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Mobile Phone Patent Abstract
The mobile phone switchboard is a central unit, which operates as
a mobile phone which is attached to other internal units 1, 2, 3,
. . . 9 or more. It is similar to the usual mobile phone handsets
and it is equipped with 4 illuminating lights (Inq., Tran., I, II).
With the mobile phone switchboard it becomes possible to third party
to operate mobile phones. (such as disabled people or even more
children and so on), with controlled operation costs. At anytime
parents are able to communicate with their children and vice versa,
with controlled cost via the central unit. Additionally the mobile
phone switchboard has the following specifications: 1. Modification
of the central unit to operate in Direct Inward Dialing (D.I.D.)
for higher benefit of the mobile phone network. 2. Call transfer
to other telephone units/numbers. 3. Simultaneous conversation with
several calls.
Mobile Phone Patent Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A method for selectably controlling connections between a plurality
of mobile telephones and a telephone network comprising the steps
of:
providing a phone controller comprising a first mobile phone;
providing a plurality of secondary mobile phones, each one of said
secondary phones being switchable between a first outgoing state
wherein said secondary phone can place calls to said network and
a second outgoing state wherein said secondary phone is blocked
from placing calls to said network and being switchable between
a first incoming state wherein said secondary phone can receive
calls from said network and a second incoming state wherein said
secondary phone is blocked from receiving calls from said network;
and,
using said controller:
to independently control said incoming and outgoing states of said
secondary mobile phones;
to receive incoming calls for said secondary phones in second incoming
state and selectively route said received calls to one of said secondary
phones; and,
to receive outgoing calls from said secondary phones in said second
outgoing state and selectively connect said received calls to said
network.
2. The method of claim 1 wherein the step of using said controller
to independently control the incoming and outgoing states of said
secondary mobile phones comprises the step of actuating a first
button means on said phone controller.
3. The method of claim 1 wherein the step of using said controller
to independently control the incoming and outgoing states of said
secondary mobile phones comprises the step of selecting an option
from a menu on said phone controller.
4. The method of claim 1 wherein the step of using said controller
to receive incoming calls for said secondary phones in said second
incoming state and selectively route said received calls to one
of said secondary phones comprises the step of actuating a second
button means on said phone controller.
5. The method of claim 4 wherein said phone includes a first indicator
for indicating that a first call has been received at said controller
and a second indicator for indicating that a second call has been
received at said controller.
6. The method of claim 1 wherein the step of using said controller
to receive incoming calls for said secondary phones in said second
incoming state and selectively route said received calls to one
of said secondary phones comprises the step of selecting an option
from a menu on said phone controller.
7. A mobile phone control system for selectably controlling connections
between a plurality of mobile telephones and a telephone network
comprising:
a phone controller comprising a first mobile phone;
a plurality of secondary mobile phones, each one of said secondary
phones being switchable between a first outgoing state wherein said
secondary phone can place calls to said network and a second outgoing
state wherein said secondary phone is blocked from placing calls
to said network and being switchable between a first incoming state
wherein said secondary phone can receive calls from said network
and a second incoming state wherein said secondary phone is blocked
from receiving calls from said network; and,
wherein said controller functions to:
independently control said incoming and outgoing states of said
secondary mobile phones;
receive incoming calls for said secondary phones in said second
incoming state and selectively route said received calls to one
of said secondary phones; and,
receive outgoing calls from said secondary phones in said second
outgoing state and selectively connect said received calls to said
network.
8. The system of claim 7 wherein said controller comprises a first
button means for controlling the incoming and outgoing states of
said secondary mobile phones.
9. The system of claim 7 wherein said controller comprises menu
means for allowing a user to control the incoming and outgoing states
of said secondary mobile phones.
10. The system of claim 7 wherein said controller comprises a second
button means for selectively routing said received calls to one
of said secondary phones.
11. The system of claim 10 wherein said phone controller includes
a first indicator for indicating that a first call has been received
at said controller and a second indicator for indicating that a
second call has been received at said controller.
12. The system of claim 7 wherein said controller comprises menu
means for allowing a user to selectively route said received calls
to one of said secondary phones.
13. The system of claim 7 wherein said phone controller includes
display means for displaying information on the length or cost of
a call to or from one of said secondary phones.
14. The system of claim 7 wherein said phone controller includes
display means for displaying information on the incoming state status
and outgoing state status of said secondary phones.
15. The system of claim 7 wherein said phone controller includes
display means for displaying information identifying the secondary
phone to which a particular received call is directed.
16. A method for selectably controlling the cost of connecting
a plurality of mobile telephones to a telephone network comprising
the steps of:
providing a phone controller comprising a first mobile phone;
providing a plurality of secondary mobile phones, each one of said
secondary phones being switchable between a first outgoing state
wherein said secondary phone can place calls to said network and
incur network charges and a second outgoing state wherein said secondary
phone is blocked from placing calls to said network and blocked
from incurring network charges and being switchable between a first
incoming state wherein said secondary phone can receive calls from
said network and a second incoming state wherein said secondary
phone is blocked from receiving calls from said network; and,
using said controller:
to control network charges incurred by said plurality of secondary
mobile phones by independently controlling said incoming and outgoing
states of said secondary mobile phones;
to receive incoming calls for said secondary phones in second incoming
state and selectively route said received calls to one of said secondary
phones; and,
to receive outgoing calls from said secondary phones in said second
outgoing state and selectively connect said received calls to said
network.
17. The system of claim 16 wherein said plurality of secondary
phones are blocked from incurring network charges when in said second
incoming state.
Mobile Phone Patent Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to a mobile phone unit and, more particularly,
a mobile phone unit having a keyboard for dialing, registering,
selection of the operation menus of the unit, and a screen, aerial,
and rechargeable battery.
2. Related Art
Many kinds and configurations of mobile phones are known in the
art. A typical mobile phone, however, is loaded with a secret PIN
code, for example "5555", and a calling code, for example
"094-802350. Use of this typical mobile phone is restricted
to only one person at a time. This results in a high fixed operational
cost. On the other hand, control on the cost is maintained by the
person who operates the phone.
The factors identified above result in a number of shortcomings,
one being that the device cannot be used by a third party such as,
for example, a disabled person and child, with external control
of the operational costs.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In view of the above-identified needs and shortcomings in the prior
art, a first embodiment of the present invention is a method for
selectably controlling connections between a plurality of mobile
telephones and a telephone network. The method of the first embodiment
begins with providing a phone controller comprising a first mobile
phone, and a plurality of secondary mobile phones, each one of the
secondary phones being switchable between a first outgoing state,
in which it can place calls to the network and a second outgoing
state, in which the secondary phone is blocked from placing calls
to the network. Each of the secondary phones is switchable between
a first incoming state, in which the phone can receive calls from
the network and a second incoming state, in which the phone is blocked
from receiving calls from the network.
The method of the first embodiment then selectively performs the
following steps, by receiving user commands at the provided phone
controller:
(a) independently controlling the incoming and outgoing states
of the secondary mobile phones;
(b) receiving incoming calls for the secondary phones in the second
incoming state and selectively routing the received calls to one
of the secondary mobile phones; and,
(c) receiving outgoing calls from the secondary mobile phones in
the second outgoing state and selectively connecting the received
calls to the network.
Further embodiments of the first method carry out the step of using
the phone controller to independently control the incoming and outgoing
states of the secondary mobile phones by detecting an actuating
of a first button means on the phone controller, and carry out the
step of using the phone controller to independently control the
incoming and outgoing states of the secondary mobile phones by displaying
a menu on the phone controller and detecting entry of a selection
command corresponding to the menu.
Still further embodiments carry out the step of using the phone
controller to receive incoming calls for the secondary mobile phones
in the second incoming state and selectively routing the received
calls to one of the secondary mobile phones by detecting an actuating
of a second button means on the phone controller.
A further embodiment of the present invention is a mobile phone
control system for selectably controlling connections between a
plurality of mobile telephones and a telephone network. The system
according to this embodiment includes a central unit comprising
a first mobile phone, and a plurality of secondary mobile phones.
Each of the secondary phones is switchable between a first outgoing
state and a second outgoing state. In the first outgoing state the
secondary phone can place calls to the network. In the second outgoing
state the secondary phone is blocked from placing calls to the network.
Each of the secondary phones is also switchable between a first
incoming state and a second incoming state. In the first incoming
state, the secondary phone can receive calls from the network. In
the second incoming state, the secondary mobile phone is blocked
from receiving calls from the network. The central unit mobile phone
thereby controls the incoming and outgoing states of each of the
secondary mobile phones, receives incoming calls for the secondary
phones that are in the first incoming state and selectively routes
the received calls to one of the secondary mobile phones. In addition,
the central unit mobile phone receives outgoing calls from the secondary
mobile phones in the second outgoing state and selectively connects
the received calls to the network.
Referring to FIG. 1, the central unit may be in accordance with
current conventional mobile phone devices, with an additional plurality
of, for example four illuminated buttons, labeled, for example as
Inq., Tran., I, II.
The Inq. button of this example initiates an Inquiry operation.
The Inquiry function blocks every incoming call, and enables the
user to:
a. Change the communication of the calls.
b. Pick a new number of a connected phone unit or another mobile
or conventional (wired) telephone number.
The Tran. button of this example initiates a Transfer operation,
which transfers incoming calls to an internal or external phone
unit that the user has selected.
The button I of this example illuminates in response to receiving
the first incoming or outgoing call.
The button II of this example illuminates in response to receiving
the second incoming or outgoing call concurrent with the first call.
The mobile phone switchboards having the above-described button-operated
functions provide each of the following features and benefits:
1. Handling a conversation with more than one internal or external
telephone lines.
2. Receiving and transferring, if desired, calls from internal
phone units such as, for example, Internal Unit Nos. 1, 2, 3, .
. . 9, or other mobile or conventional telephone numbers.
3. Selecting the internal phone units that can directly accept
incoming calls, where "directly" means not through the
central switchboard phone.
4. Selecting which of the internal units, if any, that remain available
to communicate with other internal or external phone units, without
having to communicate through the central switchboard phone.
5. Cutting off all communications to and from all connected units
by operating the Off button on the central unit.
6. Displaying on the central unit the following:
a. The identifying number of the internal unit that is engaged.
b. The total cost of the call.
The mobile switchboard in accordance with the present invention
extends the use of mobile phones to third parties, meaning parties
other than the party legally responsible for the bill, such as disabled
people and children, by providing a control for the phone operation
cost. Parents can thus communicate at anytime with their children,
and vice versa, with controlled cost through the central unit.
The present invention thereby provides an opportunity for the mobile
phone businesses, including manufacturers, to increase their business
by introducing new products in their range, such as portable switching
handsets or switchboards of mobile phones. In addition, the existing
base of mobile phones can be used as internal units or stand alone
units.
Further, the present invention increases the efficiency in the
use of the existing telephone network, and lowers the operating
cost, by introducing a multiple connection point of mobile phone
units. In other words, this invention provides multiple use of mobile
phones via one or more numbers. The present invention thereby enables
an increased number of users and an increased market for mobile
phones.
The present invention provides reduced operation costs for consumers,
i.e., the fixed cost for the central unit plus a small fee for any
extra unit attached to it.
Numerous other features, objects and advantages of the invention
will become apparent from the following description when read in
conjunction with the accompanying drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 shows an example keypad of a central unit in accordance
with the present invention; and
FIG. 2 shows an example block flow chart of a central unit controlling
incoming calls according to the method of the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Referring to FIGS. 1-2, an example method according to the present
invention will be described. For this example, there will be a Central
Unit and nine Internal Units, each having a corresponding PIN and
Dialing Number as illustrated below.
MOBILE PHONE SWITCHBOARD PIN DIALING NUMBER Central Unit 5550 094-802380
Internal Unit No. 1 5551 094-802381 Internal Unit No. 2 5552 094-802382
. . . . . . . . . Internal Unit No. 9 5559 094-802389
The Central Unit is a mobile phone. The Internal Unit Nos. 1-9
may be mobile phones or conventional wired telephones.
INCOMING CALL
Referring to FIG. 2, the example embodiment routs incoming calls
as follows:
As shown in step 100, regardless of which of the above-listed DIALING
NUMBERS that is called, i.e., if any of 094-802380 . . . 094-802389
are called, the incoming call passes through the Central Unit i.e.
switchboard (dialing number 094-802380).
Referring to step 102, if the Central Unit operator wishes to transfer
the incoming call to any of the Internal Units, i.e., Internal Units
1-9, he or she presses the button Inq., and then goes to step 104
and selects the number of the unit or the phone number to which
he or she wishes to transfer the call (for example internal Unit
No. 3, 094-802383) and then at step 106 transfers the call by pressing
the button Tran.
Referring to step 108, through the Menu button, by pressing, for
example the No. 2 button, followed by pressing, at step 110, any
button between, for example, Nos. 0 and 9, the Central Unit can
put, as shown at step 112, any Internal Unit into a Direct Inward
Dialing (D.I.D.) mode, i.e. the Central Unit can allow free access
to the telephone network to as many Internal Units as it wishes,
e.g., from No. 1 to . . . No. 9, thereby allowing those units to
receive direct calls directly without going through the Central
Unit.
Example:
1. The user of the central Unit presses the button Menu, followed
by the button sequence "21" to provide direct access to
Internal Unit No. 1.
2. The user of the central Unit presses the button Menu, followed
by the button sequence "22" to provide direct access to
Internal Unit No. 2.
3) The user of the Central Unit presses the button Menu, followed
by the button sequence "29" to provide direct access to
Internal Unit No. 9.
4) The user of the Central Unit presses the button Menu, followed
by the button sequence "20" to provide direct access to
all Internal Units.
In this way the users of the Internal Units can directly select
the unit on which he or she wishes to be connected. (For example
Unit No. 3 calls 094-802383.)
OUTGOING CALL
The example embodiment routes of outgoing calls are as follows:
All the Internal Units initially communicate through the Central
Unit (dialing number 094-802380). The Central Unit can transfer
the call to another internal Unit or telephone number by pressing
the buttons Inq., for inquiry, & Tran. for transfer, as in the
example 1.a
Through the Menu button, as in example No. 3 for incoming calls
described above, the Central Unit can allow as many Internal Units
as the user wishes, starting from No. 1 through, for example, No.
9, to make direct calls that are not controlled by the Central Unit.
Example:
1) The user of the Central Unit presses the button Menu and the
button sequence "31" to let the Internal Unit No. 1 make
outgoing calls.
2) The user of the Central Unit presses the button Menu and the
button sequence "32" to let the Internal Unit No. 2 make
outgoing calls.
3) The user of the Central Unit presses the button Menu and the
button sequence "39" to let the Internal Unit No. 9 make
outgoing calls.
4) The user of the Central Unit presses the button Menu and the
button sequence "30" to let all the Internal Units which,
in the example embodiment would be Internal Unit Nos. 1 though 9,
attached to the Central Unit make outgoing calls.
As seen from the description above, the user of the Central Unit
can press Menu No. 2 and Menu No. 3 to block or let through incoming
or outgoing calls, or both, to pre-selected internally attached
units. For example, by pressing Menu and then pressing the button
sequence "23", and then pressing Menu followed by the
button sequence "33", Internal Unit No. 3 becomes autonomous
to incoming or outgoing calls.
CONVERSATION WITH MORE THAN ONE CALL
With the first incoming call, button I on the central Unit illuminates.
If there is a second call then button II also illuminates. If the
user of the Central Unit does not want to speak with incoming call
No. 1, but wishes to speak with incoming call No. 2, he or she presses
button Inq. to block incoming call No. 1 and then presses the button
II to speak with the 2.sup.nd call.
If the user wishes to return to call No. 1, he or she presses the
button Inq., blocks the 2.sup.nd call and, by pressing the button
I, speaks to the 1.sup.st call.
If he or she wishes to keep the 1.sup.st line and speak with a
new line, he or she presses the button Inq., which blocks the 1.sup.st
line, and then selects the new number of the line with which he
or she wishes to speak.
PREVIOUS SITUATION
The mobile phone switchboard is an extension in the use of mobile
phone handsets which consists of keyboards for dialing and registering,
selection of the operation menus of the unit, display, aerial and
rechargeable battery. Equipment of such type is already known. These
devices are loaded with a secret PIN code, for example 5555, and
a calling code for example 094-802350. Use of this device is restricted
to only one person at a time, therefore resulting to a high fixed
operation cost and on the other hand control on the cost of use
can only be performed by the person which operates it. The above
results to the fact that this device cannot be used by third party,
such as disabled people or children and so on, with controlled operation
costs.
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