Patents by Inventor Benjamin A. Smith

Benjamin A. Smith has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Publication number: 20050123102
    Abstract: An emergency system and method includes a gateway; a switch in communication with the gateway and a controller; and a database in communication with the gateway. The database includes first routing information for establishing a first communication link; second routing information for establishing a second communication link; and location data associated with the communication device. The method includes retrieving the first routing information; retrieving the second routing information; retrieving location data associated with the communication device; and establishing at substantially the same time, a first communication link between the communication device and the controller and a second communication link between the gateway and the controller such that information that is transmitted via the first and second communication links arrives at the controller at substantially the same time.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 5, 2003
    Publication date: June 9, 2005
    Inventors: James Beason, Benjamin Smith
  • Publication number: 20050063526
    Abstract: A system and method that enables callers to dial a subscription code instead of a telephone number to reach a subscriber of the subscription code. The system includes a lookup table that associates the subscription code with the subscriber's telephone number. The system also uses a routing device that is in communication with the lookup table. The routing device is adapted to receive calls that were initiated by callers using the subscription code. When a call originated by a caller using the subscription code is received by the routing device, the routing device reviews the lookup table to retrieve the telephone number that is associated with the subscription code. The telephone number is then used by the routing device to terminate the call to the telephone number.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 29, 2001
    Publication date: March 24, 2005
    Inventor: Benjamin Smith
  • Publication number: 20050002029
    Abstract: Multi-ordered spectral data is obtained from various known substances and is stored in a spectral library. The identification of an unknown material is accomplished by correlating the sample's multi-ordered spectrum against all or a portion of the spectrum in the library, and finding the closest match.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 12, 2004
    Publication date: January 6, 2005
    Inventors: Ignor Gornushkin, James Winefordner, Benjamin Smith
  • Patent number: 5161184
    Abstract: A programmable telephone powered by a telephone line, and responsive to ringing signals for providing an automatic answer. A microprocessor in the telephone is powered by periodic signals during ringing intervals for executing instructions to count the number of ring cycles, and is placed in a sleep mode if such number does not exceed a predefined threshold. When the threshold number of rings occurs, the microprocessor places the telephone in a simulated off-hook condition for allowing programming of the memory thereof. The memory of the microprocessor is an EEPROM having a file allocation table with addresses pointing to an input dialing pattern table, an area code/exchange code table and to an output dialing pattern table. Multiple levels of user and software security codes are employed to provide a high degree of security to the programming of the telephone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 1989
    Date of Patent: November 3, 1992
    Assignee: Digital Telecommunications Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Benjamin A. Smith, Steven W. Burnett
  • Patent number: 4947422
    Abstract: A telephone set for automatically accessing operator service facilities in response to a user initiating a long distance type of telephone call. The access of the operator services is automatic and transparent to the user. After the user dials the "1" or similar long distance designation, the area code and a seven-digit telephone number of the called party, the telephone set stores such information, and in response thereto outpulses a predefined telephone number of the operator services. The telephone set responds to a precision dial tone transmitted as an acknowledgment by the operator services, and outpulses first an internally stored telephone set identificaiton number, followed by the area code and seven-digit number input by the calling party. Such outpulsed information appears on a video terminal of the operator services, whereupon the calling party and an operator can discuss billing of the telephone call, as well as completion thereof to the called party.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 1989
    Date of Patent: August 7, 1990
    Assignee: Digital Telecommunications Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Benjamin A. Smith, Steven W. Burnett
  • Patent number: 4942604
    Abstract: An interface (10) is disclosed for coupling a conventional pay station telephone (12) to a telephone switching system (16). The interface (10) provides supervision signal detection functions normally provided by a switching system, and thus can be connected thereto by a less costly business line (28). The interface includes processor controlled tone generators (72, 76) and detectors (73, 74, 81, 106, 108) for detecting tones and voltages transmitted by either the telephone (12) or the switching system (16). The interface (10) further includes a detector (106) and a procedure (FIG. 8) for providing an answer call indication. Coin collection or return is controlled by the interface (10) depending on the status of the call which is also determined by the interface (10). Further, a fail-safe relay will disconnect the phone from the tip and ring lines in the event of station irregularities.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 1988
    Date of Patent: July 17, 1990
    Assignee: Digital Telecommunications Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Benjamin A. Smith, Conaway K. Hoback
  • Patent number: 4926469
    Abstract: An interface (10) is disclosed for coupling a conventional pay station telephone (12) to a telephone switching system (16). The interface (10) provides supervision signal detection functions normally provided by a switching system, and thus can be connected thereto by a less costly business line (28). The interface includes processor controlled tone generators (72, 76) and detectors (73, 74, 81, 106, 108) for detecting tones and voltages transmitted by either the telephone (12) or the switching system (16). The interface (10) further includes a detector (106) and a procedure (FIG. 8) for providing an answer call indication. Coin collection or return is controlled by the interface (10) depending on the status of the call which is also determined by the interface (10).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 1988
    Date of Patent: May 15, 1990
    Assignee: Digital Telecommunications Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Benjamin A. Smith, Conaway K. Hoback
  • Patent number: 4926468
    Abstract: An interface (10) is disclosed for coupling a conventional pay station telephone (12) to a telephone switching system (16). The interface (10) provides supervision signal detection functions normally provided by a switching system, and thus can be connected thereto by a less costly business line (28). The interface includes processor controlled tone generators (72, 76) and detectors (73, 74, 81, 106, 108) for detecting tones and voltages transmitted by either the telephone (12) or the switching system (16). The interface (10) further includes a detector (106) and a procedure (FIG. 8) for providing an answer call indication. Coin collection or return is controlled by the interface (10) depending on the status of the call which is also determined by the interface (10).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 1988
    Date of Patent: May 15, 1990
    Assignee: Digital Telecommunications Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Benjamin A. Smith, Conaway K. Hoback
  • Patent number: 4924497
    Abstract: An interface (10) is disclosed for coupling a conventional pay station telephone (12) to a telephone switching system (16). The interface (10) provides supervision signal detection functions normally provided by a switching system, and thus can be connected thereto by a less costly business line (28). The interface includes processor controlled tone generators (72, 76) and detectors (73, 74, 81, 106, 108) for detecting tones and voltages transmitted by either the telephone (12) or the switching system (16). The interface (10) further includes a detector (106) and a procedure (FIG. 8) for providing an answer call indication. Coin collection or return is controlled by the interface (10) depending on the status of the call which is also determined by the interface (10).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 1988
    Date of Patent: May 8, 1990
    Assignee: Digital Telecommunications Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Benjamin A. Smith, Conaway K. Hoback
  • Patent number: 4916733
    Abstract: An interface (10) is disclosed for coupling a conventional pay station telephone (12) to a telephone switching system (16). The interface (10) provides supervision signal detection functions normally provided by a switching system, and thus can be connected thereto by a less costly business line (28). The interface includes processor controlled tone generators (72, 76) and detectors (73, 74, 81, 106, 108) for detecting duration of tones and other audio signals, and voltages transmitted by either the telephone (12) or the switching system (16). The interface (10) further includes a detector (106) and a procedure (FIG. 8) for providing an answer call indication. Coin collection or return is controlled by the interface (10) depending on the status of the call (as indicated by audio signal duration) which is also determined by the interface (10).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 1988
    Date of Patent: April 10, 1990
    Assignee: Digital Telecommunications Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Benjamin A. Smith, Conaway K. Hoback
  • Patent number: 4777647
    Abstract: An interface (10) is disclosed for coupling a conventional pay station telephone (12) to a telephone switching system (16). The interface (10) provides supervision signal detection functions normally provided by a switching system, and thus can be connected thereto by a less costly business line (28). The interface includes processor controlled tone generators (72, 76) and detectors (73, 74, 81, 106, 108) for detecting tones and voltages transmitted by either the telephone (12) or the switching system (16). The interface (10) further includes a detector (106) and a procedure (FIG. 8) for providing an answer call indication. Coin collection or return is controlled by the interface (10) depending on the status of the call which is also determined by the interface (10).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 1986
    Date of Patent: October 11, 1988
    Assignee: Digital Telecommunications Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Benjamin A. Smith, Conaway K. Hoback
  • Patent number: D511231
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2005
    Assignee: Dyson Limited
    Inventors: Simon Nicholad Langham, David Benjamin Smith