Telephone line management system

• US 6,707,895 B2
• Filed: 03/01/2002
• Issued: 03/16/2004
• 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., Katz, Jonathan
• Primary Examiner(s): TIEU, BINH KIEN
• Application Number:
  US10/087,645
• Publication Number:
  US 20030095649A1
• Time in Patent Office: 746 Days
• Field of Search: 379/142.01, 379/142.02, 379/142.04, 379/142.06, 379/142.13, 379/142.17, 379/167.02, 379/177, 379/179, 379/182, 379/188, 379/199, 379/210.02, 379/418
• US Class Current: 379/142.13
• 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
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 7/006 Networks other than PSTN/ISDN providing telephone service, e.g. Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) , including next generation networks with a packet-switched transport layer H04L65/00 takes precedence; aspects not specific to the type of network H04M3/00; special services in those networks H04M3/42

Abstract

A telephone line management system in communication with a telephone line is provided. In one aspect, the system includes a caller ID module operatively coupled to the telephone line for receiving and displaying a name and a telephone number of a calling party associated with a received telephone call and a false special information tone (SIT) generator module operatively coupled to the telephone line for sending a false signal on a telephone line substantially similar to at least a first part of a SIT in response to an incoming telephone call. In another aspect, the system includes a caller ID module, a false SIT generator module, and a controller for determining when the name and telephone number of a calling party is displayed and when the false signal is operationally coupled to the telephone line. In other embodiments, the system may include an answering machine module or a telephone module.

Claims

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

a caller identification (caller ID) module operatively coupled to the telephone line for receiving and displaying a name and a telephone number of a calling party associated with a telephone call on the telephone line; and

,

a false special information tone (SIT) generator module operatively coupled to the telephone line for automatically sending a false signal on a telephone line substantially similar to at least a first part of a SIT in response to an incoming telephone call when the telephone line is placed in an off-hook condition by another device distinct from the SIT generator module and the caller ID module, said device placing the telephone line in the off-hook condition,

wherein the false SIT generator module is electrically connected to the call ID module in the apparatus.

2. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the caller identification (caller ID) module provides a caller ID service selected from a group of services consisting of a Type I caller ID service, a Type II caller ID service, and a Type III caller ID service.

3. The apparatus according to claim 1, the false special information tone (SIT) generator module, comprising:

a programmable oscillator for selectably generating the false signal; and

,

a controller operationally coupled to the telephone line and in communication with the programmable oscillator, wherein the controller controls the programmable oscillator and determines when the false signal is operationally coupled to the telephone line.

4. The apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the programmable oscillator selectably generates a false signal substantially similar to a special information tone 2 (SIT2).

5. The apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the programmable oscillator selectably generates a false signal substantially similar to at least a first part and a second part of a special information tone (SIT).

6. The apparatus according to claim 3, wherein 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).

7. The apparatus according to claim 3, further including a mode selection member for selecting a mode of operation for the apparatus 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.

8. The apparatus according to claim 7, 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).

9. The apparatus according to claim 7, 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).

10. The apparatus according to claim 7, 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).

11. The apparatus according to claim 3, 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.

12. The apparatus according to claim 11, further including:

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.

13. The apparatus according to claim 12, wherein the group of multiple special information tones (SITs) includes at least two SITs selected from a group of SITs comprising SIT1, SIT2, SIT3, SIT4, SIT5, SIT6, and SIT7.

14. The apparatus according to claim 3, further including:

a buffer/interface member selectably in communication with the telephone line for receiving the false signal created by the programmable oscillator and routing the false signal to the telephone line in response to a control signal from the controller.

15. A communications device in communication with a telephone line, comprising:

a caller identification (caller ID) module operatively connected to the telephone line for receiving and displaying a name and a telephone number of a calling party associated with a telephone call on the telephone line;

a false special information tone (SIT) generator module operatively connected to the telephone line for automatically sending a false signal on a telephone line substantially similar to at least a first part of a SIT in response to an incoming telephone call when the telephone line is placed in an off-hook condition by another device distinct from the SIT generator module and the caller ID module, said device placing the telephone line in the off-hook condition; and

,

a controller in communication with the caller ID module and the false SIT generator module, wherein the controller controls the caller ID module and determines when the name and telephone number of a calling party is displayed, wherein the controller also controls the false SIT generator module and determines when the false signal is operationally coupled to the telephone line.

16. The communications device according to claim 15, the caller identification (caller ID) module comprising:

a caller ID circuit operatively coupled to the telephone line and in communication with the controller for receiving the name and the telephone number of the calling party over the telephone line; and

a caller ID storage area in communication with the controller for storing the name and telephone number of the calling party for the call.

17. The communications device according to claim 16, the caller identification (caller ID) module further comprising:

a first display in communication with the controller for displaying a stored name and telephone number for the call; and

,

a new caller ID flag storage area in communication with the controller for storing a new caller ID flag indicating whether or not a name and telephone number is stored in the caller ID storage area that has not been reviewed by a user;

a second display in communication with the controller for displaying a caller ID message indicator when the new caller ID flag is set indicating that a stored name and telephone number has not been reviewed by the user on the first display; and

,

a control in communication with the controller for acknowledging that a displayed name and telephone number has been reviewed by the user.

18. The communications device according to claim 17, wherein the caller identification (caller ID) storage area stores a name and a telephone number for a predetermined number of calls;

and,

wherein activating the control acknowledges that the displayed name and telephone number has been reviewed by the user and the controller displays a next stored name and telephone number on the first display.

19. A telephone line management system in communication with a telephone line, comprising:

a caller identification (caller ID) module operatively coupled to the telephone line for receiving and displaying a name and a telephone number of a calling party associated with a telephone call received over the telephone line; and

,

a false special information tone (SIT) generator module operatively connected to the telephone line for automatically sending a false signal on a telephone line substantially similar to at least a first part of a SIT in response to an incoming telephone call when the telephone line is placed in an off-hook condition by another device distinct from the SIT generator module and the caller ID module, said device placing the telephone line in the off-hook condition,

wherein the false SIT generator module is electrically connected to the call ID module in the apparatus.

20. The telephone line management system according to claim 19, further comprising:

an answering machine module operatively connected to the telephone line for sending an outgoing audio message on the telephone line and for recording an incoming audio message from the calling party, wherein the answering machine places the telephone line in the off-hook condition.

21. The telephone line management system according to claim 19, further comprising:

a telephone module operatively connected to the telephone line for answering an incoming telephone call on the telephone line and for communicating with the calling party, wherein the telephone module places the telephone line in the off-hook condition.

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

a caller identification (caller ID) module operatively coupled to the telephone line for receiving and displaying a name and a telephone number of a calling party associated with a telephone call on the telephone line; and

,

a false special information tone (SIT) generator module operatively coupled to the telephone line for automatically sending a false signal on a telephone line substantially similar to at least a first part of a SIT in response to an incoming telephone call when the telephone line is placed in an off-hook condition by another device distinct from the SIT generator module and the caller ID module without terminating the incoming telephone call, said device placing the telephone line in the off-hook condition,

wherein the false SIT generator module is electrically connected to the call ID module in the apparatus.

23. The apparatus according to claim 22, wherein the false SIT generator selectably generates the false signal and the false signal is substantially similar to at least a first part and a second part of a special information tone (SIT).

24. The apparatus according to claim 22, wherein the false SIT generator selectably generates the false signal and the false signal is substantially similar to a first part, a second part, and a third part of a special information tone (SIT).

25. The apparatus according to claim 22, further including a mode selection member for selecting a mode of operation for the apparatus 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.

26. The apparatus according to claim 25, wherein:

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

,

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

27. The apparatus according to claim 25, wherein:

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

,

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

28. The apparatus according to claim 25, wherein:

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

,

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

29. The apparatus according to claim 23, wherein the false SIT generator selectably generates the false signal and the false signal is 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.

30. The apparatus according to claim 29, further including:

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 false SIT generator.

31. The apparatus according to claim 30, wherein the group of multiple special information tones (SITs) includes at least two SITs selected from a group of SITs comprising SIT1, SIT2, SIT3, SIT4, SIT5, SIT6, and SIT7.

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

a caller identification (caller ID) module operatively coupled to the telephone line for receiving and displaying a name and a telephone number of a calling party associated with a telephone call on the telephone line;

a false special information tone (SIT) generator module operatively coupled to the telephone line for sending a false signal on a telephone line substantially similar to at least a first part of a SIT in response to an incoming telephone call; and

,

a mode selection member for selecting a mode of operation for the apparatus 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.

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

a caller identification (caller ID) module operatively coupled to the telephone line for receiving and displaying a name and a telephone number of a calling party associated with a telephone call on the telephone line;

a false special information tone (SIT) generator module operatively coupled to the telephone line for sending a false signal on a telephone line substantially similar to at least a first part of a SIT in response to an incoming telephone call;

wherein the false SIT generator generates the false signal and the false signal is selected from a group of multiple false signals, each false signal associated with a SIT selected from a group of multiple SITs; and

,

a 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 false SIT generator.