Telephone communication system with safety features

• US 20050013416A1
• Filed: 07/16/2003
• Published: 01/20/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 07/16/2003
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Andrew Kontomerkos, David E. Lee
• Original Assignee: Andrew Kontomerkos, David E. Lee
• Inventors: Kontomerkos, Andrew, Lee, David E.
• Application Number:
  US10/623,345
• Publication Number:
  US 20050013416A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 379/37
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 11/04 with alarm systems, e.g. fire, police or burglar alarm systems

Abstract

A telephone communication system includes a telephone device having a plurality of buttons, a memory and a processor; and a mechanism for storing a plurality of approved numbers in the memory associated with the button, the means being at least one of (1) remote from the telephone device, and (2) password protected; wherein the processor is adapted to allow outgoing calls to be placed by the telephone device only to the approved numbers.

Claims

1. A telephone communication system, comprising:

a telephone device having a plurality of buttons, a memory and a processor;

means for storing a plurality of approved numbers in said memory associated with said buttons, said means being at least one of (1) remote from said telephone device, and (2) password protected;

wherein said processor is adapted to allow outgoing calls to be placed by said telephone device only to said approved numbers.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein said means for storing is further adapted to store a plurality of approved incoming numbers, and said processor is adapted to allow incoming calls only from said approved incoming numbers.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein said processor is further-adapted to limit duration of calls using said-telephone device.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein said plurality of buttons include a plurality of preprogrammed buttons for association with said approved numbers, and at least one special function button for association with emergency or safety authorities.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein said telephone device further includes a microphone and a speaker, and wherein said processor is adapted to control at least one of speaker volume and microphone sensitivity when pre-selected calls are made.

6. The system of claim 5, wherein said processor is further adapted to recognize a passive-mode triggering number, and upon receiving a call from said number is adapted to receive said call with no audible or visible signal, to increase microphone sensitivity and to reduce said speaker volume.

7. The system of claim 1, wherein said telephone device further comprises means for communicating with a global positioning satellite (GPS) system, and wherein said processor is further adapted to communicate GPS information to a pre-approved entity upon at least one of (1) dialing a pre-selected number and (2) receiving a call from a pre-selected number.

8. The system of claim 7, wherein said telephone device further includes a monitor number in said memory and wherein said processor is adapted to answer a call from said monitor number without generating an audible signal and for transmitting said GPS information to said pre-approved entity.

9. The system of claim 1, wherein said plurality of buttons are of different shapes whereby said buttons can be distinguished from each other by feel.

10. A telephone communication system, comprising:

a telephone device having a plurality of buttons, a memory and a processor;

means for storing a plurality of numbers in said memory associated with said buttons, at least one of said plurality of numbers being an emergency number and one of said buttons being a call end button;

wherein said processor is adapted to disable said call end button when a call is placed to said emergency number.

11. The system of claim 10, wherein said processor is further adapted to enable said call end button upon other party termination of said call to said emergency number.

12. The system of claim 10 wherein said processor is further adapted to recall said emergency number upon loss of signal by said telephone device.

13. The system of claim 10, wherein said telephone device further includes a microphone and a speaker, and wherein said processor is adapted to control at least one of speaker volume and microphone sensitivity when pre-selected calls are made.

14. The system of claim 10, wherein said plurality of buttons are of different shapes whereby said buttons can be distinguished from each other by feel.