Method and apparatus for an improved call interrupt feature in a cordless telephone answering device

• US 6,901,266 B2
• Filed: 05/06/2003
• Issued: 05/31/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 09/26/1997
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Daniel A. Henderson
• Original Assignee: Daniel A. Henderson
• Inventors: Henderson, Daniel A.
• Primary Examiner(s): Maung, Nay
• Assistant Examiner(s): SOBUTKA, PHILIP
• Application Number:
  US10/430,482
• Publication Number:
  US 20030216148A1
• Time in Patent Office: 756 Days
• Field of Search: 455/462, 455/412.1, 455/412.2, 455/413, 455/563, 455/414.1, 379/567, 379/164, 379/88.11, 379/88.12, 379/88.18, 379/88.19, 379/88.21
• US Class Current: 455/462
• 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 1/578 associated with a synthesized vocal announcement
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/654 Telephone line monitoring circuits therefor, e.g. ring detectors
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/656 for recording conversations
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/663 Preventing unauthorised calls to a telephone set
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/72502 with one base station connected to a single line

Abstract

A telecommunication device comprising a base unit and a cordless handset, wherein said telecommunication device is operable in a plurality of modes of operation. The base unit includes: (1) a ring signal detection module communicatively coupled to a telephone network; (2) a voice communication channel also communicatively coupled to said telephone network; (3) a wireless communication transmitter module; (4) a wireless receiver module; and (5) a controller for executing program instructions. The cordless handset includes: (1) a ringer module; (2) an ear piece; (3) a microphone; (4) a talk request command input device; (5) a wireless communication transmitter; and (6) a wireless communication receiver. The modes of operation include a talk request mode of operation, wherein (1) a ringing signal is received at said base unit; (2) said base unit transmits a wireless signal to said cordless handset; (3) said cordless handset receives said wireless signal; from said base, and initiates said local ringer module; (4) said base unit counts a predetermined number of rings; (5) said base unit initiates an off-hook condition in response to detection of a predetermined number of rings; (6) an outgoing message (OGM) is played at said base unit; (7) actuation of said talk request command input device is detected; (8) said base unit receives a wireless talk request signal (TRS) from said cordless handset, initiates an OGM end detection means, and continues to play said OGM; and (9) upon detection of end of said OGM by said OGM end detection means, said base unit inhibits the start of an incoming message (ICM) means and connects the calling party with the called party at said cordless handset.

Claims

1. A cordless telephone comprising:

a base unit with an automatic telephone answering and recording subsystem;

an outgoing message generator;

a portable unit;

wherein said base unit has a ring detection circuit to establish an off-hook condition upon receipt of an incoming call from a calling party and the outgoing message generator generates an outgoing message to the calling party at the establishment of the off-hook condition; and

a talk request confirmation signal subsystem for automatically communicating predefined message to the portable unit, from the base unit, during the outgoing message in response to selection of a talk function by a called party utilizing said portable unit.

2. A cordless telephone according to claim 1, wherein said predefined message comprises a synthesized voice message.

3. A cordless telephone according to claim 1, wherein said predefined message comprises a textual message.

4. A cordless telephone according to claim 1, wherein said talk request confirmation signal subsystem includes means for providing an on-hold music signal to at least one of said called party and said calling party during a waiting interval prior to connecting said called party and said calling party.

5. A cordless telephone according to claim 1, wherein said base unit includes a means for detecting caller identification and the talk request confirmation signal subsystem automatically communicates a predefined message to said called party including caller identification information.

6. A cordless telephone according to claim 5, wherein said predefined message is presented to said called party in the form of an audible communication.

7. A cordless telephone according to claim 1, wherein said talk request confirmation signal subsystem includes means for automatically generating an alert signal in said portable unit to notify said called party that said outgoing message has been communicated to said calling party.

8. A cordless telephone according to claim 7, wherein said alert signal comprises one of:

a vibration signal;

a light signal;

an audible response; and

a text display.

9. A cordless telephone comprising:

a base unit with an automatic telephone answering and recording subsystem;

an outgoing message generator;

a portable unit;

wherein said base unit has a ring detection circuit to establish an off-hook condition upon receipt of an incoming call from a calling party and the outgoing message generator generates an outgoing message to the calling party, at the establishment of the off-hook condition; and

an off-hook detection and termination signal generation subsystem for communicating a termination signal to the portable unit, from the base unit, upon detection of the calling party returning to an on-hook condition.

10. A cordless telephone according to claim 9, wherein said termination signal comprises at least one of:

a particular ringing signal; and

a voice annunciation.

11. A cordless telephone comprising:

a base unit with an automatic telephone answering and recording subsystem;

an outgoing message generator;

a portable unit;

wherein said base unit has a ring detection circuit to establish an off-hook condition on the telephone line circuit upon receipt of an incoming call from a remote calling party;

two-way conversation recording means responsive to commands for audio recording;

a comparator subsystem for receiving pre-stored calling party data and for automatically comparing at least a portion of caller identification information from a calling party to said pre-stored calling party data, and

a selection switch having at least a first position that when set will, upon detection of a matched condition, automatically activate said two-way conversation recording means.

12. A cordless telephone according to claim 11, further comprising:

a means for automatically generating a recording-on signal for communication to said called party.