Security telephone
First Claim
1. A telephone security device, comprising:
- a telephone handset having a housing, and capable of being used by a user to place telephone calls to any desired number over a telephone line;
an electronic controller within the telephone handset, such controller having an off-hook input pin that, in response to an applied voltage signal, places the telephone handset in an off-hook condition, and further having a redial input pin that, in response to an applied voltage signal, causes the telephone handset to dial out, over an external telephone line, a last number previously dialed from the telephone handset;
a sensor within the telephone handset housing for detecting an event in an area near the telephone handset;
a switch on the telephone handset housing, having a first position and a second position, wherein the switch places the telephone handset into a security active state when in the first position, and not when the switch is in the second position; and
a control circuit, within the telephone handset housing and connected to the switch, and connected to the sensor and to the electronic controller for, when the sensor detects an event while the telephone handset is in the security active state, sequentially applying voltage signals to the off-hook input pin and the redial input pin;
wherein the voltage signals are not applied to the off-hook and redial input pins when the telephone handset is not in the security active state, and wherein moving the switch from the second position to the first position places the telephone handset into the security active state only after a delay period.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A telephone security device is built into a telephone unit. The device includes a sensor to detect an intrusion into the area in which the telephone is located. Upon detection of an event, the device places the telephone off hook, and triggers the redial feature of the telephone. This causes the telephone to redial the last number that had been called. The telephone then remains in the off hook condition for a delay interval to allow the recipient of the call to listen, via the telephone, for any sounds indication that an actual intrusion has occurred. In order to arm the security device, the user simply dials the number that is the intended recipient of the call, hang up, and switch on the sensor. Detection of a security event will then cause the last dialed number to be redialed.
12 Citations
16 Claims
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1. A telephone security device, comprising:
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a telephone handset having a housing, and capable of being used by a user to place telephone calls to any desired number over a telephone line; an electronic controller within the telephone handset, such controller having an off-hook input pin that, in response to an applied voltage signal, places the telephone handset in an off-hook condition, and further having a redial input pin that, in response to an applied voltage signal, causes the telephone handset to dial out, over an external telephone line, a last number previously dialed from the telephone handset; a sensor within the telephone handset housing for detecting an event in an area near the telephone handset; a switch on the telephone handset housing, having a first position and a second position, wherein the switch places the telephone handset into a security active state when in the first position, and not when the switch is in the second position; and a control circuit, within the telephone handset housing and connected to the switch, and connected to the sensor and to the electronic controller for, when the sensor detects an event while the telephone handset is in the security active state, sequentially applying voltage signals to the off-hook input pin and the redial input pin; wherein the voltage signals are not applied to the off-hook and redial input pins when the telephone handset is not in the security active state, and wherein moving the switch from the second position to the first position places the telephone handset into the security active state only after a delay period. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A method for controlling the operation of a telephone device connected to a telephone line and capable of being used to place telephone calls to numbers desired by a user, the telephone device further having a redial function, comprising the steps of:
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arming the telephone device to place it into a security active state; when the telephone device is in the security active state, performing the steps of; electronically sensing the presence of activity in a room in which the telephone device is located; placing the telephone device in an off-hook condition; activating the redial function of the telephone device, whereby a most recently called number is dialed; and maintaining the telephone device in an off-hook condition for a predetermined time period, whereby a called party at the most recently called number is enabled to listen to sounds in the vicinity of the telephone device; wherein the sensing step is disabled for a delay period after the arming step. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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Specification