Method and apparatus for supporting spontaneous call waiting identification
First Claim
1. A converter device for converting caller identification information received from a central office in a first format into a second format that is compatible with a caller identification (CID) display device comprising:
- a first line connecting the device to a central office;
a second line connecting the device to at least one CID display device;
off-hook detection means for determining a state of the first line, the state of the first line being one of an off-hook state or an on-hook state;
conversion means for converting caller identification information from the first line from the first format into a second format, the conversion means thereby providing converted caller identification information which is in the second format; and
controller means connected to the off-hook detection means for selectively controlling the conversion means so as to convert received caller identification information from the first format to the second format when the first line is in an off-hook state; and
means for providing the converted caller identification information to the second line.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A method and apparatus for allowing a conventional caller identification adjunct device to support spontaneous call waiting identification service. During an ongoing call, CPE alerting signals indicating a second, incoming call are received by a converter device which mutes a line to the connected telephone and responds with the appropriate DTMF signal. Following the correct response, the telephone company sends information in an FSK format which describes the number and name of a second caller. Upon receiving the FSK information, the converter adds the appropriate protocol information to the FSK information so that it can be understood by the CID display device. The modified information is then transferred to the CID display device where it is displayed.
75 Citations
26 Claims
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1. A converter device for converting caller identification information received from a central office in a first format into a second format that is compatible with a caller identification (CID) display device comprising:
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a first line connecting the device to a central office; a second line connecting the device to at least one CID display device; off-hook detection means for determining a state of the first line, the state of the first line being one of an off-hook state or an on-hook state; conversion means for converting caller identification information from the first line from the first format into a second format, the conversion means thereby providing converted caller identification information which is in the second format; and controller means connected to the off-hook detection means for selectively controlling the conversion means so as to convert received caller identification information from the first format to the second format when the first line is in an off-hook state; and means for providing the converted caller identification information to the second line. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A method of converting caller identification information received over a subscriber line from a central office in a first format into a second format that is compatible with a caller identification (CID) display device, comprising the steps of:
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determining a state of the subscriber line, the state of the subscriber line being one of an off-hook state or an on-hook state; selectively converting caller identification information from the subscriber line from the first format into a second format when the subscriber line is in an off-hook state; and providing the converted caller identification information to the CID display device. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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19. A method of displaying caller identification information with a caller identification (CID) display device comprising the steps of:
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(a) determining whether a subscriber line to a service provider is in an off-hook state or an on-hook state; (b) when said subscriber line is in said on-hook state; receiving an incoming call from said subscriber line, said incoming call including caller identification data in a first format, and providing said caller identification data in said first format to said CID display device, whereby said caller identification data is displayed; and (c) when said subscriber line is in said off-hook state; detecting a call alert signal transmitted over said subscriber line, disconnecting a telephone line to a telephone device from said subscriber line, acknowledging said call alert signal, receiving caller identification data in a second format, converting said caller identification data from said second format to said first format with said converter device; providing said caller identification data in said first format to said CID display device, whereby said caller identification data is displayed; and reconnecting said telephone line to said subscriber line. - View Dependent Claims (20, 21, 22)
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23. A converter device for displaying caller identification information with a conventional caller identification (CID) display device comprising:
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means for determining whether a subscriber line to a service provider is in an off-hook state or an on-hook state; means for receiving an incoming call from said subscriber line when said subscriber line is in said on-hook state, said incoming call including caller identification data in a first format; means for providing said caller identification data in said first format to said CID display device when said subscriber line is in said on-hook state, whereby said caller identification data is displayed; means for detecting a call alert signal transmitted over said subscriber line when said subscriber line is in said off-hook state; means for disconnecting a telephone line to a telephone device from said subscriber line when said subscriber line is in said off-hook state; means for said receiving caller identification data in a second format when said subscriber line is in said off-hook state; and means for converting said caller identification data from said second format to said first format and for providing said caller identification data in said first format to said CID display device, whereby said caller identification data is displayed. - View Dependent Claims (24, 25, 26)
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Specification