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Telephone call screening device with power and telephone line failure alert, call answering, call routing, and caller ID

DC
  • US 6,233,330 B1
  • Filed: 10/13/1998
  • Issued: 05/15/2001
  • Est. Priority Date: 10/13/1998
  • Status: Expired due to Term
First Claim
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1. A telephone interface device for screening and routing incoming calls on a telephone line, said interface device being connected between the incoming telephone line and a telephone answering device, said interface device utilizing code signals entered by callers to route incoming calls to one or more designated telephone peripherals connected to said interface device, said interface device comprising:

  • a) a ring signal detection means to determine when a ring signal is present on a connected telephone line indicating an incoming call;

    b) a ring signal suppression means, responsive to the ring signal detection means, for suppressing the ring signal received on said connected telephone line;

    c) a code detection means for receiving code signals entered by callers and initiating an output signal indicative of the code signals received;

    d) a routing means responsive to said code detection output signal for routing said incoming call to selected one or more telephone peripherals connected to said interface device or default to a telephone answering device, if no output signal is initiated;

    e) a ring signal generating means for activating the selected peripheral or device; and

    said interface device further including a processor means for operably performing the functions of the ring signal suppression means and routine means, said processor including a reset timer, operative to reset the processor if the processor fails to execute a function correctly within a predetermined time period.

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