US5081673A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Voice bridge for relay center
Assignee: Ultratec Inc
•
Filing: 1990-11-16
•
Granted: 1992-01-14
•
Expires: 2010-11-16
Abstract
Abstract A relay center has a first telephone line (12) and a second telephone line (14). Data signals may be carried on the first telephone line (12) and received into a modem (20). A terminal or computer (22) then receives the data signals and converts the signals into readable characters viewable on a display (26). An operator then reads messages formed by the characters and voices them into a telephone (28) connected to the second telephone (14). The operator may also receive spoken words through the telephone (28) and transcribe via a keyboard (24) for transmission of data signals by the modem (20) and carried on the first telephone line (12). Upon a command received through the first telephone line (12) or made by the operator, a voice bridge (10) may be established which establishes a direct vocal link from either the first telephone line (10) to the second telephone line (12) or from the second telephone line (12) to the first telephone line (14 ). A second command disconnects the telephone (28) from the second telephone line (14) to prevent the operator from hearing the audio sounds carried by the voice bridge (10).
Inventors
- 👤 Robert M. Engelke
- 👤 Kevin Colwell
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-26 12:13
CPC Classifications
H; H04; H04M; H04M11/00; H04M11/06; H04M11/066; H04M1/00; H04M1/247; H04M1/2474; H04M1/2475
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 25
Claim 1
Independent Claim
223 words
A voice bridge for a relay center, the voice bridge comprising: (a) a first telephone line; (b) a modem capable of receiving and transmitting data signals over the first telephone line; (c) a terminal having a keyboard and a display, the terminal converting the data signals received by the modem into readable characters and projecting the characters upon the display, and the terminal transmitting data signals that are entered upon the keyboard through the modem; (d) a telephone that connects with a second telephone line, the telephone being positioned in such proximity to the keyboard and the display that an operator may read the characters exhibited on the display and voice any message formed by the characters into the telephone and the operator may transcribe any vocal message received on the telephone into the keyboard; (e) means for detecting data signals on the first telephone line to discriminate voice signals from data signals on the first telephone line; and (f) means responsive to the detecting means for switching the first telephone line from a first mode not connected with the second telephone line to a second mode connected with the second telephone line when the detecting means detects voice signals on the first telephone line, so that in the second mode, voice signals are passed directly between the first and second telephone lines.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
223 words
A voice bridge for a relay center, the voice bridge comprising: (a) a first telephone line; (b) a modem capable of receiving and transmitting data signals over the first telephone line; (c) a terminal having a keyboard and a display, the terminal converting the data signals received by the modem into readable characters and projecting the characters upon the display, and the terminal transmitting data signals that are entered upon the keyboard through the modem; (d) a telephone that connects with a second telephone line, the telephone being positioned in such proximity to the keyboard and the display that an operator may read the characters exhibited on the display and voice any message formed by the characters into the telephone and the operator may transcribe any vocal message received on the telephone into the keyboard; (e) means for detecting data signals on the first telephone line to discriminate voice signals from data signals on the first telephone line; and (f) means responsive to the detecting means for switching the first telephone line from a first mode not connected with the second telephone line to a second mode connected with the second telephone line when the detecting means detects voice signals on the first telephone line, so that in the second mode, voice signals are passed directly between the first and second telephone lines.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
41 words
The voice bridge of claim 1 wherein the means for switching the first telephone line from a connection with the modes to a connection with the second telephone line is activated when data signals over the first telephone line are terminated.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
49 words
The voice bridge of claim 1 further comprising a reverse switch that, when activated, delects from a connection that passes voice signals from the first telephone line to the second telephone line or a connection that passes voice signals from the second telephone line to the first telephone line.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
22 words
The voice bridge of claim 3 w herein the reverse switch is activated by a signal sent over the first telephone line.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
19 words
The voice bridge of claim 3 wherein the reverse switch is activated by data signals entered upon the keyboard.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
247 words
A voice bridge for a relay center, the voice bridge comprising: (a) a first telephone line; (b) a modem capable of receiving and transmitting data signals over the first telephone line; (c) a terminal having a keyboard and a display, the terminal converting the data signals received by the modem into readable characters and projecting the characters upon the display, and the terminal transmitting data signals that are entered upon the keyboard through the modem; (d) a telephone that connects with a second telephone line, the telephone being positioned in such proximity to the keyboard and the display that an operator may read the characters exhibited on the display and voice any message formed by the characters into the telephone and the operator may transcribe any vocal message received on the telephone into the keyboard; (e) means for detecting data signals on the first telephone line to discriminate voice signals from data signals on the first telephone line; (f) first means responsive to the detecting means for switching the first telephone line from a first mode not connected to the second telephone line to a second mode connection with the second telephone line so that in the second mode voice signals are passed through the first and second telephone lines; and (g) second means for switching, the second means for switching disconnecting the telephone from the second telephone line when the voice signals of a sufficient pre-selected level are transferred between the first and second telephone lines.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
247 words
A voice bridge for a relay center, the voice bridge comprising: (a) a first telephone line; (b) a modem capable of receiving and transmitting data signals over the first telephone line; (c) a terminal having a keyboard and a display, the terminal converting the data signals received by the modem into readable characters and projecting the characters upon the display, and the terminal transmitting data signals that are entered upon the keyboard through the modem; (d) a telephone that connects with a second telephone line, the telephone being positioned in such proximity to the keyboard and the display that an operator may read the characters exhibited on the display and voice any message formed by the characters into the telephone and the operator may transcribe any vocal message received on the telephone into the keyboard; (e) means for detecting data signals on the first telephone line to discriminate voice signals from data signals on the first telephone line; (f) first means responsive to the detecting means for switching the first telephone line from a first mode not connected to the second telephone line to a second mode connection with the second telephone line so that in the second mode voice signals are passed through the first and second telephone lines; and (g) second means for switching, the second means for switching disconnecting the telephone from the second telephone line when the voice signals of a sufficient pre-selected level are transferred between the first and second telephone lines.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
33 words
The voice bridge of claim 6 wherein the voice signals are carried from the first telephone line to the second telephone line and the voice signals are carried on the first telephone line.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
33 words
The voice bridge of claim 6 wherein the voice signals are carried from the second telephone line to the first telephone line and the voice signals are carried on the second telephone line.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
23 words
The voice bridge of claim 6 wherein the second means for switching is activated by a signal sent over the first telephone line.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
21 words
The voice bridge of claim 6 wherein the second means for switching is activated by data signals entered upon the keyboard.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
220 words
A voice bridge for a relay center, the voice bridge comprising: (a) a first telephone line; (b) a modem capable of receiving and transmitting data signals over the first telephone line; (c) a terminal having a keyboard and a display, the terminal converting the data signals received by the modem into readable characters and projecting the characters upon the display, and the terminal transmitting data signals that are entered upon the keyboard through the modem; (d) a telephone that connects with a second telephone line, the telephone being positioned in such proximity to the keyboard and the display that an operator may read the characters exhibited on the display and voice any message formed by the characters into the telephone and the operator may transcribe any vocal message received on the telephone into the keyboard; (e) a detector connected to the first telephone line detecting data signals on the first telephone line and discriminating voice signals from data signals on the first telephone line; and (f) a switch connected and operated by the detector to switch the first telephone from a first mode not connected with the second telephone line to a second mode connected with the second telephone line so that in the second mode voice signals from the second telephone line are passed to the first telephone line.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
220 words
A voice bridge for a relay center, the voice bridge comprising: (a) a first telephone line; (b) a modem capable of receiving and transmitting data signals over the first telephone line; (c) a terminal having a keyboard and a display, the terminal converting the data signals received by the modem into readable characters and projecting the characters upon the display, and the terminal transmitting data signals that are entered upon the keyboard through the modem; (d) a telephone that connects with a second telephone line, the telephone being positioned in such proximity to the keyboard and the display that an operator may read the characters exhibited on the display and voice any message formed by the characters into the telephone and the operator may transcribe any vocal message received on the telephone into the keyboard; (e) a detector connected to the first telephone line detecting data signals on the first telephone line and discriminating voice signals from data signals on the first telephone line; and (f) a switch connected and operated by the detector to switch the first telephone from a first mode not connected with the second telephone line to a second mode connected with the second telephone line so that in the second mode voice signals from the second telephone line are passed to the first telephone line.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
40 words
The voice bridge of claim 11 wherein the switch switching the first telephone line from a connection with the modem to the connection with the second telephone line is activated when data signals over the first telephone line are terminated.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
253 words
A voice bridge for a relay center, the voice bridge comprising: (a) a first telephone line; (b) a modem capable of receiving and transmitting data signals over the first telephone line; (c) a terminal having a keyboard and a display, the terminal converting the data signals received by the modem into readable characters and projecting the characters upon the display, and the terminal transmitting data signals that are entered upon the keyboard through the modem; (d) a telephone that connects with a second telephone line, the telephone being positioned in such proximity to the keyboard and the display that an operator may read the characters exhibited on the display and voice any message formed by the characters into the telephone and the operator may transcribe any vocal message received on the telephone into the keyboard; (e) a detector connected to the first telephone line detecting data signals on the first telephone line and discriminating voice signals from data signals on the first telephone line; (f) a switch connected and operated by the detector to switch the first telephone line from a first mode not connected with the second telephone line to a second mode connected with the second telephone line so that in the second mode voice signals from the second telephone line are passed to the first telephone line; and (g) a second switch connected to disconnect the telephone from the second line when voice signals of a sufficient level are transferred from the first telephone line to the second telephone line.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
253 words
A voice bridge for a relay center, the voice bridge comprising: (a) a first telephone line; (b) a modem capable of receiving and transmitting data signals over the first telephone line; (c) a terminal having a keyboard and a display, the terminal converting the data signals received by the modem into readable characters and projecting the characters upon the display, and the terminal transmitting data signals that are entered upon the keyboard through the modem; (d) a telephone that connects with a second telephone line, the telephone being positioned in such proximity to the keyboard and the display that an operator may read the characters exhibited on the display and voice any message formed by the characters into the telephone and the operator may transcribe any vocal message received on the telephone into the keyboard; (e) a detector connected to the first telephone line detecting data signals on the first telephone line and discriminating voice signals from data signals on the first telephone line; (f) a switch connected and operated by the detector to switch the first telephone line from a first mode not connected with the second telephone line to a second mode connected with the second telephone line so that in the second mode voice signals from the second telephone line are passed to the first telephone line; and (g) a second switch connected to disconnect the telephone from the second line when voice signals of a sufficient level are transferred from the first telephone line to the second telephone line.
Claim 18
Independent Claim
139 words
A method of forming a voice bridge in a relay center, the method comprising the steps of: (a) receiving data signals over a first telephone line; (b) converting the data signals into readable characters and projecting the characters upon a display; (c) reading and voicing any messages formed by the characters into a telephone that connects with a second telephone line; (d) detecting data signals received over the first telephone line to discriminate between voice signals and data signals on the first telephone line; and (e) switching the first telephone line from a mode that receives data signals and does not pass the data signals to the second telephone line to a mode where voice signals on the first telephone line are connected to the second telephone line when voice signals are being received on the first telephone line.
Claim 19
Independent Claim
139 words
A method of forming a voice bridge in a relay center, the method comprising the steps of: (a) receiving data signals over a first telephone line; (b) converting the data signals into readable characters and projecting the characters upon a display; (c) reading and voicing any messages formed by the characters into a telephone that connects with a second telephone line; (d) detecting data signals received over the first telephone line to discriminate between voice signals and data signals on the first telephone line; and (e) switching the first telephone line from a mode that receives data signals and does not pass the data signals to the second telephone line to a mode where voice signals on the first telephone line are connected to the second telephone line when voice signals are being received on the first telephone line.
Claim 20
Independent Claim
140 words
A method of forming a voice bridge in a relay center, the method comprising the steps of: (a) receiving data signals over a first telephone line; (b) converting the data signals into readable characters and projecting the characters upon a display; (c) reading and voicing any messages formed by the characters into a telephone that connects with a second telephone line; (d) detecting data signals received over the first telephone line to discriminate between voice signals and data signals on the first telephone line; and (e) switching the first telephone line from a mode that receives data signals and does not pass the data signals to the second telephone line to a mode where voice signals on the first telephone line are connected with the second telephone line when the data signals are terminated as detected in the detecting step.
Claim 21
Independent Claim
140 words
A method of forming a voice bridge in a relay center, the method comprising the steps of: (a) receiving data signals over a first telephone line; (b) converting the data signals into readable characters and projecting the characters upon a display; (c) reading and voicing any messages formed by the characters into a telephone that connects with a second telephone line; (d) detecting data signals received over the first telephone line to discriminate between voice signals and data signals on the first telephone line; and (e) switching the first telephone line from a mode that receives data signals and does not pass the data signals to the second telephone line to a mode where voice signals on the first telephone line are connected with the second telephone line when the data signals are terminated as detected in the detecting step.
Claim 22
Independent Claim
180 words
A method of forming a voice bridge in a relay center, the method comprising the steps of: (a) receiving data signals over a first telephone line; (b) converting the data signals into readable characters and projecting the characters upon a display; (c) reading and voicing any messages formed by the characters into a telephone that connects with a second telephone line; (d) detecting data signals received over the first telephone line to discriminate between voice signals and data signals on the first telephone line; (e) switching the first telephone line from a mode that receives data signals and does not pass the data signals to the second telephone line to a mode where voice signals on the first telephone line are connected to the second telephone line depending on whether voice signals or data signals are being received on the first telephone line; (f) detecting the level of voice signals on the first telephone line; and (g) disconnecting the telephone from the second telephone line when the voice signals of the first telephone line are of a sufficient pre-selected level.
Claim 23
Independent Claim
180 words
A method of forming a voice bridge in a relay center, the method comprising the steps of: (a) receiving data signals over a first telephone line; (b) converting the data signals into readable characters and projecting the characters upon a display; (c) reading and voicing any messages formed by the characters into a telephone that connects with a second telephone line; (d) detecting data signals received over the first telephone line to discriminate between voice signals and data signals on the first telephone line; (e) switching the first telephone line from a mode that receives data signals and does not pass the data signals to the second telephone line to a mode where voice signals on the first telephone line are connected to the second telephone line depending on whether voice signals or data signals are being received on the first telephone line; (f) detecting the level of voice signals on the first telephone line; and (g) disconnecting the telephone from the second telephone line when the voice signals of the first telephone line are of a sufficient pre-selected level.
Claim 24
Independent Claim
180 words
A method of forming a voice bridge in a relay center, the method comprising the steps of: (a) receiving data signals over a first telephone line; (b) converting the data signals into readable characters and projecting the characters upon a display; (c) reading and voicing any messages formed by the characters into a telephone that connects with a second telephone line; (d) detecting data signals received over the first telephone line to discriminate between voice signals and data signals on the first telephone line; (e) switching the first telephone line from a mode that receives data signals and does not pass the data signals to the second telephone line to a mode where voice signals on the first telephone line are connected to the second telephone line depending on whether voice signals or data signals are being received on the first telephone line; (f) detecting the level of voice signals on the second telephone line; and (g) disconnecting the telephone from the second telephone line when the voice signals of the second telephone line are of a sufficient pre-selected level.
Claim 25
Independent Claim
180 words
A method of forming a voice bridge in a relay center, the method comprising the steps of: (a) receiving data signals over a first telephone line; (b) converting the data signals into readable characters and projecting the characters upon a display; (c) reading and voicing any messages formed by the characters into a telephone that connects with a second telephone line; (d) detecting data signals received over the first telephone line to discriminate between voice signals and data signals on the first telephone line; (e) switching the first telephone line from a mode that receives data signals and does not pass the data signals to the second telephone line to a mode where voice signals on the first telephone line are connected to the second telephone line depending on whether voice signals or data signals are being received on the first telephone line; (f) detecting the level of voice signals on the second telephone line; and (g) disconnecting the telephone from the second telephone line when the voice signals of the second telephone line are of a sufficient pre-selected level.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3585303A
Cited
US3896267A
Cited
US4012599A
Cited
US4268721A
Cited
US4191854A
Cited
JPS5755649A
Cited
US4503288A
Cited
US4426555A
Cited
JPS58134568A
Cited
US4524244A
Cited
US4650927A
Cited
GB2183880A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1995-01-13 | 1995-07-15 | 1996-01-14 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1999-01-13 | 1999-07-15 | 2000-01-14 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2003-01-13 | 2003-07-15 | 2004-01-14 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |