Multiple party telephone control system

• US 5,297,197 A
• Filed: 06/08/1992
• Issued: 03/22/1994
• Est. Priority Date: 06/26/1989
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Ronald A Katz Technology Licensing LP
• Original Assignee: First Data Resources Incorporated (Fiserv Incorporated)
• Inventors: Katz, Ronald A.
• Primary Examiner(s): Chin, Stephen
• Assistant Examiner(s): LOOMIS, PAUL A
• Application Number:
  US07/895,077
• Time in Patent Office: 652 Days
• Field of Search: 379/204, 379/205, 379/92, 379/156, 379/158, 379/165, 379/355
• US Class Current: 379/204.01
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/27 Devices whereby a plurality of signals may be stored simultaneously
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/465 Arrangements for simultaneously calling a number of substations until an answer is obtained
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/487 Arrangements for providing information services, e.g. recorded voice services or time announcements
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/56 Arrangements for connecting several subscribers to a common circuit, i.e. affording conference facilities video conference systems H04N7/15
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 379/904 Auto-calling

Abstract

To interface a primary telephone terminal with a vast number of remote terminals through a telephone network, parties at the remote terminals are individually screened to attain a select group. Bridged together, the select group is preliminarily informed of the status of the interface by a voice generator and, accordingly, the multitude of connections are synchronized for the interface. On cue, the select group is coupled to the primary telephone terminal for unilateral communications. Deviations from the unilateral communication include select bilateral communication for a few of the remote terminals and digital communication from the remote terminals by push button as for polling applications. Subjects for interfaces are programmed for selection from a memory.

Claims

1. A multiple-party control system for use with a telephone facility to interface a coupled primary terminal with a multiplicity of remote coupled terminals through said telephone facility, said system comprising:

a audio generator structure for providing audio signals to cue persons at said remote terminals;

switching apparatus for bridging a multitude of said remote terminals under control of signals from said remote terminals;

coupling apparatus connected to said switching apparatus unilaterally connecting said multitude of remote terminals to said primary terminal for receiving audio communication; and

control structure including a memory for storing qualification reference data for interfacing said persons, said system further including means for testing said reference data against signals from said remote terminals.

2. A control system according to claim 1 wherein said control structure further includes means for selectively enabling said remote terminals to communicate through said switching apparatus to said primary terminal.

3. A control system according to claim 2 wherein said control structure enables audio communication from certain of said remote terminals.

4. A control system according to claim 2 wherein said control structure enables digital communication from said remote terminals.

5. A multiple-party control system for use with a telephone facility to interface a primary terminal with a multiplicity of remote terminals through said telephone facility, said system comprising:

preliminary structure for calls at connected terminals to provide audio information to persons at connected terminals;

gang holding structure for collectively communicating with persons at said connected terminals collectively as a group; and

controlled switch means for initially coupling individual terminals to said preliminary structure during an engagement phase of operation, subsequently connecting said terminals to said gang holding structure during a pending phase of operation and thereafter connecting said gang holding structure to said primary terminal for collectively receiving unilateral audio communication.

6. A system according to claim 5 wherein said gang holding structure enables live and simultaneous communication.

7. A multiple-party control system for use with a telephone facility to interface a primary terminal with a multiplicity of remote terminals for controlled communication through said telephone facility, said system comprising:

preliminary structure for calls at connected of said remote terminals;

gang holding structure for collectively communicating via audio to persons at said connected terminals as a group and receiving digital signals therefrom; and

controlled switch means for coupling connected terminals to said preliminary structure during an engagement phase of operation, said controlled switch means further for coupling said connected terminals to said gang holding structure after said engagement phase and thereafter coupling said connected terminals for controlled selective communications.

8. A multiple-party control system according to claim 7, wherein said controlled switch means includes a memory for storing qualification reference data for interfacing said persons, said system further including means for testing said reference data against signals from said remote terminals.

9. A multiple-party control system according to claim 7, wherein said reference data consists of caller telephone number data.

10. A multiple-party control system according to claim 9, wherein said telephone number data is provided automatically from the communication facility in the form of ANI signals.

11. A multiple-party control system for use with a telephone facility to interface a primary terminal with a multiplicity of remote terminals for controlled communication through said telephone facility, said system comprising:

a control computer means for defining signal-indicated operating sequences including, an engagement phase and a group communication phase;

engagement means for providing information via audio and controlled by said control computer means to inform said remote terminals individually during said engagement phase then couple a group of remote terminals for collective operation;

audio communication means controlled by said control computer means for interfacing said group of remote terminals unilaterally with audio communication during one part of said group communication phase; and

data receiving means controlled by said control computer for receiving digital data from said remote terminals during another part of said group communication phase.

12. A process for interfacing a primary telephone terminal with a plurality of remote telephone terminals through a telephone facility, comprising the steps of:

confirming calls at said remote telephone terminals, and providing audio signals to individually inform callers at said remote telephone terminals;

after confirming calls and individually informing callers, bridging said calls from said remote terminals for gang holding;

communicating unilaterally and collectively via audio with said gang holding remote terminals from said primary terminal; and

digitally communicating with said primary terminal from said gang holding remote terminals.

13. A multiple-party control system for use with a telephone facility to selectively interface a primary terminal with a multiplicity of remote terminals through said telephone facility, said system comprising:

a audio generator structure, initially for providing audio signals to cue persons at said remote terminals through said telephone facility;

switching apparatus for collectively bridging a multitude of said remote terminals through said telephone facility;

coupling apparatus connected to said switching apparatus, unilaterally connecting said multitude of bridged remote terminals collectively to receive audio communication; and

control structure for selectively enabling said remote terminals to communicate digitally through said switching apparatus to said primary terminal.

14. A multiple-party control system for use with a telephone facility to interface a primary terminal with a multiplicity of remote terminals through said telephone facility, said system comprising:

preliminary structure to provide audio information to callers at connected terminals;

a memory for down-loading terminal numbers;

automatic dialing means for selectively connecting with said terminals;

switch means for actuating said automatic dialing means to receive down-loaded terminal numbers to establish terminal connections, initially coupling individual connected terminals to said preliminary structure during an engagement phase of operation, and thereafter connecting said gang holding structure to said primary terminal for collectively receiving unilateral audio communication; and

control structure including a memory for storing qualification reference data for interface subjects and said system further including means for testing said reference data against signals from said remote terminals.

15. A control system according to claim 14 further including means to receive data from at least one of said individual terminals connected for controlled communication.

16. A control system according to claim 15 wherein said means to receive data comprises a digital means for receiving digital data provided from said individual terminals.

17. A control system according to claim 15 wherein said means to receive data receives audio signals.

18. A control system according to claim 15 further including comparator means for testing said data from said individual terminals.