U.S. patent application number 11/462800 was filed with the patent office on 2006-11-23 for integration of fixed wireless terminal with broadcast radio receiving devices.
Invention is credited to David Kim, Mike Kwon, Sidney Park, Simon Yi.
Application Number | 20060264171 11/462800 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 36944727 |
Filed Date | 2006-11-23 |
United States Patent
Application |
20060264171 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Kwon; Mike ; et al. |
November 23, 2006 |
INTEGRATION OF FIXED WIRELESS TERMINAL WITH BROADCAST RADIO
RECEIVING DEVICES
Abstract
A system comprising: a broadcast radio receiving device
configured to receive and provide broadcast audio-visual signals;
and a fixed wireless terminal apparatus coupled to the broadcast
radio receiving device, wherein the fixed wireless terminal
apparatus manages and controls characteristics of the broadcast
audio-visual signals.
Inventors: |
Kwon; Mike; (San Diego,
CA) ; Kim; David; (San Diego, CA) ; Park;
Sidney; (San Diego, CA) ; Yi; Simon; (San
Diego, CA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
PROCOPIO, CORY, HARGREAVES & SAVITCH LLP
530 B STREET
SUITE 2100
SAN DIEGO
CA
92101
US
|
Family ID: |
36944727 |
Appl. No.: |
11/462800 |
Filed: |
August 7, 2006 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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11180104 |
Jul 12, 2005 |
7107071 |
|
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11462800 |
Aug 7, 2006 |
|
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60658996 |
Mar 4, 2005 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
455/3.01 ;
455/552.1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
H04H 60/80 20130101;
H04H 60/90 20130101; H04B 1/3805 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
455/003.01 ;
455/552.1 |
International
Class: |
H04H 1/00 20060101
H04H001/00; H04M 1/00 20060101 H04M001/00 |
Claims
1. A system comprising: a broadcast radio receiving device
configured to receive and provide broadcast audio-visual signals;
and a fixed wireless terminal apparatus coupled to said broadcast
radio receiving device, said fixed wireless terminal apparatus
operating to manage and control characteristics of said broadcast
audio-visual signals.
2. The system of claim 1, wherein said broadcast radio receiving
device includes an AM/FM radio device.
3. The system of claim 2, wherein said broadcast audio-visual
signals include text messages transmitted over an FM carrier.
4. The system of claim 2, wherein said broadcast audio-visual
signals include audio signals transmitted over AM and FM
carriers.
5. The system of claim 2, wherein said broadcast audio-visual
signals include audio and/or text signals transmitted using the
Internet.
6. The system of claim 1, wherein said broadcast radio receiving
device includes a television set.
7. The system of claim 6, further comprising: a display configured
to display said broadcast audio-visual signals.
8. The system of claim 1, wherein said characteristics of said
broadcast audio-visual signals include a volume level of said
audio-visual signals.
9. The system of claim 1, wherein said characteristics of said
broadcast audio-visual signals include a carrier frequency of said
audio-visual signals.
10. A fixed wireless terminal apparatus comprising: a broadcast
radio receiving device configured to receive and provide broadcast
audio-visual signals; and a fixed wireless terminal operating to
manage and control characteristics of said broadcast audio-visual
signals, wherein said broadcast radio receiving device is
integrated into said fixed wireless terminal.
11. A method for integrating a fixed wireless terminal with a
broadcast radio receiving device, the method comprising:
configuring a broadcast radio receiving device to provide broadcast
audio-visual signals; coupling a fixed wireless terminal to said
broadcast radio receiving device; and managing and controlling
characteristics of said broadcast audio-visual signals from said
fixed wireless terminal.
12. The method of claim 11, further comprising: coupling an
audio-visual module to said fixed wireless terminal.
13. The method of claim 12, wherein said managing and controlling
includes processing the characteristics of said broadcast
audio-visual signals directed to said audio-visual module.
14. The method of claim 11, wherein said managing and controlling
includes controlling an audio portion of said audio-visual signals
so that said audio portion turns off during a phone
conversation.
15. The method of claim 11, wherein said managing and controlling
includes controlling an audio portion of said audio-visual signals
so that said audio portion turns off automatically when there is an
incoming call, an outgoing call, and/or when a handset of said
fixed wireless terminal is off the hook.
16. The method of claim 11, wherein said managing and controlling
includes controlling an audio portion of said audio-visual signals
so that the volume of said audio portion is reduced or turned off
when a phone conversation is on hold, a three-way calling is being
set up, or a call is being forwarded.
17. The method of claim 11, wherein said managing and controlling
includes controlling an audio portion of said audio-visual signals
so that said audio portion is inserted into a transmit-audio pass
of said fixed wireless terminal automatically during an on-hold
mode, when a three-way calling is being set up, or when a call
transfer is being made.
18. The method of claim 11, wherein said managing and controlling
includes controlling an audio portion of said audio-visual signals
so that said audio portion is turned on automatically to provide
special music or sound at a programmed time.
19. The method of claim 11, wherein said managing and controlling
includes determining whether said broadcast radio receiving device
is turned on.
20. The method of claim 19, further comprising determining whether
saved control parameters are available when said broadcast radio
receiving device is turned on.
21. The method of claim 20, further comprising configuring said
broadcast radio receiving device with said saved control parameters
when said saved control parameters are available.
22. The method of claim 20, further comprising configuring said
broadcast radio receiving device with default control parameters
when said saved control parameters are not available.
23. The method of claim 20, wherein said saved control parameters
include a control signal that controls said broadcast audio-visual
signals so that an audio portion of said audio-visual signal turns
off automatically when there is an incoming call.
24. The method of claim 19, further comprising determining whether
a handset of said fixed wireless terminal is off the hook.
25. The method of claim 24, further comprising determining whether
there is an incoming call on said fixed wireless terminal if said
terminal is not off the hook.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application is a continuation of co-pending U.S. patent
application Ser. No. 11/180,104, filed Jul. 12, 2005 which claims
the benefit of priority of co-pending U.S. Provisional Patent
Application Ser. No. 60/658,996 entitled "Integration of Fixed
Wireless Terminal with Broadcast Radio Receiving Devices", filed
Mar. 4, 2005. Benefit of priority of the filing dates of Mar. 4,
2005 and Jul. 12, 2005 is hereby claimed, and the disclosures of
the applications are hereby incorporated by reference.
BACKGROUND
[0002] In telecommunications, the final drop from the local
telephone exchange to a subscriber's terminal or private exchange
is known as the "local loop". Conventionally, this final drop
includes a network of copper-pair lines, which are expensive to
install and to maintain. In sparsely populated areas with low
telephone penetration, this approach is inpracticable. Wireless
Local Loop (WLL) is a recent alternative to the copper-line
network.
[0003] In WLL, a wireless system makes up all or part of the
transmission path between the subscriber and the local exchange,
and typically uses microwave, cordless or cellular technologies.
Thus, the wireless system in WLL is particularly suitable for
reducing the cost of the local loop in remote or rural areas.
However, in contrast to mobile telecommunications, fixed wireless
terminals are fixed and do not act as mobile terminals.
[0004] Typically, such a fixed wireless terminal (or WLL terminal)
includes a transceiver including an RF section for receiving and
transmitting RF signals and a baseband section for converting
between RF and baseband signals for interfacing with a subscriber
device; an interface for connecting the subscriber device to the
fixed wireless terminal; a subscriber line interface circuit for
providing network dependent characteristics such as the tones
(e.g., ringing, dial, busy signal, etc.) which, in a fixed network,
are conventionally provided by the local exchange; an external
power supply; and an antenna. The subscriber device typically
includes a telephone and/or a fax machine.
[0005] A broadcast radio receiving device, such as an AM/FM/TV
radio or television set, typically includes an antenna and a
receiver for receiving an AM/FM/TV or television signal. However,
conventional broadcast radio receiving devices are configured to be
manually tuned to receive the signal and manually adjusted to vary
audio and/or video levels.
SUMMARY
[0006] Embodiments of the present invention provide systems,
apparatuses, and methods for integrating the fixed wireless
terminal with broadcast radio receiving devices so that
characteristics of the broadcast audio/video/text signals generated
by an AM/FM/TV broadcast receiver can be controlled by the fixed
wireless terminal.
[0007] In one implementation, a system is disclosed. The system
includes: a broadcast radio receiving device configured to receive
and provide broadcast audio-visual signals; and a fixed wireless
terminal apparatus coupled to the broadcast radio receiving device,
wherein the fixed wireless terminal apparatus manages and controls
characteristics of the broadcast audio-visual signals.
[0008] In another implementation, a fixed wireless terminal
apparatus is disclosed. The apparatus includes: a broadcast radio
receiving device configured to receive and provide broadcast
audio-visual signals; and a fixed wireless terminal operating to
manage and control characteristics of the broadcast audio-visual
signals, wherein the broadcast radio receiving device is integrated
into the fixed wireless terminal.
[0009] In another implementation, a method for integrating a fixed
wireless terminal with a broadcast radio receiving device is
disclosed. The method includes: configuring a broadcast radio
receiving device to provide broadcast audio-visual signals;
coupling a fixed wireless terminal to the broadcast radio receiving
device; and managing and controlling characteristics of the
broadcast audio-visual signals from the fixed wireless
terminal.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0010] FIG. 1 illustrates a fixed wireless terminal system in which
a fixed wireless terminal apparatus is coupled to a broadcast radio
receiving device.
[0011] FIG. 2 illustrates a detailed block diagram of the fixed
wireless terminal system showing details of the fixed wireless
controller/interface module and the input/output signals between
the AM/FM/TV radio receiver and the controller interface
module.
[0012] FIG. 3 shows a method for controlling and managing
characteristics of the broadcast audio/video/text signals generated
by an AM/FM/TV broadcast receiver.
[0013] FIGS. 4A and 4B show a method for controlling and managing
characteristics of the broadcast audio/video/text signals generated
by an AM/FM/TV broadcast receiver.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0014] Embodiments of the present invention provide systems,
apparatuses, and methods for integrating the fixed wireless
terminal with broadcast radio receiving devices so that
characteristics of the broadcast audio/video/text signals generated
by an AM/FM/TV broadcast receiver can be controlled by the fixed
wireless terminal. The control signals are generated in response to
the call status (e.g., muting the signal volume when a call comes
in) of the fixed wireless terminal. Further, inputs for controlling
the audio/video/text signals can be entered through the existing
keypad on the fixed wireless terminal so that integration does not
require any hardware modification of the fixed wireless
terminal.
[0015] The term "fixed wireless terminal" as used in this
disclosure refers to a telecommunication apparatus that provides
telephone service, where all or part of the transmission path
between the subscriber and the local exchange is wireless.
Typically, the terminal provides telephone service connection so
that the subscriber device, such as a standard telephone, can be
connected to the terminal. However, in some implementations, the
terminal can be configured so that the telephone is integrated into
the terminal. Various implementations of the present invention are
illustrated in FIG. 1 through FIG. 4.
[0016] FIG. 1 illustrates a fixed wireless terminal system 100 in
which a fixed wireless terminal apparatus 110 is coupled to a
broadcast radio receiving device 160. In the illustrated example of
FIG. 1, the broadcast radio receiving device 160 is configured as
an AM/FM radio receiver coupled to the terminal 110. In this
example, the broadcast audio and/or text signals are transmitted
over AM and FM carriers. In another example, the broadcast audio
and/or text signals are transmitted using a satellite. In yet
another example, the broadcast audio and/or text signals are
transmitted using a wide-area network such as the Internet.
[0017] In another example, the broadcast radio receiving device 160
is configured as a television set coupled to the terminal 110. In
this example, the system 100 can be configured to display the video
on a display 170, or configured to output only audio from the
television set to an audio module 150.
[0018] In yet another example, the broadcast radio receiving device
160 is integrated into the fixed wireless terminal 110 as a single
unit. In yet another example, the broadcast radio receiving device
160 receives text messages over radio carriers such as an AM or FM
carrier. The text messages, sometimes referred to as tickers, can
be displayed on a display 170.
[0019] In the illustrated example of FIG. 1, the fixed wireless
terminal apparatus 110 includes a fixed wireless radio transceiver
120, a fixed wireless controller/interface module 130, a keypad
140, and an audio element 150. The keypad 140 includes numeric keys
as well as function keys. The audio element 150 includes a speaker
and a microphone. In other implementations, the keypad 140 includes
other elements such as a joystick or a jog dial; and the audio
element 150 includes other elements such as an earphone. In a
further implementation, the fixed wireless terminal apparatus 110
includes other user interface elements such as a display.
[0020] The AM/FM/TV radio receiver 160 is configured to be coupled
to the fixed wireless terminal 110 through a connector 112, which
provides signal connection between the AM/FM/TV radio receiver 160
and the fixed wireless controller/interface module 130. Thus, the
connection enables the controller/interface module 130 to control
and manage different characteristics of the broadcast audio-visual
signal from the AM/FM/TV radio receiver 160 using control signals.
Further, the controller/interface 130 can adjust the
characteristics of the broadcast audio-visual signal in response to
an indication signal from the AM/FM/TV radio receiver 160.
[0021] In another implementation, as mentioned above, the AM/FM/TV
radio receiver 160 can receive text messages (i.e., tickers) over
radio carriers such as an FM carrier and can display the tickers on
a display 170.
[0022] FIG. 2 illustrates a detailed block diagram of the fixed
wireless terminal system 100 showing details of the fixed wireless
controller/interface module 130 and the input/output signals
between the AM/FM/TV radio receiver 160 and the controller
interface module 130. Input signals include control signals
including an on/off control, a band or station select, a frequency
control, a loudness control, and a squelch setting. Output signals
include indicator signals.
[0023] In the illustrated example of FIG. 2, the
controller/interface module 130 is represented as two modules: a
modem and controller module 200 and a codec/analog switch/amplifier
module 210.
[0024] Typically, the modem enables transmission of data over
telephone lines. Furthermore, if the data to be transmitted is
processed and stored in the telephone as digital data, then the
modem operates to convert the digital data into analog form before
transmitting the data over the telephone line. The codec (i.e., the
coder/decoder) encodes or decodes a signal. For example, typical
telephones used codecs to convert tones into analog signals. The
analog switch is used to switch between modes, such as between an
input mode using a microphone 222 to an output mode using a speaker
220.
[0025] The keypad 140 provides softkey control to program the
controller 200. The softkey control allows keys on the keypad 140
to change function depending on the current task of the terminal
110. Thus, in one example, the keypad 140 is used to program the
controller 200 so that the AM/FM/TV radio receiver 160 is turned on
at a programmed time. The use of the keypad 140 on the fixed
wireless terminal 110 allows control and integration of the
AM/FM/TV radio receiver 160 with the fixed wireless terminal 110
without any substantial hardware design change. Only firmware of
the fixed wireless terminal 110 needs to be modified.
[0026] Although the illustrated implementation of FIG. 2 shows the
keypad 140, the display 170, the speaker 220, and the microphone
222 as being part of the fixed wireless terminal 110, the modules
140, 170, 220, 222 can be shared with the AM/FM/TV broadcast
receiver 160. For example, the keypad 140 can be used to tune the
receiver 160 to a desired station; the display 170 can be used to
display the video portion of the receiver 160; the speaker 220 can
be used to output the audio portion of the receiver 160; and the
microphone 222 can be used to input voice signal into the receiver
160.
[0027] In another example, the controller 200 is programmed to
control the volume from the AM/FM/TV radio receiver 160. Therefore,
controlling and managing different characteristics of the broadcast
audio/video/text signal involves programming the modem/controller
module 200 using the keypad 140 so that the module 200 generates
"smart" control signals. These "smart" control signals are derived
from control parameters that direct the codec/analog
switch/amplifier module 210 to control and adjust the
characteristics of the broadcast audio/video/text signal received
at the codec/analog switch/amplifier module 210. The module 210
then receives or transmits the result to the elements, such as a
speaker 220, a microphone 222, and a display 170, and controls the
characteristics of the received or transmitted audio/video/text
signals. For example, a control parameter directs the codec/analog
switch/amplifier module 210 to decrease the volume level of the
audio signal when an incoming call is detected.
[0028] FIG. 3 shows a method for integrating a fixed wireless
terminal with a broadcast radio receiving device. The method
includes configuring the broadcast radio receiving device to
provide broadcast audio-visual signals, at 300. The fixed wireless
terminal is coupled to the broadcast radio receiving device, at
302. Then, at 304, characteristics of the broadcast audio-visual
signals are managed and controlled.
[0029] FIGS. 4A and 4B show a method for controlling and managing
characteristics of the broadcast audio/video/text signals generated
by an AM/FM/TV broadcast receiver 160. Initially, the status of the
AM/FM/TV receiver 160 is determined at 400. If it is determined, at
402, that the receiver 160 is on, then a determination is made, at
404, whether saved control parameters are available. If the saved
control parameters are available, then the receiver 160 is
configured with the saved control parameters, at 406. Otherwise if
the saved control parameters are not available, then the receiver
160 is configured with the default parameters, at 408.
[0030] Further, a determination is made, at 410, whether the
handset of the terminal 110 is off the hook. If the handset is off
the hook, then the current parameters of the receiver 160 are
saved, at 412, and the audio/video/text of the receiver is set to
the "off-the-hook" level, at 414. For example, if the handset is
off the hook, the volume of the receiver 160 is set to the
"off-the-hook" level of "low". Otherwise, if the handset is not off
the hook, a check is made, at 416, to determine if there is an
incoming call. If there is an incoming call, then the current
parameters of the receiver 160 are saved as last saved parameters,
at 418, and the receiver 160 is configured for an incoming call
state with appropriate control parameters, at 420. Otherwise, if
there is no incoming call, then the receiver 160 is reset with the
last saved parameters, at 422.
[0031] An example of a "smart" control signal derived from the
control parameter includes a control signal that controls the
broadcast audio signal so that the audio signal turns off during a
phone conversation. Another example of a "smart" control signal
includes a control signal that controls the broadcast audio signal
so that the audio signal turns off automatically when there is an
incoming call, an outgoing call, and/or when the handset is off the
hook.
[0032] Another example of a "smart" control signal includes a
control signal that controls the broadcast audio signal so that the
volume of the audio signal is reduced or turned off when the phone
conversation is on hold, a three-way calling is being set up, or a
call is being forwarded. Another example of a "smart" control
signal includes a control signal that controls the broadcast audio
signal so that the audio signal is inserted into the transmit-audio
pass of the fixed wireless terminal automatically or manually
during an on-hold mode, when a three-way calling is being set up,
or when a call transfer is being made. Another example of a "smart"
control signal includes a control signal that controls the
broadcast audio signal so that the audio signal is used as a ring
tone automatically or manually. Another example of a "smart"
control signal includes a control signal that controls the
broadcast audio signal so that the audio signal is used as a ringer
sound or other alert sound according to the user's set up. Another
example of a "smart" control signal includes a control signal that
controls the broadcast audio signal so that the audio signal is
turned on automatically to generate alert sound per timer setup
programmed by the user. Another example of a "smart" control signal
includes a control signal that controls the broadcast audio signal
so that the audio signal is turned on automatically to provide
special music or sound (e.g., a religious music) at a programmed
time.
[0033] Other examples of "smart" control signals include a control
signal that controls the broadcast video signal so that the
displayed video signal is silhouetted when an incoming call, an
outgoing call, and/or a handset-off-the-hook signal is detected,
and caller identification information is to be displayed on top of
the displayed video signal.
[0034] Various implementations of the invention are realized in
electronic hardware, computer software, or combinations of these
technologies. Most implementations include one or more computer
programs executed by a programmable computer. For example, in one
implementation, the method for controlling and managing
characteristics of the broadcast audio/video/text signals generated
by an AM/FM/TV broadcast receiver includes one or more computers
executing software implementing the control and management
processes. In general, each computer includes one or more
processors, one or more data-storage components (e.g., volatile or
non-volatile memory modules and persistent optical and magnetic
storage devices, such as hard and floppy disk drives, CD-ROM
drives, and magnetic tape drives), one or more input devices (e.g.,
mice and keyboards), and one or more output devices (e.g., display
consoles and printers).
[0035] The computer programs include executable code that is
usually stored in a persistent storage medium and then copied into
memory at run-time. The processor executes the code by retrieving
program instructions from memory in a prescribed order. When
executing the program code, the computer receives data from the
input and/or storage devices, performs operations on the data, and
then delivers the resulting data to the output and/or storage
devices.
[0036] Various illustrative implementations of the present
invention have been described. However, one of ordinary skill in
the art will see that additional implementations are also possible
and within the scope of the present invention. For example, while
the above description describes several examples for controlling
and managing characteristics of the broadcast audio signal,
characteristics of other broadcast signals such as video and text
signals can be controlled and managed by the controller in the
fixed wireless terminal.
[0037] Accordingly, the present invention is not limited to only
those implementations described above.
* * * * *