Method and apparatus for selectively sending a false system information tone on a telephone line

• US 6,775,364 B2
• Filed: 03/27/2002
• Issued: 08/10/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 03/27/2002
• 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: Knox, Bruce R.
• Primary Examiner(s): TRAN, QUOC DUC
• Application Number:
  US10/108,587
• Publication Number:
  US 20030185364A1
• Time in Patent Office: 867 Days
• Field of Search: 379/142.01, 379/142.04, 379/142.06, 379/142.07, 379/142.12, 379/142.13, 379/142.17, 379/93.02, 379/93.05, 379/93.17, 379/70, 379/77, 379/81, 379/88.21, 379/188, 379/199, 379/200, 379/322, 379/324, 379/325, 379/361, 379/362, 379/373.01, 379/376.01, 379/377, 379/387.01, 379/399.01, 379/399.02, 379/433.04, 379/185
• US Class Current: 379/142.01
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/573 Line monitoring circuits for detecting caller identification
• 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 2215/32 Involving wireless systems

Abstract

A method and apparatus for selectively sending a false system information tone (SIT) in response to an incoming telephone call is provided. One embodiment of the apparatus includes a telephone line interface, caller identification (caller ID) module, programmable oscillator, display device, and controller. In another embodiment, the apparatus includes a data storage module, telephone line interface, caller ID module, programmable oscillator, display device, controller, and one or more control devices. The method includes the steps of: a) detecting a ring on the telephone line, b) receiving information about a calling party associated with the incoming telephone call, c) determining if a false SIT is to be sent based on the calling party information, and, d) if the false SIT is to be sent, i) determining when the false SIT is to be sent; ii) generating the false SIT; and, iii) sending the false SIT at the determined time.

Claims

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

a base unit, the base unit further comprising;

a telephone line interface module operatively coupled to the telephone line;

a caller identification (caller ID) module in communication with the telephone line interface module and receiving information over the telephone line about a calling party associated with an incoming telephone call;

a programmable oscillator module in communication with the telephone line interface module for selectively generating a false special information tone (SIT) substantially similar to at least a first part of a SIT;

a first display device; and

,

a first controller in communication with the telephone line interface module, the caller ID module, the programmable oscillator module, and the first display device;

i) for determining whether the false SIT is to be generated based at least in part on information received about the calling party and ii) if the false SIT is to be generated, a) for determining when the false SIT is to be generated, b) for controlling the programmable oscillator to selectively generate the false SIT, and c) for controlling the telephone line interface module to automatically send the false SIT over the telephone line at the determined time in response to the incoming telephone call after the telephone line is placed in an off-hook condition.

2. The apparatus according to claim 1, the base unit further comprising:

a power distribution module for distributing electrical power to the caller ID module, the programmable oscillator module, the first display device, and the first controller, wherein the power distribution module is adapted to receive power from a battery.

3. The apparatus according to claim 1, the base unit further comprising:

one or more control devices in communication with the first controller.

4. The apparatus according to claim 1, the base unit further comprising:

a transmitter in communication with the first controller; and

,

the apparatus further comprising;

one or more wireless display remote units operatively coupled to the transmitter.

5. The apparatus according to claim 4, each display remote unit further comprising:

a receiver operatively coupled to the base unit when the remote unit is within communicative range of the base unit;

a second display device; and

,

a second controller in communication with the receiver and the second display device.

6. The apparatus according to claim 5, each remote unit further comprising:

one or more control devices in communication with the second controller.

7. The apparatus according to claim 1, the apparatus further comprising:

one or more wireless monitoring remote units operatively coupled to the base unit; and

,

the base unit further comprising;

a receiver in communication with the first controller and operatively coupled to the one or more monitoring remote units when the remote unit is within communicative range of the base unit.

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

a base unit, the base unit further comprising;

a data storage module for storing information about one or more potential calling parties associated with potential incoming telephone calls on the telephone line;

a telephone line interface module operatively coupled to the telephone line;

a caller identification (caller ID) module in communication with the telephone line interface module and receiving information over the telephone line about a first calling party associated with a first incoming telephone call;

a first programmable oscillator module in communication with the telephone line interface module for selectively generating a false special information tone (SIT) substantially similar to at least a first part of a SIT;

a first display device;

a first controller in communication with the telephone line interface module, the caller ID module, the programmable oscillator module, and the first display device;

i) for determining whether the false SIT is to be generated based at least in part on information received about the calling party and ii) if the false SIT is to be generated, a) for determining when the false SIT is to be generated, b) for controlling the programmable oscillator to selectively generate the false SIT, and c) for controlling the telephone line interface module to automatically send the false SIT over the telephone line at the determined time in response to the first incoming telephone call after the telephone line is placed in an off-hook condition; and

,

one or more control devices in communication with the first controller.

9. The apparatus according to claim 8, the first display device further comprising:

a multiple character display in communication with the first controller.

10. The apparatus according to claim 8, the base unit further comprising:

a speaker module;

an audio switch electrically positioned between the telephone line interface module and the first programmable oscillator and in communication with the speaker module and the first controller for selectively switching the audio signal from the first programmable oscillator to the telephone line interface module or to the speaker module;

the audio signal generated by the first programmable oscillator further comprising;

a telephone ringing tone, wherein when the first programmable oscillator is switched to the telephone line interface module the audio signal comprises the false SIT and when the first programmable oscillator is switched to the speaker module the audio signal comprises the telephone ringing tone; and

,

wherein the first controller is also;

i) for determining if the telephone ringing tone is to be generated, ii) if the telephone ringing tone is to be generated, a) for controlling the programmable oscillator to generate the telephone ringing tone and b) for controlling the audio switch to communicate the telephone ringing tone to the speaker module, and iii) for controlling the audio switch to route the false SIT to the telephone line via the telephone line interface at the determined time when the false SIT should be sent on the telephone line.

11. The apparatus according to claim 8, the base unit further comprising:

a transmitter in communication with the first controller; and

,

the apparatus further comprising;

one or more wireless display remote units operatively coupled to the transmitter when the remote unit is within communicative range of the base unit.

12. The apparatus according to claim 11, each remote unit further comprising:

a receiver operatively coupled to the base unit when the remote unit is within communicative range of the base unit;

a speaker module;

a second programmable oscillator in communication with the speaker module;

a second controller in communication with the receiver and the second programmable oscillator;

i) for determining if a telephone ringing tone is to be generated and ii) if the telephone ringing tone is to be generated, for controlling the second programmable oscillator to generate the telephone ringing tone.

13. A method for selectively sending a false special information tone (SIT) on a telephone line in response to an incoming telephone call, comprising the steps of:

a) detecting a ring on the telephone line for an incoming telephone call;

b) receiving information over the telephone line about a calling party associated with the incoming telephone call;

c) determining if a false SIT is to be sent over the telephone line based at least in part on the information received about the calling party; and

,

d) if it is determined that the false SIT is to be sent;

i) determining when the false SIT is to be sent over the telephone line;

ii) generating the false SIT; and

,

iii) automatically sending the false SIT over the telephone line at the determined time in response to the incoming telephone call after the telephone line is placed in an off-hook condition.

14. The method according to claim 13, wherein step c) further comprises the steps of:

e) determining if information about the calling party is not available;

f) if information about the calling party is not available, determining that a false SIT is to be sent in response to the incoming telephone call;

g) if information about the calling party is available, determining if the information about the calling party associated with the incoming telephone call matches information about any potential calling party within a group of potential calling parties which have been blocked from calling; and

,

h) if the calling party is blocked, determining that a false SIT is to be sent in response to the incoming telephone call, otherwise, determining that a false SIT is not to be sent.

15. The method according to claim 13, further comprising the following steps during step d) before sub-step d) iii):

e) illuminating a blocked/not available indicator cue; and

,

f) extinguishing the blocked/not available indicator cue after the telephone line is placed in an off-hook condition.

16. The method according to claim 13, further comprising the following steps if it is determined that the false SIT is not to be sent during step c):

e) illuminating a default indicator cue; and

,

f) extinguishing the default indicator cue after the telephone line is placed in an off-hook condition.

17. The method according to claim 13, further comprising the following steps during step d) before sub-step d) iii):

e) annunciating a distinctive blocked/not available audible ring cue during times when a telephone ring is detected on the telephone line for the incoming telephone call; and

,

f) discontinuing annunciation of the distinctive blocked/not available ring cue after the telephone line is placed in an off-hook condition.

18. The method according to claim 13, further comprising the following steps if it is determined that the false SIT is not to be sent during step c):

e) annunciating a default audible ring cue during times when a telephone ring is detected on the telephone line for the incoming telephone call; and

,

f) discontinuing annunciation of the default ring cue after the telephone line is placed in an off-hook condition.

19. The method according to claim 13, further comprising the following steps if it is determined that the false SIT is not to be sent during step c):

e) determining if the information about the calling party associated with the incoming telephone call matches information about a potential calling party in a first group of potential calling parties which have been associated with a first distinctive ring cue;

f) if the information matches information about a potential calling party in the first group, annunciating a first distinctive audible ring cue during times when a telephone ring is detected on the telephone line for the incoming telephone call;

g) if the information does not match information about a potential calling party in any group, annunciating a default audible ring cue during times when a telephone ring is detected on the telephone line for the incoming telephone call; and

,

h) discontinuing annunciation of any ring cue after the telephone line is placed in an off-hook condition.

20. The method according to claim 19, further comprising the following steps after step e) if it is determined that the information about the calling party associated with the incoming telephone call does not match information about a potential calling party in the first group of potential calling parties:

i) determining if the information about the calling party associated with the incoming telephone call matches information about a potential calling party in a second group of potential calling parties which have been associated with a second distinctive ring; and

,

j) if the information matches information about a potential calling party in the second group, annunciating a second distinctive audible ring cue during times when a telephone ring is detected on the telephone line for the incoming telephone call.

21. The method according to claim 13, further comprising the following steps if it is determined that the false SIT is not to be sent during step c):

e) determining if the information about the calling party associated with the incoming telephone call matches information about a potential calling party in a first group of potential calling parties which have been associated with a first distinctive indicator cue;

f) if the information matches information about a potential calling party in the first group, illuminating a first distinctive indicator cue;

g) if the information does not match information about a potential calling party in any group, illuminating a default indicator cue; and

,

h) extinguishing any distinctive or default indicator cue associated with the incoming telephone call after the telephone line is placed in an off-hook condition.

22. The method according to claim 21, further comprising the following steps after step e) if it is determined that the information about the calling party associated with the incoming telephone call does not match information about a potential calling party in the first group of potential calling parties:

i) determining if the information about the calling party associated with the incoming telephone call matches information about a potential calling party in a second group of potential calling parties which have been associated with a second distinctive indicator cue; and

,

j) if the information matches information about a potential calling party in the second group, illuminating a second distinctive indicator cue.

23. The method according to claim 13, wherein the first set of previously determined rules in step c) comprises the steps of:

e) determining if information about the calling party is not available;

f) if information about the calling party is not available, playing an outgoing message instructing the calling party to enter certain information using the telephone keypad, otherwise proceeding to step h);

g) receiving information entered by the calling party over the telephone line associated with the calling party for the incoming telephone call;

h) determining if the information about the calling party associated with the incoming telephone call matches information about any potential calling party within a group of potential calling parties which have been blocked from calling; and

,

i) if the calling party is blocked, determining that a false SIT is to be sent in response to the incoming telephone call, otherwise, determining that a false SIT is not to be sent.

24. The method according to claim 13, further comprising the following steps:

e) receiving a wireless communication from a wireless remote unit monitoring a remote condition, wherein the wireless communication indicates a status of the remote condition;

f) determining if a remote condition indicator cue should be illuminated based on the status of the remote condition;

g) if the remote condition indicator cue should be illuminated, illuminating the remote condition indicator, otherwise extinguishing the remote condition indicator cue; and

,

h) repeating steps e) through g).

25. The method according to claim 13, wherein step c) further comprises the steps of:

e) determining if information about the calling party is not available; and

f) if information about the calling party is not available, determining that a false SIT is to be sent in response to the incoming telephone call.

26. The method according to claim 13, wherein step c) further comprises the steps of:

e) determining if the information about the calling party associated with the incoming telephone call matches information about any potential calling party within a group of potential calling parties which have been blocked from calling; and

,

f) if the calling party is blocked, determining that a false SIT is to be sent in response to the incoming telephone call, otherwise, determining that a false SIT is not to be sent.

27. The method according to claim 13, further comprising the following steps:

e) receiving a wireless communication from a wireless remote unit monitoring a remote condition, wherein the wireless communication indicates a status of the remote condition;

f) determining if a remote condition indicator cue should be illuminated based on the status of the remote condition; and

g) if the remote condition indicator cue should be illuminated, illuminating the remote condition indicator, otherwise extinguishing the remote condition indicator cue.

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

a base unit, the base unit further comprising;

a telephone line interface module operatively coupled to the telephone line;

a caller identification (caller ID) module in communication with the telephone line interface module and receiving information over the telephone line about a calling party associated with an incoming telephone call;

a programmable oscillator module in communication with the telephone line interface module for selectively generating a false special information tone (SIT) substantially similar to at least a first part of a SIT; and

a first controller in communication with the telephone line interface module, the caller ID module, and the programmable oscillator module;

i) for determining whether the false SIT is to be generated based at least in part on information received about the calling party and ii) if the false SIT is to be generated, a) for determining when the false SIT is to be generated, b) for controlling the programmable oscillator to selectively generate the false SIT, and c) for controlling the telephone line interface module to automatically send the false SIT over the telephone line at the determined time in response to the incoming telephone call after the telephone line is placed in an off-hook condition.

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

a base unit, the base unit further comprising;

a data storage module for storing information about one or more potential calling parties associated with potential incoming telephone calls on the telephone line;

a telephone line interface module operatively coupled to the telephone line;

a caller identification (caller ID) module in communication with the telephone line interface module and receiving information over the telephone line about a first calling party associated with a first incoming telephone call;

a first programmable oscillator module in communication with the telephone line interface module for selectively generating a false special information tone (SIT) substantially similar to at least a first part of a SIT; and

a first controller in communication with the telephone line interface module, the caller ID module, and the programmable oscillator module;

i) for determining whether the false SIT is to be generated based at least in part on information received about the calling party and ii) if the false SIT is to be generated, a) for determining when the false SIT is to be generated, b) for controlling the programmable oscillator to selectively generate the false SIT, and c) for controlling the telephone line interface module to automatically send the false SIT over the telephone line at the determined time in response to the first incoming telephone call after the telephone line is placed in an off-hook condition.

30. A method for selectively sending a false special information tone (SIT) on a telephone line in response to an incoming telephone call, comprising the steps of:

a) receiving information over the telephone line about a calling party associated with an incoming telephone call;

b) determining if a false SIT is to be sent over the telephone line based at least in part on the information received about the calling party; and

,

c) if it is determined that the false SIT is to be sent;

i) determining when the false SIT is to be sent over the telephone line;

ii) generating the false SIT; and

,

iii) automatically sending the false SIT over the telephone line at the determined time in response to the incoming telephone call after the telephone line is placed in an off-hook condition.