Telephone circuit to control off-hook status during receipt of caller-ID signal

• US 5,377,260 A
• Filed: 12/05/1991
• Issued: 12/27/1994
• Est. Priority Date: 12/05/1991
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: PMC-Sierra Incorporated (Microchip Technology Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Sierra Semiconductor Corp. (Microchip Technology Incorporated)
• Inventors: Long, David K.
• Primary Examiner(s): Kuntz, Curtis
• Assistant Examiner(s): WOO, STELLA L
• Application Number:
  US07/802,627
• Time in Patent Office: 1,118 Days
• Field of Search: 379/142, 379/94, 379/100, 379/96, 379/97, 379/98, 379/95
• US Class Current: 379/93.02
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/573 Line monitoring circuits for detecting caller identification
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/575 Means for retrieving and displaying personal data about calling party
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/642 storing speech in digital form
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/663 Preventing unauthorised calls to a telephone set
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 11/06 Simultaneous speech and data transmission, e.g. telegraphic transmission over the same conductors
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2242/22 Automatic class or number identification arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/42042 Notifying the called party of information on the calling party details within substation equipment H04M1/57, signalling details H04Q3/72
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/436 Arrangements for screening incoming calls , i.e. evaluating the characteristics of a call before deciding whether to answer it based on the calling party profile H04M3/42059; based on location H04M3/42348; based on presence H04M3/42365; diversion H04M3/54
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/53 Centralised arrangements for recording incoming messages , i.e. mailbox systems
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/32704 Establishing a communication with one of a facsimile and another telecommunication apparatus sharing a single line
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/32708 Telephone
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/32713 Data transmission device, e.g. switched network of teleprinters for the distribution of text-based information transceiver
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/32721 facsimile protocol signals, e.g. DCS or TSI
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 3/72 Finding out and indicating number of calling subscriber

Abstract

A telephone system includes a data modem that is coupled to a control microprocessor and a Data Access Arrangement (DAA) for detecting a Caller ID. The detected information is used to select a specific action dependent upon the specific Caller ID. Only one relay is needed with no other parts to connect the Caller ID to the data modem. A programmed Intelligent Work Station (IWS) determines whether to respond to the call and the type of response.

Claims

1. Apparatus comprising:

a computer;

a data access arrangement having input circuitry connected to a telephone line port and including first and second electronic switches, closure of the first electronic switch establishing an AC coupling between the input circuitry of the data access arrangement and the telephone line port and closure of the second electronic switch establishing a DC coupling between the input circuitry of the data access arrangement and the telephone line port;

a modem connected to the computer and the data access arrangement; and

means associated with the modem for electronically;

receiving a first ring signal from the data access arrangement;

after the first ring signal ceases, causing closure of the first electronic switch to connect the modem through the data access arrangement to the telephone line port during a time in which a caller ID signal is specified to be transmitted;

comparing a calling telephone number received and demodulated by the modem to a list of stored telephone numbers; and

only if a match is found, causing closure of the second electronic switch, the modem remaining connected through the data access arrangement to the telephone line port, to draw an off-hook current preparatory to a call being connected to the modem on the telephone line port.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a voice circuit and a third electronic switch, closure of the third electronic switch causing the voice circuit to be connected to the telephone line port and the modem to be disconnected from the telephone line port, wherein said means associated with the modem is further for causing closure of the third electronic switch if the comparing step does not result in a match.

3. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein the computer includes means for recording in an organized fashion telephone numbers received and demodulated by the modem.