Telephone system and method for easing wait time in queue
First Claim
1. A telephone system comprising a plurality of telephones and a switching network, the telephone system further comprising:
- means for sending an initiation signal from a first telephone of two connected telephones to the switching network; and
means for sending a ready signal from the switching network to a second telephone of the two connected telephones in response to the initiation signal.
9 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A telephone system and method for easing an incoming caller'"'"'s wait time in queue before being connected to a called party is disclosed. A "ready" signal initiated by the called party via the called party'"'"'s telephone is provided to the caller'"'"'s telephone to inform the caller that communication can commence between the caller and the called party. Thus, the caller need not wait with the caller'"'"'s telephone pressed against his or her ear. Instead, the caller can put the telephone down (off-hook) and go about his or her business until receiving the ready signal. The ready signal can be provided visually and/or audibly. The ready signal can be enabled by the caller. The ready signal can also be terminated by the caller to enable the initiation of communication with the called party. "Ready enable", "ready" and "ready termination" functions can be initiated by pressing specialty keys on a telephone or can be assigned predetermined sequences of keys from a traditional telephone key pad.
40 Citations
23 Claims
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1. A telephone system comprising a plurality of telephones and a switching network, the telephone system further comprising:
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means for sending an initiation signal from a first telephone of two connected telephones to the switching network; and means for sending a ready signal from the switching network to a second telephone of the two connected telephones in response to the initiation signal. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. A method for use in a telephone system, the method comprising the steps of:
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establishing a telephone connection between a first telephone and a second telephone; sending an initiation signal from the first telephone to a switching network; and sending, in response to the initiation signal, a ready signal from the switching network to the second telephone. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23)
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Specification