Abstract: An embodiment provides a method, including: detecting, at a device, a primary speaker is providing audio input; detecting, at the device, a voice data link providing audio of the primary speaker to another speaker is muted; and providing a notification to the primary speaker that the voice data link is muted. Other aspects are described and claimed.

Abstract: Placing a call on hold provides advantages to the party initiating the hold. The party may engage in another call or perform another action and return to the call when convenient, provided the party placed on hold is still on the call. The party on hold monitors the inactive call and waits until the call is reactivated. The party on hold is provided with a means to alert the other party via a session initiation protocol (SIP) message formatted as a ring-ping message. The message is sent to the party who placed the call on hold and the user's device activates an indicator, such as to alert the holding party that the held party wishes to re-engage the call. If the holding party does not un-hold the call or otherwise acknowledge the ring-ping indicator, another action can be initiated, such as by inviting another party to join the call.

Abstract: A mute detector actively provides an indication to a user when the user is speaking while on mute in an audio conferencing application. The indication may prevent the user from speaking for a period without being heard by other participants. The indication also may prevent a user from believing they were heard by others in an audio conference when they were, in fact, on mute. The techniques may be integrated into the software layer of any audio or video conferencing application, although other implementations will be apparent in light of this disclosure.

Abstract: The system provides voice call services to plurality of users using a music engine. Music engine generates music of one of plurality of styles of music. In response to one or more first commands entered by the first user, music of a particular style is selected by the first user and the at least one music engine is controlled so that the at least one music engine generates music of the particular style selected by the first user.

Abstract: A user-interactive music system is described. The system includes a web application in communication with an electronic device such as a mobile device. The web application receives an input from the electronic device, requesting a specific song or preference of songs be played on a music player at a remote location. The web application communicates with a music player, communicating the requests from the electronic device. The music player plays the requested songs or preference of songs on the music player.

Abstract: When one party to an active call has momentarily stepped away from the call that has not been put on hold, the other party can record and leave a message for the party that stepped away, and then hang up. The call is monitored for return of the party that stepped away. When the returned party begins to speak, the message is immediately played to the returned party in response. In a conference, after a conferee who wishes to leave the conference, records a message and hangs up, the conference is monitored for either a break in the conversation or conversation directed to the party that left, and in response the message is played to the other conferees.

Abstract: A cellular phone 100 registers incoming call histories in which other party telephone numbers are correlated to own telephone numbers which received a call in an incoming call history accommodation section 14b. It is judged whether or not the other party telephone number to which a call is made is the other party telephone number from which a call was received previously with reference to the incoming call histories when transmitting a call. If the other party telephone number is an other party telephone number which was received previously, the own telephone number which was used at that time is extracted from the incoming call histories and a call transmission is made. Accordingly, this enables preventing the error in using different plurality of own telephone numbers.

Abstract: An approach for providing content transmission upon placement of a call on hold is disclosed. A data communications system includes a proxy server that is configured to receive a message from a first client indicating the hold condition of a Voice Over Internet Protocol (VOIP) call with a second client. The system also includes a content server (e.g., music server) that is configured to transmit the content stored therein to the second client in response to a request message from the server.

Abstract: In a versatile communication device having a telephone function and a facsimile function, an erroneous detection of an on-hold melody as a control signal, such as a calling tone (CNG) signal, is prevented when the on-hold melody is played during an on-hold period of the telephone, thereby preventing the device from mistakenly switching connection to the facsimile function during the on-hold period. Further, the on-hold melody containing a signal component of the CNG signal or other control signal is prevented from sending to the remote device, so the remote device provided with a facsimile function does not switch to a facsimile mode during the on-hold status of the voice communication.

Abstract: There is provided an announcing method for a notification message in a PBX. The PBX stores the index of a predetermined hold notification message for a corresponding DID (Direct Inward Dialing) number upon incoming a call from a DID office line in a call processing buffer, connects the call between the office line and a corresponding extension line, then announces the hold notification message corresponding to the stored index when the call is placed on hold during the call.

Abstract: According to some embodiments, a mute status reminder is provided for a communication device.

Abstract: According to this invention, a digital key telephone system connected to an analog public network NW having a function of transmitting a ringing signal including identification information of a calling line through a subscriber line (CO line), accommodating a plurality of extension lines each connected to a digital key telephone (DKT) 2 or a standard telephone (STT) 4 as an extension terminal, and having a function of switching and connecting the subscriber line to the plurality of extension lines or the extension lines to each other includes a called party storage means storing, in advance, information representing the correlation between the calling line and the extension terminals 2 and 4 as a called terminal. When a ringing signal arrives from the analog communication network NW, calling line identification information (caller ID) contained in the ringing signal is detected by a calling line identification information interface unit (RCIU) 12.

Abstract: A telephone, which includes a CPU connected to a keyboard thereof, a first switch connected between first and second telephone lines, second and third switches provided at the first and second telephone lines and connected to the CPU, the second and third switches each having a first contact at the respective output end connected to a fourth switch and a second contact connected to a fifth switch, which controls a hand-free circuit, wherein when the first and second telephone lines are called at the same time, the switches are controlled by the CPU for enabling a first user to pick up one call through the hand-free circuit or talking circuit and a second user to pick up the other call through the talking circuit or hand-free circuit, and a switching can be made through the keyboard to change the connection of the telephone lines between the talking circuit and the hand-free circuit.

Abstract: A telephone on-hold system (10) allows a calling party such as a consumer (20) to place the telephone call on-hold from the consumer's handset (18C) in response to dialing a number where the receiving end (R) put the call on-hold pending availability of an agent (22). While the call is on-hold from the consumer's end, a counter-message is played to alert the agent (22) to notify the consumer's handset (18C) that the agent (22) is available, such as by depressing touch-tone keys at the agent's end (18R). The system (10) recognizes the tones and provides an alert (40) to the consumer (20) so as to allow the consumer (20) to end the on-hold status of the call from the consumer's end and undertake normal conversation with the agent (22).

Abstract: In a two-line telephone controller which includes a line select switch which operates complementarily to a force busy relay that allows an unselected telephone line to be forced to a busy state, a method for using the force busy relay also to place an active line on hold. The method includes detecting an incoming call on an inactive line, switching the line select switch to the inactive line, receiving an instruction to place the active line on hold, and responding to the hold instruction by closing an off-hook relay so as to connect the force busy switch across the active telephone line, opening a first handset select switch for the active telephone line, and closing a second handset select switch so as to select the incoming call on the ringing line. Because the force busy switch is connected across the formerly-active telephone line, loop current is maintained, thereby placing and maintaining the formerly-active call on hold.

Abstract: An apparatus and a method of setting and confirmation of a value indicative of an on-hook period of a terminal is provided. The value is used as a threshold when distinguishing a hooking pulse for putting communication on hold which is issued by the terminal, from disconnection of a call on the terminal.

Abstract: A signal detection circuit includes band pass filters for detecting frequency components of a Call Alert signal (CAS) signal, a tone detection circuit for detecting whether or not a signal component is present in the output signals of the band pass filters, and two types of guard time setting circuits that have different guard times. When the CAS signal component is present, a transmitting speech signal is muted. Thereafter, with the guard time setting circuit having the normal guard time, it is determined whether or not the signal component lasts for a predetermined time period. Since the CAS signal is detected with two types of guard times, even if the transmitting speech signal contains a frequency component of the CAS signal, the transmitting speech signal is not mis-detected as the CAS signal.

Abstract: A telephone includes a telephone body, a handset and a telephone network line hold mechanism. The telephone body includes a handset cradle on which the handset is placed, a plurality of operation buttons and the like. The telephone is placed in the offhook state when the user lifts the handset from the handset cradle and placed in the on-hook state when the user places the handset on the handset cradle. The telephone network line hold mechanism is energized when the user places the handset on the telephone body at its position in which the offhook state of the telephone is retained.

Abstract: A key telephone system having user-friendly electronic directory function in which dialling numbers more than the number of abbreviated dialling numbers can be registered and the number of digits of abbreviated dialling number is maintained to a small number by treating separately an abbreviated dialling data and other directory data upon registration of data. Further, the content of a retrieved directory data can be registered as an abbreviated dialling number. In the system, a necessary number of data can be registered in the directory, and calling operation using an abbreviated dialling number can be made with a fixed number of digits of abbreviated dialling number regardless of the number of abbreviated dialling numbers. Further, registration of abbreviated dialling number can be performed effectively.

Abstract: An electronic patching system includes a first plurality of ports connected to the terminations of a plurality of telephone and data lines from the utility central office, and a second plurality of ports wired to a plurality of telecommunications devices. Both pluralities of ports are coupled to inputs of a controlled switching matrix, which connects each of the telecommunications devices to one or more of the telephone and data lines. The switching matrix is operated by a programmable logic array that directs the matrix to establish and maintain the desired connections between the telephone equipment and the telephone and data lines, computer network lines, and the like. The switching matrix includes a high voltage switch portion to handle analog telephone instruments. An algorithm for controlling the programmable logic array is created using a personal computer, and stored in memory.

Abstract: An automated telephone hold device including a housing with a visual indication mechanism, audible indication mechanism, and push button switch positioned on a top face thereof. Further included is a voice playback mechanism, decoder, phone interface, and sequential logic located within the housing. In use, the sequential logic allows a user on hold to depress the push button switch which, in turn, actuates the visual indication mechanism. At this point in time, the phone interface allows communication between the voice playback mechanism and the phone of the second party for prompting the second party to press a designated key on the phone thereof. Once the second party presses the designated key, the sequential logic mechanism is adapted to actuate the audible indication mechanism. Also, upon the user lifting the handset thereof from an inoperative orientation, the sequential logic mechanism prompts the phone interface to revert to a normal mode of operation.

Abstract: An integrated loop current detector for a public switched telephone network modem. The present invention solves the loop current detect problem in general, and is especially useful in modems employing echo cancellation techniques due the linearity afforded by the invention. In one advantageous embodiment of the present invention, the current detector includes a solid-state loop hold circuit coupled to terminals of the PSTN. A current mirror circuit is coupled in parallel with the loop holding circuit, wherein the current mirror circuit includes a transistor having a control terminal coupled to the DC operating point of the loop holding circuit. The transistor is operable to detect interruptions in loop current. An opto-coupler device having an input coupled to the switching device has an output coupled to a current detect input line of said modem thereby providing an isolated output for quick and reliable indication of current interruptions in said loop hold circuit.

Abstract: The present invention is a two line phone adaptor that allows two separate phone lines to be connected to and controlled by a single line DTMF phone. The two line phone adaptor has one ring detector for each line and one hold circuit for each line. The adaptor also has an electronic line selector circuit, a DTMF decoder and an off hook detector. All of the above circuits are connected to a micro controller that contains the software that defines the functions of the adaptor. The adaptor does not have any user accessible control buttons except for an on/off switch. The adaptor will automatically engage the `ringing line` and transfer the ring signal to the attached phone to generate an audible ringing sound. When the phone is taken off the hook, the adaptor will automatically seize a `free line` for use. The adaptor is controlled by the 3.times.4 keyboard of the attached DTMF single line phone and provides the functions such as music on hold, manual line select and three party conferences.

Abstract: A telephone connection is established between a pushbutton telephone set and one of telephone lines through a pushbutton telephone set unit, a speech highway, and a telephone line unit. When one of line and extension keys of the pushbutton telephone set is pressed by the user during the telephone connection, a CPU in a control unit determines whether the telephone connection is being made based on the period of time that has elapsed after the pushbutton telephone set has captured the telephone line. If the telephone connection is being made as determined by the CPU, then the CPU controls a time switch circuit according to hold function data stored in a RAM to connect the telephone line unit to a hold tone generator through the speech highway, thus holding the telephone connection. Thereafter, the CPU captures a telephone line corresponding to the depressed one of the line and extension keys.

Abstract: A switching arrangement for activating a plurality of electrical devices connected to a communication line. The switching arrangement monitors the communication line for the reception of activation signals, and also transmits activation signals to the communication line. The switching arrangement activates an electrical device (from the plurality of electrical devices) connected to the communication line, in response to the detection of the an activation signal, to shift the electrical device from a dormant state (in which electrical consumption by the electrical device is minimized) to a normal, functional operational state (in which a maximum electrical consumption of the electrical device occurs) only when the electrical device is actually being operated. By switching the electrical device between a dormant state and an operational state, the amount of electrical power required to operate the plurality of electrical devices is reduced.

Abstract: A hold displaying system includes plural multifunction telephone sets each of which has a hold indicator, and an exchange for accommodating the telephone sets. Each multifunction telephone set cooperates with the exchange to perform a hold display on the hold indicator of the respective multifunction telephone set. When information for a multifunction telephone set to which a hold display is forwarded is sent from a multifunction telephone set on a hold operating side to the exchange, the exchange transmits its hold display switching information to the multifunction telephone set to which the hold display was forwarded, whereby the hold indicator indicates the same hold display as that provided by the multifunction telephone set to which a hold display has been forwarded during its holding operation.

Abstract: A communication console station links a plurality of communication resources (101, 103, and 105) for use by an operator. Incoming calls are placed in an incoming-call queue (207), calls on hold are placed in a holding queue (209), and all available communication resources are placed in a resource queue (211) The operator presses a single button (303, 305, or 307) to obtain the top resource from the associated queue (207, 209, or 211), which lists resources according to a predetermined priority.

Abstract: In a telephone system for performing channel control among telephones connected to a plurality of telephone lines, a call during a conversation between first and second telephones is placed on hold by a hold request from, say, the second telephone, and the call is capable of being transferred to a third telephone. It is also possible for the holding first telephone to instruct that the holding state be cancelled during the call transfer processing. When such a hold cancellation input from the first telephone is detected, the second telephone that requested the hold is so notified by an alarm. If the first telephone is subsequently hung up, the holding call is released and the connecting line of the first telephone is opened. When the second telephone cancels the holding state, the holding call is released and communication between the first and second telephones is restored.

Abstract: A telephone on-hold device (10) for use with a telephone handset having a handpiece (18) with a mouthpiece (22) and an earpiece (16), the telephone on-hold device (10) comprising a switch (24) located in a housing (12), the housing (12) being dimensioned to receive at least the mouthpiece (22) of the handpiece (18) to actuate the switch (24), and an audio generation device (26) having an audio transducer (39) located in the housing (12) and arranged to be adjacent the mouthpiece (22), the switch (24) having a first switch component (24a) connected to actuate the audio generation device (26).

Abstract: An intercom system for use in combination with a multi-line telephone system wherein the intercom system utilizes the same wire pair for communications between intercom units that is used for normal telephone communications. The intercom system transmits voice signals on two or more frequency modulated channels over a wire pair of a local telephone network. Each intercom unit includes a microprocessor which controls communication activity and protocol in each unit and communicates with other intercom unit miroprocessors via a separate frequency modulated digital signal channel.

Abstract: A control system for a plurality of telephone sets connected as branched to a central office line allows extension calling, privacy function setting and hold releasing operations between the telephone sets. Each of the telephone sets in the branched connection comprises keys through which a control data corresponding to a desired control operation is inputted, a transmission circuit for sending to the central office line a control signal corresponding to the control data inputted by the keys, a reception circuit for receiving the control signal from the line, and a control circuit for performing a predetermined control operation on the basis of the control signal received by the reception circuit, whereby the respective operations of the telephone sets are mutually controlled on the basis of the control signal.

Abstract: A pair of interface devices, mounted externally to a pair of residential telephones, can place a temporary hold on the associated telephone line circuit. Each interface device interconnects a standard residential telephone with an associated telephone line circuit. In a two telephone arrangement to place the telephone circuit in a hold condition, the user throws a switch mounted on the interface device, and hangs up the handset (goes on hook). The switch places two indicator lamps across the two-wire line circuit to simulate an off-hook condition. To remove the hold condition, the user merely throws the same switch or the switch associated with one of the other phones in the residence. There is no need to return to the original phone first used to establish the hold.

Abstract: A communication apparatus such as a telephone set has a hold circuit for putting a telephone call from a communication partner on hold, a release circuit for releasing the telephone call from the on-hold condition, a circuit for informing the communication partner when the telephone call is released and a detect circuit for detecting when the communication partner whose telephone call is on hold breaks the line, e.g. by hanging up. The communication partner is informed of the release of the on-hold condition in accordance with such release and the detection of line break by the detect circuit.

Abstract: A telephone system which allows external releasing of a holding state set by a holding operation of a telephone set. A signal receiving circuit of the system receives a holding-state releasing signal such as a DTMF signal or the like sent from a central office line to release the hold state of the telephone set on the basis of an output of the circuit.

Abstract: A key telephone system for use with at least two telephone lines that extend between a central office and two or more telephone stations. Each station is capable of responding to a manually-actuated hold select switch by establishing a hold condition on one of the lines and by connecting a line terminating impedance across the line that is to be held. Each station is further capable of monitoring the state of each line, and indicating the state of each line, without applying any indicating signals to the telephone lines. Each station furthermore determines threshold voltages for on-hook, off-hook and hold line states and determines line state by comparison of line voltage with such threshold voltages.

Abstract: This invention provides an audible indication to a held party indicating when a call is removed from the hold state. Heretofore, when two parties on a call are in a talk state and a first party puts a second party on hold, the held party must aurally monitor the receiver on the station set for the first party's voice to detect when the talk state is resumed. The voice of the first party provides the only indication that the hold condition has been removed. This requires the held party to monitor the receiver for the duration of the hold state and prevents the held party from easily pursuing any other activities. The subject arrangement overcomes this problem by providing a "ring-ping" signal to the held party when the hold condition is removed. In particular, following the activation of the hold condition by the first party, the held party leaves the receiver off-hook and can then pursue other activities.

Abstract: A telephone conversion device for converting a multiple line electromechanical telephone system having an electromechanical key system unit (KSU) for use with electronic telephones. Each conversion device includes a wall unit having a 50-pin connector for mating with the 50-pin connector of the KSU outlet cable, and a keystrip unit positionable on the desk of the user and upon which an electronic telephone is positioned. A slender 8-wire cord extends between the keystrip and wall units. The wall unit includes a first microprocessor which operates with a line status detector for determining the operational status of five multiple telephone lines by sensing the lamp driving signals provided by the KSU. Relays under the operation of the first microprocessor connect a selected line to a common talking pair which extends within the cord between the units for connection to the telephone. A detector detects when the receiver is off-hook.

Abstract: A two line telephone available for the home or the small business employs five pushbuttons for line selection, conference, hold and intercom. The line circuits and the conferencing switches are opto-isolated so that a single transformer coupled power supply is used. The usual illumination is provided in all of the pushbuttons to indicate that their function is being implemented. The conference function is implemented using the transformer coupled SCR circuit of U.S. Pat. No. 3,470,867.

Abstract: A key telephone system has a plurality of telephone sets, each set having a hold button for temporarily holding a central office ("CO") line. A plurality of cell park lamps temporarily indicate which of the CO lines is being held. A plurality of call park buttons are individually associated with the call park lamps. An outgoing call button is used for seizing an idle one of the CO lines when an outgoing call is to be initiated. An answer button is used for seizing one of the CO lines over which an incoming call is being received. At least one external indicator indicates the various states (busy, idle, holding) of each of the CO lines. A central unit has a hold control circuit for indicating with the call park lamps when the CO line is being held responsive to an operation of either the hold button or a call park button.

Abstract: A key telephone system comprising a main equipment and a plurality of key telephones connected to the main equipment and comprising elements for operatively connecting another similar key telephone system. The main equipment in the key telephone system comprises a system call transmitting interface and a system call receiving interface which are connected through connecting lines to a system call receiving interface and a system call transmitting interface in a main equipment of another similar key telephone system, respectively. Each key telephone in both systems comprises an additional key for selecting the system call transmitting interface of its own main equipment. By use of the additional key in one key telephone, a speech path can be established between the one key telephone and another key telephone in another key telephone system through both main equipments and the connecting line.

Abstract: A system is presented for accessing a plurality of central office lines, PBX, etc. by a plurality of stations and for exchanging signals between the stations. Each station is provided with a self-sufficient microprocessor which controls all the functions of the station. The microprocessors exchange control signals to indicate the status of each station and each line. A common intercom line is provided for both audio signals and control signals. Each station is assigned a unique address so that each station is able to dial up another station for intercom communication by generating the proper control signals.Each station is also provided with a switch matrix for selectively accessing any of the lines, line status indicating means, and line holding means which is automatically released when any station accesses the held line.

Abstract: An in-line intercom system for use with telephones, in particular, a single line telephone. The intercom system includes an intercom unit, a hold unit and a ring silencing unit. The system is electro-mechanical and is modular so that it can be inserted directly into most existing telephone lines.

Abstract: A stand-alone keyphone system that is designed to be installed at any location where it is desired that a plurality of telephone lines be available to each of many user points. The system operates independently of all other systems and without the need for a KSU or a central control unit. Each system allows a plurality of telephone lines to be connected and operated simultaneously and a plurality of systems may be connected within each installation with minimal loading of telephone lines. The system comprises, within a single housing, a DTMF telephone set and a key adapter set that further comprises all the mechanical and electronic circuits to operate the system including a switching subsystem and hold circuit subsystem. The system incorporates a hold pushbutton for placing any of the telephone lines on hold, a set of four telephone line accessing pushbuttons; and a set of line status LED's that indicate if the corresponding line is idle, ringing, busy or holding.

Abstract: A snubber circuit for use with hold circuits employed in telecommunication applications that employ an SCR as the principle control device. The included circuit prevents false hold turn on in response to static discharge. Voice band impedance and ringing signals are not adversely affected by the addition of the circuit to a standard SCR type hold circuit.

Abstract: The telephone line coupler circuit has a single transmit opto-coupler whose output includes a DC bias component connected to a gate of a line seize switch for connecting a DC line seize load across the ring and tip contacts of the telephone line. The line seize switch is saturated by the transmit opto-coupler bias output and the AC component of the transmit opto-coupler output is sent over the telephone lines. The receive opto-coupler is used both for receiving communications signal and for detecting the ring signal. The band pass filter connected to the output of the receive opto-coupler may be switched to pass a ring signal frequency band or a communications frequency band. The circuit operates using two opto-coupler devices while conventional circuits require four opto-coupler devices.

Abstract: The telephone line coupler circuit has a single transmit opto-coupler whose output includes a DC bias component connected to a gate of a line seize switch for connecting a DC line seize load across the ring and tip contacts of the telephone line. The line seize switch is saturated by the transmit opto-coupler bias output and the AC component of the transmit opto-coupler output is sent over the telephone lines. The receive opto-coupler is used both for receiving communications signal and for detecting the ring signal. The band pass filter connected to the output of the receive opto-coupler may be switched to pass a ring signal frequency band or a communications frequency band. The circuit operates using two opto-coupler devices while conventional circuits require four opto-coupler devices.