Method and apparatus for installing telephone intercom-voice messaging apparatus at doorbell for dwelling

• US 6,185,294 B1
• Filed: 02/03/1998
• Issued: 02/06/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 11/01/1996
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Chornenky O. Joseph
• Original Assignee: Chornenky O. Joseph, John C. Stuart, Michael G. Maxson
• Inventors: Stuart, John C., Chornenky, O. Joseph, Maxson, Michael G.
• Primary Examiner(s): Hudspeth, David R.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Azad, Abul K.
• Application Number:
  US09/018,325
• Time in Patent Office: 1,099 Days
• Field of Search: 379/102.01, 379/102.02, 379/102.03, 379/167, 379/169, 379/172, 379/176, 379/376, 379/413, 379/447, 379/446, 379/168, 379/170, 379/171, 379/102.4, 348/155, 348/156
• US Class Current: 379/350
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 11/025 Door telephones adapted for television H04N7/186
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/533 Voice mail systems
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 9/001 Two-way communication systems between a limited number of parties

Abstract

A doorbell response system in used in a dwelling including a telephone line and a telephone. The doorbell response system includes a doorbell, doorbell button, speaker, microphone, dialer to initiate the dialing of a telephone number, connection between the microphone and speaker, a system for eliminating the dial tone in the telephone line for a selected period of time so a person can communicate over the microphone and speaker, a system for dialing a number when the dialer is activated, a battery for the doorbell and doorbell button and telephone, and a trickle charge from the telephone line to the battery.

Claims

1. In combination with a dwelling, said dwelling including

at least one telephone line carrying a selected current of less than about two amps, and

a telephone connected to the telephone line and having an assigned telephone number utilized to call the telephone,

a doorbell response system including

(a) an auxiliary unit including

(i) an auxiliary doorbell button,

(ii) a speaker,

(iii) a microphone,

(iv) dialing means activated by a user for initiating the dialing of a telephone number,

(v) connector means for connecting said auxiliary unit to the telephone line to enable a person to communicate via said microphone and said speaker with another person speaking over the telephone line,

(vi) means for eliminating for a selected period of time after the auxiliary door button is depressed the dial tone in the telephone line so that a person may utilize said microphone and speaker to converse over the telephone line with another person using the telephone in the dwelling, and

(vii) means for dialing a number when said dialing means is activated by a user to initiate the dialing of a selected telephone number;

(b) a battery for providing power to at least one of said auxiliary unit and the telephone; and

,

(c) means for connecting the telephone line to said battery such that the telephone line provides a trickle charge for said battery.

2. In combination with a dwelling, said dwelling including

at least one telephone line carrying a selected current of less than about two amps, and

a telephone connected to the telephone line and having an assigned telephone number utilized to call the telephone,

a doorbell response system including

(a) a doorbell;

(b) a doorbell button which is depressed to activate said doorbell;

(c) a speaker;

(d) a microphone

(e) dialing means activated by a user for initiating the dialing of a telephone number;

(f) means for connecting said speaker and microphone to the telephone line to enable a person to communicate via said microphone and speaker with another person speaking over the telephone line;

(g) means for eliminating for a selected period of time after the doorbell button is depressed the dial tone in the telephone line so that a person may utilize said microphone and speaker to converse over the telephone line with another person using the telephone in the dwelling;

(h) means for dialing a number when said dialing means is activated by a user to initiate the dialing of a selected telephone number;

(i) a battery for providing power to at least one of said doorbell button, said doorbell, and the telephone; and

,

(j) means for connecting the telephone line to said battery such that the telephone line provides a trickle charge for said battery.