and discrete components connected in line with the manufacturer's recommendations. A key feature is the auto repeat of playback which is achieved by connecting the astable clock of the timing circuit shown in Figure 6 to the'single shot'play input of the IC. Thus the recorded message will play on continuous loop for the duration of the operating signal. The user may record the voice message at any time that the operating contact (or test switch) is closed, by pressing the'Record'switch and speaking into the microphone.

Claims (10)

1. CLAIMS 1. An automatic messaging device for use with a mobile telephone having at least one press-button thereon controlling operation thereof, the device comprising : mounting means for removably receiving and holding the mobile telephone ; a control means for generating a control signal and an audio signal in response to receipt of an operating signal; an actuator for selectively depressing said press-button in response to the control signal from the control means, the mounting means being arranged to permit adjustment of the holding position of the mobile telephone to align the press-button with the actuator; and an audio transducer for outputting an audible message in response to receipt of the audio signal from the control means.
2. 2. A device according to Claim 1, wherein the control signal to the actuator comprises a predetermined number of time-spaced signals causing a corresponding number of successive depressions of the press-button.
3. 3. A device according to Claim 2, comprising means for entering said predetermined number into the control means according to the sequence of button presses required for causing the mobile telephone to dial a stored number.
4. 4. A device according to Claim 1,2 or 3, comprising timing means, and wherein the control means is arranged to repeat the control signal after a predetermined lapse of time if the operating signal is still present.
5. 5. A device according to any preceding claim, wherein the audio signal comprises a recorded message, and the control means is arranged to repeat the message continuously while the operating signal is present,
6. 6. A device according to Claim 5, wherein the control means comprises solidstate memory for storing the recorded message in digitally encoded form.
7. 7. A device according to Claim 5 or 6, wherein the control means comprises sound recording means.
8. 8. A device according to any preceding claim, wherein the or each actuator comprises a solenoid.
9. 9. A device according to any preceding claim, wherein the mounting means comprises a support having adjustable clamps thereon for receiving and holding the mobile telephone, the support being carried on adjustable mounts permitting it to be selectively moved towards and away from the actuator.
10. 10. A messaging device, substantially as described with reference to, or as shown in, the drawings.