The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Feb. 20, 1990
Filed:
Nov. 07, 1988
James R Hendershot, Arroyo Grande, CA (US);
Signal Communications Corporation, Mandeville, LA (US);
Abstract
A communication system having a base station and a number of field units employs a virtual hold technique and a self-testing technique. In the virtual hold technique, when a field unit is put on hold, the communication channel previously used by the field unit is released for use elsewhere in the system, thereby increasing the efficiency of the system. In the self-test technique, a test signal is transmitted to the field unit where it is applied to the earpiece of a handset so as to generate sound waves which are picked up by the microphone in the mouthpiece of the handset and transmitted back to the base station for comparison with the original test signal. In this manner, the entire communication loop is tested without the need for human intervention, and in particular without the need for a person to be present at the field unit. The self-test technique improves the reliability of the system.