US5228079A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method and apparatus for pulse/tone detection and selection
Assignee: Lifeline Systems Inc
•
Filing: 1991-07-12
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Granted: 1993-07-13
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Expires: 2011-07-12
Abstract
Abstract A method and apparatus for permitting a telephonic device to select the mode of dialing, pulse or tone, which is proper for the local telephone network interface to which it is connected.
Inventors
- 👤 Alan D. Brav
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 11:01
CPC Classifications
H; H04; H04M; H04M1/00; H04M1/26; H04M1/30; H04M1/27
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 13
Claim 1
Independent Claim
93 words
A method for setting a mode of dialing in a telephonic device to correspond to that of a telephone network interface to which the telephonic device is in communication, the steps comprising: attempting to place a call by dialing a telephone number using a first mode of dialing; determining if the call has completed successfully; changing the mode of dialing from said first mode of dialing to a second mode of dialing if the call has not completed successfully and redialing; storing the mode of dialing by which the call was completed successfully.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
93 words
A method for setting a mode of dialing in a telephonic device to correspond to that of a telephone network interface to which the telephonic device is in communication, the steps comprising: attempting to place a call by dialing a telephone number using a first mode of dialing; determining if the call has completed successfully; changing the mode of dialing from said first mode of dialing to a second mode of dialing if the call has not completed successfully and redialing; storing the mode of dialing by which the call was completed successfully.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
29 words
The method of claim 1 wherein prior to said changing of the mode of dialing following the unsuccessful call, the mode of dialing currently being used is reattempted once.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the first mode of dialing is tone dialing.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method of claim 1 wherein on alternate dialing attempts, a second telephone number is dialed.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method of claim 1 further including the step of asserting an on-hook signal prior to redialing.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 1 further including the step of asserting an on-hook signal after a predetermined number of dialing attempts.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
152 words
A telephonic device comprising: a pulse generator connected to a telephone network; a tone generator connected to said telephone network; a selector device for selecting one of either said pulse generator or said tone generator for producing a dialing mode; a dialer circuit for using one of either said pulse generator or said tone generator to dial a number; and a controller in communication with said selector for causing said selector to select said one of either said tone generator or said pulse generator for producing said dialing mode, said controller in communication with said dialer circuit to cause said dialer circuit to use one of either said pulse generator or said tone generator to dial a number; said controller also in communication with said telephone network and causing said dialing mode to be selected by said selector in response as to whether said dialing mode used successfully completed a previous call.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
152 words
A telephonic device comprising: a pulse generator connected to a telephone network; a tone generator connected to said telephone network; a selector device for selecting one of either said pulse generator or said tone generator for producing a dialing mode; a dialer circuit for using one of either said pulse generator or said tone generator to dial a number; and a controller in communication with said selector for causing said selector to select said one of either said tone generator or said pulse generator for producing said dialing mode, said controller in communication with said dialer circuit to cause said dialer circuit to use one of either said pulse generator or said tone generator to dial a number; said controller also in communication with said telephone network and causing said dialing mode to be selected by said selector in response as to whether said dialing mode used successfully completed a previous call.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
26 words
The telephonic device of claim 7 further comprising a call-attempt-counter for determining how many attempts have been made using the mode of dialing currently being used.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
23 words
The telephonic device of claim 8 further comprising an "on-hook" signal asserter for generating an on-hook signal after a predetermined number of attempts.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
37 words
The telephonic device of claim 7 further comprising a memory for storing an indication of the dialing mode, said controller causing said memory to store an indication of the dialing mode which successfully completed said previous call.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
12 words
The telephone device of claim 7 wherein said controller is a microprocessor.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
GB2207836A
Cited
US4947423A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1996-07-12 | 1997-01-11 | 1997-07-13 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2000-07-12 | 2001-01-11 | 2001-07-13 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2004-07-12 | 2005-01-11 | 2005-07-13 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |