Method and apparatus for obtaining telephone status over a network

• US 7,986,770 B2
• Filed: 02/15/2008
• Issued: 07/26/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 11/03/1997
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Far North Patents, LLC
• Original Assignee: Intellectual Ventures Fund 30 LLC (Intellectual Ventures LLC)
• Inventors: Roberts, Jon L., Light, Elliott D.
• Primary Examiner(s): Anwah; Olisa
• Application Number:
  US12/031,989
• Publication Number:
  US 20080137822A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,257 Days
• Field of Search: 379/32.01, 379/32.02, 379/32.03, 379/32.04, 379/207.04, 379/207.05, 379/207.06, 379/207.07
• US Class Current: 379/32.04
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/2473 Telephone terminals interfacing a personal computer, e.g. using an API (Application Programming Interface) details of API H04M7/0021
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 11/00 Telephonic communication systems specially adapted for combination with other electrical systems
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 11/066 Telephone sets adapted for data transmision
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2203/4536 Voicemail combined with text-based messaging
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/2272 Subscriber line supervision circuits, e.g. call detection circuits
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/42093 Notifying the calling party of information on the called or connected party
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/42365 Presence services providing information on the willingness to communicate or the ability to communicate in terms of media capability or network connectivity
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/42382 Text-based messaging services in telephone networks such as PSTN/ISDN, e.g. User-to-User Signalling or Short Message Service for fixed networks
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/5307 for recording messages comprising any combination of audio and non-audio components
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/53333 Message receiving aspects
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/537 Arrangements for indicating the presence of a recorded message , whereby the presence information might include a preview or summary of the message
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 7/0012 Details of application programming interfaces [API] for telephone networks; Arrangements which combine a telephonic communication equipment and a computer, i.e. computer telephony integration [CPI] arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 7/0036 where the data service is an information service
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 7/1215 where a cable TV network is used as an access to the PSTN/ISDN
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 7/1235 where one of the core networks is a wireless network
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 11/0421 Circuit arrangements therefor
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/1307 Call setup
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13093 Personal computer, PC
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13152 Callback
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13173 Busy signals
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/1318 : Ringing
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/1322 : PBX
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13274 : Call rejection, call barring
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13282 : Call forward, follow-me, call diversion
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13374 : Paging
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13375 : Electronic mail
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13377 : Recorded announcement
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13389 : LAN, internet

Abstract

A system and method for monitoring the state of a structure over a network. The system and method provides for providing the status of a monitoring device to a status file. The status file is accessible over the Internet by computer so that a party can first determine the status of the device. The system operates over normal PSTN'"'"'s, over cable systems, over wireless networks and over the Internet.

Claims

1. A method comprising:

monitoring, by a telephone status monitoring device, a status of a telephone via a first network, wherein the status includes an indication of whether the telephone is engaged in an active telephone call; and

transmitting, by the telephone status monitoring device, the status of the telephone to another device via a second network, wherein the transmitting is in response to the another device attempting to place a call to the telephone, and wherein the first and the second networks are different networks.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein monitoring the status of the telephone comprises monitoring the status of a wireless telephone.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein monitoring the status of the telephone comprises monitoring a roaming status of a wireless telephone, wherein the roaming status indicates that the wireless telephone is operating outside of a home network.

4. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

storing, by the telephone status monitoring device, the status of the telephone in a telephone status file associated with the telephone and that is accessible via the second network, or accessible via a third network that is different from the first or second networks.

5. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

updating, by the telephone status monitoring device, the status of the telephone in a telephone status file in response to detecting a change in the status of the telephone.

6. An apparatus, comprising:

means for monitoring a status of a telephone via a first network, wherein the status includes an indication of whether the telephone is engaged in an active telephone call; and

means for transmitting the status of the telephone to another device via a second network in response to the another device attempting to place a call to the telephone, wherein the first and the second networks are different networks.

7. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein the telephone is a wireless telephone.

8. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein the means for monitoring the status of the telephone comprises means for monitoring a roaming status of a wireless telephone, wherein the roaming status indicates that the wireless telephone is operating outside of a home network.

9. The apparatus of claim 6, further comprising:

means for storing the status of the telephone in a telephone status file associated with the telephone and that is accessible via the second network, or accessible via a third network that is different from the first or second networks.

10. The apparatus of claim 6, further comprising means for storing the status of the telephone and for updating the status of the telephone in a telephone status file in response to detecting a change in the status of the telephone.