Tele-communication information display system

• US 6,052,444 A
• Filed: 08/19/1998
• Issued: 04/18/2000
• Est. Priority Date: 07/11/1991
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Texas Technology Ventures, LLP
• Original Assignee: SBC Technology Resources, Inc. (AT&T, Inc.)
• Inventors: Ferry, Thomas, Wilson, Jann
• Primary Examiner(s): Chan, Wing F.
• Application Number:
  US09/136,401
• Time in Patent Office: 608 Days
• Field of Search: 379/90.01, 379/93.01, 379/93.17, 379/93.18, 379/93.23, 379/93.35, 379/110.01, 379/127, 379/142, 379/161, 379/195, 379/194, 379/184, 379/201, 379/208 , 379/215, 379/245, 379/247
• US Class Current: 379/93.35
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/575 Means for retrieving and displaying personal data about calling party
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/576 associated with a pictorial or graphical representation
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/533 Voice mail systems
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/537 Arrangements for indicating the presence of a recorded message , whereby the presence information might include a preview or summary of the message
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4112 having fewer capabilities than the client, e.g. thin client having less processing power or no tuning capabilities
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4221 Dedicated function buttons, e.g. for the control of an EPG, subtitles, aspect ratio, picture-in-picture or teletext
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/42221 Transmission circuitry, e.g. infrared [IR] or radio frequency [RF]
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/47 End-user applications
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/478 Supplemental services, e.g. displaying phone caller identification, shopping application
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/488 Data services, e.g. news ticker systems specially adapted for using meteorological information in broadcast systems H04H60/71
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/002 Special television systems not provided for by H04N7/007 - H04N7/18 still pictures via a television channel H04N1/00098
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/10 Adaptations for transmission by electrical cable H04N7/12 takes precedence

Abstract

An apparatus and method are disclosed for transferring caller information or tele-communication information to a video device adapted to convert video format signals into a medium of expression. The caller information may include Calling Identity Delivery information. A detecting device detects the presence of a communication present on an incoming tele-communication line; a decoder device decodes the information present on the tele-communication line to produce caller information or tele-communication information related to the communication; and a transfer device causes the caller information or tele-communication information to be converted to the medium of expression by the video device. A frequency band capability conversion apparatus is also disclosed which accepts a composite signal and processes the composite signal so that it falls within the frequency band of a prescribed channel of a receiver. The frequency band capability conversion apparatus may be provided with a tele-communication line interface for interfacing a telephone line with the signal generator, recognizing an occurrence of a telephone call, and signalling information about the telephone call. The caller information or tele-communication information may comprise, e.g., caller ID information, voice messaging information, or caller ID or call waiting information.

Claims

1. An apparatus for transferring caller information to a television for display on a screen of said television, said apparatus comprising:

a detector which is adapted to detect the presence of a communication present on an incoming tele-communication line;

a decoder which is adapted to decode information present on the tele-communication line to produce caller information related to the communication;

a converter which is adapted to convert said caller information to a television signal suitable for display on said screen of said television;

a communication link, which establishes a communication path between a caller and a receiver, wherein said detector detects the presence of a communication request present on said incoming tele-communication line which is originating from a third source separate from the caller and receiver, said third source comprising a telephone, said caller information including information relating to the origin of the third source;

a disconnect switch which is adapted to temporarily disconnect said tele-communication line from said receiver;

a simulator which is adapted to simulate an off-hook condition on said tele-communication line; and

a line receiver which is adapted to receive said caller information from said tele-communication line.

2. An apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising:

an off-hook detector which is adapted to determine whether additional phones are connected to said tele-communication line in an off-hook condition; and

a controller which is adapted to control said simulator and said line receiver to be operative only when said off-hook detector determines that no additional phones are connected to said tele-communication line in an off-hook condition.

3. An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said disconnect switch comprises:

a relay having both a normal position, in which said relay maintains a connection between said caller and said receiver, and a reconfigure position, in which said relay has reconfigured the connection between said tele-communication line and said receiver; and

a simulating load, connected to said tele-communication line when said relay is in said reconfigure position, for simulating an off-hook condition of said receiver.

4. An apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a disable switch which is adapted to disable said disconnect switch and said simulator.