Interactive phone system utilizing wireless channels

• US 6,990,321 B1
• Filed: 04/29/1999
• Issued: 01/24/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 04/29/1999
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: NCR Voyix Corporation
• Original Assignee: NCR Corporation
• Inventors: Peters, Daniel V.
• Primary Examiner(s): CRAVER, CHARLES R
• Application Number:
  US09/303,360
• Time in Patent Office: 2,462 Days
• Field of Search: 455/74.1, 455/560, 455/561, 455/414, 455/90, 455/550, 455/575, 455/450, 455/462, 455/66.1, 455/74, 455/556.1, 455/557, 4555751-5758, 455/90.3, 455/188, 455/347, 379/185, 379/187, 37940801-40804, 379429-431, 37943301-43313, 379/434, 379/447
• US Class Current: 455/74.1
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/715 using two or more extensions per line cordless telephones H04M1/725
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/725 Cordless telephones user interfaces specially adapted therefor H04M1/724
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/78 Circuit arrangements in which low-frequency speech signals proceed in one direction on the line, while speech signals proceeding in the other direction on the line are modulated on a high-frequency carrier signal
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 11/066 Telephone sets adapted for data transmision

Abstract

A telephone system for providing a telephony feature includes a phone system controller and a first telephone system interface. The first telephone system interface is coupled between a first telephone handset and a telephone line. Moreover, the first telephone system interface is operable to selectively couple the first telephone handset to the telephone line. The first telephone system interface is also operable to establish a first wireless control channel to the phone system controller. The wireless control channel is operable to carry control signals associated with the telephony feature between the first telephone system interface and the phone system controller. The phone system controller is operable to (i) receive the first control signals via the wireless control channel, and (ii) process the first control signals to provide the telephony feature to the telephone handset.

Claims

1. A telephone system for providing a telephony feature, comprising a phone system controller and a first telephone system interface, wherein:

said first telephone system interface is coupled between a first telephone handset and a telephone line said first telephone system interface operable to (i) selectively couple said first telephone handset to said telephone line, and (ii) establish a first wireless control channel to said phone system controller,

said wireless control channel operable to carry control signals associated with said telephony feature between said first telephone system interface and said phone system controller,

said phone system controller is coupled to said telephone line and operable to (i) receive said first control signals via said wireless control channel, and (ii) process said first control signals to provide said telephony feature,

said second telephone system interface is operable to (i) selectively couple said second telephone handset to said telephone line, (ii) transmit second control signals via said wireless control channel to said first telephone system interface, and (iii) establish a wireless communication channel between said first telephone system interface, said wireless communication channel operable to carry voice signals of said second telephone handset to said first telephone system interface, and

said first telephone system interface is further operable to (i) receive said voice signals of said second telephone system via said wireless communication channel, and (ii) provide said voice signals to said first telephone handset.