MXPA97006342A - A radio that has an optional panel interface and an option panel to be used with the mi - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a radio transceiver system (100) including an option panel interface (117) with an analogous interface (119) and a digital interface (125). The option panel interface (117) is used to transmit information between an optional memory panel (133) and a digital processing unit (105). The option panel interface (117) also controls the analog audio functions through the analog interface (119). The option panel interface (117) improves the functional operation of the radio transceiver system (100) by allowing the options to be selected, which are not provided as radio equipment.

Description

DN RADIO WHICH HAS AN OPTIONAL PANEL INTERFACE AND AN OPTION PANEL TO BE USED WITH THE SAME TECHNICAL FIELD This invention relates generally to radios and more particularly to an interface for controlling radio options. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Radios are well known in the art. As radio systems become increasingly complex, so do the radios that operate in those systems. Of course, the users of such radios also remain interested in obtaining cheap equipment. Depending on your needs, many customers require a low cost radio product that has many optional features. Often, manufacturers have a time constraint to meet customer demands by manufacturing an economical radio-double with a standard feature complement that will meet the needs of the average customer. One way to decrease the cost of the radio for the consumer is to remove any optional features of the radio. Some of these characteristics can be related to operational characteristics of the radius that can help the operator in its use. Other features may allow the radio to be used in different system environments such as selective calling, voice security or low cost link. In many cases, the ratio of a radio with improved functionality will increase the cost of the radio to the user. Because of this, many users want to obtain radios that include only the functionality that is relevant to their particular system, thereby avoiding the payment of unnecessary functionality. To cover this need, many users acquire basic radio platforms and then seek to subsequently modify those platforms to introduce the added functionality they require. Therefore, one way to provide improved features over those included with the standard low cost radio is to establish the ability for the radio to be easily updated. Modifying or updating a radio can take many forms, however, an easy way to allow the radio to use additional features is through the use of an option panel. The option panel includes specific hardware and software components that allow the radio to perform accessory functions. A user can select a particular option panel depending on their requirements. In this way, this technique allows the option panel to be used to improve the operational capacity of the basic radio without severely impacting the total cost of the radio. The option panels or modules of improvement of the secondary market are manufactured by communications manufacturers to provide those characteristics not offered by the basic radio. Sometimes, these modules of improvement have difficulties in their physical or operational interface with the radio. One problem involves the installation of hardware that requires wire soldering on various printed circuit boards on the radio. The wires are often welded in places on the printed circuit board or discrete components that were not proposed to be altered or modified. This may have the effect of voiding the radio manufacturer's warranty. Also, the installation of these modules can actually disable the radio, making it inoperable or partially inoperable. Modern radios are relatively sophisticated devices and include both analog and digital signaling paths. It can be difficult to have proper and reliable communication with such analogue and digital trajectories and this difficulty can again lead to inappropriate functionality.

Since there is difficulty in connecting many types of option panels to the internal circuitry of the radio, there is the need to provide an interface that is capable of interpreting the type of panel and transmitting its information to an internal microprocessing unit. This would avoid the difficult task of having to connect the various connections within the radio with cables depending on the panel of options that is selected. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Figure 1 is a block diagram showing a radius having an option panel interface and an option panel as configured with the present invention. Figure 2 is a flow diagram showing the operation of a radius that is configured according to the invention. Figure 3 is a flow chart showing the operation of a radio that is configured according to the invention during the period in which the radio is in operation. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED MODALITY Referring now to Figure 1, a radio transceiver system 100 includes a radio transceiver 101 attached to an antenna 103. A digital processing unit 105 is further connected to the radio transceiver 101 and operates to control instructions and control data to and from the radio transceiver 101. A digital processing unit 105 includes a onboard digital processing unit memory 107 which is used to store and transmit system control data to a digital processing unit memory 107. The digital processing unit memory 107 can also transmit data to and from external peripheral devices that they can be connected to or use the data stored in the memory of digital processing unit 107. The memory of digital processing unit 107 includes one or more operating protocols. These operating protocols operate using a plurality of addresses that correspond only to both the radio function and the status information used in the radio transceiver 101 as well as to the option panel 131 described hereafter. An external memory 109 can also be connected to the digital processing unit 105 and used to transmit or store data and / or control operating instructions for use by the digital processing unit 105. Optimally, both the digital processing unit memory 107 as the external memory 109 will contain both read-only memory (ROM) and an electronically erasable, programmable read-only memory (EEPROM) which has the advantage of not being volatile. Since the external memory 109 is external to the digital processing unit 105, it will generally be of a higher capacity. The ROM is used to store the operation protocol while portions of the EEPROM are used to store client configuration instructions. Client configurations can include individual IDs, call response definitions and / or special options related to a single requirement of the option panel. An audio processing unit 111 is a unit for transmitting information to and from both the radio transceiver 101 and the digital processing unit 105. The audio processing unit 111 receives an analog signal input from a microphone 113 and transmits an audio signal. output of analog signals to a speaker 115. Both the microphone 113 and the speaker 115 are operably coupled to an audio processing unit 111 and an analogous interface 119 of the interface of the option panel 117. It will be recognized by those skilled in the art. the matter that the components described above are all well understood in the art and therefore, no further description need be provided here.

In order to allow the digital processing unit 105 to provide additional functions and operational options to the radio transceiver 101, an option panel interface 117 is included. The option panel interface 117 uses an analogous interface 119 which is connected in parallel with a microphone load resistor 121 and a speaker load resistor 123. Both the microphone load resistor 121 and the speaker load resistor 123 are used as resistive inputs to supplement the respective totalizing amplifiers (not shown). The analogous interface 119 can be used to control the physical connections made between the audio processing unit 111, the microphone 113 and the speaker 115. Similarly, a digital interface 125 is used to supply digital information through a serial bus 127 which provides an interface with the digital processing unit 105. The digital processing unit 105 includes a serial bus port 129 for communicating, i.e., transmitting and receiving data and operating instructions to the serial bus 127. The transmission of information of the operating state of the radio is originated by the digital processing unit 105 through a serial bus 127. The option panel interface 117 is dimensioned and configured to accommodate an external option panel 131. The interphase of option panel 117 may be physically comprised of a printed circuit board card flange connector or the like. The printed circuit panel board flange connector (not shown) is capable of receiving a printed circuit board and having electrical conductors that are brought into conductive contact with conductive traces on the printed circuit board itself, all as is. well understood in the matter. External option panel 131 includes option panel memory 133 which often takes the form of a printed circuit board card or the like. The external option panel 131 is used to store data and operational instructions that are to be used to control the radio transceiver 101 during the period in which the options selected by the user are used. In operation, the external option panel 131 is connected to the option panel interface 117 where the operating instructions and data stored in the option panel memory 133 are used, with the memory stored in the processing unit memory 107, to operate the radio transceiver 101 according to the selected option. During operation and start, the operation instructions are transmitted to the option panel memory 133 from the digital processing unit memory 107, which gives control information of the option panel on how to proceed, to use its specific option with the digital processing unit 105. Then, the data concerning the particular option is transmitted to the memory of digital processing unit 107 through the interface of option panel 117 on the serial bus 127. Then a continuous exchange of information to ensure proper control and operation of the radio transceiver 101 when the specific radio option or options contained in the external option panel are used. 131 Option panel 131 may also have, as appropriate to meet the needs of a particular application, other components and elements. For example, if it were proposed that a particular option panel allow a similar signal to be disturbed prior to transmission, option panel 131 would include appropriate circuitry to receive the analog input from the microphone and disturb it according to the desired perturbation methodology. . Figure 2 shows a flow chart 200 illustrating the operation of the radio transceiver system 100 during initial start-up. When the radio transceiver system 100 is operated first, the digital processing unit is initialized first 201 and a determination 203 is made of whether the option panel programming is available. The programming of the option panel is customized to fit a specific user application. Customized operating instructions are stored in the digital processing unit memory to take advantage of the available non-volatile EEPROM. If programming is not available, the digital processing unit continues normally and no programming information of option 205 is available. If the option panel programming is available, a copy authorization order is transmitted 207 from the digital processing unit and the digital processing unit memory to direct 209 the option panel. After addressing, the operating instructions are copied 209 back into the option panel to be used. It will be recognized by those skilled in the art that in order for the digital processing unit 105 to initiate a configuration that copies the option panel 131 at power-on, it must indicate to the serial bus port 129 to direct the option panel over the serial bus 127. Next, the digital processing unit 105 instructs the serial bus port 129 to copy the data on the serial bus 127. After the copy is completed, the digital processing unit 105 indicates the port of the serial bus 105. serial bus 129 closes access to option panel 131 so that other devices on serial bus 127 can be accessed as necessary by normal radio processing. Figure 3 shows a flow chart 300 illustrating the operation of the radio transceiver system 100 during the operation and use of a selected option panel. During this process, a continuous protocol of dialogue or exchange of data and information occurs between the digital processing unit and the option panel. After this 301 process has been started, both the digital processing unit and the option panel use this process to transfer data between them. During this process both the digital processing unit and the option panel determine 303 whether status information or operating instructions are about to be exchanged. If there is information, it is transmitted to the respective device. If no information is presented, both the digital processing unit and the option panel seek to determine 307 if input information is presented. If there is input information, this information and / or operation instructions are received 309. If there is no entry information, any information received or present is processed 311.

Once any available information is processed, this segment of the process ends 313 and the process starts a new one 301 as long as the option panel is used. It will also be recognized by those skilled in the art, that when the option panel 131 needs to send control information and / or ask the digital processing unit 105 about radio status information, the option panel 131 indicates the digital interface 125 send a request from the transfer option panel to the digital processing unit 105. After the demand detection of the option panel, the digital processing unit 105 instructs the serial bus port 129 to initiate an information transfer in series with the option panel 131. In order to start the transfer, the serial bus port 129 should direct the option panel 131. After the option panel 131 is directed, the transfer of status information to the option panel 131 and / or radio control information from option panel 131. After the transfer is complete, the digital processing unit 105 indicates the serial bus port 129 closes access to the option panel 131 so that other devices on the serial bus 127 can be accessed as necessary by normal radio processing. The digital processing unit 105 then processes the radio control information from the option panel 131. The control information from the option panel 131 may include data such as audio interface control instructions, channel selection, and demands coding and decoding of the radio. When a change of state of the radio is detected by the digital processing unit 105, it indicates to the serial bus port 129 to initiate a transfer of information in series with the option panel 131. The state changes of the radio may include changes of channel, change of state of the muffler, operation of the user switch, changes of coded mute detection and changes of transmission status. This transfer includes radio status information from the digital processing unit 105 and / or radio control information from the option panel 131. To initiate the transfer, the digital processing unit 105 indicates the serial bus port 129 direct the option panel 131. After the option panel 131 is addressed, the transfer of status information to the option panel 131 and / or radio control information from the option panel 131. is initiated. coupling the transfer, the digital processing unit 105 instructs the serial bus port 129 to close the access to the option panel 131. This allows other devices on the serial bus 127 to be accessed as necessary by normal radio processing. Then, the digital processing unit 105 processes any radio control information received from the option panel 131. The status information that was sent to the option panel 131 may include data such as vehicle detection, coded mute detection, switch of pressed conversation button, user channel changes and user switch operations. Although the preferred embodiments of the invention have been described and illustrated, 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.

Claims (10)

1. NOVELTY OF THE INVENTION Having described the present invention, it is considered as a novelty and therefore the property described in the following claims is claimed as property. 1. A radio comprising: A) a radio transceiver; B) a digital processing unit having: non-volatile programmable memory; a serial bus interface that is operably coupled to the radio transceiver; a memory having an operation protocol stored therein, wherein the operation protocol provides: at least a first address corresponding only to at least a part of the radio transceiver; and at least a second address corresponding only to an option panel; C) an audio processing unit operably coupled to the radio transceiver and to the digital processing unit; D) an option panel interface constructed and installed to communicate with the option panel, the interface of the option panel having: an analogous interface operably coupled to the audio processing unit; and a digital interface operably coupled to the serial bus interface. The radio according to claim 1, characterized in that the audio processing unit includes an analog audio output and wherein the analogous interface of the option panel interface is operably coupled to the analog audio output. The radio according to claim 1, characterized in that the radio further includes a horn that is operably coupled to the audio processing unit and to the analogous interface of the option panel interface. The radio according to claim 1, characterized in that: A) the audio processing unit includes an analog audio output and wherein the analogous interface of the option panel interface is operably coupled to the analog audio output; and B) the radio further includes a horn that is operably coupled to the audio processing unit and to the analogous interface of the option panel interface. The radio according to claim 1, characterized in that the audio processing unit includes an analog audio input, and wherein the analogous interface of the option panel interface is operably coupled to the analog audio input. The radio according to claim 1, characterized in that the radio further includes a microphone that is operably coupled to the audio processing unit and to the analogous interface of the interface of the option panel. 7. The radio according to claim 1, characterized in that: A) the audio processing unit includes an analog audio input and wherein the analogous interface of the option panel interface is operably coupled to the analog audio input; and B) the radio further includes a microphone that is operably coupled to the audio processing unit and to the analogous interface of the option panel interface. The radio according to claim 1, characterized in that: A) the audio processing unit includes an analog audio output and wherein the analogous interface of the option panel interface is operably coupled to the analog audio output; B) the radio further includes a horn that is operably coupled to the audio processing unit and to the analogous interface of the option panel interface; C) the audio processing unit includes an analog audio input, and wherein the analogous interface of the option panel interface is operably coupled to the analog audio input; and D) the radio further includes a microphone that is operably coupled to the audio processing unit and to the analogous interface of the option panel interface. The radio according to claim 1, characterized in that the operation protocol further provides the transmission of operating status information of the radio as it originates from the digital processing unit through the serial bus interface. The radio according to claim 1, characterized in that the operating protocol further provides for the reception, in the digital processing unit, of operating instructions of the radio as they originate from the option panel through the bus interface. serially.