Multi-line remotely-accessible controller for cordless telephones

• US 5,826,196 A
• Filed: 11/02/1995
• Issued: 10/20/1998
• Est. Priority Date: 11/02/1995
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Gordon A. Cuthrell
• Original Assignee: Gordon A. Cuthrell
• Inventors: Cuthrell, Gordon A.
• Primary Examiner(s): Bost, Dwayne D.
• Assistant Examiner(s): TROST IV, WILLIAM GEORGE
• Application Number:
  US08/556,750
• Time in Patent Office: 1,083 Days
• Field of Search: 379/58, 379/61, 379/63, 379/34, 379/35, 379/164, 379/165, 379/185, 455/403, 455/462, 455/555, 455/465, 455/464, 455/560-561
• US Class Current: 455/462
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/725 Cordless telephones user interfaces specially adapted therefor H04M1/724
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 84/16 WPBX [Wireless Private Branch Exchange]

Abstract

A multi-line remotely-accessible Controller which allows the user of a conventional cordless telephone to selectively access any of a number of telephone lines in a private or in-house telephone system, through the use of the Dual-Tone Multi-Frequency (DTMF) signals transmitted by the handset of the cordless phone, to answer incoming calls on any system line, or allow the user to select any system line to originate outgoing calls.

Claims

1. Apparatus for remotely controlled access from a handset of a cordless phone to a plurality of telephone lines including those serving a Key Service Unit (KSU) or Private Branch Exchange (PBX), by radio signals created by the handset of a cordless telephone comprising:

a controller adapted to accommodate a plurality of telephone lines between a demarcation terminal and said Key Service Unit (KSU) or said Private Branch Exchange (PBX), wherein said controller is connected in series or parallel to the telephone lines between said demarcation terminal and said telephones connected to said KSU or said PBX;

a cordless phone base unit connected to said controller;

a power supply connected to said controller;

wherein said controller is further adapted to rectify and regulate the voltage of said power supply to a plurality of D.C. voltages required to power the operation of said apparatus;

means for receiving DTMF signals from a radio-frequency carrier emitted by said cordless handset to activate and deactivate the function of said controller, wherein the Dual-Tone, Multi-Frequency (DTMF) signals transmitted upon depression of numeric or symbolic buttons on a dialpad of said cordless handset perform control, switching, and line selection functions at said controller, and further wherein line selection is effected by the depression of the star or asterisk "*" button and the number on the dialpad corresponding to the telephone line number which contains an incoming call; and

wherein the apparatus allows the cordless handset to receive or originate calls on any telephone line connected to said controller, and wherein a plurality of cordless handsets may be connected to said apparatus.

2. The apparatus as set forth in claim 1 wherein said Controller is adapted for installation between the demarcation terminal and the KSU or PBX of a private or in-house telephone system.

3. The apparatus as set forth in claim 1 wherein the installation of said Controller in "series" with the telephone lines, between said demarcation terminal and said KSU or PBX, allows conversation privacy for both the cordless and the wired telephone(s) on any CO line.

4. The apparatus as set forth in claim 1 wherein the installation of said Controller in "parallel" with the telephone lines, between said demarcation terminal and said KSU or PBX allows joint use and non-private conversation for both the cordless and the wired telephones on any CO line.

5. The apparatus as set forth in claim 1 wherein the function of said controller is passive until activated by a DTMF control signal transmitted by said cordless phone handset.

6. The apparatus as set forth in claim 1 wherein said Controller is adapted to be switched from passive to active mode by the transmission of a DTMF signal upon the carrier wave emitted by said cordless phone handset when the power switch of said handset is switched to the "on" position.

7. The apparatus as set forth in claim 1 wherein calls may be received on any line connected to said Controller by depressing the numeral correspondent to the calling line number on the cordless phone handset dialpad.

8. The apparatus as set forth in claim 1 wherein calls may be originated on any line connected to said Controller by depressing the numeral correspondent to the desired line number on the cordless phone handset dialpad.

9. The apparatus as set forth in claim 1 wherein returning the power switch on the cordless handset to the "off" position disconnects said handset from all lines and returns said Controller to a passive mode.

10. The apparatus as set forth in claim 1 wherein said Controller is adapted for compatibility with any type of 1A2 or electronic telephone system.

11. A method for providing selective access and connection by a singular, or any number of, remotely located handsets of a cordless telephone capable of transmitting DTMF signals, to any one of a plurality of telephone lines, including those serving a Key Service Unit (KSU) or Private Branch Exchange (PBX) of an "in-house" telephone system through the employment of a multi-line remotely accessible Controller, comprising, in sequence, the steps of:

A) reception of incoming telephone call by operator or designated individual;

B) announcement by said designated individual on in-house audio system specifying;

1) name or title of called party,

2) number of telephone line,

3) status of said line, e.g.,

a) on line or,

b) on hold;

C) receipt of audio message by said called party;

D) said called party turning on power switch of cordless phone handset allowing a signal to be transmitted via RF to cordless telephone base unit;

F) said RF signal is received by cordless telephone base unit and converted to an electrical impulse;

G) said electrical impulse is conducted to circuitry of a Controller by a two conductor wire;

H) said electrical impulse causing said Controller to change from passive to active mode;

I) called party depresses star or asterisk button "*" on dialpad of said handset causing DTMF signal to be transmitted to said base unit and controller;

J) called party depresses number on said handset dialpad corresponding to that of said incoming call as announced in audio message, causing the transmission of a second DTMF signal identifying the desired line;

K) said Controller interprets DTMF signals and connects line carrying incoming call to cordless phone base unit;

L) base unit establishes communication with handset by the duplex transmit/receive radio function of said base and said handset;

M) communication terminated by returning power switch of said handset to "off" position;

N) Controller returns to passive mode.

12. The method of claim 11 whereby outgoing calls on any line connected to the multi-line remotely-accessible Controller may be originated from a cordless phone handset by sequentially;

A) energizing said handset by placing power switch in "on" position,

B) depressing numeral corresponding to number of desired line wherein no dial tone indicates line in-use, select another line,

C) dial number,

D) terminate communication by placing handset power switch in "off" position.

13. The method as set forth in claim 11 whereby a plurality of cordless telephone handsets capable of transmitting DTMF signals may be employed in conjunction with said Multi-Line Remotely-Accessible Controller to answer or originate telephonic communication on any one of a plurality of lines connected to said Controller.