Wireless backup telephone device
First Claim
1. A wireless backup telephone device for providing emergency backup telephone service to customer premises telephone equipment connected through a landline to a telephone network, the device operable for:
- detecting an interruption of telephone service provided by the landline to the customer premises equipment;
in response to the detection of said interruption, powering a wireless communication device operable for communicating with a wireless network;
switching the customer premises equipment to be functionally connected to the wireless communication device;
transmitting a message instructing a telephone call redirection device to forward telephone calls directed to a directory number assigned to the customer premises telephone equipment to a directory number assigned to the wireless communication device, wherein the telephone call redirection device comprises a database configured for, receiving a message with a directory number query, and assigning a directory number to the wireless communication device based upon the query; and
providing emergency backup telephone service to the customer premises telephone equipment through the wireless communication device.
2 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A wireless telephone backup device for landline telephone equipment that may be located on the customer side of the landline service connection, typically in a restricted access location, such as an attic, basement, or utility closet. An interconnection circuit in the backup device detects service interruptions in the subscriber'"'"'s landline connection and, in response, powers on a wireless communication device to provide backup telephone service to the customer premises equipment. The interconnection circuit also provides the other features standard landline telephone service, including dial tone, ring voltage, and normal dialing for outgoing calls. The backup device also forwards incoming landline calls to the wireless unit in the backup device, and may send a message notifying a maintenance center of the service interruption. Further, the backup device may initiate an indicator in an alarm system at the site of the customer premises equipment to notify the subscriber of the service interruption.
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Citations
29 Claims
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1. A wireless backup telephone device for providing emergency backup telephone service to customer premises telephone equipment connected through a landline to a telephone network, the device operable for:
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detecting an interruption of telephone service provided by the landline to the customer premises equipment;
in response to the detection of said interruption, powering a wireless communication device operable for communicating with a wireless network;
switching the customer premises equipment to be functionally connected to the wireless communication device;
transmitting a message instructing a telephone call redirection device to forward telephone calls directed to a directory number assigned to the customer premises telephone equipment to a directory number assigned to the wireless communication device, wherein the telephone call redirection device comprises a database configured for, receiving a message with a directory number query, and assigning a directory number to the wireless communication device based upon the query; and
providing emergency backup telephone service to the customer premises telephone equipment through the wireless communication device. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
automatically detecting resumption of telephone service provided by the landline to the customer premises equipment while the customer premises equipment is functionally connected to the wireless communication device;
switching the customer premises equipment to be disconnected from the wireless communication device; and
powering down the wireless communication device.
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4. The wireless backup telephone device of claim 3, further operable for:
automatically transmitting a message instructing the telephone call redirection device to unforward telephone calls to the directory number assigned to the wireless communication device to the directory number assigned to the customer premises telephone equipment.
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5. The wireless backup telephone device of claim 3, further operable for detecting resumption of telephone service provided by the landline to the customer premises telephone equipment by:
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detecting a dial tone on the landline;
detecting a busy tone on the landline;
ordetecting a ring signal on the landline.
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6. The wireless backup telephone device of claim 1, further operable for:
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requesting a temporary line directory number for use while providing the emergency backup telephone service to the customer premises telephone equipment;
receiving the temporary line directory number; and
transmitting the temporary line directory number to the telephone call redirection device.
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7. The wireless backup telephone device of claim 1, further operable for:
in response to powering on the wireless communication device, activating a telephone backup indication device in an alarm system located in the customer premises.
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8. The wireless backup telephone device of claim 1, further operable for:
in response to powering down the wireless communication device, deactivating a telephone backup indication device in an alarm system located in the customer premises.
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9. The wireless backup telephone device of claim 1, further operable for:
in response to powering on the wireless communication device, informing a maintenance center of the interruption of the landline telephone service.
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10. The wireless backup telephone device of claim 1, further operable for:
charging a battery within the wireless communication device.
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11. The wireless backup telephone device of claim 1, wherein the wireless communication device is removable from a socket attached to the wireless backup telephone device.
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12. The wireless backup telephone device of claim 1, further operable for detecting the interruption of telephone service provided by the landline to the customer premises telephone equipment by detecting a loss of voltage in the landline.
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13. The wireless backup telephone device of claim 1, further operable for detecting the interruption of telephone service provided by the landline to the customer premises telephone equipment by detecting a loss of dial tone on the landline.
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14. The wireless backup telephone device of claim 1, further operable for detecting the interruption of telephone service provided by the landline to the customer premises telephone equipment by detecting a loss of ring voltage in the landline.
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15. The wireless backup telephone device of claim 1, further operable for detecting the interruption of telephone service provided by the landline to the customer premises telephone equipment by detecting a loss of current in the landline.
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16. The wireless backup telephone device of claim 1, further operable for detecting the interruption of telephone service provided by the landline to the customer premises telephone equipment by monitoring a telephone call taking place on the landline and detecting a lack of progress in the telephone call.
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17. The method of claim 1, wherein the database is a common channel signaling database.
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18. The method of claim 1, wherein the database is an ancillary database configured to communicate with a network.
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19. The method of claim 1, wherein the database is a local number portability platform database in communication with at least one local number portability platform.
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20. The method of claim 1, wherein the database is a modified local number portability platform database configured with advanced intelligent network programming.
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21. A premises alarm system comprising a wireless backup telephone device for providing emergency backup telephone service to customer premises telephone equipment connected through a landline to a telephone network, the alarm system operable for:
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detecting an interruption of telephone service provided by the landline to the customer premises telephone equipment;
in response to the detection of said interruption, powering a wireless communication device operable for communicating with a wireless network;
switching the customer premises telephone equipment to be functionally connected to the wireless communication device;
transmitting a message instructing a telephone call redirection device to forward telephone calls directed to a directory number assigned to the customer premises telephone equipment to a directory number assigned to the wireless communication device, wherein the telephone call redirection device comprises a database configured for, receiving a message with a directory number query, and assigning a directory number to the wireless communication device based upon the query;
providing emergency backup telephone service to the customer premises telephone equipment through the wireless communication device; and
notifying the customer of the landline interruption by activating a telephone backup indication device in the premises alarm system located in the customer premises. - View Dependent Claims (22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29)
automatically detecting resumption of telephone service provided by the landline to the customer premises equipment;
switching the customer premises equipment to be disconnected to the wireless communication device;
powering down the wireless communication device; and
notifying the customer of the resumption in landline telephone service by deactivating the telephone backup indication device in the alarm system located in the customer premises.
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24. The premises alarm system of claim 23, further operable for:
automatically transmitting a message instructing a telephone call redirection device to unforward telephone calls to the directory number assigned to the wireless communication device to the directory number assigned to the customer premises telephone equipment.
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25. The premises alarm system of claim 21, further operable for:
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requesting a temporary line directory number for use while providing the emergency backup telephone service to the customer premises telephone equipment;
receiving the temporary line directory number; and
transmitting the temporary line directory number to the telephone call redirection device.
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26. The system of claim 21, wherein the database is a common channel signaling database.
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27. The system of claim 21, wherein the database is an ancillary database configured to communicate with a network.
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28. The system of claim 21, wherein the database is a local number portability platform database in communication with at least one local number portability platform.
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29. The system of claim 21, wherein the database is a modified local number portability platform database configured with advanced intelligent network programming.
Specification