WO1999020028A2

WO1999020028A2 - Communications device code entry

Info

Publication number: WO1999020028A2
Application number: PCT/IB1998/001574
Authority: WO
Inventors: Richard Stephen Cole; David Anthony Eves; Asher John Hoskins
Original assignee: Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V.; Philips Ab
Priority date: 1997-10-14
Filing date: 1998-10-08
Publication date: 1999-04-22
Also published as: WO1999020028A3; GB9721663D0

Abstract

A communications device (10) is provided with a single button dialling facility. The one-touch dial buttons (20) are provided separately from the communications device and plug into external sockets (18) thereof. Each button (20) contains a non-volatile storage device holding a respective number or access code, with the portion (24) of buttons being printed or shaped in two or three dimensions to provide a visual indicator as to the identity of the stored number. The configuration of sockets (18) and the button plug portions (22) is standardised such that buttons are interchangeable and may be exchanged between users.

Description

DESCRIPTION

COMMUNICATIONS DEVICE CODE ENTRY

The present invention relates to communications devices requiring entry of an access code to establish communication or exchange messages with another communications device via a communications network, and to means for entering such access codes. In particular, though not exclusively, the present invention relates to telecommunications systems where the access code may comprise a network access code or simply a telephone number.

A common feature of modern telephone and facsimile transmission equipment is so-called "one-touch" dialling where, in addition to conventional numerical keys for dialling, a number of specialised keys are provided with the user being enabled to program each with a respective telephone number. To dial these numbers simply requires actuation of the appropriately programmed key, sometimes preceded by actuation of one or more dedicated selection keys. This latter requirement is a feature of other systems where the programmed numbers are identified with respective one to three digit codes entered via the conventional keypad.

An example of a device with dedicated keys is the Panasonic KX-T 2396BE Integrated Telephone System. In order to program one of these keys with a new number, the user is required to press a program button, then the desired one-touch button, then dial in the desired number, then press a hold button to load the number into the device's memory, and finally press the program button again to conclude the procedure. To identify the number stored, the user fills in a label next to the button. In order to replace a stored number, this whole procedure must be repeated: to delete a stored number the procedure is repeated without dialling a number after initially pressing the program button. A similar procedure is required for entering access codes to enable single button connection to other telecommunications networks: in the United Kingdom, the Mercury telephone network requires handsets to be programmed with a 10 digit access code.

The number of key operations required to enter or replace stored numbers renders the procedure liable to error in addition to being time consuming and difficult for a user to remember.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a means whereby access codes may be quickly and easily loaded into a communications device, and just as simply replaced or deleted.

In accordance with the present invention there is provided a communications device comprising transmitter and receiver means configured to send and receive messages via a communications network, said transmitter requiring entry of the predetermined access code to establish communications with another device via said communications network, the device further comprising at least one button, the actuation of which provides to said transmitter the access code, characterised in that said at least one button contains a respective non-volatile storage device storing a respective predetermined access code, and the device comprises means arranged to read the access code from the storage device of the said button on actuation.

Also in accordance with the present invention there is provided a button for use in such a communications device, the button comprising a housing shaped to cooperate with one of said externally mounted sockets and holding a non-volatile storage device containing said access code required by the device to establish communications with another device via a communications network, the button being configured to make said code readable by means within the communications device on actuation of said button.

By having numbers or codes stored in the buttons themselves, which buttons may simply be plugged into any device having one or more appropriately configured sockets, the adding, changing or removal of stored numbers is made much simpler for the user. It should be noted that the term "button" as used herein is intended to cover all user actuatable devices the operation of which provides temporary or longer-term connection between two or more electrical contacts. Whilst a switch device actuated by user depression of a portion thereof is the preferred embodiment, the term "button" is not to be construed so narrowly.

To enable reading of the stored actuation code from the button, the button housing may mount at least two external contacts coupled with the storage device, with the access code being readable from the storage device via these contacts on actuation of the button. Alternatively, the housing may contain a passive or active radio tag coupled with the storage device with the access code being readable by a short range radio signal on actuation of the button. The button may have a portion shaped such as to provide the user with a visual indicator as to the function of the stored access code. For example, the upper part of the button may form a company logo, for example where the button holds a sales representative's phone number, or it may be shaped as a heart to indicate that the stored number is that of a boyfriend/girlfriend. Alternatively, the button may have an openable transparent section in which a visual indicator as to the function of the stored access code may be held; the indicator may simply be a piece of paper or card carrying the name of a person or company (enabling buttons to be handed out like business cards) or may be a picture or photograph as desired by the user. The button may comprise feedback means activated on actuation of the button, which feedback means may be visible in the form of a lamp illuminated on actuation. Alternatively, or additionally, the feedback means may be audible comprising a sounder activated on actuation of the button. In such cases, the feedback means may suitably be externally powered with the button housing mounting external connectors for coupling to an external power source.

The corresponding communication device suitably comprises a plurality of externally mounted sockets, each configured to removably receive one of the buttons. Where the device is a portable telephone, the user can therefore simply select and plug in buttons holding those numbers likely to be of use before travelling. The device may further comprise user operable input means such as a conventional keypad by operation of which the user may enter further access codes/telephone numbers. By way of further functionality, the device may comprise at least one socket to receive a respective button, and memory write means coupled with the user operable input means, by operation of which a user may store an access code in the storage device of a button plugged into that particular socket. In this way, users may program button "blanks" to store particular numbers, optionally storing their own number in buttons to be given to friends or relatives.

Further features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from reading of the following description of preferred embodiments of the invention, given by way of example only, and with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

Figure 1 shows a communications device in the form of a portable telephone embodying the present invention;

Figure 2 shows an alternative form of telecommunications device embodying the invention;

Figure 3 is a block schematic diagram of functional features of a communications apparatus such as in Figure 1 or Figure 2;

Figure 4 is a part-sectioned elevational view through a first embodiment of button according to the present invention; Figure 5 shows the button of Figure 4 in actuated configuration;

Figure 6 is a part-sectioned view of a further embodiment of button according to the invention;

Figure 7 represents a still further embodiment of button with visual feedback means; and Figures 8 and 9 represent schematic and elevational views of a yet further embodiment of button.

Figure 1 shows a first embodiment of communications device embodying the present invention, and in the form of a mobile telephone 10. The device has conventional numerical 12 and functional 14 buttons, together with a display 16.

The particular function of buttons 14 and configuration of display 16 (e.g a liquid crystal display) will be well understood by those of ordinary skill in the art, has ho bearing on the operation of the present invention, and will not be further described. In addition to the numerical and functional buttons 12,14 four sockets 18 are provided to receive plug-in buttons 20. Each button has a lower part 22 which fits into a socket 18, as well as an upper part 24 carrying an indicator of a stored number or access code held by a memory device within the button 20, as will be described.

The sockets 18 are standardised and consequently the buttons 20 are interchangeable. Each of the buttons 20 carries a telephone number or network access code which the user is required to enter in order to establish communications or optionally some further item of information which the user may wish to show on display 16, for example an address. The user of the telephone 10 can plug in such buttons as are required: for example, a commercial traveller visiting a particular area might plug in buttons 20 containing the numbers of local contacts such as may be needed during the visit. Figure 2 shows an alternative configuration of telephone system, such as may be provided for a home installation or small business switchboard, comprising a telephone unit 30 coupled with an extension box 32. The extension box 32 comprises a plurality of sockets 18, as in the embodiment of Figure 1 , to receive buttons containing stored numbers or access codes. As indicated previously, the upper portion of the buttons (24; Figure 1) may carry symbols or written inscriptions to identify to the user the number or code carried by that button (as at 34) or they may be shaped into company logos or various abstract shapes (optionally carrying a written inscription) to represent the identity of stored numbers, as at 36. For the sake of neatness, and to avoid dust accumulating in unused sockets, plug in blanks may be provided as indicated at 38. These blanks 38 may, for example, be in the same material as the body of the extension unit 32, or they may be provided in a variety of colours, as desired by the user. Alternately, or additionally, the sockets may be provided with sprung covers (not shown) which move into position to close the sockets when not in use.

To enable a user to program their own buttons, a specific socket 40 (shown in this instance on telephone unit 30, although it could equally well be provided on extension unit 32) is suitably provided into which a "blank" button may be plugged and programmed by operation of a predetermined sequence of the telephone unit's otherwise conventional operating keys. With this feature, a user can program buttons with desired upper portions 24 to fit into extension unit 32 and thereby build up a unique tableau of interesting button shapes and colours or to give to friends, relatives, business contacts etc. As an alternative arrangement, rather than having a specific write socket 40, some or all of the apparatus sockets 18 may have the capability to write or rewrite a number into an installed button through use of a dedicated write control function. Figure 3 shows in block schematic form the functional components of a communications device embodying the present invention. A message transmission and reception (transceiver) stage 42 handles the formatting and sending/decoding of outgoing/received messages via communications network, either wirelessly in case of a mobile unit or via wired connection. An audio processing stage 44 is coupled to the transceiver 42 and handles voice data received from microphone 46 and provides amplification for received speech data for output to a speaker 48. A unit keyboard 50 (containing keys 12,14 as in Figure 1) is interfaced to the transceiver 42 through a programmed controller 52, coupled with a memory device 54. Depending on the extent to which the buttons of the keyboard 50 are programmable, the (non-volatile) memory device 54 may comprise random access re-writable storage, or just simple read-only memory.

Also coupled to the controller 52 are the sockets 18 into which the buttons 20 may be plugged. Various forms of button will be described hereinafter with reference to Figures 4 to 9: essentially, each button comprises a non-volatile memory device 60 holding a respective access code or other data in a form readable by the controller 52, which operates together with some form of switch 62 which, when closed, initiates reading of the stored data by the controller 52 such as to cause it to dial (via transceiver stage 42) a stored telephone number, to enter an access code as a precursor to dialling (optionally using a further one of the buttons 20), or to supply data for showing on a display (not shown) of the device. The programming socket 40 (where provided, as in the embodiment of Figure 2) is connected to the controller 52 via a memory write stage 64. The configuration of the write stage 64 will depend on the type of device providing the button non-volatile memory 60, and may be embodied as a purely software function incorporated within the controller 52. As shown, a "blank" button 20A, having an empty memory device 60A, is plugged into socket 40 for programming: depending on the form of connection of the non-volatile memory device 60/60A (to be described) the programming procedure may require the switch 62 to be closed during programming. In order to permit recycling, and dependent on the form of memory device 60, buttons 20 having existing numbers stored therein may suitably be re-programmed by means of the socket 40.

Figures 4 and 5 represent a first configuration of button 20 in respectively undepressed and depressed (actuated) form, mounted in an external socket 18 moulded in body 70 of a communications device. The button is comprised of a multi-part housing 72,74,76 containing the non-volatile memory device 60 with externally mounted contacts 78 connecting with corresponding contacts 80 within the socket. The body parts 72,74,76 are intended to be of relatively simple construction such that they may be moulded from plastics material.

The memory device 60 is housed in a cavity 82 formed by the upper body portion 74 and cap portion 72. The cap 72 may be a screw fit as shown, or it may be clipped in place by retaining catches spaced around the perimeter, or it may be glued or welded to the upper body 74. As previously described, cap 72 may be regularly shaped, for example a rectangle, carrying a written or symbolic indication as to the identity of the code/telephone number stored in the memory 60, or it may be moulded in a number of different shapes or colours as may be desired by the user. The cap 72 may be provided as a separate entity from the remainder of the button such as to allow a user to select the form of cap they desire: the only constraining factors on the design of cap are that it should not be so large as to physically interfere with the operation of buttons in adjacent sockets, and the arrangement for connection of the cap 72 and upper body portion 74 should be standardised.

The upper 74 and lower 76 body parts are clipped together in such a way as to enable limited relative movement. Clipping lugs 84 on the upper body 74, together with corresponding lugs 86 on the lower body portion 76, hold the parts together and define the extent of permitted relative motion (travel = T). A coiled spring 88 captured in an annular space defined by the connected upper and lower bodies 74,76 biases the switch parts apart (to the extent of travel T) as in Figure 4. The spring strength should be such as to allow compression to the lowest extent, as in Figure 5, under light finger pressure but not such as to allow the upper portion to start sinking under the weight of a large and/or particularly ornate cap 72. The lower part of the body 76 is shaped such as to be a close fit in the socket formed in body 70. One or a number of projections 90 on the lower body 76 cooperates with corresponding grooves 92 in the body 70 to ensure an accurate placement of the button: the pattern of projections/grooves may suitably be made asymmetric such as to allow only a single orientation for the button to be fitted into the socket and ensure proper alignment between the button and socket contacts 78,80. To retain the button in the socket, once placed, one or more projection 90 and groove 92 pairs may be formed as corresponding wedge shapes or, as shown at 94, a sprung catch may be provided protruding into a groove 92 from the body 70 such as to spring into place behind a shoulder 96 formed on one of the projections 90. As will be well understood, the arrangement of spring clip and retaining shoulder may equally well be reversed between plug and socket. Whichever form of retention is used, it should be sufficient to ensure that the plug cannot fall out of the socket during normal use whilst still ensuring that it is relatively easy for a user to pull out a button as and when desired: for a stationary device such as in Figure 2, a simple wedge retainer may be sufficient whereas a portable device, such as in Figure 1 , will require a more secure means such as the sprung catch 94.

In order to connect the non-volatile memory device 60 via contacts 78, on depression of the button, a pair of contact springs 96 are provided in the form of a pantograph arrangement as shown, although leaf or coiled springs may equally well be used. Springs 96 are mounted below the upper body 74 with the contacts 78 extending upwards such that there is less than distance T between them when spring 88 holds the two parts 74,76 apart (Figure 4) but springs 96 are under compression against the upper part of contacts 78 when the button is actuated (Figure 5).

A first alternative configuration of button is shown in Figure 6. Features corresponding to those in the embodiment shown in Figures 4 and 5 are identified by the same reference numerals and will not be further described. In the Figure 6 embodiment, the locating projections 90 on the lower body 76 are wedge shaped as described previously, and the arrangement of retaining lugs 84,86 limiting travel T against compression spring 88 is re-distributed in comparison to the embodiment of Figures 4 and 5, although functionally equivalent. The cap portion 72A in this embodiment is transparent and screws or clips (as shown) onto the upper body portion 74. The upper body 74 has a slight indentation in its top surface such as to create a flat space below the transparent cap 72A, into which space a flat plate 98 may be fitted. The plate 98 may be a piece of paper or card carrying a written or symbolic indication as to the identity of the stored code or it may comprise a photograph of a person or place identified with the stored number.

The principal difference in the Figure 6 embodiment is that the nonvolatile memory device 60 is not physically connected (on actuation) to fixed contacts extending through the lower body portion, but instead is coupled to a short range radio tag 100. Depression of the button causes a pair of contacts 102,104 to close triggering tag 100 to transmit the code/number stored in memory 60, which transmission is picked up by receiver 106 mounted adjacent the socket and subsequently transmitted thereby to the communication device controller (52; Figure 3). Depending on the transmission range of radio tag 100, respective receivers 106 may be provided for each button socket of a communications device, or a single receiver may be sufficient to handle groups of such buttons. Where radio tag 100 requires an external power supply, contacts may be mounted on the lower body 76 such as to couple to a power source (not shown) provided by the hosting communications device when the button is located in a socket.

A further alternative configuration of button is shown in Figure 7. In presentation terms, the cap portion 72B is now shaped in three dimensions, for example as a cartoon character. In terms of connection to the hosting communications device, the button connectors 78 are now permanently coupled to the memory device 60 with memory reading being triggered by one or more further connections, as will be described. As the buttons 20 are intended to be frequently handled and passed from person to person, it is preferred not to have the connectors 78 protruding from the lower body portion 76. In consequence, the button contacts 78 terminate within the lower body 76 with the socket contacts 80 protruding through apertures 110 in the lower part of the button body to establish a connection when the button is plugged in.

The arrangement of Figure 7 shows that a reverse link may be provided to (instead of from) the button, with a lamp 112 illuminating and/or a buzzer 114 or other sounder device operating when the button is actuated. Actuation closes a pair of contacts 1 16,1 18 completing the circuit of a power supply to the feedback devices (lamp 112 and sounder 114) received from the hosting device via a pair of further contacts 120. Depending on the form of the memory device 60, the supplied voltage to drive the feedback devices may also act as trigger to the memory to output the stored data, although means such as a resistor 122 may be required to drop the voltage to a level acceptable to the memory device. Where the communications device hosting the button is enabled to read and store the contents of a button as it was fitted (the action of pushing the button into the socket may cause the activation naturally), the feedback may be triggered when the stored number corresponded to the identity of the calling device, determined by using one of various caller i.d. procedures. A still further alternative configuration of button is shown in Figures

8 and 9, with Figure 8 presented as a modification to the upper left hand portion of the Figure 3 arrangement, and Figure 9 showing a part-sectioned elevational view. In this arrangement, the removable portion 20A of the button is constructed as a solid unit, with the mechanics of switch actuation being housed in the socket 1 8A mounted in the upper body 70 of the telephone which socket 1 8A receives the button. The socket construction is largely as for the embodiment of Figures 4 and 5 (albeit with some repositioning of the components as shown) with contacts 78, 96 and return spring 88 providing the push-to-make contact arrangement.

One known example of memory device that may suitably be adapted for use within a button according to the present invention is the so-called iButton manufactured by the Dallas Semiconductor Corporation, Dallas, Texas, USA. The iButton is a 16mm computer chip housed in a stainless steel container and is intended to be durable enough to use as a luggage tag or button-badge. The storage capacity varies depending on the version selected, but all iButton configurations are read by momentary contact with the company's "Blue Dot" receptor. Similar techniques may be used within buttons embodying the present invention, with the iButtons casing and more complex internal functionalities not being required in order to keep costs down.

From reading the present disclosure, other modifications and variations will be apparent to persons skilled in the art. Such modifications and variations may involve equivalent features and other features which are already known in the field of communications apparatus and which may be used instead of or in addition to features already disclosed herein. Although claims have been formulated in this Application to particular combinations of features, it should be understood that the scope of the disclosure of the present application includes any and every novel feature or any novel combination of features disclosed herein either explicitly or implicitly and any generalisation thereof, whether or not it relates to the same invention as presently claimed in any Claim and whether or not it mitigates any or all of the same technical problems as does the present invention. The Applicants hereby give notice that new claims may be formulated to such features and/or combinations of such features during prosecution of the present application or of any further application derived therefrom.

Claims

1. A communications device comprising transmitter and receiver means configured to send and receive messages via a communications network, said transmitter requiring entry of the predetermined access code to establish communications with another device via said communications network, the device further comprising at least one button, the actuation of which provides to said transmitter the access code, characterised in that said at least one button contains a respective non-volatile storage device storing a respective predetermined access code, and the device comprises means arranged to read the access code from the storage device of the said button on actuation.

2. A communications device as claimed in Claim 1 , further comprising a plurality of externally mounted sockets, each configured to removably receive one of said buttons.

3. A communications device as claimed in Claim 1 or Claim 2, further comprising user operable input means by operation of which a user may enter further access codes.

4. A communications device as claimed in Claim 3, further comprising at least one socket to receive a respective button and memory write means coupled with said user operable input means by operation of which a user may store an access code in the storage device of said button.

5. A button for use in a communications device as claimed in Claim 2, the button comprising a housing shaped to cooperate with one of said externally mounted sockets and holding a non-volatile storage device containing said access code required by the device to establish communications with another device via a communications network, the button being configured to make said code readable by means within the communications device on actuation of said button.

6. A button as claimed in Claim 5, said housing mounting at least two external contacts coupled with said storage device, with the access code being readable from said storage device via said contacts on actuation of said button.

7. A button as claimed in Claim 5, wherein said housing contains a passive radio tag coupled with said storage device, with the access code being readable via short range radio signal on actuation of said button.

8. A button as claimed in Claim 5, 6 or 7, said button being actuated by user depression of a portion thereof.

9. A button as claimed in any of Claims 5 to 8, wherein said housing has a portion shaped to provide the user with a visual indicator as to the function of the stored access code.

10. A button as claimed in any of Claims 5 to 8, wherein said housing has an openable transparent section in which a visual indicator as to the function of the stored access code may be held.

11. A button as claimed in any of Claims 5 to 10, further comprising feedback means activated on actuation of the button.

12. A button as claimed in Claim 11 , wherein said feedback means comprises a light emitting device illuminated on actuation of the button.

13. A button as claimed in Claim 11 , wherein said feedback means comprises an audio signal generator activated on actuation of the button.

14. A button as claimed in Claim 11 , 12, or 13, wherein said feedback means is externally powered and the button housing mounts external connectors for coupling to an external power source.