`Kikinis
`
`ee
`
`US005790644A
`[11] Patent Number:
`[45] Date of Patent:
`
`5,790,644
`Aug, 4, 1998
`
`[73]
`
`Assignee: Elonex LP. Holdings, Lid., London,
`United Kingdom
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`4,862,498—8/1989 Reed coecsccsssecsssscecsecnssesnsaces 379/355
`COMPUTER-TO-TELEPHONE INTERFACE
`[54]
`4,926,464—S/1990 May. wccrsssccscrersersessensreanessneseananee 379/99
`4,991,199
`2/1991 Purekh .......
`-- 379/110.1
`[75]
`Inventor: Dan Kikinis. Saratoga, Calif.
`4,995,077
`2/1991 Malinowski
`.........essccsscrsesees 379/355
`5,119,414
`6/1992 Izumi
`.........
` 379/110.1
`5,163,086
`11/1992 Abeatn .....c.scssseseseecsceseerersesee 379/144
`5,181,744
`1/1993 Betheil
`...
`379/355
`5,297,196
`3/1994 Yamada......
`cone 379/99
`5,359,651
`10/1994 Draganoff ..
`. 379/354
`5,455,857 10/1995 McGuire ....
`« 379/355
`5,455,858 10/1995 Lit «occ
`. 379/354
`5,467,385
`11/1995 Reuben ......sssssorssesseereaetecnsees 379/142
`FOREIGN PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`[21]
`
`Appl. No.: 725,183
`
`[22]
`
`Filed:
`
`Oct. 1, 1996
`
`Related U.S. Application Data
`
`Continuation of Ser. No. 446,440, Jul. 14, 1995, abandoned,
`[63]
`0073847«=3/1989 Japan ...scccessessccecesseccsaansecarers 379/357
`
`which is a continuation of Ser. No. 58,922, May 7, 1993,
`0277043
`11/1989
`Japan ....
`« 379/354
`abandoned.
`
`0019380—U/EGDL Japan ..rcccrvsteserenesorseeseacneessenre 379/357
`Tint. C1.o cccsscssccssssssssessnes HO4M 17/00; HO4M 1/00
`[51]
`TS. C1.
`seeccsssscsssesssenssvnese 379/144; 379/355; 379/356
`[52]
`Field of Search...cece 379/96, 97, 98,
`[58]
`379/99, 142, 144, 354, 355. 356, 357, 91.01.
`93.05, 93.06, 93.23, 110.01
`
`Primary Examiner—Steven J. Saras
`Assistant Examiner—Vijay Shankar
`Attorney, Agent, or Firm—Donald R. Boys
`
`ABSTRACT
`
`[57]
`
`[56]
`
`References Cited
`
`U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`A portable computer, such as a laptop, notebook, or palmtop
`computer, comprises control routinesfor providing a sophis-
`ticated touch-tone dialer operable through an existing or
`supplied output speaker, enabling calls to be routed without
`4,201,887—S/1980 Burns on. csessssessessessseeesssaee 379/99
`making a wired direct connection between the telephone
`HATL165
`9/1984 Defino .....crcsssscnsssonesesecorsecsnssanane 379/99
`
`equipment and the computer. In one embodiment a system
`4,503,288
`3/1985 Kessler......
`soe STH3ST
`
`- 379/144
`is provided for transmitting computer-usable data over a
`4,517,412
`5/1985 Newkirk .......
`.
`4/1987 Nishimura ..........sccsceeeseeneceneee 379/99
`4,661,659
`phone connection through a pre-stored relationship between
`DTMFtones and ASCTI code.
`
`ae 379/355
`4,817,135
`3/1989 Winebaum.......
`6/1989 Immendorfer ..........ccccssseeseneee 379/96
`4,837,808
`
`8/1989 Dammer 00...ssessssssscsscasscseeneeane 379/354
`4,860,342
`
`8 Claims, 11 Drawing Sheets
`
`
`
`APPL-1006 / Page 1 of 16
`Apple v. Uniloc
`
`APPL-1006 / Page 1 of 16
`Apple v. Uniloc
`
`
`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Aug. 4, 1998
`
`Sheet 1 of 11
`
`Fig.1
`
`5,790,644
`
`APPL-1006 / Page 2 of 16
`
`APPL-1006 / Page 2 of 16
`
`
`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Aug. 4, 1998
`
`Sheet 2 of 11
`
`5,790,644
`
`[EIQ0}B18H4D
`
`V2‘Bly
`
`6SZS
`
`APPL-1006 / Page 3 of 16
`
`
`
`
`
`aaogynusyyjeIG-oIny
`
`
`
`wosjoa}esBuyeiqoewojny4104—6y
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`jeIg0}JOqUINNeuoyd4a}Uy
`
`jeig-oiny
`
`OjuyAaJeD
`
`
`
`Buyeiqyenuew[_]
`
`ep
`
`APPL-1006 / Page 3 of 16
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`US. Patent
`
`Aug. 4, 1998
`
`Sheet 3 of 11
`
`5,790,644
`
` 69
`
`
`
`CALLER INFO:
`
`
`
`Carrier. OAT&T CJ) mci CISPRINT
`UO Other
`c
`
`
`Credit Card iD:[
`
`79
`
`73
`
`75
`
`77
`
`79
`
`Fig. 2B
`
`DIAL LIST
`
`AREA CODE:
`
`348-8810
`
`C1 Display by No.
`
`Display by Name
`
`Moran, George
`Morgan, Helen
`Murchison, Sydney
`Mylar Products, Inc
`Nascent Sciences
`
`727-2393
`348-4386
`222-9999
`727-8816
`
`Fig. 2C
`
`APPL-1006 / Page 4 of 16
`
`APPL-1006 / Page 4 of 16
`
`
`
`US. Patent
`
`Aug. 4, 1998
`
`Sheet 4 of 11
`
`5,790,644
`
`EDIT
`
`AREA CODE:
`
`Moran, George
`Morgan, Helen
`Murchison, Sydney
`Mylar Products, Inc
`Nascent Sciences
`
`727-2393
`348-4386
`222-9999
`727-8816
`348-8810
`
`Phone Number: —— 94
`
`92
`
`100
`
`TM DELETE 107
`
`S
`CJ CHANGE:
`Name: aoN
`
`Phone Number:
`
`102
`
`109
`
`111
`
`Fig. 2D
`
`APPL-1006 / Page 5 of 16
`
`APPL-1006 / Page 5 of 16
`
`
`
`US. Patent
`
`Aug. 4, 1998
`
`Sheet 5 of 11
`
`5,790,644
`
`LI Built-In Speaker (Tone auto-dial)
`
`_| Remote Unit
`
`[| Modem (ToneDial)
`
`[J] Modem (Pulse Dial)
`
`Fig. 2E
`
`APPL-1006 / Page 6 of 16
`
`APPL-1006 / Page 6 of 16
`
`
`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Aug. 4, 1998
`
`Sheet 6 of 11
`
`5,790,644
`
`
` SPEAKER
`130
`
`
`COMPUTER
`
`11
`
`Fig. 3A
`
`135 MICROPHONE
`
`(D>11))))))) yy)
`
`137 AMPLIFIER
`139 OUTPUT SPEAKER
`
`Fig. 3B
`
`APPL-1006 / Page 7 of 16
`
`APPL-1006 / Page 7 of 16
`
`
`
`USS. Patent
`
`Aug.4, 1998
`
`Sheet 7 of 11
`
`5,790,644
`
`
`
`a
`
`SPEAKER
`
`COMPUTER
`
`Fig. 4
`
`147
`
`145
`
`148
`
`
`
`—|cownunen z—>
`
`
`
`COMPUTER
`
`(a
`
`146
`
`Fig. 5
`
`
`
`Fig. 6
`
`APPL-1006 / Page 8 of 16
`
`APPL-1006 / Page 8 of 16
`
`
`
`US. Patent
`
`Aug. 4, 1998
`
`Sheet 8 of 11
`
`5,790,644
`
`PHONE JACK
`
`a
`
`159
`
`4
`
`161
`
`yr
`
`PHONE JACK
`
`Fig. 7
`
`157
`
`APPL-1006 / Page 9 of 16
`
`APPL-1006 / Page 9 of 16
`
`
`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Aug. 4, 1998
`
`Sheet 9 of 11
`
`5,790,644
`
`Fig.8
`
`< O
`
`w
`Owre..Ck
`
`Ff
`o
`Oosn tlw
`
`M7
`
`5 a
`2ono .—_WDd
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`Coz
`2S
`AOwvnr, ~~ WY
`
`co
`=D
`¥awro .. WOH
`
`Lu ><
`ae
`~Nan+ 100
`
`jx
`Lu ©
`—>,$ot.x < AW
`
`+ O
`
`O
`Ik cmH OM
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`O
`OosEn LAH
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`nN
`Ow
`wreowr. WO
`
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`worow®P®AZ
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`<<
`o ox
`OruwuNKe OZ
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`=o
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`u
`ON. aR AO
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`
`
`eNOS OOM OMS « ec moad
`
`APPL-1006 / Page 10 of 16
`
`APPL-1006 / Page 10 of 16
`
`
`
`US. Patent
`
`Aug. 4, 1998
`
`Sheet 10 of 11
`
`5,790,644
`
`DATA TRANSFER
`
`Command List
`
`Message 1
`Message 2
`Order Entry 1
`Order Entry 2
`Data Base Entry
`
`166
`
`Fig. 9
`
`APPL-1006 / Page 11 of 16
`
`APPL-1006 / Page 11 of 16
`
`
`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Aug. 4, 1998
`
`Sheet 11 of 11
`
`5,790,644
`
`Message1:
`
`F) sr asenane) [7
`
`This is an example of a
`message that might be sent to a
`remote computer by meansof
`DTMF tones corresponding to
`ASCII characters.
`
`175
`
`166
`
`Fig. 10
`
`APPL-1006 / Page 12 of 16
`
`APPL-1006 / Page 12 of 16
`
`
`
`5,790,644
`
`2
`one or more of the frequency, amplitude, and phase of the
`carrier wave with respect to time according to a known
`protocol related to the digital values. A receiving modem
`reconverts (demodulates) the carrier waveto digital data for
`use by another computer or computerized receiving device.
`Primary types of modems are: voice-band—those that are
`used on voice-grade public phone lines (also known as as
`dialup modems); acoustic coupler—thosethat permit a user
`to dial a phone number,listen for a signal from the other end
`of the line. and press the telephone receiver into two
`cushioned cups on the acoustic coupler; and direct
`connect—those that plug directly into the phone network.
`Many times because of limited access to phone jacks in
`public places and the electrical connections required,it is
`difficult if not impossible for the user to set up a coupler or
`modem. It is not uncommon to spend more time making the
`necessary electrical connections than is spent actually trans-
`mitting and/or receiving data.
`What is needed is a means of easily communicating by
`use of a portable computer through a phone network without
`the need to set up a modem and physically secure a phone
`line connection. Also, the technology of converting DTMF
`tones is presently limited to that of the 16 keys on a phone
`touchtone pad. The expansion of DTMFtone conversion to
`include the entire ASCTI code set would open the door to the
`transfer of computer code directly through such a portable
`computer-phoneinterface.
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`
`FIG. 1 is an isometric view of a portable computer and
`phoneinterface according to an embodiment of the inven-
`tion.
`
`FIG.2A shows an opening menuscreen in an embodiment
`of the present invention.
`FIG. 2B showsa Caller Input screen for an embodiment
`of the invention.
`FIG. 2C shows a Dial List screen for an embodiment of
`the invention.
`
`FIG. 2D showsan Edit screen according to an embodi-
`ment of the invention.
`
`FIG. 2E showsa Setup screen for an embodiment of the
`invention.
`FIG. 3A shows a sound enhancement device for an
`embodiment of the present invention.
`FIG. 3B is a diagram showing internal functional com-
`ponents of the sound enhancement device of FIG. 3A.
`FIG. 4 shows an external speaker attached to a portable
`computer in an embodiment of the present invention.
`FIG. 5 shows a headset used as an external speaker in an
`embodiment of the invention.
`
`FIG. 6 shows a physical interface for blocking external
`noise in an embodiment of the present invention.
`FIG. 7 is a pictorial representation of an embodiment of
`the present invention comprising coded information transfer
`from one computer to another.
`FIG. 8 is a matrix relating ASCII code to DTMF signals
`for the embodiment of the invention depicted in FIG. 7.
`FIG. 9 shows a Data Transfer screen for selecting a data
`transfer mode from a scrolling list of modes.
`FIG. 10 shows an exemplary message screen for one
`mode of message operation according to an embodiment of
`the invention.
`
`SUMMARYOF THE INVENTION
`
`A telephone dialing system is provided according to a
`preferred embodiment of the present invention comprising
`
`10
`
`15
`
`20
`
`25
`
`30
`
`35
`
`45
`
`5a
`
`35
`
`65
`
`APPL-1006 / Page 13 of 16
`
`1
`COMPUTER-TO-TELEPHONE INTERFACE
`
`This is a continuation of application Ser. No. 08/446,.440
`filed Jul. 14, 1995, now abandoned which is a continuation
`of application Ser. No. 08/058,922 filed May 7. 1993, now
`abandonded.
`
`FIELD OF THE INVENTION
`
`The present invention is in the area of computer system,
`and pertains more specifically to protable systems and to
`apparatus and methods for interfacing such systems to
`telephone equipment.
`
`BACKGROUND OF INVENTION
`
`Dialer devices are used to generate Dual Tone Multi-
`Frequency (DTMF) audio signals that are transmitted over
`telephone lines and used to activate switching equipment
`over route phone calls. Small, portable dialer devices consist
`of an electronic tone generator coupled with a circular
`keying arrangement. They typically have a calculator-type
`integrated transistor circuitry and are encased with a sensi-
`tive microphone in a plastic holder. Such a dialer device
`replaces the transmitter element in a phone handset.
`The top of the typical dialer has a set of push-button,
`Touchtone™ key pads which activate DTMFsignals that
`cause automatic dialing of phone numbers. (Touchtone is
`trademarked by the American Telephone and Telegraph
`Company.) There are twelve key pads corresponding to the
`digits 0 through 9, the star symbol (*), and the pound symbol
`(#). Some dialers have four additional keys, designated A, B.
`C, and D.
`The DTMFsystem of touchtone dialing uses internation-
`ally standardized combinations of frequencies. Table 1 is a
`matrix showing the high and low frequency pair, in Hz,
`required for each of the 16 characters in a full key pad
`configuration. Each character from the touchtone keypadis
`represented by a dual set of audio frequency signals, which
`when transmitted together are recognized by other electronic
`equipment as the unique representation of the keypad char-
`acter.
`
`TABLE 1
`
`Lower
`Frequency
`
`Higher Frequency (Hz)
`
`(Hz)
`1209
`1336
`1447
`1633
`
`697
`1
`2
`3
`A
`770
`4
`5
`6
`B
`852
`7
`8
`9
`c
`O41
`*
`QO
`#
`
`D B
`
`usiness persons have often carried the above-described
`dialer devices, also known as tone dial converters, to access
`their branch office computers from rotary (pulse) lines. Until
`recently tone dial converters were available from many
`phoneoutlet and hobby stores. Now that most public phone
`equipment has been converted to touchtone equipment, the
`use of these devices is not as common. However,
`the
`technology of DTMF tone conversion they perform may
`have other important
`Coupling one computer to another in a distant location
`usually involves some form of modem. A modemis circuitry
`that modulates a carrier wave so digital data can be trans-
`mitted over an analog communications line,
`typically
`computer-to-computer over a phone line. Modulation alters
`
`APPL-1006 / Page 13 of 16
`
`
`
`5,790,644
`
`3
`memory means for storing telephone dialing data compris-
`ing long-distance carrier access numbers and user credit card
`numbers, and selection means for selecting a telephone
`number to be called. including area code. Thereis addition-
`ally retrieval means for combining the telephone number to
`be called with the long-distance carrier access numbers and
`the user credit card numbers in a sequence of numbers for
`dialing a long-distance credit-card call, and audio output
`means for generating dual-tone multiple-frequency (DTMF)
`signals corresponding to the combined sequence of numbers
`and for driving a speaker to interface to a telephone audio
`receiver to dial the credit-card call.
`In a preferred embodiment the telephone dialing system
`comprises a general-purpose portable computer with control
`routines providing a user interface by menus on a display
`screen of the computer, the menusproviding entry fields for
`data andinitiation signals for dialing.
`In another aspect of the invention, in addition to dialing,
`computer operable code is transmitted over voice-quality
`telephonelines by generating ASCII coded data,relating the
`ASCII code to coupled DTMF tones,
`transmitting the
`coupled DTMFtones, and decodingthe tones back to ASCII
`data at a receiving computer. An add-oncard is provided for
`receiving and translating coupled DTMF tone coded data.
`In yet another aspect an audio enhancement device is
`provided to enhance the quality of poor quality speakers in
`existing portable computers to a quality sufficientto reliably
`operate touch-tone telephone equipment.
`The present
`invention provides a specialized “dialer”
`which is unique in several ways. It provides a means for
`remote computer-to-computer communication not requiring
`a modem or coupler nor any line connection between
`computer and phone. The DTMF audio signals are simply
`output from the computer’s speaker and picked up by the
`phone handset, which is held next to the speaker. Also the
`invention extends the concept of DTMF tone generation as
`employed by the described dialer and includes through its
`control routines a capability to translate the entire set of
`American Standard Code for Information Interchange
`(ASCID code into DIMFtonesignals, affording an entirely
`new way to transmit computer code over voice quality
`phone lines.
`
`DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED
`EMBODIMENTS
`
`FIG. 1 is an isometric view of a notebook computer 11
`comprising an embodiment of the present invention. The
`general purpose computer system supporting the embodi-
`mentof the dialer invention is conventional and preferably
`is in the form of a portable notebook, laptop, or palmtop
`computer, such as notebook computer 11. The enhanced
`control routines of the invention provide a user interface
`display 16. A user can specify and select call numbers and
`other information by using keyboard 17. Some portable
`computers have a built-in pointer device, such as trackball
`19, which selects menu items and moves a screen cursor on
`the interface display of the invention. more fully described
`below.
`To make a call using this embodiment, the user activates
`the dialer applications by input to keyboard 17. The user
`then selects a number to be called and initiates the call from
`interface display 16. The invention’s control routines recall
`the user’s credit card information, previously programmed
`by in memory, and the selected call number. The system
`translates the digital data into the corresponding DITMF
`signals necessary to dial the number. The DTMF signals are
`
`4
`those produced from a standard twelve-button touch-tone
`telephone key pad (see description under “Background of
`the Invention.”) The string of DTMFsignals is output in this
`embodiment through the computer’s speaker 13 and are
`picked up through phone mouthpiece 21, held near the
`speaker, causing the call to be dialed.
`The computer-driven “dialer” according to the present
`embodimentrequires no line connection with the phone. The
`user simply holds the phone handset’s mouthpiece near the
`computer speaker to make the call. This provides “on-the-
`road” portable computer users with a capability to conve-
`niently dial and communicate from phone booths, motel
`phones. and in other up-to-now impossible situations with-
`out the use of a modem.Forthe traveler the inconvenience
`of having to set up a modem with electrical connections into
`a telephone network often will preclude its use. Also most
`motel rooms and public phonesdo not have phone jacks. The
`dialer invention therefore presents a considerable advantage
`to the computer user—there is no wiring setup required—
`and it can be used on any public phone without a phone jack.
`An important feature of the embodiment shown by FIG.
`1 is user interface display 16, which provides a flexible
`interface to easily operate and edit variable information for
`the dialer. The interface is provided in this embodiment
`through menusas presented in FIGS. 2A, 2B, 2C, 2D, and
`2E.
`FIG. 2A is a screen format for an opening menu in the
`present embodiment. The opening menuis presented when
`the dialer application is activated from the operating system
`by user signal. In the display. the user can point and select
`by moving a cursor 41 with pointer device 19 or by using the
`keyboard arrow keys to move the cursor and pressing the
`<Enter> or <Return>) key to make the selection. When the
`user selects a box having an entry field, the field is activated
`to accept keyboard input in the mannerof an editor or word
`processor application. The mechanisms of these operations
`are familiar to those with skill in the art.
`“Manual dial” box 43 can be selected if the user wants to
`manually enter the numberfor a call. Entry field 45 becomes
`active and displays the number entered. When the correct
`number is displayed. the user initiates the call by selecting
`“Click Here to Dial” box 53.
`For automatic dialing, the user is directed by message 49
`to use Dial List menu 63 (as described below in FIG. 2C) to
`select a number to be called. Adjunct items on the opening
`menu (FIG. 2A) are date 55, local time 51, Help option 57,
`and Exit option 59. Other user aids may be provided in other
`embodiments as menu items.
`Along the top of the screen of FIG. 2A are four menu
`selections—Caller Info 61, Auto-Dial 63, Edit 65, and Setup
`67. These selections provide the user with means to quickly
`enter and change call information and the hardware setup.
`The user accesses a menu byclicking with the mouse on the
`menu nameor by typing the first letter of the name. Display
`screen initiated by selecting from the menu bar are shownin
`FIGS. 2B through 2E.
`FIG. 2B shows a CALLER INFO menu initiated by
`selecting 61 in FIG. 2A, which lets the user specify or
`change his or her phone credit card information. The user
`selects one of the major carriers, such as “ATT,” “MCI.”or
`“SPRINT”in line 69. In other embodiments the carrierlist
`might be expanded. The system responds by automatically
`defining the carrier access number, which may be a 1-800
`number, to be combined later with other data in dialing. If
`the user has a carrier other than the ones listed, he/she may
`select “Other” box 71 and then enter the carrier access
`
`26
`
`25
`
`30
`
`35
`
`40
`
`45
`
`50
`
`35
`
`65
`
`APPL-1006 / Page 14 of 16
`
`APPL-1006 / Page 14 of 16
`
`
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`5,790,644
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`5
`number in box 72. The user enters his/her call credit card
`identification on “Credit Card ID” line 73. A Help option 75
`is available. The user can abandon the menu and any
`changes made to its items at any time by selecting Cancel
`option 79. The user selects OK option 77 to save the caller
`information entered. The specified carrier access number
`and credit card identification remain in effect unless changed
`through the CALLER INFO menuin this embodimentof the
`invention.
`FIG. 2C shows a DIAL LIST menuactivated by selecting
`63 in the menu of FIG. 2A. This menu allows the user to
`display the list of phone numbers currently stored in com-
`puter memory and select a number to be called. The lists are
`accessed in this embodimentby call area code. Theuserfirst
`enters the desired area code on “Area code:” line 81. In an
`alternative embodiment, area codesare displayed in a scroll-
`ing list. and the user may select from the list. The user can
`display the stored numbersforthe selected area code either
`by phone number or alphabetically by name by selecting
`Display by Number box 83 or Display by Name box 85.
`Names and numbers are displayed in a scrolling list 82
`operated by a conventional scroll bar. Five phone number-
`namepairs are displayed numerically in order at a time. The
`name can be that of an individual (last name.first name).
`company, or a code identifier—whatever the user choosesto
`identify the party to be called.
`The user scrolls through the list by moving the up/down
`scroll arrows with pointer device or keyboard. The user then
`selects the numberto dial and the selected number-namepair
`is highlighted. A Help option 87 is available.
`When the user is done with the DIAL LIST menu, OK
`option 89 is selected. The screen may be exited without
`altering dial numberselection by selecting Cancel option 91.
`The system returns the user to the opening menu (FIG. 2A).
`FIG. 2D shows an Edit menu activated by selecting 65 in
`the opening menu screen shownin FIG. 2A, which allows
`the user to add, delete, or change phone numbers and names
`for a specified area code. The userfirst types the area code
`in “Area code:” line 93, The EDIT menuallowsthe user to
`display by number or by nameby selecting box 95 or 97.
`Five number-name or name-number pairs are displayed in
`scrolling list 96.
`To add a new pair, the user selects Add box 99 and types
`the number and namein the “Phone number:” and “Name:”
`fields 92 and 94 respectively. and presses <Enter> or
`<Return>. The new number and name appears in order in
`scrolling list 96.
`To change a name and/or number, the user selects Change
`box 101 and then selects the appropriate pair to be changed
`from scrolling list 96. The selected pair will be highlighted
`and the number and name will appear in fields 100 and 102
`below the Change box. The user then edits the information
`in the fields and selects <Enter> or <Return>. The change
`appearsin scrolling list 96. If a mistake is made in entry, the
`user just selects the number-namepair again and corrects it
`through the Change option.
`A similar method is used to delete a number and name
`pair. The user selects Delete box 105 and then selects the
`pair to be deleted in scrolling list 96. The system will query
`in a popup window whether the user really wants to delete
`the pair. The user can select “Yes” or “No.” If “Yes” is
`selected. the pair will no longer appear in the scrollinglist.
`The verification pop-up window is not shown here.
`A Help option 107 is available on the EDIT menu.
`Changesto the phone numbers and names can be abandoned
`at any time by selecting Cancel option 111. To save all
`changes. the user selects OK option 109.
`
`6
`FIG. 2E shows a SETUP screen initiated by selecting
`menu item 67 in the screen of FIG. 2A, providing a means
`for the user to define the particular hardware setup he/she
`will be using in conjunction with the dialer application of the
`invention. The user can select from three computer-phone
`configurations. Selecting box 113 sets the mode to use the
`invention’s tone dialer with a computer having a built-in
`speaker. Selecting box 117 allows the user to use a conven-
`tional modem-phone connection with touch-tone dialing;
`and selecting box 119 allows the user to utilize a conven-
`tional modem-phone connection with pulse dialing.
`Oneadditional mode, selected by box 121, to be discussed
`in detail below with reference to FIG. 7, comprises a means
`to send computer-recognizable code to a computer in a
`remote location. Help 125, OK 127, and Cancel 129 are
`available on the SETUP menu.
`Many portable computers have adequate built-in speakers
`to accomplish the function of the invention, which is to
`output DTMF tones through a speaker to activate telephone
`switching equipment. However some computers have infe-
`rior quality built-in speakers. An additional embodiment of
`the invention comprises a sound enhancementdevice 133 as
`depicted in FIG. 3A. Device 133 is configured to be placed
`over the computer’s built-in speaker 130. A suction cup
`interface or other convenient unit 131 may be used between
`the sound enhancement device and the computer so the
`device makes a snugfit against the computer’s speaker. FIG.
`3B is a schematic diagram showing the principal compo-
`nents of the sound enhancement device. The sound enhance-
`ment device picks up DIMF tones from the computer
`speaker tones through a microphone 135, sends the tones
`through an amplifier circuit 137, and provides enhanced
`signals to the device’s high-quality output speaker 139.
`If the computer does not have a speaker, another embodi-
`ment ofthe invention, shown in FIG. 4, provides an external
`speaker 144 to be connected with sound jack 141 and cable
`143 through the computer’s audio output port 142.
`Alternatively, as shown in FIG. 5, a sound jack 146 and
`cable 147 could connect a computer’s audio output port 145
`to a headset attachment 148 to serve as the speaker.
`To block out extraneous noise, a secure fit of the external
`speaker with the phone mouthpiece is desirable. This can be
`achieved, as shown in FIG. 6, by adding an interface 151 to
`external speaker 149 so the speaker can be firmly interfaced.
`to phone mouthpiece 153, thereby mitigating external noise
`at the interface. This additional feature is desirable when
`using phones in busy, high noise environments such as
`airports, conference rooms, or phone boothson a busystreet.
`In a further embodiment, control routines provide a
`unique means for sending code in DITMF tones from a
`portable computer and telephone interface 157 as described
`above, over phone lines 148 to a computer 161 in a remote
`location, as shown in FIG. 7. The remote unit in this
`embodiment has decoding ability to accept
`the DTMF
`tone-based data from a phone line and translate it into a
`digital representation interpretable as American Standard
`Code for Information Interchange (ASCII) computer code.
`FIG. 8 provides a matrix that shows the DTMF tone values
`assigned to each character in the ASCIE set. A decoder is
`implemented in the remote unit in this embodiment for
`receiving input DIMF data. The decoder can be imple-
`mented by an add-on card connected to the computer bus
`and to the phone line by a phone jack 159.
`In the data-transfer embodimentthe user selects box 121
`in the screen of FIG. 2E, and the system then displays a
`selection screen shown in FIG. 9. The selection screen has
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`a scrolling list 163 of formats for data transfer. each unique
`to a particular purpose. Such formats may be furnished with
`dialer applications in this embodiment, or, in alternative
`embodiments, an editor may be provided for creating new
`applications.
`An example of a data transfer format is message format
`165in the scrolling list of FIG. 9. To implementthis format
`the user selects the format, which is then highlighted in the
`scrolling list. and then selects “OK” box 166. The system
`then displays the message format screen shownin FIG. 10.
`In this message format, the system provides the user with an
`active scrolling entry field 167, wherein text may be entered
`in the manner of a text editor or word processor. There is a
`check box 171 for activating an entry field 175 to enter a
`filenamefor the message. to be stored as that filenameat the
`receiving station. There is additionally a checkbox 173 for
`activating an entry field 177 to enter a recipient ID or
`destination for the massage, which may be decoded and used
`at the receiving end to direct the message to a specific
`recipient. When the user is satisfied with the text to be sent
`and other input. selecting “OK” box 169 displays opening
`menu shownin FIG. 2A. The user simply selects the number
`and dials as in other embodiments. When the number is
`dialed and the connection made, if the “Remote Unit”
`selection is active in the screen shownin FIG.2E, the system
`will transfer the text by DTMF code according to the table
`of FIG,8.
`
`it is required for successful data
`In this embodiment
`transfer that the remote unit have a receiving modem to
`decode the incoming DTMFtonesand provide the resulting
`data on the receiving computer's bus. The modem has a
`receiver capable of interpreting two simultaneous DTMF
`tones, a processor for managing operations, and a look-up
`table according to FIG. 8, as well as control routines for
`directing the CPU in managing the modem.
`There are an infinite variety of dedicated transfer appli-
`cations that may be implemented in the data tansfer mode
`of the invention, and the message modeis but one of these.
`There are many others, such as data entry to databases, such
`as order forms and the like, that would be equally useful.
`It will be apparent to one skilled in the art that there are
`arelatively large number of changes that may be madein the
`embodiments described without departing from the spirit
`and scope of the present invention. Some additions and
`alternatives have been mentioned above. For example, pro-
`visions have been made for a computer without a speaker or
`one with an inferior quality speaker, where, in the first case,
`an external speaker attachment is added and, in the second
`case, the external speaker and phone are interfaced with a
`special gasket fitting to decrease external noise around the
`output speaker, thereby improving the quality of the dial
`signal. Another embodiment extends the invention concept
`to enable the dialer invention to send computer code over
`phonelines to a remote computer, as described above. This
`alternative could feasibly be extended further to provide
`remote commands and other input to a remote computer to
`provide a wide variety of tasks. The ASCII//DTMF matrix is
`also just one of many such matrices that might be used to
`relate the two forms for data transmission within the spirit
`and scope of the invention.
`Whatis claimedis:
`1. A portable personal computer comprising:
`a CPU;
`
`8
`a memory coupled to the CPU storing telephone dialing
`data including area codes. telephone numbers, long-
`distance carrier access numbers and user credit card
`numbers;
`a display apparatus coupled to the memory and to the
`CPU;and
`a speaker;
`wherein, in response to user initiation, the CPU displays
`an interactive interface on the display apparatus, the
`interactive interface including selectable identifiers for
`call destinations and wherein the user selects call
`destinations, and the CPU generates audio data used to
`drive the speaker producing a string of audible DIMF
`tones based on thestored telephonedialing data includ-
`ing selectable long distance carrier access numbers and
`selectable credit card numbers.
`2. A portable personal computer as in claim 1 further
`comprising manual input apparatus for entering the tele-
`phone dialing data.
`3. A portable personal computer as in claim 2 wherein the
`manual input apparatus comprises input fields in the inter-
`active interface.
`4. A portable personal computer as in claim 1 wherein the
`speaker is a built-in speaker.
`5. A portable personal computer as in claim 1 wherein the
`speaker is an add-on speaker connectable to an output port
`of the portable computer.
`6. A portable personal computer as in claim 1 wherein the
`speaker is a first speaker, and further comprising a tone-
`enhancement device including a microphone for receiving
`tones from the first speaker, an amplifier connected to the
`microphone for enhancing the tones received, and a second
`speaker connected to the amplifier for providing enhanced
`DTMFtones from the amplifier.
`7. A portable personal computer as in claim 1 wherein
`control routines for providing the interactive interface and
`for generating the DTMF tones are implemented on an
`add-in expansion card.
`8. A method for dialing a long-distance credit-card call
`over a touch-tone telephone system comprising steps of:
`(a) entering telephone dialing data into a memory device
`of a portable personal computer, the telephone dialing
`data including area codes. telephone numbers, long-
`distance carrier access numbers and user credit card
`numbers;
`(b) associating call destinations with the telephone dialing
`data in the memory device of the portable personal
`computer;
`(c) selecting a call destination in an interactive interface
`presented on a display apparatus of the portable per-
`sonal computer;
`(c) generating a string of audible dual-tone multi-
`frequency (DTMF) signals at a speaker from thetele-
`phonedialing data associated with the call destination
`in the memory device of the portable personal com-
`puter; and
`(d) using the audible DTMF signals generated by the
`speaker as input for a microphone input of a telephone
`device to cause the telephone device to dial the call
`indicated by the DTMF signals.
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