GB2464613A

GB2464613A - Device for initiating calls to predetermined telephone numbers

Info

Publication number: GB2464613A
Application number: GB0918497A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Mark Coates
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2008-10-22
Filing date: 2009-10-22
Publication date: 2010-04-28
Also published as: GB0918497D0; GB2464548A; EP2359353A1; WO2010046705A1; GB0819349D0

Abstract

A communication device comprises means for initiating a wireless communication link to one or more recipients, means for transmitting and receiving communication signals and means for generating confirmation in relation to the transmitted/received communication signals. The device is typically a taxi call point 10 for initiating calls to a dedicated taxi line. The device may be used to make a call or send a text message to the taxi company and an emergency call button 13 may also be included. Keys may be included for text entry or for selection of predetermined messages and a booking confirmation number may be displayed 14 or printed out 16. Indication means may signal arrival of a booked taxi and the associated confirmation number. The caller may be charged for the call and have the cost deducted from the fare. The device may include a removably secured wireless handset and use the handset's microphone and speaker or may use its own transducer which may function as both a microphone and a speaker. Battery and/or solar powered.

Description

Communication Device The present invention relates to a communication device and particularly, but not exclusively, to a communication device for booking a taxi.

Taxi call points are often located at supermarkets and railway stations where there are many people who require transport. The call point enables a person to quickly and easily arrange for a taxi to take them to their desired location.

Call points generally comprise a single number dialling option for making a telephone call to a particular taxi company, for example and the call is typically made over a land line. The installation costs of these call points are very high and it is necessary for the taxi operator to pay expensive line rental fees to the land line provider.

I have now devised a communication device which alleviates the above mentioned problems.

In accordance with the present invention there is provided a communications device, the device comprising: -means for initiating a communication link to one or more recipients, the means for initiating the link being configured to only establish a wireless communications link, -communication means for transmitting and receiving communication signals over the wireless communications link, -input means for receiving as input communication signals to be transmitted over the communications link, and output means for generating as output communication signals received over the communications link, the device further comprising means for generating confirmation in dependence of the communication signals transmitted and received over the communications link.

The communication device thus provides a simplified call point for users to call a taxi for example, which does not have the expensive installation or line rental costs. Once the taxi has been suitably booked, the device is further arranged to provide a confirmation of the booking for the user.

Preferably, the input means and the output means comprise at least one transducer.

Preferably, the at least one transducer functions as a microphone and as a loudspeaker. Alternatively, the at least one transducer may comprise a separate microphone and loudspeaker.

The transducer is preferably housed within the device. Alternatively, the transducer may be housed within a handset that is removably secured to the device.

Alternatively, or in addition thereto the input means preferably comprises means for generating a text message and the output means preferably comprises a display screen for displaying communication signals received over the communications link.

The means preferably comprises a key set comprising a plurality of alphanumeric buttons. Alternatively, or in addition thereto, the key set comprises a plurality of buttons which separately correspond to a selection of predetermined messages.

The means for generating confirmation is preferably arranged to generate confirmation that a taxi has been hired. Preferably, the confirmation comprises a reference number that is provided on a receipt that is issued from the device. Alternatively, or in addition thereto, the confirmation comprises a reference number that is displayed on the display screen.

The communications device preferably further comprises memory means for storing wireless communications link addresses, such as telephone numbers, of the one or more predetermined recipients. The one or more predetermined recipients preferably comprise the emergency services.

Preferably, the means for initiating the communications link comprises a button.

The device preferably further comprises indication means for indicating when a taxi, which has been hired using the device, has arrived. It is envisaged that this feature will enable the person(s) who made the booking for the taxi, for example, to wait near the device, which may be installed within a nightclub for example, without having to wait outside the nightclub.

The device is preferably powered from a rechargeable battery supply and/or a solar panel. Preferably, the device further comprises means for recharging the battery supply. The means for recharging the battery supply preferably comprises the solar panel.

The present invention will now be described by way of example only and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is view of the front of the device of the present invention Figure 2 is view of the front of the device of the present invention with a receipt extending from the receipt port; Figure 3 is a perspective view of the device of the present invention mounted to a stand;and, Figure 4 is a perspective view of the rear of the stand of figure 3 showing a solar panel.

Referring to Figures 1 and 2 of the drawings, there is shown a communication device 10 in accordance with a first embodiment of the present invention. The device 10 comprises a front panel 11 comprising buttons 12a, 12b for establishing a communications link to a pre-determined call recipient (not shown), such as a taxi operator (not shown). Buttons 12a and 12b enable a user to make a call and send a text message respectively, over the wireless communications link. The device 10 further comprises a button 13 which when pressed, initiates a call to the emergency services.

The panel 11 further comprises a display screen 14, an aperture 15 through which a receipt 16 may be ejected and a plurality of elongate apertures 17 disposed substantially parallel to one another and which extend substantially horizontally across the face of the panel 11. The panel 11 further comprises a key set (not shown) which may take the form of a plurality of alphanumeric buttons for creating a message, or a plurality of buttons (not shown) corresponding to a selection of predetermined messages.

Housed within the device 10 there is provided a transducer (not shown) which functions as a microphone and as a loudspeaker, and which is disposed substantially adjacent the plurality of elongate apertures 17. It is also envisaged however, that the transducer (not shown) may be housed within a handset (not shown) that is removably secured to the device 10. There is also provided a transmitter (not shown) that is arranged to transmit signals over a wireless communications link and a receiver (not shown) that is arranged to receive signals over a wireless communications link.

The transmitter, receiver and transducer are arranged in communication with a processor (not shown) also disposed within the device 10. The processor (not shown) processes signals, received as input from the transducer (not shown) and the key set (not shown), for transmission via the transmitter over the wireless communications link.

The processor (not shown) further processes signals received by the receiver over the wireless communications link for output from the transducer (not shown) and/or the display 14.

The communications device 10 further comprises indication means (not shown) disposed on the device 10, such as a light (not shown), to indicate when a taxi has arrived at their location. The device 10 further comprises a coin slot (not shown) and/or a card slot (not shown) for receiving coins and credit/loyalty cards, respectively, to pay for the connection over the wireless communications link.

In use, when a user wishes to book a taxi for example using the device 10, the user inserts the required coins (not shown) in the coin slot (not shown) or places their credit/loyalty card (not shown) within the card slot (not shown) and then pushes the required button 12a, 12b arranged on the front panel 11 to initiate a communications link to a predetermined recipient, such as a taxi operator, whose address/telephone number is accessed from a memory (not shown) within the device 10. The cost of initiating the link is intended to prevent any misuse of the device 10 and this cost is deducted from the eventual taxi fare.

For example, the user may push button 12a so that the user can speak with the taxi operator. The taxi operator can then accept the call from the device 10. The user then speaks into the device 10 by directing their voice substantially toward the plurality of elongate apertures 17. The sound of the users' voice is picked up by the transducer (not shown), which acts as a microphone. The transducer (not shown) then outputs the sound picked up, as an electrical signal to the processor (not shown) which processes the signal for transmission via the transmitter over a wireless communications link.

When the taxi operator responds, the receiver (not shown) receives the communication signal sent from the operator and these signals are then output from the receiver (not shown) to the processor (not shown) which processes the signals for output to the transducer (not shown). The transducer (not shown) subsequently outputs the signals received as an audible representation of the operators' voice so that the user can listen to the operator.

Alternatively, the user may push button 12b to send a text message over a wireless communication link. The user may then create the required message using the key set (not shown) or select one of a plurality of predetermined messages from the key set (not shown), to be transmitted over the wireless communications link to the taxi operator.

Once the taxi has been suitably booked, the device 10 is arranged to issue a confirmation, such as a reference number to the user so that the when the taxi driver arrives to take the user to their desired location, the driver will know exactly who booked the taxi. The confirmation may take the form a paper receipt 16 which is issued from the aperture 15 formed within the panel 11. The receipt 16 is generated by a printing device (not shown) which prints the confirmation number onto a section of a roll of paper, for example. The roll of paper is perforated such that the user can easily separate the section once it is ejected from the aperture 15. In an alternative arrangement, the confirmation number is displayed on the display screen 14.

When a taxi arrives at the location, the taxi driver may arrange for a signal to be transmitted to the device thereby causing the light (not shown) to illuminate and the reference number of the booking to be displayed on the display screen 14.

Alternatively, the taxi may comprise a wireless transmitter (not shown) for example, which is arranged to activate the light (not shown) on the device 10 and display the reference number on the screen 14 automatically, when the taxi arrives at the location.

The device 10 of the present invention may be secured to a wall or upon a stand 18, as shown in Figure 3 of the drawings. The device 10 is powered using a rechargeable battery supply (not shown) that may be housed within the stand 18. Alternatively, or in addition thereto, the device 10 may be powered using a solar panel 19 arranged on the upper side of the stand 18, as shown in Figure 4 of the drawings. It is envisaged that the solar panel could power the device 10 during the day while simultaneously charging the battery supply. During the night, or in conditions of diminished light, the battery supply (not shown) could then be used to power the device 10.

From the foregoing therefore it is evident that the communications device 10 of the present invention provides for a simple yet effective means of booking a taxi, for

example.

Claims

Claims 1. A communications device, the device comprising: -means for initiating a communication link to one or more recipients, the means for initiating the link being configured to only establish a wireless communications link, -communication means for transmitting and receiving communication signals over the wireless communications link, -input means for receiving as input communication signals to be transmitted over the communications link, and output means for generating as output communication signals received over the communications link, the device further comprising means for generating confirmation in dependence of the communication signals transmitted and received over the communications link.
2. A communications device according to claim 1, wherein the input means and the output means comprise at least one transducer.
3. A communications device according to claim 2, wherein the at least one transducer functions as a microphone and as a loudspeaker.
4. A communications device according to claim 2, wherein the at least one transducer may comprise a separate microphone and loudspeaker.
5. A communications device according to any of claims 2 to 4, wherein the transducer is housed within the device.
6. A communications device according to any of claims 2 to 4, wherein the transducer is be housed within a handset that is removably secured to the device.
7. A communications device according to any preceding claim, wherein the input means comprises or further comprises means for generating a text message and the output means comprises a display screen for displaying communication signals received over the communications link.
8. A communications device according to claim 7, wherein the means for generating a text message comprises a key set comprising a plurality of alphanumeric buttons.
9. A communications device according to claim 7 or 8, wherein the key set comprises or further comprises a plurality of buttons which correspond to a selection of predetermined messages.
10. A communications device according to any preceding claim, wherein the means for generating confirmation is arranged to generate confirmation that a taxi has been hired.
11. A communications device according to any preceding claim, wherein the confirmation comprises a reference number that is provided on a receipt that is issued from the device.
12. A communications device according to claim 10 or 11 as appended to claim 7, wherein the confirmation comprises or further comprises a reference number that is displayed on the display screen.
13. A communications device according to any preceding claim further comprising memory means for storing wireless communications link addresses, such as telephone numbers, of the one or more predetermined recipients.
14. A communications device according to any preceding claim, wherein the one or more predetermined recipients comprises the emergency services.
15. A communications device according to any preceding claim, wherein the means for initiating the communications link comprises a button.
16. A communications device according to any preceding claim further comprising indication means for indicating when a taxi, which has been hired using the device, has arrived.
17. A communications device according to any preceding claim, wherein the device is powered from a rechargeable battery supply and/or a solar panel.
18. A communications device according to claim 17, further comprising means for recharging the battery supply.
19. A communications device according to claim 17 and 18 wherein the means for recharging the battery supply comprises the solar panel.