Method and apparatus for returning a false special information tone for an incoming telephone call

• US 6,671,369 B2
• Filed: 11/20/2001
• Issued: 12/30/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 11/20/2001
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Royal Appliance Manufacturing Company (Techtronic Industries Company Limited)
• Original Assignee: Royal Appliance Manufacturing Company (Techtronic Industries Company Limited)
• Inventors: Reindle, Mark E.
• Primary Examiner(s): Harvey, Minsun Oh
• Assistant Examiner(s): HAROLD, JEFFEREY F
• Application Number:
  US09/989,644
• Publication Number:
  US 20030095653A1
• Time in Patent Office: 770 Days
• Field of Search: 379/361, 379/353
• US Class Current: 379/361
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/50 by generating or selecting currents of predetermined frequencies or combinations of frequencies
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/57 Arrangements for indicating or recording the number of the calling subscriber at the called subscriber's set at the operator set in a manual exchange H04M5/20
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/663 Preventing unauthorised calls to a telephone set
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 15/06 Recording class or number of calling , i.e. A-party or called party , i.e. B-party
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/5158 in combination with automated outdialling systems devices for signalling identity of wanted subscriber H04M1/26

Abstract

A method and apparatus (10) for returning a false signal substantially similar to at least a first portion of a special information tone (SIT) after a device receiving an incoming telephone call puts the telephone line (11) in an off-hook condition is provided. The apparatus includes: a power distribution member (30); a mode selection member (28), a programmable oscillator (18); an off-hook detector (14); and, a controller (12). The method includes the steps: selecting a mode of operation from a group of multiple operating modes; detecting an off-hook condition in the telephone line; generating a false signal according to the selected SIT and the selected mode of operation; and, sending the false signal over the telephone line in response to the incoming telephone call once the off-hook condition is detected.

Claims

1. An apparatus in communication with a telephone line, comprising:

a power distribution member;

a programmable oscillator for selectably generating a one-part false signal substantially similar to a first part of a special information tone (SIT) from a group of multiple SITs;

an off-hook detector operationally coupled to the telephone line;

a controller in communication with said power distribution member, said programmable oscillator, and said off-hook detector, wherein the controller controls said programmable oscillator and determines when the false signal is operationally coupled to the telephone line in response to an incoming call; and

,

a mode selection member for selecting the special information tone (SIT) to be generated by said programmable oscillator from the group of multiple SITs.

2. An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein:

the programmable oscillator selectably generates a two-part false signal substantially similar to a first part and a second part of a special information tone (SIT) from a group of multiple SITs; and

,

the mode selection member selects whether the programmable oscillator generates a one-part false signal or a two-part false signal.

3. An apparatus according to claim 2, wherein:

the programmable oscillator selectably generates a three-part false signal substantially similar to a first part, a second part, and a third part of a special information tone (SIT) from a group of multiple SITs; and

,

the mode selection member selects whether the programmable oscillator generates a one-part false signal, a two-part false signal, or a three-part false signal.

4. An apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the programmable oscillator selectably generates a false signal substantially similar to a special information tone (SIT) from a group of SITs consisting of SIT1, SIT2, SIT3, SIT4, SIT5, SIT6, and SIT7.

5. An apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the programmable oscillator selectably generates a false signal substantially similar to a special information tone 2 (SIT2) and the first part of the false signal is a 913.8 Hz sine wave for 274 milliseconds, the second part of the false signal is a 1370.6 Hz sine wave for 274 milliseconds, and the third part of the false signal is a 1776.7 Hz sine wave for 380 milliseconds.

6. An apparatus in communication with a telephone line, comprising:

a programmable oscillator that selectably generates a one-part false signal substantially similar to a first part of a special information tone (SIT) from a group of multiple SITs;

a mode selection member for selecting the SIT to be generated by said programmable oscillator;

an off-hook detector operationally coupled to the telephone line;

a controller in communication with said programmable oscillator, said mode selection member, and said off-hook detector, wherein the controller determines the condition of the mode selection member, controls said programmable oscillator in response to the condition of the mode selection member, and operationally couples the false signal to the telephone line in response to incoming calls; and

,

a power distribution member adapted for receiving power from a battery and distributing power to constituent components of the apparatus.

7. An apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the power distribution member is adapted to receive power from the telephone line for supplementing the power received from the battery.

8. A method for sending a false signal on a telephone line substantially similar to at least a first part of a special information tone (SIT) in response to an answered incoming telephone call, comprising the steps of;

a) selecting a mode of operation from a group of multiple operating modes;

b) selecting a SIT from a group of multiple SITs;

c) detecting an off-hook condition in the telephone line;

d) generating a false signal according to the selected SIT and the selected mode of operation; and

,

e) sending the false signal over the telephone line in response to the incoming telephone call once the off-hook condition is detected.

9. The method according to claim 8, step b) further including:

f) selecting a special information tone (SIT) from a group of SITs consisting of SIT1, SIT2, SIT3, SIT4, SIT5, SIT6, and SIT7.

10. An apparatus in communication with a telephone line, comprising:

a power distribution member receiving electrical power from a source other than standard a.c. utility electrical power;

a programmable oscillator for selectably generating a false signal substantially similar to at least a first part of a special information tone (SIT);

a controller operationally coupled to the telephone line and in communication with the power distribution member and the programmable oscillator, wherein the controller controls the programmable oscillator and determines when the false signal is operationally coupled to the telephone line in response to an incoming call; and

,

a mode selection member for selecting a mode of operation for the apparatus from a group of modes consisting of a one-part false signal generation mode, a two-part false signal generation mode, and a three-part false signal generation mode.

11. The apparatus according to claim 10, wherein:

the mode selection member selects the one-part false signal generation mode; and

,

the programmable oscillator selectably generates a false signal substantially similar to a first part of a special information tone (SIT).

12. The apparatus according to claim 10, wherein:

the mode selection member selects the two-part false signal generation mode; and

,

the programmable oscillator selectably generates a false signal substantially similar to a first part and a second part of a special information tone (SIT).

13. The apparatus according to claim 10, wherein:

the mode selection member selects the three-part false signal generation mode; and

,

the programmable oscillator selectably generates a false signal substantially similar to a first part, a second part, and a third part of a special information tone (SIT).

14. An apparatus in communication with a telephone line, comprising:

a power distribution member receiving electrical power from a source other than standard a.c. utility electrical power;

a programmable oscillator for selectably generating a false signal substantially similar to at least a first part of a special information tone (SIT), wherein the programmable oscillator selectably generates a false signal selected from a group of multiple false signals, each false signal associated with a special information tone (SIT) selected from a group of multiple SITs;

a controller operationally coupled to the telephone line and in communication with the power distribution member and the programmable oscillator, wherein the controller controls the programmable oscillator and determines when the false signal is operationally coupled to the telephone line in response to an incoming call; and

,

a special information tone (SIT) selection member for selecting the SIT from the group of multiple SITs and the associated false signal from the group of multiple false signals to be generated by the programmable oscillator.

15. The apparatus according to claim 14, wherein the group of multiple special information tones (SITs) includes at least two SITs selected from a group of SITs consisting of SIT1, SIT2, SIT3, SIT4, SIT5, SIT6, and SIT7.

16. A method for sending a false signal on a telephone line substantially similar to a special information tone (SIT) in response to an incoming telephone call, comprising the following steps:

a) receiving electrical power from a source other than standard a.c. utility power;

b) receiving the incoming telephone call;

c) selecting a mode of operation from a group of modes comprising a one-part false signal generation mode, a two-part false signal generation mode, and a three-part false signal generation mode;

d) selectably generating a false signal that is substantially similar to at least a first part of a special information tone (SIT);

e) determining a time when the false signal is operationally coupled to the telephone line; and

,

f) sending the false signal over the telephone line in response to the incoming telephone call once the off-hook condition is detected.

17. The method according to claim 16, wherein the mode selected in step c) is the one-part false signal generation mode, wherein the false signal generated in step d) is substantially similar to a first part of the special information tone (SIT).

18. The method according to claim 16, wherein the mode selected in step c) is the two-part false signal generation mode, wherein the false signal generated in step d) is substantially similar to a first part and a second part of the special information tone (SIT).

19. The method according to claim 16, wherein the mode selected in step c) is the three-part false signal generation mode, wherein the false signal generated in step d) is substantially similar to a first part, a second part, and a third part of the special information tone (SIT).

20. A method for sending a false signal on a telephone line substantially similar to a special information tone (SIT) in response to an incoming telephone call, comprising the following steps:

a) receiving electrical power from a source other than standard a.c. utility power;

b) receiving the incoming telephone call;

c) selectably generating a false signal that is substantially similar to at least a first part of a special information tone (SIT);

d) selecting a false signal from a group of multiple false signals, each false signal associated with a special information tone (SIT) selected from a group of multiple SITs;

e) determining a time when the false signal is operationally coupled to the telephone line; and

,

f) sending the false signal over the telephone line in response to the incoming telephone call once the off-hook condition is detected.

21. The method according to claim 20, wherein the group of multiple special information tones (SITs) in step d) includes at least two SITs selected from a group of SITs consisting of SIT1, SIT2, SIT3, SIT4, SIT5, SIT6, and SIT7.