With Called Number Display Patents (Class 379/354)
  • Patent number: 5515420
    Abstract: In a cordless telephone apparatus including a base unit and a sub unit connected with each other by wireless, the base unit has a memory for storing therein telephone number data which are referred to from the sub unit. When the base unit is busy, the transfer of a calling signal between the sub and base units is not performed. The access from the sub unit to the memory of the base unit is always permitted. The memory includes a callers area in which the telephone numbers of callers of received calls and the reception times of the calls are stored and a directory area in which frequently called telephone numbers and the number of placing calls of the numbers are stored. The telephone numbers in the callers area are retrieved based on the reception times. The telephone numbers in the directory area are retrieved based on the numbers of placing calls.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 1995
    Date of Patent: May 7, 1996
    Assignees: Sanyo Electric Co. Ltd., Tottori Sanyo Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Shinichi Urasaka, Takeharu Sakata
  • Patent number: 5509067
    Abstract: A dial calling method in which a multiplicity of dialing information items can be registered while decreasing the number of keys and simplifying the operation and which is capable of abbreviated-dialing and one-touch-dialing a multiplicity of called parties in accordance with the registered dialing information, and to a communication apparatus which use the method. Dialing information concerning the called party, inputted by using function keys and a ten-key keyboard, is registered in a storage unit, whose address is specified in accordance with the input sequential number of the dialing information and in accordance with the depressed function key. If the abbreviated dialing is performed, the registered dialing information is read by depressing the function key and by inputting the number which corresponds to the input sequential number by using the ten-key, so that dialing is performed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 1993
    Date of Patent: April 16, 1996
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Yukio Murata
  • Patent number: 5491745
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for one-touch recall and dialing of stored telephone or billing account numbers using only the numeric and special keys of a standard 12-key keypad. Upon momentary actuation of a numeric or special key of a standard keypad, the data input is entered into a buffer or directly dialed into a telephone network. If, however, the actuated key is actuated for more than a predetermined amount of time, a previously stored sequence of numbers is retrieved from a memory address location corresponding to the actuated key and is automatically dialed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 1991
    Date of Patent: February 13, 1996
    Assignee: Uniden America Corporation
    Inventor: G. R. Konrad Roeder
  • Patent number: 5487108
    Abstract: A programmable dialler for a cellular telephone instrument allows telephone calls to be made only to specific, preprogrammed telephone numbers by operation of one or a sequence of keys on the instrument. The telephone numbers are deep embedded in the telephone instrument and cannot be changed by the user. The preprogramming may either be carried out by the instrument manufacturer, or may be carried out by a licensed programmer with the aid of a dedicated programming interface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 1992
    Date of Patent: January 23, 1996
    Assignee: AGR Industries Limited
    Inventors: Richard S. Atkins, Tommy W. Gibson, Philip P. Ransome
  • Patent number: 5485513
    Abstract: A method provide delays during memory dialing by automatically inserting pause characters within the dialing sequence based upon the user's entry of the dialing sequence. The method establishes a time-out period (64) when storing dialing sequences, and adds a pause character (66) to the dialing sequence if the time-out has expired. The method also determines whether any digit keys have been selected (68) to be stored in the sequence. Finally, the method monitors the tip and ring line of a standard telephone line to detect a far end ringing signal (76) and insert a special pause character (78). The special pause character will provide a delay until a far end pickup is detected during automatic dialing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 1993
    Date of Patent: January 16, 1996
    Assignee: Motorola, Inc.
    Inventors: James F. Goedken, Charles J. Malek
  • Patent number: 5483591
    Abstract: Index letters representing different groups of dial memories are stored in an index letter memory. One of the dial memories is displayed on a display to be a starting memory, when a reference requesting signal is supplied from a key input unit to a whole memory or skip reference portion of a central processing unit, so that a whole memory or skip reference mode is carried out to refer to a dial memory indexed in each of the different groups by each of the index letters in a forward or reverse direction from the starting memory to following dial memories. In the whole memory reference mode, dial memories indexed by the index letters are referred for continuous groups of dial memories. In the skip reference mode, index letters of a number "n" are skipped in accordance with the pressing-on of a skip reference key provided in the key input unit by "n" times, so that a dial memory corresponding to an index letter following the skipped index letters is referred to be displayed on the display.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 1994
    Date of Patent: January 9, 1996
    Assignee: NEC Corporation
    Inventor: Noriko Koma
  • Patent number: 5481595
    Abstract: A portable telephone is disclosed which comprises a data memory having a plurality of data storage locations for storing telephone numbers used to initiate telephone calls as an auto-dialer function. An audio memory is also disclosed which comprises a plurality of audio storage location, each of which may be linked to one of the data storage locations. A controller with a key matrix for inputting commands and a display for displaying status is included such that commands can be entered that cause the controller to sequentially recall telephone numbers stored in the data memory and play back voice tags stored in the audio memory, that are linked with the data memory. A loud speaker is disclosed for playing back the audio tags at a loud volume. When a tag is heard that represents the desired call destination, that call is initiated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 1994
    Date of Patent: January 2, 1996
    Assignees: Uniden America Corp., Uniden Corporation
    Inventors: Susumu Ohashi, Hideo Tateishi, Toshiaki Fujikura
  • Patent number: 5475750
    Abstract: A vandal-resistant push-button actuator which may be utilized in a vandal resistant, remotely programmable voice communications unit capable of being programmed for automatically calling predetermined telephone numbers. The vandal-resistant push-button actuator employs a push-button, a push-button mounting device having a passageway therein for slidably receiving the push-button, and first and second axially spaced apart seals between the push-button and the passageway. The seals absorb transverse blows to a raised portion of the push-button and a lubricant may be disposed between the seals to prevent an adhesive inserted by a vandal from disabling the actuator. The raised push-button actuator may be disposed inwardly of an escutcheon and shaped to form a concave, ring-shaped surface therewith, thus to inhibit damage to the inner surface of the escutcheon from a hammer blow.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 1994
    Date of Patent: December 12, 1995
    Inventors: John J. McMonagle, Jr., Kevin T. Vesely
  • Patent number: 5475751
    Abstract: A vandal resistant, remotely programmable voice communications unit is capable of being programmed for automatically calling predetermined telephone numbers. The unit is programmed remotely from any touch-tone telephone. A vandal-resistant push-button actuator employs first and second axially spaced apart, slidable seals on a push-button mounted within a housing. The seals absorb transverse blows to a raised portion of the push-button and a lubricant is disposed between the seals to prevent an adhesive inserted by a vandal from disabling the actuator. A speaker and microphone baffle utilizes offset passageways to inhibit the introduction of a pointed object therethrough to prevent damage to the speaker or microphone. A raised push-button actuator is disposed inwardly of an escutcheon and shaped to form a concave, ring-shaped surface therewith, thus to inhibit damage to the inner surface of the escutcheon from a hammer blow.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 1994
    Date of Patent: December 12, 1995
    Inventors: John J. McMonagle, Jr., Kevin T. Vesely
  • Patent number: 5475743
    Abstract: A system and method using canonical telephone numbers which allows automatic calling with any location in the world independent of the caller's location. The caller canonical telephone number and a plurality of caller prefixes are stored within the system. A telephone directory stores a plurality of callee canonical telephone numbers for locations throughout the world. The caller manually enters a callee telephone number or selects a callee telephone number from the telephone directory. The system determines if the callee telephone number is a canonical telephone number. The system expands non-canonical telephone numbers to canonical form using known telephone numbering rules for various countries. The system uses the callee canonical telephone number and the caller canonical telephone number to determine which digits of the callee canonical telephone number must be placed on the telephone line to complete the call.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 1993
    Date of Patent: December 12, 1995
    Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Toby L. Nixon, Arul A. Menezes
  • Patent number: 5467392
    Abstract: A dialing apparatus comprises a keypad (21) having digit keys for entering a digit corresponding to a set of characters and a function key (SND). Character strings and corresponding digit strings are stored in a memory (23). In response to a digit from the keypad, a controller (20, 24) makes a search through the memory for detecting each one of characters of the set which corresponds to the digit and detecting character strings each containing the detected character. The detected character strings are then sequentially supplied to a display unit (22) from the memory so that they are displayed one at a time. When the command key is operated, the character string being displayed on the display unit is identified and the digits stored in the memory corresponding to the identified character string are dialed to a switched network.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 1993
    Date of Patent: November 14, 1995
    Assignee: NEC Corporation
    Inventor: Noriko Norimatsu
  • Patent number: 5465296
    Abstract: A vandal resistant, remotely programmable voice communications unit is capable of being programmed for automatically calling predetermined telephone numbers. The unit is programmed remotely from any touch-tone telephone. A vandal-resistant push-button actuator employs first and second axially spaced apart, slidable seals on a push-button mounted within a housing. The seals absorb transverse blows to a raised portion of the push-button and a lubricant is disposed between the seals to prevent an adhesive inserted by a vandal from disabling the actuator. A speaker and microphone baffle utilizes offset passageways to inhibit the introduction of a pointed object therethrough to prevent damage to the speaker or microphone. A raised push-button actuator is disposed inwardly of an escutcheon and shaped to form a concave, ring-shaped surface therewith, thus to inhibit damage to the inner surface of the escutcheon from a hammer blow.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 1994
    Date of Patent: November 7, 1995
    Inventors: John J. McMonagle, Jr., Kevin T. Vesely
  • Patent number: 5465297
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a telephone line seizure circuit which may find particular application in home security systems which feature an automatic dialer which automatically sends an alarm detection signal out on a telephone line when an alarm condition is detected. The telephone line seizure unit of the present invention operates so that when the automatic alarm dialer is on-hook, the telephone line seizure units are transparent to the telephone system and the telephones can then be used normally. When the automatic alarm dialer goes off-hook, then the telephone line seizure unit operates to disconnect any telephone in use connected thereto, which will thereby allow the automatic alarm dialer to go back on-hook briefly, and after about 30 or so to go off-hook, to thereby utilize the telephone line to send out the alarm detection signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 1994
    Date of Patent: November 7, 1995
    Assignee: Design Tech International Inc.
    Inventor: Khaled Azem
  • Patent number: 5459774
    Abstract: In a radio telephone (100, 200) having a keypad (206) for receiving first information (302), a memory (112) for storing second information (313), and an intelligent editing function. There is provided a method of transmitting information representing a phone number using the intelligent editing function that selects a prefix mode when a phone number has been automatically entered and selects an appending edit mode when the information representing a phone number has been manually entered. The information is then edited to form a complete phone number (315), and transmitted (102, 104, 105, 106).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 1994
    Date of Patent: October 17, 1995
    Assignee: Motorola, Inc.
    Inventor: Robert L. Breeden
  • Patent number: 5457738
    Abstract: A method and system are disclosed for processing and displaying objects to permit a search of a database by a user of a telephone station. The telephone station includes a computer, a display device having a display screen adapted to cooperate with a pointing device. The method includes providing a database and a first index list. The method further includes displaying an array of objects on the display screen. The method also includes receiving a first set of signals relating to at least one object from the displayed array of objects; creating a first search string based on the first set of signals; displaying a plurality of entries of the first index list based on the value of the first search string; and receiving a signal relating to one of the displayed entries, the signal identifying an entry selected by the user. The method finally includes the step of displaying at least one object representing a phone number associated with the selected entry.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 1995
    Date of Patent: October 10, 1995
    Assignee: U S West Advanced Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Loren M. Sylvan
  • Patent number: 5455858
    Abstract: A method for automatically composing a telephone dialing string for a telecommunication device having a processor, storage, and a connection to an external telephone system, by storing configuration information for a current location of the telecommunication device in fields for local country code and local area code; by storing configuration information for dialing prefixes for a current external telephone system connected to the telecommunication device in fields for a prefix for a local call, prefix for a long distance call, and prefix for an international call; and by storing a desired telephone number in fields for a desired country code, a desired area code, and a desired telephone number.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 1993
    Date of Patent: October 3, 1995
    Assignee: Apple Computer, Inc.
    Inventor: Lee M. Lin
  • Patent number: 5455857
    Abstract: An automated calling card is provided having internal means for generating audible tones representative of a telephone number or calling card number to be dialed. A small, card-shaped unit houses a microprocessor or logic circuitry, including means for inputting data, memory, means for generating tones, a speaker and a display. Telephone numbers and information pertaining thereto can be stored into memory through use of a keypad on the card. A calling card number is also stored in memory. In use, audible tones representative of a telephone and/or calling card number desired to be dialed are generated by the card. Use of a Personal Identification Number prohibits unauthorized access to features of the card.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 1993
    Date of Patent: October 3, 1995
    Inventor: Sean McGuire
  • Patent number: 5454035
    Abstract: An electronic apparatus capable of automatically dialing a phone number includes a unit for storing data, a unit for registering data of the phone number and a predetermined data on the storing unit, a unit for generating a tone signal for dialing the phone number, and a unit for controlling the tone signal generating unit to generate a tone signal corresponding to the phone number in case that the predetermined data is registered on the storing unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 1994
    Date of Patent: September 26, 1995
    Assignee: Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Toshiro Oba, Eichika Matsuda, Taizou Nishida
  • Patent number: 5452352
    Abstract: The invention relates to a credit card dialing apparatus for use in automatically dialing account numbers, security codes and phone numbers into telephones. The apparatus includes a credit card size device having a memory, encoder, speaker, microphone and switch embedded into a circuit board for inputting and outputting specific information depending on the use of the card. The circuit described accesses the account by tones or signals fed through the receiver or direct data input from a small databus. In another embodiment, a microprocessor unit having a keyboard, microprocessor memory, encoder, a speaker unit and microphone as well as an alphanumeric display is utilized. This system permits the user to input the desired numbers and provide serial dialing and identification for particular sources.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 1992
    Date of Patent: September 19, 1995
    Inventor: David Talton
  • Patent number: 5452353
    Abstract: A system and method using canonical telephone numbers which allows automatic calling with any location in the world independent of the caller's location. The caller canonical telephone number and a plurality of caller prefixes are stored within the system. A telephone directory stores a plurality of callee canonical telephone numbers for locations throughout the world. The caller selects a callee canonical telephone number from the telephone directory, and the system uses the callee canonical telephone number and the caller canonical telephone number to determine which digits of the callee canonical telephone number must be placed on the telephone line to complete the call. The system then adds the appropriate prefix for international, long distance, or local telephone calls. The telephone directory may be in the form of a software file that can be transferred to any telephone location throughout the world.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 1993
    Date of Patent: September 19, 1995
    Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventor: Arul A. Menezes
  • Patent number: 5450479
    Abstract: Encumbrances on making calls charged to a card can be reduced by a) storing information so that an association is created relating a card number and at least one calling telephone station, from which card calls charged to the associated card are to be made, b) using the association to retrieve the card number at the time a card call is made from the at least one associated telephone station and c) automatically supplying the retrieved card number to the telephone network at the appropriate part of call set-up, so that the card number need not be entered by the calling party. The association between the card number and the telephone station, which may be referred to as a "logical link", is 1) independent of any pre-existing relationship between the card number, or any subset thereof, and the telephone number of the telephone station and 2) continues to exist despite the going on hook of the calling telephone station.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 1992
    Date of Patent: September 12, 1995
    Assignee: AT&T Corp.
    Inventors: Thomas Alesio, Albert Friedes, Monowar Hossain, Dooyong Lee
  • Patent number: 5440627
    Abstract: A secure telephone/computer combination which permits the computer to make automated dialing of a telephone by communicating signals to the interconnection between the telephone's number-pad and the electronics which communicate with the telephone line. The computer selects, or the operator directs the computer to select, a telephone number. This selected telephone number is used by the computer to selectively activate the proper connection in the telephone. As example, assume the selected telephone number is 703-305-8062. The computer first sends a signal to the wire connecting the "7" on the keypad to the telephone's electronics, then the wire connecting the "0", then the wire connecting the "3", etc. In this manner, the telephone's electronics treat the incoming signals in the same manner as if the operator had dialed the number at the telephone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 1994
    Date of Patent: August 8, 1995
    Inventor: Rajendra P. Puri
  • Patent number: 5440625
    Abstract: A communication system offering specific services to specific persons bears a portable memory device with a record of personal information such as the bearer's identification number, class of service, personal data, etc. In making a call, the bearer of the memory device puts it on a communication terminal device and the terminal device reads out the personal information, which is transferred to a data processor such as a central processor in the exchange so that a service specific to the calling person is rendered.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 1992
    Date of Patent: August 8, 1995
    Assignee: Nippon Communication Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Tadahiko Akiyama
  • Patent number: 5426693
    Abstract: An automatic circuit for blocking the transmission of identifying information of a telephone calling party. The automatic circuit has an electronic circuit to detect a telephone off-hook condition. An automatic dialer is also provided and has an input which is connected to the output of the electronic circuit. The automatic dialer is set to dial a predetermined code when the electronic circuit senses the actuation of the detector which detects the off-hook condition. When the predetermined code is received by the computer of the telephone company, it will automatically block the transmission of information which identifies the calling party, and more specifically, the telephone number of the calling party. The off-hook condition detector may be an off-hook switch or a voltage comparator, and other arrangements are foreseeable to detect such off-hook condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 1994
    Date of Patent: June 20, 1995
    Inventor: Howard Rosen
  • Patent number: 5426422
    Abstract: A selective call receiver (30) receives personal messages and information services provided database messages. A memory (44) stores the personal messages in a first portion (46) and the database messages as a plurality of screens in a second portion (48). A display (42) displays the plurality of screens for the user's perusal. The user can display the screens manually through activation of user input controls (40) when operating in a database mode under the control of a controller (52). Alternatively, the user can display selected screens in a quick access or quick view mode by placing operation of the receiver (30) under the control of a quick view controller (60) coupled to the database portion of memory (48) and the display (42). The user can selectively flag a screen (FIG. 9) or trigger a numeric field of a screen (FIG. 16) via activation of user input controls (40) when operating in a database mode under the control of a controller (52).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 1994
    Date of Patent: June 20, 1995
    Assignee: Motorola, Inc.
    Inventors: Dean P. Vanden Heuvel, Craig Halley
  • Patent number: 5396547
    Abstract: A softkey directory for use in a telephone terminal is arranged such that a user of the terminal is prevented from entering the same name identifier at more than one softkey label. The directory is further arranged such that the user of the telephone terminal also is prevented from entering a telephone number without an associated name identifier and from entering a name identifier without an associated telephone number.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 1993
    Date of Patent: March 7, 1995
    Assignee: AT&T Corp.
    Inventors: Kimberly A. Baals, Kathleen J. Chylinski, Darren A. Kall, Gary C. Smith
  • Patent number: 5394462
    Abstract: A communication apparatus, performing a communication with a remote terminal by establishing a communication channel by calling the dial-number of the terminal, in which a dial-number stored in a redial memory can be directly transferred to a registration memory. The communication apparatus comprises a redialing unit for dialing a previously dialed dial-number stored in a redial memory, and a dialing unit for dialing a registered dial-number, stored in a registration memory, by operating a predetermined key. The communication apparatus further comprises a registration unit for performing registration of a dial-number to be used by the dialing unit by directly transferring the dial-number from the redial memory to the registration memory.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 1993
    Date of Patent: February 28, 1995
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventor: Koichiro Maemura
  • Patent number: 5392338
    Abstract: A software driven, timing dependant method for entering alphanumerical characters using a conventional push button telephone system having automatic response functions is based upon the position (first, second or third) of each alphabetic letter upon each key of the standardized telephone keypad matrix. DTMF signals are generated following the pressing of a key to identify the key pressed and thereby generate a sequential message menu for that particular key. The key is pressed a predetermined number of times (once, twice, or three times) to select the desired letter, and the letter signals are transmitted to conventional voice tone recognition apparatus and storage facilities. The first, second and third messages on each key each consist of a silence interval segment of known length followed by, respectively, a first, second and third letter interval segment of known length.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 1992
    Date of Patent: February 21, 1995
    Assignee: Danish International, Inc.
    Inventors: Adel Danish, Sherif Danish, Kris W. Kimbrough
  • Patent number: 5390236
    Abstract: A telephone answering device (TAD) which includes a means of intelligently organizing voice messages, associated entered codes such as personal IDs and home telephone numbers, and information stored in the memory of the TAD. These codes or numbers are decoded by means of the caller entering DTMF signals into the telephone which are recognized, recorded and processed by the TAD. When processed with codes and personal information previously entered into the device's memory, the TAD displays the identity of the callers for each message, thus providing a menu of choices, i.e., a list of callers. This enables the user to access messages in a selective manner based on the identity of the caller. The need to listen to the actual voice messages to determine the caller's identity and the need to listen to the messages sequentially or chronologically is obviated, saving both time and effort.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 1992
    Date of Patent: February 14, 1995
    Assignee: Klausner Patent Technologies
    Inventors: Judah Klausner, Robert Hotto
  • Patent number: 5384836
    Abstract: A facsimile apparatus receives identification dataidentifying a particular destination terminal, at the time of transmitting document data to the destination terminal via a telephone line. A memory unit stores, as a data pair, a facsimile number input by manual dialing, and the identification data returned from the destination terminal. A display unit displays the identification data. A selection unit selects one of the identification data displayed on the display means. A line connecting unit reads out a facsimile number stored in the memory means and corresponding to the selected identification data, and connects the facsimile apparatus to a telephone line corresponding to the readout facsimile number.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 1992
    Date of Patent: January 24, 1995
    Assignees: Casio Electronics Manufacturing Co., Ltd., Casio Computer Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Kazutaka Otsuka
  • Patent number: 5381461
    Abstract: An arrangement for increasing the available character spaces for softkey label screen prompts in a small interactive display for use in a telephone terminal is provided. In a first configuration of the arrangement, available character spaces in the interactive display are partitioned into equal adjacent character sets with each character set having an allocated number of character spaces for displaying a softkey label. The telephone terminal is configured such that available character spaces in adjacent character sets are borrowed and used by a particular character set having a softkey label for display that exceeds the allocated number of character spaces in the particular character set. In a second configuration of the arrangement, a first character set is combined with an adjacent second character set for displaying the large softkey label.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 1993
    Date of Patent: January 10, 1995
    Assignee: AT&T Corp.
    Inventors: Kimberly A. Baals, Kathleen J. Chylinski, Darren A. Kall, Gary C. Smith, Susan L. Tuttle
  • Patent number: 5363437
    Abstract: A telephone dialing device includes a data memory unit with a first memory region for storing normal dial numbers and a second memory region containing pre-stored memory dial numbers. A keypad is operated so as to provide a sequence of key inputs. The key inputs are decoded sequentially to determine if a normal or memory dialing activity is to be accomplished. A normal dial number corresponding to the decoded input is stored in the first memory region of the data memory unit, and a first code, which includes a normal dialing command and a first address to indicate the location of the normal dial number corresponding to the decoded input in the first memory region, is generated if the decoded input involves a normal dialing activity. A second code, which includes a memory dialing command and a second address to indicate the location of the memory dial number corresponding to the decoded input in the second memory region, is generated if the decoded input involves a memory dialing activity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 1992
    Date of Patent: November 8, 1994
    Assignee: Winbond Electronic Corp.
    Inventors: Hung-Ting Shen, Rin-Min Huang
  • Patent number: 5359651
    Abstract: An advanced telephone dialler has been described, incorporating a fast retrieval and dial telephone directory. The system simplifies the use of the telephone directory by using a single sliding or rotary key for scanning and selection of the name and number to be dialled and one button for speed dialling of the selected number. The name and telephone number of the selected person are simultaneously displayed on a character display and a normal telephone keypad has been used for entering both letters for the name and digits for the number into telephone directory's memory. A short cut dialling has been also provided by simply using the sequential order number of the person to be dial led from the telephone directory's memory. An option has been provided for checking the incoming calls numbers with the telephone directory of the system and displaying the name of the calling person and its number if they have been found in directory.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 1992
    Date of Patent: October 25, 1994
    Inventor: Georgi H. Draganoff
  • Patent number: 5357566
    Abstract: An object-oriented programmable dedicated dialer device includes a hollow disc-shaped body having a front cover and a rear base facing and attached with one another and defining an interior cavity, a telephone number dialing mechanism disposed in the interior cavity and mounted on the rear base, and a touch sensor mounted to the hollow body and connected to the telephone number dialing mechanism. The telephone number dialing mechanism includes a microcontroller, a battery, and a sound-generating transducer. The microcontroller stores a telephone number in its memory. The touch sensor is operable in response to a user touching the touch sensor to convert the microcontroller from a deactivated to activated to cause the dialing mechanism to dial the stored telephone number. Thus, when the touch sensor is touched activating the microcontroller, the dialing mechanism begins operation to generate the plurality of DTMF tones necessary to dial the stored telephone number.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 1993
    Date of Patent: October 18, 1994
    Assignee: Fone-It Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas W. Dowling, Jr., Robert Hotto, Yinon Barzilai, Yuval Shenkel
  • Patent number: 5349629
    Abstract: When abbreviated numbers and telephone number are registered, these numbers are divided into several groups and group numbers are assigned to the groups, respectively. The group numbers are stored in a main memory area of a RAM. If a certain group number is input, a CPU displays all the abbreviated numbers corresponding to such a group number, but does not display the telephone numbers corresponding to the abbreviated numbers. When a call limitation is registered to a group number, a call with the abbreviated numbers to which such a group number is assigned is prohibited and these abbreviated numbers and telephone numbers corresponding to the abbreviated numbers are not displayed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 1993
    Date of Patent: September 20, 1994
    Assignee: Murata Kikai Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Toshiya Kumano
  • Patent number: 5343519
    Abstract: An autodialer with code feature, has a credit card sized carrier which contains; an audio transducer mounted to the carrier and activatable to produce tones that are comprehensible as discreet numerals and symbols by a touch-tone dialing system. A memory in the carrier stores a first sequence of numbers representing a telephone number and a second sequence of numbers representing a personal code. A control operatively connected to the memory and to the audio transducer, reads the first and second sequence of numbers and drives the audio transducer to generate tones corresponding to each number in each number sequence. A power supply mounted in the carrier is connected to the control, the memory and audio transducer for powering the control, memory and audio transducer. A first activator switch is connect to the control for controlling the control to read the first sequence of numbers only and generate tones in the audio transducer corresponding to the first sequence of numbers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 1993
    Date of Patent: August 30, 1994
    Inventor: Peter Feldman
  • Patent number: 5339357
    Abstract: A telephone dialing system includes a memory unit for storing a dialed telephone number, a comparator for comparing first digit data of the dialed telephone number stored in the memory unit and second digit data of a telephone number presently being manually dialed and providing a first output when more than half of the digits of the first and second digit data coincide with each other while less than half of the digits of the first and second digit data do not coincide with each other so that the presently dialed number is an incorrectly dialed number and a second output when more than half of the digits of the first and second digit data do not coincide with each other so that the presently dialed number is a new number. An alarm unit issues an alarm in response to the first output. A speech output unit generates a speech output announcing the dialed telephone number stored in the memory unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 1992
    Date of Patent: August 16, 1994
    Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kouji Sawamura, Yuzo Moriuchi
  • Patent number: 5329506
    Abstract: An information retrieving system in which information arranged by a series of more than one character is inputted and data corresponding to said input information is read out from a disk-shaped recording medium, such that every time the characters of the input information are successively inputted, a head is seeked for a direction of a recording position of the data on the disk-shaped recording medium, corresponding to the input information, and also the head is located at the recording position of the data upon completion of the entry operation of the input information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 1991
    Date of Patent: July 12, 1994
    Assignee: Hitachi Maxell, Ltd.
    Inventors: Kenichi Kitta, Atsuki Hirose, Yatani Ishikawa
  • Patent number: 5327492
    Abstract: A method for monitoring a network communications channel to detect specific DTMF triggers transmitted by a network user during either a pre-answer or a post-answer period of a call supported by the channel, and, in response to the detected DTMF triggers, controllably prohibiting the propagation of subsequent DTMF signals transmitted over the channel by the network user. Specifically, possible disruption of a communication between the network user and other parties caused by transmission of DTMF signals is eliminated by advantageously transmitting the DTMF triggers during the pre-answer period of a call. Furthermore, another deficiency of prior network-based arrangements for restricting the propagation of DTMF signals is overcome, as the invention may be practiced without the introduction of any significant propagation delay to a network.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 1992
    Date of Patent: July 5, 1994
    Assignee: AT&T Bell Laboratories
    Inventor: Dario L. Parola
  • Patent number: 5327494
    Abstract: Dial tone detection circuitry is employed in a telephone of the type which has its dialing mechanism incorporated into the handset. The dial tone detection circuitry is connected to an annunciating means which indicates to a user that dial tone is present without the need to bring the handset to the user's ear. The dial tone detection circuitry my also be connected to the telephone's automatic redial circuitry to ensure efficient operation of the redial function.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 1993
    Date of Patent: July 5, 1994
    Inventor: Henry Gifford
  • Patent number: 5309508
    Abstract: An off-hook condition on the telephone line of the calling party is detected. When the off-hook condition is detected, an automatic dialer is initiated to dial a predetermined code which, when received by computers of the telephone company, will automatically block the transmission of information which identifies the calling party, and more specifically, the telephone number of the calling party.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 1992
    Date of Patent: May 3, 1994
    Inventor: Howard Rosen
  • Patent number: 5303288
    Abstract: A mobile communication apparatus such as a cellular telephone for automotive use is provided with selectable modes for accessing stored telephone numbers either by speed-dial codes (i.e., memory storage location) or alphabetic names associated with each telephone number. A user interface is employed having an alpha mode for displaying and entering alphabetic names corresponding to telephone numbers. The alpha mode includes a jump function and a scrolling function for browsing stored alphabetic names. A normal mode is provided for storing telephone numbers at desired storage locations. A speed-dial mode is also provided for instant dialing of the most frequently called numbers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 1993
    Date of Patent: April 12, 1994
    Assignee: Ford Motor Company
    Inventors: Paul E. Duffy, Jeffrey N. Golden, Louis J. Bresinski, Jr., Danny N. Korovesis
  • Patent number: 5299261
    Abstract: Any valid displayed called number may be properly visually segmented by a call-processing arrangement (200) that uses stored definitions of syntax (320, 350) and grammar (400, 410) of the whole network numbering plan. The syntax definitions include definitions (312) of individual symbol strings and their associated display demarcations (360), if any--such as spaces or dashes or parentheses--or even their associated replacement strings. Display demarcations or replacement strings that are specified for individual symbol strings are administratively reprogrammable to change the specified display demarcations or replacement string. Following dialing of an individual symbol string, the symbol string is identified and it or its replacement is displayed (986) on the display (19) of the caller's telephone set (17) along with any previously-dialed symbol strings and is demarcated therefrom as specified in the definition of the symbol string.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 1992
    Date of Patent: March 29, 1994
    Assignee: AT&T Bell Laboratories
    Inventors: Frank J. Bogart, Bruce D. Butterfield, David L. Chavez, Jr., Henry C. Dittmer, Frederick R. Fix, Larry J. Hardouin, Nancy K. Schmidt, Linda L. Thomson
  • Patent number: 5283820
    Abstract: A system generates a call according to the states of a photoreception unit of a call generator in response to data from a portable device. Data received by the photoreception unit from different types of portable devices can be processed and the portable device operation and the data transmission may be controlled according to the destination for the data and the mode of communication required by destination communication apparatus. Facsimile or telephone call data may be transmitted by the portable device in accordance with the type of destination communication apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 1992
    Date of Patent: February 1, 1994
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Masumi Ishiwatari, Tsuyoshi Kawanabe
  • Patent number: 5280516
    Abstract: A paging receiver for automatically dialing a stored telephone number can consider an area code. A received telephone number stored into a memory corresponding to a number of depressions of a read key is displayed when the read key is depressed, and an area code stored into the memory corresponding to the number of depressions of an area key is displayed when the area key is depressed. Then, when the area code and the telephone number are displayed, an unnecessary extension number, etc., is erased by using an editing key. Thereafter, the area code and the telephone number are converted into a DTMF signal when a dial key is depressed and the DTMF signal is applied to an electronic exchange through a telephone, thereby performing automatic dialing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 1991
    Date of Patent: January 18, 1994
    Assignee: SamSung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Jong-Jin Jang
  • Patent number: 5274693
    Abstract: An abbreviated dialing apparatus especially suitable for cellular/mobile phone use, enabling a user to dial telephone numbers having repetitive digits without directly dialing all of the repetitive digits. The user, by executing a prescribed actuation of a prescribed key, such as the SEND key, can cause the system to complete an incomplete telephone number having repetitive finishing zeroes or other repetitive finishing digits, instead of directly dialing all of the repetitive digits. By determining whether a call is local or long distance, the apparatus determines the number of digits necessary to properly complete a telephone number and completes the number by filling in any missing finishing digits. Alternatively, the user by actuating a finish digit key or a finish zero key can cause the system to similarly fill in any missing finishing digits to complete an incomplete telephone number.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 1990
    Date of Patent: December 28, 1993
    Inventor: Herbert Waldman
  • Patent number: 5268959
    Abstract: To enable a long distance prefix "1" to be added to the memory in a telephone set of the last number dialed, a permanent memory of "1" is provided which enables the prefix "1" to be dialed automatically prior to and in conjunction with automatic redialing of the last number dialed by pressing a single long distance redial key.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 1990
    Date of Patent: December 7, 1993
    Inventor: Inpon D. Hong
  • Patent number: 5267308
    Abstract: In a speed dialing method for a telephone unit, a dialed telephone number is automatically stored in a speed dialing memory. The memory is automatically sorted at each call, the telephone numbers always being in an order determined by their dialing frequency, with the most frequently dialed number at the top. By pressing step/skip buttons, the caller can scan such an adaptable memory. The method is applied in mobile telephones, in particular car radiophones.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 1991
    Date of Patent: November 30, 1993
    Assignee: Nokia Mobile Phones Ltd.
    Inventors: Tauno Jokinen, Ahti Vaisanen
  • Patent number: 5267307
    Abstract: A communication apparatus includes a memory for storing extension number information or transfer destination information in association with calling party number information, a unit for receiving calling party number information sent from a calling party at a called party, a unit for comparing the calling party number information received by the receiving unit with the calling party number information stored in the memory; and a unit for notifying a call reception to an extension terminal equipment identified by the extension number information associated with the calling party number information received by the receiving unit, or transferring a call reception to the transfer destination associated with the calling party number information received by the receiving unit, respectively, in accordance with the comparison result by the comparing unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 1991
    Date of Patent: November 30, 1993
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Michihiro Izumi, Shoichi Takashima
  • Patent number: 5247572
    Abstract: A control signal generator is provided to supply a control signal to a control unit of a telephone set having dial memories. Information stored in a memory in the dial memories is forbidden to be erased, unless the control signal is supplied to the control unit. As a result, important information is protected from erroneous erasing in the dial memory.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 1992
    Date of Patent: September 21, 1993
    Assignee: NEC Corporation
    Inventor: Noriko Koma