Wireless backup telephone device
First Claim
1. A wireless backup telephone device for providing emergency backup telephone service to customer premises telephone equipment connected through a landline to a telephone network, the device operable for:
- detecting an interruption of telephone service provided by the landline to the customer premises equipment;
powering a wireless communication device operable for communicating with a wireless network;
switching the customer premises equipment to be functionally connected to the wireless communication device;
transmitting a message instructing a telephone call redirection device to forward telephone calls directed to a directory number assigned to the customer premises telephone equipment to a directory number assigned to the wireless communication device; and
providing emergency backup telephone service to the customer premises telephone equipment through the wireless communication device.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A wireless telephone backup device for landline telephone equipment that may be located on the customer side of the landline service connection, typically in a restricted access location, such as an attic, basement, or utility closet. An interconnection circuit in the backup device detects service interruptions in the subscriber'"'"'s landline connection and, in response, powers on a wireless communication device to provide backup telephone service to the customer premises equipment. The interconnection circuit also provides the other features standard landline telephone service, including dial tone, ring voltage, and normal dialing for outgoing calls. The backup device also forwards incoming landline calls to the wireless unit in the backup device, and may send a message notifying a maintenance center of the service interruption. Further, the backup device may initiate an indicator in an alarm system at the site of the customer premises equipment to notify the subscriber of the service interruption.
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Citations
27 Claims
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1. A wireless backup telephone device for providing emergency backup telephone service to customer premises telephone equipment connected through a landline to a telephone network, the device operable for:
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detecting an interruption of telephone service provided by the landline to the customer premises equipment;
powering a wireless communication device operable for communicating with a wireless network;
switching the customer premises equipment to be functionally connected to the wireless communication device;
transmitting a message instructing a telephone call redirection device to forward telephone calls directed to a directory number assigned to the customer premises telephone equipment to a directory number assigned to the wireless communication device; and
providing emergency backup telephone service to the customer premises telephone equipment through the wireless communication device. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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17. A system for supporting wireless backup emergency telephone service to customer premises telephone equipment connected to a landline telephone network, the system operable for:
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receiving a message from a wireless communication device functionally connected to the customer premises telephone equipment, the message indicating that landline telephone service to the customer premises telephone equipment is interrupted; and
in response to receiving the message indicating that the landline telephone service to the customer premises telephone equipment is interrupted, informing a maintenance center of the interruption of the landline telephone service, and forwarding incoming telephone call directed to a first directory number assigned to the customer premises telephone equipment to a second directory number assigned to the wireless communication device. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20, 21, 22)
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23. A premises alarm system comprising a wireless backup telephone device for providing emergency backup telephone service to customer premises telephone equipment connected through a landline to a telephone network, the alarm system operable for:
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detecting an interruption of telephone service provided by the landline to the customer premises telephone equipment;
powering a wireless communication device operable for communicating with a wireless network;
switching the customer premises telephone equipment to be functionally connected to the wireless communication device;
transmitting a message instructing a telephone call redirection device to forward telephone calls derected to a directory number assigned to the customer premises telephone equipment to a directory number assigned to the wireless communication device;
providing emergency backup telephone service to the customer premises telephone equipment through the wireless communication device; and
notifying the customer of the landline interruption by activating a telephone backup indication device in the premises alarm system located in the customer premises. - View Dependent Claims (24, 25, 26, 27)
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Specification