Methods and apparatus for autonomously managing communications using an intelligent intermediary
First Claim
1. Apparatus for controlling a telephone stationset comprising:
- a communications subsystem for receiving incoming telephone calls from a wired or wireless telephone network, an alert generator for producing an audible, visible or tactile alert notification signal when an incoming call is received by said communications subsystem, a conversation detector for analyzing ambient sound signals in the vicinity of said telephone stationset to detect speech signals that indicate that a conversation between different human speakers is taking place in the vicinity of said telephone stationset, and means for controlling the operation of said alert generator to inhibit, delay, or change the character of said audible, visible or tactile alert signal in response to the detection of said speech signals that indicate that a conversation is taking place.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Apparatus for handling an incoming telephone call including a call processor coupled to a wired or wireless telephone network for receiving an incoming telephone call directed to a called person, a conversation detector for determining whether a conversation is currently taking place between said called person and one or more other persons who are near to said called person, and a call inhibitor for inhibiting the delivery of, delaying or rerouting said incoming call if said conversation detector determines that a conversation is taking place. Each participant in the conversation is provided with a speech detector, and vibrator for producing a tactile alert when incoming calls directed to a participant arrive, and a manually operated control for issuing a veto command that inhibits the delivery of, delays, or reroutes the incoming call so that the conversation is not interrupted.
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Citations
29 Claims
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1. Apparatus for controlling a telephone stationset comprising:
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a communications subsystem for receiving incoming telephone calls from a wired or wireless telephone network, an alert generator for producing an audible, visible or tactile alert notification signal when an incoming call is received by said communications subsystem, a conversation detector for analyzing ambient sound signals in the vicinity of said telephone stationset to detect speech signals that indicate that a conversation between different human speakers is taking place in the vicinity of said telephone stationset, and means for controlling the operation of said alert generator to inhibit, delay, or change the character of said audible, visible or tactile alert signal in response to the detection of said speech signals that indicate that a conversation is taking place. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. Apparatus for handling an incoming telephone call comprising:
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a call processor coupled to a wired or wireless telephone network for receiving an incoming telephone call directed to a called person, a conversation detector for determining whether a conversation is currently taking place between said called person and one or more other persons who are near to said called person, and a call inhibitor for inhibiting the delivery of, delaying or rerouting said incoming call if said conversation detector determines that a conversation is taking place. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24)
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25. A telephone control system for managing communications between a first person, a second person, and a third person, said third person being located near to said second person and possibly engaged in a conversation with said second person, said control system comprising, in combination,
a long range communications port for receiving an incoming call or message from said first person directed to said second person, an alert generator coupled to said communications port for notifying said third person that said incoming call or message has been received via said long range communications port, and a call handler responsive to the receipt of a veto command from said third person for inhibiting or delaying the delivery of said incoming call or message to said second person.
Specification