Abstract:
A two way radio includes a first push to talk button and a second push to talk button. The first push to talk button is configured to cause transmission of a first signal on a first channel. The second push to talk button is configured to cause transmission of a second signal on a second channel. The first and second channels are in a single radio network. A radio peripheral device for operation with a two-way radio includes a connector configured to be connected to the two-way radio; a speaker configured to output audio based on a received audio signal that is received from the two-way radio via the connector; a microphone; a first push-to-talk button configured to provide a first indication to the two-way radio; and a second push-to-talk button configured to provide a second indication to the two-way radio.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/344,062, filed on Feb. 1, 2006, which claims priority to U.S. provisional application No. 60/751,300, filed on Dec. 19, 2005, the entire disclosures of which are hereby incorporated herein for all purposes. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND 
       [0002]    Two way radios allow users the ability to wirelessly communicate with others on a small network. Most two way radios use various channels or frequencies for communication. Monitoring of more than one channel allows a user to communicate with a plurality of people for a variety of purposes. In a security environment, for instance, channel 1 may be used to communicate about and monitor emergency conditions. Channel 2 may be used to communicate about and monitor major security threats. Channel 3 may be used to communicate about and monitor minor security threats. A user may monitor all three channels by using a two way radio having a scanning mode. However, the user is limited to transmitting on the most recently scanned channel. If the use fails to transmit within a short predetermined period of time, the two way radio may have scanned to a new channel. The user then has to manually select the channel wasting time and eliminating the ability to scan other channels during the selection process. 
         [0003]    What is needed is a two way radio that allows a user to listen to more than one channel and transmit on a selected channel or predetermined channel in a convenient manner. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0004]    According to an embodiment, a two way radio includes a first push to talk button and a second push to talk button. The first push to talk button is configured to cause transmission of a first signal on a first channel. The second push to talk button is configured to cause transmission of a second signal on a second channel. The first and second channels are in a single radio network. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0005]    Examples of the invention are illustrated, without limitation, in the accompanying figures in which like numeral references refer to like elements and wherein: 
           [0006]      FIG. 1  shows an illustrated view of a two way radio in accordance with an embodiment of the invention; 
           [0007]      FIG. 2  shows a block diagram of a two way radio in accordance with an embodiment of the invention; 
           [0008]      FIG. 3  shows an illustrated view of a speaker and microphone for use with a two way radio in accordance with an embodiment of the invention; 
           [0009]      FIG. 4  shows a circuit diagram of a push to talk circuit in accordance with an embodiment of the invention; 
           [0010]      FIG. 5  shows an illustrated view of a headset for use with a two way radio in accordance with an embodiment of the invention; 
           [0011]      FIG. 6  shows a flow diagram of a method for operating a two way radio in accordance with an embodiment of the invention; 
           [0012]      FIG. 7  shows a flow diagram of a method for operating a two way radio in accordance with another embodiment of the invention; 
           [0013]      FIG. 8  shows a flow diagram of a method for operating a two way radio in accordance with another embodiment of the invention; 
           [0014]      FIG. 9  shows a flow diagram of a method for operating a two way radio in accordance with another embodiment of the invention; 
           [0015]      FIG. 10  shows a flow diagram of a method for operating a two way radio in accordance with another embodiment of the invention; 
           [0016]      FIG. 11  shows an exemplary block diagram for implementing a portion of a two-way radio according to some embodiments; and 
           [0017]      FIG. 12  shows an exemplary block diagram for implementing a portion of a two-way radio according to some embodiments. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0018]    For simplicity and illustrative purposes, the principles are shown by way of examples of systems and methods described. In the following description, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the examples. It will be apparent however, to one of ordinary skill in the art, that the examples may be practiced without limitation to these specific details. In other instances, well known methods and structures are not described in detail so as not to unnecessarily obscure understanding of the examples. 
         [0019]    In an example, a two way radio includes two push to talk buttons. A first push to talk button is configured to transmit a signal on a first channel while a second push to talk button is configured to transmit a signal on a second channel. Both the first and second channels may be located in the same radio network. In one example, the first push to talk button is assigned to a first channel while the second push to talk button is assigned to a second channel. A user may use the two way radio to listen to both channels simultaneously. That is, the user does not have to switch between the first and second channel to hear both channels. If the user wants to send a message on the first channel, the user presses the first push to talk button. If the user wants to send a message on the second channel, the user presses the second push to talk button. Additionally, the first or second channel may consist of a talk group or group of channels. This may be assigned by the user. 
         [0020]    In another example, the two way radio includes two push to talk buttons and a selector for allowing a user to select a channel for use. A first push to talk button is configured to transmit a signal on a first channel while a second push to talk button is configured to transmit a signal on a second channel or group of channels. Both the first and second channels may be located in the same radio network. The user selects a channel to use and the first push to talk button is then assigned to the channel selected by the user. The second push to talk button is assigned to a second predetermined channel. A user may use the two way radio to listen to both channels simultaneously or alternatively to only the selected channel. If the user wants to send a message on the selected channel, the user presses the first push to talk button. If the user wants to send a message on the second channel, the user presses the second push to talk button. 
         [0021]    In another example, the two way radio includes two push to talk buttons and a scanning model for allowing a user to scan through a list of channels. A first push to talk button is configured to transmit a signal on a first channel while a second push to talk button is configured to transmit a signal on a second channel or group of channels. Both the first and second channels may be located in the same radio network. The user puts the two way radio in scanning mode and listens to conversations in the channels as the radio scans through the list of channels. The first push to talk button is assigned to the most recently scanned or selected channel. This assignment continues to change as the channels are scanned. If the user wants to communicate on the most recently scanned or selected channel, the user pushes the first push to talk button. The second push to talk button may be assigned to a second predetermined channel. If the user wants to send a message on the most recently scanned channel, the user presses the first push to talk button. If the user wants to send a message on the second channel, the user presses the second push to talk button. 
         [0022]    With reference first to  FIG. 1 , there is shown a two way radio  100  including a first push to talk button  102  and a second push to talk button  104 . The two way radio  100  also includes a microphone  106 , a speaker,  108 , a volume knob  110 , a channel selector  112 , and an antenna  114 . The volume knob  110  may also act as the on/off switch for the two way radio  100  allowing a user to turn the two way radio  100  on and adjust the volume to the appropriate level. The user may adjust the channel selector  112  to select a channel to use. In one embodiment, the first push to talk button  102  operates to transmit a signal on the channel selected by the channel selector  112 . The second push to talk button  104  operates to transmit a signal on another channel selected by the user. Assigning a channel to the second push to talk button  104  may be accomplished programmatically or through a series of switches. In another embodiment, a user may hold down the second push to talk button  104  and then select the channel to assign using the channel selector  112 . Once the appropriate channel is selected, the user may release the second push to talk button  104 . 
         [0023]    In another embodiment, the channel selector  112  may include a plurality of selections wherein each selection is a channel or a job list. For example, if the channel selector  112  includes  16  selections there may be  16  possible channels for use. However, a subset of those selections may be reserved for job lists. A user may decide to program four configurations or job lists into the two way radio  100 . In that case,  12  channels will be available for use and the remaining four selections will be assigned to setting the two way radio  100  to a predetermined configuration or job list. 
         [0024]    A job list, as used herein, is a preprogrammed configuration for the two way radio  100 . For example, if the user of the two way radio  100  has several scenarios for operating the radio, the use may program or have a technician program a job list into the two way radio  100 . In one job list the first push to talk button  102  may be assigned to channel four while the second push to talk button  104  is assigned to channel eight. In another job list, the first push to talk button  102  may be assigned to channel three while the second push to talk button  104  is assigned to channel seven. The various possible scanning modes of the two way radio  100  may also be configured using job lists. 
         [0025]    In another embodiment, the channel selection  112  may include a plurality of selections wherein each selection is a channel. In this embodiment, the two way radio  100  may be provided with a job list selector  116 . In this manner, full use of the available channels is accessible through the channel selector  112 . For instance, if the channel selector  112  includes 16 selections, then the 16 channels are usable. The job list selector  116  allows the user to separately select a particular configuration of the two way radio  100 . 
         [0026]    In another embodiment, the channel selector  112  may include a scanning mode selection. The scanning mode allows the user to listen to several channels from a list of channels. In this example, the first push to talk button  102  may be assigned to the most recently scanned channel. If the scanning mode scans channels 1, 2, 3, 7, and 9 then back to 1, then the first push to talk button  102  is assigned to channels 1, 2, 3, 7, and 9 and then back to 1 in that order. In this way, the first push to talk button  102  may be used to communicate on the channel most recently listened to by the user. As with the previous example, the second push to talk button  104  may be assigned to a predetermined channel. 
         [0027]    In another embodiment, the first push to talk button  102  may be assigned to a first channel while the second push to talk button  104  may be assigned to a second channel. In this example, the use may scan channels or select specific channel for listening to various conversations. However, the first push to talk button  102  may be used to talk to a specific person or group no matter which channel the user is currently monitoring. 
         [0028]    Referring now to  FIG. 2 , there is shown a block diagram of a two way radio  200  including a first push to talk button  202 , a second push to talk button  204 , a microphone  206 , a speaker  208 , a button selector  210 , a channel selector  212 , an antenna  214 , a transmitter  216  and a receiver  218 .  FIG. 2  also illustrates a first channel  220  and a second channel  222 . 
         [0029]    A user may monitor a channel by selecting the channel using the channel selector  212 . The channel selector  212  is connected to the receiver  218 . The receiver  218  receives signals from the antenna  214  and decodes or demodulates the signals, processes the signals, and provides audio output through the speaker  208 . The receiver  218  may monitor more than one frequency or channel at a time. Additionally, the receiver  218  may include a scanning module  224  for scanning through a list of predetermined frequencies. The receiver  218  may also provide input to the button selector  210  for various purposes described below. 
         [0030]    The first push to talk button  202 , the second push to talk button  204  and the microphone  206  may communicate through the button selector  210  to the transmitter  216 . The button selector  210  determines which push to talk button  202  or  204  the user has selected and transmits the signals received from the microphone  206  to the transmitter  216 . The transmitter  216  uses the antenna  214  for transmission of the signals on the first channel  220  or the second channel  222 . In one example, the first push to talk button  202  is assigned to the first channel  220  while the second push to talk button is assigned to the second channel  222 . The button selector  210  decodes signals created when the first or second push to talk buttons  202  or  204  are pressed to determined which button is selected. The button selector  210  then determines which channel is assigned to the selected button in order to determine which channel to use to transmit the signal. This determination may be made in a variety of manners. For instance, the button selector  210  may use a look up table or an algorithm to determine which channel is assigned to the selected button. 
         [0031]    In another example, the first push to talk button  202  may be dynamically assigned depending on the state of the receiver  218 . In this case, the receiver  218  provides input to the button selector  210  including the current channel being received. The first push to talk button  202  is then assigned to the current channel being received. The channel received may be the channel selected by the user through the channel selector  212 . Alternatively, the channel received may be the channel currently being scanned by the scanning module  224  of the receiver  218 . 
         [0032]      FIG. 3  shows an illustrated view of a handset  300  for use with a two way radio. The handset  300  includes a first push to talk button  302 , a second push to talk button  304 , a microphone  306 , a speaker  308 , and a cord  310  with a plug connector  312 . The plug connector  312  plugs into a two way radio, such as the two radios described above, allowing a user to remotely operate the two way radio. For instance, a user may clip the two way radio to a belt and use the handset  300  for operating the radio. In one embodiment, the first push to talk button  302  operates to transmit a signal on the channel selected by the channel selector of the two way radio. The second push to talk button  304  operates to transmit a signal on another channel selected by the user. Assigning a channel to the second push to talk button  304  may be accomplished programmatically or through a series of switches. In another embodiment, a user may hold down the second push to talk button  304  and then select the channel to assign using the channel selector of the two way radio. Once the appropriate channel is selected, the user may release the second push to talk button  304 . 
         [0033]    In another embodiment, the two way radio may include a scanning mode. The scanning mode allows the user to listen to several channels from a list of channels. In this example, the first push to talk button  302  may be assigned to the most recently scanned channel. If the scanning mode scans channels 1, 2, 3, 7, and 9 then back to 1, then the first push to talk button  302  is assigned to channels 1, 2, 3, 7, and 9 and then back to 1 in that order. In this way, the first push to talk button  302  may be used to communicate on the channel most recently listened to by the user. As with the previous example, the second push to talk button  304  may be assigned to a predetermined channel. 
         [0034]    In another embodiment, the first push to talk button  302  may be assigned to a first channel while the second push to talk button  304  may be assigned to a second channel. In this example, the use may scan channels or select specific channel for listening to various conversations. However, the first push to talk button  302  may be used to talk to a specific person or group no matter which channel the user is currently monitoring. 
         [0035]      FIG. 4  shows a circuit diagram of a push to talk circuit  400 . In the self-contained two way radio examples disclosed in  FIG. 2 , the button selector  210  determines if the first push to talk button  202  or the second push to talk button  204  is pressed by the user. This determination may be made in a variety of well known manners. However, in the handset example shown in  FIG. 3  and the headset example shown below in  FIG. 5 , only two wires connect two or more push to talk buttons to the button selector. Therefore, it is more difficult to determine which push to talk button is pressed. In  FIG. 4 , a first push to talk button  402  and a second push to talk button  404  are connected in parallel to the plug  406 . A first resistor  408  is connected in series with the first push to talk button  402 . A second resistor  410  is connected in series with the second push to talk button  404 . The resistance of the first and second resistors  408  and  410  are different. Therefore, simply applying voltage to the plug and measure current through the circuit will allow the button selector to determine if the first or second push to talk buttons  402  or  404  is pressed. Alternatively, the two way radio or button selector may apply current to the plug and measure voltage in order to make a determination. 
         [0036]    In an alternative embodiment, a headset or handset may include any number of push to talk buttons (with series resistors) in parallel. If each resistance value is different, the button selector or two way radio may easily determine which push to talk button is currently being activated by the user. 
         [0037]    The circuit diagram depicted in  FIG. 4  is simplified for purposes of clarity and explanation. Other circuit elements including a microphone element may be included in the circuit. 
         [0038]      FIG. 5  shows an illustrated view of a headset  500  for use with a two way radio. The handset  500  includes a first push to talk button  502 , a second push to talk button  504 , a microphone  506 , ear cups  508 , and a cord  510  with a plug connector  512 . The plug connector  512  plugs into a two way radio, such as the two radios described above, allowing a user to remotely operate the two way radio. For instance, a user may clip the two way radio to a belt and wear the headset  500  for operating the radio. In one embodiment, the first push to talk button  502  operates to transmit a signal on the channel selected by the channel selector of the two way radio. The second push to talk button  504  operates to transmit a signal on another channel selected by the user. Assigning a channel to the second push to talk button  504  may be accomplished programmatically or through a series of switches. In another embodiment, a user may hold down the second push to talk button  504  and then select the channel to assign using the channel selector of the two way radio. Once the appropriate channel is selected, the user may release the second push to talk button  504 . 
         [0039]    In another embodiment, the two way radio may include a scanning mode. The scanning mode allows the user to listen to several channels from a list of channels. In this example, the first push to talk button  502  may be assigned to the most recently scanned channel. If the scanning mode scans channels 1, 2, 3, 7, and 9 then back to 1, then the first push to talk button  502  is assigned to channels 1, 2, 3, 7, and 9 and then back to 1 in that order. In this way, the first push to talk button  502  may be used to communicate on the channel most recently listened to by the user. As with the previous example, the second push to talk button  504  may be assigned to a predetermined channel. 
         [0040]    In another embodiment, the first push to talk button  502  may be assigned to a first channel while the second push to talk button  504  may be assigned to a second channel. In this example, the use may scan channels or select specific channel for listening to various conversations. However, the first push to talk button  502  may be used to talk to a specific person or group no matter which channel the user is currently monitoring. 
         [0041]      FIG. 6  shows a flow diagram of a method  600  for using the two way radio  200 . The following description of the method  600  is made with reference to the two way radio  200  illustrated in  FIG. 2 , and thus makes reference to the elements cited therein. The following description of the method  600  is one manner in which the two way radio  200  may be used. In this respect, it is to be understood that the following description of the method  600  is but one manner of a variety of different manners in which such a two way radio may be used. 
         [0042]    In the method  600 , the two way radio  200  transmits a first signal on the first channel  220  when the first push to talk button  202  is pressed at step  602 . The two way radio  200  then transmits a second signal on the second channel  222  when the second push to talk button  204  is pressed at step  604 . The first and second channels  220  and  222  are located in a single radio network. 
         [0043]      FIG. 7  shows a flow diagram of a method  700  for using the two way radio  200 . The following description of the method  700  is made with reference to the two way radio  200  illustrated in  FIG. 2 , and thus makes reference to the elements cited therein. The following description of the method  700  is one manner in which the two way radio  200  may be used. In this respect, it is to be understood that the following description of the method  700  is but one manner of a variety of different manners in which such a two way radio may be used. 
         [0044]    In the method  700 , the second push to talk button  204  is assigned to the second channel  222  at step  702 . The two way radio  200  then scans channels in a list of channels at step  704 . As the channels are scanned, the first push to talk button  202  is dynamically assigned to the most recently scanned channel at step  706 . Activating the first push to talk button  202  causes the two way radio  200  to transmit on the most recently scanned channel at step  708 . Activating the second push to talk button  204  causes the two way radio  200  to transmit on the second channel  222  at step  710 . In this embodiment, the second push to talk button  204  is used to talk on the second channel while the first push to talk button  202  is used to talk on the most recently scanned channel. 
         [0045]      FIG. 8  shows a flow diagram of a method  800  for using the two way radio  200 . The following description of the method  800  is made with reference to the two way radio  200  illustrated in  FIG. 2 , and thus makes reference to the elements cited therein. The following description of the method  800  is one manner in which the two way radio  200  may be used. In this respect, it is to be understood that the following description of the method  800  is but one manner of a variety of different manners in which such a two way radio may be used. 
         [0046]    In the method  800 , the second push to talk button  204  is assigned to the second channel  222  at step  802 . A channel is selected on the two way radio  200  using the channel selector  212  at step  804 . Then, the first push to talk button  202  is assigned to the selected channel at step  806 . Activating the first push to talk button  202  causes the two way radio  200  to transmit on the selected channel at step  808 . Activating the second push to talk button  204  causes the two way radio  200  to transmit on the second channel  222  at step  810 . In this embodiment, the second push to talk button  204  is used to talk on the second channel while the first push to talk button  202  is used to talk on the channel selected by the channel selector  212 . Adjusting the channel selector  212  changes the assignment of the first push to talk button  202  but not the second push to talk button  204 . 
         [0047]      FIG. 9  shows a flow diagram of a method  900  for using the two way radio  200 . The following description of the method  900  is made with reference to the two way radio  200  illustrated in  FIG. 2 , and thus makes reference to the elements cited therein. The following description of the method  900  is one manner in which the two way radio  200  may be used. In this respect, it is to be understood that the following description of the method  900  is but one manner of a variety of different manners in which such a two way radio may be used. 
         [0048]    In the method  900 , the first push to talk button  202  is assigned to the first channel  220  at step  802 . The second push to talk button  204  is assigned to the second channel  222  at step  804 . A user may then scan or select various channels for monitoring at step  806 . Activating the first push to talk button  202  causes the two way radio  200  to transmit on the first channel  220  at step  808 . Activating the second push to talk button  204  causes the two way radio  200  to transmit on the second channel  222  at step  810 . In this embodiment, the second push to talk button  204  is used to talk on the second channel while the first push to talk button  202  is used to talk on the first channel  220 . Adjusting the channel selector  212  or scanning channels does not change the assignment of either the first push to talk button  202  or the second push to talk button  204 . 
         [0049]      FIG. 10  shows a flow diagram of a method  1000  for detecting which push to talk button is depressed using the two way radio  200 . The following description of the method  1000  is made with reference to the two way radio  200  illustrated in  FIG. 2  and the circuit diagram illustrated in  FIG. 4 , and thus makes reference to the elements cited therein. The following description of the method  1000  is one manner in which the two way radio  200  may be used. In this respect, it is to be understood that the following description of the method  1000  is but one manner of a variety of different manners in which such a two way radio may be used. 
         [0050]    In the method  1000 , the two way radio  200  or the button selector  210  detects that either the first or second push to talk buttons  402  or  404  have been pressed at step  1002 . The button selector  210  then measure the resistance value of the first or second resistor  408  or  410  at step  1004 . This may be accomplished by applying a known voltage and measuring current or alternatively by applying a known current and measuring voltage. Once the resistance is known, the button selector  210  selects the channel currently assigned to either the first or second push to talk buttons  402  or  404  at step  1006 . 
         [0051]      FIG. 11  shows an exemplary block diagram  1100  for implementing a portion of a two-way radio according to some embodiments. As shown, the diagram  1111  includes a microprocessor in two-way communication with an encoder/decoder  1115 . The encoder/decoder  1115  may be, for example, an FX828D5 microcircuit. The block diagram  1100  also includes a microphone  1124  that provides a sensed signal to a microphone amplifier  1122  which, in turn, outputs to a microphone plastic integrated circuit (IC)  1120 . The microphone plastic IC  1120  outputs to the encoder/decoder  1115 . 
         [0052]    The encoder/decoder  1115  also outputs to a code plastic IC  1130 , both of which output modulation values to a voltage controlled oscillator. The encoder/decoder  1115  also outputs to an audio frequency (AF) amplifier  1132 . Both the microprocessor  1111  and encoder/decoder  1115  receive a signal from a crystal  1154  such as, for example, a 4.032 MHz pulse. 
         [0053]    The microprocessor  1111  receives input from buttons  1140  which may be push-to-talk buttons, and outputs to one or more LED  1142 . The microprocessor  1111  is also in communication with an EEPROM  1152 , PC program  1156 , battery  1158 , and VOX  1160 . The microprocessor  1111  also outputs to an Rx tuner  1162  for tuning a receiver circuit. 
         [0054]      FIG. 12  shows an exemplary block diagram  1200  for implementing a portion of a two-way radio according to some embodiments. As shown, the block diagram includes an antenna  1202  connected to a low pass filter  1204 , which is connected to an antenna switch  126  that switches between a receive path and a transmit path. 
         [0055]    The receive path includes two tunable band pass filters  1208 ,  1210 , followed by a radio frequency amplifier  1212 , followed by two additional tunable band pass filters  1214 ,  1216 . The receive path then enters a first mixer  1218 , which outputs a mixed signal to a monolithic crystal filter (MCF)  1220 , amplifier  1222 , mixer  1224 , two AF amplifiers  1226 ,  1228 , and finally output through a speaker  1230 . 
         [0056]    A phase-locked loop (PLL)  1232  outputs a signal to a loop filter  1234 , which then outputs a signal to transmission and reception voltage controller oscillators (VCOs)  1236 . The transmission and reception VCOs  126  also receive a modulation tone  1238  and output a signal to both the first mixer  1218  and the transmit path. On the transmit path, the outgoing signal traverses two buffer amplifiers  1240 ,  1242 , and two radio frequency amplifiers  1244 ,  1246 , before arriving at the antenna switch  1206 . The diagram also includes a power manager including voltage regulators  1248 ,  1250 ,  1252  for providing 5.5V, 5V transmission, and 5V reception power sources, respectively. 
         [0057]    What has been described and illustrated herein are examples of the systems and methods described herein along with some of their variations. The terms, descriptions and figures used herein are set forth by way of illustration only and are not meant as limitations. Those skilled in the art will recognize that many variations are possible within the spirit and scope of these examples, which are intended to be defined by the following claims and their equivalents in which all terms are meant in their broadest reasonable sense unless otherwise indicated.