Device and method for simulating a telephonic condition

• US 20070263779A1
• Filed: 04/18/2006
• Published: 11/15/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 04/18/2006
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: James Bradley
• Original Assignee: James Bradley
• Inventors: Bradley, James
• Application Number:
  US11/405,709
• Publication Number:
  US 20070263779A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 379/29.20
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/275 implemented by means of portable electronic directories
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/505 signals generated in digital form

Abstract

A device for simulating a telephonic condition has a generator for producing a simulation signal that can simulate an audible signal produced on a telephone for signifying a second incoming call. The generator has an output adapted to send the simulation signal over a telephone line. A manual control is coupled to the generator for operating it.

Claims

1. A device for simulating a telephonic condition, comprising:

a generator operable to produce a simulation signal signifying at least one condition associated with a telephone, said generator having an output adapted to issue the simulation signal over a telephonic link; and

a manual control coupled to said generator and operable to initiate simulation of said at least one condition with a manually operable interface offering one or more selections, said one or more selections comprising at least one of;

(a) a second incoming call, (b) an alarm that sounds when a battery is nearly drained in a telephonic device, (c) an intervening quiet interval, and (d) a facsimile tone.

2. A device according to claim 1 wherein said generator is operable to produce the simulation signal to signify at different times said second incoming call, and said facsimile tone.

3. A device according to claim 1 wherein said generator is operable by said manual control to compose the simulation signal to signify an SIT signal.

4. A device according to claim 1 wherein said generator is handheld.

5. A device according to claim 4 wherein said generator includes a battery terminal adapted to connect to a battery in order to supply power to said generator.

6. A device according to claim 4 comprising:

a wallet-sized casing containing said generator.

7. A device according to claim 4 comprising:

a casing having a credit card sized outline, said casing containing said generator.

8. A device according to claim 4 comprising:

a casing containing said generator and having an eyelet for attachment to another object.

9. A device according to claim 1 comprising:

a speaker connected to said output and adapted to acoustically couple into a telephone.

10. A device according to claim 1 comprising:

a memory for digitally storing data corresponding to said simulation signal, said generator being operable to read said data and compose the simulation signal based upon said data.

11. A device according to claim 1 comprising:

a telephone having a microphone subsystem, the output of said generator being coupled to said microphone subsystem.

12. A device according to claim 11 wherein said telephone is cellular.

13. A device according to claim 1 comprising:

a casing containing said generator and having a connector assembly for connecting to the telephone link, said link being a telephone line, said generator being operable to transmit said simulation signal on said telephone line.

14. A device according to claim 13 wherein said connector assembly is adapted to connect between the telephone line and a telephone.

15. A device according to claim 1 comprising:

a circuit card adapted to be mounted in a computer, said generator being incorporated on said card.

16. A device according to claim 15 wherein said circuit card comprises a sound card adapted to connect to a speaker and microphone, said computer being adapted to couple to said telephonic link, said link being a network.

17. A device according to claim 16 wherein said network is the Internet.

18. A device according to claim 1 comprising:

network communication equipment adapted to connect to said telephonic link, said link being a network, said generator being incorporated in said equipment.

19. A device according to claim 18 comprising:

telephonic apparatus adapted to connect to said network and establish a voice over network connection, said network communication equipment operable to issue the simulation signal on said network while masquerading as said telephonic apparatus.

20. A device according to claim 1 wherein said device has a timer for regulating the repetition of said simulation signal

21. A device according to claim 20 wherein said timer prevents said simulation signal from repeating before expiration of a predetermined period.

22. A device according to claim 20 wherein said timer causes the simulation signal to repeat with a predetermined period.

23. A device according to claim 1 comprising:

a caller identification system for decoding identification signals on the telephone link identifying a caller, said generator automatically producing said simulation signal in response to predetermined code in the identification signal.

24. A method for simulating a telephonic condition, comprising the steps of:

generating a simulation signal signifying at least one condition associated with a telephone by offering one or more manual selections, said one or more selections comprising at least one of;

(a) a second incoming call, (b) an alarm that sounds when a battery is nearly drained in a telephonic device, (c) an intervening quiet interval, and (d) a facsimile tone; and

issuing the simulation signal over a telephonic link

25. A method according to claim 24 wherein the step of offering one or more manual selections is performed by offering either said second incoming call or said facsimile tone.

26. A method according to claim 24 wherein the step of offering one or more manual selections is performed by offering either said second incoming call or an SIT signal.

27. A method according to claim 24 wherein the step of generating is performed with a generator that is held by hand when operating.

28. A method according to claim 27 wherein said generator has a speaker that is held by hand against a telephone'"'"'s microphone.

29. A method according to claim 27 comprising the step of:

storing the generator in a wallet.

30. A method according to claim 27 comprising the step of:

holding the generator on a key ring.

31. A method according to claim 24 employing a speaker connected to a generator and comprising the step of:

acoustically coupling the speaker into a telephone by holding the speaker against a microphone of a telephone.

32. A method according to claim 24 employing a telephone having a microphone subsystem, the method comprising the step of:

coupling the simulation signal into the microphone subsystem

33. A method according to claim 24 comprising the step of:

coupling the simulation signal to a telephone line in order to transmit said simulation signal on said telephone line.

34. A method according to claim 24 wherein said method comprises the step of:

regulating the repetition of the simulation signal.

35. A method according to claim 34 wherein the step of regulating the repetition of the simulation signal is performed by preventing the simulation signal from repeating before expiration of a predetermined period.

36. A method according to claim 34 wherein the step of regulating the repetition of the simulation signal is performed by causing the simulation signal to repeat with a predetermined period.

37. A method according to claim 24 comprising:

automatically producing the simulation signal in response to predetermined code in an identification signal from a caller identification system.

38. A method according to claim 24 employing telephonic apparatus and comprising the step of:

establishing a voice over network connection with said telephonic apparatus, the step of issuing the simulation signal being performed by issuing the simulation signal over the network.

39. A method according to claim 38 employing network communication equipment, and comprising the step of:

making the network communication equipment issue the simulation signal while masquerading as said telephonic apparatus.

40. A device for simulating a telephonic condition, comprising:

a handheld generator for producing a simulation signal simulating an audible condition produced on a telephone for signifying a second incoming call, said generator having an output, said generator including a battery terminal adapted to connect to a battery in order to supply power to said generator;

a memory for digitally storing data corresponding to said simulation signal, said generator being operable to read said data and compose the simulation signal based upon said data;

a manual control coupled to said generator for operating it;

a speaker connected to said output of the generator and adapted to acoustically couple into a telephone; and

a timer for regulating the repetition of said simulation signal by (a) preventing the simulation signal from repeating before expiration of a predetermined period, and (b) selectively causing the simulation signal to repeat with a predetermined period.