Personal communicator telephone system

• US 6,332,082 B1
• Filed: 10/08/1999
• Issued: 12/18/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 09/14/1984
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Aspect Telecommunications Corporation (Alvaria Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Aspect Telecommunications Corporation (Alvaria Incorporated)
• Inventors: Fuller, Robert M., Epler, Frederick A., Manowski, Maxwell E.
• Primary Examiner(s): Legree, Tracy
• Assistant Examiner(s): Trinh, Sonny
• Application Number:
  US09/415,090
• Time in Patent Office: 802 Days
• Field of Search: 455/461, 455/445, 455/403, 455/550, 455/422, 455/456, 379/200, 379/211, 379/212, 379/221, 379/201
• US Class Current: 455/461
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/006 Call diverting means
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/27 Devices whereby a plurality of signals may be stored simultaneously
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/652 Means for playing back the recorded messages by remote control over a telephone line H04M1/658 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/658 Means for redirecting recorded messages to other extensions or equipment
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/665 by checking the validity of a code
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 11/00 Telephonic communication systems specially adapted for combination with other electrical systems
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 11/022 Paging systems personal calling arrangements or devices G08B3/1008; selective calling networks H04W84/022
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2203/2005 Temporarily overriding a service configuration
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2203/2011 Service processing based on information specified by a party before or during a call, e.g. information, tone or routing selection
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2203/2072 Schedules, e.g. personal calendars
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2242/22 Automatic class or number identification arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2242/30 Determination of the location of a subscriber
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/005 Interface circuits for subscriber lines current supply H04M19/00 and subgroups; supervisory, monitoring or testing arrangements H04M3/22 and subgroups; in key telephone systems H04M9/006
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/382 using authorisation codes or passwords
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/42 Systems providing special services or facilities to subscribers specially adapted for wireless communication networks H04W4/00
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/42042 Notifying the called party of information on the calling party details within substation equipment H04M1/57, signalling details H04Q3/72
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/42059 Making use of the calling party identifier
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/42093 Notifying the calling party of information on the called or connected party
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/42102 Making use of the called party identifier
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/42229 Personal communication services, i.e. services related to one subscriber independent of his terminal and/or location diverting calls from one subscriber to another subscriber, i.e. two different subscriptions H04M3/54; selecting arrangements in intelligent networks H04Q3/005
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/428 : Arrangements for placing incoming calls on hold
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/436 : Arrangements for screening incoming calls , i.e. evaluating the characteristics of a call before deciding whether to answer it based on the calling party profile H04M3/42059; based on location H04M3/42348; based on presence H04M3/42365; diversion H04M3/54
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/487 : Arrangements for providing information services, e.g. recorded voice services or time announcements
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/527 : Centralised call answering arrangements not requiring operator intervention
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/53 : Centralised arrangements for recording incoming messages , i.e. mailbox systems
• 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: H04M 3/54 : Arrangements for diverting calls for one subscriber to another predetermined subscriber based on the calling party profile H04M3/42059; based on location H04M3/42348; based on presence H04M3/42365; to voice mail H04M3/53308
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/56 : Arrangements for connecting several subscribers to a common circuit, i.e. affording conference facilities video conference systems H04N7/15
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 11/0457 : Connection protocols
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/1305 : Software aspects
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13072 : Sequence circuits for call signaling, ACD systems
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13091 : CLI, identification of calling line
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13093 : Personal computer, PC
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13095 : PIN / Access code, authentication
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13097 : Numbering, addressing
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13098 : Mobile subscriber
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13102 : Common translator
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13103 : Memory
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13106 : Microprocessor, CPU
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13141 : Hunting for free outlet, circuit or channel
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/1315 : Call waiting
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13173 : Busy signals
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13174 : Data transmission, file transfer
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13175 : Graphical user interface [GUI], WWW interface, visual indication
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/1318 : Ringing
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13204 : Protocols
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13209 : ISDN
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13213 : Counting, timing circuits
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13216 : Code signals, frame structure
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/1322 : PBX
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13222 : PBX circuits in public exchange, centrex
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13224 : Off-net subscriber, dial in to/out from network, teleworking
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/1324 : Conference call
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/1325 : Priority service
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13256 : Call screening
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/1326 : Consultation call, broker's call, call hold, toggling
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13271 : Forced release
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13274 : Call rejection, call barring
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13282 : Call forward, follow-me, call diversion
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13286 : Direct in-dialling in PBX, DDI
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13299 : Bus
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13305 : Transistors, semiconductors in general
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/1332 : Logic circuits
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13322 : Integrated circuits
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13331 : Abbreviated dialling
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13374 : Paging
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13376 : Information service, downloading of information, 0800/0900 services
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13377 : Recorded announcement
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13385 : Off-net subscriber
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13405 : Dual frequency signaling, DTMF
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13513 : UPT - personal as opposed to terminal mobility, inc. number portability
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13515 : authentication, authorisation - fraud prevention
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13532 : mobile networks
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13533 : multivendor and hybrid, e.g. public/private, networks, inc. international
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13547 : subscriber, e.g. profile, database, database access
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 3/005 : Personal communication services, e.g. provisions for portability of subscriber numbers
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 3/54 : in which the logic circuitry controlling the exchange is centralised
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 3/542 : Logic circuits or arrangements therefor
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 3/54525 : Features introduction
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 3/54566 : Intelligent peripherals, adjunct processors
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 3/54591 : Supervision, e.g. fault localisation, traffic measurements, avoiding errors, failure recovery, monitoring, statistical analysis
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 3/622 : Circuit arrangements therefor
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 3/625 : Arrangements in the private branch exchange
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 3/627 : Details
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 3/72 : Finding out and indicating number of calling subscriber
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/12 : Messaging; Mailboxes; Announcements
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/16 : Communication-related supplementary services, e.g. call-transfer or call-hold
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 68/00 : User notification, e.g. alerting and paging, for incoming communication, change of service or the like
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 68/12 : Inter-network notification
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 76/10 : Connection setup
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 8/16 : selectively restricting mobility data tracking
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 8/18 : Processing of user or subscriber data, e.g. subscribed services, user preferences or user profiles; Transfer of user or subscriber data
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 84/022 : One-way selective calling networks, e.g. wide area paging
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 88/022 : Selective call receivers
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 88/185 : Selective call encoders for paging networks, e.g. paging centre devices
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 92/02 : Inter-networking arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 379/913 : Person locator or person-specific

Abstract

A locator system has a plurality of locator transmitters, each transmitter transmitting a unique locator signal. Paging devices are carried by each user of the locator system and each paging device includes: (i) a receiver responsive to signals broadcast from the locator transmitters, (ii) a unique identification code stored therein, and (iii) a signal transmitter and controller for controlling the signal transmitter, the controller causing the transmitter to transmit location and identification signals based upon the locator signal received by the receiver and the unique identification code. A receiver is responsive to the signals transmitted by the signal transmitters in the paging devices and a control system handles communications from other parties to the users. The control system is coupled with the receiver and responsive to received location and identification signals to determine where to direct communications from other parties intended for a user.

Claims

1. A personal telecommunications system, comprising:

a telephone switching network connected to a plurality of telephones at locations designated by system subscribers;

a personal transceiver assigned to each of the system subscribers, each said personal transceiver including a personal transmitter, a keypad by which associated subscriber can formulate a subscriber instruction signal, and a personal receiver;

at least one fixed transmitter which emits a fixed transmitter signal within a transmission range of the fixed transmitter, the fixed transmitter signal being recognizable by the personal receiver of the personal transceiver, the personal transceiver responding to the fixed transmitter signal with a personal transmitter signal emitted by the personal transmitter, the personal transmitter signal being received by a fixed receiver;

the fixed receiver outputting a subscriber location signal indicating that the subscriber is present within the range of the fixed transmitter to receive an incoming call dialed to a personal telephone number assigned to a specific subscriber and forwarded to the telephone in proximity to the fixed transmitter designated by the subscriber location signal;

the personal transmitter signal being further adapted for containing the subscriber instruction signal specifying an alternate manner of handling the incoming call placed by the caller to the personal telephone number of the subscriber;

a telephone control system receiving the subscriber location signal, the subscriber instruction signal and the incoming call placed by the caller to the personal phone number assigned to the specific subscriber;

said telephone control system selectively forwarding the received incoming call to the subscriber by routing the incoming call through telephone switching network to the telephone in proximity to the fixed transmitter indicated by the received subscriber location signal, or handling the incoming call in the manner specified by the subscriber, in response to the received subscriber instruction signal transmitted by the personal transmitter.

2. The personal telecommunications system as in claim 1 wherein the telephone control system further comprises a memory for storing a designated location of the specific subscriber indicated by the subscriber location signal, and for identifying a telephone number for the telephone proximate the designated location of the subscriber to route the incoming call dialed to the personal telephone number of the subscriber to the telephone proximate the designated location of the specific subscriber indicated by the received subscriber location signal.

3. The personal telecommunications system as in claim 1 wherein the subscriber instruction signal further includes a command by which the telephone control system is adapted to forward a held call.

4. The personal telecommunications system as in claim 1 wherein the subscriber instruction signal includes a command by which the telephone control system places the incoming call on hold.

5. The personal telecommunications system as in claim 1 including a memory and wherein the subscriber instruction signal includes a command for enabling said memory to record a message from the caller.

6. The personal telecommunications system as in claim 1 wherein the subscriber instruction signal includes a command for forwarding the incoming call to one of said telephones identified by the specific subscriber.

7. The personal telecommunications system as in claim 1 wherein:

the telephone control system is further adapted to generate an incoming call alert message which is transmitted to the personal transceiver of the specific subscriber;

the personal receiver receiving the alert message related to the incoming call, the subscriber then being able to input with the keypad the subscriber instruction signal which is transmitted by the personal transmitter in response to receipt of the alert signal.

8. The personal telecommunications system as in claim 1 wherein the telephone control system identifies a number for the telephone in proximity to the fixed transmitter designated by the subscriber location signal and forwards the incoming call through the telephone switching network by dialing the identified number.

9. A method of placing a user and a caller into telephonic communication with each other comprising the steps of:

(a) equipping the user with a communicator device, said communicator device having an information receiver and a transmitter;

(b) communicating with said communicator at least partly without radio frequency electromagnetic waves such that said communicator receives locating information related to a present location of the user as the user moves among a plurality of different places, a plurality of said different places having telephone stations where the user can receive an incoming call, said locating information being based on information identifying particular ones of said telephone stations near said user;

(c) processing a telephone call from the caller intended for the user; and

(d) routing the telephone call from the caller to one of said particular telephone stations near the user'"'"'s present location as indicated by the locating information.

10. The method of claim 9 including the further step of disposing locator devices proximate a plurality of said telephone stations where a user can receive an incoming call, said locator devices communicating said locating information to said communicator.

11. The method of claim 9 including the further step of transmitting information input to the communicator by the user directing how calls to the user should be processed.

12. A communication system comprising:

a plurality of telephones wired to said system;

a plurality of locator devices, each locator device being disposed proximate at least one of said plurality of telephones and transmitting an information signal identifying said at least one telephone;

a communicator device carried by a user, the communicator device including;

an identification code identifying a particular communicator device;

a receiver for receiving said information signal from a proximate locator device, at least some communication between said communicator device and said locator device occurring without radio-frequency electromagnetic waves; and

a transmitter for transmitting a signal related to the information signal received by the communicator device from the proximate locator device;

and information processing facilities for accepting data related to the information signal received by the communicator device and thereby identifying said at least one telephone disposed proximate the locator device.

13. The communication system of claim 12 wherein at least some communication between said communicator device and said proximate locator device is ultrasonic audio communication.

14. The communication system of claim 13 further comprising a transmitter for broadcasting signals intended for said particular communicator device.

15. The communication system of claim 12 wherein said locator device does not receive transmissions from said communicator device.

16. The communication system of claim 12 wherein said communicator device receives broadcast signals directed to said particular communicator.

17. The communication system of claim 12 wherein said communicator device receives said information signal from a proximate locator device irrespective of transmission from said communicator device.

18. The communication system of claim 12 further including a receiving facility to receive information transmitted by said communicator device.

19. The communication system of claim 18 wherein said communicator device transmits information from said user to said receiving facilities.