Abstract: A telephone switching device which includes a detector for identifying a call waiting (CW) signal when the incoming telephone line is in use. The detector device automatically switches the incoming telephone line to the second call and monitors for additional coded function signals such as a facsimile machine calling (CNG) signal indicating that a data transmission is desired. Appropriate switching functions are provided to connect attached telephony data devices for receiving the incoming data transmission. A microprocessor is used for receiving various function signals and performing the switching of the telephone line and attached apparatus. This allows the reception of an incoming data transmission on a single telephone line while the line is already in use. A voice message can be provided before the switching of the telephone line in response to the CW signal warning the first caller of the impending switch.

Abstract: A method and apparatus to inform an online computer user of the presence of an incoming telephone call without disturbing an associated modem connection is disclosed. A device is connected to a telephone line, modem and telephone set, and utilizes a call waiting service provided by the telephone company. Upon detection of a call waiting signal the device generates a four second warbling tone to a piezoelectric sounder alerting the user to the presence of an inbound telephone call. The user may answer or ignore the telephone call. Caller identifiers included in incoming calls may be used to alert the user of the origin of the incoming call before the user decides to accept or ignore the call. When the device determines that the user has lifted the telephone set, it places the modem on hold, generates a signal displayed as a colored LED display, connects the telephone to the incoming tip/ring connection, thus establishing a connection to the caller.

Abstract: A telephone call screening device having an improved telephone call filtering mechanism which prevents unwanted disturbances and allows the user to designate which callers may ring the user's telephone system. The present invention also monitors a connected power source and telephone line and notifies a user if power is lost, the line is severed, or a telephone set has been left off hook. The present invention comprises a router for routing the incoming calls to one or more connected telephone sets based on codes entered by callers; a recorder; and a processor for receiving and processing the codes entered by the callers and controllably connecting the routing and recording functions and telephone sets. In the preferred embodiment, the recorder may record and play messages to incoming callers as well as record messages from the callers. A caller identification function may be included to display caller identification to the user.

Abstract: A multi-line telephone switch device wherein relays added to a routing switch automatically route incoming calls on a plurality of lines to predetermined devices based upon the distinctive rings or tones present on the lines. A number of relays can be added to the routing switch. A line select relay connects the routing switch device to a specific incoming line. A bypass relay allows the device to connect a line directly to an extension by bypassing the routing switch. An invert relay enables the invention to reverse the designation and the routing priority of the incoming telephone lines. Ring detectors detect incoming rings and output a signal to a processor which then directs the switch configurations. Additionally, the system enables a single line telephone answering device to answer and record messages from a multitude of incoming lines. The multi-line telephone switch can uniquely route calls based upon the distinctive ring cadence on each of the lines.

Abstract: A telephone monitoring and alarm apparatus which has a telephone line sensing means which determines whether an incoming telephone line is cut or busy and alerts a user as to the status of the telephone line. Other sensing means detect the presence of fire, smoke, water, or other designated conditions and transmits a representative alarm signal to the apparatus. Upon receipt of an alarm indication from one of the sensing means or a line cut/line busy condition from the telephone line sensing means, a processing means disconnects the telephone extensions at the location from the incoming telephone line, and executes a predetermined response. This response can be visual alarms, audio alarms or dialing a predetermined telephone number and transmitting a predetermined alarm message. The apparatus can be programmed as to which telephone numbers to call and messages to send.

Abstract: A telephone line bridging sensor circuit is provided which provides a variable output frequency signal to a microprocessor for measuring and storing the frequency count on a periodic basis. The circuit includes an isolation transformer to isolate the audio component of the telephone line from the sensing circuit. The loop current present in the telephone line is rectified through a full wave diode rectifier and the output of the rectifier is filtered and regulated to provide an input voltage to an astable, voltage controlled oscillator. As the current on the telephone line varies, the input voltage to the oscillator also varies a proportionate amount causing the output frequency of the oscillator to change accordingly.