US4969186A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Telephone message waiting system and apparatus
Assignee: Frontier North Inc
•
Filing: 1989-12-29
•
Granted: 1990-11-06
•
Expires: 2009-12-29
Abstract
Abstract A system transmits information over telephone lines using ring signals. The ring signals have bursts of selectable duration separated by selectable time intervals between bursts. A ring signal translator receives the ring signals from telephone lines whereupon a computer activates selected indicators in response to the particular ring signal.
Inventors
- 👤 II John M. Sayre
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-29 12:08
CPC Classifications
H; H04; H04M; H04M3/00; H04M3/42; H04M3/50; H04M3/53; H04M3/537; H04M19/00; H04M19/02; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S379/00; Y10S379/911
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 4
Claim 1
Independent Claim
138 words
A ring signal translator for a message waiting system adapted to be coupled to a telephone network for receiving ring signals having ring codes signifying information pertaining to stored messages, comprising: a computer; and indicator means; said computer having an input port for detecting said ring signals, and at least one output port coupled to said indicator means, said computer programmed to interpret said ring code and to activate said indicator means to signify information pertaining to stored messages in response to receipt of a selected number of ring bursts; wherein said telephone network includes a line and said ring signal translator includes means for determining if said line becomes "off-hook" after a selected number of ring bursts are detected and for preventing said indicator to be activated unless said line becomes "on-hook" within a predetermined time period.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
138 words
A ring signal translator for a message waiting system adapted to be coupled to a telephone network for receiving ring signals having ring codes signifying information pertaining to stored messages, comprising: a computer; and indicator means; said computer having an input port for detecting said ring signals, and at least one output port coupled to said indicator means, said computer programmed to interpret said ring code and to activate said indicator means to signify information pertaining to stored messages in response to receipt of a selected number of ring bursts; wherein said telephone network includes a line and said ring signal translator includes means for determining if said line becomes "off-hook" after a selected number of ring bursts are detected and for preventing said indicator to be activated unless said line becomes "on-hook" within a predetermined time period.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
177 words
A ring signal translator for a message waiting system adapted to be coupled to a telephone network for receiving ring signals having ring codes signifying information pertaining to stored messages, comprising: a computer; and indicator means; said computer having an input port for detecting said ring signals, and at least one output port coupled to said indicator means, said computer programmed to interpret said ring code and to activate said indicator means to signify information pertaining to stored messages in response to receipt of a selected number of ring bursts; wherein said ring translator includes means for switching to a call forward mode, and said computer programmed to activate said indicator means in response to detection of a selected number of ring bursts during a plurality of calls, and said telephone network includes a line and said ring signal translator includes means for determining if said line becomes "off-hook" after a selected number of ring bursts are detected and for preventing said indicator means to be activated unless said line becomes "on-hook" within a predetermined time period.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
177 words
A ring signal translator for a message waiting system adapted to be coupled to a telephone network for receiving ring signals having ring codes signifying information pertaining to stored messages, comprising: a computer; and indicator means; said computer having an input port for detecting said ring signals, and at least one output port coupled to said indicator means, said computer programmed to interpret said ring code and to activate said indicator means to signify information pertaining to stored messages in response to receipt of a selected number of ring bursts; wherein said ring translator includes means for switching to a call forward mode, and said computer programmed to activate said indicator means in response to detection of a selected number of ring bursts during a plurality of calls, and said telephone network includes a line and said ring signal translator includes means for determining if said line becomes "off-hook" after a selected number of ring bursts are detected and for preventing said indicator means to be activated unless said line becomes "on-hook" within a predetermined time period.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US4477697A
Cited
US4508937A
Cited
US4670628A
Cited
US4670900A
Cited
US4747129A
Cited
US4701949A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1993-11-05 | 1994-05-07 | 1994-11-06 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1997-11-05 | 1998-05-07 | 1998-11-06 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2001-11-05 | 2002-05-07 | 2002-11-06 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |