GB2464920A

GB2464920A - Telephone with Single Button Dialling

Info

Publication number: GB2464920A
Application number: GB0819454A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Gerard King
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2008-10-23
Filing date: 2008-10-23
Publication date: 2010-05-05
Also published as: GB0819454D0

Abstract

A telephone 10 for use by the blind and partially sighted has a single operating button 16. The telephone has a memory for storing telephone numbers and associated voice tags, whereby operation of the button can select a number to be dialled. The button is initially pressed to start scrolling through the telephone dialling memory during which voice tags are sequentially played back. When the voice tag associated with the required number is heard, the user can initiate dialling by pressing the button. A second button may allow scrolling through the memory in the opposite direction and play back of the voice tags may start at the memory position of the last dialled number. Suitable software enables a computer to program the memory of the telephone by use of a USB connection or a memory card 18 onto which the voice tags and associated telephone numbers are initially loaded and then automatically transferred to the telephone when the card is inserted into slot 20. Voice tags can also be played when an incoming call is received from a number with an associated tag. Telephone numbers may be stored in a call group such that a series of numbers is dialled in sequence until a response is received.

Description

Improvements in or relating to telephones This invention concerns improvements in or relating to telephones and, in particular, telephones suitable for use by the blind, the partially sighted and the elderly.

Telephones are essential for those who are blind, but are not particularly user friendly, because of their size and the size of the keys for entering numbers. Also, many telephones have display screens, which can provide caller identification, but for the blind and many of the partially sighted such display screens are not of any assistance. Telephones are produced with larger than standard keys and display screens but are still not easy to use for the blind, the partially sighted and in some cases the elderly.

An object of this invention is to provide a telephone that may be more user friendly for the blind, the partially sighted and the elderly.

According to the invention it is proposed that a telephone be provided with a *:::* single operating button for inputting commands and a memory programmable to e..

store command questions and required telephone numbers. S...

According to a further aspect of the invention there is provided a telephone

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* S.*** * comprising an operating button and a memory capable of storing a plurality of telephone numbers, whereby in use the operating button is operable to activate an *..: audible announcement associated with a stored telephone number, and the operating button is further operable to select a further action.

According to a yet further aspect of the invention there is provided a method of using a telephone comprising operating an operating button to activate an audible announcement associated with a stored telephone number, and further operating the operating button to select a further action.

The telephone may comprise a handset and a base unit onto which the handset is mountable.

The invention further provides a telephone and a system for programming the telephone.

The system of the invention preferably includes a computer and software to run on the computer for programming telephone memory to store command questions and required telephone numbers.

The telephone may have its own internal programmable memory or may be provided by a removable memory card. On the other hand programming of the internal memory may be by means of the removable memory card, insertion of the removable card into the telephone being arranged to initiate automatic programming of the internal memory.

The memory card may be removed from the telephone for programming purposes. The memory card is preferably connectable to a computer and software provided for the computer to enable programming of the card. Once programmed the card can be returned to the telephone in order to update internal memory of the S...

S.'. telephone.

Preferably the memory of the telephone will include an announcement associated with a particular telephone number, such as the name of a person associated with that telephone number or a command such as "call (person's name)".

*..: Preferably, therefore, operation of the single button of the telephone will initiate a first announcement and a second operation of the button will initiate dialling of the associated telephone number. At any point during this scrolling sequence pressing and holding the button for a predetermined time may terminate the scrolling sequence.

As the memory of the telephone will usually have installed a number of telephone numbers and associated announcements, preferably there will be a predetermined delay for a second operation of the button to take place to initiate the dialling operation rather than moving onto the next stored telephone number and announcement. Preferably the end of the delay will be indicated by an audible signal, such as a beep.

Alternatively, repeated operations of the button may allow scrolling through the installed numbers and a delay after a button operation will activate placement of a call to the last announced number.

With single button operation it may require several button presses to reach a required number as the telephone numbers stored in memory are gone through in a loop sequence. The sequence may always be started with the last dialled telephone number, as it is often the case that a follow-up telephone callis required to the last dialled number.

Alternatively, the telephone of the invention may be provided with a second button, to allow the sequence of telephone numbers to be scrolled through in either direction. The first and second buttons may be parts of a rocker switch. * **

* ** The telephone of the invention may be usable either by lifting its handset from S...

a base or by hands free operation. For the former, it is proposed that lifting the .... 20 handset will initiate an audible instruction, such as "press the button", to initiate the

S **...

* announcement of the first telephone number in the stored sequence.

Alternatively, for hands free operation preferably a first press of the button will *..: initiate an audible instruction, such as "press the button", in order to initiate the announcement of the first telephone number in the stored sequence.

The telephone of the invention is preferably also programmable to recognise an incoming call as one of those stored in the telephone memory and to make a caller identification announcement. For such incoming calls it is preferred that the ring tone of the telephone be different to the standard ring tone for the telephone.

Preferably the software will allow customization of the telephone to suit the needs of users. For example, if emergency service numbers are stored in the telephone, it may be possible to programme the telephone to ask for an additional button press to confirm that it was intended to dial an emergency service number, in order to avoid a misdial. It may also be possible to store telephone numbers in a group with a group announcement, so that a series of numbers can be dialled in sequence until a response is received. That may be particularly useful for a series of emergency telephone numbers to be stored with the announcement "call emergency numbers".

The computer for use in the system of the invention preferably has a microphone for inputting voice announcements and a loudspeaker for listening back to input announcements. Once the computer has been programmed with suitable software, the memory card can be connected to the computer, such as through a USB port, and the process of inputting telephone numbers and associated announcements carried out. The memory card may be programmed by the intended * *S user of the telephone or by another person on their behalf.

The software preferably allows a telephone number to be entered onto the **SS memory card with two announcements, one being a question as to whether a call

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***.SS * should be made and the second announcing the name of the caller when an incoming call number is recognised. The software preferably also allows the name associated with a particular number to be entered into memory via a keyboard, so that names can be stored alphabetically. Possibly the names entered by keyboard can be used to generate synthesised announcements. The software preferably includes a series of prompts for each step of programming the memory card, which prompts are preferably audible as well as visual on the computer monitor.

Preferably telephones according to the invention will also have a facility for recording and playing back messages. Recorded messages preferably will result in a periodic announcement, such as "you have messages, press the button (pause), to stop playing messages press and hold the button for a few seconds." Playing of stored messages may be achieved by pressing and holding the button pressed for a predetermined period.

The invention may be applied to wired telephones, wireless home telephones and mobile (cellular) telephones.

It is further proposed to back illuminate the button (or buttons), such as with a LED Red Green Blue combination. This will allow selection of a particular colour (including white) that provides the best assistance to a particular individual. The selected colour will be set up using the software. In addition, it is proposed that the base unit has an indicator, such as a flashing LED, to show when data is being transferred from the inserted memory card to the internal memory of the telephone.

Advantageously operation of the operating button may initiate a delay period.

The delay period may commence after the termination of the audible announcement.

Alternatively the delay period may commence together with the audible announcement. The further operation of the operating button may occur during the delay period.

20 Advantageously, the further action may be to dial the stored telephone * * number with which the audible announcement is associated. In the case that the further action is to dial the stored teiephone number, advantageously the absence of a further operation of the operating button during the delay period may initiate a further audible announcement associated with a further stored telephone number.

Advantageously, the further action may be to proceed to a further audible announcement that is associated with a further stored telephone number. In the case that the further action is to proceed to a further audible announcement, advantageously absence of a further operation of the operating button during the delay period may initiate dialling of the stored telephone number with which the audible announcement is associated.

The telephone may consist of a handset. Alternatively the telephone may consist of a handset and a base unit, the handset being in communication with the base unit. The communication may be by means of an electrical connection between the handset and the base unit, or by wireless communication between the handset and base unit.

Advantageously the operating button may consist of a single operating button.

The single operating button may be provided on a handset or a base unit of the telephone.

Advantageously the operating button may consist of two equivalent operating buttons, each button activating the same, single set of associated operations. A first button may be provided on the handset and a second button may be provide on the base unit.

Advantageously the operating button may consist of a pair of operating buttons. The pair of operating buttons may consist of a single pair of operating buttons. A first and a second button of the pair respectively activate a first and *...

second set of associated operations, wherein the sets of associated operations are * *..

different. The single pair of operating buttons may be provided on a handset or may * * S **S.

* be provided on a base unit of the telephone.

Advantageously the pair of operating buttons may consist of two equivalent pairs of operating buttons. A first and a second button of a first pair of buttons respectively activate a first and second set of associated operations, wherein the sets of associated operations are different, and a first and second button of a second pair of buttons also respectively activate the first and second set of associated operations. A first pair of buttons may be provided on the handset and a second pair of buttons may be provided on the base unit.

In use, repeated operation of the operating button may scrolls through the plurality of stored telephone numbers. In the case that the operating button comprises a pair of operating buttons, the first and second buttons of the pair may enable scrolling through the plurality of telephone numbers in opposite directions.

Advantageously further operation of the operating button may terminate a telephone call or the dialling of a telephone number.

This invention will now be further described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 shows a first telephone according to the invention; Figure 2 shows a second telephone according to the invention; and Figure 3 shows a system for programming a telephone according to the invention.

Figure 4 shows a sequence of operations according to a method of using a telephone according to the invention.

Figure 5 shows a further sequence of operations according to a method of using a telephone according to the invention.

Referring to Figure 1 of the accompanying drawings, a telephone 10 according to the invention has a standard corded handset 12 connected to a base unit 14. The base unit 14 has a single large button 16 for initiating operations of the telephone.

*..: The telephone has an internal memory and a programmable memory card 18 that can be inserted into slot 20 on the base unit 14, in order to transfer data to the internal memory of the telephone. Software is supplied along with the memory card.

It may be advantageous to use a memory card for ease of updating the telephone.

Alternatively it may be possible to update the telephone by means of a USB connection between the telephone base unit and a computer for adding data to the internal memory of the telephone.

In Figure 2 of the accompanying drawings an alternative telephone 30 is shown. The handset 32 may be of a wireless fixed line type, operable with a base unit (not shown), or it may be a handset of a mobile (cellular) phone. The handset 30has a single large operating button 34 and a slot 36 for receiving memory card 18.

The telephones 10 and 30 of Figures 1 and 2 may be configured for hands free operation in correspondence with operation of the button 16 or 36.

Turning to Figure 3 of the drawings, the software is loaded onto a computer 40 and the memory card l8is connected to the computer. The computer has a microphone 42 for recording announcements and a loudspeaker 44 or headset for listening to the recorded announcements.

The software provides prompts on display screen 50 for a user to record an announcement, such as "call uncle Bill", the message is played back for confirmation and then the user is prompted to enter the telephone number using keyboard 46.

Amouse 48 is provided for ease of negotiating the screen display 50. This process is repeated until all required numbers have been entered. It is to be noted that the * *S telephone numbers of the operator, directory enquiries and emergency services may **** be usefully stored in the memory of the telephone. ****

Additionally a prompt is given for an announcement of who is calling to be

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**S.*.

* associated with each stored number, such as "uncle Bill calling".

The memory card 18 has a docking station 52 connected to the computer 40. 0* *

Once the memory card is programmed, the settings can be stored on the computer and the memory card transferred to the telephone for the data thereon to be stored in the internal memory of the telephone.

When the telephone 10 has been programmed, the user on lifting the handset 12 will hear a prompt, such as press the button". The user presses the button 16 (or 34 in Figure 2) and the announcement associated with the first stored number heard.

The user can either press the button again for a call to be made to that number or wait a few seconds to press the button obtain an announcement of the next stored number and so until the required number announcement is reached and the button pressed again to make the required call. A call may be ended by replacing the handset or by pressing the button. The telephone may be programmed to revert to the last dialled number as the starting point for selection of a number to be dialled, as often a second call to the same number can be required because the user has forgotten something. Alternatively, a second button can be provided on the telephone base unit for scrolling in either direction through the stored numbers.

The telephone may be programmed for hands free operation, in which case without lifting the handset, a first press of the button will initiate an audible prompt to press the button again to start the telephone number selection process.

The handset or the base unit may include means for adjusting the volume.

An incoming number that is a stored number will produce a different ringing tone to other numbers and will be followed by an audible prompt, namely an announcement of who is calling. Either the handset can be lifted to take the call or *.. the button pressed for hands free connection. Different incoming calls can generate *...

different ring tones, so that the user can decide whether or not to take the call.

20 The flow chart of Figure 4 illustrates a method of using a telephone according

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*...I.

* to the invention. Operation of the telephone is commenced by operation of the operating button, which causes an audible announcement to be given. The audible *:*. announcement is associated with a telephone number stored in the memory of the telephone. For example the announcement may be "call uncle Bill". Following the audible announcement, a delay period commences, for example being a delay of a few seconds. If the operating button is operated again during the delay period, the telephone dials the telephone number of uncle Bill.

If the operating button is not operated during the delay period, then the process is repeated for the next telephone number stored in the memory of the telephone. Accordingly a further audible announcement is given that is associated with the next stored telephone number, for example "call Charlie Brown", and a further delay period commences. As before, the operating button may be operated during the delay period in order to select to call Charlie Brown. If the operating button is not operated during the delay period then the process repeats with the next stored telephone number.

Accordingly the telephone scrolls through the Nth, N+lth, N+2th... telephone numbers, making an audible announcement and waiting for a delay period in relation to each telephone number, before moving on to the next stored telephone number, unless a further operation of the operating button occurs during a delay period, in which case the telephone dials the telephone number that corresponds with the interrupted delay period.The flow chart of Figure 5 illustrates a further method of using a telephone according to the invention. In this case the telephone is provided with a pair of operating buttons. The telephone number selection and call dialling procedure is again initiated by operation of the operating button. In this case, following an audible announcement that corresponds with a stored telephone number, dialling of the telephone number is initiated by not operating an operating 20 button during the following delay period. However, if the first operating button is operated during the delay period, then the telephone proceeds to the next stored telephone number and repeats the process. Alternatively, if the second operating button is operated during the delay period, then the telephone proceeds to the previous stored telephone number and repeats the process.

Claims

Claims: 1. A telephone having a single operating button for inputting commands and a memory programmable to store command questions and a sequence of required telephone numbers.
2. A telephone as claimed in claim 1 having its own internal programmable memory.
3. A telephone as claimed in claim 1 or 2 adapted to receive a memory card for transferring data to the telephone memory.
4. A telephone as claimed in claim 1 or 2 adapted to receive data transferred through an electrical connection with a computer.
5. A telephone as claimed in claim 2 or 3, wherein insertion of the removable memory card into the telephone is arranged to initiate automatic programming of the internal memory.
6. A telephone as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the memory of the telephone includes an announcement associated with a particular telephone number.

*:::*
7. A telephone as claimed in claim 6, wherein operation of the single button of ***.the telephone initiates a first announcement and a second operation of the button will initiate dialling of the associated telephone number.
8. A telephone as claimed in claim 7, wherein there is a predetermined delay for * a second operation of the button to take place to initiate the dialling operation rather than moving onto the next stored telephone number and announcement.
9. A telephone as claimed in claim 8, wherein the end of the delay is indicated by an audible signal.
10. A telephone as claimed in claim 6, wherein repeated operations of the button allow scrolling through a sequence of installed numbers and a delay after a button operation activates placement of a call to the last announced number.
11. A telephone as claimed in any one of claims 7 to 10, wherein the sequence is started with the last dialled telephone number.
12. A telephone as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 11 provided with a second button to allow the sequence of telephone numbers to be scrolled through in either direction.
13. A telephone as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 12 comprising a base unit and a handset usable either by lifting the handset from the base or by hands free operation.
14. A telephone as claimed in claim 13, wherein lifting the handset will initiate an audible instruction to initiate the announcement of the first or last telephone number in the stored sequence.
15. A telephone as claimed in claim 13, wherein for hands free operation a first press of the button will initiate an audible instruction, in order to initiate the announcement of the first or last telephone number in the stored sequence.
16. A telephone as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 15 programmable to * S..recognise an incoming call as one of those stored in the telephone memory and to *..make a caller identification announcement.S

**.. Sd * *
17. A telephone as claimed in claim 16 having a different ring tone for recognised incoming calls.

*..:
18. A telephone as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 17 having a facility for recording and playing back messages.
19. A telephone as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 18, wherein the button is back illuminated.
20. A telephone as claimed in claim 19, wherein the back illumination colour isselectable.
21. A telephone as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 20 having means for showing that the when the memory card is inserted data is being transferred to the internal memory of the telephone.
22. A telephone substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as illustrated in any of the accompanying drawings.
23. A telephone and a system for programming the telephone for single button operation the system including a computer and software to run on the computer for programming telephone memory to store command questions and required telephone numbers.
24. A telephone and system as claimed in claim 23 comprising a memory card onto which commands and telephone numbers are stored using the computer and the memory card is transferable to the telephone to update telephone memory.
25. A telephone and system as claimed in claim 23 or 24, wherein the software will allow customization of the telephone to suit a particular persons needs.
26. A telephone and system as claimed in claim 23, 24 or 25, wherein, if *:*:: emergency service numbers are stored in the telephone, it is possible to programme *...the telephone to ask for an additional button press to confirm that it was intended to *S.* dial an emergency service number, in order to avoid a misdial. ****
27. A telephone and system as claimed in claim 23, 24 or 25, wherein it is possible to store telephone numbers in a group with a group announcement, so that a series of numbers can be dialled in sequence until a response is received.
28. A telephone and system as claimed in any one of claims 23 to 27, wherein the computer has a microphone for inputting voice announcements and a loudspeaker for listening back to input announcements.
29. A telephone and system as claimed in any one of claims 23 to 28, wherein, once the computer has been programmed with suitable software, the memory card is connectable to the computer for the process of inputting telephone numbers and associated announcements carried out..
30. A telephone and system as claimed in any one of claims 23 to 29, wherein the software allows a telephone number to be entered onto the memory card with two announcements, one being a question as to whether a call should be made and the second announcing the name of the caller when an incoming call number is recognised.
31. A telephone and system as claimed in any one of claims 23 to 30, wherein the prompts are audible as well as visual on a computer monitor.
32. A telephone and system substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings. * ** * * * * * S.. S * . S... *.*. * S S... * * . *. * * * S.. S. *S S S 55