GB2414633A

GB2414633A - Mobile station with permanent display

Info

Publication number: GB2414633A
Application number: GB0411903A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Stephan T Noennig
Original assignee: Motorola Inc
Current assignee: Motorola Solutions Inc
Priority date: 2004-05-28
Filing date: 2004-05-28
Publication date: 2005-11-30
Also published as: GB0411903D0

Abstract

A mobile station for use in a mobile communication system includes a RF portion and at least two electro-optical display regions 2, 3 or displays (29, 31 fig. 2) for displaying information to a user, wherein at least one of the displays is a permanent display 3. The permanent display 3 may be formed integrally with the other display 2, or formed as a separate display that may be bonded permanently or temporarily to the outer casing of the mobile station. Preferably, the mobile station is operable in a TETRA system, e.g. as used by the police, fire and ambulance emergency services, and the permanent display 3 is for information that might otherwise be provided by a handwritten mark identifying a particular user or use for which the mobile station is configured. The other display 2 may be operable only during periods when the RF portion of the mobile station is activated but the permanent display 3 is operated irrespective of the operation state of the radio unit. The information displayed by the permanent display 3 may be selected and configured by a user using a data entry interface of the mobile station and may be already stored in the mobile station. The information may be: a user, a purpose for which the mobile is configured, an owner, an operational software version, a mobile station identity number or telephone number etc. The permanent display 3 may be an LCD and may be powered by the battery that powers the other display 2 or by its own power supply.

Description

24 1 4633 TITLE: MOBILE COMMUNICATION STATIONS

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to mobile communications stations.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Mobile radio communications systems, for example cellular telephony or mobile radio communications systems, typically provide for radio telecommunication links to be arranged between a plurality of mobile subscriber or user terminals, often referred to in the art as mobile stations (MSs). The term 'mobile station' (MS) generally includes both hand-portable and vehicular mounted radio units, radiotelephones and like radio communications units.

Mobile radio communications systems are distinguished from fixed communications systems, such as the public switched telephone networks (PSTNs), principally in that mobile stations can move in geographical location to accompany their user and in doing so encounter varying radio propagation environments.

Mobile radio communications systems and mobile stations used in them may operate in one of two main modes, namely a TMO (bunked mode of operation) and a DMO (direct mode of operation). TMO communications use the fixed infrastructure supplied by the system operator, e.g. known in some systems described further below as the SwMI (Switching and Management Infrastructure) including for example base transceiver stations (BTSs), to deliver communications from one terminal, e.g. the MS of one user or operator, to that of one or more others terminals, e.g. the MS of one or more other users. In contrast, DMO is a method that provides the capability of direct communication between two or more MSs without any associated operator's system infrastructure. Some MSs may be dual mode operating using either TMO or DMO as appropriate.

In a TMO radio communications system, each BTS has associated with it a particular geographical coverage area (or cell). The cell defines a particular range over which the BTS can maintain acceptable communications with MSs operating within the cell.

Often cells are combined to produce an expanded system coverage area. Furthermore, cells are often grouped into location areas for the purposes of tracking a MS within the coverage area whilst minimising location updating signalling.

In the field of this invention, mobile communications systems are known which operate according to industry standards, such as the TETRA (Terrestrial Trunked Radio) standard, are known. The TETRA standard is an operating protocol which has been defined by the European Telecommunications Standards Institute (ETSI). The present invention is useful in (but not exclusively in) mobile stations used in TETRA systems, i.e. systems operating according to TETRA standards. Currently available TETRA systems operate in either TMO or DMO to send a communication from a transmitting MS to one or more receiving MSs.

TETRA systems are designed for use for example by professional user organizations, particularly public safety and emergency services such as the police, ambulance and fire services. Different users or units of these organizations may use their MSs in different ways according to operational requirements. TETRA MSs are usually configured to suit the use by the particular user or unit. MSs are usually returned to a store during periods when they are not in use. The batteries of the MSs may be recharged during this period. When users are preparing for a new operational mission, which may need to be done hurriedly, they have to retrieve the MS having the correct user configuration. In consequence, it is usual for users to mark MSs with the name of the usual user, or unit etc. This marking is usually done by hand, e.g. in a clear space on the casing of the MS.

Unfortunately, such handwritten markings are not ideal since they can become erased during use and there is then a possibility that the wrong marking may be put on the MS when it is re-marked.

SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT INVENTION

According to the present invention there is provided a mobile station (MS) for use in a mobile communication system the mobile station including a RF portion including a RF transmitter and a RF receiver and at least two electro-optical displays for displaying information to a user, wherein at least one of the displays is a permanent display.

The other of the two displays may be a conventional electro-optical display for displaying to a user information about operations of the MS. The display may be operable only during periods when the RF portion of the MS is activated.

The permanent display may be formed integrally together with the other display. Alternatively, the permanent display may be a display which has been manufactured separately and added to the MS, e.g. by use of an adhesive, to bond the permanent display temporarily or permanently to the MS, e.g. on an outer casing thereof.

The permanent display may conveniently display information about the MS which instantly indicates relevant information to a potential user. For example the information may include an indication of a usual user or unit or the purpose for which the MS is configured. It may also include an indication of the latest operational software version stored by the mobile station.

The permanent display may be connected via a control processor of the MS to a user data entry interface, e.g. a keypad, of the MS. The user may thereby be able to configure the permanent display to display information selected by the user. Such configuration may be aided by a menu of predefined options presented to the user.

Such options may be stored in a memory of the MS.

The information displayed by the permanent display may be information normally already stored in the MS's memory, e.g. its flash memory, e.g. the information may include MS's ISSI (subscriber identity) or an indication of the MS's operational software version as mentioned earlier, or the MS phone number, or an indication of the name of the owner/user of the MS, the MS's MNI (Mobile Network Identity or identity of the network in which the MS operates), the owner's equipment ID and so on. This usual information can also be added to if needed. In order to make the information user friendly, the user can configure this information using currently available tools to download/configure the MS using the information stored in the memory. Usually this operation will basically update a zone of the memory known as the codeplug.

The mobile station may be one which is capable of use in TMO and/or in DMO.

The present inventor has appreciated that the inclusion of the permanent electro-optical display in the mobile station according to the present invention beneficially allows users to identify a correct MS quickly when several MSs such as radios are stored together. The permanent display gives the MS a more professional appearance and provides a more permanent record of the user information needed to be instantly shown as compared with the handwritten information conventionally used. Furthermore, the RF portion of the MS does not need to be activated to display the appropriate information so the considerable current drain on the battery normally caused when the RF portion is activated can conveniently be avoided.

The MS according to the invention may be a radio, radiotelephone, data terminal, personal digital assistant or like device for radio communication. The MS may be a handset.

The permanent display employed in the MS according to the invention may be any one of one of the electro optical displays known for use in displaying information, particularly alphanumeric characters. A liquid crystal display is preferred because such a display can operate with very little power consumption.

The permanent display may be powered by a battery which also powers the other display of the MS. Alternatively, the permanent display may include its own power source, e.g. a separate battery fitted to the display to form a permanent display module.

The mobile station and method according to the present invention may be operable using communication procedures defined in a standard communications system operating protocol such as that of TETRA.

Embodiments of the present invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE ACCOMPANYING DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a schematic front view of an electro optical display.

FIG. 2 is a block schematic functional diagram of a mobile station incorporating the display shown in FIG. 1.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

As shown in FIG. 1, an electro-optical display l for use on a radio unit (not shown in FIG. 1) includes a first region 2 which operates in a known manner to display information relating to functional operation of the radio unit only whilst the unit l is fully active, e.g. when an RF portion of the unit l is activated. The display l also includes a second region 3 in a corner of the display l which in contrast is permanently operated by application of a voltage across suitable electrodes of the display irrespective of the state of operation of the radio unit incorporating the display 1.

As shown in FIG. 2, a MS which is a radio unit 4 for use in mobile communications includes a microphone 5 connected in turn to an audio amplifier 6 and a low pass filter 7. Speech of a user is detected by the microphone 5 which delivers a corresponding low frequency electrical signal to the amplifier 6 in which it is amplified and then filtered by the low pass filter 7.

The output of the filter 7 is applied to a modulator 9 operating under control of a controller 11. In a conventional way, using as its input the output of the filter 7, the modulator 9 produces a modulation signal. The modulator 9 may alternatively receive data from a user data input 8 and produce a corresponding modulation signal. The modulation signal produced by the modulator 9 is applied to a separately produced RF carrier signal in a transmitter 13. A modulated RF signal is thereby produced by the transmitter 13 and is passed via a circulator 16 to an antenna 15 from which the RF signal is sent to a distant receiver (not shown), e.g. a similar radio unit of another user with whom the first mentioned user is communicating.

An incoming RF signal from the distant receiver is received by the antenna 15 and passed via the circulator 16 in turn to a receiver 17 and a demodulator 19 also operating under control of the processor 11. The receiver 17 and demodulator 19 are known circuits which detect the received RF signal and extract a baseband electrical signal representing speech of a distant user. The extracted signal is converted to audible form by a speaker 21.

Alternatively, the extracted baseband electrical signal could represent data and produce a data output via a data output device.

The controller 11, which in practice may comprise one or more dedicated microprocessors, controls functional operations within the radio unit 1. The controller 11 is connected to a timer 14 to control timing of operations of the controller 11 and functional units controlled by it and a memory 16 which stores data and program files for use by the controller 11. Signals to be displayed as information to a user during normal operation of the radio unit 1 (when RF portion of the unit 1 comprising the transmitter 13 and receiver 17 are activated) are issued by the controller 11 and displayed by an electro optical display 29 which is selectively addressed by a display driver 27.

The radio unit 1 has user controls 12 including control buttons and keys to enter control signals which are passed to the controller 11.

When the power supply (e.g. from a battery inside the unit 1 - not shown) is first switched on to activate the unit 1, a message may be displayed under control of the controller 11 requiring the user to enter a PIN. The PIN entered by the user via the user controls 12 (or data input 8) may be checked by the controller 11 against a PIN already stored in the memory 16 before further activity proceeds.

After successful entry of a PIN, all portions of the radio unit 1 including the transmitter 13 and the receiver 17 are activated. The display 29 displays information relating to communications functions of the unit 1 in a usual way, including the network to which the unit is connected, the number being called, and so on.

The unit 1 also includes a permanent display 31 also driven by the display driver 27. Information may be written on the permanent display 31 under the control of the controller 11. This information may be according to selections made by a user via the user controls 12. The information selected may be any of the types of information required to be shown as described earlier.

The information displayed by the permanent display 31 may be information already stored in the memory 16 and retrieved when a suitable selection is made by the user, e.g. when presented with a selection on the display 29 or on the display 31.

When the information to be displayed on the permanent display 31 has been set, the permanent display continues to display that information until such time as the permanent display 29 is reconfigured by the user via the user controls 12 and the controller 11. The permanent display 29 receives a voltage to keep it energised even during periods when the radio unit 1 is not in use. This is supplied by a battery 33 via the display driver 27.

The battery 33 may be a separate battery from the main battery (not shown) used to power the unit 1 including the transmitter 13 and receiver 17 although the battery 33 may have connections to the main battery whereby the it may receive a charge from the main battery, e.g. during periods when the Unit 1 is active.

Claims

1.A mobile station for use in a mobile communication system the mobile station including a RF portion including a RF transmitter and a RF receiver and at least two electro-optical displays for displaying information to a user, wherein at least one of the displays is a permanent display.

2.A mobile station according to claim l wherein the display other than the permanent display is operable only during periods when the RF portion of the MS is activated.

3. A mobile station according to claim l or claim 2 wherein the permanent display has been formed integrally together with the other display.

4. A mobile station according to claim l or claim 2 wherein the permanent display has been manufactured separately and added to the mobile station.

5. A mobile station according to claim 4 wherein the permanent display has been added to the mobile station by use of an adhesive to bond the permanent display temporarily or permanently to the mobile station on an outer casing thereof.

6. A mobile station according to any one preceding claim wherein the permanent display displays information including an indication of one or more of: a user or unit associated with using the mobile station; a purpose for which the MS is configured; an operational software version stored by the mobile station; an identity number of the mobile station; a telephone number of the mobile station, an owner of the mobile station, a Mobile Network Identity associated with the mobile station and an equipment identity code of the owner of the mobile station.

7. A mobile station according to any one preceding claim wherein the permanent display is connected via a control processor of the mobile station to a user data entry interface of the mobile station.

8. A mobile station according to claim 7 wherein the permanent display of the mobile station is configurable using the user interface to display information selected by a user.

9. A mobile station according to claim 8 wherein the mobile station is operable to aid the configuration of the permanent display by a menu of pre-defined options presented to the user, the options or information associated with the options being stored in a memory of the MS.

10. A mobile station according to any one preceding claim wherein the information displayed by the permanent display includes information already stored in a memory of the mobile station.

11. A mobile station according to claim 10 wherein the information comprises information configured by a user and stored in a codeplug of the mobile station.

12. A mobile station according to any one preceding claim wherein the mobile station is capable of use in TMO (Trunked Mode Operation) and/or in DMO (Direct Mode Operation).

13. A mobile station according to any one preceding claim wherein the mobile station is a radio, radiotelephone, data terminal, personal digital assistant or like device for radio communication. The MS may be a handset.

14. A mobile station according to claim 13 wherein the mobile station comprises a handset.

15. A mobile station according to any one preceding claim wherein the permanent display comprises a liquid crystal display adapted to display alphanumeric characters.

16. A mobile station according to any one preceding claim wherein the permanent display is powered by a battery which also powers the other display of the MS.

17. A mobile station according to any one of preceding claims 1 to 15 wherein the permanent display has its own associated separate power source fitted to the display to form a permanent display module.

18. A mobile station according to any one preceding claim wherein the mobile station is operable using communication procedures defined in a standard communications system operating protocol such as that of TETRA.

19. A mobile station according to claim 1 and substantially as described herein with reference to FIG. 1 and/or FIG. 2 of the accompanying drawings.