Methods and systems for communication from an exterior of a location

• US 7,085,361 B2
• Filed: 12/18/2003
• Issued: 08/01/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 12/18/2003
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Bellsouth Intellectual Property Corporation (AT&T, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Bellsouth Intellectual Property Corporation (AT&T, Inc.)
• Inventors: Thomas, Robert P.
• Primary Examiner(s): Tieu, Binh K.
• Application Number:
  US10/739,835
• Publication Number:
  US 20050135584A1
• Time in Patent Office: 957 Days
• Field of Search: 379/167.01, 379/167.02, 379/167.03, 379/167.04, 379/167.05, 379/167.07, 379/167.08, 379/167.11, 379/167.12, 379/167.14, 379/67.1, 379/167.06, 379/156
• US Class Current: 379/167.01
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/533 Voice mail systems
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 9/001 Two-way communication systems between a limited number of parties

Abstract

Methods and systems for allowing communication between an exterior and an interior of a location, or a person associated with the location. A device positioned exterior to the location is connected to a communications system of the location. The device includes a signal generator for providing a signal responsive to input such as from a person on the exterior. In response, the communications system initiates or forwards a communication to a communications unit such as a wireless unit of a person associated with the location. The communication may be initiated or forwarded after a selected time. The device exterior to the location allows for participation in the communication. A voicemail or other system may be included for receiving a message if the communication is not answered. The device may be switchable to doorbell mode, in which case, the device does not generate the signal to the communications system and no communication is initiated or forwarded.

Claims

1. A doorbell system for allowing a person exterior to a location to communicate with a person associated with the location, comprising:

a communications system associated with the location and connected to the public switched telephone network (PSTN);

a device positioned exterior to the location and connected to the communications system of the location,

the device positioned exterior to the location including a signal generator for generating a signal to the communications system in response to input from the person exterior to the location;

responsive to the signal from the signal generator of the device, initiating a time delay,

upon expiration of the time delay without receiving a cancellation input, the communications system operative to initiate a communication to a person associated with the location, the initiating of the communication initiating communication via a public switched telephone network or a wireless communication network; and

the device positioned exterior to the location operative to allow the person exterior to the location to participate in the communication;

wherein the device senses an entrance to the location being opened and the communication system cancels the initiation of communication over the public switched telephone network or a wireless communication network to a person associated with the location.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the device senses a door being opened and the communication system cancels the initiation of communication to a person associated with the location.

3. The system of claim 1, further comprising:

a voicemail system connected to the communications system for receiving a message from the person exterior to the location if the person associated with the location fails to answer the communication.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein the communications system is operative to initiate the communication to a communications unit of the person associated with the location.

5. The system of claim 4, wherein the communications unit of the person associated with the location comprises a wireless unit.

6. The system of claim 4, wherein the communications unit of the person associated with the interior of the location comprises a wireline unit.

7. The system of claim 1, wherein the communication comprises a call.

8. The system of claim 1, wherein the person associated with the location is not located within the location.

9. The system of claim 1, wherein the communications system inside the location comprises a wireline system.

10. The system of claim 1, wherein the communications system inside the location comprises a computer connected to the PSTN.

11. The system of claim 1, wherein the device comprises a device switchable to a doorbell mode;

and

wherein the device in the doorbell mode fails to generate the signal to the communications system.

12. A method for operating a doorbell for allowing a person exterior to a location to communicate with a person associated with the location, comprising:

receiving a signal from a device exterior to the location;

in response to the signal, initiating a time delay;

upon expiration of the time delay without receiving a cancellation input, causing a communication from the location to be initiated to a number corresponding to the location, the initiating of the communication initiating communication via a public switched telephone network or a wireless communication network;

causing the communication to be forwarded to a device of the person associated with the location; and

causing the device exterior to the location to be connected to the communication and to allow the person exterior to the location to participate in the communication;

canceling the communication via a public switched telephone network or a wireless communication network to a person associated with the location upon sensing an entrance associated with the location being opened.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein the device is switchable to a doorbell mode;

and further comprising;

causing no communication to be initiated when the device is in the doorbell mode.

14. The method of claim 12, further comprising:

providing a messaging system for receiving a message from the person exterior to the location when the person associated with the location fails to answer the communication.

15. The method of claim 12, wherein the communication is initiated from the location to the number corresponding to the location only after a selected time since the signal.

16. A method for operating a door bell for establishing communication, comprising:

receiving a signal initiated exterior to a location;

responsive to the signal, causing a communication to be originated from the location and routed to an identifier associated with the location the communication being performed via public switched telephone network or a wireless communication, network; and

causing a unit exterior of the location to be connected to the communication, wherein the communication is originated from the location only after a selected time has passed since the signal;

canceling the communication over the public switched telephone network or a wireless communication network to a person associated with the location upon sensing a an entrance associated with the location being opened.

17. The method of claim 16, further comprising:

in response to the communication failing to be answered, routing the communication to a messaging service of the identifier associated with the location.

18. The method of claim 16, wherein the unit is switchable to a doorbell mode;

and further comprising;

causing no communication to be originated when the unit is in the doorbell mode.

19. The method of claim 16, wherein the identifier comprises a number for a wireless unit;

and

wherein the communication is routed to the number for the wireless unit.