United States Patent [19]
`Akahane
`
`USOO569706OA
`[11] Patent Number:
`[45] Date of Patent:
`
`5,697,060
`Dec. 9, 1997
`
`llllllllllllllllllllllllllllllll?llllllllllllllllllllllll
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`[54] PORTABLE VOICE MESSAGE TERMINAL
`CAPABLE OF TRANSMITTING PRE-SET
`TEXT'BASED INFORMATION
`
`p'l'm’y Emmin"—kcinhard 1' Eisempf
`Assistant Examiner-Philip J. Sobutka
`.
`.
`Attorney, Agent, or F:ma—L1se A. Rode. Esq.; Pasquale
`Musacchio. Esq.; Jerry A. Miller
`
`[75] Inventor: Masaaki Akahane. Mahwah, NJ.
`
`{73] Assignees: Sony corpom?olh T0k¥°~ Japan; S011)’
`Electronics Inc, Park Ridge. NJ.
`
`[21] App 1' No‘: 622512
`_
`_
`Mar’ 25’ 1996
`[22] Elm‘
`[51] Int. Cl.6 ..................................................... .. H04Q 7/08
`
`-
`
`[52] ‘1.5. CI. ........................... .. 455/381; 455/89; 455/95;
`455/223; 340/325-44
`455/38 1 38 2
`
`[58] Field of Search
`
`_
`455/73’ 89’ 91’ 95’ 228’ 340/82544‘ 825'“
`
`[56]
`
`References Cited
`
`U_S_ PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`8/1976 Sebestyen ........................ .. IMO/825.44
`3,976,995
`8/1987 Smith et a1. .
`.. 340/82544 X
`4,684,941
`4,885,577 12/1989 Nelson
`IMO/825.44
`5,073,972 12/1991 Tendler et al. ....................... .. 455/382
`
`ABSTRACT
`[571
`A portable wireless voice message transmitter over packet
`switched network for transmitting a voice message is pro
`vided. The transmitter is capable of transmitting a voice
`message and text-based information when a user makes an
`emergency call to a special address with which the text
`based information is associated. The transmitter includes
`text-based information setting circuit for setting text-based
`information. a ?rst memory for storing the text-based
`infomm?om a Special address Setting circuit for setting a
`special address which is associated with the text-based
`infgfmatjon and a sccond memory for storing the, spacial
`address. The transmitter also includes a microphone for
`inputting a voice message, a third memory for storing the
`voice message, a destination setting circuit for setting a
`destination. a transmission start key operable by a user for
`generating a transmission start signal and a transmitter
`circuit responsive to the transmission start signal for trans
`mitting the voice message stored to the destination address.
`When the destination address is coincident with the special
`address stored in the ?rst memory. the transmitter circuit
`transmits the text-based information as well as the voice
`message to the destination address so that the message
`recipient receives both the voice massage and the tcxpbascd
`infom?on.
`
`5 Claims, 5 Drawing Sheets
`
`STEP 11
`
`INPUT VOICE MESSAGE
`
`STE"?
`
`[s
`VOICE MESSAGE
`OK?
`
`STEP 15
`
`STEP 16
`
`STEP 17
`
`STEPla
`
`BHREVEVUCEMESQAEE
`
`Google Ex. 1122, pg. 1
`
`

`

`US. Patent
`
`Dec. 9, 1997
`
`Sheet 1 of 5
`
`5,697,060
`
`FIG. 1
`
`Google Ex. 1122, pg. 2
`
`

`

`US. Patent
`
`Dec. 9, 1997
`
`Sheet 2 of 5
`
`5,697,060
`
`17
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`FIG. 2
`
`Google Ex. 1122, pg. 3
`
`

`

`US. Patent
`
`Dec. 9, 1997
`
`Sheet 3 of 5
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`5,697,060
`
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`Google Ex. 1122, pg. 4
`
`

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`U.S. Patent
`
`Dec. 9, 1997
`
`Sheet 4 of 5
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`5,697,060
`
`STEP1
`
`INPUTTEXT INFO.
`
`STEP 2
`
`IS
`TEXT INFO. OK?
`
`Y
`
`STEP 3 STORE TEXT INFO.
`
`STEP 4 SET EMERGENCY ADDRESS
`
`STEP 5
`
`EMERGENCY ADDRESS
`
`PUTTEXT ID FLAG TO
`STEP 6 EMERGENCYADDRESSIISTOHE
`
`@ED
`
`FIG. 4
`
`Google Ex. 1122, pg. 5
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Dec. 9, 1997
`
`Sheet 5 of 5
`
`5,697,060
`
`STEP 11
`
`INPUT VOICE MESSAGE
`
`STEP 12
`
`STEP 13
`
`STEP 14
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`STEP 15
`
`PUSH SEND KEY
`
`STEP 16
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`STEP 17
`
`ONE
`OF EMERGENCY
`ADDRESSES?
`N
`
`RETRIEVETEXT INFO
`
`STEP 18
`
`V
`HETRIEVE VOlCE MESSAGE
`
`STEP 19
`
`v
`TRANSMIT
`
`FIG. 5
`
`1!
`END
`
`Google Ex. 1122, pg. 6
`
`

`

`5.697.060
`
`1
`PORTABLE VOICE MESSAGE TERMINAL
`CAPABLE OF TRANSMITTING PRE-SET
`TEXT-BASED INFORMATION
`
`BACKGROUND
`1. Field of the Invention
`This invention relates to a wireless voice messaging
`system for transmitting a voice message signal over packet
`switched network. More particularly. this invention relates
`to a wireless voice messaging system for transmitting a
`voice message signal and a text-based information signal at
`the same time when a user sends the voice message to a
`special address such as an emergency number.
`2. Background of the Invention
`Personal communication systems for enabling users to
`communicate with each other have become popular in the
`recent years. While in the past such systems have generally
`been realized using analog technology, it is desirable to
`instead use digital processing in order to use limited fre
`quency resources more e?iciently as well as reduce signal
`distortion and degradation and thus improve the overall
`quality of the voice signal.
`In general, in a digital cellular telephone system for
`transmitting and receiving digital voice signals. an input
`voice signal is digitized and encoded to speech parameters.
`A variety of speech encoding/decoding methods have been
`known for processing digital voice signals. For example.
`MBE (Multi Band Excitation), SBE (Single Band
`Excitation). SBC (Sub-Band Coding). Harmonic Coding.
`LPC (Linear Predictive Coding). DCT (Discrete Cosine
`Transform). MDCT (Modi?ed DCT) and FPT (Fast Fourier
`Transform) have been known as such a encoding/decoding
`method. In addition. CELP (Code Excited Linear
`Prediction), VSELP (Vector Sum Excited Linear
`Prediction). PSI-CELP (Pitch Synchronous Innovation—
`CELP) and RPE-LTP (Regular Pulse Excitation—Long
`Term Prediction) have also become known as a speech
`encoding method for digital cellular telephone systems.
`Such a digital cellular telephone system is called a circuit
`switched communication and two or more users can inter
`actively communicate with each other in realtime. During
`the interactive communication. a signal line is physically
`established exclusively for the communicating users. The
`cellular telephone system is relatively expensive because the
`users are charged for the exclusive use of the channel. for
`example, per minute basis. Even when a user just wants to
`send a simple voice message for a short period. the service
`takes a high charge for using a cellular network in conjunc
`tion with PSTN (Public Switch Telephone Network).
`Unlike a cellular telephone system for a realtime
`communication. packet switched communication systems
`are also known. Packet switched communication systems
`are considered as non-realtime communication systems. One
`of the non-realtime communication systems is a one-way
`pager which is capable of receiving a text-based (either
`numeric or alphabetical) short message. A two-way pager
`terminal is also known for providing limited capability of
`transmitting and full capability of receiving a text-based
`short message. For the non-realtime communication system.
`there is no need to establish an exclusive channel between
`the communicating users. Therefore. the charge for the
`system is based on the amount of data transmitted. for
`example. per byte basis. Such a pager system can handle
`only a text-based message.
`In the more distant future. however. two-way voice mes
`saging terminals over packet switched network are planned
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`to be commercially introduced. In such two-way voice
`messaging systems. it is anticipated that a user will be able
`to transmit a voice message to a receiving terminal which.
`in turn. will have the capability of responding to such
`transmitting terminals with a voice message response.
`However. users of such a voice messaging system are able
`to send a relatively short message only. for example.
`IO-second voice message, due to a limited storage capacity
`of a memory for storing the voice message as well as
`expensive air charge. Such a short talk time is sometimes not
`long enough. Especially. in case of an emergency call such
`as a call to a police station or a call to a road assistance
`service. users must inform the call recipient of various
`information within a restricted amount of time. Such various
`information may include not only the current emergency
`situation and location but also some basic information such
`as the caller's name. address. telephone number. driver’s
`license number. membership identi?cation. health/medical
`conditions and so on. Under the pressure caused by the
`emergency occurrence. the user cannot be expected to
`communicate all necessary information accurately and con
`cisely in a short talk time.
`It would be desirable. therefore. for the user sending the
`voice message to have the capability of sending all neces
`sary information even under the emergency situation.
`
`SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
`Accordingly. it is one object of the present invention to
`provide a wireless two-way voice messaging system over
`packet switched network. which system is capable of trans
`mitting a voice message and other basic information about
`the user who transmits the voice message.
`It is another object of the present invention to provide a
`wireless two-way voice messaging system which enables the
`user to send a voice message and a preset text-based
`information when the user makes a call to a special address
`such as an emergency number.
`In accordance with the present invention. there is pro
`vided a portable voice mes sage transmitter capable of trans
`mitting a voice message as well as text-based information
`when a user makes a call to a special address with which the
`stored text-based information is associated. The transmitter
`includes a text-based information setting circuit for setting
`text-based information. a ?rst memory for storing the text
`based information. a special address setting circuit for
`setting a special address which is associated with the text
`based information and a second memory for storing the
`special address. The transmitter also includes a microphone
`for inputting a voice message. a third memory for storing the
`voice message, a destination setting circuit for setting a
`destination address. a send key operable by a user for
`generating a send signal and a transmitting circuit respon
`sive to the send signal for transmitting the voice message to
`the destination address. When the destination address is
`coincident with the special address stored in the ?rst
`memory. the transmitting circuit transmits the text-based
`information as well as the voice message to the destination
`address so that the message recipient receives both the voice
`message and the text-based information.
`In accordance with the present invention. when the user of
`the transmitter makes a call to a special address such as an
`emergency number. he only needs to send a brief voice
`message describing the current situation. Other basic i'hfor
`mation such as his full name. address and so on is auto
`matically transmitted to the special address in the form of
`text-based information.
`
`Google Ex. 1122, pg. 7
`
`

`

`3
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`FIG. 1 shows a wireless two-way voice messaging system
`over packet switched network. to which system the present
`invention applies.
`FIG. 2 shows a voice message transmitter/receiver termi
`nal according to the present invention.
`FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing an embodiment of
`internal circuits included in a voice message transmitter/
`receiver terminal according to the present invention.
`FIG. 4 is a ?ow-chart to explain the steps of setting
`text-based information associated with a special address.
`FIG. 5 is a ?ow-chart to explain the steps of sending a
`voice message and text-based information.
`
`DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE
`PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
`Referring to the accompanying drawings. an embodiment
`of the voice message transmitter/receiver according to the
`present invention will be described hereinafter.
`FIG. 1 shows a wireless voice messaging system to which
`the present invention applies. Portable radio transmitter!
`receiver terminals 1-1. 1-2 and 1-3 are provided for users. If
`a user of terminal 1-1 wants to send a voice message to a
`user of terminal 1-2. the user of terminal 1-1 inputs a voice
`message through a microphone and sets a destination
`address specifying terminal 1-2 as a destination. Terminal
`1-1 encodes the input voice message and transmits an
`encoded message as well as the destination address to a base
`station 2-1 which covers an area where terminal 1-1 is
`located. The encoded message and the destination address
`are transmitted over the air as packet data.
`Base station 2-1 receives the packet data transmitted from
`terminal 1-1 and transfers the received packet data to a
`network switching control center 3. Network switching
`control center 3 sends the packet data to a destination base
`station 2-2 which covers an area where destination terminal
`1-2 is located. Base station 2-2 transmits the packet data
`over the air to destination terminal 1-2 in accordance with
`the destination address included in the packet data. When
`terminal 1-2 receives a complete message. a beep. vibration
`or other conventional noti?cation tells the user of terminal
`1-2 of arrival of a new incoming message. The user of
`terminal 1-2 can retrieve the new incoming message when
`he reproduces it through a speaker on terminal 1-2.
`FIG. 2 shows an embodiment of a wireless voice message
`transmitter/receiver terminal according to the present inven
`tion. Voice message transmitter/receiver terminal 10 has
`microphone 11. speaker 12. record key 13. playback key 14.
`send key 15. LCD display 16. cursor keys 17. up/down keys
`18. enter key 19. display select key 20. LED indicator 21.
`delete key 22. volume key 23 and interface port to external
`device 24.
`When a user wants to send a voice message. he must
`record the voice message ?rst. While holding down record
`key 13. the user speaks a voice message through microphone
`11. After the input voice message is encoded to an encoded
`data. the encoded data is stored in an inside memory which
`is not shown in FIG. 2. If the user wants to hear the input
`voice message before sending it. he can do so by pushing
`playback key 14. The encoded data read from the memory
`is decoded and the input voice message is reproduced from
`speaker 12. If the user does not like the input voice message.
`he can delete it from the memory by pushing delete key 22
`and record a new voice message in the same manner. When
`the user is satis?ed with the input voice message which he
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`has recorded. he sets a destination address. After setting the
`destination address. the user can push send key 15 at any
`time. The voice message is transmitted to a corresponding
`base station as described above in conjunction with FIG. 1.
`LCD display 16 selectively displays a destination address
`and other text-based information as the user selects by
`operating display select key 20. When the user sets a new
`destination address. he ?rst operates display select key 20 so
`that LCD display 16 is put in a destination display mode.
`Then. the user operates cursor keys 17 and up/down keys 18
`to set a desired destination address on LCD display 16.
`Cursor keys 17 are used for moving a cursor in LCD display
`16 in right and left directions and up/down keys 18 are used
`for incrementing and decrementing a character/numeral at
`the position of the cursor in a conventional manner.
`After a desired destination address is set. the user pushes
`send key 15 to transmit the voice message. If the user wants
`to register the destination address for the future use. he
`pushes enter key 19 so that the destination address is
`registered in an address list stored in an inside memory
`which is not shown in FIG. 2. In addition to incrementing
`and decrementing functions as described above. up/down
`keys 18 are also used to scroll up/down the address list
`displayed on LCD display 16 so that any address previously
`registered in the address list can be recalled.
`Text-based information can also be set in a way similar to
`the destination address setting. The user ?rst selects a text
`display mode by operating display select key 20 so that LCD
`display 16 is switched to display text-based information.
`Then. the user operates cursor keys 17 and up/down keys 18
`to set desired text-based information in a conventional
`manner. Alternatively. the text-based information can be
`inputted by using an external device such as a personal
`computer. which can edit text based information. In that
`case, the text-based information edited by the external
`device can be downloaded into transmitter/receivm' terminal
`10 through interface 24 as shown in FIG. 2.
`The text-based information usually includes information
`about the user himself such as his full name. address.
`telephone number. date of birth. membership 1]) number.
`drivers license number, health/medicine conditions and so
`on. After the user inputs desired text-based information. he
`pushes enter key 19. Then. LCD display 16 is automatically
`switched to the destination display mode again so that the
`user can set a special address. The user can set the special
`address by either setting a new address or recalling one of
`the destination addresses from the address list. After a
`desired special address is displayed on LCD display 16. the
`user again pushes enter key 19. When enter key 19 is pushed
`for the second time. the text-based information is stored in
`an inside memory (not shown) associated with the special
`address displayed on LCD display 16.
`After the text-based information setting is complete. when
`the user sends a voice message to a special address with
`which text-based information is registered and associated.
`the text-based information is automatically retrieved from
`the memory and transmitted to the destination address
`together with the voice message. The user need not do
`anything particular to send the text-based information.
`Whenever the user chooses as a destination the special
`address with which some text-based information has been
`registered and associated, the transmission of the text-based
`information is automatic with the transmission of the voice
`message.
`Transmitter/receiver 10 is also capable of receiving an
`incoming voice message. When a new incoming voice
`
`Google Ex. 1122, pg. 8
`
`

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`message is received. LED indicator 21 is lit. The user can
`playback the received incoming voice message by pushing
`playback key 14. Then. the incoming voice message is
`reproduced from speaker 12. Volume key 23 is used for
`controlling the playback volume. Delete key 22 is used to
`delete from the inside memory either the recorded outgoing
`message or the received incoming message.
`FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing an embodiment of
`internal circuits of transmitter/receiver terminal 10. In FIG.
`3. microphone l1. speaker 12. LCD display 16, LED 21 are
`indicated by the same reference numerals as used in FIG. 2.
`Record key 13. playback key 14. send key 15. cursor keys
`l7. up/down keys 18. enter key 19 and display select key 20
`shown in FIG. 2 are also shown collectively as keypads 30
`in FIG. 3.
`When the user wants to send a voice message to someone.
`he ?rst operates the record key in keypads 30. While the user
`holds down the record key. he speaks a voice message into
`microphone l1. Microphone ll transforms the input voice
`message into a voice signal and supplies it to ampli?er 31.
`Amplifier 31 supplies an ampli?ed voice signal to AID
`converter 32 which converts the same to a digital voice
`signal. A/D converter 32 supplies the digital voice signal to
`speech encoder 33. Speech encoder 33 encodes the digital
`voice signal to an encoded data. The encoded data is
`supplied from speech encoder 33 to CPU 34 and then. stored
`in RAM-1 35. When the user ?nishes an entire voice
`message. he releases the record key in keypads 30.
`The user can hear the input voice message before trans
`mitting it. When the user pushes the playback key in keypads
`30. CPU 34 reads the encoded data from RAM-1 35 and
`supplies it to speech decoder 36. Speech decoder 36 decodes
`the encoded data to a decoded voice signal. Aftm’ the
`decoded voice signal is DlA-converted by D/A converter 37
`and ampli?ed by ampli?er 38. the input voice message is
`reproduced from speaker 12.
`Speech encoder 33 may use various kinds of high
`e?iciency encoding methods. As mentioned above in the
`background. such a speech encoding method may be Multi
`Band Excitation (MBE), Single Band Excitation (SBE).
`Sub-band Coding (SBC), Harmonic Encoding. Linear Pre
`dictive Coding (LPC), Discrete Cosine Transforming
`(DCI‘). Modi?ed Discrete Cosine Transforming (MDCI‘),
`Fast Fourier Transforming (FFI‘), Code Excited Linear
`Predictive (CELP) coding. Vector Sum Excited Linear Pre
`dictive (VSELP) coding, Pitch Synchronous Innovation
`CELP (PSI-CELP) coding and Regular Pulse Excitation
`Long Term Prediction (RPE-LTP) coding. By using any one
`of these encoding methods or other similar encoding
`method. an amount of the digital signal fromA/D converter
`32 can be suppressed with acceptable degradation of quality
`of the voice message. Alternatively. the digital signal can be
`directly supplied from A/D converter 32 to RAM-1 35
`without being encoded by speech encoder 33 even though
`RAM-1 35 would need more storage capacity than when
`speech encoder 33 is used.
`After recording a voice message. the user needs to set a
`destination address to which the voice message is transmit
`ted. The user can either set a new destination address or
`recall one of the destination addresses registered in an
`address list stored in RAM-2 39. To set a new destination
`address, the user operates the cursor keys and the up/down
`keys in keypads 30 in a manner described above in con
`junction with FIG. 2 while he watches LCD display 16
`which is controlled by LCD driver 40. If the user wants to.
`the newly set destination address can be added to the address
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`list stored in RAM-2 39. Instead of setting a new address. the
`user can recall one of the destination addresses from the
`address list. The user opm'ates the up/down keys in keypads
`30 until a desired destination address is recalled from
`RAM-2 39 and displayed on LCD display 16.
`Once the user sets a destination address. he pushes the
`send key in keypads 30. CPU 34 reads the encoded data from
`RAM-l 35 and supplies it to modulator 41. At the same time.
`CPU 34 controls switch circuit 43 so that ?xed contact a of
`switch circuit 43 is connected to movable contact c thereof.
`Otherwise. ?xed contact a of switch circuit 43 is connected
`to movable contact h thereof so that transmitter/receiver
`terminal 10 is ready to receive an incoming voice message.
`Modulator 41 modulates the encoded data to a modulated
`signal and supplies the modulated signal to ampli?er 42
`which ampli?es the same. The ampli?ed signal is transmit
`ted through switch circuit 43 and antenna 44 to the base
`station.
`When transmitter/receiver terminal 10 receives an incom
`ing voice message. antenna 44 receives a signal transmitted
`from the base station. The received signal is supplied
`through switch circuit 43 to ampli?er 45. Ampli?er 45
`supplies an ampli?ed signal to demodulator 46 which sup
`plies a demodulated signal to CPU 34. CPU 34 supplies the
`demodulated signal to RAM-1 35. At the same time. CPU 34
`controls LED 21 to be lit so that the user knows the arrival
`of the incoming voice message. When the user operates the
`playback key in keypads 36. the demodulated signal read
`from RAM-l 35 is supplied to speech decoder 36 which
`produces an decoded signal. After the decoded signal is
`D/A-converted by D/A converter 37 and ampli?ed by ampli
`?er 38. the incoming voice message is reproduced from
`speaker 12.
`In addition to sending a voice message. the user can also
`set in advance text-based information associated with a
`special address. If the user is a member of a road assistant
`service. for example. he may have the road assistant ser
`vice’s emergency number registered in the address list
`stored in RAM-2 39. Associated with the emergency number
`of the road assistant service. the user can set any information
`as text-based information. Such text-based information may
`include the user's full name. address. date of birth. mem
`ber’s ID number. driver license number. its expiration date
`and so on.
`By using the cursor keys and the up/down keys in keypads
`30. the user inputs various text-based information. The
`text-based information thus inputted is stored in RAM-3 47.
`After the user ?nishes setting the text-based information. he
`pushes the enter key in keypads 40. LCD display 16 is then
`switched to an address setting mode. The user sets a special
`address with which the text-based information is associated.
`either by setting a new address or by recalling one of the
`addresses stored in RAM-2 39. When the user pushes the
`enter key again. CPU 34 adds to the special address a text
`ID. ?ag showing which text-based information stored in
`RAM-3 is associated with the special address. The special
`address added with the text ID. Flag is stored in RAM-2 39.
`Though the text-based information is set before the special
`address is set in this embodiment. the order of setting the
`text-based information and the special address can be
`reversed.
`When the user encounters an emergency situation on a
`road and needs the road assistance. he ?rst inputs a voice
`message while holding down the record key in keypads 30.
`Since the user has to only communicate a limited amount of
`information by voice message. such as his current location
`
`Google Ex. 1122, pg. 9
`
`

`

`7
`and the emergency status. a talk time of 10 to 15 seconds is
`su?icient for him to communicate such information. The
`user does not have to mention any other basic information
`such as his full name and membership ID number. After the
`user inputs the voice message. he recalls the address of the
`road assistance service from the address list stored in
`RAM-2 39. When the user chooses the address of the road
`assistance service. CPU 34 ?nds that the text ID. ?ag is
`attached to that address. The text 1]). ?ag tells CPU 34 that
`there is text-based information associated with the address
`of the road assistance service. Because the text II). ?ag tells
`which text-based information among various text-based
`information stored in RAM-3 47 is associated with the
`address. CPU 34 retrieves from RAM-3 47 the text-based
`information associated with the address of the road assis
`tance service.
`When the user pushes the send key in keypads 30. CPU
`34 supplies to modulator 41 the encoded data read from
`RAM-1 35. the address of the road assistance service read
`from RAM-2 39 and the associated text-based information
`read from RAM-3 47. Modulator 41 supplies a modulated
`signal to ampli?er 42 and the ampli?ed signal is transmitted
`from antenna 44. As described above. when the user makes
`an emergency call. he need not do anything to retrieve and
`send the text-based information. Transmission of the text
`based information associated with the special address is
`automatically done whenever the special address is chosen
`as a destination address.
`The road assistance service station receives the voice
`message transmitted from the user. In the road assistance
`service station. there is provided both a voice message
`receiver capable of receiving and reproducing voice
`messages. and a text receiver capable of receiving and
`displaying text-based information. An operator at the service
`station listens to the voice message and knows what happens
`to its member and where it happens. The operator also sees
`on a display the text-based information transmitted with the
`voice message. The operator knows the sender's full name.
`address. membership 1]). number and all other necessary
`information displayed as text-based information.
`FIG. 4 is a ?ow-chart to explain the steps of setting
`text-based information associated with a special address. A
`user ?rst inputs text-based information about the user him
`self in step 1. Such text-based information may include the
`user’s full name. address. telephone number. date of birth.
`membership I.D.. driver license number. license plate num
`ber and so on. These are information necessary to be
`communicated when the user makes an emergency call to
`the special address. These items may be specified by the
`service provider side in advance. The format of this infor
`mation may be ASCII. but a special format may also be
`acceptable. In step 2. while watching the input text-based
`information on a display. the user determines whether the
`input text-based information is satisfactory. If the user is not
`satis?ed with the text-based information. he goes back to
`step 1 and inputs new text-based information. If the user is
`satis?ed with the text-based information. the text-based
`information is stored in a text memory in step 3.
`After the user sets the text-based information. he sets a
`special address to which the text-based information is trans
`mitted when the user makes an emergency call to the special
`address later. In step 4, the user sets a special address either
`by inputting a new address or by recalling one of the
`addresses from the address list stored in an address memory.
`In step 5. the user determines whether the special address is
`correctly set. If the special address is not correctly input. the
`user goes back to step 4 and enters a special address
`
`30
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`35
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`45
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`50
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`65
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`5,697,060
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`10
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`20
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`25
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`8
`correctly. If it is determined in step 5 that the special address
`is correctly set. in step 6 the special address is stored in the
`address memory with a text I.D. ?ag indicating which
`text-based information stored in the text memory is associ
`ated with the special address. The same text-based informa
`tion may be associated with several special addresses.
`Regardless of whether text-based information is set asso
`ciated with a special address. the user can send a voice
`message at anytime. FIG. 5 is a ?ow-chart to explain the
`steps the user needs to take when he wants to send a voice
`message. First. in step 11. the user inputs a voice message.
`The voice message is encoded and stored in a voice memory.
`In step 12. if he wants. the user can reproduce the input voice
`mes sage from a speaker so that he can determine whether the
`input voice message is satisfactory. If the input voice mes
`sage is not satisfactory, the user goes back to step 11 and
`inputs a new voice message. If the user is satis?ed with the
`input voice message. he has to set a destination address to
`which the voice message is transmitted. In step 13. the user
`sets a destination address either by inputting a new desti
`nation address or by recalling one of the addresses from the
`address list stored in the address memory. In step 14. the user
`determines if the correct destination address is set. If not. the
`user goes back to step 13 so that he can enter the correct
`destination address.
`After the correct destination address is set. the user can
`push a send key at any time in step 15. When the send key
`is pushed. it is determined in step 16 whether the destination
`address is one of the special addresses with which the
`text-based information is associated. If the destination
`address is not any one of the special addresses. the voice
`message is retrieved from the voice memory in step 18. After
`modulation and ampli?cation. the retrieved voice message is
`transmitted from an antenna in step 19.
`On the other hand. if it is determined in step 16 that the
`destination address is one of the special addresses. the
`text-based information associated with the destination
`address (which is a special address) is retrieved from the text
`memory in step 17. Then, the voice message is retrieved
`from the voice memory in step 18. Both the text-based
`information retrieved in step 17 and the voice message
`retrieved in step 18 are modulated. ampli?ed and ?nally
`transmitted from the antenna in step 19.
`Though the above-described embodiment of the invention
`has been explained with an example of emergency call to a
`road assistant service, the invention can be applied to
`various kinds of emergency situations. For example, a user
`with some health problems known to himself may want to
`set the 911 number as an emergency number