Patent US5515423A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US5515423A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Two-line telephone controller
Assignee: Canon Inc
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Filing: 1993-12-03
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Granted: 1996-05-07
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Expires: 2013-12-03
Abstract
Abstract A computer-controlled communication board which includes a data access arrangement which functions as an intermediary between multiple telephone lines, a data communication device such as a fax/modem/voice chipset, and a standard telephone handset. The data access arrangement has a line select switch which switchably connects one of the multiple telephone lines to the data communication device via a single transformer and associated 2/4 converter. Off-hook switches are provided for each telephone line so that the data communication device can cause the selected telephone line to go off-hook. Likewise, ring detectors are provided for each telephone line so that the data communication device can detect which of those lines is ringing. Telephone handset switches may be provided for each telephone line so that the telephone handset may be switchably connected to any one of the multiple telephone lines. The data access arrangement may be configured so that unused lines appear "busy" to incoming calls, or it may be configured in a voice local mode in which the telephone handset may be used for play out and recording of audio information.
Inventors
- 👤 Gregory F. Beck
- 👤 Douglas L. Palmer
- 👤 James A. Fontana
- 👤 Alistair Egan
- 👤 Richard D. Ray
- 👤 Lisa Walker
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-27 21:50
CPC Classifications
H; H04; H04N; H04N1/00; H04N1/32; H04N1/327; H04N1/32797; H04M; H04M11/00; H04M11/06; H04M3/00; H04M3/42; H04M3/428; H04N1/00127; H04N1/00204; H04N1/32704; H04N2201/00; H04N2201/0008; H04N2201/0074; H04N2201/0077; H04N2201/0081; H04N2201/0082; H04N2201/0086; H04N2201/0087; H04N2201/0089
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 54
Claim 1
Independent Claim
120 words
A communication board operable under computer control so as to select a two-wire signal from any one of multiple telephone lines, said communication board comprising: a 2/4 converter having a two-wire connection and a four-wire connection, said four-wire connection being connectable to a four-wire signal from a data communication device; and a data access arrangement having a line select switch interposed between the two-wire connection of said 2/4 converter and said multiple telephone lines, said data access arrangement operable under computer control to switchably select the two-wire signal from any one of said multiple telephone lines so as to electrically connect the selected two-wire signal from any of said multiple telephone lines to said two-wire connection of said 2/4 converter.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
120 words
A communication board operable under computer control so as to select a two-wire signal from any one of multiple telephone lines, said communication board comprising: a 2/4 converter having a two-wire connection and a four-wire connection, said four-wire connection being connectable to a four-wire signal from a data communication device; and a data access arrangement having a line select switch interposed between the two-wire connection of said 2/4 converter and said multiple telephone lines, said data access arrangement operable under computer control to switchably select the two-wire signal from any one of said multiple telephone lines so as to electrically connect the selected two-wire signal from any of said multiple telephone lines to said two-wire connection of said 2/4 converter.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
54 words
A communication board according to claim 1, wherein said data access arrangement includes a transformer interposed between said line select switch and said two-wire connection of said 2/4 converter, said transformer providing impedance matching between the selected two-wire signal from any of said multiple telephone lines and the two-wire connection of said 2/4 converter.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
17 words
A communication board according to claim 1, wherein said communication device is comprised by a fax/modem/voice chipset.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
46 words
A communication board according to claim 1, further comprising force busy means which operates in dependence on which of said multiple telephone lines is selected by said line select switch so as to force a telephone busy condition on unselected ones of said multiple telephone lines.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
101 words
A communication board operable under computer control, said communication board comprising: a data access arrangement for accessing multiple telephone lines each of which includes a tip and ring wire, said data access arrangement including a line select switch which switchably connects the tip and ring wires of a selectable one of said multiple telephone lines to a two-wire output of said data access arrangement; and a 2/4 converter for converting the two-wire output from said data access arrangement to four-wire communication so as to permit interface between a four-wire data communication device and the selectable one of the multiple telephone lines.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
101 words
A communication board operable under computer control, said communication board comprising: a data access arrangement for accessing multiple telephone lines each of which includes a tip and ring wire, said data access arrangement including a line select switch which switchably connects the tip and ring wires of a selectable one of said multiple telephone lines to a two-wire output of said data access arrangement; and a 2/4 converter for converting the two-wire output from said data access arrangement to four-wire communication so as to permit interface between a four-wire data communication device and the selectable one of the multiple telephone lines.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
18 words
A communication board according to claim 5, wherein said data communication device is comprised by a fax/modem/voice chipset.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
53 words
A communication board according to claim 5, further comprising an off-hook switch for each of said multiple telephone lines, each off-hook switch being positioned in series with its respective phone line and being operable under computer control to cause a telephone line, which is selected by said line select switch, to go off-hook.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
65 words
A communication board according to claim 7, further comprising a ring detect means for each of said multiple telephone lines, wherein in response to ring detection, said line select switch is caused to switch to one of said multiple telephone lines that is ringing and said off-hook switch for said one of said multiple telephone lines that is ringing is switched to an off-hook position.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
28 words
A communication board according to claim 8, further comprising means for blocking ring detect signal in the case where the data communication device is engaged in data communication.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
59 words
A communication board according to claim 7, further comprising force busy means connected between said off-hook switches and said line select switch, said force busy means operating in dependence on which of said multiple telephone lines is selected by said line select switch so as to force a telephone busy condition on unselected ones of said multiple telephone lines.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
38 words
A communication board according to claim 10, wherein said force busy means is comprised by a relay, and wherein the telephone busy condition is forced on unselected ones of said multiple telephone lines whose off-hook switches are actuated.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
34 words
A communication board according to claim 5, further comprising one handset switch for each of said multiple telephone lines, each said handset switch for switching its respective telephone line to a telephone handset interface.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
22 words
A communication board according to claim 12, further comprising a loop current detector for detecting loop current at said telephone handset interface.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
30 words
A communication board according to claim 13, wherein said data communication device includes an audio input interface, said audio input interface being selectively blocked in accordance with loop current detection.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
27 words
A communication board according to claim 13, wherein said telephone handset interface is connected to one of said multiple telephone lines in response to loop current detection.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
37 words
A communication board according to claim 5, further comprising a transformer interposed between said 2/4 converter and said line select switch, said transformer for matching impedance from said 2/4 converter to that of said multiple telephone lines.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
25 words
A communication board according to claim 5, further comprising a voice relay for disconnecting all of said multiple telephone lines from said data access arrangement.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
66 words
A communication board according to claim 5, further comprising a first microphone connectable to the data communication device, a telephone handset which includes a second microphone and which is also connectable to the data communication device, and a loop current detector for detecting loop current at said telephone handset, wherein only one of the first and second microphones are operable in accordance with loop current detection.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
157 words
A telephone communication apparatus comprising: computing equipment programmed to send and to receive telephone communication over any one of multiple telephone lines using a data communication device; and a communication board connected to said computing equipment and responsive to program control from said computing equipment so as to select any one of said multiple telephone lines, said communication board being comprised by a 2/4 converter having a two-wire connection and a four-wire connection, said four-wire connection connected to a four-wire signal from the data communication device, and a data access arrangement having a line select switch interposed between the two-wire connection of said 2/4 converter and said multiple telephone lines, said line select switch operable under computer control to switchably select a two-wire signal from any one of said multiple telephone lines so as to electrically connect the selected two-wire signal from any one of said multiple telephone lines to said two-wire connection of said 2/4 converter.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
157 words
A telephone communication apparatus comprising: computing equipment programmed to send and to receive telephone communication over any one of multiple telephone lines using a data communication device; and a communication board connected to said computing equipment and responsive to program control from said computing equipment so as to select any one of said multiple telephone lines, said communication board being comprised by a 2/4 converter having a two-wire connection and a four-wire connection, said four-wire connection connected to a four-wire signal from the data communication device, and a data access arrangement having a line select switch interposed between the two-wire connection of said 2/4 converter and said multiple telephone lines, said line select switch operable under computer control to switchably select a two-wire signal from any one of said multiple telephone lines so as to electrically connect the selected two-wire signal from any one of said multiple telephone lines to said two-wire connection of said 2/4 converter.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
16 words
Apparatus according to claim 19, wherein said data communication device is comprised by a fax/modem/voice chipset.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
51 words
Apparatus according to claim 19, further comprising one off-hook switch for each of said multiple telephone lines, each off-hook switch being positioned in series with its respective phone line and being operable under computer control to cause a telephone line, which is selected by said line select switch, to go off-hook.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
63 words
Apparatus according to claim 21, further comprising a ring detect means for each of said multiple telephone lines, wherein in response to ring detection, said line select switch is caused to switch to one of said multiple telephone lines that is ringing and said off-hook switch for said one of said multiple telephone lines that is ringing is switched to an off-hook position.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
25 words
Apparatus according to claim 22, further comprising means for blocking ring detect signal in the case where the communication device is engaged in data communication.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
57 words
Apparatus according to claim 21, further comprising force busy means connected between said off-hook switches and said line select switch, said force busy means operating in dependence on which of said multiple telephone lines is selected by said line select switch so as to force a telephone busy condition on unselected ones of said multiple telephone lines.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
36 words
Apparatus according to claim 24, wherein said force busy means is comprised by a relay, and wherein the telephone busy condition is forced on unselected ones of said multiple telephone lines whose off-hook switches are actuated.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
32 words
Apparatus according to claim 19, further comprising one handset switch for each of said multiple telephone lines, each said handset switch for switching its respective telephone line to a telephone handset interface.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
20 words
Apparatus according to claim 26, further comprising a loop current detector for detecting loop current to said telephone handset interface.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
28 words
Apparatus according to claim 27, wherein said data communication device includes an audio input interface, said audio input interface being selectively blocked in accordance with loop current detection.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
25 words
Apparatus according to claim 27, wherein said telephone handset interface is connected to one of said multiple telephone lines in response to loop current detection.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
35 words
Apparatus according to claim 19, further comprising a transformer interposed between said 2/4 converter and said line select switch, said transformer for matching impedance from said 2/4 converter to that of said multiple telephone lines.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
23 words
Apparatus according to claim 19, further comprising a voice relay for disconnecting all of said multiple telephone lines from said data access arrangement.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
64 words
Apparatus according to claim 19, further comprising a first microphone connectable to the data communication device, a telephone handset which includes a second microphone and which is also connectable to the data communication device, and a loop current detector for detecting loop current at said telephone handset, wherein only one of the first and second microphones are operable in accordance with loop current detection.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
138 words
A control method for controlling telephonic communications between multiple telephone lines and at least one telephone handset and at least one data communication device, said control method comprising the steps of: a data-communication-line-selecting step of selecting one of said multiple telephone lines as a first-selected signal for connection to said data communication device in a first preferential order which determines which of said multiple telephone lines said first-selected signal is selected from; and a handset-line-selecting step of selecting another one of said multiple telephone lines as an second-selected signal for connection to said telephone handset, wherein said handset-line-selecting step selects one of said multiple telephone lines in a second preferential order which determines which of said multiple telephone lines said second-selected signal is selected from, said second preferential order being in reversed order from said first preferential order.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
138 words
A control method for controlling telephonic communications between multiple telephone lines and at least one telephone handset and at least one data communication device, said control method comprising the steps of: a data-communication-line-selecting step of selecting one of said multiple telephone lines as a first-selected signal for connection to said data communication device in a first preferential order which determines which of said multiple telephone lines said first-selected signal is selected from; and a handset-line-selecting step of selecting another one of said multiple telephone lines as an second-selected signal for connection to said telephone handset, wherein said handset-line-selecting step selects one of said multiple telephone lines in a second preferential order which determines which of said multiple telephone lines said second-selected signal is selected from, said second preferential order being in reversed order from said first preferential order.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
27 words
A method according to claim 33, further comprising a step of conducting data communication by said communication device over the selected one of said multiple telephone lines.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
23 words
A method according to claim 34, wherein said step of conducting data communication is preceded by a step of closing an off-hook switch.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
31 words
A method according to claim 34, further comprising a step of connecting said telephone handset to an unused one of said multiple telephone lines in accordance with said second preferential order.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
21 words
A method according to claim 34, further comprising a step of forcing busy on unused ones of said multiple telephone lines.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
29 words
A method according to claim 37, further comprising a step of connecting a low resistance resistor across tip and ring wires of unused ones of said multiple telephone lines.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
38 words
A method according to claim 33, wherein said data-communication-line-selecting step includes a step of switching a line select switch so as to connect a two-wire data access arrangement to a four-wire data communication device via a 2/4 converter.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
24 words
A method according to claim 33, wherein said handset-line-selecting step includes the step of selectively switching a respective one of plural handset select switches.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
124 words
A control method for controlling telephonic communications between multiple telephone lines and at least one telephone handset and at least one data communication device, said control method comprising the steps of: detecting a ring signal on one of said multiple telephone lines; determining which of said multiple telephone lines is a ringing telephone line; connecting a handset switch to said ringing telephone line; moving a line select switch for said at least one data communication device to said ringing telephone line; transmitting a two-wire signal from said ringing telephone line from said line select switch to a two-wire connection of a 2/4 converter; and transmitting a four-wire signal from a four-wire connection of said 2/4 converter to said at least one data communication device.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
124 words
A control method for controlling telephonic communications between multiple telephone lines and at least one telephone handset and at least one data communication device, said control method comprising the steps of: detecting a ring signal on one of said multiple telephone lines; determining which of said multiple telephone lines is a ringing telephone line; connecting a handset switch to said ringing telephone line; moving a line select switch for said at least one data communication device to said ringing telephone line; transmitting a two-wire signal from said ringing telephone line from said line select switch to a two-wire connection of a 2/4 converter; and transmitting a four-wire signal from a four-wire connection of said 2/4 converter to said at least one data communication device.
Claim 47
Dependent Claim
27 words
A method according to claim 41, wherein the detecting step includes a step of writing a bit indicative of said ringing telephone line to a computer register.
Claim 48
Dependent Claim
20 words
A method according to claim 42, wherein the determining step includes a step of reading bits in said computer register.
Claim 49
Dependent Claim
27 words
A method according to claim 41, further comprising a step of detecting loop current in the telephone handset in the case that said telephone handset goes off-hook.
Claim 50
Dependent Claim
34 words
A method according to claim 44, further comprising a step of going off-hook for said at least one data communication device in the case that loop current is not detected within a predetermined period.
Claim 51
Dependent Claim
40 words
A method according to claim 45, further comprising a step of going on-hook for said at least one data communication device in the case that loop current is detected after going off-hook for said at least one data communication device.
Claim 52
Dependent Claim
18 words
A method according to claim 41, further comprising a step of going off-hook for the data communication device.
Claim 53
Dependent Claim
25 words
A method according to claim 47, further comprising a step of blocking ring detect signals in a case where said data communication device is off-hook.
Claim 54
Dependent Claim
29 words
A method according to claim 47, further comprising a step of moving the handset switch to an unselected line in a case where the data communication device is off-hook.
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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) | 1999-05-07 | 1999-11-06 | 2000-05-07 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2003-05-07 | 2003-11-06 | 2004-05-07 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2007-05-07 | 2007-11-06 | 2008-05-07 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |