JPH09191358A - Cell key board for facsimile transmission system - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To conduct the facsimile transmission with a portable equipment not restricted by location at all times by using a cell network. SOLUTION: A dial pad 48 is used to enter a telephone number and a cell function and a cell logic 50 is used to call the telephone number via a transceiver 40 to execute the cell function and to conduct 2-way voice communication by using a microphone 44 and an earphone 46. Furthermore, an alphanumeric key board 56 is used to enter an alphanumeric representing a transmission content and it is displayed on an alphanumeric display device 54 as it is entered and a key FAX logic 52 is used receive the alphanumeric letter indicating the transmission content to be interfaced with a facsimile equipment connected via the transceiver 40 and the transmission content is subject to cell transmission as facsimile data so as to conduct a key FAX function in which the facsimile equipment receives the transmission content and generates a document representing the content.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a facsimile system, and more particularly to a dual function portable cell handset for performing cell operations using voice and keyboard (key fax) for facsimile transmission.

[0002]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Facsimile transmission is probably the most rapidly developed technology in today's communication technology. The unique ability of a fax machine to send every card copy of a paper to a time-staggered region of the world requires the business to transmit all types and formats of data that are diversifying day by day quickly and accurately. Not only is it a plus, but it is indispensable to the business.

In a "conventional" facsimile system shown in FIG. 1, a transmitting facsimile machine 10 scans a document 12 and digitally transmits information obtained therefrom to a receiving facsimile machine 10 'via a standard telephone line 14. The facsimile of the document 12 'is reproduced and printed out using the digital data.

In order to simplify the facsimile creation and transmission facsimile system used when transmitting document-only documents, the inventor of the present application has disclosed in US Pat. No. 4,918,723 “Keyboards for Facsimile Transmission Systems”
Invented a facsimile system disclosed as a key fax machine. The key fax system, as shown in FIG. 2, has a key fax 16 interfaced to a standard telephone line 14 instead of the fax machine 10 of FIG. The key fax 16 has an alphanumeric keyboard 18 and an alphanumeric display 20. The document displayed on display 20 as typed on keyboard 18 is transmitted to receiving facsimile machine 10 'as a virtual page of the document, as if key fax 16 had been scanned. In other words, for the receiving facsimile machine 10 ', the key fax 16 is exactly the same as the standard facsimile machine. Of course, the key fax 16 is a transmission-only device and cannot receive a facsimile transmission. The key fax 16 can be used in various cases if the transmission of information to the receiving facsimile machine 10 'as shown in FIG. 2 is the main use of the user. For example, when a busy executive businessman wants to send a note to the company, the key fax 16 can be carried in a briefcase. Alternatively, if a salesman wants to send an order to his company quickly and without errors common to voice communications, using key fax 16 is very effective.

[0005] Others that have emerged in the modern business are cellular telephones.
There is a phone. The so-called "mobile" wireless phones were not so popular due to the technical constraints of the time. However, cell phones are relatively inexpensive, simple, and have all the advantages of standard telephones, including the ability to connect to standard telephones worldwide. As schematically shown in FIG. 3, the cell system 22 comprises a central part 24 which connects with a plurality of cells 26 within the range of the cell service. This central part 24 is further connected to the standard telephone line 14. A user transceiver 28 is provided with a cell transceiver 30. The transceiver 30 is connected to a handset 32 to perform voice communication, or is connected to the portable facsimile machine 10 or the key facsimile 16 to perform facsimile transmission. It is possible to go.
When the user point 28 moves to any place within the range of the cell service, it is connected to the nearest cell 26 by the radio wave 34. Central portion 24 routes any calls from user location 28 to the appropriate destination according to the number dialed by the user. Thus, the user can receive the facsimile machine 1
A 0 'or other user point 28' can be called.

[0006]

As cell phones have become particularly popular in business, portable handsets with small transceivers have become available. Then, by placing the small handset in a pocket, small bag, or briefcase, telephone communication can be performed immediately. However, the desire of busy businessmen who want to use such a handset for facsimile transmission has not yet been realized. For example, a salesman who visits a customer would receive an order directly from the customer's home.
The key fax 16 had to be approved for connection to the customer's telephone line 14.

Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to realize a truly portable facsimile transmission function using a cell network. Another object of the present invention is to provide a key fax function in a single cell unit.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a portable cell handset capable of both voice communication and key fax communication. Other objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed embodiments with reference to the drawings.

[0009]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION A portable cell keyboard (key fax) device for facsimile transmission of the present invention, which has been made to achieve the above object, comprises a cell phone communication network and a two-way wireless phone. A cell transceiver means for connection, a cell dial pad means for inputting a telephone number to be called and a cell function to be executed, a telephone number to be called and a cell function to be executed are received from the dial pad means, and the transceiver means is provided. Cell logic means for calling the telephone number through the cell function to execute the cell function, alphanumeric keyboard means for inputting alphanumeric characters representing contents to be transmitted by facsimile transmission, and the alphanumeric characters representing the contents to be transmitted, Alphanumeric display means for displaying as input to the keyboard means, By receiving the alphanumeric characters representing the contents, interfacing with a facsimile machine connected via the transceiver means, and transmitting the transmission contents as facsimile data, the transmission contents are received by the facsimile machine and the transmission contents are transmitted. And a keyfax logic means created as an alphanumeric document representing the transceiver, the transceiver means, the dial pad means, the cell logic means, the alphanumeric keyboard means, the alphanumeric display means, and the keyfax logic means. And a battery means for supplying.

In the preferred embodiment, the transceiver means, dial pad means, cell logic means, alphanumeric keyboard means, alphanumeric display means, and key fax logic means are all housed in a common case. Further, the common case includes a main body portion and a lid portion that are hinged to each other. The keyboard means is disposed within the body. The display means is also arranged in the lid part. According to one embodiment of the present invention, the keyboard means is installed on the upper surface of the main body portion so as to face the display means in the lid portion, and the lid portion and the display means are arranged so as to be located on the keyboard means when closed. ..

In yet another embodiment, the dial pad means is part of the keyboard means. The dial pad means and the keyboard means may share dual function key buttons. To use the present invention for a dual purpose, a microphone and an earphone are provided in a case and connected to a transceiver means so that a user can use a portable key fax machine for two-way voice communication. You may

[0012]

4 to 10 show a dual function portable cell handset 36 according to a first embodiment of the present invention. FIG.
As shown in the functional block diagram of FIG.
It comprises a plastic case 38 having a cell transceiver 40 connected to a suitable internal or external antenna 42. Microphone 44, earphone 46, and dial pad 48 are connected to cell logic 50, which is connected to transceiver 40 for transmitting and receiving. Plastic case 38 further includes key fax logic 52, which is coupled to and transmits from transceiver 40, and a liquid crystal alphanumeric display 54 and an alphanumeric keyboard 56 are also coupled to key fax logic 52. I have. The manner of operation of both the key fax logic 52 and the cell logic 50 is similar to that of the prior art, such as the logic of the transceiver 40, and their individual components themselves are not novel to the present invention. The novelty of the present invention is the result of the cooperation of combining them into a single portable device in the manner described herein. Therefore,
Description of the related art of each element is omitted. Also, a suitable rechargeable battery 58 for driving the above electrical components may be standard.

As best shown in the simplified illustrations of FIGS. 5 through 9, the case 38 of the handset 36 includes a body 60 having a back or lid 62. The lid 62 has a display 54 therein so that the display 54 can be viewed while the lid 62 is open. The material of the case 38 is desirably a rigid and durable plastic that can be obtained. Thus, the lid 62 can be fixed to the main body 60 by a so-called “living hinge”. This living hinge is
It is formed of a thin plate made of a single plastic cast in the shape of the lid 62, and is connected to at least the upper part of the main body 60. An alphanumeric keyboard 56 is provided on the upper surface of the main body 60 facing the display 54. FIG. 4 shows an example of the display 54 and the keyboard 56. Although any alphanumeric keyboard may be used as the keyboard 56, since the operation is familiar and easy to use,
Standard typewriter, or so-called "quarty (q
Weirty) key arrangement is desirable. A dial pad 48 and an opening 66 are formed on the bottom portion 64 of the case 38, that is, on the opposite side of the keyboard 56. I have. Dial pad 48
Is provided with a dial button 68 comprising numbers from 0 to 9 and keys * and #, and a cell function button 70, which is the same as the conventional one. The cell function button 70 may be shared with the key facsimile logic 52, and there is no need to add a useless button. For example, upon completion of the connection between the handset 36 and the receiving facsimile machine 10 ', the key facsimile logic 52 will, for example,
Must be instructed to interface with the receiving facsimile machine 10 '. Therefore, by pressing the send button (SEND) in the cell function button 70, the dialed number may be transmitted first to the cell logic 50, and then the key fax logic 52 may be instructed to interface.

The dual-function cell handset 36 is thus formed so that the user can carry the handset 36 in a pocket, small bag, or briefcase, as well as by voice. Telecommunications and facsimile transmission by key fax are possible everywhere within the cell network. Accordingly, the salesman visiting the customer can receive the order from the customer and enter it on the alphanumeric keyboard 56 at the same time, and immediately place an order by facsimile from the place where the customer is located without any trouble for the customer. .

FIG. 11 shows a second embodiment of the handset according to the present invention, which is referred to as a handset 36 '. In this example,
The keyboard 56 on the upper surface of the main body 60 includes a dial pad 48 '. The cell function button 70 is the same as that of the first embodiment. However, the dial buttons 68 have been replaced with keyboard function select buttons 72. By using the keyboard function selection button 72, the keys of the keyboard 56 can perform a normal keyboard function both as an alphanumeric input device and as the dial buttons 68 of the first embodiment. In this case, it is convenient to use, for example, keys 0 through 9 for that purpose. Similarly, the cell function button 70 is also replaced and the keyboard 5
Six other keys may be used as dual function keys. In the embodiment of FIG. 11, when the voice communication function of the present invention is unnecessary and only the function of
That is, it is particularly convenient when all the functional parts are to be stored in the case for security or protection reasons. In this case, only the microphone 44 may be removed and the earphone 46 may be left as an extended speaker so that the response of the called number can be heard.

Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail above, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments, and can be implemented in various forms without departing from the spirit of the present invention. .

[0017]

As described in detail above, according to the portable cell-key fax machine of the present invention, it is possible to carry out facsimile transmission which is truly portable and has no space restrictions.
A single cell unit can implement the keyfax function, allowing both voice and keyfax transmission using a portable handset.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a simplified diagram of a prior art facsimile system compatible with a standard telephone.

FIG. 2 is a simplified diagram of a prior art facsimile keyboard (key fax) transmission system compatible with standard telephones.

FIG. 3 is a simplified diagram of a prior art cell phone system used to transmit voice and facsimile to other cell phones and standard telephone receiving points.

FIG. 4 is a detailed view of the back of a cell phone handset with a key fax transmitter according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a simplified rear view showing a state in which a cover provided with a display is closed in the cell phone handset of FIG. 4;

6 is a simplified side view of the cell phone handset of FIG. 4 with the lid closed.

FIG. 7 is a simplified end view of the cell phone handset of FIG. 4 with the lid closed.

FIG. 8 is a simplified end view of the cell phone handset of FIG. 4 with a cover opened.

FIG. 9 is a simplified bottom view of the cell phone handset of FIG.

FIG. 10 is a functional block diagram of the cell phone handset of FIG.

FIG. 11 is a detailed rear view of a cell phone handset with a key fax transmitter according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 36 Handset 38 Case 40 Transceiver 44 Microphone 46 Earphone 48 Dialpad 50 Cell Logic 52 Key Fax Logic 54 Alphanumeric Display 56 Alphanumeric Keyboard 58 Battery

Front Page Continuation (71) Applicant 391030837 832 Country Drive Ojai California 93023 United States of America (72) Inventor Jerry Earl. Iglooden United States 91321 Santa Clarita Cleardale Street, California 21600 (72) Inventor Donald A. Streck USA 93023 Ojai Country Drive, California 832

Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. In a portable cell keyboard (key fax) used for facsimile transmission, a cell transceiver means for establishing a two-way wireless telephone connection with a cell telephone communication network, a telephone number to be called and a cell function to be executed. Cell dial pad means for inputting, telephone number to be called and cell function to be performed received from the dial pad means, cell logic means for calling the telephone number via the transceiver means and performing the cell function, An alphanumeric keyboard means for inputting alphanumeric characters representing the content to be transmitted by facsimile transmission, an alphanumeric display means for displaying the alphanumeric characters representing the transmission content as input to the keyboard means, and representing the transmission content Receives the alphanumeric characters and activates the transceiver means A key fax logic which is interfaced with a facsimile machine connected via the above and transmits the transmission contents as facsimile data, and the transmission contents are received by the facsimile machine and created as an alphanumeric document representing the transmission contents. Means, a transceiver means, the dial pad means, the cell logic means, the alphanumeric keyboard means, the alphanumeric display means, and a battery means for powering the keyfax logic means. Portable cell key fax machine. 2. In a portable cell keyboard (key fax) device used for facsimile transmission, cell transceiver means for establishing a two-way wireless telephone connection with a cell telephone communication network, a telephone number to be called and a cell function to be performed. Cell dial pad means for inputting, and a cell logic means for receiving from the dial pad means a telephone number to be called and a cell function to be executed, and for calling the telephone number via the transceiver means to execute the cell function. An alphanumeric keyboard means for inputting alphanumeric characters representing the content to be transmitted by facsimile transmission, an alphanumeric character display means for displaying the alphanumeric characters representing the transmission content as input to the keyboard means, and the transmission content Receiving the alphanumeric character representing the transceiver hand A key formed by interfacing with a facsimile machine connected via a step and transmitting the transmission contents as facsimile data, so that the transmission contents are received by the facsimile machine and created as an alphanumeric document representing the transmission contents. Fax logic means, said transceiver means, said dial pad means, said cell logic means, said alphanumeric keyboard means, said alphanumeric display means, and battery means for powering said keyfax logic means, said transceiver means, A portable cell keypad comprising: a case for accommodating all of the dial pad means, the cell logic means, the alphanumeric keyboard means, the alphanumeric display means, the key fax logic means, and the battery means. Box apparatus. 3. A portable dual-function cell handset for cell operation using voice and a keyboard (key fax) for facsimile transmission, a cell for bidirectional wireless telephone connection with a cell telephone communication network. A transceiver means, a cell dial pad means for inputting a telephone number to be called and a cell function to be carried out, a telephone number to be called and a cell function to be carried out received from the dial pad means, and through the transceiver means Cell logic means for calling a telephone number and executing the cell function, alphanumeric keyboard means for inputting alphanumeric characters representing contents to be transmitted by facsimile transmission, and the alphanumeric characters representing the contents to be transmitted to the keyboard means. Alphanumeric display means for displaying as input, and the transmission contents The transmission content is received by the facsimile machine and represents the transmission content by receiving the alphanumeric character that represents and interfacing with a facsimile machine connected through the transceiver means and transmitting the transmission content as facsimile data. Powering the keyfax logic means created as an alphanumeric document, the transceiver means, the dial pad means, the cell logic means, the alphanumeric keyboard means, the alphanumeric display means, and the keyfax logic means. A battery means, a transceiver means, the dial pad means, the cell logic means, the alphanumeric keyboard means, the alphanumeric display means, the keyfax logic means, and the battery means are all housed, A case having a main body having a board means on its upper surface, and a microphone and an earphone located at both ends of the bottom surface of the main body facing the outside, and connected to the transceiver means. A portable cell-key fax machine comprising a microphone and an earphone that allow the portable key-fax machine to be used for two-way voice communication by arranging the case so as to touch a user's mouth. 4. Cell transceiver means for two-way radiotelephone connection with a cell phone communication network; cell dial pad means for entering a telephone number to be called and cell function to be performed; and telephone number to be called and performing. A cell logic means for receiving the cell function from the dial pad means, calling the telephone number through the transceiver means and executing the cell function, and the transceiver means, the dial pad means, and the cell logic means. A battery for supplying power, a case for accommodating all of the transceiver means, the dial pad means, the cell logic means, and the battery means, and the transceiver means located at both ends of the bottom surface of the case facing the outside of the case. A microphone and an earphone connected to the By arranging the case so that the earphone is placed on the user's ear and the microphone is placed on the user's mouth, the keyboard can be used for two-way voice communication, and the portable cell phone can be used for facsimile transmission. ), A portable cell phone equipped with a microphone and an earphone that enable cell operation as an alphanumeric keyboard for inputting alphanumeric characters representing the content transmitted by facsimile transmission, installed in the case. Means, an alphanumeric character display means for displaying the alphanumeric characters indicating the transmission content as input from the keyboard means, the alphanumeric character display means for receiving the alphanumeric characters indicating the transmission content, An interface with a facsimile machine connected via transceiver means. Face, and by transmitting the transmission content as facsimile data, the transmission content is received by the facsimile machine and created as an alphanumeric document representing the transmission content. The key fax logic means contained in the case. And a battery means coupled to power the alphanumeric keyboard means, the alphanumeric display means, and the keyfax logic means.