Patents Examined by Michael N. Lau
  • Patent number: 5442693
    Abstract: An integrated console for a human operator who provides listing and directory services, particularly for the 800 telephone number system, to callers via a stored program switching device employs simultaneous MS-DOS and a memory management utility, such as MicroSoft Windows.TM.. Data is exchanged between applications for MS-DOS and applications for Windows.TM. via a shared memory. Data pertaining to the directory and listing services is stored in a database which is accessed via a data network which may be a LAN or a WAN. Thus, the information in the database can be accessed by a plurality of operators on consoles in the network. Communication between the operator console and the stored program switching device is achieved via a digital subscriber line which is coupled to the console via an interface board compatible with the integrated services data network (ISDN).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 1993
    Date of Patent: August 15, 1995
    Assignee: AT&T Bell Laboratories
    Inventors: J. David Hays, G. Douglas Morlok
  • Patent number: 5432844
    Abstract: A system of telephone answering devices includes a master telephone answering device (MTAD) and at least one (and often a plurality) of extension telephone answering devices (ETADs). If a telephone call is answered by someone, others nearby may be paged through the ETADs from any telephone. The ETADs can be temporarily disarmed so that they do not respond to tone codes that might otherwise activate them. When activated, the ETADs transmit back to the caller noticeably different ringback signals to indicate that the activated ETAD is responding to the caller's commands. For telephone utilities offering a distinctive ring service, the ETADs may respond to distinctive rings corresponding to the ETADs by usurping the function of and disabling the MTAD and by subsequently answering the telephone call.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 1994
    Date of Patent: July 11, 1995
    Assignee: PhoneMate, Inc.
    Inventors: Kenneth R. Core, Mark J. Karnowski, Stephen B. Knuth
  • Patent number: 5432845
    Abstract: Calls made to an 800 service subscriber are routed to the subscriber's primary location via a telephone network switch operating in conjunction with a specially configured adjunct processor. The adjunct processor is arranged to monitor the call even after it is answered by an attendant or other subscriber personnel at the primary location. If the call is to be redirected from the primary location to an alternate location, the adjunct is signaled, typically by a DTMF sequence. The adjunct responds by putting the calling party on hold and by initiating a call to the alternate location on an outgoing trunk of the network switch, in such a way that it emulates or imitates both the routing (call treatment) and billing the characteristics of a call made from the original customer location. Redirection can then be completed in one of three ways: blind transfer, consultation, or conference.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 1992
    Date of Patent: July 11, 1995
    Assignee: AT&T Corp.
    Inventors: Margaret A. Burd, Rise J. Frankel, Steven T. Heinsius, Steven F. Knittel, William G. Kuchenbecker, Arnold C. McQuaide, Jr., Margaret H. Redberg, Judith L. Sherman, Michael M. Winseck, Jr.
  • Patent number: 5414763
    Abstract: A telephone switching apparatus includes a line network to which first and second telephones are connected and a hands-free trunk whose input and output terminals are connected to the line network. The line network is controlled such that voices from the first and second telephones are transmitted to the second and first telephones, respectively, through the hands-free trunk. A call transfer apparatus includes an outside-line interface to which first and second outside lines are connected and an adjusting unit for comparing the volumes of voices from the first and second outside lines and adjusting the volumes of the voices in accordance with the results of the comparison. The voices input from the first and second outside lines and adjusted in volume are transmitted to the second and first outside lines, respectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 1992
    Date of Patent: May 9, 1995
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Osamu Hirata
  • Patent number: 5414756
    Abstract: To initialize a remote control device for use in a particular installation, initialization parameters are entered relating to the relationship between user input codes and equipment to be controlled. In the preferred embodiment involving video recorder equipment, the initialization procedure concerns the video channels available to the recorder and remote control codes associated with the operation of the recorder. Using a receive-only modem on the device attached to a phone jack, initialization is performed by dialing up a remote location with a touch tone phone. At the remote end a computer sends selected audio response signals to the telephone receiver requesting that the user key in information using the touch tone pad. The computer then transmits the appropriate signals to the memory of the remote device to initialize it.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 1994
    Date of Patent: May 9, 1995
    Assignee: Smart VCR Limited Partnership
    Inventor: Michael R. Levine
  • Patent number: 5414755
    Abstract: A telephone long distance service is provided using speaker verification to determine whether a user is a valid user or an impostor. The user claims an identity by offering some form of identification, typically by entering a calling card number on the phone's touch-tone keypad or by a magnetic strip on the card which is read by the telephone. Unrestricted, extemporaneous speech of a group of customers are digitized, analyzed in accordance with a PCM circuit, and characterized as a non-parametric set of speech feature vectors. The extemporaneous speech of the long distance telephone service user claiming the identity of a service customer via his card number is digitized and analyzed in a like manner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 1994
    Date of Patent: May 9, 1995
    Assignee: ITT Corporation
    Inventors: Lawrence G. Bahler, Alan L. Higgins
  • Patent number: 5412710
    Abstract: A facsimile machine includes a scanner for scanning documents and outputting image data corresponding to images on the documents, a destination controller for specifying a destination station to be called, a voice storage for storing a plurality of voice messages, a selecting controller for selecting one of the voice messages stored in the voice storage, a transmission unit for transmitting the image data output from the scanner and a voice message selected by the selecting controller to a called destination station specified by the destination controller, a receiving unit for receiving image data and a voice message transmitted from another facsimile machine, a printer for printing the image data received by the receiving unit on a recording paper, and a loudspeaker for outputting the voice message received by the receiving unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 1992
    Date of Patent: May 2, 1995
    Assignee: Fujitsu Limited
    Inventor: Hidemasa Tanaka
  • Patent number: 5404398
    Abstract: A telephone exchange system useful for a bank or brokerage house speech system or the like, which can accommodate a large number of lines (or trunks) and permit improvement of the reliability and call connection processing capacity. The system comprises exchange sub-systems A (EX-A) and B (EX-B) capable of independently executing an exchange operation and each accommodating a terminal. The terminal, on the other hand, has a speech channel switch for connecting a speech channel including a handset to either exchange sub-system A (EX-A) or B (EX-B). When a process of connecting a call is brought about in the terminal, that terminal selects one of the exchange subsystems and controls the speech channel switch for connecting the call to the selected exchange sub-system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 1993
    Date of Patent: April 4, 1995
    Assignee: Hitachi Telecom Technologies, Ltd.
    Inventors: Yoshihisa Domoto, Yasuo Wada
  • Patent number: 5402480
    Abstract: A call signal generating circuit includes a step-up transformer having a primary winding and secondary windings and a first switching circuit coupled between the primary winding of the step-up transformer and a D.C. power source for turning ON/OFF at a frequency higher than a frequency of a call signal. A rectifying circuit is coupled to the secondary windings of the step-up transformer for rectifying voltages induced at the secondary windings into a positive polarity voltage and a negative polarity voltage. A second switching circuit is coupled to the rectifying circuit for alternatively outputting the positive polarity voltage and the negative polarity voltage with a quiescent time in which both the positive and negative polarity voltages are not output. A capacitor is coupled to the second switching circuit for receiving the positive and negative polarity voltages output from the second switching circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 1992
    Date of Patent: March 28, 1995
    Assignee: Fujitsu Limited
    Inventor: Minoru Hirahara
  • Patent number: 5396544
    Abstract: A telephone answering apparatus permits a called party to select between an automatic mode wherein a message is automatically played back to a caller without any action of the called party and a prenouncer mode wherein a message is played back to the caller when activated by the called party. The telephone answering apparatus includes a ring detector circuit connectable to an outside line and responsive to an incoming call on the outside line for producing a ring detected signal, a timer and driver circuit responsive to the ring detected signal for producing a playback signal and a manually actuatable answer switch. A mode switch capable of selecting one of the prenouncer mode and the automatic mode is connected to the timer and driver circuit, to the ring detector circuit and to the answer switch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 1993
    Date of Patent: March 7, 1995
    Assignee: General Research of Electronics, Inc.
    Inventors: Wayne Gilbert, Kazuyoshi Imazeki, Nobuaki Yokoyama
  • Patent number: 5394445
    Abstract: For receiving calls in a network delivering calling numbers to called lines. A device and process whereby a plurality of delivered calling number and associated announcement message pairs is automatically acquired and accumulated upon receipt of calls from unrecognized calling numbers. Upon receipt of calls from calling numbers for which matching calling number and announcement message pairs have been previously acquired in this manner, the matching announcements are automatically played to aid the user in identifying calling parties before answering calls. Calling numbers and spoken announcements thus acquired are additionally used to audibly describe previously received calls both locally and remotely, and to assist with the preparation and delivery of outgoing messages and with returning calls.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 1993
    Date of Patent: February 28, 1995
    Inventors: Randel H. Ball, Stephen E. Hall
  • Patent number: 5392341
    Abstract: An automatic telephone line call monitoring and line assignment device is installed at a subscriber location to assign incoming calls on a master ringing line to a user selected slave line in response to taking that line off-hook. A programmable logic unit detects incoming calls, off-hook lines, and directs the device to automatically dial a central office call intercept service to move incoming calls off the master line to the slave lines.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 1992
    Date of Patent: February 21, 1995
    Inventors: Charles L. Wilkinson, Roberto Schipp
  • Patent number: 5392334
    Abstract: A method for processing an incoming call on a telephone line in a computer system, wherein a telephony circuit detects a pick-up by a parallel device coupled to the telephone line while maintaining high voltage isolation. The telephony circuit performs hard line seizures to cause the parallel device to hang-up and soft line seizures to prevent a central office hang up after the parallel device hangs up.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 1993
    Date of Patent: February 21, 1995
    Assignee: Intel Corporation
    Inventor: Barry O'Mahony
  • Patent number: 5392343
    Abstract: Easily accessed and widely available language interpretation services are provided in a public switched telephone network by a common platform adjunct which automatically connects an interpretation services subscriber with a selected language interpreter associated with a language interpretation platform in the network. A subscriber dials, for example, an international telephone number which includes a code indicating that the call is an international call, a country code, a city code, and a local destination number. The ANI of the subscriber is detected and the call is routed to the adjunct which further verifies and validates the subscriber. The adjunct places a call through the public switched telephone network to the language interpretation platform. The call is answered either by an automatically preselected interpreter or by a human operator who causes the call to be manually transferred to a desired interpreter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 1992
    Date of Patent: February 21, 1995
    Assignee: AT&T Corp.
    Inventors: Michael Davitt, Alan N. Dunn, Paula M. Goldstein, Edgar J. Grijalva, Michael Neal, Christine P. Peterson, Christos I. Vaios
  • Patent number: 5392346
    Abstract: In a telecommunications system that includes a plurality of user terminals and terminal translations that define attributes of the individual terminals, shared use of the terminals by a plurality of users, or use by a user of different ones of the terminals at different times, is facilitated. Each terminal's physical translations, which include for each terminal those attributes that are independent of the users of the terminal and which include a physical extension number, are associated with the corresponding terminals. Each terminal's default terminal translations, which include for each terminal those attributes that are dependent on the users of the terminal and which include a call-coverage path, also are associated with the corresponding terminals. Each user's logical translations, which include for each user those attributes that are independent of the terminals used by the user and which include a logical extension number and a call-coverage path, are associated with the corresponding users.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 1994
    Date of Patent: February 21, 1995
    Assignee: AT&T Corp.
    Inventors: Kerry W. Hassler, Cynthia C. Jones, Joylee E. Kohler, Robert D. Nalbone
  • Patent number: 5388151
    Abstract: Method and apparatus are disclosed for dedicating one or more second lines interconnecting a public/private communication system (PCS), such as a Private Branch Exchange (PBX), and a Voice Mail System (VMS) for only providing message notification to communication devices of recipients of voicemail messages via the PCS. A plurality of analog first lines in a hunt group between the PCS and the VMS permit voice communications between callers and the VMS via the PCS. The VMS includes an applications processor which is integrated (coupled) to the PCS. The applications processor determines if a second line to be used only for message notification is part of the plurality of analog first lines in the hunt group. If the second line is part of the plurality of analog first lines, the applications processor accesses the PCS over the second line, and causes the second line to be made inaccessible to the public/private communication system for transmitting incoming calls to the Voice Mail System.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 1994
    Date of Patent: February 7, 1995
    Assignee: Rolm Systems
    Inventors: Zafar M. Khalid, Rachel Ramsay, Brian Tennant
  • Patent number: 5384832
    Abstract: The local telephone message announcing device automatically checks a remote telephone voice messaging system for stored messages in a consistent and timely manner, announces the presence of stored messages through an external indicator and automatically connects the user to the stored messages upon entry of a predetermined command by the user. The device checks for the stored messages by detecting a unique tone sent to a user's telephone set or telephone number by the remote telephone voice messaging system to indicate the presence of stored messages. The detection occurs at predetermined time intervals whereby interference with the operation of the local telephone set is minimized. In addition, the device is easily installed by a person without technical expertise and can be adapted to any type of telephone set.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 1992
    Date of Patent: January 24, 1995
    Assignee: CommStar, Inc.
    Inventors: Fred C. Zimmerman, Verne L. Severson
  • Patent number: 5381471
    Abstract: This invention relates to the minimizing of call set-up time for calls requiring the use of service circuits provided from a separate switching system, such as a service circuit node (SCN). Groups of semi-permanent circuits through a public switched telephone network (PSTN) are allocated to each of the switching systems served by the SCN. Thus, whenever a switching system has a call that requires the use of a service circuit housed in the SCN, the connection is already established. Traffic is controlled by limiting in the size of the semi-permanent circuit groups, but these groups can be made larger or smaller, up to some overall total for the SCN, as traffic to each switching system changes. Advantageously, this arrangement permits efficient use of a large group of service circuits at the SCN, while minimizing the total call set-up time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 1993
    Date of Patent: January 10, 1995
    Assignee: AT&T Corp.
    Inventors: Annapurna Balakrishnan, Stuart J. Lark, Paul R. Sand
  • Patent number: 5377257
    Abstract: A facsimile apparatus which carries out ringing of a telephone first for calling, and transmits a voice message informing of "absence" and "facsimile receivable" to a calling station when offhook is not detected during a predetermined period. The facsimile apparatus also transmits a called station identification signal CED after a silence interval of about 5 seconds. When the calling station onhooks a handset during the period of ringing of the telephone by judging that the called station is absent, a fee for a telephone call will not be charged. Furthermore, by setting the silence interval, the CED signal after the voice message is prevented from being heard by the calling station.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 1992
    Date of Patent: December 27, 1994
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Manabu Shirasaka, Teiji Okamoto, Fumitaka Ito, Yasuyuki Kozima
  • Patent number: 5377261
    Abstract: In a user-interactive display-based telephone terminal, a user of the telephone terminal is provided easy access at the terminal to both local features and network-based features from a telecommunication switch. The user of the terminal reconfigures the terminal to a state wherein network based information is obtained by simply actuating any of the associated network-based keys. Similarly, the user of the telephone terminal reconfigures the terminal to a state wherein local information stored in the terminal is obtained by simply actuating an associated local key. The information selected, local or network-based, is displayed in the same location in an associated display on the terminal. The user of the terminal is therefore not provided with nor is he or she required to have knowledge of the location of a particular feature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 1992
    Date of Patent: December 27, 1994
    Assignee: AT&T Corp.
    Inventors: Kimberly A. Baals, Edward W. Boakes, Kathleen J. Chylinski, Darren A. Kall, Gary C. Smith