US5200995A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Universal outgoing call restriction circuit
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1990-12-24
•
Granted: 1993-04-06
•
Expires: 2010-12-24
Abstract
Abstract A circuit which prevents a telephone or a plurality of telephones from making unauthorized or restricted calls to specific numbers or unspecific groups of numbers. The restricted call numbers may be local or toll call. The circuit is disabled either on a call by call basis, or indefinitely by entering a user defined pass code. The circuit is programmable from any commercially available touch-tone phone. When in the call restriction mode, the circuit detects outgoing calls by detecting and decoding standard `DTMF` burst. Upon detecting the first valid tone, the circuit isolates the user from the central office equipment. The circuit then parses the first and all following DTMF bursts and compares them against preprogrammed internal lists of fixed or relative restricted numbers. If a fixed number or a relative group of numbers is validly compared to the internal lists, the circuit continues to lock out the user until the central office will no longer accept a number, at which time, the circuit releases the line and restores the user to central office access. If no valid comparison is made to the internal lists, the circuit dials the remaining numbers in a burst mode, and restores user access to the central office as the call is completed. Use of the `*` key and `#` keys allow special programming options, and user disabling via special pass codes. The system may optionally be used with rotary dial phones and can be used with non-telephone voice and/or data communication systems.
Inventors
- 👤 John J. Gaukel
- 👤 Gerald C. Korth
- 👤 Luis N. Fortun
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-24 12:12
CPC Classifications
H; H04; H04M; H04M1/00; H04M1/66; H04M1/677
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 42
Claim 1
Independent Claim
119 words
An apparatus for restricting selected, pre-determined outgoing communications of voice or data over a communication line comprising: means for monitoring outgoing dialing signals representing one or more sequences of one or more code characters; means for sequentially decoding the dialing signals into the sequences of code characters; means for comparing any part of each entire sequence of code characters of the decoded dialing signals with a predetermined list of at least one pre-determined sequence of code characters; and means for determining if outgoing communication over the communications line will be allowed depending on if the means for comparing matches any part of a decoded sequence of code characters with any pre-determined sequence of code characters on the pre-determined list.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
119 words
An apparatus for restricting selected, pre-determined outgoing communications of voice or data over a communication line comprising: means for monitoring outgoing dialing signals representing one or more sequences of one or more code characters; means for sequentially decoding the dialing signals into the sequences of code characters; means for comparing any part of each entire sequence of code characters of the decoded dialing signals with a predetermined list of at least one pre-determined sequence of code characters; and means for determining if outgoing communication over the communications line will be allowed depending on if the means for comparing matches any part of a decoded sequence of code characters with any pre-determined sequence of code characters on the pre-determined list.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
34 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the means for determining includes at least one of the following, means to disable communication over the communications link and means to allow communications over the communications link.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
25 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the pre-determined list includes sequences of code character variables and combined sequences of code characters and code character variables.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
43 words
The apparatus of claim 3 wherein outgoing communication is disabled if the means for comparing matches any part of a decoded sequence of code characters with any sequence o r combined sequence of code characters and code character variables on the predetermined list.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
33 words
The apparatus of claim 3 wherein outgoing communication is allowed if the means for comparing matches any part of a decoded sequence of code characters and code character variable son the predetermined list.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
13 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the apparatus connects to a telephone means.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
13 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the outgoing dialing signals are tone signals.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
13 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the outgoing dialing signals are pulse signals.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
22 words
The apparatus of claim 7 wherein the means for decoding includes at least one f a DTMF decoder and a pulse decoder.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
28 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the code characters are any combination of one or more numerical digits, function symbols, and combination of numerical digits and function symbols.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
22 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the means for comparing includes a microprocessor means, at least one memory means, and software means.
Claim 13
Independent Claim
30 words
The apparatus of claim wherein the means for monitoring includes connection means for connection of the means in series between the subscriber side and line side of a telephone line.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
29 words
The apparatus of claim 12 wherein the means for determining comprises a switch means connected to the telephone line, the switch means being controllable by the means for comparing.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
31 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the means for monitoring includes connection means for connection of the means in parallel between the subscriber side and line side of a telephone line.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
38 words
The apparatus of claim 14 wherein the means for determining comprises voltage reduction means operatively connected between the subscriber side and line side of the telephone line, the voltage reduction means being controlled by the means for comparing.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
14 words
The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a means for storing the dialing signals.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
15 words
The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a means for parsing the decoded dialing signals.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
15 words
The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a means for regenerating the decoded dialing signals.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
11 words
The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a power supply means.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
14 words
The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising an access means for overriding the apparatus.
Claim 22
Independent Claim
98 words
A method of restricting selected pre-determined outgoing communications including voice and data communications, to any receiving means comprising: creating a list of at least one pre-determined sequence of one or more code characters; monitoring and decoding outgoing telephone dialing signals comprising sequences of code characters; comparing any part of the sequences of the signals with the list of pre-determined sequences; and controlling transmission of dialing signals to a receiving means depending upon confirmation of whether or not a match between a sequence and any part of the sequence of code characters of the dialing signals has been made.
Claim 23
Independent Claim
98 words
A method of restricting selected pre-determined outgoing communications including voice and data communications, to any receiving means comprising: creating a list of at least one pre-determined sequence of one or more code characters; monitoring and decoding outgoing telephone dialing signals comprising sequences of code characters; comparing any part of the sequences of the signals with the list of pre-determined sequences; and controlling transmission of dialing signals to a receiving means depending upon confirmation of whether or not a match between a sequence and any part of the sequence of code characters of the dialing signals has been made.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
29 words
The method of claim 21 wherein the list of restricted sequences further comprises sequences selected from the set comprising numbers, functions, variables, and combinations of numbers, functions, and variables.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
30 words
The method of claim 21 wherein the comparison by any part of the sequences of the signals is accomplished by comparing code characters one by one for each entire sequence.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of claim 21 wherein the transmission of dialing signals is disabled upon the monitoring and decoding of the first code character.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
27 words
The method of claim 21 wherein the transmission of a dialing signals is disabled upon the first match of a code character with a restricted code character.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
30 words
The method of claim 21 wherein the step of controlling transmission comprises allowing transmission upon a match between a sequence or any part of a sequence of the dialing signals.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
30 words
The method of claim 21 wherein the step of controlling transmission comprises disabling transmission upon a match between a sequence or any part of a sequence of the dialing signals.
Claim 30
Independent Claim
119 words
A method of automatically restricting any telephone number or combination of digits of a telephone umber, comprising: storing a list of restricted numbers or partial numbers, the restricted numbers or partial numbers being taken from the set comprising: sequences of entire telephone numbers, sequence of partial telephone numbers, and combined sequences of one or more partial telephone numbers and one or more variables; detecting dialing of a sequence of numbers; parsing the sequence of numbers and comparing each sequence to the list of restricted numbers and partial numbers; preventing output of the dialed number to the line side of a telephone line if any part of the sequence of numbers is identical to a restricted number of partial number.
Claim 31
Independent Claim
119 words
A method of automatically restricting any telephone number or combination of digits of a telephone umber, comprising: storing a list of restricted numbers or partial numbers, the restricted numbers or partial numbers being taken from the set comprising: sequences of entire telephone numbers, sequence of partial telephone numbers, and combined sequences of one or more partial telephone numbers and one or more variables; detecting dialing of a sequence of numbers; parsing the sequence of numbers and comparing each sequence to the list of restricted numbers and partial numbers; preventing output of the dialed number to the line side of a telephone line if any part of the sequence of numbers is identical to a restricted number of partial number.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
20 words
A method of claim 28 wherein the telephone numbers include digits, functions, variables, and combinations of digits, functions, and variables.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
52 words
The method of claim 28 wherein the transmission of the dialed telephone numbers is disabled immediately upon detection of the first digit of the sequence of dialed numbers, the remaining sequence is stored, and the sequence is regenerated after parsing when no match to a restricted number of partial numbers is found.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
13 words
The method of claim 28 further comprising altering the list of restricted numbers.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 28 further comprising overriding prevention of output of the dialed number by entering a pass code.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 28 further comprising enabling the method of call restriction for certain times and dates.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method of claim 28 wherein the restricted numbers are prevented with regard to a modem.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
62 words
The method of claim 28 wherein the list of restricted numbers of partial numbers comprises a string of one or more dialing characters X where X equals any character selected from the set 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, #, *, and the number of characters can vary from one to a string of a plurality of characters.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
171 words
Circuit mans for restricting selected, pre-determined outgoing telephone calls comprising: connection means for connecting the circuit between the subscriber side and line side of the telephone line; decoder means for decoding any outgoing telephone dialing signals comprising a sequence of one or more telephone dialing signals; control means for storing any decoded dialing signals and comparing those signals to a list or lists of restricted telephone characters, the restricted telephone characters each comprising one or more symbols corresponding to telephone dialing keys; regenerator means for regenerating stored dialing signals in the control means; power means for providing electrical power to the circuit; transformer means for regulating voltage to the circuit; switching means operating in response to the control means for disabling transmission of dialing signals in the telephone line upon match of a restricted telephone character with a decoded dialing signal; bridge means for controlling current in the circuit; reset means for enabling the telephone line after disablement; and disabling means controlled by the control means for operating the switch means.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
171 words
Circuit mans for restricting selected, pre-determined outgoing telephone calls comprising: connection means for connecting the circuit between the subscriber side and line side of the telephone line; decoder means for decoding any outgoing telephone dialing signals comprising a sequence of one or more telephone dialing signals; control means for storing any decoded dialing signals and comparing those signals to a list or lists of restricted telephone characters, the restricted telephone characters each comprising one or more symbols corresponding to telephone dialing keys; regenerator means for regenerating stored dialing signals in the control means; power means for providing electrical power to the circuit; transformer means for regulating voltage to the circuit; switching means operating in response to the control means for disabling transmission of dialing signals in the telephone line upon match of a restricted telephone character with a decoded dialing signal; bridge means for controlling current in the circuit; reset means for enabling the telephone line after disablement; and disabling means controlled by the control means for operating the switch means.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
20 words
The circuit means of claim 36 wherein the control means comprises a computer means, a memory means, and software means.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
41 words
The circuit means of claim 36 wherein the disable means includes switch means if the circuit is connected in series with the telephone line, and a voltage regulator means if the circuit means is connected in parallel to the telephone line.
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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) | 1996-04-05 | 1996-10-05 | 1997-04-06 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2000-04-05 | 2000-10-05 | 2001-04-06 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2004-04-05 | 2004-10-05 | 2005-04-06 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |