Method and apparatus for monitoring telephone status

• US 20030002642A1
• Filed: 03/05/2002
• Published: 01/02/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 03/31/1999
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Qualcomm, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Walker Digital LLC (Walker Innovation Inc. (f/k/a Patent Properties, Inc.))
• Inventors: Jorasch, James A., Fincham, Magdalena M., Tulley, Stephen C., Gelman, Geoffrey M., Alderucci, Dean P., Walker, Jay S., Kessman, Marc D., Dickerson, John B.
• Granted Patent: US 7,010,110 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 379/201.01
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/2535 adapted for voice communication over an Internet Protocol [IP] network Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) network equipment and services H04M7/006; implementation or adaptation of Internet protocol [IP], of transmission control protocol [TCP] or of user datagram protocol [UDP] H04L69/16
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/2757 by data transmission, e.g. downloading
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2203/6009 Personal information, e.g. profiles or personal directories being only provided to authorised persons
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2203/609 Secret communication
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2207/08 ISDN systems
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/2272 Subscriber line supervision circuits, e.g. call detection circuits
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/38 Graded-service arrangements, i.e. some subscribers prevented from establishing certain connections queuing arrangements H04Q3/64
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/42093 Notifying the calling party of information on the called or connected party
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/4228 in networks
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/42314 in private branch exchanges
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/42323 PBX's with CTI arrangements
• 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 3/42374 where the information is provided to a monitoring entity such as a potential calling party or a call processing server
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/4931 Directory assistance systems
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 7/0009 where voice calls remain entirely in the telephone network
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 7/006 Networks other than PSTN/ISDN providing telephone service, e.g. Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) , including next generation networks with a packet-switched transport layer H04L65/00 takes precedence; aspects not specific to the type of network H04M3/00; special services in those networks H04M3/42
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 7/128 Details of addressing, directories or routing tables
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 7/1295 Details of dual tone multiple frequency signalling

Abstract

The monitor is for monitoring the status of a first client telephone, and for sending this status information via a central server to an authorized second client telephone. The central server stores a database of registered client telephones and corresponding client telephones that the client may monitor. A user of a registered client telephone monitors in real time the telephone status of registered friends, family, or co-workers that have agreed to be monitored by the user.

Claims

1. A method comprising:

receiving an indication of a second telephone that is authorized to monitor a first telephone;

receiving a request from the second telephone to monitor the first telephone;

receiving a status from the first telephone; and

sending the status to the second telephone.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

storing a first identifier that identifies the first telephone and a second identifier that identifies the second telephone; and

sending the first identifier to the second telephone.

3. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

verifying good standing of a customer account of the second telephone.

4. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

receiving a request to register the second telephone, wherein the request includes a digital signature and a second identifier that identifies the second telephone;

registering the second telephone; and

registering the first telephone.

5. The method of claim 4, wherein the receiving step further includes the steps of:

receiving a request for a second network address and a security clearance from the second telephone.

6. The method of claim 4, wherein the step of registering the first telephone further includes the steps of:

issuing the first telephone a first network address; and

storing the second network address and the corresponding first identifier.

7. The method of claim 4, wherein the step of registering the second telephone further includes the steps of:

verifying the digital signature;

issuing the second telephone a second network address; and

storing the second network address and the corresponding second identifier.

8. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

sending the first identifier to the second telephone for storage and display.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of receiving a request includes

receiving a request to notify the second telephone when a status change of a predetermined condition of the first telephone occurs.

10. The method of claim 9, further comprising:

storing the status change of the predetermined condition with the corresponding first identifier and the corresponding second identifier.

11. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

determining if the second telephone is authorized to receive the status of the first telephone.

12. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

encrypting the status with a public key before sending the status to the second telephone.

13. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

recording transmission of the status to the second telephone'"'"'s customer account.

14. The method of claim 1, wherein the status indicates whether the first telephone is off-hook.

15. The method of claim 1, wherein the status indicates whether a user of the first telephone has entered at least one predetermined DTMF code into the telephone.

16. The method of claim 1 further comprising:

receiving an acknowledgment from the second telephone of a successful transmission of the status.

17. A computer programmed to perform the method of claim 1.

18. A computer-readable storage medium encoded with instructions for directing a processor to perform the method of claim 1.