US5572587A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Telephone system and method for easing wait time in queue
Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co Ltd
•
Filing: 1995-03-08
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Granted: 1996-11-05
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Expires: 2015-03-08
Abstract
Abstract A telephone system and method for easing an incoming caller's wait time in queue before being connected to a called party is disclosed. A "ready" signal initiated by the called party via the called party's telephone is provided to the caller's telephone to inform the caller that communication can commence between the caller and the called party. Thus, the caller need not wait with the caller's telephone pressed against his or her ear. Instead, the caller can put the telephone down (off-hook) and go about his or her business until receiving the ready signal. The ready signal can be provided visually and/or audibly. The ready signal can be enabled by the caller. The ready signal can also be terminated by the caller to enable the initiation of communication with the called party. "Ready enable", "ready" and "ready termination" functions can be initiated by pressing specialty keys on a telephone or can be assigned predetermined sequences of keys from a traditional telephone key pad.
Inventors
- 👤 Pranay Gaglani
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-06 01:42
CPC Classifications
H; H04; H04M; H04M1/00; H04M1/247; H04M1/2471; H04M1/2472; H04M3/00; H04M3/42; H04M3/428; H04M3/48; H04M3/50; H04M3/51; H04M3/523; H04M2201/00; H04M2201/38; H04M2201/40; H04M3/487
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 25
Claim 1
Independent Claim
61 words
A telephone system comprising a plurality of telephones and a switching network, the telephone system further comprising: means for sending an initiation signal from a first telephone of two connected telephones to the switching network; and means for sending a ready signal from the switching network to a second telephone of the two connected telephones in response to the initiation signal.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
61 words
A telephone system comprising a plurality of telephones and a switching network, the telephone system further comprising: means for sending an initiation signal from a first telephone of two connected telephones to the switching network; and means for sending a ready signal from the switching network to a second telephone of the two connected telephones in response to the initiation signal.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
25 words
A telephone system as recited in claim 1, wherein the means for sending an initiation signal comprises a ready button associated with the first telephone.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
30 words
A telephone system as recited in claim 1, wherein the means for sending an initiation signal comprises a predetermined series of buttons on a keypad associated with the first telephone.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
16 words
A telephone system as recited in claim 1, wherein the ready signal is an audio signal.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
16 words
A telephone system as recited in claim 4, wherein the audio signal is an off-hook signal.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
16 words
A telephone system as recited in claim 1, wherein the ready signal is a visual signal.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
23 words
A telephone system as recited in claim 6, wherein the visual signal is provided by illuminating a light associated with the second telephone.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
27 words
A telephone system as recited in claim 1, wherein the second telephone further comprises: means for receiving the ready signal; and means for terminating the ready signal.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
26 words
A telephone system as recited in claim 8, wherein the means for terminating the ready signal comprises a ready termination button associated with the second telephone.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
30 words
A telephone system as recited in claim 8, wherein the means for terminating the ready signal comprises a predetermined series of buttons on a keypad associated with the second telephone.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
39 words
A telephone system as recited in claim 8, wherein the means for terminating the ready signal comprises a keypad associated with the second telephone, such that the ready signal is terminated when any button on the keypad is pressed.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
24 words
A telephone system as recited in claim 8, wherein the means for terminating the ready signal comprises a switch-hook associated with the second telephone.
Claim 14
Independent Claim
57 words
A method for use in a telephone system, the method comprising the steps of: establishing a telephone connection between a first telephone and a second telephone; sending an initiation signal from the first telephone to a switching network; and sending, in response to the initiation signal, a ready signal from the switching network to the second telephone.
Claim 15
Independent Claim
57 words
A method for use in a telephone system, the method comprising the steps of: establishing a telephone connection between a first telephone and a second telephone; sending an initiation signal from the first telephone to a switching network; and sending, in response to the initiation signal, a ready signal from the switching network to the second telephone.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
23 words
A method as recited in claim 13, wherein the initiation signal is sent by pressing a ready button associated with the first telephone.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
28 words
A method as recited in claim 13, wherein the initiation signal is sent by pressing a predetermined series of buttons on a keypad associated with the first telephone.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
27 words
A method as recited in claim 13, further comprising the step of enabling, from the second telephone, the transmission of the initiation signal from the first telephone.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
23 words
A method as recited in claim 16, wherein the step of enabling comprises pressing a ready enable button associated with the second telephone.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
27 words
A method as recited in claim 16, wherein the step of enabling comprises pressing a predetermined series of buttons on a keypad associated with the second telephone.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
20 words
A method as recited in claim 13, further comprising the step of terminating the ready signal at the second telephone.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
22 words
A method as recited in claim 19, wherein the terminating step comprises pressing a ready termination button associated with the second telephone.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
26 words
A method as recited in claim 19, wherein the terminating step comprises pressing a predetermined series of buttons on a keypad associated with the second telephone.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
23 words
A method as recited in claim 19, wherein the terminating step comprises pressing any button on a keypad associated with the second telephone.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
20 words
A method as recited in claim 19, wherein the terminating step comprises pressing a switch-hook associated with the second telephone.
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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) | 1999-11-05 | 2000-05-06 | 2000-11-05 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2003-11-05 | 2004-05-06 | 2004-11-05 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2007-11-05 | 2008-05-06 | 2008-11-05 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |