Having Display Unit Patents (Class 379/142.17)
  • Patent number: 7254223
    Abstract: Contact data in a database for a wireless personal communication device are remotely updatable from, or transferable between, a computer system using a radio frequency connection. New contact data, and changes or updates to existing contact data, are input at the computer system or the personal communication device and may be utilized in the personal communication device to initiate contact with, or establish the identity of, actual or potential communicants. Contact data including name, telephone number, address, sound or image information associated with actual or potential communicants is transferred between a computer system and a personal communication device utilizing a radio frequency connection. The personal communication device can be a cellular telephone, PDA or pager, and may also include interfaces for local programming of contact data from a removable keyboard.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2007
    Assignee: Intellect Wireless Inc.
    Inventor: Daniel A. Henderson
  • Patent number: 7251318
    Abstract: An apparatus and method provide a database in a pager that contains menus that may be displayed on a pager display. A paging service sends a page including an identification, retrieves a menu from the pager database and displays the menu. The pager responds to the page based on a selection selected from the displayed menu.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 31, 2007
    Assignee: Intellect Wireless Inc.
    Inventor: Daniel A. Henderson
  • Patent number: 7239323
    Abstract: A color display driving apparatus that simultaneously on-screen displays an RGB format color image and a YUV format color image on the same color display unit. A first memory stores YUV data, and a YUV-RGB converter converts YUV data read from the first memory to RGB data. A second memory stores RGB data. An on-screen-display (OSD) controller writes the YUV data and the RGB data in the first and second memories, respectively, mixes the RGB data converted from the YUV data stored in the first memory by the YUV-RGB converter with the RGB data read from in the second memory, and on-screen displays the mixed data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2007
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Sang-Ryul Park
  • Patent number: 7236576
    Abstract: A user interface for screen phones monitors telephone line state information and displays user interface controls and telephone line status information dependent on the telephone line state. The user interface includes a display element referred to as a call slip that expands and collapses in response to changes in telephone line state and user input. The call slip updates the information that it displays based on telephone line state changes and information communicated from one or more telephony monitoring applications. The call slip displays user interface controls representing tasks that are dependent on information derived from a telephone call, such as caller ID information. The software used to control the display of call slips and to monitor telephone line state is part of a software platform that may be customized for a particular device or application.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2007
    Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Charles B. Schnarel, Mauricio Lomelin, Peter G. Chin, Derek S. Graham, Kate Welker, Robert C. Murdock, Justin C. Cooper, Laurence Golding, Suzanne Walsh
  • Patent number: 7236579
    Abstract: A system and method are provided for maintaining a universal call-log in a Home Network telephone system. The method comprises: transceiving calls on at least one external telephone line; bridging calls to a plurality Home Network endpoints; and, logging the bridged calls. Bridging calls to a plurality Home Network endpoints includes initiating an outgoing call from an endpoint. Then, the outgoing calls initiated from endpoints are logged. Likewise, incoming calls received on an external telephone line addressed to an endpoint and bridged, and logged. Logging the bridged calls includes cross-referencing entries such as call time, the call duration, the type of call, the external telephone involved, the external line telephone number from which an incoming call is received, the external telephone line telephone number to which an outgoing call is addressed, the endpoint to which an incoming call is addressed, and the endpoint initiating an outgoing call.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2007
    Assignee: Sharp Laboratories of America, Inc.
    Inventor: Carl Mansfield
  • Patent number: 7221751
    Abstract: The present invention is drawn to a call trace system and method that is simple to establish in a short amount of time. The call trace is implemented through a Web browser page which remotely programs central offices to trace calls to particular number. When a trace is established a message is sent back to the Web browser which displays the calling number, the called number and the central office detecting the call. Also, a page is sent to a pager which displays the traced information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2007
    Assignee: Ameritech Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Paul W. Fellner, James F. Langdon
  • Patent number: 7215749
    Abstract: For analog telephone service subscribers, an apparatus and a method is provided for displaying a caller's originating number and/or the current time of day on the subscriber's incoming call line identification equipment. The subscriber's originating telephone number is obtained from a database within the telephone switching system providing POTS service to the subscriber. The time of day is obtained from a real-time clock within or in communication with the telephone switching system. Data is preferably transmitted to the subscriber's equipment by analog frequency shift keyed protocol.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2007
    Assignee: Gateway Inc.
    Inventor: Frank Liebenow
  • Patent number: 7200212
    Abstract: An improved decoding and processing system is provided for advanced determination and display of geographic information to a called party relating to the call origination party. The improved system comprises a receiving means to receive the calling number delivery (CND) message from a local central office (CO) switch or mobile station switching center; a microcontroller storage and retrieval device containing a data base library for selectively determining the corresponding geographic information such as city and/or state by matching the area code and/or local exchange number received from the call origination party; and a readout device for displaying the city and/or state of the incoming call. Preferably, the system includes capability to automatically update the data base library of the storage and retrieval device as new area codes and/or local exchanges are subsequently assigned.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2007
    Assignee: Cequint Inc
    Inventor: Mark Gosselin
  • Patent number: 7190773
    Abstract: Methods and systems are disclosed for supplying calling party information to a called party via a network comprising a telephone network, a data network, and at least one gateway device. The gateway device is connected to both the telephone network and the data network. The gateway device receives, via the telephone network, signaling information representing a telephone call from the calling party to the called party. The signaling information includes called party information. Calling party information is obtained based on the signaling information. The calling party information is provided to the called party via the data network.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2007
    Assignee: Verizon Data Services Inc.
    Inventors: Alin D'Silva, Robert A. Chingon, Gerald Y. Honma, Ravi Narayan, Mahesh Rajagopalan, Kevin Trottier, Anirudha Joshi
  • Patent number: 7177627
    Abstract: Picture Caller Line Identification (PCLI) systems and methods are provided for enabling present and future mobile telephony systems to provide PCLI information to a called party. A PCLI system that interacts with a mobile telephony system includes a storage unit for storing PCLI information and a processor that is programmed to detect a request for a call from a caller to a called party, to retrieve PCLI information for the caller from the storage unit, and to forward the PCLI information to the called party. The processor may be further programmed to suspend completion of the call until verification of receipt of the call by the called handset to ensure that the PCLI information is available at the called party's handset prior to completion of the call. Mobile handsets that may be used with the PCLI system discussed above are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2007
    Assignee: Comverse, Inc.
    Inventors: Makonnen Melaku, Arda Aksu, Seshadri Mohan
  • Patent number: 7174163
    Abstract: Picture Caller Line Identification (PCLI) systems and methods are provided for enabling present and future mobile telephony systems to provide PCLI information to a called party. A PCLI system that interacts with a mobile telephony system includes a storage unit for storing PCLI information and a processor that is programmed to detect a request for a call from a caller to a called party, to retrieve PCLI information for the caller from the storage unit, and to forward the PCLI information to the called party. The processor may be further programmed to suspend completion of the call until verification of receipt of the call by the called handset to ensure that the PCLI information is available at the called party's handset prior to completion of the call. Mobile handsets that may be used with the PCLI system discussed above are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2007
    Assignee: Comverse, Inc.
    Inventors: Arda Aksu, Makonnen Melaku, Shahzad Riaz, Allan Brockenbrough
  • Patent number: 7170984
    Abstract: An improved decoding, processing and delivery system in a PBX for the advanced determination and display of geographic information to a called party relating to the call origination party. The improved system comprises a receiving device to receive the calling number delivery (CND) message from a switching center; a central database server at the PBX for storage and retrieval of specific data from a library for selectively determining the corresponding geographic information of the call origination party; a transmission device for sending data from the server over the station-telephone connectivity plane; a receiving device in a telephone; and a readout device for displaying the geographic information of the incoming call. Accordingly, the improved system provides the user with convenient and efficient display of geographic information related to caller identification that is capable of determining an ever-increasing number of area code and local telephone exchange number.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2007
    Assignee: Cequint Inc
    Inventor: Mark Gosselin
  • Patent number: 7170985
    Abstract: An improved decoding, processing and delivery system for a centralized wireless architecture is provided for advanced determination and display of geographic information relating to a call origination party. The improved system comprises a receiving device to receive the calling number delivery (CND) message from a mobile station switching center; a central data server for storage and retrieval of specific data from a library for selectively determining the corresponding geographic information of the call origination party; a transmission device for sending data from the server; a receiving device in a wireless handset; and a readout device for displaying the geographic information of the incoming call. Accordingly, the improved system provides the user with convenient and efficient display of geographic information related to caller identification that is capable of determining an ever-increasing number of area code and local telephone exchange number.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2007
    Assignee: Cequint Inc.
    Inventor: Mark Gosselin
  • Patent number: 7162015
    Abstract: Disclosed is a method and apparatus for obtaining information from a remote database via a telephone network using an automated interactive system. Such information may include, for example, credit history information, address/telephone number information, and book availability information. The system includes a an automated call handler for receiving calls from the telephone, for receiving a request for information, for accessing the requested information, and for providing the requested information in accordance with the request, an audio controller providing outgoing audio messages from the call handler to the telephone, and a gateway coupled to the call handler and having a searchable database that may be accessed by the call handler. A user calls into the system and interactively with the system enters information via the telephone keypad using plurality of two-character responses.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2007
    Inventor: Kanu Patel
  • Patent number: 7130649
    Abstract: This invention is a message crating apparatus and message writing method for mobile phone. The above message (SMS or LMS) of mobile phone is including an attribute information(letter color, background color, background scene, letter blink, etc.). Therefore, message creating apparatus and message writing method of the present invention add an attribute information that can select freely that letter color, background color, background scene, letter blink, etc., and use non-print code of ASCII code to keep compatibility with a short message service (SMS) function of existing mobile phone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2006
    Assignee: Mbridge Systems, INC
    Inventors: Hyuk Kwon, Jae-Yeong Lee
  • Patent number: 7103162
    Abstract: A privacy system determines in connection with a call from a particular calling party whether a name identification thereof is available, and if so allows the call to be put through to the called party with the name identification. The called party thus can review the name identification of the calling party prior to determining whether to answer the call. The privacy system includes a list of privileged calling parties with respect to and as specified by the called party, and if the name identification is not available, the privacy system determines whether the calling party is on such list. If so, the privacy system allows the call to be put through to the called party without the name identification.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2006
    Assignee: BellSouth Intellectual Property Corp.
    Inventor: James C. Cesario, Jr.
  • Patent number: 7039172
    Abstract: A caller ID system and method includes the ability to transmit a party's name in native language characters along with a transliteration of the party's name into global characters, such as Latin characters. The native characters could include Chinese, Japanese or Korean characters. The caller ID information can be used to indicate a calling party's name to a called party, and/or to indicate a called party's name to a calling party. The user of the caller ID device can select native languages to be displayed. Whenever caller ID information includes a native language name matching the user's selected languages, the native language name will be displayed on the caller ID device. Otherwise, the transliteration of the native language name will be displayed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2006
    Assignee: Avaya Technology Corp.
    Inventor: Charles C. Wrobel
  • Patent number: 6996220
    Abstract: A telecommunication system enables a called party having a caller identification device to learn the identity of a calling party although the calling party is a credit card caller, a calling card caller, a caller using an Intelligent/Agent service, a caller using a pager or a caller connected to a PBX system. If the calling party's ANI does not fully identify the calling party, information stored in a database is used to supplement the ANI so that the calling party can be identified.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2006
    Assignee: AT&T Corp.
    Inventor: Thaddeus Julius Kowalski
  • Patent number: 6985572
    Abstract: An improved decoding and processing system is provided for advanced determination and display of geographic information to a called party relating to the call origination party. The improved system comprises a receiving device to receive an MDMF or SDMF format message from a local CO switch containing call identification data; a microcontroller storage and retrieval device containing a data base library for selectively determining the corresponding geographic information such as city and/or state by matching the area code and/or local exchange number received from the call origination party; and a readout device for displaying the city and/or state of the incoming call. Preferably, the system includes capability to automatically update the data base library of the storage and retrieval device as new area codes and/or local exchanges are subsequently assigned.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2006
    Assignee: Cequint, Inc.
    Inventor: Mark Gosselin
  • Patent number: 6975712
    Abstract: A user interface for screen phones monitors telephone line state information and displays user interface controls and telephone line status information dependent on the telephone line state. The user interface includes a display element referred to as a call slip that expands and collapses in response to changes in telephone line state and user input. The call slip updates the information that it displays based on telephone line state changes and information communicated from one or more telephony monitoring applications. The call slip displays user interface controls representing tasks that are dependent on information derived from a telephone call, such as caller ID information. The software used to control the display of call slips and to monitor telephone line state is part of a software platform that may be customized for a particular device or application.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2005
    Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Charles Schnarel, Mauricio Lomelin, Peter G. Chin, Derek S. Graham, Kate Welker, Robert C. Murdock, Justin C. Cooper, Laurence Golding, Suzanne Walsh
  • Patent number: 6952469
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for transmitting and receiving a message using a caller ID is disclosed. In a preferred embodiment, it includes an advertiser and an advertisement service company unit adapted to provide an advertisement. The advertisement service company unit includes an embedded device for inputting and modulating information. A cable/mobile communication company unit adapted to provide a communication network to the advertisement service company unit is also provided so that the advertisement service company can use the communication network. The cable/mobile communication company unit includes an embedded device to demodulate and transmit the information. An advertisement service subscriber unit, adapted to be provided with the advertisement from the advertisement service company unit through the cable/mobile communication company unit is also provided. The advertisement service subscriber unit includes a device to demodulate and identify the received information, and an embedded display unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2005
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventor: Sang Hyun Han
  • Patent number: 6925164
    Abstract: The present invention is drawn to a call trace system and method that is simple to establish in a short amount of time. The call trace is implemented through a Web browser page which remotely programs central offices to trace calls to particular number. When a trace is established a message is sent back to the Web browser which displays the calling number, the called number and the central office detecting the call. Also, a page is sent to a pager which displays the traced information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2005
    Assignee: Ameritech Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Paul W. Fellner, James F. Langdon
  • Patent number: 6891940
    Abstract: A system and method are provided for reviewing and updating a subscriber's telecommunications services, including a Caller ID service, using a graphical user interface via multiple data networks. The method includes presenting service data to the subscriber via the data networks and transmitting a data message from the subscriber to an intelligent peripheral via at least one of the data networks. The data message indicates a subscriber's desired update to a selected telecommunications service. The method also includes converting the data message into a protocol compatible with an integrated service control point. The converted data message is identical to a data message that the intelligent peripheral would create if the subscriber had entered the desired update via an interactive voice response system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2005
    Assignee: SBC Technology Resources, Inc.
    Inventors: Anil Kumar Bhandari, Xiaolian Bi, Jeffrey Lewis Brandt, Alexander Lisheng Huang, Jeffrey Paul Johnson, James Thomas Miller, Stephen Mark Mueller, Jeffrey L. Scruggs
  • Patent number: 6885739
    Abstract: A telephone or adjunct Caller ID device adaptively stores Caller ID data based, for example, on a handling status of an incoming call. In a particular example, a telephone or Caller ID device includes a memory adapted to store Caller ID data associated with an incoming call, and a processor adapted to affect storage of the Caller ID data based on a status of the incoming call, such as whether the incoming call is answered. In an alternative embodiment, a method of receiving an incoming telephone call includes the steps of receiving Caller ID data associated with the incoming telephone call, evaluating a status of the incoming telephone call, and making a Caller ID storage decision based on the status of the incoming telephone call. The decision may be based on handling of the incoming telephone call, such as whether the incoming telephone call is answered, or whether it is answered by a person.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2005
    Assignee: Agere Systems Inc.
    Inventors: Joseph M. Cannon, James A. Johanson, Philip D. Mooney
  • Patent number: 6882714
    Abstract: A system and method are provided for maintaining a universal call-log in a Home Network telephone system. The method comprises: transceiving calls on at least one external telephone line; bridging calls to a plurality Home Network endpoints; and, logging the bridged calls. Bridging calls to a plurality Home Network endpoints includes initiating an outgoing call from an endpoint. Then, the outgoing calls initiated from endpoints are logged. Likewise, incoming calls received on an external telephone line addressed to an endpoint and bridged, and logged. Logging the bridged calls includes cross-referencing entries such as call time, the call duration, the type of call, the external telephone involved, the external line telephone number from which an incoming call is received, the external telephone line telephone number to which an outgoing call is addressed, the endpoint to which an incoming call is addressed, and the endpoint initiating an outgoing call.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2005
    Assignee: Sharp Laboratories of America, Inc.
    Inventor: Carl Mansfield
  • Patent number: 6882713
    Abstract: A received telephone number is classified into group and stored by a simple operation, and is used as the telephone number when making a call. It comprises a telephone number detector (2) for detecting an incoming telephone number from a telephone line, an operation unit (13) for specifying the group of the detected telephone number, a memory (11) for storing the information of the specified group and the telephone number in correspondence, and LED (15a-15d, 19a-19b) for displaying multiple colors. In the incoming operation, the lamp color is changed to display which group the received telephone number belongs to, and the call receiver easily recognizes the call is from which specific group. Further, when dialing by making use of the stored telephone number, the telephone number is displayed and searched in each group.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2005
    Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hajime Sakai, Youji Manabe, Toshiaki Sakiyama, Yuji Hirai, Hideyuki Matsuo, Kentaro Oka
  • Patent number: 6873692
    Abstract: A method and system are provided for locating and retrieving stored computer files that are related to an incoming telephone call directed to a computer user. A called party receives a telephone call while the called party is operating her computer. A computer telephony interface receives caller identification information on the calling party and uses that information to launch a software synchronization program for locating files stored on the called party's computer that are related to the calling party. A dialog box is displayed on the screen of the called party's computer that provides the caller identification on the calling party and provides an icon for displaying a list of stored files related to the incoming caller. The list of files may be automatically presented to the called party, or the called party may retrieve the list of stored files by selection of the icon presented in the dialog box.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2005
    Assignee: BellSouth Intellectual Property Corporation
    Inventors: Edward M. Silver, Linda A. Roberts, Hong T. Nguyen
  • Patent number: 6856677
    Abstract: An arrangement and a method for handling answers at a telephone. The arrangement includes a connection device; an identification device identifying an A number belonging to a caller; and a processing device arranged to create at least two answering alternatives, where each answering alternative includes a respective point of time when a called party at the telephone intends to call back. The answering alternatives are displayed on a display together with an indication of the A number. An input device is utilized to select one of the at least two answering alternatives, whereby the processing device is arranged to transmit the selected answering alternative to the A number. The selected answering alternative and indication of the A number is displayed on the display as a reminder for the called party.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2005
    Assignee: Ab Aurora Invest
    Inventor: Carl Leijonhufvud
  • Patent number: 6853711
    Abstract: A method for augmenting communications between called and calling parties with context information helps either or both parties decide whether and how to accept or initiate a communications event.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 8, 2005
    Assignee: Nortel Networks Limited
    Inventors: Michel A. Brisebois, Marilyn F. St-George, Laura Mahan
  • Patent number: 6853712
    Abstract: A communication apparatus for an exchange network having a service of notifying the telephone number of a caller during a call-receiving operation can recognize respective callers of past call-receiving operations. During a call-receiving operation, a communication partner's telephone number detection unit detects the telephone number (identification information) of the caller, and stores the detected telephone number in a nonvolatile RAM (random access memory). The RAM can store a plurality of sets of identification information, which are recorded and output in the form of a list by a recording unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 8, 2005
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Hisashi Toyoda, Toshio Kenmochi
  • Patent number: 6853713
    Abstract: A client-server network for managing internet protocol voice data packets includes a client terminal, for receiving internet protocol voice data packets; a graphical display, for conveying information to a client terminal user; a client terminal controller, for controlling the client terminal; a terminal proxy server, responsive to the internet protocol voice data packets, for sending synchronized signals to the client terminal and the client terminal controller to notify a client terminal user of the voice data packets, the client terminal controller, in response to the synchronized signal, adapted to retrieve information about the incoming caller and convey the information to the client terminal user on the graphical display; and a graphical user interface, displayed on the graphical display, for receiving instructions from the client terminal user, the client terminal controller, in response to instructions received from the user through the graphical user interface, adapted to perform at least one data ma
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 1999
    Date of Patent: February 8, 2005
    Assignee: Nortel Networks Limited
    Inventors: Joseph Fobert, Srivallipuranandan Navaratnam, Patrick James Dagert, Steve John McKinnon
  • Patent number: 6845151
    Abstract: A picture/sound output equipment with caller identification and volume adjustment functions comprises a main unit provided with buttons and picture/sound output hole for connection to the screen and amplifier; and an incoming-call detection circuit connecting to telephone line on one end and connecting to the main unit on the other end. The incoming-call detection circuit transforms the signals of incoming calls into visual signals and outputs the visual signals. When the picture/sound output equipment is in use and the phone rings, the signals of incoming calls will be located and displayed on the screen, thereby helps users not to miss the phone calls as they watch films.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 18, 2005
    Assignee: Meiloon Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Jack Peng
  • Publication number: 20040260413
    Abstract: There are disclosed methods and apparatus for displaying telephone numbers included in data units. The data units are scanned for telephone numbers. The telephone numbers are automatically identified within the data units. When the telephone numbers are displayed as part of displays of the data units, the telephone numbers are conspicuously rendered.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 7, 2004
    Publication date: December 23, 2004
    Inventor: John Melideo
  • Patent number: 6831969
    Abstract: The present invention relates to displaying caller ID information, and more specifically, to displaying caller ID information in an environment with broadband telephony service. The invention provides a method and apparatus for receiving caller ID information from a service provider and providing the caller ID information for display as an overlay over a television programming image provided by the service provider and displayed on a television.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2004
    Assignee: Innomedia Pre Ltd.
    Inventor: Paul Pay-Lun Ju
  • Patent number: 6829340
    Abstract: The present invention disclosed a masked phone service, which depending on phone user's original phone number to virtually create multiple new corresponding substitutive phone numbers, called mask phone numbers; to mask phone user's original phone number when on demand; by adding this new created mask phone number, therefore, to make the phone user have at least two phone numbers on single phone device so that the phone user's original phone number and the mask phone number may be separately used for his working and private time respectively, and by this way the phone user's personal privacy is then improved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2004
    Inventor: Tsung-Hsing Wei
  • Patent number: 6826407
    Abstract: The present invention provides a communication system for integrating audio and visual messaging. The communication system includes a mobile communication device for receiving visual messages and for transmitting voice messages to a recipient, a base station system in communication with the mobile communication device, an electronic mail gateway for delivering visual messages to the base station system for transmission to the mobile communication device, and an integrated mail gateway for receiving from the base station a voice message and addressing information that were both transmitted from the mobile communication device. The integrated mail gateway is programmed to create an e-mail message comprising the voice message. The integrated mail gateway is also programmed to use the addressing information to address the e-mail message, and to send the addressed e-mail message to the recipient.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 1999
    Date of Patent: November 30, 2004
    Assignees: Thompson Investment Group, L.L.C.
    Inventor: Richard J. Helferich
  • Publication number: 20040218730
    Abstract: Telephone test sets include a telephone test set housing and at least one lead that extends away from the telephone test set housing. The lead is configured to be coupled to a telephone line. A light source, a data port and/or a display are integrated with the telephone test set housing. The light source is configured to project light away from the telephone test set to illuminate an area adjacent the telephone test set. The data port is configured to receive a data jack operatively associated with a communications device. The display is configured to display identification information associated with the telephone line. Related methods and systems are also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 2, 2003
    Publication date: November 4, 2004
    Inventors: Blake R. Urban, Jorge Cobas
  • Publication number: 20040208302
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatuses for caller identification messaging are disclosed. According to one embodiment, a calling party uses a Caller ID Messaging Device that supplants the incoming calling line identification (ICLID) signal with a Caller ID Messaging Signal and transmits the Caller ID Messaging Signal to a destination communications address. An alternate embodiment provides that the calling party may use a conventional telephone to access a communications network, activate Caller ID Messaging Services, compose or retrieve a stored Caller ID Message of the Caller ID Messaging Signal, and transmit the Caller ID Messaging Signal to the destination communications address. The Caller ID Message and Caller ID Messaging Signal may include text, video, voice, and/or digital data.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 18, 2003
    Publication date: October 21, 2004
    Inventors: Blake R. Urban, Isaac D.M. White, James E. Dickens, Kevin Forsberg, Charles Sawyer
  • Publication number: 20040208301
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatuses for caller identification messaging are disclosed. According to one embodiment, a calling party uses a Caller ID Messaging Device that supplants the incoming calling line identification (ICLID) signal with a Caller ID Messaging Signal and transmits the Caller ID Messaging Signal to a destination communications address. An alternate embodiment provides that the calling party may use a conventional telephone to access a communications network, activate Caller ID Messaging Services, compose or retrieve a stored Caller ID Message of the Caller ID Messaging Signal, and transmit the Caller ID Messaging Signal to the destination communications address. The Caller ID Message and Caller ID Messaging Signal may include text, video, voice, and/or digital data.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 18, 2003
    Publication date: October 21, 2004
    Inventors: Blake R. Urban, Isaac D. M. Whiteq, James E. Dickens, Kevin Forsberg, Charles Sawyer
  • Patent number: 6807260
    Abstract: A telephone line management system in communication with a telephone line is provided. In one aspect, the system includes a caller ID module operatively coupled to the telephone line for receiving and displaying a name and a telephone number of a calling party associated with a received telephone call and a false special information tone (SIT) generator module operatively coupled to the telephone line for sending a false signal on a telephone line substantially similar to at least a first part of a SIT in response to an incoming telephone call. In another aspect, the system includes a caller ID module, a false SIT generator module, and a controller for determining when the name and telephone number of a calling party is displayed and when the false signal is operationally coupled to the telephone line. In other embodiments, the system may include an answering machine module or a telephone module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2004
    Assignee: Royal Appliance Mfg. Co.
    Inventors: Mark E. Reindle, Jonathan Katz
  • Patent number: 6798872
    Abstract: A caller information display system and recording medium in a communication system in which voice communication and data communication can be done between multiple terminals over a network following an Internet protocol, includes a caller information storage unit in which caller information of each local terminal is stored in advance in each terminal, and an input unit that inputs caller information. A display unit displays caller information, and a call circuit unit controls voice communication. The display system also has a caller information transmission and reception control unit which controls transmission and reception of caller information when a call is made or received.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 28, 2004
    Assignee: Fujitsu Limited
    Inventors: Masaharu Matsumoto, Shigehiko Yazawa
  • Publication number: 20040184591
    Abstract: A communication apparatus of the present invention has a first storing unit for storing information detected by a caller information detector, a caller identifying unit for identifying a calling place of a caller based on the information stored in the first storing unit, a second storing unit for storing information of the calling place identified by the caller identifying unit, a third storing unit for storing predetermined information, and a controller for controlling a display unit to display combined information of the calling place information stored in the second storing unit and the predetermined information stored in the third storing unit. The communication apparatus has a controller for extracting voice data selected by a voice data selecting unit and controlling the voice converting unit to output a voice signal, when the plurality of voice data correspond to the caller information detected by the caller information detector.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 10, 2004
    Publication date: September 23, 2004
    Inventors: Hiroki Shimomura, Katsuyuki Kajiwara, Sadaka Mitsuo, Michiaki Tanaka, Yuji Hirai, Yoshihiro Ishimura, Yutaka Ikeda
  • Patent number: 6792090
    Abstract: A telephone directory address storing method and an information terminal by which telephone directory information is efficiently managed to achieve augmentation of the operability. The information terminal includes a display section, a storage section, an inputting section, a circuit interface section, and a control section for controlling the entire information terminal. The control section has a function of drawing a window delineated by closed line segments on the display section. The display section draws a first window displayed most forwardly with respect to any other window, fetches a character train selected on a second window into the first window through the storage section, waits a call origination instruction from the inputting section in the first window, dials in response to a call origination instruction from the inputting section through the circuit interface section, and simultaneously stores the character train selected on the second window into a telephone directory address storage section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2004
    Assignee: NEC Corporation
    Inventor: Yosikazu Kobayashi
  • Patent number: 6782087
    Abstract: A desktop telephony application program enables a call center agent to handle calls. The application program may be interfaced with an answering service. The answering service acts as an application program interface (API) to a computer/telephony interface server and a call distributor. The application program produces a user interface that enables the agent to indicate when the agent is going on break and the type of break that the agent is taking. Additional functional elements are provided in the user interface to enable the agent to update status information regarding the current state of the agent. The application program may also provide phone books that hold phone numbers grouped by different logical grouping criteria.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 1997
    Date of Patent: August 24, 2004
    Assignee: MCI Communications Corporation
    Inventors: Wesley Atkinson, Richard McDuff
  • Patent number: 6775364
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for selectively sending a false system information tone (SIT) in response to an incoming telephone call is provided. One embodiment of the apparatus includes a telephone line interface, caller identification (caller ID) module, programmable oscillator, display device, and controller. In another embodiment, the apparatus includes a data storage module, telephone line interface, caller ID module, programmable oscillator, display device, controller, and one or more control devices. The method includes the steps of: a) detecting a ring on the telephone line, b) receiving information about a calling party associated with the incoming telephone call, c) determining if a false SIT is to be sent based on the calling party information, and, d) if the false SIT is to be sent, i) determining when the false SIT is to be sent; ii) generating the false SIT; and, iii) sending the false SIT at the determined time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 10, 2004
    Assignee: Royal Appliance Mfg. Co.
    Inventor: Bruce R. Knox
  • Publication number: 20040146155
    Abstract: The present invention is drawn to a call trace system and method that is simple to establish in a short amount of time. The call trace is implemented through a Web browser page which remotely programs central offices to trace calls to particular number. When a trace is established a message is sent back to the Web browser which displays the calling number, the called number and the central office detecting the call. Also, a page is sent to a pager which displays the traced information.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 14, 2003
    Publication date: July 29, 2004
    Applicant: Ameritech Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Paul W. Fellner, James F. Langdon
  • Patent number: 6766002
    Abstract: A telephone or adjunct Caller ID device adaptively stores Caller ID data based, for example, on a blocked status of the Caller ID data. In a particular example, a telephone or Caller ID device includes a memory adapted to store Caller ID data associated with an incoming call, and a processor adapted to affect storage of the Caller ID data based on an attribute of the Caller ID data, such as a blocked status of the Caller ID data. In an alternative embodiment, a method of receiving an incoming telephone call includes the steps of receiving Caller ID data associated with the incoming telephone call, evaluating a portion of the Caller ID data, and making a storage decision based on the evaluation. The decision may be based on a blocked status of the Caller ID data. The decision may be made proximate in time to the reception of the incoming telephone call, or in response to a user input to affect Caller ID already stored.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 1999
    Date of Patent: July 20, 2004
    Assignee: Agere Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Joseph M. Cannon, James A. Johanson, Philip D. Mooney
  • Publication number: 20040125929
    Abstract: A projection caller ID system includes a caller ID display and controls and a projection arm to project caller ID data including caller name and number onto a surface such as a wall or ceiling. The projection arm includes a slave transparent LCD which is illuminated by LEDs to project an image of the caller ID data through a lens onto a surface. The projection caller ID system allows the caller ID data to be read from a distance from the caller ID unit and in a low light or dark environment as well as a normal ambient light environment.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 31, 2002
    Publication date: July 1, 2004
    Inventor: Stephen M. Pope
  • Patent number: 6757372
    Abstract: An interactive user interface displayed on a monitor as part of a telephone is disclosed. The interactive user interface allows a user to easily use basic and advanced telephony functions, telephony-related services, such as accessing phone directories and voice mail, and non-telephony services. These non-telephony services can include any information deliverable over, for example, TCP/IP or DHCP, and can include information such as stock prices, weather, sports data, and so on, typically from third-party services. It can also include intra-company information such as meeting schedules, conference room bookings, cafeteria menus, and so on. A user can also pull up context-sensitive “help” information on the display at any time to learn more about a particular mode, option, or feature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2000
    Date of Patent: June 29, 2004
    Assignee: Cisco Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard Allen Dunlap, Erich Ian Domingo, Peter James Coughlan, Steven Vassallo, Daniel James Stillion
  • Publication number: 20040101118
    Abstract: A caller identification data management apparatus is disclosed herein. A caller identification data management apparatus can include a data management unit having a plurality of input buttons thereon, which permit a user to input commands to said data management unit, wherein said data management unit is connectable to a telephone, and a caller identification module associated with said data management unit, wherein the caller identification module generates caller identification data based on caller identification data contained within a ring pattern of an incoming telephone call. Such an apparatus also includes a printer unit integrated with said data management unit, wherein said printer unit prints caller identification data generated by said caller identification module. Additionally, such an apparatus can be configured to include a display screen for displaying caller identification data generated by said caller identification module for a user.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 5, 2003
    Publication date: May 27, 2004
    Inventor: Steven Powell