Abstract: Apparatus and method for notifying an Internet user of an attempted incoming telephone call to the same telephone line used to interconnect the called-but-busy party with the Internet. The disclosed embodiment comprises an Internet communication module and a message recorder/IP formatter at an Internet Service Provider (ISP). The ISP is contacted, either directly by a calling party via a telephone call, or by the central office via a telephone call, and a desired called-but-busy party is identified (e.g., with a telephone number). The ISP provides a notification message to the called-but-busy user via the data communication link established for Internet use between the called-but-busy party and their servicing ISP. The notification message may be textual (e.g., an e-mail message) and/or audible (e.g., a “.wav” file attached to an e-mail message). Moreover, the notification message may be passive, requiring the called-but-busy party to actively receive the notification request, e.g.

Abstract: In accordance with the principles of the present invention, a remote control device includes a HELP feature which is driven by the activation of the button in question itself. In particular, if a multiple-use button is pressed quickly (i.e., for less than a given duration), or in another embodiment if held for a long time (i.e., for more than another given duration), then the HELP mode is triggered for that key. The help may be spoken and/or displayed from either the remote control device itself, or from the controlled device.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for transferring convenience feature data (e.g., speed dial numbers, etc.) from one telephone to another local telephone within the same home or small office. In particular, the telephone includes a memory located within a corded or cordless telephone configured for storing data, and a transfer module configured to transfer requested data between the memory and a target device in response to a transfer request. The corded telephone utilizes a DTMF generator/receiver, a demodulation/modulation module, or a Bluetooth module to establish a communication path between the corded telephone and the target device. The cordless telephone utilizes a DTMF generator/receiver, a demodulation/modulation module, a radio frequency (RF) transceiver, or a Bluetooth module to establish a communication path between the cordless telephone and the target device.

Abstract: A technique and apparatus for integrating a speaker with button (or keyboard) components such as a tactile membrane and/or PCB. The tactile membrane conventionally used between buttons and switch mechanisms to provide tactile feedback to a user upon depression of the button is extended to form a vibrating portion of a speaker. The vibrating portion is doped with or otherwise includes an activating material (e.g., copper) which will be physically affected by a magnetic field. The activating material may be adhered to the upper and/or lower side of the vibrating portion, or doped therein. A coil for the speaker is formed with a coil tracing pattern formed on one or more layers of a PCB. One or more amplifier circuits may be included to drive one or more coil patterns, to cause a fluctuating magnetic field in the direction perpendicular to the vibrating portion of the tactile membrane.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for transferring convenience feature data (e.g., speed dial numbers, etc.) from one telephone to another local telephone within the same home or small office. In particular, the telephone includes a memory located within a corded or cordless telephone configured for storing data, and a transfer module configured to transfer requested data between the memory and a target device in response to a transfer request. The corded telephone utilizes a DTMF generator/receiver, a demodulation/modulation module, or a Bluetooth module to establish a communication path between the corded telephone and the target device. The cordless telephone utilizes a DTMF generator/receiver, a demodulation/modulation module, a radio frequency (RF) transceiver, or a Bluetooth module to establish a communication path between the cordless telephone and the target device.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a method and apparatus for receiving Type II CID data in an environment containing multiple off-hook cordless telephones, all being fitted for receiving CID data, and all residing on the same subscriber line. This is achieved by coordinating the sending, receiving, and acknowledging (i.e., handshaking) of muting control signals within a cordless link between a designated master telephone unit and designated slave telephone extensions.

Abstract: In one embodiment according to the invention, a method is provided for handling a flash-hook signal from a telephone engaged in a first telephone call with a first distant party when a second telephone call with a second distant party is in a hold status. The method includes the steps of placing the first telephone call with the first distant party in the hold status, connecting the second telephone call, and providing a Caller ID indication to the telephone. In an alternative embodiment, a telephone according to the invention includes a flash-hook, and a Caller ID display. The telephone is adapted to display Caller ID data associated with a first call, and to be updated upon connection of a second call, in response to activation of the flash-hook, to display Caller ID data associated with the second call.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for testing a customer premises equipment (CPE) alert signal detector used to detect the start of a Caller ID data transmission using test CPE alert signals generated by a testing platform and mixed with a voice signal as an input to the detector. The testing platform also generates a special sync signal which is input to control circuitry connected to the CPE alert signal detector. An active sync signal indicates when a valid CPE alert signal should be detected. The control circuitry is configured to execute a test algorithm that monitors both the sync signal and the output of the detector and indicates when the CPE alert signal detector has validly detected a CPE alert signal, falsely detected a CPE alert signal, or failed to detect a CPE alert signal. The number of valid, false, and missed CPE alert signal detections are totaled and can be used to calculate the talkoff and talkdown error rates for the detector.