Dual signaling channel communication system and method

• US 20020025808A1
• Filed: 01/12/2001
• Published: 02/28/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 08/30/2000
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Global Telephony Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Global Telephony Incorporated
• Inventors: Acuna, Victor E.
• Application Number:
  US09/758,356
• Publication Number:
  US 20020025808A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 455/426.2
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 3/0025 Provisions for signalling

Abstract

A dual signaling channel telephone system that in addition to the conventional wire channel between the subscriber telephone set and the central office switch, includes a wireless signaling channel between the subscriber telephone set and a central platform. This second wireless channel is aimed to transmit status, control information or to send any type of information from external systems, such as e-mail and voice-mail systems, to the subscriber to activate optical or acoustic indications or message display on the subscriber telephone set or external devices.

Claims

1. A dual signaling channel telephone system, comprising:

a wired signaling channel including a telephone central office, and a telephone set; and

a wireless signaling channel including a central platform to receive messages from a message generator and to generate a radio frequency signal activated by said central platform and to broadcast the messages to a receiver-detector in each telephone set.

2. The system in accordance with claim 1, wherein the messages are conveyed to the telephone set and include indications, notifications or any information content for delivering via voice mail, e-mail, fax and internet.

3. The system in accordance with claim 1, wherein said wireless signaling channel transmits signals independently of an on-hook/off-hook status of the said telephone set.

4. The system in accordance with claim 1, further comprising an indicating device responsive to signals received from said wireless signaling channel.

5. The system in accordance with claim 1, further comprising a device to activate external devices in response to signals received from said wireless signaling channel.

6. The system of claim 1, wherein the receiver-detector is connected to the telephone set and includes a device to decode said radio frequency signal and activates status indicators or message display activated by said decoded signal.

7. A dual signaling telephone system, comprising:

a network receiving messages from message generators;

a central platform broadcasting coded messages based on the messages generated by the message generators; and

a receiver-detector receiving the coded messages and generating a signal to activate a signaling device associated with a telephone.

8. The system according to claim 7, wherein the messages are supplied to the network in at least one format and forwarded to the central platform for coding.

9. The system according to claim 7, wherein the telephone outputs the decoded message either audibly or visually.

10. A central platform for use in a dual signaling channel telephony network, the central platform comprising:

a first communication processor to receive incoming messages coded in a specified format;

a central processor authenticating relevant portions of the messages; and

a second communications processor sending outgoing messages from the central processor, the outgoing messages including RF addresses for encapsulation and transmission over an RF network.

11. The central platform according to claim 10, further comprising:

an RF translator to transmit messages over an RF network for delivery to a local telephone set; and

a server including a database storing user profiles and related information.

13. The system of claim 12, wherein the output device is at least one of a speaker, LED or LCD.

15. The method according to claim 14, further comprising:

sending the message from a network accessible device to a central platform; and

delivering the message received by the telephone on an output of the telephone.

12. A dual signal channel telephone system for use in a telephony network, comprising:

a receiver to detect incoming RF signals and receive messages when the detected signal is addressed to the receiver; and

an output device to deliver the messages via the telephone.

14. A method of delivering messages to a telephone in a dual signal telephone network, comprising:

broadcasting a message in a coded format having been received from a message generator via the network; and

receiving the message and generating a signal to activate a signaling device associated with the telephone in order to alert a user of the telephone that a message is present.

16. A method of communication over a dual signaling telephone system, comprising:

receiving messages from message generators;

broadcasting coded messages based on the messages generated by the message generators; and

generating a signal to based on the coded messages to activate a signaling device associated with a telephone.

17. A method of communicating over a network, comprising:

receiving incoming messages coded in a specified format;

authenticating relevant portions of the messages; and

sending outgoing messages from a central processor, the outgoing messages including RF addresses for encapsulation and transmission over the network.