WO1999031860A1 - Battery-backup mechanism for base unit of wireless telephone system - Google Patents

Battery-backup mechanism for base unit of wireless telephone system Download PDF

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Publication number
WO1999031860A1
WO1999031860A1 PCT/US1998/018106 US9818106W WO9931860A1 WO 1999031860 A1 WO1999031860 A1 WO 1999031860A1 US 9818106 W US9818106 W US 9818106W WO 9931860 A1 WO9931860 A1 WO 9931860A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
handset
base unit
battery
docked
recharge
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/US1998/018106
Other languages
French (fr)
Inventor
Kumar Ramaswamy
Paul Gothard Knutson
Original Assignee
Thomson Licensing S.A.
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Thomson Licensing S.A. filed Critical Thomson Licensing S.A.
Priority to US09/581,191 priority Critical patent/US6668178B1/en
Priority to AU90420/98A priority patent/AU9042098A/en
Priority to KR10-2000-7006255A priority patent/KR100491686B1/en
Priority to JP2000539621A priority patent/JP2002509394A/en
Publication of WO1999031860A1 publication Critical patent/WO1999031860A1/en

Links

Classifications

    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04M—TELEPHONIC COMMUNICATION
    • H04M1/00—Substation equipment, e.g. for use by subscribers
    • H04M1/72—Mobile telephones; Cordless telephones, i.e. devices for establishing wireless links to base stations without route selection
    • H04M1/725—Cordless telephones
    • H04M1/73—Battery saving arrangements
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H02—GENERATION; CONVERSION OR DISTRIBUTION OF ELECTRIC POWER
    • H02J—CIRCUIT ARRANGEMENTS OR SYSTEMS FOR SUPPLYING OR DISTRIBUTING ELECTRIC POWER; SYSTEMS FOR STORING ELECTRIC ENERGY
    • H02J7/00—Circuit arrangements for charging or depolarising batteries or for supplying loads from batteries
    • H02J7/0042—Circuit arrangements for charging or depolarising batteries or for supplying loads from batteries characterised by the mechanical construction
    • H02J7/0045—Circuit arrangements for charging or depolarising batteries or for supplying loads from batteries characterised by the mechanical construction concerning the insertion or the connection of the batteries
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H02—GENERATION; CONVERSION OR DISTRIBUTION OF ELECTRIC POWER
    • H02J—CIRCUIT ARRANGEMENTS OR SYSTEMS FOR SUPPLYING OR DISTRIBUTING ELECTRIC POWER; SYSTEMS FOR STORING ELECTRIC ENERGY
    • H02J7/00—Circuit arrangements for charging or depolarising batteries or for supplying loads from batteries
    • H02J7/0063—Circuit arrangements for charging or depolarising batteries or for supplying loads from batteries with circuits adapted for supplying loads from the battery
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H02—GENERATION; CONVERSION OR DISTRIBUTION OF ELECTRIC POWER
    • H02J—CIRCUIT ARRANGEMENTS OR SYSTEMS FOR SUPPLYING OR DISTRIBUTING ELECTRIC POWER; SYSTEMS FOR STORING ELECTRIC ENERGY
    • H02J7/00—Circuit arrangements for charging or depolarising batteries or for supplying loads from batteries
    • H02J7/007—Regulation of charging or discharging current or voltage
    • H02J7/00712—Regulation of charging or discharging current or voltage the cycle being controlled or terminated in response to electric parameters
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H02—GENERATION; CONVERSION OR DISTRIBUTION OF ELECTRIC POWER
    • H02J—CIRCUIT ARRANGEMENTS OR SYSTEMS FOR SUPPLYING OR DISTRIBUTING ELECTRIC POWER; SYSTEMS FOR STORING ELECTRIC ENERGY
    • H02J9/00—Circuit arrangements for emergency or stand-by power supply, e.g. for emergency lighting
    • H02J9/04—Circuit arrangements for emergency or stand-by power supply, e.g. for emergency lighting in which the distribution system is disconnected from the normal source and connected to a standby source
    • H02J9/06—Circuit arrangements for emergency or stand-by power supply, e.g. for emergency lighting in which the distribution system is disconnected from the normal source and connected to a standby source with automatic change-over, e.g. UPS systems
    • H02J9/061—Circuit arrangements for emergency or stand-by power supply, e.g. for emergency lighting in which the distribution system is disconnected from the normal source and connected to a standby source with automatic change-over, e.g. UPS systems for DC powered loads
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04B—TRANSMISSION
    • H04B1/00—Details of transmission systems, not covered by a single one of groups H04B3/00 - H04B13/00; Details of transmission systems not characterised by the medium used for transmission
    • H04B1/38—Transceivers, i.e. devices in which transmitter and receiver form a structural unit and in which at least one part is used for functions of transmitting and receiving
    • H04B1/40—Circuits
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04M—TELEPHONIC COMMUNICATION
    • H04M1/00—Substation equipment, e.g. for use by subscribers
    • H04M1/72—Mobile telephones; Cordless telephones, i.e. devices for establishing wireless links to base stations without route selection
    • H04M1/725—Cordless telephones
    • H04M1/72502—Cordless telephones with one base station connected to a single line
    • H04M1/72505—Radio link set-up procedures

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to multi-line wireless telephone systems and, in particular, to techniques for ensuring communications despite power losses and irregularities. Description of the Related A rt
  • wireless telephone systems one or more cordless or wireless telephone handset units communicate via either analog or digital radio signals with a base unit, which is typically connected via a standard telephone line to an external telephone network. In this manner, a user may employ the wireless handset to engage in a telephone call with another user through the base unit and the telephone network.
  • Multi-line wireless telephone systems are also in use in various situations, such as businesses with many telephone users.
  • Such systems employ a handset that communicates with up to N handsets simultaneously, typically with digital communications schemes, such as a spread-spectrum, time division multiple access (TDMA).
  • TDMA time division multiple access
  • a single RF channel is used, and each handset transmits and receives data during a dedicated time slice or slot within a n overall cycle or epoch.
  • Efficient power use is important for a wireless system since the handsets are typically battery-powered.
  • the base unit typically requires more power to operate than the handsets, an d is thus usually powered by an external AC power supply . Irregularities may occur in the AC power, such as a loss of power o r momentary power spikes or glitches, which can cause communications to be disrupted. For example a power glitch may cause a loss of
  • a wireless telephone system comprises one or more wireless handsets and a base unit.
  • Each handset has a handset transceiver an d a rechargeable handset battery for powering the handset.
  • the b as e unit has a base transceiver for communicating over an RF channel with each handset via its handset transceiver; a recharge cradle for physically docking a docked handset battery comprising one of a detached handset battery and a handset; and a recharge unit for recharging the docked handset battery.
  • the base unit is coupled to an AC power supply and utilizes the docked handset battery as a backup power supply if AC power from the AC power supply is lost or irregular to prevent communication between the base unit and th e handsets from being disrupted.
  • Fig. 1 is a block diagram of TDMA multi-line wireless telephone system, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
  • TDMA system 100 comprises a base unit 110, which has receiver an d transmitter units 112 and 111, respectively, and is coupled to external telephone network 116 via telephone line(s) 115.
  • Base unit 110 which has receiver an d transmitter units 112 and 111, respectively, and is coupled to external telephone network 116 via telephone line(s) 115.
  • Base unit 110 has receiver an d transmitter units 112 and 111, respectively, and is coupled to external telephone network 116 via telephone line(s) 115.
  • Base unit 110 which has receiver an d transmitter units 112 and 111, respectively, and is coupled to external telephone network 116 via telephone line(s) 115.
  • Base unit 1 1 0 also comprises recharge unit 1 17, and recharge cradle 118, which is a port or docking station for receiving either a wireless handset having a battery 119, or a detached handset battery 119.
  • Recharge unit 1 1 7 is driven by AC power in and provides DC power to power base unit
  • System 100 also comprises N wireless handsets 120 120 2 , . . . 1 20 N .
  • Each has a transmitter and receiver unit (transceiver), such as transmitter 121 and receiver 122 of handset 120 , .
  • Each handset also comprises a rechargeable battery 123.
  • receiver unit 112 comprises N logical receivers
  • an d transmitter unit 11 1 comprises N logical transmitters, so that receiver and transmitter units 112 and 111 provide N logical transceiver units, one for each of N wireless handsets.
  • M handsets (0 ⁇ M ⁇ N) are operating or active (i.e., in the process of conducting a telephone call).
  • the telephone system provided by system 100 preferably operates in the 900 MHz unlicensed band, and preferably provides features like that of a small PBX, in conjunction with PC 140.
  • system 100 employs a combination of time division multiplexing (TDM), such as TDMA, and frequency band selection to overcome interfering sources and to maintain reliable links between the base-station and the handsets.
  • TDM time division multiplexing
  • each handset only transmits or receives data during its own "time slice" o r slot.
  • System 100 thus provides a wireless network between the b as e station 110 and each handset 120, (1 ⁇ i ⁇ N).
  • system 100 comprises a maximum of 4 wireless handsets, each having unique time slots in the TDMA epoch dedicated thereto.
  • base unit 110 is configured to draw power from DC supply 119 as a backup supply in the event that AC power is irregular or lost.
  • DC supply 119 there is a battery 119 physically docked in cradle 1 1 8 , which is either fully recharged or in the process of being recharged.
  • a detached or solo battery may have been placed in cradle 118 previously by a user to charge up an extra handset battery.
  • the detached battery may be used by recharging the battery, and then ejecting a spent battery in a given handset and replacing it with the recharged handset battery; at this point, the spend detached handset batter may be recharged.
  • one of handsets 120 may not be in use and may have been placed i n cradle 118.
  • cradle 118 contains a docked handset battery 119. For this reason, a t any given moment, there may be a battery 119 docked in cradle 1 1 8 that has a charge sufficient to power base unit 110 for some length of time.
  • base unit 110 is configured to draw power from a battery 119 in its recharge cradle 118, if th e battery is present and has a minimum charge, and if there is a loss of or irregularity in AC power provided to base unit 110.
  • handset 120 may be docked with a fully charged battery 123 (also battery 119) in cradle 118, and not in use.
  • Handsets 1 20 2 and 1 20 3 may be engaged in TDMA communication with base unit 110. If an AC power glitch or power loss is detected by base unit 110, base unit 1 10 draws DC power from battery 1 1 9
  • the base unit power backup feature of the present invention is preferably optional and is made functional only when a sufficiently charged battery 119 is detected in cradle 118.
  • base unit 110 As soon base unit 110 detects that AC power is lost and begins to draw on DC power from battery 119, a signal is sent to all handsets (or all off hook handsets) to notify th e m that the base unit has experienced AC power failure and is in backup mode. This can alert any user to investigate AC power failure and to restore it if possible, and also to alert users that communication m a y soon be lost if the backup power is drained before AC power is restored.
  • base unit 110 comprises a locking mechanism designed to make removal of battery 1 19 more difficult or impossible whenever base unit 110 is in backup mode. This will prevent a user from accidentally removing battery 119 and thus depriving base unit 1 10 of operating power, when AC power h as failed.
  • cradle 118 comprises a solenoid-actuated locking mechanism that activates only when base unit 110 enters backup mode, which prevents manual removal of battery 119 unless the user depresses an unlocking switch. This allows a user to remove a battery 119 if necessary, but causes th e user to consider whether to do so since the user must depress th e unlock switch first.
  • battery 119 is not one of th e handset batteries but is a base unit rechargeable battery dedicated solely to provide backup battery power to base unit 110.
  • battery 119 may be recharged as long as there is AC power, by the same recharging unit 117 that recharges handset batteries when handsets are docked in cradle 1 18.
  • battery 1 19 may be larger in power storage capacity than the typical batteries employed in handsets 120,, to account for the fact that base unit 110 has a much higher power consumption than handsets.
  • base unit 110 comprises multiple cradles identical to cradle 118, so that more than one handset or solo batter may be recharged at a time.

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Power Engineering (AREA)
  • Computer Networks & Wireless Communication (AREA)
  • Signal Processing (AREA)
  • Business, Economics & Management (AREA)
  • Emergency Management (AREA)
  • Mobile Radio Communication Systems (AREA)
  • Telephone Function (AREA)
  • Telephone Set Structure (AREA)

Abstract

A wireless telephone system comprises one or more wireless handsets and a base unit. Each handset has a handset transceiver and a rechargeable handset battery for powering the handset. The base unit has a base transceiver for communicating over an RF channel with each handset via its handset transceiver; a recharge cradle for physically docking a docked handset battery comprising one of a detached handset battery and a handset; and a recharge unit for recharging the docked handset battery. The base unit is coupled to an AC power supply and utilizes the docked handset battery as a backup power supply if AC power from the AC power supply is lost or irregular to prevent communication between the base unit and the handsets from being disrupted.

Description

BATTERY-BACKUP MECHANISM FOR BASE UNIT OF WIRELESS
TELEPHONE SYSTEM
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Field of the I nv en tion
The present invention relates to multi-line wireless telephone systems and, in particular, to techniques for ensuring communications despite power losses and irregularities. Description of the Related A rt
The use of telephones and telephone systems, including wireless telephone systems, is widespread. In wireless telephone systems, one or more cordless or wireless telephone handset units communicate via either analog or digital radio signals with a base unit, which is typically connected via a standard telephone line to an external telephone network. In this manner, a user may employ the wireless handset to engage in a telephone call with another user through the base unit and the telephone network.
Multi-line wireless telephone systems are also in use in various situations, such as businesses with many telephone users. Such systems employ a handset that communicates with up to N handsets simultaneously, typically with digital communications schemes, such as a spread-spectrum, time division multiple access (TDMA). In a TDMA system, a single RF channel is used, and each handset transmits and receives data during a dedicated time slice or slot within a n overall cycle or epoch. Efficient power use is important for a wireless system since the handsets are typically battery-powered. The base unit typically requires more power to operate than the handsets, an d is thus usually powered by an external AC power supply . Irregularities may occur in the AC power, such as a loss of power o r momentary power spikes or glitches, which can cause communications to be disrupted. For example a power glitch may cause a loss of
TDMA synchronization.
SUMMARY
A wireless telephone system comprises one or more wireless handsets and a base unit. Each handset has a handset transceiver an d a rechargeable handset battery for powering the handset. The b as e unit has a base transceiver for communicating over an RF channel with each handset via its handset transceiver; a recharge cradle for physically docking a docked handset battery comprising one of a detached handset battery and a handset; and a recharge unit for recharging the docked handset battery. The base unit is coupled to an AC power supply and utilizes the docked handset battery as a backup power supply if AC power from the AC power supply is lost or irregular to prevent communication between the base unit and th e handsets from being disrupted.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Fig. 1 is a block diagram of TDMA multi-line wireless telephone system, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring now to Fig. 1, there is shown a block diagram of spread spectrum TDMA multi-line digital wireless telephone system 100, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. TDMA system 100 comprises a base unit 110, which has receiver an d transmitter units 112 and 111, respectively, and is coupled to external telephone network 116 via telephone line(s) 115. Base unit
110 is normally powered by AC power supply 130. Base unit 1 1 0 also comprises recharge unit 1 17, and recharge cradle 118, which is a port or docking station for receiving either a wireless handset having a battery 119, or a detached handset battery 119. Recharge unit 1 1 7 is driven by AC power in and provides DC power to power base unit
110 and/or to recharge any battery 119 placed in cradle 1 18 via contacts provided in cradle 118 which electrically couple with contacts in either the docked handset or on the docked battery 1 1 9 itself.
System 100 also comprises N wireless handsets 120 1202, . . . 1 20N . Each has a transmitter and receiver unit (transceiver), such as transmitter 121 and receiver 122 of handset 120 , . Each handset also comprises a rechargeable battery 123. In one embodiment, receiver unit 112 comprises N logical receivers, an d transmitter unit 11 1 comprises N logical transmitters, so that receiver and transmitter units 112 and 111 provide N logical transceiver units, one for each of N wireless handsets. At any given time, M handsets (0 < M < N) are operating or active (i.e., in the process of conducting a telephone call).
The telephone system provided by system 100 preferably operates in the 900 MHz unlicensed band, and preferably provides features like that of a small PBX, in conjunction with PC 140. In one embodiment, system 100 employs a combination of time division multiplexing (TDM), such as TDMA, and frequency band selection to overcome interfering sources and to maintain reliable links between the base-station and the handsets. In a digital TDMA scheme, each handset only transmits or receives data during its own "time slice" o r slot. System 100 thus provides a wireless network between the b as e station 110 and each handset 120, (1 < i < N). In one embodiment,
N=4, so that system 100 comprises a maximum of 4 wireless handsets, each having unique time slots in the TDMA epoch dedicated thereto.
As explained above, it is undesirable for communications to b e disrupted if the power provided to base unit 110 by AC power supply 130 is lost or has momentary glitches or other irregularities. In th e present invention, therefore, base unit 110 is configured to draw power from DC supply 119 as a backup supply in the event that AC power is irregular or lost. Often there is a battery 119 physically docked in cradle 1 1 8 , which is either fully recharged or in the process of being recharged. For example, a detached or solo battery may have been placed in cradle 118 previously by a user to charge up an extra handset battery. The detached battery may be used by recharging the battery, and then ejecting a spent battery in a given handset and replacing it with the recharged handset battery; at this point, the spend detached handset batter may be recharged. Alternatively, one of handsets 120, may not be in use and may have been placed i n cradle 118. Whether a detached handset battery is directly docked in cradle 118 or a handset having a battery is docked in cradle 1 1 8 , cradle 118 contains a docked handset battery 119. For this reason, a t any given moment, there may be a battery 119 docked in cradle 1 1 8 that has a charge sufficient to power base unit 110 for some length of time. Therefore, in one embodiment, base unit 110 is configured to draw power from a battery 119 in its recharge cradle 118, if th e battery is present and has a minimum charge, and if there is a loss of or irregularity in AC power provided to base unit 110.
For example, handset 120 , may be docked with a fully charged battery 123 (also battery 119) in cradle 118, and not in use. Handsets 1 202 and 1 203 may be engaged in TDMA communication with base unit 110. If an AC power glitch or power loss is detected by base unit 110, base unit 1 10 draws DC power from battery 1 1 9
(i.e., battery 123 of docked handset 120 ,). This allows communications with handsets 1202 and 1203 to continue undisrupted and to ride out momentary AC power glitches or losses, unless AC power loss is not restored before battery 119 is drained by th e relatively heavy power use of base unit 110. In addition, the backup battery power provided in this manner is "free" since no separate battery dedicated to charging only the base unit is necessary, and th e base unit 1 10 takes advantage of an available recharged battery th at is not currently being used by a handset and that would otherwise go to waste without the power backup technique of the pre s ent invention. As will be appreciated, if there is no battery 119 docked in cradle 118 (or if any battery docked therein is not sufficiently charged to power base unit 110), then communications would b e disrupted if AC power is lost or irregular. Thus, the base unit power backup feature of the present invention is preferably optional and is made functional only when a sufficiently charged battery 119 is detected in cradle 118.
In one embodiment, as soon base unit 110 detects that AC power is lost and begins to draw on DC power from battery 119, a signal is sent to all handsets (or all off hook handsets) to notify th e m that the base unit has experienced AC power failure and is in backup mode. This can alert any user to investigate AC power failure and to restore it if possible, and also to alert users that communication m a y soon be lost if the backup power is drained before AC power is restored. In another embodiment, base unit 110 comprises a locking mechanism designed to make removal of battery 1 19 more difficult or impossible whenever base unit 110 is in backup mode. This will prevent a user from accidentally removing battery 119 and thus depriving base unit 1 10 of operating power, when AC power h as failed. For example, in normal operation, a user is free to manually insert or remove a battery 119 or handset having battery 119 into or out of cradle 118. In one embodiment, cradle 118 comprises a solenoid-actuated locking mechanism that activates only when base unit 110 enters backup mode, which prevents manual removal of battery 119 unless the user depresses an unlocking switch. This allows a user to remove a battery 119 if necessary, but causes th e user to consider whether to do so since the user must depress th e unlock switch first. In a system having only a single handset, if the handset itself is docked in cradle 118, then there may be no need to use its battery a s a back up since there is no communication in progress while th e handset is being recharged. Conversely, when the handset is engaged in communication with the base unit, it is not docked in the recharge cradle 118 so its battery cannot be used for backup purposes . However, in the case where a solo battery 119 is being recharged in recharge cradle 118 (e.g., an extra battery for the handset), then base unit 110 may resort to battery backup to prevent disruption of communication with the single handset. In an alternative embodiment, battery 119 is not one of th e handset batteries but is a base unit rechargeable battery dedicated solely to provide backup battery power to base unit 110. In this embodiment, battery 119 may be recharged as long as there is AC power, by the same recharging unit 117 that recharges handset batteries when handsets are docked in cradle 1 18. In this case, battery 1 19 may be larger in power storage capacity than the typical batteries employed in handsets 120,, to account for the fact that base unit 110 has a much higher power consumption than handsets. In an alternative embodiment, base unit 110 comprises multiple cradles identical to cradle 118, so that more than one handset or solo batter may be recharged at a time.
It will be understood that various changes in the details, materials, and arrangements of the parts which have been described and illustrated above in order to explain the nature of this invention may be made by those skilled in the art without departing from th e principle and scope of the invention as recited in the following claims.

Claims

1. A wireless telephone system, comprising:
(a) one or more wireless handsets, each handset having a rechargeable handset battery for powering the handset; an d
(b) a base unit coupled to a source of AC power and comprising a recharge cradle for physically docking a docked handset battery for recharging the docked hanuset battery, and for providing power from the docked handset battery to th e base unit in response to an irregularity in the AC power.
2. The system of claim 1, wherein the one or more wireless handsets comprises a plurality of wireless handsets.
3. The system of claim 2, wherein the base unit establishes a time-division multiple access (TDMA) link with each handset via th e handset transceiver in accordance with a TDMA epoch allocating exclusive audio packet time slots to each handset.
4. The system of claim 2, wherein, if the base unit utilizes th e docked handset battery as a backup power supply then the base unit transmits a signal to the handsets for notifying the handsets that a n irregularity in the AC power has been detected.
5. The system of claim 1, wherein the one or more wireless handsets comprises a single handset and the docked handset battery comprises a detached handset battery.
6. The system of claim 1, wherein the base unit comprises a plurality of recharge cradles.
7. The system of claim 1, wherein, if the base unit utilizes th e docked handset battery as a backup power supply then the base unit activates a locking mechanism in the recharge cradle that hinders removal of the docked handset battery from the recharge cradle.
8. In a base unit of a wireless telephone system having the base unit and one or more wireless handsets, the base unit comprising a base transceiver, a recharge cradle, and a recharge unit, each handset comprising a handset transceiver and a rechargeable handset battery for powering the handset, a method comprising the steps of:
(a) communicating with each handset via the base transceiver and the handset transceiver;
(b) physically docking with the recharge cradle a docked handset battery comprising one of a detached handset battery and a handset;
(c) recharging the docked handset battery with the recharge unit, wherein the base unit is coupleable to a source of AC power;
(d) detecting an irregularity in the AC power; and
(e) utilizing the docked handset battery as a backup power supply in response to detection of an irregularity.
9. The method of claim 8, wherein the one or more wireless handsets comprises a plurality of wireless handsets.
10. The method of claim 9, wherein the base transceiver establishes a time-division multiple access (TDMA) link with each handset via the handset transceiver in accordance with a TDMA epoch allocating exclusive audio packet time slots to each handset.
11. The method of claim 9, wherein, if the base unit utilizes th e docked handset battery as a backup power supply then the base unit transmits a notification signal to the handsets.
12. The method of claim 9, wherein the one or more wireless handsets comprises a single handset and the docked handset battery comprises a detached handset battery.
13. The method of claim 9, wherein the base unit comprises a plurality of recharge cradles.
14. The method of claim 8, wherein, if the base unit utilizes th e docked handset battery as a backup power supply then the base unit activates a locking mechanism in the recharge cradle that hinders removal of the docked handset battery from the recharge cradle.
15. A base unit for communicating with one or more wireless handsets, each handset comprising a handset transceiver and a rechargeable handset battery for powering the handset, the base unit comprising:
(a) a base transceiver for communicating over an RF channel with each handset via its handset transceiver;
(b) a recharge cradle for physically docking a docked handset battery comprising one of a detached handset battery and a handset; and
(c) a recharge unit for recharging the docked handset battery, wherein the base unit is coupleable to an AC power supply and utilizes the docked handset battery as a backup power supply if AC power from the AC power supply is irregular.
16. The base unit of claim 15, wherein the one or more wireless handsets comprises a plurality of wireless handsets.
17. The base unit of claim 16, wherein the base transceiver establishes a time-division multiple access (TDMA) link with each handset via the handset transceiver in accordance with a TDMA epoch allocating exclusive audio packet time slots to each handset.
18. The base unit of claim 16, wherein, if the base unit utilizes the docked handset battery as a backup power supply then the base unit transmits a signal to the handsets to so notify the handsets.
19. The base unit of claim 15, wherein the one or more wireless handsets comprises a single handset and the docked handset battery comprises a detached handset battery.
20. The base unit of claim 15, further comprising a plurality of recharge cradles.
PCT/US1998/018106 1997-12-12 1998-09-01 Battery-backup mechanism for base unit of wireless telephone system WO1999031860A1 (en)

Priority Applications (4)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US09/581,191 US6668178B1 (en) 1998-09-01 1998-09-01 Battery-backup mechanism for base unit of wireless telephone system
AU90420/98A AU9042098A (en) 1997-12-12 1998-09-01 Battery-backup mechanism for base unit of wireless telephone system
KR10-2000-7006255A KR100491686B1 (en) 1997-12-12 1998-09-01 Battery-backup system and method for base unit of wireless telephone system
JP2000539621A JP2002509394A (en) 1997-12-12 1998-09-01 Battery backup device for base unit of wireless telephone system

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US6955297P 1997-12-12 1997-12-12
US60/069,552 1997-12-12

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
WO1999031860A1 true WO1999031860A1 (en) 1999-06-24

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PCT/US1998/018106 WO1999031860A1 (en) 1997-12-12 1998-09-01 Battery-backup mechanism for base unit of wireless telephone system

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JP (1) JP2002509394A (en)
KR (1) KR100491686B1 (en)
CN (1) CN1284348C (en)
AU (1) AU9042098A (en)
WO (1) WO1999031860A1 (en)

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WO2001013490A1 (en) * 1999-08-17 2001-02-22 Siemens Aktiengesellschaft Back-up electricity supply and method thereof
WO2003098775A1 (en) * 2002-05-17 2003-11-27 Juan Maria Zunino Sabini Improvements to a power backup device for cordless telephones
US6862464B1 (en) * 1999-06-18 2005-03-01 Lg Information & Communications, Ltd. Power supply device for radio telephone system
GB2409130A (en) * 2003-11-14 2005-06-15 Vtech Telecomm Ltd Standby power arrangements for electronic apparatus
EP2913990A1 (en) * 2014-02-27 2015-09-02 Deutsche Telekom AG Method and device for efficiently providing emergency call functionality in customer and telecommunication networks with active outside locations during loss of electrical power supply
EP3035480A1 (en) * 2014-12-15 2016-06-22 Kohler Co. Communication failure handling

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AU9042098A (en) 1999-07-05
CN1284348C (en) 2006-11-08
KR20010040295A (en) 2001-05-15
CN1291399A (en) 2001-04-11
KR100491686B1 (en) 2005-05-27
JP2002509394A (en) 2002-03-26

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