Patent US5142567A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US5142567A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Communication apparatus having alternate message communication
Assignee: Canon Inc
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Filing: 1991-01-28
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Granted: 1992-08-25
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Expires: 2011-01-28
Abstract
Abstract A message communication apparatus includes a connection unit, including a DC loop forming circuit, a DC loop detection circuit, and relays, for connecting a data communication apparatus through a connection line, a message communication unit, including a message circuit and a handset, for performing message communication without being through the data communication apparatus, a requesting unit, including a hook switch, for requesting a connection between a communication line and the message communication unit, an IR sending circuit for generating a ringing signal to the data communication apparatus upon detection of an incoming call, and a control circuit for connecting the communication line and the data communication apparatus upon detection of the incoming call when the requesting unit does not output a connection request.
Inventors
- 👤 Mitsuhiro Watanabe
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-02 05:56
CPC Classifications
H; H04; H04N; H04N1/00; H04N1/32; H04N1/327; H04N1/32704; H04N1/32706; H04N1/32708; H04M; H04M11/00; H04M11/06; H04N1/32715; H04N1/32728; H04N1/3273; H04N1/32732; H04N1/32739; H04N1/32741; H04N1/32763
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 57
Claim 1
Independent Claim
143 words
A key telephone system comprising: (A) a main unit for controlling extension telephones; and (B) an extension telephone comprising: (b1) connecting means for connecting a data communications apparatus through a connection line, (b2) message communication means for performing message communication, (b3) generating means for, at arrival of a call, generating a calling signal to the data communication apparatus on the basis of a first command from said main unit, and (b4) sending means for sending a predetermined code signal to said main unit on the basis of a response to the call, from said message communication means or the data communication apparatus, wherein said main unit sends a second command to said extension telephone on the basis of a response to the call, from another extension telephone, and said generating means stops generating the calling signal on the basis of the second command.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
143 words
A key telephone system comprising: (A) a main unit for controlling extension telephones; and (B) an extension telephone comprising: (b1) connecting means for connecting a data communications apparatus through a connection line, (b2) message communication means for performing message communication, (b3) generating means for, at arrival of a call, generating a calling signal to the data communication apparatus on the basis of a first command from said main unit, and (b4) sending means for sending a predetermined code signal to said main unit on the basis of a response to the call, from said message communication means or the data communication apparatus, wherein said main unit sends a second command to said extension telephone on the basis of a response to the call, from another extension telephone, and said generating means stops generating the calling signal on the basis of the second command.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
17 words
A system according to claim 1, wherein said connecting means is capable of connecting a facsimile machine.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
25 words
A system according to claim 1, wherein said connecting means connects said message communication means or said data communication apparatus to the main unit selectively.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
28 words
A system according to claim 1, wherein said generating means generates the calling signal when a predetermined period of time has elapsed upon detection of the first command.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
49 words
An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said connecting means connects said main unit and said data communication apparatus when the data communication apparatus responds to the calling signal, and connects said main unit and said message communication means when said message communication means responds to the first command.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
34 words
A system according to claim 1, wherein said generating means interrupts the generation of the calling signal when said message communication means responds during the generation of the calling signal by said generating means.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
18 words
A system according to claim 1, wherein said control means receives the incoming command through a control line.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
32 words
A system according to claim 1, wherein said message communication means comprises a handset, and said sending means recognizes an off-hook of said handset as a response from said message communication means.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
15 words
A system according to claim 1, wherein said message communication apparatus is a key telephone.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
22 words
A system according to claim 1, wherein said main unit sends the first command when a call arrives on an outside line.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
33 words
A system according to claim 1, wherein said sending means recognizes a response from the communication apparatus on the basis of the detection of breaking of a loop formed on the connection line.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
35 words
A system according to claim 1, wherein said generating means generates the calling signal to the data communication apparatus through the connection line, and the data communication apparatus performs data communication through the connection line.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
104 words
A message communication apparatus comprising: connecting means for connecting a data communications apparatus through a connection line; message communication means for performing message communication through a communication line, said message communication means comprising a handset and a hook switch; forming means for forming a loop on said connection line when said hook switch is in an off-hook state; detecting means for detecting breaking of the loop by the data communication apparatus; and control means for controlling said connecting means to connect said data communication apparatus to the communication line in accordance with the detection of the breaking of the loop by said detecting means.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
104 words
A message communication apparatus comprising: connecting means for connecting a data communications apparatus through a connection line; message communication means for performing message communication through a communication line, said message communication means comprising a handset and a hook switch; forming means for forming a loop on said connection line when said hook switch is in an off-hook state; detecting means for detecting breaking of the loop by the data communication apparatus; and control means for controlling said connecting means to connect said data communication apparatus to the communication line in accordance with the detection of the breaking of the loop by said detecting means.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
31 words
An apparatus according to claim 13, wherein said message communication apparatus comprises means for sending to a main unit a code representing that said hook switch is in an off-hook state.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
24 words
An apparatus according to claim 13, wherein said connecting means connects said message communication means or said data communication apparatus to a communication line.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
22 words
An apparatus according to claim 13, wherein said connecting means is capable of connecting a facsimile apparatus as said data communication apparatus.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
39 words
An apparatus according to claim 13, wherein said connecting means connects a data communication terminal of said data communication apparatus and a message communication apparatus connecting terminal of said data communication apparatus through respective first and second connection lines.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
29 words
An apparatus according to claim 17, wherein said forming means forms a loop on a connection line to the message communication apparatus connecting terminal of said data communication apparatus.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
24 words
An apparatus according to claim 17, wherein said connecting means connects the data communication terminal of said data communication apparatus to the communication line.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
15 words
An apparatus according to claim 13, wherein said message communication apparatus is a key telephone.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
83 words
A message communication apparatus comprising: connecting means for connecting a data communications terminal of a data communication apparatus and a message communication apparatus connecting terminal of the data communication apparatus through respective first and second connection lines; message communication means for performing message communication through a communication line; request means for requesting execution of the message communication by said message communication means; and forming means for forming a loop on said second connection line in accordance with a request of said request means.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
83 words
A message communication apparatus comprising: connecting means for connecting a data communications terminal of a data communication apparatus and a message communication apparatus connecting terminal of the data communication apparatus through respective first and second connection lines; message communication means for performing message communication through a communication line; request means for requesting execution of the message communication by said message communication means; and forming means for forming a loop on said second connection line in accordance with a request of said request means.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
14 words
An apparatus according to claim 21, wherein said request means includes a hook switch.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
27 words
An apparatus according to claim 22, wherein said forming means forms the loop on the second connection line when said hook switch is in an off-hook state.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
22 words
An apparatus according to claim 21, wherein said connecting means is capable of connecting a facsimile apparatus as said data communication apparatus.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
23 words
An apparatus according to claim 21, wherein said message communication means performs message communication without using the first or the second connecting line.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
109 words
A message communication apparatus comprising: connecting means for connecting a data communication terminal of a data communication apparatus and a message communication connecting terminal of the data communication apparatus through respective first and second connection lines; message communicating means for performing message communication through a communication line; detecting means for detecting the formation of a loop on the second connection line; and switching means for connecting one of said first connection line and the message communicating means to the communication line, wherein said switching means switches the first connection line to connect the communication line to said message communicating means in accordance with the detection of said detecting means.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
109 words
A message communication apparatus comprising: connecting means for connecting a data communication terminal of a data communication apparatus and a message communication connecting terminal of the data communication apparatus through respective first and second connection lines; message communicating means for performing message communication through a communication line; detecting means for detecting the formation of a loop on the second connection line; and switching means for connecting one of said first connection line and the message communicating means to the communication line, wherein said switching means switches the first connection line to connect the communication line to said message communicating means in accordance with the detection of said detecting means.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
35 words
An apparatus according to claim 26, wherein said switching means switches the first connection line when the loop on the second connection line is formed without breaking a loop formed on the first connection line.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
34 words
An apparatus according to claim 26, wherein said switching means switches the first connection line to connect to the communication line after a predetermined communication procedure has been performed by the data communication apparatus.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
22 words
An apparatus according to claim 26, wherein said connecting means is capable of connecting a facsimile apparatus as said data communication apparatus.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
29 words
An apparatus according to claim 26, wherein said message communication means comprises forming means for forming a loop on the second connection line during execution of the message communication.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
41 words
An apparatus according to claim 26, further comprising second detecting means for detecting breaking of a loop on the first connecting line, and said switch means switches the first connection line to connect the communication line to said message communicating means.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
77 words
A key telephone system comprising: a plurality of message communication apparatuses; a main unit for sending an incoming command to said plurality of message communication apparatuses upon reception of an incoming call; a data communication apparatus connected to one of said plurality of message communication apparatuses; and control means for connecting said data communication apparatus to a line corresponding to the incoming call when none of said plurality of message communication apparatuses responds to the incoming command.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
77 words
A key telephone system comprising: a plurality of message communication apparatuses; a main unit for sending an incoming command to said plurality of message communication apparatuses upon reception of an incoming call; a data communication apparatus connected to one of said plurality of message communication apparatuses; and control means for connecting said data communication apparatus to a line corresponding to the incoming call when none of said plurality of message communication apparatuses responds to the incoming command.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
44 words
A system according to claim 32, wherein said control means sends out a calling signal to said data communication apparatus and connects said data communication apparatus to the line corresponding to the incoming call when said data communication apparatus responds to the calling signal.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
29 words
A system according to claim 33, wherein said control means sends out the calling signal when a predetermined period of time has elapsed upon reception of the incoming call.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
27 words
A system according to claim 32, wherein at least one of said message communication apparatuses is capable of connecting a facsimile apparatus as said data communication apparatus.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
49 words
A system according to claim 32, wherein said control means connects said data communication apparatus to the line corresponding to the incoming call when none of said plurality of message communication apparatuses responds to the incoming command within the predetermined period of time upon reception of the incoming call.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
22 words
A system according to claim 32, wherein said one message communication apparatus connected to said data communication apparatus comprises said control means.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
46 words
A system according to claim 32, wherein said control means connects said data communication apparatus to the line corresponding to the incoming command when message communication apparatus did not respond to the incoming command within the predetermined period of time upon reception of the incoming command.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
25 words
A system according to claim 32, wherein at least one of said message communication apparatuses connected to said data communication apparatus comprises said control means.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
113 words
A key telephone system comprising: connecting means for connecting a data communication terminal of a data communication apparatus and a message communication connecting terminal of the data communication apparatus through respective first and second connection lines; message communication apparatus comprising message communication means; a main unit for controlling said data communication apparatus; detecting means for detecting formation of a loop on the second connecting line; and changeover means for connecting one of said data communication apparatus and said message communication means to the main unit, wherein said changeover means switches said data communication apparatus to connect the main unit to the message communication means in accordance with the detection by said detecting means.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
113 words
A key telephone system comprising: connecting means for connecting a data communication terminal of a data communication apparatus and a message communication connecting terminal of the data communication apparatus through respective first and second connection lines; message communication apparatus comprising message communication means; a main unit for controlling said data communication apparatus; detecting means for detecting formation of a loop on the second connecting line; and changeover means for connecting one of said data communication apparatus and said message communication means to the main unit, wherein said changeover means switches said data communication apparatus to connect the main unit to the message communication means in accordance with the detection by said detecting means.
Claim 47
Dependent Claim
35 words
A system according to claim 40, wherein said changeover means switches the data communication apparatus when a loop on the second connection line is formed without breaking a loop formed on the first connection line.
Claim 48
Dependent Claim
29 words
A system according to claim 40, wherein said changeover means switches the the data communication apparatus when a predetermined communication procedure has been performed by the data communication apparatus.
Claim 49
Dependent Claim
23 words
A system according to claim 40, wherein said message communication apparatus is capable of connecting a facsimile apparatus as the data communication apparatus.
Claim 50
Dependent Claim
17 words
A system according to claim 40, wherein said connecting means is included in said message communication apparatus.
Claim 51
Dependent Claim
29 words
A system according to claim 40, wherein said message communication means comprises forming means for forming a loop on the second connection line during execution of the message communication.
Claim 52
Dependent Claim
17 words
A system according to claim 40, wherein said detecting means is included in said message communication apparatus.
Claim 53
Dependent Claim
17 words
A system according to claim 40, wherein said changeover means is included in said message communication apparatus.
Claim 54
Dependent Claim
41 words
An apparatus according to claim 40, further comprising second detecting means for detecting breaking of a loop on the first connecting line, and said switch means switches the first connection line to connect the communication line to said message communicating means.
Claim 55
Dependent Claim
18 words
A system according to claim 40, wherein said second detecting means is included in said message communication apparatus.
Claim 56
Dependent Claim
15 words
An apparatus according to claim 21, wherein said message communication apparatus is a key telephone.
Claim 57
Dependent Claim
15 words
An apparatus according to claim 26, wherein said message communication apparatus is a key telephone.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1995-08-25 | 1996-02-24 | 1996-08-25 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1999-08-25 | 2000-02-24 | 2000-08-25 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2003-08-25 | 2004-02-24 | 2004-08-25 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |