Call interceptor for emergency systems

Claim 1

A device, having a data base of information stored in an internal memory, for use as an adjunct to an existing telephone switching and control system and for responsively providing, to 911 and enhanced 911 emergency systems, selected extension identifying information which includes at least the number and location of an extension telephone of said telephone system from which a call comprised of the three digits 911 originates, said device comprising: sensing means for sensing an off-hook condition of any of a plurality of extension telephones of said telephone system; detecting means for detecting dialing signals from said extension telephones of said telephone system, whether or not said extension telephones are in said off-hook condition; selectable responding means for responding to the pressing of a selected single key of said extension telephones as a designated "Panic Button", alternate means of generating a 911 emergency call, said alternate call generating means being functional without the need for taking said extension telephone off-hook; identification means for determining whether or to said dialing signals from said extension telephones comprise an emergency 911 call, and whether or not said dialing signals were generated by said selected key of said extension telephones as an alternate, "Panic Button" method for dialing said emergency call; dial tone processing means for detecting, generating, and suppressing at least one dial tone; memory access means for selectively retrieving and transmitting selected items from said data base of information in response to a finding by said identification means that said call is a 911 emergency call, and appropriate externally generated interrogation signals; telephone system conformation means for causing said device to modify selected functions thereof in order to conform to selected functions of said telephone system at which said device is installed, aid selected functions of said telephone system including a need for dialing an access code consisting of at least one digit to access an outside line of said phone system in order to dial 911 and the inability of said telephone system to reroute said 911 calls; interface means for interfacing with computers, conventional telephones, telephone lines and circuits; and automatic rerouting means for automatically dialing alternate destination telephone numbers and automatically selecting alternate telephone lines over which to transmit information in case of apparent failure of initially selected route.

Claim 2

A device, having a data base of information stored in an internal memory, for use as an adjunct to an existing telephone switching and control system and for responsively providing, to 911 and enhanced 911 emergency systems, selected extension identifying information which includes at least the number and location of an extension telephone of said telephone system from which a call comprised of the three digits 911 originates, said device comprising: sensing means for sensing an off-hook condition of any of a plurality of extension telephones of said telephone system; detecting means for detecting dialing signals from said extension telephones of said telephone system, whether or not said extension telephones are in said off-hook condition; selectable responding means for responding to the pressing of a selected single key of said extension telephones as a designated "Panic Button", alternate means of generating a 911 emergency call, said alternate call generating means being functional without the need for taking said extension telephone off-hook; identification means for determining whether or to said dialing signals from said extension telephones comprise an emergency 911 call, and whether or not said dialing signals were generated by said selected key of said extension telephones as an alternate, "Panic Button" method for dialing said emergency call; dial tone processing means for detecting, generating, and suppressing at least one dial tone; memory access means for selectively retrieving and transmitting selected items from said data base of information in response to a finding by said identification means that said call is a 911 emergency call, and appropriate externally generated interrogation signals; telephone system conformation means for causing said device to modify selected functions thereof in order to conform to selected functions of said telephone system at which said device is installed, aid selected functions of said telephone system including a need for dialing an access code consisting of at least one digit to access an outside line of said phone system in order to dial 911 and the inability of said telephone system to reroute said 911 calls; interface means for interfacing with computers, conventional telephones, telephone lines and circuits; and automatic rerouting means for automatically dialing alternate destination telephone numbers and automatically selecting alternate telephone lines over which to transmit information in case of apparent failure of initially selected route.

Claim 4

A system of at least two devices, having electronic memories and data bases, for selectively supplying the identifying number and location of a calling extension telephone of a PBX via a first device of the present invention, installed at said PBX, to a second device installed in cooperative association with a selected called telephone, comprising the steps of: detecting the dialing by a calling PBX extension telephone of the digits 911; in response to said detection of the dialing of the digits 911, the outdialing of a preselected number stored in said electronic memory; the selecting of alternate process steps for PBXs requiring four digits for 911, and which do not reroute said 911 calls; the detecting of a responsive interrogating signal from said second device; upon detection of said interrogating signal, the accessing of said data base and the transmitting of selected items of data stored therein to said interrogating device; and the automatic selecting of an alternate telephone line and the automatic outdialing of an alternate telephone number in case of failures to detect said interrogating signal.

Claim 5

A system of at least two devices, having electronic memories and data bases, for selectively supplying the identifying number and location of a calling extension telephone of a PBX via a first device of the present invention, installed at said PBX, to a second device installed in cooperative association with a selected called telephone, comprising the steps of: detecting the dialing by a calling PBX extension telephone of the digits 911; in response to said detection of the dialing of the digits 911, the outdialing of a preselected number stored in said electronic memory; the selecting of alternate process steps for PBXs requiring four digits for 911, and which do not reroute said 911 calls; the detecting of a responsive interrogating signal from said second device; upon detection of said interrogating signal, the accessing of said data base and the transmitting of selected items of data stored therein to said interrogating device; and the automatic selecting of an alternate telephone line and the automatic outdialing of an alternate telephone number in case of failures to detect said interrogating signal.

Claim 6

A device having an internal memory for storing selected telephone extension identification information, said device for use as an adjunct to an existing telephone system and for responsively providing said selected telephone extension identifying information to emergency telephone systems, said selected telephone extension identifying information including at least the number and location of an extension telephone of said telephone system from which an emergency call originates, said device comprising: sensing means for sensing an off-hook condition of any of a plurality of said extension telephones of said telephone system; extension telephone identifying means for identifying which of said plurality of extension telephones has originated said emergency call; telephone system conformation means for causing said device to modify selected functions thereof in order to conform to selected functions of said telephone system at which said device is installed; and automatic rerouting means for automatically dialing alternate destination telephone numbers and automatically selecting alternate telephone lines over which to transmit information.

Claim 7

A device having an internal memory for storing selected telephone extension identification information, said device for use as an adjunct to an existing telephone system and for responsively providing said selected telephone extension identifying information to emergency telephone systems, said selected telephone extension identifying information including at least the number and location of an extension telephone of said telephone system from which an emergency call originates, said device comprising: sensing means for sensing an off-hook condition of any of a plurality of said extension telephones of said telephone system; extension telephone identifying means for identifying which of said plurality of extension telephones has originated said emergency call; telephone system conformation means for causing said device to modify selected functions thereof in order to conform to selected functions of said telephone system at which said device is installed; and automatic rerouting means for automatically dialing alternate destination telephone numbers and automatically selecting alternate telephone lines over which to transmit information.