Line Status Indication Or Call Alerting Patents (Class 379/164)
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Patent number: 6567520Abstract: A method and apparatus for the detection of one or more telephone off-hook conditions using an analog-to-digital converter to detect voltage changes between tip and ring lines of a telephone network loop. An isolation network provides substantial electrical isolation for a detection device from voltage surges on the tip and ring lines of a “plain old telephone system” (POTS) network. The isolation network also provides a minimal load on the POTS wiring system, so as not to cause a false detection of an off-hook condition by central office equipment. A gain amplifier is used to scale the tip and ring voltage to a suitable range for an analog-to-digital converter (ADC). The ADC outputs a digital voltage value to a decision-making element, such as a microprocessor, a digital signal processor, or a state machine. The decision-making element can detect when multiple POTS devices coupled to the network wiring loop go into an off-hook state.Type: GrantFiled: February 17, 1999Date of Patent: May 20, 2003Assignee: 3Com Corp.Inventors: Timothy F. Murphy, Christopher R. Hansen
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Patent number: 6535595Abstract: A busy line display system of a terminal device to which a plurality of lines are connected. The lines are divided and displayed on a plurality of pages, including display of the status of busy lines. By pressing a predetermined button, line names may be displayed in the received order of the busy line information on a busy line display page so as to collectively display the busy line information displayed on other pages on that one busy line display page.Type: GrantFiled: April 2, 1999Date of Patent: March 18, 2003Assignee: Hitachi Communications Technologies, Ltd.Inventor: Yoshinori Nakamura
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Patent number: 6519334Abstract: An exchange system minimizing ring noises generated when processing an incoming call. Upon receipt of an incoming call from a central office line, the exchange system generates a ring to a called extension telephone to which the incoming call is terminated. Thereafter, it is determined whether there is an extension telephone designating a phone number of the called extension telephone. If there is the extension telephone designating the phone number of the called extension telephone, the exchange turns on/off a lamp prepared in the extension telephone or generates a ring to the above extension telephone, after an elapse of a predetermined time.Type: GrantFiled: December 29, 1998Date of Patent: February 11, 2003Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.Inventor: Seung-Hwan Cho
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Patent number: 6498842Abstract: A switching system which can easily reconnect a call to an original call path even if an original call state is disconnected at a time of transferring the call to another outside line or extension is presented. In a state where a call path between an outside line (or first line) and a call center (or second line) is formed, the outside line is connected to an outside line transfer destination (or third line) when a transfer demand from the call center to the outside transfer destination is received and the outside line is automatically reconnected to the call center when the call between the outside line and the outside line transfer destination ends.Type: GrantFiled: February 5, 2001Date of Patent: December 24, 2002Assignee: Fujitsu LimitedInventors: Kiyoshi Kurosaki, Toshiyuki Saito
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Publication number: 20020150224Abstract: A key telephone system including (a) at least three telephones, and (b) a key telephone unit connected to the three telephones through at least three communication lines including at least one public switched line, the key telephone unit including (b1) at least three connection ports to each of which each of the telephones is connected through the communication lines, each of the connection ports having a predetermined number, (b2) a first unit which informs a first telephone of numbers of vacant connection ports and a number of the connection port to which a second telephone making a call to the first telephone is connected, when the first telephone makes a call, and (b3) a controller which connects the first telephone to one of the second telephone and a third telephone, based on the numbers of vacant connection ports and the number of the connection port to which the second telephone is connected.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 17, 2002Publication date: October 17, 2002Applicant: NEC CORPORATIONInventor: Saburou Ikeda
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Patent number: 6459781Abstract: This invention relates to a key telephone apparatus which includes a key telephone main unit which accommodates a plurality of extension terminals each having a display via extensions and is connected to a network via an office line, and has an ACD function of forming a group of the plurality of extension terminals, and selectively distributing an incoming call received from the network to the plurality of extension terminals belonging to the group to receive the incoming call.Type: GrantFiled: November 1, 2000Date of Patent: October 1, 2002Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha ToshibaInventor: Masahiko Hara
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Patent number: 6421436Abstract: A multiline telephone apparatus with caller ID signal detecting function had an expensive modem for demodulating the caller ID in each one of telephone lines. According to the invention of the present application, each line is provided with a signal detecting circuit for detecting a channel seizure signal or carrier signal in the caller ID signal, and the input line to the modem for caller ID demodulation is changed over depending on the detection output of these signal detecting circuits, so that the caller ID signals of a plurality of lines can be demodulated by one modem only. As a result, a simple and inexpensive multiline telephone apparatus with caller ID signal detecting function is realized.Type: GrantFiled: February 3, 2000Date of Patent: July 16, 2002Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.Inventor: Hisashi Yagi
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Patent number: 6408060Abstract: 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.Type: GrantFiled: June 1, 2001Date of Patent: June 18, 2002Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha ToshibaInventors: Toshiaki Tanaka, Hiroshi Mano, Setsuo Kimura, Yoshihito Nagano, Masayuki Tsurusaki, Takashi Watanabe, Terunori Suwa, Isaku Komuro, Yoshihiro Kawauchi, Nobuhiro Masaki
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Patent number: 6404863Abstract: The invention is a method of receiving digital data from a Local Switching Office (LSO) on first party equipment that is communicating, in an off-hook state, via the LSO with second party equipment. The method presumes that the first party equipment has a telephone line interface that interfaces with a telephone line and an acoustic transducer interface with a loudspeaker and a microphone.Type: GrantFiled: September 4, 1997Date of Patent: June 11, 2002Assignee: Conexant Systems, Inc.Inventor: Norman J. Beamish
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Patent number: 6377671Abstract: 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.Type: GrantFiled: June 1, 2001Date of Patent: April 23, 2002Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha ToshibaInventors: Toshiaki Tanaka, Hiroshi Mano, Setsuo Kimura, Yoshihito Nagano, Masayuki Tsurusaki, Takashi Watanabe, Terunori Suwa, Isaku Komuro, Yoshihiro Kawauchi, Nobuhiro Masaki
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Patent number: 6304644Abstract: Consumer process equipment (CPE) for cost effective caller identification (CID) and call-waiting (CW) for a multi-line telephone includes a single CIDCW detection circuit and a single switch for coupling the single CIDCW detection circuit between a plurality of telephone lines. The CPE is able to process CIDCW information over a plurality of telephone lines by dynamically switching the single switch from one telephone line to another, depending upon the current state of the CPE.Type: GrantFiled: May 6, 1998Date of Patent: October 16, 2001Assignee: Casio Communications, Inc.Inventor: Mark J. Karnowski
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Patent number: 6271631Abstract: An elastomeric electroluminescent (EL) lamp is provided wherein an electroluminescent system, advantageously monolithic, is provided in an elastomeric structure. As a result, the lamp is thin, pliable and membrane-like. A first envelope layer is applied advantageously by screen printing to transfer release paper. An EL system is then applied, again advantageously by screen printing to the first envelope layer, and then a second envelope layer is applied to seal the EL system within the envelope. Appropriate windows are cut or left open to allow electrical contact with the EL system. An optional adhesive layer then may be applied if the lamp is to be used in transfer form for later affixation to a substrate. Alternatively, the lamp may be used as a self-contained membraneous component installed in another product such as a telephone handset.Type: GrantFiled: January 12, 2000Date of Patent: August 7, 2001Assignee: E.L. Specialists, Inc.Inventor: Kenneth Burrows
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Patent number: 6263062Abstract: A dealing communication terminal apparatus of a pagination type is enabled to accommodate at least one communication terminal apparatus, public lines and private lines and to connect exchangingly them. The communication terminal apparatus 300 comprises a color display device 101 for displaying the names of lines, auto dial other property, and functions, a line key panel 102 laminated on the display device 101 and provided with button portions opposite to the line name indication portion of the display device 101, and a main control device 303 and a display control device 304 exchangingly for displaying a plurality of line button accommodation screens or function button accommodation screens in the display device 101 by operations of the fixed function buttons 103A, 103B, each provided in the communication terminal apparatus.Type: GrantFiled: October 7, 1998Date of Patent: July 17, 2001Assignee: Hitachi Telecom Technolgies, Ltd.Inventor: Yoshiyuki Kokubun
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Patent number: 6263059Abstract: A communication apparatus is provided for communicating with an external device. The communication apparatus may be a facsimile machine which includes a main phone, and a plurality of secondary handsets capable of communicating with the external device via the main phone. The main phone includes an identification data storage for storing identification data of the external device in a manner such that the identification data is linked to one of the secondary handsets, an identification data detector for detecting the identification data of the external device, an identification data registration checker for determining whether or not the detected identification data is registered in the identification data storage, and a calling sound generation command issuer for causing only one of the secondary handsets to ring when the detected identification data is registered in the identification data storage.Type: GrantFiled: December 3, 1998Date of Patent: July 17, 2001Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki KaishaInventor: Norihiko Asai
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Patent number: 6263063Abstract: A network interface device that allows a user to simultaneously receive/send a plurality of calls from/to a telecommunications network by multiplexing/demultiplexing the calls on a single telephone line. The network interface device allows for the provisioning of an extra line on demand to the user for incoming and outgoing purposes. The network interface device further selectively connects the calls with a plurality of devices in accordance with each devices availability and the stored preferences of the party receiving the call. When a call ends, the network interface device terminates the temporary virtual line assignment.Type: GrantFiled: December 23, 1998Date of Patent: July 17, 2001Assignee: AT&T Corp.Inventors: Pradeep K. Bansal, Lee Begeja
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Patent number: 6233326Abstract: Call blockages can now be identified down to the line and group of lines that caused the call blockage. No more long statistical studies followed by guessing in order to alleviate blockages. This method and apparatus operating in concert with recently added load balancing processes report specifically what caused each call blockage at what time. With such specific information, each line or group of lines that needs to be moved or added to a new line terminating equipment are quickly identified and accomplished, thereby keeping service to the average customers at acceptable levels. The amount of specificity represents a breakthrough in call line and traffic management.Type: GrantFiled: August 3, 1998Date of Patent: May 15, 2001Assignee: Lucent Technologies Inc.Inventors: Ted Jeffery Davis, Michael Grady Jackson
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Patent number: 6229878Abstract: An improved telephone answering machine uses a personal computer or work station to analyze incoming caller data. Calls to be automatically answered by the answering machine can be answered with the accompaniment of a customized announcement to the caller based upon the caller's phone number, name or other data item received by the telephone answering device. Messages to be left by a caller can be stored on a computer storage media, including being segregated by calling number, name or other criteria. The improved answering machine includes the ability to retrieve messages from particular callers.Type: GrantFiled: January 21, 1998Date of Patent: May 8, 2001Assignee: Lucent Technologies, Inc.Inventor: Madhav Moganti
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Patent number: 6222913Abstract: An exchange system displays caller information on the display of a subscriber terminal during call switching. The exchange system includes a plurality of extension terminals, each having a display, an operator for switching a call between a subscriber and a caller, and an exchange for switching the call among the extension terminals, the operator and the caller. The exchange transfers a call reception message to the operator upon receiving an incoming call from the caller, and the operator transfers a hook-off message to the exchange in response to the call reception message received. Then, responding to the hook-off message received, the exchange forms a communication path between the caller and the operator, and the operator receives information about the caller and the subscriber with whom the caller desires to talk through the communication path, and then transfers a message corresponding thereto to the exchange.Type: GrantFiled: April 20, 1998Date of Patent: April 24, 2001Assignee: SamSung Electronics Co., Ltd.Inventor: Seung-Hwan Cho
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Patent number: 6195423Abstract: A multi-line telephone switch device wherein relays added to a routing switch automatically route incoming calls on a plurality of lines to predetermined devices based upon the distinctive rings or tones present on the lines. A number of relays can be added to the routing switch. A line select relay connects the routing switch device to a specific incoming line. A bypass relay allows the device to connect a line directly to an extension by bypassing the routing switch. An invert relay enables the invention to reverse the designation and the routing priority of the incoming telephone lines. Ring detectors detect incoming rings and output a signal to a processor which then directs the switch configurations. Additionally, the system enables a single line telephone answering device to answer and record messages from a multitude of incoming lines. The multi-line telephone switch can uniquely route calls based upon the distinctive ring cadence on each of the lines.Type: GrantFiled: November 21, 1997Date of Patent: February 27, 2001Assignee: Command Communications, Inc.Inventors: Gary S. Smock, Charles E. Copeland
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Patent number: 6188755Abstract: This invention enables the key telephone system to send a busy tone to a party calling on a main extension number when a telephone call to the main extension number is received when a pseudo extension number is in use. The receiving mode is memorized in the memory of the main unit. When a telephone call to the main extension number is received when the pseudo extension number is in use, a busy tone can be sent to the calling party on the main extension number. According to this invention, the calling party thus knows that the key telephone set, which is the destination of his call, is busy.Type: GrantFiled: March 6, 1998Date of Patent: February 13, 2001Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha ToshibaInventors: Hiroaki Hayashi, Mariko Koyama
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Patent number: 6175617Abstract: This invention relates to a key telephone apparatus which includes a key telephone main unit which accommodates a plurality of extension terminals each having a display via extensions and is connected to a network via an office line, and has an ACD function of forming a group of the plurality of extension terminals, and selectively distributing an incoming call received from the network to the plurality of extension terminals belonging to the group to receive the incoming call.Type: GrantFiled: June 4, 1999Date of Patent: January 16, 2001Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha ToshibaInventor: Masahiko Hara
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Patent number: 6151389Abstract: 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.Type: GrantFiled: April 20, 1999Date of Patent: November 21, 2000Assignee: Inventec CorporationInventors: Jeffrey Lai, Feng Zhang, Ziao-Yun Wang
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Patent number: 6061437Abstract: A key telephone system with a database dynamically sets a least cost route based on an access frequency distribution value of the database. For that purpose, the key telephone system evaluates access frequency distribution values of records in the database, indexes the records in order of the access frequency distribution value, and creates an index table. Then, the key telephone system searches the database based on the index table by a binary searching. The index table is a digit comparison table.Type: GrantFiled: January 30, 1998Date of Patent: May 9, 2000Assignee: SamSung Electronics Co., Ltd.Inventor: Yong-Sik Yoon
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Patent number: 6055445Abstract: A wireless communication apparatus in which a main unit transmits an external-line status message corresponding to status of an external line, to a portable telephone via a connection unit when the status has changed. The portable telephone indicates the status of the external line by an external-line LED if the telephone is in an indication mode, based on the received external-line status message. However, if the telephone is in a no-indication mode, the telephone stores the received external-line status message into a RAM. Thereafter, if the no-indication mode has changed to the indication mode, the telephone displays the status of the external line by the external-line LED, based on the stored external-line status message.Type: GrantFiled: October 31, 1995Date of Patent: April 25, 2000Assignee: Canon Kabushiki KaishaInventor: Shigeru Hiroki
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Patent number: 6041107Abstract: A computer integrated telephony system embodied in a PC that includes a telephony interface connected to the local loop that detects whether one or more extension phones are off-hook by using the signal generating and detection capabilities found on a typical telephony interface card. In the preferred embodiment, the telephony interface is based on a programmable DSP that generates and injects onto the local loop a subsonic signal having a known shape and amplitude. If one or more extensions are off-hook, the amplitude of the subsonic signal detected on the line will be significantly attenuated. The amplitude of the detected signal is compared against a threshold value and an indication is made if the detected signal amplitude is below the threshold value.Type: GrantFiled: April 30, 1998Date of Patent: March 21, 2000Assignee: AG Communication Systems CorporationInventors: Eric A. Jones, Greig R. Detering
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Patent number: 6018671Abstract: A remote device (102) includes a silent alert allowing the device to signal the user of an incoming call without an audible alert. The device further includes a key (119) actuated by the user to accept the call into a nonactive state. A prerecorded message is generated from a memory (126) and played for the calling party to inform the caller that the user is occupied, but will answer the call shortly. According to one aspect of the invention, the message can be periodically repeated, until the user places the call in an active call state. According to another aspect of the invention, the user can interrupt the message and enter the active call state at any time during the silent answer and hold subroutine.Type: GrantFiled: December 29, 1995Date of Patent: January 25, 2000Assignee: Motorola, Inc.Inventor: Erik Christian Bremer
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Patent number: 6014434Abstract: A method for controlling and processing a call from one keyphone to a busy keyphone utilizing a keyphone main unit connected to an office line and a plurality of keyphones in a keyphone system, the busy keyphone being connected to a third keyphone, wherein the keyphone main unit receives an input sequence of dialed numbers from the one keyphone; determines when the input sequence is complete; transmits a first display signal to the busy keyphone to cause the busy keyphone to display a message indicating an incoming call from the one keyphone; determines whether the busy keyphone is in a forced off-hook ring mode; transmits a busy tone to the one keyphone when it is determined that the busy keyphone is not in the forced off-hook ring mode; checks for an input signal from an off-hook ring button on the one keyphone; transmits an off-hook ring signal to the busy keyphone when it is determined that the busy keyphone is in the forced off-hook ring mode or when it is determined that the off-hook ring button on theType: GrantFiled: June 27, 1997Date of Patent: January 11, 2000Assignee: SamSung Electronics Co., Ltd.Inventor: Hong-Han Kim
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Patent number: 5991382Abstract: A telecommunications system (10) is provided that provides for telephone functions to be accessed through client computer system (14). A server computer system (16) provides telephony services, database services and access to E-mail, voice mail, video conferencing and facsimile systems. A graphical user interface 116 is presented to a user to allow the user to perform a large number of functions and to access databases of information associated with calling and called parties.Type: GrantFiled: April 7, 1998Date of Patent: November 23, 1999Assignee: Davox CorporationInventors: Jeanne A. Bayless, William B. Black, Gary L. Brannick, Gene W. Lee, Lora M. Lloyd, Larry P. Mason, Amy L. Mathis, James E. Steenbergen, Mark R. Stoldt, Garrett C. Young, Gary C. Young, James E. Fissel, Robert W. Withers
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Patent number: 5974426Abstract: A device and method for recovering data in a file system. The method includes the steps of performing a given function that effects a change in a control structure of the file system and concurrently saving data relevant to the function in a state as data for a recovery, and recovering the interrupted function by using the data saved for a recovery, to prevent the loss of file data and maintain the consistency of the file system. The device includes a flash memory to store the control structure.Type: GrantFiled: August 13, 1997Date of Patent: October 26, 1999Assignee: SamSung Electronics Co., Ltd.Inventors: Gui-Jung Lee, Jung-Gi Kim
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Patent number: 5960062Abstract: A method of recording the bi-directional communication between a customer premises equipment (CPE) and a server of a stored program controlled system (SPCS) in an analog display services interface (ADSI) for facilitating the troubleshooting therein is disclosed. The present invention includes accessing the telephone set by a user, therefore initiating the communication between the telephone set and the server. After receiving an alerting signal from the server, the alerting signal and the corresponding received time of the alerting signal are recorded into a trace area in the telephone set. A first acknowledgment signal is sent to the server after the alerting signal is recognized, and the first acknowledgment signal is then recorded in the trace area. At least one message is sent from the server, and then the message, a start received time and an end received time of the message are recorded into the trace area and a message buffer.Type: GrantFiled: February 28, 1997Date of Patent: September 28, 1999Assignee: Inventec CorporationInventors: Jackson Chang, Jeffrey Lai, Henry Lin, Men-Fu Chu
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Patent number: 5944803Abstract: A communication interface circuit in an aircraft entertainment system uses a single Universal Asynchronous Receiver and Transmitter (UART) for sending and receiving data to and from a number of devices. The UART is coupled to a number of transceivers each having a transmitter buffer and a receiver buffer. A circuit is used to enable and disable the receiver buffers. A masking element is coupled between the receiver buffers and the UART to mask off the data from the disabled receiver buffers allow only the data from the enabled receiver buffer to go to the UART. With this communication interface circuit, the amount of hardware is significantly reduced.Type: GrantFiled: March 25, 1997Date of Patent: August 31, 1999Assignees: Sony Corporation, Sony Trans Com Inc.Inventor: James B. Whitehouse
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Patent number: 5933488Abstract: A method and arrangement of utilizing an announcement system to provide paging capability for a facility includes automating the integration of a telephone switch, a voicemail system, and an announcement system. An unanswered call to a telephone of the facility is forwarded to the voicemail system, establishing a first connection between the telephone of the calling party and the voicemail system. The caller is presented with the option of recording a message or initiating a broadcast of an audible page announcement. If the announcement option is selected, a second connection that is separate from the first connection is formed from the voicemail system to the announcement system. An audible announcement identifies the availability of the call for retrieval by the particular called party. In the preferred embodiment, access to the waiting call is restricted to either or both of verification of a password and verification that the retrieval is from one of a limited number of authorized telephones.Type: GrantFiled: April 18, 1997Date of Patent: August 3, 1999Assignees: Siemens Information, Communication Networks, Inc.Inventors: Rodrigo Tyrone Marcus, William Joseph Beyda, Shmuel Shaffer
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Patent number: 5920615Abstract: A switching system for inclusion in domestic premises includes a master socket for connection to network termination equipment (e.g., wall socket) and for connection to a plurality of slave sockets each of which may be connected to normal communications apparatus such as telephone, fax or answering machines not shown. On receipt of an incoming telephone call from the network the master socket uses signals which identify the source of the call (calling line identity (CLI)) signals to determine which of the slaves is to be called. Using only four wires (i.e., the normal extension wiring pattern) the master socket can signal individual slave sockets to switch in or out of circuit so that a normal domestic telephony arrangement may be simply and economically converted to include switching.Type: GrantFiled: March 25, 1996Date of Patent: July 6, 1999Assignee: British Telecommunications public limited companyInventor: Keith Eric Nolde
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Patent number: 5887054Abstract: A distributed processing telephone system for providing "plug-and-play" capability. In particular, a key telephone system comprises a plurality of telephone sets. Each telephone set is coupled to a least one common communications channel, or telephone line, and includes at least one tunable RF modem. There is no key service unit (KSU). That is, the system is KSU-less. Resources of the telephone system are allocated using a peer-to-peer protocol. For example, as each telephone set is newly added to the system, the new telephone set adaptively determines its own allocation of resources, e.g., intercom numbers, etc. During operation, each telephone set requests the appropriate resources from its peers.Type: GrantFiled: February 28, 1997Date of Patent: March 23, 1999Assignee: Lucent Technologies Inc.Inventors: Edmund Thomas Burke, Benjamin Wilson Day, Jr., Timothy Ian Ross
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Patent number: 5883944Abstract: A distributed processing telephone system for providing "plug-and-play" capability. In particular, a key telephone system comprises a plurality of telephone sets. Each telephone set is coupled to at least one common communications channel, or telephone line, and includes at least one tunable RF modem. There is no key service unit (KSU). That is, the system is KSU-less. Resources of the telephone system are allocated using a peer-to-peer protocol. For example, as each telephone set is newly added to the system, the new telephone set adaptively determines its own allocation of resources, e.g., intercom numbers, etc. During operation, each telephone set requests the appropriate resources from its peers.Type: GrantFiled: February 28, 1997Date of Patent: March 16, 1999Assignee: Lucent Technologies Inc.Inventors: Edmund Thomas Burke, Benjamin Wilson Day, Jr., Timothy Ian Ross
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Patent number: 5878123Abstract: A telephone system and method that enables a telephone to handle more call appearances that it has call appearance keys. The telephone system contains a display and general purpose keys that are used to respond to prompts shown on the display. When the telephone system receives an incoming call that is not assigned to a dedicated call appearance key, then the system places a prompt on the display. The prompt identifies the line upon which the telephone call is received by placing an identifying name, number or telephone location on the display. The prompt is placed adjacent to one of the general purpose keys so that the prompt is clearly associated with only one of the general purpose keys. The system then assigns that general purpose key to the telephone line addressed by the prompt. As a result, the general purpose key becomes a call appearance key and a person using the telephone system can complete a connection between that telephone an incoming call by pressing that general purpose key.Type: GrantFiled: February 28, 1997Date of Patent: March 2, 1999Assignee: Lucent Technologies Inc.Inventor: Edward W. Boakes
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Patent number: 5864607Abstract: A telephone system having a telephone network line for connection to an external phone line. The telephone system also includes a computer system and a telephone coupled to the telephone network line, and the telephone is taken off-hook to enter a voice command. A transmitter communicates the voice command from the telephone to the computer system without the telephone seizing the external phone line. A computer interface unit is connected to the computer system to receive the voice transmitted from the telephone and to transmit voice signals transmitted by the computer system to the telephone. A phone interface unit is connected between the telephone and telephone network line, and the phone interface unit is selectable between a first mode and a second mode. The phone interface unit connects the telephone to the telephone network line if it is in the first mode, and isolates the telephone from the telephone network line if it is in the second mode.Type: GrantFiled: August 23, 1996Date of Patent: January 26, 1999Assignee: Compaq Computer Corp.Inventors: P. Bradley Rosen, Lee D. Weinstein, George Favaloro, John A. Kowalonek, Benjamin Chigier, James A. Goldstein, Thomas C. Purcell, Glen R. Dash, David E. Winston, Michael A. Bromberg
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Patent number: 5857010Abstract: A communication system for connecting a terminal through a communication channel for a communication signal and a control channel for the control signal is constructed by a decoder for decoding a dial signal such as a push button signal that is generated from the terminal, a transmitting unit for transmitting a dial signal according to an output of the decoder to an external line at the time of a current supply, a power supply unit for supplying a current to a dial signal generator provided for the terminal when the terminal is in an off-hook state, and a setting unit for setting control data for the communication system in accordance with the output of the decoder, wherein when a power failure occurs, the dial signal that is generated from the terminal is transmitted to the external line without passing through the decoder.Type: GrantFiled: October 8, 1997Date of Patent: January 5, 1999Assignee: Canon Kabushiki KaishaInventor: Yukio Chiba
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Patent number: 5844977Abstract: An apparatus for detecting customer premise equipment alerting signals (CAS) in a first telephone having a transmit circuit and a receive circuit and a hybrid line termination for connecting the transmit circuit and the receive circuit to a central office line. The apparatus includes an off-hook detector for producing an off-hook signal identifying whether or not the first telephone is in an off-hook state, an extension-in-use detector for producing an extension-in-use signal identifying whether or not a second telephone connected to the central office line is in an off-hook state, a CAS detector selectively operable to receive the CAS signals directly from the central office line and from the hybrid line termination and a control element for controlling the CAS detector in response to the off-hook signal and the extension-in-use signal.Type: GrantFiled: March 27, 1997Date of Patent: December 1, 1998Assignee: Northern Telecom LimitedInventors: Brian Clifford McKinney, Stephen Kos
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Patent number: 5841851Abstract: A telephone apparatus includes a phone jack arrangement (299) providing an interface to land lines from the central office and other telephone apparatuses. Phone jack arrangement (299) comprises a phone jack (306) having inner conductors (420, 422) coupled to outer conductors (406, 408) of a phone jack (304), and outer conductors (424, 426) coupled to inner conductors (402, 404) of phone jack (304). Condition detectors (232, 234) detect whether phone lines of phone line circuitry (270) are connected to land lines, and microprocessor (212) may operate the telephone apparatus or configure base station user interface (126) accordingly. A two-line operating mode may select one of the phone lines for operating use upon detection of a predetermined condition from condition detectors (232, 234) or ring detectors (246, 248). Thus, a multi-line telephone apparatus operates flexibly according to different phone line connections.Type: GrantFiled: October 20, 1995Date of Patent: November 24, 1998Assignee: Motorola, Inc.Inventors: Thomas Stuart Recht, James Francis Goedken
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Patent number: 5838777Abstract: The present invention relates to an auto-detecting dialing communication system used to make the display of caller numbers in host or communication system consist with that of an extension telephone or communication system, especially relates to an extension telephone or communication system that can also display caller numbers.The present invention offer a device for auto-detecting dialing of a parallel communication system, which composes: (1) a FSK decoder for acquiring a dial-in number. (2) an extension telephone detecting device for detecting whether the extension telephone is off hook. (3) a memory for storing the caller telephone numbers. (4) a ring-back signal detecting device for examining whether a ring-back signal is sent back. (5) a Dual Tone Multiple Frequency (DTMF) decoder for acquiring the outgoing call number.Type: GrantFiled: February 28, 1997Date of Patent: November 17, 1998Assignee: Inventec CorporationInventors: Jackson Chang, Jeffrey Lai, Taing Xu, James Yin
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Patent number: 5828741Abstract: A key telephone system having multi-number plan for assigning different number plans to a general telephone set and a key telephone set in a key telephone system, wherein the different number plans control performance of same function. A central processing unit performs the functions designated by the multi-number plan in response to an input from the dial keys of one of the general telephone set and the key telephone set. The central processing unit check an extension circuit to determine when a receiver of one of the subscriber extensions has been lifted, and when a receiver of one of said subscriber extensions has been lifted, determines whether the subscriber extension having the lifted receiver utilizes a first number plan or a second number plan by searching a number plan designation table for a position of the subscriber extension having the lifted receiver.Type: GrantFiled: August 22, 1996Date of Patent: October 27, 1998Assignee: SamSung Electronics Co., Ltd.Inventor: Hyo-Dong Han
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Patent number: 5805687Abstract: An apparatus for muting communications subscriber equipment connected to a communications line includes a monitoring circuit for monitoring electrical conditions of the communications line, when the subscriber equipment is connected thereto. A disconnection circuit is provided for disconnecting the subscriber equipment from the communication line and a termination circuit is provided for terminating the communications line with a dummy termination when the subscriber equipment is disconnected, such that, the communications line appears to be terminated by the subscriber equipment. When the subscriber equipment is disconnected from the communications line a power supply circuit provides power to the subscriber equipment with the same electrical conditions as determined by the monitoring circuit prior to disconnecting the subscriber equipment.Type: GrantFiled: September 30, 1996Date of Patent: September 8, 1998Assignee: Northern Telecom LimitedInventors: David Jeffrey Westergaard, Aaron James Bobick
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Patent number: 5799074Abstract: A communication terminal connected to an analog telephone network and has a function for transmitting an incoming call signal with originator identification data inserted. Notification of an incoming call is stopped during a time period from the detection of a first ringing signal of the incoming call signal to the detection of the originator identification data. A user is notified of the presence of call after the originator identification data is detected and notified to the user.Type: GrantFiled: April 10, 1997Date of Patent: August 25, 1998Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha ToshibaInventors: Hiroshi Mano, Takashi Watanabe, Terunori Suwa
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Patent number: 5768365Abstract: A circuit for sensing telephone line conditions, comprising: high impedance termination means across the telephone line; means for accumulating charge through the high impedance termination means; and electrical isolator means intermediate the means for accumulating charge and voltage detecting means.Type: GrantFiled: December 14, 1994Date of Patent: June 16, 1998Assignee: Northern Telecom LimitedInventor: Ryszard Kurdziel
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Patent number: 5768366Abstract: A message waiting circuit comprised of a pair of electrical leads which carry a message waiting signal, a capacitor for storing electrical energy extracted from the message waiting signal, a transistor for allowing the capacitor to charge when the message waiting signal is within a predetermined range; a Darlington transistor for causing the capacitor to discharge; and a light emitting diode (LED) which emits light when the capacitor discharges. The flashing LED indicates that a message is waiting for a user of the telephone set associated with the message waiting circuit. Approximately ten to twenty-five message waiting circuits and associated telephone sets can be connected to a single telephone line.Type: GrantFiled: April 2, 1997Date of Patent: June 16, 1998Assignee: Teledex CorporationInventors: Mario E. Jauregui, Spencer L. Hermanson, Ronald S. Lesniak, Elaine C. He
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Patent number: 5754642Abstract: A telephone terminal has a plurality of handsets and at least one button to input a demand for starting an outgoing call or receiving an incoming call. The terminal includes a demand recognition unit for recognizing the input demand through the one button. The terminal also includes a search unit for searching for handsets in the idle status when the input demand has been recognized. The terminal further includes a select unit for selecting one of the searched handsets that are in the idle status as a selected handset. The terminal also includes a call connection unit for controlling a call connection of the operation corresponding to the input demand, when a handset in the idle status has been selected. The terminal still further includes a nullification unit for nullifying the input demand when no handset in the idle status has been selected.Type: GrantFiled: April 17, 1997Date of Patent: May 19, 1998Assignee: Hitachi Telecom Technologies, Ltd.Inventors: Yoshihisa Domoto, Yasuo Wada
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Patent number: 5727056Abstract: A parallel-connected telephone use determining circuit using a microcomputer having therein an analog-to digital converter for determining an operation status of a parallel-connected telephone system connected to a telephone line. The circuit includes a rectifier for rectifying the variance of voltage applied through a telephone line, a voltage detector for detecting the variance of the voltage rectified from the rectifier, and a central processing unit (CPU) having an A/D converter incorporated therein for converting the voltage variance output from the voltage detector into a digital signal, for detecting the digital signal converted from the A/D converter and determining whether a parallel-connected telephone is in use.Type: GrantFiled: July 5, 1996Date of Patent: March 10, 1998Assignee: SamSung Electronics Co., Ltd.Inventor: Byeong-Kuk Lee
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Patent number: 5715301Abstract: An in-house communication system comprises a PBX and a line switching device 15 electively connected to a telephone 18 or a facsimile equipment 17 in response to a designating signal sent from an intended party designating signal sending device 6 or 42 of the PBX, thereby providing both facsimile and telephone service directly available in each guest room of a hotel without renovating the telephone wiring in the facility.Type: GrantFiled: February 6, 1995Date of Patent: February 3, 1998Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.Inventors: Kimitoshi Terasaki, Ryoichi Egasira, Hiroshi Watanabe, Yuji Hirai
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Patent number: 5699419Abstract: A keyset that connects to telephone switches via analog lines, wherein a processor in the keyset communicates with the switch via in-band signaling to provide keyset functionary. When a call comes into the switch for one of the directory numbers (DNs) associated with the keyset, the switch sends a frequency shift key (FSK) encoded message to all of the keysets associated with that DN. The FSK message includes at least the DN of the terminating telephone line, and may also include an extension number or other code. The processor in the keysets receives the message, decodes it, and then alerts the users of the incoming call.Type: GrantFiled: December 20, 1994Date of Patent: December 16, 1997Assignee: Lucent Technologies Inc.Inventor: Menachem Tsur Ardon