Method for carrying out predetermined actions by a receiving telecom device using an answer prefix

• US 7,359,500 B2
• Filed: 03/05/2004
• Issued: 04/15/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 03/05/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Lexmark International Incorporated (Ninestar Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Lexmark International Incorporated (Ninestar Corporation)
• Inventors: Rice, Steven A., Robertson, Douglas L.
• Primary Examiner(s): Deane, Jr.; William J.
• Application Number:
  US10/794,215
• Publication Number:
  US 20050195953A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,502 Days
• Field of Search: 379/215.01, 379/201.01, 379/93.01, 379/194, 379/195, 379/201.03
• US Class Current: 379/215.01
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/663 Preventing unauthorised calls to a telephone set
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/72484 wherein functions are triggered by incoming communication events

Abstract

A method for carrying out predetermined actions by a telecom receiving device. A predetermined answer string is entered and stored in a memory portion of a receiving telecom device. Incoming calls are checked for appropriateness. Accepted incoming calls are monitored for a predetermined event. If the predetermined event is detected, a set of steps are accomplished in accordance with the previously stored answer string. The receiving telecom device then resumes normal operation after completing the actions represented by the answer string.

Claims

1. A method for carrying out predetermined actions by a receiving telecom device, comprising the steps of:

providing a data entry device integral with the receiving telecom device;

selectively entering and storing by a user by way of the data entry device a first answer string associated with at least a first predetermined event, the first answer string having at least one character, in a programmable and non-volatile memory portion of the receiving telecom device;

monitoring a telephone line for an incoming call;

accepting incoming calls that meet predetermined appropriateness criteria;

signaling a line interface unit to go off-hook;

monitoring the off-hook telephone line for the occurrence of at least one predetermined event;

accepting events that meet predetermined event criteria;

if accepting the first predetermined event, completing a sequence of command steps in accordance with the first answer string stored in the memory portion; and

resuming a predetermined mode of operation, wherein the sequence of command steps is effective to accomplish at least one of disabling, enabling, initiating and halting a calling feature.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein the first answer string has a plurality of characters.

3. The method of claim 1 wherein the first answer string is effective to disable a call waiting telephone feature and the predetermined event is a facsimile CNG signal.

4. The method of claim 1 wherein the first answer string is effective to redirect an incoming facsimile call from a voice telephone to a facsimile machine and the predetermined event is a facsimile CNG signal.

5. The method of claim 1 wherein the memory portion comprises a plurality of answer strings, each answer string being associated with at least one predetermined event.

6. The method of claim 1 wherein the appropriateness criteria comprises at least one ring signal having at least one of a predetermined number of rings, ring pattern, ring frequency and ring duration.

7. The method of claim 1 wherein the appropriateness criteria comprises at least one signal having at least one of a predetermined pattern, frequency and duration.

8. The method of claim 1 wherein the appropriateness criteria is a voice signal.

9. The method of claim 1 wherein the predetermined event is at least one signal having at least one of a predetermined pattern, frequency and duration.

10. The method of claim 1 wherein the predetermined event is a plurality of events.

11. The method of claim 1 wherein the predetermined event is a voice signal.

12. The method of claim 1 wherein the receiving telecom device is an AIO device.

14. The method of claim 1 further comprising:

a second answer string associated with at least a second predetermined event, the second answer string having at least one character; and

if accepting the second predetermined event, completing a sequence of command steps in accordance with the second answer string stored in the memory portion.

15. The method of claim 14 wherein the second answer string may be selectively entered and stored by the user of the receiving telecom device in the memory portion such that the second answer string replaces the first answer string.

16. The method of claim 14 wherein the second answer string may be selectively entered and stored by the user of the receiving telecom device in the memory portion such that the first answer string remains in the memory portion.

17. The method of claim 14 wherein the second answer string has a plurality of characters.

18. The method of claim 14 wherein the second answer string is effective to disable a call waiting telephone feature and the predetermined event is a facsimile CNG signal.

19. The method of claim 14 wherein the second answer string is effective to redirect an incoming facsimile call from a voice telephone to a facsimile machine and the predetermined event is a facsimile CNG signal.

13. A method for carrying out predetermined actions by a receiving telecom device, comprising the steps of:

providing a data entry device integral with the receiving telecom device;

selectively entering and storing by a user by way of the data entry device a first answer string, comprising a plurality of characters, in a programmable and non-volatile memory portion of the receiving telecom device;

monitoring a telephone line for an incoming call;

accepting incoming calls that meet predetermined appropriateness criteria signaling a facsimile transmission;

signaling a line interface unit to go off-hook;

monitoring the off-hook telephone line for the occurrence of at least one predetermined event comprising a facsimile CNG signal;

accepting events that meet predetermined event criteria associated with a facsimile CNG signal;

completing a sequence of command steps in accordance with the first answer string stored in the memory portion; and

resuming a predetermined mode of operation wherein the answer string is effective to selectively disable a call waiting telephone feature during the reception of a facsimile transmission.

35. The method of claim 13 further comprising:

a second answer string associated with at least a second predetermined event, the answer string having at least one character; and

if accepting the second predetermined event, completing a sequence of command steps in accordance with the second answer string stored in the memory portion.

36. The method of claim 35 wherein the second answer string may be selectively entered and stored in the memory portion such that the second answer string replaces the first answer string.

37. The method of claim 35 wherein the second answer string may be selectively entered and stored in the memory portion such that the first answer string remains in the memory portion.

38. The method of claim 35 wherein the second answer string has a plurality of characters.

39. The method of claim 35 wherein the second answer string is effective to disable a call waiting telephone feature and the predetermined event is a facsimile CNG signal.

40. The method of claim 35 wherein the second answer string is effective to redirect an incoming facsimile call from a voice telephone to a facsimile machine and the predetermined event is a facsimile CNG signal.

20. A receiving telecom device comprising:

a programmable and non-volatile memory device;

a data entry device integral with the receiving telecom device that enables a user of the receiving telecom device to selectively enter and store a first answer string associated with at least a first predetermined event, the answer string including at least one character, in a memory portion of the memory device;

a line interface unit for monitoring a telephone line for an incoming call;

the receiving telecom device being programmed to actuate the line interface unit to accept incoming calls that meet a predetermined appropriateness criteria by signaling the line interface unit to go off-hook, monitor the off-hook telephone line for the occurrence of at least one predetermined event, accept events that meet predetermined event criteria, and if accepting the first predetermined event, complete a sequence of command steps in accordance with the first answer string stored in the memory portion;

wherein the sequence of command steps is effective to accomplish at least one of disabling, enabling, initiating and halting a calling feature.

21. The receiving telecom device of claim 20 wherein the device is programmed to resume a predetermined mode of operation once the sequence of command steps is completed.

22. The device of claim 20 wherein the first answer string includes a plurality of characters.

23. The device of claim 20 wherein the first answer string is effective to disable a call waiting telephone feature and the predetermined event is a facsimile CNG signal.

24. The device of claim 20 wherein the first answer string is effective to redirect an incoming facsimile call from a voice telephone to a facsimile machine and the predetermined event is a facsimile CNG signal.

25. The device of claim 20 wherein the memory device includes a plurality of answer strings, each answer string being associated with at least one predetermined event.

26. The device of claim 20 wherein the appropriateness criteria includes at least one ring signal having at least one of a predetermined number of rings, ring pattern, ring frequency and ring duration.

27. The device of claim 20 wherein the appropriateness criteria includes at least one signal having at least one of a predetermined pattern, frequency and duration.

28. The device of claim 20 wherein the appropriateness criteria is a voice signal.

29. The device of claim 20 wherein the predetermined event is at least one signal having at least one of a predetermined pattern, frequency and duration.

30. The device of claim 20 wherein the predetermined event is a plurality of events.

31. The device of claim 20 wherein the predetermined event is a voice signal.

32. The device of claim 20 wherein the receiving telecom device is an AIO device.

33. The device of claim 20 wherein the data entry device is a keypad.

34. The device of claim 20 wherein the data entry device is a personal computer.

41. A receiving telecom device comprising:

a programmable and non-volatile memory;

a data entry device integral with the receiving telecom device that enables a user of the receiving telecom device to selectively enter and store a first answer string, comprising a plurality of characters, in the memory;

a line interface unit that is actuated by the receiving telecom device to (i) monitor a telephone line for an incoming call, (ii) accept incoming calls that meet predetermined appropriateness criteria, (iii) signal a line interface unit to go off-hook, (iv) monitor the off-hook telephone line for the occurrence of at least one predetermined event comprising a facsimile CNG signal, (v) accept events that meet predetermined event criteria, (vi) complete a sequence of command steps in accordance with the first answer string stored in the memory portion, and (vii) resume a predetermined mode of operation;

wherein the answer string is effective to disable, enable, initiate or halt a call feature.

42. The receiving telecom device of claim 41 wherein the appropriateness criteria is selected from the group comprising a predetermined number of rings, a ring pattern, a ring frequency, ring duration, and a combination of two or more of the foregoing.