Patent US4295859A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
Patent US5481590A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US5481590A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Selection of a communication terminal for receiving an incoming call
Assignee: AT&T Inc
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Filing: 1994-10-26
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Granted: 1996-01-02
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Expires: 2014-10-26
Abstract
Abstract An apparatus that allows a pager to select a telecommunication terminal to which a telecommunications switching system terminates all incoming calls destined for the user of the pager. The selection is made under control of the user. The pager request that communication terminals transmit their identities to the pager. The pager then displays the identities of communication terminals to the user who selects one of the communication terminals to be the selected communication terminal. In response to the selection by the user, the pager signals the selected communication terminal. In turn, the selected communication terminal signals the telecommunications switching system that all incoming calls for the user of pager are to be terminated on the selected communication terminal.
Inventors
- 👤 Gary J. Grimes
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-29 23:27
CPC Classifications
H; H04; H04W; H04W88/00; H04W88/02; H04W88/022; H04M; H04M11/00; H04M11/02; H04M11/022; H04M3/00; H04M3/42; H04M3/54; H04M3/42229
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 28
Claim 1
Independent Claim
71 words
An apparatus for allowing a user of a pager to control the termination of incoming telephone calls that are intended for the user, comprising: means for identifying communication terminals to the pager; means for selecting one of the identified communication terminal in response to a first message from the pager that is actuated by the user of the pager; and means for directing the incoming calls to the selected communication terminal.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
71 words
An apparatus for allowing a user of a pager to control the termination of incoming telephone calls that are intended for the user, comprising: means for identifying communication terminals to the pager; means for selecting one of the identified communication terminal in response to a first message from the pager that is actuated by the user of the pager; and means for directing the incoming calls to the selected communication terminal.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
19 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the means for identifying is responsive to a second message from the pager.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
54 words
The apparatus of claim 2 further comprises means for detecting that a distance between the selected communication terminal and the pager exceeds a predetermined amount and for signaling the means for directing of the distance; and the means for directing responsive to the signaling to cease directing incoming calls to the selected communication terminal.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
33 words
The apparatus of claim 3 wherein the means for identifying comprises means in each of the communication terminals for transmitting the identity of each in response to the second message from the pager.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
73 words
A pager for controlling the termination of incoming telephone calls intended for a user of the pager, comprising: means for requesting that a plurality of communication terminals transmit identities of the communication terminals; means for displaying the identities of the communication terminals; means for selecting one of the communication terminals in response to input from the user; and means for transmitting a request to have incoming calls terminated on the selected communication terminal.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
73 words
A pager for controlling the termination of incoming telephone calls intended for a user of the pager, comprising: means for requesting that a plurality of communication terminals transmit identities of the communication terminals; means for displaying the identities of the communication terminals; means for selecting one of the communication terminals in response to input from the user; and means for transmitting a request to have incoming calls terminated on the selected communication terminal.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
18 words
The pager of claim 5 further comprises means responsive to the transmitted identities for prioritizing the communication terminals.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
20 words
The pager of claim 6 wherein means for displaying displays the identities of the communication terminals in order of prioritization.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
22 words
The pager of claim 7 wherein the means for prioritizing uses signal strength of the transmissions from the communication terminals for prioritization.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
23 words
The pager of claim 8 wherein the means for displaying further displays the identities one at a time in response to user actuation.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
22 words
The pager of claim 9 wherein the means for selecting comprises means for designating the communication terminal whose identity is presently displayed.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
20 words
The pager of claim 10 wherein the means for requesting comprises means for transmitting a message to the communication terminals.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
27 words
The pager of claim 11 further comprises means for resetting the pager upon signal strength of transmissions from the selected communication terminal being below a predefined level.
Claim 15
Independent Claim
68 words
A method for allowing a user of a pager to control the termination of incoming telephone calls that me intended for the user, comprising the steps of: identifying communication terminals to the pager; selecting one of the identified communication terminal in response to a first message from the pager that is actuated by the user of the pager; and directing the incoming calls to the selected communication terminal.
Claim 16
Independent Claim
68 words
A method for allowing a user of a pager to control the termination of incoming telephone calls that me intended for the user, comprising the steps of: identifying communication terminals to the pager; selecting one of the identified communication terminal in response to a first message from the pager that is actuated by the user of the pager; and directing the incoming calls to the selected communication terminal.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 13 wherein the step of identifying is responsive to a second message from the pager.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
55 words
The method of claim 14 further comprises the step of detecting that a distance between the selected communication terminal and the pager exceeds a predetermined amount and for signaling the step of directing of the distance; and the step of directing responsive to the signaling to cease directing incoming calls to the selected communication terminal.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
34 words
The method of claim 15 wherein the step of identifying comprises the step of transmitting, in each of the communication terminals, the identity of each in response to the second message from the pager.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method of claim 15 further comprises prioritizing the communication terminals in responsive to the transmitted identities.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of claim 17 wherein the means for displaying the identities of the communication terminals displays the identities in order of prioritization.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 18 wherein the step of prioritizing uses signal strength of the transmissions from the communication terminals for prioritization.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of claim 19 wherein the step of displaying further displays the identities one at a time in response to user actuation.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of claim 20 wherein the step of selecting comprises the step of designating the communication terminal whose identity is presently displayed.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 21 wherein the step of requesting comprises the step of transmitting a message to the communication terminals.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
28 words
The method of claim 22 further comprises the step of resetting the pager upon signal strength of transmissions from the selected communication terminal being below a predefined level.
Claim 27
Independent Claim
69 words
A method for controlling a pager to terminate incoming telephone calls intended for a user of the pager, comprising the steps of: requesting that a plurality of communication terminals transmit identities of the communication terminals; displaying the identities of the communication terminals; selecting one of the communication terminals in response to input from the user; and transmitting a request to have incoming calls terminated on the selected communication terminal.
Claim 28
Independent Claim
69 words
A method for controlling a pager to terminate incoming telephone calls intended for a user of the pager, comprising the steps of: requesting that a plurality of communication terminals transmit identities of the communication terminals; displaying the identities of the communication terminals; selecting one of the communication terminals in response to input from the user; and transmitting a request to have incoming calls terminated on the selected communication terminal.
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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) | 1999-01-01 | 1999-07-03 | 2000-01-02 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2003-01-01 | 2003-07-03 | 2004-01-02 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2007-01-01 | 2007-07-03 | 2008-01-02 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |