U.S. patent application number 11/195440 was filed with the patent office on 2006-02-23 for radio frequency-controlled telecommunication device.
This patent application is currently assigned to Vulcan Patents LLC. Invention is credited to John M. Ananny, Oliver T. Bayley, James E. Dishman, Bernard J. Kerr, Mark A. McCabe, Geoffrey M. Smith.
Application Number | 20060040704 11/195440 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 27757567 |
Filed Date | 2006-02-23 |
United States Patent
Application |
20060040704 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Bayley; Oliver T. ; et
al. |
February 23, 2006 |
Radio frequency-controlled telecommunication device
Abstract
Provided are telecommunications devices and systems which
incorporate and use radio frequency (RF) tag technology.
Telecommunications devices in accordance with one embodiment of the
present invention incorporate RF transceivers (readers) which are
configured to read associated RF transponders (tags) in order to
automatically dial desired telephone numbers without the need for a
manual user interface. Tags in systems in accordance with this
embodiment of the present invention may be attached to or
incorporated with a myriad of items, including picture frames,
consumer products and packaging, advertising and promotional
material, electronic business cards, record-keeping systems, etc.
Devices and systems in accordance with the present invention have a
variety of telephony and non-telephony applications.
Inventors: |
Bayley; Oliver T.;
(Pacifica, CA) ; Kerr; Bernard J.; (Wellington,
NZ) ; Smith; Geoffrey M.; (Palo Alto, CA) ;
Dishman; James E.; (Portland, OR) ; McCabe; Mark
A.; (San Mateo, CA) ; Ananny; John M.; (San
Francisco, CA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
VAN PELT, YI & JAMES LLP
10050 N. FOOTHILL BLVD #200
CUPERTINO
CA
95014
US
|
Assignee: |
Vulcan Patents LLC
|
Family ID: |
27757567 |
Appl. No.: |
11/195440 |
Filed: |
August 2, 2005 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
10458004 |
Jun 9, 2003 |
6983124 |
|
|
11195440 |
Aug 2, 2005 |
|
|
|
09351995 |
Jul 12, 1999 |
6611673 |
|
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10458004 |
Jun 9, 2003 |
|
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|
Current U.S.
Class: |
455/556.1 ;
340/10.1; 340/572.1; 455/41.2 |
Current CPC
Class: |
H04B 5/0037 20130101;
H04M 1/2757 20200101; H04M 1/275 20130101; H04M 1/72412 20210101;
G06K 7/10881 20130101; H04M 3/4931 20130101; H04B 5/02 20130101;
H04M 1/724 20210101; H04M 3/4935 20130101; G06Q 30/06 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
455/556.1 ;
455/041.2; 340/572.1; 340/010.1 |
International
Class: |
H04M 1/00 20060101
H04M001/00; G08B 13/14 20060101 G08B013/14 |
Claims
1. A telecommunications device comprising: a microprocessor; and a
radio frequency transceiver coupled to said microprocessor; wherein
said radio frequency transceiver is configured to: detect existence
of a radio frequency tag; receive from said radio frequency tag a
radio frequency signal comprising tag data associated with a record
keeping object with which the radio frequency tag is associated;
and provide said tag data to the microprocessor.
2. The device of claim 1, wherein said record keeping object is a
calendar.
3. The device of claim 1, wherein said record keeping object is a
photo album.
4. The device of claim 1, wherein said record keeping object is a
photograph.
5. The device of claim 1, wherein said tag includes a memory
configured to store audible data and said device is configured to
read audible data from said memory.
6. The device of claim 1, wherein said tag includes a memory
configured to store audible data and said device is configured to
write audible data to said memory.
7. The device of claim 1, further comprising a memory, accessible
by said microprocessor, configured to store audible data associated
with the tag data.
8. The device of claim 7 wherein said microprocessor is further
configured to cause the audible data to be played in response to
the tag data being received.
9. The device of claim 1, further comprising a database, accessible
by said microprocessor, configured to store audible data associated
with the tag.
10. The device of claim 9 wherein said microprocessor is further
configured to query said database using said tag data to obtain the
audible data associated with the tag, and to cause the audible data
to be played.
11. The device of claim 9, wherein said database is on board said
device.
12. The device of claim 9, wherein said database is part of a
telecommunications system of which said device is a part.
13. The device of claim 9, wherein said database is on site with
said device.
14. The device of claim 9, wherein said database is online.
15. The device of claim 1, wherein said device is a telephone.
16. The device of claim 1, wherein said device is a facsimile
machine.
17. The device of claim 1, wherein said device is a cellular
telephone.
18. The device of claim 1, wherein said radio frequency transponder
is an interactive radio frequency tag.
19. A method of playing audible data, comprising: reading tag data
from a radio frequency transponder with a radio frequency
transceiver connected with the device; and playing audible data
associated with said tag data.
20. A method of storing audible data, comprising: reading tag data
from a radio frequency transponder; receiving audible data
associated with said tag data; and storing the audible data in a
manner that associates the audible data with the tag data.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application is related to co-pending application Ser.
No. 09/306,688, filed May 6, 1999, entitled INTERACTIVE RADIO
FREQUENCY TAGS, the disclosure of which is incorporated by
reference herein for all purposes.
[0002] This application is a continuation of co-pending U.S. patent
application Ser. No. 10/458,004, entitled RADIO
FREQUENCY-CONTROLLED TELECOMMUNICATION DEVICE, filed Jun. 9, 2003,
which is incorporated herein by reference for all purposes, which
is a continuation of U.S. Pat. No. 6,611,673, entitled RADIO
FREQUENCY-CONTROLLED TELECOMMUNICATION DEVICE, filed Jul. 12, 1999,
which is incorporated herein by reference for all purposes.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] The present invention relates generally to the field of
radio frequency tag technology. More specifically, the present
invention relates to radio frequency-controlled telecommunications
devices and systems.
[0004] Radio frequency (RF) tag technology has conventionally been
used for identifying objects in radio frequency identification (RF
ID) systems. In an RF ID system, information is carried on a tag
(transponder) which is typically attached to an object of interest.
When the tag comes within a RF signal field generated by a reader
(transceiver) the tag responds to the incident RF signal.
Typically, the tag reflects the incident RF carrier back to the
reader in a form modulated by the tag according to the information
with which the tag has been previously programmed.
[0005] RF tags may be passive or active. Active tags are powered by
a battery which is incorporated into the tag. Passive tags do not
have batteries. They derive their power inductively or capacitively
from the RF signal transmitted by the reader to interrogate the
tag.
[0006] FIG. 1A illustrates a conventional passive RF tag. The tag
100 has two main components: a semiconductor chip (integrated
circuit (IC)) 102 having interface circuits, logic, and memory (not
shown); and an antenna 104. The interface circuits of the IC 102
portion of a passive RF tag typically include an analog and a
digital circuit. The analog circuit detects and decodes the RF
signal and provides power to the digital circuit using the RF field
strength of the reader. The digital circuit implements an
information protocol which has been previously programmed into the
tag. RF tags generally also include a variety of other discrete
components, such as capacitors, clocks, and interconnections
between components, a substrate for mounting components, and an
enclosure.
[0007] FIG. 1B depicts a block diagram providing additional
structural information for a typical passive RF tag. The figure is
not a schematic depiction of an RF tag, but is intended as an
illustration of the main function elements of a typical tag and
their interconnections to provide a basis for describing the
actions that take place when a tag (transponder) enters the RF
field of a reader (transceiver), in order to assist in the
understanding of the operation of RF tags.
[0008] An RF signal from a transceiver is received by the tag's
antenna 110 when the tag enters the reader's RF field. From the
antenna 110, the signal is typically split into a portion that
provides the power for the tag which is smoothed by a capacitor
111, and a portion that provides the data to be read by and
responded to by the tag's programmed logic. The power portion of
the signal goes into a rectifier 112 (AC to DC converter) and the
emerging DC signal is smoothed by a capacitor 104. The data portion
of the split signal is conveyed along a conductive line 116 to a
data extractor 118 which demodulates the signal and extracts the
digital binary command data for the logic processor 120. The logic
processor 120 receives the command and carries out the command
instructions, which typically involves reading data from the tag's
memory 122. The data read from the memory 122 is then output to a
modulator 124 which modulates the digital data into an analog
signal. The signal is then conveyed to the antenna 110 and
transmitted back to the transceiver. RF tags also typically include
additional elements not illustrated in FIG. 1B or discussed above,
such as encoders/decoders and clock extractors.
[0009] As noted above, radio frequency (RF) tag technology,
particularly passive RF tag technology, has conventionally been
used for identifying objects in radio frequency identification (RF
ID) systems. Thus the conventional application of RF tags has been
in tracking objects of interest. When the tag comes within a RF
signal field generated by a reader (transceiver) the tag responds
to the transceiver's incident RF signal alerting the transceiver of
its presence. A typical reader includes a computer processor which
issues commands to a RF transmitter and receives commands from an
RF receiver. The processor may also perform one or more functions
based on the tags presence in its RF field.
[0010] For example, RF tags are used by airlines to track passenger
luggage. When a passenger checks a piece of luggage it is tagged
with an RF ID tag programmed with an identifier for that piece of
luggage. When the luggage tag comes within the RF signal field of
one of many RF ID readers located throughout the luggage system,
the tag may be interrogated by the reader and the location of the
luggage may be reported to a central tracking system by the
reader's processor. Similarly, RF tag technology is used in "card
key" systems. A card key contains a RF ID tag identifying the
holder as a person authorized to pass through a door or gate. When
the card comes within the RF signal field of an RF ID reader
located at a door or gate, the tag may be interrogated by the
reader and the authorization of the cardholder to pass may be
confirmed, the door or gate my be opened, and the cardholder's
passage recorded by the reader's processor.
[0011] While conventional implementations of RF tag technology have
been useful in such tracking applications, RF tag technology has
not so far been applied in many user interactive applications. The
present inventors believe that RF tag technology offers the
potential for a whole array of unexplored applications based on RF
tags and readers with increased functionality.
[0012] One area of technology where the present inventors see great
potential for the use of RF tag technology is telecommunications.
Conventional telephones typically have a manually operated user
interface whereby a user enters a multi-digit telephone number for
a person, business or other entity which he or she desires to call
via a number dial or pad. The convenience of this manual interface
may be improved in conventional devices by the use of such features
as "speed-dial" which allows a user to program frequently called
numbers into a memory in the telephone and then dial one of those
multi-digit numbers by pressing a single button. Presently,
automatic telephone dialing interfaces, that is dialing interfaces
which do not require user contact to enter a telephone number to be
dialed, are not available other than perhaps in preprogrammed or
random number dialing systems. Convenient systems for home or work
use that allow a user to automatically dial a particular number of
the users choice are unknown.
[0013] In addition, the present inventors contemplate that RF
controlled telecommunications devices could have a variety of
applications beyond conventional telephony. Such applications would
require telecommunications devices and systems which incorporate
and use RF tag technology in novel ways.
[0014] Accordingly, the development and application of RF
telecommunications devices and systems which incorporate and use RF
tag technology in novel ways is desirable.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0015] The present invention meets this need by providing
telecommunications devices and systems which incorporate and use RF
tag technology. Telecommunications devices in accordance with one
embodiment of the present invention incorporate RF transceivers
(readers) which are configured to read associated RF transponders
(tags) in order to automatically dial desired telephone numbers
without the need for a manual user interface. Tags in systems in
accordance with this embodiment of the present invention may be
attached to or incorporated with a myriad of items, including
picture frames, consumer products and packaging, advertising and
promotional material, electronic business cards, record-keeping
systems, etc., as further described below. Devices and systems in
accordance with the present invention have a variety of telephony
and non-telephony applications.
[0016] Systems in accordance with the present invention may have
associated computer software including databases of numbers
available for dialing selected by a tag/reader interaction
controlled by the user. In such systems, an individual or entity's
phone number may be represented by a code stored in the RF tag
memory which references a telephone number in the database. This
embodiment is particularly useful in a number of situations, such
as where the numbers of interest are known ahead of time so that
codes rather than the entire numbers are all that is needed to be
stored in the tag's relatively limited memory. If an individual or
entity's number changes, the new number may be stored in the
database in the location accessed by the code stored in the tag
memory so that reprogramming of the individual tags is not
necessary. The tag memory could also contain additional numbers
that would allow for automatic navigation of phone mail systems
where the sequence to access the desired location is known and
programmed into the tag in advance.
[0017] In another embodiment, RF controlled telecommunications
devices in accordance with the present invention may be configured
for phone number gathering, for instance from the memory of a RF
tag business card. For example, a portable telephone may be touched
to an electronic business card or directory containing an RF tag to
store phone numbers in the phone's memory.
[0018] In still another embodiment of the present invention, RF
tags may be attached to or incorporated with various record-keeping
objects, such as photo albums, calendars, etc., and a RF controlled
telephone in accordance with the present invention may be used to
interface with those items. In this non-telephony embodiment, a
memory on the tag, or more preferably in the telecommunications
device incorporating the reader or its associated
telecommunications system, could be programmed with information by
the user recording voice messages using the telephone apparatus.
The recorded message would be specific to a particular tagged item,
such as a photograph or a date in a calendar. The message could be
recalled and played by the user by bringing the reader in the
telephone close enough to the RF tag in the item to be read.
[0019] In one aspect, the present invention provides a
telecommunications device. The device includes a DTMF generator, a
microprocessor connected with the DTMF generator, and a radio
frequency transceiver connected with said microprocessor. The DTMF
generator may dial a telephone number indicated by a signal
received from a radio frequency transponder in a radio frequency
field generated by the transceiver.
[0020] In another aspect, the invention provides a
telecommunications system. The system includes a telecommunications
device having a DTMF generator, a microprocessor connected with the
DTMF generator, and a radio frequency transceiver connected with
the microprocessor. The system further includes a radio frequency
tag.
[0021] In yet another aspect, the invention provides a method of
dialing a telephone number with a telecommunications device. The
method involves reading the telephone number from a radio frequency
transponder with a radio frequency transceiver associated with the
device, and enabling a DTMF generator to dial the telephone number
received from the radio frequency transponder.
[0022] In still another aspect, the invention provides a method of
storing a telephone number with a telecommunications device. The
method involves reading the telephone number from a radio frequency
transponder with a radio frequency transceiver associated with the
device, and storing the telephone number in a memory associated
with the device.
[0023] These and other features and advantages of the present
invention will be presented in more detail in the following
specification of the invention and the accompanying figures which
illustrate by way of example the principles of the invention.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0024] FIG. 1A depicts a block diagram illustrating a conventional
passive RF tag.
[0025] FIG. 1B depicts a block diagram illustrating additional
details of a typical passive RF tag.
[0026] FIG. 2 depicts a block diagram illustrating a radio
frequency-controlled telecommunications device and system in
accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present
invention.
[0027] FIG. 3 depicts a block diagram illustrating different
approaches to storing telephone numbers to be dialed in some
alternative embodiments of RF-controlled telecommunications systems
in accordance with the present invention.
[0028] FIG. 4 depicts a block diagram illustrating various
implementations of radio frequency-controlled telecommunications
systems in accordance with preferred embodiments of the present
invention.
[0029] FIG. 5 depicts a block diagram illustrating a number
gathering implementation of a radio frequency-controlled
telecommunications device and system in accordance with a preferred
embodiment of the present invention.
[0030] FIG. 6 depicts a block diagram illustrating a non-telephony
implementation of radio frequency-controlled telecommunications
device and system in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the
present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0031] Reference will now be made in detail to preferred
embodiments of the invention. Examples of the preferred embodiments
are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. While the invention
will be described in conjunction with these preferred embodiments,
it will be understood that it is not intended to limit the
invention to one or more preferred embodiments. On the contrary, it
is intended to cover alternatives, modifications, and equivalents
as may be included within the spirit and scope of the invention as
defined by the appended claims. In the following description,
numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a
thorough understanding of the present invention. The present
invention may be practiced without some or all of these specific
details. In other instances, well known process operations have not
been described in detail in order not to unnecessarily obscure the
present invention.
[0032] The present invention provides telecommunications devices
and systems which incorporate and use RF tag technology.
Telecommunications devices in accordance with one embodiment of the
present invention incorporate RF transceivers (readers) which are
configured to read associated RF transponders (tags) in order to
automatically dial desired telephone numbers without the need for a
manual user interface. Tags in systems in accordance with this
embodiment of the present invention may be attached to or
incorporated with a myriad of items, including picture frames,
consumer products and packaging, advertising and promotional
material, business cards, record-keeping systems, etc., as further
described below. Devices and systems in accordance with the present
invention have a variety of telephony and non-telephony
applications.
[0033] FIG. 2 illustrates a block diagram of a RF-controlled
telecommunications device and system in accordance with a preferred
embodiment of the present invention. The device may be, for
example, a telephone (wired or cordless), a facsimile machine, or a
cellular telephone. The device 200 includes a microprocessor 202
which is capable of receiving, processing and sending the various
electronic signals involved in the operation of the device. For
example, the microprocessor may receive a signal representing a
telephone number entered by a user on a keypad interface 204. The
microprocessor 202 processes and sends the signal to a DTMF (dual
tone multi-frequency) output generator 206 which generates a signal
sent out into the telecommunications system with which the device
is connected. The device may be connected to the system via a phone
line 216 or in the case of a cellular telephone, for example, a
wireless connection. The phone line 216 is also connected to a
microphone 220 and a speaker 222 via a two-way connection 218 so
that voice signals may be sent and received by a user. These
elements may be found in many conventional telecommunications
systems.
[0034] The device 200 also includes a radio frequency transceiver
(RFID reader) 208 which includes and antenna 210. The reader 208
allows the device to receive a telephone number to be dialed
without a user manually interacting with the keypad 204. The reader
208 generates a radio frequency field 212 transmitted by its
antenna 210. If a radio frequency transponder (RFID tag) 214 comes
within the field 212, the tag is read and sends a signal back to
the reader 208 based on the information requested by a signal in
the outgoing field 212. Generally, the signal generated by the
reader queries the tag about a telephone number or telephone number
code stored in its memory. The tag 214 responds with the telephone
number or code. The number or code is then passed to the
microprocessor 202 which in turn commands the DTMF generator 206 to
dial the desired number.
[0035] The reader in devices in accordance with the present
invention may be located anywhere within the device. In a preferred
embodiment of the present invention, the reader is located in the
handset of a telephone or other handheld feature of a
telecommunications device to enable it to be more precisely
positioned by a user to read a tag. This is particularly useful
when a number of tags are close to each other and the reader must
be carefully positioned in order to read the desired tag.
[0036] The device 200 may also include conventional
telephone/telecommunications circuitry and other components the
details of which are well known to those of skill in the art and/or
are unnecessary for an understanding and implementation of the
present invention. These features are generally represented in the
figure by block 224.
[0037] The embodiment of the present invention depicted in FIG. 2
allows for both manual (via the keypad 204) and automatic entry
(via RF signal from a RF tag) of a number to be dialed by the
device 200. Of course, other embodiments of the present invention
may not even include a keypad or other manual interface, instead
relying entirely upon radio frequency signals received by a RF
transponder to indicate a number to be dialed.
[0038] Systems in accordance with the present invention may have
associated computer software including databases of numbers
available for dialing selected by a tag/reader interaction
controlled by the user. In such systems, an individual or entity's
phone number may be represented by a code stored in the RF tag
memory which references a telephone number in the database. This
embodiment is particularly useful in a number of situations, such
as where the numbers of interest are known ahead of time so that
relatively short codes rather than the entire numbers are all that
is needed to be stored in the tag's relatively limited memory.
Also, where an individual or entity's number changes, the new
number may be stored in the database in the location accessed by
the code stored in the tag memory so that reprogramming of the
individual tags is not necessary.
[0039] Thus, an RF tag in a system in accordance with the present
invention may return to the RF reader which polls it either a
signal including a complete telephone number which the tag has
stored in its memory, or the tag may return a code which refers to
a number which is stored off the tag in a memory in the
telecommunications device or its associated telecommunications
system. FIG. 3 illustrates in block form some alternative
embodiments with respect to this aspect of the present invention.
In one embodiment, depicted in the left column 310, the number to
be dialed is stored on the tag 312 in the tag memory. When the tag
312 is read by the reader 314, the tag data 316 returned contains
all the information necessary to dial the number.
[0040] In the embodiment depicted in the right column 320, the
number to be dialed is stored in an off-tag database 328. The data
stored on the tag 322 in the tag memory contains a code which
references a number to be dialed stored in the database 328. When
the tag 322 is read by the reader 324, the tag data 326 returned is
used to determine the number to be dialed from the database 328.
The number accessed from the database is then dialed.
[0041] The off-tag database embodiment includes additional software
not required in the on-tag number storage embodiment. However, it
offers additional flexibility and, in large systems, potential cost
savings. For example, a system in accordance with this embodiment
of the invention may include a plurality of tags each with a
different code programmed in its memory referencing a field in the
database. The database may be programmed with numbers to be dialed
to access various people or entities. If a person or entity's phone
number changes after the system is programmed and the tags
distributed, the change may be quickly, easily and cheaply made in
the database without the need to reprogram any individual tags.
[0042] As further illustrated in block 330 of FIG. 3, the database
328 may be located in a memory on board the telecommunications
device, or in the telecommunications system with which the device
is connected, either on the users site (e.g., within the same
building or facility as the device) or online. The closer the
database is located to the device, the faster the system will
operate. However, locating the database further from the device may
offer the advantages of increased accessibility and flexibility
with respect to managing the database.
[0043] In further embodiments of the present invention, the tag
memory could also be programmed with additional data relating to
the stored telephone numbers. For example, the tag memory could be
programmed with additional numbers, preceding and/or following the
stored telephone number, that would allow for access to secured
phone systems and automatic navigation of phone mail systems where
the sequence to access the desired location is known and programmed
into the tag in advance.
[0044] In addition, the tag memory could be programmed with data
relating to the properties of the stored telephone number. Thus, a
facsimile number may have a facsimile property code associated with
it. This is particularly useful when a tag or more than one
closely-spaced tags are programmed with a plurality of numbers
having different property codes. The transceivers in the
telecommunications devices reading the tag(s) may be programmed to
recognize the property codes associated with the numbers so that,
for example, a facsimile machine will use the facsimile number read
from the tag(s) rather than a voice line telephone number also
stored on the tag(s). Of course, the property data may be stored on
a tag or on a database in a telecommunications device or system
associated with the tag.
[0045] Devices and systems in accordance with the present invention
have a variety of telephony applications. FIG. 4 illustrates
several embodiments of systems using radio frequency controlled
telecommunications devices. In the figure, no indication is made to
the distinction described with reference to FIG. 3 between the tag
memory providing a telephone number or a code for accessing a
telephone number from an off-tag database. However, it should be
understood that all embodiments of the present invention may be
implemented in either way.
[0046] FIG. 4 illustrates a telecommunications device in accordance
with the present invention, in this case a telephone 400. Telephone
400 is equipped with the components described with reference to
FIG. 2. FIG. 4 also shows a variety of objects including a framed
picture 402, a pizzeria refrigerator magnet 404, a business card
406, and a bottle of household cleaner 408. Each of the objects has
one or more RF tags attached to it with a telephone number or code
referencing a telephone number programmed in its memory.
[0047] When, for example, the telephone 400 is directed towards the
picture frame 402, the RF reader in the phone reads a RF tag in the
frame (attached either to the frame or to the picture itself) and
automatically dials the phone number of the person in the picture.
Similarly, when the phone is directed towards the fridge magnet 404
or the business card 406, the RF reader in the phone reads a RF tag
on the magnet or card and automatically dials the phone number of
the pizzeria or cardholder, respectively.
[0048] Systems in accordance with the present invention also
contemplate the presence of multiple RF tags on a given object,
such as a consumer product or product packaging. In the case of the
cleaner 408, one RF tag may have programmed in its memory the
number for the product manufacturers customers service line. A
second RF tag may have programmed in its memory the number for the
local poison control center. Either of these numbers may be
automatically dialed by directing the phone 400 towards the
appropriate location on the bottle of cleaner 408, which would be
indicated as part of the product labeling.
[0049] Devices in accordance with the present invention may also
include a "number gathering" functionality, as illustrated in FIG.
5. The device 500 may be switched from a default mode of
automatically dialing a telephone number indicated by a RF tag read
by its RF reader, to a mode where the indicated telephone number is
stored in a database for future use. The device 500 may be switched
between dialing to gathering modes by pushing a button 502 on the
device's keypad, for example. Another button or buttons may be
pushed to indicate a location or locations in the memory in which a
gathered number(s) is to be stored.
[0050] The numbers may be gathered from business cards 504 or
directories 506 equipped with RF tags. For example, a portable
device 500 in accordance with the present invention may be touched
to the business card 504 or directory 506 containing an RF tag to
read phone numbers. The so gathered numbers may be stored in
specified locations in a database 508, such as previously described
with reference to FIG. 3. The gathered numbers may be accessed
subsequently for dialing by selecting the appropriate memory
location, either by pushing a button, such as in a conventional
"speed dial" system, or tags may be made for each of the gathered
numbers so that they may be automatically dialed by directing the
device to the a tag for the desired number.
[0051] Radio frequency controlled telecommunications devices in
accordance with the present invention may also be used in
conjunction with interactive radio frequency tags, such as
described in co-pending application Ser. No. 09/306,688, filed May
6, 1999, entitled INTERACTIVE RADIO FREQUENCY TAGS, previously
incorporated by reference. Such tags include interactive RF button
tags which may be used in such items as a "smart business card."
With the smart business card, the user presses the appropriate
button on a RF tag business card, causing the relevant IC to make
contact with the antenna to activate the tag. The card may be
equipped with several buttons, each representing a different item
of information. So, for instance, when a user presses the "home
phone" button on the business card, the RF reader in a device in
accordance with the present invention will receive a response
indicating the cardholder's home telephone number. Similarly, the
user may press "office phone" button on the card to have the same
happen with the appropriate office number. Pressing a "Fax" button
may similarly initiate a fax to the correct number where the RF
controlled telecommunications device is a facsimile machine.
[0052] Radio frequency controlled devices and systems in accordance
with the present invention also have a variety of non-telephony
applications. The inclusion of a RF transponder in a
telecommunications device allows the device not only to both read
from and write to RF tags attached to or incorporated in a variety
of objects, but also to record and playback voice messages and
other audible material from a memory. In one embodiment of the
present invention, RF tags may be attached to or incorporated with
various record-keeping objects, such as photo albums, calendars,
etc., and a RF controlled telephone in accordance with the present
invention may be used to interface with those items. In this
non-telephony embodiment, a memory on the tag, or more preferably
in the telecommunications device incorporating the reader or its
associated telecommunications system, could be programmed with
information by the user recording voice messages using the
telephone apparatus. The recorded message would be specific to a
particular tagged item, such as a photograph or a date in a
calendar. The message could be recalled and played by the user by
bringing the reader in the telephone close enough to the RF tag in
the item to be read.
[0053] As shown in FIG. 6, in non-telephony applications of the
present invention, a code stored in a RF tag attached to an object
602 may be used to signal the telecommunications device 600 to
access a memory location 604, preferably located off the tag in the
telecommunications system of which the device is a part. The device
600 may then be used to hear a previously recorded audible message
relating to the object 602 or to record a new one in that memory
location 604.
[0054] Although the foregoing invention has been described in some
detail for purposes of clarity of understanding, it will be
apparent that certain changes and modifications may be practiced
within the scope of the appended claims. It should be noted that
there are many alternative ways of implementing both the process
and apparatuses of the present invention. Accordingly, the present
embodiments are to be considered as illustrative and not
restrictive, and the invention is not to be limited to the details
given herein, but may be modified within the scope and equivalents
of the appended claims.
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