Wireless remote controlled handset lifter system using magnetically coupled ring detection
AssigneeGN Netcom A/S
InventorsRobert E. Lucey, Joseph L. Freni, Jr., Stephen R. Lyman
Life of this patent
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Abstract
An automatic handset lifter is used with a wireless communication system. The system attaches to a conventional telephone and creates a communication link between the telephone and a portable device such as a wireless headset. The system automatically detects the ringing of the telephone by sensing magnetic fields of the telephone speaker. Upon ring detection, the system creates a communications link with the remote device and deploys a mechanical lifting device to lift the handset. Lifting the handset activates the telephone cradle switch to answer the phone and thereby allows the remote device to communicate over the telephone.
Claims9
A base unit apparatus affixable to a telephone set, for lifting a telephone handset, the telephone set having a speaker, the base unit apparatus comprising:
- a sensing plate having an aperture:
- a magnetic coil sildeably disposed in the aperture of the sensing plate, the magnetic coil movable so it can be placed in approximate in axial alignment with the speaker to detect electromagnet flux - from a ring signal of the speaker;
- a lifting arm movably attached to the base unit, the lifting arm including a lifting member extending over a top surface of the sensing plate, the lifting arm movable so that at least the lifting member is movable substantially upwards from the sensing plate;
- said sensing plate includes an adjuster capable of receiving said coil for slideable alignment with the speaker;
- a drive connected to the lifting arm, an actuation of the drive initiating a movement of the lifting arm;
- and
- a control circuit coupled to the magnetic coil and the motor to automatically move the lifting arm upon the detection of the ring signal.
A base unit apparatus for lifting a telephone handset of a telephone set having a speaker, the base unit apparatus comprising:
- a sensing plate having a void;
- a magnetic coil movable so it can be placed in approximate in axial alignment with the speaker to detect EMF from a ring signal of the speaker;
- a lifting arm movably attached to the base unit, the lifting arm including a lifting member extending over a top surface of the sensing plate, the lifting arm movable so that at least the lifting member is
- movable substantially upwards from the sensing plate;
- a drive connected to the lifting arm, an actuation of the drive initiating a movement of the lifting arm;
- and
- a control circuit coupled to the magnetic coil and the motor to automatically move the lifting arm upon the detection of the ring signal and, wherein the control circuit further comprises a calibration circuit having a adjuster and a readout, the adjuster providing a sensitivity adjustment of the magnetic detector so that the readout gives an indication of the ring of the speaker being detected.
A base unit apparatus for lifting a telephone handset of a telephone set having a speaker, the base unit apparatus comprising:
- a sensing plate having a void;
- a magnetic coil movable so it can be placed in approximate in axial alignment with the speaker to detect EMF from a ring signal of the speaker;
- a lifting arm movably attached to the base unit, the lifting arm including a lifting member extending over a top surface of the sensing plate, the lifting arm movable so that at least the lifting member is movable substantially upwards from the sensing plate;
- a drive connected to the lifting arm, an actuation of the drive initiating a movement of the lifting arm;
- and
- a control circuit coupled to the magnetic coil and the motor to automatically move the lifting arm upon the detection of the ring signal, and wherein the lifting arm comprises a sensing arm member and a travel limit, the sensing arm member movable proximate the at least one limit sensor at the travel limit of the lifting arm.
A non-audible method of detecting a telephone ring made by a ring-sound transducer of the telephone, the method comprising;
- locating a non-audio sensor proximate the transducer capable of receiving, fields generated by said transducer, slidably positioning an EMF sensor generally proximate the transducer along a path provided to accommodate variations in the position of the transducer on the telephone, sensing a variation in such produced waves emanating from the transducer to detect a potential ring signal;
- timing the sensed variation in the field to measure the time from the start of one ring pulse to the next ring pulse of the potential ring signal;
- and
- initiating a ring detected signal greater than a predetermined value.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.