Abstract: A television receiver includes telephone network interface circuitry which allows the receiver to receive and process Caller-ID signals for display during the ringing period of the telephone set. The television receiver also includes circuitry which allows a list of priority callers to be entered. In this way, the incoming Caller-ID codes are compared to the telephone numbers of the priority callers. Upon detection, the Caller-ID information of a priority caller is displayed on screen during television viewing. The telephone numbers of those callers not listed as priority callers are not displayed during the ringing period of the telephone. Both displayed and non-displayed telephone numbers which correspond to unanswered telephone calls are stored in a Caller-ID list for display at the user's convenience. In this way, the user is able to enter data to select beforehand which calling telephone numbers are permitted to interrupt his or her television show by displaying Caller-ID information on the screen.

Abstract: A radio frequency (RF) signal transmitter/receiver system comprises a pair of transmitter/receiver units. A microcomputer-based RF carrier detect system determines when an RF signal is present or absent. The RF carrier detect system is also responsive to noise interference signals at or near its currently-tuned receiving channel. In periods of inactivity, the RF signal receiver monitors its currently-tuned channel and upon detection of noise interference or upon a determination that the currently-tuned channel is occupied, initiates a fast scan operation to identify an unoccupied and relatively interference-free channel, and transmits a command to its paired transmitter/receiver unit causing it to tune to the newly-identified unoccupied channel.

Abstract: A microcomputer in a radio frequency (RF) signal receiver, such as a cordless telephone set, periodically samples a received baseband audio signal to determine its frequency content. The microcomputer uses at least one predetermined frequency threshold value, and determines that the RF signal is present if the output signal contains signals no higher in frequency the frequency threshold value, and determines that the RF signal is absent if the output signal contains signals higher in frequency than the frequency threshold value. The circuit is useful in either a base unit or a handunit of a cordless telephone set.